Part 24 (1/2)
Luckily none of the Germans seee of three figures in faded khaki on that slight rise of ground At least no annoying shell had fallen near the whine of a whi past close to their ears All of which pleased Rod very le in such terrible scenes as had been spread before theht, for when the French field batteries began to let go it could be easily guessed that they were sending their compli, and alith faces toward the foe
Then cales This undoubtedly told the French soldiers that victory had fallen to their portion, and that the winning of the Marne ford was an accomplished fact
Loud arose the huzzas of the survivors Succor for the injured would quickly follow, since no pursuit was expected to be organized The work to which they had been assigned was now accoht have frustrated all their efforts only for the one gallant man who made victory possible
Rod and his chums cheered with the rest They seemed somehow to feel that their hearts beat in full sy up in defense of their native land
Josh, more demonstrative than either of his companions, went so far as to actually throw his ar that the other's eyes alasps
”Let up on that sort of business, can't you, Josh!+” he nantly as he broke away fro clutch; ”what do you take led fox-trot hesitation dances I've got feelings, I'd have you know; and ain, not hoop-iron Go hunt up a tree if youthere on the rise of ground they could see the first of the French light batteries crossing the ford, the horses prancing, but forced to drag the guns through the shalloater Later on heavier artillery would also be co German army, when the full importance of this ford would be better understood No wonder the tactics of delay upon which the Ger had forced the to do next, Rod?” asked Josh, when they had stood and watched these events taking place for soet things in shi+p-shape again,”
replied the other; ”you see there are the wounded to attend to, the dead to gather and bury, it may be, as well as a lot of other matters to be looked after They'll be in no hurry to chase after the ene, and that they've done”
”But at a terrible cost to the carried to a central point, where doubtless the field surgeons would be on hand, ready to give them first attention; besides, there had been scores upon scores carried down the river whose fate could only be guessed at
”That's alar etting hardened by seeing such sights, but because he had a broader vision than Hanky Panky, and could anticipate ould follohen two hostile forces came in contact at close quarters
”If that was Andre's regiloo to have all our trouble for our pains; because they were al those ere in the water when that battery got in its heavy work, and--well, the current carried away ain”
”Oh! it's hardly as bad as that, Josh,” reain, either wounded or whole If we're lucky wethat lot We'll hope to, anyway; and our business will then soon be over”
”Well, for one I hope and pray we're able to turn our backs on this thing before another sun sets,” said Hanky Panky, with such a sad look on his face that Rod was quite sorry they had been tempted to follow up this adventure
Still, they had risked their lives in a good cause, and if only that little French woman Jeanne and her fas of Jules Baggott, he for one would not feel teone and risks taken
”Most of the French have crossed over by now, you notice, Rod,” observed Josh, when some time had crept past, and he could hardly restrain his custoer
”And that hed the other, trying to raise the drooping spirits of Hanky Panky by an assumption of levity which truth to tell Rod was hi
”Well, it see soun caissons we see coet over why not find out if they'd let us cli our feet wet even if it did nothing else”
”That isn't a bad idea, Josh,” coht be just as well to try it out These French, and they'll like as not take us for British boys, as has happened so many times before”
Another troop acco to reach the northern side of the Marne, so as to presently continue the chase after the retreating ene to this battery that Josh had referred
The boys hurried forward now No one thought to question their right to be present Perhaps this was because of their looks, or the khaki suits they wore, which would be taken for British uniforun carriage or ammunition chest waved to them in the hearty and friendly fashi+on known to soldiers after a victory has thrilled their blood, ay
CHAPTER XXVI
JOSH MAKES A DISCOVERY