"I say, Hal," he called.
"What's the trouble now?"
"Do you suppose it could have been Matin who shot at you that night in our quarters?"
"I don't know. I hardly think so, though. I believe that gentleman called to pay his respects to Stubbs."
"But—"
"Come, Chester," said Hal, "it's getting late and I am going to get six good hours' sleep."
But Hal was mistaken. There was to be yet another interruption to the slumber of the two lads. It came suddenly and unexpectedly.
It was still an hour before dawn when the German artillery broke forth afresh, thousands of guns hurling death upon the sleeping French lines. The men were awake in an instant and rushed to their positions. Out of the first confusion order came promptly as officers issued sharp commands. Officers and men had the same thought. The heavy bombardment presaged a new German assault.
Hal and Chester had sprung from the floor at the sound of the first salvo. Rushing from the farmhouse, they watched the troops form and move forward. The defenders of the first line trenches already were engaged by the German infantry when Hal and Chester reached the open, and reinforcements were being rushed forward as rapidly as possible.
Unassigned for the moment, Hal and Chester were undecided as to what to do. Chester settled the matter.