id," remarked Rod, not that he
himself was getting hardened by seeing such sights, but because he had a
broader vision than Hanky Panky, and could anticipate what would follow
when two hostile forces came in contact at close quarters.

"If that was Andre's regiment that went in at the first," observed Josh
gloomily, "I'm mighty much afraid we're going to have all our trouble
for our pains; because they were almost wiped out. Andre is pretty sure
to have been among those who were in the water when that battery got in
its heavy work, and--well, the current carried away many a gallant
fellow, never to give him up again."

"Oh! it's hardly as bad as that, Josh," remonstrated Rod; "a good many
managed to get back again, either wounded or whole. If we're lucky we
may find Andre among that lot. We'll hope to, anyway; and our business
will then soon be over."

"Well, for one I hope and pray we're able to turn our backs on this
thing before another sun sets," said Hanky Panky, with such a sad look
on his face that Rod was quite sorry they had been tempted to follow up
this adventure.

Still, they had risked their lives in a good cause, and if only that
little French woman Jeanne and her family could be provided for in the
future, despite the schemings of Jules Baggott, he for one would not
feel tempted to complain on account of perils undergone and risks taken.

"Most of the French have crossed over by now, you notice, Rod," observed
Josh, when some time had crept past, and he could hardly restrain his
customary impatience any longer.

"And that means you think we should be getting a move on too?" laughed
the other, trying to raise the drooping spirits of Hanky Panky by an
assumption of levity which truth to tell Rod was himself far from
feeling.

"Well, it seems like we must make the crossing some way or other, and
while one of those gun caissons we see coming along is going to get over
why not find out if they'd let us climb aboard? It'll save us from
getting our feet wet even if it did nothing else."

"That isn't a bad idea, Josh," commented Rod, "and it might be just as
well to try it out. These Frenchmen are pretty accommodating, and
they'll like as not take us for British boys, as has happened so many
times before."

Another troop accompanied by a battery had come up and was starting to
reach the northern side of the Marne, so as to presently continue the
chase after the retreating enemy. It was to the ammunitio