"Here they come, sir," said Hal, quietly.
Captain Leroux dashed down the stairs without making reply.
"Let them come close, men," ordered Hal, "and when I give the word let them have it for all you're worth. Make every shot count."
His words were greeted with a cheer. Each man was in position. Each man's finger was on the trigger. A moment of silence and then Hal ordered:
"Fire!"
CHAPTER XIII
THE FIGHT
The front of the farmhouse broke into a sheet of flame.
At almost the same moment, Captain Leroux on the floor below, and Chester in the basement, gave the command to fire and the first line of approaching Germans seemed to crumple up.
But the men behind came on.