The Germans withstood the first shock of the American charge, but they could not withstand the second. They faltered momentarily, but under the commands of their officers for a moment braced again. But when the Yankees hurled themselves upon the wall of human flesh the third time, the German line wavered along its entire length, then broke. Groups of the enemy threw down their arms and raised their hands in token of surrender. These were quickly passed to the rear, for the men in front were too busy to be occupied with prisoners. Others of the enemy turned and ran. Here and there, however, groups of the foe gathered, determined to resist the Americans to the last. Against these small batches of the enemy, groups of American soldiers dashed. Again the fighting became fast and furious, and in this fighting the Americans sustained their heaviest losses. Hal found himself close to Colonel Johnson, who had advanced in the midst of his men. A German officer raised his revolver and aimed at Colonel Johnson. Hal, who had been about to discharge his own revolver at a big German soldier who was pressing him closely, turned his weapon and fired in time to drop the man who otherwise must surely have killed the American colonel. Colonel Johnson at the same moment had perceived his danger and he realized instantly that Hal had saved his life at the imminent risk of losing his own. Colonel Johnson was a brave man, and he recognized bravery in another. He sprang to Hal’s side and with his sword laid low the man who then held Hal at his mercy. Hal acknowledged this assistance with a smile; he had no time for more. The Germans were pressing too close for that. Colonel Johnson cleared a space about him with his flashing sword. Hal emptied his revolver into the ranks of the enemy, then drew his own sword. Standing side by side, Hal and Colonel Johnson beat off the Germans who tried to pierce their guards. Nevertheless, their predicament was extremely critical, and it is doubtless if they would have come through alive had not half a dozen soldiers, seeing their peril, dashed forward and scattered the Germans who surrounded them. This gave the two a breathing space, of which they took advantage. But the fighting was far from ended yet—the Germans were far from beaten. In the rear of the line which had broken and fled under the American attack, other lines had formed and now dashed forward. Colonel English, taking in the situation at a glance, ordered support to the assistance of the hard-pressed men under Colonel Johnson. The reinforcements came forward with a rush and met the new German line with a crash. The hand-to-hand fighting that ensued was terrific, but after five minutes of give and take, the Germans again retired. American machine guns were swung about hastily to cover the retreating foe and wreaked terrific havoc among the enemy. The retreat became a rout. The Germans turned and fled.