noon
All the forenoon it raged with great ferocity . But American grit and steadfastness never wavered and the enemy was forced to retire with heavy loss . Not only had they failed to drive the Americans from their positions , but they had been driven back and forced to surrender a large portion of their own , including the place where Frank had crouched in the shell hole the night before . Shortly after noon there came a lull while the Americans reorganized the captured positions . Infantry actions ceased , though the big guns , like belligerent mastiffs , still kept up their growling at each other . `` Hot work , '' remarked Frank , as , after their work was done , the three friends found themselves together in the shade of a great tree . `` A corking scrap , '' agreed Bart , as he sprawled at his ease with his hands under his head .