“It is growing light in the east,” said Helen. “We have talked all night about my poor little affairs. Let us think of something else now, let us—”
She was interrupted by a shattering boom of artillery. It seemed to crack the very air. They sprang upright and stood for a moment listening.
“The beginning!” said Helen solemnly.
“Well, good-bye,” said Zaidos. “I must see where they want me to go. Where’s that doctor?”
The doctor and his assistants as well were there. They hurried into the dug-out, calm, collected, business-like.
“Set out the antiseptics, nurse,” said the doctor. “You were on night duty, but I can’t let you go until someone comes to relieve you. This is very apt to be a big day. You, Zaidos, get out in the first line trench, and don’t lose your head. That cousin of yours is hunting for you. I sent him forward too. Nurse, the new troops are here; every trench and shelter is full of men. A big day, children, a big day!”
He rubbed his muscular, sensitive hands together. Another roar shook the ground and balls of dirt rolled down the walls of the First Aid Station. They heard the muffled beat-beat of feet running through the trenches toward the front.
Zaidos, shivering, his teeth chattering with excitement, buckled on his aid kit and bolted out with a last wave of the hand. He hurried over through the short trench into the cook house, and then made his way along the trench toward the front. A return fire was beginning now, and high in the sky was seen the first Zeppelin. Like a great bird of prey it circled high in air above the lines. Then from somewhere in the rear an English airship skimmed to meet it. The bull-nosed Zeppelin soared and the lighter machine followed, light as a swallow. Zaidos stared, fascinated. He could see spurts of smoke from one and then the other. Another delicate craft passed overhead and joined the first English ship in pursuit. Zaidos stumbled on, still trying to watch the chase. He was suddenly thrown violently to the ground, and covered with earth. Screams of agony came from the trench ahead. He scrambled to his feet and ran forward. A dozen men, tumbled together in horrible confusion, lay tossing and shrieking. Zaidos turned faint for a moment. They were the awful flat, senseless cries of hurt animals. “A-a-a-a-a-a-a!” they shrilled and some of them tore at their wounds. Zaidos ran for the nearest man and knelt beside him. He tried to turn what was left of his body, and could not. He glanced around for help. Sneaking past toward the rear he saw a familiar figure. It was Velo Kupenol. Zaidos called him sharply, and the stern note of authority made Velo turn.
“Come here quickly!” commanded Zaidos.
“I can’t!” panted Velo. “Zaidos, it makes me sick! I’m going to the rear for a little while.”