Dick Stopped Behind a Tree and Waited
After each burst of fire from the German guns he made his way forward another few feet, keeping always behind tree trunks. Finally he reached the great tree just above the cave entrance. Then he waited again. There was another heavy exchange of fire and a lull. With one leap, Dick flew down from above, hit the ground and fell on Scotti’s gun just as he was about to pull the trigger.
“Dick!” he cried. “I almost plugged you!”
“I didn’t give you a chance,” Dick said. He crouched low as a hail of bullets spat against the side of the hill all around the cave. He snatched up one of the machine guns by Scotti’s side and returned the fire.
“We can hold ’em off for a long time,” Dick said. “We’ve got a lot of ammunition.”
“Until they think to circle up in back the way you did,” Scotti said. “Dick, you’re a fool to have come back here. I’m done for, anyway, but you can get away. Our men must be right over the crest of the hill. You can get up to them all right.”
“Nothing doing,” Dick said. “I’m sticking with you.”
“That’s plain suicide!” Scotti fumed. “As your superior officer I order you to leave.”