of
only 7,000 casualties, mostly light, we had taken 16,000 prisoners and
443 guns, a great quantity of material, released the inhabitants of
many villages from enemy domination, and established our lines in a
position to threaten Metz. This signal success of the American First
Army in its first offensive was of prime importance. The Allies found
they had a formidable army to aid them, and the enemy learned finally
that he had one to reckon with."

And that was the battle of St. Mihiel.

CHAPTER XXVIII

IN ARGONNE FOREST

"Well, I reckon we get a rest now, don't we?" asked Bob of his two
chums, as they were ordered to report to a certain point with others
of their command.

"A rest?" cried Ned. "Say, Chunky, I'm going to take a leaf out of
your book and wish for something to eat."

"I guess we'll get that, but I doubt if we get much rest," put in
Jerry Hopkins. "I can smell something cooking, but I don't see 'em
getting any beds ready for us."

And Jerry proved a true prophet, for there was refreshment for the
battle-worn troops--hot food which they very much needed.

"Have we got to fight some more?" asked Bob, as he ate his rations
with every indication of appetite.

"I should say so!" cried Jerry. "Why, we've got to take the Argonne
Forest yet, and that's going to be worse than this."

And it was.

Without giving his divisions a rest, which he dared not do, General
Pershing, on the day after the capture of St. Mihiel, sent some of
them toward the area back of the line between the Meuse River and the
western edge of the Forest of Argonne. Though the fighting to gain St.
Mihiel had been terrific, with this out of the way the German line was
still intact from Switzerland to the east of Rheims. The general
attack, all along this line, was with the hope of cutting it, and the
part assigned to the American armies was, as the hinge of the Allied
offensive, directed toward important railway communications of the
German armies through Mezieres and Sedan.

Knowing that the Germans realized what it would mean to them to lose
the Argonne Forest, General Pershing and his staff made every
preparation for success. To this end as much secrecy as possible
marked the advance of the Americans.

Says General Pershing:

"We expected to draw the best German divisions to our front, and to
consume them, while the enemy was held under grave apprehension lest
our attack should break his line, which it was our firm