d Tom turned their steps, still with the trench
guide showing the way. Unexpectedly this little party came upon
Major Wells just as the latter was saying:

"The greatest blow to us was the loss of Captain Prescott. Of
course he may be a prisoner, and unharmed, but we much fear that
he was killed."

"I beg to report, sir," Dick broke in smilingly, as he saluted,
"that I was not so indiscreet as to be killed."

Like a flash Major Wells turned upon him. "Prescott!" he cried,
"I can't believe it." But he did, just the same, and, coming
to his senses, went on hastily:

"General, I have the great happiness of presenting Captain Prescott!"

Again Dick came to the salute, and when it was finished he stood
very erect, hands straight at his sides, for he had caught sight,
above the horizontal braid on the general's coat, of four stars,
instead of the two stars of a major-general. There was but one
officer in the United States service who could wear four stars---the
American Commander-in-chief.

Under the general's questioning Prescott and Reade, who was also
presented, told their stories with soldierly brevity and directness.

"And how do you feel now, Captain?" inquired the Commander-in-chief
smiling.

"Utterly happy, sir, for I've realized my sole ambition for months,"
Captain Dick answered fervently.

"And what was that?"

"To be in France, with General Pershing, and at grips with mankind's
enemies."

"You've made a gallant start, Captain," smiled the Commander-in-chief.
"And in that I include your friend, Lieutenant Reade. You are
officers after my own heart."

Captain Greg Holmes coming upon this scene, stood back as long
as etiquette in the presence of a general demanded, then rushed
forward to give joyous greeting to both chums.

Dick and his friends were destined to go even further in the
realization of their fondest hopes. Up to this moment the United
States was only in the infancy of her part in the great war.
Greater days were coming, and did come, and what happened then will
be found truthfully set forth in the next volume in this series,
which will be published under the title:

"_Uncle Sam's Boys Smash The Germans; Or, Helping the Allies Wind
Up the Great World War_."

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops
by H. Irving Hancock

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ***

***** This file should be named 12810.t