nearly four to one
`` They bore the brunt of the whole attack and if it had n't been for them I do n't know what would have happened . '' `` Tell me about it , '' urged Leon eagerly . `` The Boches launched a terrible bombardment on that portion of the line held by the _ douzième _ , '' continued Jacques . `` Then they turned loose one of those massed infantry attacks on our trenches and though the _ douzième _ was outnumbered nearly four to one they held fast . Not without paying the price though and half of our comrades were either killed or wounded so that they are out of it . '' `` Did the Germans take the trench ? '' `` They reached it at some points and even entered it ; just as things looked blackest , reënforcements arrived and drove them out and saved the trench . ''