Meanwhile the British, to their great joy, were ordered to march north-eastwards towards the Grand Morin, along a gently-rolling country of orchards and cornfields and scattered woodlands, crossed here and there by small rivers and streams. For the first time our men were advancing, and they were in the highest spirits, thoroughly rested, and eager to get back "a bit of their own." By noon they were within touch of the enemy's advance guard, which was well supported by batteries. An engagement took place, and late in the afternoon the German trenches were carried at the point of the bayonet. By evening the British army occupied a line extending across and south of the Grand Morin. Thus you see that on the west the enveloping movement was making excellent headway. Now let us see what the 5th French Army was doing. It was moving northwards towards the upper reaches of the Grand Morin, and was heavily engaged with the bulk of von Kluck's army. Again and again it made frontal attacks, but little ground was gained. Farther to the east the 9th French Army was struggling with that of von Buelow near Sézanne, its right being opposed to the right wing of the Saxon army. The 4th French Army, still farther to the east, was being violently attacked by the Duke of Würtemberg, who was trying hard but in vain to pierce the Allied centre. On the Allied right the Crown Prince was more successful: he was able to push back the 3rd French Army for a little distance. On the whole the fortune of the day seemed to rest with the Germans. But von Kluck now knew that he was in deadly peril. The surprise army had turned his right wing; the British were attacking him on the right flank, and the 5th French Army was holding him in front. He knew that he was in the tightest possible place, and that he would need all his skill and resolution if he was to escape from the trap laid for him. The Crown Prince might be rejoicing, but von Kluck was in "doleful dumps." [Illustration: General van Kluck. (_Photo, Central News._)] [Footnote 95: "Our Lady;" the great historical cathedral of Paris.] [Footnote 96: _Gal-le-ay´ne._ Born 1849; commander-in-chief in Madagascar (1896-1905).] [Footnote 97: _Bwā d'Boo-lon´_ (_n_ nasal), the great public park (2,158 acres) of Paris.] [Footnote 98: _Shŏn-te-ye´._] [Footnote 99: _Say-zân´._] [Footnote 100: _Ar-gon´._] [Footnote 101: Huge explosive shells which send up a dense mass of black smoke. Our soldiers also call them "coal boxes" or "Jack Johnsons."] CHAPTER XXIV. THE CROSSING OF THE MARNE.