“This will be the end.  I wish I could have seen Chester once more; good old Chester!”

Hot and blinded, with an open gash in his shoulder where a sword had struck a moment before, but with his eyes flashing and a smile on his lips, the young captain cried his reply to the command to surrender: 

“Have we fought so poorly that you think we shall give up now?”

Then, with upraised swords, the troop awaited the onward rush of the Germans; and, as they waited the young captain found time to murmur to Hal: 

“I am sorry to see you here now, but you are a fighter after my own heart.”

Hal was unable to speak.  He put out his hand and the young Frenchman grasped it warmly.

“I guess it is good-by,” he said quietly.

Then came the shock.  With a yell the Germans threw themselves forward.  A moment more and the onrushing horde would have massacred them like cattle.  But, even at the moment of impact a voice rang out over the field: 

“Forward!  Charge!”

Above the din of shouting and rifle shots it came; and from behind came a full troop of Belgian light cavalry; and in front, with drawn sword, rode Chester.

The troop came on at a whirlwind rush; and, even as they did so, Captain Derevaux urged his men into another charge, and pressed forward into the thickest of the conflict.  And Hal rode by his side.

Blow after blow was aimed at them, but none found its mark.  Parrying and striking, they pushed on; and then a German bugle sounded a recall, and the enemy drew off.

Panting, Chester rode to Hal’s side.

“I was afraid we would be too late!” he exclaimed.

“I am not even scratched,” returned Hal, grasping his friend’s hand.

A Belgian officer hurried up to Captain Derevaux.

“You have this lad to thank for our opportune arrival,” he declared, indicating Chester.  “He told us of your plight, or we would not have arrived in time.”

The captain grasped Chester’s hand.

“You saved the day!” he said simply.

CHAPTER XIV.

A dangerous mission.

Chester was embarrassed.

“I did nothing,” he said.  “I only rode fast.”

The hurrahs of the men who heard him drowned his words.

“The general will think differently,” returned the captain.

“How does it happen you arrived so opportunely, Chester?” asked Hal.

“It’s very simple.  I was returning from my mission, and was riding between you and the outposts.  I heard firing and rode forward to see what was going on.  I saw how things were with you.  Even from where I was I thought I could recognize you in the front rank.

“At first I thought I would ride directly toward you, but then I knew that I could be of greater service by hurrying back and summoning aid.  When I told the general of your perilous position, he acted at once, and I came with the reinforcements.  That’s all there is to it.  You, Hal, are the one deserving of praise.”