"Very good, Lieutenant Paine," he said. "I see that I may depend upon you."
"And upon my friend below, sir," replied Hal; "and upon the men with me here."
The soldiers gave a cheer at these words and Hal knew that they would fight to the last.
Captain Leroux peered from the window.
"Not in sight yet," he muttered. He turned again to Hal. "Two hours,
Lieutenant," he said.
"We'll hold 'em, sir," was Hal's quiet response. "We'll hold them if it can be done."
"My instructions," returned the captain, "are that they must be held."
"Very well, sir. Then they shall be held."
Hal saluted and turned to the window.
And now there hove into sight in the early morning light countless numbers of German infantrymen at a charge. They had discovered the fact that the French held the farmhouse, and although their officers had no means of ascertaining the French strength at that point, they realized that it must be won before there could be a general advance. So they ordered the charge.