"I don't care a button about it for myself," explained Frank, "but I hate to have to tell my mother about it. She has little enough to make her happy nowadays, and I know how badly she will feel about this." All that day the artillery kept up a ceaseless fire and the Germans did not venture on the bridge. But great activity was observed among them, and Dick Lever, who was leader of the aviation detachment that was operating in that sector, brought the news that evening that they were preparing pontoons and other small boats with which they would probably attempt a crossing at points that were not so well guarded. "Your officers over here want to keep their eyes peeled," he remarked to the Army Boys after he had just made his report at division headquarters. "Those Heinies have made up their minds to get across this river by hook or crook. They figure that with the open country behind you they'll have a good chance to throw you back if they can only get a footing on this side." "Don't you worry about our officers," replied Frank with a conviction that had been deepened by the skilful leadership the American troops had had so far in the drive. "It'll be as hard to find them napping as it is to catch a weasel asleep." "I know they're good stuff," agreed Dick, "but we're all human, you know." "All except the boches," grunted Billy. "They're inhuman." "We've had plenty of proofs of that," laughed Dick. "They like to think they're superhuman, but we're teaching them differently." "Seen anything of Will Stone lately?" asked Frank. "Ran across him about a week ago," replied Dick. "He's fighting about ten miles north of here, where the country's suitable for tank work. He's doing some great fighting, too." "I don't need to be told that," replied Frank. "That fellow would rather fight than eat." "Well, so long, fellows," said Dick, as he rose to his feet. "Keep a sharp eye on those boches across the river." "Trust us," replied Frank. "They'll never get over here." The aviator's warning had been heeded by the officers, and detachments were stationed at places along the river above and below the main bridge. Suddenly one morning, a whole fleet of boats, large and small, shot out at the same instant from the enemy side of the river. They were loaded with men and machine guns, and the evident plan was to get a footing on the American side which could be held until reinforcements could be hurried over and make the footing secure. At the same time a tremendous gunfire strove to protect the crossing and clear the banks at the points where the boats were planning to land.