It is the counter attack that tells. If the attackers are
strong enough to hold what they gain, well and good. If not--the
attack is a failure.
But this one--the first great attack of the Americans--was not
destined to fail, though once it trembled in the balance.
Tom and Jack, with their companions, had flown aloft, and, taking
the stations assigned to them, did their part in the battle. As the
light grew with the break of day, they could see the effect of the
American big guns. It was devastating. And yet some German
batteries lived through it. Several times Tom and Jack, by means of
their wireless, sent back corrections so that the American pieces
might be aimed more effectively. Below them was a maelstrom--an
indescribable chaos of death and destruction. They only had
glimpses of it--glimpses of a seemingly inextricable mixture of men
and guns.
And through it all, though they did not for a moment neglect their
duty, bearing in mind their instructions to keep in contact with the
batteries they served, Tom Raymond and Jack Parmly were eagerly
seeking for a sight of the prison where Harry Leroy might be held.
At one time after they had dropped bombs on some German positions,
thereby demolishing them, Tom, who was acting as pilot, signaled to
his chum that he was going far over the enemy's lines to try to
locate the prison.
Jack nodded an acquiescence. It was not entirely against orders
what they were about to do.
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