There, upon the top of the German parapet, stood Briggs. His right arm was raised and in it the lads could see a bomb. Apparently the explosions a moment before had come from the same source.
As the three looked on, Briggs sent another bomb hurling down into the
German lines. There was a third blast.
"Great Scott!" cried Chester. "How can he get away with that? Why don't they shoot him?"
"They're trying," said Hal. "You can hear the bullets. They are flying over his head!" The lad raised his voice in a shout: "Briggs! Come down here!"
Briggs glanced down. Hal, Chester, and McKenzie had approached close now, and Briggs made out their features as he gazed down.
"One moment, sir," he said, "and I'll be with you."
Deliberately he drew back his arm again, and, a moment later his last
bomb was hurled into the foe. As the explosion resounded from the
German trenches, Briggs leaped down lightly, approached Hal and
Chester, and saluted.
"I'm ready now, sir," he said.
"Then run!" cried Hal.
The four suited the action to the word, and dashed back toward the American trenches. From behind a volley a rifle fire crackled after them.