st in John's face. He began to
have a horrible fear that they could not stop these ruthless horsemen,
but the French relieving force had brought with it light guns, which
were now pushed up, opening almost point blank on the Uhlans.

The hail of steel drove directly in the faces of horses and men, and
they reeled back. Men might stand such a fire, but horses could not.
They bolted from it by hundreds, knocked down and trampled upon one
another, creating a vast turmoil and confusion among the Germans.

John was conscious that he had sprung to his feet, and was advancing
again with his comrades directly upon the Uhlans. They were still
reloading and firing as fast as they could, and the light artillery,
between the spaces, was cutting a perfect harvest of death. As the
Uhlans were driven back out of the open and among the trees their
difficulties increased. It was impossible to fall into any kind of
formation and charge such a formidable infantry defended by guns.

The riflemen pressed closer and closer and poured upon them such a
deadly fire that after many vain efforts to hold their ground the
trumpets sounded the recall, and all those who were able to ride
retreated.

The French set up a tremendous cheer and swept forward to meet their
field guns which were slowly retiring, sending heavy volleys into the
German masses as they withdrew. Yet their escape was a narrow one.
Without the sortie from the fort they would certainly have been cut off
by the Uhlans.

John found himself shouting in triumph with the French. He shared their
feelings now because their danger had been his danger, and he was fast
becoming the same in spirit.

"Just in time!" shouted Wharton in his ear. "See how the Germans come
on, and come without ending!"

The great German mass in the open was now almost abreast of them. Their
numbers seemed endless. Their huge cannon filled the air with
projectiles which poured upon the French earthworks, and, captive
balloons and aeroplanes hanging over them, directed their fire. The
sight, magnificent in some aspects, was terrible nevertheless, and for a
moment or two John was appalled.

"We've got to get back quick as we can," shouted Carstairs, "or they'll
be on us, too!"

"Right! old man!" shouted Wharton, agreeing with him for once.

They were already retiring, and the field artillery was going with them.
But the deadly seventy-five millimeter guns were not idle, although they
were withdrawing. Th