Part 10 (2/2)

”Yes, that's German all right,” was the answer. ”It's larger than ours. I thought perhaps some of our men might have gone in there to pepper the Huns. Well, we've got to get it--that's all.”

”And soon, too,” murmured Jimmy. ”Whew! This is fierce!”

A hail of lead from the weapon in the old red mill drew this exclamation from him. Fortunately the men were low enough to escape the worst of the firing, but some were wounded and one killed.

”There's two guns in that mill, sir!” called Franz, who was lying near Bob. ”They're both firing together.”

”You're right,” was the lieutenant's comment. ”Well, so much the more work for us to do. How many of us are here?”

It developed, by an improvised roll call, that there were fifteen, including our five Brothers. With the lieutenant who was in immediate command, there were sixteen.

”We'll all go!” was the officer's decision. ”Fill your magazines, get your hand grenades where you can reach 'em and be ready for the rush.

It's got to be a rush, and I hope it lasts long enough for some of us to get there,” he added soberly. ”Boys, it's a desperate chance we're taking, but a machine-gun nest there may hold up the advance. Maybe it is holding it up. We've got to clean out the red mill!”

”We're with you!” cried Jimmy and the others.

And, as he spoke and the others cheered their a.s.sents, there came another burst of fierce fire from the machine-guns hidden in the old red mill. But there was too much elevation and the bullets, this time, flew harmlessly over the backs of the Yanks.

”Now for it!” cried the lieutenant. ”They may have to put in a fresh belt of cartridges, or the guns may have heated or jammed. We'll take a chance. We'll make three lines of five each. I'll lead one, and there'll be six in that. Blaise, you take four men, and Simpson, you take four. We'll spread out--fan shape--and don't stand upright--run crouching. Now, Blaise and Simpson, pick your men, and give me the word when you're ready.”

Of course Jimmy picked his four Brothers, and they crawled up behind him, ready for the word. Sergeant Simpson, a brave but somewhat reckless lad, had four of his own choosing, and there were five who crawled over to line up behind the lieutenant.

”All ready?” asked the officer. ”Ready,” answered Jimmy, and the other leader gave a like reply.

”Then come on, and may we all live to get there!” cried the gallant officer.

He arose to a crouching position and started to run toward the red mill, followed by Jimmy and his four, and Simpson and his quartette.

And, as they rushed on, the automatic guns cut loose again.

The dust in the grain field rose in little spurts as the bullets struck, and the rattle of the spiteful machine-gun made a chorus with the snapping and popping of the American rifles. For Jimmy and the others fired from the hip as they ran.

They could not hope to do much execution on the German gunners, protected as the latter were by the old mill. But some chance bullet, entering through crack or crevice, might end the activity of one or more of the Hun crews. It was the only thing to do, however, until they could come to hand grips--to cold steel--with the hidden Boches.

”Come on! Come on!” cried the lieutenant.

”Come on! Come on!” echoed Jimmy and Simpson.

They were nearing the red mill now. They could see no one in it, but the sight of two windows, on either side of the big, open door, seemed to give evidence of the location of the machine-guns. Smokeless powder was being used, but there was a thin film of smoke, for all of that, and this smoke floated from the two windows.

”There they are!” cried the lieutenant. ”Come on, boys, we have 'em now!”

But the glory of it was not to be--for him. Hardly had the words left his mouth than he crumpled up, rolled completely over and lay still.

Afterward a dozen bullets were found in his body.

But the others halted not. The man immediately behind the fallen lieutenant leaped over his lifeless body and led the advance, as Jimmy and Simpson were doing.

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