had been made. Then
silently, like shadows of the night, the figures crept out of the
trench in the darkness and advanced toward the German lines.

The American barbed wire had been cut in places to let the party
through. To pass the German barrier they would have to do their own
cutting, and they were provided with tools for this purpose.

Silently they went down the lane of wire, now and then passing grim
sentries to whom the password was given. And then, coming to the gap
in the wire, Ned, Bob and Jerry, with the others, passed through. Each
member of the party carried an automatic pistol and several hand
grenades. These were small, hollow containers, of cast-iron, loaded
with a powerful explosive, which was set off after a certain trigger
or spring or firing pin (according to the type used) was released by
the thrower. The explosive blew the grenade to bits, and it was
scored, or crisscrossed, by deep indentations so that the iron would
break up into small pieces like shrapnel. The grenades could be
carried in a pouch or in the pocket, and were harmless as long as the
detonating device was not disturbed.

Silently the lieutenant led his men forward. Jerry Hopkins, the only
noncommissioned officer in the squad, marched next, as in the event of
the lieutenant being killed the command would fall to him.

No talking was permitted, and each man knew what he was to do, so no
orders were necessary. On and on they went, and presently they found
themselves traveling over the battle-scarred and shell-pitted
territory of No Man's Land. They had got close to the German barbed
wire when suddenly, as though their movements had been watched,
several star shells were sent up by the Huns.

Instantly every man in the party fell flat on his face and did not
move. It was the only thing to do. They resembled, as nearly as they
might, the dead which lay all about them on the desolate field.

And some of the dead had been there a long time, as it was impossible
for either side to bury them, though occasionally, at night, parties
went out to bring in those in whom it was hoped a spark of life still
remained.

Jerry found that he had thrown himself down close beside a dead Hun.
He wanted desperately to move, for his position was grimly unpleasant,
but he did not dare. This was not the most glorious side of war, but
it was vitally necessary.

However, thanks to the precaution of blackened faces and hands, and to
the dark uniforms,