with a wry
smile. "It will be sound soon though."

The five soldiers soon made themselves perfectly at home in their rude
quarters and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. A few days of rest worked
wonders with them and with all the others in their regiment. At the
end of a week the men were clamoring to be sent back into the trenches.

Daily drills were held to keep the troops in good physical condition
and the men indulged in all kinds of sports during their leisure hours.
Thousands and thousands of soldiers were concentrated in and around
this town and so wonderful was the French organization that they could
be shifted to any part of the long battle line almost at a moment's
notice. There seemed to be an endless supply of equipment as well as
of men and no longer could France say that she was unprepared. The
whole question now was whether she was prepared enough to undertake the
great offensive the soldiers knew was coming some time.

One day, at noontime, came the word that that afternoon there was to be
a review of all the troops stationed thereabouts.

"Who is going to review us, do you suppose?" asked Earl of Armande who
now had recovered entirely from his bullet wound.

"I don't know," replied Armande. "I don't like these reviews anyway.
For my part I'd much rather do some actual fighting."

"I guess you'd rather fight than anything else, wouldn't you?" said
Earl laughingly.

"I certainly would," exclaimed Armande. "At least I would as long as
these Boches are in France. When they are driven out I want to go back
to my little farm and never hear the sound of another gun as long as I
live."

"I hope you may be able to do that soon," said Earl fervently.

"If I am still alive."

"We'll hope for the best," said Earl simply.

"Suppose I am killed," exclaimed Armande. "What difference will it
make? I shall die for my country and what happier death is there than
to die for France?"

"If everyone else feels the same way I don't see how France can be
beaten," remarked Earl, much impressed by the fervor of the impulsive
Frenchman.

"Of course she can't be beaten," cried Armande, "and of course everyone
feels as I do. Just as surely as the sun will rise to-morrow France is
going to come out victorious in this war. They can hold some of our
land for a time but they can't kill our spirit. The spirit of France
will live forever and it is spirit that wins; it is unconquerable and
it will never give in