At times the four Brothers would be close to one another, converging to get out of the line of some trench or avoid a shell hole.  Again they would be yards apart But they kept in “contact,” as it is called.

And ever as they advanced they fired their rifles into the German lines.  True they could only now and then catch a glimpse of the foe, but they made those chances tell.

“Come on now, boys—­a little farther and we’ll have our objective!  Just a few yards more!” cried the lieutenant who was leading our heroes.  “Once we’re at that barn, we can rest.  Only a few feet more—­only a few—­”

His yelling voice suddenly ceased, and Jimmy, who was nearest, saw the gallant soldier crumple up, with a bullet through his head.  And as he fell his men behind him, leaped over his body with wild yells of rage.

“Come on!  Come on!” screamed Jimmy, inflamed to the point of madness.  He was in command at this point now, following the death of the lieutenant.  “Come on!  Make ’em pay for that!” He choked back his sobs, for the lieutenant was well beloved.

On they rushed, on and on.  The man on Jimmy’s left was killed, and the comrade on his right fell with a shattered leg.

“I’m out of it!” suddenly shouted Franz, and he tried to hop on one foot, falling, a moment later, in a shallow hole.

On the others rushed, and finally, with wild yells, they drove the Germans from their last stand.  The stone barn held a machine gun nest, and many of the Sammies were killed or wounded before the crew of Huns were scattered or captured—­and there were very few of this last class, so desperate was their resistance.

From somewhere came the signal to cease firing, and, a little later, a captain came along and took charge.

“Who’s in command?” he asked, seeing no commissioned officer in the group which had for a nucleus Jimmy, Roger and Bob.

“I am, sir,” answered the former, saluting.  “The lieutenant was killed.”

A twitch of the face, and a hardening of the muscles about the captain’s mouth were the only signs of emotion he showed, but his heart was torn—­the boys knew that.  The lieutenant was his only brother.

“Hold this place at all costs!” was the grim order.  “I’ll send an officer to take charge shortly.  But hold the place!”

“Yes, sir.” and Jimmy saluted again.

Quickly they took measures to do this—­to make the stone barn, once the part of a French farm homestead, a position of defense.  The German machine-gun, for which there was considerable ammunition left, was turned to point at the Hun line.  But the Boches had withdrawn some distance.  The Sammies had gained their objective, and the battle, for the time being, was over.  Now there might come a counter-attack, and for this Jimmy, temporarily in command, prepared with his chums.

“Bob,” called Jimmy to the former reporter, “you and Roger go back and see if you can pick up Franz, or any other of our lads who are alive.  See what they need, and, if it’s possible, get first-aid to them.”