Part 36 (1/2)

Chester made his way from the hospital.

”By George!” he muttered, as he walked down the street. ”I wish it had been me that was wounded instead of good old Hal. It's certainly tough on him, but he sure does bear up bravely.”

As Chester continued down the street, he was brought to a sudden halt by the sound of firing from the outskirts of the city; and a moment later a mounted officer dashed through the street, shouting:

”The Germans! The Germans are approaching!”

People along the street took up the cry and the air was filled with the sound of startled voices:

”The Germans! The Germans!”

Das.h.i.+ng squadrons of cavalry swept through the streets on their way to the front; people jumped out of the way as the artillery was hurried by; and then came columns upon columns of infantry on a quick run.

It was plainly evident that an attack by the Germans had not been antic.i.p.ated; but now that the enemy was close at hand, everything possible was being done for the defense of the city.

Chester hurried in the wake of the troops, and, as he did so, the first screaming sh.e.l.l burst over his head. He was hurled to the ground, but escaped injury. The crowds that had thronged the streets a moment before vanished as if by magic.

The flying sh.e.l.ls now screamed incessantly overhead. From the front came the deafening roar of many guns, and the crash of thousands upon thousands of rifles. Suddenly the screams of many voices rose, as a building, not far from where Chester stood, was blown into a million pieces.

For a moment Chester was awe-stricken and stood still.

”This is terrible!” he muttered to himself. ”Terrible!”

He was struck by a sudden thought.

”Suppose one of those sh.e.l.ls should strike the hospital?” he said to himself. ”What would happen then? What would happen to Hal?”

Turning, he hurried back in the direction from which he had come. Was it a premonition, or what?

As he turned the corner and the hospital came into view, a horrible scene met his eyes.

The hospital was afire! A brilliant flame shot high into the air, and the smoke poured forth in a dense volume. Even from where he stood Chester could see that one wall of the hospital had fallen. It had crumbled under the shock of a German sh.e.l.l.

Chester dashed forward; nor did he pause or falter at the thought of the dangers he would encounter in the burning building, but ran rapidly up the steps and plunged into the dense cloud of smoke and the sheet of flame.

His sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Almost stifled, his hands and face scorched by the intense heat, he ran up the stairs. At the top, where the air was somewhat clearer, he paused for a moment for breath, then dashed for the room where he knew Hal lay.

Hal was sitting on the edge of the bed when Chester burst into the room.

He had noted the first signs of smoke, and had attempted to rise, but the effort was beyond him. There was not another soul in the room.

He looked up as Chester rushed in.

”I am afraid I can't make it,” he said, in a faint voice.

”We have got to make it,” replied Chester quickly. ”Can you walk at all?”

Hal shook his head.

”I tried to,” he said, ”but I can hardly stand on my feet.”