The Herr Lieutenant, being ahead, kept out the air from one end, and water came pouring in at the other. But fortunately the way was short, and the Herr Lieutenant was soon in the field, and the water coming suddenly with a rush bore Hans like a straw, landing him almost drowned in the ditch near the Herr Lieutenant.
For a few moments he could not breathe, but the voice of the Herr Lieutenant recalled him.
"Come," said the young man, "come!"
"Ja, ja," and off they started.
For an hour they crawled in the ditch, which seemed to be interminable. Once or twice they heard guns, but who shot them they had no idea, and then presently the ditch ended.
"Come; we are safe now," said the Herr Lieutenant, and he raised himself up from the bushes, Hans following his example.
"Gott im Himmel!" he cried.
On the road before them came soldiers in French uniform.
"Back!" cried the old man, "back; lie flat, or they will see you!"