Von Hindenburg's blow in Italy, if successful threatened to dispose of one country entirely, and would endanger the French and British troops from the rear. It was decided to reinforce the Italians with French and British troops.

At the same time, it became a part of the plan of the general staff to strike hard in Flanders and in the Cambrai sector, while the Germans were busily engaged elsewhere. It would, indeed, be an auspicious moment to strike.

Since the days when the Germans had been beaten back by the French at Verdun, Teuton offensives had been few and far between. It had been the Allies who had advanced after that, with the one exception of the Austro-German offensive being made in Italy. The ground that the British and French had won, now they held. From time to time they pushed their lines farther to the east, consolidated their positions and made ready to move forward again.

It was plainly apparent that success was crowning the efforts of the British and French on the western front. The Germans now and then launched heavy local attacks, but these apparently were more for the purpose of feeling out the strength of their opponents than with any idea of concerted advance.

British troops in Egypt were pushing on toward Jerusalem and it seemed that it was only the question of time until the Holy City would fall.

Once Turkish rule there had been broken, it was a foregone conclusion that the Ottomans would never regain a foothold.

The thing of chief concern to the Allies was the internal conditions in Russia. Revolt had succeeded revolt in the land of the Muscovite, and, as rulers replaced rulers, it was hard to tell what the next day would bring forth.

Conditions had not reached such a pa.s.s, however, that the German general staff felt safe in releasing the bulk of its great army on the eastern front. Therefore, although it appeared that Russia was about to give up the fight, a million and a half of the Kaiser's best troops were held on the Russian front.

It was known to the Allied governments that German efforts were at the bottom of the Russian troubles, and the diplomatic corps had been hard at work trying to offset this. As time pa.s.sed, however, it was realized that Russia's aid could no, longer be counted upon.

With the entrance of the United States into the war, with the American nation's unlimited resources in men and money, the cause of the Allies took on a more roseate hue. True, it would require time to put the American fighting machine into shape to take the field, but once its energies had been turned to making war, even Germany knew that America would put her best foot foremost.

The latest British successes had been in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge, which position, believed by the Germans to be impregnable, had been carried by Canadian troops in a single attack. German counter-a.s.saults in this sector had failed to dislodge them, and there they remained secure.

The Canadians had launched this attack in April soon after the United States had declared war on Germany. Now, in November, their lines still held despite the pounding of big German guns and infantry and cavalry a.s.saults.

As the Germans continued to push forward in Italy, threatening the city of Venice--called the most beautiful in the world--General Sir Douglas Haig, the British commander-in-chief, prepared himself for a blow in Flanders, and also for a drive at Cambrai, one of the most important German military centers.

Preparations for this attack were made quietly, and without knowledge of the enemy; so, when the attack came, the Germans were taken absolutely by surprise, and only escaped annihilation by the masterful direction of Field Marshal von Hindenburg, who hurried from the Italian front in time to stem the tide.

American troops in France at this time numbered not more than 125,000 men--these in addition to several detachments of engineers who had been sent in advance to take over French railroad operations in order to release the French for service on the fighting line. Many of the Americans who had fought with the Allies in the early days of the struggle, before Uncle Sam cast in his lot with them had returned to America and joined their own countrymen in the expectation that they would soon return to the front.

The American Army was being put in readiness as fast as possible, but it was known that months of intensive training would be necessary to fit it for its share of fighting at the front. Preparations were being rushed, however, to send the national guard units across. These would form the second contingent of Americans to reach France--the first having been composed only of regulars.

American troops in France so far had seen little actual fighting.

Their activities had been confined mostly to beating off trench raids and launching an occasional bomb attack on the German dugouts so close to them. Several Americans had been killed in one of these attacks--forming the first United States casualty list. Others had been wounded, and some were missing, believed to be prisoners in the German lines.

Hal and Chester had been in the midst of the Canadian advance and capture of Vimy Ridge. Immediately after the battle they had left the fighting front and returned to America, where they spent several months training reserve officers at Fort Niagara. Because of excellent service there, they had been honored by being numbered among officers who went with the first expeditionary force under General Pershing.

Both lads had been among the American troops who beat off the German trench raid which accounted for the first United States casualties, and they had performed other services for General Pershing, as have already been recounted.

Americans though they were, each felt that he would rather be where action were swifter than lying idle in the trenches with their countrymen. It was hard telling how long it would be before the British and French general staffs would consider the American troops sufficiently seasoned to take over a complete sector of the battle line, and for that reason, the "Sammies," as they were affectionately called at home, were unlikely to see any real fighting for some time.

In fact, it developed that when General Haig finally launched his drive, only British, Irish, Welsh and Scots were used. The Americans had no hand in the fighting.

Hal and Chester, after reporting to General Pershing following their return from the German lines, returned to the automobile where they had left McKenzie and Stubbs.

"There are no orders for us," said Hal, "so we may as well hunt our quarters and get a little rest."

Upon inquiry they learned that their own company, in the trenches when they left, had been moved back to make place for another contingent.

This was in line with the policy of seasoning the American troops.

Their own company, therefore, they found somewhat removed from the danger zone.

"Of course, it's better to be in the trenches, where there is a chance of action," Chester said, "but when a fellow needs sleep, as I do, I guess it's just as well that we're back here."

"Right you are, Chester," said Stubbs, "and if you have no objections I'll bunk along with you boys."

"Help yourself, Stubbs," laughed Chester. "Guess we can make room for you."

"It's daylight yet," said Stubbs, "but I'm going to bed just the same.

Lead the way, Chester."

Chester needed no urging, for he could scarcely keep his eyes open.

McKenzie hunted his own quarters, and soon was fast asleep.

Hal and Chester also soon were in slumberland, and Stubbs' loud snoring proclaimed that the little man's troubles were over for the moment at least.

CHAPTER XV

THE EVE OF BATTLE

"Good news, Chester."

"That so? What is it?"

Hal glanced about him. There was no one near. "Little work for us to do," he said quietly.

"What kind of work?"

Hal did not reply directly to this question.

"How's your side?" he demanded.

"All right. Why?"

"Wound hurt you much?"

"No. Hardly know it's there. But what's all this about, anyhow?"

"Well," said Hal, "there is about to be a battle."

"That so? Good. How do you know?"

"General Pershing just told me. That's why I want to know how your side is. We've orders to report to General Haig in person."

"Oh," said Chester, somewhat disappointed, "I thought you meant the American troops were going to get into action."

"Well, they may get into action, too. I don't know. But this, to my mind, is the biggest undertaking since the Somme."