CHAPTER XIX.
THE DEATH OF A HERO.
For almost a week now the strong Liege fortresses had withstood thefierce bombardment of the great German guns. Attack after attack had beenbeaten back, with heavy losses to both sides. Time after time the Germancavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fireof the Belgians.
But the forts had not gone unscathed. The heavy German guns had donegreat damage to the fortifications behind which Hal and Chester had takenshelter, and the possibility was now being seriously considered as towhether the fort could withstand another assault.
General Simon, the commander of the fort, had decided in his own mind toblow it up rather than surrender it to the enemy. Many prisoners hadbeen captured by the defenders, and these crowded the fort, occupyingevery inch of available space. And now the next assault of the Germanswas at hand.
Day and night the bombardment of the fort had continued. Under theprotection of the heavy cannonading, the Germans moved once more to theattack. Three times did the enemy charge heroically, and as many timeswere they driven back, with fearful losses. With the fall of darknessthey had given up the attempt to take the fort by storm.
But the Belgian commander knew that the Germans would come again on themorrow; and he also knew that he could not hold forth against them. Hemade his plans accordingly.
Under cover of the darkness he had his prisoners marched to the nearestfort, more than a mile away. Then he ordered all civilians to the safetyof the other fortifications.
His plans for keeping his fortifications from falling into the hands ofthe enemy already made, he set about fulfilling them. He examined themagazine and had everything in readiness. Then he ordered all his troopsto report to the general commanding the nearest fortress, placed a fuseto the magazine, lighted it, and sat down to wait.
Hal and Chester, strolling about the fort, in some unaccountable mannerhad been left behind. Suddenly, for the first time, they noted the utterdesolation of the place.
"Strange," muttered Hal. "Where has everyone gone?"
"You've got me," declared Chester, "but there must be someone around someplace. Let's go up to the general's quarters."
Now, when the soldiers and civilians had been ordered to leave the fort,no one knew it was General Simon's intention of blowing it up. Theythought he was abandoning it because he believed it no longer capable ofresistance. But the commander had planned more deeply and heroically. Hedid not intend the fort to fall into the hands of the enemy, that theymight repair it and turn its guns against his countrymen.
"A German flag shall never wave over this fort," he had mutteredto himself.
The general was sitting calmly at his desk, awaiting the end, when thelads entered his room. He sprang to his feet with an exclamation.
"Leave the fort instantly!" he commanded. "Waste a moment and you are asgood as dead!"
Hal and Chester stared at him in surprise.
"I have fired the magazine, and the fort will be blown to pieces in a fewminutes," said the general hastily. "Fly for your lives!"
"But you, general?" demanded Hal, quietly.
"I? I shall die at my post! But go, instantly! You have not amoment to lose!"
"We shall go when you do, general!" said Chester.
The old commander whipped a revolver from the table before him. Heleveled the weapon at Hal.
"If you do not go immediately, I shall fire!" he threatened.
Hal smiled.
"The result would be no different than that of the explosion," he saidquietly. "Come with us. We have still a chance of escape."
The general lowered his pistol.
"You are right," he said. "But here," a sudden thought having come tohim. "I have still a message for the Belgian people."
He sat down and wrote rapidly. Rising, he handed Hal a paper.
"See that this reaches the commander of Fort No. 5!" he ordered. "Youhave my command! See that it is carried out! Go!"
"That is simply a ruse to get rid of us, general," said Chester.
The general whirled upon him.
"I am still the commander of this fort!" he cried. "Obey my command!"
The boys saluted the gallant old general for the last time; then theyturned on their heels and left him, alone.
Once out of his room, they ran for the outer wall of the fortificationwith all speed; and they did not pause until they were far beyond thefort. Still there was no explosion.
"Perhaps when General Simon finds something has gone wrong, he willfollow us," said Hal hopefully.
"He is a brave old man," replied Chester. "Let us hope he thinks betterof his decision while there is yet time."
But, hardly had the words left his mouth, when there was a terrificroar, followed by a great flash of light. Turning, the boys saw thefort leap into the air as though it were some live thing. High in theair it burst and spread like a huge skyrocket; and then for milesaround there descended pieces of iron, great lumps of steel, like rainfrom the heavens.
Great pieces of these fell on all sides of the boys, but, as though by amiracle, they were unharmed.
Hal lifted his cap from his head, and looked for a long time toward thespot where the great fort had stood.
"A brave soldier and a gallant gentleman!" he said finally. "May he restin peace!"
"Aye!" replied Chester softly. "He has given his life for his country!"
Slowly the boys resumed their walk to the other fortress. Greatexcitement prevailed. The appalling loss of the great fort, and theunaccountable absence of General Simon were causing great anxiety andspeculation. The general belief was that the fort had been destroyed by aGerman shell.
In Fort No. 5 the boys made their way at once to the quarters of thecommander. They were admitted into his presence almost immediately.Silently Hal handed him the last words written by the heroic general.Gravely the commander glanced over the paper; then read aloud to themembers of his staff, who surrounded him:
"I regret I have but one life to give for my country!"
Every officer in the room rose and bared his head. There was silence forsome minutes; then the commander of the fort said quietly:
"Peace be with him! On the next roll call he shall be marked: 'Absent butaccounted for.' He is with the heroes!"