CHAPTER XXIII
GREAT PREPARATIONS
Watching him from the security of their trench, Ned, Bob, and Jerry, their comrades, and the officers on duty, could scarcely believe their eyes as they saw what had happened. Yet there was no delusion about it. Professor Snodgrass, rashly venturing across No Man’s Land toward the German trenches, was coming back and with three prisoners. As Bob said afterward, it was like the advertisements of the circus which boasted of three rings and innumerable clowns.
“Three prisoners! Count ’em. Three!” Bob yelled.
“Well, for the love of hot chocolate!” cried Jerry, “what does it mean?”
“Search me!” answered Ned, succinctly. “Looks as if he had ’em hypnotized!”
And so it did, for the Huns, as they came nearer, wore on their faces looks of stupefied astonishment.
Straight for the trench where his young friends were, Professor Snodgrass marched his prisoners. 185 He was in great danger, but he did not seem to mind that, or even be aware of it. Doubtless it was the latter, but, as a matter of fact, he was within range of the big guns, as well as within shot of rifles or machine guns.