And their fire was deadly and effective. In almost less
time than it takes to tell it the doorway was choked with German dead.
It was a gruesome sight and even the French soldiers, used as they were
to such spectacles, shuddered inwardly. It seemed foolhardy for the enemy
to seek entrance to the house through that blocked door. Even the Germans
realized it and would have drawn back but for the fact that their
officers, farther back, urged them on with cries and imprecations.
Again there was a concerted rush for the door.
The pile of prostrate German forms served as a shield for the defenders
and behind this barrier of bodies the men took their posts and poured a
withering fire into the ranks of the attackers. This deadly fire was more
than the Germans could face, and in spite of the frantic efforts of their
officers, they drew off.
"I didn't think they could make it," shouted Captain Leroux. "Good
work, men!"
A cheer went up from the defenders. But the men knew the calibre of these
German veterans and they realized that the attack had not been given up.
They knew that the Germans, with their superior numbers, would not desist
and that eventually they must be overwhelmed.
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