is own danger, he gave his entire attention to his
friend.

Chester, shaking his head several times, announced that he was not
seriously hurt, and with Lieutenant Anderson by their side they again
plunged into the conflict.

But now the German retreat became more rapid. The enemy was unable to
stand under the fierce charge of the British and they were giving way
on all sides. The British pursued the foe rapidly and hundreds upon
hundreds of the enemy were cut down in their flight.

Unable to keep back the English and retreat orderly, the Germans broke
and fled. The retreat had become a rout. For some distance the British
pursued them, and then a halt was called.

The losses of the British troops had been extremely heavy, but not so
great as that of the enemy, who had suffered tremendously.

Now a thunderous roar broke out. The British artillery, unable to be
used while the hand to hand fighting was in progress, was in action
again, shelling the fleeing Germans.

The dead strewed the battlefield, and as Hal, Chester and Lieutenant
Anderson made their way toward the rear, they were forced to climb
over the dead and wounded, many with shattered limbs and maimed for
life. But the Red Cross was at work, and the wounded were being cared
for with the greatest possible haste and gentleness.

"That was some fight, if you ask me," said Hal to Chester, as they
continued their way to the part of the field where they could see
General French and his staff, Lieutenant Anderson having left them to
rejoin his own men, from whom he had become separated.

"It was all of that," replied Chester, "and I can't imagine how we
escaped with our lives."

"Nor I. It doesn't seem possible that anyone in the midst of such
terrible carnage could live, to say nothing of being only slightly
wounded. By the way, are you hurt much, Hal?"

"No; just a scratch on the face and a bump on the head. And you?"

"I was luckier than that, although a German did crack me with his
rifle butt."

"Look at the dead and wounded lying about," said Hal. "It is a
terrible thing--this modern warfare."

"It is, indeed," returned Chester, and the two continued on their way
in silence.

General French noticed their approach. The British commander was
standing as he had stood through the last part of the battle, exposed
to the fire of the enemy, calmly smoking a cigarette!

CHAPTER VI.

THE BRIDGE IS HELD.

At a sign from General French Hal and C