CHAPTER IX.

TO THE RESCUE.


"It looks rather awesome, doesn't it?" said Chester.

"It certainly does," was Hal's reply.

The object of the boys' conversation was a long armored train, which
stood on a siding. It was late in the afternoon, and the two lads, after
having taken a long rest, and being relieved from active duty by the
express command of General French, had strolled up to the temporary
siding, where the huge engine now stood puffing and snorting.

It was the first time either of the two boys had ever seen this
rapidly moving vehicle of warfare. The open flat cars were protected
by thick sheets of steel, behind which were mounted many small guns
and rapid firers.

These armored trains already had given good accounts of themselves in
other parts of the long line of battle, particularly in Belgium, in
the earlier days of the struggle, and were things of terror to the
German troops.

The train beside which the two lads now stood was ready for instant
action. The gunners were at their posts, ready to go forward at a
moment's notice. The engineer and firemen stood beside the huge engine.