The Germans had apparently retreated to a considerable distance, for at first the Americans met with no opposition except that offered by the tangles of barbed wire and abandoned trenches with which they were continually coming into contact. Frank, Billy and Tom kept a lookout in every direction for the destroyed German aeroplane, but their vigilance was doomed to go unrewarded, for they saw not a sign of it. By noon time the Americans had begun to come in contact with the enemy again, and were again engaged in the grim business of clearing out stubbornly held trenches and machine gun nests. The Germans fought for every foot of ground, but were slowly but surely forced backward, ever giving way to men who were better soldiers than they were. Always they had the advantage of carefully planned and constructed fortifications, and yet always they were beaten out of them. By noon the Americans had registered a satisfactory advance, and the order was given to rest while the wearied soldiers were given food and a chance to get a very much needed rest. Soon after our three friends had eased the packs off their aching shoulders and thrown themselves on the ground, they saw a small party of five men, three of whom were officers, approach their commanding officer, and after the usual salutes, enter into conversation with him. Shortly afterward, the two non-commissioned men were dismissed, and strolled over toward the three friends. Seeing them coming, these latter hospitably offered tobacco, matches, and chewing gum, and shortly learned that the newcomers were members of the Tank Corps. One of them had seen a good deal of service in this comparatively new branch of the Army, and with a little skillful urging was led to talk of some of his experiences. “Yes,” he said, in answer to a question from Tom, “some pretty queer things happen out there in no man’s land, and the tanks get their share, I can tell you. I’ve had experiences myself.” “I don’t doubt it,” said Frank. “But these tanks seem to have put a great fear into the Boches, at that.” “You bet they have!” exclaimed the other, “and it’s too bad that we can’t use them very much here. But of course, with all these trees and the thick underbrush, they’re practically out of the question. But that’s what we’re here for now--looking over the ground, to see if in some places they can’t be used to some extent.” “I’ve often wondered,” said Billy, “why the Huns haven’t used tanks more. They don’t seem to have anything like the success with them that our men have had.” “Well, for one thing, they’re not as well made, and when it comes to tank against tank, we almost always out-manœuvre them,” said Arney, for such was the tank man’s name. “I’ve often wondered what would happen if two tanks had a pitched battle,” said Frank, “I suppose that happens sometimes, doesn’t it?” “Often enough,” said Arney. “I was in one once that stacked up against a Boche tank, so I am in a position to know, if anyone is.”