He reached for his rifle, which stood near the bed, and, dropping on his knee at the window, brought it to bear upon the first German.  A crack and a puff of smoke and the Teuton was no more.  A second one met the same fate.

These were the two shots whose effect the lads had witnessed from the house next door.  Now His Lordship calmly left the window and dragged the bed right up against it.  Then he climbed in and lay down flat, still keeping his hand upon the rifle, which protruded through the window.  As he glanced over the sights he rested.

Several German bullets crashed through the window and sped above his head; but to these he paid no heed, nor did he fire until he drew a bead upon a vital spot of some German.  Then there would be a sharp crack and the result would be one enemy less.

Hal and Chester also were able to pick off an occasional enemy when one happened to expose himself.  But the Germans became more cautious now.

“It’s only a question of time until they get us,” said Hal quietly.  “Certainly they will not allow us to remain here and pick them off like that.”

“True,” replied Chester.  “But I guess we’ll be able to pick off a few more before they get us.”

From the next house came a hail in His Lordship’s languid voice: 

“You fellows hold ’em off a little while,” it said.  “I’m going to take a nap!”

“Great Scott!” exclaimed Chester.  “Do you hear that?”

“Oh, I heard it, all right,” replied Hal, and he was forced to smile a little to himself.

There came no further shot from the next house, even when a German exposed himself.  Had His Lordship been on guard he could have picked him off with ease.

“He’s asleep, all right,” said Hal briefly.  “We need look for no help there.”

But in this the lad was mistaken, as he was soon to learn.

The silence from His Lordship’s station evidently had caused the Germans to believe that one of their bullets must have gone home, for they came into the open and appeared to be ready to make a dash upon Hal and Chester.

Immediately both lads opened upon them, and several fell.  In spite of this, however, the Germans came on.  But, as they drew closer to the house, and the lads continued to pour lead into them, there came several quick flashes from the window next door, and as many Germans dropped in their tracks.

His Lordship’s repeating rifle was at work once more.  The Germans drew off.

His Lordship pumped lead into them right and left as they dashed for the nearest shelter, and by the time they reached it half the number who had rushed forward lay upon the ground.

Now, from the distance, came the sound of trampling hoofs.  The sound came from the rear, and in another second the Germans broke from behind their shelter and fled swiftly.

A force of French cavalry dashed into view around the house.