Rod looked about him. It was indeed a stirring picture taken in all, for everywhere the French had occupied the ground so tenaciously defended by the German rearguard.
Hundreds of soldiers were moving this way and that, with the officers gathering as if for a council of war.
Other batteries could be seen coming on the gallop toward the captured ford, as though the birdmen aloft may have sent the signal along to tell them that now the coast was clear they could make the passage in safety. Some of these were heavier guns than any the boys had as yet seen, showing that the French were hurrying all their available resources forward in order to strike the enemy hard while yet in retreat.
"We'll look around a bit so as to get our bearings," he was told. "It's true we came here on a mission, but perhaps it might be wise not to bother the commander-in-chief in too big a hurry. He's certainly got his hands full as it is, and can't be worried with our private affairs."
"I guess that's about so, Rod," agreed Hanky Panky. "To us Andre's business may seem mighty important, but why should a general waste a precious minute of his time with any one's affairs, when he's got to map out his movements, with a beaten but still fighting foe ahead?"
"Look there, fellows!" exclaimed Josh just then; "unless I miss my guess that must be the hero of the battle they're fetching in right now."
"See how the men take their caps off, will you?" said Hanky Panky reverently; "I'd feel like doing the same myself if he came near me, because it was his work that really made the passage of the ford possible. They all know it too, and just now they fairly worship that lucky chap."
"Oh! I hope it doesn't mean he's dead!" exclaimed Josh with a tinge of deep regret in his voice; "that'd be too everlasting bad, you know, after he'd won his promotion, and the cross these Frenchmen prize so much."
"No, he is still alive, because I saw him wave his hand feebly just then when he passed that group of cheering soldiers," said Rod quickly.
"Bully for that!" exploded Josh exultantly; "somehow or other I just seem to be taking a personal interest in that brave chap, as if he might be a friend of mine, though of course I wouldn't know him from Adam. But a thousand pair of eyes saw what he did, and the army of France knows how to honor such a hero. We must find out his name before we leave here, Rod, that's sure."