The fighting in France and Belgium, Alsace and Lorraine had now become a series of battles for the possession of the various trenches that had been dug.  True, long-range artillery duels raged almost incessantly, but the mass of both armies lay in the trenches, now attacking and capturing the enemy’s trenches, now being attacked and being driven out again.

Besides the artillery duels there were, of course, occasional skirmishes between the cavalry, some growing to the proportions of real battles.  But the results of these had never been decisive.  The mighty armies were gripped in a deadlock, and indications pointed to this deadlock being maintained until spring, when, with the disappearance of fierce snowstorms and the breaking up of the terrific cold, a decisive battle might be fought.

This was the situation up to date, when Hal and Chester, with the troop of cavalry, set out on a reconnaissance of the enemy’s position on the first day of January, 1915.

CHAPTER III.

A skirmish.

Surprised at the sudden fusillade, Hal and Chester drew taut the reins with their left hands, pulling their horses back on their haunches, while with their right hands they drew their revolvers.  Behind them the troop came to an abrupt stop.

From the protection of the sand dunes then came a second volley, more deadly than the first, and four more British cavalrymen hit the ground.

Hal and Chester were inactive no longer.

“Forward!” cried Hal, and, setting spurs to his horse, he dashed forward, closely followed by Chester and his men.

As the British charged, the small body of Germans—­only slightly larger than the British force—­broke from their places of concealment and fled.  The British rode rapidly after them with loud cries.

Before the enemy could scatter sufficiently to make good their escape, the British horsemen were upon them.  Some turned to fight, and were shot down with revolver bullets, while others, who ran, were cut down by the heavy cavalry swords of the English.

To the right a score of Germans, in a body, turned to fight it out.  Toward these dashed Hal and Chester, followed by twenty men.  Hal, as he rode, emptied his automatic at this little body of the enemy and Chester did likewise.  Then, their weapons empty, they were upon them with drawn swords.

A German revolver bullet struck Hal’s horse and the animal fell; but by a quick leap Hal avoided being pinned under it, and hurled himself upon the enemy afoot.  Quickly Chester checked his horse and springing to the ground dashed to his chum’s side.  The men behind them also dismounted and prepared to give battle afoot.

The two lads hurled themselves at the enemy without stopping to think.  Hal’s sword struck up the weapon of a German officer, and before the latter could recover his poise, the lad had run him through.  Chester disposed of a second officer equally as rapidly.