claimed Lieutenant Mackinson. "Wait until I get my field
glasses, but do not stand where they might see you with theirs."

From positions within the clump of trees the lads watched the line
spread out and slowly but surely forge its way ahead. The lieutenant
returned with his glasses.

"At least ten thousand of them," he announced at last, after gazing down
at them for fully a minute. "And nobody knows how many more behind. We
must notify the camp at once."

He ran back to the tractor, followed by all but Jerry, who remained to
observe the enemy's further movements.

In two or three minutes the wireless operator at headquarters signaled
back for them to go on with the message.

"About ten thousand enemy troops proceeding through eight inches snow,
bound northwest around eastern base of mountain," Lieutenant Mackinson's
message ran. "Am observing and will report progress. Any orders?"

In another five minutes the wireless clicked back: "Are any of enemy
flanking mountain on south?"

Jerry, who at that moment entered the tractor, informed them that the
Germans had divided into two diverging lines, apparently for that very
purpose.

There was a considerable pause after this was flashed to headquarters.
Meanwhile Jerry had gone back to his post of observation, accompanied by
Frank and Slim.

"How many big guns?" was the next query from the commanding officer of
the American forces in the sector.

Joe rushed out to where the other three were standing, and from them
returned with the information that already they had counted seven headed
toward the north, and five being hauled toward a place where they might
round the southern base of the mountain.

This news was sent through space to the American army; and the lads who
were the silent witnesses to what the enemy had intended and fully
expected should be a secret movement, waited in silence for further
developments.

"Can you get back over the same road with tractor?" was the next message
that came, and Lieutenant Mackinson called for the more expert judgment
of Frank Hoskins before answering.

"We can try it," said Frank in a rather doubtful tone, "but it's risky
business. It will be as much as we can do to follow the road, and we
can't hope to see the ruts and bumps. The worst part of it is, though,
that the tractor is so heavy it may not hold the road. However, we can
try."

The lieutenant repeated the gist of this to headquarters, and the
message came b