Next he quietly let himself down into the enemy ditch, followed by the others.
Moving softly the patrol examined that length of trench, also the traverses at either end.

Still no German had been encountered.
"We will go further," announced Lieutenant De Verne.

"Sergeant, you will take three men and go west until you come in contact with the enemy.

Then return with your report.

The rest of us will go east." Carrying a bomb in his right hand, a pistol in his left the young French officer led the way.