of our own rations, and we were eating when the Huns sent a big shell
over that spilled the beans."

"I see. Well, then, rest here until I can get you some water.
Fortunately the Boches can't blow up a stream. The water is sure to
remain somewhere. It won't take long to get it, I'll be back in a
moment."

He hurried off between two little hillocks, away from the burning mill
and in the direction of the stream.

"Who in the world is he?" asked Bob.

"It's a puzzle," said Jimmy. "We'll ask when we thank him for saving
our lives."

"Here you are, boys," said the officer, as he came up the slope with a
canteen which gurgled most musically with water. "Drink this and then
we'll discuss what's best to be done."

"Are we safe here?" asked Jimmy. "Safe from the Germans, I mean?
They're all about here, you know."

"Yes, I know," said the officer, and there seemed to be more in his
remark than the mere words indicated. "But you're safe for the time
being. They have destroyed the mill, so it is no longer a menace, they
fancy. Their guns are directed elsewhere now."

The sound of distant firing could be plainly heard, but the boys could
no longer observe the gray ranks of the Huns on the distant hill. One