E-text prepared by Al Haines Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 21671-h.htm or 21671-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671/21671-h/21671-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671/21671-h.zip) ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE Or Holding Back the German Drive by HOMER RANDALL Author of "Army Boys in France," "Army Boys in the French Trenches," etc. [Frontispiece: "America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full in the sentry's face.] The World Syndicate Publishing Co. Cleveland, O. ------ New York, N. Y. Copyright, 1919, by George Sully & Company ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE CONTENTS CHAPTER I FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS II A PERILOUS JOURNEY III AMONG THE MISSING IV CAPTURED OR DEAD? V NICK RABIG TURNS UP VI THE COMING DRIVE VII IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS VIII FRYING-PAN TO FIRE IX THE CONFESSION X A MIDNIGHT SWIM XI GALLANT WORK XII THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT XIII A DEEPENING MYSTERY XIV THE STORM OF WAR XV FURRY RESCUERS XVI CLOSING THE GAP XVII THE MINED BRIDGE XVIII A DESPERATE VENTURE XIX THE JAWS OF DEATH XX A TRAITOR UNMASKED XXI CROSSING THE LINE XXII A JOYOUS REUNION XXIII CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT XXIV WOUNDS AND TORTURE XXV DRIVEN BACK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE CHAPTER I FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS "The Huns are coming!" exclaimed Frank Sheldon, as from the American front line his keen, gray eyes searched a broad belt of woodland three hundred yards away. "Bad habit they have," drawled his special chum and comrade, Bart Raymond, running his finger along the edge of his bayonet. "We'll have to try to cure them of it." "I think they're getting over it to some extent," remarked Tom Bradford, who stood at Frank's left. "The last time they tried to rush us they went back in a bigger hurry than they came. What we did to them was a shame!" "They certainly left a lot of dead men hanging on our wires," put in Billy Waldon. "But there are plenty of them ready to take their places, and the Kaiser's willing to fight to the last man, though you notice he keeps his own precious skin out of the line of fire." "I think Frank's getting us on a string," chaffed Tom, when some minutes had passed in grim waiting. "I don't see any Heinies. Trot out your Huns, Frank, and let's have a look at them." "You'll see them soon enough," retorted Frank. "I saw the flash of bayonets in that fringe of woods and I'm sure they're massing." "Do you remember that little thrilly feeling that used to go up and down our spines when we were green at the war game?" grinned Bart. "I feel it now to some extent, but nothing to what I did at first."