first day of January, 1915.




CHAPTER III.

A SKIRMISH.


Surprised at the sudden fusillade, Hal and Chester drew taut the reins
with their left hands, pulling their horses back on their haunches, while
with their right hands they drew their revolvers. Behind them the troop
came to an abrupt stop.

From the protection of the sand dunes then came a second volley, more
deadly than the first, and four more British cavalrymen hit the ground.

Hal and Chester were inactive no longer.

"Forward!" cried Hal, and, setting spurs to his horse, he dashed forward,
closely followed by Chester and his men.

As the British charged, the small body of Germans--only slightly larger
than the British force--broke from their places of concealment and fled.
The British rode rapidly after them with loud cries.

Before the enemy could scatter sufficiently to make good their escape,
the British horsemen were upon them. Some turned to fight, and were shot
down with revolver bullets, while others, who ran, were cut down by the