The two boys saluted.

“To your posts, then!”

Hal dashed upstairs and Chester descended quickly below.

Hal gazed quickly about the front room upstairs as he entered it.  There were three windows.  It was the only room facing east.  There were two other rooms on the floor, and Hal quickly posted men at the windows of each.

In the basement Chester found that the only two windows fronted east.  He had not much to guard.  He gazed upon the men under his command and quickly selected five.

“The rest of you go upstairs,” he commanded.  “Six of us will be enough here.  The hard fighting will be done above, if it is done at all.”

The five men selected nodded their approval of the boys’ understanding of the situation.  They could see he was young in years, but from the way in which he issued orders they realized that he was old in experience.

A moment later the French officer in command came downstairs.  He approached Chester.

“In the excitement,” he said, “I forgot to tell you my name.  I am Captain Leroux.  I came down to see if you are all ready.”

“All ready, sir,” said Chester, saluting.

“Good!” The officer took his departure.

On the first floor he attended to several important details in the matter of placing his men to best advantage and then ascended to where Hal was in command.  He gave his name to the latter and commended the manner in which Hal had stationed his men.

“Very good, Lieutenant Paine,” he said.  “I see that I may depend upon you.”

“And upon my friend below, sir,” replied Hal; “and upon the men with me here.”

The soldiers gave a cheer at these words and Hal knew that they would fight to the last.

Captain Leroux peered from the window.

“Not in sight yet,” he muttered.  He turned again to Hal.  “Two hours, Lieutenant,” he said.

“We’ll hold ’em, sir,” was Hal’s quiet response.  “We’ll hold them if it can be done.”

“My instructions,” returned the captain, “are that they must be held.”

“Very well, sir.  Then they shall be held.”

Hal saluted and turned to the window.

And now there hove into sight in the early morning light countless numbers of German infantrymen at a charge.  They had discovered the fact that the French held the farmhouse, and although their officers had no means of ascertaining the French strength at that point, they realized that it must be won before there could be a general advance.  So they ordered the charge.

“Here they come, sir,” said Hal, quietly.

Captain Leroux dashed down the stairs without making reply.

“Let them come close, men,” ordered Hal, “and when I give the word let them have it for all you’re worth.  Make every shot count.”

His words were greeted with a cheer.  Each man was in position.  Each man’s finger was on the trigger.  A moment of silence and then Hal ordered: