St. Trond was reached, just as the reports came in that the German forces were below the town, and that the first conflict had taken place.
The boys were interested to learn that their force was to go direct to the field, south of St. Trond. They arrived there at one o'clock in the afternoon and the kitchen wagons were soon in readiness for a hurried meal.
Firing was going on along one of the main roads leading south. They were in position on a road which paralleled the main highway to Tongres and it was obvious that the main force of the enemy was making its way along that route.
The boys were with Roland when the real battle began. To their right, on a slight elevation and artfully concealed, was a battery of three guns and a little farther to the right was the other part of the battery.
"Do you know anything of the number of Germans that are coming up?" asked Ralph.
"No, but it is reported that over 100,000 men are now on this side of the frontier and more coming on each day. It is probable there are twenty thousand men directly ahead of us. They are approaching from the direction of Vise, and from Huy as well, while the main force is coming direct from Liège."
"How many men have we to oppose them?" asked Alfred.
"Probably twelve thousand; but we shall give a good account of ourselves. We do not expect to drive them back, but our mission will be to hold them in check as long as possible."
They moved over to headquarters, where their place was, but before they reached it the battery began to speak. The boys looked to the south, but could not see the enemy anywhere. They looked at Roland.