Great pieces of these fell on all sides of the boys, but, as though by a miracle, they were unharmed.

Hal lifted his cap from his head, and looked for a long time toward the spot where the great fort had stood.

“A brave soldier and a gallant gentleman!” he said finally.  “May he rest in peace!”

“Aye!” replied Chester softly.  “He has given his life for his country!”

Slowly the boys resumed their walk to the other fortress.  Great excitement prevailed.  The appalling loss of the great fort, and the unaccountable absence of General Simon were causing great anxiety and speculation.  The general belief was that the fort had been destroyed by a German shell.

In Fort No. 5 the boys made their way at once to the quarters of the commander.  They were admitted into his presence almost immediately.  Silently Hal handed him the last words written by the heroic general.  Gravely the commander glanced over the paper; then read aloud to the members of his staff, who surrounded him: 

“I regret I have but one life to give for my country!”

Every officer in the room rose and bared his head.  There was silence for some minutes; then the commander of the fort said quietly: 

“Peace be with him!  On the next roll call he shall be marked:  ’Absent but accounted for.’  He is with the heroes!”

CHAPTER XX.

A race for life.

Hal and Chester walked slowly along the road.  It was just beginning to grow light and the lads were tired out.  All night they had been on their journey toward Louvain, carrying a second communication to General Givet from the Belgian commander at Liege.

Unlike their previous trip, the country now was known to be overrun by Germans, and their second mission was much more perilous than had been their first.  For this reason they had taken a different route, and so did not pass the farmhouse where Chester had been wounded some days before.

“What is that ahead?” asked Chester suddenly.

Hal strained his eyes, peering into the distance.

“I don’t know,” he replied.

They continued their advance, and suddenly Chester exclaimed: 

“Why, it looks like an old-time provision wagon.”

“So it is,” replied Hal; “I wonder what it can be doing here?”

As the boys drew nearer they perceived their surmise had been correct.  A dilapidated old wagon it was, standing beside the road.  To it were hitched two mules.  There was not a soul about.

“I thought these things had gone out of date,” said Hal, indicating the wagon.  “It looks like an old prairie schooner.”

“It certainly does,” answered Chester.  “The only reason I can account for such a relic being in use is that every available vehicle has been impressed into service.”

“I suppose that is the reason, but it certainly reminds me of the wild and woolly days we have read about in America.  If this is not a regulation prairie schooner, I never saw one.”