Part 26 (1/2)

”Come on.”

Chester followed him.

Outside, Stubbs made a straight line for the first line troops.

”If you want to find out anything, you have got to get right where it is,” he declared. ”I could stay back here and ask questions, but I want to see things for myself.”

Chester offered no objections.

Suddenly the camp seemed to spring to life. Bugles blew shrilly, men came pouring out of the tents to form into ranks. Officers darted hither and thither, shouting hoa.r.s.e commands. For a moment all seemed to be confusion, but a moment later, in response to sharp commands, all became quiet and orderly.

”Something up,” said Chester.

Stubbs nodded.

”An advance, I imagine,” he said. ”We'll see.”

He approached a gruff-looking officer of forbidding aspect and addressed him in French.

”Where to?” he asked.

”To the attack,” was the reply.

At the same moment a bugle rang out. Others took it up. It was the command to advance.

CHAPTER XVI.

AN ENGAGEMENT.

Right, left, front and rear of where Stubbs and Chester stood the troops began to move. In front they could make out the heavy guns being dragged forward, officers das.h.i.+ng about and gesticulating excitedly, but order reigning in the midst of apparent confusion.

From the rear now dashed a squadron of cavalry, a handsome appearing body of men. A second squadron came into sight and disappeared ahead, to be followed a moment later by a third. Other squadrons pa.s.sed in rapid succession.

Chester and Stubbs kept their positions.

Half an hour pa.s.sed and still the mounted hors.e.m.e.n swept by. Then came the infantry. Column upon column came swinging along at a dog trot, their officers urging them on. They moved silently and swiftly, apparently all ready for the terrible business in hand.

”A handsome body of men,” said Stubbs. ”I have never seen better.”

”And the size of them,” exclaimed Chester. ”Must all be over six feet.”

It did seem so. Great, big, husky-looking fellows they were, strong as gorillas--heavily bearded, most of them, and warmly and snugly dressed.

”They'll make these Austrians move around some, with an even break,”

declared Chester.

And still the troops pa.s.sed, seemingly without end.