For a few minutes the smoke and steam hid the dreadful spectacle from Jack. He gazed intently below him, anxious to see the victor of this clash.
Of course, it must not be forgotten that the human waves of men were supported by great artillery fire on their own side. Unaided entirely these men would have been annihilated miles before the fortresses.
The ranks were on the double run now. Their bayonets glistened in the dull sunlight. On, on, ever on, they went, keeping perfect stride, never faltering.
Jack could not tear his eyes from the sight.
Even while storming the redoubt, the ranks held firm. Another sheet of flame checked them for a moment. They tried to recover, and somehow couldn't. Again came that destructive, raking fire. The lines faltered.
Jack trembled from excitement. Was this magnificent effort to fail? He was not thinking of them as Germans. He was only aware of brave, dauntless men trying to best steel and explosives.
Then once more, from the rear, rose the deep notes of _Das Fatherland_. It stiffened the thinned ranks. They rushed forward, the fierce cry of victory mingling with the strains of their national anthem.
"That was great!" cried Jack. "My sympathies are not very strongly with the Germans, but I'm bound to give credit where credit is due. Well, what now----?"
Jack became aware that the machine on which he was a prisoner was going to make a landing. Silently, swiftly, the winged mechanism was guided toward earth behind the German lines.
"I'll have a chance to stretch my legs," he said. "As long as Radwig is dead, I have not so much to fear. I wonder what they want of me?"
The machine came to a stop. The pilot never moved from his seat. Instead, he motioned to a soldier to come to him. Evidently a few words were exchanged.
Two soldiers came up to Jack. He held up his hands to show that he was chained. One of the soldiers leaned forward, and pressed a button at the side of the car. The chains fell from Jack.
Without comment the two soldiers seized Jack and flanked him. A detail of six additional men fell in step, a petty officer wheeled about,--a movement that acted as a signal for the soldiers to march.
A five-minute walk brought them to a small cottage. Here they halted. Jack was blindfolded. When the bandage was removed, he found himself facing an elderly man seated at a desk. Jack could not make out his features, as they were hidden in a gray mask.