Hal dashed upstairs and Chester descended quickly below.
Hal gazed quickly about the front room upstairs as he entered it. There were three windows. It was the only room facing east. There were two other rooms on the floor, and Hal quickly posted men at the windows of each.
In the basement Chester found that the only two windows fronted east. He had not much to guard. He gazed upon the men under his command and quickly selected five.
"The rest of you go upstairs," he commanded. "Six of us will be enough here. The hard fighting will be done above, if it is done at all."
The five men selected nodded their approval of the boys' understanding of the situation. They could see he was young in years, but from the way in which he issued orders they realized that he was old in experience.
A moment later the French officer in command came downstairs. He approached Chester.
"In the excitement," he said, "I forgot to tell you my name. I am Captain
Leroux. I came down to see if you are all ready."
"All ready, sir," said Chester, saluting.
"Good!" The officer took his departure.
On the first floor he attended to several important details in the matter of placing his men to best advantage and then ascended to where Hal was in command. He gave his name to the latter and commended the manner in which Hal had stationed his men.