and
cheerful, invited confidence.

"Providence seems to watch over all four of us," he said. "It's quite
certain that none of us will ever meet his death by drowning."

"Nor by hanging either I hope," said Weber.

"Now I must hurry. If I'm not sent away immediately on another mission
it's likely I'll see you tomorrow."

He disappeared almost at once. He seemed to John to have some mysterious
power of melting into the air, or of re-embodying himself. It was
terrifying for the moment, but John shook himself and laughed.
"Lightness of foot and silence are the two great assets in his trade,"
he said to himself.

He wrapped himself in his blanket and again sought sleep which came
readily enough despite the distant shots and the flashing white lights.
But he was awakened at the first upshoot of dawn, and the whole army was
soon on its feet, its front spreading a long distance across the green
country. They had hot coffee and good hot food, and then turned to their
duty, John at the same time telling them of the return of Weber, over
which both Wharton and Carstairs rejoiced.

"It's a good omen," said Carstairs. "We'll take it that way and let it
point to our success today."

"We need it," muttered Wharton, who was looking through glasses, "and a
lot more just as good. If I don't make any mistake the German nation is
advancing against us in a solid mass."

Carstairs had observed the same fact.

"They seem to be quite numerous," he said.

"Now's your chance," said John, "to prove not only that one Englishman
is as good as any other two Europeans, but as good as four."

"Looks like it," said Carstairs coolly. "I'm bound to admit that we can
get all the fighting we want. But our men are ready and willing. Listen
to the bagpipes of those Highlanders."

"Sounds more like a dirge," said Wharton.

"A dirge for the other fellows."

"Do they keep their legs bare so they can run fast?"

"Yes, after the enemy."

John smiled.

"You're true blue, Carstairs, old fellow," he said. "What do you see,
Wharton?"

"Germans, Germans, and then more Germans. Germans on the right, Germans
on the left, and Germans in the center, always Germans. They're
advancing by kingdoms, grand dukedoms, dukedoms and principalities. The
whole circle of the horizon is gray with them."

The three were mounted and ready for orders. Aloft swung the aeroplanes
and over the hostile front hovered those of the Germans also. John had
little to do,