The huge shells were passing over their heads toward the German lines, and John believed that he could hear and count every one of them.
The remains of the regiment now lay down in a dip, as they did not know anything to do, except to wait for the remainder of the French line to advance.
Something struck near them presently and exploded with a crash.

Steel splinters flew, but as they were prone only one man was injured.
"They're reaching us again with their shell fire," said John.
"Not at all," said Bougainville.

"Look up." John saw high in the heavens several black specks, which he knew at once were aeroplanes.

Since the bomb had been dropped from one of them it was obvious that they were German flyers, and missiles of a like nature might be expected from the same source.

Involuntarily he crouched close to the ground, and tried to press himself into it.