And the plan was to be put in execution sooner than the lad had hoped for.

Chester saw the Germans slow down.  Then they turned and came toward him.  The lad could not make out at once the cause of their sudden decision to retreat, but it came to him a moment later with the sound of heavy rifle firing.  Apparently, French infantry had advanced to the support of the cavalry and the Germans were not strong enough in numbers to contest effectively.

Immediately, Chester swung the horses to the right in among the trees, which, fortunately, happened to be dense at this particular point.

“Guess we’ll give ’em a little surprise,” said Chester, with a grin.

Dismounting, he motioned the men to unhitch the horses, which was done.  Then the gun was whirled into position where it commanded the roadway.

“We’re ready for them,” said Chester, quietly.

The Germans drew on apace.  Suddenly a thought struck Chester.

“Great Scott!” he exclaimed.  “I can’t shoot them down in cold blood, I’ll have to give them a chance.  Here!” he motioned to one of his men and the latter approached.  “Take this gun,” the lad commanded.  “I’m going to give these fellows a chance to surrender.  If they refuse I’ll duck back here and you let them have it.  I’ll keep out of range, but don’t turn this gun until I get back.  Understand?”

The man signified that he did.

Chester walked some distance back to where the road curved a bit.  He was out of the direct line of fire, but still in such position to make his demand for the surrender of the Germans without allowing them to pass the sweep of the rapid-firer.

With the Germans still some distance down the road, Chester stepped directly into the highway and raised a hand.

The leading Germans pulled up and an officer demanded: 

“What’s the matter?”

“Surrender!” exclaimed Chester, “or you shall all be killed.”

The German officer gave a great laugh.

“Hear the boy talk,” he exclaimed.  “He asks us to surrender when we have just chased all the French back to their own lines.”

There was a roar of laughter from the troop.

“Surrender!” called Chester again.

Again there was a laugh and the German officer called: 

“Throw up your hands, boy, or you shall be shot!”

“Well,” said Chester, “I’ve done all I can.  I’ve warned you.  Your blood be upon your own heads.”

With a sudden leap he disappeared among the trees.  With a fierce cry, the
German officer made after him, firing as he did so.

At the same moment there was a crash as of a thousand rifles.  Germans fell from their saddles like chaff before a storm.  Horses reared, screamed, stampeded and fell down dead, crushing their riders beneath them.

By this time Chester had returned to his men and took charge of the rapid-fire gun himself.  He turned it this way and that, sweeping the roadway clear, where the foe was in range.