Mademoiselle--with the helmet," Major
Marchand suggested. "And a protection from the water."

"The water?" gasped Ruth.

"We have half a mile of morass to cross after we get out of the
trenches," was the reply. "I am unable to carry you over that,
pickaback. You will have to wade, Mademoiselle."

CHAPTER XXII

THROUGH THE GERMAN LINES

Perhaps this was the moment most trying for Ruth Fielding in all that
long-to-be-remembered night. And the Frenchmen realized it.

Having come so far and already having endured so much, however, the
girl of the Red Mill was of no mind to break down. But the thought
introduced into her brain by Major Marchand's last words was troubling
her.

As for roughing it in such an admirable garment as this rubber suit,
Ruth was not at all distressed. She had camped out in the wilderness,
ridden half-broken cow ponies on a Wyoming ranch, and gone fishing in
an open boat. It was not the mannish dress that fretted her.

It was the suggestion of the long and arduous passage between the
American trenches and the German trenches. What lay for her in that No
Man's Land of which she had heard so much?

"I am ready," she said at length, and calmly. "Am I to remove my
skirts?"

"Quite unnecessary, Mademoiselle," replied the major respectfully.
"See! The garment is roomy. It was made, you may be sure, for a man
of some size. Your skirts will ruffle up around you and help to keep
you warm. At this time in the year the swamp water is as cold as the
grave."

Without further question the girl stepped into the rubber suit.
Sergeant Tremp helped to draw it up to her armpits, and then buckled it
over her shoulders. He showed her, too, how to pull in the belt.

She immediately felt that she would be dry and warm in the suit. And,
although the boots seemed loaded, she could walk quite well in them.
Major Marchand gave her a pair of warm gloves, which she drew on, after
tucking her hair up under her helmet all around.

The major thrust two automatic pistols into his belt. But he gave her
a small electric torch to carry, warning her not to use it.

"Then why give it to me?" she asked.

"Ah, Mademoiselle! We _might_ need it. Now--_allons_!"

Tremp slid the plank back, and they filed out into the trench after he
had looked both ways to make sure that the coast was clear. Ruth
wondered what would happen to them if they were caught by an American
patrol? Perhaps be apprehended f