g in haste toward the German frontier.

Stenay was the last town to fall into American hands. It was occupied
without resistance, an hour before the armistice went into effect. While
preparations for attack were in course, paroles came in reporting that
the Germans had cleared out. The American troops at once poured in, and
established occupation at 10:45 in the forenoon, just a quarter of an
hour before word came that the armistice had taken effect.

In a few minutes flags of the allies were flying from housetops, and the
church bells were ringing out the war. It was over.

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR

The last morning on the fighting lines was busy wherever American troops
were placed, from the Moselle to Sedan. All the batteries kept their
guns going, and the Germans replied in kind. The American heavy guns
fired their parting salvo at 11:00 o'clock, less two or three seconds.
To this final crack the Germans tossed a few over, just after 11:00.
There was a strong American infantry advance, northeast of Verdun,
in the direction of Ornes, beginning at nine o'clock, after lively
artillery preparation. The German artillery responded feebly, but the
machine gun resistance was stubborn. Nevertheless, the Americans made
progress. The Americans had received orders to hold the positions
reached by 11:00 o'clock, and at those points they began to dig in,
marking the advance positions of the American line when hostilities
ceased.

Then the individual groups unfurled the Stars and Stripes, shook hands
and cheered. Soon afterwards they were preparing for luncheon. All the
boys were hungry, as they had breakfasted early in anticipation of what
they considered the greatest day in American history.

THE ALL PULL TOGETHER SHOT

There was a regular celebration at Pepper hill, north of Verdun, where
a battery of Rhode Island artillery rigged a twenty-foot rope to the
lanyard of a .155 cannon, and every man in the company, from the captain
to the cook, laid hold of it and waited. At the tick of eleven o'clock
they gave that rope one mighty yank, all together, and the gun roared
out the last shot of the war.

--_The Last Yank of the Yanks_.

AT THE END OF THE WORLD WAR

The great drama is ended. For the first time in four years the sound
of giant cannon cannot be heard anywhere along the long line from the
channel to the Adriatic; the deadly rattle of machine guns is stilled.
No gas fumes poison the winter air. No clouds of burning