The old plan had been to clear up everything as one went along. The
idea of the new tactics was to press swiftly ahead even if they left
behind them machine-gun nests and strong enemy positions. These could
be cleaned up later one by one, while in front the swift advance was
intended to demoralize the opposing army and throw it out of formation
by the very speed of the progress.

The plan, like every other, had its weak points. It involved a very
heavy loss of men because of the masses in which they moved forward,
and it also exposed its flank by penetrating too rapidly into the host
lines before the artillery could be brought up for support. But if
successful, it was almost sure to break the enemy's line and throw it
into confusion.

Later on the Allies were to learn how they might most easily frustrate
these tactics. But at the start of the great drive the plan met with
considerable success because of its novelty.

It was this that had brought the command to retreat. The British
forces on the right wing of the Allied armies had been forced to give
way. The line had not been broken, but it had been badly bent. The
British retreated doggedly, fighting with the splendid heroism that was
in accordance with their traditions, and at no time did the retreat
become a rout. But in order to keep the line straight the American
forces too were ordered to fall back, even though they had been
successful on their section of the line.

"It's a shame!" growled Billy, as the retirement began. "It makes me
sore to have those Heinies think they've got us going."

"We'll come back," said Frank cheerfully. "It's a good general that
knows when to retreat as well as to advance. We're only going to get
space enough to crouch for a spring."

The division withdrew in good order, keeping up a rear-guard action
that kept the enemy at a respectful distance. When night fell the
Americans had reached the position assigned to them, and the backward
movement was halted. The troops entrenched, and with the Allied line
straightened out once more, faced the foe that it had decisively
defeated earlier in the day.

"Nothing to do till tomorrow," exclaimed Frank as he threw himself on
the ground.

"Don't fool yourself that way," said Corporal Wilson, who had just come
up and heard the remark. "Unless I lose my guess you've got something
to do tonight. Didn't you tell me the other day that you understood
how to handle a motorcyc