"That's a sample of the way we worked also to get into the transportation service,——" "So you've been in that, too? Tell me about it," said the colonel. "Down at Amiens we saw them loading up a military truck, and they looked as though they were rather short of help, so we pitched in and helped fill up the van. It happened we were on the van when it started for the front, and that's where we had a lively experience in taking the vans through Devil's Cut," said Ralph. "Devil's Cut! I've heard about that! But I imagine there isn't any more trouble in that place now," observed the colonel. "No, indeed! The big drive spoiled Devil's Cut," said Alfred, "and we helped the artillery to do it, and that's why we want another chance in the same direction." If there is anything more disagreeable than another, it is waiting. Waiting for something, good or bad, is equally discouraging. In their wanderings they had become acquainted with a quaint corporal, formerly of the British navy, and at that time a trainer for the various gun squads at the camp. Daily guns were prepared and hurried to the front, and Walker, the corporal, was always on hand and frequently accompanied the guns as they were sent forward. "Would you like to have a little outing?" he remarked one morning, as the boys appeared at his tent. "Yes; anything, to get a change, this is too trying," said Ralph. [Illustration: _Pontooning Heavy Guns Across a Stream_] "Well, we are going to send half a dozen heavy guns out the Bapaume road this morning, so along," he remarked. Six horses were hitched to each piece, and were pulling out, as Walker spoke. "Jump on this ammunition van," shouted Walker, as he ran forward and seized the stanchions at the side. The boys needed no second invitation, for they would, at least, have an opportunity to go over a great deal of the ground formerly occupied by the Germans, before the British commenced the Somme drive. "Why don't you use lorries for these guns?" asked Alfred. "There is one very good reason," replied Walker. "The bridges are down, and we haven't had time to repair them, and the pontoons are too light for the heavy pieces we are taking across, so we have to adopt an entirely new method," he said, shrugging his shoulders and making a grimace, which, at first, seemed very comical to the boys. "Then how do you get them across? Is the river very deep?" asked Ralph. "About ten feet deep, I should say; of course, we can't run them across on their own wheels, but we pontoon them over," he said. The subject was dropped for the moment, as one of the officers came in at that moment to consult with Walker. The boys seemed to be puzzled at his remarks, and when he returned he said: "When we reach the end of this road, beyond, we turn to the right, at a point only a few hundred feet from the river. Well, just notice the heavy barrels at the landing."