Behind their own automobile rose the hum of
motors, bearing troops also, and dragging cannon.
John felt that he was going back in state, riding by the side of a
general and at the head of an army. He found both pride and exultation
in it. Sleep was far from his eyes. How could one think of sleep at such
a moment? But youth, the restorer, was bringing fresh strength to his
tired muscles and he was never more alert.
At one point they stopped while the general examined the dusky horizon
through his glasses, and a company of men with faces not French marched
past them. They were John's own Strangers, and despite the presence of
General Vaugirard both Wharton and Carstairs reached up and shook his
hand as they went by.
"Welcome home," said Wharton.
"See you again in the morning," said Carstairs.
"God bless you both," said John with some emotion.
Captain Daniel Colton nodded to him. They were not effusive, these men
of the Strangers, but their feelings were strong. When the automobile in
its turn passed them again and resumed its place at the head of the
column, they seemed to take no notice.
No more shells passed over John's head. He knew that General Vaugirard
had sent back word for the batteries to cease firing in that direction,
but both to south and north of them the sullen thunder went on. The
night remained light, adorned rather than obscured by the little white
clouds floating against the sky. The only sound that John could hear was
the great hum and murmur of a moving army, a sound in which the puffing
of automobiles had introduced a new element.
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