It will make to-night a time surely worth while to me." Before the meal had been finished the German artillerymen began the late afternoon "strafing," as a bombardment is called.
When the shell-fire had ceased Ribaut led his guests down to the front or fire trench.

Lieutenant De Verne had not been with them since breakfast time in the morning.
"May I relieve one of your sentries, Captain, and take his post until there is something else for me to do ?" Dick asked.
"Yes, certainly," agreed Ribaut.

"I will send for the corporal, who will instruct you as the other sentries are instructed." So Dick took the bayoneted rifle of a soldier who was much delighted at having a brief opportunity for sleep thus thrust upon him.
Dick listened to the corporal's orders, then, for the next two hours stood gazing patiently out over No Man's Land.

At the end of that time the sentries were changed and Dick stood down gladly enough, for his task had become somewhat dull and irksome.
Half an hour after being relieved Prescott heard a sentry challenging in low tones.

Then Lieutenant De Verne came into the fire trench with a sergeant and six men.
"This is the patrol," announced the younger Frenchman.