"I have the permission of Colonel English, sir. I hope that I may be of some assistance to you. Do not hesitate to call upon me for any piece of work that you may wish accomplished."
Colonel Johnson shrugged.
"Help yourself," he said, "and don't worry. If I've need of your services you may be sure I won't hesitate to ask for them."
The march continued in silence.
Suddenly the sound that Hal had been expecting came. It was the blast of a great gun, close at hand. The advance of the Americans had been discovered. Colonel English took his decision instantly.
"Charge!" he cried.
The Americans went forward with a wild yell.
CHAPTER IX
THE BATTLE
A volley of rifle fire met the first rush of the Americans. Sleepy-eyed Germans, aroused from their slumber by the sound of the warning gun, poured from their shelter and rushed forward through the streets of the village. Hastily machine guns were wheeled into position, and a veritable rain of bullets swept the ranks of the charging columns in khaki.