*CHAPTER XI*
*A NEW MISSION*
"Sit down, gentlemen," said General Rhodes as Hal and Chester enteredhis quarters. "I'll be ready for you in a moment."
The lads obeyed.
For perhaps half an hour they sat quietly while their commander gavedozens of orders to others of his staff who appeared hurriedly everymoment or so and disappeared again just as hurriedly.
At last the room was cleared with the exception of General Rhodes, Hal,Chester and the general's private orderly. General Rhodes motioned thelads to approach.
"Before I ask if you are willing to undertake rather a dangerousmission," he said, "I must explain a few points to you."
The lads stood at attention, but said nothing.
"As you know," said General Rhodes, "we are not more than a dozen milesfrom Sedan, which is our immediate objective. To the north, GeneralLejeune has advanced practically to within the same distance of thetown. When the time comes for the deciding blow, we plan to strikesimultaneously, General Duncan at the same time to hurl theEighty-second division upon the city from the north and west. Also, asyou know, a part of our division, under Colonel English, has wormed itsway to the east of the town and will strike from that direction. Do youfollow me?"
"Yes, sir," said Hal.
"Very well. Now an unforseen obstacle has arisen. The enemy,apparently forseeing our plans, by a sudden counter attack has driven awedge between General Lejeune's division and my own. Telephonecommunication has been cut. For more than twenty-four hours I have beenunable to get in touch with General Lejeune, and yet it is imperative ifthe final attack is to be successful that I communicate with GeneralLejeune."
"I understand, sir," said Chester. "You wish us to make an effort toget through."
General Rhodes nodded.
"That is it exactly," he replied. "But I must tell you a little more.The wedge driven by the enemy is less than a mile wide. If a man gotthrough, he should be able to carry word to General Lejeune and returnwithin six hours. Yet I have already dispatched three messengers andnone has returned."
"You mean that they have failed, sir?" asked Hal.
"So it would seem. In each case I emphasized the necessity of haste.Had one of my previous messengers got through safely, he should havereported to me ere this. I fear they have been either killed or falleninto the hands of the enemy."
"In which event the enemy may have become familiar with your plans,sir," said Chester.
"No," returned General Rhodes, "they carried no written dispatches. Theword that I sent to General Lejeune was verbal. Now my idea is this. Ifyou, Major Paine, and you, Major Crawford, are willing to volunteer forthis hazardous duty, I shall repeat the message to you. I have calledyou both because the matter is urgent. One of you may get through wherethe other fails. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly, sir," said Hal quietly, "and I am sure I speak for my friendas well as myself when I say we are not only willing, but anxious, tovolunteer for the task."
"Indeed we are, sir," Chester agreed.
"Very well, then," said General Rhodes. "The message I would have youcarry to General Lejeune is this: Attack in full force at 6 o'clock onthe evening of November 6, which is day after tomorrow. I shall lay myplans accordingly, going upon the supposition that one of you will getthe message through."
"We shall do the best we can, sir," said Hal quietly.
"And that is the best any man can do," said General Rhodes. "As I say,I shall act upon the supposition that one of you will get through and Ishall attack at that time whether I hear from you again or not. If youcan, come back, but if you deem it more prudent, remain with GeneralLejeune's division until after the battle. That is all, gentlemen."
Hal and Chester saluted and took their departure.
"Rather a ticklish piece of work, if you ask me," was Chester's commentas they made their way back to their own quarters.
"Right you are," Hal agreed, "but the harder the job the moresatisfaction when you have accomplished it successfully."
"What would you suggest?" asked Chester. "Shall we keep on our ownuniforms or shall we disguise ourselves as Germans?"
"We'll keep our own," said Hal. "There is no use risking being caughtas a spy unless absolutely necessary. If we're captured in Americanuniforms they'll make us prisoners of war. In German clothes, we wouldprobably be shot. I'm against the German uniform this trip."
"I guess you're right. Besides, according to General Rhodes, we shallhave to pass through less than half a mile of German territory. NowI'll make another suggestion."
"What is it?"
"My idea is that it will be better if we do not go together. I'll startan hour ahead of you, or you can start an hour ahead of me. We'll layout our route in advance so the one who goes last will know about howfar ahead the other should be. He might even be able to lend a helpinghand should whoever goes first get into trouble."
"Not a bad idea," Hal agreed. "Then I elect to go first."
Chester shrugged.
"Any way suits me," he said. "And when will you start?"
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Eight o'clock now," he said. "I'll start at nine."
"Then I shall start at ten," said Chester.
"Right," said Hal. "Now, as we have nothing to do in the meantime,suppose we take a walk about the camp."
"I'm agreeable," said Chester. "Come on."
For perhaps an hour they strolled about, looking over the hugeencampment with critical eyes. Men slept on their arms that night, hadbeen sleeping on them for a week, for there was no telling at what hourmight come the order to advance.
Cavalry horses pawed the ground restlessly in that part of the fieldwhere they were picketed. The troopers slept or sprawled on the hardground nearby. To the south were parked the American batteries, whileon all sides infantrymen were to be seen by the thousands.
Suddenly, from the direction of General Rhodes' quarters, came a loudhurrah. It was taken up on all sides, and directly the camp became apandemonium.
"Wonder what's going on?" said Hal.
"Don't know," replied Chester. "We'll find out."
The lads hurried toward the general's quarters. Toward them came a crowdof shouting men, throwing their hats in the air and cheering wildly.Hal stopped one of them.
"What's all the excitement?" he asked.
"Haven't you heard the news, sir?" he asked.
"No," said Hal. "What is it?"
"A truce has been signed with Austria," replied the soldier. "Hurrah!"
"Hurrah indeed," said Hal fervently. "And have you heard the nature ofthe truce?"
"Yes, sir. An armistice has been signed to become effective to-morrowmorning at 9 o'clock. The armistice extends for thirty days in whichtime the allies will draw up terms of peace to be presented to Austria,sir."
"That is good news indeed, my man," said Hal. "I am obliged to you."
The soldier saluted and rejoined his companions. Together they continuedtheir parade of the camp; spreading the glad tidings as they went fromplace to place.
"So Stubbs was right after all," Hal mused.
"It seems so," said Chester, "but I wonder where he got hisinformation?"
"It's too deep for me," declared Hal, "but he got it all right. I hopehe lands his scoop, as he calls it."
"So do I. He deserves it."
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Well," he said, "you can stay here awhile and help the otherscelebrate. I've work to do and it's time to be moving."
"Wish I were going with you," said Chester, "but I am convinced we haveagreed on the best plan."
Hal nodded.
"It seems best to me."
"Then I shall follow the directions we agreed upon," said Chester."I'll start in exactly an hour."
"And remember," said Hal, "that one of us must get through, no matterwhat happens."
"Rig
ht," Chester agreed. "Should you get into trouble, I'll lend ahelping hand should I come across you and find that it is possiblewithout endangering my own chances of getting through. Otherwise, youwill have to shift for yourself."
"That's the spirit," declared Hal. "Help if you can withoutcompromising yourself, but always remember that one of us must getthrough. Now I'm off."
He held out his hand, which Chester grasped warmly.
"I'm hoping nothing happens," said the latter quietly. "But you nevercan tell. Good-bye."
"Good-bye," said Hal.
He gave Chester's hand a parting grip, turned on his heel and strodeaway. Chester stood looking after him for some moments. Then he movedon slowly.
"By Jove! I hope nothing happens to Hal," he muttered.
It seemed to Chester that the next hour would never pass, but at lastthe hands of his watch showed 10 o'clock.
"Time to be moving," the lad told himself.
He produced his pair of revolvers and examined them carefully.
"All fine and dandy," he muttered. "Well, I guess there is no reasonfor waiting longer."
He turned and strode off in the direction Hal had gone just a short hourbefore.