At this critical juncture7 Derek, to the surprise of the crew of the abandoned tank, suddenly sprang upon the parados. In a couple of strides he overtook the Major, and, throwing his arms round the latter's neck and planting one knee in the small of his back, bore him backwards8 to the earth. Then, not content with this comparatively mild form of attack, Derek pinioned9 the officer's wrists by means of the lanyard of his whistle. He was dragging his captive into the trench6 when a Tank-Commander intervened.
"What on earth are you doing?" he demanded.
"It's all right," replied Derek reassuringly10. "The fellow's a Boche. I know him. Get the tanks to carry on."
Fortunately the officer grasped the situation and had the retirement11 order annulled12. The mammoth13 machines resumed their forward progress, blazing away with their quick-firers and machine-guns, until Derek found himself well in the rear in the company of a handful of men and Count Hertz von Peilfell.
It was a freak of fortune on the battle-field that had played into Lieutenant14 Daventry's hand. The Count, having succeeded in escaping from the Le Tenetoir aerodrome, had passed through many adventures before he regained15 the German lines. Then, in a desperate bid to regain16 prestige, he had volunteered again to act as a spy. Knowing that there were many changes in the personnel of the Tank Corps17, he determined18 to assume the r?le and uniform of a major, and await an opportunity to thwart19 the victorious20 advance of the ponderous Behemoths.
Succeeding the tanks came swarms21 of infantry22, of whom, but for the assistance of the mobile armoured forts, the Boche machine-gunners would have taken heavy toll23. As it was they were able to consolidate24 the position already taken with but slight losses in proportion to the numbers engaged. There were engineers, busily engaged in laying telephone wires, while numerous stretcher-bearers and ambulance-men were strenuously25 working to remove the wounded from the stubbornly-contested field. Meantime Fritz was shelling the lost ground to the best of his ability, the guns taking impartial27 toll of khaki and field-grey. Having no further use for cannon-fodder that had fallen into the hands of the victorious Allies, the Boche artillerymen seemed to show not the slightest compunction at slaughtering28 their comrades.
A stretcher-party halted within a few yards of Derek's prisoner. The Corporal in charge pushed back his steel helmet and mopped his face.
"Set to, chums!" he exclaimed. "Here's another of 'em."
The bearers had been hard at work for five hours and under shell-fire the whole time. The straps29 of their equipment were cutting into their shoulders; their boots were galling30 their feet owing to the incessant31 pull of the tenacious32 mud. Men of low category, and deemed unfit to handle a rifle, they were sharing the hardships and dangers of their comrades in the firing-line, without being able to experience the thrill of "going over the top" shoulder to shoulder behind a line of glittering bayonets. Yet their work was of a noble and enduring nature, often performed under highly-dangerous conditions, without an opportunity of striking a blow in self-defence.
"Stretcher here!" exclaimed Derek. "Get this man back. I'll come with you."
The Corporal betrayed no outward sign of surprise at finding a supposed British major insensible and with his hands lashed33 behind his back. At Derek's suggestion the lanyard was unlashed and Von Peilfell's hands bound to his sides. Then, lifted on a stretcher, the spy was carried off.
It was a hazardous34, uninspiring journey. The heat of the advance over, the grim aftermath of battle lay revealed in all its stark35, hideous36 brutality37. It was yet early morning. Mist still hung over the marshy38 ground. As far as the eye could reach the soil was cut up with the distinctive39 tractor-marks of the tanks. Barbed wire, crushed deeply into the earth wherever a tank had passed, was still in evidence, snake-like coils clinging tenaciously40 to posts still rising slantwise from the stiff clay. And sometimes half buried, sometimes still held up by the horrible barbs41 were khaki and field-grey uniforms still covering what were but a few short hours ago human beings capable of reasoning. Derelict tanks, some still glowing red and emitting clouds of smoke, dotted the landscape, cheek by jowl with crashed aeroplanes. Shell-craters, old and new, abounded42, while already light railways were being laid with a rapidity that is hardly conceivable. The while there were constant streams of motor traffic to and fro; heavy guns being brought up to prepare for a fresh advance. Everywhere there were abundant indications that this was "some" advance and that the ground gained was to be held.
Mile after mile Derek trudged43 with his captive. He was determined that on this occasion the airman-spy should not escape. Von Peilfell was too dangerous a man to be allowed to get away a second time.
Several times Derek glanced at the man on the stretcher. Von Peilfell was lying on his right side, his face almost hidden against the canvas. His manacled hands were resting on the edge of the stretcher. His features, or rather that portion of them visible, were sallow and wore a bored, apathetic44 expression. He seemed quite unconcerned at his position, not even showing the faintest trepidation45 when shells burst within a hundred yards of him or bullets kicked up little cascades46 of mud almost at the feet of the stretcher-bearers.
"Guess he knows the game's up this time," thought Derek. "Poor devil! Pity he hadn't been brought down in fair fight."
Then, recollecting47 that he had previously48 given expression to similar sentiments, Daventry found himself wondering whether Von Peilfell was under the special protection of fate, and whether he would again cheat the firing-squad.
Just then another stretcher, moving on a converging49 route, came level with Derek's party. On it was a man still wearing an airman's flying-coat. One hand encased in a leather fur-lined gauntlet trailed limply. Blood was welling from an unseen wound and staining the white fur. A blanket had been thrown over the wounded man's lower limbs. His flying-helmet had been removed and was serving as a pillow. He was smoking a cigarette and apparently50 taking a lively interest in the journey to the dressing-station.
"Hallo, Daventry!" shouted the wounded airman. "Don't you know me?"
Derek, astonished at hearing his name, looked intently at the man on the stretcher.
"Hanged if I do," he replied.
"Ungrateful old bean!" chortled the other. "What on earth are you doing with a tin hat? Doubly ungrateful, considering I taught you all you know about a 'bus."
"You're not Rippondene?" enquired51 Derek incredulously.
"What's left of me," was the nonchalant reply. "I think I'm right in supposing that I'm half a leg short, although I can swear that I can feel the missing toes tingling52 like billy-ho. There's one thing to be thankful for: that leg was a source of trouble since I crashed at Armentières in March, '15. It won't worry me again, and with a cork53 leg I'll be able to wangle a rudder-bar. Hope the war isn't over by the time I'm pushed out of hospital."
Rippondene, now a Flight-Commander, had had many adventures since relinquishing54 the post of instructor55 at Torringham. In spite of certain physical disabilities he had gained well-earned promotion56, and was "down" for participation57 in the elaborately-perfected scheme for bombing Berlin. Then, owing to exigencies58 on the Western Front, he had been ordered to France, and had performed excellent work in the operations during the great German offensive and the greater German retreat.
image: 05_backwards.jpg
[Illustration: IN A COUPLE OF STRIDES HE OVERTOOK THE MAJOR, AND BORE HIM BACKWARDS TO THE EARTH]
"Bit of sheer hard luck," he replied, in answer to Derek's question as to how he came to be hit. "Had a chance of a lifetime. Caught a whole Boche battalion59 out in the open and started machine-gunning the bounders. Put the wind up them properly; they scooted like hares. Used up all my ammunition60 and, like Oliver Twist, came back for more. I got more—of a different sort. A bullet through the arm—that didn't worry me very much—and then a regular crump. Thought the old 'bus was blown to bits. Felt like it anyhow. But she wasn't, so I managed to pancake just behind some tanks and here I am. Who's the old bird?"
"The old bird," repeated Derek, "is a pal61 of yours."
"Don't know him," replied Rippondene, raising his head and looking across to the other stretcher. "Haven't had much to do with fellows in the Tank Corps, and so I'll swear I haven't met him. Bet you a sovereign on it."
"Don't throw good money away," protested Daventry. "This is Count von Peilfell."
"Rot!" ejaculated the Flight-Commander.
"Fact," declared Derek; "and I'll explain why he's in this rig."
"Another time, old thing," said Rippondene feebly. "I'm feeling jolly rummy. I'm——"
"He's fainted, sir," announced the Corporal in charge of the party. "We'll soon fix him up all right when we get to the dressing-station. And, sir——"
"Yes; what is it?"
"It looks as if there's something wrong with this Hun, sir."
The stretcher-party halted. The Corporal turned Von Peilfell's head and placed a finger upon one of his wide-open eyes. Not a muscle on the Hun airman's face quivered.
"He's gone west, sir," said the Corporal. "'Tain't much good carrying a corpse62. There's plenty of living who want bearing off."
The bearers set the stretcher on the ground. Deftly63 the R.A.M.C. man examined the corpse. The cause of the spy's death was soon evidenced. While he was being carried off a chance bullet had struck him, passing through his heart. Without a groan64 or a struggle, Hertz von Peilfell's career had ended—ignominiously.
"I'll take my men back, sir, if I may," suggested the N.C.O.
"Yes, carry on," replied Derek.
Without ceremony the dead German airman was placed by the trunk of a shattered tree, and the bearers returned to their work of succour; while Derek, who was beginning to feel the effect of his strenuous26 work, set out in the direction of the still distant air-sheds.
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1
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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7
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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8
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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11
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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12
annulled
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| v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去 | |
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13
mammoth
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| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
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14
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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15
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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16
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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17
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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18
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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19
thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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20
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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21
swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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22
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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23
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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24
consolidate
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| v.使加固，使加强；(把...)联为一体，合并 | |
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strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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27
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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28
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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29
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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30
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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31
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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32
tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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33
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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34
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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35
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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38
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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40
tenaciously
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| 坚持地 | |
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41
barbs
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| n.（箭头、鱼钩等的）倒钩( barb的名词复数 )；带刺的话；毕露的锋芒；钩状毛 | |
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42
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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44
apathetic
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| adj.冷漠的，无动于衷的 | |
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45
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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46
cascades
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| 倾泻( cascade的名词复数 )； 小瀑布（尤指一连串瀑布中的一支）； 瀑布状物； 倾泻（或涌出）的东西 | |
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47
recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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48
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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49
converging
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| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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50
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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51
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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52
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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53
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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54
relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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55
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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56
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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57
participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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58
exigencies
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| n.急切需要 | |
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59
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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60
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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61
pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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62
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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63
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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64
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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