did not feel real. Everything about him seemed to be
taking place as in a dream. He could not realize it all.

"What are we waiting for?" he asked of Jacques and his voice sounded
faint and far away.

Before he could receive an answer a German shell suddenly burst close
at hand. A whisper ran along the line that a corporal and four men
were hit. Another shell burst close to the same spot. Evidently the
Germans had found the range.

"What are we waiting for?" Leon repeated anxiously. He glanced over
Earl's shoulder at his watch. It was exactly quarter past nine.

Two blasts on the whistle sounded. That was the signal. Every man
clenched his jaws and dashed at the trench wall in an effort to be the
first one to climb out. A moment later and all were out. The gaps in
the barbed wire that had been prepared now came into view and the men
wormed their way through.

Once past this and the line was formed again. Still together, Jacques,
Leon, and Earl took their places. The command was quickly given and at
double-quick the troops moved straight towards the German lines.

"Forward!" shouted the captain in a loud, clear voice that could be
heard even above the din of the cannonade. "Vive la France!"

With a shout the troops swept forward. From the German trenches came
the sharp rattle of the rapid-fire guns and the noise of the rifles.
Shells were bursting on every side. The air was full of dirt and dust
thrown up by the explosives. All along the line gaps in the advancing
line appeared, only to be closed up quickly and automatically.

The enemy's trenches were outlined by a long row of bursting shells.
From them arose a thick pall of smoke, obscuring the German positions.
At the bottom appeared red and green flames, but above all was
darkness. Out of the cloud came a ceaseless rain of metal, rifles,
dirt, cartridges, and even human flesh. The whole world seemed to have
been suddenly transformed into a roaring, flaming cauldron.

Leon gazed about him. Many of his comrades were down; he could
scarcely recognize Earl and Jacques, their faces were so blackened by
smoke and dirt. Holes appeared in the line on both sides of him. Not
for long, however; almost instantly the spaces filled up and the
advance was continued. He looked at the captain who was leading the
charge. Not one word of orders could be heard in that terrible uproar
and the officers had to make signs to their men.

Sometimes the capta