Then, in line of skirmishers, Sergeant Hal Overton ordered his men forward. Over the trench they went, then advanced steadily toward the woods from which had come the rush of the night before.
Those left behind watched anxiously. Would the issue mean another savage fight—or what?
CHAPTER XVI
DATTO HAKKUT MAKES A NEW MOVE
To the civilian mind, being sent forward purposely to draw the enemy's fire, looks like "ticklish" business.
Yet it is better to risk a few men rather than sacrifice many. It is on the same principle that a "point" of several men is always sent in advance of the larger body when moving supposedly in the face of the enemy. The "point" often draws disastrous fire upon itself, but the larger body of troops is saved from catastrophe.
The soldier accepts calmly this work of going out ahead to draw a possible enemy's fire. It's "all in the game," as he understands it.
Of course, when troops are sent out only for the purpose of drawing fire, these troops withdraw, if necessary, as soon as they attract the enemy's fire to themselves, and thus locate the enemy.
Sergeant Hal Overton kept at the right of his thin, sparse line of men as they moved forward.