“Well, it seems like we must make the crossing some way or other, and while one of those gun caissons we see coming along is going to get over why not find out if they’d let us climb aboard? It’ll save us from getting our feet wet even if it did nothing else.”
“That isn’t a bad idea, Josh,” commented Rod, “and it might be just as well to try it out. These Frenchmen are pretty accommodating, and they’ll like as not take us for British boys, as has happened so many times before.”
Another troop accompanied by a battery had come up and was starting to reach the northern side of the Marne, so as to presently continue the chase after the retreating enemy. It was to the ammunition caissons belonging to this battery that Josh had referred.
The boys hurried forward now. No one thought to question their right to be present. Perhaps this was because of their looks, or the khaki suits they wore, which would be taken for British uniforms. Indeed, quite a number of those who were seated on gun carriage or ammunition chest waved to them in the hearty and friendly fashion known to soldiers after a victory has thrilled their blood, making them light-hearted and gay.
CHAPTER XXVI.
JOSH MAKES A DISCOVERY.
Rod soon fixed the transportation part of it, just as his confident chums felt sure he would be able to do. He quickly selected a certain outfit that had stopped on the border of the ford for a minute or so, while a loose portion of the harness was tightened.
Entering into conversation with the sergeant, who seemed to be in authority, Rod explained in a measure who they were and how they came to be loose on the battle lines at such a time as this.
Then he made his request, and with such simplicity, accompanied by a winning smile, that the dapper Frenchman could not have refused his modest request even had his heart not warmed toward these young friends of France from across the sea.
“We must get over the river, because it is necessary that we find Andre D’Aubrey if he is yet alive,” Rod had gone on to say ingenuously; “and since it would be unpleasant for us to continue our ride if we were soaked to the waist, perhaps M’sieu le Sergeant would permit us to climb up with him on the caisson, and accompany him over the ford?”