ing picture taken in all, for
everywhere the French had occupied the ground so tenaciously defended by
the German rearguard.

Hundreds of soldiers were moving this way and that, with the officers
gathering as if for a council of war.

Other batteries could be seen coming on the gallop toward the captured
ford, as though the birdmen aloft may have sent the signal along to tell
them that now the coast was clear they could make the passage in safety.
Some of these were heavier guns than any the boys had as yet seen,
showing that the French were hurrying all their available resources
forward in order to strike the enemy hard while yet in retreat.

"Now what, Rod?" asked Josh.

"We'll look around a bit so as to get our bearings," he was told. "It's
true we came here on a mission, but perhaps it might be wise not to
bother the commander-in-chief in too big a hurry. He's certainly got his
hands full as it is, and can't be worried with our private affairs."

"I guess that's about so, Rod," agreed Hanky Panky. "To us Andre's
business may seem mighty important, but why should a general waste a
precious minute of his time with any one's affairs, when he's got to map
out his movements, with a beaten but still fighting foe ahead?"

"Look there, fellows!" exclaimed Josh just then; "unless I miss my guess
that must be the hero of the battle they're fetching in right now."

"See how the men take their caps off, will you?" said Hanky Panky
reverently; "I'd feel like doing the same myself if he came near me,
because it was his work that really made the passage of the ford
possible. They all know it too, and just now they fairly worship that
lucky chap."

"Oh! I hope it doesn't mean he's dead!" exclaimed Josh with a tinge of
deep regret in his voice; "that'd be too everlasting bad, you know,
after he'd won his promotion, and the cross these Frenchmen prize so
much."

"No, he is still alive, because I saw him wave his hand feebly just then
when he passed that group of cheering soldiers," said Rod quickly.

"Bully for that!" exploded Josh exultantly; "somehow or other I just
seem to be taking a personal interest in that brave chap, as if he might
be a friend of mine, though of course I wouldn't know him from Adam. But
a thousand pair of eyes saw what he did, and the army of France knows
how to honor such a hero. We must find out his name before we leave
here, Rod, that's sure."

"I'll not forget to ask it!" declared the other p