French and his staff, Lieutenant Anderson having left them to rejoin his
own men, from whom he had become separated.

"It was all of that," replied Chester, "and I can't imagine how we
escaped with our lives."

"Nor I. It doesn't seem possible that anyone in the midst of such
terrible carnage could live, to say nothing of being only slightly
wounded. By the way, are you hurt much, Hal?"

"No; just a scratch on the face and a bump on the head. And you?"

"I was luckier than that, although a German did crack me with his
rifle butt."

"Look at the dead and wounded lying about," said Hal. "It is a terrible
thing--this modern warfare."

"It is, indeed," returned Chester, and the two continued on their way
in silence.

General French noticed their approach. The British commander was standing
as he had stood through the last part of the battle, exposed to the fire
of the enemy, calmly smoking a cigarette!




CHAPTER VI.