Page 88 - A Hero of Liége

For the next half-hour Kenneth lost account of everything but the task so
suddenly thrust upon him. The deafening din of bursting shells and rifle

fire, the quick silent activity of the ambulance bearers, the shouts and
groans of men, were unnoticed by him in his constant preoccupation. He

learnt afterwards how the Germans had pressed on with marvellous passive
courage under the hail of lead and shell from the forts and trenches; how
the gaps cleft in their close-packed ranks had been instantly filled up, as if

men had sprung out of the earth. He fired until the chamber was empty,
refilled and fired again, every now and again hearing Pariset's monotonous

cry, "Mark your man!"

Presently there was a shrill whistle. Instantly, in the trench on either side of

him, the men who had been lying flat sprang to their feet and dashed
forward with a joyous shout. He was up and after them, running across the

field, with bayonet out-thrust, towards the stalwart men in blue-grey, who
had hitherto come nearer and nearer like the irresistible tide. But now he
became suddenly conscious that the tide was receding. These stout warriors

whom shot and shell had failed to daunt had turned tail at the sight of
gleaming steel. Their ranks broke; they wavered, spun round, and fled in

panic disorder across the field.

As Kenneth, with parched lips and trembling limbs, returned with Pariset

from that victorious charge, an officer of the general's staff met them.

"This will never do, lieutenant," he said to Pariset; "we have plenty of brave
fellows to man the trenches, but we haven't too many airmen, and we can't
afford to risk them in field operations. You have no business here, you

know."

"But wasn't it glorious, colonel?" said Pariset, glowing.

"They are men to be proud of. But I am quite serious; get back to your

corps; there will be plenty of work for you. Has this man no uniform, by the
way?"