The cheerful melody of the old Scotch song, "Gin a body, meet a body, Comin' thro' the rye," rang out in common time across the silent battle-field, fifes squeaking and drums rolling, while the silent searchlights continued flashing in the dark sky. "Gin a body, meet a body, Comin' thro' the rye." Meanwhile the picks and spades were kept going in the trenches of the 28th Regiment. The earth and stones flew with a rattle over the top of the breastworks, making them stronger and stronger, pioneers and infantry working side by side in the dark, hollow space. The battalion on guard kept strict watch in the direction of the enemy, continually expecting to see creeping figures suddenly pop up out of the darkness. "Didn't you hear something, captain?" asked one of the men on watch. "No, where?" A curious purring sound like the whizzing of a small dynamo became audible. Some one gave a low whistle, and the pioneers stopped work, and leaned on their spades. All the men listened intently, but no one could make out whence the strange sound came. Suddenly some one spoke quite loudly and another voice replied. Up in the air--that's where it was! A black shadow swept across the sky. "An air-ship!" cried one of the men in the trench, and sure enough the whirring of the screw of a motor balloon could be distinctly heard. Bang--bang--bang, went a few shots into the air. "Stop the fire!" called a commanding voice from above. "Stop! It is our own balloon!" "No, it's a Japanese one!" Bang--bang, it went again. From the rear came the deep bass of a big gun and close by sounded the sharp bang--bang--bang of a little balloon-gun in the second trench. There was a burst of flame up in the air, followed by a hail of metal splinters. "Cut that out. You're shooting at us!" roared Captain Lange across to the battery. "Stop firing!" came a quick order from there. A few cannon shots were heard coming from the rear. Suddenly a bright light appeared up in the air and a white magnesium cluster descended slowly, lighting up all the trenches in a sudden blaze which made the pioneers look like ghosts peering over the black brink of the pits. Then the light went out, and the eyes trying in vain to pierce the darkness saw nothing but glittering fiery red circles. The Japanese batteries on the other side opened fire. The air-ship had entirely disappeared, and no one knew whether the uncanny night-bird had been friend or foe. * * * * *