the
headquarters of General Petain.

"Here's where we get busy again, old man," said Chester.

CHAPTER IV

THE BATTLE OPENS

For forty-eight hours the greatest of modern artillery duels had raged
incessantly. German guns swept the French positions in all sections of
the Verdun region. Fortresses protecting the approach to the city of
Verdun had been shattered. The Germans had hurled two and three shells to
each one by the French.

But after the first day the French had entrenched themselves behind
their earth breastworks, hastily dug and thrown up, and now remained
secure. Into these the German guns now poured their fire. The defenders
were ready for the first attack by infantry, which it was realized would
come soon.

And it came even sooner than was expected.

Hal, with a despatch for the officer in command of the first line troops
just to the north of Verdun, was about to return when there came a
sudden shout:

"Here they come!"

Hal turned quickly.

There, perhaps half a mile away, stretched out a long thin line, barely
visible through the dense cloud of smoke that overhung the ground. Hal
took in the situation, instantly. The German infantry was advancing to
the charge under artillery support.

Behind the first long line stretched out a second and beyond that a third
and a fourth and many more. They advanced slowly in the face of a rain of
lead turned on them by the men in the trenches. Men fell to the right and
to the left, Hal could see, but the gaps were filled instantly and the
long lines pressed forward.

Now they were within three hundred yards and the heavy German guns became
silent. The advance now must be made without further artillery support,
for the German batteries could not fire without imminent danger of
shooting down their own men. The Germans broke into a run.

From behind the French earthworks was poured a hail of lead, but it did
not serve to check the approaching foe. On to the breastworks they came
and clambered up. Behind the first line came many more and they swarmed
upon the defenders like bees in a hive.

Bayonet met bayonet and revolvers cracked. Men struggled with their bare
hands. Friend and foe went down together, struggling to the last. On the
right and on the left, though Hal could not see these actions, similar
scenes were being enacted. The Germans had made their initial advance
upon a front of almost fifteen miles.

A bugle sounded.

French reinforce