"Never!" came back the reply of the German officer in command.

Hal, who had stepped slightly from the shelter of a big tree, jumped back
quickly as a bullet lifted his cap from his head.

"Too bad," he said quietly. "I would have avoided further loss of life.
However, if they will have it, give it to them, men."

The fight had raged, at intervals, all during the night. Now the first
faint signs of dawn appeared and a little while later it became light.

From his shelter Hal took in the situation about him. Here and there dead
bodies strewed the woods, Germans and British alike. Wounded men also lay
upon the ground.

Hal now decided that the battle had lasted long enough. With a cry to his
men he dashed suddenly forward, the troopers following close behind.
Chester, at his end of the field, perceiving this movement, also led his
handful of men forward.

Some fell, as they dashed into the very face of the German fire, but the
bulk of the British reached their goal, where, outnumbering the Germans
now, they soon disposed of them. When all were down but a mere handful, a
German lieutenant, the sole surviving officer, threw down his revolver
and raised his hands in token of surrender.

Hal drew a great breath of pure relief and advanced. He was within ten
feet of the German officer, when the latter suddenly sprang forward. His
sword again leaped forth, and he made a furious thrust at the lad.