CHAPTER XII
THE BATTLE OF THIAUMONT FARM
But the knife never reached its mark.
There came a sudden loud report, a flash of flame and the knife clatteredto the floor. Matin reeled and fell backward, and as he did so the secondintruder pounced upon him and pinned him down.
Hal arose to his feet slowly. In his hand he held a smoking revolver.Chester, awakened by the shot, leaped quickly to his feet and hisrevolver flashed in his hand.
"What's happened?" he exclaimed.
"My friend Matin here tried to do for me," said Hal, pointing. "Ishot him."
Chester rushed to the side of the two figures across the room. Then, forthe first time, the identity of the second figure was established. It wasJules Clemenceau.
Hal also approached and bent over. He took Jules by the arm.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"I followed Matin," replied Jules, rising to his feet. "I saw you whenyou entered the trench from the German lines. After you had gone Iheard Matin threaten to kill you. We were relieved at the same time,and suspecting that he might be up to some mischief, I followed him. Iwas too far behind to do any good. I was so frightened that I couldnot cry out."
"How did you happen to see him, Hal?" asked Chester.
"I don't know," was Hal's reply. "I was awakened just as Jules here camethrough the window. I was about to call out when I saw Matin comingtoward me with drawn knife. I drew my revolver quietly and waited. Iwanted him to get close enough so I would not miss. My arm was doubledunder me and I wasn't certain at that distance."
"Is he dead?" asked Chester as Hal bent over the body.
"No," said Hal. "I didn't shoot to kill him. I shot him through theshoulder."
"Then he should regain consciousness pretty quick," declared Chester.
"Oh, he's conscious right now," said Hal. "He's just shamming a bit.Isn't that so, Matin?"
Matin sat up.
"What of it?" he demanded.
"Nothing," returned Hal, "except that the next time you come near me,except in the performance of duty, you will not get off so lightly."
"Are you going to let him go?" asked Jules, in surprise.
"What did you expect me to do with him?" demanded Hal.
"Shoot him again."
Hal was forced to smile at the grimness of the boy's tones.
"No," he said quietly, "I have done him injury enough for one time.Let him go."
"But he will try to kill you again!"
"If he does, he will wish he hadn't," was Hal's reply.
He turned and prodded Matin with the toe of his boot. "Get up and get outof here," he said sharply.
Cringingly, Matin obeyed. He slunk out of the room without a word.
"Now I can breath easier," declared Hal. "His presence contaminatedthe air."
"I am afraid you let him off too easily, Hal," said Chester. "You atleast should report him and have him put in a safe place."
"I guess I am big enough to fight my own battles, Chester," said Hal."The French officers have enough to do without worrying about men likeMatin. Besides, I don't really believe he will bother me again."
And so the subject was dismissed. Jules took his departure and Hal andChester again lay down to sleep. Chester was just about to doze when asudden thought struck him.
"I say, Hal," he called.
"What's the trouble now?"
"Do you suppose it could have been Matin who shot at you that night inour quarters?"
"I don't know. I hardly think so, though. I believe that gentleman calledto pay his respects to Stubbs."
"But--"
"Come, Chester," said Hal, "it's getting late and I am going to get sixgood hours' sleep."
But Hal was mistaken. There was to be yet another interruption to theslumber of the two lads. It came suddenly and unexpectedly.
It was still an hour before dawn when the German artillery broke forthafresh, thousands of guns hurling death upon the sleeping French lines.The men were awake in an instant and rushed to their positions. Out ofthe first confusion order came promptly as officers issued sharpcommands. Officers and men had the same thought. The heavy bombardmentpresaged a new German assault.
Hal and Chester had sprung from the floor at the sound of the firstsalvo. Rushing from the farmhouse, they watched the troops form and moveforward. The defenders of the first line trenches already were engaged bythe German infantry when Hal and Chester reached the open, andreinforcements were being rushed forward as rapidly as possible.
Unassigned for the moment, Hal and Chester were undecided as to what todo. Chester settled the matter.
"We'll stay here," he decided. "There is no need of our going forward. Wewill only be in the way now. If we are needed, of course, it will bedifferent."
Hal agreed with his chum and the two remained where they were.
The terrible thunder of the great guns ceased now and there broke out thecrash of rifle fire. This told Hal and Chester that the German infantrywas charging the trenches.
And this was indeed the case. In great waves of humanity the Germanassault poured on. Into the trenches the men threw themselves, dying bythe hundreds; but there were always more to take their places. While theattack had not been exactly a surprise, the French nevertheless had beencaught off their guard and the first advantage was with the Germans.
As wave after wave of humanity poured into the trenches, the French brokeand fled. Toward Hal and Chester they came, making for the protection ofthe next line of entrenchments just beyond Thiaumont farm. Hal andChester stepped within the farmhouse to watch the flight.
"We can't remain here long," Chester shouted to make himself heard abovethe din and crash of musketry.
Hal nodded his understanding and turned again to the window.
At that moment a body of French infantry, perhaps 200 strong, dasheddirectly for the farmhouse. Through the doors they poured and rushed tothe windows and manned them.
Some rushed upstairs, under the direction of the single officer with themand others descended into the basement.
"By Jove! They are going to make a stand here!" cried Chester.
"Right!" Hal agreed. "Here is a chance for us to do some good. We'lloffer our services to this officer."
The lads had discarded their German uniforms soon after their return tothe French lines and were again attired in regulation French costume,with which they had been provided. They now approached the French officerwho was busy directing the disposition of his men.
"We would be glad, sir," said Hal, "if you would put us to work."
The officer glanced at them keenly.
"Officers, I perceive," he said. "Your names, please?"
The boys gave them.
"Good," said the Frenchman. "Lieutenant Paine, you shall take charge ofthe second floor. Lieutenant Crawford, you will command in the basement.I have orders to hold this position, come what may."
"Very good, sir."
The two boys saluted.
"To your posts, then!"
Hal dashed upstairs and Chester descended quickly below.
Hal gazed quickly about the front room upstairs as he entered it.There were three windows. It was the only room facing east. There weretwo other rooms on the floor, and Hal quickly posted men at thewindows of each.
In the basement Chester found that the only two windows fronted east. Hehad not much to guard. He gazed upon the men under his command andquickly selected five.
"The rest of you go upstairs," he commanded. "Six of us will be enoughhere. The hard fighting will be done above, if it is done at all."
The five men selected nodded their approval of the boys' understanding ofthe situation. They could see he was young in years, but from the way inwhich he issued orders they realized that he was old in experience.
A moment later the French officer in command came downstairs. Heapproached Chester.
"In the excitement," he said, "I forgot to tell you my name. I am CaptainL
eroux. I came down to see if you are all ready."
"All ready, sir," said Chester, saluting.
"Good!" The officer took his departure.
On the first floor he attended to several important details in the matterof placing his men to best advantage and then ascended to where Hal wasin command. He gave his name to the latter and commended the manner inwhich Hal had stationed his men.
"Very good, Lieutenant Paine," he said. "I see that I may dependupon you."
"And upon my friend below, sir," replied Hal; "and upon the menwith me here."
The soldiers gave a cheer at these words and Hal knew that they wouldfight to the last.
Captain Leroux peered from the window.
"Not in sight yet," he muttered. He turned again to Hal. "Two hours,Lieutenant," he said.
"We'll hold 'em, sir," was Hal's quiet response. "We'll hold them if itcan be done."
"My instructions," returned the captain, "are that they must be held."
"Very well, sir. Then they shall be held."
Hal saluted and turned to the window.
And now there hove into sight in the early morning light countlessnumbers of German infantrymen at a charge. They had discovered the factthat the French held the farmhouse, and although their officers had nomeans of ascertaining the French strength at that point, they realizedthat it must be won before there could be a general advance. So theyordered the charge.
"Here they come, sir," said Hal, quietly.
Captain Leroux dashed down the stairs without making reply.
"Let them come close, men," ordered Hal, "and when I give the word letthem have it for all you're worth. Make every shot count."
His words were greeted with a cheer. Each man was in position. Each man'sfinger was on the trigger. A moment of silence and then Hal ordered:
"Fire!"