There he was right in the midst of the Germans.  But the latter were too busy and too surprised to pay any attention to him at that moment.  They had wheeled at the first volley from the woods, and had turned their own weapons against the trees on three sides of the cabin.

Two or three of their number had gone down at the first fire, and they were almost demoralized, so sudden and unexpected was the attack.  Consequently, young Cutlip had time almost to get clear of the enemy.  In fact, by quick dodging, he did get beyond them.

Out the door now rushed the three Germans in the cabin, apparently in command of the men without.  One issued harsh orders, and the Germans dropped to the ground, thus making much smaller targets.

Frank, as he sprang forward from among the trees, saw young Cutlip throw open the door and dash out.  Frank ran toward him despite the fact that he was charging the enemy almost single-handed.  But he knew that the boy was in danger through no fault of the lad’s own, and that he must be protected.

“Here, Cutlip!” he called.

The boy ran toward him.

Frank, a revolver in each hand, stopped and awaited the lad’s approach.

Two Germans raised their rifles to shoot Cutlip down.  Frank’s eye caught the glint of the steel in the darkness.  His revolvers spoke sharply twice, and Cutlip came on unharmed.

A bullet sang past Frank’s right ear, another grazed his left.  More bullets began to sing by him.  Cutlip stumbled forward, and sheathing one revolver, Frank caught him by the hand.

“Run!” he cried.

Cutlip needed no further urging.  Together he and Frank sped for the shelter of the woods, which they reached safely and threw themselves on the ground as a rain of bullets passed overhead.

“Close shave, son,” said Frank.

Young Cutlip was trembling, but he was not afraid.

“Give me a gun,” he cried.  “I can pick off a few of ’em.”

But Frank shook his head.

“You’ve done your part,” he said.  “Now you get away from here until we clean these fellows up.”

Frank circled among the trees until he came into the midst of his own men again.  These were still peppering away at the enemy from among the trees and the Germans, lying on the ground, were returning the fire.

“We’re wasting too much time here,” Frank told himself.

He looked across to where Lieutenant Hetherton and his men were also blazing away at the foe.

“Forward men!” cried Frank suddenly.  “Charge!”

The British tars under Frank’s command went forward with a wild yell.  Seeing their companions dashing across the open, the forces commanded by Lieutenant Hetherton and the sailor Hennessy also broke from the trees and charged.

The Germans poured several sharp volleys into the attackers, then threw down their arms.

“Kamerad!  Kamerad!” came the cry.