most of it. John reddened at
his high praise, and would have withdrawn farther into the crowd, but
enthusiastic young officers about him would not let him. "Vive
l'Americain!" they shouted and patted him on the shoulders.

Lannes went at once with the captain, and John was left with his new
friends. Friends, in truth they were, and their enthusiasm grew as he
told of their extraordinary flight, their battle with the Taubes, and
the destruction of the Zeppelin by Lannes. Then their applause became
thunder, and, seeing it in the distance and the perspective, John became
more reconciled to the throwing of the bomb. War was killing and one
could not change it.

While they heard his story and cheered him the French did not neglect
his comfort. Young officers, many of whom were mere boys, insisted upon
entertaining this guest from the air. It was so early that they had not
yet had their own breakfasts, and while different groups fought for him
he finally sat down beside a fire with a dozen lieutenants of about his
own age.

The food was abundant and good, and, as he ate and drank, he was
compelled to tell their story over again.

"I'm glad Lannes got that monster, the Zeppelin," said one of the young
lieutenants. "God knows we've had little enough success so far. They say
we were ready for war, and had planned to strike. But it was the Germans
who struck. That proves who had done the planning. They say that our
officers were in Belgium, making ready for the French army to march
through that country, and yet when the Germans pushed into Belgium they
found no French. The accusation refutes itself."

"Are the Germans in Belgium?" asked John, astonished.

"With a great army, and England has declared herself. She is sending a
force to our help. You will not lack for comrades who speak your own
tongue."

"We thought we heard last night the sounds of a battle."

"You thought right. It was we who were fighting it, and we were
defeated. We were driven back many miles, but we were not beaten, man to
man. With even numbers we could have held them, but they were three or
four to one, and they have monster cannon which far outrange ours."

"It was one of those giant guns I heard, because we heard nothing else.
Are the Germans coming forward for another attack?"

"We don't know. Our aeroplanes report no movement in their camp, but the
sun has scarcely risen yet. Still we all think they'll come. We know
it's their plan to make