I question whether they
will be able to beat off another attack."
"And are the two hours up, sir," asked one of the men.
Chester glanced at his watch.
"Not quite," he returned.
"How much to go, sir?"
"A little more than five minutes."
The man's face darkened.
"And we'll be relieved at the end of that time without having done any
fighting," he said. "Here we sit down here in the dark and the other
fellows have all the fun."
"You're liable to get yours yet," said Chester. "If I mistake not,
the Germans are returning to the attack. I hear the sounds of firing
from above."
Chester was right. The Germans again had advanced to the charge.
Above, Hal and Captain Leroux were issuing orders to their men for what
each believed would be the final effort. Should this attack be repulsed,
both had some slight hopes that they would not be compelled to face
another--that French reinforcements would arrive before the Germans could
advance again. But, also, neither was sure in his own mind that the
approaching attack of the foe could be beaten off.
And this time the Germans seemed to be advancing in even greater numbers
than before.
"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!" came the spatter of German bullets
against the side of the house; and occasionally a bullet struck home and
left no sound, unless it was the sound of a man toppling over backwards
to the floor, or a man as he clapped his hand to his head.
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