The squad to which Frank and his comrades were assigned under the command of Corporal Wilson, who had now fully recovered from his wounds, was stationed at a point where the river was about a hundred and fifty yards wide.  Desultory firing was carried on, but the sector at the time was comparatively quiet, as both armies were engrossed in their preparations for the great battle that was impending.  It was the lull before the storm, and the boys improved it to the utmost.  Their duties were light compared to what they had been, and they rapidly recuperated from the great strain under which they had been for some weeks past.