Page 83 - A Hero of Liége

CHAPTER IX

--IN THE TRENCHES

Next morning the two friends flew into Charleroi. The town was seething
with excitement. People were laughing and singing, cheering every soldier

who passed along the street, congratulating each other on the good news. It
had become known that the fierce German assaults of the previous day on

Liege had been beaten back by the guns of the forts and the steady rifle fire
of the men in the trenches, and that the Germans had asked for an armistice

"Splendid!" said Pariset, when he learnt the news from a brother officer:
"though we mustn't crow too soon. The cessation of the attack gives us the

chance I wanted, then. We can take advantage of it to get into Liege. I
should like to report our little coup in person."

"There will be no difficulty in my getting away, I suppose?" asked
Kenneth.

"What do you wish to do?"

"Get to England and join the Flying Corps."

"They would take you?"

"Well, my chest measures thirty-six inches, my teeth are sound, and I've no

varicose veins. The only doubt is about my sight: my right eye is a trifle
astigmatic. But I think I should pass the doctor."

"I wish you could stay with us. But I understand your wish to serve with
your own army. As soon as we get back I'll ask the commandant if I can be

spared to carry you to Ostend."

Kenneth agreed to this, and they started eastward. It was nearing midday
when they swooped down from a great height on to an open space some
three miles west of Liege. Pariset had pointed out the positions of the forts