ccess of Captain Anderson's strategy.
At the point of the bayonet the British burst through the German line,
dealing out death on every hand as they did so. A moment and the
Germans rallied, but it was too late.

The British were now through the barrier of steel, and had taken
refuge behind a little ridge. And now the reason for the captain's
sudden charge became apparent.

Directly ahead was a large house, and for this refuge the British
dashed madly. The first man to reach the door tried the knob. The door
was locked. From behind came the plod of the heavy German feet and the
sharp crack of rifles.

There was not a moment to lose. With a swift blow of his rifle butt,
the British soldier smashed in the door, and into this opening the
troops poured. A second squad had dashed around to the rear of the
house and performed a similar operation. In less time than it takes to
tell it injured and uninjured alike were in the house. The ground
outside, however, was strewn with their companions.

Quickly every window in the house was manned, the doors barred. And
the British stood silently awaiting the approach of the enemy, which
they knew would come in a very few minutes.

"If it were not for the artillery we could hold this place
indefinitely," said Captain Anderson.

"Yes," agreed Chester; "or, if we can manage to hold out till night,
we may be able to get away."

"It is possible, too," said Hal, "that our absence will be noticed and
aid sent to us."

"I'm not banking much on that," replied Captain Anderson, "for, if we
are missed, our loss probably will be put down to the fortunes of war.
It is hardly possible General French would know we are cooped up in
this house."

"That's so," said Chester. "Well, we will have to hold on as long as
we can. That's the best we can do."

"Exactly," agreed Hal quietly.

The three approached the window in front of the house on the second
floor. But, even as they neared it, the rifle of the soldier guarding
it spoke.

"Evidently the siege has begun," said Hal grimly. "Poor fellow!" he
added, as one of the men at the window toppled to the floor, a bullet
in his head.

His place was quickly taken by another, and the battle went on. The
firing became fiercer with each passing moment. The British barred the
windows with chairs, tables, and whatever other articles of furniture
they could find, leaving an opening just large enough to poke their
rifles through.

But even this wa