Men were busy also stringing telephone wires, and,
presently, they passed a battery of guns of the largest caliber, the
fire of which was directed entirely by telephone. Some distance beyond
it the regiment stopped again. The huge shells were passing over their
heads toward the German lines, and John believed that he could hear and
count every one of them.
The remains of the regiment now lay down in a dip, as they did not know
anything to do, except to wait for the remainder of the French line to
advance.
Something struck near them presently and exploded with a crash. Steel
splinters flew, but as they were prone only one man was injured.
"They're reaching us again with their shell fire," said John.
"Not at all," said Bougainville. "Look up."
John saw high in the heavens several black specks, which he knew at
once were aeroplanes. Since the bomb had been dropped from one of them
it was obvious that they were German flyers, and missiles of a like
nature might be expected from the same source. Involuntarily he crouched
close to the ground, and tried to press himself into it. He knew that
such an effort would afford him no protection, but the body sought it
nevertheless. All around him the young French soldiers too were clinging
to Mother Earth. Only Bougainville stood erect.
John had felt less apprehension under the artillery fire and in the
charge than he did now. He was helpless here when death fell like hail
from the skies, and he quivered in every muscle as he waited.
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