The firing increased, but it did not seem to approach nearer. Instead, it appeared to be going away.
“What can it mean?” asked Jerry.
“There’s heavy fighting going on over there,” and Ned indicated a point in the forest where it was known the Germans were in strong force.
There was activity among those that were left of the two battalions. Last desperate efforts had been made to send runners through the enemy line to regimental headquarters to summon help, but all had been killed or captured. It seemed the end of everything, when this new and heavy firing was heard.
And then, like a drink of cold water to a fever-dying 236 man, a ringing American cheer came through the woods to the ears of the exhausted ones.
“What is it? What is it?” cried Bob. “What does it mean?”
“It means we’re rescued!” shouted Jerry, jumping up and swinging his cap, disregarding possible German snipers. “It means the relief has come through!”
The lost battalions were found, the Germans holding them in the forest were killed or driven away, and the remainder of the men were saved.
So ended one of the most dramatic episodes of the war, the losing and finding of these brave men who would not surrender, but preferred death first.
On came the relieving army, and there was rest and food and sleep for the beleaguered ones—and of it all perhaps they needed sleep most, for they had not dared to rest much during that terrible week.