German attack. He had no intention of sacrificing more of his men in a
useless pursuit that would bring them again under the mouths of the big
German guns.

Quickly Hal bent over Chester. The latter had fallen with his face on the
ground, and this fact undoubtedly had saved his life. He was unconscious
and his nose was buried in the dirt. He had almost suffocated, but this
fact had saved him from the poisonous gases. Hal stripped the gas helmet
from a dead French soldier and slipped it over Chester's head. Then he
lifted his chum from the ground and started toward the rear, supporting
the unconscious figure as well as he could.

Several French troopers ran to his assistance. Hal lowered Chester to the
ground and put both hands under his chum's head. He motioned one of the
French soldiers to take Chester's feet, and in this manner they carried
Chester from the danger zone.

Hal did not rest easily until after a French surgeon had pronounced
Chester little the worse for his experience. Two bayonet wounds in the
lad's arm were found to be mere scratches.

"He'll pull round in a day or two," said the surgeon. "In the
meantime it would be well to keep him as quiet as possible, though he
is in no danger."

Hal thanked the surgeon, and leaving Chester in safe hands, sought out
General Domont and explained the circumstances to him.

"And I would like to get him back to my own quarters," he concluded.