"
"Weak! Great Scott! Even the surgeon is unable to see how you held out as
long as you did. You have had a mighty narrow escape, I can tell you!"
"I guess I have," replied Hal feebly. "But anyhow it's an escape. Did you
deliver the letter to General Givet?"
"Yes."
At this juncture, a nurse approached.
"You must go now," she told Chester. "Your friend must have perfect quiet
for the remainder of the day."
"All right," replied Chester, and then turning to Hal:
"Well, good-by, old man. I'll be here the first thing in the morning."
"Good-by," replied Hal. "Now, don't you worry about me. I shall be
all right."
Chester made his way from the hospital.
"By George!" he muttered, as he walked down the street. "I wish it had
been me that was wounded instead of good old Hal. It's certainly tough on
him, but he sure does bear up bravely."
As Chester continued down the street, he was brought to a sudden halt by
the sound of firing from the outskirts of the city; and a moment later a
mounted officer dashed through the street, shouting:
"The Germans! The Germans are approaching!"
People along the street took up the cry and the air was filled with the
sound of startled voices:
"The Germans! The Germans!"
Dashing squadrons of cavalry swept through the streets on their way to
the front; people jumped out of the way as the artillery was hurried by;
and then came columns upon columns of infantry on a quick run.
It was plainly evident that an attack by the Germans had not been
anticipated; but now that the enemy was close at hand, everything
possible was being done for the defense of the city.
Pages:
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151