*CHAPTER XIV*
*THE CLOSING OF THE NET*
Bullets flew thick and fast after the two lads as they clashed for theshelter of the American lines beyond. Fortunately, however, nonetouched them.
The Germans, it appeared, were so bewildered by the suddenness ofChester's appearance, single-handed attack and the flight of the twochums that followed, that they forgot all about their searchlights,which would have made it possible for them to have picked off fugitivesat will; or else they had no searchlights in that section of the field.
Zig-zagging from right to left, the lads ran at top speed. For a timebullets whistled unpleasantly close, but soon they became few and farbetween.
Hal slowed down. Chester followed his example.
"Whew!" said Chester. "Pretty close, but we're safe enough now, Iguess."
"By George! I hope so," declared Hal. "But there is just one job thatI would have liked to complete before getting away from there."
"What's that?" demanded Chester.
"I would like to have let a little lead into that big German lieutenantwho battered me up with his fist."
"Don't blame you," said Chester. "I'd like a shot at him myself."
"Well," said Hal, "I left my mark on his throat, and that's somesatisfaction. Also, I disposed of the colonel who was responsible, andthere's more satisfaction there, too."
"I saw you," replied Chester. "It was a neat shot."
"Well," said Hal, "we've done something that a couple of other courierssent out by General Rhodes failed to accomplish--we have passed throughthe German lines. The general's plans will not go wrong if we can helpit."
"Right," agreed Chester. "And I figure that the sooner we report toGeneral Lejeune the better."
"Correct as usual. But I don't know that I care to try and repeat thefeat of getting through. Besides, we have General Rhodes' permission tostay here until after the big battle if we like."
"And I vote that we stay," said Chester.
"Think I'll cast my own ballot that way," declared Hal. "We'll stick,unless something turns up to change our minds."
"Now for the American lines, then," said Chester.
They hurried on through the darkness and directly the dim outline of theAmerican trenches loomed up ahead.
"Here we are," said Hal. "Now to get over."
As they would have climbed up, however, the figure of a soldier appearedabove them. He saw them instantly and levelling his rifle cried:
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"Friends," said Hal briefly.
"Advance, friends, and be recognized," said the sentinel.
Hal and Chester obeyed and the sentinel scanned them closely.
"You look all right," he growled at last, "but I'm not sure of you."
"Do you think we'd be coming in here if we didn't belong?" demandedChester.
"I don't know about that; but I can't see any good reason why you shouldbe prowling around out in No Man's Land if you are not bent onmischief."
"Don't be absurd, man," said Hal. "We come from General Rhodes with amessage for General Lejeune."
"A likely story," said the sentry. "How'd you get through the Germans?"
"Walking and running," said Chester. "But are you going to keep usstanding here all night? I tell you we bear an important message fromGeneral Rhodes."
"What'd you both come for?" the sentry wanted to know.
"That," said Chester, thoroughly exasperated, "is none of your business,my man! Will you call the sergeant of the guard, or shall I?"
"Oh, I'll call him," said the sentry, "but I'll tell you right now Idon't think it will do you any good. Kindly step up here, will you?"
Hal and Chester did so. Then, for the first time, the sentry saw thatthey were officers in the American army. He looked flabbergasted.
"I--I--I beg pardon, gentlemen," he said. "I didn't know you wereofficers. Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't give us a chance," said Hal shortly. "Kindly summon thesergeant of the guard."
The sentry argued no longer. He raised his voice in a shout thatbrought the sergeant of the guard on the dead run.
"What's the matter with you, you bonehead?" demanded the sergeant as hecame lumbering forward. "Want to arouse the whole camp?"
"It's all right, sergeant," said Hal. "He only did as ordered. We havecome from General Rhodes with an important message for General Lejeune.Will you direct us to his quarters?"
The sergeant saluted stiffly.
"Follow me, sirs," he said briefly.
Five minutes walk brought the three to the headquarters of the commanderof the Second American division. There the lads were accosted by amember of the general's staff, Colonel O'Shea.
"We desire to see the general at once on a very urgent matter," saidHal.
Colonel O'Shea scowled.
"The general left orders that he was not to be disturbed unless upon avery important matter," he replied.
"But this is urgent," said Chester. "We are instructed by GeneralRhodes to deliver the message at once."
"But how am I to know the matter is so urgent?" asked the colonel.
"Because I say so, sir," said Hal quietly. "I am not in the habit oflying, nor of having my word doubted."
"Oh, is that so," said the colonel, though somewhat taken aback. "Well,I'm not sure the general will care to be disturbed. You may deliveryour message, and then I shall consider whether your business is of suchimportance as to justify waking the general."
"We were not instructed to deliver our message to you, sir," said Halsimply. "I have to request again that we be given immediate audience ofGeneral Lejeune."
The colonel hesitated. Apparently he was on the point of refusing toarouse the general, but he thought better of it, shrugged his shouldersand turned away.
"One moment," he said brusquely.
He returned a moment later, however, followed by a second figure,attired in a suit of pajamas and rubbing sleepy eyes.
"General Lejeune?" asked Hal.
"Yes," was the sharp reply. "What is it?"
"We bear a message from General Rhodes, sir," said Hal.
"Well, let's have it, let's have it," exclaimed the general. "I've gotto get back to bed and get some sleep."
"First, sir," said Hal, "I must explain that we came through the Germanlines where two or three other couriers lost their lives. GeneralRhodes wishes you to understand, sir, that the success of the campaigndepends upon your acting in accordance with his message."
"I have no doubt of it," said General Lejeune. "I have been unable,since the German wedge was driven between our forces, to get intocommunication with General Rhodes or other divisional commanders. I amisolated here, but at the same time I consider my position impregnable,so I am standing pat."
Hal and Chester bowed in understanding of the general's explanation, andthe commander of the Second division added:
"Come, sirs, what is the message you bring?"
"General Rhodes' message, sir," said Hal, "is that he requests you toattack the enemy before Sedan in full force on the evening of November6, the attack to begin precisely at 6 o'clock."
"Very well," said General Lejeune, "and just what is at the bottom ofthis plan--what is to be gained by it?"
"That I do not know, sir," said Hal. "General Rhodes simply asked us tocarry that message. He said that the success of the campaign againstSedan depended upon you doing your part."
"Well, I'll do it, never fear," said General Lejeune. "I've got one ofthe best fighting units in France, and there's not a man in it who's notdead anxious to get another chance at the Huns. You may take back wordto General Rhodes for me, that I shall act in accordance with hiswishes."
"If it is all the same to you, sir," said Chester with a slight smile,"we're not going back--not, at least, until the battle of Sedan isover."
"How's that? How's that?" asked the general in some s
urprise.
"Why, sir," said Chester, "General Rhodes gave us permission to staywith you if we deemed it imprudent to try and pierce the enemy's linesagain."
"And you think it would be imprudent?" asked General Lejeune with aslight smile.
"In view of the trouble we had getting here, yes, sir," replied Chester.
"Very well, then," said the general, "you may remain with us. ColonelO'Shea, will you find quarters for these gentlemen? By the way, I didnot catch your names."
"Crawford, sir," said Chester.
"Paine, sir," said Hal.
"Very well," General Lejeune continued, "Colonel O'Shea, will you pleasesee that Major Paine and Major Crawford are provided with suitablequarters? And will you both report to me at 8 o'clock in the morning,gentlemen? I may have need of you. The Second division is anhospitable unit, but you'll find that guests are required to work aswell as home folks."
"We shall be more than glad to do our parts, sir," said Hal.
"Very well. Now you have kept me out of bed long enough. I'll leaveyou both to the good graces of Colonel O'Shea, and if he doesn't findsuitable quarters for you, you let me know and I'll have himcourt-martialed."
With this, and a smile on his face, the good-natured commander took hisleave.
"By George!" said Hal, as the lads followed Colonel O'Shea from thegeneral's quarters, "he's the most lively commander I ever did see."
"Full of 'pep' eh?" said Chester with a laugh.
"Yes," Hal agreed, "and I'll bet he's full of the same old 'pep' when itcomes down to business."
And Hal was right.