Less than two hours later, with German shells still falling among them, American troops entered Sedan.
And the French population, virtual prisoners for many months, received them with wild acclaim. It was a joyous day for the citizens, indeed.
CHAPTER XVI
AN UNEXPECTED HONOR
"Sedan at last! This settles the war."
It was Chester who spoke.
"Right you are," replied Hal. "The poor old kaiser's goose is cooked. Even the most sanguine German can no longer hope for victory."
"I think the kaiser gave up hope a long while ago," said Chester. "He—Hello, what's up now, I wonder?"
He broke off suddenly and pointed to a horseman who came galloping into the town from the east, gesticulating excitedly as he rode along. Words that he shouted as he dashed forward seemed to create great excitement among the villagers, who, all day, had been parading the streets in celebration of the American occupation of the city.
"Don't know," said Hal. "We'll try and get close enough to hear what he says."