"Jove, but what work they've done! A lot of our guns have been smashed, one half of our gunners maybe have been smashed with 'em, but they've never flinched.
They covered our retreat from Belgium, and they've been the heralds of our advance here on the Marne! Listen to 'em! How they talk!" The heavy crash of guns far in front and the thunder of the German guns replying came back to their ears.

It was a louder note in the general and ceaseless murmur of the battle, but the young men paid it only a passing moment of attention.

Carstairs presently added as an afterthought: "Unless Lannes returns soon I don't think we'll hear from him.

That blaze of the guns in front of us indicates close fighting again, and we'll probably be ordered forward soon." "I don't think so," said Lord James Ivor.

"Our guns and the German guns will talk together for quite a while before the infantry advance.