were delighted with them after
their close bunks on the ship.

"I can roll over now without falling out," said Ned, with a sigh of
comfort as he stretched out.

They drew their rations the following morning, and breakfasted most
heartily, if not luxuriously, and were ready for what the day held for
them. This was nothing else than a journey to their training camp,
which, they learned, was some miles behind the front lines where the
fighting was going on.

"But you'll be moved up as fast as it's possible to do so," said the
officer who directed them. "The fighting's getting heavier and
heavier."

And this was true, for about this time the 42d American Division was
in position east of Rheims where, a little later, a great German
attack was launched, and, as all the world now knows, was flung back
with disaster to the Hun forces.

The railroad journey, from a point near their disembarkation port to
their training camp, was not a very comfortable one, as the troops had
to travel in cars that were used at times for horses. But every one
was in good spirits, and little inconveniences were laughed at.

And finally, after three days, the welcome word was given to leave the
trains and march to the camp. This was situated in a beautiful part of
France--that is, it had been beautiful before the spoliation by the
Huns, and there Ned, Bob and Jerry, with thousands of their comrades,
prepared for the last phase of their training. Before them was the
enemy.

"Well, here at last!" remarked Jerry, as he eased himself from his
pack, and, with his two chums, stacked the guns together. "I wonder
what happens first?"

"Suppose you come over and have some chocolate?" suggested a voice
behind the boys, and, turning, they saw a pleasant-faced young man,
whose hair, however, was gray. He wore a semi-military uniform, but a
glance at his sleeve showed the red triangle, and the letters "Y. M.
C. A." were not needed to tell his character.

"Come over and make yourselves at home," he went on. "You'll have time
before you'll be called on to report."

"Thank you, we will," said Jerry. "Some chocolate would touch the
spot."

"I've got two spots that need touching," laughed Bob.

"Won't you boys come, too?" invited the Y. M. C. A. worker, as he
turned to some others who had marched up as Ned, Bob and Jerry were
moving away.

"What? Trail in with a lot of psalm-singing goody-goodies?" was the
sneering retort of one, and it needed only