Fighting in France

s worse than it

on," Jacques agreed. "Tha

ffort I suppo

act

to make himself heard above the roar of

very man and a meal was made

time?" ask

irty," re

more," sighed Jacques. "I

e was peering out from one of the low places in the parape

ont of their trenches," said Leon excited

said Jacques confidently. "

as one could see in either direction along the trench men were lined up, waiting for the word to advan

nder," said Jacques, pointing to a spot behind the German posit

be easy enough,

n glanced at his watch; it was just nine o'clock. Every knapsack was hoisted

h guns roared continuously, doing their utmost to clear t

le the bayonets were fixed to the rifles. Once again the whistle sounded; this time twice. Every man m

and Earl in turn. They shook hands solemnly and the twin brothe

their faces were drawn. The young American felt queer; somehow he did not feel real. Ev

asked of Jacques and his voi

. A whisper ran along the line that a corporal and four men were hit. Another

xiously. He glanced over Earl's shoulder at

e trench wall in an effort to be the first one to climb out. A moment later and all were out. The ga

s, Leon, and Earl took their places. The command was quickly given a

clear voice that could be heard even above

the noise of the rifles. Shells were bursting on every side. The air was full of dirt and dust thrown up by the e

tions. At the bottom appeared red and green flames, but above all was darkness. Out of the cloud came a ceaseless rain of metal, rifl

les appeared in the line on both sides of him. Not for long, however; almost instantly the spaces filled up and the advance was continued. He looked at

e right. If he pointed to the left they swung to the left. Blindly they followed on. Closer and closer they came to

The German trench that had been the object of the furious bombardment appeared. In m

among those who had been detailed to clear the enemy out of all the captured tren

their way along. The trench seemed to have numerous spurs and it branched out in many directions. On the bottom lay many dead German

turned from the main trench an

," warned Leon. "

He was taking an active part in ridding his country of the invad

re all dead," cried Ear

ed tightly in his hands Jacques was preparing to run the first of them through when all

ques," shouted Leon. "

rmans and they were turned over to one of the French s

ugh," exclaimed Ja

" cried Leon. "They didn't

at bombardment for the last twenty-four hours the w

t way," said Jacques. "It won't

must be careful going around corners and places

nto an underground room which was furnished with a bedstead, washstand, table and chairs. The light was dim and the three young soldiers could not make ou