A score of enemy
troops, perceiving his approach, stayed their retreat and offered him
battle. Hal was nothing loath. He dashed toward them at top speed.
Other French troops, seeing one of their numbers dashing forward, and
perceiving his peril, jumped to the rescue. Still more Germans turned and
more French dashed forward. For a moment it seemed that the struggle
would be renewed in spite of the order for a German recall.
Hal dashed among the foe with sword flashing aloft. Right and left he
slashed and the Germans gave way before his fury. Then they closed in.
Almost at the same moment the French troops came to his assistance.
Again the recall was sounded from the German rear. The few of the foe
who apparently had Hal at their mercy heeded this second call
reluctantly. They drew off slowly, opening upon the advancing French
with their rifles as they did so. The French returned the fire and the
Germans retreated faster.
Apparently it was not the plan of General Domont to follow up the
retreating Germans, for there came no order for a charge. Instead, the
French commander apparently was satisfied with having broken down the
German attack. He had no intention of sacrificing more of his men in a
useless pursuit that would bring them again under the mouths of the big
German guns.
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