“If you please, general,” he said. “Chester and I would like to carry the message. You see, we are greatly interested in this matter.”
The general glanced at the two lads, and a faint smile lighted up his face.
“And so you shall,” he said at length. “Refresh yourselves with food and drink first, and then report to me.”
Hal and Chester saluted and took their departure. Having done as the general ordered, they lost no time in returning to him. General French had already prepared his dispatch and this he placed in Hal’s hand.
“General Joffre no doubt will be amazed at the contents of this message,” the general told the lads, “and he probably will demand all details from you. Tell them to him as you have to me and I am sure he will be convinced. That is all, except that you return as soon as possible, for I may have other work for you.”
The two lads saluted and started forth on their journey. Both had been furnished with good horses at the command of the general, for they had asked for these in preference to being carried in an army automobile.
“Those things are likely to break down any time,” Hal had confided to Chester, “and you can always depend upon a good horse.”
Chester had agreed with him, so now we find the two lads mounted and riding rapidly toward the southwest, in which direction they knew they should reach the French commander-in-chief.
It was a long, tedious ride, for the French general, that he might have perfect quiet in which to make his plans and direct the movement of the French forces, had made it his custom to remain well in the rear of his army. And here, the following day, the lads found him, and upon informing his orderly that they bore important communications from General French, were admitted to his presence at once.
The French commander-in-chief sat at a small desk, surrounded by members of his staff. Hal and Chester drew themselves up and saluted; then the former advanced and placed the document in Gen. Joffre’s hand.