It was in the German tongue, as they all knew, and they all realized that the crucial moment had come.
The lieutenant, seeing a figure in the darkness before him, shot at it pointblank with his pistol. There was a murmured exclamation, and the sentry 103 went down, his finger pressing the trigger of his rifle, discharging it as he fell dead.
“Come on now, boys! Give it to ’em!” cried the officer.
“Forward!” shouted Jerry Hopkins, and with Ned and Bob at his heels he rushed ahead, the others stumbling after him. They had reached the German trenches, and from them now poured several defenders. The main body were in the dugout a little farther on, and it was desired to attack this, and, if possible, capture some prisoners.
“Come on! Come on! Down with the Huns!” cried the lieutenant, and his battle yell was echoed by Jerry and the others.
Then began a fight in the dark, the details of which were never very clear to the Motor Boys. Bob said he let loose all the grenades he had at the advancing party of Germans and then rushed at them, head down, as though advancing the ball for a touchdown.
Ned declared that he fired his automatic pistol until he realized that it was empty, and then, throwing it away, thought for the first time of the grenades he carried. Then he began using them.
There was a deafening noise as the grenades of the Americans exploded in the faces of the advancing Huns, and they, in turn, threw hand bombs and opened fire with their rifles. The attack 104 awoke to life sentries and guard parties all along the line, and the scene was illuminated by a burst of star shells.
“Come on! Into the trenches! They can’t see us there so well!” yelled Jerry.
“That’s the idea!” commanded the lieutenant. “Get to the dugout!”