There was a terrific explosion that sent debris to their very feet.
"After this we'll be careful how we expose ourselves," said the doctor gravely.

"They have got our range in a hurry.

Here comes another; we'd better get away quickly." They progressed perhaps half a mile, without coming upon any soldiers, when at the brow of a hill slightly higher than the rest, they became aware of unwonted activity.

A trench had been dug along the ridge, with great pits here and there to serve as bomb-proof shelters.

Every time a head projected above the ridge, a storm of bullets showed that the enemy was well within rifle range.