"Guns," exclaimed Jacques.
"Guns?" echoed Dubois. "I should say there were; thousands of men. Just listen to that cannonade."
A steady roar came to the ears of the soldiers. Now and again it rose angrily only to sink down again to a low muttering. It did not cease for a moment however and the most inexperienced recruit could have told that a furious bombardment was taking place.
"That must be over ten miles away," said Dubois, "and yet just see how plainly we can hear it. We'll be in that soon."
"You think so?" asked Leon.
"I'm sure of it; they'll begin to move up reserves pretty quick."
"Who's doing all that firing, do you think?"
"The Germans. They are going to counter-attack and try to win back the positions we took away from them ten days ago."
"Do you know that for sure?"
"No, that's just my guess," said Dubois. "Of course I'm not sure."