Again Chester laid about him with his sword, retreating slowly as he did
so. The gas helmet that he wore impeded his progress somewhat, for it was
strange to his head and felt uncomfortable. Now the lad realized for the
first time that the Germans before him also wore the heavy helmets.

He aimed a blow at one man's breast and it went home. At the same moment
a second German brought his rifle butt down upon the lad's sword and the
weapon snapped off. Chester felt a second sting in his arm and then he
felt a blow across the helmet.

There was a sudden roaring sound, Chester saw a million stars flash
through the air; then he threw up his arms, made a move to step forward
and crashed to the ground.

The last blow had broken open Chester's gas helmet and the lad was at the
mercy of the poisonous vapors!




CHAPTER VII

HAL TO THE RESCUE


At the same moment that Chester fell to the ground, the clear note of
a bugle rang out from the German rear, sounding the recall. The
attack was to be given up. The resistance of the French had been too
much for the foe.