It is hardly possible General French would know we are cooped up in
this house."
"That's so," said Chester. "Well, we will have to hold on as long as we
can. That's the best we can do."
"Exactly," agreed Hal quietly.
The three approached the window in front of the house on the second
floor. But, even as they neared it, the rifle of the soldier
guarding it spoke.
"Evidently the siege has begun," said Hal grimly. "Poor fellow!" he
added, as one of the men at the window toppled to the floor, a bullet
in his head.
His place was quickly taken by another, and the battle went on. The
firing became fiercer with each passing moment. The British barred the
windows with chairs, tables, and whatever other articles of furniture
they could find, leaving an opening just large enough to poke their
rifles through.
But even this was not enough to keep out all the German bullets.
Still men fell, though not as fast as before. Captain Anderson
assigned Hal to direct the fire of the British in the front of the
first floor and Chester in the rear. The captain took command of the
second floor himself.
The three were everywhere encouraging the men, seemingly being all over
their respective stations at once. Occasionally, as a man fell, Hal or
Chester would step into the breach and hold the place until relieved by
another soldier.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173