IN THE WOODS Beyond the enemy second line trench the road led straight into Cantigny and Tom could see the houses in the distance.

Continuous firing was to be heard there and he supposed that the Germans, routed from their trenches, were making a stand in the village and in the high ground beyond it.
"They'll be able to 'phone back, won't they ?" he asked anxiously.
"They sure will," one of the men answered.
"It ain't that I don't want to ride back," Tom explained, "but a feller's waiting on the other end of this wire, 'cause I heard somebody tell him to, and I wouldn't want him to be disappointed." "He won't be disappointed." The road, as well as the open country east and west of it, was strewn with German dead and wounded, among whom Tom saw one or two figures in khaki.

The Red Cross was busy here, many stretchers being borne up toward the village where dressing stations were already being established.

Then suddenly Tom beheld a sight which sent a thrill through him.

Far along the road, in the first glare of the rising sun, flew the Stars and Stripes above a little cottage within the confines of the village.
"Headquarters," one of his companions said, laconically.
"Does it mean we've won ?" Tom asked.
"Not exactly yet," the other answered, "but as long as the flag's up they probably won't bother to take it down," and he looked at Tom in a queer way.