"Perhaps here, and then again--perhaps, some place else," he answered.
"Who knows?"
"Neither you nor I, surely," replied Hal. "But think of the dead and
dying on the field out there. War is a terrible thing!"
"It is," declared Chester; "and the more I see of it the more I realize
that fact. But come. Let us see if we can find the captain."
It was almost an hour later before they accidentally ran across him, and
the young Frenchman carried his arm in a sling.
"It looks as though I am likely to be on the hospital list for a few
days," said the captain, smilingly.
"It's a wonder to me your name is not on the death list," replied
Chester.
"Indeed it is," agreed Hal. "We watched you through a glass from the
fort. Your action was magnificent. France can well be proud of you.
Believe me, you will not remain a captain long."
"As for that," replied the young Frenchman, "I have just learned that I
have been recommended for promotion."
The boys congratulated him, but he waved them aside laughingly.
"It is no more than you would do for your own America," he declared; "no,
nor no more than you both did only the other day. Whatever I do," he
added softly, "I do for France!"
CHAPTER XIX.
THE DEATH OF A HERO.
For almost a week now the strong Liege fortresses had withstood the
fierce bombardment of the great German guns. Attack after attack had been
beaten back, with heavy losses to both sides. Time after time the German
cavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fire
of the Belgians.
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