"Oh, I'm still alive and kicking," returned Chester. "But listen to the guns." Indeed, it seemed that the roar of heavy artillery from both the Allied and German lines exceeded in ferocity anything that either lad had heard in their fours years of fighting. "You can bet there is something of importance going on," was Hal's comment. "But I agree with you, Chester, we've time enough later to learn what it's all about. It's time now to find a place where we can bunk for the rest of the night. Let's be moving." Together the lads walked away in the darkness toward the section of the American encampment where a glimmer of light showed in the distant dugout. "We'll wake these fellows up and see if they'll let us spend the night with them," said Hal, as they approached the dugout. "Suits me," Chester agreed; "and if they have any objections to our company, I'm in favor of dispossessing them." "That might be rather a large order, in our present shape," said Hal. "However, we'll see what they have to say." They approached the dugout and tapped lightly on the door. There was no answer to their knock. Hal tried again, but with the same result. "If there is anybody there, they are good sleepers," declared Hal. "If I don't get an answer this time, we'll go in regardless." "Suits me," was Chester's response. Again Hal knocked on the door and waited a moment. There was no response from within. "Well, here goes," the lad declared. With that he threw open the door. Inside the lads surveyed the dugout. There was no one there. "We're in luck," said Hal. "We'll just make ourselves at home, and if the owner objects we'll get out again, or put up an argument. That's all." "In that event," said Chester, "me for the first bunk." He turned in at once. Hal followed suit, making himself as comfortable as possible in a bunk across the little room. Outside the heavy cannonading continued without cessation. Two hours later--it may have been 4 o'clock in the morning--Hal was awakened by a rough hand on his shoulder and the sound of a rough voice. "Come up out of there," said the voice. "This war has reached a pretty pass when a man can't go out for a few minutes without somebody stealing his bunk." Hal, still half asleep, sat up. "What's the row?" he wanted to know. "What's the row?" repeated the man who stood above him. "I like that. I come back to my own little bunk, find it occupied and the occupant wants to know what's the row. Why shouldn't there be a row, I'd like to know?" Hal got slowly to his feet and gazed at the man who had thus rudely disturbed his slumber. "A marine, eh?" he said. "Right," was the reply. "Lieutenant Ulysses Smith, of the --th division. I'm obliged to you for keeping my bed warm, but if it's all the same to you, I'm ready to climb in myself." "Well, Smith," said Hal, "it's your bed. Hop in." The marine eyed the lad closely. "First tell me who you are and what you are doing here," he said.