he field to our
hundreds--they will outnumber us ten to one, at least. Liege isn't
supposed to hold out against them very long. No one expects it to. If
it checks them, keeps them from spreading all over Belgium in their
first rush, it will have done its part fully."

"I'd like to see them beaten here, just the same," said Arthur,
stubbornly.

"I'm going down to report what happened," said Paul. "Keep watch,
Arthur, but I don't think we can do much more here. I believe that we
won't have to stay here very much longer."

Boncelles had ceased firing by this time, and the close, immediate din
was at an end for the time, at least. There was still heavy firing
from the northwest, which Paul guessed was from the guns of Fort
Pontisse, replying to an attack launched from Vise and Argenteau.
Major du Chaillu had said that the Germans would almost certainly try
to cross the Meuse at Vise, which was the best place they could choose
to launch the cavalry raid he said would be likely to form a part of
their strategy.

"We will have troops there," he said, "to try to hold them back,
supported by Fort Pontisse. But if they come in great force they can
probably break through there, for the place is not well suited to
defence."

Everywhere else in the circle that was closing about Liege the firing
seemed to have died away. And Paul was anxious to know how the opening
skirmish--as he correctly judged it to have been--had gone, as well as
to make his report of what he and Arthur had seen. Delaunay was
waiting at the Boncelles end of the wire.

"You are there at last!" he said, relief in his voice. "I was afraid
you and your brave friend had been hurt."

"No, we're all right. It's the Germans who were hurt! You smashed
that battery to pieces, lieutenant! They never got a single gun ready
to fire. Your second shell smashed the two that were in position, and
the shells after that simply swept the location of the battery. I
don't think the guns can be of much use--not for a long time, and until
they have been thoroughly repaired, at any rate. How has the fighting
gone elsewhere?"

"We are holding them along the Meuse, north of Pontisse. They attacked
with their infantry there, but we beat them back easily."

"That is good news! We are holding them all along the line, then?"

"Yes, for the present. But they have not brought up large forces yet.
When they do, it will soon be over unless we receive heavy
reenfor