n caissons
belonging to this battery that Josh had referred.

The boys hurried forward now. No one thought to question their right to
be present. Perhaps this was because of their looks, or the khaki suits
they wore, which would be taken for British uniforms. Indeed, quite a
number of those who were seated on gun carriage or ammunition chest
waved to them in the hearty and friendly fashion known to soldiers after
a victory has thrilled their blood, making them light-hearted and gay.

CHAPTER XXVI.

JOSH MAKES A DISCOVERY.

Rod soon fixed the transportation part of it, just as his confident
chums felt sure he would be able to do. He quickly selected a certain
outfit that had stopped on the border of the ford for a minute or so,
while a loose portion of the harness was tightened.

Entering into conversation with the sergeant, who seemed to be in
authority, Rod explained in a measure who they were and how they came to
be loose on the battle lines at such a time as this.

Then he made his request, and with such simplicity, accompanied by a
winning smile, that the dapper Frenchman could not have refused his
modest request even had his heart not warmed toward these young friends
of France from across the sea.

"We must get over the river, because it is necessary that we find Andre
D'Aubrey if he is yet alive," Rod had gone on to say ingenuously; "and
since it would be unpleasant for us to continue our ride if we were
soaked to the waist, perhaps M'sieu le Sergeant would permit us to climb
up with him on the caisson, and accompany him over the ford?"

"Indeed, it would be a pleasure to have you along with me," hastily
replied the non-commissioned officer of the battery, "and as the harness
is now repaired, make yourselves at home here, if you can find a
lodgment where your feet will be out of the reach of the water."

Gladly then did the trio of lads accept of his friendly offer. Trust
them for finding a perch where they would be beyond the reach of the
river, unless the soldier astride one of the horses managed to lose the
shallow line of the ford and stray into the depths.

Luckily this did not happen. The water did come close to their feet so
that Hanky Panky was impelled to draw himself up into something of a
knot in the fear of getting wet; but the worst was over, so that
presently the gun caisson emerged from the Marne, and the boys were able
to jump down.

Rod looked about him. It was indeed a stirr