and a
general striding over to Bougainville uttered words of approval that
John could not hear amid the terrific din of so many men in battle--a
million, a million and a half or more, he never knew.

They stood there panting, while the French line along a front of maybe
fifty miles crept on and on. The French machine with the British wheels
and springs cooeperating, was working beautifully now. It was a match and
more for their enemy. The Germans, witnessing the fire and dash of the
French and feeling their tremendous impact, began to take alarm. It had
not seemed possible to them in those last triumphant days that they
could fail, but now Paris was receding farther and farther from their
grasp.

John recovered a certain degree of coolness. The fire of the foe was
turned away from them for the present, and, finding that the glasses
thrown over his shoulder, had not been injured by his fall, he examined
the battle front as he stood by the side of Bougainville. The country
was fairly open here and along a range of miles the cannon in hundreds
and hundreds were pouring forth destruction. Yet the line, save where
the angle had been crushed by the rush of Bougainville's regiment, stood
fast, and John shuddered at thought of the frightful slaughter, needed
to drive it back, if it could be driven back at all.

Then he glanced at the fields across which they had come. For two or
three miles they were sprinkled with the fallen, the red and blue of the
French uniform showing vividly against the green grass. But there was
little time for looking that way and again he turned his glasses in
front. The regiment had taken cover behind a low ridge, and six rapid
firers were sending a fierce hail on the German lines. But the men under
orders from Bougainville, withheld the fire of their rifles for the
present.

Bougainville himself stood up as became a leader of men, and lowered his
sword for the first time. The cap had sunk all the way down the blade
and picking it off he put it back on his head. He had obtained glasses
also, probably from some fallen officer, and he walked back and forth
seeking a weak spot in the enemy's line, into which he could charge with
his men.

John admired him. His was no frenzied rage, but a courage, measured and
stern. The springs of power hidden in him had been touched and he stood
forth, a born leader.

"How does it happen," said John, "that you're in command?"

"Our officers were all in front,"