"So it seems; but I've decided to squat here in these holes and let them fight to their heart's content. Of course, should they rush us, we'll give them more than they bargained for; but I'm not going to attack myself."
"I don't blame you, Major," declared Chester. "But now I've a favor to ask."
"Consider it granted, sir," replied Major Lawrence.
"We have been assigned to no particular duty," Chester continued, "and we should be glad if you would allow us to pass the remaining hours of the war with you, sir."
"I shall be glad to have you with me," was the reply.
This is the reason, then, that Hal and Chester found themselves again in the front lines, a scant hour before the armistice ending the greatest war of history went into effect.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE LAST ZERO
The boche shells were now breaking in the hollow below the spot where Hal and Chester found themselves. Hal was congratulating himself on having a lucky spot in which to witness the closing minutes of the war, when, just on his right, a geyser of earth and rock was hurled up by a mighty explosion.
His first thought was of Chester. But after he had successfully dodged several falling stones, he peered over the edge of his funk hole and there was Chester, grinning broadly.