"They seem bent on doing all the mischief they can while they have a chance, Major," said Hal. "So it seems; but I’ve decided to squat here in these holes and let them fight to their heart’s content. Of course, should they rush us, we’ll give them more than they bargained for; but I’m not going to attack myself." "I don’t blame you, Major," declared Chester. "But now I’ve a favor to ask." "Consider it granted, sir," replied Major Lawrence. "We have been assigned to no particular duty," Chester continued, "and we should be glad if you would allow us to pass the remaining hours of the war with you, sir." "I shall be glad to have you with me," was the reply. This is the reason, then, that Hal and Chester found themselves again in the front lines, a scant hour before the armistice ending the greatest war of history went into effect. *CHAPTER XXIX* *THE LAST ZERO* The boche shells were now breaking in the hollow below the spot where Hal and Chester found themselves. Hal was congratulating himself on having a lucky spot in which to witness the closing minutes of the war, when, just on his right, a geyser of earth and rock was hurled up by a mighty explosion. His first thought was of Chester. But after he had successfully dodged several falling stones, he peered over the edge of his funk hole and there was Chester, grinning broadly. "How are they coming, Chester?" he called out. "Closer than I like," Chester answered. "But here is an old friend of yours and I am afraid he has got his." "Who is he?" demanded Hal. "Sergeant Bowers." "What? Bowers here?" "Yes, but he’s rolling on the ground right now, and I can’t get to him. He seems to be about all in." "Is he dead?" Hal asked. Chester listened for a moment to make sure that a shell wasn’t headed his way, then he took another peep. "No, I think he is still alive, but is badly wounded." Hal and Chester, braving the enemy fire, both crawled out of their funk holes and started for Sergeant Bowers, who had fallen just outside the funk hole in which he had sought refuge. But they were back quicker than a man could say "Jack Robinson." A shell can be heard coming when it is passing to one side or overhead, but when it is headed straight toward you its cry is heard usually after the explosion, or is drowned out by the explosion. Common mathematics will show why. Air conditions also help. If the wind is traveling with the shell, one stands a fair chance of hitting the earth before the shell explodes. But if the wind is traveling against the shell, one hasn’t much salvation. In this case the wind was in the lads’ favor. As they both heard the shell coming, they moved like lightning. It is surprising sometimes how fast one can move at a time like this.