atriotic army; and that even though she
might never again see them, it would be a sacrifice for the land she
loved with all her heart and soul; so that if the hated Germans were
only beaten, and France saved to posterity, she could reconcile herself
even to the loss of all she possessed in the wide world.

They sat up chatting until a reasonably late hour. Then, as the boys
were more or less tired after an exhausting day's ride they asked to be
shown the apartment where they were to pass the night.

It proved to be a room in a wing that had been recently added to the old
farmhouse, with evidences of not yet being suitably furnished. Still,
all they wanted was a place to throw themselves down and rest. The night
was warm, it being still summer, and little if any covers would be
needed.

Here then they prepared to sleep. Each of them removed their outer
garments, as they had already done with regard to their leggings and
shoes.

Josh poked his head out of a convenient open window to take an
observation. He grunted as if pleased to know that from that point it
was possible to see the mound of earth in which the potato cellar had
been located.

A wide double bed occupied one corner of the room. The good woman of the
house had also fetched in a cot, which would serve admirably for the odd
traveler.

"It looks good to me," remarked Hanky Panky, after testing the big bed,
and finding that it felt reasonably soft. "I reckon, Rod, we'll let Josh
take the cot, because you know he's such a kicker when he dreams that
nobody likes to stand for it."

"Only too glad of the chance to sleep alone," chuckled Josh, apparently
in no wise feeling hurt by the insinuation.

So it was easily arranged, and in less than ten minutes afterward Rod,
being the last one up, blew out the candle that had been given to them,
and sought his place in the big bed.

If Josh chose to lie awake for any length of time turning over matters
in his active mind at least he did not make any sound calculated to
disturb his companions.

Time passed on.

Rob was in the midst of a delightful dream of the far-away home across
the sea when he felt some one gently shake him. As he instantly opened
his eyes it all came back to him again in a flash, and he knew where he
was; also that it must be Josh who was again trying to draw his
attention.

"Hello! what's up, Josh?" asked Rod quietly and without a trace of
excitement, whereas a good many boys, upon bein