Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-28
CHAPTER Iv-(Continued)

TTNHE pontoon bridge was broken. Several
l. pontoons were in splnters. The others
were swinging with the current toward each
bank Six Belgian field pieces had undohe
the nights labor, and a lively rat-tat OF
rifles, mixed with the sutter of machine
guns, proved that the defenders we're ousy
among the Germans trapped on the north
bank. The heavier ordnance brought 10 the
front by the enemy soon took up the chal-
lenge; troops occupying the town. winch
for the most part, lies on the south Dahk'
began to cover the efforts of the engineers,
instantly renewed. History was being writ
ten in blood that morning on both sldes OF
the Meuse. The splendid defense onered by
a small Belgian force was thwarting the ad-
vance of the Ninth German Army corps
Similarly the Tenth and Seventh were being
held up at Verviers and on the direct road
from AK TO LieEe respectively. All TINS
meant that General Leman, the heroic COM
nander.in- chief at LeEe, was given most
precious time to garrison that strong tor'
tress construct wire entaglements, lay
mines and destroy roads, railways which
again meant that Won Emmchs sledge-
hammer blows with three army corps failed
TO overwhelm Liege in accordance with the
dastardy plan drawn up by the German
stan.
Dalroy, though he might not realize the
marvellous fact then, was, in truth, spec
tator of a serious German defeat. Even in
the conditions he was aglow with admra-
ton for the pluck of the Belgians In stand
ing up so valantly against the merciless
might of Germany. The window was dust
laden as the outcome Of earlier gunf1re, and
he was actually on the point OF opening II
when Irene stopped him
Those men below may catch sight Of
you," she said
He stepped back hurrIedly. Two forage
carts had been brought into the yard and
preparations were being made to load them
with oats and hay.
truculent looking sergeant actually
lifted his eyes to that particular window.
But he could not see through the dimmed
panes, and was only estimating the mills
probable contents
Dalroy laughed constralnedly. You are
the better soldier Of the two" he said. Il
nearly blundered STILL wish the window
was open. / want to size up the chances
Of the Belgians. Those are bigger guns
which are answering, and duel between
big guns and little ones can have only one
Seemingly. the German battery Of quick
hrers had located its opponents. because the
ain now became terrific As though in
resnonse TO Dalroy's desire, three panes Of
glass fell out, owing to atmospheric con-
cussion, and the watchers in the loft could
follow with ease the central phase OF the
struRgle The noise Of the battle was re-
doubled by the accident to the window,
and the air-splitting snarl of the high ex.
plosive shells fired by the bS's In the ehort
10 destroy the Belgian guns was specially
deafeninR That sound more than any
| other seemed to affect Irenes nerves In
| Voluntarily she chung TO Dalroy's arm, and
| he with no other intent than 10 reassure
| her. drew her trembling form close.
II was evident that the assailantS were
| suffering heavy losses. Scores OF men fell
every few minutes among the bridge build
| ers while casualties were frequent among
| The troops lining the quays. Events on the
| RelKian side OF the river were not so
| marked ; but even Irene could make out the
| nrscIss moment when the defenders fire
sIacEened and the line OF pontoons began
| 10 reach out again toward the farther
| shore. .,-.,,
| asked with a tender sympathy which
| showed how lightly she estimated her own
| troubles in comparison with the agony of
! a whole nation.
| thew have changed the position Of some, at
| least, of their guns, and will knock that
bridge 10 smithereens again Just as soon as
1 Il nears completion.
| The forage carts rumbled out of the
ward Dalroy noticed that the soldiers
| wore linen covers over the somewhat snowy
| Pickei -hauben, though the regiments he had
| seen in Aix-la- -Chapelle staggered through
| the streets In their ordinary helmets. This
| was another instance OF German thorough
ness. The invisibility Of the gray-gTeen
| uniform was not so patent when the Pickel-
hauben lent its CLINT, but no sooner had the
| troops crossed the frontier than the linen
| cover was adjusted. and the masses OF men
became almost merged In the browns and
| greens Of the landscape
The two were 50 absorbed In the drama
1 being fought out before their eyes that they