rton, "if the French batteries
advance at all, it will be that way."

They were ordered to stand to their arms, but it did not keep them from
watching, as at present there was nothing for them to do. A second shot
came presently from the forty-two centimeter, but the shell burst too
far away to do any harm. John and his comrades turned their attention
back to the right, where a line of woods ran.

Ten minutes more of waiting and they saw a succession of flashes among
the trees. The French field guns far in advance of the main force were
at work.

"Well done," said Carstairs. "The French artillery is fine, Scott. I
believe their medium guns can beat any others of the same class in the
world. Look how those woods flame with their fire! It scares me to go up
in the air, but I'd like to be in one of those aeroplanes, where I could
see the effect of the cannonade."

"There goes 'Busy Bertha' again," said Wharton.

"What's 'Busy Bertha'?" asked John.

"Oh, it's merely a nickname we've given to the Krupp monster. The French
started it, I believe, but it's spread to the Strangers. It's aimed at
our field guns this time! There the shell has burst in the forest! I
wish I knew what it had done!"

"Not much, I judge," said Carstairs, "because the French guns are
replying with as much fervor as ever. The woods are fairly blazing with
their fire!"

[Illustration] "A second shot came presently from the forty-two
centimeter."

"And yonder," said John, "are the Uhlans. Look at that mass of steel on
the far edge of the plain!"

An immense force of German cavalry was issuing from the forest directly
in their front, and was forming in a long line. The distance was great,
but the August sunshine was so clear that all objects were magnified and
made more vivid. The three clearly saw the great mass of German horsemen
defiling toward the French right. Captain Colton of the Strangers
reappeared and stood near them, watching through a pair of powerful
glasses. John knew that he was anxious, and, although his experience of
war was only three or four days old, he well knew the reason why.

"I've glasses myself," said Carstairs, who was holding a pair to his
eyes. "Take a look, Scott."

John accepted them eagerly. They were strong, and the German cavalry
seemed to come very near. Then he saw how numerous they were. They must
be thousands and thousands, and the front files, which had wheeled, were
already disappearing in the forest o