He had seen early that the Germans
were splendid troops, disciplined, brave and ingenious, but the habit of
blind obedience would blind them also to the fact that fortune had
turned her face away from them.
He wished that his friend von Arnheim--friend he regarded him--would
appear and tell him something about the battle, but his wish did not
come true for an hour and meanwhile the whole heavens resounded with the
roar of the battle, while distant flashes from the guns could be seen on
either flank.
The young German, glasses in hand, evidently seeking a good view, walked
to the crest of the hillock behind which Weber had disappeared. John
presumed enough on their brief friendship to call to him.
"Do you see anything of interest?" he asked.
Von Arnheim nodded quickly.
"I see the distant fringe of a battle," he replied amiably, "but it's
too early in the morning for me to pass my judgment upon it."
"Nevertheless you can look for a day of most desperate struggle!"
Von Arnheim nodded very gravely.
"Men by tens of thousands will fall before night," he said.
As if to confirm his words, the roar of the battle took a sudden and
mighty increase, like a convulsion.
CHAPTER VII
THE TWO PRINCES
John sat with the other prisoners for more than two hours listening to
the thunder of the great battle or rather series of battles which were
afterwards classified under the general head the Battle of the Marne.
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