nz, who was crouching
down next to Jimmy.

"Yes. But keep still! Don't even whisper. Sounds carry very far on a
misty night--almost as they do over water."

The thud of heavily shod feet sounded plainly now, and then, suddenly,
so suddenly that it made the hearts of the Khaki Boys thump fiercely,
there came a voice out of the darkness saying:

"I don't believe we'd better go any farther, boys. We've come quite a
way from our lines, and we haven't seen a sign of even a Hun sentry.
We can go back and report the coast clear!"

And the voice was that of an American! Hearing it Jimmy and his chums
leaped to their feet.

"Americans there"! sung out Bob.

Instantly came the sharp challenge:

"Who's there!"

"Some of the 509th Infantry," answered Jimmy, giving the names of his
companions and himself.

"Advance, Sergeant Blaise! The others stay where they are. And
remember our rifles have you covered, so don't try any funny work."

It was a grim warning, but the five Brothers appreciated its need.
Jimmy stepped forward, and the light from a pocket electric torch
flashed in his face.

"Don't know you, but you look all right," said a tall, young
lieutenant who was in charge of the party, the tramping feet of which
had so alarmed our heroes. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story, but I'll cut it short," said Jimmy, and he did.
The lieutenant listened with interest, and then, satisfied that the
truth was being told, he remarked.

"You'd better come back with us. We'll take care of you for to-night,
and to-morrow you can send word to your command. I don't know this
Captain Dickerson you speak of."

"Are we near the American lines?" asked Bob.

"Within half a mile," was the answer.

They were led back, and soon were comfortably housed in a dugout,
partaking of hot rations, and telling their story to wondering
comrades. They had come upon a sector of the line held by a division
made up of New York and New Jersey troops, and, though our heroes knew
none of them personally, they fraternized all right.

The next day the commanding officer, having heard their story, sent
them back to their own company, which had moved considerably farther
toward the front since the battle of the mill, as the boys called it.

They learned that the big body of German troops which they had seen
from their hiding place had not yet come into an engagement to any
great extent with the Allies.

"A big battle is pending though,"