present positions for "seasoning" purposes. They had been the first to
be given this post of honor. They had held it for several days, and
then had been relieved only to be returned to the front within ten
days.

At command from Captain O'Neill, Hal made his way to the, south along
the line of trenches, and approached the quarters of General Dupres.
To an, orderly he announced that he bore a communication from Captain
O'Neill.

"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the French commander, when Hal had delivered his
message. "So they will attack us in the night, eh? Well, we shall
receive them right warmly."

He thought a moment. Then he said:

"You will tell Captain O'Neill to move from the trenches with his
entire strength. He will advance ten yards and then move one hundred
yards north. You may tell him that I will post a force of equal
strength to the south. He will not fire until my French troops open on
the enemy."

Hal returned and reported to Captain O'Neill.

It was plain that the American officer didn't understand the situation
fully. However, he simply shrugged his shoulders.

"General Dupres is in command," he said. "I guess he knows what he's
doing or he wouldn't be here."