from the view of the enemy, but now a wide barren space, swept by
shell fire, lay before him. It was almost certain death to venture
into that open field. Rene knew it, but did not hesitate. It was not
that he feared for his own life, but that he did not wish to lose it
before he had fulfilled his mission.

"For better protection the lad dropped on hands and toes and ran along
like a dog, thus far untouched by bullets, though they were thick as a
nest of liberated bumble bees about his head.

"'The worst is about over now and I shall soon be in the trenches,'
he told himself encouragingly. He already could see the tops of the
helmets of the soldiers in the trenches.

"A shell exploded close by at this juncture and a shell splinter
struck him in the leg, leaving a wound. Rene rolled over on his back
and grabbed the leg with both hands, then, with his first-aid bandage,
bound the leg tightly above the wound so that he might not bleed to
death. He was already much weakened from loss of blood.

"Having done all he could for himself, Rene started off again,
dragging himself along with great effort, determined to reach the
trench and deliver his orders, which he finally succeeded in doing.

"'You have been wounded. You shall not go on,' declared the commander
after reading the orders and understanding fully what was still before
the brave lad. 'You should go back to the hospital. I will send a man
on to deliver the other orders.'

"'Monsieur le Capitaine, I have been ordered to this duty. I must go