busy now. They had not been
dispersed and in spite of the tremendous battering by the French guns a
furious hail of bullets was poured into the advancing troops. The
French charge was irresistible, however, and with a rush it swept up to
and into the German first-line trench.

Here a furious hand-to-hand combat took place. Using bayonets or the
butts of their rifles the men stabbed and clubbed at one another. Like
demons the French fought; they were there to win and they meant to win.
Their dash and spirit were simply invincible.

As Jacques sprang over the parapet a huge German advanced upon him with
a cry of rage. The young Frenchman had partly fallen when he landed in
the trench so that for the moment his balance was nearly destroyed.
Consequently he was at a disadvantage and seeing his enemy making
towards him he realized that before he could do anything he would be
killed. Already the German had his rifle upraised preparatory to
bringing it down upon the head of the young soldier.

It's all over, thought Jacques and he half closed his eyes. The
expected blow never fell, however. Before the German could bring his
gun down, a Frenchman standing just behind him suddenly pierced him
through and through with his bayonet. The huge German sank to the
ground without a sound.

"Armande!" cried Jacques, suddenly recognizing his rescuer. "You saved
my life."

"It is part of the day's work," said Armande lightly, for it was indeed
the daring Frenchman who had aided Jacques so opportunely.

Every German in the trench had by this time either been killed or
captured and already the prisoners were being led back to the French
lines.

"The next trench now," shouted someone. "Why stop here?"

A cheer greeted this remark and immediately the soldiers began to
scramble out of the captured position. The second line of German
trenches ran through a little wood on one border of which appeared the
tower of a chateau which had so far escaped destruction in some
miraculous way.

"Let's make for that," shouted Armande in Jacques' ear. "If we can
reach that chateau we can defend ourselves indefinitely."

"Get some more men and we'll go," answered Jacques.

"This way! This way!" cried Armande, and immediately a dozen or
fifteen men turned aside and followed his lead.

At top speed the little company dashed forward. The German rifles and
machine-guns raked them with a galling fire, but still they kept on.
Four of