"There'll be a barrage here
in a minute."
This seemed about to happen, for machine guns were spitting fire and
death all along that section of the German front, and the American
and French forces were replying. A general engagement might be
precipitated at any moment.
The American lieutenant tried to rally his men, but it was a
hopeless task. The Germans had overpowered them. Tom and Jack
started to run back toward their own lines, having made sure,
however, of putting beyond the power to fight any more the two
Germans who had attacked them.
"Come on!" cried Tom. "We've got to have reinforcements to tackle
this bunch!"
"I guess so!" agreed Jack.
They turned, not to retreat, but to better their positions, when
they both ran full into a body of men that seemed to spring up from
the very ground in the sudden darkness that followed an unusually
bright burst of star shells.
"What is it? Who are they? What's the matter?" cried Tom.
"Give it up!" answered Jack. "Who are you?" he asked.
Instantly a guttural German voice cried:
"Ah! The American swine! We have them!"
In another moment Tom and Jack felt themselves surrounded by an
overpowering number.
Hands plucked at them toughly from all sides, and their pistols and
few remaining grenades were taken from them.
"Turn back with the prisoners!" cried a voice in German.
The two air service boys found themselves being fairly-lifted from
their feet by the rush of their captors.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145