It was an uncommonly tall tree for France, much more than a sapling, and when he reached the last bough that would support him he found that he could see over all the other trees and some of the low hills.

At a little distance ran the Marne, a silver sheet, and he thought he could discern faint puffs of smoke on the hills beyond.

No human being was in sight, but although high in the tree he could still feel the vibrations of the air beneath the throb of so many great guns.

Several aeroplanes hovered at points far distant, and he knew that others would be on the long battle line.
Reaching as high as he could he tied the flag with a piece of twine that Weber had given him--the Alsation seemed to have provided for everything--and then watched it as it unfolded and fluttered in the light breeze.

He felt a certain pride, as he had done his part of the task well.