There was a moment of hesitation. "By all means, you shall have them," he replied.

It was but the work of moments to supply them with the desired equipment, and when the boys marched down the hill with the detachment they were the happiest pair in Belgium.

"Aren't the guns heavy, though," remarked Alfred. "Wouldn't I like to shoot?"

This was another problem. They must learn the use of the weapons. They were soon to have an opportunity to learn that the soldier who uses the gun frequently, as in battle, will have a sore and bruised shoulder, from the recoil. It was sport to them now; how would it be later on?

Within twenty minutes the detachment reached the first of the quarries. Here was an admirable defensive work, made ready for them, and absolutely inaccessible to cavalry.

Roland was sent back to the commanding officer to report on the condition of the quarry and its surroundings, and within an hour the entire force was on its way, the artillery being mounted in a concealed position on the hill above the quarry, while the infantry used the entrenched part below.

Here the entire party awaited the expected reinforcements from the north, and the Germans remained, for the time being, quietly on the watch, a half mile below the red house.

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96

CHAPTER IX THE FIRST BATTLE

THE FIRST BATTLE

Thus the boys spent the first day of their journeyings as soldiers. How proud they were. They actually petted the guns. They had no uniforms, of course, and it was the only thing needed to make them supremely happy.

Their joy was so great that they almost forgot home, and when, in the dangers that later came, they thought of their parents, it was with great pride that they were able to be of service to Belgium in her hour of need.

There was another thing which awakened a sense of pleasure. The men realizing that they were only boys treated them like privileged characters. In accordance with the 

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