"Cheap skates," replied Frank. "You notice they're not quite so gay when we get to close quarters with them." "They get my goat," said Billy with irritation. "I'd like to cram those placards down their throats." "Pretty big mouthful," laughed Frank. "We'll get them yet," said Billy vengefully. "What's the use of saying 'yet,'" suggested Frank. "Why not say 'now'?" They looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?" queried Bart. "Got anything up your sleeve?" asked Billy. "An idea just came to me," replied Frank. "I don't know whether it's any good, but perhaps it's worth chewing over." "Let's have it," demanded Billy eagerly. "Well," said Frank slowly, "I figure that there must be about twenty Germans in that detachment just opposite us. What would be the matter with a few of us going over there some dark night and cleaning up the bunch?" A delighted shout met the suggestion. "Bully!" exclaimed Bart. But though the approval was enthusiastic, practical difficulties soon presented themselves. "How are we to get across?" asked Bart dubiously. "We haven't any boat on this side that's big enough," said Billy. "In fact, I don't think we have any at all." "That's an easy one," answered Frank. "Do you see that big lobster of a boat on the other side? That looks as though it would carry almost a dozen anyway. We won't need any more than that to nab the Huns, because we'll have the advantage of the surprise if our plans go through all right." "But how are we going to get the boat?" asked Bart. "Swim over for it," replied Frank. "I'll attend to that. Give me a dark night and it's all I ask." "Let's see what the corporal has to say about it," suggested Bart. The corporal listened with interest. It was a plan after his own heart. "You young roosters are always looking for fight," he grinned. "I'll put it up to the captain and see what he says." The assent of the captain was readily obtained as he knew the value of such exploits in keeping the spirits of the men up to high fighting pitch. The night following there would be no moon until late, and it was fixed on for carrying out the raid. Frank was to swim across the river and get the boat. On the American side Wilson with eight men would be in waiting. They would embark and try to reach the other side without detection. Quick thinking and Yankee grit could be depended on to do the rest. The night came, black as pitch. Frank slid into the water as noiselessly as a fish and struck out for the other side. CHAPTER XI GALLANT WORK The water had a chill in it that struck to Frank's marrow, but the reaction soon came and he proceeded swiftly, making as little noise as possible, and keeping body and head low in the water. He was a powerful swimmer, and the distance was as nothing to him. But the greatest caution had to be exercised lest he be discovered by a sentry whose shot would alarm his comrades and put an end to the projected raid.