At a command they moved away a hundred feet or more from the bridge and stopped as they neared the center. Meanwhile not a word was spoken, as all were intent on watching the work of the three men. Alfred was too fascinated to ask the meaning of this curious proceeding.
Within two minutes at the utmost the three men leisurely marched off the bridge toward the group of guards on the bank. One, two, three, four minutes more. Why were they waiting?
Suddenly, a belching cloud of smoke was seen, followed instantly by a racking noise, then another, and another, and the beautiful bridge had disappeared.
Alfred was so fascinated at the weird setting, the silence that awaited the event, and the grim, business-like appearance of the officers and men, that when the last sound of falling timbers and steel died away he was drawn involuntarily toward the stream.
Fully two kilometers beyond was a cloud in the roadway, which Alfred had now learned to recognize. He turned to the Colonel and pointed in that direction.
"Yes," said he, "we were just in time."
A quick order brought the troops to attention. The order was given to return to camp, and within five minutes all the equipment was ready and the horses in motion. This was one of the engineers' forces especially detailed to guard the bridges.
As they were turning a curious train of light artillery came from a side street, which consisted of four guns, each carriage being drawn by four dogs. The powerful canines had no trouble in pulling the wagons at a trot and the gunners were running alongside at a fast gait.
Belgium and Holland are the two countries which utilize dogs for draft animals. Before the automobile came into use they were the great motive power and this is so, largely, among the peasants at the present time.
The faithful dog is bred for this use. He may be found everywhere drawing milk carts, pulling the little trucks which are piled high with faggots, or prancing along in the little vans filled with loaves from the bakeries.