trees the leaden messengers of death still struck the Germans, and man
after man fell in his tracks.

Now the man nearest Chester threw up his arms and with a cry fell to the
ground. The lad made as if to go to his assistance, but Hal stayed him
with a word, and the little body of English continued their retreat,
firing as they went.

Suddenly the pursued emerged from the woods into the open. A distance of
half a mile lay between them and the next clump of trees. In this half a
mile there was nothing that would afford shelter; and the Germans were
approaching nearer every second.

Hal did not hesitate.

"We shall have to make a dash for it!" he cried. "One more volley, men,
and then run!"

One more death-dealing volley was delivered at close range, and then the
little troop of English turned and fled. But they had traversed scarcely
half the distance when the Germans reached the edge of the woods, and
poured a volley into them.

Hal groaned as men fell on all sides of him. But still those who were
left ran on. At length they reached the friendly shelter of the trees,
but half their number lay behind, either dead or dying.

Once more, screened from the enemy, Hal halted the men.

"We may as well fight it out here," he told them. "We will hold them off