German grinned as he stepped forward to end the combat. His bayonet was
pointed straight at the lad's breast and it seemed as though nothing but
a miracle could save the boy.

But the miracle happened. Suddenly the German dropped his bayonet with a
crash and threw up both arms. He spun on his heel and then fell to the
ground without an outcry. A stray bullet had done what Chester had been
unable to accomplish, and for the moment the lad was safe.

The second trooper now returned to the attack and engaged Chester
fiercely. All this time the French were gradually being forced back, and
of a sudden Chester found himself the center of a mass of German troops.

But the lad had no mind to give up. Throwing caution to the winds, he now
struck out swiftly and sharply with his sword. Once or twice the thrusts
went home. Chester felt a sting in his left shoulder. The bayonet of a
German trooper had pricked him slightly. Chester whirled about and seized
the bayonet with his left hand. A powerful wrench and it was wrested from
the hands of the German soldier, who had been caught off his guard.

Without taking time to reverse the weapon, Chester hurled it in the faces
of the foe who pressed in about him. It struck one man squarely on the
forehead and he toppled over with a groan.

Again Chester laid about him with his sword, retreating slowly as he did
so. The gas helmet that he wore impeded his progress somewhat, for it was
strange to his head and felt uncomfortable. Now the lad realized for the
first time that the Germans before him also wore the heavy helmets.

He aimed a blow at one man's breast and it went home. At the same moment
a second German brought his rifle butt down upon the lad's sword and the
weapon snapped off. Chester felt a second sting in his arm and then he
felt a blow across the helmet.

There was a sudden roaring sound, Chester saw a million stars flash
through the air; then he threw up his arms, made a move to step forward
and crashed to the ground.

The last blow had broken open Chester's gas helmet and the lad was at the
mercy of the poisonous vapors!

CHAPTER VII

HAL TO THE RESCUE

At the same moment that Chester fell to the ground, the clear note of
a bugle rang out from the German rear, sounding the recall. The
attack was to be given up. The resistance of the French had been too
much for the foe.

Hal, who had been retreating with the other French troops, turned a
second before the