declared Jerry, who was rated as an expert in the use of the rifle, as his badge showed. 

But his plan of getting revenge on the Hun, who had so nearly shot Ned, was not destined to be carried out at once. For just then the relief of the boys came up, and they were marched back to the dugout for a rest period. 

It was after they had enjoyed this, and were counting on again doing their turn in the trenches that their chance came to go out on a night patrol, one of the most dangerous missions in the line of duty. 

So far, since the Motor Boys had come up to the firing line, there had been no really serious fighting in their immediate sector. On either side of them there had been skirmishes, but a mile or so away, so they had no chance to participate. Also there had been night raids, but Ned, Bob, and Jerry had not been in them. 

This does not mean that Ned, Bob, and Jerry were in no danger, for, as has been shown, a bullet came near ending Ned's career. And aside from this, there had been bombs dropped near them from Hun airplanes, and once a whole portion of the trench, just beyond where they were stationed, had been caved in by a shell from a German gun, and several brave lads had been killed, while others were terribly injured. But Ned, Bob, and Jerry had come out unscathed. 

Also there had been waves of gas—the ordinary chlorine gas, and again the more dangerous mustard variety. In fact, the Germans used their yellow-cross and their green-cross gases alternately against the sector where the Cresville chums were. But prompt use of the protective masks prevented any casualties. 

So, as has been said, when the three chums were resting in the dugout, wondering what their next duty would be, an officer came in, and, when he had returned the salutes, he said: 

"Volunteers are wanted for a raiding party to-night. There's a German dugout not far away, and the commander thinks we have a good chance to get some prisoners and thus learn a thing or two about what Fritz is up to in this section. There's also a chance, as I needn't mention, that none of us will come back. Now then, who wants to go?" 

There was a moment of hesitation, and then, to the credit of the young soldiers, everyone stepped forward. 

"Um!" mused the officer. "I can't use you all. Thank you, just the same. Now let's see," and he proceeded to pick out his squad. 

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