Clair W. Hayes

“ Never, so far as Hal and Chester could remember, had the fire of the heavy German batteries been so terrific. The very earth quivered under their feet from the shock. While the Allied artillery was returning the German fire, the guns had not been concentrated upon the foe’s positions; but the activity of the French, British and American artillery was soon to equal that of the enemy and the two, combined, were speedily engaged in what was to prove the greatest artillery action in history. ”

“ Suddenly the fog lifted, and for the first time Hal was conscious of the fact that his baby tank was unsupported by other tanks, or infantry, although the big American guns still sounded from behind. Nevertheless, Hal knew that the American advance was likely to be resumed at any minute.
In spite of the lifting of the fog, the approach of the tank was still unperceived by the enemy. It is a constant source of wonder to tank crews that this happens so often. Locked up in their steel chamber and with a hammering gun they feel their roaring progress must herald them afar. ”

“ I have seen such troops in action—the Portuguese. The enemy scattered them like chaff before the wind.”
“My men are Americans, sir,” said General Pershing simply.
“Oh, I know the traditions of the American fighting man,” said Marshal Foch. “I know that the trained American soldier is the equal of any in the world. But still I hesitate. If I could only be sure that the enemy has exhausted himself in his latest offensive—if I only knew the disposition of his forces—then I might act. ”

“ German gunners ran from their guns in face of such assaults; others tried to withdraw their guns; still others were taken in groups huddled in ravines as youth, fearful in its white rage of determination, bore down upon them and gathered them in, or, again, drove the bayonet home into gunners who stuck to their posts until the instant that forms, with eyes gleaming, leapt upon them.
With captured German machine guns, men, whom the marines farther back could not reach with food and water, held their gains, taking food and water from the American and German dead. ”

“ There was no firing in this particular sector of the battlefield for the moment, but to the north and south Hal and Chester could hear the rumble of the big guns as the artillery duel continued on each flank.
“Where are you going to take us, lieutenant?”
“None of your business,” was their captor’s response.
“You’re not a very civil sort of a fellow, are you?” demanded Hal.
“Hold your tongue, if you know what’s good for you,” was the response. “We don’t have time to bother with a pair of American pigs. You’ll be lucky if you are not ordered shot at once.” ”

“ General Pershing clapped his hands.
“I know you now,” he said. “Colonel, these are the young officers who went to Berlin and brought back the list of German spies in America.”
“That so, sir?” said Colonel Gibson. “Seems to me they are very young to have been entrusted with such a task.”
“Young they are in years,” said the American commander-in-chief, “but they are older than a good many of us in experience, so far as this war is concerned. If my memory serves me right, I believe they put in several years with the French and British before the United States entered the conflict. Am I right?” ”

“ Around the edges of this stupendous mountain of death there was a feverish activity, a subdued excitement that boded ill. American and French ammunition trains came tearing, galloping, whirling in dust-clouds ahead of smoking exhausts—into that trembling woods. With seeming recklessness shells were tossed into the wagons and camions, which departed with fresh haste.
A flood of giant trucks streamed into the woods, dumped their loads of ammunition and whirled away for more. The marines tightened their belts and decided to stick around. ”

“ Weaving in and out through the traffic came the walking wounded; Germans bearing improvised stretchers and batches of from ten to twenty prisoners. The air was peopled with aeroplanes. The sharp chatter of machine guns occasionally rose above the rumble of the artillery.
In their first encounter of any moment with the Boche the marines learned many things. They learned that the German infantry had a horror of hand-to-hand fighting, and would run or surrender rather than try such combat. ”

“ Ten minutes later they were speeding westward in a big army automobile, Hal himself at the wheel.
“If you ask me, Chester,” said Hal as they sped along, “these marines, from what I have seen of them, are going to prove among the most effective units in Uncle Sam’s army.”
“What makes you think so?” demanded Chester.
“Well, take this man Bowers for example. Of course, he’s a powerful man, but it’s his spirit that counts—he’s afraid of nothing. He’s perfectly cool under fire and when it comes to hand-to-hand fighting I doubt if there’s a man in the German army who could stand up against him.” ”

“ I believe that we shall have more chance of making our escape if we are apprehended as American officers than if we are taken as possible spies. The life of a spy, or even a suspect, you know, is short.”
“Looks to me,” said Chester dryly, “as though the lives of Lieutenants Paine and Crawford were going to be short, no matter how you figure it.”
“There you go croaking again,” said Hal. “Never yell until you’re hurt. That’s a good axiom.” ”

“ Chester waved his sword aloft as he urged his troops to greater efforts. Hal, close beside his chum, also brandished his sword and flourished a revolver in his left hand.
In this manner, in spite of the havoc wreaked in their lines by the enemy fire, the marines charged upon the German lines before Chateau Thierry.
The opposing lines met with a shock. Men stumbled forward; others reeled back and dropped to the ground to rise no more. It was a terrible spectacle, and Hal and Chester were right in the middle of it. ”

“ A voice, strangely familiar to Hal and Chester, floated into the American trenches from the darkness of No Man’s Land beyond.
“Hello,” said Captain O’Neil, “somebody left out there, eh? Well, I guess he’ll have to make the best of it for the night. Fritz is in an ugly humor this evening. No use stirring him up. We’re pretty comfortable here for a change.”
“Seems pretty tough to leave him out there though, sir,” Chester ventured.
“So it does. Still when he came into this war he must have known it wasn’t a game of tiddlewinks. He’ll have to take his chances same as the rest of us. ”

“ As it developed, Hal had picked out the most difficult task for Sergeant Bowers and his men. As the door burst in under the blows of the marines, Sergeant Bowers, in advance, saw that the lower hall was filled with Germans.
But it was too late to draw back now. Besides, the lives of many Americans outside lay in the hands of these foes should the little party of Americans fail to conquer them.
“Down, men!” cried the sergeant, and the first volley from the Germans passed harmlessly over their heads. ”

“ Chester followed his example. A moment later the machine was surrounded by a score of German soldiers, a lieutenant at their head.
“What are you doing here?” demanded the German officer sharply of Hal.
“By Jove, Hal!” cried Chester in well simulated surprise. “They’re Germans. You’ve run right into a nest of the enemy.”
“So it would seem,” replied Hal, immediately falling in with Chester’s ruse. “Now that’s what I call bad luck.” ”

“ Fifteen minutes later there were a thousand happy marines in that section, ravenously gulping down a real “feed” and quenching their thirst.
But war considers no man’s pleasure. In the midst of the feast came the rattle and clatter of machine guns, temporarily acting as aerial defense.
Came sweeping down from the sky four aeroplanes, directly over where Hal and Chester stood conversing.
“The Iron Cross!” cried Sergeant Bowers.
Under the command of their officers, the men grabbed their rifles.
“Hold on!” cried one, as the men were about to fire at the nearest machine. “It’s a Frenchman.” ”

“ It was 10 o’clock that night when Hal and Chester found themselves alone in their temporary quarters in Chateau Thierry.
“Well, we went through ’em, old boy,” said Hal quietly.
“Of course,” said Chester. “And from this time we’ll go through ’em almost at will. And it was the Prussian Guard we licked. Think of that! The pride of the German emperor—the best troops he boasted.”
“Mark my words,” said Hal, “while the fighting is by no means over, this is the beginning of the end. We’ve met the best the enemy had to offer and it wasn’t good enough. They’ve lost thousands upon thousands. ”

“ There would be time enough for formation when they were safely ashore. Each man, when he waded into the water, struck out for himself, his chief aim being to reach the opposite shore as quickly as possible.
No bullet touched Hal or Chester as they swam at the head of their men. Bullets kicked up the water all about them, but both lads seemed to bear charmed lives.
Suddenly a German bullet pierced the forehead of Captain Donaldson, and the brave officer threw up his hands and sank without a word. Instantly, realizing that there must be a single head to the party, Hal assumed command. ”

“ Hal knew as well as any soldier in the Allied armies that tanks, British, French or American, were not expected to make prisoners unless the infantry was in immediate support, and for this reason he understood what Bowers meant when the marine said he couldn’t shoot the German boy down in cold blood.
The reason may be readily understood, for the crew of a baby tank is composed of only two men. Only now and then is it possible to shepherd prisoners ahead of a tank and it is always bad practice for either of the crew to leave his steel fortalice. ”

“ The two lads leaped into the shell crater and laid rough hands upon the occupant, who squirmed and struggled in vain.
“Let me go,” he cried angrily, and struck out right and left.
“Listen, Stubbs,” said Hal. “If you don’t come out of here right now I’ll have to tap you over the head with my revolver.”
The struggles of the man in the shell hole ceased. He almost moaned.
“Hal!” he gasped, and muttered to himself. “Anthony, you certainly are out of luck. Something always happens. And I suppose Chester is here, too, eh?” ”

“ The shouting of the workers, the crunch and grind of wheels, the groan of gears, the cracking of whips, the clang of metal, the pounding of countless horses’ hoofs, the chugging of streams of motors and the screams of their many-throated sirens; empty ammunition trains going and loaded ones coming, light artillery and heavy artillery, tanks in platoons, trucks in companies, field kitchens, water wagons, supply trains, ration carts, all fought for space and air in order to make their own particular noise vibrate. ”

“ Chester agreed, “and I’ll bet a hat that to-morrow and the days to follow will be just as bad.”
“Wouldn’t be surprised,” declared Hal. “It’s only a matter of hours now until the Germans advance to the attack.”
“Well,” said Chester, “we’re prepared for them. They’ll know they’ve been in a battle before they break through here.”
“Right. The thing that I am trying to figure out is just about how many men von Hindenburg is willing to sacrifice in what I believe will be the last enemy offensive on a large scale.” ”

“ After the battle, as I understand it, the German soldiers told one another that we were ‘devils’ and ‘dogs.’ I guess someone joined the words.”
“At all events,” laughed Hal, “you fellows have some reputation to live up to.”
“And we’ll live up to it, never fear,” declared Jenkins.
“I hope so,” interposed Lieutenant Smith. “It has often been said that the morale of the American marines is the best in the world, and it is said with reason. Gathered as they are from all parts of the country, and chiefly from the rougher element, it is only natural that they should be fighters par excellence. ”

“ By this time Hal and Chester had reached the ranks in front and pressed into the thick of the conflict. A few moments later Bowers ranged himself alongside of them. The lads greeted him with a nod; they had no time for words.
So close were the American soldiers together that for the space of a few moments it was impossible for them to wield their bayonets with the greatest effect. All they could do was to press ahead with the bayonets shoved out in front of them. But this condition was soon remedied. The men spread out fanwise, thus giving them better opportunity for using their weapons. ”

“ Hal and Chester sprang to their feet.
“You’re sure, Stubbs?” demanded Chester.
“I’m sure enough in my own mind,” declared the war correspondent, waving the lads back to their seats. “Of course, it is always possible that things won’t work out the way I figure; but knowing the caliber of a certain man in Uncle Sam’s expeditionary forces I figure that they will work out.”
“Explain, Mr. Stubbs,” said Hal.
“Has it ever struck either of you,” said Stubbs slowly, between puffs at his pipe, “that it’s all foolishness for the Allies to remain snug and wait until the enemy does the attacking? ”

“ In these few days of fighting the German losses had been greater than in any battle of the war. The losses of the Allies were comparatively light.
And still Marshal Foch withdrew his troops slowly.
It now became apparent that the commander-in-chief of the Allied forces was ready to sacrifice ground if he could conserve lives. Each day the enemy advanced in the face of the terrible Allied fire his manpower grew weaker. If these tactics were continued, it was plain to the Allied general staff that the enemy must slow down if for no other reason than sheer exhaustion ”

“ Footsteps approached from behind.
“Surrender,” replied Hal quietly. “We can’t afford to let them kill us, you know, much as we might like to fight. While there’s life there’s hope that we may still be successful.”
“Right,” Chester agreed. “Well, here they are.”
As the first German hove in sight, the man put his rifle to his shoulder and fired. The bullet passed between the two lads, who stepped quickly back.
“Wait!” called Hal before the man could fire again. “We surrender.” ”

“ Close to where the swimmers had crossed, engineers, who had been drawn across, now began to throw over pontoon bridges and a tiny foot bridge. The pontoons crumbled under the German fire, but the foot bridge remained intact and added materially to the constantly increasing number of men on the east bank. Soon after dark the first brigade was across the first barrier and more men were ready to make the journey.
After the swimmers headed by Hal and Chester had crossed the river, they waited eagerly until their comrades arrived with rifles, ammunition and side arms. ”

“ In a few words the lad explained the nature of their mission, and added:
“I wish you would have word sent to Captain O’Neil. He probably will be alarmed at our absence.”
“It shall be done at once,” was General Lawrence’s reply.
Hal and Chester re-entered the automobile and continued their journey toward the enemy’s country.
“By the way, Hal,” said Chester, “don’t you think it would be wise to discard these American uniforms?”
“Hardly,” said Hal. “We don’t want to be shot as spies, you know. In regulation uniform, the worst they can do if they capture us is to make us prisoners of war. ”