They rode forward more rapidly.

Meanwhile, the Italians pressed forward to the attack.  With the first shell hurled within their lines by the enemy’s artillery, the Austrians came to life.  Weak spots in the long battle line were strengthened, reinforcements were hurried forward all along the entire front.  The Austrian artillery opened fire and for an hour the long-range artillery duel continued.

But now the Austrian officers grew greatly excited.  From the shelter of the distant Italian trenches rose a long line of men.  Coolly they formed under the Austrian fire, and stood awaiting the signal to advance.  And a moment later it came.

On came the Italians in spite of the withering fire of the Austrian infantry and the still more deadly execution of the great guns, which mowed them down by the hundreds.

But as fast as these gaps appeared, they were filled by others, and the Italians continued to forge ahead.

An Austrian bugle spoke sharply, and there sallied forth from the Austrian entrenchments masses of infantry at the double, closely followed by cavalry.

Evidently the Austrian commander had determined not to put his entire dependence upon his artillery.

The Italians sprang forward to meet the foe.  They rushed as though hurled from a catapult.

The solid lines of infantry met with a shock.  Rifles flashed and revolvers spoke sharply.  Steel flashed in the air and hand grenades added their deadly execution to the terrible work.

And now the Italian infantry parted suddenly in the center and from behind at a furious pace came squadron upon squadron of cavalry, possibly, all told, five thousand men.

With impetuous bravery they dashed forward, throwing themselves upon the bayonets of the Austrian infantry, which had braced to receive the shock.  But the enemy could not withstand this desperate charge.  They faltered, hesitated, broke and fled.  In vain their officers sought to bring order out of chaos.  It was beyond their effort.

Straight in among the broken infantry plunged the Italian cavalry.  Sabers whirled in the air and descended with terrible effect.  Horses trampled fallen men, and bit at those who stood in their way, stamping and striking at others with their feet.

Realizing that his infantry was completely demoralized, the Austrian commander gave the word to send his own cavalry into the fray.

With a shout the horsemen charged.  The Italians drew up their horses sharply and braced themselves to meet this new attack.

Chester and Hal, who came within view of this deadly work at this moment, stood spellbound.

Then Chester spoke.

“Now,” he said, “you will see what I call real fighting.  Look!”

The two bodies of horsemen met with a crash.

CHAPTER XXI.

The boys go into battle.