Clear
to the German trenches they ran, a second and still a third line close
behind; and then the Germans swarmed out to meet them. A fierce
hand-to-hand encounter ensued with victory crowning German arms. What was
left of the French attacking party scurried back to their own lines.
The Germans did not wait for a second attack. German buglers sounded an
advance. Again the Germans swarmed out of their trenches in countless
thousands and rushed the French trenches.
Hal and Chester at this moment found themselves at the front with orders
for respective divisional commanders. They remained as the Germans
charged, sheltered by the huge earthen breastworks.
The fate of the German charge was the same as that of the French a short
while before. Beaten off after a half hour of fierce fighting, the
Germans retired to the shelter of their own lines. The great German guns,
silent while the infantry was engaged, opened up anew on the French
trenches, dropping shells in profusion.
Hal and Chester stood elbow to elbow watching the destructive work of the
giant shells. Of a sudden a shell dropped close to them. Hal uttered a
cry of alarm and made a desperate attempt to drag Chester out of harm's
way.
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