He deemed it best to say nothing to
him of Weber, who did not wish to be known as an Alsatian. Fleury's
heavy sleep had made him strong and fresh again, but he was in a fury at
his helplessness.
"To think of our being tied here at such a time," he said. "France and
England are pushing the battle again! I know it, and we're helpless,
mere prisoners!"
"Still," said John, "while we can't fight we may see things worth
seeing. Perhaps it's not altogether our loss to be inside the German
army on such a day."
Fleury could not reconcile himself to such a view, but he sought to make
the best of it, and he was cheered, too, by the vast increase in the
volume of the cannon fire. Before the full day had crossed from east to
west the great guns were thundering again along the long battle line.
But in their immediate vicinity there was no action. All the German
troops here seemed to be resting on their arms. No Uhlans were visible
and John judged that the detachment under von Boehlen, having gone forth
chiefly for scouting purposes, had not yet returned.
They received bread, sausage and coffee for breakfast from one of the
huge kitchen automobiles, and nearly all ate with a good appetite. Their
German captors did not treat them badly, but John, watching both
officers and men, did not see any elation. He had no doubt that the
officers were stunned by the terrible surprise of the day before, and as
for the men, they would know nothing.
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