no danger, unless from air raids. But after the first week,
during which they took a number of reels of drilling and recreation
scenes, there came a period of preparation.

Blake, Joe and Charlie were given gas masks and shown how to use them.
They were also each provided with an automatic pistol and were given
uniforms. For they had to be on the firing line and on such occasions
were not really of the non-combatant class, though they were not
supposed to take part in the fighting unless it should be to protect
themselves.

At the suggestion of Captain Black the boys had made sheet-iron cases
for their cameras and reels of film.

"Of course, if a shell comes your way that case won't be much
protection," said the United States officer. "But shrapnel won't go
through it."

Steel helmets were also given the boys to wear when they went on duty in
the firing trenches, and they were told under no circumstances to leave
them off.

"For even if there isn't any shooting from across No Man's Land,"
explained Captain Black, "a hostile aircraft may drop a bomb that will
scatter a lot of steel bullets around. So wear your helmets and keep the
cases on your cameras."

It was a week after this, during which time there had been several false
alarms of a big German attack, that one evening as they were about to
turn in after having given a moving picture show an orderly came up to
Blake.

"You and your two friends will report to Captain Black at four o'clock
to-morrow morning," said the orderly.

"Why that hour?" asked Joe curiously.

"We're going over the top," was the answer. "You may get some pictures
then."

Charles Anderson hastily consulted a small book he took from his pocket.

"What you doing?" asked Blake.

"Looking to see what time the sun rises. I want to see if there'll be
light enough to make pictures. Yes," he went on, as he found what he
wanted in the miniature almanac, "we ought to be able to get some
shots."

The gray wreaths of a fog that had settled down in the night were being
dispelled by the advance heralds of dawn in the shape of a few faint
streaks of light when Blake and his chums, wearing their steel helmets
and with the steel-protected cameras, started from the farmhouse where
they were quartered to report to Captain Black.

"All ready, boys?" the captain called. "We're going over the top at
five-seven--just as soon as the artillery puts down a barrage to clear
the way for us. You're to get