In the sky, washed by weeks of rain, it was so clear and smiling with warmth that one would have thought it was a sunrise in the South. “Say, this morning that’s the sun of the South!” “What’s it doing here? It’s made a mistake.” “Beautiful sun! Indeed, there’s only you.” And in the pure morning air, these peasants of Provence saluted the rising sun by shouting the joyous song which, a few hours before, had brightened their night. _Gran souleù de la Prouvènço_ _Fai lusi toun blound caleù._ The attack was heavy; it is over. They have come back from it. They are still alive. We must begin all over again, to-night, perhaps; possibly this evening; perhaps in an hour. Death lurks everywhere. What difference does it make? This morning the sun rose radiantly. They sing! CHAPTER XV A WATER PATROL For several days the Germans had been at work making changes opposite our salient on the banks of the Somme. Probably it was a machine-gun emplacement to prevent any attempt at attack from that side. But as there must be no obstacle in the way of our next advance, the major, after talking with the colonel, sent for Lieutenant Delpos, who was in charge of the section in that sector and asked him what he thought of the work. “It’s hard to say,” he answered. “If they’ve brought two or three machine guns it will be humanly impossible even to try to advance. It all depends on the importance of the work. We can’t tell from here what it is.” “Our aeroplane observations and photographs don’t tell us anything,” said the major. “The view is partly cut off by the tops of the trees along the river.” “Aeroplane observations aren’t everything,” answered Delpos. “But I can’t send a patrol over such unprotected ground. It would be utterly wiped out before it discovered anything.” “Will you give me an order,” asked Delpos, “to make a reconnaissance in whatever way I think best? In twenty-four hours, at the latest, I think I can bring you the exact details.” “Go ahead. Do your best. I’ll send you a written order to cover it.” When he got back to his post, Lieutenant Delpos examined the strip of terrain as thoroughly as he could by peering over the top of the parapet, and then asked for the photographs the aeroplanes had taken. Finally, he studied the map of the country which the enemy occupied opposite us. Then, he went to Éclusier, borrowed a boat, and stayed out in the current calculating its direction by bunches of grass pulled from the banks. He came back to the company towards noon and sent me to the echelon for Gondran, whom I brought back about three o’clock. At seven Delpos had his plans made. He went to the major, who received him at once, and explained the project he wanted to put into execution that evening. Delpos asked him, as it would probably be useful in distracting attention, to have the sections at the extreme north of the sector fire several heavy volleys between eleven o’clock and midnight.