classy shooting," said Bart. "From a rocking boat with shells
bursting all around and so much depending on it, there'd have been lots
of excuse for missing."

"Maybe the old Thirty-seventh isn't feeling good over the way the thing
went through," chuckled Billy.

"And maybe we won't get the glad hand when we get over there," murmured
Bart.

"We've got to get there first," whispered Frank, "and we've got a
mighty slim chance of doing that as long as this boat stays here."

Every instant was fraught with peril. They had no weapons and even if
they had they would have stood no chance against the throng of enemies
surrounding them. Their only hope of safety lay in not being
discovered.

But at last, to their great relief, the German rowers resumed their
places at the oars and the boat pulled out into the darkness.

"Thank heaven, they're gone at last!" breathed Billy.

"Do you feel equal to the swim over, Bart?" asked Frank.

"Sure thing," replied Bart. "My head's dizzy yet, but with you and
Billy to give me a hand, if necessary, I'll get through all right."

As silently as so many otters they slipped into the water and struck
out for the other side.

The current was strong and the work was arduous, especially with the
care they had to exercise lest any splash should be heard by the enemy.
There was also the chance that one of the boats that were abroad might
come in their direction. But aided by the pitch darkness that
prevailed, they made the trip in safety and Bart had no need of calling
on the aid of his comrades.

As they drew near the other side a sentry hailed them.

"Halt!" he cried. "Who goes there?"

"That's Fred Anderson," murmured Billy, as he recognized the voice.

"Friends!" called Frank. "Hello, Fred. It's Raymond, Waldon and
Sheldon."

There was a shout of delight, and Fred, accompanied by several other
sentries, came running to the water's edge.

"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Fred, as eager hands pulled the Army Boys
up on the bank. "So you pulled through after all. The whole regiment
had given you up. Say, if they'd known you were coming every mother's
son of them would have been down here to meet you and they'd have
brought the band with them. Come along now, but I warn you in advance
that all the fellows will shake your hands off."

They still had their hands when their mates got through with them, but
Fred had not over-estimated the royal welcome that awaited them. They