"Thanks," laughed the major.

"Tell us," said Hal, "what are you doing here? I thought you were with
the Southern army."

"I am; but I carried dispatches to General French, and if I mistake not,
they are important ones. I believe that plans have been brought to a head
and that we shall take the offensive soon."

"Good!" cried Chester. "We have been retreating long enough."

"But," Hal protested, "we can hardly advance in the face of such odds; we
must have reinforcements."

"Well," said Major Derevaux, "strong reinforcements already are arriving,
and I believe that the advance will be general along our whole line."

"That will mean severe fighting," said Chester.

"Indeed it will," replied the major. "It will mean fighting such as the
world has never heard of before. It will mean death for thousands upon
thousands. But the Germans must be pushed back."

"And the Kaiser will find that he is not to have things all his own
way," said Hal.

"Exactly," returned the major. "But I must leave you now, boys. I must
return to my own regiment at once. Good luck to you!"