des digging those trenches lower down the
slope. Once, also, a figure suddenly sprang up before them--the figure
of a German scout--a diminutive individual, who, not unnaturally, took
them for comrades instantly.

"What now?" he said, standing within five feet of them. "Reliefs, or
an advance-party in front of the main force? Surely not that, for it's
time for us all to have a little rest, after the fighting we have
experienced."

"Reliefs!" Henri told him instantly. "You are to return and report at
the trenches. Go now, for we have fed, and no doubt you are hungry."

"Hungry?" The man almost exploded at the words. "Hungry? I am as
empty as a drum," he told them. "But there, you have come to relieve
me, so good-bye!"

He swung off at once into the darkness, and, waiting till he had gained
perhaps a hundred yards, Henri and Jules sped on again towards the
French lines, and, clambering up the steeper slopes of the Cote du
Poivre, were finally challenged.

"Halte! Qui va la?"

"Friends!" they answered.

"Then advance one--without arms."

It was with a shout of joy that their comrades welcomed them back to
the trenches, and almost immediately they were sent along to report to
the Commander, receiving his congratulations on their safe return.

"This is information of the greatest importance," he told the two when
he had listened to their story; "though, to tell the truth, the
movement the enemy are making has been expected and even anticipated.
Go and get a meal at once, while I report what is passing. But let me
say that you have behaved wonderfully well, my Jules and my Henri, and
your Commander will not forget to mention the matter. Adieu!
To-morrow we shall see something more of those movements."

Yes, to-morrow! For as the 24th February dawned, and the grey light
broke over the slopes of the Cote du Poivre, the Hill of Talou, and the
winding Meuse gliding along between the hills which formed the main
French positions to the west and to the east of it, the enemy guns,
which had not rested for many hours since the outbreak of this gigantic
conflict, broke out with terrific energy and commenced to deluge the
French positions. Then, down on the lower slopes, on that plain and in
the hollows, thousands and thousands of Germans sprang to their feet
and dashed forward.

Henri and Jules and their comrades were, indeed, on this day, and upon
those which followed, to experience fighting beside which th