All of the prisoners were rounded up, disarmed, and made to march toward the American lines. While this was being done Dave staggered over to the side of the American captain.
“I’ve been wounded in the side, Captain,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s very serious, but at the same time I am feeling rather weak. I have important maps and documents with me which I stole from the German headquarters. I wish to get these to our headquarters just as quickly as possible. Will you help me to do it?”
“I certainly will, Lieutenant,” was the ready response. “Do you want me to send some of the men to headquarters with the documents or do you want to go yourself? If you would rather go yourself, I’ll send a couple of men to assist you.”
“I think I’d rather go myself,” answered Dave, with a faint grin. “But I’ll have to fix up my wound first.”
With a first-aid kit the slight wound in Dave’s side was taken care of temporarily, and then, in company with two of the soldiers, the young lieutenant tramped off in the direction of the American field headquarters. He had previously learned that the engineering unit to which he was attached was located several miles away.
Fortunately the distance to headquarters was not great, and the young lieutenant and those with him arrived there at midnight. Dave was about all in, yet he managed to make his report and deliver the maps and documents he had taken from the German headquarters.
“This is certainly fine work, Lieutenant Porter,” said one of the commanding officers, who was in charge. “Very fine work indeed! These maps and documents may prove of great importance.”
“I hope so, sir. That is why I took them,” answered the young lieutenant in an unsteady voice. Then, of a sudden, all seemed to grow black before his eyes and he staggered and would have fallen had not some of those around supported him.
“This strain has been too much for you, Lieutenant,” said another of the officers kindly. “I think we had better turn you over to one of our doctors immediately.” And this was done, and Dave was given the best of medical attention. Then he was fed and put to bed, and in a short while was in sound slumber. This was in one of the dugouts, where he was safe from the bombardment, which still continued.
Early on the following morning another advance was made by the Americans. This was due in part to the maps and documents which Dave had brought in and which proved the weakness of the Germans at one point on the line. This point was carried a few hours later by our troops; and then followed a general advance which continued almost uninterruptedly for three days.