"I am glad; very, very glad!" he said.
In the barrack-yard Gähler was waiting for his master. He handed him his helmet and bandolier and took the forage-cap in exchange.
The battery was ready to move on. Reimers set his horse to a short gallop and rode up to Güntz. "I beg to report myself, sir," he said. Güntz nodded to him smilingly, and gave the words of command in his clear, resonant voice.
In the midst of the exercises two riders suddenly approached from the town. At first it was difficult to recognise them in the thick dust; but Sergeant-major Heppner announced that he saw the colonel's big sorrel horse. It was in fact the colonel and his adjutant.
Güntz galloped up to them and gave his report.
Falkenhein thanked him.
"I only wanted to watch you for a little," he said simply. And his eyes shone joyfully on seeing the officer he had learnt to love stand unhurt before him.
He approached the battery and greeted them with his powerful voice: "Good morning, sixth battery!"
And the many-voiced reply was shouted back: "Good morning, sir!"
Falkenhein rode slowly along the ranks, taking stock of everything with his sharp eyes; then he spoke: "Senior-lieutenant Güntz, be kind enough to continue!"