Mackson and Jones, privates, who had been in the listening post next to the one where Roger and Bob were stationed, had escaped in the confusion. Amid the attack and counter-attack, and while the firing and throwing of hand grenades was hottest, they ran back to the trenches, calling out word of what had happened.
Jimmy was just coming on duty when the attack of the Germans took place, and, hearing what Mackson gasped out, cried to him:
"Did you see anything of Bob and Roger?"
"Yes, they're gone!" was the answer.
"Gone? You mean killed?" and Jimmy felt as though his heart would stop beating.
"No. They put up a good fight, but the Huns were too many for 'em.
Roger and Bob were taken off by the Boches!"
"Captured! Prisoners!" cried Jimmy. For an instant he hardly knew what to do. The confusion was at its height, and there seemed to be some demoralization among the Americans at this particular post. But order was gradually coming out of it. A captain and two lieutenants hurried up and took charge of matters. A brisk artillery fire was ordered to sweep the German lines, to prevent, if possible, any further advance in force. At the same time up and down the trenches and from dugouts the gallant doughboys poured, ready to take revenge for the attack of the Huns.
"Come on! Come on!" cried the captain, and with wild cheers and yells his men followed him. Jimmy had a sudden thought. Rushing up to the captain, who was listening to a report from a corporal who had been wounded, and who had escaped after being captured, Jimmy cried:
"Two of my friends have been caught—Sergeant Barlow and Corporal
Dalton. May I take a relief party out, sir, and rescue them?"
"Yes, Sergeant Blaise! Take six men with you, and good luck! Keep in touch with us, though. We don't want to be separated at a time like this!"