Noll saw the tree trunk sag downward, in just the fraction of a second ere it broke.
Nor did Corporal Terry wait to see more.
With his eyes on his bunkie, Terry made a prompt leap downward.
He had the advantage of landing on his feet. He was jarred, but there was no time to stop to think of that.
At a bound he was far enough forward, his arms outstretched, to swing hold of head-downward Hal Overton.
The impact might have been too much. Sergeant Hal might even yet have landed on his head. But, as he threw him arms around Hal, Corporal Terry threw himself over backward.
He fell with a thump, but was shaken up—no bones broken.
Sergeant Hal landed on top of his bunkie unhurt.
In an instant they separated, each leaping to his feet.
The falling halves of the tree trunk had fallen perilously close to the boyish non-coms., yet by a stroke of good fortune neither of the comrades had been struck.