But most significant of all, as Tom with pride of his country pointed out, as the boys in the approach of evening got together to compare notes, was the confidence displayed in advance that all of this would take place, exactly as it had been planned and according to scheduled time and program. And that it all had been expected, counted upon, taken for granted as practically assured before the first gun was fired, was evidenced by the fact that every arrangement was made for the use that was made of more than ten thousand feet of moving picture film, actually portraying the Germans in their disorganization which speedily grew to a rout and presaged their early and certain defeat in a war which they had precipitated upon the whole world and practically all civilization. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XX WELL-EARNED REWARDS “HAVE you heard the news?” Buck Granger came bursting into a little group of men which included Sergeant Tom Walton, George Harper and two or three others. News! It is the great thing for which an army looks and watches and waits. News of a campaign to be launched, of an attack to be expected, of the men who have been in hospital or are missing, of the things that are going on back home where every soldier himself wants to be. News! The word always makes men forget their aches, their pains, their gossip or chatter to hear it. “What news?” demanded George Harper. “We haven’t heard it. What is it.” “The Germans are asking for an armistice. Austria has already followed the example of the other German allies, set first by Bulgaria, and now Germany practically admits herself defeated and is suing for time in which to determine terms of peace.” “What!” a couple of men ejaculated in unison. “Where did you hear that?” “From a Frenchman and an American half a mile below, who have just returned from Paris,” Granger explained, as breathlessly excited as were his listeners. “It’s gospel, too, for I heard the men repeat it to a captain and a major.” “Why, that means the ending of the war, with complete victory for the Allies,” put in Sergeant Tom. “Hooray!” shouted another, unable longer to control his enthusiasm, “and that means that we’ll soon be starting home to the good old U. S. A.” Like wildfire the news spread throughout the camp, and apparently it soon was confirmed from more authoritative quarters, for the officers themselves seemed lifted to a new sphere of happiness, and made no effort to keep down the jubilation which now ran high among the men. Ollie Ogden, coming past one of the branch telephone posts, responded to a mysterious beckoning of a friend in the Signal Corps. “Heard it?” that young man asked, in lowered tones. “No; what?” was Ollie’s reply and query.