"I tell you what it is, my friend," he said, when he had emptied the last tin; "we could do with a few more, and I also see there is something here that requires my attention."
His quick eye had noticed that one of the stays which supported the upper plane wanted tightening, and he opened a tool bag.
"I will bring them; I will not be long," said the old man, who was delighted to have had a listener to the story of his son's exploits, never thinking how little of it the herr lieutenant had really heard.
"There, that's secure," said Dennis to himself. "I wonder why that old dodderer is so long? I must get back and see how poor Laval is getting on, and then, heigh-ho for La Belle France!"
As he straightened his back the dull thud of galloping hoofs made him turn round, and to his dismay he saw a couple of German officers approaching across the sandy plain.
"By Jupiter! Talk about bluff now!" he thought. "Thank goodness they're coming from the right direction!" And drawing himself stiffly up, he saluted as they reined in below him.
They were both of high rank—one of them a colonel; and it was the colonel who spoke first as he and his companion flung themselves from their horses.
"You heard it?" he cried in a voice that thrilled with excitement.
"Everyone within twenty miles must have heard it, Herr Colonel," said Dennis solemnly.
"Do you know the extent of the damage?" was the next question.