John watched him a moment or two and then turned his attention back to the German army in front of them.
The thudding of the heavy guns to their left had become so violent that it affected his nerves.

The waves of air beat upon his ears like storm-driven rollers, and he was glad when Bougainville's regiment moved forward again.

The Germans seemed to have withdrawn some of their force in the center, and, for a little while, the regiment with which John now marched was not under fire.
They heard reserves now coming up behind them, more trains of motor cars, bearing fresh troops, and batteries of field guns advancing as fast as they could.

Men were busy also stringing telephone wires, and, presently, they passed a battery of guns of the largest caliber, the fire of which was directed entirely by telephone.

Some distance beyond it the regiment stopped again.