On they staggered, firing as rapidly as they could under the circumstances. They crouched down, zigzagged from side to side, and hoped for the best. They were now within the fringe of the woods, and a few feet more would bring them within the shelter of trees.
But would they find more foes there? That was the question.
Suddenly there was a loud explosion, and, glancing back for an instant, Roger and Jimmy saw that a shell had torn a big hole in the earth at a spot where the German firing party had been massed. There was no firing party now.
"Was that one of our shells?" cried Roger.
"Hard to say," was Jimmy's reply. "It did the trick for us all right, though."
"If they don't come any nearer," added Roger grimly.
Exhausted and weary, they reached the woods. They dodged in among the sheltering trees, fearing any moment that they would be fired upon by enemies who might be concealed in the copse.
"I—I'm about all in!" gasped Roger.
"Same here!" panted Jimmy. "We've got to rest and get some water after we make sure this place is comparatively safe."
On they staggered. They could hardly breathe now, so great had been the rush and burdened, as they were, with equipment. They saw before them a little grassy glade, and at one edge of it was a spring of water. The sight was a welcome one.