While German machine-gun fire could not reach the French men below him Dick knew that a shell could reach them readily enough.
So he flattened himself in the furrow, his heart beating faster than usual.

There followed moments of tight suspense.

Would this flattened figure be espied by any enemy observer?
Even when the flares died down Dick did not move.

He knew that more flares might be sent up instantly.
A quarter of a mile down the line he could hear a machine gun rouse itself into sudden fury, though none of the missiles came his way.
"I've a chance yet," Dick thought grimly.

Yet when blackness came down over the scene again he did not move.