It's a going to be some fight!"
"Glad of it!" cried Jack. "Now we've got something to live for!"
As if he and Tom did not risk their lives every day to make life in
the civilized world something worth living for.
"Well, we must be getting back!" exclaimed Tom, as he looked at his
watch. "All leaves will be stopped in a few days--just before we
start preparations for the big battle. If we can we'll see you once
more before then."
"And afterward?" inquired Nellie, softly and pleadingly.
"Yes, and afterward, too!" exclaimed Tom. "And we'll bring Harry
back with us. Now good-bye!"
It was a more solemn farewell than the friends had taken in some
time, for all felt the impending events, and Tom and Jack talked but
little during the return trip from Paris to their headquarters.
What Tom had said about the big battle was strictly true. It had
been decided in high quarters that it was time the newly arrived
American soldiers showed what they could do. That they could fight
fiercely and well was not a question, it was only a matter of
getting them familiar with the different conditions to be met with
on the European battlefields, against a ruthless foe.
Tom and Jack had a chance for one more hasty, flying visit to Paris,
and then all leave was withdrawn, and there began in and about the
American camp such a period of tense and intensive work as bore out
what Tom had said.
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