"Make him let me alone, then," growled Stubbs to himself, but he became silent.
The journey was continued without incident. Only once was Hal's order for silence broken, and then by Chester who, nudging Stubbs, said:
"Don't forget our bet. You owe me a hat."
"All right," Stubbs whispered back; "and I'll pay it—when the war's over."
CHAPTER VII
THE ADVANCE
The month of October, 1918, was one of the most glorious in the pages of American history written by the world's war. From early in the month General Pershing's men struck along their wide front and everywhere the Germans gave ground. French and British troops also made progress daily along the great battle front.
On October 3 the Germans retreated on the Lenz front. The British advanced to within six miles of Lille. Belgian and French troops advanced in the region of Hooglede and Roulers. Two days later the German retreat began in the Champagne region. Continuing along the line to the south, the allies pressed their advantage at all points.
It was clear to all military experts that the beginning of the end was in sight. From Rheims, American troops, late in October, began the advance that was to carry them into Sedan and beyond. Germany's resistance was becoming more feeble daily.
The German emperor was never to recover from the moral effect of the desertion of Bulgaria as German supremacy waned. With Bulgaria out of the war, German efforts were turned to keeping Turkey and Austria in line. But these, too, were to fail. Only a short time after Bulgaria laid down arms, Turkey signed a truce with England and France. The United States had no hand in the making of these two truces, because America, despite much urging, had never formally declared war on Turkey and Bulgaria.