“How about crossin’ over? I’m frozen stiff,” O’Malley hissed between chattering teeth.
“O.K.,” Stan answered. They moved out into the canal and waded across. Climbing out on the bank, they sat shaking and shuddering.
“Wonder where Sim is?” O’Malley asked.
“We better wait here. They may not have moved as fast as we did.” Stan began rubbing his legs to warm them.
They heard no sounds except those coming from the post on the bank of the canal. Finally Stan moved.
“We stayed in the canal quite a long distance. They may be up or down the canal. But no matter which way, they are sure to be waiting for us. We can’t stay here because daylight will be breaking very soon. I’ll work my way back toward the border; you move the other way. When we find them, we’ll turn back and meet.”
“Good idea,” O’Malley agreed. He moved off at once.
Stan headed back along the bank of the canal. He kept as close to the edge as he dared, because he figured Sim and the German would be sitting on the bank. After going a few yards he got down on his hands and knees and crawled. He would be able to go only a few yards more because the floodlights were growing strong. In a few more minutes he could turn back and be sure Sim was downstream.
He was moving along, crawling slowly, when he felt the bank under him begin to sag and slip. With a swift effort he tried to pull himself away from the canal. The cave-in took a big slice of earth with it. Stan’s grasping hands found only torn roots and wet mud. He went over the edge and into the canal along with a half ton of earth. He and the dirt hit the water with a terrific splash.
Instantly a floodlight snapped on and swung around to sweep the canal. Stan went down in a mass of mud and water. He came up pawing and struggling. Men began shouting on the shore. Stan ducked under the icy water and plunged toward the bank. He came up against the grassy bank and shook the water out of his eyes. Both banks were swarming with soldiers.