“Indeed, it would be a pleasure to have you along with me,” hastily replied the non-commissioned officer of the battery, “and as the harness is now repaired, make yourselves at home here, if you can find a lodgment where your feet will be out of the reach of the water.”
Gladly then did the trio of lads accept of his friendly offer. Trust them for finding a perch where they would be beyond the reach of the river, unless the soldier astride one of the horses managed to lose the shallow line of the ford and stray into the depths.
Luckily this did not happen. The water did come close to their feet so that Hanky Panky was impelled to draw himself up into something of a knot in the fear of getting wet; but the worst was over, so that presently the gun caisson emerged from the Marne, and the boys were able to jump down.
Rod looked about him. It was indeed a stirring picture taken in all, for everywhere the French had occupied the ground so tenaciously defended by the German rearguard.
Hundreds of soldiers were moving this way and that, with the officers gathering as if for a council of war.
Other batteries could be seen coming on the gallop toward the captured ford, as though the birdmen aloft may have sent the signal along to tell them that now the coast was clear they could make the passage in safety. Some of these were heavier guns than any the boys had as yet seen, showing that the French were hurrying all their available resources forward in order to strike the enemy hard while yet in retreat.
“Now what, Rod?” asked Josh.
“We’ll look around a bit so as to get our bearings,” he was told. “It’s true we came here on a mission, but perhaps it might be wise not to bother the commander-in-chief in too big a hurry. He’s certainly got his hands full as it is, and can’t be worried with our private affairs.”
“I guess that’s about so, Rod,” agreed Hanky Panky. “To us Andre’s business may seem mighty important, but why should a general waste a precious minute of his time with any one’s affairs, when he’s got to map out his movements, with a beaten but still fighting foe ahead?”
“Look there, fellows!” exclaimed Josh just then; “unless I miss my guess that must be the hero of the battle they’re fetching in right now.”