"Well I don't believe that German guns are the only ones busy," exclaimed Earl with a grim smile.
"No, indeed," agreed Dubois quickly. "We wouldn't just sit still and let them pound us to pieces."
At this moment a bugle sounded. Everyone stopped talking and listened intently; then they turned and hurried into their lodgings. From all directions men could be seen running in answer to the call and the camp was immediately all bustle and excitement. There was no confusion however; every man knew what he was to do and he did it.
"I told you!" exclaimed Dubois triumphantly. "I knew they'd have us out before much time had passed."
"It must be a terrible fight," remarked Leon, who was busily engaged in packing his equipment and taking a last look at his rifle.
"We'll make it so," said Armande fiercely. "Just let them try to get those positions away from us; we'll show them."
A few moments later the regiment was formed in line and without any delay the march was begun. Night was just falling as they set out. The men laughed and joked and sang, seemingly regardless of the danger into which they were going and the thought of possible death was apparently far from their minds.
As they proceeded the noise of the bombardment grew steadily louder. The very earth shook with the fury of it and far ahead could be seen an occasional flash from one of the star shells used to search out the enemy's positions.
"Do you suppose the infantry have attacked yet?" asked Earl of Jacques.
"I don't know how long the bombardment has been going on."