CHAPTER XIX
THE JAWS OF DEATH
"There's just one possible chance," said Frank's colonel.
"What is that?" asked the general in command.
"An explosive bullet sent into the mine might explode it," replied thecolonel. "But it would have to be fired from a boat. We can't do itfrom here."
"It would be certain death to whoever tried it," replied the general,looking at the shell-swept stream.
"Not certain, perhaps, but probable," said the colonel. "It's the onlychance, though, to explode the mine. It can only be reached fromunderneath."
"We'll try it," said the general with decision. "But I won't assignany one to it. It's a matter for volunteers."
When the call came for volunteers, Frank sprang forward and saluted.Bart and Billy followed close behind him.
The officer's eye swept the three and rested on Frank.
"You volunteer?" he asked. "You know the danger?"
"Yes, sir," they responded.
A gleam of pride and admiration came in the general's eyes.
"Very well," he said. "I'm proud to be your commander."
Orders were hurriedly given, explosive bullets were furnished; and afew minutes later a small boat carrying the three Army Boys shot outfrom the shore.
The dusk had thickened now, and Bart and Billy, who were rowing, huggedthe bridge as closely as they could, so as to profit by its shadow.
None of this bombardment had been directed at them as yet, becausetheir little boat had not been seen. But when they were forced to movea little way from the shadow of the bridge, so that Frank could get theproper angle from which to fire, they were detected, and a perfecttempest of fire opened up not only from the batteries on the furthershore, but from the soldiers who were on the bridge.
Frank knew exactly where the powder charges had been located. Hisrifle was loaded and he had sufficient confidence in his marksmanshipto believe that only one shot would be needed.
All he dreaded was that a bullet might strike him before he had donehis work. After that it did not so much matter. He knew that he hadtaken his life in his hand and he had already counted it as lost.
Bart and Billy were rowing like fiends. At last they reached the pointthat Frank had indicated. He peered through the dusk and could see theoutlines of the mine.
The bridge now was black with Germans. They had covered two-thirds ofthe distance over it, and they were packed so closely, crowding on eachother's heels, that the rails of the bridge bulged outward with thepressure.
Frank raised his rifle to his shoulder, took steady aim and fired.
There was a hideous roar, and then the shattered timbers of the bridgewent hurtling toward the sky. Hundreds of bodies were mingled with thedebris, and the water surged up in great waves as the mass fell backinto the river.
Where the bridge had been there was a yawning gap of two hundred feet.At either end there was a remnant of the bridge still standing, and onthese the survivors were rushing frenziedly toward the land before theremaining timbers should give way.
Those Germans who were left on the American side, severed from the helpof their comrades, were surrounded and disarmed as soon as they reachedthe shore. The attempt at capture had ended in a terrible disaster tothe German forces.
The instant Frank fired. Billy and Bart plunged their oars in thewater and started rowing with all their might away from the bridge.
But despite their efforts they could not get out of the danger zone intime. A heavy piece of timber struck the side of the boat, crushing itin and throwing the occupants into the water.
Frank and Billy came to the surface a moment later and shook the waterfrom their eyes. They looked about for Bart, but he was not to be seen.
Instantly Frank dived, searching frantically for his chum. His armcame in contact with someone's hair. He grasped it and drew the bodyto the surface.
It was Bart, but he was unconscious. The timber that had smashed theboat had caught him a glancing blow on the head and stunned him.
Frank held his comrade's face above the water and shouted to Billy, whoalso had been searching and had just come up. He swam to Frank's sideand helped him in bearing up Bart.
They found a floating plank, over which they placed Bart's arms andthen with Frank holding on to Bart's body and Billy guiding the plankthey struck out for the nearer shore.
They had been nearer the American than the German side when theexplosion took place. But the current was bearing strongly toward theGerman side and they had been carried some distance by it while theywere taking care of Bart. The consequence was that, while they thoughtthat the nearer bank was that held by their own troops, it was theGerman side towards which they were moving with their unconsciousburden.
They were within a few feet of the shore at some distance below wherethe bridge had stood, when Frank's quick ear heard the sound of voicesspeaking in German. At first he thought it was probably some of theprisoners whom the American troops had captured. But a moment later herecognized a dilapidated fishing pier that he had often gazed at fromhis own side of the river, and the truth burst upon him.
They were on the wrong side of the river! If Bart had been in the samecondition as Billy and himself, their situation, though dangerous,would not have been desperate. They were all strong swimmers andalthough fearfully tired from their exertions would have been able toswim across to comrades and safety.
But it was another matter with Bart unconscious. Frank did not knowwhat had caused his friend's injury. Perhaps he had been shot. Atthis very moment, for all Frank knew, his chum might be bleeding todeath. Above all things he wanted to find dry land, where he couldexamine his chum and render him first aid if necessary.
He communicated with Billy in whispers.
"We've gone and done it, old scout," he whispered. "We're on theGerman side."
"That's good news--I don't think," returned Billy.
"Let's swim in under this old pier," suggested Frank, "We'll be out ofsight then and we may strike a bit of beach up toward the head of it."
They followed the suggestion and were relieved to find that there was alittle stretch of dry sand beyond the water line. They took Bart fromthe plank and bore him out on the sand. Here they rubbed his wristsand tried as far as they could in the darkness to ascertain the extentof his injuries. Frank did not dare to use his flashlight for fear ofbetraying their presence to the enemy.
To their immense relief Bart soon showed signs of returning animation.He opened his eyes and was about to speak, when Frank put his handgently on his lips.
"Don't speak, old man," he whispered. "You're all right. It's Frankspeaking. Billy's here. Just whisper to me and tell where you'rehurt. But be careful, for the Germans are all around us."
"Guess I'm not hurt much," whispered Bart. "Got a clip on the headwhen that beam struck the boat."
"Sure you didn't get a bullet?" asked Frank anxiously.
"I don't think so," replied Bart. "Head's dizzy from that crack, but Ifeel all right everywhere else."
"Bully!" said Frank. "Now you just lie there till you get yourstrength back, and then we'll figure out what's to be done."
It was a hard problem, and it became none the easier a few minuteslater when a boat came along under oars and was tied up at the end ofthe pier. It was a big boat and similar to those in which the Germanshad made their unsuccessful attempt to cross the river a few daysbefore.
It had evidently been out in the river picking up the wounded who hadbeen thrown into the stream by the explosion. The rickety plankscreaked as the soldiers carried the wounded survivors over the pier tothe bank beyond. It would have been an exceedingly bad time for theArmy Boys to be discovered and they crowded back as far as they couldto escape detection.
The Germans were in a terrible rage over the body blow that had beendealt them in the destruction of the bridge. Apart from the heavylosses in men their entire plan of campaign would have to ber
econstructed.
"That one bullet of yours was a mighty effective one, Frank," whisperedBilly.
"It was classy shooting," said Bart. "From a rocking boat with shellsbursting all around and so much depending on it, there'd have been lotsof excuse for missing."
"Maybe the old Thirty-seventh isn't feeling good over the way the thingwent through," chuckled Billy.
"And maybe we won't get the glad hand when we get over there," murmuredBart.
"We've got to get there first," whispered Frank, "and we've got amighty slim chance of doing that as long as this boat stays here."
Every instant was fraught with peril. They had no weapons and even ifthey had they would have stood no chance against the throng of enemiessurrounding them. Their only hope of safety lay in not beingdiscovered.
But at last, to their great relief, the German rowers resumed theirplaces 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 andBilly 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 struckout for the other side.
The current was strong and the work was arduous, especially with thecare 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 mightcome in their direction. But aided by the pitch darkness thatprevailed, they made the trip in safety and Bart had no need of callingon 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 andSheldon."
There was a shout of delight, and Fred, accompanied by several othersentries, came running to the water's edge.
"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Fred, as eager hands pulled the Army Boysup on the bank. "So you pulled through after all. The whole regimenthad given you up. Say, if they'd known you were coming every mother'sson of them would have been down here to meet you and they'd havebrought the band with them. Come along now, but I warn you in advancethat all the fellows will shake your hands off."
They still had their hands when their mates got through with them, butFred had not over-estimated the royal welcome that awaited them. Theyhad always been prime favorites with the boys of the oldThirty-seventh, and that afternoon's exploit made them more popularthan ever. Their officers, too, were jubilant at their return.
They were taken to headquarters, where the general thanked them andshook hands with each in turn.
"I don't need any report from you," he smiled. "I heard that when thebridge went up. It was a brave deed, most gallantly done. I thank youin the name of the army. Your names will be cited to-morrow in theorders of the day and I shall personally bring the matter to theattention of General Pershing."