“More cannon,” said Chester.

“We seem to be safe enough for the moment,” said Hal.  “The shells are passing over us.  But if one side or the other should advance as far as this house, we would be in imminent danger of being struck by shells from the other side.”

“Well, one side is bound to advance sooner or later,” declared Chester; “but I guess there is nothing for us to do but wait and watch the progress of the battle.”

“You fellows can watch all you want to,” said Stubbs.  “I’m going down stairs where I won’t be able to see a shell coming.”

“It won’t make much difference whether you are up here or down there if a shell hits this house, Mr. Stubbs,” said Chester.

“Maybe not; but I won’t see it and that will help some.”

Stubbs betook himself below.

“Don’t know what is coming over Stubbs,” said Chester.  “He didn’t use to be as bad as that.”

“He was when we first met him,” Hal replied.  “But he seemed to be getting over it.  He’s worse than ever now.”

From their position, those upon the roof of the house could witness the effect of some of the great shells that were hurled into the opposing lines.  One, from the Serbians, struck squarely upon the Bulgarian first line troops, doing terrible execution.  Men were mowed down in great numbers.

A few moments later the Bulgarians also found the range and the havoc was frightful on each side.

“They can’t stand that very long,” said Hal.  “One side or the other will have to make a move.”

The lad was right; and as it transpired the first move was to be made by the Serbians.

So suddenly that it appeared the work of magic, a great body of horsemen, stretching out for perhaps half a mile, issued from the Serbian line in a charge.  On they came, their sabers flashing in the early morning sun, straight for the distant Bulgarian line.

Chester gave an exclamation of dismay.

“They’ll pass within a short distance of us,” he ejaculated.  “Then the Bulgarians will turn their big guns on us.”  He turned to Helen.  “You would better go downstairs, Miss Ellison,” he said quietly.

“But I want to see the battle,” the girl protested.

“Chester is right,” Hal agreed.  “This is no place for you.  Bullets are likely to be flying about here before long now.”

“But the rest of you are not coming down?”

“That’s different,” said Chester.

“I don’t see how.  A bullet is no more liable to hit me than it is to hit you.”

“Well, of course if you insist, I won’t push you down,” said Hal, somewhat nettled.

Helen Ellison tossed her head.

“Of course if you are going to be mean about it, I’ll go down and sit with Mr. Stubbs,” she said.

Without another word she disappeared below.

Hal looked at Chester and smiled.

“Women and girls,” he said, “are very peculiar.  As soon as you agree with them they change their minds.”