"From Antwerp," said Alfred.
"So you boys took a hand from the first?" he asked.
"Yes, from the very first day, and, I guess, from the first hour," said Ralph, with a smile.
"When was that?" asked another officer, who had overheard the remark.
"At five o 'clock, on the 3d day of August, 1914," said Alfred in measured tones.
"Right you are," responded the officer.
As they passed the third giant field piece, the gunners were at setting up exercise,—that is, going through their paces initiating a green squad of recruits in the manoeuvers necessary to load, aim and fire.
"That looks natural," said Ralph, "and they do it well, too; but we never had any exercises except with the 75's."
"Look at that hill over there; they are pointing straight at it; so it seems to me. Isn't that the hill we saw from the bench marks below?" asked Alfred.
"So it is," answered Ralph. Then, turning to the officer, he continued: "Are you bombarding that hill?"