Part 20 (1/2)
”Sounds good,” said Chester, greatly interested. ”Let's hear more about it.”
”I don't know much more about it. I was summoned to General Pers.h.i.+ng's tent, and he gave me a message to carry to General Haig. Told me to have you report to General Haig also if your wound had healed sufficiently.”
”It's healed sufficiently for that,” Chester interrupted.
”That's what I thought you'd say, no matter how badly it might pain you. Anyhow, General Pers.h.i.+ng said we might be in time to see some action.”
”Did he indicate the nature of it?”
”No, but I drew my own conclusions. I'll tell you why. Remember those tanks we had here experimenting with?”
”You mean the armored tractors--those things that climb fences, trenches, and things like that?”
”Yes.”
”Sure I remember them. Why?”
”Well, they're all gone--been ordered back to the British lines.
Therefore, something is going on.”
”Oh, pshaw!” said Chester. ”That may mean only a local attack some place. I thought you knew something.”
”Wait a minute now. I know more than you think.”
”Well, let's hear it then.”
”Infantry and cavalry are being ma.s.sed in the sector that would lead to Cambrai, if a drive were successful.”
”You're sure of that?”
”Perfectly. I have it from Captain O'Neill, who knows what he's talking about.”
”That may mean something,” Chester agreed, nodding his head.
”May mean something? Of course it means something. Besides, our aeroplanes are more active than usual, probably to keep the enemy back so they can't antic.i.p.ate the attack.”
”The Germans will suspect something then,” declared Chester.
”Maybe. But there is something in the air. You can bank on that.”
”Well, I hope so,” declared Chester. ”We haven't had any real fighting for a long while now.”
”Don't forget you've a bullet hole in you still,” smiled Hal. ”You're not as good as new, you know.”
”I can still answer for a couple of Germans,” replied Chester with a smile.
”I guess you're right. But come, we must be moving.”
The two lads left their quarters and sought their horses. As they mounted Stubbs approached.