The Boy Allies in the Trenches - Midst Shot and Shell Along the Aisne by Clair W. (Clair Wallace) Hayes
page 45 of 248 (18%)
page 45 of 248 (18%)
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dead upon the field, had fallen a victim to their claws and teeth.
So now, as Chester crept toward the inert form of the war correspondent, the cats, not perceiving this new enemy--so intent were they upon the body of Stubbs--also approached quietly. Two of the animals were now directly above the body of Stubbs, and stood switching their tails on the limb of a large tree that overhung the roadway. The third was close behind. Snarling, with bared claws and outstretched legs, the first cat leaped. In a moment the others followed. Stubbs had been lying upon his face, and all three of the hungry animals lighted squarely upon his back. Instantly the war correspondent lost all resemblance to a dead man, and the man and cats became a panting, struggling, rolling heap. As Stubbs cried out in alarm, Chester--still some distance away--raised his head and quickly realized the struggle that was taking place. Throwing caution to the winds, he sprang to his feet and with a shout charged the feline foes. The war correspondent was fighting off his biting, clawing assailants as best he could; but the very fact that the cats clung to his back was a point in their favor. One buried its sharp teeth in the back of Stubbs's neck and the war correspondent raised a howl of anguish. As if by magic now the firing from the Germans' side of the road ceased. Hal was unaware of the reason for this, but, suspecting a ruse, he ordered his men to cease firing also until he could determine the cause |
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