ght against us, Nick, after what you learned at
Boxwood Hall."

"Ach! I was forced to," was the answer. "I am glad it is over--that I
am a prisoner. I did not like this war. I shall be glad when it is
over and you have won. It is terrible! Listen, I will a secret tell,"
and he did not seem afraid of the effect it might have on his
apathetic comrades. "Every time I shoot the machine gun I point it at
the ground so it will kill no Americans. I do not want to kill them."

"Hum, that's a good story to tell now!" said the incredulous officer.
"Take 'em to the rear with the other prisoners. Wait, though, this one
can't walk. He'll have to have a stretcher. I'll have his wounds
patched up. But take the others back. Corporal Hopkins!" he called.

"Corporal Hopkins is wounded, Sir," reported Ned, with a catch in his
voice. "He may be dead. He fell just as we stormed this place, Sir!"

"Oh, I did not know that. See to him at once. Here!" he called to some
stretcher-bearers who were coming up, "we may need you!"

They hurried forward, and, leaving Nick Schmouder and the other German
prisoners under guard, the officer, with Ned, Bob, and some other
Americans, went back to where Jerry had been seen to fall. It was just
outside of a little defile leading to the dugout where the machine
gun had wrought such havoc.

"There--there he is!" faltered Ned, as he pointed to the crumpled-up
body of his chum, and Bob turned his face away, for it seemed to be
the end of Jerry Hopkins.

There was blood on Jerry's head, and blood had seeped out from his
right leg, near the knee. Poor Jerry lay very still, and about him
were heaped others, who were unmistakably dead.

The lieutenant bent over the corporal and made a hasty examination.
There was relief on his face--relief which was reflected on the
countenances of Ned and Bob as he said:

"He's still alive, but badly hurt, I'm afraid. Take him back as gently
as you can."

Ned and Bob helped lift him on to the stretcher. Jerry did not move,
and so faint was his breathing that there were times when it seemed to
stop altogether.

Desperately as Ned and Bob wanted to go back to the dressing station
to learn how it fared with their chum, they must stay on duty in the
advanced position they had helped to win. It must be consolidated as
much as possible before night, or the Germans might launch a counter
offensive.

And so, when the Hun machine gun had been turned about, ready to rake
any