The Boy Allies in the Trenches | Page 2

for liberty and
succeeded in passing the document to Chester. The lad secreted it.
Finally, through their resourcefulness, the lads managed to make their
escape from the German capital and reached the Russian lines by
means of an airship.
Here they put the document into the hands of Grand Duke Nicholas,
who, at their request, assigned them to a regiment of Cossacks.
The lads immediately made a good friend of a huge Cossack, Alexis
Verhoff, a man of immense prowess and great strength, and with him
saw a world of fighting. In a battle with the enemy, Marquis, the dog
who had accompanied them, was killed. Later, while they were making
their way back to England by airship, Alexis, who accompanied them,
was wounded on the coast of Sweden, where their machine, crippled by
the fire of German aviators, had fallen.
While Alexis stood off the foe the lads repaired the damage to the
machine, but when they finally succeeded in dragging the huge
Cossack aboard and once more headed toward home, they found that
their friend was wounded unto death. He died as the aeroplane sped
over the North Sea.
In Russia both lads had been decorated with the Cross of St. George by
the Czar of Russia himself--this for their bravery and daring.

Hal and Chester were both exponents of the manly art of self-defense,
and more than once their skill in the fistic art had stood them to good
advantage. They were also proficient in the use of the revolver and
sword. They had returned from Russia with a dispatch for Sir John
French from the Russian Grand Duke, a message so important that the
Russian commander-in-chief would not flash it by wireless for fear that
it might be intercepted by the Germans, and the code deciphered.
Hal and Chester went at once to the quarters assigned them, where they
immediately threw themselves down to rest. They were tired out, as the
journey had occupied days, and they had scarcely closed their eyes
during that time. They had remained in England only long enough to
have the body of Alexis buried with fitting honors, and had then set out
for France immediately.
It was dark when the two lads were aroused by the sound of a bugle
blowing the call to arms. Both were quickly on their feet and dashed
through the darkness to where they could make out the form of their
commander, surrounded by other members of his staff.
"Something up!" cried Hal as they hurried forward.
"Probably a night attack," said Chester. "General French may be
planning to carry some of the enemy's trenches by assault."
"Guess you are right," replied Hal briefly.
They took their places among the others of the British leader's staff and
were received with nods of welcome and some expressions of
astonishment. They had friends among the British officers, many of
whom, because of their long absence, had mourned them as dead.
The lads let their eyes roam about. Troops, troops, troops! Nothing but
troops, as far as the eye could see. Cavalry, artillery and infantry in
solid masses on every side; officers darting hither and thither delivering
sharp orders. It was an impressive sight.
An officer on horseback dashed up to General French and the two held

a short conversation. As the rider turned and was about to make off
again the lads recognized him.
"Major Derevaux!" shouted Hal, taking a step forward.
The officer wheeled in his saddle. He recognized the two lads in an
instant, and reined in.
"Hello, boys," he called back. "I heard you were dead. Glad to see you
again."
Without further words, but with a wave of his hand, the French officer
put spurs to his horse and dashed out of sight in the darkness.
"Wonder what he is doing here?" said Hal. "He was attached to General
Joffre's staff when we left. Remember?"
"Yes," replied Chester. "Must be some momentous move under way."
Other officers now began to appear. They dashed up to the British
commander, made their reports and immediately dashed away again.
"Lieutenant Paine! Lieutenant Crawford!"
It was General French summoning them and the boys approached and
came to attention. Because of past experience, both lads realized
instantly that the General had some ticklish work cut out and that he
had selected them to carry it through.
"Take a troop of cavalry," came the command, "and make a
reconnoissance of the northeast!"
Quickly two officers nearby sprang from their horses and offered them
to the lads, for the latter had not yet had time to find steeds. The lads
sprang into the saddle, saluted their commander, and dashed away. To
the nearest cavalry force they hurried, where upon repeating General
French's order to the commander, they soon had a troop at