It seemed that every avenue of cross country travel was closed to him, as men were moving north from all points. As a mass of soldiers rushed from one position to the next behind they would turn and deliver a volley or two before retreating. Above it all was the continual hail of the shot and shell on every hand.
When Ralph reached a hedge that was impenetrable he would enlist the sympathy of some of the men, and they would either carry the machine over the thick brush or cut a way through.
It took him less than ten minutes to make the trip across, in delivering his first message, but he was more than a half hour in getting back, and when he arrived at headquarters he found it over a mile to the rear of the original position.
He reported to the commander at once, but before he had time to make any inquiries another message was thrust into his hands, and this time he was sent to the west.
Again attempting to make his way across the fields he was met by a retreating regiment which was slowly falling back. He then made his way along a hedge toward the north, and struck across the fields again. Beyond was the firing line, and the men there must know the location of their commanding officer, so he speeded in that direction.
There, ahead of him, and coming out of the woods, was a regiment of infantry. At the edge of the wood, to the left, was a light field battery which poured a deadly fire into the Belgians, and Ralph involuntarily slackened the speed of the machine.
Then something happened to him. It was as though he had been struck a stunning blow, although he felt scarcely any pain. When he recovered he was seated on the ground, and scattered about him were the pieces of his machine. He could not comprehend it for a moment. Then he moved his body. He seemed natural and comfortable, but what had happened to his machine?
Then, for the first time, he noticed that there were men about him, some wounded, others dead. One young man who was near him had a wound in his leg which he was treating by wrapping a handkerchief around it.
"What has happened?" asked Ralph, as he looked at the man and then at the scene about him.