diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:38:27 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:38:27 -0700 |
| commit | 703ce55677e31de81322ddf9e8ebc9a59ff4f79d (patch) | |
| tree | 17d8a0a3dfa98d5ea7c87531fdb8f6f71ee03f17 | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-8.txt | 7401 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 118635 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 348637 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/28442-h.htm | 8004 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/images/illus-057.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45558 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/images/illus-183.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45262 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/images/illus-248.jpg | bin | 0 -> 52690 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/images/illus-ad1.png | bin | 0 -> 6945 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/images/illus-ad2.png | bin | 0 -> 7858 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442-h/images/illus-cvr.jpg | bin | 0 -> 58522 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442.txt | 7401 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28442.zip | bin | 0 -> 118617 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
15 files changed, 22822 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/28442-8.txt b/28442-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c5b725 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7401 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by Clarence Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line + The Motor Boys Fighting for Uncle Sam + +Author: Clarence Young + +Release Date: March 29, 2009 [EBook #28442] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED, BOB, JERRY ON FIRING LINE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +_The Motor Boys_ + +NED, BOB AND JERRY +ON THE FIRING LINE + +Or + +The Motor Boys Fighting +for Uncle Sam + +BY +CLARENCE YOUNG + +AUTHOR OF "THE MOTOR BOAT SERIES" +"THE RACER BOYS SERIES," +"THE JACK RANGER SERIES," ETC. + +ILLUSTRATED + +NEW YORK +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + + + +BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG + + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. + +THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES + + THE MOTOR BOYS + THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND + THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO + THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS + THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC + THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC + THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING + THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER + THE MOTOR BOYS UNDER THE SEA + THE MOTOR BOYS ON ROAD AND RIVER + +THE MOTOR BOYS--SECOND SERIES + + NED, BOB AND JERRY AT BOXWOOD HALL + NED, BOB AND JERRY ON A RANCH + NED, BOB AND JERRY IN THE ARMY + NED, BOB AND JERRY ON THE FIRING LINE + +THE JACK RANGER SERIES + + JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS + JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP + JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES + JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE + JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB + JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX + +THE RACER BOYS SERIES + + THE RACER BOYS + THE RACER BOYS AT BOARDING SCHOOL + THE RACER BOYS TO THE RESCUE + THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES + THE RACER BOYS ON GUARD + THE RACER BOYS FORGING AHEAD + +Copyright, 1919, by + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + +Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. The Spy Alarm 1 + + II. A Man and a Snake 11 + + III. A Puzzled Professor 18 + + IV. A Two-Girl Problem 29 + + V. More Girls 35 + + VI. Noddy Nixon 43 + + VII. Off for France 53 + + VIII. The Training Camp 59 + + IX. On the Firing Line 71 + + X. In the Trenches 78 + + XI. A Night Patrol 88 + + XII. Bob Is Missing 96 + + XIII. "Just Like Him!" 108 + + XIV. A Desperate Chance 116 + + XV. The Sniper 123 + + XVI. Over the Top 129 + + XVII. "Fried Holes" 136 + + XVIII. The School Janitor 145 + + XIX. News at Last 153 + + XX. A Queer Question 162 + + XXI. A Visitor 171 + + XXII. An Unexpected Capture 177 + + XXIII. Great Preparations 184 + + XXIV. "S. I. W." 194 + + XXV. The Black Box 201 + + XXVI. A Disappearance 209 + + XXVII. St. Mihiel 218 + + XXVIII. In Argonne Forest 226 + + XXIX. Captured 232 + + XXX. Recaptured 243 + + + + +NED, BOB AND JERRY ON THE FIRING LINE + +CHAPTER I + +THE SPY ALARM + + +"There's a German on the ground! Get him!" + +The sun glistened on scores of polished bayonets, as sturdy figures, +clad in olive drab, which matched in hue the brown of the earth, +sprang from their trenches and rushed forward. + +"Put some pep into it! Lively now! Get the Germans!" + +There were dull thuds, and there was a ripping, tearing sound as the +steel slashed its way through the tough cloth. Along the swaying line +rushed the young soldiers, stabbing to right and left as they went. + +Now their weapons were directed downward with deadly force, and they +sank them into the forms on the ground with such energy that the earth +beneath was torn and gashed, and the muzzles of the guns, to which +the stabbing bayonets were attached, made deep impressions on the +yielding forms. + +"There's a German on the ground! Get him!" + +Again the cry rang out, and again the rushing, charging line surged +forward, and then there followed once more the thuds which told of the +cold steel going through and through and---- + +Then from the center of one of the charging lines there came a laugh +as a lad, having driven his keen weapon home with too much force, +being unable to free it, raised on his gun a large sack stuffed with +hay, the fodder bristling out of one of the gashes he had made. + +"That's the stuff, Chunky! Go to it!" yelled his laughing comrades. +"If you can't get a German any other way, stick him on the end of your +bayonet, bring him back to camp, and feed him to death!" + +"Silence in the ranks!" cried the sergeant who was drilling the young +soldiers of Camp Dixton in bayonet practice. For this is what it was, +and not a charge on some Hun position; though from the fervor with +which the boys went at it, and the fierce commands of their officers, +a person hearing, and not seeing, might be inclined to believe that it +was actual warfare. + +And it was, as nearly as it could be approximated, for the sacks +stuffed with hay or other yielding material, suspended on framework +as is a football dummy or scattered over the ground, were called +"Germans," by the drilling officers. + +And, at the command: "There's a German on the ground! Get him!" it was +the part of the prospective soldier to rush at the recumbent sack and +stab it through and through with all his might, trying to put into the +stroke all the force he would put into a similar one when he should +attack the enemy. + +"You got your man all right, Chunky!" observed a tall, bronzed lad, +standing next to the stout youth who had used his bayonet with such +force that he carried off one of the sacks as a trophy. "You must be +feeling pretty strong today." + +"Oh, let up, can't you, Jerry?" begged the badgered one. "The ground +was soft under that sack, and I didn't think the steel would go +through so far." + +"Well, do that when you get on the firing line in France and it will +be all right," commented another lad, on the opposite side of the one +addressed as Chunky. "I wonder how much longer we're going to keep +this up?" + +"As you were!" came the sudden order, fairly barked out from an +instructing sergeant, and the boys in the particular squad which +included Ned, Bob and Jerry, of whom more later, resumed the +positions they had been in before the order to charge bayonets had +been given. + +Chunky, or Bob Baker, to give his proper name, managed to get rid of +the encumbering sack on his weapon, and marched back with the others. +They lined up at attention and waited for the usual instruction and +correction that followed each charge, or other army practice. + +"That was pretty good, boys," said the sergeant, as he glanced down +the line, "but I'm sure you can do better. A few of you were a bit +slow. + +"Now sometimes it's all right to be slow, if you have plenty of time, +but in this business of bayoneting Germans you won't have much time to +spare, as you'll find when you get on the other side, which I hope +will be soon." + +There was a murmur to this same effect from all in the line. + +"When you're using your bayonet, use it first, or the other chap may +get ahead of you and--well, you know what will happen then," went on +the sergeant significantly. "And when you pull your weapons out, do it +this way," and, taking a gun from the hands of Jerry Hopkins, the +sergeant illustrated what he meant, using one of the filled sacks as +an enemy. + +"There wouldn't be much left of a German to send home after _he_ got +through with him," commented Ned Slade, as the sergeant handed Jerry +back the gun. "He surely has some poetry of motion--Sergeant Black +has." + +"That's the way I tried to do it," said Bob, to his chums, Ned and +Jerry. "Only----" + +"Only you must have been thinking you were going to leave your gun and +bayonet sticking in the ground to mark the place, so you could find it +the next time," interrupted Jerry with a laugh. For, the command "At +Ease," having been given, the prospective soldiers were allowed to +rest and indulge in talk. The sergeant was called to one side, while a +lieutenant gave him some orders about further practice and +instruction. + +"Aw, cut it out!" begged Chunky. "Guess you forget the time you slept +through first call, and had to do kitchen police for two days." + +"Indeed I don't forget it!" laughed Jerry. "It isn't a thing you can +forget so easily. But let it go at that. Only it did look funny, +Chunky, and you'd have said so yourself if you had seen it--it +certainly did look funny to see you rushing along with the sack on the +end of your gun." + +"Didn't you feel the weight of it?" asked Ned Slade. + +"Oh, Chunky's getting so strong, since he has his three square meals a +day, regular, that he doesn't mind a little extra weight," commented +another lad who stood in line near the three chums. + +The drilling sergeant turned to his men again, and once more sent them +through the bayonet charge. Then came other drills of various sorts, +designed to make the young soldiers sturdy and strong, to fit them for +the strenuous times that loomed ahead in France--times to try men's +souls and bodies. But to these times the lads looked forward eagerly, +anxious for the days to come when they could go "over there." + +"Whew!" whispered Bob to Jerry and Ned, between whom he stood as they +marched across the parade ground. "If this keeps up much longer I'm +going to be a wreck!" + +"Oh, some chow will set you up all right," commented Ned. + +"Oh, say that again!" sighed the stout lad. "Them words fill me with +mad desire!" + +"Yes, and you'll fill the guardhouse if you don't stop talking so loud +in the ranks," warned a lad behind Bob. "Cut it out. The lieutenant is +looking this way," he added, speaking from the corner of his mouth so +the motion of his lips would not be observed. + +Rapidly the young soldiers marched across the grass-grown parade +ground, in orderly array, in the last of the drills that morning. The +company to which Ned, Bob and Jerry belonged were drawn up near their +barracks, and Captain Theodore Martin, after a glance over the two +trim lines, turned the dismissing of the group over to the first +lieutenant. + +The breechblocks of the guns were opened, clicked shut again, and then +came the welcome words: + +"Comp _sissed_!" + +That is what the lieutenant snapped out. But what he really meant, and +what the members of it understood, was: + +"Company dismissed!" + +Ned, Bob and Jerry, with sighs of relief, which were echoed by their +comrades, turned to stack their rifles and then prepared for "chow," +or, in this case, the dinner mess. + +As the three chums were heading in the direction of the mess hall +where, every day, two hundred or more hungry lads and men were fed, +they saw some members of their company turn and run in a different +direction. + +"Hello! what's up?" asked Jerry Hopkins, coming to a halt. + +"Matter where?" inquired Ned. + +"Over that way," and Jerry pointed. "Either somebody is hurt, or +there's a riot." + +"Let's go!" cried Ned. + +"Wait until after grub," advised Bob, with an anxious look toward the +mess hall. + +"It won't take but a minute," suggested Jerry. "Look, everybody's +going. We might as well be in it. If everybody is late to mess +there'll be enough left for us to eat. Come on!" + +Accepting this argument, that such a general rush toward the scene of +excitement would result in a general postponement of the meal, Bob, +after a moment of hesitation, joined his two chums. They rushed toward +one of the sleeping barracks, and saw that a large crowd was +congregating around it. + +"What's the matter?" + +"Anybody hurt?" + +"Is the place on fire?" + +These were some of the questions that flew from one to the other. + +"It's a spy!" some one said. "They've caught a German spy in camp, and +they're going to lynch him!" + +"Oh, boy!" yelled Ned. "We must see this!" + +"I don't believe it!" announced Jerry. "There've been too many German +spy scares. They all turned out to be fakes. And, anyhow, there won't +be any lynching." + +"Maybe not," agreed Bob. "But there sure is some excitement." + +And there was. Even Jerry had to admit that. + +As the three Motor Boys--to give them the name by which they had been +known for some time--neared the barracks, the rumors and statements as +to the capture of a spy became more frequent and certain. There was +an excited, seething crowd about the place. + +A lieutenant, whom Ned, Bob and Jerry knew well, as he came from their +town of Cresville, passed just then. The three chums saluted, and, +when this had been returned, Jerry asked: + +"Can you tell us, Sir, what it's all about?" + +"Have they really caught a spy?" added Bob eagerly. + +"Well, whether he is a spy or not I can't say," was the answer. "But I +have been told that a man, who was acting in a suspicious manner about +the camp, has been arrested. Some of the officers are investigating +now. I hardly think he will prove to be a real spy, though." + +"He won't last long, if he is," commented Ned. + +"They have him in the barracks there," went on the lieutenant. "They +will bring him out soon, I suppose, and put him in the guardhouse. +Better go back, boys," he added. "There's too much of a crowd here +now. I must help disperse it." + +He turned away, but the advice he had given Ned, Bob and Jerry was not +very welcome. + +"This is our sleeping barracks, anyhow," said Ned. "We have a right to +stick around, and go in, too." + +"If they let us," added Bob. + +"Come on, let's try," suggested Jerry. "Here's a place," and he led +the way through a thinning portion of the crowd toward one of the +doors of the big wooden shack, in which he and his chums slept while +at Camp Dixton. + +Suddenly there came a series of excited shouts from within the +building. Then several soldiers were seen to rush out as though +something had chased them. + +"What in the world is up now?" asked Jerry of his chums. + +They pressed forward toward the door from which the excited soldiers +had emerged, and one of them, seeing that the three chums were about +to enter, cried: + +"Don't go in there!" + +"Why not?" asked Bob. + +"Did the spy try to shoot any one?" Ned wanted to know. + +"Don't go in!" yelled another lad. "There's a snake in there as big as +a barrel, and he's skipping around as lively as a kitten! Keep out if +you don't want to meet sudden death. Oh, boy! I saw him open his +mouth, and one look was enough. No more for me!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A MAN AND A SNAKE + + +Ned, Bob and Jerry paused a moment on the threshold of the barrack +building they had been about to enter. From within came a sound of +commotion, as if several persons were quickly rushing to and fro, and +there were excited shouts. + +"Come off, Jack, what are you doing? Trying to string us?" asked Ned +of the lad who had spoken of the snake. + +"Nothing of the sort!" protested the other. "As true as I'm telling +you, there's a snake loose in there as big as a barrel, and as long as +a fence rail around one of these cotton plantations!" + +"Is he joking, Ted?" asked Jerry of another of the lads who had rushed +out in such haste. + +"Not a bit of it! I saw the snake myself. It isn't quite as big as a +barrel, but it certainly is long." + +"Come on, fellows!" called Jerry to his two chums. "We've got to see +this!" + +"What!" cried Jack Wade, "you aren't going in there, are you?" + +"Why not?" asked Jerry. "We've had some experience with snakes. +Besides, we want to see the spy. Is there a spy inside here, too?" + +"There is!" cried another lad. "They caught the spy dead to rights, +planting a bomb under the officers' mess building. Wanted to blow 'em +all up when they were eating, I guess. Oh, he's a German spy, all +right, and they have him tied up!" + +"But what connection has he with the snakes?" Bob questioned. + +"Not any that I know of," replied Jack. + +"Yes, he has, too!" asserted one of his chums. "The spy had the snake. +He was going to let him loose in camp, hoping he'd bite and poison a +lot of us, I s'pose, so we can't go to France to fight the Huns." + +"Big snakes are seldom poisonous," cried Jerry. "This may be a python +or a boa escaped from some circus, though I haven't heard of any +animal shows being around here lately." + +"Me, either," added Bob. "Say, are you sure you saw a snake?" he asked +the lads who had rushed out in such a hurry. + +"As sure as we see you now, and you're not much smaller around the +waist than this same snake," added Jack with a laugh. + +"Cut out the comedy stuff!" murmured Bob. + +"Well, if there's a real snake in there I want to see it!" exclaimed +Jerry. "Come on!" and he pushed open the door which had swung shut +after the exit of the excited lads. + +Within the barracks the three Motor Boys saw a scene of excitement. +One end of the big building, which was filled with cots and bunks, was +comparatively empty, but at the other there was a group of officers +and men. Some of them appeared to surround the captive, though the +three chums could not just then get a glimpse of him. + +"There it is!" suddenly cried Ned, pointing. + +"What--the spy?" asked Bob. + +"No, the snake! See it?" + +He pointed. There was no doubt of it. A long, glistening, brown body +was seen to glide under a row of cots. + +"It's a snake all right," assented Jerry, "but not half as big as I +thought. It's just like one I've seen----" + +He was interrupted by a voice which rang out above the murmurs from +the group at the other end of the barracks, and the commanding voice +of Colonel Shield demanded: + +"What is going on here? What is all the excitement about?" + +It appeared that he had just entered at the doorway around which were +grouped the excited officers and men. + +"We have caught a spy," some one said. + +"He must have let the big snake loose!" another added. + +"Well, why don't some of you shoot the reptile?" asked the colonel. "A +fine lot of soldiers you are, I must say! Afraid of a snake! Where +will you be when you go up against the Germans? Some one get a rifle +and shoot the snake!" + +At this command a protesting cry came from the midst of a group of +soldiers who were guarding the man arrested as a spy. + +"Don't shoot my snake! Don't shoot my pet snake!" came the entreaty. +"He is worth a fortune! Don't harm him!" + +There was a commotion--a scramble. Several men stumbled and fell, and +from their midst a figure dashed--a figure at the sight of which a +gasp of astonishment came from the three Motor Boys. + +And since Ned, Bob and Jerry have been called Motor Boys several times +I will take just a moment here to tell who these lads were and +something about them; also why they were at Camp Dixton. Of course, +the readers who already know this may skip what immediately follows +and proceed with the story. + +As related in the initial volume of the first part of this series, a +book which is named "The Motor Boys," Ned Slade, Bob Baker and Jerry +Hopkins were chums of long standing. They lived in Cresville, not far +from Boston, and the three lads were well-to-do. Jerry's mother was a +wealthy widow, while Bob's father was a banker, and Ned's a department +store owner. + +The Motor Boys were so called because they spent so much time in or +about vehicles that depended on gasoline motors for their activity. +They began with motorcycles and ended with airships--though one should +not say ended, for their activities were far from over. + +In the books succeeding the initial volume are related the various +adventures of the Motor Boys, who journeyed to Mexico, across the +plains, and traveled much on the Atlantic and Pacific, both in craft +on the surface and in submarines. Their trips above the clouds in +aeroplanes and airships were much enjoyed. + +"The Motor Boys on Road and River," was the last volume of the first +series, the final volume to carry that title. + +The second series began with "Ned, Bob and Jerry at Boxwood Hall," and +the only change in the stories was in the title, for the main +characters were still the "Motor Boys." + +The parents of the lads felt that they ought to do some studying, and, +accordingly, Ned, Bob and Jerry were sent to Boxwood Hall. What took +place there formed not only a well-remembered part in their lives, but +furnished some excitement as well. When vacation came they went to a +Western ranch and had fun, as well as helped in an important piece of +work. + +And then came the Great War. + +Our heroes could do nothing less than enlist, and in the volume called +"Ned, Bob and Jerry in the Army," which immediately precedes this one +you are reading, is told something of their life at Camp Dixton, one +of the training camps in the South. + +There the chums had learned to become soldiers, and, with others of +their kind, were eagerly awaiting a chance to go over seas and fight +it out with the Huns. + +And now we meet them again in the midst of excitement over a spy +scare--not the first of the kind to happen in the camp, where, as the +readers of the volume before this will doubtless recall, the +activities of "Pug" Kennedy and "Crooked Nose," formed the basis for +some real danger. + +"That snake sure is real!" cried Bob, as he saw the serpent writhing +about. "And whoever has him for a pet must be nervy." + +"Look! Look!" exclaimed Jerry. "The spy is going right for the +snake!" + +"And look who the spy is!" added Ned. + +There were shouts from the officers and men. Several of the latter had +gotten their rifles and were edging about, trying to find an opening +through which they might fire at the serpent. + +The man who had broken away from his captors rushed toward the end of +the building where Ned, Bob and Jerry had last seen the reptile, which +was now out of sight under some bunks. + +"Don't shoot him! Don't shoot my pet! He is worth thousands of +dollars!" cried the reputed spy. + +And then, to the surprise and fear of all save the Motor Boys, who had +an insight into the truth, the man fairly threw himself forward on the +serpent, as a football player falls on the ball. + +"Ah, I have you! I have you, my beauty!" cried the man. "You shall not +get away from me again, and they sha'n't shoot you, either!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A PUZZLED PROFESSOR + + +For a moment there was comparative silence in the big barrack +building. It lasted while the little man was crossing the room and +hurrying toward the big snake where it could be discerned under a line +of bunks. The words uttered by the owner of the serpent were heard by +the three chums, as well as by every one else in the building. + +And then, as the small man continued on his way, and finally launched +himself at the snake with outstretched hands and arms, some one +uttered a warning yell. + +"Look out!" came the cry. "It's only his bluff! He's trying to escape. +Catch the spy!" + +"That's right!" shouted several, who seemed to agree with what had +been said. + +But if the little man--the "spy" as he had been called--had it in mind +to escape, he was taking a queer way to go about it. For even as a +rush toward him on the part of those from whose midst he had escaped +began, the little man arose and held clasped in his arms the +snake--or as much of it as he could raise from the ground. On his face +was a look of anxiety relieved, and he fairly beamed on those who +confronted him. His former, and would-be, captors had again come to a +halt. Almost any ordinary body of men and boys would have done the +same under like circumstances, for there is an inherent fear of snakes +in almost every one. + +"Get him! Don't let the spy escape!" came the cry. + +"Yes! Let's see you get him--with that snake for a protector," +murmured one. + +"I don't mind getting shot at by a German," said a voice, "but I'll be +jiggered if I want to be bitten by a snake." + +"Shoot the snake!" came the cry. + +"No, please don't, I beg of you!" pleaded the little man in a mild +voice that, somehow, carried to the far end of the room. "Please don't +shoot the most valuable snake I ever owned. Really she is quite +harmless; aren't you, Ticula?" and he looked up at the swaying head of +the snake that was weaving above him, as though to ask the serpent to +speak. + +"Ticula!" burst out Ned. "Is that her name, Professor Snodgrass?" + +The little man started, and peered through his glasses in the +direction of the voice. + +"Ha! It seems there is some one here who knows me," he said. "I cannot +see him, but I seem to recognize the voice." + +"I should think you would," chuckled Ned. "We've traveled with you +often enough, Professor. But this is a new one--a pet snake as long as +a lasso." + +"And named Ticula!" added Jerry, with a laugh. + +"Oh, that is only a name I made up for her out of her own proper, +Latin one," explained the professor. "Her real name is _Python +Reticulatus_; but I call her Ticula for short. And, unless I am +greatly mistaken, it was Jerry Hopkins who spoke to me that time. Am I +right?" and he peered about rather uncertainly, for the corner where +the three chums were standing was in deep shadow. + +"You are right, Professor," said Jerry. "And we are as much surprised +to see you here as to 'meet up' with your snake, as the folks in the +South say. What brought you here?" + +Before Professor Snodgrass could answer--and it has been, perhaps, +guessed before this that he was the "spy" referred to--a sudden +movement on the part of the snake made it necessary for him to devote +some attention to his "pet" as he called her. + +Ticula seemed uneasy at being stared at by so many eyes, and she began +to writhe and twist as though anxious to escape. There was a sudden +scramble on the part of the soldiers and officers in the barrack +building, but the three chums, having faith in their old friend, the +little scientist, did not retreat. + +"There now, Ticula," murmured Professor Snodgrass, in what he +doubtless meant to be soothing terms, "no one shall harm you. You're +excited on account of getting out of your box, I suppose. But I'll +soon have you back there." + +He reached up, and began to stroke the snake back of the weaving head, +and gradually the forked tongue, that had been playing in and out with +the quickness of lightning, was quieted. Ticula seemed to regain her +composure. She settled down, wrapping a fold or two about the little +man, who did not seem at all alarmed at the movements of the snake, +though one officer murmured: + +"Great Scott! he's taking an awful chance. That's a constrictor, and +it can crush an ox!" + +But Professor Snodgrass gazed mildly through his glasses at those +surrounding him and inquired: + +"Are you all three there--Ned, Bob and Jerry?" + +"All present and accounted for, Professor," answered Jerry, with a +laugh. "And now that Ticula seems quiet, perhaps you'll explain what +it all means." + +"Yes, I think an explanation is very much in order," said the +colonel, who had urged some of his men to shoot the snake. + +"First let me get my pet back in her sleeping box," said the little +scientist. "She will be quieter then. If one of you gentlemen will +have the kindness to bring me the box you took away from me, I'll put +Ticula to sleep." + +"Bring in the box," commanded a lieutenant. "We caught this man, Sir," +said the lieutenant, addressing the colonel, "hanging around the +officers' mess hall with a box. We thought it contained an infernal +machine, and that he might be a German spy. We brought him here to +talk to him, and then we discovered the snake crawling around. The box +is outside." + +"Have it examined and brought in," said the colonel. "It is just +possible," he added with a smile, "that the prisoner is what he claims +to be--a naturalist. Is there any one here who knows him?" he asked. + +"Yes, Sir," answered Ned, Bob and Jerry in a chorus. + +"Come forward and explain," ordered the colonel. + +The three chums advanced and saluted. Professor Snodgrass seemed to be +having a little trouble quieting the snake, which had again raised her +head and was hissing at the crowd in front of her. Some explanations +were necessary, it would seem, and Ned, Bob and Jerry seemed the best +qualified to offer them. + +"We know Professor Snodgrass very well, Sir," said Jerry. "He has +often traveled with us, and we have helped him in his collection work. +He is connected with some of the largest museums, and goes about +getting rare specimens for them. He is no more a German spy than we +are." + +"Glad to know it," commented the colonel. "Do you know anything about +this mysterious box he had?" + +"No; but it is probably what he says it is--a cage for this snake, +Sir," explained Jerry. "He has any number of specimen boxes and cages +when he travels." + +By this time some of the men had brought in the box in question. It +was painted green, and was about three feet long--in itself rather a +good load for one man to carry, not so much on account of its weight +as because of its shape, but with the big snake inside, one man could +not have lifted it. + +"That's a snake box," said Jerry, after he had examined it, "but it is +a new one--I never saw it before." + +"No, I had it made especially for Ticula," explained the professor, +who had again succeeded in quieting the serpent. "Now, my little pet," +he went on, "I'll put you to bed." + +The box was brought forward and set down on the floor in front of the +professor. The man who brought it dropped it quickly and made a hasty +retreat at the nearer sight of the reptile. + +Then the scientist gently lowered the serpent's head toward the box, +which was lined with cloth. The snake seemed to recognize her +quarters, for, without hesitation, she coiled herself down in the +case, the perforated lid of which was then closed. + +"There, now she is all right," said the professor. "I shall not let +her loose again until to-morrow, and then----" + +"What?" yelled a lieutenant. "Are you going to turn her loose around +here _again_?" + +"Why not?" asked the professor. "The observations I hoped to make +to-day as to her feeding habits in the open have been spoiled because +you arrested me as a spy. I could not conclude my experiments, and I +must continue them to-morrow. But do not be alarmed. Ticula, though +rather large, is perfectly harmless to man. Indeed, she has not yet +gotten her full growth. She is only fifteen feet long, and her kind +often grows to twenty-six feet and weighs nearly two hundred pounds. +Ticula is a mere baby." + +"Some baby!" murmured a voice, and even the colonel laughed. + +"And now I suppose I am at liberty to go with my property?" asked the +professor, looking around inquiringly. + +"Well, since it seems that you are not a German spy, I fail to see +that we have any reason for holding you," returned the commandant. "As +for the snake, I think the men--and I may say myself--would feel +obliged if you did not turn it loose again." + +"Well, I suppose I can select some other place for my experiments," +murmured the professor, in rather disappointed tones. "But this spot +was ideal. There are so many rats and mice about a camp of this sort +that a snake or two would be very beneficial." + +"I have no doubt," said the colonel dryly. "And yet, somehow, I think +I prefer the rodents. But I should be glad to have you explain further +just what your experiments are in reference to your reptile. I am +interested. I shall be pleased to have you lunch with me," he went on, +for, now that he had a chance to observe, he saw that Professor +Snodgrass was a cultured gentleman, as well as, he presumed, a devoted +scientist. The colonel was something of a student himself. + +"I should like to lunch with you," said the professor, "but my three +friends--Ned, Bob and Jerry--are here and----" + +"We'll see you later," whispered Jerry. "We're enlisted men and can't +mess in the officers' quarters. You must dine with the colonel and +we'll see you later." + +"All right," assented the professor, and accepted the colonel's +invitation. "Help me carry Ticula out to my auto and I'll see you +after dinner," he went on to the boys. + +"Have you an auto here?" asked Bob. + +"Yes. I left it just beyond the confines of the camp. I have an old +friend of yours with me, too," he went on. "He helped me carry my +snake here." + +"An old friend?" murmured Bob. + +"Yes, Pete Bumps who used to be your father's hired man. I've engaged +him as a helper since you boys joined the army. He runs my auto for me +and helps me catch specimens. He isn't afraid of snakes." + +And old Pete Bumps it was who greeted Ned, Bob and Jerry as they +accompanied the professor to his car. + +Pete had left the Baker service some time ago, and had secured a place +as janitor of a college in which the professor taught, he briefly +explained to the boys. There the professor had engaged him just prior +to starting out on his present expedition. + +"Come on. We've got to hurry back to mess," said Jerry to his chums. +"But we want to have a talk with you, Professor, after you finish +dining with the colonel. We want to hear what you are doing here +again. I should think once being taken for a German spy was enough," +and he laughed at the recollection of a former occasion, when the +professor, coming to visit his friends at Camp Dixton, had been halted +on his way through the lines after some insects. + +"I never thought of that," admitted the scientist. "I certainly +remember coming down here in the spring, but I forgot about the spy +business." + +This was not surprising, since the professor seldom remembered for +very long anything not directly connected with his favorite study. + +And so, with the snake in the box safely confined to the care of Pete +Bumps in the automobile, Professor Snodgrass went back to dine with +the colonel, while the three chums hastened to their delayed mess. + +"You never know when he is going to turn up," remarked Ned. + +"That's right," agreed Jerry. "I wonder what he's after now?" + +They did not have long to wait before learning. Soon after mess they +saw the professor coming down their company street and, as they had a +brief respite from drills on account of the strenuous work of the +morning, the boys took him to a quiet spot and began to ask him +questions. + +"But first of all, tell us if there is anything the matter?" begged +Jerry. "You look worried. Are you?" + +"Yes," admitted the little scientist, "I don't mind admitting that I +am worried--and puzzled, too." + +"What about?" asked Bob. "Ticula hasn't got loose, has she?" + +"No, I went over to see, after dining with your colonel, whom I found +to be a most delightful man, though his ignorance of reptiles and +insects is painful. But, as I say, I assured myself of the safety of +Ticula. Pete has her in the auto." + +"Then what's worrying you?" demanded Ned. + +"Well, I have a problem to solve and I don't know how to do it," was +the answer. + +"Has it anything to do with the war?" Jerry queried. + +"Yes, it has," was the unexpected answer. "And now that you boys are +in the army and expect to go across to France soon, perhaps you can +help me. I'll tell you the puzzle I am trying to solve." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A TWO-GIRL PROBLEM + + +Jerry Hopkins stretched himself lazily and comfortably out on the +grass under the shade tree where he and Bob and Ned had taken +Professor Snodgrass for a little talk. They were far removed from the +center of the camp, so the noise of the men drilling or at their +various occupations came but faintly. + +"Do you mean that your problem has to be solved on the other side of +the water, Professor?" asked Jerry. + +"Part of it has. And I am anxious to get across as soon as possible to +begin." + +"What?" cried Ned. "You don't mean to say you, too, are going to +France, Professor?" + +"I hope to," was the answer. "I have arranged to go, and I have my +passport and some letters of introduction." + +"But what are you going for?" asked Bob. "Don't you know you will be +in the midst of terrible fighting? You can't solve any problems there. +It will be a bedlam of noise." + +"And the noise is just what I want," said Mr. Snodgrass. "That is one +of my problems--to find out the effect of noise on the organisms of +certain insects and reptiles. Men suffer from shell shock, and why +should not insects suffer from the terrific noise of bursting guns? +Most insects are noise-producers themselves," he went on, in something +of his class-room manner, which the boys so well remembered at Boxwood +Hall. "The grasshopper, the katydid and the cricket, to give them +their common names, each have a song of their own. These insects are +found in France, as well as here, though in somewhat different form. + +"Now I have a theory that a long-continued series of terrific noises +may produce structural changes in insects, so as to change the +character of their 'songs' as I prefer to call their sounds. This can +best be studied on the battlefields of France, though I suppose I +could get the same effect here, if there was a continuous thunderstorm +with vivid lightning. + +"But, as that condition is impossible to bring about, I shall best +find it in France, and thither I am going, soon I hope. This snake +experiment is only a brief one, undertaken at the behest of a friend +of mine who is writing a book on the feeding habits of pythons." + +"Is that what brought you back to our camp?" asked Jerry. + +"Yes. This particular part of the South at this season of the year has +the very climate suited to pythons and other large snakes of the +tropics." + +"I'm sure it's hot enough," murmured Bob, mopping his perspiring face. +"I'm glad we got out of drill this afternoon. But go on, Professor. I +didn't mean to interrupt you." + +"Well, there isn't much to tell about the snake," said the scientist. +"I purchased Ticula, as I call her, some time ago from a museum. She +is a fine specimen of the regal python. Originally she came from +Borneo, where she was captured when very young. As I stated, she has +not yet attained her growth, and I have succeeded in making quite a +pet of her." + +"Deliver me from such pets!" murmured Ned. + +"Ticula is not a venomous snake," went on the professor. "None of the +constrictor type of serpents is, though their power to crush their +prey in their folds is enormous. They depend on that power, while the +poisonous snakes kill their prey by the use of their venom. But Ticula +and I are quite friendly. + +"My friend, who is writing a book on snakes, asked me to find out +something of how pythons capture their food, and, knowing there would +be plenty of large rats in the vicinity of a camp, on account of the +great food supply there, I came here with my pet snake. + +"I suppose I should have secured permission from some officer to let +loose the serpent near one of the buildings, but I forgot all about +it, thinking of the problem I have to puzzle over. I also forgot for +the time being, that you boys were here at Camp Dixton, or I should +certainly have communicated with you and got you to help me. + +"But I went at it alone. Pete and I carried the box, with the snake in +it, of course, close to one of the buildings. I did not know until +later that it was the officers' mess hall. Then Pete left me alone." + +"How did you manage to get through the sentry lines unchallenged?" +asked Jerry. + +"I don't know," frankly answered the professor. "I suppose it was +because no one saw us; or they may have supposed we were bringing some +supplies to one of the officers. Then, there was a sham battle going +on not far away at the time, and that may have taken the attention of +the sentries. Anyhow, I got through the lines, and, opening the box, +let Ticula out to roam about and catch a rat if she could. + +"I was crawling around after her, watching her as she went under the +building when suddenly a soldier pounced on me and yelled that I was a +German spy. I was never more surprised in all my life." + +Jerry and Bob chuckled. + +"I should think you might be!" laughed Ned. "Then what happened?" + +"Well, they handled me rather roughly, and took me into custody, as I +suppose it is called. They seemed to think Ticula's box was an +infernal machine. They were very much excited, and I was trying to +explain to them who I was, when Ticula suddenly crawled up through a +hole in the floor in the building where I was being questioned." + +"And then there was more excitement, I suppose," said Jerry. + +"There was--considerable," admitted the professor. "Then you boys came +in, and--well, it's all over now. But I surely feared for a moment +they might shoot my snake." + +"Yes, it was rather a close call," observed Bob. "But did you have a +good dinner with the colonel?" + +"Listen to him, would you!" protested Ned. "All he can think of is +eating!" + +"Cut it out!" growled Bob, as Ned poked him in the ribs. "I just +wanted to know what sort of feed they give the officers." + +"Oh," said Jerry significantly. "Merely an academic interest, I +suppose." + +"Sure!" assented Bob. "That's all." + +"Well, the dinner was very good, though I cannot say that I remember +what I ate," confessed the professor. "I was thinking too much of +something else." + +"Do you mean you were puzzled as to how to study the effect of the +noises of the French battlefields on grasshoppers and crickets?" asked +Jerry. + +"No," and the professor shook his head. "This is an altogether +different problem. It is, as I might call it, the problem of two +girls." + +"Two girls!" cried the three Motor Boys in a chorus. "Two girls?" + +They looked at the little professor, whose eyes, mildly blinking +behind his strong glasses, regarded the lads curiously. + +"Two girls," repeated the little scientist. "The problem I have to +solve concerns two girls." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +MORE GIRLS + + +Ned, Bob and Jerry looked at one another. Then they turned their +glances on the professor. + +"Whew!" softly whistled Jerry. "Can it be possible that our dear +friend is in love--and with two girls at once? This is getting +serious!" + +It would have been had Jerry's diagnosis been correct. But it was +wrong, as was proved a moment later, when the professor, with a sigh, +resumed his narrative. + +"Yes," he said, "I am much concerned over two girls--young ladies I +suppose would be the more proper designation. I have never seen either +of them." + +Jerry breathed more freely, and so did his chums. Clearly if the +professor had not seen the two girls he could not be in love with +them. And the professor in love was something unthinkable. He never +would have remembered, from one day to the next, the name of the +favored lady. + +"And, boys," went on Professor Snodgrass, "I think you will agree with +me that it is quite a problem to try to find in Europe, at this +particular time, two girls I have never seen, that I may deliver to +them a small fortune, and claim one myself." + +"Say, this is getting worse and more of it!" cried Ned. "What does it +all mean, Professor? Are you in earnest about these girls and the +effect of war noises on insects?" + +"I am in earnest about both problems--never more so," was the answer, +and it needed but a glance at the face of the scientist to disclose +this fact. "But perhaps I had better explain." + +"Perhaps you had," said Jerry with a smile. + +"And never mind about the insects--tell us about the girls," urged +Bob. + +"Yes, relieve his mind," agreed Ned. "He hasn't heard from his dear +Helena in some hours, I guess." + +"Oh, cut it out!" protested the stout lad. + +"The two girls to whom I refer," went on Professor Snodgrass, "are the +nieces of my late friend, Professor Emil Petersen." + +"The man who wrote the book on trigonometry that we used to study at +Boxwood Hall?" asked Ned. + +"The same," murmured Professor Snodgrass. "Professor Petersen was an +eminent mathematician, and the world did not fully estimate his worth. +His mathematical work was only a branch of his many-sided activities. +Professor Petersen died about three months ago, and he left me a most +peculiar legacy." + +"Peculiar in what way?" asked Ned. + +"It is like this," said the little scientist, as he pulled up a blade +of grass, and examined it under a powerful hand glass to see if any +strange insects might be crawling on it. "Professor Petersen, unlike +most of us professional men, was very wealthy. He was a Swede, and his +wealth came to him from his father. He never used much of it, and the +money accumulated. + +"After his death I was surprised to learn that he had made me one of +his heirs, but under certain conditions. It appears that in his +younger days Professor Petersen was estranged from his brother and +sister, on account of some family matters. They received an equal +share with him from their father's estate, but they made unwise +investments, and soon lost the major portion of their inheritances. +The professor kept his. Perhaps that was one reason for the +estrangement. + +"At any rate, some coldness existed, and it was not until just before +his death that the professor wished to be reconciled. Then it was too +late, as his brother and sister were both dead. But each had left a +daughter, and the young ladies were studying abroad--somewhere in +France or Germany, I believe, when the war broke out. + +"I was greatly surprised, when the will was made public, to learn that +I was to have half the professor's not inconsiderable wealth, on a +certain condition." + +"And what condition?" remarked Jerry, as the professor hesitated. + +"That condition is as follows. I am to seek out these two nieces of my +dead friend and give them each a fourth of his estate. The other half +I am to have for myself if I fulfill the trust. That is, I get it if I +can succeed in finding the two girls, and I need not tell you that I +shall be very glad of the large sum of money--not for myself, oh, no!" +said Professor Snodgrass quickly, "but that I may devote it to the +furtherance of the interests of science. If I can solve the problem, +and find the two girls, I shall have a large sum at my disposal, and I +can then fulfill a life-long desire to undertake the study of the +insects of the Amazon River. That is what I have always desired to do +since I took up my studies, but I always lacked the means. Now, if I +succeed in finding these two girls, I shall have wealth enough to +travel in South America." + +"And where are the girls?" asked Jerry. + +"Somewhere in Germany or France," was the answer. "The latter country, +I think. I have, among my papers, their last address. But since the +war there is no telling where I may find them. I have written a number +of letters, but have had no answers. Now I must go to seek them, and, +at the same time, make a study of the effect of battle noises on +crickets and grasshoppers. Is it any wonder that I seem puzzled? Was +there ever such a hard problem for a peace-loving scientist to +solve?" + +"It isn't going to be easy," admitted Ned. "Then you really expect to +go across?" + +"Yes. And since I understand you are going, we may go together; or at +least meet there, for I suppose I shall not be allowed on a transport, +being a civilian." + +"Hardly," assented Jerry. "But if, as you say, you have passports and +credentials and letters of introduction, it may be arranged. You had +better see our colonel. He seems to have taken quite a notion to +you." + +"Thank you; I will," promised the scientist. "And now I think I had +better go back and see about Ticula and Pete Bumps. Pete may be +worried about me." + +"Just a moment," suggested Ned. "If we are to help you in the search +for these two girls, we ought to know something more about them." + +"That is right," assented the professor; "and I hope you will help me. +The problem of finding the two young ladies would be easy were it not +for the war. But they have been missing since the conflict started, +and I can get no trace of them. I hope they are still living, for, if +they are dead, all the wealth Professor Petersen left goes to a humane +society for the care of distressed cats and dogs and to provide a +shelter for them. Not that I object to cats and dogs," he hastily +added, "but I think some other form of scientific activity might be +chosen. However, Professor Petersen was very peculiar, and, after all, +it was his money. Will you boys help me?" + +"Indeed we will!" cried Jerry. "But how are we to go about it? What +part of France were the girls last in?" + +"And what are their names?" Bob demanded. + +"And what do they look like?" asked Ned. + +"That last question I can answer first," said the professor. "I happen +to have recent pictures of them. They sent them to their uncle +following the deaths of their parents, and after the reconciliation, +and Professor Petersen left them to me, with certain other material, +documents and such, to aid me in the search. Here are the girls--their +names are Gladys Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs." + +He reached in his pocket and took out a folded paper. As he opened it +he gave a start and hastily closed it again. + +"That isn't it," he murmured. "Those are some dried specimens of +_ameba_ that I wish to study under a microscope." + +"What are _ameba_?" asked Jerry. "Fish?" + +"Not exactly," answered the professor with a smile, "though I secured +these from a little pond on the other side of the camp. _Ameba_ are +microorganisms of the simplest structure--a protoplasm which is +constantly changing in shape. Very interesting--very interesting +indeed, but not the pictures of the girls. Ah, here they are," he +added, as he replaced the first paper and took out a second. From the +folds of that he produced two unmounted photographs at which the boys +gazed with interest. + +They saw the likenesses of two pretty girls in traveling costume, and +the pictures had, obviously, been snapped by an amateur at some +country place, for there was a barn and fields in the background. + +"The girls took these pictures themselves, I understand," explained +the professor. "They sent them to their uncle." + +"Which is which?" asked Jerry. "I mean which is Gladys and which is +Dorothy?" + +"The names are on the reverse side of the photographs, I believe," +said the professor, and so it proved. + +"They are both pretty," observed Jerry. + +"I rather fancy Gladys," murmured Ned. + +"Dorothy seems real jolly," stated Bob. + +"Here! None of that, young man, or I'll write to Helena Schaeffer, +and tell her how you're carrying on!" warned Jerry, shaking a finger +at his stout chum. + +"Aw, you----" began Bob. + +But at that moment there came an interruption. A small, very much +excited lad came fairly bounding over the grass toward the figures of +the three chums and Professor Snodgrass. + +"Oh, here you are!" cried the newcomer. "Found you at last--thought I +never would--asked everybody--nearly got stabbed by a sentry--had to +jump out of the way of a bullet--whoop--but here I am--Gosh! Say, it's +good to see you again--I told 'em I could find you--awful hot, ain't +it? Lots of things going on--never saw so many soldiers in all my +life--here they are, girls! I found 'em!" + +Ned, Bob and Jerry gazed in amazement at the small lad. Ned murmured +his name--Andy Rush--and then Jerry, looking over the head of the +excited little chap, descried three girls approaching. + +"Girls! Girls!" murmured the tall lad. "More girls! What does it +mean?" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +NODDY NIXON + + +Events were transpiring so rapidly for Ned, Bob and Jerry in the last +few hours, that it was no wonder they were somewhat startled. Coming +from strenuous bayonet practice to hear of a spy alarm, to have that +augmented by excitement over the big snake, to learn that the "spy" +was none other than Professor Snodgrass, and then to hear of his +strange mission, would have been almost too much for any group of lads +less sophisticated than this trio. + +And hardly had they digested the news about the two missing girls, in +a search for whom they mentally agreed they would join, than along +came excitable Andy Rush and--more girls. + +"There's Mollie Horton!" cried Ned, recognizing a girl who lived near +him in Cresville, and with whom he was very friendly. + +"Yes, and I see Alice Vines," added Jerry. + +"And Helen Gale is with her," commented Bob. "I'm glad she came! +Helen's a great girl for sport and----" + +"You'd better be careful how you talk," warned Jerry, as the girls +continued to approach. "Helen and Helena are names very much alike, +but if you get them mixed up--well, Helen isn't one to stand any +nonsense." + +"Aw, say----" began Bob, and then the nearer approach of the three +girls, to whom Andy Rush was beckoning, put a stop to any further talk +concerning them. + +It might be added, to explain Jerry's reference, that Helena Schaeffer +was a girl in whom Bob Baker felt more than ordinary interest. At +first, because of the pro-German leanings of her father, she had been +a bit cold toward Bob when he joined the army with his chums, to fight +the Kaiser. But, as readers of the volume preceding this know, Helena +changed her attitude, much to Bob's relief. + +"Well, of all the sights that are good for sore eyes!" cried Ned, as +he hurried forward to greet the girls, an example followed by his +chums. "What fine wind blew you here?" + +"We didn't come in an airship!" burst out Andy Rush. "I wanted to, but +they wouldn't--'fraid they'd fall--swoop up--swoop down--get here +quicker--fall maybe--maybe not--lots of fun, anyhow. Gosh, it's +great--I say, fellows, are you going----" + +Jerry gently but firmly took hold of Andy by the ear, and, pointing to +Professor Snodgrass, who was wandering about a distant field in +search of possible insects, said: + +"Andy, you go and aid in the interests of science, and, incidentally, +cool off. We'll see you later." + +And Andy, whose rapid flow of words had been suddenly stopped, looked +once at the tall, bronzed lad, and then followed the instructions to +the letter. So, whether he wanted it or not, Professor Snodgrass had +the assistance of the small youth. + +"Well! Well!" exclaimed Jerry, as he shook hands lingeringly with +Alice. "How did you get here?" + +"Going to enlist?" asked Ned. + +"Maybe they're going to join the girls' motor corps," suggested Bob, +who had attached himself to Helen. + +"No, we just came on a visit," explained Mollie. + +"To see us?" asked Ned. + +"Of course!" was the mischievous answer. "We got lonesome back in +Cresville, with all the nice boys gone, and so we got Andy to bring us +down here." + +"And if we believe that, I suppose you'll tell us another," laughed +Jerry. "Seriously now, how did you happen to come, and how long are +you going to stay? Fellows, we'll have to get furloughs and take the +girls around. Not that there's much to see down here, but we'll do +our best," he added. + +"Cease! Cease!" commanded Ned, holding up his hand like a traffic +officer in front of Jerry. "Let's hear how they happened to come." + +"Oh, that is soon told," remarked Alice. "Mollie's aunt lives not far +from here." + +"And she invited Mollie down on a visit," added Helen. "And Mollie was +good enough to ask us, so we all came together. We reached there +yesterday, and, knowing you boys were at camp here, we decided to come +out to see you, which we have done." + +"And for which we are duly grateful," added Jerry. "But what about +Andy Rush? I never was more surprised in my life when I heard his +usual flow of language. How did he happen to be with you?" + +"That was just an accident, a coincidence, or whatever you want to +call it," said Mollie, with a laugh. "When Andy heard we were coming +down this way he asked if he couldn't come with us. He says he is +going to enlist. He isn't going to wait to be drafted. He said he'd +sort of look after us on our way down." + +"But it's been the other way about!" laughed Alice. "We've had to +watch him all the while. He was always hopping about, talking to +strangers, and every time the train stopped at a station longer than +a minute he'd get off, and we'd be in a fix for fear he'd be left. But +he's here, thank goodness!" + +"Going to enlist!" cried Ned. "Why, he's too _small_." + +"That's what they told him back in Cresville when he tried it," +remarked Alice. "But we must give Andy credit for being a determined +little chap. He's sixteen, and he says lots of boys of sixteen have +gone in, and he's going. He said if the recruiting officer at home +wouldn't take him one here at camp might. So he came with us, and I +believe he's going to ask you boys to use your influence to get him +into the army." + +"A heap of influence we have!" laughed Ned. "Privates--with Jerry just +made corporal." + +"Well, Andy was very nice to us on the way down," said Helen, "so +please do all you can for him." + +"We will!" promised Jerry. "And now tell us about yourselves, and how +all the folks are at home. Oh, but it's great to see you again!" + +Then followed a talk until it was time for the three chums to report +for drill duty. + +"What are you girls going to do this evening?" asked Bob. + +The girls looked at one another. + +"Oh, just sit around, I suppose," remarked Mollie. + +"No, you're not!" cried Jerry. "There's a dance in town--a really nice +place--and we've been wishing for some girls to come along to help us +out. It's under the auspices of the local Y. W. C. A. And if we can +get off----" + +"Oh, we'll get off all right!" broke in Ned eagerly. + +"If worst comes to worst, we'll have the professor ask the colonel on +our behalf. The prof seems to pull a pretty good stroke with the C. O. +So a dance it is to be!" declared Bob. + +And a dance it was. The boys received permission to remain away from +camp until midnight, passes being issued to them, and they at once +proceeded to "doll up," as Bob expressed it. + +A joyous week followed, for the girls were to remain in the vicinity +of Camp Dixton, at Mollie's aunt's house for some time, and they asked +nothing better than to have the company of the three chums as often as +it might be possible. + +Of course, Ned, Bob and Jerry did not have very much time to +themselves during the day, and some of their nights were occupied. But +fate was kind to them, and they had several dances with the girls, and +also went to "shows" at the local Y. M. C. A., as well as entertaining +the girls by escorting them about the cantonment. + +Meanwhile, Professor Snodgrass received permission to loose his pet +snake, Ticula, in certain restricted areas, so that he might observe +her feeding habits in the open. + +"But I cannot stay here very long," he told the boys. "I must soon +begin to prepare for my trip to Europe. I simply must make an attempt +to find those two girls." + +"And we'll help you!" declared Jerry. "Just wait a few days more. I +think our orders to go across are coming." + +And come the orders did. The day before the three home-town girls were +to return to Cresville orders came for the larger part of the soldiers +at Camp Dixton to leave for France. + +"Hurray!" cried Ned, Bob and Jerry, as they saw the orders posted. +"Now we'll get a whack at the Germans!" + +"And I'm going, too!" declared Andy Rush. "I'll go if I have to leave +as a stowaway! I've simply got to fight--get me a gun--let me go in an +aeroplane--I want action--got to do something--can't keep +still--Hurray for Uncle Sam!" + +"Say, you'll burst a blood vessel if you aren't careful!" cautioned +Ned. "Better go slow, Andy." + +But Andy Rush was not the lad for that, and he hurried about the camp, +more excited than ever, seeking for a chance to go abroad. + +Ned, Bob and Jerry, with thousands of their chums, were to go to +Hoboken, New Jersey, there to go aboard a transport and be escorted +to France. By a stroke of good luck, and by pulling some official, or +scientific wires, Professor Snodgrass received permission to go on the +same vessel. He hurriedly sent his pet snake to a museum to be cared +for until his return, mailed his specimens of _ameba_ to a scientific +friend to be made into microscopical slides, and then, having fitted +himself out with as many specimen boxes and other paraphernalia as he +was permitted to take, announced that he was ready for his dual +mission--the seeking out of the two girls that he might apprise them +of their good fortune and to undertake the study of the effect of war +noises on crickets and katydids. + +The final drills, bayonet practices, hikes and other camp activities +were held, and then the order came to break camp. Professor Snodgrass +went on ahead, promising to meet the three chums in Hoboken, and +Mollie, Alice and Helen departed for Cresville, their good-byes to the +boys being rather tearful, it must be admitted. + +As for Andy Rush, he disappeared on the day when the young soldiers +were to take the train for the North, and no one seemed to know what +had become of him. + +"Guess he found he couldn't get in the army, and he went back home," +remarked Ned. + +Finally the three chums were on their way for the fighting front with +thousands of fellow soldiers, some being volunteers and others of the +selective service. + +Many and varied were the thoughts of our heroes as the train bore them +northward. What would be their fate in France? Would they ever see +home again, or would they be left across the water with the others who +died that civilization might live? And mingled with these thoughts +were others as to the mission of Professor Snodgrass. + +"It surely is some commission--trying to find two girls with just +their photographs and nothing much else to go by," commented Ned. + +"But we have done harder things," added Jerry. + +The journey North was rather tiresome, but the boys and their +companions enlivened it as much as possible by singing, telling +stories, and general activities. + +Once, when the train was delayed at a junction the three Cresville +friends got out, as did hundreds of others, to "stretch their legs." +There was another train-load of young soldiers on a siding, having +come from another camp, and lads from this were also walking up and +down. + +As Ned, Bob and Jerry stood together, looking at a group of recruits +who had been trained in Texas, they heard a voice saying: + +"This drafting business makes me sick! I don't like it at all!" + +"Maybe you'd rather have been passed over," suggested some one. + +"Naw, you get me wrong!" was the answer. "I want to fight all right, +but I want to do it my own way. I'd have enlisted in the air service +if they'd given me time enough. I was thinking of it when the draft +law went into effect, and then I couldn't. I know a lot about +airships. I used to run one, and I invented one, too." + +"Did it fly?" some one wanted to know. + +"It would have if it hadn't been for some mean fellows in my town who +didn't want me to beat them," was the announcement. "You wait until I +get on the other side! I'll show 'em what flying is, if they give me +the chance, and Jerry Hopkins and his pals sha'n't stop me, either!" + +"Did you hear that?" asked Ned in a low voice. + +"I should say so!" exclaimed Bob. "We ought to know who that is." + +"Noddy Nixon, without a doubt!" remarked Jerry. "And up to his old +tricks! I hope he isn't going on the same transport with us!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +OFF FOR FRANCE + + +Noddy Nixon needs no introduction to my old readers. This rich and +impudent lad had, more than once, done his best to injure the Motor +Boys, and, with the plotting of Jack Pender and Bill Berry, a +Cresville n'er-do-well, had too often succeeded. + +"Well, I don't see anything of Bill or Jack," observed Jerry, as he +looked toward Noddy Nixon, and noted, that the bully was surrounded by +a group of strange recruits. + +"Yes, if he's by himself he won't be so hard to handle," agreed Ned. +"But I wonder where he came from? He ought to be in jail!" + +"I suppose he came from some training camp--same as we did," observed +Bob. "And he looks as though he had been well fed, too. He's as fat as +butter." + +"That's Chunky all over--thinking of the eating end," laughed Ned. + +"Yes, Noddy is fat all right--too fat!" declared Jerry. "He hasn't +been drilled as hard as we have, or else he got a desk position +somewhere and held on to it." + +"Did you hear the bluff he was throwing about trying to enlist in the +air service?" asked Ned. + +"Yes," agreed his tall chum. "Talk about his being an expert flier! +Say, do you remember his _Tin Fly_?" + +"I should say so!" laughed Bob. "The flying machine that wouldn't go +up. That was a hot one! But keep quiet--he's looking over this way." + +Noddy, indeed, seemed to have his attention attracted to the three +friends. At first he looked uncomprehendingly, and then, as the +features of the lads toward whom he had acted so meanly became +plainer, he stared and finally exclaimed: + +"What are you fellows doing here?" + +"The same as you, I imagine," was Jerry's cool answer. "We are going +to fight in France." + +Jerry said afterward he wanted to add that he and his chums had +"volunteered" to do this fighting, but he did not think it would be +quite fair to the drafted men with Noddy who, to do them justice, were +in the same class as the best of patriots. The selective service law +solved many problems, but Noddy's was not among them. As the boys +learned later, the town bully had done his best to evade the draft, +and had only registered when threatened with military action. + +Then he made a virtue of necessity and talked big about having tried +to volunteer in the air service, only to be refused. But most of those +who heard Noddy Nixon talk understood him, and were not at all taken +in. + +"Where'd you fellows train?" asked Noddy, moving over toward his +Cresville acquaintances. + +"Camp Dixton," answered Ned. Then he added to Bob and Jerry: "Come on, +fellows, I think our train's about to pull out." + +None of the Motor Boys had any relish for talk with their former +enemy. As for Noddy, he seemed to think he was doing them a favor by +noticing them, and as they turned away he said: + +"Camp Dixton isn't in it with Upyank, where our bunch was trained! +We'll show you when we get to France!" + +"I hope we don't run across him," murmured Jerry, as they got back to +their seats, for Ned's alarm had proved true, and their train soon did +pull out. Noddy and his crowd were a little later in starting from the +junction, and then, as the Motor Boys were hauled on to their +destination to embark for France, they discussed the past doings of +the bully, and wondered how he would conduct himself in war. + +From that they switched to the more pleasant topic of the recent visit +of the girls, and speculated on what had become of Andy Rush. + +"They might enlist him and let him talk some of the Huns to death," +suggested Ned. "He could do that to perfection. But I'm afraid he's +too small to get in the army." + +"I wonder if we'll ever find the professor's two girls?" ventured Bob, +meaning thereby Gladys Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs. + +"I don't believe we'll have much time to look for them, if the +fighting keeps up as fiercely as it has," and Jerry handed his chums a +paper he had purchased, which gave a detailed account of some of the +first fighting of the American Expeditionary Force, in the Toul +sector, at Seicheprey. This fighting had taken place in April, and it +was late in June when Ned, Bob and Jerry, with others from their camp, +were on their way to France in that great movement of troops which was +to prove the turning, and winning, point of the war. The account in +the paper of the fighting at Seicheprey was a delayed one sent through +the mail by a correspondent. + +"Yes, it is getting hot," observed Ned. "But still we promised the +professor we'd help him look for the girls." + +"And so we shall, if we get the chance," declared Jerry. "I know what +it would mean to the professor if he lost his half of the fortune and +had to give up his work on the insects of the Amazon. Oh, we'll help +him all right!" + +[Illustration: THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS WERE CROWDING ON BOARD. +_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 57_] + +The journey of the boys to the "Atlantic Seaport," as Hoboken and New +York, as well as other well-known cities, were called in the +newspapers during the war, was not eventful. Their train was one of +many hundreds rushing troops to the transports, and in due time Ned, +Bob and Jerry found themselves getting off at a big dock in Hoboken +and going aboard a transport--a former German liner, her machinery +rebuilt after the ship's German crew had done their best to disable +it. + +"Well, we're here!" announced Jerry, as he eased his pack from his +shoulders to the deck, an example followed by Ned and Bob. + +"Yes, we're here, and we'll soon be--there!" and Ned nodded in the +direction of France--or where he thought it was. + +Somewhere a band was playing. Thousands of soldiers were crowding on +board, and there would be more thousands after them--a stream that +would not end until Prussianism had been dealt its death-blow. + +There was a period of seeming chaos while the troops were getting +settled and disposing of their baggage. Then the three chums had a +chance to look about them, and proceeding to the stern of the vessel +they glanced across the Hudson to New York, where the towering +buildings showed dimly through a harbor haze. + +"Wonder when we'll see them again," remarked Jerry, in a low voice. + +Neither of his chums answered. They were thinking, though. + +Late that afternoon the preparation and bustle seemed redoubled. More +soldiers and a number of officers came aboard, and then, suddenly, +after bugles had blared and bells had clanged, there was a tremor +through the big transport. + +"We're off!" cried Bob. + +"For France!" added Ned. + +"And I'm glad to be with you!" said a voice behind Jerry, who, +turning, beheld Professor Snodgrass. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TRAINING CAMP + + +My readers may well guess that Ned, Bob and Jerry were glad to see the +scientist. He was like part of their "own folks," and though they had +many friends among their army chums, and though they liked, and were +liked, by their officers, our three heroes felt that with Professor +Snodgrass along it was like taking part of Cresville aboard with +them. + +"So you got here all right, did you?" asked Ned with a smile, as he +and the others shook hands with the scientist. + +"Yes, I'm here; and I wish we were across. I dread the voyage." + +"Submarines?" asked Jerry. + +"Oh, no, I wasn't thinking of them," answered the professor. "But I am +anxious to get across, not only to begin my study of the effect of war +noises on European insects, but to search for those two young ladies. +I have been reading considerable about war conditions in France and +Germany since Professor Petersen made me his part heir, and I fear +the young ladies may have a hard time." + +"Yes, they are very likely to," assented Ned. "But until we get there +we can't do anything to help them. However, we'll do our best for you +and them when we do get there--if we have a chance--after getting a +Hun or two," he added. + +"That's right," said Mr. Snodgrass. "The winning of the war is the +first consideration. I wish I were young enough to fight. But I have +contributed to the Red Cross, to the Salvation Army, the Knights of +Columbus and the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A.; and I've mailed +every magazine I finished reading and sent over all the books I could +spare." + +The boys winked at one another. They gave full credit to Professor +Snodgrass for his contributions to the five organizations, which, with +the Jewish Welfare League, did so much to help win the war. + +"But if the boys in camp over there had to depend for reading on the +dry, scientific magazines and books the professor sent them they'd be +hard put," commented Jerry to his chums, afterward. + +"Well, we're moving, anyhow," observed Bob, as he and the others +noticed that tugs were backing the transport out into the river. "Now +that we're under way, don't you think we'd better go and see +about----" + +"Grub!" finished Jerry, fairly taking the word out of Chunky's mouth. + +The stout lad glared a moment, and then said: + +"Well, yes, grub! Why not? We have to eat, don't we?" + +"You said it, Bob!" exclaimed Ned. "Go to it!" + +But the boys found they need not have worried about the matter of +eating or sleeping. Competent hands had the comfort of the soldiers in +charge and there was nothing lacking that could be obtained. They were +taken in charge by officers, divided into squads, assigned to certain +lifeboats, and told where to report when an alarm for a submarine +attack, real or simulated, was sounded. + +Professor Snodgrass told how he had secured permission to come aboard +the transport with his friends, the young soldiers--no easy +matter--and how he had been designated as a "correspondent," though +Jerry Hopkins, on hearing this, remarked: + +"I suppose if he did send any news it would be to the _Bug Hunter's +Review_, describing the life of an insect on an army transport." + +"Very likely," agreed Ned. + +And so, amid the blaring whistle salutes of river craft, the former +German liner dropped down the bay and started for France with the +young soldiers who were to do their part in ending barbarous +militarism forever. + +It was not exactly a gay trip. There were many who were seasick in +spite of the calm weather, and there was little to do on board. Only a +few books were available to read, and these were in constant use. +Aside from lifeboat drill there was little to occupy the boys. + +But there was always the fear of a submarine attack when they should +reach the infested zone, and the boys looked forward to this as +something that would relieve the monotony. + +There was a gun crew on the transport--several of them, in fact--and +the troop ships were escorted by war vessels and the swift, snake-like +destroyers, which moved with such remarkable speed. + +One day, after the usual lifeboat drill, which was held at different +hours each day so that none would suspect when it was coming, the +three chums were standing near the forward gun, rather idly scanning +the water. The night had been a dreary one, cooped up as they were in +the darkness, for now that they were approaching the danger zone, all +but the most necessary lights were dimmed. + +Up above, and on various parts of the deck, were the lookouts, +scanning with strained and eager eyes the expanse of water ahead of +them for a sight of the white wake that would indicate a periscope, +or, perchance, hoping to see the wet, glistening sides of a "steel +fish" itself, as it broke water before sending the deadly torpedo. + +"Well, boys, how goes it?" asked a voice behind the three chums, and +they recognized Professor Snodgrass. + +As Jerry turned to speak to him, having finished a remark in which he +had speculated as to what had become of Noddy Nixon, who was not on +board, one of the men cried: + +"What's that?" + +He pointed to a spot about two points off the port bow, and Ned, Bob +and Jerry, as well as several others, distinctly saw a little +commotion in the water. + +"A sub, as sure as you're a foot high!" cried a marine, just as a +bugle call to quarters was blown, for a lookout, too, had observed the +disturbance in the water. + +Instantly the gun crew was in action, and several shots were fired +from the bow gun. The reports had hardly ceased echoing when some +remarkable activity was displayed, not only aboard the transport, but +on the part of the convoying squadron. + +As the shells splashed into the sea near the spot where the commotion +had been observed, there were smudges of black smoke at several points +on either side of the troopship. These were the funnels of the +destroyers belching out clouds of vapor that told of their approach +under forced draught. And as the other guns on the transport awoke and +began firing on the suspected submarine, up came racing the swift +craft, the men on board eagerly looking for a target. + +Then their big guns got into action, and for a time the sea in the +vicinity of the suspected place was churned by exploding shells, while +one destroyer, the fastest of the flotilla, shot right over the place +where the lookout thought he had seen a periscope, and dropped two +depth bombs that added further to the churning of Neptune's element. + +Meanwhile, for the second occasion in a short time, lifeboat stations +were sounded, and the soldiers, donning their life preservers, took +their places to await what might follow--possibly, an order to abandon +ship after she had been struck by a torpedo. + +But this contingency did not arise. The destroyers swarmed around the +transport, seeking in vain for something substantial on which to +expend their ammunition, and then the scare was over. + +And whether it was only a scare, or whether a real submarine had shown +her periscope and then dived before sending a torpedo, could, of +course, only be surmised. But no chances were being taken, and the +transport on which the Cresville boys traveled was not the only one of +the American Expeditionary Forces that believed itself the object of a +frustrated attack. + +"If that was a sub, it came out pretty far to meet us," observed +Jerry, when the excitement had died away and they were at ease once +more. + +"No telling where they'll be found," said a noncommissioned officer. +"If that had been one I believe we'd have got her, though." + +"Surest thing you know!" declared Ned Slade emphatically. + +This was the only incident that marked the passage. Of course, at +various times, especially during the nights, the lookouts may have +imagined they saw the wake of a periscope or a torpedo, but there was +no general alarm. + +And finally, after what really was a tiresome voyage, and one the end +of which was welcomed by all, the transport docked at a certain port +in France, and Ned, Bob and Jerry were able, with their water-weary +comrades, to go ashore. + +"Here at last!" murmured Jerry, as he and his chums sought their own +company. + +"And where are the Huns we're going to fight?" asked Bob, looking +around at the strange scenes. + +"Oh, we won't see them right away," returned Ned. "It'll be more +training camp for ours for a while. But we'll see real fighting soon +enough. Don't worry." + +"It can't come any too soon for me, Buddy!" exclaimed a tall, Southern +lad, with whom the Motor Boys had become chummy at Camp Dixton. "Lead +me to it!" + +But there was much to be done before this would occur. After the boys +had disembarked they were inspected, roll was called, and then they +were told to march to a designated depot, there to eat and be fitted +out for a march to the French village where they were to be billeted +until sent to a training camp. + +Professor Snodgrass could not, of course, stay with the army boys, but +he announced that he would follow them as closely as possible, and +keep in communication with them. As soon as might be he would arrange +to begin the search for the two missing girls. + +Not all that Ned, Bob and Jerry had read of the gigantic work +undertaken to fit out and maintain the American armies in France +prepared them for what they saw. The port where the transport docked +had been transformed. Great storehouses and warehouses were erected. +Whole railway systems had been built, with the American locomotives +replacing the diminutive French ones. And the French population and +army representatives were as much surprised at the initiative and +wonderful progress of the American forces as were the new recruits +themselves. + +"Say, we're going into this war with both feet!" exclaimed Jerry +admiringly. + +"That's the only way to do it," said Ned. "The harder we go at it the +sooner it will be over." + +They had their "chow," and even Bob admitted that it was "mighty +good," and, as you know, he was a connoisseur. + +Then, with their comrades, the three Motor Boys marched to the place +where they were to spend the night before going to the training camp. +This was a small French village, and its quaint beauty, unspoiled by +the Germans, was very attractive to the sea-weary soldiers. + +Ned, Bob and Jerry were billeted with five others at a French +farmhouse, where they were given beds in the attic. The "beds" were +only piles of clean straw, but the lads were delighted with them after +their close bunks on the ship. + +"I can roll over now without falling out," said Ned, with a sigh of +comfort as he stretched out. + +They drew their rations the following morning, and breakfasted most +heartily, if not luxuriously, and were ready for what the day held for +them. This was nothing else than a journey to their training camp, +which, they learned, was some miles behind the front lines where the +fighting was going on. + +"But you'll be moved up as fast as it's possible to do so," said the +officer who directed them. "The fighting's getting heavier and +heavier." + +And this was true, for about this time the 42d American Division was +in position east of Rheims where, a little later, a great German +attack was launched, and, as all the world now knows, was flung back +with disaster to the Hun forces. + +The railroad journey, from a point near their disembarkation port to +their training camp, was not a very comfortable one, as the troops had +to travel in cars that were used at times for horses. But every one +was in good spirits, and little inconveniences were laughed at. + +And finally, after three days, the welcome word was given to leave the +trains and march to the camp. This was situated in a beautiful part of +France--that is, it had been beautiful before the spoliation by the +Huns, and there Ned, Bob and Jerry, with thousands of their comrades, +prepared for the last phase of their training. Before them was the +enemy. + +"Well, here at last!" remarked Jerry, as he eased himself from his +pack, and, with his two chums, stacked the guns together. "I wonder +what happens first?" + +"Suppose you come over and have some chocolate?" suggested a voice +behind the boys, and, turning, they saw a pleasant-faced young man, +whose hair, however, was gray. He wore a semi-military uniform, but a +glance at his sleeve showed the red triangle, and the letters "Y. M. +C. A." were not needed to tell his character. + +"Come over and make yourselves at home," he went on. "You'll have time +before you'll be called on to report." + +"Thank you, we will," said Jerry. "Some chocolate would touch the +spot." + +"I've got two spots that need touching," laughed Bob. + +"Won't you boys come, too?" invited the Y. M. C. A. worker, as he +turned to some others who had marched up as Ned, Bob and Jerry were +moving away. + +"What? Trail in with a lot of psalm-singing goody-goodies?" was the +sneering retort of one, and it needed only a glance to show that the +speaker was Noddy Nixon. + +"He's here--worse luck!" murmured Ned. + +"No Y. M. C. A. for mine!" sneered Noddy. + +"Boor!" muttered Bob, in protest. + +"There is a Knights of Columbus station next to ours, and a Salvation +Army hut, as well as a Jewish Community station, here in camp," was +the gentle answer of the secretary. "If you prefer one of those you +will be very welcome, I know. We are all working together for you +boys." + +"None for mine!" sneered Noddy. "I want some cigarettes!" + +"I can let you have some at my _foyer_," said the secretary, with a +smile. "I don't smoke myself, but I like the smell of it mighty well. +Come along." + +But Noddy laughed sneeringly, and would not go. However, Ned, Bob and +Jerry accompanied the Y. M. C. A. man, and very glad they were to buy, +at a modest price, some cups of chocolate, and also some cakes of it +to put in their pockets. + +"These Y. M. C. A. and K. C. places are all to the merry!" voted Ned. +"They were great back at Camp Dixton, but they're twice as good +here!" + +"And we'll look after you, as well as we can, when you get on the +firing line," said their new friend. "You'll have to depend on the +Salvation Army lassies for doughnuts, but we can give you smokes and +chocolate almost any time. Have some more!" + +He made the boys and their comrades so welcome that they hated to +leave to go to roll call. But this must be done, and soon they were +assigned to barracks, much the same as in Camp Dixton. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON THE FIRING LINE + + +The training Ned, Bob and Jerry went through in the French camp, +though on a more intense scale and with greater attention to detail, +was much like that which they had obtained at Camp Dixton, and that +has been related at length in the volume preceding this. + +There were the same drills to go through, only they were harder, and +in charge were men who had seen terrible fighting. Some of them were +American army officers, sent back from the front to instruct the new +recruits, and others were French and British officers, detailed to +teach the raw troops who, at first, were brigaded with the veterans. + +It was rise early in the morning, drill hard all day, attend some +school of instruction in the evening, and then, after a brief visit +perhaps to the Y. M. C. A. hut or one of the other rest tents, go to +bed, to get up and do it all over again the next day. + +But the boys never felt it monotonous, nor did they complain of the +hard work. They knew it was necessary, and here on the very fighting +ground itself--in wonderful France--there was a greater incentive to +apply oneself to the mastering of the lessons of the war. + +Then, too, they saw or heard at first hand of the indescribable +cruelties and atrocities of the Huns. Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their +comrades saw with what fervor the French and British were proceeding +with the war, and their own spirits were inflamed. + +No work was too hard for them, from learning to throw hand grenades, +taught by men who had had them thrown at them, to digging trenches +laid out after the fashion of those on either side of No Man's Land. +Then came small sham engagements, when, imagining the sample trenches +to be held by Germans, a company would storm them to drive out the +"enemy." + +In fair and rainy weather this work went on, and it rained more often +than not, as Jerry wrote home to his mother. The chums could write, +but there was no telling when the missives would be delivered, nor +when they would get any in return, for there was such congestion that +the mail service broke down at times, and no wonder. So, though +eventually the home folks--and in them is included "the girls"--got +all the mail intended for them, there were days of anxious waiting. + +Meanwhile the Motor Boys were perfecting themselves as soldiers, and +were winning the commendation of their officers. Jerry was promoted to +be first corporal, and in his squad of seven were Ned and Bob, much to +their delight. + +"It's a pleasure to take orders from you, old man," said Ned. + +"Well, I won't give any more than I have to," remarked the tall lad, +now taller and more bronzed than ever. + +Professor Snodgrass had managed to find quarters in a village not far +from camp, and from there he came to see the boys occasionally. He was +getting his affairs in shape to proceed with the study of the matter +at present under his attention. + +"Have you heard anything from Miss Petersen or Miss Gibbs?" asked +Jerry. + +"No, not a word," was the answer. "I have sent several letters, and +made inquiries of the authorities here, but the latter give me very +little encouragement. That's bad, too; for I've just had word from +home that makes my share in that inheritance seem of more importance +than ever," and the professor gave a little sigh. + +"Why, what's happened, Professor?" questioned Jerry, with quick +sympathy. + +"I lent some money," explained Professor Snodgrass, "to one of my +friends--an old friend with whom I went through college--to help him +over a hard place. But he has not got over his troubles; in fact, his +affairs are growing worse, and it looks as if I would never get my +money back. And that will cripple me, cripple me badly, boys. Yes, I +need the money that Professor Petersen was good enough to leave me." + +"Well, let's hope that you find those girls quickly, Professor, and +get that inheritance very soon," said Ned. + +"But I am afraid I shall have to wait until you boys capture Germany, +and then I can go in and search." + +"Us boys--with help," chuckled Jerry. + +"Well, if it keeps up the way we've started we'll soon have the Hun on +the run!" declared Ned, and he spoke with some truth, for soon was to +be the beginning of the successful American advance. + +Greatly to their relief the boys saw little of Noddy Nixon, for he was +housed in barracks at the opposite end of the camp from those in which +they were billeted. But they met him occasionally, and listened with +ill-concealed disgust to his boasts, and his talk of having tried in +vain to enlist before he was drafted. + +"If they'd give me an aeroplane I'd go over the German lines and make +'em sit up and take notice!" boasted the bully. + +"Why don't you send home for what's left of your '_Tin Fly_'?" asked +Ned, with a wink at his chums. + +"Aw, you dry up!" commanded Noddy, for this airship, which he had once +built to compete in an exhibition, was a sore point with him, as it +had not justified its name. + +Meanwhile, all along the line in the sector where the American troops +were stationed hard fighting was going on. On either flank were French +and English forces, but the boys of Uncle Sam were holding up their +end of the work exceedingly well. + +"When can we get into it?" sighed Ned one evening, when reports came +in of heavy fighting, during which certain American units had won +distinction. + +"Very soon, so I hear," returned Jerry. "Our intensive training is +nearly over. We may be moved up to the front any day now." + +"The sooner the quicker," cried Bob. "Maybe the eats won't be so good +farther front, but we'll see some action!" + +Of course, there had been "action" in plenty at camp, but it was of +the safe variety, and this did not appeal to the boys. + +Then their chance came. One morning after drill emotion, like +electricity, seemed to run through the camp. + +"What's up?" came the queries from all sides. + +"We're ordered to the firing line!" was the answer. + +And then came cheers! Cheers that showed of what stuff America's +fighters were made. + +The news proved true. That evening, under the cover of darkness, so +that no lurking Hun planes might detect the movement, a considerable +body of troops from the training camp was sent up toward the front, to +relieve some battle-scarred units. + +At first, as the three chums and their comrades marched along, there +was joking and laughing. Then this died away. The seriousness of the +situation began to be comprehended. It was not that any one was +afraid. The boys were realizing the gravity of the occasion, that was +all. + +"Hark! what's that?" asked Bob, as he marched along with Ned, Jerry, +as corporal, being file leader. "Is it thunder?" + +They stepped lightly so as to listen more intently. + +"The guns!" explained a lieutenant hurrying past. "Those are the guns +on the firing line you hear. There must be a night attack." + +The guns of the front! Fighting was actually very near, for, though +the boys in camp had often heard a distant rumble when there was a big +bombardment on, this was the first time they had heard so plainly the +hostile guns. It gave them a thrill, even as they felt the ground +tremble beneath them. + +And so, in the darkness, they moved up to their new camp--a camp on +the very edge of the fighting; and from where they came to a halt, to +wait for morning before being assigned to the trenches, they could see +the lurid fires that flared across No Man's Land. + +Tired and weary, but with an eagerness nothing could subdue, the chums +and their comrades awoke the next morning as the bugle called them. At +first they could not realize where they were, and then with a rush it +came to them. + +"On the firing line!" cried Jerry. "Just where we wanted to be! Now +for some action!" + +Hardly had he spoken when there sounded a terrific explosion, and the +boys were fairly blown off their feet, toppling to the ground. + +There was action for them! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN THE TRENCHES + + +Stunned and bruised, the three chums and several of their comrades +around them were incapable of action for a little while. Then, as +Jerry raised himself from the ground, he heard Bob ask: + +"What hit us, anyway? Are the Germans attacking?" + +"Gee!" was Bob's muttered protest. + +"Get up!" some one cried. "You're all right. It was a bomb from a Hun +plane, but it missed its mark." + +"Seems to have hit me all right," observed Ned, whose face was +bleeding, though only from scratches. + +"You were knocked down by the concussion," explained the officer who +had told them to get up. "It was a close call all right, but no one is +hurt. Fall in for roll call!" + +Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of the other soldiers scrambled to their +feet. They had been on the point of answering roll call when the +explosion came, and now that the danger was over, at least for the +time being, they had a chance to see what had caused it. + +The aeroplane from which the bomb had been dropped was not now in +sight, but this is what had happened. One of the German machines +passing over the front line, as they often did, had escaped the Allied +craft, and had also managed to pass through the firing of the +anti-aircraft guns. Whether the machine had gone some distance back, +hoping to drop bombs on an ammunition dump, or whether it came over +merely to take a pot shot at the American trenches, was never known. + +But the aviator had dropped a large explosive bomb, which, luckily for +the Motor Boys and their comrades, had fallen into an open space, +though not far from one of the camouflaged stations where the soldiers +were quartered before being taken up to the front-line trenches. The +explosion had blown a big hole in the ground and damaged some food +stores, but that was all, except that when the Americans were about to +answer roll call they were knocked down by the concussion, and some, +like Ned, were scratched and cut by flying dirt and stones, or perhaps +by fragments of the bursting bomb. + +"See, no one is hurt," went on the officer, as if to reassure those +who were soon to take their places in the front-line trenches. "Good +luck was with you that time." + +"I hope it keeps up," murmured Bob. "It's a mean trick to shoot a man +before he has his breakfast," and then he wondered why the others +laughed. + +They all looked curiously, and it may be said, thankfully, at the big +hole made by the bomb. As the officer had said, only good luck had +prevented some of the boys from filling that hole. + +After this Jerry was silent and thoughtful. + +"Well, what's next?" asked Ned, after an examination had shown that +his wounds were merely scratches, for which he refused to go to the +hospital, or even a dressing station. + +"Breakfast, I hope," said Bob, and this it proved to be. + +The excitement caused by the dropping of the bomb soon died away, +though Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of the other soldiers who had not yet +been under hostile fire, felt their nerves a bit unsteady for some +time. + +But the veterans, of whom there were many, appeared to take it as a +matter of course. It had happened before, they said, and probably +would again. + +"But that's what we came here for--war," remarked Jerry, as he and his +chums finished their breakfast--no very elaborate meal, and one to +which little time was given. "We've got to take our chances." + +Up and down the line, on either side of the sector where the three +chums were to receive their baptism of fire, already begun, could be +heard dull booming. It was the firing of heavy guns, and might +indicate an attack in progress or one being repelled by either side. +Here the Allied and German lines were close together, in some places +the front-line trenches being less than six hundred feet apart. +Between was the famed and terrible No Man's Land. + +"I wonder if Professor Snodgrass will ever get up as far as this," +mused Ned, as they prepared to go back to their quarters and begin the +day's business. + +"The firing wouldn't keep him away, if he thought he could find some +bugs," answered Jerry. "And if he wants to ascertain the effect of +noises on crickets all he has to do is to bring the crickets here. We +can supply the noise." + +"I should say so!" agreed Bob. "It's getting worse, too! Listen to +that!" + +Indeed, with the broadening of day the noise of the big and small guns +increased. Whether a great battle was impending or merely local +engagements, the boys had no means of knowing. + +The position to which they had been brought, and where they would +spend about a week, holding the front and supporting line trenches, +until relieved by a new command, ran up and over a little wooded hill. +From this vantage point, which had more than once been stormed in vain +by the Germans, could be seen the country beyond No Man's Land--a +portion of France held by the enemy. And in the brief glimpse the +Motor Boys had of it, smoke-covered and stabbed with flashes of fire +here and there as it was, they saw something of what war meant. + +"The professor is going to have some job on his hands if he expects to +find any young ladies on the other side of that," and Ned waved his +hand to indicate the terrain possessed by the Huns. + +"Oh, we can get through if we attack in force," declared Bob. "And +maybe that's why they brought us up--there may be going to be an +attack." + +"We'll have to get through--for objects big and little; that the +professor may find his girls and his inheritance and," and here Ned's +lips set a little grimly, "that we may help to bring back freedom to +the earth." + +"There may be an attack all right, if Foch, Pershing and the other +generals think it's a good time for it," said Jerry. "But as for +having it postponed until our arrival, well, you boys have some ideas +of your ability." + +"Oh, I didn't mean that!" cried Bob. "I meant that maybe we'd be in +the big battle." + +"I hope we are," said Ned. "We want to do our share." + +This opportunity soon came to the boys. As soon as they reached their +headquarters--a series of ruined buildings in which they had passed +the night--they were told to get ready to go up and take their places +in the trenches. But first they were given a little talk by one of the +officers, who explained the necessity of donning gas masks at the +first alarm. Other instructions were given, and then, when it was seen +that every man had everything he needed, from the first-aid kit to the +grotesque-looking gas mask, the trip to the first-line trenches was +begun. + +So much has been written about the World War that it seems needless to +explain anything about the trenches. As all know, they were a series +of ditches, about six feet deep, dug along in front of similar ditches +constructed by the enemy. The distance between the two lines of +trenches varied from a few hundred feet to several thousand. + +The ditches, or trenches, were not in straight rows. They zig-zagged +to make attacks on them more difficult. There were several rows of +trenches on both sides of No Man's Land. This was so that in the event +of an attack the men could fall back from one line of trenches to the +other, fighting meanwhile to drive off the enemy. + +The trenches were narrow, about wide enough for one man, though two +might pass by squeezing. At intervals, however, were wider places +where food or wound-dressing emergency stations could be established. +At other places there were large excavations where dugouts were +constructed, and there relief parties rested and slept if they could +between periods of duty. + +The bottoms of some of the trenches were covered with "duck boards," +or short planks, with spaces between to let the water run out, and in +certain parts of France it seemed to some of the boys to rain about +three hundred out of the three hundred and sixty-five days of the +year. + +The trenches were sometimes braced with boards and cross pieces of +wood, such as is often used when a sewer is dug through the streets, +and again wicker-work, or jute bagging, might be used to hold the +earth firm. + +Below the top of the trenches, in certain places, were projections. +These were firing steps, and the men stepped up on these to aim their +rifles at the enemy. In certain other places were set up improvised +periscopes, so that an officer could look "over the top," and, by a +series of reflecting mirrors, observe what was going on in the enemy's +country. + +Again, at other places in the trenches, light artillery, such as +machine guns and grenade throwers were set up. Here and there were +little stoves to warm the food brought up whenever a relief party +could get through the rain of shells. In some places heavy concrete or +wooden dugouts were constructed, well under ground, though the Germans +did more of this than the Allies, the Hun trenches being very +elaborate at times. + +And it was to these trenches that Ned, Bob and Jerry, with their +comrades, were led. There they would remain on duty for a specified +time differing under varying conditions, or until an attack was either +made by them or by the enemy. After that, in case the enemy were +successful, trenches farther in the rear must be occupied. But in the +event of the German attack being repulsed, and a counter-attack +carrying the Allies forward, advanced trenches--possibly those +deserted by the Huns--would be used. + +"Forward!" came the command, and the three Motor Boys advanced. They +did not march long in open formation. To do this would be dangerous, +within range of the German guns as they were, and, too, they might be +seen by a Hun observer in an aeroplane. So, in a little while the +advancing squad, of which Ned, Bob and Jerry formed a part, found +itself in a communicating trench. This was a ditch dug at right-angles +to the front-line trenches, and through this the relief passed, and +food and ammunition were brought up. + +The communicating trench zig-zagged, as did the front-line ones, to +provide greater safety, and the boys finally gave up trying to guess +in which direction they were going. All they could see was the sky +above their heads. + +Suddenly, however, the trench widened, and they saw another crossing +it. At this point, too, there was what seemed to be a rough door, made +of planks nailed together. + +"This is your dugout," said the leading officer, indicating that Ned, +Bob and Jerry, with some others, were to remain there, while he led +the rest farther on. + +"Glad you've come," remarked a haggard-looking officer, who was to be +relieved by the commander of the squad in which were the three chums. + +"Has Fritz been bothering you?" asked Lieutenant Anderson, who was in +charge of the relief. + +"Has he? Well, rather! And then some! You have my permission to stay +as long as you please! Come on, boys!" and he led his war-weary men +back to a rest billet. + +"Make yourselves at home, fellows," said the lieutenant. "And wipe +your feet before you come in," he added with a laugh, as he looked +down at his muddy boots. + +The passwords had been given and received. The other relief party had +passed on to allow other worn-out men to get some rest. Ned, Bob and +Jerry looked about them. They were in a dirt ditch, filled here and +there with puddles of water from the last rain, and the clouds still +hung in the sky. + +"Where are the German trenches?" asked Ned. + +"Where? Right in front of us--over there," and the lieutenant pointed. +"Wait, I'll show you, and everybody get this, and take a lesson from +it!" he added. + +He held up a steel helmet on the end of a stick. In an instant it went +spinning off and fell at his feet in the trench. He picked it up, +pointing grimly to a neat little hole through it and said: + +"That's what will happen to any one of you if he sticks his head up. +You're in the front-line trench. Don't forget it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT PATROL + + +Every one who saw the heavy steel hat so neatly pierced by the swift +bullet was impressed by the object lesson, as the lieutenant had +intended all of them should be. But, somehow or other, Bob Baker +seemed more fascinated than either of his chums, and, indeed, more +than any other member of that particular relief squad. + +"Did a Hun bullet do that?" asked Bob, as he picked up the head +protector and looked at the hole. + +"That's what it did, my boy," answered the officer. "And that's what +will happen to you, or any one else, if you stick your head up above +the trench." + +"And the Huns did that!" murmured Bob, who seemed not to be able to +efface from his mind the picture of the punctured, spinning helmet. +"Then we're right within range of their fire." + +"Considerably so," answered the lieutenant. "In places the German +trenches are only six hundred feet away, and that's nothing for the +modern rifle. It can kill at over a mile." + +"So, Chunky," observed Jerry, "you've been under fire now." + +"Yes," said Bob, and his voice was sober, "we've been under fire." + +"Of course this isn't anything!" the lieutenant exclaimed with a +laugh, as he kicked aside the bullet-punctured helmet Bob had dropped. +"This is just a little byplay. You'll be under heavier fire than this, +but don't worry. It takes a good many bullets to get a man. However, +don't think of that. Do your duty. That's what you're here for!" + +The lieutenant looked somewhat anxiously into the faces of the relief +squad he was to command. Every officer likes to know that he has the +bravest of men in the army, and this young officer was no exception. +The firing line where the Motor Boys now were--the front-line +trenches--was no place for cowards. + +But the faces that looked back into the young lieutenant's gave no +reflection of fear. And at this he breathed in relief. There was +puzzled wonder on the countenance of some, and grim determination on +others, and this last was what counted. + +And then began for the Motor Boys and their chums a life of the utmost +tension, strenuousness, and danger, although theirs was a +comparatively quiet sector at that particular stage of the war, and +they were holding the trenches more to guard against a surprise attack +than anything else. + +"Well, there's one comfort," remarked Jerry, as he was placed in his +station in the trench, with Bob on one side and Ned on the other, both +within talking distance. + +"What?" asked Bob. "Do we get better eats here?" + +"Eats, you heathen!" exclaimed Ned. "Can't you forget that once in a +while? What are you going to do if the Germans make you a prisoner? +They won't feed you at all!" + +"Then I won't be a prisoner!" declared Bob. "But what were you going +to say about comfort, Jerry?" + +"We don't have to drill," was the answer. + +And this was true. All the life of the camp was now done away with, +even the training camp of France, where the boys had finished their +war education, so to speak. But if they did not have to drill there +was plenty else to occupy them. + +While on duty in the trench they had constantly to be on the alert, +and this not to guard against the unexpected approach of some friendly +officer, bent on determining how his sentries were performing their +duty, but to be on the watch against the approach of a deadly enemy. +There must be no sleeping--not even dozing--on post. + +Then, too, there was work to do. There was food and water to bring +up, and fire wood to scurry for when the chance offered, for it was +not often possible to bring up hot rations to the front lines, and the +boys heated their own as best they could, in discarded tin cans with a +few twigs for fuel. + +There were lines of trenches to cut, dugouts to repair after they had +been blown to bits by the German guns, and there was barbed wire to +replace under cover of darkness when it had been severed by the rain +of steel and lead from the enemy's guns. + +So the three chums and their comrades found no lack of things to keep +them busy in the trenches. They had their hours off, of course, when +they were permitted to go back to the dugout, and there, in +comparative safety, they might try to sleep. This was not easy, for +though in a manner they became used to the constant roaring and +blasting of the big guns, there was always an under-current of +disturbances of other kinds. They were on the firing line, and the +enemy did not let them forget it. + +Every day the aeroplanes went over the lines, and more than once there +was a battle in mid-air above where Ned, Bob and Jerry were on duty. +Once a Hun plane came down in flames, so near they could hear the thud +as it struck. + +At times, after a period of comparative quiet, the trenches on both +sides of No Man's Land would suddenly awaken into life. This would be +caused by a fear, either on the part of the Germans or the troops from +America, that one or the other was starting a raid. Then the machine +guns would open fire, they would be augmented by the rifles of the +men, and, if the shooting kept up long enough, the rival batteries +would awaken and the big guns would speak. + +It was one day, when the three chums had been on duty in the +front-line trench about a week, that, as they were talking about the +chance of seeing Professor Snodgrass and helping him in his search for +the two girls, something spun past Ned's head with a whine, and, with +a vicious ping, imbedded itself in the trench wall behind him. + +"What's that?" exclaimed Bob. + +"That sniper again," answered Ned. "That's the closest he's come. We'd +better move, fellows, or he may get one of us." + +"A sniper!" exclaimed Jerry. "Has he been taking pot shots at you?" + +"Several of 'em. I've tried to get him, but I can't figure out where +he hides. Better move down the trench a bit. He seems to train his gun +on this particular spot." + +"Gee!" gasped Bob. + +Bob and Jerry had moved up from their own stations to where Ned was +placed, as it was a quiet period of the day, and it was while they +were talking that the shot came. + +"I'd like to have a try at him," said Jerry. "It's queer he can send a +bullet down into this trench. It must come from above. A shot from the +German trenches wouldn't reach here over the top, unless it was fired +up, and landed here as it came down." + +"Then it would be a spent ball," argued Bob, "and it wouldn't sing out +the way that one did." + +"You're right," agreed Ned. "It was fired from above--you can tell +that by the slant it took as it came in. But it didn't come from an +aeroplane. There hasn't been any over the trench for a long while. No, +it's some German sniper, and he's out there in the woods, I believe. +Up a tree, most likely, where he can fire down into our trench. He +must have a long-range rifle." + +"We ought to try to get him," argued Jerry. "Have you, Ned?" + +"Yes, I've tried to bait him, so I could find out where he shoots from +and nip him in return, but I haven't been able to." + +"Then I'm going to have a shot at him," declared Jerry, who was rated +as an expert in the use of the rifle, as his badge showed. + +But his plan of getting revenge on the Hun, who had so nearly shot +Ned, was not destined to be carried out at once. For just then the +relief of the boys came up, and they were marched back to the dugout +for a rest period. + +It was after they had enjoyed this, and were counting on again doing +their turn in the trenches that their chance came to go out on night +patrol, one of the most dangerous missions in the line of duty. + +So far, since the Motor Boys had come up to the firing line, there had +been no really serious fighting in their immediate sector. On either +side of them there had been skirmishes, but a mile or so away, so they +had had no chance to participate. Also there had been night raids, but +Ned, Bob and Jerry had not been in them. + +This does not mean that Ned, Bob and Jerry were in no danger, for, as +has been shown, a bullet came near ending Ned's career. And aside from +this, there had been bombs dropped near them from Hun aeroplanes, and +once a whole portion of the trench, just beyond where they were +stationed, had been caved in by a shell from a German gun, and several +brave lads had been killed, while others were terribly injured. But +Ned, Bob and Jerry had come out unscathed. + +Also there had been waves of gas--the ordinary chlorine gas, and again +the more dangerous mustard variety. In fact, the Germans used their +yellow-cross and their green-cross gases alternately against the +sector where the Cresville chums were. But prompt use of the +protective masks prevented any casualties. + +So, as has been said, when the three chums were resting in the dugout, +wondering what their next duty would be, an officer came in, and, when +he had returned the salutes, he said: + +"Volunteers are wanted for a raiding party to-night. There's a German +dugout not far away, and the commander thinks we have a good chance to +get some prisoners and thus learn a thing or two about what Fritz is +up to in this section. There's also a chance, as I needn't mention, +that none of us will come back. Now then, who wants to go?" + +There was a moment of hesitation, and then, to the credit of the young +soldiers, every one stepped forward. + +"Um!" mused the officer. "I can't use you all. Thank you, just the +same. Now let's see," and he proceeded to pick out his squad. + +To their delight Ned, Bob and Jerry were selected, and at once began +to prepare for the dangerous mission. None of them gave more than a +passing thought to the reflection that all might safely return or none +of them come back. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BOB IS MISSING + + +Careful preparations had been made for this night raid. It was the +constant effort of both sides, during the period of trench fighting, +to get possession of facts which would allow successful attacks to be +carried out later. And to do this it was needful to get close to the +enemy's line. By so doing, certain things might be overheard in the +talk among the soldiers, or (for the results of the listening were +uncertain) better still, was the capture of prisoners. Once they were +taken back of the lines, questioned and searched, much of value might +be obtained. + +This, as a matter of fact, worked much better for the Americans than +it did for the Germans. If the Huns did succeed in capturing, during a +raid, some of our boys, they got little information from them about +the units with which the boys of Uncle Sam were connected. Nor did the +Huns learn much as to the strength of the forces opposed to them, +except, perhaps, in the way of exaggeration. + +"The American captive is more inclined to utter the equivalent of +'nothing doing,'" remarked Jerry, one day when discussing the matter. + +On the other hand, the German prisoners captured, almost invariably, +were glad that their fate had thus been ordered. They were sure of +decent treatment, they were in no more danger of being killed and, +more than anything else, they would be better fed than in their own +trenches. + +So it is no wonder they gave valuable information under the skilful +questioning of the American officers. Still this information had to be +carefully checked up before being acted on, as it would not do to run +into danger as a result of what some Hun captive told. + +"We are going out to try our luck," explained the lieutenant who was +to lead Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their comrades, numbering half a score, +out on a night raid. "There's a German dugout not far from here, and +near by a machine-gun nest, and if we can get close enough to rush it, +and capture those we don't kill, we may make it possible for a big +forward movement--if the information we get is of the right sort. So +get ready. Gas masks, hand grenades--rifles will be in the +way--automatic pistols, of course, and don't forget to blacken your +faces." + +This precaution was always taken by night raiding parties. The Germans +adopted the habit of sending up illuminating devices, known as "star +shells," at frequent intervals over No Man's Land. This was to guard +against a party of the enemy advancing on the trenches. The shells +gave a very bright light, and nothing stands out more conspicuously in +such a glare than a white face. So it was the custom to blacken +countenances and hands when a night-raiding party went over the top. + +It was not without a little feeling of nervousness and apprehension +that the three friends and their chums made their preparations. But it +was an apprehension of failure rather than fear. They wanted to +succeed, to get results, and they were afraid they might fail. They +were not afraid, personally. Still they were taking big chances, and +they all knew it. + +"Ought we to leave some word for Professor Snodgrass?" asked Ned, as +he and his friends were making ready about midnight. + +"Word about what?" Jerry inquired. + +"Well, in case we don't come back we can't help him in his search, as +we promised." + +"If we don't come back our friends will know it, and they can tell the +professor if he inquires for us," said Jerry grimly. "Let it go at +that. If we get back we'll be here ourselves in case the professor +ever gets this far to the front. If we don't get back--well, he'll +have to get some one else to help him. Come on!" + +The last word was given, the final preparations had been made. Then +silently, like shadows of the night, the figures crept out of the +trench in the darkness and advanced toward the German lines. + +The American barbed wire had been cut in places to let the party +through. To pass the German barrier they would have to do their own +cutting, and they were provided with tools for this purpose. + +Silently they went down the lane of wire, now and then passing grim +sentries to whom the password was given. And then, coming to the gap +in the wire, Ned, Bob and Jerry, with the others, passed through. Each +member of the party carried an automatic pistol and several hand +grenades. These were small, hollow containers, of cast-iron, loaded +with a powerful explosive, which was set off after a certain trigger +or spring or firing pin (according to the type used) was released by +the thrower. The explosive blew the grenade to bits, and it was +scored, or crisscrossed, by deep indentations so that the iron would +break up into small pieces like shrapnel. The grenades could be +carried in a pouch or in the pocket, and were harmless as long as the +detonating device was not disturbed. + +Silently the lieutenant led his men forward. Jerry Hopkins, the only +noncommissioned officer in the squad, marched next, as in the event of +the lieutenant being killed the command would fall to him. + +No talking was permitted, and each man knew what he was to do, so no +orders were necessary. On and on they went, and presently they found +themselves traveling over the battle-scarred and shell-pitted +territory of No Man's Land. They had got close to the German barbed +wire when suddenly, as though their movements had been watched, +several star shells were sent up by the Huns. + +Instantly every man in the party fell flat on his face and did not +move. It was the only thing to do. They resembled, as nearly as they +might, the dead which lay all about them on the desolate field. + +And some of the dead had been there a long time, as it was impossible +for either side to bury them, though occasionally, at night, parties +went out to bring in those in whom it was hoped a spark of life still +remained. + +Jerry found that he had thrown himself down close beside a dead Hun. +He wanted desperately to move, for his position was grimly unpleasant, +but he did not dare. This was not the most glorious side of war, but +it was vitally necessary. + +However, thanks to the precaution of blackened faces and hands, and to +the dark uniforms, the party of night-raiders must have resembled the +dead all about them, for no firing followed the illumination of star +shells. + +Then, when it was dark again, the party rose and went on. Good luck +attended them thus far, in that they reached the German barbed wire +undiscovered. Then began the ticklish work of cutting it, and in this +there was much danger. + +For some of the wire was under great tension, and, when cut, made a +twanging sound like a broken harp or piano string. And this sound +carried far in the silence of that sector. Other sectors were not so +quiet, for firing was going on along both lines of trenches, though +what movement was under way the Motor Boys did not know. + +The sound of the wire as it was cut was deadened as much as possible +by having a man hold the strand on either side of the place to be cut. +This helped some, but not always, as the wire twisted itself from the +grips of the soldiers, and sometimes the barbs injured them. + +"All cut, Lieutenant," reported Jerry, as the final strand was +severed. The commanding officer had been on watchful patrol while this +was being done. + +"Good!" was the low-voiced answer. "Come on, now. Every man with a +grenade in either hand!" + +Once more the party went forward. They were past the first German +barbed wire now, but the way was still not completely open, for more +opposing strands were found farther on. However, this was not +unexpected, for often three or more lines of this American invention +were to be found opposing the American forces. + +Once more the cutters were called into play, and as the last strand +was severed a dog, somewhere within the Hun lines, barked. Instantly +all in the raiding party crouched down, for a burst of star shells +might follow immediately. + +However, the dog must have been believed to be a false alarmist, or +else he was barking at some other disturbance than that caused by the +raiders, for darkness still reigned. + +Then, after waiting a moment to make sure all was right, the +lieutenant led his men forward. So far they had not been challenged by +the enemy, but now this immunity was to end, for when they had passed +the final wire barrier and were advancing with tense steps toward the +German dugout, with grenades in readiness, there came a sharp, +guttural order to halt. + +It was in the German tongue, as they all knew, and they all realized +that the crucial moment had come. + +The lieutenant, seeing a figure in the darkness before him, shot at it +pointblank with his pistol. There was a murmured exclamation, and the +sentry went down, his finger pressing the trigger of his rifle, +discharging it as he fell dead. + +"Come on now, boys! Give it to 'em!" cried the officer. + +"Forward!" shouted Jerry Hopkins, and with Ned and Bob at his heels he +rushed ahead, the others stumbling after him. They had reached the +German trenches, and from them now poured several defenders. The main +body were in the dugout a little farther on, and it was desired to +attack this, and, if possible, capture some prisoners. + +"Come on! Come on! Down with the Huns!" cried the lieutenant, and his +battle yell was echoed by Jerry and the others. + +Then began a fight in the dark, the details of which were never very +clear to the Motor Boys. Bob said he let loose all the grenades he had +at the advancing party of Germans and then rushed at them, head down, +as though advancing the ball for a touchdown. + +Ned declared that he fired his automatic pistol until he realized that +it was empty, and then, throwing it away, thought for the first time +of the grenades he carried. Then he began using them. + +There was a deafening noise as the grenades of the Americans exploded +in the faces of the advancing Huns, and they, in turn, threw hand +bombs and opened fire with their rifles. The attack awoke to life +sentries and guard parties all along the line, and the scene was +illuminated by a burst of star shells. + +"Come on! Into the trenches! They can't see us there so well!" yelled +Jerry. + +"That's the idea!" commanded the lieutenant. "Get to the dugout!" + +So desperate and sudden had been the attack of the Americans that, +after the first resistance, the Germans gave way and ran back, jumping +down into the trenches whence they had come. + +The raiding party asked nothing better than to follow, and for a time +pursued the Huns along their own trenches, the bursting star shells +above giving light enough to see. + +"Are you there--Ned--Bob?" demanded Jerry, as he ran on, following the +tortuous line of the trench. + +"I'm here!" answered Ned. + +"So'm I," added Bob. "Haven't a shot left, though." + +"Here, take these," and Jerry handed over some spare grenades he had +in a pouch slung at his back. "Don't pot any of our men, though. Some +are ahead of us." + +On ran the Motor Boys, and in another moment they came to the +dugout--a pretentious affair of concrete, now well lighted, for the +alarm of the attack had spread. + +One of the raiding party threw a hand grenade inside the structure. +There was a powerful explosion, not enough, indeed, to wreck the stout +place, but sufficient to send the inmates scurrying out--what were +left of them. + +"_Kamerad! Kamerad!_" some of the wounded ones cried, and others held +up their hands. + +"Come on!" shouted the lieutenant. "Gather 'em in and let's get back. +This place is getting too hot for us." + +He spoke with truth, for on all sides the big guns were now beginning +to bark, and a general engagement might be precipitated. + +Some of the Americans snatched guns from the now cowed Germans, and +prodded them back along the trench with the points of the bayonets. +Others held hand grenades or automatic pistols ready, and the order to +retreat was given. + +Half a dozen Hun prisoners had been captured, but at a price, for when +the lieutenant, hurrying his men back across No Man's Land, began to +look over his party, he found three were missing. They had either been +killed or wounded, or were left prisoners in the trenches. + +"Are you there, boys?" asked Jerry again, of his chums, and he +received reassuring answers from both. + +"Hurt?" was his next inquiry, as they raced across the stretch, +stopping every time there was a burst of star shells, and crouching +down, making their prisoners do the same, to take shelter in some +shell holes, some half-filled with water and others containing dead +bodies. + +"I'm all right," Bob answered. "Only a bit scratched by some Hun's +bayonet, I guess." + +"A bullet or a bayonet touched me in the side," came from Ned. "It's +bleeding a bit, but not much. I'm all right." + +Some of the others who were able to come back were not so fortunate, +however, and two died later of wounds received in that night raid. + +But the main party succeeded in getting back to the American lines, +and hurried through the opening in the barbed wire, where a relief or +a rescue party, whichever might be required, was in waiting. + +"Good work!" commended the captain to his lieutenant. "And you got +some prisoners?" + +"Six!" + +"That's fine. Couldn't be better. Get down now, there may be a Hun +barrage in a minute. They'll be ripping mad when they find out what's +happened. This was one of their main posts, and Prussians were on +guard." + +Jerry and Ned were each guarding a Hun prisoner, making him walk along +ahead with upraised hands, while the guns, taken away from the Germans +themselves, served as compelling weapons. + +Into the trenches they had left a short time before the raiders made +their way, and went to the dugout where they were to report. There the +commanding officer of that sector met them. + +Coming into the comparatively well-lighted place from the darkness, +Jerry blinked as he looked at the captured Germans and then glanced to +see how badly Ned was hurt. + +He saw that his chum was pale, and noted blood on his hands, but Ned +smiled in a reassuring way. Then, for the first time, Jerry noticed +that Bob was not with them. + +"Where's Chunky?" he demanded. + +"Who?" asked the lieutenant. "I thought we only left Black, Jones, and +Porter behind. Is there another missing?" + +"Bob Baker, sir," answered Jerry. "But he was with us when we got back +within our own wire. I was talking to him." + +"Send out a searching party!" ordered the captain. "It is possible he +was hit and didn't say anything about it, or a stray bullet may have +found him after he reached our lines. Send out and see!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"JUST LIKE HIM!" + + +Jerry and Ned both confessed, afterward, that the sinking feeling, +which seemed to carry their hearts away down into their muddy shoes, +was greater at the knowledge that Bob was missing than it had been +when they set out in the darkness to raid the Germans across the +desolate stretch of No Man's Land. + +It was all so unexpected. He had gone through the baptism of fire with +them--he had helped capture the Huns--and had been, seemingly, all +right on the return trip. And then, on the very threshold of his own +army home, so to speak, he had disappeared. + +"Did any one see him fall or hear of his being hit?" asked the +lieutenant, as he prepared to lead out a searching party. Ned and +Jerry, of course, and by rights, would be members of it. + +"No, he was right near me, Sir, and he said particularly, when I asked +him, that he was only scratched," declared Jerry. "I made sure Ned was +the worst hurt." + +"How much are you hurt?" asked the captain, turning to Jerry's chum. + +"Oh, it's only a scratch, Sir," was the quick answer. "I can't feel it +now." + +Ned did not speak the exact truth, but he did not want to be kept back +from the search. + +"Very well," said the captain. "You may go, but don't go too far. Much +as we would like to find Baker we must not take too many chances and +endanger this whole post. Be as quick as you can." + +With their hearts torn between a desire for vengeance and +apprehension, Ned and Jerry went out with the others. The riot started +by the raid had quieted down, and it was possible for the searchers to +advance above their own trenches without drawing the German fire. + +First the sentries who had been on duty near the gap in the American +wire were questioned. They had seen the party depart and come back, +but they had not noticed any member of it fall as though wounded, and +they were positive no Germans had been able to get near enough to +capture Private Baker. + +"But what can have happened to him?" asked the lieutenant. + +"He may have been wounded internally, and didn't speak of it, Sir," +suggested Ned, whose own wound was troubling him woefully. "Then he +may have become so weak that he fell in the trench somewhere without a +sound." + +"That is possible. We must make a careful search." + +This was done with pocket flashlights, for any general illumination +would have, perhaps, drawn a German attack. But no sign of Bob was +revealed. It was most mysterious, how he could disappear so suddenly +and completely. Of course, in the general confusion, much more than +this might have happened and not been noticed. But unless he had gone +back after speaking to Jerry, he must either have fallen well within +the American lines or have been captured there. And the last did not +seem possible. + +"Well," said the lieutenant, "we'll have to go over in No Man's Land +and take a chance there. He must have gone back after something, and +been potted. I'll have to go back and report and----" + +He paused to listen. The tramp of approaching feet could be heard +along the trench. Every man stood at attention, for it was possible +that the enemy had slipped in between sentries and were going to pay a +return visit. + +But a moment later the murmur of voices was heard--voices that were +unmistakably American. Some one asked: + +"Is your squad stationed here?" + +"About here, yes, Sir," was the answer, coming out of the darkness. + +"It's Chunky!" cried Jerry. + +"That's Bob!" added Ned, joyously. + +And a moment later there came into the dim light of the flashlights +the stout chum himself, escorted by three soldiers. He seemed to be +all right, and he carried something that was not a grenade, in one +hand. + +"Where have you been, Chunky?" demanded Jerry. "We've been looking +everywhere for you." + +"Yes," added the lieutenant, "will you please explain why you did not +report back with the rest of us?" + +Bob seemed a trifle surprised at the rather stern order, but he smiled +and answered: + +"Why, I thought, as long as we got back all right, I was relieved from +duty, so I went to get something to eat." + +"Something to eat!" exclaimed the lieutenant. + +"Something to eat," calmly repeated Bob. "You see it was this way. I +was terribly hungry----" + +"Nothing unusual," murmured Jerry, but the stout lad, paying no +attention to the interruption, went on: + +"So when I got back with the rest, after we captured the Huns, I +smelled something cooking farther up in our trenches. I knew some of +the fellows on duty there, and I felt sure they'd give me something to +eat. It was liberty links they were cooking, sir, and----" + +"Liberty links!" interrupted the lieutenant. "What are those?" + +"They used to be called Frankfurters," explained Bob with a grin; "but +since the war that's too German. So I went to get some liberty links, +and I got 'em!" he added with a sigh of satisfaction. + +"Well! Well!" exclaimed the lieutenant. And then, as he thought of +what Bob and the others had gone through with that night, he had not +the heart to add more. + +"I only meant to run up in a hurry to where they were cooking 'em," +explained Bob, "and come back with some for my bunkies. But I got to +talking and eating----" + +"Mostly eating," murmured Jerry. + +"And then I forgot to come back," finished Bob. + +"We told him he'd better report, Sir," said one of the escorting +party. "He was with our bunch all right, and when he told us he'd been +out with the night raiders and had slipped off before reporting back, +we told him he'd better report. So we showed him the way, as the +trenches are sort of mixed up around here." + +"Very well," said the lieutenant, trying not to smile. "You may go +back to your posts. Everything is explained." + +And so Bob was restored to his company again, and in view of the +successful raid no reprimand was given him. The capture of the German +prisoners proved important, as information was obtained that proved of +the greatest value afterward. + +Ned's wound turned out to be only a flesh one, but it was painful +enough, and kept him in the hospital a week. He would have fretted +over thus being kept away while Bob and Jerry were fighting, but, as a +matter of fact, his two chums received a rest period at this time, and +so were out of the trenches the same time that Ned was. + +But the war was far from won, and every man possible was needed on the +firing line, so that, in due season, the three chums found themselves +back again. And under no very pleasant circumstances. + +For it rained and rained, and then rained some more, though Jerry +insisted that where they got the water from was a mystery. + +It was a most desolate period, when the trenches were knee-deep in mud +and when casualties mounted by reason of unusual activity on the part +of the Huns. But the three friends and their comrades stuck grimly to +the work. There were local attacks, and counter-attacks, and night +raids, in all of which Ned, Bob and Jerry did their share. + +Then, one day, they were given a surprise. Some new recruits were +brought up to the front-line trenches, to be initiated, and among them +was Noddy Nixon. + +"I've come to show you fellows how to get a Hun!" he boasted in his +usual style. "Give me a chance, and I'll show you how to fight, though +I'd rather be in an aeroplane." + +"Truth to tell, I guess he'd rather be back home, but he doesn't dare +go," declared Jerry. + +Not very much to their delight, the Motor Boys learned that Noddy was +to be quartered near them, and he was on duty in the trenches in the +post adjoining theirs. + +There came a period of fierce attacks on the part of the Huns, when +they laid down such an artillery barrage that for three days it was +impossible for any relief to come to the men in the trenches, and they +had to live on what food they had when the firing began. They did not +actually starve, but there was not any too much to eat, and there was +a lack of hot things, which were much needed as it rained almost +constantly. + +By hard work Ned, Bob and Jerry had managed to get together some wood +which they kept dry in a niche in the trench, lined with pieces of +tin. The wood they used to make a little fire to warm their coffee. + +Coming in from several hours of duty one rainy evening, the three +chums were anticipating having something hot to drink made over their +little fire of cached wood. + +But when Bob, who by virtue of his appetite considered himself the +cook, went to get the fuel, it was not there. + +"Boys, the wood is gone!" he cried. + +"Who took it?" demanded Jerry. + +Ned inspected the place. He picked up a piece of damp paper, and in +the light of his flash torch read the scrawled writing which said: + + "Borrowed your wood. Give it back to you some day. + + "NODDY NIXON." + +For a moment there was silence, and then Jerry burst out with: + +"Well, if that isn't just like him--the dirty sneak!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A DESPERATE CHANCE + + +Disappointment rendered the three chums incapable of action for the +moment. They just stood and looked at the place where their little +store of wood had been hidden. Now it was gone, and with it the hope +of a hot supper from that particular source. + +"What are we going to do?" asked Bob blankly. + +"We ought to go down to the post where that sneak is and get the wood +back," declared Ned. "And tell his chums what sort of fellow they have +bunking with 'em!" + +"No, don't do that," advised Jerry, who had cooled down after his +first passionate outburst. "That will make trouble. Noddy would only +laugh at us, and some of the others might. It isn't the first time +wood has been taken." + +"I was just hungry for something hot," sighed Bob, as he thought of +the cold rations. + +"So was I," added Ned. "Isn't there anything we can do?" he went on. + +Jerry looked about. Here and there about the dugout their comrades +were eating as best they could, no one, it appeared, having anything +hot. It was at a critical period during the fighting, and the +commissary and transportation departments were suffering from a +temporary breakdown. Still the men had enough to eat, such as it was. + +"Well, we might as well have grub now--even if it is cold," said +Jerry, after considering matters. "No telling when we'll have to stand +off a Hun raid or go into one ourselves, and then we won't have time +to eat." + +"That's so!" agreed Bob, more cheerfully. "It would be fierce if we +didn't have anything to chew on at all. But when I catch that Noddy +Nixon--well, he'd better watch his step, that's all." + +"He's a coward, and lazy!" declared Ned. "Else he'd rustle his own +wood. I had hard work to get that bunch. There was a German sniper who +had a pretty fine bead on the place where I saw the sticks, but I went +down the trench a way, and began firing at him from there." + +"Did you hit him?" asked Bob eagerly. + +"No, I didn't expect to. But I drew his attention to that particular +spot. He thought a sharpshooter was there, and he laid his plans to +get him. That took his attention off the pile of wood, and I sneaked +out and got it. Now Noddy Nixon has it!" + +"I hope he burns his tongue on the hot soup or coffee or whatever he +heats with it," was the most charitable thing Jerry said. And the +others echoed this. Their nerves were on edge from the constant +fighting and danger they were in, and they were in no mood to be +trifled with. And at such times trifles that otherwise would be +laughed at assumed large proportions. + +However, there was no help for it. The three chums, as did their +comrades in the trenches, ate their supper cold, and then, cleaning +themselves as best they could from the wet, sticky mud, they prepared +to get what sleep they might until it was their turn to go on duty +again. + +The dugout was as comfortable as any of its kind, but it was not like +home, of course, and its accommodations were far short of even the +worst camps the Motor Boys had put up at during their many journeys. +Still there was not a word of complaint. It was war--war for +freedom--and discomforts were laughed at. + +"Name of a name, how it rains! as our friends the French say," +exclaimed Jerry, as he came into the dugout prepared to turn in, for +he had been sent on a message by an officer after supper. + +"Hard?" asked Ned, who, like Bob, was in a sort of bunk. + +"Hard? I should say so. Look; my tin hat is dented from the drops!" +and Jerry took it off and pretended to point out indentations made by +the rain drops. He shook his slicker, and a spray of moisture flew +about. + +"Here! Quit that!" called a tall, lanky soldier from the bunk across +from Jerry. "If you want to give a moving picture of a Newfoundland +dog go outside! I'm just getting dry." + +"Beg your pardon, old man!" exclaimed Jerry. "I didn't realize how wet +I was." + +He took off some of his garments, hanging them where they might +possibly get partly dry by morning, and then turned in. Whether he and +his chums would get a peaceful night's sleep or not, depended on the +Huns across No Man's Land. If an attack was started it meant that the +soldiers in the dugouts, as well as those on guard in the trenches, +would have to jump into the fight. With this end in view, every one on +turning in for the night had his weapons ready, and few did more than +make an apology for undressing. That was left until they went on rest +billet. Guns, grenades and gas masks were in readiness for instant +use. + +But the night passed undisturbed. + +"Oh, for some hot coffee!" exclaimed Bob, as he tumbled out the next +morning in answer to the call to duty. + +"Dry up!" ordered Jerry. "You ought to be glad to get it cold!" + +"Well, I'll try to be," assented Bob. "Where's Ned?" + +"Said he was going to see if he could get a bit of wood for a fire. +But if he finds any, which isn't likely, it'll be as wet as a sponge +after this rain. Suffering hand grenades! will it ever let up?" cried +Jerry, for it was still pouring. + +Simple preparations were going on for breakfast. There was no sign yet +of any of the carriers with big kettles of hot coffee or soup, and it +was evident that the commissary had not yet been reorganized since the +last breakdown. + +Afterward the boys learned that the reason for the failure of their +supplies to arrive was due to the fact that their sector was +temporarily cut off by an attempted flanking movement on the part of +the Germans. The Americans were in greater danger than they knew, but, +at the time, all they thought of was the lack of hot rations. + +"Ned ought to come back," remarked Jerry, as he and Bob prepared to +eat. "He'll be reported late, and this isn't any time for that. I +guess----" + +But Jerry did not finish, for just then came a tremendous explosion, +so close that for a moment he and Bob thought a Hun shell had been +dropped in the dugout near which they were sitting under an improvised +shelter. + +Instantly the trench was a scene of feverish activity. Everyone +expected a raid, and breakfast was hastily set aside, while the +soldiers caught up their guns. + +"It's all right," an officer called. "Fritz just took a pot shot at +one of our trucks out on the road." + +"Did he get it, Sir?" asked Jerry. + +"I should say so! Look here!" + +A curve in the road passed close by this line of trenches. It was a +road used to take supplies to another part of the American battleline, +and vehicles passed along it only at night, as it was within range of +some of the German guns, though fairly well camouflaged. But this auto +truck, returning in the early hours of the morning after having +delivered a load of ammunition, had been caught by a shell. Afterward +it was learned that the truck had broken down on the return trip and +that the driver had been delayed in repairing it, so that he had to +pass the danger point in daylight. + +Whether or not the German battery was on the lookout for just such a +chance as this, or whether it was a mere fortuitous opportunity of +which advantage was taken, could not be learned. But a shell +containing high explosive, though, fortunately for the driver, not a +large one, landed near the automobile and shattered it. + +This was the detonation which had so startled Jerry and Bob, and now, +with others, they looked over the top of the trench at the ruins of +the truck. It was blown apart, and the wooden body and wheels were +scattered about while the engine was a mere mass of twisted and fused +metal. + +"Look! They didn't get the driver!" cried Bob, for as he spoke the man +in charge of the truck picked himself up from a clump of bushes where +he had been tossed, and limped toward the American line. He had +escaped death by a miracle. + +Then something else attracted the attention of Bob, Jerry, and the +others. It was the sight of Ned Slade creeping along toward a pile of +splintered wood--all that was left of the demolished truck. + +"Who's that? What is he doing?" cried the officer in charge of that +part of the trench. "Does he hope to rescue the driver? Can't he see +that the man is safe and is coming in? Who is he?" + +"Private Slade, Sir," replied Jerry. + +"But what is he doing? That's a foolhardy piece of business, trying to +reach that truck. It's under the fire of the German trench, as well as +within range of their battery. What is he trying to do?" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SNIPER + + +All stood looking from the trench at the actions of Ned Slade. + +"Look!" cried Bob, pointing to his chum. "He's picking up pieces of +wood!" + +"Has he gone crazy?" murmured the officer, peering through his glasses +at Private Slade. "Does he think he can salvage anything from the +wreck?" + +Just what Ned was thinking of was not evident. He moved here and there +amid the ruins of the ammunition automobile, picking up bits of wood +until his arms could hold no more. It was raining heavily, and when +Ned stepped into a puddle the mud and water could be seen to splash. + +And then, when Ned could carry no more and turned to come back to his +own trench, the Germans, in theirs, suddenly awoke to the chance they +had been missing. There were sharp reports, and something besides rain +drops splashed into the pools of water all about Ned. + +"They're firing at him! He'll be killed!" cried Bob. + +"It seems very likely!" said the officer grimly. "Who gave him +permission to go out like that, and why did he do it?" + +No one answered. No one knew what to say. + +And now Ned, aware of his own danger, began to run toward the trench. +He came on, stooping over to offer less of a target to the Germans, +and he zig-zagged as he leaped forward. But through it all, through +the hail of lead, he did not drop the pieces of the demolished truck +he had picked up. + +The firing from the German lines became hotter, and a machine gun +began to splutter. + +"It's all up with him now!" said the officer, with something like a +groan. "I'll order our guns to shell the Hun trench, but it will be +too late!" + +He jumped down off the firing step, where he and the others, including +Jerry and Bob, were standing, and started for the nearest telephone +that connected with a battery. + +Just then Ned was seen to stagger. + +"He's hit!" some one cried. + +But if he was the lad who had taken such a desperate chance did not +stop. He dropped a piece of wood, but still he ran on, stooping over, +and darting from side to side. + +And at last he reached the trench where Bob, Jerry, and his other +comrades awaited him. The rain had made the top of the trench +slippery, and Ned, striking this while going at full speed, fairly +slid down into the ditch, the wood dropping from his arms all about. + +"There you are!" he cried, as he recovered himself. "Enough wood for +two fires! Now we can have something hot for breakfast! Bob, start the +coffee boiling! I'm like you--hungry!" + +For a moment the others stood staring at him, and then the officer +came back. + +"Did they get him?" he cried. "If they did they'll pay for it. We'll +wipe out the Hun trench in another minute!" + +Then he saw Ned, standing, surrounded by the splintered, wooden parts +of the ammunition truck. + +"Oh, you're here," said the officer, mechanically, as Ned saluted. +"Well, what in the name of General Pershing did you want to do that +for?" + +"I wanted some wood to make a fire for breakfast, Sir," answered Ned +simply. "Some one took our supply last night, and when I saw the truck +blown to pieces and noticed that the driver was safe, I thought it a +good chance to get some fairly dry fuel. So I took it. Better pick it +up though, or it won't be dry long," he added to Jerry, and the +latter, with Bob's help, obeyed. Ned had done his share. + +The officer stared at Ned as though the young soldier were a new sort +of fighter, and then, with a shake of his head, turned away. It was +past belief or understanding. + +As the three chums moved back to where they had set up an improvised +stove, where they could build a fire with the truck pieces Ned had +brought in, the ground shook with the thunder of the American guns +that soon enforced silence in the German trenches. It was revenge for +having fired on Ned. + +Technically Ned had been guilty of a breach of the regulations, but +though his venture into the open had resulted in a whole battery being +sent into action, nothing further was said, officially, of his +conduct. Perhaps his bravery was admired by the officer who saw it. + +At any rate Ned, Bob and Jerry had a warm breakfast, which they shared +with some of their chums, and then the day's duty began. It was +performed in the rain, that seemed never-ceasing. The bottom of the +trench was a ditch of mud, in spite of the duck boards laid down. + +"Too bad Professor Snodgrass isn't here," remarked Ned, as he pulled +one foot up from the mud and looked at it with the remark that he +wanted to make sure he still had the foot attached to his person. + +"Too bad the professor isn't here! Why?" asked Bob. + +"Oh, he might find some new kind of bug in this--soup!" and Ned +stirred the thick mud in the bottom of the trench with the butt of his +gun. "It might be more interesting than seeing how noises affect +French crickets." + +"Crickets!" cried Jerry. "I feel sorry for any self-respecting cricket +that would stay here to be affected. But, speaking of the professor, I +wish we could see him again. It would be like hearing from home, and +the letters are few and far between." + +"That's right," admitted Ned. They had had some missives from their +people, and also the girls, Alice, Helen and Mollie, while Bob, in +addition, had had a note from Helena Schaeffer, who said she was +knitting for the Red Cross. But, of late, no mail had come in. + +"I shouldn't be surprised to see the professor walk in on us any day," +mused Jerry. "He's likely to do it." + +"Then he'd better get a hustle on, or he may not find us here," +observed Ned. + +"Why not?" Bob inquired. + +"Well, there's a rumor that we're soon going to attack again," +answered Ned. "And when we go over the top we don't come back to the +old trenches. We make new ones. So the professor, if he doesn't come +soon, may find we have changed our address." + +"Going to make an attack!" Jerry spoke softly. "Well, that's the way +to win the war. I hope it will stop raining, though. I hate to fight +in the rain." + +But still the dreary drizzle kept up, and through it the soldiers +plodded in the mud of the trench. It was nearly time for the three +chums to be relieved when Ned, who had a post at the right of Jerry, +suddenly gave a start, following a distant report. + +"What is it?" asked his tall chum. + +In answer Ned pointed to a spattery hole in the trench wall behind +him. + +"The German sniper again," he said. "And I'm going to see if I can't +spot him. We've got to get him!" + +Ned took off his tin helmet and put it on his bayonet. Then he slowly +raised it above the top of the trench, at the spot where the bullet +had come in. A moment later there was a vicious "ping!" and the helmet +bore a deep indentation. + +"Spotted!" cried Ned. "I see where he keeps himself! And now, fellows, +if you'll help, we'll get Mr. Fritz Sharpshooter, and get him good! +I've got his address now!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +OVER THE TOP + + +"We haven't much time," remarked Jerry, as he glanced at the watch on +his wrist. "We'll be relieved in five minutes." + +"That's long enough," returned Ned, with a grim laugh. "If this fellow +who has tried to get me--or one of you--so often, runs true to form, +he's done his last shooting. I know where he keeps himself." + +"Where?" asked Bob. + +Ned took his chums by the arms, and led them a little way down the +trench where there was an improvised periscope. It was not being used +by the officer in charge just then, and Ned peered through it. + +He said nothing for a moment, and then called to Jerry: + +"Take a look at that brush pile just inside the first line of German +wire." + +"I see it," remarked Jerry, after a look through the mirror +arrangement. + +"Well, that's where Mr. Fritz is keeping himself," said his chum. +"It's just in line with the direction from which that last bullet +came. I've been thinking for some time that he was hidden there, but I +wasn't sure until I saw the flash of his gun as he nearly hit me just +now. But now I'll get him!" + +"That bush doesn't seem big enough to shelter a man," observed Bob, as +he, too, took an observation. + +"There's a hole dug under it, and he's hiding in that," said Ned. "At +first I thought the sharpshooter was popping at us from some height, +and I believe he was, a week or so back. But now he has changed his +tactics. He's doing ground sniping, and that bit of bush hasn't any +roots." + +"What do you mean?" asked Jerry. + +"I mean it's a bit of camouflage. The sharpshooter moves it about with +him, thinking we'll believe it's natural. He scoops a hole, gets in +with only his head sticking out, and puts this bit of foliage in front +of him as a screen. Now, Bob, you take your helmet, and when I tell +you hold it up on your gun. Jerry, you come with me down the trench a +way, and please don't fire until after I do. If I miss, you get him, +but I want first shot. + +"I want Bob to draw his fire, if he can," explained Ned. "I'll be in +reserve to shoot as soon as I see the flash. If I miss you take him. +It's got to be nip and tuck, and we'll have to make it a snap shot, +for he'll drop back into the hole after he fires." + +"Go to it!" advised the tall lad. "I'm with you." + +Quickly they made their preparations. While Ned and Jerry went a +little way down the trench, Bob took off his helmet and put it on the +end of his gun. He then awaited the signal from Ned. + +"Show your tin hat!" + +Slowly, and simulating as much as possible a soldier raising his head +above the top line of the trench, Bob elevated the helmet. Hardly had +he done so when there came a sharp crack, and the helmet spun around +on the point of the bayonet as a juggler spins a plate on the end of +his walking stick. + +"Right O!" cried Ned, and, almost in the same detonation as the firing +of the German's gun, Ned's rifle spoke. The clump of bushes seemed to +spout up into the air, blown by some underground explosion, and then a +figure was seen to half leap from what must have been an excavation. + +"You got him!" cried Jerry. + +"Yes," assented Ned, as he lowered his gun. "You won't have to shoot, +old man. Fritz won't do any more pot-hunting." + +So that was the end of one German sharpshooter. + +The three chums were congratulated by their relief, which came soon +after that, on ridding that part of this particular sector of a menace +that had long been in evidence. More than one American had been killed +or wounded either by this sharpshooter or by one who had adopted the +same tactics, and Ned, Bob and Jerry had well earned the thanks of +their comrades. + +"Have you heard anything more about going over the top soon?" asked +Jerry. + +"Nothing definite," replied Ned, who had started the rumor. "But don't +you feel a sort of tenseness all around--as though something were +going to happen?" + +"I do," answered Bob. "I think it's going to happen that I'm going to +have some chow. I smell it coming!" + +"You're a heathen materialist!" declared Ned. + +Bob proved a true prophet, for a few minutes later a relief squad came +to the dugout with a traveling kitchen, or rather, some of the +products of one in the shape of hot beef stew and coffee. + +Following the ending of the career of the German sniper, the three +Motor Boys, after several strenuous days in the trenches, went back +again to a rest billet. There they recuperated, and really enjoyed +themselves. There were letters from home to cheer them, and also a +communication from Professor Snodgrass. + +The little scientist said he had tried in vain to get some trace of +the two missing girls, and expressed the hope of seeing the boys soon, +to get the benefit of any advice they could give him. He also stated +that he was progressing well with his scientific work of noting the +effect of terrific noises on insects. But, somehow or other, the Motor +Boys did not take as much interest in the pursuit of the scientist as +they had formerly. + +"The war has changed everything," declared Jerry. + +"But, of course, we'll help him find the girls if we can," suggested +Ned. + +"Oh, of course," agreed his tall chum. + +Their stay in the rest camp was made pleasant by the ministrations of +the Y. M. C. A. and the Knights of Columbus representatives. The chums +and their comrades spent much time in the different huts, where they +were entertained and could get hot chocolate, candy or chewing +gum--rations not then issued by the army commissary. + +"If it wasn't for these organizations war would be a whole lot worse +than it is," declared Jerry, as they came from a Y. M. C. A. meeting +and moving-picture show one evening. + +"And don't forget the Salvation Army!" chimed in Bob. "The fried holes +those lassies turn out are the best I ever ate--not excepting those +mother used to make." + +"Yes, those doughnuts fill a big void, even if they have a hole in the +middle," agreed Ned. + +But all good things--even Salvation Army doughnuts--come to an end +some time, and so did the rest period of the three friends. Back to +the trenches they went, to find out that what Ned had predicted was +about to happen. An attack of considerable magnitude was in +preparation, and it was to be as much of a surprise to the Germans as +possible. + +"It's going to be over the top all right," declared Jerry, when, one +evening, they received their final instructions. The attack, preceded +by a brief artillery preparation, was to take place at dawn, the "zero +hour" selected. + +It was believed, and was proved true as after events showed, that by +considerably shortening the artillery fire, the Germans would be +unprepared. They were used to the big guns bombarding them for a day +or more at a stretch before the infantry came over. This was to be a +change. + +The night before the attack was a nervous one. Yet those not on duty +managed to get some sleep. For many it would be their last. + +Then came the general awakening, and the moving of the men along the +trenches to the posts assigned to them. Each squad of men was in +charge of an officer, commissioned or noncommissioned, and in Jerry's +squad were Ned and Bob. + +"Go over the top with a rush when you get the signal, which will be +three whistles after the barrage has ceased," were the instructions, +and Ned, Bob, and Jerry, with their comrades, prepared to do this. + +There was a period of tense waiting and then, with a suddenness that +shook their nerves and bodies, as well as the whole earth about them, +the big guns opened fire. + +That the Germans were taken by surprise was evident by the failure to +answer. For perhaps five minutes it seemed as though a thousand of the +most terrific of thunder storms had been condensed into one. + +Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the firing ceased. The "zero hour" +had arrived. + +Three shrill whistles, repeated from many points, sounded on the now +silent but quivering air. Not a German gun had yet awakened. + +"Over the top!" came the cry, and the friends, with thousands of other +brave lads, scrambled up the ladders from the trenches and started +toward the German lines. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +"FRIED HOLES" + + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry were stationed in a sector which was alternately +defending the lines against the Germans and attacking them in that +part of the country where the trend of the war eventually led up to +the terrific battles of St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest. But, up to +this time, no one had guessed that the whole nature of the war would +be so quickly changed with the advent of the Americans, nor was it +suspected what terrible fighting would have to be undertaken by our +boys; though, of course, they were ready for the worst. + +So that the battle in which the Motor Boys and their comrades were now +about to engage was merely what was termed a local engagement. + +Nevertheless, it meant everything--life and death--to those engaged in +it, though there was never a thought of death in the hearts of any of +the brave men who went over the top as the big guns ceased thundering +and the shrill whistles gave the signal. + +"Come on, boys!" yelled Jerry, as he led Bob and Ned forward, +followed by the others in the particular squad of which Jerry had +charge. "Come on!" + +"Yi! Yi! Yip!" screamed a young giant from the South, as he leaped +ahead of some of his chums to the side of Jerry. "Show the Fritzies +how we fight!" + +And together he and Jerry rushed on, followed by Ned and Bob--a +quartette acting as one man. + +It was the first really big battle in which the Cresville chums had +taken part. They had been out on skirmish work and on night patrol, +and they had come in conflict with parties of Germans, but no large +bodies. They had even each been wounded slightly, but never before, in +all their lives, had they had a part in such a hailstorm of death, +such a turmoil of blood, mud, smoke, gas and flying bullets as now. On +and over the rough shell-pitted ground they rushed toward the German +trenches. On they rushed in the gray dawn of the morning, firing as +they ran, hardly stopping to take aim, for they could see the gray, +indefinite mass before them, and knew they were the German troops who +had rushed out of their trenches to meet the onslaught. + +At first the attack had been a surprise--a surprise so great that the +Germans could not, at the beginning, reply even with adequate rifle +fire, to say nothing of artillery and machine guns. + +But, in a moment, seemingly, all this was changed. Tongues and slivers +of fire began to spit out from the gray ranks opposing the Americans. +There was a snarl of the lighter artillery guns, the spiteful bark of +the rifles and the wicked rat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns, which the +Germans depended on, more than on anything else, to stop a rush of our +infantry. + +Half way across No Man's Land rushed Ned, Bob, and Jerry, with their +cheering, madly yelling comrades, and then the toll of death began. It +was the fortune of war. Those that lived by rifles and bayonets must +perish by them, and for the deaths that they exacted of the Huns their +lives were exacted in return. + +Jerry, who with grim-set face and blazing eyes rushed on at the side +of the tall Southern giant, heard a dull thud. Then came a sort of +gasping, choking cry that was audible even above the horrid din of +battle. Jerry, in a glance, saw his big comrade crumple up in a heap, +the whole front of his body torn away by a piece of shell. And for one +terrible instant Jerry felt that he, himself, must fall there, too, so +terrible was the sight. But he nerved himself to go on, and a backward +glance showed that Bob had to leap over the dead body of the lad who +but a moment before was yelling encouragement to others. + +But it was war, and it had to be. + +On and on they rushed. Now they were at the first line of the German +barbed wire. Some of it had been cut by the swift firing of shrapnel +before the troops came from their trenches. But enough remained to be +a hindrance, and quickly the men with cutters surged forward to open +the way. + +It was while the Americans were held up here that the Germans took +fearful and heavy toll of them with their machine guns, which were now +sputtering with terrific firing. Scores of brave men went down, some +never to rise again. Others, only slightly wounded, staggered for a +minute, paused behind some dead comrade's body to adjust a bandage, +and then went on. + +Forward they rushed. Through the barbed wire now, trampling down the +cruel strands, never heeding the bleeding wounds it tore in them, +never heeding the storm of bullets, minding not the burst of shrapnel +or high explosive. + +On and on they went, yelling and shouting; maddened with righteous +anger against a ruthless foe. Forward once more. Somehow, though how +they did it they never knew, Ned, Bob, and Jerry stuck close to one +another. Since the death of the Southerner the three chums were in +line together, and stormed on. Their rifles were hot in their hands, +but still they fired. + +"The first-line trenches!" yelled Ned, as he pointed through the +smoke. + +And there, indeed, they were. They had passed over No Man's Land +through a storm of death which held many back. They had mastered the +barrier of the wire, and now were at the first line of the German +defense. And so fierce and terrible had been the rush of the Americans +the Germans had fallen back, so that, save for lifeless gray bodies, +the trenches were unoccupied. + +"Forward! Forward! Don't stop! Go on!" yelled the officers. + +A certain objective had been set, and the commanders were fearful lest +the troops, thinking that to capture the first German trenches was +enough, would stop there. + +But they need not have been apprehensive. The boys of Uncle Sam were +not of that sort. They wanted to come in closer contact with the +Boches. And they did. + +On over the first-line trenches they rushed, but now the fighting +became hotter, for they were in the midst of machine-gun nests, placed +there for just such a contingency. Death was on every side +now--horrible death. A bullet clipped Jerry's ear, but he only +laughed--half madly and unconsciously, no doubt--and rushed on. A man +was killed in front of him, and, falling forward, tripped the tall +lad, so that, for one terrible instant Bob and Ned thought their chum +had been killed. But Jerry sprang up again, and, seeing a knot of +Germans just ahead of him, tossed a hand grenade among them. As a wisp +of fog shuts out a view, so the smoke of the grenade hid the group of +Huns for a moment. And when a swirl of the air lifted the smoke +curtain, a gray heap on the ground was all that remained. It was like +some vision of the night, constantly changing. + +On and on they rushed, shouting and shooting, yelling and being yelled +at. They panted for breath, their tongues clove to their dry mouths, +they suffered horribly for water, but there was only blood about +them. + +Forward they surged. So great was the first rush that they fairly were +carried--it did not seem that they took themselves--beyond the last of +that particular line of German trenches. Now they were actually on the +open ground beyond--the space where the Huns had their reserves, and +these were now quickly thrown into the battle. + +Clip after clip of cartridges had been used by the boys, and they were +drawing on their reserve supply now. But the battle was not going with +the same rush. The Germans were holding even as a desperate eleven +holds when it is on its own goal line and the opponents are madly +striving to shove it over and out of the way, that a touchdown may be +made. + +Following the instructions they had received, the Americans began to +look for what shelter they could find--a hole in the ground, a heap +of dirt, the body of some fallen man, a slain horse, a heap of +rubbish, a dismantled machine gun, anything that, for a time, would +fend off a bullet. + +The first, or shock-wave, of troops had gotten as far as it was +advisable to go, and they must wait a moment for reinforcements and +for the artillery to come up. So it was that they threw themselves +flat, to escape the storm of bullets that drove into their very +faces. + +There was no question, now, of surprising the enemy. He was fully +awake to his danger, and had rushed all his available troops into the +conflict. He had an unusually large number of machine guns, and on +these he depended more than on artillery or rifle fire to break up the +attack. And nothing more effectual could have been chosen. Only, the +Americans were determined not to be stopped. + +Hastily they began entrenching, digging shallow ditches in which to +find shelter. It does not take much of a mound of earth to provide a +shield against rifle or machine-gun bullets, and in ten minutes an +advancing body of troops can provide themselves with temporary +protection, while in half an hour they can almost be in trenches, +though these are not as deep as the permanent ones. + +While part of the advancing Americans still maintained a fusillade +from their rifles and from a few machine guns that had been rushed up, +others used the intrenching tools. Then, when all were under temporary +shelter, they began assaulting the Boches from their vantage places. + +But now the Germans had begun to fight back with their artillery, +only, fortunately for Ned, Bob, and Jerry, and their comrades, the +range was not yet ascertained, so that the shots flew well over their +heads. The shells landed back of the American trenches which had been +abandoned when the order came to go over the top, and as this ground +was temporarily vacant no great harm was done. + +"There go our guns again!" cried Ned into Jerry's ear, as he lay +stretched out beside his tall chum. + +"Yes. They're trying to drive the Huns back so we can go on. We've got +to get farther than this." + +The battle was now one of longer range, the first fierceness of the +infantry having spent itself. Indeed, the men were practically out of +ammunition, though a reserve stock was being rushed to them under the +cover of the American guns. + +A considerable space, corresponding to No Man's Land, separated the +two lines, and over the heads of the prostrate men flew the shells of +their respective batteries. So, for the time being, except for stray +shooting of rifles and machine guns, the two confronting lines of +infantry were comparatively safe. + +It was during this lull that Bob, looking back from where he was +sheltered by a little hill of earth and stones, uttered a cry. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jerry quickly. "Are you hit, Chunky?" + +"Hit? No! But look there! Fried holes! See 'em!" + +For an instant both Ned and Jerry thought that Bob had been seriously +hurt, and was out of his head. But they looked to where he pointed and +saw a man in the uniform of the Salvation Army coming across the +ground over which the Americans had recently stormed. And the intrepid +noncombatant carried on either arm a big basket of a type well known +to our American fighters. + +"Fried holes!" cried Bob. "Fried holes! Salvation Army doughnuts, +fellows! I'm going to get some!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE SCHOOL JANITOR + + +Just how it happened that the Salvation Army worker had ventured into +that place of death none knew, and none stopped to inquire. Probably +the man, in his eagerness to serve, did not realize where he was nor +how he got there. Naturally he would have been denied permission to go +forward during an engagement--that was no time nor place for a +noncombatant. But he probably had not asked. He had made his way +through a rain of lead and steel to a zone of comparative safety. And +there he stood, as if bewildered, with his baskets of cheer on his +arms. + +And now a sudden change in the battle made the zone of comparative +safety one of danger. For the range of the German guns became shorter. +The muzzles were being depressed to seek out those intrepid Americans +who had rushed over the first Hun trenches and were waiting to rush +onward again. This must not be, thought the Huns, and so they sought +them out to kill them. + +So it was that as Bob spied the "fried holes" the dispenser of them +gave a start as a bullet or a piece of shell flew close to his head. +He was in grave danger now, and realized it. But he did not falter. He +gave one backward glance, not with an idea of retreating, that is +sure, but to see if there were any near him in that direction whom he +might serve. Then he saw the prone lines ahead of him. + +"Me for some of those!" yelled Bob, as he rose from his improvised +trench. + +"Lie still, you chump!" shouted Ned. "Do you want to be killed?" + +"No more than you did when you got the wood from the busted truck," +was the answer. "But I've got to have some of those doughnuts!" + +And Bob, never heeding the fact that he would be a shining target for +the guns of the Germans, started to run toward the Salvation Army +man. + +Some of the officers, from where they were stationed among the troops, +saw him. + +"Come back! Come back! Who is he? What's he doing? Is he going to +desert in the face of the enemy?" were some of the commands and +cries. + +But it needed only a glance to show that Bob never had a notion of +deserting. He ran toward the man with the baskets of doughnuts on his +arms. Crisp, golden-brown doughnuts they were, fresh from one of the +traveling kitchens where, behind the lines, the Salvation Army lassies +made them--a devoted service that will never be forgotten, but will +rank with that of the Red Cross and be immortal. + +And now, as might have been expected, the Germans saw the two +figures--the only upright ones in that particular neighborhood. And +the inevitable followed. They were fired at. + +Both offered good marks, but Fate, Providence, or whatever you choose +to call it, favored them, or else the Germans were wretched shots, +which last, in a measure, is known to be true. + +At any rate, Bob and the Salvation Army man met and Bob took charge of +one of the baskets of doughnuts. That, too, was to be expected. + +"Come on--run for it!" yelled the stout lad. "This place is getting +hot!" + +And indeed it was, for all about their feet were little spurts of +earth, showing where the bullets were striking. And together they ran +on toward the war-worn, weary figures of the men in the shallow +trenches. Straight to where he had left his comrades Bob led the brave +man, and they were received with a cheer. + +Though it was desperately against all orders and discipline for Bob to +do what he had done, not an officer rebuked him. And then the "fried +holes" were quickly handed out to the fortunate ones in that section +of the line, the officers refusing any, so that the weary men might +have some little refreshment. + +"Halves only--each man only take a half!" cried Ned, when he saw how +many men there were and how few--in spite of the two big baskets--the +doughnuts were. + +Bob looked a trifle crestfallen, but he agreed with a smile, and to +his eternal credit be it said that when he broke the one doughnut he +saved for himself, and it came apart in two unequal pieces, he gave +the larger section to a comrade on his right. + +"Bravo, Chunky!" said Jerry softly, as he observed. + +And then, as if in horrible contrast to this peaceful scene, the +battle began again. + +"Forward!" came the orders, and the three chums, with their comrades, +sprang from their shelter. + +And as Bob left the shallow hole he had dug for himself to see what +became of the Salvation Army man, he saw him roll gently over on his +side, a little hole in his forehead showing where death had entered +from one of the hundreds of bullets that were now sweeping down among +the troops. But there was a smile on his lips. + +And there died a very brave and gallant gentleman. + +Burst and roar and rumble and thunder and shriek and yell and cry and +sob succeeded, accompanied and overlapped one another. The battle was +on again in all its horrid fury. + +Forward rushed the troops, freshened by their rest, with more +ammunition of death. Forward they rushed, driving the Germans back, +out of the trenches improvised by the Huns. Forward they rushed while +the American guns lifted the barrage to protect them, and the German +cannon crashed out their answer. + +On they went, stumbling, falling, getting up again some of them, never +rising again many of them. Bloody and mud-stained, powder-grimed and +sweat-marked, torn and panting, cut and bruised, with dry tongues that +swelled in their blackened mouths. With eyes that saw nothing and +everything--the sight of comrades torn to pieces beside them, the +falling of beloved officers, the tearing of great holes in the ranks, +and the closing of those holes by a living wall of others who offered +themselves for the sacrifice. + +Forward they rushed, shouting and firing, tossing hand grenades into +the midst of the dust-gray bodies of the Huns that opposed them. +Onward they leaped and ran and staggered and jumped, but always +onward. + +A yell on their left caught the ears of Jerry and his chums. + +"Are we giving way?" asked Ned, grimly despairing. + +"No! It's the tanks! Look!" screamed Bob. + +And the tanks it was. A score of them, great lumbering giants, +impervious to everything save heavy guns, on they crawled, smashing +concrete machine-gun nests as though they were but collections of +vipers' eggs in a field. + +These tanks turned the tide of battle at that particular point. For +the Germans were putting up a stiff resistance, and were about to +launch a counter-attack, as was learned later. + +But with the tanks to protect them, to splatter death from their +armored machine guns, to spread terror and fear among the Huns, the +day was saved. + +On rushed the Americans, Ned, Bob, and Jerry among them, while all +about them thundered the big guns, rattled the rifles, adding their +din to the tat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns. + +And then the Germans, unable to withstand this withering fire and +being inadequately supported by their artillery, broke in confusion +and ran--ran to escape the terrible death that awaited them from the +avengers of a world dishonored by the Boches. + +Wave after wave of storming troops now surged over the positions +lately occupied in force by the Germans. Up the wooded slopes they +swept, taking possession of dominant heights so long desired. The +objective was more than won, and the American position much improved. + +The fury of the fighting began to die away. But it was still terrific +in spots, for there were many machine-gun nests left behind when the +Huns retreated, and the holders of them were told to die at their +posts. Many did. + +When Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of their comrades, led by an officer, +approached one of the dugouts there was no sign of life. It had been +spouting death from a machine gun but a little while before, however. + +"Look out!" some one shouted. "Maybe they're playing possum!" + +And so it was, for as the group advanced there was a burst of fire, +and half a dozen men went down. Ned and Bob had a vision of Jerry +crumpling up at the very entrance of the dugout, and their hearts +seemed to stop beating. + +"Drive 'em out! Kill the Boches! Wipe 'em up!" yelled the survivors. + +With a fierce yell, Ned tossed into the open doorway a hand grenade. +It exploded with terrific force, partly wrecking the place, and then +in rushed he and his comrades, with gleaming bayonets. + +"_Kamerad! Kamerad!_" came the cowardly appeal from the Germans. + +And a moment later out of the dugout where the machine gun had been +concealed came four German soldiers, all that was left alive of a +company of twenty, and of these four two were badly wounded. + +Ned and Bob, seeing that the place, the last of any opposition in that +section, was captured, were about to turn back to see if Jerry was +still alive, when a second look at one of the German prisoners caused +Ned to cry: + +"Nick Schmouder!" + +"_Ja!_" came the answer, and then, in German, he asked: + +"Who speaks my name?" + +"Nick Schmouder!" said Ned again. + +"Do you know this man?" asked an officer sharply. + +"Yes," answered Ned. "He used to be a janitor at Boxwood Hall, a +school I attended." + +And the face of Nick Schmouder showed as much wonder as did that of +Ned Slade. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +NEWS AT LAST + + +"Well, well, Nick! To think of meeting you here!" exclaimed Bob. + +"Don't speak to the Hun!" some one called, and then, for the first +time, Ned and Bob seemed to realize that the little man, with whom +they had been on friendly terms at college, was an enemy. + +But such was the case. It was only one of many queer incidents of the +war, and more than one fighting American found among the prisoners +sent back, after he and his comrades had cleaned up a Boche nest, some +man he had known back home--a former waiter at a club, perhaps, or a +man who delivered his groceries. + +"How came you here?" asked Nick Schmouder, with scarcely a trace of +German accent, as he and the other prisoners stood with upraised +hands, though one of the survivors had to drop his as he fell in a +heap because of weakness from his wounds. + +"We came here to teach the Kaiser how to walk Spanish," said Bob. "I +didn't think you'd fight against us, Nick, after what you learned at +Boxwood Hall." + +"Ach! I was forced to," was the answer. "I am glad it is over--that I +am a prisoner. I did not like this war. I shall be glad when it is +over and you have won. It is terrible! Listen, I will a secret tell," +and he did not seem afraid of the effect it might have on his +apathetic comrades. "Every time I shoot the machine gun I point it at +the ground so it will kill no Americans. I do not want to kill them." + +"Hum, that's a good story to tell now!" said the incredulous officer. +"Take 'em to the rear with the other prisoners. Wait, though, this one +can't walk. He'll have to have a stretcher. I'll have his wounds +patched up. But take the others back. Corporal Hopkins!" he called. + +"Corporal Hopkins is wounded, Sir," reported Ned, with a catch in his +voice. "He may be dead. He fell just as we stormed this place, Sir!" + +"Oh, I did not know that. See to him at once. Here!" he called to some +stretcher-bearers who were coming up, "we may need you!" + +They hurried forward, and, leaving Nick Schmouder and the other German +prisoners under guard, the officer, with Ned, Bob, and some other +Americans, went back to where Jerry had been seen to fall. It was just +outside of a little defile leading to the dugout where the machine +gun had wrought such havoc. + +"There--there he is!" faltered Ned, as he pointed to the crumpled-up +body of his chum, and Bob turned his face away, for it seemed to be +the end of Jerry Hopkins. + +There was blood on Jerry's head, and blood had seeped out from his +right leg, near the knee. Poor Jerry lay very still, and about him +were heaped others, who were unmistakably dead. + +The lieutenant bent over the corporal and made a hasty examination. +There was relief on his face--relief which was reflected on the +countenances of Ned and Bob as he said: + +"He's still alive, but badly hurt, I'm afraid. Take him back as gently +as you can." + +Ned and Bob helped lift him on to the stretcher. Jerry did not move, +and so faint was his breathing that there were times when it seemed to +stop altogether. + +Desperately as Ned and Bob wanted to go back to the dressing station +to learn how it fared with their chum, they must stay on duty in the +advanced position they had helped to win. It must be consolidated as +much as possible before night, or the Germans might launch a counter +offensive. + +And so, when the Hun machine gun had been turned about, ready to rake +any advancing lines of its recent owners, other measures were taken +to insure the holding of the position won at such cost. + +"I'd like to have a talk with that Nick," said Bob, as he and Ned +paused for a moment in their work of digging trenches. + +"Yes, isn't it strange to meet him here like this? If he fired any of +the shots that did up Jerry Hopkins, why----" + +Ned did not finish, but Bob knew what his chum meant. + +Feverishly the Americans worked, and to good purpose, for when +darkness began to fall they were in strong front trenches with +supporting lines back of them, and the artillery was partly in place. +If the Germans wanted to take that particular hill again they would +have to work for every inch of it. + +And now the commissary department got busy, and hot soup and coffee +was rushed up to the well-nigh exhausted men. Never was a meal more +welcome. + +"But it doesn't taste any better than those doughnuts did," declared +Bob, as he sat on a pile of dirt, sipping coffee from a tin cup, his +face and hands plastered with mud and other dirt. + +"You took an awful chance, though, Chunky," said his chum. + +"No more than that Salvation Army man did. He was braver than I, +because it was my business to be where I was, and he didn't have to +if he didn't want to." + +"Well, that's so," agreed Ned. "But say, I'm going to see if we can't +find out how Jerry is. If he--if he's----" + +But he did not have the heart to finish. + +As much had been done as was possible that day, after the terrific +battle, and with the arrival of fresh reserves those who had borne the +brunt of the fighting were sent to the rear to rest. Ned and Bob were +among these, and, obtaining permission, they went to the dressing +station to learn Jerry's fate. + +Their hearts leaped with joy when they were told that, aside from a +bad scalp wound and a bullet through the fleshy part of his leg, their +chum was all right. + +The high-powered bullets do infinitely less damage than the +old-fashioned slower-moving sort, and the wound in Jerry's leg was a +clean one. + +Not so, however, the cut on his head, which was from a piece of +burning shell, making a jagged wound that, however, did not touch the +bone. + +"He'll be back in line again in three weeks," declared the surgeon to +Ned and Bob, and those were the happiest words they ever had heard. + +The next morning, after a feverish night in which they slept but +little, they were allowed to see Jerry, and they found him in better +condition, relatively, than themselves. For he had been given a bath +and cleaned after his wounds were dressed, whereas Ned and Bob were +still caked with the mud, dirt, and grime of battle. But it was +honorable dirt, as a Japanese might say. Most honorable and +cherished. + +"Well, how about you, old man?" asked Ned, as the Red Cross nurse said +they might talk a little to their injured chum. + +"Oh, I'm all right. Feel fine! Just knocked out a little. Save a few +Huns for me for the next rush." + +"Oh, we'll do that all right," agreed Bob. "Too bad you had to get +yours just as we won the game." + +"We won it, so I hear," observed Jerry. + +"Yes, cleaned 'em up," went on Ned. "And whom do you guess we caught +in the last batch of prisoners?" + +"Not Professor Snodgrass!" + +"No. But some one who knows him. Nick Schmouder!" exploded Bob. + +"What? Not the janitor at Boxwood Hall? The fellow who helped us get +the goat upstairs into the physics class?" + +"The same!" laughed Ned; and Jerry chuckled so at the recollection of +one of the jokes of their college days that the nurse was forced to +say she would order his chums away unless he remained more quiet. + +"I'll be good!" promised the tall lad. "But that is rich! How did it +happen?" + +"Don't know," admitted Ned. "I'm going to have a talk with him if I +can." + +"Let me know what he says," begged Jerry. "I don't suppose you have +heard anything about the professor or his quest for the two girls?" + +"No," answered Bob. "I guess he'll never find them. It's worse than +looking for a cent down a crack in the boardwalk at Atlantic City. But +I don't suppose you could convince the professor of that." + +"No," agreed Jerry. "I'm mighty sorry, too. You remember what he said +about losing the money he had lent to a friend of his and needing this +bequest from Professor Petersen. Well, if you see or hear from him let +me know. I won't be able to get about for a week--maybe more." + +Bob and Ned stayed until the nurse sent them away, but they promised +to call again as soon as allowed. Then, as they were relieved from +duty, they went to an officer and received permission to talk to the +prisoner, Nick Schmouder, after explaining about him. + +The man had been a janitor at Boxwood Hall when Ned, Bob, and Jerry +attended there. He had been a good friend to the three chums, and, as +mentioned, had assisted them in performing what they were pleased to +term a "joke." + +The boys had forgotten all about him, and it was with the utmost +wonder they met him again under such strange and strenuous +circumstances. + +"How did you come to get into the war?" asked Bob, as he and Ned +talked to the prisoner, who was in a wire cage with hundreds of +others. + +"Oh, it was an accident, yet. I came back to Germany to see my old +father, and I was caught here when the war broke out. I had not served +my full time in the army, and so I had to go in again. Ach! how I hate +it. But tell me--why are you here?" + +"The same reason that brought every other good American over," replied +Ned sharply. "We want to wipe Prussian militarism off the face of the +earth." + +"And a good job, I say!" declared Nick Schmouder. "It is like a bad +disease germ. One of those bugs Professor Snodgrass used to show me in +the microscope. Ah, I wish I was back at Boxwood Hall with him. He was +a nice little man." + +"Yes, he was," agreed Ned. "And you may see him, if you stay around +here." + +"See him? Is the professor in the war, too?" + +"Not exactly," Bob answered. "He is here on a scientific mission. +Something about war noises and insects. But he is after something +else, too. A friend of his, Professor Petersen----" + +"Professor Emil Petersen?" cried Nick Schmouder in such a strange +voice that Ned and Bob stared at him. "Did you say Professor Emil +Petersen?" + +"I don't know that I mentioned his first name, but it is Emil," +answered the stout lad. "Why, do you know him?" + +"Know him? Why, he once lived in the same German town where my father +and mother lived," declared the former janitor. "They were +friends,--my father worked for him and my mother had looked after him +when he was sick--and when the professor, who was studying or +something, had to go away, he left his two nieces----" + +"Two nieces!" burst out Ned and Bob together. "Do you mean Miss Gladys +Petersen and Miss Dorothy Gibbs?" + +"Yes! Those were the names," announced Schmouder easily. "He left the +two nieces with my father and mother. They were nice girls!" + +"Listen to that!" cried Ned, thumping Bob on the back. "News at last! +We must tell Jerry this!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A QUEER QUESTION + + +So unexpected was the news given by the captured Boxwood Hall janitor +that for a moment or two Ned and Bob could scarcely believe it. That +the information, so much desired and so ardently sought after, should +come to them by accident, while, doubtless, Professor Snodgrass was +using every energy to that end, seemed scarcely believable. Yet there +could be no doubt of it. Still Ned was a bit cautious, and restrained +his stout chum from rushing to the hospital to tell Jerry. + +"We don't want any mistake in this," remarked Ned. "Are you sure, +Nick, that this is the same Professor Petersen whom we mean, the same +one Professor Snodgrass means?" + +"I don't see how there can be any mistake," declared the former +janitor. "I often heard Professor Petersen speak of Professor +Snodgrass, and I know him well enough. I could tell him in the dark." + +"Yes, I guess that's right," assented Ned. + +"But there may be two Professor Petersens--the name is not uncommon in +Germany, at any rate." + +"There is no mistake," declared Schmouder. "I admit there may be +several Professor Petersens, but hardly two who would have nieces +named Dorothy Gibbs and Gladys Petersen." + +"That seems to clinch it," declared Bob. + +"Yes, I guess so," agreed his chum. "But what else can you tell us +about them, Nick, and where are the girls now?" + +The German prisoner shrugged his shoulders. + +"As for where they are now, I do not know," he answered. "My father +and mother live in a little town not far from Metz. It was there +Professor Petersen came sometimes to study and write his books, when +he was not in his own country or in your country, lecturing or +visiting Professor Snodgrass. + +"Just before this terrible war, which I wish with all my heart I had +never seen, Professor Petersen came to this little town, bringing for +the first time his two nieces. I happened to be there on a visit--I +came to see my parents, and now I wish I hadn't. + +"No, I will not say that!" quickly exclaimed the man. "I am glad I saw +them; but I wish I had sent for them to come to the United States to +see me. It would have been safer for them and me, for we shall lose +this war--I can see that." + +"You said it!" declared Bob, with energy. + +"Tell us all you can," urged Ned. "We have a great interest in finding +these girls." + +"Well, I am sorry I cannot tell you more," replied Schmouder. "As I +said, I came back just before the war broke out, was caught and sent +to the army. I saw Professor Petersen in my home town then with the +two young ladies. There was some story about his having been +reconciled to them after a long estrangement, but I did not pay much +attention to that. + +"All I know is that I saw the young ladies and knew they were the +nieces of the professor. They had been traveling in France and +Germany, it was said. Then the professor left just before war was +declared. He suspected it was coming, and said he had certain +investigations he wished to make before the fighting started. He left +the two young ladies in charge of my father and mother, telling them +he would be back as soon as he could, and that, thereafter, he would +look after them." + +"What happened next?" asked Bob. + +"The war," answered Schmouder succinctly. "That spoiled everything. I +had to go away and leave my parents. What has become of them I do not +know." + +"Haven't you heard from them?" asked Ned. + +"Not lately, no. Soon after I was forced to join the army I had a +letter, in which they told me they were going farther into Germany to +be safer." + +"And what about the two girls and Professor Petersen?" Bob queried. + +"What happened to Professor Petersen I cannot tell you," was the +answer. "As for his two nieces, my father wrote that they had gone on +some scientific expedition shortly after the professor left them, and +were not expected back for a month." + +"Were they scientists too?" asked Ned. + +"I believe so," answered the former janitor. "They loved study, as did +their uncle. At any rate they, too, went into the interior of Germany +just before the war broke out, and what has happened to them I do not +know any more than I know what happened to Professor Petersen." + +"We can tell you what happened to him," said Ned. "He died in America, +and left a lot of money." + +"So!" exclaimed Schmouder. "Well, it will do no one any good these +terrible days." + +"Maybe it will, and perhaps it won't," replied Bob. "At any rate, he +left half his fortune to Professor Snodgrass on condition that our +friend find the two nieces and give them the other half of the +fortune." + +"Ach! Well, I shall be glad if the young ladies get something," said +Schmouder. + +"Yes, but the trouble is they won't get it if they can't be found," +said Ned. "And Professor Snodgrass won't get anything, either. Now if +you could only tell us where these two girls are to be found, +why----" + +"That I could not do--no one could in these days!" declared the +prisoner earnestly. "I will help you all I can. I am an American at +heart, and I hope you will believe me when I say that every gun I +fired sent its bullets only into the ground. I could not shoot at my +former friends. Germany is no longer a friend to me!" + +"Nor to any one else," declared Bob. "Gee! but it's tough to be so +near the solution and then to fail." + +"Don't give up yet," advised Ned. "We can tell Professor Snodgrass +what we have learned, and maybe he can find a way to get in +communication with the young ladies. It's a pity Professor Petersen +didn't give them half his fortune when he was alive, and save all this +bother." + +"Yes, it would have been a good idea!" scoffed his chum. "The girls +and Professor Snodgrass would have been better off. But, as a rule, +people don't do that sort of thing. I haven't noticed your father--nor +mine--giving away half of his possessions. However, the money may be +lost entirely now. I don't see how it can be paid over, inherited or +whatever the term is anyhow, in these days. Maybe the war has wiped +out Professor Petersen's fortune." + +"I hardly think that," said the former janitor. "He was not a German, +and his wealth was not in that country. He was a very careful man, and +if he left any money to any one you may be sure it is waiting for +them, wherever they are." + +"That's the point!" exclaimed Bob. "The money may be all right, but we +can't find those for whom it is intended. And if Professor Snodgrass +can't locate the girls, all the fortune goes to a humane society." + +"Ach! So?" exclaimed Nicholas Schmouder. "Well, it is better that than +Germany should get it. Please tell your friends that I did never fire +my gun at them--always into the ground," he said wistfully, as the +boys turned away from the prisoners' wire cage. + +"We'll do the best we can for you," they said. But there was little +they could do to make life any easier for their old friend, who, +through no fault of his own, was in a bad predicament. + +When next they had a chance to visit Jerry the two chums told him all +they had heard, and the wounded lad suggested that they should write +to Professor Snodgrass at once, urging him to come on and have a talk +with Schmouder. This Ned and Bob did, though there was no certainty +that their letter would reach the scientist, or that he would be able +to obey the instructions in it. They had his last address, but he was, +at best, uncertain in his movements, and now, with the great forward +movement of the American armies beginning, it was hard for any one to +get to the front. + +"But we've found out something, anyhow," declared Ned. "The girls are +somewhere in Germany, if they are still alive, and it may be possible +for Professor Snodgrass to give them half the money and keep the other +half for his own necessities." + +"Yes, it may, and it may not. I hope it will, though." + +Jerry, thanks to the nature of his wounds and to his healthy +constitution, made a remarkably quick recovery, and though he was not +ready to go back to the front-line trenches when his chums had to +report for duty, it was probable that after their next rest period he +would join them. + +It was hard for Ned and Bob to say good-bye to their chum. They might +never meet again, and they knew it. But it was the fortune of war, and +had to be borne. + +Fate, however, was kind to them, and Ned and Bob were sent to a quiet +sector. After some slight skirmishes, which, however, were hard enough +on those engaged, they were again sent to the rear to recuperate. +There they found Jerry chafing against being kept out of the +fighting. + +"Feel all right?" asked Ned. + +"Sure! Never better. I want to get at the Huns again." + +"Didn't hear from Professor Snodgrass, did you?" inquired Bob. + +"No. But I wrote to him again. Schmouder has been sent back to the +rear to work with other prisoners, but I have his camp location so the +professor can interview him if he thinks it needful. And say, a rather +queer thing happened while you were away." + +"What?" asked Ned. + +"Well, Noddy Nixon came to see me." + +"He did!" cried Bob. "Well, the nerve of that shrimp! After he took +our wood!" + +"What did he want?" asked Ned. + +"Oh, nothing in particular, as far as I could make out. Just seemed to +want to be friendly. Asked me a lot of questions about how I was +treated in the hospital and whether I got enough to eat." + +"You did, didn't you?" asked Bob. + +"Sure. But I don't quite see what Noddy was aiming at. However, I +didn't trouble my head much about it until yesterday." + +"Why yesterday?" Bob demanded. + +"Well, the surgeon who patched me up came and inquired if Noddy was a +particular friend of mine." + +"Of course you told him he was!" laughed Ned. + +"Like fun I did! No, I said I hadn't any use for him, but I didn't go +into particulars. After all, Noddy is fighting on our side." + +"You mean he's making a bluff at it!" growled Bob. "But go on. Where +does the queer part come in?" + +"Here," answered Jerry. "The surgeon told me Noddy took him to one +side and asked very particularly whether a wound in the hand or one in +the foot hurt the most. That's what he wanted to know." + +"He did!" cried Ned. "Well, what's queer about that?" + +"Don't you see," resumed Jerry, "it looks as though----" + +But Jerry never finished that sentence, for as he was speaking came +cries of alarm from outside the hospital and the firing of several +guns, while some one shouted: + +"An air raid! An air raid! The Huns are coming!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A VISITOR + + +Jerry Hopkins, with his two chums and some of the hospital patients +who were able to move about, rushed toward the sound of the shouting +and firing. Jerry's leg wound was healed, and save for a slight limp +he was all right again. + +The boys saw a group of soldiers gathered about a battery of guns +erected a short time before to repel air raids. And that this was now +a time to use the weapons was evident after a glance aloft. + +For, hovering just below the clouds, were three big Hun planes, and +that they had come over the lines to bomb the American positions was +only too evident. + +There was no time to stop and inquire how the hostile aircraft had +managed to elude the vigilance of the Allied airmen at the front. It +was time to act and act promptly, and at once the anti-aircraft +batteries opened, while word was quickly telephoned to the nearest +aerodrome, so that American, French, or British fliers might ascend to +attack the Germans. It was the shooting at the Hun planes with the +guns nearest the hospital that had broken in on Jerry's remarks. + +"They won't bomb the hospital, will they?" asked Ned, in wonder. + +"They're very likely to," declared Jerry. "Then later on they'll claim +they couldn't see the red crosses on the roof, or else they'll say +they meant to drop bombs on an ammunition dump or a railroad center +and they miscalculated the distance--the beasts!" + +If the Huns intended to bomb the hospital now it would not be the +first time they had done such a dastardly trick. And that they +purposed sending down explosives somewhere in the neighborhood was +evident from the tactics of the hostile machines. + +They flew about, so high above the group of buildings containing the +wounded and convalescents as to make it difficult to hit them, and +appeared to be waiting their best chance to drop a bomb where it would +do the most damage. + +Meanwhile, nurses and orderlies were moving out their charges into the +open, so there would be less likelihood of their being caught in the +collapsed structures. + +For a few minutes the scene was one of wild confusion, and then army +discipline was established and matters went on as they should. Ned, +Bob, and Jerry helped in taking out the wounded, while the gun crews +increased their fire at the hostile planes. + +Suddenly there was a terrific explosion just in the rear of the +hospital. It shook the ground and brought forth screams of agonized +apprehension on the part of men suffering from shell shock. But either +the bomb was misdirected or the Huns were more merciful than they had +been on other similar occasions, for the bomb, dropped from one of the +aircraft, only tore a big hole in an adjacent field. + +"Too close for comfort, though," declared Ned. + +"Our boys are gettin' after 'em!" exclaimed Bob, as he and his chums +hurried back into the endangered building to assist in taking out more +of the helpless ones. + +This was true in two senses, for the fire of the anti-aircraft +batteries was increasing, and now several Allied airmen were mounting +aloft in their swift machines to give battle to the attacking Huns. + +It was high time, too, for now bombs were dropping on all sides of the +hospital, and there was no telling when the entire building might go +down in ruins. Whether the German airmen were deliberately trying to +hit the place where wounded men were being saved from death, or +whether they aimed their infernal machines at objects near it, could +not be said with certainty. + +Fiercer and more rapid became the firing from the anti-aircraft +batteries established near the hospital for this very purpose, and +more Allied planes took the air, seeking to drive off the invaders. + +By this time most of the wounded had been carried out and put under +trees, in the open, wherever it was considered safest for them. + +Though from the ruthless manner in which the Huns waged war no place +was immune from their bombs--even in the neighborhood of a hospital. + +"Look! Look!" suddenly cried Ned. "They got one!" + +"That's right!" echoed Jerry. "They've brought one down!" + +Tumbling over and over, in a fashion no airman, however reckless, +would dare to imitate as a ruse, was one of the German planes. It had +been hit either by a shell from a battery, or the bullets from one of +the machine guns on an Allied plane had found a mark. + +Then, as the invading machine continued to fall, out of control, it +burst into flames, and a small dark object was seen to detach itself +from the mass and fall to one side. + +"There goes the pilot!" said Bob grimly. "He's done for." + +And so he was, and so was his machine. It was a horrible death, but +none the less horrible than he had planned for others--and helpless +others, too. + +"There they go! They've had enough!" shouted Ned, and as he spoke it +was seen that the Hun machines, which had been circling about, as +though looking for more targets on the ground below, had turned and +were speeding toward their own lines, pursued by the American and +other machines, eager to visit on them just vengeance. + +And then the hospital patients, some of them wounded airmen +themselves, watched the battle of the clouds, out of danger now that +the Huns were in retreat. + +The machines were so high that little could be seen, but some one had +a pair of glasses and reported that one of the German craft was +disabled and was coming down out of control. + +This information afterward proved to be correct. Then during the +battle which followed another German machine was set on fire; so that +a total of three were destroyed, and another of the six engaged in the +raid sent back damaged, and one of its occupants killed. + +Nor did the Allied planes come off scatheless. One was shot down and +both occupants killed, while another man was wounded. But the hospital +had not been bombed, which was the great thing. + +"Do you wonder that I'm aching to get back into the fight against such +beasts?" asked Jerry, when the patients had once more been carried +back to the wards, and Jerry and his chums had resumed their +conversation in a quiet place outside. + +"Don't blame you a bit," assented Ned. "But we were talking about +Noddy Nixon." + +"Yes," resumed the tall lad. "I was saying he asked a mighty queer +question of the surgeon and I have my own opinion----" + +At that moment a smiling Red Cross nurse appeared and said: + +"There's a visitor asking to see you, Mr. Hopkins." + +"A visitor for me!" exclaimed Jerry. + +"Yes, do you wish to see any one?" + +"Man or young lady?" asked Ned, with a mischievous smile at his chum. + +"Oh, a dear, little, bald-headed man, who peers at you in such a funny +way through his big glasses and----" + +"Show him in!" cried Ned, Bob and Jerry in one voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +AN UNEXPECTED CAPTURE + + +The smiling Red Cross nurse had no need to mention the name of the +visitor. The boys knew him for Professor Snodgrass after that +description, which could fit no one else. And the little scientist it +proved to be a moment later. + +"Ah, here you are, boys!" he murmured, as though he had just parted +from them half an hour before, and under ordinary circumstances, +instead of the great war being in the background. "I am glad to see +you. I want----" + +He made a sudden motion toward the smiling, Red Cross nurse, and +instinctively she stepped back, with something of a look of alarm on +her face. + +"One moment--please!" exclaimed the professor. "There is a most +beautiful and rare butterfly on your apron. I just want it for my +collection," and, a moment later, he had safe in one of his wire boxes +the fluttering _Papilio_. + +"Oh, how beautiful!" murmured the nurse. "What are you going to do +with the poor thing?" + +"Preserve it so that others may gaze on its beauty," answered the +professor with a bow. "It will also aid me in my studies. This +particular butterfly is one I have long sought, because of the +peculiar markings. It is most lucky that I came here to-day." + +"Well, it might have been unlucky if you had happened to be hit by one +of the German air bombs," said Jerry. "But we're glad to see you. We +have good news for you about those two girls." + +"Yes, so I understand from your letters. So that janitor has seen +them. Well, now I must follow them up and give them their share of the +fortune. I came on as soon as I could after hearing from you boys. I +thank you for having my interests at heart. Now where can I see this +Nick Schmouder and have a talk with him?" + +The camp where the German prisoners were detained was not many miles +back of the hospital where Jerry had recovered from his wounds, and, +as he would be able to travel the next day, and as Bob and Ned could +get furloughs, it was decided that the four should make up a party and +seek out the former janitor, so that the professor might hear, at +first hand, all there was to be said. + +These arrangements having been made, transportation provided and the +necessary permissions having been secured, the professor and the +three Motor Boys, several hours later, sat down to have a long chat +and exchange experiences. Professor Snodgrass told how he was +progressing with his work of studying the effects of battle noises on +insects, and the boys related their stories of fighting and battles. + +"And we thought old Jerry was gone when we saw him go down outside the +dugout where we captured Schmouder," finished Ned, as a climax to his +story. + +"I thought so myself," admitted the tall lad. "But I'm as well as +ever, and next week I'll be fighting again. What are your plans, +Professor?" + +"I must try to find those two young ladies. The military authorities +have been very good to me. They have said I can go anywhere I like to +study the insects, provided I do nothing that would betray any army +secrets. And I have been very careful." + +That is he was careful not to disobey his instructions, but that he +was anything but careful of himself the boys learned later. They heard +stories of how he went up to the very front lines of the fighting, so +he might be nearer the big guns, and he took with him cages of +insects, noting the effect of the concussions of the great cannons on +their nervous systems. + +Professor Snodgrass would have laughed had you called him a brave man, +but he dared as much for his beloved science as others did for their +country's honor. And, moreover, only the age limit kept the professor +out of the army. + +The journey to the prison camp where Nick Schmouder was held took +place the next day, and was accomplished without incident worthy of +note. + +But if Professor Snodgrass hoped to obtain any more information from +the former janitor than the boys had about the two missing girls, he +was disappointed. For Nick Schmouder could only repeat what he had +already told. He was glad to see Professor Snodgrass, and it was quite +pathetic to hear the man tell his story about having always fired his +gun into the ground to avoid hurting any of those he called his +friends. + +"I didn't believe there were any good Germans in Germany any more," +said Jerry, "but I guess Nick is pretty near one." + +So they listened to his stories, and Professor Snodgrass made notes +about the girls. He said he would try to get into communication with +them through the parents of the former janitor, though the latter did +not know, himself, whether his father and mother were still alive. + +"Is it not terrible--awful--this war?" he cried. "I wish all my +countrymen were prisoners, and then they could no longer fight, and we +would have peace." + +"Well, if it keeps on we'll soon have most of the Kaiser's army in a +cage like this," declared Ned. "Don't worry--we're going to make a +good clean-up of it." + +"I hope you do," said Schmouder, and many of his fellow prisoners +agreed with him. + +At present all the professor could do was to depend on some message +getting to the missing girls. As they were not prisoners of war it was +thought that perhaps some missive might reach them, though all +ordinary communication between Americans and Germany was held up. + +The girls, though of Swedish parentage, were citizens of the United +States, as the fathers of both were naturalized; therefore, the +diplomatic channels of Sweden were closed to them, as the money had +been left in Professor Snodgrass' care. The Red Cross might aid, as a +last resort, and if that failed all that could be done was to wait +until after the war and then seek them out, if the two nieces were +still alive. + +So, having dispatched several letters by different routes, Professor +Snodgrass prepared to spend some time with the boys. + +"I might as well study the effect here of noises on insects, as to go +back where I was," he said. "Here I shall be nearer those two young +ladies, if I can ever find a chance to reach them. We are heading +toward Metz, are we not?" + +"Yes, and we'll get there," declared Jerry, for by this time enough +of General Pershing's plans had developed to show that his armies had +this town for one of its objectives. But there was still a long way to +go. + +True to his determination, Jerry went back to the front with his +chums, and Professor Snodgrass, by virtue of special permission, +accompanied them. The chums were welcomed by their comrades, and once +more took up the life of the trenches. + +It was one afternoon, just before time for them to be relieved, that +Ned, Bob, and Jerry had their attention drawn to a stretch of No Man's +Land in front of them, by hearing some of their comrades say: + +"Look at the bug-hunter! What in the name of Billie Bejinks is he +doing out there? He'll be bowled over by a German bullet just as sure +as guns!" + +The three lads looked, and, to their surprise and horror, saw +Professor Snodgrass with something supported on his back and partly in +his arms, walking across No Man's Land in the direction of the German +trenches as unconcernedly as though peace had been declared. + +"Look at him!" yelled Ned. + +"We've got to get him back!" cried Jerry. + +An officer, who had heard the commotion, came in from the nearest +dugout and asked: + +"Who gave him permission to go out there? Is he deserting?" + +[Illustration: THEY MARCHED STRAIGHT FOR THE AMERICAN LINES. +_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 183_] + +"Indeed he isn't, Sir," answered Ned. "I guess he must be trying some +experiment, or looking for bugs." + +"Well it's likely to be his last experiment," was the grim comment, +"and about all he'll find will be bullets. Ah, I was afraid so. Look, +they are going to capture him!" + +As he spoke the Americans, crouching in their trench, saw three German +soldiers leap out of their ditch and advance toward the professor. But +the latter did not seem in the least afraid. He walked on, for a +moment not observing his enemies, who were approaching from one side. +Then suddenly he noticed them. + +But he did not run, nor did he show any sign of fear, and then the +most unexpected thing happened. The Germans suddenly dropped their +rifles. Up in the air went their hands, and then they turned and +marched straight for the American lines, the professor following +behind, and fairly driving them on in some mysterious way. He had made +a most unexpected capture. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GREAT PREPARATIONS + + +Watching him from the security of their trench, Ned, Bob, and Jerry, +their comrades, and the officers on duty, could scarcely believe their +eyes as they saw what had happened. Yet there was no delusion about +it. Professor Snodgrass, rashly venturing across No Man's Land toward +the German trenches, was coming back and with three prisoners. As Bob +said afterward, it was like the advertisements of the circus which +boasted of three rings and innumerable clowns. + +"Three prisoners! Count 'em. Three!" Bob yelled. + +"Well, for the love of hot chocolate!" cried Jerry, "what does it +mean?" + +"Search me!" answered Ned, succinctly. "Looks as if he had 'em +hypnotized!" + +And so it did, for the Huns, as they came nearer, wore on their faces +looks of stupefied astonishment. + +Straight for the trench where his young friends were, Professor +Snodgrass marched his prisoners. He was in great danger, but he did +not seem to mind that, or even be aware of it. Doubtless it was the +latter, but, as a matter of fact, he was within range of the big guns, +as well as within shot of rifles or machine guns. + +Of course, though, had the Germans opened fire on the professor from +their trenches, they would have run the chance of killing their own +three men, captives though the latter were. And, too, had the Huns +fired there would have at once been answering fire from the Americans, +for the latter gunners were always on the alert, and once word was +passed up and down the line that the little "bug-hunter" was out in No +Man's Land, every man who knew or who had heard of him was ready with +his rifle--Ned, Bob and Jerry among them--ready to take full toll in +revenge had he been fired on. + +But the German trenches were silent, and for good reason, as was +learned later, so the professor marched on with his prisoners, the +latter never once looking behind them, but walking with their hands +high in the air. + +And the little scientist was as unconcerned as though he was on his +return from some insect-hunting trip. His appearance was a bit +unusual, though, and Ned commented on it. + +"What's that thing on his back?" asked the stout lad. + +"Looks like a magnified haversack of new design," replied Ned. + +"The professor hasn't enlisted, has he?" some one asked Jerry. "Not +but what he'd make a fine soldier," was the added comment. + +"No, I can't imagine what he has on," Jerry answered. "We'll soon find +out, though." + +On came the professor, and when he had his prisoners at the edge of +the first American trench he exclaimed, with a twinkle in his eyes: + +"Here you are! Make yourselves at home! Will some one please take +charge of--er--these--specimens?" asked the little scientist, and +again his eyes twinkled as he looked at the lieutenant who was in +command just then. + +"Great guns, man alive! Did you go out to get them?" asked the +officer. + +"Well, not exactly," was the reply. "These men tried to interfere with +me in my work, and I simply told them to mind their own business and +get out of the way. Bringing them over here seemed the easiest way to +get rid of them, so I marched them along. Now I will go back and +finish----" + +"Oh, no! Excuse me for seeming to be brusk and arbitrary," said the +lieutenant smiling, "but I can't permit you to go back. For our own +sake, as well as yours. You might precipitate a general engagement, +and while we're not running away from anything like that, we are not +looking for it just now. Please stay here." + +"Very well, I will," mildly agreed the professor. "Perhaps I can as +well continue my studies here. But what shall I do with my--my +specimens?" and he nodded toward the Germans. + +The prisoners were still standing with uplifted hands, gazing at the +professor as if the issue of life and death depended on him as far as +they were concerned. + +"Tell them they may put down their hands," begged the professor of the +lieutenant. "They're in your charge now, and you had better give them +orders. Besides, I don't speak their language very well." + +"Then how in the world did you get them to surrender?" asked the +officer. "How did you, alone, without a gun or a sword, or even a hand +grenade, capture three Germans?" + +"Well, I fancy it was due to this," and the professor motioned to the +strange contrivance on his back. "I threatened them with total +annihilation if they didn't do as I said and march for these trenches, +and they did. Whether they understood me or not I don't know. But up +went their hands and on they came." + +"Yes, they came on all right," said the lieutenant. "We saw that. But +still I don't understand." + +At this one of the prisoners spoke. + +"Haf ve der lieutnant's bermission to lower our hants?" he asked, +speaking with a deep, guttural accent. + +"Yes," said the officer curtly. "But first we'll search you. Go +through them," he ordered one of his men, and when an automatic pistol +and several hand grenades had been taken from each of the prisoners, +their hands were allowed to come down. They uttered sighs of relief. + +"Now, how did it happen?" went on the officer. + +"Ve surrender to suberior force, und dot iss no disgrace," said the +German soldier who had first spoken. "Ven ve saw der little man ve try +to capture him. But he turned on us, und by der--vot you call +machine--on his back mit total destruction threatened us. As ve did +not vant to die--vell, ve surrendered. Dot's all!" + +"_Ja!_" murmured his two companions. + +"Yes, I guess that is all," said the lieutenant, smiling grimly. "Take +'em to the rear, to the temporary prisoner-cage," he ordered one of +his men. And then, when the Germans, with a last wondering and fearful +look at the professor, had gone, the lieutenant, turning to the +scientist, asked with a smile: + +"What sort of infernal machine have you there, anyhow? Does it +generate a new kind of gas?" + +The professor laughed and unslung the apparatus from his back, where +it was carried by means of straps, like those on a haversack. + +"No, it isn't a gas machine," he said. "It's just a little apparatus +for taking moving pictures of insects. It's as harmless as the +chocolate sodas my friend Bob likes so well. I got it up to take views +of grasshoppers and crickets, and I wanted to get some pictures this +morning of those insects showing them as they hopped about normally. +Then, later, I intended to set the machine out in the open space, and +leave it there when heavy firing was going on. I hoped to get +contrasting pictures then, and show the effect, if any, of the sound +of big guns on the creatures. But those Germans spoiled my plans." + +"And I fancy you spoiled theirs," said the lieutenant with a laugh. +"So you threatened them with your moving-picture machine, did you?" + +"Yes, I couldn't think of anything else to do when I saw them +confronting me. So I yelled that my machine was a new product of the +war, and that unless they did exactly as I said I would at once +destroy them, even down to their finger nails, by a blast of terrible +fire from the machine. Fortunately they understood my very poor +German, mixed with English as it was." + +"Yes, very fortunately," said the lieutenant. "We saw them drop their +guns and raise their hands, and couldn't understand. But your +machine, harmless as it is, doubtless impressed them as very +dangerous." + +When Ned, Bob, and Jerry, as well as the others, looked at the +apparatus, they could understand why an ignorant man, accustomed to +obey and do no thinking, took the picture machine for some terrible +engine of war. The Motor Boys themselves had not seen it before, as +the professor carried it in sections in his luggage, and had only +fitted it together and used it that day. + +It consisted of a black box, with numerous wires, wheels, levers and +projecting tubes. These latter contained lenses and shutters, but the +Germans must have imagined devastating fire could spout from them. And +so they had surrendered. + +"But I can't understand why the others in the trenches didn't open +fire on you," said the officer. + +They learned, later, the reason for this. It was because the Germans +had retired from that particular part of the line. Whether for +strategic reasons, or otherwise, could not be learned, but the three +prisoners admitted that they, alone, had been left in the trench. + +Their orders were to remain quiet, and not to attack, but if the +Americans came out of their trenches in force the German sentries were +to fire their rifles, as many hand grenades and machine-gun rounds as +possible, and then retreat, if they could, to the next line of +trenches. + +But when Professor Snodgrass approached the lines alone, the Germans, +instead of firing, thought they would capture him, and so the trio +advanced stealthily on the scientist. The result has been seen. + +"Well, it was a great piece of work," declared the lieutenant. "Not +only the capture, but because we learned that the Germans are falling +back. This may change our plans somewhat. I must report to +headquarters. And you, Professor Snodgrass, had better come with me." + +"But what about my insects?" + +"They will have to wait, I'm afraid. Besides, there will be no heavy +firing now. Later--well, I'm afraid I can't tell you of that now. It's +a secret. But I think you'll soon have a chance to hear all the heavy +firing you want." + +"I wonder what he meant?" asked Ned, of his chums, as the professor, +returning his "infernal" insect moving-picture machine to his quarters +went away with the officer. + +"Maybe we're going to make a big attack," suggested Bob. + +"Perhaps," assented Jerry. "I heard some rumors of it. Well, we'll +have to wait and see." + +They did not have to wait long, for that day began preparations which, +to those who understood, indicated that a great attack was imminent. + +Great stores of shell and ammunition were brought up under cover of +darkness to the firing line. Big guns were shifted in position and +well camouflaged. And there also arrived at the front where the Motor +Boys were stationed several batteries of those wonderful French +seventy-fives, those guns which did so much to win the war, the secret +of which the Germans tried in vain to learn. + +It was after several days of hard work, during which they saw little +of Professor Snodgrass, that Bob, seeking out his chums one afternoon, +said: + +"Guess what's up!" + +"Can't," Ned replied. + +"Go on! Tell us!" cried Jerry. + +"We're going to have a lot of doughnuts and chocolate candy!" cried +Bob. + +"Doughnuts!" shouted Jerry. + +"Chocolate!" echoed Ned. "Where is it?" + +"Safe," laughed Chunky. "I struck a Salvation Army man with an extra +supply and I took all he'd give me. They're hidden in the trench, near +where we go on duty, and to-night we'll have a feast!" + +"Good for you, Chunky!" cried Jerry. "I always said you were all +right!" + +"Same here!" added Ned. + +And that night, when the three chums were about to go on duty in the +dismal trenches, Bob led them to a little place he had hollowed out +under a rock, and lined with boards. It was a hiding place known to +all three. + +"We can stick the stuff in our pockets," he said, "and eat it when we +get hungry. Things are so upset, getting ready for a big offensive, I +guess, that maybe the rations won't come up on time. But we'll be +fixed, anyhow." + +He opened the secret place, and then, as he reached his hand in and +drew it out empty, a queer look came over his face. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. + +"It's gone!" faltered Bob. + +Consternation showed on the faces of all three. Ned and Jerry made a +careful examination of the hiding place after Bob. There was no doubt +of it--the treasure was gone! And sweets were really a treasure to the +men in the trenches. + +"Who took 'em?" faltered Bob. + +Jerry looked about, flashed his electric pocket lamp, for the trenches +were in the shadow now. Suddenly he picked up a knife, and, as he held +it in his hand, he exclaimed: + +"Noddy Nixon's! He's been up to his rotten tricks again!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +"S. I. W." + + +There seemed no doubt on the subject, at least in the minds of the +three Motor Boys. Bob knew full well that he had left the treat of +sweet things in the hole in the wall of his trench. Now the hole was +empty, and a knife with Noddy Nixon's name on it was picked up at the +very spot. It surely indicated that Noddy had been there, and it +needed no very discerning mind, after one was acquainted with the +character of Nixon, to say that he was the guilty one. + +"What'll we do?" gasped Bob. + +"Let's go and accuse him and get the stuff away!" suggested Ned. +"Maybe he hasn't eaten it all yet." + +"Not much chance but what he has," commented Jerry. "It wouldn't last +long with him and his crowd. Still I'm in favor of letting him know +we're on to his game. Let's go and have it out with him." + +But this was not to be. Just as the three chums were about to go from +their part of the trench to that where Noddy Nixon was stationed, the +signal sounded for Ned, Bob, and Jerry to take their places on +official duty. + +"Too late!" exclaimed Bob. "We can't reach him now, and he'll eat it +all up." + +"The pig!" muttered Ned. + +And they had to let the matter rest there. They could not ask to be +relieved from trench sentry work to go and get back, possibly, +doughnuts and chocolate stolen by Noddy Nixon. It was too trivial a +matter from a military standpoint, though to Ned, Bob, and Jerry, +forced to be on duty during the long, wet, dreary night, it meant a +great deal. + +But it was another of the fortunes of war, and it had to be borne. + +However, it was not as bad as it might have been, for during the night +a relief party came along with hot chocolate, and this was grateful to +the lads in the trenches. + +"But I'll have it out with Noddy to-day!" declared Bob as he and his +chums went off duty in the morning. "I'll turn him upside down; that's +what I'll do!" + +But again his plans went astray, for orders came from headquarters, +shifting many of the regiments, and the three friends found themselves +on the move, without a chance to see Noddy. + +"But his company moves, too," declared Ned, who had made some +inquiries. "He's in the same division we are, and we'll see him when +we get settled again." + +But they did not see Noddy Nixon again for some time, though they +heard of him, and under tragic circumstances. + +The guess the boys had made about a great offensive was a correct one. +The time had come for the turning point in the war, and the backward +movement of the British and French was about to stop. The American +forces were increasing, and now General Foch was able to put into +practice the strategy he had so long waited for. He could attack, and +with great hope of succeeding. The turning point had been reached. + +There were rumors and all sorts of stories floating around the camp. +Ned, Bob and Jerry had been moved to the north and farther toward the +great Hindenburg line which was so soon to be pierced, impregnable +though the Germans boasted it. + +Professor Snodgrass, too, managed, by means of some influence he +possessed, to be allowed to accompany that part of the army to which +his young friends were attached. He had not ceased his efforts to +locate the two girls, but he realized, as did Jerry and his chums, +that it was an almost hopeless proceeding now. However, there was +still the study of explosive noises on insects to which the professor +could devote himself, and he did. + +The boys noted, however, that the strain of his uncertain financial +situation was telling on the little man. Cheerful as always, and +seemingly oblivious to practical affairs, yet there was at times a +strained look about his eyes. + +"Yes," he said one day in answer to a question Jerry put, "I have +enough for my immediate needs. If I do not get back what I lent to my +old friend--and I may even lose more, as I endorsed a note for him to +cover a loan from another--and if I cannot use what Professor Petersen +left me, I shall have before long to give up my work here, however. +And, of course, the trip to the Amazon and the investigations there +must be given up." + +"I am sorry, Professor. Can't we----" began Jerry. + +"Tut, tut!" interrupted Professor Snodgrass, with a kindly smile. +"We'll no doubt find the girls--I hope so for their sake as well as my +own--and perhaps my friend may be able to adjust his affairs, though I +fear----Poor man, poor Albert! It will be a dreadful thing for him to +lose all he has and be compelled to start the world over again at his +age." And Professor Snodgrass walked away, his personal trouble +forgotten in sympathy with his friend, the very man who was the cause +of his own anxieties and probable losses. + +Vast were the preparations that went on for the advance against the +enemy. Never was there such a collection of cannon, large and small. +Never was there such a store of powder and shell. The back lines were +like a hundred arsenals turned into one. Food, too, there was in great +quantities, for it has been well said that an army fights on its +stomach, and there must be no lack of nourishment when the troops went +forward, as they were destined to do. + +All these war-like preparations the three chums noted with every +manifestation of delight. They wanted to whip the Hun, and whip him +well, and all this argued for success. The soldiers knew they would be +well backed-up as they went forward, and forward they were going. + +Orders were given that every man must look well to himself +personally--to his uniform, his belongings, and his weapons. All gas +masks were tested, and those in use for some time, or which showed the +least defect, were thrown away and new ones issued. There must be no +holding up of the advance once it had begun, because of poison gas. +And it could not be doubted but what the Germans would use it +lavishly. + +Rifles and hand grenades, likewise, were looked to. Everything must be +in readiness so there would not be an instant of unnecessary delay. +But it was the store of cannon and ammunition back of the firing lines +that was most amazing. + +The three chums, being sent on duty to the rear one day, had a chance +to observe some of the measures being taken there to insure the defeat +of the Kaiser's troops. The ground was fairly covered with ammunition +boxes and shells--well concealed from hostile airmen, of course, even +had they been able to pass that far to the rear. And the guns, large +and small, lined up ready for the forward movement, were wheel to +wheel for miles and miles in extent. The greatest artillery firing in +the history of the world was about to take place. + +"If the professor wants to see the effect of a rattle-te-bang on his +bugs he'll soon get his chance," said Jerry, and his chums could only +agree with him. + +"I only wish one thing," remarked Bob, as they prepared to go back to +the front, after having accomplished their mission. + +"What?" asked Ned. + +"I'd like to have it out with Noddy Nixon before the big show. I just +want to get one whack at him for taking our wood and those doughnuts +and cakes of chocolate. Just one whack!" + +But this "whack" Bob was destined never to have. + +They again went on duty in the trenches. The day of the great +offensive was approaching. + +Suddenly a shot rang out in the sector near the three Motor Boys. They +started, and Ned exclaimed: + +"Can that be the signal for the attack?" + +"No, it doesn't begin until to-morrow," said Jerry. "That's one of our +own men. Guess his rifle went off by accident." + +There was a little excitement, but what had caused it the boys could +not learn at the time, as they must stay at their posts. But a little +later, when their lieutenant came through the trench, Ned, saluting, +asked: + +"Did one of our sharpshooters get a Hun, Sir?" + +"No," was the answer. "It wasn't that. Private Nixon was shot." + +"Noddy Nixon shot!" gasped Bob. "How?" + +"S. I. W.," was the terse reply of the officer, as he passed on. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE BLACK BOX + + +The three chums, standing in the wet and muddy trench, looked at one +another as this significant remark was made. Bob either did not catch +what was said, or did not understand, for he asked his companions: + +"What did he say?" + +"S. I. W.," repeated Jerry. + +"Self-inflicted wound," translated Ned. "So Noddy Nixon did that to +himself to get out of the big battle! Well, it's just like the coward! +I'm glad he isn't in our company!" + +"So am I," added Jerry. + +"Self-inflicted wound," repeated Bob. + +"Well, he's out of the fighting now," declared Ned, "though he'll have +the worst time he ever had in his life. He'd better be dead by a Hun +shell." + +Silence fell upon the three in the trench while, not far from them, +they could hear the commotion caused as Noddy was taken away to a +hospital. And there, for some time, he remained safely if not +comfortably in bed, while his companions endured the mud and the +blood of the trenches, meeting death and wounds, or just escaping them +by a hair's breadth to drive back the hordes of the Boches. + +But over Noddy's cot, and over that of several men on either side of +him was a placard with the significant letters: + + _S. I. W._ + +"Self-inflicted wound." One of the most terrible tragedies of the +war--more tragic, even, than the death of the gallant boys on the day +the armistice was signed, yes, within an hour of it. For those letters +indicated a disgrace that seldom, if ever, could be wiped out. + +Briefly it meant that a soldier afraid of going into action with his +comrades, went to some secluded place and, aiming his gun or pistol at +some extremity--a hand or a foot--where a wound was likely to be +slight and not very painful, pulled the trigger. Then followed the +story that a stray German bullet, coming over the top of the trench as +the man exposed himself, had done the deed. + +But the nature of the wound, the character of the bullet, and, above +all, the appearance of the man himself, told the real story. Sometimes +the victims would say their weapon went off by accident as they were +cleaning it, and this was perhaps worst of all, for it put the canker +of doubt into genuine cases of this sort, and there are bound to be +some such in every army. + +So Noddy was carried away to the hospital, and "S. I. W." was +inscribed over his cot. + +As to the causes leading up to the self-inflicted wounds they are many +and varied. Sometimes a soldier may become fear-crazed, and +irresponsible for his act. Other men are just plain "yellow," clear +through, and ought never to have gone into the fighting. They should +have confessed cowardice at first, though, of course, that would be +hard. + +Sometimes, though rarely, these "S. I. W." cases "came back." That is, +they were given a chance to redeem themselves and went to the fighting +front with a song on their lips and undaunted courage in their eyes. +And then, if they died doing their duty they were absolved. But it was +a desperate chance. + +Every one recognized that there was an element of doubt in these +cases, but as for Noddy Nixon, when his significant question to the +surgeon as to the relative pain of a hand or foot wound was recalled, +he was condemned already. He had shot himself slightly in the left +foot. He was dishonorably discharged when he was cured, and sent home, +and, therefore, did not trouble the Motor Boys again, nor did Bob get +his revenge for the stolen articles. + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry did not feel much like talking after they learned +what had happened. They had no love for Noddy Nixon, and he had +treated them exceedingly badly in the past, as well as tormenting them +since they had been associated in the army. But they knew that nothing +they could have done or said would have been half as effective +punishment as that which he had brought on himself. Henceforth, among +decent men, he was an outcast; a pariah. + +The long night passed. Sentries were changed, a watch was kept to +forestall any attack on the part of the Germans, but none came. Save +for the occasional clash of a night patrol, or the false alarm of some +one on listening post, there was little action during the hours +preceding the great offensive. + +Their tour of duty ended, Ned, Bob, and Jerry sought rest in the +dugout. There, with but few more comforts than in the trenches, they +waited until the time should come again for them to go out and take a +"mud bath," as Ned called it. + +For it rained often, and the trenches never seemed to dry. Still at +this stage of the war there were more comforts for the men on the +firing line than when France and England first opposed the advance of +the gray hordes. + +"When does the big show start?" asked Ned, as he and his chums came +out of the dugout for a few hours' stay farther behind the lines. "I +thought the bombardment was to begin this morning." + +"Must be delayed for some reason," said Jerry with a yawn. "Come on, +let's go somewhere and sit down. We'll know when it's time for the +shindig to start." + +"Let's see if we can find the professor," suggested Bob. "We may have +hard work to get word to him after the fighting begins." + +This seemed a good plan, and it was followed. Professor Snodgrass was +billeted temporarily in a farmhouse on the edge of a little French +village near which the boys were on duty. Thither they went, and found +their friend poring over books and papers. + +"Well, how goes it?" asked Jerry, after they had all shaken hands. + +"Well, indeed," was the answer. "I have not yet found the young +ladies, but I expect to, soon. I have heard that Mr. Schmouder, the +father of the janitor, who was looking after them, and who knew +something of their plans, moved from his home town, outside of Metz, +lately, and started farther back into Germany." + +"Then I should think it would be harder than ever for you to trace +them," suggested Ned. + +"No, I think it will be easier," said the professor, but he did not +explain how. + +"Getting the results you expected from the insect noise campaign, +Professor?" asked Jerry. + +"Yes, my boy. It is a complete success. I even have some moving +pictures taken with my new machine that helped me capture the Germans. +Wait, and I will show you." + +He seemed as cheerful as though no cloud of financial trouble hung +over his head and as though the World War were being fought to give +him opportunity to test the effect of noise on the crickets. He turned +to a table in his room, and began delving in a mass of things. To get +at something he wanted to exhibit to the boys, he set in the middle of +the floor a small, black box. + +Just as he did that a soldier, evidently an officer of some kind in +the French army, stepped into the room, and in a mixture of French and +English asked if Professor Snodgrass was there. + +"I am he," answered the scientist. + +"Ah, zen you will please come with me," said the soldier. "You are +wanted at ze headquarters." + +"Wanted at headquarters!" repeated the professor. "What for?" + +"Zis will explain," and the officer handed a note to Professor +Snodgrass. + +As the professor read it a smile came over his face. + +"Ah, I understand," he said. "I will come at once. Boys, we will let +the insect pictures wait a minute. Perhaps you will be interested in +my latest discovery. Come, I am ready to go," and he picked up the +black box from the floor and stood in waiting. + +The officer looked a little dubiously at the object in the professor's +hand, and then at the three boys. + +"My orders did not include--_zem_!" he said, indicating Ned, Bob, and +Jerry, "nor--_zat_!" and he pointed to the box. + +"This has to come," replied the professor. "It is part of what I +proposed. As for my friends, I will be responsible for them." + +"Very well, sair!" and the Frenchman bowed and led the way. + +Wonderingly the boys followed Professor Snodgrass, and presently found +themselves at field headquarters. A company of French soldiers were +standing about, and while waiting for the summons to the presence of +the headquarters officer who had sent for him, Professor Snodgrass set +down on the ground the black box he had brought. + +Then he suddenly saw a curious insect crawling along and became intent +on its capture. The boys were watching him and paid no attention to +the black box until they heard some one yell: + +"Look out, boys! It's an infernal machine in there--a bomb! He's a +spy and he's going to blow up the whole place. It's an infernal +machine--I can hear the buzzing of the battery inside." + +An American soldier, who had approached the box and had leaned over to +inspect it, leaped away and began running as he cried out his warning. +There was consternation among the officers and men outside the +headquarters building, and Professor Snodgrass, pausing in his search +for the elusive insect, gazed up in surprise at the commotion. + +"What has happened?" he asked. + +"Some one says there's a bomb in that black box of yours," explained +Jerry. + +"If there is, get it out of the way! Douse it in water. Throw it away. +Look out!" yelled several. + +One or two soldiers started for the black box, and others with ready +bayonets for the professor, for there had been a number of spies +discovered of late in that sector. + +"Don't touch that box!" cried the professor. "Don't open it! Keep away +from it!" + +And, as he hurried toward it, the soldiers leaped back. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +A DISAPPEARANCE + + +"Halt!" + +It was the ringing voice of one of the officers speaking, and so sharp +was the tone that even Professor Snodgrass paused in his movement +toward the black box. + +"Don't go any further," went on the officer, who stood dominating the +scene. "Some one secure that man, and then we'll dispose of the box. +Take good care of him!" and he pointed to the scientist. + +Ned Slade, Bob Baker, and Jerry Hopkins looked in astonishment at one +another. What could it all mean? + +"Zere must be some mistake," said the French officer who had escorted +the professor to headquarters. + +"Mistake? No!" exclaimed the American officer who had ordered a halt +in the proceedings. "But it would be a mistake if we let him get near +that black box. I heard all that was said. If that is a bomb the best +way to let him carry out his plan would be to set it going, even if +he destroyed himself. Some spies are capable of that." + +"Spy!" cried Jerry, instinctively, forgetting that he was speaking to +a superior officer. "Professor Snodgrass isn't a spy!" + +"No, I am sure he is not!" + +This was another officer speaking, one well known to the professor, +and who knew him. In fact, it was this officer who had summoned the +former instructor of Boxwood Hall to headquarters. + +"Don't arrest the professor," went on the latter officer. "As for his +black box, handle it just as he tells you." + +"But, Colonel Lacombe," protested the officer who had interfered in +the proceedings. "Surely you----" + +"I understand it perfectly, Major Dustan," was the smiling reply. "I'm +sure you'll find it all a mistake when I explain, or rather, when +Professor Snodgrass explains. That is why I sent for him. Will you +come this way, if you please, Professor? And bring the black box----" + +At that instant the little scientist, who appeared to have recovered +his composure on the appearance of his friend, the colonel, pointed to +the black box which, all this while, had remained on the ground in +front of the group of headquarters buildings. + +"Look out!" shouted Professor Snodgrass. "The box has been opened by +mistake. They're coming out! Run, everybody!" + +Turning, he caught hold of Bob, who was nearest him, and began pulling +him along. + +The flight of the professor was contagious. Every one near turned and +fled, and Jerry, looking over his shoulder, saw what seemed to be a +black cloud of smoke coming from the black box. + +The heart of the tall, young soldier seemed to fail him. After all, +had a mistake been made? Was it possible that a spy was using the +innocent and sometimes absent-minded professor for some base and +terrible end? Could there have been a substitution made, and one of +the harmless boxes of the scientist exchanged for a deadly bomb which +he had, unwittingly, introduced at headquarters, so that, exploding, +it might kill a number of valuable officers? + +These thoughts flashed through Jerry's mind as he ran along beside +Ned. The black cloud from the box was becoming more dense. + +"Maybe it's only a smoke bomb," thought Jerry. "Or perhaps the powder, +or whatever is in it, has become wet, because of so much rain, and is +only burning instead of exploding. I hope so." + +Then came a yell from some one. It was followed by several other cries +of physical distress. + +"Maybe it's a new kind of poison gas the Germans have taken this means +to set off," mused Jerry as he leaped along. "But I don't smell +anything. Could it be possible that spies have played this trick on +the professor?" + +Jerry well knew that even with all his absent-mindedness and his blind +devotion to science, that Professor Snodgrass would never, willingly, +do anything to harm the Allied cause. + +And yet---- + +More yells came from the soldiers that had been gathered around the +black box and who fled when Professor Snodgrass gave the alarm. And +the yells began to come from some of the officers, too. They were not +above giving vent to either pain or surprise. + +And then suddenly Jerry felt a sharp pain on the back of his neck. At +first he thought it might have come from some missile, discharged +noiselessly from the black box. He clapped his hand to the seat of the +pain and at once became aware that he had struck and crushed some +small insect. It came away in his hand, twisting and curling in its +death agony, and the pain in Jerry's neck increased. + +"Why!" he cried as he saw the bug. "Why, it's a wasp! A wasp!" + +"Of course it is!" said Professor Snodgrass, flapping his arms about +his head, and Jerry now saw the reason. A number of vicious wasps +were buzzing about them. + +"They're wasps, with the worst stings of any I ever saw!" yelled the +professor. "That's why I want to get away. I was stung by one of them +once, and I'll never forget it. Look out! Here come more of 'em!" + +There was a cloud of the wasps flying about Bob, Jerry, and the +professor now, and the tall lad noted that the insects were also +hovering around other soldiers and officers. There was a black cloud +of them near the small case that had caused such a scare. + +"Was that what was in the black box?" asked Jerry, as he dodged a wasp +that seemed about to alight on his nose. + +"Yes. Wasps," asserted the scientist. "The most war-like wasps I have +been able to discover in this part of Europe. They are a cross breed +of the _Vespidæ Polistes_, _Eumenes_, and _Odynerus_, and for stings +are not to be equalled." + +"Wasps!" cried Jerry, as he swung and swatted at some still buzzing +around him. "What in the world did you expect to do with them, +Professor Snodgrass? And why did you have them in the black box?" + +"I had them to show to one of the headquarters officers," was the +answer. "But I think I had better postpone the explanation until we +get rid of our pursuers. Let's go under those bushes. I think we +shall be safe then," and the professor unceremoniously dived under a +clump of shrubbery, an example followed by Jerry and some of the +others. + +Ned and Bob, who had managed to accompany the professor and their tall +chum, were stung several times before they, also, found shelter +beneath the thick leaves, and howls of pain from a number of soldiers +indicated that they, too, felt the stings of the insects. + +For a while there was as bad a rout of the headquarters staff as if +the Germans had overwhelmed it. But finally the insects were +dispersed, most of them flying off to the woods, while those that +remained were beaten off, so that the officers and men began to drift +back again. The professor and the Motor Boys came out of hiding, and +then curious looks began to be cast at the scientist and the black +box, which was now empty. The displaced cover showed how the wasps had +gotten out. + +"Is this the new weapon for causing a German retreat that you promised +to show me?" asked the colonel of the professor, trying not to smile +as he put the question. + +"Yes," answered Professor Snodgrass, "it is. I am sorry, but I am +afraid there are no specimens left to show you. Some one must have +tampered with the fastening of the case, and the insects came out." + +"I can offer personal testimony that they came out," said the colonel, +trying not to squirm. "They came, they saw, and they conquered. And +all I have to say is that I thank you for your interest in the matter, +but that we shall have to decline to add your new and very efficient, +but uncontrollable, weapon to the Allied armament." + +"Does that mean you can't use the wasps?" asked the professor. + +"I'm afraid it does," said the colonel. "You see they are too +uncertain--like the poison gas the Germans first used. It came back on +them. The wasps might do that to us." + +"Yes," agreed the little scientist, "they might." + +And then, as the last of the insects disappeared, and the headquarters +staff came back from various places of refuge, Professor Snodgrass +explained. + +He had long wanted to do something to help the Allied cause, and +thought perhaps it might be along the line of his studies of insects. +Then the idea of wasps had come to him. He knew the vicious nature of +the insects, and how fearlessly they would attack anything in their +way. It was his idea that many thousands of the wasps might be +propagated in artificial nests and loosed on the German armies +preceding an attack by the Allies. The wasps would certainly cause +disorder, if not a rout, he thought, and so he had communicated his +idea to his friend, the colonel. + +That is, he had communicated the fact that he had the idea, but he had +not disclosed the nature of the "new weapon," as he called it in a +note. Always willing to test anything new, the colonel had sent for +the professor, inviting him to bring a model of the "new weapon" with +him. The officer supposed the "weapon" might be a gun, projectile or +powder. + +"The idea was a good one in theory," said Jerry, as he and his chums +went back with the professor, who carried the now empty black box. + +"And it worked out all right in practice," declared Ned. "I never saw +a quicker retreat." + +"The only thing that spoils it, as the colonel said," added Bob, "is +the inability of a wasp to distinguish between a friend and a foe. If +they could be trained, now----" + +"We'll delegate that to you," put in Ned. + +"No, thanks! I'm stung badly enough as it is." + +And the professor, sadly shaking his head over the failure of his +scheme, went back to work further on his plan of making moving +pictures of insects hopping about under the stimulus of the noise of +big guns. + +But for many a day the story of the wasps at headquarters was told up +and down the firing line. + +It was about a week after this, when preparations for the big attack +had almost reached completion, that the three chums, having an hour or +so to spare, thought to call on Professor Snodgrass. They went to the +little house in the French village where he had been staying, and +inquired for him. + +"He has disappeared, Messieurs," answered the old woman who looked +after the place. + +"Disappeared!" echoed the boys blankly. + +"Yes, Messieurs. He went out yesterday morning without his hat to +chase after a butterfly he saw in the garden, and he did not come +back. He has disappeared. I am sorry, for he was a nice man, though a +trifle queer at times." + +"Well, what do you know about that?" gasped Jerry, while his chums +looked at him in wondering amazement. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +ST. MIHIEL + + +"What are we going to do?" asked Bob. + +"What can we do?" Ned returned. + +"Let's go after him and bring him back!" exclaimed the excitable Bob. +"Maybe the Germans have him!" + +"Then we'll not easily get him," said Jerry. "And, as a matter of +fact, we can't even try." + +"Why not?" asked Ned. + +"Because we can't leave. All furloughs have been stopped these last +three days. We may go into action any minute. If the professor is in +trouble we can't help him." + +"That seems hard," murmured Bob. + +"It is," agreed Jerry. "But it's the fortune of war. We're here to +fight, and we've got to do that when the time comes. It may be that +the professor has only wandered off among our own soldiers, or those +of the French or English, after a butterfly or some other bug." + +"But without his hat!" exclaimed Bob. + +"And gone more than a day!" added Ned. + +"Those things wouldn't worry him," said Jerry. "Half the time he +forgets his hat, and it is midsummer now. As for being gone more than +a day, he's often spent longer than that chasing a single flea. He is +used to camping out, and he'll get along somehow. We'll just have to +let him go, that's all." + +"I suppose so," agreed Ned; "but it's too bad." + +It was, but there was nothing they could do. The professor might +wander into the enemy's territory and be captured, or he might come +safely back to the little French village. + +"Though if he doesn't come back what are we to do with his things and +about Professor Petersen's nieces?" asked Ned. + +"The best we can," advised Jerry. + +"After the war, if we're alive, we can look for the girls," suggested +Bob. + +"Pretty slim chance of finding 'em," murmured Ned. + +"It wouldn't do much good, anyway, if we can't find the professor. The +money was not left to us to divide," was Jerry's comment. + +Jerry had spoken truly when he said that all leave had been stopped, +for now were beginning the final great assaults of the American and +Allied armies that were, if not actually to overwhelm the Huns, at +least to approach so nearly that state that there was a distinction +without a difference. + +And it was well that Ned, Bob, and Jerry returned to their station +when they did, for not ten minutes later the general order to move +forward was given up and down the long line. + +"Forward!" was the battle cry--the watchword that was to guide them +all. "Forward!" + +Forward they went, against Germany's best troops. Forward against a +relentless and almost impregnable foe. Forward in the name of +Humanity, Freedom, and Right. Forward all! + +And as Ned, Bob, and Jerry marched with their comrades up to the +firing lines there began that great movement of American troops which +took part in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient--the wiping out +of the great wedge the Germans had driven into France. And with the +wiping out of this there began the final battle--the cleaning of the +Argonne Forest which brought an end to the war. + +For some time General Pershing and his general staff had looked +forward to the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient. With that out of +the way it meant the concentration of the American divisions in their +own zone. + +Late in August the line, beginning at Port sur Seille, east of the +Moselle, and extending to the west through St. Mihiel, thence north to +a point opposite Verdun, was placed under the supervision of the +American commander. Later the American sector was extended across the +Meuse to the western edge of the Argonne Forest, and included the +Second Colonial French, which held the point of the salient and the +Seventeenth French Corps, which occupied the heights above Verdun. + +As Ned, Bob, and Jerry marched on with their comrades they saw, or +became aware of, the immensity of the preparations needed to make this +movement a success. For they had to move against a German position +second to none in strength. To quote General Pershing: + +"The preparation for a complicated operation against the formidable +defenses in front of us included the assembling of divisions and of +corps of army artillery, transport, aircraft, tanks, ambulances, the +location of hospitals, and the molding together of all of the elements +of a great modern army with its own railheads, supplied directly by +our own Service of Supply. The concentration for this operation, which +was to be a surprise, involved the movement, mostly at night, of +approximately 600,000 troops, and required for its success the most +careful attention to every detail. + +"The French were generous in giving us assistance in corps and army +artillery, with its personnel, and we were confident from the start of +our superiority over the enemy in guns of all calibers. Our heavy +guns were able to reach Metz and to interfere seriously with German +rail movements. The French Independent Air Force was placed under my +command which, together with the British bombing squadrons and our air +forces, gave us the largest assembly of aviation that had ever been +engaged in one operation on the western front." + +It must not be imagined that all this great army went forward in a day +or two, or that the battle lasted but a short time. On the other hand, +it was a fight, tooth and nail, for almost every foot of the way. The +battle line from Les Esparages, around the nose of the St. Mihiel +salient to the Moselle River was about forty miles, and was greatly +strengthened by artificial defenses. This gives some idea of the task +ahead of General Pershing. If you will picture to yourself a distance +from your own home, as you sit reading this, to some point distant +forty miles, in the woods or mountains, and then figure this forty +miles occupied by advancing troops, fighting against a ruthless foe, +you will have some idea of the battle of St. Mihiel. + +And it was forward into this battle that Ned, Bob, and Jerry and their +comrades moved. It would be impossible to tell all that happened--of +the surging forward into the face of devastating fire; of the men who +fell at the sides of the chums, killed or desperately wounded; of the +terrible and awful sights they saw. For days they fought on. Gaining +ground here, losing, perhaps, a little there, hiding all night in +rain-filled shell-holes, being driven out, but going back to recapture +them again. On and on they went. + +They were weary to death, but they kept on, and, for a wonder, such is +sometimes the fortune of war, neither Ned, Bob, nor Jerry was +seriously wounded. They received minor knocks, scratches, and bruises, +and once Bob's cheek was grazed by a bullet. But they did not have to +drop out of the fighting. + +And it was fierce! No other word describes it. They fought, and +fought, and fought again, onward, ever onward. For they must not stop. +The American army did not know that word. + +And then, after nearly two weeks of steady fighting, with only such +rest for the exhausted troops as was absolutely necessary, came the +final stage. Ned, Bob, and Jerry, staggering from weariness, took +their places in line one gray morning. + +Suddenly about them thundered great salvos of firing. It shook the +very ground. The chums looked at one another in wonder. + +"This must be another big show," shouted Jerry. He had to shout to be +heard above the noise. + +"It is," said Ned. + +And it was. It was the final assault against the last of the German +defenses in St. Mihiel. + +"Forward!" came the cry, given after four hours of the greatest +artillery barrage ever laid down. At five o'clock, on the morning of +September 12th, seven American divisions in the front line advanced. +They were assisted by tanks, manned by Americans and French, and there +were groups of wire-cutters and other groups armed with bangalore +torpedoes. "These," says General Pershing, in his report, "went +through the successive bands of barbed wire that protected the enemy's +front line and support trenches, in irresistable waves on schedule +time, breaking down all defenses of an enemy demoralized by the great +volume of our artillery fire, and our sudden approach out of the +fog." + +And forward, in their own modest and humble way, with this great army +of liberation went Ned, Bob, and Jerry. Shooting and being shot at +they went forward until the iron strength of the foe was broken, and +the cry sounded: + +"They're running away! We've got 'em beat!" + +And thus it was. German troops were giving way in a rout. Let General +Pershing tell it in his own simple way: + +"Our 1st Corps advanced to Thiacourt, while our 4th Corps curved back +to the southwest through Nonsard. The 2d Colonial French Corps made +the slight advance required of it on very difficult ground, and the +5th Corps took its three ridges and repulsed a counter-attack. A rapid +march brought reserve regiments of a division of the 5th Corps into +Vigneulles in the early morning, where it linked up with patrols of +our 4th Corps, closing the salient and forming a new line west of +Thiacourt to Vigneulles and beyond Fresnes-en-Woevre. At the cost of +only 7,000 casualties, mostly light, we had taken 16,000 prisoners and +443 guns, a great quantity of material, released the inhabitants of +many villages from enemy domination, and established our lines in a +position to threaten Metz. This signal success of the American First +Army in its first offensive was of prime importance. The Allies found +they had a formidable army to aid them, and the enemy learned finally +that he had one to reckon with." + +And that was the battle of St. Mihiel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +IN ARGONNE FOREST + + +"Well, I reckon we get a rest now, don't we?" asked Bob of his two +chums, as they were ordered to report to a certain point with others +of their command. + +"A rest?" cried Ned. "Say, Chunky, I'm going to take a leaf out of +your book and wish for something to eat." + +"I guess we'll get that, but I doubt if we get much rest," put in +Jerry Hopkins. "I can smell something cooking, but I don't see 'em +getting any beds ready for us." + +And Jerry proved a true prophet, for there was refreshment for the +battle-worn troops--hot food which they very much needed. + +"Have we got to fight some more?" asked Bob, as he ate his rations +with every indication of appetite. + +"I should say so!" cried Jerry. "Why, we've got to take the Argonne +Forest yet, and that's going to be worse than this." + +And it was. + +Without giving his divisions a rest, which he dared not do, General +Pershing, on the day after the capture of St. Mihiel, sent some of +them toward the area back of the line between the Meuse River and the +western edge of the Forest of Argonne. Though the fighting to gain St. +Mihiel had been terrific, with this out of the way the German line was +still intact from Switzerland to the east of Rheims. The general +attack, all along this line, was with the hope of cutting it, and the +part assigned to the American armies was, as the hinge of the Allied +offensive, directed toward important railway communications of the +German armies through Mezieres and Sedan. + +Knowing that the Germans realized what it would mean to them to lose +the Argonne Forest, General Pershing and his staff made every +preparation for success. To this end as much secrecy as possible +marked the advance of the Americans. + +Says General Pershing: + +"We expected to draw the best German divisions to our front, and to +consume them, while the enemy was held under grave apprehension lest +our attack should break his line, which it was our firm purpose to +do." + +Ringing words that will go down in history to the honor of America! + +And with this advance, fighting as they went, Ned, Bob, and Jerry, and +thousands of their brave comrades, dashed forward into what was to be +one of the bloodiest and most desperate engagements of the war. To let +General Pershing tell the story in part, by quoting again from his +wonderful report: + +"On the night of September 25th our troops quietly took the place of +the French who thinly held the line in this sector, which had long +been inactive. In the attack which began on the 26th we drove through +the barbed-wire entanglements and the sea of shell craters across No +Man's Land, mastering all the first-line defenses. Continuing on the +27th and 28th, against machine guns and artillery of an increasing +number of enemy reserve divisions, we penetrated to a depth of from +three to seven miles and took the village of Montfaucon and its +commanding hill and Exermont, Gercourt, Cuisy, Septsarges, Malancourt, +Ivoiry, Epinonville, Charpentry, Very, and other villages. East of the +Meuse one of our divisions, which was with the 2d Colonial French +Corps, captured Marcheville and Rieville, giving further protection to +the flank of our main body. We had taken 10,000 prisoners, we had +gained our point of forcing the battle into the open, and were +prepared for the enemy's reaction, which was bound to come, as he had +good roads and ample railroad facilities for bringing up his artillery +and reserves. + +"In the chill rain of dark nights our engineers had to build new roads +across spongy, shell-torn areas, repair broken roads beyond No Man's +Land, and build bridges. Our gunners, with no thought of sleep, put +their shoulders to wheels and drag-ropes to bring their guns through +the mire in support of the infantry, now under the increasing fire of +the enemy's artillery. Our attack had taken the enemy by surprise, +but, quickly recovering himself, he began to fire counter-attacks in +strong force, supported by heavy bombardments, with large quantities +of gas. From September 28th until October 4th we maintained the +offensive against patches of woods defended by snipers and continuous +lines of machine guns, and pushed forward our guns and transport, +seizing strategical points in preparation for further attacks." + +And Ned, Bob, and Jerry had an honorable if humble part in all this. +Forward they fought their way, now falling back as some fierce German +resistance turned into a counter-attack and again rushing on to +capture some little wooded knoll or hold some group of trees after the +Hun machine gunners had been killed. + +That was the worst of the fighting--against the machine guns. They +were almost as thick as leaves in this Argonne Forest and the woods +offered excellent protection to the enemy. + +But it was fight, if not exactly in the open, more nearly so than +battles of the trenches, which the Americans hated. It was like being +on their own ground, for, though the forest was in France, the trees +and bushes were like those in any dense American woods. + +"It's like being with the professor on some bug-hunting trip!" yelled +Bob, as he and his chums rushed on, firing as they went. + +"Except it isn't so healthy," added Jerry. "Look out!" he shouted, and +he pulled Bob down into the underbrush beside him only just in time, +for there came a burst of bullets from a machine gun, concealed in a +clump of trees, and but for Jerry's timely act when he saw it, Bob +might have been killed. + +Then, with a yell, a company of Americans, with Ned, Bob, and Jerry +aiding them, rushed on the Hun nest and wiped it out, turning the +machine gun on the gray troops about them. + +So the fighting went on, bitterly and terribly, as it had been going +on for over a month, for this was now the beginning of October. + +There came a lull in the conflict in the immediate neighborhood of the +Motor Boys. They sank down exhausted on the ground under the trees, +waiting for further commands, for an officer had ordered a halt. + +As the captain of the company to which Ned, Bob, and Jerry had been +assigned was approaching to gather his men together, a runner came +along a scarcely defined path. + +He saluted the captain, and talked to him for a moment. Jerry, who was +nearest his commander, saw a queer look on the latter's face. Then, as +the runner, with his message disappeared into the depths of the +forest, the captain turned to his lieutenant, and our heroes heard him +say: + +"We're cut off!" + +"Cut off?" + +"Yes, our battalion and another is surrounded here in the Argonne +Forest. There are Germans all around us. We're cut off. A runner has +just gone to see if he can get through and summon help." + +"Surrounded!" was the thought that came to all who heard. "Surrounded +by the Germans! Cut off!" + +And then, almost as soon as that thought formed came another. + +"We'll hold out until help comes or fight our way through!" + +And then began the tragic story of the "Lost Battalions." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +CAPTURED + + +Just how or why the two battalions became lost and surrounded in the +Argonne Forest probably no one will ever know. It was probably a case +of the commands rushing on irresistibly to get as far as possible into +the fore of the fight, and in going too far through over-zealousness. +Or there may have been misunderstandings, which would not be uncommon +in such a great battle. + +However it was, two American battalions were cut off from their +supporting friends, and surrounded by the Germans who, after having +been driven out of the woods at a certain point, stormed back and +closed the gap through which the two battalions had gone. Thus they +were held at the mercy of the Huns. + +But, as has been said, there was only one thought in the minds of +all--or rather, two. To fight their way back and establish +communication with their comrades if possible, or to stand off the +attacking Germans until help came. + +And then began a terrible time that lasted from October 2d to October +8th--a week of terror, death and anguish. But the brave Americans bore +it all with fortitude. They had no thought of surrender even when +their food gave out and their ammunition was reduced to the last few +rounds. + +Once it was certain that the two battalions were surrounded by the +Germans in the thick woods, a plan of defense was laid out. The +commanding officers held a consultation and outlined what they hoped +to do. Sending runners for help was one of these. But this plan did +not succeed. Most of the runners were either killed or captured. Some +may have gotten through, wounded, but for some time it was impossible +for the relieving army to locate their lost comrades. Efforts were +made to find them by means of aeroplanes flying over the woods, but +the growth of trees and bushes was so dense that no observations could +be made. + +And, all this while, the Germans were firing steadily at the brave men +whom they had surrounded in a ring of steel. Mortars and machine guns +poured a storm of shot and bullets on them, but the Americans replied +in kind, killing and being killed. For terrible toll was taken by the +Huns, who had the advantage. + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry did their duty as it came to them, as their +companions did. Once Jerry, volunteering as a runner from one position +to another, to take the place of a man killed, came to a lonely spot +in the forest and as he advanced he heard the shrill whine of a bullet +near him. + +Instinctively he felt where it came from, and thought he had located +the German sniper. Dropping into a pile of leaves, as though shot, +Jerry watched from under his cap. He saw a Hun cautiously raise his +head from behind a distant stump, and that was the last act on the +part of that particular German. + +Jerry fired from his pistol, prone as he lay, and the shot went true. +Then the tall lad resumed his journey, delivered the message and +brought back the answer. + +The days and nights of terror passed slowly. There was engagement +after engagement. Time after time the Americans tried to break +through, but were driven back with terrific loss. But the Germans +could not approach close enough to wipe them out. Always when the Huns +stormed there was such a withering fire from the American guns that +the Kaiser's troops fled back to the fastness of the woods. + +Then came the sending, under a flag of truce, of the German +commander's invitation to surrender. He asked the American commander +to give up, to save useless bloodshed, and said the Americans taken +prisoner would be well treated. + +The American commander sent back an answer which rang with defiance. + +And the fighting went on. + +It was awful! The food dwindled away as did the ammunition. But still +the surrounded battalions--now less than half their original +strength--would not surrender. + +"What will be the outcome?" asked Bob wearily, as he and his chums, +hidden in a shell hole, held their part of the line. + +"We'll win! That's what will be the outcome!" cried Jerry fiercely. +"We'll show the Huns how we fight!" + +There came a terrific burst of firing, and a hail of bullets swept +over their heads. + +"They're coming on again!" yelled Ned. + +The firing increased, but it did not seem to approach nearer. Instead, +it appeared to be going away. + +"What can it mean?" asked Jerry. + +"There's heavy fighting going on over there," and Ned indicated a +point in the forest where it was known the Germans were in strong +force. + +There was activity among those that were left of the two battalions. +Last desperate efforts had been made to send runners through the enemy +line to regimental headquarters to summon help, but all had been +killed or captured. It seemed the end of everything, when this new and +heavy firing was heard. + +And then, like a drink of cold water to a fever-dying man, a ringing +American cheer came through the woods to the ears of the exhausted +ones. + +"What is it? What is it?" cried Bob. "What does it mean?" + +"It means we're rescued!" shouted Jerry, jumping up and swinging his +cap, disregarding possible German snipers. "It means the relief has +come through!" + +The lost battalions were found, the Germans holding them in the forest +were killed or driven away, and the remainder of the men were saved. + +So ended one of the most dramatic episodes of the war, the losing and +finding of these brave men who would not surrender, but preferred +death first. + +On came the relieving army, and there was rest and food and sleep for +the beleaguered ones--and of it all perhaps they needed sleep most, +for they had not dared to rest much during that terrible week. + +"But it will be something to tell the folks back home," said Bob, as +the three chums sat down together, able to eat and talk without the +fear of a German bullet or shell. + +"Yes, if we ever get there," admitted Ned. + +"And, all this while, we haven't heard a word from the professor," +said Jerry. "I'm worried about him." + +So were his chums, and if they could have seen their friend at that +moment their anxiety would have been justified. + +For briefly to chronicle the adventures that befell the little +scientist: The morning he had wandered from his temporary French +boarding place without his hat, he really had gone in pursuit of a +strange and rare butterfly. + +Then, as so often happened, he became so engrossed in his scientific +work that he forgot all about everything else, and, before he knew it, +he was miles away from home--or what passed for home in those days. + +It was late afternoon when Professor Snodgrass finally captured the +butterfly which had eluded him so long, and put it carefully away in a +pocket case. Then he began to think about getting back. His stomach +told him it was long past his dinner hour. + +Just how it happened he never knew, and probably it would never happen +again, but he managed to wander across No Man's Land at a place +secluded, and thinly guarded, and found himself behind the German +lines. + +Professor Snodgrass was not aware of this. He saw only that he was +approaching a small French village down a pleasant valley, so far away +from the immediate theater of war that the distant guns made but a +dull rumble. + +At first the little scientist thought it was his own humble village he +was coming to, and it was not until he saw some German soldiers about, +and noted the queer looks on the faces of the French inhabitants, that +he realized his mistake. + +As it happened, the big American attack was in progress, and every +available soldier was being rushed to the front, the few remaining in +this village being among the number. They were preparing to leave. + +So that, in their haste to obey orders and get to their firing line, +or perhaps because they were too busy to notice one lone little +American scientist, no attention was paid to Professor Snodgrass. + +When he saw that he was in an unfamiliar village and began to ask +questions, he was met with astonished looks, perhaps as much at his +peculiar way of speaking French as anything else. But one Frenchman +said: + +"How did you, an American, manage to get through?" + +"I don't know," answered the professor. "But now I want to get back." + +"Impossible, Monsieur. But come, I will hide you, if I can. I have +some fellow countrymen of yours at my house, or rather, some fellow +countrywomen." + +"Americans?" + +"Yes, two young ladies. They were left behind by a certain German, by +name of Louder or Chowder--name of a name--and I looked after them. +They will be glad to see you." + +"Oh, dear!" said the professor. "Ladies--American ladies--here in this +terrible place! I must do what I can for them. Take me to them, +please." + +And the Frenchman did so, with all the caution he could use. But it +was not needed. Events were transpiring that made the Germans think of +beginning a retreat instead of capturing one lone United States +college professor. + +"Here!" exclaimed the Frenchman, as he ushered his new friend into his +humble home. "Here are the ladies. I have brought you a fellow +countryman," he added, nodding to his guests. + +Two girls, whose pretty faces bore worried looks, arose to confront +Professor Snodgrass. He bowed, rather flustered as he always was in +the presence of women, and then, as he looked intently at the girls, a +strange look came over his face. + +"Excuse me," he murmured, as he reached for something in his pocket. +He took a card from an envelope and, looking at one of his companions, +asked: + +"Are you Gladys Petersen?" + +"I am!" was the surprised answer. "But how----" + +"And are you Dorothy Gibbs?" went on the little scientist, turning to +the other. + +"That is my name, but----" + +"Then I have found you," said the little man quietly. "My name is +Snodgrass, and I have a letter to you from your uncle, Professor Emil +Petersen. He leaves you half his fortune and me the other half. I have +been looking everywhere for you, and now I have found you. But I wish +the boys were here." + +"What boys?" asked Miss Petersen. + +Without answering this question the professor explained his errand, +and told of his long search for the girls, to their no small +astonishment. They were shocked to hear of their uncle's death, but +they had, long since, given up all hope of ever sharing in his wealth, +even though he had become reconciled to them after the deaths of their +parents. + +"But it is all true," said Professor Snodgrass. "He wants you to share +in his fortune, or rather, he wanted you to, and I am to carry out his +wishes as expressed in his will. By so doing I get a fortune for +myself. It is really a great relief. But now tell me--how did you +girls get here? The last I heard of you was that you were near Metz." + +"We were there," answered Miss Petersen; "but the German family with +whom we were staying after uncle went away thought the place in +danger of capture and left, taking us with them. Finally, after +traveling about, they said we had better shift for ourselves, as it +was dangerous for any German to befriend any American, which we are. +So we did what we could. We tried to make our way to the Allied lines, +but this was as far as we could get. Tell me, Professor, do you think +the Americans will come?" + +"Oh, of course! Yes!" asserted Professor Snodgrass, who would have +said anything, just then, to gain time to think, and not to worry the +girls. "Of course they'll be here, but perhaps we had better go to +meet them." + +"Oh, yes! Let's!" cried Dorothy. "Poor Uncle Emil! If he were only +here! He was very kind to us." + +"Yes, we loved him," added Gladys softly. "He was so much like you, +Professor Snodgrass--you remind me very much of him." + +"I am glad I do," was the simple answer. "Emil Petersen was a man to +be proud of. He was my friend. And now let us consider what is best to +do. I think we had better leave." + +And so, though only after much protest on the part of the kind +Frenchman, who warned them of their danger, the three set out. A hat +was provided for Professor Snodgrass. They were going to try to reach +the American lines. + +"I fear you will all be captured," said their host. "And, if you are, +it will go hard with you. The Germans hate the Americans worse than +ever since the recent defeat of the Kaiser's best troops. I fear you +will not get through." + +And they did not. Just as they seemed on the point of success, having +reached a French village at a place opposite the Allied line, they +were halted as they were about to cross in a secluded spot, and during +a lull in the fighting. + +In his innocence the professor made no effort to conceal his purpose, +and he and the young ladies were turned back, while a German officer, +smiling in contempt, said: + +"You will do for hostages if the Americans come too close!" + +"Oh, are they that near?" cried Dorothy. + +"Too near--the pigs!" muttered the officer. + +"Oh, I'm so glad!" cried Gladys. "Maybe they'll save us after all!" + +But, in spite of her brave words, she looked worried as she and her +cousin were led back. As for Professor Snodgrass, he bowed his head. +He had failed. Oh, if only the boys had come! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +RECAPTURED + + +Once more the desperate fighting was resumed. Ned, Bob, and Jerry, +after a brief rest, were again thrown into the conflict after their +rescue from the dense Forest of Argonne. That wood had not yet all +been won, but it was in the way of being. The Germans were fighting +their last desperate battles, and full well they knew it. Only a +miracle could save them now, and there was no miracle for them. + +Not that they did not fight, for they did. The resistance to the +American and Allied advance was stiff and formidable, but it was +overcome, and immense losses inflicted on the Huns as they made +counter-attack after counter-attack. + +It was one day, after some of the most severe fighting of the war that +they had ever seen, that the battalion, in which Ned, Bob, and Jerry +then were, crossed a little stream, driving the desperately defending +Germans beyond it, and entered a small French village. When the echo +of the shots had died away, and it was seen that the Huns were in +full retreat, the three chums and their comrades, at the head of a +victorious force, marched down the main street of the quaint and +ancient little town. + +Forth from their hiding places came the French population, weary and +scarred from four years of enemy occupation. Here and there the +tricolor, so long hidden, waved in the wind. The hated and dastardly +Germans had departed, never, please God, to come again! + +Forward, into the recaptured town, marched Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their +comrades in arms. With tears in their eyes the French people watched +the Americans come. It was the day so long prayed for. + +Near one of the half-ruined houses, which had been their abode--their +prison, in fact, since their capture,--stood Professor Snodgrass and +the two young ladies. + +"Oh, can you believe it, Gladys!" exclaimed Miss Gibbs. "It doesn't +seem possible, does it, that we are saved?" + +"No, but I am beginning to believe that it is not a dream any more. +Those American soldiers are real, aren't they?" + +"They are, indeed, young ladies," said the professor. "At last I shall +be able to go back to my collection, and finish, I hope, the moving +pictures of insects under the influence of big guns. Oh, I shall also +hope to take you to safety with me," he added, as he thought of his +wards. "If only the boys were here!" + +"What boys do you mean?" asked Miss Petersen. "You have so often +spoken of 'the boys,' but you have never mentioned who they were." + +And this was true, for, just as the professor had been on the point of +doing so, he and the girls had been captured by the Germans, and, +since then, he had not had the heart to speak of his friends. + +"Well, I can tell you now," he said as he and the two nieces of +Professor Petersen watched the victorious troops go marching by. +"There are three boys--three young men, American soldiers who----" + +The professor paused, and looked hard at a certain group of marching +Americans. He took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them on again +to stare with all his power at three youths who swung along with the +_sang-froid_ of veterans. + +"Why!" exclaimed Professor Snodgrass. "Why--bless my--bless--why, it's +Ned, Bob, and Jerry themselves!" he fairly shouted. "Oh, there they +are! There are the boys themselves!" and he rushed forward, tears of +joy for the moment dimming the glasses he had so carefully cleaned a +moment ago. + +"There are the boys. Jerry! Ned! Bob! Here I am! And here are the +girls! Hurrah! Hurrah for the U. S. A.! Hurrah for President Wilson! +Hurrah for General Pershing! Down with the Germans! The United States +and the Allies forever! Hurrah!" + +There was a laugh in the ranks of the marching Americans. Most of them +did not catch all that the little, excited, bald-headed man said, but +they laughed at his enthusiasm and loved him. But Ned, Bob, and Jerry +heard. + +"It's him!" yelled Bob. + +"It's the professor!" cried Ned. + +"And the girls are with him!" added Jerry. + +The lieutenant of the boys' company, seeing that something unusual was +in the wind said: + +"You may fall out. Join us later. We'll probably stay here a while. +This is our objective, and we've made it." + +And then the boys fell out and such a reunion as there was! + +The stories were told and retold, and Ned, Bob, and Jerry, after +having been presented to the young ladies, listened to their accounts +of what had happened to them since they were caught in war-torn +Europe. + +"And do you think we are safe now?" asked Miss Petersen. + +"As safe as in a church," declared Bob. "We've come to stay!" + +And so the Americans had. As General Pershing, in his report of the +operations culminating in the last phase of the Meuse-Argonne battles, +said: + +"The strategical goal which was our highest hope was gained. We had +cut the enemy's main line of communications, and nothing but surrender +or an armistice could save his army from complete disaster." + +And the armistice of November 11, 1918, came, bringing an end to the +war. + +And it also brings to an end this story. Not that the fighting was all +over, for there was some after the boys and the professor and his +charges were so happily reunited. But the Motor Boys had no further +part in it. They remained in the village where they had met the little +scientist, as a guard, until the Germans were so far away as to render +them harmless. + +"And to think you found the girls all by yourself!" exclaimed Ned, as +they were talking over the events after the first day of the capture +of the French town. + +"Well, yes, I did manage to," said the professor, "though I never +expected, when I started out for a butterfly that morning, that I'd +end up with meeting the girls I so much wanted to see." + +"But we were glad to see you," said Miss Gibbs. + +"Very," echoed Gladys. + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry were very curious to know what branch of +scientific study Miss Petersen and Miss Gibbs were interested in, for +they remembered that Nick Schmouder had said that they had left his +father's home to go further into Germany for some sort of scientific +work. It developed, however, that Schmouder, ashamed to confess that, +in his fright, he had abandoned the two girls, had made up the story +to clear himself of the charge of cowardice and neglect. + +"Well, I guess it's all over but the shouting," said Bob, at last. +"And now I guess nobody will say anything if I eat." + +"We're all with you, Chunky!" cried Ned. "I'm as hungry as--as Bob +Baker!" + +But of the "shouting," a little must be told. For when the fighting +was over, and it was certain that Germany could never resume, when the +armistice had been signed and the victorious movement of the Allies +into Germany began, Jerry and his chums were called one day before +their assembled comrades, and there, much to their surprise, they were +each given honorable mention for their acts while on duty with the +lost battalions in Argonne Forest. Jerry, for his work as a runner +received the Distinguished Service Cross, and Bob and Ned honorable +mention for their part in the desperate fight. + +[Illustration: JERRY RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. +_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 248_] + +"They ought to decorate Professor Snodgrass for going alone into the +enemy's territory and rescuing two young ladies," said Ned, when the +cheering was over. + +"All I want to do is to get back to my bugs," sighed the little +scientist, and he soon had his wish. It might be added that his moving +pictures of insects, showing their actions when heavy guns were being +fired near them, were very successful, and created a sensation in +scientific circles, even though the professor's "wasp-gun" was not +adopted. + +As soon as it was possible the two young ladies were sent back to the +United States with their share of their uncle's wealth, while +Professor Snodgrass made plans to use his share in making a full and +complete study of the insects of the Amazon. Also, the boys learned +later, Professor Snodgrass used a part of his fortune to further +assist his old friend, and thus saved the fortunes of this man and +enabled him to pay all his debts, including the money lent by the +professor himself. + +"And now I wonder what will happen to us!" exclaimed Bob, when these +three friends of theirs had departed. + +"Oh, I fancy we can find something to do," said Jerry. "I understand +the problems of peace will be as hard to solve as those of war, and +we'll have to do our share." + +"Sure thing!" assented Ned. + +What was in store for the boys will be related in the next volume of +this "Motor Boys--Second Series." In that we will see how Ned, Bob and +Jerry covered themselves with glory by solving a most unusual +mystery. + +A month or so later the three chums, with other soldiers of the +victorious armies, some of them sorely wounded, were sent to a port in +France, there to take ship for home. + +"And believe me!" exclaimed Bob, with feeling, as he went on board, +"France and Europe may be all right, and so are those Salvation Army +doughnuts, but give me a piece of mother's cherry pie!" + +"So say we all of us!" chanted Ned and Jerry. + +And then, as they stood together on deck, the transport began her +homeward trip. + +THE END + + + + +THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES + +BY LESTER CHADWICK + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. +BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS + +_or The Rivals of Riverside_ + +Joe is an everyday country boy who loves to play baseball and +particularly to pitch. + +BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE + +_or Pitching for the Blue Banner_ + +Joe's great ambition was to go to boarding school and play on the +school team. + +BASEBALL JOE AT YALE + +_or Pitching for the College Championship_ + +Joe goes to Yale University. In his second year he becomes a varsity +pitcher and pitches in several big games. + +BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE + +_or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher_ + +In this volume the scene of action is shifted from Yale college to a +baseball league of our central states. + +BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE + +_or A Young Pitcher's Hardest Struggles_ + +From the Central League Joe is drafted into the St. Louis Nationals. A +corking baseball story all fans will enjoy. + +BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS + +_or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis_ + +How Joe was traded to the Giants and became their mainstay in the box +makes an interesting baseball story. + +BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES + +_or Pitching for the Championship_ + +The rivalry was of course of the keenest, and what Joe did to win the +series is told in a manner to thrill the most jaded reader. + +BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD + +_or Pitching on a Grand Tour_ + +The Giants and the All-Americans tour the world, playing in many +foreign countries. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue. + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers--New York + + + + +THE HARRY HARDING SERIES + +By ALFRED RAYMOND + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. +The trials and triumphs of Harry Harding and Teddy Burke, two +wide-awake boys who make a humble beginning on the messenger force of +a great department store, with the firm resolve to become successful +business men, form a series of narratives calculated to please the +alert, progressive boys of today. + +HARRY HARDING--_Messenger "45"_ + +When Harry Harding bravely decided to leave school in order to help +his mother in the fight against poverty, he took his first long step +towards successful manhood. How Harry chanced to meet mischievous, +red-haired Teddy Burke who preferred work to school, how Teddy and +Harry became messengers in Martin Brothers' Department store and what +happened to them there, is a story that never flags in interest. + +HARRY HARDING'S YEAR OF PROMISE + +After a blissful two weeks' vacation, spent together, Harry Harding +and Teddy Burke again take up their work in Martin Brothers' store. +Their "year of promise" brings them many new experiences, pleasant and +unpleasant, but more determined than ever to reach the goal they have +set for themselves, they pass courageously and hopefully over the +rough places, meeting with many surprises and exciting incidents which +advance them far on the road to success. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue. + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers--New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by +Clarence Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED, BOB, JERRY ON FIRING LINE *** + +***** This file should be named 28442-8.txt or 28442-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/4/4/28442/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/28442-8.zip b/28442-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a32f370 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-8.zip diff --git a/28442-h.zip b/28442-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ba2eb2 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h.zip diff --git a/28442-h/28442-h.htm b/28442-h/28442-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..444c1bf --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/28442-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8004 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by Clarence Young. +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + td p {text-align:center; margin:0 auto} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.2em;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + hr.booklist {border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:60px;} + .caption {font-size:.8em;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.4em;} +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by Clarence Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line + The Motor Boys Fighting for Uncle Sam + +Author: Clarence Young + +Release Date: March 29, 2009 [EBook #28442] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED, BOB, JERRY ON FIRING LINE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div style="text-align:center;"><img alt='cover' src='images/illus-cvr.jpg' /></div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<table summary='title page' style='margin:auto; border-style:double; padding:20px;'> +<tr><td> +<p style='font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1.5em; font-style:italic;'>–––––– The Motor Boys ––––––</p> +<p style='font-size:2em; margin-bottom:20px;'>NED, BOB AND JERRY<br />ON THE FIRING LINE</p> +<p style='font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:4em;'>Or<br />The Motor Boys Fighting<br />for Uncle Sam</p> +<p style='font-size:0.8em;'>BY</p> +<p style='font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'>CLARENCE YOUNG</p> +<p style='font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:30px;'>AUTHOR OF “THE MOTOR BOAT SERIES”<br />“THE RACER BOYS SERIES,” “THE<br />JACK RANGER SERIES,” ETC.</p> +</td></tr> +<tr><td><hr class='booklist' /></td></tr> +<tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:-.5em; margin-bottom:-.5em;'>ILLUSTRATED</p> +</td></tr> +<tr><td><hr class='booklist' /></td></tr> +<tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:30px;'>NEW YORK</p> +<p style='font-size:1.2em;'>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</p> +</td></tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<table summary='title page' style='margin:auto; border:2px solid black; padding:20px 40px;'> +<tr><td> +<span style='font-size:larger;'>BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG</span><br /> +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.<br /> +Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. +</td></tr> + +<tr><td><hr class='booklist' /></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p>THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES</p></td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <table summary=""> + <tr><td> + <p style='text-align:left; font-size:smaller;'> + THE MOTOR BOYS<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS UNDER THE SEA<br /> + THE MOTOR BOYS ON ROAD AND RIVER</p> + </td></tr> + </table> +</td></tr> + +<tr><td><hr class='booklist' /></td></tr> +<tr><td><p>THE MOTOR BOYS—SECOND SERIES</p></td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <table summary=""> + <tr><td> + <p style='text-align:left; font-size:smaller;'> + NED, BOB AND JERRY AT BOXWOOD HALL<br /> + NED, BOB AND JERRY ON A RANCH<br /> + NED, BOB AND JERRY IN THE ARMY<br /> + NED, BOB AND JERRY ON THE FIRING LINE</p> + </td></tr> + </table> +</td></tr> + +<tr><td><hr class='booklist' /></td></tr> +<tr><td><p>THE JACK RANGER SERIES</p></td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <table summary=""> + <tr><td> + <p style='text-align:left; font-size:smaller;'> + JACK RANGER’S SCHOOLDAYS<br /> + JACK RANGER’S WESTERN TRIP<br /> + JACK RANGER’S SCHOOL VICTORIES<br /> + JACK RANGER’S OCEAN CRUISE<br /> + JACK RANGER’S GUN CLUB<br /> + JACK RANGER’S TREASURE BOX</p> + </td></tr> + </table> +</td></tr> + +<tr><td><hr class='booklist' /></td></tr> +<tr><td><p>THE RACER BOYS SERIES</p></td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <table summary=""> + <tr><td> + <p style='text-align:left; font-size:smaller;'> + THE RACER BOYS<br /> + THE RACER BOYS AT BOARDING SCHOOL<br /> + THE RACER BOYS TO THE RESCUE<br /> + THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES<br /> + THE RACER BOYS ON GUARD<br /> + THE RACER BOYS FORGING AHEAD</p> + </td></tr> + </table> +</td></tr> + +</table> + +<p style='text-align:center'> +Copyright, 1919, by<br /> +<span class='font-variant:small-caps'>Cupples & Leon Company</span></p> + +<hr class='booklist' /> + +<p style='text-align:center'>Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<table border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>I.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Spy Alarm</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_I_THE_SPY_ALARM'>1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>II.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Man and a Snake</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_II_A_MAN_AND_A_SNAKE'>11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>III.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Puzzled Professor</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_III_A_PUZZLED_PROFESSOR'>18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Two-Girl Problem</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IV_A_TWOGIRL_PROBLEM'>29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>V.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>More Girls</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_V_MORE_GIRLS'>35</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Noddy Nixon</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VI_NODDY_NIXON'>43</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Off for France</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VII_OFF_FOR_FRANCE'>53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Training Camp</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VIII_THE_TRAINING_CAMP'>59</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>On the Firing Line</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IX_ON_THE_FIRING_LINE'>71</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>X.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>In the Trenches</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_X_IN_THE_TRENCHES'>78</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Night Patrol</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XI_A_NIGHT_PATROL'>88</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bob Is Missing</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XII_BOB_IS_MISSING'>96</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Just Like Him!”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII_JUST_LIKE_HIM'>108</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Desperate Chance</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV_A_DESPERATE_CHANCE'>116</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Sniper</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XV_THE_SNIPER'>123</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Over the Top</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI_OVER_THE_TOP'>129</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Fried Holes”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII_FRIED_HOLES'>136</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The School Janitor</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_SCHOOL_JANITOR'>145</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>News at Last</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_AT_LAST'>153</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Queer Question</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XX_A_QUEER_QUESTION'>162</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Visitor</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXI_A_VISITOR'>171</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>An Unexpected Capture</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXII_AN_UNEXPECTED_CAPTURE'>177</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Great Preparations</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII_GREAT_PREPARATIONS'>184</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“S. I. W.”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV_S_I_W'>194</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Black Box</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXV_THE_BLACK_BOX'>201</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Disappearance</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI_A_DISAPPEARANCE'>209</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>St. Mihiel</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVII_ST_MIHIEL'>218</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>In Argonne Forest</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVIII_IN_ARGONNE_FOREST'>226</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Captured</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIX_CAPTURED'>232</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Recaptured</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXX_RECAPTURED'>243</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div> +<h2>NED, BOB AND JERRY<br />ON THE FIRING LINE</h2> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I_THE_SPY_ALARM' id='CHAPTER_I_THE_SPY_ALARM'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>THE SPY ALARM</h3> +</div> +<p>“There’s a German on the ground! Get +him!”</p> +<p>The sun glistened on scores of polished bayonets, +as sturdy figures, clad in olive drab, which +matched in hue the brown of the earth, sprang +from their trenches and rushed forward.</p> +<p>“Put some pep into it! Lively now! Get the +Germans!”</p> +<p>There were dull thuds, and there was a ripping, +tearing sound as the steel slashed its way through +the tough cloth. Along the swaying line rushed +the young soldiers, stabbing to right and left as +they went.</p> +<p>Now their weapons were directed downward +with deadly force, and they sank them into the +forms on the ground with such energy that the +earth beneath was torn and gashed, and the muzzles +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span> +of the guns, to which the stabbing bayonets +were attached, made deep impressions on the +yielding forms.</p> +<p>“There’s a German on the ground! Get him!”</p> +<p>Again the cry rang out, and again the rushing, +charging line surged forward, and then there followed +once more the thuds which told of the cold +steel going through and through and––</p> +<p>Then from the center of one of the charging +lines there came a laugh as a lad, having driven his +keen weapon home with too much force, being +unable to free it, raised on his gun a large sack +stuffed with hay, the fodder bristling out of one +of the gashes he had made.</p> +<p>“That’s the stuff, Chunky! Go to it!” yelled +his laughing comrades. “If you can’t get a German +any other way, stick him on the end of your +bayonet, bring him back to camp, and feed him to +death!”</p> +<p>“Silence in the ranks!” cried the sergeant who +was drilling the young soldiers of Camp Dixton +in bayonet practice. For this is what it was, and +not a charge on some Hun position; though from +the fervor with which the boys went at it, and the +fierce commands of their officers, a person hearing, +and not seeing, might be inclined to believe +that it was actual warfare.</p> +<p>And it was, as nearly as it could be approximated, +for the sacks stuffed with hay or other +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +yielding material, suspended on framework as is +a football dummy or scattered over the ground, +were called “Germans,” by the drilling officers.</p> +<p>And, at the command: “There’s a German on +the ground! Get him!” it was the part of the +prospective soldier to rush at the recumbent sack +and stab it through and through with all his might, +trying to put into the stroke all the force he would +put into a similar one when he should attack the +enemy.</p> +<p>“You got your man all right, Chunky!” observed +a tall, bronzed lad, standing next to the +stout youth who had used his bayonet with such +force that he carried off one of the sacks as a +trophy. “You must be feeling pretty strong today.”</p> +<p>“Oh, let up, can’t you, Jerry?” begged the +badgered one. “The ground was soft under that +sack, and I didn’t think the steel would go through +so far.”</p> +<p>“Well, do that when you get on the firing line +in France and it will be all right,” commented another +lad, on the opposite side of the one addressed +as Chunky. “I wonder how much longer +we’re going to keep this up?”</p> +<p>“As you were!” came the sudden order, fairly +barked out from an instructing sergeant, and the +boys in the particular squad which included Ned, +Bob and Jerry, of whom more later, resumed the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span> +positions they had been in before the order to +charge bayonets had been given.</p> +<p>Chunky, or Bob Baker, to give his proper name, +managed to get rid of the encumbering sack on +his weapon, and marched back with the others. +They lined up at attention and waited for the +usual instruction and correction that followed each +charge, or other army practice.</p> +<p>“That was pretty good, boys,” said the sergeant, +as he glanced down the line, “but I’m sure +you can do better. A few of you were a bit slow.</p> +<p>“Now sometimes it’s all right to be slow, if +you have plenty of time, but in this business of +bayoneting Germans you won’t have much time to +spare, as you’ll find when you get on the other +side, which I hope will be soon.”</p> +<p>There was a murmur to this same effect from +all in the line.</p> +<p>“When you’re using your bayonet, use it first, +or the other chap may get ahead of you and—well, +you know what will happen then,” went on +the sergeant significantly. “And when you pull +your weapons out, do it this way,” and, taking a +gun from the hands of Jerry Hopkins, the sergeant +illustrated what he meant, using one of the +filled sacks as an enemy.</p> +<p>“There wouldn’t be much left of a German to +send home after <i>he</i> got through with him,” commented +Ned Slade, as the sergeant handed Jerry +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span> +back the gun. “He surely has some poetry of +motion—Sergeant Black has.”</p> +<p>“That’s the way I tried to do it,” said Bob, to +his chums, Ned and Jerry. “Only––”</p> +<p>“Only you must have been thinking you were +going to leave your gun and bayonet sticking in +the ground to mark the place, so you could find +it the next time,” interrupted Jerry with a laugh. +For, the command “At Ease,” having been given, +the prospective soldiers were allowed to rest and +indulge in talk. The sergeant was called to one +side, while a lieutenant gave him some orders +about further practice and instruction.</p> +<p>“Aw, cut it out!” begged Chunky. “Guess you +forget the time you slept through first call, and +had to do kitchen police for two days.”</p> +<p>“Indeed I don’t forget it!” laughed Jerry. “It +isn’t a thing you can forget so easily. But let it +go at that. Only it did look funny, Chunky, and +you’d have said so yourself if you had seen it—it +certainly did look funny to see you rushing along +with the sack on the end of your gun.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you feel the weight of it?” asked Ned +Slade.</p> +<p>“Oh, Chunky’s getting so strong, since he has +his three square meals a day, regular, that he +doesn’t mind a little extra weight,” commented +another lad who stood in line near the three +chums. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span></p> +<p>The drilling sergeant turned to his men again, +and once more sent them through the bayonet +charge. Then came other drills of various sorts, +designed to make the young soldiers sturdy and +strong, to fit them for the strenuous times that +loomed ahead in France—times to try men’s souls +and bodies. But to these times the lads looked +forward eagerly, anxious for the days to come +when they could go “over there.”</p> +<p>“Whew!” whispered Bob to Jerry and Ned, +between whom he stood as they marched across +the parade ground. “If this keeps up much longer +I’m going to be a wreck!”</p> +<p>“Oh, some chow will set you up all right,” commented +Ned.</p> +<p>“Oh, say that again!” sighed the stout lad. +“Them words fill me with mad desire!”</p> +<p>“Yes, and you’ll fill the guardhouse if you don’t +stop talking so loud in the ranks,” warned a lad +behind Bob. “Cut it out. The lieutenant is looking +this way,” he added, speaking from the corner +of his mouth so the motion of his lips would not be +observed.</p> +<p>Rapidly the young soldiers marched across the +grass-grown parade ground, in orderly array, in +the last of the drills that morning. The company +to which Ned, Bob and Jerry belonged were +drawn up near their barracks, and Captain Theodore +Martin, after a glance over the two trim +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +lines, turned the dismissing of the group over to +the first lieutenant.</p> +<p>The breechblocks of the guns were opened, +clicked shut again, and then came the welcome +words:</p> +<p>“Comp <i>sissed</i>!”</p> +<p>That is what the lieutenant snapped out. But +what he really meant, and what the members of +it understood, was:</p> +<p>“Company dismissed!”</p> +<p>Ned, Bob and Jerry, with sighs of relief, which +were echoed by their comrades, turned to stack +their rifles and then prepared for “chow,” or, in +this case, the dinner mess.</p> +<p>As the three chums were heading in the direction +of the mess hall where, every day, two hundred +or more hungry lads and men were fed, they +saw some members of their company turn and run +in a different direction.</p> +<p>“Hello! what’s up?” asked Jerry Hopkins, coming +to a halt.</p> +<p>“Matter where?” inquired Ned.</p> +<p>“Over that way,” and Jerry pointed. “Either +somebody is hurt, or there’s a riot.”</p> +<p>“Let’s go!” cried Ned.</p> +<p>“Wait until after grub,” advised Bob, with an +anxious look toward the mess hall.</p> +<p>“It won’t take but a minute,” suggested Jerry. +“Look, everybody’s going. We might as well be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +in it. If everybody is late to mess there’ll be +enough left for us to eat. Come on!”</p> +<p>Accepting this argument, that such a general +rush toward the scene of excitement would result +in a general postponement of the meal, Bob, after +a moment of hesitation, joined his two chums. +They rushed toward one of the sleeping barracks, +and saw that a large crowd was congregating +around it.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?”</p> +<p>“Anybody hurt?”</p> +<p>“Is the place on fire?”</p> +<p>These were some of the questions that flew +from one to the other.</p> +<p>“It’s a spy!” some one said. “They’ve caught +a German spy in camp, and they’re going to lynch +him!”</p> +<p>“Oh, boy!” yelled Ned. “We must see this!”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it!” announced Jerry. +“There’ve been too many German spy scares. +They all turned out to be fakes. And, anyhow, +there won’t be any lynching.”</p> +<p>“Maybe not,” agreed Bob. “But there sure is +some excitement.”</p> +<p>And there was. Even Jerry had to admit that.</p> +<p>As the three Motor Boys—to give them the +name by which they had been known for some +time—neared the barracks, the rumors and statements +as to the capture of a spy became more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span> +frequent and certain. There was an excited, +seething crowd about the place.</p> +<p>A lieutenant, whom Ned, Bob and Jerry knew +well, as he came from their town of Cresville, +passed just then. The three chums saluted, and, +when this had been returned, Jerry asked:</p> +<p>“Can you tell us, Sir, what it’s all about?”</p> +<p>“Have they really caught a spy?” added Bob +eagerly.</p> +<p>“Well, whether he is a spy or not I can’t say,” +was the answer. “But I have been told that a +man, who was acting in a suspicious manner about +the camp, has been arrested. Some of the officers +are investigating now. I hardly think he will +prove to be a real spy, though.”</p> +<p>“He won’t last long, if he is,” commented Ned.</p> +<p>“They have him in the barracks there,” went +on the lieutenant. “They will bring him out soon, +I suppose, and put him in the guardhouse. Better +go back, boys,” he added. “There’s too much of +a crowd here now. I must help disperse it.”</p> +<p>He turned away, but the advice he had given +Ned, Bob and Jerry was not very welcome.</p> +<p>“This is our sleeping barracks, anyhow,” said +Ned. “We have a right to stick around, and go +in, too.”</p> +<p>“If they let us,” added Bob.</p> +<p>“Come on, let’s try,” suggested Jerry. “Here’s +a place,” and he led the way through a thinning +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +portion of the crowd toward one of the doors of +the big wooden shack, in which he and his chums +slept while at Camp Dixton.</p> +<p>Suddenly there came a series of excited shouts +from within the building. Then several soldiers +were seen to rush out as though something had +chased them.</p> +<p>“What in the world is up now?” asked Jerry of +his chums.</p> +<p>They pressed forward toward the door from +which the excited soldiers had emerged, and one +of them, seeing that the three chums were about +to enter, cried:</p> +<p>“Don’t go in there!”</p> +<p>“Why not?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Did the spy try to shoot any one?” Ned +wanted to know.</p> +<p>“Don’t go in!” yelled another lad. “There’s +a snake in there as big as a barrel, and he’s skipping +around as lively as a kitten! Keep out if +you don’t want to meet sudden death. Oh, boy! +I saw him open his mouth, and one look was +enough. No more for me!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II_A_MAN_AND_A_SNAKE' id='CHAPTER_II_A_MAN_AND_A_SNAKE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>A MAN AND A SNAKE</h3> +</div> +<p>Ned, Bob and Jerry paused a moment on the +threshold of the barrack building they had been +about to enter. From within came a sound of +commotion, as if several persons were quickly +rushing to and fro, and there were excited shouts.</p> +<p>“Come off, Jack, what are you doing? Trying +to string us?” asked Ned of the lad who had +spoken of the snake.</p> +<p>“Nothing of the sort!” protested the other. +“As true as I’m telling you, there’s a snake loose +in there as big as a barrel, and as long as a fence +rail around one of these cotton plantations!”</p> +<p>“Is he joking, Ted?” asked Jerry of another of +the lads who had rushed out in such haste.</p> +<p>“Not a bit of it! I saw the snake myself. It +isn’t quite as big as a barrel, but it certainly is +long.”</p> +<p>“Come on, fellows!” called Jerry to his two +chums. “We’ve got to see this!”</p> +<p>“What!” cried Jack Wade, “you aren’t going +in there, are you?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p> +<p>“Why not?” asked Jerry. “We’ve had some +experience with snakes. Besides, we want to see +the spy. Is there a spy inside here, too?”</p> +<p>“There is!” cried another lad. “They caught +the spy dead to rights, planting a bomb under the +officers’ mess building. Wanted to blow ’em all +up when they were eating, I guess. Oh, he’s a +German spy, all right, and they have him tied +up!”</p> +<p>“But what connection has he with the snakes?” +Bob questioned.</p> +<p>“Not any that I know of,” replied Jack.</p> +<p>“Yes, he has, too!” asserted one of his chums. +“The spy had the snake. He was going to let him +loose in camp, hoping he’d bite and poison a lot +of us, I s’pose, so we can’t go to France to fight +the Huns.”</p> +<p>“Big snakes are seldom poisonous,” cried Jerry. +“This may be a python or a boa escaped from +some circus, though I haven’t heard of any animal +shows being around here lately.”</p> +<p>“Me, either,” added Bob. “Say, are you sure +you saw a snake?” he asked the lads who had +rushed out in such a hurry.</p> +<p>“As sure as we see you now, and you’re not +much smaller around the waist than this same +snake,” added Jack with a laugh.</p> +<p>“Cut out the comedy stuff!” murmured Bob.</p> +<p>“Well, if there’s a real snake in there I want +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +to see it!” exclaimed Jerry. “Come on!” and he +pushed open the door which had swung shut after +the exit of the excited lads.</p> +<p>Within the barracks the three Motor Boys saw +a scene of excitement. One end of the big building, +which was filled with cots and bunks, was +comparatively empty, but at the other there was +a group of officers and men. Some of them appeared +to surround the captive, though the three +chums could not just then get a glimpse of him.</p> +<p>“There it is!” suddenly cried Ned, pointing.</p> +<p>“What—the spy?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“No, the snake! See it?”</p> +<p>He pointed. There was no doubt of it. A +long, glistening, brown body was seen to glide +under a row of cots.</p> +<p>“It’s a snake all right,” assented Jerry, “but +not half as big as I thought. It’s just like one I’ve +seen––”</p> +<p>He was interrupted by a voice which rang out +above the murmurs from the group at the other +end of the barracks, and the commanding voice of +Colonel Shield demanded:</p> +<p>“What is going on here? What is all the excitement +about?”</p> +<p>It appeared that he had just entered at the +doorway around which were grouped the excited +officers and men.</p> +<p>“We have caught a spy,” some one said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p> +<p>“He must have let the big snake loose!” another +added.</p> +<p>“Well, why don’t some of you shoot the reptile?” +asked the colonel. “A fine lot of soldiers +you are, I must say! Afraid of a snake! Where +will you be when you go up against the Germans? +Some one get a rifle and shoot the snake!”</p> +<p>At this command a protesting cry came from +the midst of a group of soldiers who were guarding +the man arrested as a spy.</p> +<p>“Don’t shoot my snake! Don’t shoot my pet +snake!” came the entreaty. “He is worth a fortune! +Don’t harm him!”</p> +<p>There was a commotion—a scramble. Several +men stumbled and fell, and from their midst a +figure dashed—a figure at the sight of which a +gasp of astonishment came from the three Motor +Boys.</p> +<p>And since Ned, Bob and Jerry have been called +Motor Boys several times I will take just a moment +here to tell who these lads were and something +about them; also why they were at Camp +Dixton. Of course, the readers who already know +this may skip what immediately follows and proceed +with the story.</p> +<p>As related in the initial volume of the first part +of this series, a book which is named “The Motor +Boys,” Ned Slade, Bob Baker and Jerry Hopkins +were chums of long standing. They lived in Cresville, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +not far from Boston, and the three lads were +well-to-do. Jerry’s mother was a wealthy widow, +while Bob’s father was a banker, and Ned’s a department +store owner.</p> +<p>The Motor Boys were so called because they +spent so much time in or about vehicles that depended +on gasoline motors for their activity. +They began with motorcycles and ended with airships—though +one should not say ended, for their +activities were far from over.</p> +<p>In the books succeeding the initial volume are +related the various adventures of the Motor Boys, +who journeyed to Mexico, across the plains, and +traveled much on the Atlantic and Pacific, both in +craft on the surface and in submarines. Their +trips above the clouds in aeroplanes and airships +were much enjoyed.</p> +<p>“The Motor Boys on Road and River,” was +the last volume of the first series, the final volume +to carry that title.</p> +<p>The second series began with “Ned, Bob and +Jerry at Boxwood Hall,” and the only change in +the stories was in the title, for the main characters +were still the “Motor Boys.”</p> +<p>The parents of the lads felt that they ought to +do some studying, and, accordingly, Ned, Bob and +Jerry were sent to Boxwood Hall. What took +place there formed not only a well-remembered +part in their lives, but furnished some excitement +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +as well. When vacation came they went to a +Western ranch and had fun, as well as helped in +an important piece of work.</p> +<p>And then came the Great War.</p> +<p>Our heroes could do nothing less than enlist, +and in the volume called “Ned, Bob and Jerry in +the Army,” which immediately precedes this one +you are reading, is told something of their life at +Camp Dixton, one of the training camps in the +South.</p> +<p>There the chums had learned to become soldiers, +and, with others of their kind, were eagerly +awaiting a chance to go over seas and fight it out +with the Huns.</p> +<p>And now we meet them again in the midst of excitement +over a spy scare—not the first of the kind +to happen in the camp, where, as the readers of +the volume before this will doubtless recall, the +activities of “Pug” Kennedy and “Crooked Nose,” +formed the basis for some real danger.</p> +<p>“That snake sure is real!” cried Bob, as he saw +the serpent writhing about. “And whoever has +him for a pet must be nervy.”</p> +<p>“Look! Look!” exclaimed Jerry. “The spy +is going right for the snake!”</p> +<p>“And look who the spy is!” added Ned.</p> +<p>There were shouts from the officers and men. +Several of the latter had gotten their rifles and +were edging about, trying to find an opening +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +through which they might fire at the serpent.</p> +<p>The man who had broken away from his captors +rushed toward the end of the building where +Ned, Bob and Jerry had last seen the reptile, +which was now out of sight under some bunks.</p> +<p>“Don’t shoot him! Don’t shoot my pet! He +is worth thousands of dollars!” cried the reputed +spy.</p> +<p>And then, to the surprise and fear of all save +the Motor Boys, who had an insight into the truth, +the man fairly threw himself forward on the serpent, +as a football player falls on the ball.</p> +<p>“Ah, I have you! I have you, my beauty!” +cried the man. “You shall not get away from me +again, and they sha’n’t shoot you, either!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III_A_PUZZLED_PROFESSOR' id='CHAPTER_III_A_PUZZLED_PROFESSOR'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>A PUZZLED PROFESSOR</h3> +</div> +<p>For a moment there was comparative silence +in the big barrack building. It lasted while the +little man was crossing the room and hurrying toward +the big snake where it could be discerned +under a line of bunks. The words uttered by the +owner of the serpent were heard by the three +chums, as well as by every one else in the building.</p> +<p>And then, as the small man continued on his +way, and finally launched himself at the snake with +outstretched hands and arms, some one uttered a +warning yell.</p> +<p>“Look out!” came the cry. “It’s only his bluff! +He’s trying to escape. Catch the spy!”</p> +<p>“That’s right!” shouted several, who seemed +to agree with what had been said.</p> +<p>But if the little man—the “spy” as he had been +called—had it in mind to escape, he was taking a +queer way to go about it. For even as a rush toward +him on the part of those from whose midst +he had escaped began, the little man arose and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +held clasped in his arms the snake—or as much +of it as he could raise from the ground. On his +face was a look of anxiety relieved, and he fairly +beamed on those who confronted him. His former, +and would-be, captors had again come to a +halt. Almost any ordinary body of men and boys +would have done the same under like circumstances, +for there is an inherent fear of snakes in +almost every one.</p> +<p>“Get him! Don’t let the spy escape!” came +the cry.</p> +<p>“Yes! Let’s see you get him—with that snake +for a protector,” murmured one.</p> +<p>“I don’t mind getting shot at by a German,” +said a voice, “but I’ll be jiggered if I want to be +bitten by a snake.”</p> +<p>“Shoot the snake!” came the cry.</p> +<p>“No, please don’t, I beg of you!” pleaded the +little man in a mild voice that, somehow, carried +to the far end of the room. “Please don’t shoot +the most valuable snake I ever owned. Really +she is quite harmless; aren’t you, Ticula?” and he +looked up at the swaying head of the snake that +was weaving above him, as though to ask the serpent +to speak.</p> +<p>“Ticula!” burst out Ned. “Is that her name, +Professor Snodgrass?”</p> +<p>The little man started, and peered through his +glasses in the direction of the voice. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span></p> +<p>“Ha! It seems there is some one here who +knows me,” he said. “I cannot see him, but I +seem to recognize the voice.”</p> +<p>“I should think you would,” chuckled Ned. +“We’ve traveled with you often enough, Professor. +But this is a new one—a pet snake as long as +a lasso.”</p> +<p>“And named Ticula!” added Jerry, with a +laugh.</p> +<p>“Oh, that is only a name I made up for her +out of her own proper, Latin one,” explained the +professor. “Her real name is <i>Python Reticulatus</i>; +but I call her Ticula for short. And, unless I am +greatly mistaken, it was Jerry Hopkins who spoke +to me that time. Am I right?” and he peered +about rather uncertainly, for the corner where the +three chums were standing was in deep shadow.</p> +<p>“You are right, Professor,” said Jerry. “And +we are as much surprised to see you here as to +‘meet up’ with your snake, as the folks in the South +say. What brought you here?”</p> +<p>Before Professor Snodgrass could answer—and +it has been, perhaps, guessed before this that +he was the “spy” referred to—a sudden movement +on the part of the snake made it necessary +for him to devote some attention to his “pet” as +he called her.</p> +<p>Ticula seemed uneasy at being stared at by so +many eyes, and she began to writhe and twist as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +though anxious to escape. There was a sudden +scramble on the part of the soldiers and officers +in the barrack building, but the three chums, having +faith in their old friend, the little scientist, did +not retreat.</p> +<p>“There now, Ticula,” murmured Professor +Snodgrass, in what he doubtless meant to be soothing +terms, “no one shall harm you. You’re excited +on account of getting out of your box, I +suppose. But I’ll soon have you back there.”</p> +<p>He reached up, and began to stroke the snake +back of the weaving head, and gradually the +forked tongue, that had been playing in and out +with the quickness of lightning, was quieted. Ticula +seemed to regain her composure. She settled +down, wrapping a fold or two about the little +man, who did not seem at all alarmed at the movements +of the snake, though one officer murmured:</p> +<p>“Great Scott! he’s taking an awful chance. +That’s a constrictor, and it can crush an ox!”</p> +<p>But Professor Snodgrass gazed mildly through +his glasses at those surrounding him and inquired:</p> +<p>“Are you all three there—Ned, Bob and +Jerry?”</p> +<p>“All present and accounted for, Professor,” answered +Jerry, with a laugh. “And now that Ticula +seems quiet, perhaps you’ll explain what it all +means.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I think an explanation is very much in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +order,” said the colonel, who had urged some of +his men to shoot the snake.</p> +<p>“First let me get my pet back in her sleeping +box,” said the little scientist. “She will be quieter +then. If one of you gentlemen will have the kindness +to bring me the box you took away from me, +I’ll put Ticula to sleep.”</p> +<p>“Bring in the box,” commanded a lieutenant. +“We caught this man, Sir,” said the lieutenant, addressing +the colonel, “hanging around the officers’ +mess hall with a box. We thought it contained an +infernal machine, and that he might be a German +spy. We brought him here to talk to him, and +then we discovered the snake crawling around. +The box is outside.”</p> +<p>“Have it examined and brought in,” said the +colonel. “It is just possible,” he added with a +smile, “that the prisoner is what he claims to be—a +naturalist. Is there any one here who knows +him?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Yes, Sir,” answered Ned, Bob and Jerry in a +chorus.</p> +<p>“Come forward and explain,” ordered the colonel.</p> +<p>The three chums advanced and saluted. Professor +Snodgrass seemed to be having a little +trouble quieting the snake, which had again raised +her head and was hissing at the crowd in front of +her. Some explanations were necessary, it would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +seem, and Ned, Bob and Jerry seemed the best +qualified to offer them.</p> +<p>“We know Professor Snodgrass very well, Sir,” +said Jerry. “He has often traveled with us, and +we have helped him in his collection work. He is +connected with some of the largest museums, and +goes about getting rare specimens for them. He +is no more a German spy than we are.”</p> +<p>“Glad to know it,” commented the colonel. +“Do you know anything about this mysterious box +he had?”</p> +<p>“No; but it is probably what he says it is—a +cage for this snake, Sir,” explained Jerry. “He +has any number of specimen boxes and cages when +he travels.”</p> +<p>By this time some of the men had brought in +the box in question. It was painted green, and +was about three feet long—in itself rather a good +load for one man to carry, not so much on account +of its weight as because of its shape, but with the +big snake inside, one man could not have lifted it.</p> +<p>“That’s a snake box,” said Jerry, after he had +examined it, “but it is a new one—I never saw it +before.”</p> +<p>“No, I had it made especially for Ticula,” explained +the professor, who had again succeeded in +quieting the serpent. “Now, my little pet,” he +went on, “I’ll put you to bed.”</p> +<p>The box was brought forward and set down on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +the floor in front of the professor. The man who +brought it dropped it quickly and made a hasty +retreat at the nearer sight of the reptile.</p> +<p>Then the scientist gently lowered the serpent’s +head toward the box, which was lined with cloth. +The snake seemed to recognize her quarters, for, +without hesitation, she coiled herself down in the +case, the perforated lid of which was then closed.</p> +<p>“There, now she is all right,” said the professor. +“I shall not let her loose again until to-morrow, +and then––”</p> +<p>“What?” yelled a lieutenant. “Are you going +to turn her loose around here <i>again</i>?”</p> +<p>“Why not?” asked the professor. “The observations +I hoped to make to-day as to her feeding +habits in the open have been spoiled because +you arrested me as a spy. I could not conclude +my experiments, and I must continue them to-morrow. +But do not be alarmed. Ticula, though +rather large, is perfectly harmless to man. Indeed, +she has not yet gotten her full growth. She +is only fifteen feet long, and her kind often grows +to twenty-six feet and weighs nearly two hundred +pounds. Ticula is a mere baby.”</p> +<p>“Some baby!” murmured a voice, and even the +colonel laughed.</p> +<p>“And now I suppose I am at liberty to go with +my property?” asked the professor, looking +around inquiringly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span></p> +<p>“Well, since it seems that you are not a German +spy, I fail to see that we have any reason for holding +you,” returned the commandant. “As for the +snake, I think the men—and I may say myself—would +feel obliged if you did not turn it loose +again.”</p> +<p>“Well, I suppose I can select some other place +for my experiments,” murmured the professor, in +rather disappointed tones. “But this spot was +ideal. There are so many rats and mice about +a camp of this sort that a snake or two would be +very beneficial.”</p> +<p>“I have no doubt,” said the colonel dryly. +“And yet, somehow, I think I prefer the rodents. +But I should be glad to have you explain further +just what your experiments are in reference to +your reptile. I am interested. I shall be pleased +to have you lunch with me,” he went on, for, now +that he had a chance to observe, he saw that Professor +Snodgrass was a cultured gentleman, as +well as, he presumed, a devoted scientist. The +colonel was something of a student himself.</p> +<p>“I should like to lunch with you,” said the professor, +“but my three friends—Ned, Bob and +Jerry—are here and––”</p> +<p>“We’ll see you later,” whispered Jerry. +“We’re enlisted men and can’t mess in the officers’ +quarters. You must dine with the colonel +and we’ll see you later.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></p> +<p>“All right,” assented the professor, and accepted +the colonel’s invitation. “Help me carry +Ticula out to my auto and I’ll see you after dinner,” +he went on to the boys.</p> +<p>“Have you an auto here?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Yes. I left it just beyond the confines of the +camp. I have an old friend of yours with me, +too,” he went on. “He helped me carry my snake +here.”</p> +<p>“An old friend?” murmured Bob.</p> +<p>“Yes, Pete Bumps who used to be your father’s +hired man. I’ve engaged him as a helper since +you boys joined the army. He runs my auto for +me and helps me catch specimens. He isn’t afraid +of snakes.”</p> +<p>And old Pete Bumps it was who greeted Ned, +Bob and Jerry as they accompanied the professor +to his car.</p> +<p>Pete had left the Baker service some time ago, +and had secured a place as janitor of a college in +which the professor taught, he briefly explained to +the boys. There the professor had engaged him +just prior to starting out on his present expedition.</p> +<p>“Come on. We’ve got to hurry back to mess,” +said Jerry to his chums. “But we want to have a +talk with you, Professor, after you finish dining +with the colonel. We want to hear what you are +doing here again. I should think once being taken +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +for a German spy was enough,” and he laughed at +the recollection of a former occasion, when the +professor, coming to visit his friends at Camp +Dixton, had been halted on his way through the +lines after some insects.</p> +<p>“I never thought of that,” admitted the scientist. +“I certainly remember coming down here in +the spring, but I forgot about the spy business.”</p> +<p>This was not surprising, since the professor seldom +remembered for very long anything not directly +connected with his favorite study.</p> +<p>And so, with the snake in the box safely confined +to the care of Pete Bumps in the automobile, +Professor Snodgrass went back to dine with the +colonel, while the three chums hastened to their +delayed mess.</p> +<p>“You never know when he is going to turn up,” +remarked Ned.</p> +<p>“That’s right,” agreed Jerry. “I wonder what +he’s after now?”</p> +<p>They did not have long to wait before learning. +Soon after mess they saw the professor coming +down their company street and, as they had a brief +respite from drills on account of the strenuous +work of the morning, the boys took him to a quiet +spot and began to ask him questions.</p> +<p>“But first of all, tell us if there is anything the +matter?” begged Jerry. “You look worried. Are +you?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span></p> +<p>“Yes,” admitted the little scientist, “I don’t +mind admitting that I am worried—and puzzled, +too.”</p> +<p>“What about?” asked Bob. “Ticula hasn’t got +loose, has she?”</p> +<p>“No, I went over to see, after dining with your +colonel, whom I found to be a most delightful +man, though his ignorance of reptiles and insects +is painful. But, as I say, I assured myself of the +safety of Ticula. Pete has her in the auto.”</p> +<p>“Then what’s worrying you?” demanded Ned.</p> +<p>“Well, I have a problem to solve and I don’t +know how to do it,” was the answer.</p> +<p>“Has it anything to do with the war?” Jerry +queried.</p> +<p>“Yes, it has,” was the unexpected answer. +“And now that you boys are in the army and expect +to go across to France soon, perhaps you can +help me. I’ll tell you the puzzle I am trying to +solve.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV_A_TWOGIRL_PROBLEM' id='CHAPTER_IV_A_TWOGIRL_PROBLEM'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>A TWO-GIRL PROBLEM</h3> +</div> +<p>Jerry Hopkins stretched himself lazily and +comfortably out on the grass under the shade tree +where he and Bob and Ned had taken Professor +Snodgrass for a little talk. They were far removed +from the center of the camp, so the noise +of the men drilling or at their various occupations +came but faintly.</p> +<p>“Do you mean that your problem has to be +solved on the other side of the water, Professor?” +asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“Part of it has. And I am anxious to get +across as soon as possible to begin.”</p> +<p>“What?” cried Ned. “You don’t mean to say +you, too, are going to France, Professor?”</p> +<p>“I hope to,” was the answer. “I have arranged +to go, and I have my passport and some +letters of introduction.”</p> +<p>“But what are you going for?” asked Bob. +“Don’t you know you will be in the midst of terrible +fighting? You can’t solve any problems +there. It will be a bedlam of noise.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span></p> +<p>“And the noise is just what I want,” said Mr. +Snodgrass. “That is one of my problems—to find +out the effect of noise on the organisms of certain +insects and reptiles. Men suffer from shell shock, +and why should not insects suffer from the terrific +noise of bursting guns? Most insects are noise-producers +themselves,” he went on, in something +of his class-room manner, which the boys so well +remembered at Boxwood Hall. “The grasshopper, +the katydid and the cricket, to give them their +common names, each have a song of their own. +These insects are found in France, as well as here, +though in somewhat different form.</p> +<p>“Now I have a theory that a long-continued +series of terrific noises may produce structural +changes in insects, so as to change the character +of their ‘songs’ as I prefer to call their sounds. +This can best be studied on the battlefields of +France, though I suppose I could get the same +effect here, if there was a continuous thunderstorm +with vivid lightning.</p> +<p>“But, as that condition is impossible to bring +about, I shall best find it in France, and thither I +am going, soon I hope. This snake experiment +is only a brief one, undertaken at the behest of a +friend of mine who is writing a book on the feeding +habits of pythons.”</p> +<p>“Is that what brought you back to our camp?” +asked Jerry. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span></p> +<p>“Yes. This particular part of the South at this +season of the year has the very climate suited to +pythons and other large snakes of the tropics.”</p> +<p>“I’m sure it’s hot enough,” murmured Bob, +mopping his perspiring face. “I’m glad we got +out of drill this afternoon. But go on, Professor. +I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”</p> +<p>“Well, there isn’t much to tell about the snake,” +said the scientist. “I purchased Ticula, as I call +her, some time ago from a museum. She is a fine +specimen of the regal python. Originally she +came from Borneo, where she was captured when +very young. As I stated, she has not yet attained +her growth, and I have succeeded in making quite +a pet of her.”</p> +<p>“Deliver me from such pets!” murmured Ned.</p> +<p>“Ticula is not a venomous snake,” went on the +professor. “None of the constrictor type of serpents +is, though their power to crush their prey +in their folds is enormous. They depend on that +power, while the poisonous snakes kill their prey +by the use of their venom. But Ticula and I are +quite friendly.</p> +<p>“My friend, who is writing a book on snakes, +asked me to find out something of how pythons +capture their food, and, knowing there would be +plenty of large rats in the vicinity of a camp, on +account of the great food supply there, I came +here with my pet snake. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span></p> +<p>“I suppose I should have secured permission +from some officer to let loose the serpent near one +of the buildings, but I forgot all about it, thinking +of the problem I have to puzzle over. I also +forgot for the time being, that you boys were here +at Camp Dixton, or I should certainly have communicated +with you and got you to help me.</p> +<p>“But I went at it alone. Pete and I carried the +box, with the snake in it, of course, close to one of +the buildings. I did not know until later that it +was the officers’ mess hall. Then Pete left me +alone.”</p> +<p>“How did you manage to get through the sentry +lines unchallenged?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” frankly answered the professor. +“I suppose it was because no one saw us; or +they may have supposed we were bringing some +supplies to one of the officers. Then, there was +a sham battle going on not far away at the time, +and that may have taken the attention of the sentries. +Anyhow, I got through the lines, and, +opening the box, let Ticula out to roam about and +catch a rat if she could.</p> +<p>“I was crawling around after her, watching her +as she went under the building when suddenly a +soldier pounced on me and yelled that I was a +German spy. I was never more surprised in all +my life.”</p> +<p>Jerry and Bob chuckled. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span></p> +<p>“I should think you might be!” laughed Ned. +“Then what happened?”</p> +<p>“Well, they handled me rather roughly, and +took me into custody, as I suppose it is called. +They seemed to think Ticula’s box was an infernal +machine. They were very much excited, and I +was trying to explain to them who I was, when +Ticula suddenly crawled up through a hole in the +floor in the building where I was being questioned.”</p> +<p>“And then there was more excitement, I suppose,” +said Jerry.</p> +<p>“There was—considerable,” admitted the professor. +“Then you boys came in, and—well, it’s +all over now. But I surely feared for a moment +they might shoot my snake.”</p> +<p>“Yes, it was rather a close call,” observed Bob. +“But did you have a good dinner with the colonel?”</p> +<p>“Listen to him, would you!” protested Ned. +“All he can think of is eating!”</p> +<p>“Cut it out!” growled Bob, as Ned poked him +in the ribs. “I just wanted to know what sort of +feed they give the officers.”</p> +<p>“Oh,” said Jerry significantly. “Merely an +academic interest, I suppose.”</p> +<p>“Sure!” assented Bob. “That’s all.”</p> +<p>“Well, the dinner was very good, though I cannot +say that I remember what I ate,” confessed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +the professor. “I was thinking too much of something +else.”</p> +<p>“Do you mean you were puzzled as to how to +study the effect of the noises of the French battlefields +on grasshoppers and crickets?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“No,” and the professor shook his head. +“This is an altogether different problem. It is, as +I might call it, the problem of two girls.”</p> +<p>“Two girls!” cried the three Motor Boys in a +chorus. “Two girls?”</p> +<p>They looked at the little professor, whose eyes, +mildly blinking behind his strong glasses, regarded +the lads curiously.</p> +<p>“Two girls,” repeated the little scientist. “The +problem I have to solve concerns two girls.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V_MORE_GIRLS' id='CHAPTER_V_MORE_GIRLS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>MORE GIRLS</h3> +</div> +<p>Ned, Bob and Jerry looked at one another. +Then they turned their glances on the professor.</p> +<p>“Whew!” softly whistled Jerry. “Can it be +possible that our dear friend is in love—and with +two girls at once? This is getting serious!”</p> +<p>It would have been had Jerry’s diagnosis been +correct. But it was wrong, as was proved a moment +later, when the professor, with a sigh, resumed +his narrative.</p> +<p>“Yes,” he said, “I am much concerned over two +girls—young ladies I suppose would be the more +proper designation. I have never seen either of +them.”</p> +<p>Jerry breathed more freely, and so did his +chums. Clearly if the professor had not seen the +two girls he could not be in love with them. And +the professor in love was something unthinkable. +He never would have remembered, from one day +to the next, the name of the favored lady.</p> +<p>“And, boys,” went on Professor Snodgrass, “I +think you will agree with me that it is quite a problem +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +to try to find in Europe, at this particular +time, two girls I have never seen, that I may deliver +to them a small fortune, and claim one myself.”</p> +<p>“Say, this is getting worse and more of it!” +cried Ned. “What does it all mean, Professor? +Are you in earnest about these girls and the effect +of war noises on insects?”</p> +<p>“I am in earnest about both problems—never +more so,” was the answer, and it needed but a +glance at the face of the scientist to disclose this +fact. “But perhaps I had better explain.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps you had,” said Jerry with a smile.</p> +<p>“And never mind about the insects—tell us +about the girls,” urged Bob.</p> +<p>“Yes, relieve his mind,” agreed Ned. “He +hasn’t heard from his dear Helena in some hours, +I guess.”</p> +<p>“Oh, cut it out!” protested the stout lad.</p> +<p>“The two girls to whom I refer,” went on Professor +Snodgrass, “are the nieces of my late +friend, Professor Emil Petersen.”</p> +<p>“The man who wrote the book on trigonometry +that we used to study at Boxwood Hall?” +asked Ned.</p> +<p>“The same,” murmured Professor Snodgrass. +“Professor Petersen was an eminent mathematician, +and the world did not fully estimate his +worth. His mathematical work was only a branch +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +of his many-sided activities. Professor Petersen +died about three months ago, and he left me a +most peculiar legacy.”</p> +<p>“Peculiar in what way?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“It is like this,” said the little scientist, as he +pulled up a blade of grass, and examined it under +a powerful hand glass to see if any strange insects +might be crawling on it. “Professor Petersen, +unlike most of us professional men, was very +wealthy. He was a Swede, and his wealth came to +him from his father. He never used much of it, +and the money accumulated.</p> +<p>“After his death I was surprised to learn that +he had made me one of his heirs, but under certain +conditions. It appears that in his younger +days Professor Petersen was estranged from his +brother and sister, on account of some family matters. +They received an equal share with him from +their father’s estate, but they made unwise investments, +and soon lost the major portion of their +inheritances. The professor kept his. Perhaps +that was one reason for the estrangement.</p> +<p>“At any rate, some coldness existed, and it was +not until just before his death that the professor +wished to be reconciled. Then it was too late, as +his brother and sister were both dead. But each +had left a daughter, and the young ladies were +studying abroad—somewhere in France or Germany, +I believe, when the war broke out. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span></p> +<p>“I was greatly surprised, when the will was +made public, to learn that I was to have half the +professor’s not inconsiderable wealth, on a certain +condition.”</p> +<p>“And what condition?” remarked Jerry, as the +professor hesitated.</p> +<p>“That condition is as follows. I am to seek out +these two nieces of my dead friend and give them +each a fourth of his estate. The other half I am +to have for myself if I fulfill the trust. That is, I +get it if I can succeed in finding the two girls, and +I need not tell you that I shall be very glad of the +large sum of money—not for myself, oh, no!” +said Professor Snodgrass quickly, “but that I may +devote it to the furtherance of the interests of +science. If I can solve the problem, and find the +two girls, I shall have a large sum at my disposal, +and I can then fulfill a life-long desire to undertake +the study of the insects of the Amazon River. +That is what I have always desired to do since I +took up my studies, but I always lacked the means. +Now, if I succeed in finding these two girls, I shall +have wealth enough to travel in South America.”</p> +<p>“And where are the girls?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“Somewhere in Germany or France,” was the +answer. “The latter country, I think. I have, +among my papers, their last address. But since +the war there is no telling where I may find them. +I have written a number of letters, but have had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +no answers. Now I must go to seek them, and, +at the same time, make a study of the effect of battle +noises on crickets and grasshoppers. Is it any +wonder that I seem puzzled? Was there ever +such a hard problem for a peace-loving scientist +to solve?”</p> +<p>“It isn’t going to be easy,” admitted Ned. +“Then you really expect to go across?”</p> +<p>“Yes. And since I understand you are going, +we may go together; or at least meet there, for I +suppose I shall not be allowed on a transport, being +a civilian.”</p> +<p>“Hardly,” assented Jerry. “But if, as you +say, you have passports and credentials and letters +of introduction, it may be arranged. You had +better see our colonel. He seems to have taken +quite a notion to you.”</p> +<p>“Thank you; I will,” promised the scientist. +“And now I think I had better go back and see +about Ticula and Pete Bumps. Pete may be worried +about me.”</p> +<p>“Just a moment,” suggested Ned. “If we are +to help you in the search for these two girls, we +ought to know something more about them.”</p> +<p>“That is right,” assented the professor; “and +I hope you will help me. The problem of finding +the two young ladies would be easy were it not +for the war. But they have been missing since +the conflict started, and I can get no trace of them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +I hope they are still living, for, if they are +dead, all the wealth Professor Petersen left goes +to a humane society for the care of distressed cats +and dogs and to provide a shelter for them. Not +that I object to cats and dogs,” he hastily added, +“but I think some other form of scientific activity +might be chosen. However, Professor Petersen +was very peculiar, and, after all, it was his money. +Will you boys help me?”</p> +<p>“Indeed we will!” cried Jerry. “But how are +we to go about it? What part of France were +the girls last in?”</p> +<p>“And what are their names?” Bob demanded.</p> +<p>“And what do they look like?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“That last question I can answer first,” said +the professor. “I happen to have recent pictures +of them. They sent them to their uncle following +the deaths of their parents, and after the reconciliation, +and Professor Petersen left them to me, +with certain other material, documents and such, +to aid me in the search. Here are the girls—their +names are Gladys Petersen and Dorothy +Gibbs.”</p> +<p>He reached in his pocket and took out a folded +paper. As he opened it he gave a start and hastily +closed it again.</p> +<p>“That isn’t it,” he murmured. “Those are +some dried specimens of <i>ameba</i> that I wish to +study under a microscope.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span></p> +<p>“What are <i>ameba</i>?” asked Jerry. “Fish?”</p> +<p>“Not exactly,” answered the professor with a +smile, “though I secured these from a little pond +on the other side of the camp. <i>Ameba</i> are microorganisms +of the simplest structure—a protoplasm +which is constantly changing in shape. Very interesting—very +interesting indeed, but not the pictures +of the girls. Ah, here they are,” he added, +as he replaced the first paper and took out a second. +From the folds of that he produced two +unmounted photographs at which the boys gazed +with interest.</p> +<p>They saw the likenesses of two pretty girls in +traveling costume, and the pictures had, obviously, +been snapped by an amateur at some country +place, for there was a barn and fields in the background.</p> +<p>“The girls took these pictures themselves, I +understand,” explained the professor. “They +sent them to their uncle.”</p> +<p>“Which is which?” asked Jerry. “I mean +which is Gladys and which is Dorothy?”</p> +<p>“The names are on the reverse side of the +photographs, I believe,” said the professor, and +so it proved.</p> +<p>“They are both pretty,” observed Jerry.</p> +<p>“I rather fancy Gladys,” murmured Ned.</p> +<p>“Dorothy seems real jolly,” stated Bob.</p> +<p>“Here! None of that, young man, or I’ll write +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +to Helena Schaeffer, and tell her how you’re carrying +on!” warned Jerry, shaking a finger at his +stout chum.</p> +<p>“Aw, you––” began Bob.</p> +<p>But at that moment there came an interruption. +A small, very much excited lad came fairly bounding +over the grass toward the figures of the three +chums and Professor Snodgrass.</p> +<p>“Oh, here you are!” cried the newcomer. +“Found you at last—thought I never would—asked +everybody—nearly got stabbed by a sentry—had +to jump out of the way of a bullet—whoop—but +here I am—Gosh! Say, it’s good to see +you again—I told ’em I could find you—awful +hot, ain’t it? Lots of things going on—never +saw so many soldiers in all my life—here they are, +girls! I found ’em!”</p> +<p>Ned, Bob and Jerry gazed in amazement at +the small lad. Ned murmured his name—Andy +Rush—and then Jerry, looking over the head of +the excited little chap, descried three girls approaching.</p> +<p>“Girls! Girls!” murmured the tall lad. +“More girls! What does it mean?”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI_NODDY_NIXON' id='CHAPTER_VI_NODDY_NIXON'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>NODDY NIXON</h3> +</div> +<p>Events were transpiring so rapidly for Ned, +Bob and Jerry in the last few hours, that it was +no wonder they were somewhat startled. Coming +from strenuous bayonet practice to hear of a spy +alarm, to have that augmented by excitement over +the big snake, to learn that the “spy” was none +other than Professor Snodgrass, and then to hear +of his strange mission, would have been almost +too much for any group of lads less sophisticated +than this trio.</p> +<p>And hardly had they digested the news about +the two missing girls, in a search for whom they +mentally agreed they would join, than along came +excitable Andy Rush and—more girls.</p> +<p>“There’s Mollie Horton!” cried Ned, recognizing +a girl who lived near him in Cresville, and +with whom he was very friendly.</p> +<p>“Yes, and I see Alice Vines,” added Jerry.</p> +<p>“And Helen Gale is with her,” commented Bob. +“I’m glad she came! Helen’s a great girl for +sport and––”</p> +<p>“You’d better be careful how you talk,” warned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +Jerry, as the girls continued to approach. “Helen +and Helena are names very much alike, but if you +get them mixed up—well, Helen isn’t one to stand +any nonsense.”</p> +<p>“Aw, say––” began Bob, and then the nearer +approach of the three girls, to whom Andy Rush +was beckoning, put a stop to any further talk concerning +them.</p> +<p>It might be added, to explain Jerry’s reference, +that Helena Schaeffer was a girl in whom Bob +Baker felt more than ordinary interest. At first, +because of the pro-German leanings of her father, +she had been a bit cold toward Bob when he joined +the army with his chums, to fight the Kaiser. +But, as readers of the volume preceding this know, +Helena changed her attitude, much to Bob’s relief.</p> +<p>“Well, of all the sights that are good for sore +eyes!” cried Ned, as he hurried forward to greet +the girls, an example followed by his chums. +“What fine wind blew you here?”</p> +<p>“We didn’t come in an airship!” burst out +Andy Rush. “I wanted to, but they wouldn’t—’fraid +they’d fall—swoop up—swoop down—get +here quicker—fall maybe—maybe not—lots of +fun, anyhow. Gosh, it’s great—I say, fellows, +are you going––”</p> +<p>Jerry gently but firmly took hold of Andy by +the ear, and, pointing to Professor Snodgrass, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +who was wandering about a distant field in search +of possible insects, said:</p> +<p>“Andy, you go and aid in the interests of +science, and, incidentally, cool off. We’ll see you +later.”</p> +<p>And Andy, whose rapid flow of words had been +suddenly stopped, looked once at the tall, bronzed +lad, and then followed the instructions to the letter. +So, whether he wanted it or not, Professor +Snodgrass had the assistance of the small youth.</p> +<p>“Well! Well!” exclaimed Jerry, as he shook +hands lingeringly with Alice. “How did you get +here?”</p> +<p>“Going to enlist?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Maybe they’re going to join the girls’ motor +corps,” suggested Bob, who had attached himself +to Helen.</p> +<p>“No, we just came on a visit,” explained Mollie.</p> +<p>“To see us?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Of course!” was the mischievous answer. +“We got lonesome back in Cresville, with all the +nice boys gone, and so we got Andy to bring us +down here.”</p> +<p>“And if we believe that, I suppose you’ll tell +us another,” laughed Jerry. “Seriously now, how +did you happen to come, and how long are you +going to stay? Fellows, we’ll have to get furloughs +and take the girls around. Not that there’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +much to see down here, but we’ll do our best,” +he added.</p> +<p>“Cease! Cease!” commanded Ned, holding +up his hand like a traffic officer in front of Jerry. +“Let’s hear how they happened to come.”</p> +<p>“Oh, that is soon told,” remarked Alice. +“Mollie’s aunt lives not far from here.”</p> +<p>“And she invited Mollie down on a visit,” +added Helen. “And Mollie was good enough to +ask us, so we all came together. We reached +there yesterday, and, knowing you boys were at +camp here, we decided to come out to see you, +which we have done.”</p> +<p>“And for which we are duly grateful,” added +Jerry. “But what about Andy Rush? I never +was more surprised in my life when I heard his +usual flow of language. How did he happen to +be with you?”</p> +<p>“That was just an accident, a coincidence, or +whatever you want to call it,” said Mollie, with a +laugh. “When Andy heard we were coming down +this way he asked if he couldn’t come with us. +He says he is going to enlist. He isn’t going to +wait to be drafted. He said he’d sort of look +after us on our way down.”</p> +<p>“But it’s been the other way about!” laughed +Alice. “We’ve had to watch him all the while. +He was always hopping about, talking to strangers, +and every time the train stopped at a station +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +longer than a minute he’d get off, and we’d be in +a fix for fear he’d be left. But he’s here, thank +goodness!”</p> +<p>“Going to enlist!” cried Ned. “Why, he’s too +<i>small</i>.”</p> +<p>“That’s what they told him back in Cresville +when he tried it,” remarked Alice. “But we must +give Andy credit for being a determined little +chap. He’s sixteen, and he says lots of boys of +sixteen have gone in, and he’s going. He said if +the recruiting officer at home wouldn’t take him +one here at camp might. So he came with us, and +I believe he’s going to ask you boys to use your +influence to get him into the army.”</p> +<p>“A heap of influence we have!” laughed Ned. +“Privates—with Jerry just made corporal.”</p> +<p>“Well, Andy was very nice to us on the way +down,” said Helen, “so please do all you can for +him.”</p> +<p>“We will!” promised Jerry. “And now tell us +about yourselves, and how all the folks are at +home. Oh, but it’s great to see you again!”</p> +<p>Then followed a talk until it was time for the +three chums to report for drill duty.</p> +<p>“What are you girls going to do this evening?” +asked Bob.</p> +<p>The girls looked at one another.</p> +<p>“Oh, just sit around, I suppose,” remarked +Mollie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span></p> +<p>“No, you’re not!” cried Jerry. “There’s a +dance in town—a really nice place—and we’ve +been wishing for some girls to come along to help +us out. It’s under the auspices of the local Y. W. +C. A. And if we can get off––”</p> +<p>“Oh, we’ll get off all right!” broke in Ned +eagerly.</p> +<p>“If worst comes to worst, we’ll have the professor +ask the colonel on our behalf. The prof +seems to pull a pretty good stroke with the C. O. +So a dance it is to be!” declared Bob.</p> +<p>And a dance it was. The boys received permission +to remain away from camp until midnight, +passes being issued to them, and they at once proceeded +to “doll up,” as Bob expressed it.</p> +<p>A joyous week followed, for the girls were to +remain in the vicinity of Camp Dixton, at Mollie’s +aunt’s house for some time, and they asked nothing +better than to have the company of the three +chums as often as it might be possible.</p> +<p>Of course, Ned, Bob and Jerry did not have +very much time to themselves during the day, and +some of their nights were occupied. But fate +was kind to them, and they had several dances +with the girls, and also went to “shows” at the +local Y. M. C. A., as well as entertaining the girls +by escorting them about the cantonment.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, Professor Snodgrass received permission +to loose his pet snake, Ticula, in certain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +restricted areas, so that he might observe her feeding +habits in the open.</p> +<p>“But I cannot stay here very long,” he told the +boys. “I must soon begin to prepare for my trip +to Europe. I simply must make an attempt to +find those two girls.”</p> +<p>“And we’ll help you!” declared Jerry. “Just +wait a few days more. I think our orders to go +across are coming.”</p> +<p>And come the orders did. The day before the +three home-town girls were to return to Cresville +orders came for the larger part of the soldiers at +Camp Dixton to leave for France.</p> +<p>“Hurray!” cried Ned, Bob and Jerry, as they +saw the orders posted. “Now we’ll get a whack +at the Germans!”</p> +<p>“And I’m going, too!” declared Andy Rush. +“I’ll go if I have to leave as a stowaway! I’ve +simply got to fight—get me a gun—let me go in +an aeroplane—I want action—got to do something—can’t +keep still—Hurray for Uncle Sam!”</p> +<p>“Say, you’ll burst a blood vessel if you aren’t +careful!” cautioned Ned. “Better go slow, +Andy.”</p> +<p>But Andy Rush was not the lad for that, and +he hurried about the camp, more excited than +ever, seeking for a chance to go abroad.</p> +<p>Ned, Bob and Jerry, with thousands of their +chums, were to go to Hoboken, New Jersey, there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +to go aboard a transport and be escorted to +France. By a stroke of good luck, and by pulling +some official, or scientific wires, Professor Snodgrass +received permission to go on the same vessel. +He hurriedly sent his pet snake to a museum +to be cared for until his return, mailed his specimens +of <i>ameba</i> to a scientific friend to be made +into microscopical slides, and then, having fitted +himself out with as many specimen boxes and +other paraphernalia as he was permitted to take, +announced that he was ready for his dual mission—the +seeking out of the two girls that he might +apprise them of their good fortune and to undertake +the study of the effect of war noises on crickets +and katydids.</p> +<p>The final drills, bayonet practices, hikes and +other camp activities were held, and then the order +came to break camp. Professor Snodgrass +went on ahead, promising to meet the three chums +in Hoboken, and Mollie, Alice and Helen departed +for Cresville, their good-byes to the boys +being rather tearful, it must be admitted.</p> +<p>As for Andy Rush, he disappeared on the day +when the young soldiers were to take the train for +the North, and no one seemed to know what had +become of him.</p> +<p>“Guess he found he couldn’t get in the army, +and he went back home,” remarked Ned.</p> +<p>Finally the three chums were on their way for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +the fighting front with thousands of fellow soldiers, +some being volunteers and others of the +selective service.</p> +<p>Many and varied were the thoughts of our +heroes as the train bore them northward. What +would be their fate in France? Would they ever +see home again, or would they be left across the +water with the others who died that civilization +might live? And mingled with these thoughts +were others as to the mission of Professor Snodgrass.</p> +<p>“It surely is some commission—trying to find +two girls with just their photographs and nothing +much else to go by,” commented Ned.</p> +<p>“But we have done harder things,” added +Jerry.</p> +<p>The journey North was rather tiresome, but +the boys and their companions enlivened it as +much as possible by singing, telling stories, and +general activities.</p> +<p>Once, when the train was delayed at a junction +the three Cresville friends got out, as did hundreds +of others, to “stretch their legs.” There +was another train-load of young soldiers on a siding, +having come from another camp, and lads +from this were also walking up and down.</p> +<p>As Ned, Bob and Jerry stood together, looking +at a group of recruits who had been trained in +Texas, they heard a voice saying: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span></p> +<p>“This drafting business makes me sick! I don’t +like it at all!”</p> +<p>“Maybe you’d rather have been passed over,” +suggested some one.</p> +<p>“Naw, you get me wrong!” was the answer. “I +want to fight all right, but I want to do it my own +way. I’d have enlisted in the air service if they’d +given me time enough. I was thinking of it when +the draft law went into effect, and then I couldn’t. +I know a lot about airships. I used to run one, +and I invented one, too.”</p> +<p>“Did it fly?” some one wanted to know.</p> +<p>“It would have if it hadn’t been for some mean +fellows in my town who didn’t want me to beat +them,” was the announcement. “You wait until +I get on the other side! I’ll show ’em what flying +is, if they give me the chance, and Jerry Hopkins +and his pals sha’n’t stop me, either!”</p> +<p>“Did you hear that?” asked Ned in a low +voice.</p> +<p>“I should say so!” exclaimed Bob. “We ought +to know who that is.”</p> +<p>“Noddy Nixon, without a doubt!” remarked +Jerry. “And up to his old tricks! I hope he +isn’t going on the same transport with us!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII_OFF_FOR_FRANCE' id='CHAPTER_VII_OFF_FOR_FRANCE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>OFF FOR FRANCE</h3> +</div> +<p>Noddy Nixon needs no introduction to my old +readers. This rich and impudent lad had, more +than once, done his best to injure the Motor Boys, +and, with the plotting of Jack Pender and Bill +Berry, a Cresville n’er-do-well, had too often succeeded.</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t see anything of Bill or Jack,” +observed Jerry, as he looked toward Noddy +Nixon, and noted, that the bully was surrounded +by a group of strange recruits.</p> +<p>“Yes, if he’s by himself he won’t be so hard to +handle,” agreed Ned. “But I wonder where he +came from? He ought to be in jail!”</p> +<p>“I suppose he came from some training camp—same +as we did,” observed Bob. “And he +looks as though he had been well fed, too. He’s +as fat as butter.”</p> +<p>“That’s Chunky all over—thinking of the eating +end,” laughed Ned.</p> +<p>“Yes, Noddy is fat all right—too fat!” declared +Jerry. “He hasn’t been drilled as hard as we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +have, or else he got a desk position somewhere +and held on to it.”</p> +<p>“Did you hear the bluff he was throwing about +trying to enlist in the air service?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed his tall chum. “Talk about his +being an expert flier! Say, do you remember his +<i>Tin Fly</i>?”</p> +<p>“I should say so!” laughed Bob. “The flying +machine that wouldn’t go up. That was a hot +one! But keep quiet—he’s looking over this +way.”</p> +<p>Noddy, indeed, seemed to have his attention +attracted to the three friends. At first he looked +uncomprehendingly, and then, as the features of +the lads toward whom he had acted so meanly +became plainer, he stared and finally exclaimed:</p> +<p>“What are you fellows doing here?”</p> +<p>“The same as you, I imagine,” was Jerry’s cool +answer. “We are going to fight in France.”</p> +<p>Jerry said afterward he wanted to add that he +and his chums had “volunteered” to do this fighting, +but he did not think it would be quite fair to +the drafted men with Noddy who, to do them justice, +were in the same class as the best of patriots. +The selective service law solved many problems, +but Noddy’s was not among them. As the boys +learned later, the town bully had done his best to +evade the draft, and had only registered when +threatened with military action. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></p> +<p>Then he made a virtue of necessity and talked +big about having tried to volunteer in the air service, +only to be refused. But most of those who +heard Noddy Nixon talk understood him, and +were not at all taken in.</p> +<p>“Where’d you fellows train?” asked Noddy, +moving over toward his Cresville acquaintances.</p> +<p>“Camp Dixton,” answered Ned. Then he +added to Bob and Jerry: “Come on, fellows, I +think our train’s about to pull out.”</p> +<p>None of the Motor Boys had any relish for +talk with their former enemy. As for Noddy, he +seemed to think he was doing them a favor by +noticing them, and as they turned away he said:</p> +<p>“Camp Dixton isn’t in it with Upyank, where +our bunch was trained! We’ll show you when we +get to France!”</p> +<p>“I hope we don’t run across him,” murmured +Jerry, as they got back to their seats, for Ned’s +alarm had proved true, and their train soon did +pull out. Noddy and his crowd were a little later +in starting from the junction, and then, as the +Motor Boys were hauled on to their destination to +embark for France, they discussed the past doings +of the bully, and wondered how he would +conduct himself in war.</p> +<p>From that they switched to the more pleasant +topic of the recent visit of the girls, and speculated +on what had become of Andy Rush. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p> +<p>“They might enlist him and let him talk some +of the Huns to death,” suggested Ned. “He +could do that to perfection. But I’m afraid he’s +too small to get in the army.”</p> +<p>“I wonder if we’ll ever find the professor’s two +girls?” ventured Bob, meaning thereby Gladys +Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe we’ll have much time to look +for them, if the fighting keeps up as fiercely as it +has,” and Jerry handed his chums a paper he had +purchased, which gave a detailed account of some +of the first fighting of the American Expeditionary +Force, in the Toul sector, at Seicheprey. This +fighting had taken place in April, and it was late +in June when Ned, Bob and Jerry, with others +from their camp, were on their way to France in +that great movement of troops which was to +prove the turning, and winning, point of the war. +The account in the paper of the fighting at Seicheprey +was a delayed one sent through the mail by +a correspondent.</p> +<p>“Yes, it is getting hot,” observed Ned. “But +still we promised the professor we’d help him look +for the girls.”</p> +<p>“And so we shall, if we get the chance,” declared +Jerry. “I know what it would mean to the +professor if he lost his half of the fortune and +had to give up his work on the insects of the +Amazon. Oh, we’ll help him all right!”</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +<img src='images/illus-057.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 367px; height: 571px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 367px;'> +THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS WERE CROWDING ON BOARD.<br /> +<i>Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line.</i> <i>Page 57</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span></div> +<p>The journey of the boys to the “Atlantic Seaport,” +as Hoboken and New York, as well as +other well-known cities, were called in the newspapers +during the war, was not eventful. Their +train was one of many hundreds rushing troops +to the transports, and in due time Ned, Bob and +Jerry found themselves getting off at a big dock +in Hoboken and going aboard a transport—a former +German liner, her machinery rebuilt after the +ship’s German crew had done their best to disable +it.</p> +<p>“Well, we’re here!” announced Jerry, as he +eased his pack from his shoulders to the deck, an +example followed by Ned and Bob.</p> +<p>“Yes, we’re here, and we’ll soon be—there!” +and Ned nodded in the direction of France—or +where he thought it was.</p> +<p>Somewhere a band was playing. Thousands of +soldiers were crowding on board, and there would +be more thousands after them—a stream that +would not end until Prussianism had been dealt its +death-blow.</p> +<p>There was a period of seeming chaos while the +troops were getting settled and disposing of their +baggage. Then the three chums had a chance to +look about them, and proceeding to the stern of +the vessel they glanced across the Hudson to New +York, where the towering buildings showed dimly +through a harbor haze. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></p> +<p>“Wonder when we’ll see them again,” remarked +Jerry, in a low voice.</p> +<p>Neither of his chums answered. They were +thinking, though.</p> +<p>Late that afternoon the preparation and bustle +seemed redoubled. More soldiers and a number +of officers came aboard, and then, suddenly, after +bugles had blared and bells had clanged, there +was a tremor through the big transport.</p> +<p>“We’re off!” cried Bob.</p> +<p>“For France!” added Ned.</p> +<p>“And I’m glad to be with you!” said a voice +behind Jerry, who, turning, beheld Professor +Snodgrass.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII_THE_TRAINING_CAMP' id='CHAPTER_VIII_THE_TRAINING_CAMP'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>THE TRAINING CAMP</h3> +</div> +<p>My readers may well guess that Ned, Bob and +Jerry were glad to see the scientist. He was +like part of their “own folks,” and though they +had many friends among their army chums, and +though they liked, and were liked, by their officers, +our three heroes felt that with Professor Snodgrass +along it was like taking part of Cresville +aboard with them.</p> +<p>“So you got here all right, did you?” asked +Ned with a smile, as he and the others shook +hands with the scientist.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’m here; and I wish we were across. I +dread the voyage.”</p> +<p>“Submarines?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“Oh, no, I wasn’t thinking of them,” answered +the professor. “But I am anxious to get across, +not only to begin my study of the effect of war +noises on European insects, but to search for those +two young ladies. I have been reading considerable +about war conditions in France and Germany +since Professor Petersen made me his part heir, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +and I fear the young ladies may have a hard +time.”</p> +<p>“Yes, they are very likely to,” assented Ned. +“But until we get there we can’t do anything to +help them. However, we’ll do our best for you +and them when we do get there—if we have a +chance—after getting a Hun or two,” he added.</p> +<p>“That’s right,” said Mr. Snodgrass. “The winning +of the war is the first consideration. I wish +I were young enough to fight. But I have contributed +to the Red Cross, to the Salvation Army, +the Knights of Columbus and the Y. M. C. A. +and the Y. W. C. A.; and I’ve mailed every magazine +I finished reading and sent over all the books +I could spare.”</p> +<p>The boys winked at one another. They gave +full credit to Professor Snodgrass for his contributions +to the five organizations, which, with the +Jewish Welfare League, did so much to help win +the war.</p> +<p>“But if the boys in camp over there had to depend +for reading on the dry, scientific magazines +and books the professor sent them they’d be hard +put,” commented Jerry to his chums, afterward.</p> +<p>“Well, we’re moving, anyhow,” observed Bob, +as he and the others noticed that tugs were backing +the transport out into the river. “Now that +we’re under way, don’t you think we’d better go +and see about––” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span></p> +<p>“Grub!” finished Jerry, fairly taking the word +out of Chunky’s mouth.</p> +<p>The stout lad glared a moment, and then said:</p> +<p>“Well, yes, grub! Why not? We have to +eat, don’t we?”</p> +<p>“You said it, Bob!” exclaimed Ned. “Go to +it!”</p> +<p>But the boys found they need not have worried +about the matter of eating or sleeping. Competent +hands had the comfort of the soldiers in +charge and there was nothing lacking that could +be obtained. They were taken in charge by officers, +divided into squads, assigned to certain lifeboats, +and told where to report when an alarm +for a submarine attack, real or simulated, was +sounded.</p> +<p>Professor Snodgrass told how he had secured +permission to come aboard the transport with his +friends, the young soldiers—no easy matter—and +how he had been designated as a “correspondent,” +though Jerry Hopkins, on hearing this, remarked:</p> +<p>“I suppose if he did send any news it would be +to the <i>Bug Hunter’s Review</i>, describing the life +of an insect on an army transport.”</p> +<p>“Very likely,” agreed Ned.</p> +<p>And so, amid the blaring whistle salutes of river +craft, the former German liner dropped down the +bay and started for France with the young soldiers +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +who were to do their part in ending barbarous +militarism forever.</p> +<p>It was not exactly a gay trip. There were many +who were seasick in spite of the calm weather, and +there was little to do on board. Only a few books +were available to read, and these were in constant +use. Aside from lifeboat drill there was +little to occupy the boys.</p> +<p>But there was always the fear of a submarine +attack when they should reach the infested zone, +and the boys looked forward to this as something +that would relieve the monotony.</p> +<p>There was a gun crew on the transport—several +of them, in fact—and the troop ships were +escorted by war vessels and the swift, snake-like +destroyers, which moved with such remarkable +speed.</p> +<p>One day, after the usual lifeboat drill, which +was held at different hours each day so that none +would suspect when it was coming, the three chums +were standing near the forward gun, rather idly +scanning the water. The night had been a dreary +one, cooped up as they were in the darkness, for +now that they were approaching the danger zone, +all but the most necessary lights were dimmed.</p> +<p>Up above, and on various parts of the deck, +were the lookouts, scanning with strained and +eager eyes the expanse of water ahead of them for +a sight of the white wake that would indicate a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +periscope, or, perchance, hoping to see the wet, +glistening sides of a “steel fish” itself, as it broke +water before sending the deadly torpedo.</p> +<p>“Well, boys, how goes it?” asked a voice behind +the three chums, and they recognized Professor +Snodgrass.</p> +<p>As Jerry turned to speak to him, having finished +a remark in which he had speculated as to +what had become of Noddy Nixon, who was not +on board, one of the men cried:</p> +<p>“What’s that?”</p> +<p>He pointed to a spot about two points off the +port bow, and Ned, Bob and Jerry, as well as +several others, distinctly saw a little commotion +in the water.</p> +<p>“A sub, as sure as you’re a foot high!” cried +a marine, just as a bugle call to quarters was +blown, for a lookout, too, had observed the disturbance +in the water.</p> +<p>Instantly the gun crew was in action, and several +shots were fired from the bow gun. The reports +had hardly ceased echoing when some remarkable +activity was displayed, not only aboard +the transport, but on the part of the convoying +squadron.</p> +<p>As the shells splashed into the sea near the spot +where the commotion had been observed, there +were smudges of black smoke at several points on +either side of the troopship. These were the funnels +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +of the destroyers belching out clouds of vapor +that told of their approach under forced draught. +And as the other guns on the transport awoke and +began firing on the suspected submarine, up came +racing the swift craft, the men on board eagerly +looking for a target.</p> +<p>Then their big guns got into action, and for a +time the sea in the vicinity of the suspected place +was churned by exploding shells, while one destroyer, +the fastest of the flotilla, shot right over +the place where the lookout thought he had seen +a periscope, and dropped two depth bombs that +added further to the churning of Neptune’s element.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, for the second occasion in a short +time, lifeboat stations were sounded, and the soldiers, +donning their life preservers, took their +places to await what might follow—possibly, an +order to abandon ship after she had been struck +by a torpedo.</p> +<p>But this contingency did not arise. The destroyers +swarmed around the transport, seeking in +vain for something substantial on which to expend +their ammunition, and then the scare was +over.</p> +<p>And whether it was only a scare, or whether a +real submarine had shown her periscope and then +dived before sending a torpedo, could, of course, +only be surmised. But no chances were being +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +taken, and the transport on which the Cresville +boys traveled was not the only one of the American +Expeditionary Forces that believed itself the +object of a frustrated attack.</p> +<p>“If that was a sub, it came out pretty far to +meet us,” observed Jerry, when the excitement had +died away and they were at ease once more.</p> +<p>“No telling where they’ll be found,” said a noncommissioned +officer. “If that had been one I +believe we’d have got her, though.”</p> +<p>“Surest thing you know!” declared Ned Slade +emphatically.</p> +<p>This was the only incident that marked the passage. +Of course, at various times, especially during +the nights, the lookouts may have imagined +they saw the wake of a periscope or a torpedo, +but there was no general alarm.</p> +<p>And finally, after what really was a tiresome +voyage, and one the end of which was welcomed +by all, the transport docked at a certain port in +France, and Ned, Bob and Jerry were able, with +their water-weary comrades, to go ashore.</p> +<p>“Here at last!” murmured Jerry, as he and his +chums sought their own company.</p> +<p>“And where are the Huns we’re going to +fight?” asked Bob, looking around at the strange +scenes.</p> +<p>“Oh, we won’t see them right away,” returned +Ned. “It’ll be more training camp for ours for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +a while. But we’ll see real fighting soon enough. +Don’t worry.”</p> +<p>“It can’t come any too soon for me, Buddy!” +exclaimed a tall, Southern lad, with whom the +Motor Boys had become chummy at Camp Dixton. +“Lead me to it!”</p> +<p>But there was much to be done before this +would occur. After the boys had disembarked +they were inspected, roll was called, and then they +were told to march to a designated depot, there +to eat and be fitted out for a march to the French +village where they were to be billeted until sent to +a training camp.</p> +<p>Professor Snodgrass could not, of course, stay +with the army boys, but he announced that he +would follow them as closely as possible, and keep +in communication with them. As soon as might +be he would arrange to begin the search for the +two missing girls.</p> +<p>Not all that Ned, Bob and Jerry had read of +the gigantic work undertaken to fit out and maintain +the American armies in France prepared them +for what they saw. The port where the transport +docked had been transformed. Great storehouses +and warehouses were erected. Whole railway +systems had been built, with the American locomotives +replacing the diminutive French ones. And +the French population and army representatives +were as much surprised at the initiative and wonderful +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +progress of the American forces as were +the new recruits themselves.</p> +<p>“Say, we’re going into this war with both feet!” +exclaimed Jerry admiringly.</p> +<p>“That’s the only way to do it,” said Ned. “The +harder we go at it the sooner it will be over.”</p> +<p>They had their “chow,” and even Bob admitted +that it was “mighty good,” and, as you +know, he was a connoisseur.</p> +<p>Then, with their comrades, the three Motor +Boys marched to the place where they were to +spend the night before going to the training camp. +This was a small French village, and its quaint +beauty, unspoiled by the Germans, was very attractive +to the sea-weary soldiers.</p> +<p>Ned, Bob and Jerry were billeted with five others +at a French farmhouse, where they were given +beds in the attic. The “beds” were only piles of +clean straw, but the lads were delighted with them +after their close bunks on the ship.</p> +<p>“I can roll over now without falling out,” said +Ned, with a sigh of comfort as he stretched out.</p> +<p>They drew their rations the following morning, +and breakfasted most heartily, if not luxuriously, +and were ready for what the day held for +them. This was nothing else than a journey to +their training camp, which, they learned, was +some miles behind the front lines where the fighting +was going on. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></p> +<p>“But you’ll be moved up as fast as it’s possible +to do so,” said the officer who directed them. +“The fighting’s getting heavier and heavier.”</p> +<p>And this was true, for about this time the 42d +American Division was in position east of Rheims +where, a little later, a great German attack was +launched, and, as all the world now knows, was +flung back with disaster to the Hun forces.</p> +<p>The railroad journey, from a point near their +disembarkation port to their training camp, was +not a very comfortable one, as the troops had to +travel in cars that were used at times for horses. +But every one was in good spirits, and little inconveniences +were laughed at.</p> +<p>And finally, after three days, the welcome word +was given to leave the trains and march to the +camp. This was situated in a beautiful part of +France—that is, it had been beautiful before the +spoliation by the Huns, and there Ned, Bob and +Jerry, with thousands of their comrades, prepared +for the last phase of their training. Before +them was the enemy.</p> +<p>“Well, here at last!” remarked Jerry, as he +eased himself from his pack, and, with his two +chums, stacked the guns together. “I wonder +what happens first?”</p> +<p>“Suppose you come over and have some chocolate?” +suggested a voice behind the boys, and, +turning, they saw a pleasant-faced young man, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +whose hair, however, was gray. He wore a semi-military +uniform, but a glance at his sleeve showed +the red triangle, and the letters “Y. M. C. A.” +were not needed to tell his character.</p> +<p>“Come over and make yourselves at home,” he +went on. “You’ll have time before you’ll be +called on to report.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, we will,” said Jerry. “Some +chocolate would touch the spot.”</p> +<p>“I’ve got two spots that need touching,” +laughed Bob.</p> +<p>“Won’t you boys come, too?” invited the Y. M. +C. A. worker, as he turned to some others who +had marched up as Ned, Bob and Jerry were moving +away.</p> +<p>“What? Trail in with a lot of psalm-singing +goody-goodies?” was the sneering retort of one, +and it needed only a glance to show that the +speaker was Noddy Nixon.</p> +<p>“He’s here—worse luck!” murmured Ned.</p> +<p>“No Y. M. C. A. for mine!” sneered Noddy.</p> +<p>“Boor!” muttered Bob, in protest.</p> +<p>“There is a Knights of Columbus station next +to ours, and a Salvation Army hut, as well as a +Jewish Community station, here in camp,” was +the gentle answer of the secretary. “If you prefer +one of those you will be very welcome, I +know. We are all working together for you +boys.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span></p> +<p>“None for mine!” sneered Noddy. “I want +some cigarettes!”</p> +<p>“I can let you have some at my <i>foyer</i>,” said the +secretary, with a smile. “I don’t smoke myself, +but I like the smell of it mighty well. Come +along.”</p> +<p>But Noddy laughed sneeringly, and would not +go. However, Ned, Bob and Jerry accompanied +the Y. M. C. A. man, and very glad they were to +buy, at a modest price, some cups of chocolate, +and also some cakes of it to put in their pockets.</p> +<p>“These Y. M. C. A. and K. C. places are all +to the merry!” voted Ned. “They were great +back at Camp Dixton, but they’re twice as good +here!”</p> +<p>“And we’ll look after you, as well as we can, +when you get on the firing line,” said their new +friend. “You’ll have to depend on the Salvation +Army lassies for doughnuts, but we can give you +smokes and chocolate almost any time. Have +some more!”</p> +<p>He made the boys and their comrades so welcome +that they hated to leave to go to roll call. +But this must be done, and soon they were assigned +to barracks, much the same as in Camp +Dixton.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX_ON_THE_FIRING_LINE' id='CHAPTER_IX_ON_THE_FIRING_LINE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>ON THE FIRING LINE</h3> +</div> +<p>The training Ned, Bob and Jerry went through +in the French camp, though on a more intense +scale and with greater attention to detail, was +much like that which they had obtained at Camp +Dixton, and that has been related at length in the +volume preceding this.</p> +<p>There were the same drills to go through, only +they were harder, and in charge were men who +had seen terrible fighting. Some of them were +American army officers, sent back from the front +to instruct the new recruits, and others were +French and British officers, detailed to teach the +raw troops who, at first, were brigaded with the +veterans.</p> +<p>It was rise early in the morning, drill hard all +day, attend some school of instruction in the evening, +and then, after a brief visit perhaps to the +Y. M. C. A. hut or one of the other rest tents, go +to bed, to get up and do it all over again the next +day.</p> +<p>But the boys never felt it monotonous, nor did +they complain of the hard work. They knew it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +was necessary, and here on the very fighting +ground itself—in wonderful France—there was +a greater incentive to apply oneself to the mastering +of the lessons of the war.</p> +<p>Then, too, they saw or heard at first hand of +the indescribable cruelties and atrocities of the +Huns. Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their comrades saw +with what fervor the French and British were +proceeding with the war, and their own spirits +were inflamed.</p> +<p>No work was too hard for them, from learning +to throw hand grenades, taught by men who +had had them thrown at them, to digging trenches +laid out after the fashion of those on either side +of No Man’s Land. Then came small sham engagements, +when, imagining the sample trenches +to be held by Germans, a company would storm +them to drive out the “enemy.”</p> +<p>In fair and rainy weather this work went on, +and it rained more often than not, as Jerry wrote +home to his mother. The chums could write, but +there was no telling when the missives would be +delivered, nor when they would get any in return, +for there was such congestion that the mail service +broke down at times, and no wonder. So, though +eventually the home folks—and in them is included +“the girls”—got all the mail intended for them, +there were days of anxious waiting.</p> +<p>Meanwhile the Motor Boys were perfecting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +themselves as soldiers, and were winning the commendation +of their officers. Jerry was promoted +to be first corporal, and in his squad of seven were +Ned and Bob, much to their delight.</p> +<p>“It’s a pleasure to take orders from you, old +man,” said Ned.</p> +<p>“Well, I won’t give any more than I have to,” +remarked the tall lad, now taller and more +bronzed than ever.</p> +<p>Professor Snodgrass had managed to find quarters +in a village not far from camp, and from +there he came to see the boys occasionally. He +was getting his affairs in shape to proceed with +the study of the matter at present under his attention.</p> +<p>“Have you heard anything from Miss Petersen +or Miss Gibbs?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“No, not a word,” was the answer. “I have +sent several letters, and made inquiries of the +authorities here, but the latter give me very little +encouragement. That’s bad, too; for I’ve just +had word from home that makes my share in +that inheritance seem of more importance than +ever,” and the professor gave a little sigh.</p> +<p>“Why, what’s happened, Professor?” questioned +Jerry, with quick sympathy.</p> +<p>“I lent some money,” explained Professor +Snodgrass, “to one of my friends—an old friend +with whom I went through college—to help him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +over a hard place. But he has not got over his +troubles; in fact, his affairs are growing worse, +and it looks as if I would never get my money +back. And that will cripple me, cripple me badly, +boys. Yes, I need the money that Professor +Petersen was good enough to leave me.”</p> +<p>“Well, let’s hope that you find those girls +quickly, Professor, and get that inheritance very +soon,” said Ned.</p> +<p>“But I am afraid I shall have to wait until you +boys capture Germany, and then I can go in and +search.”</p> +<p>“Us boys—with help,” chuckled Jerry.</p> +<p>“Well, if it keeps up the way we’ve started +we’ll soon have the Hun on the run!” declared +Ned, and he spoke with some truth, for soon was +to be the beginning of the successful American advance.</p> +<p>Greatly to their relief the boys saw little of +Noddy Nixon, for he was housed in barracks at +the opposite end of the camp from those in which +they were billeted. But they met him occasionally, +and listened with ill-concealed disgust to his +boasts, and his talk of having tried in vain to enlist +before he was drafted.</p> +<p>“If they’d give me an aeroplane I’d go over the +German lines and make ’em sit up and take notice!” +boasted the bully.</p> +<p>“Why don’t you send home for what’s left of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +your ‘<i>Tin Fly</i>’?” asked Ned, with a wink at his +chums.</p> +<p>“Aw, you dry up!” commanded Noddy, for this +airship, which he had once built to compete in an +exhibition, was a sore point with him, as it had not +justified its name.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, all along the line in the sector +where the American troops were stationed hard +fighting was going on. On either flank were +French and English forces, but the boys of Uncle +Sam were holding up their end of the work exceedingly +well.</p> +<p>“When can we get into it?” sighed Ned one +evening, when reports came in of heavy fighting, +during which certain American units had won distinction.</p> +<p>“Very soon, so I hear,” returned Jerry. “Our +intensive training is nearly over. We may be +moved up to the front any day now.”</p> +<p>“The sooner the quicker,” cried Bob. “Maybe +the eats won’t be so good farther front, but we’ll +see some action!”</p> +<p>Of course, there had been “action” in plenty at +camp, but it was of the safe variety, and this did +not appeal to the boys.</p> +<p>Then their chance came. One morning after +drill emotion, like electricity, seemed to run +through the camp.</p> +<p>“What’s up?” came the queries from all sides. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p> +<p>“We’re ordered to the firing line!” was the answer.</p> +<p>And then came cheers! Cheers that showed of +what stuff America’s fighters were made.</p> +<p>The news proved true. That evening, under +the cover of darkness, so that no lurking Hun +planes might detect the movement, a considerable +body of troops from the training camp was sent +up toward the front, to relieve some battle-scarred +units.</p> +<p>At first, as the three chums and their comrades +marched along, there was joking and laughing. +Then this died away. The seriousness of the situation +began to be comprehended. It was not +that any one was afraid. The boys were realizing +the gravity of the occasion, that was all.</p> +<p>“Hark! what’s that?” asked Bob, as he +marched along with Ned, Jerry, as corporal, being +file leader. “Is it thunder?”</p> +<p>They stepped lightly so as to listen more intently.</p> +<p>“The guns!” explained a lieutenant hurrying +past. “Those are the guns on the firing line you +hear. There must be a night attack.”</p> +<p>The guns of the front! Fighting was actually +very near, for, though the boys in camp had often +heard a distant rumble when there was a big +bombardment on, this was the first time they had +heard so plainly the hostile guns. It gave them +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +a thrill, even as they felt the ground tremble beneath +them.</p> +<p>And so, in the darkness, they moved up to +their new camp—a camp on the very edge of the +fighting; and from where they came to a halt, to +wait for morning before being assigned to the +trenches, they could see the lurid fires that flared +across No Man’s Land.</p> +<p>Tired and weary, but with an eagerness nothing +could subdue, the chums and their comrades +awoke the next morning as the bugle called them. +At first they could not realize where they were, +and then with a rush it came to them.</p> +<p>“On the firing line!” cried Jerry. “Just where +we wanted to be! Now for some action!”</p> +<p>Hardly had he spoken when there sounded a +terrific explosion, and the boys were fairly blown +off their feet, toppling to the ground.</p> +<p>There was action for them!</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X_IN_THE_TRENCHES' id='CHAPTER_X_IN_THE_TRENCHES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>IN THE TRENCHES</h3> +</div> +<p>Stunned and bruised, the three chums and +several of their comrades around them were incapable +of action for a little while. Then, as +Jerry raised himself from the ground, he heard +Bob ask:</p> +<p>“What hit us, anyway? Are the Germans attacking?”</p> +<p>“Gee!” was Bob’s muttered protest.</p> +<p>“Get up!” some one cried. “You’re all right. +It was a bomb from a Hun plane, but it missed +its mark.”</p> +<p>“Seems to have hit me all right,” observed Ned, +whose face was bleeding, though only from +scratches.</p> +<p>“You were knocked down by the concussion,” +explained the officer who had told them to get up. +“It was a close call all right, but no one is hurt. +Fall in for roll call!”</p> +<p>Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of the other soldiers +scrambled to their feet. They had been on +the point of answering roll call when the explosion +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +came, and now that the danger was over, at least +for the time being, they had a chance to see what +had caused it.</p> +<p>The aeroplane from which the bomb had been +dropped was not now in sight, but this is what had +happened. One of the German machines passing +over the front line, as they often did, had escaped +the Allied craft, and had also managed to pass +through the firing of the anti-aircraft guns. +Whether the machine had gone some distance +back, hoping to drop bombs on an ammunition +dump, or whether it came over merely to take a +pot shot at the American trenches, was never +known.</p> +<p>But the aviator had dropped a large explosive +bomb, which, luckily for the Motor Boys and their +comrades, had fallen into an open space, though +not far from one of the camouflaged stations +where the soldiers were quartered before being +taken up to the front-line trenches. The explosion +had blown a big hole in the ground and damaged +some food stores, but that was all, except that +when the Americans were about to answer roll +call they were knocked down by the concussion, +and some, like Ned, were scratched and cut by +flying dirt and stones, or perhaps by fragments of +the bursting bomb.</p> +<p>“See, no one is hurt,” went on the officer, as if +to reassure those who were soon to take their +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +places in the front-line trenches. “Good luck was +with you that time.”</p> +<p>“I hope it keeps up,” murmured Bob. “It’s a +mean trick to shoot a man before he has his +breakfast,” and then he wondered why the others +laughed.</p> +<p>They all looked curiously, and it may be said, +thankfully, at the big hole made by the bomb. As +the officer had said, only good luck had prevented +some of the boys from filling that hole.</p> +<p>After this Jerry was silent and thoughtful.</p> +<p>“Well, what’s next?” asked Ned, after an examination +had shown that his wounds were merely +scratches, for which he refused to go to the hospital, +or even a dressing station.</p> +<p>“Breakfast, I hope,” said Bob, and this it +proved to be.</p> +<p>The excitement caused by the dropping of the +bomb soon died away, though Ned, Bob, Jerry, +and some of the other soldiers who had not yet +been under hostile fire, felt their nerves a bit unsteady +for some time.</p> +<p>But the veterans, of whom there were many, +appeared to take it as a matter of course. It had +happened before, they said, and probably would +again.</p> +<p>“But that’s what we came here for—war,” remarked +Jerry, as he and his chums finished their +breakfast—no very elaborate meal, and one to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +which little time was given. “We’ve got to take +our chances.”</p> +<p>Up and down the line, on either side of the +sector where the three chums were to receive their +baptism of fire, already begun, could be heard dull +booming. It was the firing of heavy guns, and +might indicate an attack in progress or one being +repelled by either side. Here the Allied and German +lines were close together, in some places the +front-line trenches being less than six hundred +feet apart. Between was the famed and terrible +No Man’s Land.</p> +<p>“I wonder if Professor Snodgrass will ever get +up as far as this,” mused Ned, as they prepared +to go back to their quarters and begin the day’s +business.</p> +<p>“The firing wouldn’t keep him away, if he +thought he could find some bugs,” answered Jerry. +“And if he wants to ascertain the effect of noises +on crickets all he has to do is to bring the crickets +here. We can supply the noise.”</p> +<p>“I should say so!” agreed Bob. “It’s getting +worse, too! Listen to that!”</p> +<p>Indeed, with the broadening of day the noise +of the big and small guns increased. Whether a +great battle was impending or merely local engagements, +the boys had no means of knowing.</p> +<p>The position to which they had been brought, +and where they would spend about a week, holding +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +the front and supporting line trenches, until +relieved by a new command, ran up and over a +little wooded hill. From this vantage point, which +had more than once been stormed in vain by the +Germans, could be seen the country beyond No +Man’s Land—a portion of France held by the +enemy. And in the brief glimpse the Motor Boys +had of it, smoke-covered and stabbed with flashes +of fire here and there as it was, they saw something +of what war meant.</p> +<p>“The professor is going to have some job on +his hands if he expects to find any young ladies +on the other side of that,” and Ned waved his +hand to indicate the terrain possessed by the +Huns.</p> +<p>“Oh, we can get through if we attack in force,” +declared Bob. “And maybe that’s why they +brought us up—there may be going to be an attack.”</p> +<p>“We’ll have to get through—for objects big +and little; that the professor may find his girls +and his inheritance and,” and here Ned’s lips set +a little grimly, “that we may help to bring back +freedom to the earth.”</p> +<p>“There may be an attack all right, if Foch, +Pershing and the other generals think it’s a good +time for it,” said Jerry. “But as for having it +postponed until our arrival, well, you boys have +some ideas of your ability.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></p> +<p>“Oh, I didn’t mean that!” cried Bob. “I meant +that maybe we’d be in the big battle.”</p> +<p>“I hope we are,” said Ned. “We want to do +our share.”</p> +<p>This opportunity soon came to the boys. As +soon as they reached their headquarters—a series +of ruined buildings in which they had passed the +night—they were told to get ready to go up and +take their places in the trenches. But first they +were given a little talk by one of the officers, who +explained the necessity of donning gas masks at +the first alarm. Other instructions were given, +and then, when it was seen that every man had +everything he needed, from the first-aid kit to the +grotesque-looking gas mask, the trip to the first-line +trenches was begun.</p> +<p>So much has been written about the World War +that it seems needless to explain anything about +the trenches. As all know, they were a series of +ditches, about six feet deep, dug along in front +of similar ditches constructed by the enemy. The +distance between the two lines of trenches varied +from a few hundred feet to several thousand.</p> +<p>The ditches, or trenches, were not in straight +rows. They zig-zagged to make attacks on them +more difficult. There were several rows of +trenches on both sides of No Man’s Land. This +was so that in the event of an attack the men +could fall back from one line of trenches to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +other, fighting meanwhile to drive off the enemy.</p> +<p>The trenches were narrow, about wide enough +for one man, though two might pass by squeezing. +At intervals, however, were wider places where +food or wound-dressing emergency stations could +be established. At other places there were large +excavations where dugouts were constructed, and +there relief parties rested and slept if they could +between periods of duty.</p> +<p>The bottoms of some of the trenches were covered +with “duck boards,” or short planks, with +spaces between to let the water run out, and in +certain parts of France it seemed to some of the +boys to rain about three hundred out of the three +hundred and sixty-five days of the year.</p> +<p>The trenches were sometimes braced with +boards and cross pieces of wood, such as is often +used when a sewer is dug through the streets, and +again wicker-work, or jute bagging, might be +used to hold the earth firm.</p> +<p>Below the top of the trenches, in certain places, +were projections. These were firing steps, and +the men stepped up on these to aim their rifles at +the enemy. In certain other places were set up +improvised periscopes, so that an officer could +look “over the top,” and, by a series of reflecting +mirrors, observe what was going on in the enemy’s +country.</p> +<p>Again, at other places in the trenches, light +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +artillery, such as machine guns and grenade +throwers were set up. Here and there were little +stoves to warm the food brought up whenever a +relief party could get through the rain of shells. +In some places heavy concrete or wooden dugouts +were constructed, well under ground, though +the Germans did more of this than the Allies, the +Hun trenches being very elaborate at times.</p> +<p>And it was to these trenches that Ned, Bob and +Jerry, with their comrades, were led. There they +would remain on duty for a specified time differing +under varying conditions, or until an attack was +either made by them or by the enemy. After +that, in case the enemy were successful, trenches +farther in the rear must be occupied. But in the +event of the German attack being repulsed, and a +counter-attack carrying the Allies forward, advanced +trenches—possibly those deserted by the +Huns—would be used.</p> +<p>“Forward!” came the command, and the three +Motor Boys advanced. They did not march long +in open formation. To do this would be dangerous, +within range of the German guns as they +were, and, too, they might be seen by a Hun observer +in an aeroplane. So, in a little while the +advancing squad, of which Ned, Bob and Jerry +formed a part, found itself in a communicating +trench. This was a ditch dug at right-angles to +the front-line trenches, and through this the relief +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +passed, and food and ammunition were brought +up.</p> +<p>The communicating trench zig-zagged, as did +the front-line ones, to provide greater safety, and +the boys finally gave up trying to guess in which +direction they were going. All they could see was +the sky above their heads.</p> +<p>Suddenly, however, the trench widened, and +they saw another crossing it. At this point, too, +there was what seemed to be a rough door, made +of planks nailed together.</p> +<p>“This is your dugout,” said the leading officer, +indicating that Ned, Bob and Jerry, with some +others, were to remain there, while he led the rest +farther on.</p> +<p>“Glad you’ve come,” remarked a haggard-looking +officer, who was to be relieved by the commander +of the squad in which were the three +chums.</p> +<p>“Has Fritz been bothering you?” asked Lieutenant +Anderson, who was in charge of the relief.</p> +<p>“Has he? Well, rather! And then some! +You have my permission to stay as long as you +please! Come on, boys!” and he led his war-weary +men back to a rest billet.</p> +<p>“Make yourselves at home, fellows,” said the +lieutenant. “And wipe your feet before you come +in,” he added with a laugh, as he looked down at +his muddy boots. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span></p> +<p>The passwords had been given and received. +The other relief party had passed on to allow +other worn-out men to get some rest. Ned, Bob +and Jerry looked about them. They were in a +dirt ditch, filled here and there with puddles of +water from the last rain, and the clouds still hung +in the sky.</p> +<p>“Where are the German trenches?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Where? Right in front of us—over there,” +and the lieutenant pointed. “Wait, I’ll show you, +and everybody get this, and take a lesson from +it!” he added.</p> +<p>He held up a steel helmet on the end of a +stick. In an instant it went spinning off and fell +at his feet in the trench. He picked it up, pointing +grimly to a neat little hole through it and +said:</p> +<p>“That’s what will happen to any one of you +if he sticks his head up. You’re in the front-line +trench. Don’t forget it!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI_A_NIGHT_PATROL' id='CHAPTER_XI_A_NIGHT_PATROL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>A NIGHT PATROL</h3> +</div> +<p>Every one who saw the heavy steel hat so +neatly pierced by the swift bullet was impressed +by the object lesson, as the lieutenant had intended +all of them should be. But, somehow or other, +Bob Baker seemed more fascinated than either +of his chums, and, indeed, more than any other +member of that particular relief squad.</p> +<p>“Did a Hun bullet do that?” asked Bob, as he +picked up the head protector and looked at the +hole.</p> +<p>“That’s what it did, my boy,” answered the +officer. “And that’s what will happen to you, or +any one else, if you stick your head up above the +trench.”</p> +<p>“And the Huns did that!” murmured Bob, who +seemed not to be able to efface from his mind the +picture of the punctured, spinning helmet. “Then +we’re right within range of their fire.”</p> +<p>“Considerably so,” answered the lieutenant. +“In places the German trenches are only six hundred +feet away, and that’s nothing for the modern +rifle. It can kill at over a mile.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span></p> +<p>“So, Chunky,” observed Jerry, “you’ve been +under fire now.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Bob, and his voice was sober, +“we’ve been under fire.”</p> +<p>“Of course this isn’t anything!” the lieutenant +exclaimed with a laugh, as he kicked aside the +bullet-punctured helmet Bob had dropped. “This +is just a little byplay. You’ll be under heavier +fire than this, but don’t worry. It takes a good +many bullets to get a man. However, don’t think +of that. Do your duty. That’s what you’re here +for!”</p> +<p>The lieutenant looked somewhat anxiously into +the faces of the relief squad he was to command. +Every officer likes to know that he has the bravest +of men in the army, and this young officer was no +exception. The firing line where the Motor Boys +now were—the front-line trenches—was no place +for cowards.</p> +<p>But the faces that looked back into the young +lieutenant’s gave no reflection of fear. And at +this he breathed in relief. There was puzzled +wonder on the countenance of some, and grim +determination on others, and this last was what +counted.</p> +<p>And then began for the Motor Boys and their +chums a life of the utmost tension, strenuousness, +and danger, although theirs was a comparatively +quiet sector at that particular stage of the war, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +and they were holding the trenches more to guard +against a surprise attack than anything else.</p> +<p>“Well, there’s one comfort,” remarked Jerry, +as he was placed in his station in the trench, with +Bob on one side and Ned on the other, both within +talking distance.</p> +<p>“What?” asked Bob. “Do we get better eats +here?”</p> +<p>“Eats, you heathen!” exclaimed Ned. “Can’t +you forget that once in a while? What are you +going to do if the Germans make you a prisoner? +They won’t feed you at all!”</p> +<p>“Then I won’t be a prisoner!” declared Bob. +“But what were you going to say about comfort, +Jerry?”</p> +<p>“We don’t have to drill,” was the answer.</p> +<p>And this was true. All the life of the camp +was now done away with, even the training camp +of France, where the boys had finished their war +education, so to speak. But if they did not have +to drill there was plenty else to occupy them.</p> +<p>While on duty in the trench they had constantly +to be on the alert, and this not to guard against +the unexpected approach of some friendly officer, +bent on determining how his sentries were performing +their duty, but to be on the watch against +the approach of a deadly enemy. There must be +no sleeping—not even dozing—on post.</p> +<p>Then, too, there was work to do. There was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +food and water to bring up, and fire wood to +scurry for when the chance offered, for it was not +often possible to bring up hot rations to the front +lines, and the boys heated their own as best they +could, in discarded tin cans with a few twigs for +fuel.</p> +<p>There were lines of trenches to cut, dugouts +to repair after they had been blown to bits by +the German guns, and there was barbed wire to +replace under cover of darkness when it had been +severed by the rain of steel and lead from the +enemy’s guns.</p> +<p>So the three chums and their comrades found +no lack of things to keep them busy in the +trenches. They had their hours off, of course, +when they were permitted to go back to the dugout, +and there, in comparative safety, they might +try to sleep. This was not easy, for though in +a manner they became used to the constant roaring +and blasting of the big guns, there was always +an under-current of disturbances of other kinds. +They were on the firing line, and the enemy did +not let them forget it.</p> +<p>Every day the aeroplanes went over the lines, +and more than once there was a battle in mid-air +above where Ned, Bob and Jerry were on duty. +Once a Hun plane came down in flames, so near +they could hear the thud as it struck.</p> +<p>At times, after a period of comparative quiet, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +the trenches on both sides of No Man’s Land +would suddenly awaken into life. This would be +caused by a fear, either on the part of the Germans +or the troops from America, that one or the +other was starting a raid. Then the machine guns +would open fire, they would be augmented by the +rifles of the men, and, if the shooting kept up long +enough, the rival batteries would awaken and the +big guns would speak.</p> +<p>It was one day, when the three chums had been +on duty in the front-line trench about a week, that, +as they were talking about the chance of seeing +Professor Snodgrass and helping him in his search +for the two girls, something spun past Ned’s +head with a whine, and, with a vicious ping, imbedded +itself in the trench wall behind him.</p> +<p>“What’s that?” exclaimed Bob.</p> +<p>“That sniper again,” answered Ned. “That’s +the closest he’s come. We’d better move, fellows, +or he may get one of us.”</p> +<p>“A sniper!” exclaimed Jerry. “Has he been +taking pot shots at you?”</p> +<p>“Several of ’em. I’ve tried to get him, but I +can’t figure out where he hides. Better move +down the trench a bit. He seems to train his gun +on this particular spot.”</p> +<p>“Gee!” gasped Bob.</p> +<p>Bob and Jerry had moved up from their own +stations to where Ned was placed, as it was a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +quiet period of the day, and it was while they were +talking that the shot came.</p> +<p>“I’d like to have a try at him,” said Jerry. “It’s +queer he can send a bullet down into this trench. +It must come from above. A shot from the German +trenches wouldn’t reach here over the top, +unless it was fired up, and landed here as it came +down.”</p> +<p>“Then it would be a spent ball,” argued Bob, +“and it wouldn’t sing out the way that one did.”</p> +<p>“You’re right,” agreed Ned. “It was fired +from above—you can tell that by the slant it took +as it came in. But it didn’t come from an aeroplane. +There hasn’t been any over the trench for +a long while. No, it’s some German sniper, and +he’s out there in the woods, I believe. Up a tree, +most likely, where he can fire down into our +trench. He must have a long-range rifle.”</p> +<p>“We ought to try to get him,” argued Jerry. +“Have you, Ned?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ve tried to bait him, so I could find out +where he shoots from and nip him in return, but +I haven’t been able to.”</p> +<p>“Then I’m going to have a shot at him,” declared +Jerry, who was rated as an expert in the +use of the rifle, as his badge showed.</p> +<p>But his plan of getting revenge on the Hun, +who had so nearly shot Ned, was not destined to +be carried out at once. For just then the relief +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +of the boys came up, and they were marched back +to the dugout for a rest period.</p> +<p>It was after they had enjoyed this, and were +counting on again doing their turn in the trenches +that their chance came to go out on night patrol, +one of the most dangerous missions in the line of +duty.</p> +<p>So far, since the Motor Boys had come up to +the firing line, there had been no really serious +fighting in their immediate sector. On either side +of them there had been skirmishes, but a mile or +so away, so they had had no chance to participate. +Also there had been night raids, but Ned, Bob +and Jerry had not been in them.</p> +<p>This does not mean that Ned, Bob and Jerry +were in no danger, for, as has been shown, a bullet +came near ending Ned’s career. And aside from +this, there had been bombs dropped near them +from Hun aeroplanes, and once a whole portion +of the trench, just beyond where they were stationed, +had been caved in by a shell from a German +gun, and several brave lads had been killed, +while others were terribly injured. But Ned, Bob +and Jerry had come out unscathed.</p> +<p>Also there had been waves of gas—the ordinary +chlorine gas, and again the more dangerous +mustard variety. In fact, the Germans used their +yellow-cross and their green-cross gases alternately +against the sector where the Cresville chums were. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +But prompt use of the protective masks prevented +any casualties.</p> +<p>So, as has been said, when the three chums were +resting in the dugout, wondering what their next +duty would be, an officer came in, and, when he +had returned the salutes, he said:</p> +<p>“Volunteers are wanted for a raiding party to-night. +There’s a German dugout not far away, +and the commander thinks we have a good chance +to get some prisoners and thus learn a thing or +two about what Fritz is up to in this section. +There’s also a chance, as I needn’t mention, that +none of us will come back. Now then, who wants +to go?”</p> +<p>There was a moment of hesitation, and then, +to the credit of the young soldiers, every one +stepped forward.</p> +<p>“Um!” mused the officer. “I can’t use you all. +Thank you, just the same. Now let’s see,” and +he proceeded to pick out his squad.</p> +<p>To their delight Ned, Bob and Jerry were selected, +and at once began to prepare for the dangerous +mission. None of them gave more than +a passing thought to the reflection that all might +safely return or none of them come back.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII_BOB_IS_MISSING' id='CHAPTER_XII_BOB_IS_MISSING'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>BOB IS MISSING</h3> +</div> +<p>Careful preparations had been made for this +night raid. It was the constant effort of both +sides, during the period of trench fighting, to get +possession of facts which would allow successful +attacks to be carried out later. And to do this it +was needful to get close to the enemy’s line. By +so doing, certain things might be overheard in the +talk among the soldiers, or (for the results of the +listening were uncertain) better still, was the capture +of prisoners. Once they were taken back of +the lines, questioned and searched, much of value +might be obtained.</p> +<p>This, as a matter of fact, worked much better +for the Americans than it did for the Germans. If +the Huns did succeed in capturing, during a raid, +some of our boys, they got little information from +them about the units with which the boys of Uncle +Sam were connected. Nor did the Huns learn +much as to the strength of the forces opposed to +them, except, perhaps, in the way of exaggeration.</p> +<p>“The American captive is more inclined to utter +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +the equivalent of ‘nothing doing,’” remarked +Jerry, one day when discussing the matter.</p> +<p>On the other hand, the German prisoners captured, +almost invariably, were glad that their fate +had thus been ordered. They were sure of decent +treatment, they were in no more danger of being +killed and, more than anything else, they would be +better fed than in their own trenches.</p> +<p>So it is no wonder they gave valuable information +under the skilful questioning of the American +officers. Still this information had to be carefully +checked up before being acted on, as it would not +do to run into danger as a result of what some +Hun captive told.</p> +<p>“We are going out to try our luck,” explained +the lieutenant who was to lead Ned, Bob, Jerry, +and their comrades, numbering half a score, out +on a night raid. “There’s a German dugout not +far from here, and near by a machine-gun nest, +and if we can get close enough to rush it, and capture +those we don’t kill, we may make it possible +for a big forward movement—if the information +we get is of the right sort. So get ready. Gas +masks, hand grenades—rifles will be in the way—automatic +pistols, of course, and don’t forget to +blacken your faces.”</p> +<p>This precaution was always taken by night raiding +parties. The Germans adopted the habit of +sending up illuminating devices, known as “star +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +shells,” at frequent intervals over No Man’s +Land. This was to guard against a party of the +enemy advancing on the trenches. The shells +gave a very bright light, and nothing stands out +more conspicuously in such a glare than a white +face. So it was the custom to blacken countenances +and hands when a night-raiding party went +over the top.</p> +<p>It was not without a little feeling of nervousness +and apprehension that the three friends and +their chums made their preparations. But it was +an apprehension of failure rather than fear. +They wanted to succeed, to get results, and they +were afraid they might fail. They were not +afraid, personally. Still they were taking big +chances, and they all knew it.</p> +<p>“Ought we to leave some word for Professor +Snodgrass?” asked Ned, as he and his friends +were making ready about midnight.</p> +<p>“Word about what?” Jerry inquired.</p> +<p>“Well, in case we don’t come back we can’t help +him in his search, as we promised.”</p> +<p>“If we don’t come back our friends will know +it, and they can tell the professor if he inquires +for us,” said Jerry grimly. “Let it go at that. If +we get back we’ll be here ourselves in case the +professor ever gets this far to the front. If we +don’t get back—well, he’ll have to get some one +else to help him. Come on!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span></p> +<p>The last word was given, the final preparations +had been made. Then silently, like shadows of +the night, the figures crept out of the trench in the +darkness and advanced toward the German lines.</p> +<p>The American barbed wire had been cut in +places to let the party through. To pass the German +barrier they would have to do their own cutting, +and they were provided with tools for this +purpose.</p> +<p>Silently they went down the lane of wire, now +and then passing grim sentries to whom the password +was given. And then, coming to the gap in +the wire, Ned, Bob and Jerry, with the others, +passed through. Each member of the party carried +an automatic pistol and several hand grenades. +These were small, hollow containers, of +cast-iron, loaded with a powerful explosive, which +was set off after a certain trigger or spring or +firing pin (according to the type used) was released +by the thrower. The explosive blew the +grenade to bits, and it was scored, or crisscrossed, +by deep indentations so that the iron would break +up into small pieces like shrapnel. The grenades +could be carried in a pouch or in the pocket, and +were harmless as long as the detonating device +was not disturbed.</p> +<p>Silently the lieutenant led his men forward. +Jerry Hopkins, the only noncommissioned officer +in the squad, marched next, as in the event of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +lieutenant being killed the command would fall to +him.</p> +<p>No talking was permitted, and each man knew +what he was to do, so no orders were necessary. +On and on they went, and presently they found +themselves traveling over the battle-scarred and +shell-pitted territory of No Man’s Land. They +had got close to the German barbed wire when +suddenly, as though their movements had been +watched, several star shells were sent up by the +Huns.</p> +<p>Instantly every man in the party fell flat on his +face and did not move. It was the only thing to +do. They resembled, as nearly as they might, +the dead which lay all about them on the desolate +field.</p> +<p>And some of the dead had been there a long +time, as it was impossible for either side to bury +them, though occasionally, at night, parties went +out to bring in those in whom it was hoped a spark +of life still remained.</p> +<p>Jerry found that he had thrown himself down +close beside a dead Hun. He wanted desperately +to move, for his position was grimly unpleasant, +but he did not dare. This was not the most glorious +side of war, but it was vitally necessary.</p> +<p>However, thanks to the precaution of blackened +faces and hands, and to the dark uniforms, +the party of night-raiders must have resembled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +the dead all about them, for no firing followed the +illumination of star shells.</p> +<p>Then, when it was dark again, the party rose +and went on. Good luck attended them thus far, +in that they reached the German barbed wire undiscovered. +Then began the ticklish work of cutting +it, and in this there was much danger.</p> +<p>For some of the wire was under great tension, +and, when cut, made a twanging sound like a +broken harp or piano string. And this sound carried +far in the silence of that sector. Other sectors +were not so quiet, for firing was going on +along both lines of trenches, though what movement +was under way the Motor Boys did not +know.</p> +<p>The sound of the wire as it was cut was deadened +as much as possible by having a man hold +the strand on either side of the place to be cut. +This helped some, but not always, as the wire +twisted itself from the grips of the soldiers, and +sometimes the barbs injured them.</p> +<p>“All cut, Lieutenant,” reported Jerry, as the +final strand was severed. The commanding officer +had been on watchful patrol while this was +being done.</p> +<p>“Good!” was the low-voiced answer. “Come +on, now. Every man with a grenade in either +hand!”</p> +<p>Once more the party went forward. They were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +past the first German barbed wire now, but the +way was still not completely open, for more opposing +strands were found farther on. However, +this was not unexpected, for often three or more +lines of this American invention were to be found +opposing the American forces.</p> +<p>Once more the cutters were called into play, +and as the last strand was severed a dog, somewhere +within the Hun lines, barked. Instantly all +in the raiding party crouched down, for a burst +of star shells might follow immediately.</p> +<p>However, the dog must have been believed to +be a false alarmist, or else he was barking at some +other disturbance than that caused by the raiders, +for darkness still reigned.</p> +<p>Then, after waiting a moment to make sure all +was right, the lieutenant led his men forward. So +far they had not been challenged by the enemy, +but now this immunity was to end, for when they +had passed the final wire barrier and were advancing +with tense steps toward the German dugout, +with grenades in readiness, there came a +sharp, guttural order to halt.</p> +<p>It was in the German tongue, as they all knew, +and they all realized that the crucial moment had +come.</p> +<p>The lieutenant, seeing a figure in the darkness +before him, shot at it pointblank with his pistol. +There was a murmured exclamation, and the sentry +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +went down, his finger pressing the trigger of +his rifle, discharging it as he fell dead.</p> +<p>“Come on now, boys! Give it to ’em!” cried +the officer.</p> +<p>“Forward!” shouted Jerry Hopkins, and with +Ned and Bob at his heels he rushed ahead, the +others stumbling after him. They had reached +the German trenches, and from them now poured +several defenders. The main body were in the +dugout a little farther on, and it was desired to +attack this, and, if possible, capture some prisoners.</p> +<p>“Come on! Come on! Down with the Huns!” +cried the lieutenant, and his battle yell was echoed +by Jerry and the others.</p> +<p>Then began a fight in the dark, the details of +which were never very clear to the Motor Boys. +Bob said he let loose all the grenades he had at +the advancing party of Germans and then rushed +at them, head down, as though advancing the ball +for a touchdown.</p> +<p>Ned declared that he fired his automatic pistol +until he realized that it was empty, and then, +throwing it away, thought for the first time of the +grenades he carried. Then he began using them.</p> +<p>There was a deafening noise as the grenades +of the Americans exploded in the faces of the advancing +Huns, and they, in turn, threw hand +bombs and opened fire with their rifles. The attack +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +awoke to life sentries and guard parties all +along the line, and the scene was illuminated by a +burst of star shells.</p> +<p>“Come on! Into the trenches! They can’t see +us there so well!” yelled Jerry.</p> +<p>“That’s the idea!” commanded the lieutenant. +“Get to the dugout!”</p> +<p>So desperate and sudden had been the attack of +the Americans that, after the first resistance, the +Germans gave way and ran back, jumping down +into the trenches whence they had come.</p> +<p>The raiding party asked nothing better than +to follow, and for a time pursued the Huns along +their own trenches, the bursting star shells above +giving light enough to see.</p> +<p>“Are you there—Ned—Bob?” demanded Jerry, +as he ran on, following the tortuous line of the +trench.</p> +<p>“I’m here!” answered Ned.</p> +<p>“So’m I,” added Bob. “Haven’t a shot left, +though.”</p> +<p>“Here, take these,” and Jerry handed over +some spare grenades he had in a pouch slung at +his back. “Don’t pot any of our men, though. +Some are ahead of us.”</p> +<p>On ran the Motor Boys, and in another moment +they came to the dugout—a pretentious affair of +concrete, now well lighted, for the alarm of the +attack had spread. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p> +<p>One of the raiding party threw a hand grenade +inside the structure. There was a powerful explosion, +not enough, indeed, to wreck the stout +place, but sufficient to send the inmates scurrying +out—what were left of them.</p> +<p>“<i>Kamerad! Kamerad!</i>” some of the wounded +ones cried, and others held up their hands.</p> +<p>“Come on!” shouted the lieutenant. “Gather +’em in and let’s get back. This place is getting too +hot for us.”</p> +<p>He spoke with truth, for on all sides the big +guns were now beginning to bark, and a general +engagement might be precipitated.</p> +<p>Some of the Americans snatched guns from the +now cowed Germans, and prodded them back +along the trench with the points of the bayonets. +Others held hand grenades or automatic pistols +ready, and the order to retreat was given.</p> +<p>Half a dozen Hun prisoners had been captured, +but at a price, for when the lieutenant, hurrying +his men back across No Man’s Land, began to +look over his party, he found three were missing. +They had either been killed or wounded, or were +left prisoners in the trenches.</p> +<p>“Are you there, boys?” asked Jerry again, of +his chums, and he received reassuring answers +from both.</p> +<p>“Hurt?” was his next inquiry, as they raced +across the stretch, stopping every time there was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +a burst of star shells, and crouching down, making +their prisoners do the same, to take shelter +in some shell holes, some half-filled with water +and others containing dead bodies.</p> +<p>“I’m all right,” Bob answered. “Only a bit +scratched by some Hun’s bayonet, I guess.”</p> +<p>“A bullet or a bayonet touched me in the side,” +came from Ned. “It’s bleeding a bit, but not +much. I’m all right.”</p> +<p>Some of the others who were able to come back +were not so fortunate, however, and two died later +of wounds received in that night raid.</p> +<p>But the main party succeeded in getting back to +the American lines, and hurried through the opening +in the barbed wire, where a relief or a rescue +party, whichever might be required, was in waiting.</p> +<p>“Good work!” commended the captain to his +lieutenant. “And you got some prisoners?”</p> +<p>“Six!”</p> +<p>“That’s fine. Couldn’t be better. Get down +now, there may be a Hun barrage in a minute. +They’ll be ripping mad when they find out what’s +happened. This was one of their main posts, and +Prussians were on guard.”</p> +<p>Jerry and Ned were each guarding a Hun prisoner, +making him walk along ahead with upraised +hands, while the guns, taken away from the Germans +themselves, served as compelling weapons. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>Into the trenches they had left a short time before +the raiders made their way, and went to the +dugout where they were to report. There the +commanding officer of that sector met them.</p> +<p>Coming into the comparatively well-lighted +place from the darkness, Jerry blinked as he +looked at the captured Germans and then glanced +to see how badly Ned was hurt.</p> +<p>He saw that his chum was pale, and noted blood +on his hands, but Ned smiled in a reassuring way. +Then, for the first time, Jerry noticed that Bob +was not with them.</p> +<p>“Where’s Chunky?” he demanded.</p> +<p>“Who?” asked the lieutenant. “I thought we +only left Black, Jones, and Porter behind. Is +there another missing?”</p> +<p>“Bob Baker, sir,” answered Jerry. “But he +was with us when we got back within our own +wire. I was talking to him.”</p> +<p>“Send out a searching party!” ordered the captain. +“It is possible he was hit and didn’t say anything +about it, or a stray bullet may have found +him after he reached our lines. Send out and +see!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII_JUST_LIKE_HIM' id='CHAPTER_XIII_JUST_LIKE_HIM'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>“JUST LIKE HIM!”</h3> +</div> +<p>Jerry and Ned both confessed, afterward, that +the sinking feeling, which seemed to carry their +hearts away down into their muddy shoes, was +greater at the knowledge that Bob was missing +than it had been when they set out in the darkness +to raid the Germans across the desolate stretch of +No Man’s Land.</p> +<p>It was all so unexpected. He had gone through +the baptism of fire with them—he had helped capture +the Huns—and had been, seemingly, all right +on the return trip. And then, on the very threshold +of his own army home, so to speak, he had disappeared.</p> +<p>“Did any one see him fall or hear of his being +hit?” asked the lieutenant, as he prepared to lead +out a searching party. Ned and Jerry, of course, +and by rights, would be members of it.</p> +<p>“No, he was right near me, Sir, and he said particularly, +when I asked him, that he was only +scratched,” declared Jerry. “I made sure Ned +was the worst hurt.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span></p> +<p>“How much are you hurt?” asked the captain, +turning to Jerry’s chum.</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s only a scratch, Sir,” was the quick +answer. “I can’t feel it now.”</p> +<p>Ned did not speak the exact truth, but he did +not want to be kept back from the search.</p> +<p>“Very well,” said the captain. “You may go, +but don’t go too far. Much as we would like to +find Baker we must not take too many chances +and endanger this whole post. Be as quick as you +can.”</p> +<p>With their hearts torn between a desire for +vengeance and apprehension, Ned and Jerry went +out with the others. The riot started by the raid +had quieted down, and it was possible for the +searchers to advance above their own trenches +without drawing the German fire.</p> +<p>First the sentries who had been on duty near +the gap in the American wire were questioned. +They had seen the party depart and come back, +but they had not noticed any member of it fall as +though wounded, and they were positive no Germans +had been able to get near enough to capture +Private Baker.</p> +<p>“But what can have happened to him?” asked +the lieutenant.</p> +<p>“He may have been wounded internally, and +didn’t speak of it, Sir,” suggested Ned, whose own +wound was troubling him woefully. “Then he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +may have become so weak that he fell in the trench +somewhere without a sound.”</p> +<p>“That is possible. We must make a careful +search.”</p> +<p>This was done with pocket flashlights, for any +general illumination would have, perhaps, drawn +a German attack. But no sign of Bob was revealed. +It was most mysterious, how he could +disappear so suddenly and completely. Of course, +in the general confusion, much more than this +might have happened and not been noticed. But +unless he had gone back after speaking to Jerry, +he must either have fallen well within the American +lines or have been captured there. And the +last did not seem possible.</p> +<p>“Well,” said the lieutenant, “we’ll have to go +over in No Man’s Land and take a chance there. +He must have gone back after something, and +been potted. I’ll have to go back and report +and––”</p> +<p>He paused to listen. The tramp of approaching +feet could be heard along the trench. Every +man stood at attention, for it was possible that +the enemy had slipped in between sentries and +were going to pay a return visit.</p> +<p>But a moment later the murmur of voices was +heard—voices that were unmistakably American. +Some one asked:</p> +<p>“Is your squad stationed here?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></p> +<p>“About here, yes, Sir,” was the answer, coming +out of the darkness.</p> +<p>“It’s Chunky!” cried Jerry.</p> +<p>“That’s Bob!” added Ned, joyously.</p> +<p>And a moment later there came into the dim +light of the flashlights the stout chum himself, +escorted by three soldiers. He seemed to be all +right, and he carried something that was not a +grenade, in one hand.</p> +<p>“Where have you been, Chunky?” demanded +Jerry. “We’ve been looking everywhere for +you.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” added the lieutenant, “will you please +explain why you did not report back with the rest +of us?”</p> +<p>Bob seemed a trifle surprised at the rather stern +order, but he smiled and answered:</p> +<p>“Why, I thought, as long as we got back all +right, I was relieved from duty, so I went to get +something to eat.”</p> +<p>“Something to eat!” exclaimed the lieutenant.</p> +<p>“Something to eat,” calmly repeated Bob. +“You see it was this way. I was terribly hungry––”</p> +<p>“Nothing unusual,” murmured Jerry, but the +stout lad, paying no attention to the interruption, +went on:</p> +<p>“So when I got back with the rest, after we +captured the Huns, I smelled something cooking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +farther up in our trenches. I knew some of the +fellows on duty there, and I felt sure they’d give +me something to eat. It was liberty links they +were cooking, sir, and––”</p> +<p>“Liberty links!” interrupted the lieutenant. +“What are those?”</p> +<p>“They used to be called Frankfurters,” explained +Bob with a grin; “but since the war that’s +too German. So I went to get some liberty links, +and I got ’em!” he added with a sigh of satisfaction.</p> +<p>“Well! Well!” exclaimed the lieutenant. And +then, as he thought of what Bob and the others +had gone through with that night, he had not the +heart to add more.</p> +<p>“I only meant to run up in a hurry to where +they were cooking ’em,” explained Bob, “and +come back with some for my bunkies. But I got +to talking and eating––”</p> +<p>“Mostly eating,” murmured Jerry.</p> +<p>“And then I forgot to come back,” finished +Bob.</p> +<p>“We told him he’d better report, Sir,” said one +of the escorting party. “He was with our bunch +all right, and when he told us he’d been out with +the night raiders and had slipped off before reporting +back, we told him he’d better report. So +we showed him the way, as the trenches are sort +of mixed up around here.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span></p> +<p>“Very well,” said the lieutenant, trying not to +smile. “You may go back to your posts. Everything +is explained.”</p> +<p>And so Bob was restored to his company again, +and in view of the successful raid no reprimand +was given him. The capture of the German prisoners +proved important, as information was obtained +that proved of the greatest value afterward.</p> +<p>Ned’s wound turned out to be only a flesh one, +but it was painful enough, and kept him in the +hospital a week. He would have fretted over +thus being kept away while Bob and Jerry were +fighting, but, as a matter of fact, his two chums +received a rest period at this time, and so were +out of the trenches the same time that Ned was.</p> +<p>But the war was far from won, and every man +possible was needed on the firing line, so that, in +due season, the three chums found themselves back +again. And under no very pleasant circumstances.</p> +<p>For it rained and rained, and then rained some +more, though Jerry insisted that where they got +the water from was a mystery.</p> +<p>It was a most desolate period, when the trenches +were knee-deep in mud and when casualties +mounted by reason of unusual activity on the part +of the Huns. But the three friends and their comrades +stuck grimly to the work. There were local +attacks, and counter-attacks, and night raids, in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +all of which Ned, Bob and Jerry did their share.</p> +<p>Then, one day, they were given a surprise. +Some new recruits were brought up to the front-line +trenches, to be initiated, and among them was +Noddy Nixon.</p> +<p>“I’ve come to show you fellows how to get a +Hun!” he boasted in his usual style. “Give me a +chance, and I’ll show you how to fight, though I’d +rather be in an aeroplane.”</p> +<p>“Truth to tell, I guess he’d rather be back +home, but he doesn’t dare go,” declared Jerry.</p> +<p>Not very much to their delight, the Motor Boys +learned that Noddy was to be quartered near +them, and he was on duty in the trenches in the +post adjoining theirs.</p> +<p>There came a period of fierce attacks on the +part of the Huns, when they laid down such an +artillery barrage that for three days it was impossible +for any relief to come to the men in the +trenches, and they had to live on what food they +had when the firing began. They did not actually +starve, but there was not any too much to eat, and +there was a lack of hot things, which were much +needed as it rained almost constantly.</p> +<p>By hard work Ned, Bob and Jerry had managed +to get together some wood which they kept +dry in a niche in the trench, lined with pieces of +tin. The wood they used to make a little fire to +warm their coffee. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></p> +<p>Coming in from several hours of duty one rainy +evening, the three chums were anticipating having +something hot to drink made over their little fire +of cached wood.</p> +<p>But when Bob, who by virtue of his appetite +considered himself the cook, went to get the fuel, +it was not there.</p> +<p>“Boys, the wood is gone!” he cried.</p> +<p>“Who took it?” demanded Jerry.</p> +<p>Ned inspected the place. He picked up a piece +of damp paper, and in the light of his flash torch +read the scrawled writing which said:</p> +<p style='margin-left:2.0em; margin-right:2.0em; '>“Borrowed your wood. Give it back to +you some day.</p> +<p style='margin-left:2.0em; margin-right:2.0em; text-align:right'>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Noddy Nixon.</span>”<br /></p> +<p>For a moment there was silence, and then Jerry +burst out with:</p> +<p>“Well, if that isn’t just like him—the dirty +sneak!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV_A_DESPERATE_CHANCE' id='CHAPTER_XIV_A_DESPERATE_CHANCE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>A DESPERATE CHANCE</h3> +</div> +<p>Disappointment rendered the three chums incapable +of action for the moment. They just +stood and looked at the place where their little +store of wood had been hidden. Now it was +gone, and with it the hope of a hot supper from +that particular source.</p> +<p>“What are we going to do?” asked Bob +blankly.</p> +<p>“We ought to go down to the post where that +sneak is and get the wood back,” declared Ned. +“And tell his chums what sort of fellow they have +bunking with ’em!”</p> +<p>“No, don’t do that,” advised Jerry, who had +cooled down after his first passionate outburst. +“That will make trouble. Noddy would only +laugh at us, and some of the others might. It +isn’t the first time wood has been taken.”</p> +<p>“I was just hungry for something hot,” sighed +Bob, as he thought of the cold rations.</p> +<p>“So was I,” added Ned. “Isn’t there anything +we can do?” he went on. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span></p> +<p>Jerry looked about. Here and there about the +dugout their comrades were eating as best they +could, no one, it appeared, having anything hot. +It was at a critical period during the fighting, and +the commissary and transportation departments +were suffering from a temporary breakdown. Still +the men had enough to eat, such as it was.</p> +<p>“Well, we might as well have grub now—even +if it is cold,” said Jerry, after considering matters. +“No telling when we’ll have to stand off a +Hun raid or go into one ourselves, and then we +won’t have time to eat.”</p> +<p>“That’s so!” agreed Bob, more cheerfully. “It +would be fierce if we didn’t have anything to chew +on at all. But when I catch that Noddy Nixon—well, +he’d better watch his step, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“He’s a coward, and lazy!” declared Ned. +“Else he’d rustle his own wood. I had hard work +to get that bunch. There was a German sniper +who had a pretty fine bead on the place where I +saw the sticks, but I went down the trench a way, +and began firing at him from there.”</p> +<p>“Did you hit him?” asked Bob eagerly.</p> +<p>“No, I didn’t expect to. But I drew his attention +to that particular spot. He thought a sharpshooter +was there, and he laid his plans to get him. +That took his attention off the pile of wood, and +I sneaked out and got it. Now Noddy Nixon has +it!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></p> +<p>“I hope he burns his tongue on the hot soup or +coffee or whatever he heats with it,” was the most +charitable thing Jerry said. And the others +echoed this. Their nerves were on edge from the +constant fighting and danger they were in, and +they were in no mood to be trifled with. And at +such times trifles that otherwise would be laughed +at assumed large proportions.</p> +<p>However, there was no help for it. The three +chums, as did their comrades in the trenches, ate +their supper cold, and then, cleaning themselves +as best they could from the wet, sticky mud, they +prepared to get what sleep they might until it was +their turn to go on duty again.</p> +<p>The dugout was as comfortable as any of its +kind, but it was not like home, of course, and its +accommodations were far short of even the worst +camps the Motor Boys had put up at during their +many journeys. Still there was not a word of +complaint. It was war—war for freedom—and +discomforts were laughed at.</p> +<p>“Name of a name, how it rains! as our friends +the French say,” exclaimed Jerry, as he came into +the dugout prepared to turn in, for he had been +sent on a message by an officer after supper.</p> +<p>“Hard?” asked Ned, who, like Bob, was in a +sort of bunk.</p> +<p>“Hard? I should say so. Look; my tin hat is +dented from the drops!” and Jerry took it off and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +pretended to point out indentations made by the +rain drops. He shook his slicker, and a spray of +moisture flew about.</p> +<p>“Here! Quit that!” called a tall, lanky soldier +from the bunk across from Jerry. “If you want +to give a moving picture of a Newfoundland dog +go outside! I’m just getting dry.”</p> +<p>“Beg your pardon, old man!” exclaimed Jerry. +“I didn’t realize how wet I was.”</p> +<p>He took off some of his garments, hanging them +where they might possibly get partly dry by morning, +and then turned in. Whether he and his +chums would get a peaceful night’s sleep or not, +depended on the Huns across No Man’s Land. If +an attack was started it meant that the soldiers in +the dugouts, as well as those on guard in the +trenches, would have to jump into the fight. With +this end in view, every one on turning in for the +night had his weapons ready, and few did more +than make an apology for undressing. That was +left until they went on rest billet. Guns, grenades +and gas masks were in readiness for instant +use.</p> +<p>But the night passed undisturbed.</p> +<p>“Oh, for some hot coffee!” exclaimed Bob, as +he tumbled out the next morning in answer to the +call to duty.</p> +<p>“Dry up!” ordered Jerry. “You ought to be +glad to get it cold!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span></p> +<p>“Well, I’ll try to be,” assented Bob. “Where’s +Ned?”</p> +<p>“Said he was going to see if he could get a bit +of wood for a fire. But if he finds any, which isn’t +likely, it’ll be as wet as a sponge after this rain. +Suffering hand grenades! will it ever let up?” cried +Jerry, for it was still pouring.</p> +<p>Simple preparations were going on for breakfast. +There was no sign yet of any of the carriers +with big kettles of hot coffee or soup, and it +was evident that the commissary had not yet been +reorganized since the last breakdown.</p> +<p>Afterward the boys learned that the reason for +the failure of their supplies to arrive was due to +the fact that their sector was temporarily cut off +by an attempted flanking movement on the part +of the Germans. The Americans were in greater +danger than they knew, but, at the time, all they +thought of was the lack of hot rations.</p> +<p>“Ned ought to come back,” remarked Jerry, as +he and Bob prepared to eat. “He’ll be reported +late, and this isn’t any time for that. I guess––”</p> +<p>But Jerry did not finish, for just then came a +tremendous explosion, so close that for a moment +he and Bob thought a Hun shell had been dropped +in the dugout near which they were sitting under +an improvised shelter.</p> +<p>Instantly the trench was a scene of feverish activity. +Everyone expected a raid, and breakfast +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +was hastily set aside, while the soldiers caught up +their guns.</p> +<p>“It’s all right,” an officer called. “Fritz just +took a pot shot at one of our trucks out on the +road.”</p> +<p>“Did he get it, Sir?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“I should say so! Look here!”</p> +<p>A curve in the road passed close by this line of +trenches. It was a road used to take supplies to +another part of the American battleline, and vehicles +passed along it only at night, as it was within +range of some of the German guns, though fairly +well camouflaged. But this auto truck, returning +in the early hours of the morning after having delivered +a load of ammunition, had been caught by +a shell. Afterward it was learned that the truck +had broken down on the return trip and that the +driver had been delayed in repairing it, so that +he had to pass the danger point in daylight.</p> +<p>Whether or not the German battery was on the +lookout for just such a chance as this, or whether +it was a mere fortuitous opportunity of which +advantage was taken, could not be learned. But a +shell containing high explosive, though, fortunately +for the driver, not a large one, landed near +the automobile and shattered it.</p> +<p>This was the detonation which had so startled +Jerry and Bob, and now, with others, they looked +over the top of the trench at the ruins of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +truck. It was blown apart, and the wooden body +and wheels were scattered about while the engine +was a mere mass of twisted and fused metal.</p> +<p>“Look! They didn’t get the driver!” cried +Bob, for as he spoke the man in charge of the +truck picked himself up from a clump of bushes +where he had been tossed, and limped toward the +American line. He had escaped death by a +miracle.</p> +<p>Then something else attracted the attention of +Bob, Jerry, and the others. It was the sight of +Ned Slade creeping along toward a pile of splintered +wood—all that was left of the demolished +truck.</p> +<p>“Who’s that? What is he doing?” cried the +officer in charge of that part of the trench. “Does +he hope to rescue the driver? Can’t he see that +the man is safe and is coming in? Who is he?”</p> +<p>“Private Slade, Sir,” replied Jerry.</p> +<p>“But what is he doing? That’s a foolhardy +piece of business, trying to reach that truck. It’s +under the fire of the German trench, as well as +within range of their battery. What is he trying +to do?”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV_THE_SNIPER' id='CHAPTER_XV_THE_SNIPER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>THE SNIPER</h3> +</div> +<p>All stood looking from the trench at the actions +of Ned Slade.</p> +<p>“Look!” cried Bob, pointing to his chum. +“He’s picking up pieces of wood!”</p> +<p>“Has he gone crazy?” murmured the officer, +peering through his glasses at Private Slade. +“Does he think he can salvage anything from the +wreck?”</p> +<p>Just what Ned was thinking of was not evident. +He moved here and there amid the ruins of the +ammunition automobile, picking up bits of wood +until his arms could hold no more. It was raining +heavily, and when Ned stepped into a puddle +the mud and water could be seen to splash.</p> +<p>And then, when Ned could carry no more and +turned to come back to his own trench, the Germans, +in theirs, suddenly awoke to the chance they +had been missing. There were sharp reports, and +something besides rain drops splashed into the +pools of water all about Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span></p> +<p>“They’re firing at him! He’ll be killed!” cried +Bob.</p> +<p>“It seems very likely!” said the officer grimly. +“Who gave him permission to go out like that, +and why did he do it?”</p> +<p>No one answered. No one knew what to say.</p> +<p>And now Ned, aware of his own danger, began +to run toward the trench. He came on, stooping +over to offer less of a target to the Germans, and +he zig-zagged as he leaped forward. But through +it all, through the hail of lead, he did not drop the +pieces of the demolished truck he had picked up.</p> +<p>The firing from the German lines became hotter, +and a machine gun began to splutter.</p> +<p>“It’s all up with him now!” said the officer, with +something like a groan. “I’ll order our guns to +shell the Hun trench, but it will be too late!”</p> +<p>He jumped down off the firing step, where he +and the others, including Jerry and Bob, were +standing, and started for the nearest telephone +that connected with a battery.</p> +<p>Just then Ned was seen to stagger.</p> +<p>“He’s hit!” some one cried.</p> +<p>But if he was the lad who had taken such a desperate +chance did not stop. He dropped a piece +of wood, but still he ran on, stooping over, and +darting from side to side.</p> +<p>And at last he reached the trench where Bob, +Jerry, and his other comrades awaited him. The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +rain had made the top of the trench slippery, and +Ned, striking this while going at full speed, fairly +slid down into the ditch, the wood dropping from +his arms all about.</p> +<p>“There you are!” he cried, as he recovered +himself. “Enough wood for two fires! Now we +can have something hot for breakfast! Bob, start +the coffee boiling! I’m like you—hungry!”</p> +<p>For a moment the others stood staring at him, +and then the officer came back.</p> +<p>“Did they get him?” he cried. “If they did +they’ll pay for it. We’ll wipe out the Hun trench +in another minute!”</p> +<p>Then he saw Ned, standing, surrounded by the +splintered, wooden parts of the ammunition truck.</p> +<p>“Oh, you’re here,” said the officer, mechanically, +as Ned saluted. “Well, what in the name of +General Pershing did you want to do that for?”</p> +<p>“I wanted some wood to make a fire for breakfast, +Sir,” answered Ned simply. “Some one took +our supply last night, and when I saw the truck +blown to pieces and noticed that the driver was +safe, I thought it a good chance to get some fairly +dry fuel. So I took it. Better pick it up though, +or it won’t be dry long,” he added to Jerry, and +the latter, with Bob’s help, obeyed. Ned had done +his share.</p> +<p>The officer stared at Ned as though the young +soldier were a new sort of fighter, and then, with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +a shake of his head, turned away. It was past +belief or understanding.</p> +<p>As the three chums moved back to where they +had set up an improvised stove, where they could +build a fire with the truck pieces Ned had brought +in, the ground shook with the thunder of the +American guns that soon enforced silence in the +German trenches. It was revenge for having fired +on Ned.</p> +<p>Technically Ned had been guilty of a breach of +the regulations, but though his venture into the +open had resulted in a whole battery being sent +into action, nothing further was said, officially, of +his conduct. Perhaps his bravery was admired by +the officer who saw it.</p> +<p>At any rate Ned, Bob and Jerry had a warm +breakfast, which they shared with some of their +chums, and then the day’s duty began. It was +performed in the rain, that seemed never-ceasing. +The bottom of the trench was a ditch of mud, in +spite of the duck boards laid down.</p> +<p>“Too bad Professor Snodgrass isn’t here,” remarked +Ned, as he pulled one foot up from the +mud and looked at it with the remark that he +wanted to make sure he still had the foot attached +to his person.</p> +<p>“Too bad the professor isn’t here! Why?” +asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Oh, he might find some new kind of bug in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +this—soup!” and Ned stirred the thick mud in +the bottom of the trench with the butt of his gun. +“It might be more interesting than seeing how +noises affect French crickets.”</p> +<p>“Crickets!” cried Jerry. “I feel sorry for any +self-respecting cricket that would stay here to be +affected. But, speaking of the professor, I wish +we could see him again. It would be like hearing +from home, and the letters are few and far between.”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” admitted Ned. They had had +some missives from their people, and also the +girls, Alice, Helen and Mollie, while Bob, in addition, +had had a note from Helena Schaeffer, who +said she was knitting for the Red Cross. But, of +late, no mail had come in.</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t be surprised to see the professor +walk in on us any day,” mused Jerry. “He’s +likely to do it.”</p> +<p>“Then he’d better get a hustle on, or he may +not find us here,” observed Ned.</p> +<p>“Why not?” Bob inquired.</p> +<p>“Well, there’s a rumor that we’re soon going +to attack again,” answered Ned. “And when we +go over the top we don’t come back to the old +trenches. We make new ones. So the professor, +if he doesn’t come soon, may find we have changed +our address.”</p> +<p>“Going to make an attack!” Jerry spoke softly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +“Well, that’s the way to win the war. I hope it +will stop raining, though. I hate to fight in the +rain.”</p> +<p>But still the dreary drizzle kept up, and through +it the soldiers plodded in the mud of the trench. +It was nearly time for the three chums to be relieved +when Ned, who had a post at the right of +Jerry, suddenly gave a start, following a distant +report.</p> +<p>“What is it?” asked his tall chum.</p> +<p>In answer Ned pointed to a spattery hole in +the trench wall behind him.</p> +<p>“The German sniper again,” he said. “And +I’m going to see if I can’t spot him. We’ve got +to get him!”</p> +<p>Ned took off his tin helmet and put it on his +bayonet. Then he slowly raised it above the top +of the trench, at the spot where the bullet had +come in. A moment later there was a vicious +“ping!” and the helmet bore a deep indentation.</p> +<p>“Spotted!” cried Ned. “I see where he keeps +himself! And now, fellows, if you’ll help, we’ll +get Mr. Fritz Sharpshooter, and get him good! +I’ve got his address now!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI_OVER_THE_TOP' id='CHAPTER_XVI_OVER_THE_TOP'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>OVER THE TOP</h3> +</div> +<p>“We haven’t much time,” remarked Jerry, as +he glanced at the watch on his wrist. “We’ll be +relieved in five minutes.”</p> +<p>“That’s long enough,” returned Ned, with a +grim laugh. “If this fellow who has tried to get +me—or one of you—so often, runs true to form, +he’s done his last shooting. I know where he +keeps himself.”</p> +<p>“Where?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>Ned took his chums by the arms, and led them +a little way down the trench where there was an +improvised periscope. It was not being used by +the officer in charge just then, and Ned peered +through it.</p> +<p>He said nothing for a moment, and then called +to Jerry:</p> +<p>“Take a look at that brush pile just inside the +first line of German wire.”</p> +<p>“I see it,” remarked Jerry, after a look +through the mirror arrangement.</p> +<p>“Well, that’s where Mr. Fritz is keeping himself,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +said his chum. “It’s just in line with the +direction from which that last bullet came. I’ve +been thinking for some time that he was hidden +there, but I wasn’t sure until I saw the flash of his +gun as he nearly hit me just now. But now I’ll +get him!”</p> +<p>“That bush doesn’t seem big enough to shelter +a man,” observed Bob, as he, too, took an observation.</p> +<p>“There’s a hole dug under it, and he’s hiding in +that,” said Ned. “At first I thought the sharpshooter +was popping at us from some height, and +I believe he was, a week or so back. But now he +has changed his tactics. He’s doing ground sniping, +and that bit of bush hasn’t any roots.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“I mean it’s a bit of camouflage. The sharpshooter +moves it about with him, thinking we’ll +believe it’s natural. He scoops a hole, gets in +with only his head sticking out, and puts this bit +of foliage in front of him as a screen. Now, Bob, +you take your helmet, and when I tell you hold it +up on your gun. Jerry, you come with me down +the trench a way, and please don’t fire until after +I do. If I miss, you get him, but I want first +shot.</p> +<p>“I want Bob to draw his fire, if he can,” explained +Ned. “I’ll be in reserve to shoot as soon +as I see the flash. If I miss you take him. It’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +got to be nip and tuck, and we’ll have to make it a +snap shot, for he’ll drop back into the hole after +he fires.”</p> +<p>“Go to it!” advised the tall lad. “I’m with +you.”</p> +<p>Quickly they made their preparations. While +Ned and Jerry went a little way down the trench, +Bob took off his helmet and put it on the end of +his gun. He then awaited the signal from +Ned.</p> +<p>“Show your tin hat!”</p> +<p>Slowly, and simulating as much as possible a +soldier raising his head above the top line of the +trench, Bob elevated the helmet. Hardly had he +done so when there came a sharp crack, and the +helmet spun around on the point of the bayonet as +a juggler spins a plate on the end of his walking +stick.</p> +<p>“Right O!” cried Ned, and, almost in the same +detonation as the firing of the German’s gun, +Ned’s rifle spoke. The clump of bushes seemed +to spout up into the air, blown by some underground +explosion, and then a figure was seen to +half leap from what must have been an excavation.</p> +<p>“You got him!” cried Jerry.</p> +<p>“Yes,” assented Ned, as he lowered his gun. +“You won’t have to shoot, old man. Fritz won’t +do any more pot-hunting.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></p> +<p>So that was the end of one German sharpshooter.</p> +<p>The three chums were congratulated by their +relief, which came soon after that, on ridding that +part of this particular sector of a menace that +had long been in evidence. More than one American +had been killed or wounded either by this +sharpshooter or by one who had adopted the same +tactics, and Ned, Bob and Jerry had well earned +the thanks of their comrades.</p> +<p>“Have you heard anything more about going +over the top soon?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“Nothing definite,” replied Ned, who had +started the rumor. “But don’t you feel a sort of +tenseness all around—as though something were +going to happen?”</p> +<p>“I do,” answered Bob. “I think it’s going to +happen that I’m going to have some chow. I +smell it coming!”</p> +<p>“You’re a heathen materialist!” declared Ned.</p> +<p>Bob proved a true prophet, for a few minutes +later a relief squad came to the dugout with a +traveling kitchen, or rather, some of the products +of one in the shape of hot beef stew and coffee.</p> +<p>Following the ending of the career of the German +sniper, the three Motor Boys, after several +strenuous days in the trenches, went back again to +a rest billet. There they recuperated, and really +enjoyed themselves. There were letters from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +home to cheer them, and also a communication +from Professor Snodgrass.</p> +<p>The little scientist said he had tried in vain to +get some trace of the two missing girls, and expressed +the hope of seeing the boys soon, to get +the benefit of any advice they could give him. He +also stated that he was progressing well with his +scientific work of noting the effect of terrific noises +on insects. But, somehow or other, the Motor +Boys did not take as much interest in the pursuit +of the scientist as they had formerly.</p> +<p>“The war has changed everything,” declared +Jerry.</p> +<p>“But, of course, we’ll help him find the girls +if we can,” suggested Ned.</p> +<p>“Oh, of course,” agreed his tall chum.</p> +<p>Their stay in the rest camp was made pleasant +by the ministrations of the Y. M. C. A. and the +Knights of Columbus representatives. The chums +and their comrades spent much time in the different +huts, where they were entertained and could +get hot chocolate, candy or chewing gum—rations +not then issued by the army commissary.</p> +<p>“If it wasn’t for these organizations war would +be a whole lot worse than it is,” declared Jerry, +as they came from a Y. M. C. A. meeting and +moving-picture show one evening.</p> +<p>“And don’t forget the Salvation Army!” chimed +in Bob. “The fried holes those lassies turn out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +are the best I ever ate—not excepting those +mother used to make.”</p> +<p>“Yes, those doughnuts fill a big void, even if +they have a hole in the middle,” agreed Ned.</p> +<p>But all good things—even Salvation Army +doughnuts—come to an end some time, and so did +the rest period of the three friends. Back to the +trenches they went, to find out that what Ned had +predicted was about to happen. An attack of considerable +magnitude was in preparation, and it +was to be as much of a surprise to the Germans +as possible.</p> +<p>“It’s going to be over the top all right,” declared +Jerry, when, one evening, they received +their final instructions. The attack, preceded by +a brief artillery preparation, was to take place at +dawn, the “zero hour” selected.</p> +<p>It was believed, and was proved true as after +events showed, that by considerably shortening the +artillery fire, the Germans would be unprepared. +They were used to the big guns bombarding them +for a day or more at a stretch before the infantry +came over. This was to be a change.</p> +<p>The night before the attack was a nervous one. +Yet those not on duty managed to get some sleep. +For many it would be their last.</p> +<p>Then came the general awakening, and the +moving of the men along the trenches to the posts +assigned to them. Each squad of men was in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +charge of an officer, commissioned or noncommissioned, +and in Jerry’s squad were Ned and Bob.</p> +<p>“Go over the top with a rush when you get the +signal, which will be three whistles after the barrage +has ceased,” were the instructions, and Ned, +Bob, and Jerry, with their comrades, prepared to +do this.</p> +<p>There was a period of tense waiting and then, +with a suddenness that shook their nerves and +bodies, as well as the whole earth about them, the +big guns opened fire.</p> +<p>That the Germans were taken by surprise was +evident by the failure to answer. For perhaps +five minutes it seemed as though a thousand of the +most terrific of thunder storms had been condensed +into one.</p> +<p>Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the firing +ceased. The “zero hour” had arrived.</p> +<p>Three shrill whistles, repeated from many +points, sounded on the now silent but quivering air. +Not a German gun had yet awakened.</p> +<p>“Over the top!” came the cry, and the friends, +with thousands of other brave lads, scrambled up +the ladders from the trenches and started toward +the German lines.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII_FRIED_HOLES' id='CHAPTER_XVII_FRIED_HOLES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>“FRIED HOLES”</h3> +</div> +<p>Ned, Bob, and Jerry were stationed in a sector +which was alternately defending the lines against +the Germans and attacking them in that part of +the country where the trend of the war eventually +led up to the terrific battles of St. Mihiel and the +Argonne Forest. But, up to this time, no one had +guessed that the whole nature of the war would be +so quickly changed with the advent of the Americans, +nor was it suspected what terrible fighting +would have to be undertaken by our boys; though, +of course, they were ready for the worst.</p> +<p>So that the battle in which the Motor Boys and +their comrades were now about to engage was +merely what was termed a local engagement.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, it meant everything—life and +death—to those engaged in it, though there was +never a thought of death in the hearts of any of +the brave men who went over the top as the big +guns ceased thundering and the shrill whistles gave +the signal.</p> +<p>“Come on, boys!” yelled Jerry, as he led Bob +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +and Ned forward, followed by the others in the +particular squad of which Jerry had charge. +“Come on!”</p> +<p>“Yi! Yi! Yip!” screamed a young giant from +the South, as he leaped ahead of some of his +chums to the side of Jerry. “Show the Fritzies +how we fight!”</p> +<p>And together he and Jerry rushed on, followed +by Ned and Bob—a quartette acting as one man.</p> +<p>It was the first really big battle in which the +Cresville chums had taken part. They had been +out on skirmish work and on night patrol, and +they had come in conflict with parties of Germans, +but no large bodies. They had even each been +wounded slightly, but never before, in all their +lives, had they had a part in such a hailstorm of +death, such a turmoil of blood, mud, smoke, gas +and flying bullets as now. On and over the rough +shell-pitted ground they rushed toward the German +trenches. On they rushed in the gray dawn +of the morning, firing as they ran, hardly stopping +to take aim, for they could see the gray, indefinite +mass before them, and knew they were the +German troops who had rushed out of their +trenches to meet the onslaught.</p> +<p>At first the attack had been a surprise—a surprise +so great that the Germans could not, at the +beginning, reply even with adequate rifle fire, to +say nothing of artillery and machine guns. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span></p> +<p>But, in a moment, seemingly, all this was +changed. Tongues and slivers of fire began to +spit out from the gray ranks opposing the Americans. +There was a snarl of the lighter artillery +guns, the spiteful bark of the rifles and the wicked +rat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns, which the Germans +depended on, more than on anything else, +to stop a rush of our infantry.</p> +<p>Half way across No Man’s Land rushed Ned, +Bob, and Jerry, with their cheering, madly yelling +comrades, and then the toll of death began. It +was the fortune of war. Those that lived by rifles +and bayonets must perish by them, and for the +deaths that they exacted of the Huns their lives +were exacted in return.</p> +<p>Jerry, who with grim-set face and blazing eyes +rushed on at the side of the tall Southern giant, +heard a dull thud. Then came a sort of gasping, +choking cry that was audible even above the horrid +din of battle. Jerry, in a glance, saw his big +comrade crumple up in a heap, the whole front of +his body torn away by a piece of shell. And for +one terrible instant Jerry felt that he, himself, +must fall there, too, so terrible was the sight. But +he nerved himself to go on, and a backward glance +showed that Bob had to leap over the dead body +of the lad who but a moment before was yelling +encouragement to others.</p> +<p>But it was war, and it had to be. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p> +<p>On and on they rushed. Now they were at the +first line of the German barbed wire. Some of it +had been cut by the swift firing of shrapnel before +the troops came from their trenches. But enough +remained to be a hindrance, and quickly the men +with cutters surged forward to open the way.</p> +<p>It was while the Americans were held up here +that the Germans took fearful and heavy toll of +them with their machine guns, which were now +sputtering with terrific firing. Scores of brave +men went down, some never to rise again. Others, +only slightly wounded, staggered for a minute, +paused behind some dead comrade’s body to +adjust a bandage, and then went on.</p> +<p>Forward they rushed. Through the barbed +wire now, trampling down the cruel strands, never +heeding the bleeding wounds it tore in them, never +heeding the storm of bullets, minding not the +burst of shrapnel or high explosive.</p> +<p>On and on they went, yelling and shouting; +maddened with righteous anger against a ruthless +foe. Forward once more. Somehow, though +how they did it they never knew, Ned, Bob, and +Jerry stuck close to one another. Since the death +of the Southerner the three chums were in line +together, and stormed on. Their rifles were hot +in their hands, but still they fired.</p> +<p>“The first-line trenches!” yelled Ned, as he +pointed through the smoke. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p> +<p>And there, indeed, they were. They had passed +over No Man’s Land through a storm of death +which held many back. They had mastered the +barrier of the wire, and now were at the first line +of the German defense. And so fierce and terrible +had been the rush of the Americans the Germans +had fallen back, so that, save for lifeless +gray bodies, the trenches were unoccupied.</p> +<p>“Forward! Forward! Don’t stop! Go on!” +yelled the officers.</p> +<p>A certain objective had been set, and the commanders +were fearful lest the troops, thinking +that to capture the first German trenches was +enough, would stop there.</p> +<p>But they need not have been apprehensive. +The boys of Uncle Sam were not of that sort. +They wanted to come in closer contact with the +Boches. And they did.</p> +<p>On over the first-line trenches they rushed, but +now the fighting became hotter, for they were in +the midst of machine-gun nests, placed there for +just such a contingency. Death was on every side +now—horrible death. A bullet clipped Jerry’s +ear, but he only laughed—half madly and unconsciously, +no doubt—and rushed on. A man was +killed in front of him, and, falling forward, +tripped the tall lad, so that, for one terrible instant +Bob and Ned thought their chum had been +killed. But Jerry sprang up again, and, seeing a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +knot of Germans just ahead of him, tossed a hand +grenade among them. As a wisp of fog shuts out +a view, so the smoke of the grenade hid the group +of Huns for a moment. And when a swirl of the +air lifted the smoke curtain, a gray heap on the +ground was all that remained. It was like some +vision of the night, constantly changing.</p> +<p>On and on they rushed, shouting and shooting, +yelling and being yelled at. They panted for +breath, their tongues clove to their dry mouths, +they suffered horribly for water, but there was +only blood about them.</p> +<p>Forward they surged. So great was the first +rush that they fairly were carried—it did not seem +that they took themselves—beyond the last of that +particular line of German trenches. Now they +were actually on the open ground beyond—the +space where the Huns had their reserves, and these +were now quickly thrown into the battle.</p> +<p>Clip after clip of cartridges had been used by +the boys, and they were drawing on their reserve +supply now. But the battle was not going with +the same rush. The Germans were holding even +as a desperate eleven holds when it is on its own +goal line and the opponents are madly striving to +shove it over and out of the way, that a touchdown +may be made.</p> +<p>Following the instructions they had received, +the Americans began to look for what shelter they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +could find—a hole in the ground, a heap of dirt, +the body of some fallen man, a slain horse, a heap +of rubbish, a dismantled machine gun, anything +that, for a time, would fend off a bullet.</p> +<p>The first, or shock-wave, of troops had gotten +as far as it was advisable to go, and they must +wait a moment for reinforcements and for the +artillery to come up. So it was that they threw +themselves flat, to escape the storm of bullets that +drove into their very faces.</p> +<p>There was no question, now, of surprising the +enemy. He was fully awake to his danger, and +had rushed all his available troops into the conflict. +He had an unusually large number of machine +guns, and on these he depended more than +on artillery or rifle fire to break up the attack. +And nothing more effectual could have been +chosen. Only, the Americans were determined +not to be stopped.</p> +<p>Hastily they began entrenching, digging shallow +ditches in which to find shelter. It does not take +much of a mound of earth to provide a shield +against rifle or machine-gun bullets, and in ten +minutes an advancing body of troops can provide +themselves with temporary protection, while in +half an hour they can almost be in trenches, +though these are not as deep as the permanent +ones.</p> +<p>While part of the advancing Americans still +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +maintained a fusillade from their rifles and from +a few machine guns that had been rushed up, others +used the intrenching tools. Then, when all +were under temporary shelter, they began assaulting +the Boches from their vantage places.</p> +<p>But now the Germans had begun to fight back +with their artillery, only, fortunately for Ned, +Bob, and Jerry, and their comrades, the range +was not yet ascertained, so that the shots flew well +over their heads. The shells landed back of the +American trenches which had been abandoned +when the order came to go over the top, and as +this ground was temporarily vacant no great harm +was done.</p> +<p>“There go our guns again!” cried Ned into +Jerry’s ear, as he lay stretched out beside his tall +chum.</p> +<p>“Yes. They’re trying to drive the Huns back +so we can go on. We’ve got to get farther than +this.”</p> +<p>The battle was now one of longer range, the +first fierceness of the infantry having spent itself. +Indeed, the men were practically out of ammunition, +though a reserve stock was being rushed to +them under the cover of the American guns.</p> +<p>A considerable space, corresponding to No +Man’s Land, separated the two lines, and over the +heads of the prostrate men flew the shells of their +respective batteries. So, for the time being, except +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +for stray shooting of rifles and machine guns, +the two confronting lines of infantry were comparatively +safe.</p> +<p>It was during this lull that Bob, looking back +from where he was sheltered by a little hill of +earth and stones, uttered a cry.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry quickly. +“Are you hit, Chunky?”</p> +<p>“Hit? No! But look there! Fried holes! +See ’em!”</p> +<p>For an instant both Ned and Jerry thought that +Bob had been seriously hurt, and was out of his +head. But they looked to where he pointed and saw +a man in the uniform of the Salvation Army coming +across the ground over which the Americans +had recently stormed. And the intrepid noncombatant +carried on either arm a big basket of a type +well known to our American fighters.</p> +<p>“Fried holes!” cried Bob. “Fried holes! Salvation +Army doughnuts, fellows! I’m going to +get some!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_SCHOOL_JANITOR' id='CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_SCHOOL_JANITOR'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>THE SCHOOL JANITOR</h3> +</div> +<p>Just how it happened that the Salvation Army +worker had ventured into that place of death none +knew, and none stopped to inquire. Probably the +man, in his eagerness to serve, did not realize +where he was nor how he got there. Naturally +he would have been denied permission to go forward +during an engagement—that was no time +nor place for a noncombatant. But he probably +had not asked. He had made his way through a +rain of lead and steel to a zone of comparative +safety. And there he stood, as if bewildered, with +his baskets of cheer on his arms.</p> +<p>And now a sudden change in the battle made +the zone of comparative safety one of danger. +For the range of the German guns became +shorter. The muzzles were being depressed to +seek out those intrepid Americans who had rushed +over the first Hun trenches and were waiting to +rush onward again. This must not be, thought +the Huns, and so they sought them out to kill +them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></p> +<p>So it was that as Bob spied the “fried holes” +the dispenser of them gave a start as a bullet or a +piece of shell flew close to his head. He was in +grave danger now, and realized it. But he did +not falter. He gave one backward glance, not +with an idea of retreating, that is sure, but to see +if there were any near him in that direction whom +he might serve. Then he saw the prone lines +ahead of him.</p> +<p>“Me for some of those!” yelled Bob, as he rose +from his improvised trench.</p> +<p>“Lie still, you chump!” shouted Ned. “Do +you want to be killed?”</p> +<p>“No more than you did when you got the wood +from the busted truck,” was the answer. “But +I’ve got to have some of those doughnuts!”</p> +<p>And Bob, never heeding the fact that he would +be a shining target for the guns of the Germans, +started to run toward the Salvation Army man.</p> +<p>Some of the officers, from where they were stationed +among the troops, saw him.</p> +<p>“Come back! Come back! Who is he? +What’s he doing? Is he going to desert in the face +of the enemy?” were some of the commands and +cries.</p> +<p>But it needed only a glance to show that Bob +never had a notion of deserting. He ran toward +the man with the baskets of doughnuts on his +arms. Crisp, golden-brown doughnuts they were, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +fresh from one of the traveling kitchens where, +behind the lines, the Salvation Army lassies made +them—a devoted service that will never be forgotten, +but will rank with that of the Red Cross +and be immortal.</p> +<p>And now, as might have been expected, the +Germans saw the two figures—the only upright +ones in that particular neighborhood. And the +inevitable followed. They were fired at.</p> +<p>Both offered good marks, but Fate, Providence, +or whatever you choose to call it, favored them, +or else the Germans were wretched shots, which +last, in a measure, is known to be true.</p> +<p>At any rate, Bob and the Salvation Army man +met and Bob took charge of one of the baskets +of doughnuts. That, too, was to be expected.</p> +<p>“Come on—run for it!” yelled the stout lad. +“This place is getting hot!”</p> +<p>And indeed it was, for all about their feet were +little spurts of earth, showing where the bullets +were striking. And together they ran on toward +the war-worn, weary figures of the men in the shallow +trenches. Straight to where he had left his +comrades Bob led the brave man, and they were +received with a cheer.</p> +<p>Though it was desperately against all orders +and discipline for Bob to do what he had done, not +an officer rebuked him. And then the “fried +holes” were quickly handed out to the fortunate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +ones in that section of the line, the officers refusing +any, so that the weary men might have some +little refreshment.</p> +<p>“Halves only—each man only take a half!” +cried Ned, when he saw how many men there were +and how few—in spite of the two big baskets—the +doughnuts were.</p> +<p>Bob looked a trifle crestfallen, but he agreed +with a smile, and to his eternal credit be it said +that when he broke the one doughnut he saved for +himself, and it came apart in two unequal pieces, +he gave the larger section to a comrade on his +right.</p> +<p>“Bravo, Chunky!” said Jerry softly, as he observed.</p> +<p>And then, as if in horrible contrast to this +peaceful scene, the battle began again.</p> +<p>“Forward!” came the orders, and the three +chums, with their comrades, sprang from their +shelter.</p> +<p>And as Bob left the shallow hole he had dug +for himself to see what became of the Salvation +Army man, he saw him roll gently over on his +side, a little hole in his forehead showing where +death had entered from one of the hundreds of +bullets that were now sweeping down among the +troops. But there was a smile on his lips.</p> +<p>And there died a very brave and gallant gentleman. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span></p> +<p>Burst and roar and rumble and thunder and +shriek and yell and cry and sob succeeded, accompanied +and overlapped one another. The battle +was on again in all its horrid fury.</p> +<p>Forward rushed the troops, freshened by their +rest, with more ammunition of death. Forward +they rushed, driving the Germans back, out of the +trenches improvised by the Huns. Forward they +rushed while the American guns lifted the barrage +to protect them, and the German cannon crashed +out their answer.</p> +<p>On they went, stumbling, falling, getting up +again some of them, never rising again many of +them. Bloody and mud-stained, powder-grimed +and sweat-marked, torn and panting, cut and +bruised, with dry tongues that swelled in their +blackened mouths. With eyes that saw nothing +and everything—the sight of comrades torn to +pieces beside them, the falling of beloved officers, +the tearing of great holes in the ranks, and the +closing of those holes by a living wall of others +who offered themselves for the sacrifice.</p> +<p>Forward they rushed, shouting and firing, tossing +hand grenades into the midst of the dust-gray +bodies of the Huns that opposed them. Onward +they leaped and ran and staggered and jumped, +but always onward.</p> +<p>A yell on their left caught the ears of Jerry and +his chums. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p> +<p>“Are we giving way?” asked Ned, grimly despairing.</p> +<p>“No! It’s the tanks! Look!” screamed Bob.</p> +<p>And the tanks it was. A score of them, great +lumbering giants, impervious to everything save +heavy guns, on they crawled, smashing concrete +machine-gun nests as though they were but collections +of vipers’ eggs in a field.</p> +<p>These tanks turned the tide of battle at that +particular point. For the Germans were putting +up a stiff resistance, and were about to launch a +counter-attack, as was learned later.</p> +<p>But with the tanks to protect them, to splatter +death from their armored machine guns, to spread +terror and fear among the Huns, the day was +saved.</p> +<p>On rushed the Americans, Ned, Bob, and Jerry +among them, while all about them thundered the +big guns, rattled the rifles, adding their din to +the tat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns.</p> +<p>And then the Germans, unable to withstand this +withering fire and being inadequately supported +by their artillery, broke in confusion and ran—ran +to escape the terrible death that awaited them +from the avengers of a world dishonored by the +Boches.</p> +<p>Wave after wave of storming troops now +surged over the positions lately occupied in force +by the Germans. Up the wooded slopes they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +swept, taking possession of dominant heights so +long desired. The objective was more than won, +and the American position much improved.</p> +<p>The fury of the fighting began to die away. +But it was still terrific in spots, for there were +many machine-gun nests left behind when the Huns +retreated, and the holders of them were told to +die at their posts. Many did.</p> +<p>When Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of their comrades, +led by an officer, approached one of the +dugouts there was no sign of life. It had been +spouting death from a machine gun but a little +while before, however.</p> +<p>“Look out!” some one shouted. “Maybe +they’re playing possum!”</p> +<p>And so it was, for as the group advanced there +was a burst of fire, and half a dozen men went +down. Ned and Bob had a vision of Jerry crumpling +up at the very entrance of the dugout, and +their hearts seemed to stop beating.</p> +<p>“Drive ’em out! Kill the Boches! Wipe ’em +up!” yelled the survivors.</p> +<p>With a fierce yell, Ned tossed into the open +doorway a hand grenade. It exploded with terrific +force, partly wrecking the place, and then in +rushed he and his comrades, with gleaming bayonets.</p> +<p>“<i>Kamerad! Kamerad!</i>” came the cowardly +appeal from the Germans. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>And a moment later out of the dugout where +the machine gun had been concealed came four +German soldiers, all that was left alive of a company +of twenty, and of these four two were badly +wounded.</p> +<p>Ned and Bob, seeing that the place, the last +of any opposition in that section, was captured, +were about to turn back to see if Jerry was still +alive, when a second look at one of the German +prisoners caused Ned to cry:</p> +<p>“Nick Schmouder!”</p> +<p>“<i>Ja!</i>” came the answer, and then, in German, +he asked:</p> +<p>“Who speaks my name?”</p> +<p>“Nick Schmouder!” said Ned again.</p> +<p>“Do you know this man?” asked an officer +sharply.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Ned. “He used to be a janitor +at Boxwood Hall, a school I attended.”</p> +<p>And the face of Nick Schmouder showed as +much wonder as did that of Ned Slade.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_AT_LAST' id='CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_AT_LAST'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>NEWS AT LAST</h3> +</div> +<p>“Well, well, Nick! To think of meeting you +here!” exclaimed Bob.</p> +<p>“Don’t speak to the Hun!” some one called, +and then, for the first time, Ned and Bob seemed +to realize that the little man, with whom they had +been on friendly terms at college, was an +enemy.</p> +<p>But such was the case. It was only one of +many queer incidents of the war, and more than +one fighting American found among the prisoners +sent back, after he and his comrades had cleaned +up a Boche nest, some man he had known back +home—a former waiter at a club, perhaps, or a +man who delivered his groceries.</p> +<p>“How came you here?” asked Nick Schmouder, +with scarcely a trace of German accent, as he and +the other prisoners stood with upraised hands, +though one of the survivors had to drop his as he +fell in a heap because of weakness from his +wounds.</p> +<p>“We came here to teach the Kaiser how to walk +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +Spanish,” said Bob. “I didn’t think you’d fight +against us, Nick, after what you learned at Boxwood +Hall.”</p> +<p>“Ach! I was forced to,” was the answer. “I +am glad it is over—that I am a prisoner. I did +not like this war. I shall be glad when it is over +and you have won. It is terrible! Listen, I will +a secret tell,” and he did not seem afraid of the +effect it might have on his apathetic comrades. +“Every time I shoot the machine gun I point it at +the ground so it will kill no Americans. I do not +want to kill them.”</p> +<p>“Hum, that’s a good story to tell now!” said +the incredulous officer. “Take ’em to the rear +with the other prisoners. Wait, though, this one +can’t walk. He’ll have to have a stretcher. I’ll +have his wounds patched up. But take the others +back. Corporal Hopkins!” he called.</p> +<p>“Corporal Hopkins is wounded, Sir,” reported +Ned, with a catch in his voice. “He may be dead. +He fell just as we stormed this place, Sir!”</p> +<p>“Oh, I did not know that. See to him at once. +Here!” he called to some stretcher-bearers who +were coming up, “we may need you!”</p> +<p>They hurried forward, and, leaving Nick +Schmouder and the other German prisoners under +guard, the officer, with Ned, Bob, and some other +Americans, went back to where Jerry had been +seen to fall. It was just outside of a little defile +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +leading to the dugout where the machine gun had +wrought such havoc.</p> +<p>“There—there he is!” faltered Ned, as he +pointed to the crumpled-up body of his chum, and +Bob turned his face away, for it seemed to be the +end of Jerry Hopkins.</p> +<p>There was blood on Jerry’s head, and blood +had seeped out from his right leg, near the knee. +Poor Jerry lay very still, and about him were +heaped others, who were unmistakably dead.</p> +<p>The lieutenant bent over the corporal and made +a hasty examination. There was relief on his +face—relief which was reflected on the countenances +of Ned and Bob as he said:</p> +<p>“He’s still alive, but badly hurt, I’m afraid. +Take him back as gently as you can.”</p> +<p>Ned and Bob helped lift him on to the stretcher. +Jerry did not move, and so faint was his breathing +that there were times when it seemed to stop +altogether.</p> +<p>Desperately as Ned and Bob wanted to go back +to the dressing station to learn how it fared with +their chum, they must stay on duty in the advanced +position they had helped to win. It must be consolidated +as much as possible before night, or the +Germans might launch a counter offensive.</p> +<p>And so, when the Hun machine gun had been +turned about, ready to rake any advancing lines +of its recent owners, other measures were taken +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +to insure the holding of the position won at such +cost.</p> +<p>“I’d like to have a talk with that Nick,” said +Bob, as he and Ned paused for a moment in their +work of digging trenches.</p> +<p>“Yes, isn’t it strange to meet him here like this? +If he fired any of the shots that did up Jerry +Hopkins, why––”</p> +<p>Ned did not finish, but Bob knew what his chum +meant.</p> +<p>Feverishly the Americans worked, and to good +purpose, for when darkness began to fall they +were in strong front trenches with supporting lines +back of them, and the artillery was partly in place. +If the Germans wanted to take that particular +hill again they would have to work for every inch +of it.</p> +<p>And now the commissary department got busy, +and hot soup and coffee was rushed up to the well-nigh +exhausted men. Never was a meal more +welcome.</p> +<p>“But it doesn’t taste any better than those +doughnuts did,” declared Bob, as he sat on a pile +of dirt, sipping coffee from a tin cup, his face and +hands plastered with mud and other dirt.</p> +<p>“You took an awful chance, though, Chunky,” +said his chum.</p> +<p>“No more than that Salvation Army man did. +He was braver than I, because it was my business +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +to be where I was, and he didn’t have to if he +didn’t want to.”</p> +<p>“Well, that’s so,” agreed Ned. “But say, I’m +going to see if we can’t find out how Jerry is. +If he—if he’s––”</p> +<p>But he did not have the heart to finish.</p> +<p>As much had been done as was possible that +day, after the terrific battle, and with the arrival +of fresh reserves those who had borne the brunt +of the fighting were sent to the rear to rest. Ned +and Bob were among these, and, obtaining permission, +they went to the dressing station to learn +Jerry’s fate.</p> +<p>Their hearts leaped with joy when they were +told that, aside from a bad scalp wound and a +bullet through the fleshy part of his leg, their +chum was all right.</p> +<p>The high-powered bullets do infinitely less +damage than the old-fashioned slower-moving +sort, and the wound in Jerry’s leg was a clean +one.</p> +<p>Not so, however, the cut on his head, which +was from a piece of burning shell, making a jagged +wound that, however, did not touch the bone.</p> +<p>“He’ll be back in line again in three weeks,” +declared the surgeon to Ned and Bob, and those +were the happiest words they ever had heard.</p> +<p>The next morning, after a feverish night in +which they slept but little, they were allowed to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +see Jerry, and they found him in better condition, +relatively, than themselves. For he had been +given a bath and cleaned after his wounds were +dressed, whereas Ned and Bob were still caked +with the mud, dirt, and grime of battle. But it +was honorable dirt, as a Japanese might say. +Most honorable and cherished.</p> +<p>“Well, how about you, old man?” asked Ned, +as the Red Cross nurse said they might talk a little +to their injured chum.</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m all right. Feel fine! Just knocked +out a little. Save a few Huns for me for the next +rush.”</p> +<p>“Oh, we’ll do that all right,” agreed Bob. +“Too bad you had to get yours just as we won the +game.”</p> +<p>“We won it, so I hear,” observed Jerry.</p> +<p>“Yes, cleaned ’em up,” went on Ned. “And +whom do you guess we caught in the last batch of +prisoners?”</p> +<p>“Not Professor Snodgrass!”</p> +<p>“No. But some one who knows him. Nick +Schmouder!” exploded Bob.</p> +<p>“What? Not the janitor at Boxwood Hall? +The fellow who helped us get the goat upstairs +into the physics class?”</p> +<p>“The same!” laughed Ned; and Jerry chuckled +so at the recollection of one of the jokes of their +college days that the nurse was forced to say she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +would order his chums away unless he remained +more quiet.</p> +<p>“I’ll be good!” promised the tall lad. “But +that is rich! How did it happen?”</p> +<p>“Don’t know,” admitted Ned. “I’m going to +have a talk with him if I can.”</p> +<p>“Let me know what he says,” begged Jerry. +“I don’t suppose you have heard anything about +the professor or his quest for the two girls?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Bob. “I guess he’ll never find +them. It’s worse than looking for a cent down a +crack in the boardwalk at Atlantic City. But I +don’t suppose you could convince the professor +of that.”</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Jerry. “I’m mighty sorry, too. +You remember what he said about losing the +money he had lent to a friend of his and needing +this bequest from Professor Petersen. Well, if +you see or hear from him let me know. I won’t +be able to get about for a week—maybe more.”</p> +<p>Bob and Ned stayed until the nurse sent them +away, but they promised to call again as soon as +allowed. Then, as they were relieved from duty, +they went to an officer and received permission to +talk to the prisoner, Nick Schmouder, after explaining +about him.</p> +<p>The man had been a janitor at Boxwood Hall +when Ned, Bob, and Jerry attended there. He +had been a good friend to the three chums, and, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +as mentioned, had assisted them in performing +what they were pleased to term a “joke.”</p> +<p>The boys had forgotten all about him, and it +was with the utmost wonder they met him again +under such strange and strenuous circumstances.</p> +<p>“How did you come to get into the war?” asked +Bob, as he and Ned talked to the prisoner, who +was in a wire cage with hundreds of others.</p> +<p>“Oh, it was an accident, yet. I came back to +Germany to see my old father, and I was caught +here when the war broke out. I had not served +my full time in the army, and so I had to go in +again. Ach! how I hate it. But tell me—why +are you here?”</p> +<p>“The same reason that brought every other +good American over,” replied Ned sharply. “We +want to wipe Prussian militarism off the face of +the earth.”</p> +<p>“And a good job, I say!” declared Nick +Schmouder. “It is like a bad disease germ. One +of those bugs Professor Snodgrass used to show +me in the microscope. Ah, I wish I was back at +Boxwood Hall with him. He was a nice little +man.”</p> +<p>“Yes, he was,” agreed Ned. “And you may see +him, if you stay around here.”</p> +<p>“See him? Is the professor in the war, too?”</p> +<p>“Not exactly,” Bob answered. “He is here on +a scientific mission. Something about war noises +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +and insects. But he is after something else, too. +A friend of his, Professor Petersen––”</p> +<p>“Professor Emil Petersen?” cried Nick +Schmouder in such a strange voice that Ned and +Bob stared at him. “Did you say Professor Emil +Petersen?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know that I mentioned his first name, +but it is Emil,” answered the stout lad. “Why, +do you know him?”</p> +<p>“Know him? Why, he once lived in the same +German town where my father and mother lived,” +declared the former janitor. “They were friends,—my +father worked for him and my mother had +looked after him when he was sick—and when +the professor, who was studying or something, had +to go away, he left his two nieces––”</p> +<p>“Two nieces!” burst out Ned and Bob together. +“Do you mean Miss Gladys Petersen +and Miss Dorothy Gibbs?”</p> +<p>“Yes! Those were the names,” announced +Schmouder easily. “He left the two nieces with +my father and mother. They were nice girls!”</p> +<p>“Listen to that!” cried Ned, thumping Bob on +the back. “News at last! We must tell Jerry +this!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX_A_QUEER_QUESTION' id='CHAPTER_XX_A_QUEER_QUESTION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>A QUEER QUESTION</h3> +</div> +<p>So unexpected was the news given by the captured +Boxwood Hall janitor that for a moment +or two Ned and Bob could scarcely believe it. +That the information, so much desired and so +ardently sought after, should come to them by +accident, while, doubtless, Professor Snodgrass +was using every energy to that end, seemed +scarcely believable. Yet there could be no doubt +of it. Still Ned was a bit cautious, and restrained +his stout chum from rushing to the hospital to tell +Jerry.</p> +<p>“We don’t want any mistake in this,” remarked +Ned. “Are you sure, Nick, that this is the same +Professor Petersen whom we mean, the same one +Professor Snodgrass means?”</p> +<p>“I don’t see how there can be any mistake,” declared +the former janitor. “I often heard Professor +Petersen speak of Professor Snodgrass, +and I know him well enough. I could tell him in +the dark.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I guess that’s right,” assented Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></p> +<p>“But there may be two Professor Petersens—the +name is not uncommon in Germany, at any rate.”</p> +<p>“There is no mistake,” declared Schmouder. +“I admit there may be several Professor Petersens, +but hardly two who would have nieces named +Dorothy Gibbs and Gladys Petersen.”</p> +<p>“That seems to clinch it,” declared Bob.</p> +<p>“Yes, I guess so,” agreed his chum. “But what +else can you tell us about them, Nick, and where +are the girls now?”</p> +<p>The German prisoner shrugged his shoulders.</p> +<p>“As for where they are now, I do not know,” +he answered. “My father and mother live in a +little town not far from Metz. It was there Professor +Petersen came sometimes to study and write +his books, when he was not in his own country or +in your country, lecturing or visiting Professor +Snodgrass.</p> +<p>“Just before this terrible war, which I wish with +all my heart I had never seen, Professor Petersen +came to this little town, bringing for the first time +his two nieces. I happened to be there on a visit—I +came to see my parents, and now I wish I +hadn’t.</p> +<p>“No, I will not say that!” quickly exclaimed the +man. “I am glad I saw them; but I wish I had +sent for them to come to the United States to see +me. It would have been safer for them and me, +for we shall lose this war—I can see that.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p> +<p>“You said it!” declared Bob, with energy.</p> +<p>“Tell us all you can,” urged Ned. “We have +a great interest in finding these girls.”</p> +<p>“Well, I am sorry I cannot tell you more,” replied +Schmouder. “As I said, I came back just +before the war broke out, was caught and sent +to the army. I saw Professor Petersen in my +home town then with the two young ladies. There +was some story about his having been reconciled +to them after a long estrangement, but I did not +pay much attention to that.</p> +<p>“All I know is that I saw the young ladies and +knew they were the nieces of the professor. They +had been traveling in France and Germany, it was +said. Then the professor left just before war +was declared. He suspected it was coming, and +said he had certain investigations he wished to +make before the fighting started. He left the two +young ladies in charge of my father and mother, +telling them he would be back as soon as he could, +and that, thereafter, he would look after them.”</p> +<p>“What happened next?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“The war,” answered Schmouder succinctly. +“That spoiled everything. I had to go away and +leave my parents. What has become of them I +do not know.”</p> +<p>“Haven’t you heard from them?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Not lately, no. Soon after I was forced to +join the army I had a letter, in which they told +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +me they were going farther into Germany to be +safer.”</p> +<p>“And what about the two girls and Professor +Petersen?” Bob queried.</p> +<p>“What happened to Professor Petersen I cannot +tell you,” was the answer. “As for his two +nieces, my father wrote that they had gone on +some scientific expedition shortly after the professor +left them, and were not expected back for a +month.”</p> +<p>“Were they scientists too?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“I believe so,” answered the former janitor. +“They loved study, as did their uncle. At any +rate they, too, went into the interior of Germany +just before the war broke out, and what has happened +to them I do not know any more than I +know what happened to Professor Petersen.”</p> +<p>“We can tell you what happened to him,” said +Ned. “He died in America, and left a lot of +money.”</p> +<p>“So!” exclaimed Schmouder. “Well, it will do +no one any good these terrible days.”</p> +<p>“Maybe it will, and perhaps it won’t,” replied +Bob. “At any rate, he left half his fortune to +Professor Snodgrass on condition that our friend +find the two nieces and give them the other half +of the fortune.”</p> +<p>“Ach! Well, I shall be glad if the young ladies +get something,” said Schmouder. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p> +<p>“Yes, but the trouble is they won’t get it if they +can’t be found,” said Ned. “And Professor Snodgrass +won’t get anything, either. Now if you +could only tell us where these two girls are to be +found, why––”</p> +<p>“That I could not do—no one could in these +days!” declared the prisoner earnestly. “I will +help you all I can. I am an American at heart, +and I hope you will believe me when I say that +every gun I fired sent its bullets only into the +ground. I could not shoot at my former friends. +Germany is no longer a friend to me!”</p> +<p>“Nor to any one else,” declared Bob. “Gee! +but it’s tough to be so near the solution and then +to fail.”</p> +<p>“Don’t give up yet,” advised Ned. “We can +tell Professor Snodgrass what we have learned, +and maybe he can find a way to get in communication +with the young ladies. It’s a pity Professor +Petersen didn’t give them half his fortune when +he was alive, and save all this bother.”</p> +<p>“Yes, it would have been a good idea!” scoffed +his chum. “The girls and Professor Snodgrass +would have been better off. But, as a rule, people +don’t do that sort of thing. I haven’t noticed +your father—nor mine—giving away half of his +possessions. However, the money may be lost +entirely now. I don’t see how it can be paid over, +inherited or whatever the term is anyhow, in these +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +days. Maybe the war has wiped out Professor +Petersen’s fortune.”</p> +<p>“I hardly think that,” said the former janitor. +“He was not a German, and his wealth was not +in that country. He was a very careful man, and +if he left any money to any one you may be sure +it is waiting for them, wherever they are.”</p> +<p>“That’s the point!” exclaimed Bob. “The +money may be all right, but we can’t find those +for whom it is intended. And if Professor Snodgrass +can’t locate the girls, all the fortune goes to +a humane society.”</p> +<p>“Ach! So?” exclaimed Nicholas Schmouder. +“Well, it is better that than Germany should get +it. Please tell your friends that I did never fire +my gun at them—always into the ground,” he +said wistfully, as the boys turned away from the +prisoners’ wire cage.</p> +<p>“We’ll do the best we can for you,” they said. +But there was little they could do to make life any +easier for their old friend, who, through no fault +of his own, was in a bad predicament.</p> +<p>When next they had a chance to visit Jerry the +two chums told him all they had heard, and the +wounded lad suggested that they should write to +Professor Snodgrass at once, urging him to come +on and have a talk with Schmouder. This Ned +and Bob did, though there was no certainty that +their letter would reach the scientist, or that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +would be able to obey the instructions in it. They +had his last address, but he was, at best, uncertain +in his movements, and now, with the great forward +movement of the American armies beginning, +it was hard for any one to get to the front.</p> +<p>“But we’ve found out something, anyhow,” declared +Ned. “The girls are somewhere in Germany, +if they are still alive, and it may be possible +for Professor Snodgrass to give them half the +money and keep the other half for his own necessities.”</p> +<p>“Yes, it may, and it may not. I hope it will, +though.”</p> +<p>Jerry, thanks to the nature of his wounds and +to his healthy constitution, made a remarkably +quick recovery, and though he was not ready to +go back to the front-line trenches when his chums +had to report for duty, it was probable that after +their next rest period he would join them.</p> +<p>It was hard for Ned and Bob to say good-bye +to their chum. They might never meet again, and +they knew it. But it was the fortune of war, and +had to be borne.</p> +<p>Fate, however, was kind to them, and Ned and +Bob were sent to a quiet sector. After some slight +skirmishes, which, however, were hard enough +on those engaged, they were again sent to the +rear to recuperate. There they found Jerry chafing +against being kept out of the fighting. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></p> +<p>“Feel all right?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Sure! Never better. I want to get at the +Huns again.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t hear from Professor Snodgrass, did +you?” inquired Bob.</p> +<p>“No. But I wrote to him again. Schmouder +has been sent back to the rear to work with other +prisoners, but I have his camp location so the professor +can interview him if he thinks it needful. +And say, a rather queer thing happened while you +were away.”</p> +<p>“What?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Well, Noddy Nixon came to see me.”</p> +<p>“He did!” cried Bob. “Well, the nerve of that +shrimp! After he took our wood!”</p> +<p>“What did he want?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Oh, nothing in particular, as far as I could +make out. Just seemed to want to be friendly. +Asked me a lot of questions about how I was +treated in the hospital and whether I got enough +to eat.”</p> +<p>“You did, didn’t you?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Sure. But I don’t quite see what Noddy was +aiming at. However, I didn’t trouble my head +much about it until yesterday.”</p> +<p>“Why yesterday?” Bob demanded.</p> +<p>“Well, the surgeon who patched me up came +and inquired if Noddy was a particular friend of +mine.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></p> +<p>“Of course you told him he was!” laughed Ned.</p> +<p>“Like fun I did! No, I said I hadn’t any use +for him, but I didn’t go into particulars. After +all, Noddy is fighting on our side.”</p> +<p>“You mean he’s making a bluff at it!” growled +Bob. “But go on. Where does the queer part +come in?”</p> +<p>“Here,” answered Jerry. “The surgeon told +me Noddy took him to one side and asked very +particularly whether a wound in the hand or one +in the foot hurt the most. That’s what he wanted +to know.”</p> +<p>“He did!” cried Ned. “Well, what’s queer +about that?”</p> +<p>“Don’t you see,” resumed Jerry, “it looks as +though––”</p> +<p>But Jerry never finished that sentence, for as +he was speaking came cries of alarm from outside +the hospital and the firing of several guns, +while some one shouted:</p> +<p>“An air raid! An air raid! The Huns are +coming!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI_A_VISITOR' id='CHAPTER_XXI_A_VISITOR'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>A VISITOR</h3> +</div> +<p>Jerry Hopkins, with his two chums and some +of the hospital patients who were able to move +about, rushed toward the sound of the shouting +and firing. Jerry’s leg wound was healed, and +save for a slight limp he was all right again.</p> +<p>The boys saw a group of soldiers gathered +about a battery of guns erected a short time before +to repel air raids. And that this was now a +time to use the weapons was evident after a glance +aloft.</p> +<p>For, hovering just below the clouds, were three +big Hun planes, and that they had come over the +lines to bomb the American positions was only +too evident.</p> +<p>There was no time to stop and inquire how the +hostile aircraft had managed to elude the vigilance +of the Allied airmen at the front. It was time to +act and act promptly, and at once the anti-aircraft +batteries opened, while word was quickly telephoned +to the nearest aerodrome, so that American, +French, or British fliers might ascend to attack +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +the Germans. It was the shooting at the +Hun planes with the guns nearest the hospital that +had broken in on Jerry’s remarks.</p> +<p>“They won’t bomb the hospital, will they?” +asked Ned, in wonder.</p> +<p>“They’re very likely to,” declared Jerry. +“Then later on they’ll claim they couldn’t see the +red crosses on the roof, or else they’ll say they +meant to drop bombs on an ammunition dump or +a railroad center and they miscalculated the distance—the +beasts!”</p> +<p>If the Huns intended to bomb the hospital now +it would not be the first time they had done such +a dastardly trick. And that they purposed sending +down explosives somewhere in the neighborhood +was evident from the tactics of the hostile +machines.</p> +<p>They flew about, so high above the group of +buildings containing the wounded and convalescents +as to make it difficult to hit them, and appeared +to be waiting their best chance to drop a +bomb where it would do the most damage.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, nurses and orderlies were moving +out their charges into the open, so there would be +less likelihood of their being caught in the collapsed +structures.</p> +<p>For a few minutes the scene was one of wild +confusion, and then army discipline was established +and matters went on as they should. Ned, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +Bob, and Jerry helped in taking out the wounded, +while the gun crews increased their fire at the +hostile planes.</p> +<p>Suddenly there was a terrific explosion just in +the rear of the hospital. It shook the ground and +brought forth screams of agonized apprehension +on the part of men suffering from shell shock. +But either the bomb was misdirected or the Huns +were more merciful than they had been on other +similar occasions, for the bomb, dropped from one +of the aircraft, only tore a big hole in an adjacent +field.</p> +<p>“Too close for comfort, though,” declared +Ned.</p> +<p>“Our boys are gettin’ after ’em!” exclaimed +Bob, as he and his chums hurried back into the +endangered building to assist in taking out more +of the helpless ones.</p> +<p>This was true in two senses, for the fire of the +anti-aircraft batteries was increasing, and now +several Allied airmen were mounting aloft in their +swift machines to give battle to the attacking +Huns.</p> +<p>It was high time, too, for now bombs were +dropping on all sides of the hospital, and there +was no telling when the entire building might go +down in ruins. Whether the German airmen were +deliberately trying to hit the place where wounded +men were being saved from death, or whether they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +aimed their infernal machines at objects near it, +could not be said with certainty.</p> +<p>Fiercer and more rapid became the firing from +the anti-aircraft batteries established near the hospital +for this very purpose, and more Allied planes +took the air, seeking to drive off the invaders.</p> +<p>By this time most of the wounded had been carried +out and put under trees, in the open, wherever +it was considered safest for them.</p> +<p>Though from the ruthless manner in which the +Huns waged war no place was immune from their +bombs—even in the neighborhood of a hospital.</p> +<p>“Look! Look!” suddenly cried Ned. “They +got one!”</p> +<p>“That’s right!” echoed Jerry. “They’ve +brought one down!”</p> +<p>Tumbling over and over, in a fashion no airman, +however reckless, would dare to imitate as +a ruse, was one of the German planes. It had +been hit either by a shell from a battery, or the +bullets from one of the machine guns on an Allied +plane had found a mark.</p> +<p>Then, as the invading machine continued to fall, +out of control, it burst into flames, and a small +dark object was seen to detach itself from the +mass and fall to one side.</p> +<p>“There goes the pilot!” said Bob grimly. +“He’s done for.”</p> +<p>And so he was, and so was his machine. It was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +a horrible death, but none the less horrible than +he had planned for others—and helpless others, +too.</p> +<p>“There they go! They’ve had enough!” +shouted Ned, and as he spoke it was seen that the +Hun machines, which had been circling about, as +though looking for more targets on the ground +below, had turned and were speeding toward their +own lines, pursued by the American and other +machines, eager to visit on them just vengeance.</p> +<p>And then the hospital patients, some of them +wounded airmen themselves, watched the battle +of the clouds, out of danger now that the Huns +were in retreat.</p> +<p>The machines were so high that little could be +seen, but some one had a pair of glasses and reported +that one of the German craft was disabled +and was coming down out of control.</p> +<p>This information afterward proved to be correct. +Then during the battle which followed another +German machine was set on fire; so that a +total of three were destroyed, and another of the +six engaged in the raid sent back damaged, and +one of its occupants killed.</p> +<p>Nor did the Allied planes come off scatheless. +One was shot down and both occupants killed, +while another man was wounded. But the hospital +had not been bombed, which was the great +thing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span></p> +<p>“Do you wonder that I’m aching to get back +into the fight against such beasts?” asked Jerry, +when the patients had once more been carried back +to the wards, and Jerry and his chums had resumed +their conversation in a quiet place outside.</p> +<p>“Don’t blame you a bit,” assented Ned. “But +we were talking about Noddy Nixon.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” resumed the tall lad. “I was saying he +asked a mighty queer question of the surgeon and +I have my own opinion––”</p> +<p>At that moment a smiling Red Cross nurse appeared +and said:</p> +<p>“There’s a visitor asking to see you, Mr. Hopkins.”</p> +<p>“A visitor for me!” exclaimed Jerry.</p> +<p>“Yes, do you wish to see any one?”</p> +<p>“Man or young lady?” asked Ned, with a mischievous +smile at his chum.</p> +<p>“Oh, a dear, little, bald-headed man, who peers +at you in such a funny way through his big glasses +and––”</p> +<p>“Show him in!” cried Ned, Bob and Jerry in +one voice.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII_AN_UNEXPECTED_CAPTURE' id='CHAPTER_XXII_AN_UNEXPECTED_CAPTURE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED CAPTURE</h3> +</div> +<p>The smiling Red Cross nurse had no need to +mention the name of the visitor. The boys knew +him for Professor Snodgrass after that description, +which could fit no one else. And the little +scientist it proved to be a moment later.</p> +<p>“Ah, here you are, boys!” he murmured, as +though he had just parted from them half an +hour before, and under ordinary circumstances, +instead of the great war being in the background. +“I am glad to see you. I want––”</p> +<p>He made a sudden motion toward the smiling, +Red Cross nurse, and instinctively she stepped +back, with something of a look of alarm on her +face.</p> +<p>“One moment—please!” exclaimed the professor. +“There is a most beautiful and rare butterfly +on your apron. I just want it for my collection,” +and, a moment later, he had safe in one of +his wire boxes the fluttering <i>Papilio</i>.</p> +<p>“Oh, how beautiful!” murmured the nurse. +“What are you going to do with the poor thing?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p> +<p>“Preserve it so that others may gaze on its +beauty,” answered the professor with a bow. “It +will also aid me in my studies. This particular +butterfly is one I have long sought, because of the +peculiar markings. It is most lucky that I came +here to-day.”</p> +<p>“Well, it might have been unlucky if you had +happened to be hit by one of the German air +bombs,” said Jerry. “But we’re glad to see you. +We have good news for you about those two +girls.”</p> +<p>“Yes, so I understand from your letters. So +that janitor has seen them. Well, now I must follow +them up and give them their share of the fortune. +I came on as soon as I could after hearing +from you boys. I thank you for having my interests +at heart. Now where can I see this Nick +Schmouder and have a talk with him?”</p> +<p>The camp where the German prisoners were +detained was not many miles back of the hospital +where Jerry had recovered from his wounds, and, +as he would be able to travel the next day, and as +Bob and Ned could get furloughs, it was decided +that the four should make up a party and seek +out the former janitor, so that the professor +might hear, at first hand, all there was to be said.</p> +<p>These arrangements having been made, transportation +provided and the necessary permissions +having been secured, the professor and the three +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +Motor Boys, several hours later, sat down to have +a long chat and exchange experiences. Professor +Snodgrass told how he was progressing with his +work of studying the effects of battle noises on +insects, and the boys related their stories of fighting +and battles.</p> +<p>“And we thought old Jerry was gone when we +saw him go down outside the dugout where we +captured Schmouder,” finished Ned, as a climax to +his story.</p> +<p>“I thought so myself,” admitted the tall lad. +“But I’m as well as ever, and next week I’ll be +fighting again. What are your plans, Professor?”</p> +<p>“I must try to find those two young ladies. +The military authorities have been very good to +me. They have said I can go anywhere I like to +study the insects, provided I do nothing that would +betray any army secrets. And I have been very +careful.”</p> +<p>That is he was careful not to disobey his instructions, +but that he was anything but careful +of himself the boys learned later. They heard +stories of how he went up to the very front lines +of the fighting, so he might be nearer the big +guns, and he took with him cages of insects, noting +the effect of the concussions of the great cannons +on their nervous systems.</p> +<p>Professor Snodgrass would have laughed had +you called him a brave man, but he dared as much +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +for his beloved science as others did for their +country’s honor. And, moreover, only the age +limit kept the professor out of the army.</p> +<p>The journey to the prison camp where Nick +Schmouder was held took place the next day, and +was accomplished without incident worthy of note.</p> +<p>But if Professor Snodgrass hoped to obtain +any more information from the former janitor +than the boys had about the two missing girls, he +was disappointed. For Nick Schmouder could +only repeat what he had already told. He was +glad to see Professor Snodgrass, and it was quite +pathetic to hear the man tell his story about having +always fired his gun into the ground to avoid +hurting any of those he called his friends.</p> +<p>“I didn’t believe there were any good Germans +in Germany any more,” said Jerry, “but I guess +Nick is pretty near one.”</p> +<p>So they listened to his stories, and Professor +Snodgrass made notes about the girls. He said +he would try to get into communication with them +through the parents of the former janitor, though +the latter did not know, himself, whether his +father and mother were still alive.</p> +<p>“Is it not terrible—awful—this war?” he cried. +“I wish all my countrymen were prisoners, and +then they could no longer fight, and we would have +peace.”</p> +<p>“Well, if it keeps on we’ll soon have most of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +the Kaiser’s army in a cage like this,” declared +Ned. “Don’t worry—we’re going to make a good +clean-up of it.”</p> +<p>“I hope you do,” said Schmouder, and many of +his fellow prisoners agreed with him.</p> +<p>At present all the professor could do was to +depend on some message getting to the missing +girls. As they were not prisoners of war it was +thought that perhaps some missive might reach +them, though all ordinary communication between +Americans and Germany was held up.</p> +<p>The girls, though of Swedish parentage, were +citizens of the United States, as the fathers of +both were naturalized; therefore, the diplomatic +channels of Sweden were closed to them, as the +money had been left in Professor Snodgrass’ care. +The Red Cross might aid, as a last resort, and if +that failed all that could be done was to wait until +after the war and then seek them out, if the two +nieces were still alive.</p> +<p>So, having dispatched several letters by different +routes, Professor Snodgrass prepared to spend +some time with the boys.</p> +<p>“I might as well study the effect here of noises +on insects, as to go back where I was,” he said. +“Here I shall be nearer those two young ladies, if +I can ever find a chance to reach them. We are +heading toward Metz, are we not?”</p> +<p>“Yes, and we’ll get there,” declared Jerry, for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +by this time enough of General Pershing’s plans +had developed to show that his armies had this +town for one of its objectives. But there was +still a long way to go.</p> +<p>True to his determination, Jerry went back to +the front with his chums, and Professor Snodgrass, +by virtue of special permission, accompanied +them. The chums were welcomed by their +comrades, and once more took up the life of the +trenches.</p> +<p>It was one afternoon, just before time for them +to be relieved, that Ned, Bob, and Jerry had their +attention drawn to a stretch of No Man’s Land +in front of them, by hearing some of their comrades +say:</p> +<p>“Look at the bug-hunter! What in the name +of Billie Bejinks is he doing out there? He’ll be +bowled over by a German bullet just as sure as +guns!”</p> +<p>The three lads looked, and, to their surprise +and horror, saw Professor Snodgrass with something +supported on his back and partly in his arms, +walking across No Man’s Land in the direction +of the German trenches as unconcernedly as +though peace had been declared.</p> +<p>“Look at him!” yelled Ned.</p> +<p>“We’ve got to get him back!” cried Jerry.</p> +<p>An officer, who had heard the commotion, came +in from the nearest dugout and asked:</p> +<p>“Who gave him permission to go out there? +Is he deserting?”</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +<img src='images/illus-183.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 363px; height: 564px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 363px;'> +THEY MARCHED STRAIGHT FOR THE AMERICAN LINES.<br /> +<i>Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line.</i> <i>Page 183</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span></div> +<p>“Indeed he isn’t, Sir,” answered Ned. “I guess +he must be trying some experiment, or looking +for bugs.”</p> +<p>“Well it’s likely to be his last experiment,” was +the grim comment, “and about all he’ll find will +be bullets. Ah, I was afraid so. Look, they are +going to capture him!”</p> +<p>As he spoke the Americans, crouching in their +trench, saw three German soldiers leap out of +their ditch and advance toward the professor. +But the latter did not seem in the least afraid. +He walked on, for a moment not observing his +enemies, who were approaching from one side. +Then suddenly he noticed them.</p> +<p>But he did not run, nor did he show any sign +of fear, and then the most unexpected thing happened. +The Germans suddenly dropped their +rifles. Up in the air went their hands, and then +they turned and marched straight for the American +lines, the professor following behind, and +fairly driving them on in some mysterious way. +He had made a most unexpected capture.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII_GREAT_PREPARATIONS' id='CHAPTER_XXIII_GREAT_PREPARATIONS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>GREAT PREPARATIONS</h3> +</div> +<p>Watching him from the security of their +trench, Ned, Bob, and Jerry, their comrades, and +the officers on duty, could scarcely believe their +eyes as they saw what had happened. Yet there +was no delusion about it. Professor Snodgrass, +rashly venturing across No Man’s Land toward +the German trenches, was coming back and with +three prisoners. As Bob said afterward, it was +like the advertisements of the circus which boasted +of three rings and innumerable clowns.</p> +<p>“Three prisoners! Count ’em. Three!” Bob +yelled.</p> +<p>“Well, for the love of hot chocolate!” cried +Jerry, “what does it mean?”</p> +<p>“Search me!” answered Ned, succinctly. +“Looks as if he had ’em hypnotized!”</p> +<p>And so it did, for the Huns, as they came +nearer, wore on their faces looks of stupefied +astonishment.</p> +<p>Straight for the trench where his young friends +were, Professor Snodgrass marched his prisoners. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +He was in great danger, but he did not seem to +mind that, or even be aware of it. Doubtless it +was the latter, but, as a matter of fact, he was +within range of the big guns, as well as within shot +of rifles or machine guns.</p> +<p>Of course, though, had the Germans opened +fire on the professor from their trenches, they +would have run the chance of killing their own +three men, captives though the latter were. And, +too, had the Huns fired there would have at once +been answering fire from the Americans, for the +latter gunners were always on the alert, and once +word was passed up and down the line that the +little “bug-hunter” was out in No Man’s Land, +every man who knew or who had heard of him +was ready with his rifle—Ned, Bob and Jerry +among them—ready to take full toll in revenge +had he been fired on.</p> +<p>But the German trenches were silent, and for +good reason, as was learned later, so the professor +marched on with his prisoners, the latter never +once looking behind them, but walking with their +hands high in the air.</p> +<p>And the little scientist was as unconcerned as +though he was on his return from some insect-hunting +trip. His appearance was a bit unusual, +though, and Ned commented on it.</p> +<p>“What’s that thing on his back?” asked the +stout lad. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span></p> +<p>“Looks like a magnified haversack of new design,” +replied Ned.</p> +<p>“The professor hasn’t enlisted, has he?” some +one asked Jerry. “Not but what he’d make a fine +soldier,” was the added comment.</p> +<p>“No, I can’t imagine what he has on,” Jerry +answered. “We’ll soon find out, though.”</p> +<p>On came the professor, and when he had his +prisoners at the edge of the first American trench +he exclaimed, with a twinkle in his eyes:</p> +<p>“Here you are! Make yourselves at home! +Will some one please take charge of—er—these—specimens?” +asked the little scientist, and again +his eyes twinkled as he looked at the lieutenant +who was in command just then.</p> +<p>“Great guns, man alive! Did you go out to +get them?” asked the officer.</p> +<p>“Well, not exactly,” was the reply. “These +men tried to interfere with me in my work, and I +simply told them to mind their own business and +get out of the way. Bringing them over here +seemed the easiest way to get rid of them, so I +marched them along. Now I will go back and +finish––”</p> +<p>“Oh, no! Excuse me for seeming to be brusk +and arbitrary,” said the lieutenant smiling, “but +I can’t permit you to go back. For our own sake, +as well as yours. You might precipitate a general +engagement, and while we’re not running away +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +from anything like that, we are not looking for it +just now. Please stay here.”</p> +<p>“Very well, I will,” mildly agreed the professor. +“Perhaps I can as well continue my studies +here. But what shall I do with my—my specimens?” +and he nodded toward the Germans.</p> +<p>The prisoners were still standing with uplifted +hands, gazing at the professor as if the issue of +life and death depended on him as far as they were +concerned.</p> +<p>“Tell them they may put down their hands,” +begged the professor of the lieutenant. “They’re +in your charge now, and you had better give them +orders. Besides, I don’t speak their language very +well.”</p> +<p>“Then how in the world did you get them to +surrender?” asked the officer. “How did you, +alone, without a gun or a sword, or even a hand +grenade, capture three Germans?”</p> +<p>“Well, I fancy it was due to this,” and the professor +motioned to the strange contrivance on his +back. “I threatened them with total annihilation +if they didn’t do as I said and march for these +trenches, and they did. Whether they understood +me or not I don’t know. But up went their hands +and on they came.”</p> +<p>“Yes, they came on all right,” said the lieutenant. +“We saw that. But still I don’t understand.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></p> +<p>At this one of the prisoners spoke.</p> +<p>“Haf ve der lieutnant’s bermission to lower our +hants?” he asked, speaking with a deep, guttural +accent.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said the officer curtly. “But first we’ll +search you. Go through them,” he ordered one +of his men, and when an automatic pistol and +several hand grenades had been taken from each +of the prisoners, their hands were allowed to +come down. They uttered sighs of relief.</p> +<p>“Now, how did it happen?” went on the officer.</p> +<p>“Ve surrender to suberior force, und dot iss no +disgrace,” said the German soldier who had first +spoken. “Ven ve saw der little man ve try to +capture him. But he turned on us, und by der—vot +you call machine—on his back mit total destruction +threatened us. As ve did not vant to +die—vell, ve surrendered. Dot’s all!”</p> +<p>“<i>Ja!</i>” murmured his two companions.</p> +<p>“Yes, I guess that is all,” said the lieutenant, +smiling grimly. “Take ’em to the rear, to the +temporary prisoner-cage,” he ordered one of his +men. And then, when the Germans, with a last +wondering and fearful look at the professor, had +gone, the lieutenant, turning to the scientist, asked +with a smile:</p> +<p>“What sort of infernal machine have you there, +anyhow? Does it generate a new kind of gas?”</p> +<p>The professor laughed and unslung the apparatus +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +from his back, where it was carried by means +of straps, like those on a haversack.</p> +<p>“No, it isn’t a gas machine,” he said. “It’s just +a little apparatus for taking moving pictures of insects. +It’s as harmless as the chocolate sodas my +friend Bob likes so well. I got it up to take views +of grasshoppers and crickets, and I wanted to get +some pictures this morning of those insects showing +them as they hopped about normally. Then, +later, I intended to set the machine out in the open +space, and leave it there when heavy firing was +going on. I hoped to get contrasting pictures +then, and show the effect, if any, of the sound of +big guns on the creatures. But those Germans +spoiled my plans.”</p> +<p>“And I fancy you spoiled theirs,” said the lieutenant +with a laugh. “So you threatened them +with your moving-picture machine, did you?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I couldn’t think of anything else to do +when I saw them confronting me. So I yelled +that my machine was a new product of the war, +and that unless they did exactly as I said I would +at once destroy them, even down to their finger +nails, by a blast of terrible fire from the machine. +Fortunately they understood my very poor German, +mixed with English as it was.”</p> +<p>“Yes, very fortunately,” said the lieutenant. +“We saw them drop their guns and raise their +hands, and couldn’t understand. But your machine, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +harmless as it is, doubtless impressed them +as very dangerous.”</p> +<p>When Ned, Bob, and Jerry, as well as the others, +looked at the apparatus, they could understand +why an ignorant man, accustomed to obey +and do no thinking, took the picture machine for +some terrible engine of war. The Motor Boys +themselves had not seen it before, as the professor +carried it in sections in his luggage, and had +only fitted it together and used it that day.</p> +<p>It consisted of a black box, with numerous wires, +wheels, levers and projecting tubes. These latter +contained lenses and shutters, but the Germans +must have imagined devastating fire could spout +from them. And so they had surrendered.</p> +<p>“But I can’t understand why the others in the +trenches didn’t open fire on you,” said the officer.</p> +<p>They learned, later, the reason for this. It was +because the Germans had retired from that particular +part of the line. Whether for strategic +reasons, or otherwise, could not be learned, but +the three prisoners admitted that they, alone, had +been left in the trench.</p> +<p>Their orders were to remain quiet, and not to +attack, but if the Americans came out of their +trenches in force the German sentries were to fire +their rifles, as many hand grenades and machine-gun +rounds as possible, and then retreat, if they +could, to the next line of trenches. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span></p> +<p>But when Professor Snodgrass approached the +lines alone, the Germans, instead of firing, thought +they would capture him, and so the trio advanced +stealthily on the scientist. The result has been +seen.</p> +<p>“Well, it was a great piece of work,” declared +the lieutenant. “Not only the capture, but because +we learned that the Germans are falling +back. This may change our plans somewhat. I +must report to headquarters. And you, Professor +Snodgrass, had better come with me.”</p> +<p>“But what about my insects?”</p> +<p>“They will have to wait, I’m afraid. Besides, +there will be no heavy firing now. Later—well, +I’m afraid I can’t tell you of that now. It’s a +secret. But I think you’ll soon have a chance to +hear all the heavy firing you want.”</p> +<p>“I wonder what he meant?” asked Ned, of his +chums, as the professor, returning his “infernal” +insect moving-picture machine to his quarters went +away with the officer.</p> +<p>“Maybe we’re going to make a big attack,” suggested +Bob.</p> +<p>“Perhaps,” assented Jerry. “I heard some +rumors of it. Well, we’ll have to wait and see.”</p> +<p>They did not have to wait long, for that day +began preparations which, to those who understood, +indicated that a great attack was imminent.</p> +<p>Great stores of shell and ammunition were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +brought up under cover of darkness to the firing +line. Big guns were shifted in position and well +camouflaged. And there also arrived at the front +where the Motor Boys were stationed several batteries +of those wonderful French seventy-fives, +those guns which did so much to win the war, the +secret of which the Germans tried in vain to +learn.</p> +<p>It was after several days of hard work, during +which they saw little of Professor Snodgrass, that +Bob, seeking out his chums one afternoon, said:</p> +<p>“Guess what’s up!”</p> +<p>“Can’t,” Ned replied.</p> +<p>“Go on! Tell us!” cried Jerry.</p> +<p>“We’re going to have a lot of doughnuts and +chocolate candy!” cried Bob.</p> +<p>“Doughnuts!” shouted Jerry.</p> +<p>“Chocolate!” echoed Ned. “Where is it?”</p> +<p>“Safe,” laughed Chunky. “I struck a Salvation +Army man with an extra supply and I took +all he’d give me. They’re hidden in the trench, +near where we go on duty, and to-night we’ll have +a feast!”</p> +<p>“Good for you, Chunky!” cried Jerry. “I always +said you were all right!”</p> +<p>“Same here!” added Ned.</p> +<p>And that night, when the three chums were +about to go on duty in the dismal trenches, Bob +led them to a little place he had hollowed out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +under a rock, and lined with boards. It was a +hiding place known to all three.</p> +<p>“We can stick the stuff in our pockets,” he said, +“and eat it when we get hungry. Things are so +upset, getting ready for a big offensive, I guess, +that maybe the rations won’t come up on time. +But we’ll be fixed, anyhow.”</p> +<p>He opened the secret place, and then, as he +reached his hand in and drew it out empty, a queer +look came over his face.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“It’s gone!” faltered Bob.</p> +<p>Consternation showed on the faces of all three. +Ned and Jerry made a careful examination of the +hiding place after Bob. There was no doubt of +it—the treasure was gone! And sweets were +really a treasure to the men in the trenches.</p> +<p>“Who took ’em?” faltered Bob.</p> +<p>Jerry looked about, flashed his electric pocket +lamp, for the trenches were in the shadow now. +Suddenly he picked up a knife, and, as he held it +in his hand, he exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Noddy Nixon’s! He’s been up to his rotten +tricks again!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV_S_I_W' id='CHAPTER_XXIV_S_I_W'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>“S. I. W.”</h3> +</div> +<p>There seemed no doubt on the subject, at +least in the minds of the three Motor Boys. Bob +knew full well that he had left the treat of sweet +things in the hole in the wall of his trench. Now +the hole was empty, and a knife with Noddy Nixon’s +name on it was picked up at the very spot. +It surely indicated that Noddy had been there, +and it needed no very discerning mind, after one +was acquainted with the character of Nixon, to +say that he was the guilty one.</p> +<p>“What’ll we do?” gasped Bob.</p> +<p>“Let’s go and accuse him and get the stuff +away!” suggested Ned. “Maybe he hasn’t eaten +it all yet.”</p> +<p>“Not much chance but what he has,” commented +Jerry. “It wouldn’t last long with him +and his crowd. Still I’m in favor of letting him +know we’re on to his game. Let’s go and have +it out with him.”</p> +<p>But this was not to be. Just as the three chums +were about to go from their part of the trench to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +that where Noddy Nixon was stationed, the signal +sounded for Ned, Bob, and Jerry to take their +places on official duty.</p> +<p>“Too late!” exclaimed Bob. “We can’t reach +him now, and he’ll eat it all up.”</p> +<p>“The pig!” muttered Ned.</p> +<p>And they had to let the matter rest there. +They could not ask to be relieved from trench +sentry work to go and get back, possibly, doughnuts +and chocolate stolen by Noddy Nixon. It +was too trivial a matter from a military standpoint, +though to Ned, Bob, and Jerry, forced to +be on duty during the long, wet, dreary night, it +meant a great deal.</p> +<p>But it was another of the fortunes of war, and +it had to be borne.</p> +<p>However, it was not as bad as it might have +been, for during the night a relief party came +along with hot chocolate, and this was grateful to +the lads in the trenches.</p> +<p>“But I’ll have it out with Noddy to-day!” declared +Bob as he and his chums went off duty in +the morning. “I’ll turn him upside down; that’s +what I’ll do!”</p> +<p>But again his plans went astray, for orders +came from headquarters, shifting many of the +regiments, and the three friends found themselves +on the move, without a chance to see Noddy.</p> +<p>“But his company moves, too,” declared Ned, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +who had made some inquiries. “He’s in the same +division we are, and we’ll see him when we get +settled again.”</p> +<p>But they did not see Noddy Nixon again for +some time, though they heard of him, and under +tragic circumstances.</p> +<p>The guess the boys had made about a great +offensive was a correct one. The time had come +for the turning point in the war, and the backward +movement of the British and French was +about to stop. The American forces were increasing, +and now General Foch was able to put into +practice the strategy he had so long waited for. +He could attack, and with great hope of succeeding. +The turning point had been reached.</p> +<p>There were rumors and all sorts of stories floating +around the camp. Ned, Bob and Jerry had +been moved to the north and farther toward the +great Hindenburg line which was so soon to be +pierced, impregnable though the Germans boasted +it.</p> +<p>Professor Snodgrass, too, managed, by means +of some influence he possessed, to be allowed to +accompany that part of the army to which his +young friends were attached. He had not ceased +his efforts to locate the two girls, but he realized, +as did Jerry and his chums, that it was an almost +hopeless proceeding now. However, there was +still the study of explosive noises on insects to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +which the professor could devote himself, and he +did.</p> +<p>The boys noted, however, that the strain of his +uncertain financial situation was telling on the +little man. Cheerful as always, and seemingly +oblivious to practical affairs, yet there was at times +a strained look about his eyes.</p> +<p>“Yes,” he said one day in answer to a question +Jerry put, “I have enough for my immediate +needs. If I do not get back what I lent to my old +friend—and I may even lose more, as I endorsed +a note for him to cover a loan from another—and +if I cannot use what Professor Petersen left +me, I shall have before long to give up my work +here, however. And, of course, the trip to the +Amazon and the investigations there must be +given up.”</p> +<p>“I am sorry, Professor. Can’t we––” began +Jerry.</p> +<p>“Tut, tut!” interrupted Professor Snodgrass, +with a kindly smile. “We’ll no doubt find the +girls—I hope so for their sake as well as my own—and +perhaps my friend may be able to adjust +his affairs, though I fear––Poor man, poor +Albert! It will be a dreadful thing for him to +lose all he has and be compelled to start the world +over again at his age.” And Professor Snodgrass +walked away, his personal trouble forgotten +in sympathy with his friend, the very man who +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +was the cause of his own anxieties and probable +losses.</p> +<p>Vast were the preparations that went on for +the advance against the enemy. Never was there +such a collection of cannon, large and small. +Never was there such a store of powder and shell. +The back lines were like a hundred arsenals +turned into one. Food, too, there was in great +quantities, for it has been well said that an army +fights on its stomach, and there must be no lack of +nourishment when the troops went forward, as +they were destined to do.</p> +<p>All these war-like preparations the three chums +noted with every manifestation of delight. They +wanted to whip the Hun, and whip him well, and +all this argued for success. The soldiers knew +they would be well backed-up as they went forward, +and forward they were going.</p> +<p>Orders were given that every man must look +well to himself personally—to his uniform, his +belongings, and his weapons. All gas masks were +tested, and those in use for some time, or which +showed the least defect, were thrown away and +new ones issued. There must be no holding up +of the advance once it had begun, because of poison +gas. And it could not be doubted but what +the Germans would use it lavishly.</p> +<p>Rifles and hand grenades, likewise, were looked +to. Everything must be in readiness so there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +would not be an instant of unnecessary delay. But +it was the store of cannon and ammunition back +of the firing lines that was most amazing.</p> +<p>The three chums, being sent on duty to the rear +one day, had a chance to observe some of the +measures being taken there to insure the defeat +of the Kaiser’s troops. The ground was fairly +covered with ammunition boxes and shells—well +concealed from hostile airmen, of course, even +had they been able to pass that far to the rear. +And the guns, large and small, lined up ready for +the forward movement, were wheel to wheel for +miles and miles in extent. The greatest artillery +firing in the history of the world was about to take +place.</p> +<p>“If the professor wants to see the effect of a +rattle-te-bang on his bugs he’ll soon get his +chance,” said Jerry, and his chums could only +agree with him.</p> +<p>“I only wish one thing,” remarked Bob, as they +prepared to go back to the front, after having +accomplished their mission.</p> +<p>“What?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“I’d like to have it out with Noddy Nixon before +the big show. I just want to get one whack +at him for taking our wood and those doughnuts +and cakes of chocolate. Just one whack!”</p> +<p>But this “whack” Bob was destined never to +have. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span></p> +<p>They again went on duty in the trenches. The +day of the great offensive was approaching.</p> +<p>Suddenly a shot rang out in the sector near the +three Motor Boys. They started, and Ned exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Can that be the signal for the attack?”</p> +<p>“No, it doesn’t begin until to-morrow,” said +Jerry. “That’s one of our own men. Guess his +rifle went off by accident.”</p> +<p>There was a little excitement, but what had +caused it the boys could not learn at the time, as +they must stay at their posts. But a little later, +when their lieutenant came through the trench, +Ned, saluting, asked:</p> +<p>“Did one of our sharpshooters get a Hun, +Sir?”</p> +<p>“No,” was the answer. “It wasn’t that. Private +Nixon was shot.”</p> +<p>“Noddy Nixon shot!” gasped Bob. “How?”</p> +<p>“S. I. W.,” was the terse reply of the officer, +as he passed on.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV_THE_BLACK_BOX' id='CHAPTER_XXV_THE_BLACK_BOX'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>THE BLACK BOX</h3> +</div> +<p>The three chums, standing in the wet and +muddy trench, looked at one another as this significant +remark was made. Bob either did not +catch what was said, or did not understand, for +he asked his companions:</p> +<p>“What did he say?”</p> +<p>“S. I. W.,” repeated Jerry.</p> +<p>“Self-inflicted wound,” translated Ned. “So +Noddy Nixon did that to himself to get out of the +big battle! Well, it’s just like the coward! I’m +glad he isn’t in our company!”</p> +<p>“So am I,” added Jerry.</p> +<p>“Self-inflicted wound,” repeated Bob.</p> +<p>“Well, he’s out of the fighting now,” declared +Ned, “though he’ll have the worst time he ever had +in his life. He’d better be dead by a Hun shell.”</p> +<p>Silence fell upon the three in the trench while, +not far from them, they could hear the commotion +caused as Noddy was taken away to a hospital. +And there, for some time, he remained safely if +not comfortably in bed, while his companions endured +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +the mud and the blood of the trenches, +meeting death and wounds, or just escaping them +by a hair’s breadth to drive back the hordes of the +Boches.</p> +<p>But over Noddy’s cot, and over that of several +men on either side of him was a placard with +the significant letters:</p> +<table style='margin: auto' summary=''><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;'> +<i>S. I. W.</i></p> +</td></tr></table> +<p>“Self-inflicted wound.” One of the most terrible +tragedies of the war—more tragic, even, +than the death of the gallant boys on the day the +armistice was signed, yes, within an hour of it. +For those letters indicated a disgrace that seldom, +if ever, could be wiped out.</p> +<p>Briefly it meant that a soldier afraid of going +into action with his comrades, went to some secluded +place and, aiming his gun or pistol at some +extremity—a hand or a foot—where a wound was +likely to be slight and not very painful, pulled the +trigger. Then followed the story that a stray +German bullet, coming over the top of the trench +as the man exposed himself, had done the deed.</p> +<p>But the nature of the wound, the character of +the bullet, and, above all, the appearance of the +man himself, told the real story. Sometimes the +victims would say their weapon went off by accident +as they were cleaning it, and this was perhaps +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +worst of all, for it put the canker of doubt +into genuine cases of this sort, and there are bound +to be some such in every army.</p> +<p>So Noddy was carried away to the hospital, and +“S. I. W.” was inscribed over his cot.</p> +<p>As to the causes leading up to the self-inflicted +wounds they are many and varied. Sometimes a +soldier may become fear-crazed, and irresponsible +for his act. Other men are just plain “yellow,” +clear through, and ought never to have gone into +the fighting. They should have confessed cowardice +at first, though, of course, that would be hard.</p> +<p>Sometimes, though rarely, these “S. I. W.” +cases “came back.” That is, they were given a +chance to redeem themselves and went to the fighting +front with a song on their lips and undaunted +courage in their eyes. And then, if they died doing +their duty they were absolved. But it was a +desperate chance.</p> +<p>Every one recognized that there was an element +of doubt in these cases, but as for Noddy +Nixon, when his significant question to the surgeon +as to the relative pain of a hand or foot +wound was recalled, he was condemned already. +He had shot himself slightly in the left foot. He +was dishonorably discharged when he was cured, +and sent home, and, therefore, did not trouble the +Motor Boys again, nor did Bob get his revenge +for the stolen articles. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span></p> +<p>Ned, Bob, and Jerry did not feel much like +talking after they learned what had happened. +They had no love for Noddy Nixon, and he had +treated them exceedingly badly in the past, as well +as tormenting them since they had been associated +in the army. But they knew that nothing they +could have done or said would have been half as +effective punishment as that which he had brought +on himself. Henceforth, among decent men, he +was an outcast; a pariah.</p> +<p>The long night passed. Sentries were changed, +a watch was kept to forestall any attack on the +part of the Germans, but none came. Save for the +occasional clash of a night patrol, or the false +alarm of some one on listening post, there was +little action during the hours preceding the great +offensive.</p> +<p>Their tour of duty ended, Ned, Bob, and Jerry +sought rest in the dugout. There, with but few +more comforts than in the trenches, they waited +until the time should come again for them to go +out and take a “mud bath,” as Ned called it.</p> +<p>For it rained often, and the trenches never +seemed to dry. Still at this stage of the war there +were more comforts for the men on the firing line +than when France and England first opposed the +advance of the gray hordes.</p> +<p>“When does the big show start?” asked Ned, +as he and his chums came out of the dugout for a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +few hours’ stay farther behind the lines. “I +thought the bombardment was to begin this morning.”</p> +<p>“Must be delayed for some reason,” said Jerry +with a yawn. “Come on, let’s go somewhere and +sit down. We’ll know when it’s time for the +shindig to start.”</p> +<p>“Let’s see if we can find the professor,” suggested +Bob. “We may have hard work to get +word to him after the fighting begins.”</p> +<p>This seemed a good plan, and it was followed. +Professor Snodgrass was billeted temporarily in +a farmhouse on the edge of a little French village +near which the boys were on duty. Thither they +went, and found their friend poring over books +and papers.</p> +<p>“Well, how goes it?” asked Jerry, after they +had all shaken hands.</p> +<p>“Well, indeed,” was the answer. “I have not +yet found the young ladies, but I expect to, soon. +I have heard that Mr. Schmouder, the father of +the janitor, who was looking after them, and who +knew something of their plans, moved from his +home town, outside of Metz, lately, and started +farther back into Germany.”</p> +<p>“Then I should think it would be harder than +ever for you to trace them,” suggested Ned.</p> +<p>“No, I think it will be easier,” said the professor, +but he did not explain how. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span></p> +<p>“Getting the results you expected from the insect +noise campaign, Professor?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“Yes, my boy. It is a complete success. I even +have some moving pictures taken with my new machine +that helped me capture the Germans. Wait, +and I will show you.”</p> +<p>He seemed as cheerful as though no cloud of +financial trouble hung over his head and as though +the World War were being fought to give him +opportunity to test the effect of noise on the crickets. +He turned to a table in his room, and began +delving in a mass of things. To get at something +he wanted to exhibit to the boys, he set in the middle +of the floor a small, black box.</p> +<p>Just as he did that a soldier, evidently an officer +of some kind in the French army, stepped into +the room, and in a mixture of French and English +asked if Professor Snodgrass was there.</p> +<p>“I am he,” answered the scientist.</p> +<p>“Ah, zen you will please come with me,” said +the soldier. “You are wanted at ze headquarters.”</p> +<p>“Wanted at headquarters!” repeated the professor. +“What for?”</p> +<p>“Zis will explain,” and the officer handed a note +to Professor Snodgrass.</p> +<p>As the professor read it a smile came over his +face.</p> +<p>“Ah, I understand,” he said. “I will come at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +once. Boys, we will let the insect pictures wait a +minute. Perhaps you will be interested in my latest +discovery. Come, I am ready to go,” and he +picked up the black box from the floor and stood +in waiting.</p> +<p>The officer looked a little dubiously at the object +in the professor’s hand, and then at the three +boys.</p> +<p>“My orders did not include—<i>zem</i>!” he said, indicating +Ned, Bob, and Jerry, “nor—<i>zat</i>!” and +he pointed to the box.</p> +<p>“This has to come,” replied the professor. “It +is part of what I proposed. As for my friends, I +will be responsible for them.”</p> +<p>“Very well, sair!” and the Frenchman bowed +and led the way.</p> +<p>Wonderingly the boys followed Professor +Snodgrass, and presently found themselves at field +headquarters. A company of French soldiers +were standing about, and while waiting for the +summons to the presence of the headquarters officer +who had sent for him, Professor Snodgrass +set down on the ground the black box he had +brought.</p> +<p>Then he suddenly saw a curious insect crawling +along and became intent on its capture. The boys +were watching him and paid no attention to the +black box until they heard some one yell:</p> +<p>“Look out, boys! It’s an infernal machine in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +there—a bomb! He’s a spy and he’s going to +blow up the whole place. It’s an infernal machine—I +can hear the buzzing of the battery inside.”</p> +<p>An American soldier, who had approached the +box and had leaned over to inspect it, leaped away +and began running as he cried out his warning. +There was consternation among the officers and +men outside the headquarters building, and Professor +Snodgrass, pausing in his search for the +elusive insect, gazed up in surprise at the commotion.</p> +<p>“What has happened?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Some one says there’s a bomb in that black +box of yours,” explained Jerry.</p> +<p>“If there is, get it out of the way! Douse it +in water. Throw it away. Look out!” yelled several.</p> +<p>One or two soldiers started for the black box, +and others with ready bayonets for the professor, +for there had been a number of spies discovered +of late in that sector.</p> +<p>“Don’t touch that box!” cried the professor. +“Don’t open it! Keep away from it!”</p> +<p>And, as he hurried toward it, the soldiers +leaped back.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI_A_DISAPPEARANCE' id='CHAPTER_XXVI_A_DISAPPEARANCE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>A DISAPPEARANCE</h3> +</div> +<p>“Halt!”</p> +<p>It was the ringing voice of one of the officers +speaking, and so sharp was the tone that even Professor +Snodgrass paused in his movement toward +the black box.</p> +<p>“Don’t go any further,” went on the officer, +who stood dominating the scene. “Some one secure +that man, and then we’ll dispose of the box. +Take good care of him!” and he pointed to the +scientist.</p> +<p>Ned Slade, Bob Baker, and Jerry Hopkins +looked in astonishment at one another. What +could it all mean?</p> +<p>“Zere must be some mistake,” said the French +officer who had escorted the professor to headquarters.</p> +<p>“Mistake? No!” exclaimed the American officer +who had ordered a halt in the proceedings. +“But it would be a mistake if we let him get near +that black box. I heard all that was said. If that +is a bomb the best way to let him carry out his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +plan would be to set it going, even if he destroyed +himself. Some spies are capable of that.”</p> +<p>“Spy!” cried Jerry, instinctively, forgetting that +he was speaking to a superior officer. “Professor +Snodgrass isn’t a spy!”</p> +<p>“No, I am sure he is not!”</p> +<p>This was another officer speaking, one well +known to the professor, and who knew him. In +fact, it was this officer who had summoned the +former instructor of Boxwood Hall to headquarters.</p> +<p>“Don’t arrest the professor,” went on the latter +officer. “As for his black box, handle it just as he +tells you.”</p> +<p>“But, Colonel Lacombe,” protested the officer +who had interfered in the proceedings. “Surely +you––”</p> +<p>“I understand it perfectly, Major Dustan,” was +the smiling reply. “I’m sure you’ll find it all a +mistake when I explain, or rather, when Professor +Snodgrass explains. That is why I sent for him. +Will you come this way, if you please, Professor? +And bring the black box––”</p> +<p>At that instant the little scientist, who appeared +to have recovered his composure on the appearance +of his friend, the colonel, pointed to the black +box which, all this while, had remained on the +ground in front of the group of headquarters +buildings. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></p> +<p>“Look out!” shouted Professor Snodgrass. +“The box has been opened by mistake. They’re +coming out! Run, everybody!”</p> +<p>Turning, he caught hold of Bob, who was nearest +him, and began pulling him along.</p> +<p>The flight of the professor was contagious. +Every one near turned and fled, and Jerry, looking +over his shoulder, saw what seemed to be a black +cloud of smoke coming from the black box.</p> +<p>The heart of the tall, young soldier seemed to +fail him. After all, had a mistake been made? +Was it possible that a spy was using the innocent +and sometimes absent-minded professor for some +base and terrible end? Could there have been a +substitution made, and one of the harmless boxes +of the scientist exchanged for a deadly bomb +which he had, unwittingly, introduced at headquarters, +so that, exploding, it might kill a number +of valuable officers?</p> +<p>These thoughts flashed through Jerry’s mind +as he ran along beside Ned. The black cloud +from the box was becoming more dense.</p> +<p>“Maybe it’s only a smoke bomb,” thought +Jerry. “Or perhaps the powder, or whatever is +in it, has become wet, because of so much rain, +and is only burning instead of exploding. I hope +so.”</p> +<p>Then came a yell from some one. It was followed +by several other cries of physical distress. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>“Maybe it’s a new kind of poison gas the Germans +have taken this means to set off,” mused +Jerry as he leaped along. “But I don’t smell anything. +Could it be possible that spies have played +this trick on the professor?”</p> +<p>Jerry well knew that even with all his absent-mindedness +and his blind devotion to science, that +Professor Snodgrass would never, willingly, do +anything to harm the Allied cause.</p> +<p>And yet––</p> +<p>More yells came from the soldiers that had +been gathered around the black box and who +fled when Professor Snodgrass gave the alarm. +And the yells began to come from some of the +officers, too. They were not above giving vent +to either pain or surprise.</p> +<p>And then suddenly Jerry felt a sharp pain on +the back of his neck. At first he thought it might +have come from some missile, discharged noiselessly +from the black box. He clapped his hand +to the seat of the pain and at once became aware +that he had struck and crushed some small insect. +It came away in his hand, twisting and curling in +its death agony, and the pain in Jerry’s neck increased.</p> +<p>“Why!” he cried as he saw the bug. “Why, +it’s a wasp! A wasp!”</p> +<p>“Of course it is!” said Professor Snodgrass, +flapping his arms about his head, and Jerry now +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +saw the reason. A number of vicious wasps were +buzzing about them.</p> +<p>“They’re wasps, with the worst stings of any I +ever saw!” yelled the professor. “That’s why I +want to get away. I was stung by one of them +once, and I’ll never forget it. Look out! Here +come more of ’em!”</p> +<p>There was a cloud of the wasps flying about +Bob, Jerry, and the professor now, and the tall lad +noted that the insects were also hovering around +other soldiers and officers. There was a black +cloud of them near the small case that had caused +such a scare.</p> +<p>“Was that what was in the black box?” asked +Jerry, as he dodged a wasp that seemed about to +alight on his nose.</p> +<p>“Yes. Wasps,” asserted the scientist. “The +most war-like wasps I have been able to discover +in this part of Europe. They are a cross breed +of the <i>Vespidæ Polistes</i>, <i>Eumenes</i>, and <i>Odynerus</i>, +and for stings are not to be equalled.”</p> +<p>“Wasps!” cried Jerry, as he swung and swatted +at some still buzzing around him. “What in the +world did you expect to do with them, Professor +Snodgrass? And why did you have them in the +black box?”</p> +<p>“I had them to show to one of the headquarters +officers,” was the answer. “But I think I +had better postpone the explanation until we get +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +rid of our pursuers. Let’s go under those bushes. +I think we shall be safe then,” and the professor +unceremoniously dived under a clump of shrubbery, +an example followed by Jerry and some of +the others.</p> +<p>Ned and Bob, who had managed to accompany +the professor and their tall chum, were stung several +times before they, also, found shelter beneath +the thick leaves, and howls of pain from a number +of soldiers indicated that they, too, felt the stings +of the insects.</p> +<p>For a while there was as bad a rout of the headquarters +staff as if the Germans had overwhelmed +it. But finally the insects were dispersed, most of +them flying off to the woods, while those that remained +were beaten off, so that the officers and +men began to drift back again. The professor +and the Motor Boys came out of hiding, and then +curious looks began to be cast at the scientist and +the black box, which was now empty. The displaced +cover showed how the wasps had gotten +out.</p> +<p>“Is this the new weapon for causing a German +retreat that you promised to show me?” asked +the colonel of the professor, trying not to smile as +he put the question.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Professor Snodgrass, “it is. +I am sorry, but I am afraid there are no specimens +left to show you. Some one must have tampered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +with the fastening of the case, and the insects came +out.”</p> +<p>“I can offer personal testimony that they came +out,” said the colonel, trying not to squirm. +“They came, they saw, and they conquered. And +all I have to say is that I thank you for your interest +in the matter, but that we shall have to decline +to add your new and very efficient, but uncontrollable, +weapon to the Allied armament.”</p> +<p>“Does that mean you can’t use the wasps?” +asked the professor.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it does,” said the colonel. “You +see they are too uncertain—like the poison gas the +Germans first used. It came back on them. The +wasps might do that to us.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed the little scientist, “they might.”</p> +<p>And then, as the last of the insects disappeared, +and the headquarters staff came back from various +places of refuge, Professor Snodgrass explained.</p> +<p>He had long wanted to do something to help +the Allied cause, and thought perhaps it might be +along the line of his studies of insects. Then the +idea of wasps had come to him. He knew the +vicious nature of the insects, and how fearlessly +they would attack anything in their way. It was +his idea that many thousands of the wasps might +be propagated in artificial nests and loosed on the +German armies preceding an attack by the Allies. +The wasps would certainly cause disorder, if not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +a rout, he thought, and so he had communicated +his idea to his friend, the colonel.</p> +<p>That is, he had communicated the fact that he +had the idea, but he had not disclosed the nature +of the “new weapon,” as he called it in a note. +Always willing to test anything new, the colonel +had sent for the professor, inviting him to bring +a model of the “new weapon” with him. The +officer supposed the “weapon” might be a gun, +projectile or powder.</p> +<p>“The idea was a good one in theory,” said +Jerry, as he and his chums went back with the professor, +who carried the now empty black box.</p> +<p>“And it worked out all right in practice,” declared +Ned. “I never saw a quicker retreat.”</p> +<p>“The only thing that spoils it, as the colonel +said,” added Bob, “is the inability of a wasp to +distinguish between a friend and a foe. If they +could be trained, now––”</p> +<p>“We’ll delegate that to you,” put in Ned.</p> +<p>“No, thanks! I’m stung badly enough as it +is.”</p> +<p>And the professor, sadly shaking his head over +the failure of his scheme, went back to work further +on his plan of making moving pictures of insects +hopping about under the stimulus of the +noise of big guns.</p> +<p>But for many a day the story of the wasps at +headquarters was told up and down the firing line. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></p> +<p>It was about a week after this, when preparations +for the big attack had almost reached completion, +that the three chums, having an hour or +so to spare, thought to call on Professor Snodgrass. +They went to the little house in the French +village where he had been staying, and inquired +for him.</p> +<p>“He has disappeared, Messieurs,” answered +the old woman who looked after the place.</p> +<p>“Disappeared!” echoed the boys blankly.</p> +<p>“Yes, Messieurs. He went out yesterday +morning without his hat to chase after a butterfly +he saw in the garden, and he did not come back. +He has disappeared. I am sorry, for he was a +nice man, though a trifle queer at times.”</p> +<p>“Well, what do you know about that?” gasped +Jerry, while his chums looked at him in wondering +amazement.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII_ST_MIHIEL' id='CHAPTER_XXVII_ST_MIHIEL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>ST. MIHIEL</h3> +</div> +<p>“What are we going to do?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“What can we do?” Ned returned.</p> +<p>“Let’s go after him and bring him back!” exclaimed +the excitable Bob. “Maybe the Germans +have him!”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll not easily get him,” said Jerry. +“And, as a matter of fact, we can’t even try.”</p> +<p>“Why not?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“Because we can’t leave. All furloughs have +been stopped these last three days. We may go +into action any minute. If the professor is in +trouble we can’t help him.”</p> +<p>“That seems hard,” murmured Bob.</p> +<p>“It is,” agreed Jerry. “But it’s the fortune of +war. We’re here to fight, and we’ve got to do +that when the time comes. It may be that the +professor has only wandered off among our own +soldiers, or those of the French or English, after +a butterfly or some other bug.”</p> +<p>“But without his hat!” exclaimed Bob.</p> +<p>“And gone more than a day!” added Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></p> +<p>“Those things wouldn’t worry him,” said Jerry. +“Half the time he forgets his hat, and it is midsummer +now. As for being gone more than a +day, he’s often spent longer than that chasing a +single flea. He is used to camping out, and he’ll +get along somehow. We’ll just have to let him +go, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“I suppose so,” agreed Ned; “but it’s too bad.”</p> +<p>It was, but there was nothing they could do. +The professor might wander into the enemy’s territory +and be captured, or he might come safely +back to the little French village.</p> +<p>“Though if he doesn’t come back what are we +to do with his things and about Professor Petersen’s +nieces?” asked Ned.</p> +<p>“The best we can,” advised Jerry.</p> +<p>“After the war, if we’re alive, we can look for +the girls,” suggested Bob.</p> +<p>“Pretty slim chance of finding ’em,” murmured +Ned.</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t do much good, anyway, if we can’t +find the professor. The money was not left to us +to divide,” was Jerry’s comment.</p> +<p>Jerry had spoken truly when he said that all +leave had been stopped, for now were beginning +the final great assaults of the American and Allied +armies that were, if not actually to overwhelm the +Huns, at least to approach so nearly that state +that there was a distinction without a difference. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p> +<p>And it was well that Ned, Bob, and Jerry returned +to their station when they did, for not ten +minutes later the general order to move forward +was given up and down the long line.</p> +<p>“Forward!” was the battle cry—the watchword +that was to guide them all. “Forward!”</p> +<p>Forward they went, against Germany’s best +troops. Forward against a relentless and almost +impregnable foe. Forward in the name of Humanity, +Freedom, and Right. Forward all!</p> +<p>And as Ned, Bob, and Jerry marched with their +comrades up to the firing lines there began that +great movement of American troops which took +part in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient—the +wiping out of the great wedge the Germans +had driven into France. And with the wiping out +of this there began the final battle—the cleaning +of the Argonne Forest which brought an end to +the war.</p> +<p>For some time General Pershing and his general +staff had looked forward to the reduction of +the St. Mihiel salient. With that out of the way +it meant the concentration of the American divisions +in their own zone.</p> +<p>Late in August the line, beginning at Port sur +Seille, east of the Moselle, and extending to the +west through St. Mihiel, thence north to a point +opposite Verdun, was placed under the supervision +of the American commander. Later the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +American sector was extended across the Meuse +to the western edge of the Argonne Forest, and +included the Second Colonial French, which held +the point of the salient and the Seventeenth +French Corps, which occupied the heights above +Verdun.</p> +<p>As Ned, Bob, and Jerry marched on with their +comrades they saw, or became aware of, the immensity +of the preparations needed to make this +movement a success. For they had to move +against a German position second to none in +strength. To quote General Pershing:</p> +<p>“The preparation for a complicated operation +against the formidable defenses in front of us included +the assembling of divisions and of corps +of army artillery, transport, aircraft, tanks, ambulances, +the location of hospitals, and the molding +together of all of the elements of a great +modern army with its own railheads, supplied directly +by our own Service of Supply. The concentration +for this operation, which was to be a +surprise, involved the movement, mostly at night, +of approximately 600,000 troops, and required +for its success the most careful attention to every +detail.</p> +<p>“The French were generous in giving us assistance +in corps and army artillery, with its personnel, +and we were confident from the start of +our superiority over the enemy in guns of all calibers. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +Our heavy guns were able to reach Metz +and to interfere seriously with German rail movements. +The French Independent Air Force was +placed under my command which, together with +the British bombing squadrons and our air forces, +gave us the largest assembly of aviation that had +ever been engaged in one operation on the western +front.”</p> +<p>It must not be imagined that all this great army +went forward in a day or two, or that the battle +lasted but a short time. On the other hand, it +was a fight, tooth and nail, for almost every foot +of the way. The battle line from Les Esparages, +around the nose of the St. Mihiel salient to the +Moselle River was about forty miles, and was +greatly strengthened by artificial defenses. This +gives some idea of the task ahead of General +Pershing. If you will picture to yourself a distance +from your own home, as you sit reading +this, to some point distant forty miles, in the +woods or mountains, and then figure this forty +miles occupied by advancing troops, fighting +against a ruthless foe, you will have some idea of +the battle of St. Mihiel.</p> +<p>And it was forward into this battle that Ned, +Bob, and Jerry and their comrades moved. It +would be impossible to tell all that happened—of +the surging forward into the face of devastating +fire; of the men who fell at the sides of the chums, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +killed or desperately wounded; of the terrible and +awful sights they saw. For days they fought on. +Gaining ground here, losing, perhaps, a little +there, hiding all night in rain-filled shell-holes, +being driven out, but going back to recapture them +again. On and on they went.</p> +<p>They were weary to death, but they kept on, +and, for a wonder, such is sometimes the fortune +of war, neither Ned, Bob, nor Jerry was seriously +wounded. They received minor knocks, scratches, +and bruises, and once Bob’s cheek was grazed by +a bullet. But they did not have to drop out of +the fighting.</p> +<p>And it was fierce! No other word describes it. +They fought, and fought, and fought again, onward, +ever onward. For they must not stop. The +American army did not know that word.</p> +<p>And then, after nearly two weeks of steady +fighting, with only such rest for the exhausted +troops as was absolutely necessary, came the final +stage. Ned, Bob, and Jerry, staggering from +weariness, took their places in line one gray morning.</p> +<p>Suddenly about them thundered great salvos +of firing. It shook the very ground. The chums +looked at one another in wonder.</p> +<p>“This must be another big show,” shouted +Jerry. He had to shout to be heard above the +noise. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></p> +<p>“It is,” said Ned.</p> +<p>And it was. It was the final assault against the +last of the German defenses in St. Mihiel.</p> +<p>“Forward!” came the cry, given after four +hours of the greatest artillery barrage ever laid +down. At five o’clock, on the morning of September +12th, seven American divisions in the front +line advanced. They were assisted by tanks, +manned by Americans and French, and there were +groups of wire-cutters and other groups armed +with bangalore torpedoes. “These,” says General +Pershing, in his report, “went through the +successive bands of barbed wire that protected the +enemy’s front line and support trenches, in irresistable +waves on schedule time, breaking down +all defenses of an enemy demoralized by the great +volume of our artillery fire, and our sudden approach +out of the fog.”</p> +<p>And forward, in their own modest and humble +way, with this great army of liberation went Ned, +Bob, and Jerry. Shooting and being shot at they +went forward until the iron strength of the foe +was broken, and the cry sounded:</p> +<p>“They’re running away! We’ve got ’em beat!”</p> +<p>And thus it was. German troops were giving +way in a rout. Let General Pershing tell it in his +own simple way:</p> +<p>“Our 1st Corps advanced to Thiacourt, while +our 4th Corps curved back to the southwest +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +through Nonsard. The 2d Colonial French +Corps made the slight advance required of it on +very difficult ground, and the 5th Corps took its +three ridges and repulsed a counter-attack. A +rapid march brought reserve regiments of a division +of the 5th Corps into Vigneulles in the early +morning, where it linked up with patrols of our +4th Corps, closing the salient and forming a new +line west of Thiacourt to Vigneulles and beyond +Fresnes-en-Woevre. At the cost of only 7,000 +casualties, mostly light, we had taken 16,000 prisoners +and 443 guns, a great quantity of material, +released the inhabitants of many villages from +enemy domination, and established our lines in a +position to threaten Metz. This signal success +of the American First Army in its first offensive +was of prime importance. The Allies found they +had a formidable army to aid them, and the enemy +learned finally that he had one to reckon with.”</p> +<p>And that was the battle of St. Mihiel.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII_IN_ARGONNE_FOREST' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII_IN_ARGONNE_FOREST'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3>IN ARGONNE FOREST</h3> +</div> +<p>“Well, I reckon we get a rest now, don’t we?” +asked Bob of his two chums, as they were ordered +to report to a certain point with others of their +command.</p> +<p>“A rest?” cried Ned. “Say, Chunky, I’m going +to take a leaf out of your book and wish for +something to eat.”</p> +<p>“I guess we’ll get that, but I doubt if we get +much rest,” put in Jerry Hopkins. “I can smell +something cooking, but I don’t see ’em getting any +beds ready for us.”</p> +<p>And Jerry proved a true prophet, for there was +refreshment for the battle-worn troops—hot food +which they very much needed.</p> +<p>“Have we got to fight some more?” asked Bob, +as he ate his rations with every indication of appetite.</p> +<p>“I should say so!” cried Jerry. “Why, we’ve +got to take the Argonne Forest yet, and that’s +going to be worse than this.”</p> +<p>And it was. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span></p> +<p>Without giving his divisions a rest, which he +dared not do, General Pershing, on the day after +the capture of St. Mihiel, sent some of them toward +the area back of the line between the Meuse +River and the western edge of the Forest of Argonne. +Though the fighting to gain St. Mihiel +had been terrific, with this out of the way the German +line was still intact from Switzerland to the +east of Rheims. The general attack, all along this +line, was with the hope of cutting it, and the part +assigned to the American armies was, as the hinge +of the Allied offensive, directed toward important +railway communications of the German armies +through Mezieres and Sedan.</p> +<p>Knowing that the Germans realized what it +would mean to them to lose the Argonne Forest, +General Pershing and his staff made every preparation +for success. To this end as much secrecy +as possible marked the advance of the Americans.</p> +<p>Says General Pershing:</p> +<p>“We expected to draw the best German divisions +to our front, and to consume them, while the +enemy was held under grave apprehension lest our +attack should break his line, which it was our firm +purpose to do.”</p> +<p>Ringing words that will go down in history to +the honor of America!</p> +<p>And with this advance, fighting as they went, +Ned, Bob, and Jerry, and thousands of their brave +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +comrades, dashed forward into what was to be +one of the bloodiest and most desperate engagements +of the war. To let General Pershing tell +the story in part, by quoting again from his wonderful +report:</p> +<p>“On the night of September 25th our troops +quietly took the place of the French who thinly +held the line in this sector, which had long been +inactive. In the attack which began on the +26th we drove through the barbed-wire entanglements +and the sea of shell craters across No +Man’s Land, mastering all the first-line defenses. +Continuing on the 27th and 28th, against machine +guns and artillery of an increasing number +of enemy reserve divisions, we penetrated +to a depth of from three to seven miles and took +the village of Montfaucon and its commanding +hill and Exermont, Gercourt, Cuisy, Septsarges, +Malancourt, Ivoiry, Epinonville, Charpentry, +Very, and other villages. East of the Meuse one +of our divisions, which was with the 2d Colonial +French Corps, captured Marcheville and Rieville, +giving further protection to the flank of our main +body. We had taken 10,000 prisoners, we had +gained our point of forcing the battle into the +open, and were prepared for the enemy’s reaction, +which was bound to come, as he had good roads +and ample railroad facilities for bringing up his +artillery and reserves. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></p> +<p>“In the chill rain of dark nights our engineers +had to build new roads across spongy, shell-torn +areas, repair broken roads beyond No Man’s +Land, and build bridges. Our gunners, with no +thought of sleep, put their shoulders to wheels and +drag-ropes to bring their guns through the mire +in support of the infantry, now under the increasing +fire of the enemy’s artillery. Our attack had +taken the enemy by surprise, but, quickly recovering +himself, he began to fire counter-attacks in +strong force, supported by heavy bombardments, +with large quantities of gas. From September +28th until October 4th we maintained the offensive +against patches of woods defended by snipers +and continuous lines of machine guns, and pushed +forward our guns and transport, seizing strategical +points in preparation for further attacks.”</p> +<p>And Ned, Bob, and Jerry had an honorable if +humble part in all this. Forward they fought their +way, now falling back as some fierce German resistance +turned into a counter-attack and again +rushing on to capture some little wooded knoll or +hold some group of trees after the Hun machine +gunners had been killed.</p> +<p>That was the worst of the fighting—against the +machine guns. They were almost as thick as +leaves in this Argonne Forest and the woods offered +excellent protection to the enemy.</p> +<p>But it was fight, if not exactly in the open, more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +nearly so than battles of the trenches, which the +Americans hated. It was like being on their own +ground, for, though the forest was in France, the +trees and bushes were like those in any dense +American woods.</p> +<p>“It’s like being with the professor on some bug-hunting +trip!” yelled Bob, as he and his chums +rushed on, firing as they went.</p> +<p>“Except it isn’t so healthy,” added Jerry. +“Look out!” he shouted, and he pulled Bob down +into the underbrush beside him only just in time, +for there came a burst of bullets from a machine +gun, concealed in a clump of trees, and but for +Jerry’s timely act when he saw it, Bob might have +been killed.</p> +<p>Then, with a yell, a company of Americans, +with Ned, Bob, and Jerry aiding them, rushed on +the Hun nest and wiped it out, turning the machine +gun on the gray troops about them.</p> +<p>So the fighting went on, bitterly and terribly, +as it had been going on for over a month, for this +was now the beginning of October.</p> +<p>There came a lull in the conflict in the immediate +neighborhood of the Motor Boys. They sank +down exhausted on the ground under the trees, +waiting for further commands, for an officer had +ordered a halt.</p> +<p>As the captain of the company to which Ned, +Bob, and Jerry had been assigned was approaching +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +to gather his men together, a runner came +along a scarcely defined path.</p> +<p>He saluted the captain, and talked to him for +a moment. Jerry, who was nearest his commander, +saw a queer look on the latter’s face. +Then, as the runner, with his message disappeared +into the depths of the forest, the captain turned +to his lieutenant, and our heroes heard him say:</p> +<p>“We’re cut off!”</p> +<p>“Cut off?”</p> +<p>“Yes, our battalion and another is surrounded +here in the Argonne Forest. There are Germans +all around us. We’re cut off. A runner has just +gone to see if he can get through and summon +help.”</p> +<p>“Surrounded!” was the thought that came to +all who heard. “Surrounded by the Germans! +Cut off!”</p> +<p>And then, almost as soon as that thought +formed came another.</p> +<p>“We’ll hold out until help comes or fight our +way through!”</p> +<p>And then began the tragic story of the “Lost +Battalions.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX_CAPTURED' id='CHAPTER_XXIX_CAPTURED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>CAPTURED</h3> +</div> +<p>Just how or why the two battalions became lost +and surrounded in the Argonne Forest probably +no one will ever know. It was probably a case +of the commands rushing on irresistibly to get as +far as possible into the fore of the fight, and in +going too far through over-zealousness. Or there +may have been misunderstandings, which would +not be uncommon in such a great battle.</p> +<p>However it was, two American battalions were +cut off from their supporting friends, and surrounded +by the Germans who, after having been +driven out of the woods at a certain point, stormed +back and closed the gap through which the two +battalions had gone. Thus they were held at the +mercy of the Huns.</p> +<p>But, as has been said, there was only one +thought in the minds of all—or rather, two. To +fight their way back and establish communication +with their comrades if possible, or to stand off the +attacking Germans until help came.</p> +<p>And then began a terrible time that lasted from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +October 2d to October 8th—a week of terror, +death and anguish. But the brave Americans bore +it all with fortitude. They had no thought of +surrender even when their food gave out and their +ammunition was reduced to the last few rounds.</p> +<p>Once it was certain that the two battalions were +surrounded by the Germans in the thick woods, a +plan of defense was laid out. The commanding +officers held a consultation and outlined what they +hoped to do. Sending runners for help was one +of these. But this plan did not succeed. Most +of the runners were either killed or captured. +Some may have gotten through, wounded, but for +some time it was impossible for the relieving army +to locate their lost comrades. Efforts were made +to find them by means of aeroplanes flying over +the woods, but the growth of trees and bushes +was so dense that no observations could be made.</p> +<p>And, all this while, the Germans were firing +steadily at the brave men whom they had surrounded +in a ring of steel. Mortars and machine +guns poured a storm of shot and bullets on them, +but the Americans replied in kind, killing and being +killed. For terrible toll was taken by the +Huns, who had the advantage.</p> +<p>Ned, Bob, and Jerry did their duty as it came +to them, as their companions did. Once Jerry, +volunteering as a runner from one position to +another, to take the place of a man killed, came +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +to a lonely spot in the forest and as he advanced +he heard the shrill whine of a bullet near him.</p> +<p>Instinctively he felt where it came from, and +thought he had located the German sniper. Dropping +into a pile of leaves, as though shot, Jerry +watched from under his cap. He saw a Hun cautiously +raise his head from behind a distant stump, +and that was the last act on the part of that particular +German.</p> +<p>Jerry fired from his pistol, prone as he lay, and +the shot went true. Then the tall lad resumed his +journey, delivered the message and brought back +the answer.</p> +<p>The days and nights of terror passed slowly. +There was engagement after engagement. Time +after time the Americans tried to break through, +but were driven back with terrific loss. But the +Germans could not approach close enough to wipe +them out. Always when the Huns stormed there +was such a withering fire from the American guns +that the Kaiser’s troops fled back to the fastness +of the woods.</p> +<p>Then came the sending, under a flag of truce, +of the German commander’s invitation to surrender. +He asked the American commander to +give up, to save useless bloodshed, and said the +Americans taken prisoner would be well treated.</p> +<p>The American commander sent back an answer +which rang with defiance. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p> +<p>And the fighting went on.</p> +<p>It was awful! The food dwindled away as did +the ammunition. But still the surrounded battalions—now +less than half their original strength—would +not surrender.</p> +<p>“What will be the outcome?” asked Bob wearily, +as he and his chums, hidden in a shell hole, +held their part of the line.</p> +<p>“We’ll win! That’s what will be the outcome!” +cried Jerry fiercely. “We’ll show the Huns how +we fight!”</p> +<p>There came a terrific burst of firing, and a hail +of bullets swept over their heads.</p> +<p>“They’re coming on again!” yelled Ned.</p> +<p>The firing increased, but it did not seem to approach +nearer. Instead, it appeared to be going +away.</p> +<p>“What can it mean?” asked Jerry.</p> +<p>“There’s heavy fighting going on over there,” +and Ned indicated a point in the forest where it +was known the Germans were in strong force.</p> +<p>There was activity among those that were left +of the two battalions. Last desperate efforts had +been made to send runners through the enemy +line to regimental headquarters to summon help, +but all had been killed or captured. It seemed the +end of everything, when this new and heavy firing +was heard.</p> +<p>And then, like a drink of cold water to a fever-dying +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +man, a ringing American cheer came +through the woods to the ears of the exhausted +ones.</p> +<p>“What is it? What is it?” cried Bob. “What +does it mean?”</p> +<p>“It means we’re rescued!” shouted Jerry, +jumping up and swinging his cap, disregarding +possible German snipers. “It means the relief has +come through!”</p> +<p>The lost battalions were found, the Germans +holding them in the forest were killed or driven +away, and the remainder of the men were saved.</p> +<p>So ended one of the most dramatic episodes of +the war, the losing and finding of these brave men +who would not surrender, but preferred death +first.</p> +<p>On came the relieving army, and there was rest +and food and sleep for the beleaguered ones—and +of it all perhaps they needed sleep most, for +they had not dared to rest much during that terrible +week.</p> +<p>“But it will be something to tell the folks back +home,” said Bob, as the three chums sat down +together, able to eat and talk without the fear of +a German bullet or shell.</p> +<p>“Yes, if we ever get there,” admitted Ned.</p> +<p>“And, all this while, we haven’t heard a word +from the professor,” said Jerry. “I’m worried +about him.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span></p> +<p>So were his chums, and if they could have seen +their friend at that moment their anxiety would +have been justified.</p> +<p>For briefly to chronicle the adventures that befell +the little scientist: The morning he had wandered +from his temporary French boarding place +without his hat, he really had gone in pursuit of a +strange and rare butterfly.</p> +<p>Then, as so often happened, he became so engrossed +in his scientific work that he forgot all +about everything else, and, before he knew it, he +was miles away from home—or what passed for +home in those days.</p> +<p>It was late afternoon when Professor Snodgrass +finally captured the butterfly which had +eluded him so long, and put it carefully away in +a pocket case. Then he began to think about +getting back. His stomach told him it was long +past his dinner hour.</p> +<p>Just how it happened he never knew, and probably +it would never happen again, but he managed +to wander across No Man’s Land at a place secluded, +and thinly guarded, and found himself +behind the German lines.</p> +<p>Professor Snodgrass was not aware of this. +He saw only that he was approaching a small +French village down a pleasant valley, so far +away from the immediate theater of war that the +distant guns made but a dull rumble. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span></p> +<p>At first the little scientist thought it was his +own humble village he was coming to, and it was +not until he saw some German soldiers about, and +noted the queer looks on the faces of the French +inhabitants, that he realized his mistake.</p> +<p>As it happened, the big American attack was in +progress, and every available soldier was being +rushed to the front, the few remaining in this village +being among the number. They were preparing +to leave.</p> +<p>So that, in their haste to obey orders and get +to their firing line, or perhaps because they were +too busy to notice one lone little American scientist, +no attention was paid to Professor Snodgrass.</p> +<p>When he saw that he was in an unfamiliar village +and began to ask questions, he was met with +astonished looks, perhaps as much at his peculiar +way of speaking French as anything else. But +one Frenchman said:</p> +<p>“How did you, an American, manage to get +through?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” answered the professor. “But +now I want to get back.”</p> +<p>“Impossible, Monsieur. But come, I will hide +you, if I can. I have some fellow countrymen of +yours at my house, or rather, some fellow countrywomen.”</p> +<p>“Americans?”</p> +<p>“Yes, two young ladies. They were left behind +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +by a certain German, by name of Louder or +Chowder—name of a name—and I looked after +them. They will be glad to see you.”</p> +<p>“Oh, dear!” said the professor. “Ladies—American +ladies—here in this terrible place! I +must do what I can for them. Take me to them, +please.”</p> +<p>And the Frenchman did so, with all the caution +he could use. But it was not needed. Events +were transpiring that made the Germans think of +beginning a retreat instead of capturing one lone +United States college professor.</p> +<p>“Here!” exclaimed the Frenchman, as he ushered +his new friend into his humble home. “Here +are the ladies. I have brought you a fellow countryman,” +he added, nodding to his guests.</p> +<p>Two girls, whose pretty faces bore worried +looks, arose to confront Professor Snodgrass. +He bowed, rather flustered as he always was in +the presence of women, and then, as he looked intently +at the girls, a strange look came over his +face.</p> +<p>“Excuse me,” he murmured, as he reached for +something in his pocket. He took a card from an +envelope and, looking at one of his companions, +asked:</p> +<p>“Are you Gladys Petersen?”</p> +<p>“I am!” was the surprised answer. “But +how––” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span></p> +<p>“And are you Dorothy Gibbs?” went on the +little scientist, turning to the other.</p> +<p>“That is my name, but––”</p> +<p>“Then I have found you,” said the little man +quietly. “My name is Snodgrass, and I have a +letter to you from your uncle, Professor Emil +Petersen. He leaves you half his fortune and me +the other half. I have been looking everywhere +for you, and now I have found you. But I wish +the boys were here.”</p> +<p>“What boys?” asked Miss Petersen.</p> +<p>Without answering this question the professor +explained his errand, and told of his long search +for the girls, to their no small astonishment. +They were shocked to hear of their uncle’s death, +but they had, long since, given up all hope of ever +sharing in his wealth, even though he had become +reconciled to them after the deaths of their parents.</p> +<p>“But it is all true,” said Professor Snodgrass. +“He wants you to share in his fortune, or rather, +he wanted you to, and I am to carry out his wishes +as expressed in his will. By so doing I get a fortune +for myself. It is really a great relief. But +now tell me—how did you girls get here? The +last I heard of you was that you were near Metz.”</p> +<p>“We were there,” answered Miss Petersen; +“but the German family with whom we were staying +after uncle went away thought the place in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span> +danger of capture and left, taking us with them. +Finally, after traveling about, they said we had +better shift for ourselves, as it was dangerous for +any German to befriend any American, which we +are. So we did what we could. We tried to make +our way to the Allied lines, but this was as far as +we could get. Tell me, Professor, do you think +the Americans will come?”</p> +<p>“Oh, of course! Yes!” asserted Professor +Snodgrass, who would have said anything, just +then, to gain time to think, and not to worry the +girls. “Of course they’ll be here, but perhaps we +had better go to meet them.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes! Let’s!” cried Dorothy. “Poor +Uncle Emil! If he were only here! He was very +kind to us.”</p> +<p>“Yes, we loved him,” added Gladys softly. +“He was so much like you, Professor Snodgrass—you +remind me very much of him.”</p> +<p>“I am glad I do,” was the simple answer. +“Emil Petersen was a man to be proud of. He +was my friend. And now let us consider what is +best to do. I think we had better leave.”</p> +<p>And so, though only after much protest on the +part of the kind Frenchman, who warned them of +their danger, the three set out. A hat was provided +for Professor Snodgrass. They were going +to try to reach the American lines.</p> +<p>“I fear you will all be captured,” said their +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +host. “And, if you are, it will go hard with you. +The Germans hate the Americans worse than ever +since the recent defeat of the Kaiser’s best troops. +I fear you will not get through.”</p> +<p>And they did not. Just as they seemed on the +point of success, having reached a French village +at a place opposite the Allied line, they were +halted as they were about to cross in a secluded +spot, and during a lull in the fighting.</p> +<p>In his innocence the professor made no effort +to conceal his purpose, and he and the young ladies +were turned back, while a German officer, smiling +in contempt, said:</p> +<p>“You will do for hostages if the Americans +come too close!”</p> +<p>“Oh, are they that near?” cried Dorothy.</p> +<p>“Too near—the pigs!” muttered the officer.</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m so glad!” cried Gladys. “Maybe +they’ll save us after all!”</p> +<p>But, in spite of her brave words, she looked +worried as she and her cousin were led back. As +for Professor Snodgrass, he bowed his head. He +had failed. Oh, if only the boys had come!</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX_RECAPTURED' id='CHAPTER_XXX_RECAPTURED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3>RECAPTURED</h3> +</div> +<p>Once more the desperate fighting was resumed. +Ned, Bob, and Jerry, after a brief rest, were again +thrown into the conflict after their rescue from +the dense Forest of Argonne. That wood had +not yet all been won, but it was in the way of +being. The Germans were fighting their last desperate +battles, and full well they knew it. Only +a miracle could save them now, and there was no +miracle for them.</p> +<p>Not that they did not fight, for they did. The +resistance to the American and Allied advance was +stiff and formidable, but it was overcome, and immense +losses inflicted on the Huns as they made +counter-attack after counter-attack.</p> +<p>It was one day, after some of the most severe +fighting of the war that they had ever seen, that +the battalion, in which Ned, Bob, and Jerry then +were, crossed a little stream, driving the desperately +defending Germans beyond it, and entered +a small French village. When the echo of the +shots had died away, and it was seen that the Huns +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +were in full retreat, the three chums and their +comrades, at the head of a victorious force, +marched down the main street of the quaint and +ancient little town.</p> +<p>Forth from their hiding places came the French +population, weary and scarred from four years +of enemy occupation. Here and there the tricolor, +so long hidden, waved in the wind. The +hated and dastardly Germans had departed, never, +please God, to come again!</p> +<p>Forward, into the recaptured town, marched +Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their comrades in arms. +With tears in their eyes the French people watched +the Americans come. It was the day so long +prayed for.</p> +<p>Near one of the half-ruined houses, which had +been their abode—their prison, in fact, since their +capture,—stood Professor Snodgrass and the two +young ladies.</p> +<p>“Oh, can you believe it, Gladys!” exclaimed +Miss Gibbs. “It doesn’t seem possible, does it, +that we are saved?”</p> +<p>“No, but I am beginning to believe that it is +not a dream any more. Those American soldiers +are real, aren’t they?”</p> +<p>“They are, indeed, young ladies,” said the professor. +“At last I shall be able to go back to my +collection, and finish, I hope, the moving pictures +of insects under the influence of big guns. Oh, I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +shall also hope to take you to safety with me,” he +added, as he thought of his wards. “If only the +boys were here!”</p> +<p>“What boys do you mean?” asked Miss Petersen. +“You have so often spoken of ‘the boys,’ but +you have never mentioned who they were.”</p> +<p>And this was true, for, just as the professor had +been on the point of doing so, he and the girls +had been captured by the Germans, and, since +then, he had not had the heart to speak of his +friends.</p> +<p>“Well, I can tell you now,” he said as he and +the two nieces of Professor Petersen watched the +victorious troops go marching by. “There are +three boys—three young men, American soldiers +who––”</p> +<p>The professor paused, and looked hard at a +certain group of marching Americans. He took +off his glasses, wiped them, and put them on again +to stare with all his power at three youths who +swung along with the <i>sang-froid</i> of veterans.</p> +<p>“Why!” exclaimed Professor Snodgrass. +“Why—bless my—bless—why, it’s Ned, Bob, and +Jerry themselves!” he fairly shouted. “Oh, there +they are! There are the boys themselves!” and +he rushed forward, tears of joy for the moment +dimming the glasses he had so carefully cleaned +a moment ago.</p> +<p>“There are the boys. Jerry! Ned! Bob! +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span> +Here I am! And here are the girls! Hurrah! +Hurrah for the U. S. A.! Hurrah for President +Wilson! Hurrah for General Pershing! Down +with the Germans! The United States and the +Allies forever! Hurrah!”</p> +<p>There was a laugh in the ranks of the marching +Americans. Most of them did not catch all +that the little, excited, bald-headed man said, but +they laughed at his enthusiasm and loved him. +But Ned, Bob, and Jerry heard.</p> +<p>“It’s him!” yelled Bob.</p> +<p>“It’s the professor!” cried Ned.</p> +<p>“And the girls are with him!” added Jerry.</p> +<p>The lieutenant of the boys’ company, seeing that +something unusual was in the wind said:</p> +<p>“You may fall out. Join us later. We’ll probably +stay here a while. This is our objective, and +we’ve made it.”</p> +<p>And then the boys fell out and such a reunion +as there was!</p> +<p>The stories were told and retold, and Ned, Bob, +and Jerry, after having been presented to the +young ladies, listened to their accounts of what +had happened to them since they were caught in +war-torn Europe.</p> +<p>“And do you think we are safe now?” asked +Miss Petersen.</p> +<p>“As safe as in a church,” declared Bob. +“We’ve come to stay!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span></p> +<p>And so the Americans had. As General Pershing, +in his report of the operations culminating in +the last phase of the Meuse-Argonne battles, said:</p> +<p>“The strategical goal which was our highest +hope was gained. We had cut the enemy’s main +line of communications, and nothing but surrender +or an armistice could save his army from complete +disaster.”</p> +<p>And the armistice of November 11, 1918, came, +bringing an end to the war.</p> +<p>And it also brings to an end this story. Not +that the fighting was all over, for there was some +after the boys and the professor and his charges +were so happily reunited. But the Motor Boys +had no further part in it. They remained in the +village where they had met the little scientist, as +a guard, until the Germans were so far away as to +render them harmless.</p> +<p>“And to think you found the girls all by yourself!” +exclaimed Ned, as they were talking over +the events after the first day of the capture of the +French town.</p> +<p>“Well, yes, I did manage to,” said the professor, +“though I never expected, when I started out +for a butterfly that morning, that I’d end up with +meeting the girls I so much wanted to see.”</p> +<p>“But we were glad to see you,” said Miss Gibbs.</p> +<p>“Very,” echoed Gladys.</p> +<p>Ned, Bob, and Jerry were very curious to know +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +what branch of scientific study Miss Petersen and +Miss Gibbs were interested in, for they remembered +that Nick Schmouder had said that they had +left his father’s home to go further into Germany +for some sort of scientific work. It developed, +however, that Schmouder, ashamed to confess +that, in his fright, he had abandoned the two girls, +had made up the story to clear himself of the +charge of cowardice and neglect.</p> +<p>“Well, I guess it’s all over but the shouting,” +said Bob, at last. “And now I guess nobody will +say anything if I eat.”</p> +<p>“We’re all with you, Chunky!” cried Ned. “I’m +as hungry as—as Bob Baker!”</p> +<p>But of the “shouting,” a little must be told. +For when the fighting was over, and it was certain +that Germany could never resume, when the armistice +had been signed and the victorious movement +of the Allies into Germany began, Jerry and his +chums were called one day before their assembled +comrades, and there, much to their surprise, they +were each given honorable mention for their acts +while on duty with the lost battalions in Argonne +Forest. Jerry, for his work as a runner received +the Distinguished Service Cross, and Bob and Ned +honorable mention for their part in the desperate +fight.</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +<img src='images/illus-248.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 366px; height: 568px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 366px;'> +JERRY RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS.<br /> +<i>Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line.</i> <i>Page 248</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></div> +<p>“They ought to decorate Professor Snodgrass +for going alone into the enemy’s territory and rescuing +two young ladies,” said Ned, when the +cheering was over.</p> +<p>“All I want to do is to get back to my bugs,” +sighed the little scientist, and he soon had his +wish. It might be added that his moving pictures +of insects, showing their actions when heavy guns +were being fired near them, were very successful, +and created a sensation in scientific circles, even +though the professor’s “wasp-gun” was not +adopted.</p> +<p>As soon as it was possible the two young ladies +were sent back to the United States with their +share of their uncle’s wealth, while Professor +Snodgrass made plans to use his share in making +a full and complete study of the insects of the +Amazon. Also, the boys learned later, Professor +Snodgrass used a part of his fortune to further +assist his old friend, and thus saved the fortunes +of this man and enabled him to pay all his debts, +including the money lent by the professor himself.</p> +<p>“And now I wonder what will happen to us!” +exclaimed Bob, when these three friends of theirs +had departed.</p> +<p>“Oh, I fancy we can find something to do,” said +Jerry. “I understand the problems of peace will +be as hard to solve as those of war, and we’ll +have to do our share.”</p> +<p>“Sure thing!” assented Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span></p> +<p>What was in store for the boys will be related +in the next volume of this “Motor Boys—Second +Series.” In that we will see how Ned, Bob and +Jerry covered themselves with glory by solving +a most unusual mystery.</p> +<p>A month or so later the three chums, with other +soldiers of the victorious armies, some of them +sorely wounded, were sent to a port in France, +there to take ship for home.</p> +<p>“And believe me!” exclaimed Bob, with feeling, +as he went on board, “France and Europe may be +all right, and so are those Salvation Army doughnuts, +but give me a piece of mother’s cherry pie!”</p> +<p>“So say we all of us!” chanted Ned and Jerry.</p> +<p>And then, as they stood together on deck, the +transport began her homeward trip.</p> +<h3>THE END</h3> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p style='text-align:center'> +<span style='font-size:larger'>THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES</span><br /> +BY LESTER CHADWICK<br /> +<br /> +<i>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid.</i></p> +<div style='padding: .5em .5em 0 0; float: left; width:-1px;'> +<img src='images/illus-ad1.png' alt='' title='' style='' /><br /> +</div> +<p>BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS</p> +<p><i>or The Rivals of Riverside</i></p> +<p>Joe is an everyday country boy who loves +to play baseball and particularly to pitch.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE</p> +<p><i>or Pitching for the Blue Banner</i></p> +<p>Joe’s great ambition was to go to boarding +school and play on the school team.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE AT YALE</p> +<p><i>or Pitching for the College Championship</i></p> +<p>Joe goes to Yale University. In his second year he becomes a +varsity pitcher and pitches in several big games.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE</p> +<p><i>or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher</i></p> +<p>In this volume the scene of action is shifted from Yale +college to a baseball league of our central states.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE</p> +<p><i>or A Young Pitcher’s Hardest Struggles</i></p> +<p>From the Central League Joe is drafted into the St. Louis +Nationals. A corking baseball story all fans will enjoy.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS</p> +<p><i>or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis</i></p> +<p>How Joe was traded to the Giants and became their mainstay +in the box makes an interesting baseball story.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES</p> +<p><i>or Pitching for the Championship</i></p> +<p>The rivalry was of course of the keenest, and what Joe did to +win the series is told in a manner to thrill the most jaded reader.</p> +<p>BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD</p> +<p><i>or Pitching on a Grand Tour</i></p> +<p>The Giants and the All-Americans tour the world, playing in +many foreign countries.</p> +<p style='text-align:center'><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</i><br /> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p style='text-align:center'> +<span style='font-size:larger'>THE HARRY HARDING SERIES</span><br /> +By ALFRED RAYMOND<br /> +<br /> +<i>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid.</i></p> +<div style='padding: .5em .5em 0 0; float: left; width:-1px;'> +<img src='images/illus-ad2.png' alt='' title='' style='' /><br /> +</div> +<p>The trials and triumphs of Harry Harding +and Teddy Burke, two wide-awake boys +who make a humble beginning on the +messenger force of a great department +store, with the firm resolve to become successful +business men, form a series of +narratives calculated to please the alert, +progressive boys of today.</p> +<p>HARRY HARDING—<i>Messenger “45”</i></p> +<p>When Harry Harding bravely decided to leave school in order +to help his mother in the fight against poverty, he took his first +long step towards successful manhood. How Harry chanced to +meet mischievous, red-haired Teddy Burke who preferred work +to school, how Teddy and Harry became messengers in Martin +Brothers’ Department store and what happened to them there, +is a story that never flags in interest.</p> +<p>HARRY HARDING’S YEAR OF PROMISE</p> +<p>After a blissful two weeks’ vacation, spent together, Harry +Harding and Teddy Burke again take up their work in Martin +Brothers’ store. Their “year of promise” brings them many +new experiences, pleasant and unpleasant, but more determined +than ever to reach the goal they have set for themselves, they +pass courageously and hopefully over the rough places, meeting +with many surprises and exciting incidents which advance them +far on the road to success.</p> +<p style='text-align:center'><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</i><br /> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York</p> + +<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: 0.21 --> +<!-- timestamp: Sat Mar 28 21:29:48 -0600 2009 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by +Clarence Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED, BOB, JERRY ON FIRING LINE *** + +***** This file should be named 28442-h.htm or 28442-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/4/4/28442/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/28442-h/images/illus-057.jpg b/28442-h/images/illus-057.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c533c27 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/images/illus-057.jpg diff --git a/28442-h/images/illus-183.jpg b/28442-h/images/illus-183.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f87493 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/images/illus-183.jpg diff --git a/28442-h/images/illus-248.jpg b/28442-h/images/illus-248.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..318585e --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/images/illus-248.jpg diff --git a/28442-h/images/illus-ad1.png b/28442-h/images/illus-ad1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5f8a3d --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/images/illus-ad1.png diff --git a/28442-h/images/illus-ad2.png b/28442-h/images/illus-ad2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1255e8a --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/images/illus-ad2.png diff --git a/28442-h/images/illus-cvr.jpg b/28442-h/images/illus-cvr.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b9cf97 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442-h/images/illus-cvr.jpg diff --git a/28442.txt b/28442.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f41323d --- /dev/null +++ b/28442.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7401 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by Clarence Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line + The Motor Boys Fighting for Uncle Sam + +Author: Clarence Young + +Release Date: March 29, 2009 [EBook #28442] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED, BOB, JERRY ON FIRING LINE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +_The Motor Boys_ + +NED, BOB AND JERRY +ON THE FIRING LINE + +Or + +The Motor Boys Fighting +for Uncle Sam + +BY +CLARENCE YOUNG + +AUTHOR OF "THE MOTOR BOAT SERIES" +"THE RACER BOYS SERIES," +"THE JACK RANGER SERIES," ETC. + +ILLUSTRATED + +NEW YORK +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + + + +BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG + + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. + +THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES + + THE MOTOR BOYS + THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND + THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO + THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS + THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC + THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC + THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING + THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER + THE MOTOR BOYS UNDER THE SEA + THE MOTOR BOYS ON ROAD AND RIVER + +THE MOTOR BOYS--SECOND SERIES + + NED, BOB AND JERRY AT BOXWOOD HALL + NED, BOB AND JERRY ON A RANCH + NED, BOB AND JERRY IN THE ARMY + NED, BOB AND JERRY ON THE FIRING LINE + +THE JACK RANGER SERIES + + JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS + JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP + JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES + JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE + JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB + JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX + +THE RACER BOYS SERIES + + THE RACER BOYS + THE RACER BOYS AT BOARDING SCHOOL + THE RACER BOYS TO THE RESCUE + THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES + THE RACER BOYS ON GUARD + THE RACER BOYS FORGING AHEAD + +Copyright, 1919, by + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + +Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. The Spy Alarm 1 + + II. A Man and a Snake 11 + + III. A Puzzled Professor 18 + + IV. A Two-Girl Problem 29 + + V. More Girls 35 + + VI. Noddy Nixon 43 + + VII. Off for France 53 + + VIII. The Training Camp 59 + + IX. On the Firing Line 71 + + X. In the Trenches 78 + + XI. A Night Patrol 88 + + XII. Bob Is Missing 96 + + XIII. "Just Like Him!" 108 + + XIV. A Desperate Chance 116 + + XV. The Sniper 123 + + XVI. Over the Top 129 + + XVII. "Fried Holes" 136 + + XVIII. The School Janitor 145 + + XIX. News at Last 153 + + XX. A Queer Question 162 + + XXI. A Visitor 171 + + XXII. An Unexpected Capture 177 + + XXIII. Great Preparations 184 + + XXIV. "S. I. W." 194 + + XXV. The Black Box 201 + + XXVI. A Disappearance 209 + + XXVII. St. Mihiel 218 + + XXVIII. In Argonne Forest 226 + + XXIX. Captured 232 + + XXX. Recaptured 243 + + + + +NED, BOB AND JERRY ON THE FIRING LINE + +CHAPTER I + +THE SPY ALARM + + +"There's a German on the ground! Get him!" + +The sun glistened on scores of polished bayonets, as sturdy figures, +clad in olive drab, which matched in hue the brown of the earth, +sprang from their trenches and rushed forward. + +"Put some pep into it! Lively now! Get the Germans!" + +There were dull thuds, and there was a ripping, tearing sound as the +steel slashed its way through the tough cloth. Along the swaying line +rushed the young soldiers, stabbing to right and left as they went. + +Now their weapons were directed downward with deadly force, and they +sank them into the forms on the ground with such energy that the earth +beneath was torn and gashed, and the muzzles of the guns, to which +the stabbing bayonets were attached, made deep impressions on the +yielding forms. + +"There's a German on the ground! Get him!" + +Again the cry rang out, and again the rushing, charging line surged +forward, and then there followed once more the thuds which told of the +cold steel going through and through and---- + +Then from the center of one of the charging lines there came a laugh +as a lad, having driven his keen weapon home with too much force, +being unable to free it, raised on his gun a large sack stuffed with +hay, the fodder bristling out of one of the gashes he had made. + +"That's the stuff, Chunky! Go to it!" yelled his laughing comrades. +"If you can't get a German any other way, stick him on the end of your +bayonet, bring him back to camp, and feed him to death!" + +"Silence in the ranks!" cried the sergeant who was drilling the young +soldiers of Camp Dixton in bayonet practice. For this is what it was, +and not a charge on some Hun position; though from the fervor with +which the boys went at it, and the fierce commands of their officers, +a person hearing, and not seeing, might be inclined to believe that it +was actual warfare. + +And it was, as nearly as it could be approximated, for the sacks +stuffed with hay or other yielding material, suspended on framework +as is a football dummy or scattered over the ground, were called +"Germans," by the drilling officers. + +And, at the command: "There's a German on the ground! Get him!" it was +the part of the prospective soldier to rush at the recumbent sack and +stab it through and through with all his might, trying to put into the +stroke all the force he would put into a similar one when he should +attack the enemy. + +"You got your man all right, Chunky!" observed a tall, bronzed lad, +standing next to the stout youth who had used his bayonet with such +force that he carried off one of the sacks as a trophy. "You must be +feeling pretty strong today." + +"Oh, let up, can't you, Jerry?" begged the badgered one. "The ground +was soft under that sack, and I didn't think the steel would go +through so far." + +"Well, do that when you get on the firing line in France and it will +be all right," commented another lad, on the opposite side of the one +addressed as Chunky. "I wonder how much longer we're going to keep +this up?" + +"As you were!" came the sudden order, fairly barked out from an +instructing sergeant, and the boys in the particular squad which +included Ned, Bob and Jerry, of whom more later, resumed the +positions they had been in before the order to charge bayonets had +been given. + +Chunky, or Bob Baker, to give his proper name, managed to get rid of +the encumbering sack on his weapon, and marched back with the others. +They lined up at attention and waited for the usual instruction and +correction that followed each charge, or other army practice. + +"That was pretty good, boys," said the sergeant, as he glanced down +the line, "but I'm sure you can do better. A few of you were a bit +slow. + +"Now sometimes it's all right to be slow, if you have plenty of time, +but in this business of bayoneting Germans you won't have much time to +spare, as you'll find when you get on the other side, which I hope +will be soon." + +There was a murmur to this same effect from all in the line. + +"When you're using your bayonet, use it first, or the other chap may +get ahead of you and--well, you know what will happen then," went on +the sergeant significantly. "And when you pull your weapons out, do it +this way," and, taking a gun from the hands of Jerry Hopkins, the +sergeant illustrated what he meant, using one of the filled sacks as +an enemy. + +"There wouldn't be much left of a German to send home after _he_ got +through with him," commented Ned Slade, as the sergeant handed Jerry +back the gun. "He surely has some poetry of motion--Sergeant Black +has." + +"That's the way I tried to do it," said Bob, to his chums, Ned and +Jerry. "Only----" + +"Only you must have been thinking you were going to leave your gun and +bayonet sticking in the ground to mark the place, so you could find it +the next time," interrupted Jerry with a laugh. For, the command "At +Ease," having been given, the prospective soldiers were allowed to +rest and indulge in talk. The sergeant was called to one side, while a +lieutenant gave him some orders about further practice and +instruction. + +"Aw, cut it out!" begged Chunky. "Guess you forget the time you slept +through first call, and had to do kitchen police for two days." + +"Indeed I don't forget it!" laughed Jerry. "It isn't a thing you can +forget so easily. But let it go at that. Only it did look funny, +Chunky, and you'd have said so yourself if you had seen it--it +certainly did look funny to see you rushing along with the sack on the +end of your gun." + +"Didn't you feel the weight of it?" asked Ned Slade. + +"Oh, Chunky's getting so strong, since he has his three square meals a +day, regular, that he doesn't mind a little extra weight," commented +another lad who stood in line near the three chums. + +The drilling sergeant turned to his men again, and once more sent them +through the bayonet charge. Then came other drills of various sorts, +designed to make the young soldiers sturdy and strong, to fit them for +the strenuous times that loomed ahead in France--times to try men's +souls and bodies. But to these times the lads looked forward eagerly, +anxious for the days to come when they could go "over there." + +"Whew!" whispered Bob to Jerry and Ned, between whom he stood as they +marched across the parade ground. "If this keeps up much longer I'm +going to be a wreck!" + +"Oh, some chow will set you up all right," commented Ned. + +"Oh, say that again!" sighed the stout lad. "Them words fill me with +mad desire!" + +"Yes, and you'll fill the guardhouse if you don't stop talking so loud +in the ranks," warned a lad behind Bob. "Cut it out. The lieutenant is +looking this way," he added, speaking from the corner of his mouth so +the motion of his lips would not be observed. + +Rapidly the young soldiers marched across the grass-grown parade +ground, in orderly array, in the last of the drills that morning. The +company to which Ned, Bob and Jerry belonged were drawn up near their +barracks, and Captain Theodore Martin, after a glance over the two +trim lines, turned the dismissing of the group over to the first +lieutenant. + +The breechblocks of the guns were opened, clicked shut again, and then +came the welcome words: + +"Comp _sissed_!" + +That is what the lieutenant snapped out. But what he really meant, and +what the members of it understood, was: + +"Company dismissed!" + +Ned, Bob and Jerry, with sighs of relief, which were echoed by their +comrades, turned to stack their rifles and then prepared for "chow," +or, in this case, the dinner mess. + +As the three chums were heading in the direction of the mess hall +where, every day, two hundred or more hungry lads and men were fed, +they saw some members of their company turn and run in a different +direction. + +"Hello! what's up?" asked Jerry Hopkins, coming to a halt. + +"Matter where?" inquired Ned. + +"Over that way," and Jerry pointed. "Either somebody is hurt, or +there's a riot." + +"Let's go!" cried Ned. + +"Wait until after grub," advised Bob, with an anxious look toward the +mess hall. + +"It won't take but a minute," suggested Jerry. "Look, everybody's +going. We might as well be in it. If everybody is late to mess +there'll be enough left for us to eat. Come on!" + +Accepting this argument, that such a general rush toward the scene of +excitement would result in a general postponement of the meal, Bob, +after a moment of hesitation, joined his two chums. They rushed toward +one of the sleeping barracks, and saw that a large crowd was +congregating around it. + +"What's the matter?" + +"Anybody hurt?" + +"Is the place on fire?" + +These were some of the questions that flew from one to the other. + +"It's a spy!" some one said. "They've caught a German spy in camp, and +they're going to lynch him!" + +"Oh, boy!" yelled Ned. "We must see this!" + +"I don't believe it!" announced Jerry. "There've been too many German +spy scares. They all turned out to be fakes. And, anyhow, there won't +be any lynching." + +"Maybe not," agreed Bob. "But there sure is some excitement." + +And there was. Even Jerry had to admit that. + +As the three Motor Boys--to give them the name by which they had been +known for some time--neared the barracks, the rumors and statements as +to the capture of a spy became more frequent and certain. There was +an excited, seething crowd about the place. + +A lieutenant, whom Ned, Bob and Jerry knew well, as he came from their +town of Cresville, passed just then. The three chums saluted, and, +when this had been returned, Jerry asked: + +"Can you tell us, Sir, what it's all about?" + +"Have they really caught a spy?" added Bob eagerly. + +"Well, whether he is a spy or not I can't say," was the answer. "But I +have been told that a man, who was acting in a suspicious manner about +the camp, has been arrested. Some of the officers are investigating +now. I hardly think he will prove to be a real spy, though." + +"He won't last long, if he is," commented Ned. + +"They have him in the barracks there," went on the lieutenant. "They +will bring him out soon, I suppose, and put him in the guardhouse. +Better go back, boys," he added. "There's too much of a crowd here +now. I must help disperse it." + +He turned away, but the advice he had given Ned, Bob and Jerry was not +very welcome. + +"This is our sleeping barracks, anyhow," said Ned. "We have a right to +stick around, and go in, too." + +"If they let us," added Bob. + +"Come on, let's try," suggested Jerry. "Here's a place," and he led +the way through a thinning portion of the crowd toward one of the +doors of the big wooden shack, in which he and his chums slept while +at Camp Dixton. + +Suddenly there came a series of excited shouts from within the +building. Then several soldiers were seen to rush out as though +something had chased them. + +"What in the world is up now?" asked Jerry of his chums. + +They pressed forward toward the door from which the excited soldiers +had emerged, and one of them, seeing that the three chums were about +to enter, cried: + +"Don't go in there!" + +"Why not?" asked Bob. + +"Did the spy try to shoot any one?" Ned wanted to know. + +"Don't go in!" yelled another lad. "There's a snake in there as big as +a barrel, and he's skipping around as lively as a kitten! Keep out if +you don't want to meet sudden death. Oh, boy! I saw him open his +mouth, and one look was enough. No more for me!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A MAN AND A SNAKE + + +Ned, Bob and Jerry paused a moment on the threshold of the barrack +building they had been about to enter. From within came a sound of +commotion, as if several persons were quickly rushing to and fro, and +there were excited shouts. + +"Come off, Jack, what are you doing? Trying to string us?" asked Ned +of the lad who had spoken of the snake. + +"Nothing of the sort!" protested the other. "As true as I'm telling +you, there's a snake loose in there as big as a barrel, and as long as +a fence rail around one of these cotton plantations!" + +"Is he joking, Ted?" asked Jerry of another of the lads who had rushed +out in such haste. + +"Not a bit of it! I saw the snake myself. It isn't quite as big as a +barrel, but it certainly is long." + +"Come on, fellows!" called Jerry to his two chums. "We've got to see +this!" + +"What!" cried Jack Wade, "you aren't going in there, are you?" + +"Why not?" asked Jerry. "We've had some experience with snakes. +Besides, we want to see the spy. Is there a spy inside here, too?" + +"There is!" cried another lad. "They caught the spy dead to rights, +planting a bomb under the officers' mess building. Wanted to blow 'em +all up when they were eating, I guess. Oh, he's a German spy, all +right, and they have him tied up!" + +"But what connection has he with the snakes?" Bob questioned. + +"Not any that I know of," replied Jack. + +"Yes, he has, too!" asserted one of his chums. "The spy had the snake. +He was going to let him loose in camp, hoping he'd bite and poison a +lot of us, I s'pose, so we can't go to France to fight the Huns." + +"Big snakes are seldom poisonous," cried Jerry. "This may be a python +or a boa escaped from some circus, though I haven't heard of any +animal shows being around here lately." + +"Me, either," added Bob. "Say, are you sure you saw a snake?" he asked +the lads who had rushed out in such a hurry. + +"As sure as we see you now, and you're not much smaller around the +waist than this same snake," added Jack with a laugh. + +"Cut out the comedy stuff!" murmured Bob. + +"Well, if there's a real snake in there I want to see it!" exclaimed +Jerry. "Come on!" and he pushed open the door which had swung shut +after the exit of the excited lads. + +Within the barracks the three Motor Boys saw a scene of excitement. +One end of the big building, which was filled with cots and bunks, was +comparatively empty, but at the other there was a group of officers +and men. Some of them appeared to surround the captive, though the +three chums could not just then get a glimpse of him. + +"There it is!" suddenly cried Ned, pointing. + +"What--the spy?" asked Bob. + +"No, the snake! See it?" + +He pointed. There was no doubt of it. A long, glistening, brown body +was seen to glide under a row of cots. + +"It's a snake all right," assented Jerry, "but not half as big as I +thought. It's just like one I've seen----" + +He was interrupted by a voice which rang out above the murmurs from +the group at the other end of the barracks, and the commanding voice +of Colonel Shield demanded: + +"What is going on here? What is all the excitement about?" + +It appeared that he had just entered at the doorway around which were +grouped the excited officers and men. + +"We have caught a spy," some one said. + +"He must have let the big snake loose!" another added. + +"Well, why don't some of you shoot the reptile?" asked the colonel. "A +fine lot of soldiers you are, I must say! Afraid of a snake! Where +will you be when you go up against the Germans? Some one get a rifle +and shoot the snake!" + +At this command a protesting cry came from the midst of a group of +soldiers who were guarding the man arrested as a spy. + +"Don't shoot my snake! Don't shoot my pet snake!" came the entreaty. +"He is worth a fortune! Don't harm him!" + +There was a commotion--a scramble. Several men stumbled and fell, and +from their midst a figure dashed--a figure at the sight of which a +gasp of astonishment came from the three Motor Boys. + +And since Ned, Bob and Jerry have been called Motor Boys several times +I will take just a moment here to tell who these lads were and +something about them; also why they were at Camp Dixton. Of course, +the readers who already know this may skip what immediately follows +and proceed with the story. + +As related in the initial volume of the first part of this series, a +book which is named "The Motor Boys," Ned Slade, Bob Baker and Jerry +Hopkins were chums of long standing. They lived in Cresville, not far +from Boston, and the three lads were well-to-do. Jerry's mother was a +wealthy widow, while Bob's father was a banker, and Ned's a department +store owner. + +The Motor Boys were so called because they spent so much time in or +about vehicles that depended on gasoline motors for their activity. +They began with motorcycles and ended with airships--though one should +not say ended, for their activities were far from over. + +In the books succeeding the initial volume are related the various +adventures of the Motor Boys, who journeyed to Mexico, across the +plains, and traveled much on the Atlantic and Pacific, both in craft +on the surface and in submarines. Their trips above the clouds in +aeroplanes and airships were much enjoyed. + +"The Motor Boys on Road and River," was the last volume of the first +series, the final volume to carry that title. + +The second series began with "Ned, Bob and Jerry at Boxwood Hall," and +the only change in the stories was in the title, for the main +characters were still the "Motor Boys." + +The parents of the lads felt that they ought to do some studying, and, +accordingly, Ned, Bob and Jerry were sent to Boxwood Hall. What took +place there formed not only a well-remembered part in their lives, but +furnished some excitement as well. When vacation came they went to a +Western ranch and had fun, as well as helped in an important piece of +work. + +And then came the Great War. + +Our heroes could do nothing less than enlist, and in the volume called +"Ned, Bob and Jerry in the Army," which immediately precedes this one +you are reading, is told something of their life at Camp Dixton, one +of the training camps in the South. + +There the chums had learned to become soldiers, and, with others of +their kind, were eagerly awaiting a chance to go over seas and fight +it out with the Huns. + +And now we meet them again in the midst of excitement over a spy +scare--not the first of the kind to happen in the camp, where, as the +readers of the volume before this will doubtless recall, the +activities of "Pug" Kennedy and "Crooked Nose," formed the basis for +some real danger. + +"That snake sure is real!" cried Bob, as he saw the serpent writhing +about. "And whoever has him for a pet must be nervy." + +"Look! Look!" exclaimed Jerry. "The spy is going right for the +snake!" + +"And look who the spy is!" added Ned. + +There were shouts from the officers and men. Several of the latter had +gotten their rifles and were edging about, trying to find an opening +through which they might fire at the serpent. + +The man who had broken away from his captors rushed toward the end of +the building where Ned, Bob and Jerry had last seen the reptile, which +was now out of sight under some bunks. + +"Don't shoot him! Don't shoot my pet! He is worth thousands of +dollars!" cried the reputed spy. + +And then, to the surprise and fear of all save the Motor Boys, who had +an insight into the truth, the man fairly threw himself forward on the +serpent, as a football player falls on the ball. + +"Ah, I have you! I have you, my beauty!" cried the man. "You shall not +get away from me again, and they sha'n't shoot you, either!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A PUZZLED PROFESSOR + + +For a moment there was comparative silence in the big barrack +building. It lasted while the little man was crossing the room and +hurrying toward the big snake where it could be discerned under a line +of bunks. The words uttered by the owner of the serpent were heard by +the three chums, as well as by every one else in the building. + +And then, as the small man continued on his way, and finally launched +himself at the snake with outstretched hands and arms, some one +uttered a warning yell. + +"Look out!" came the cry. "It's only his bluff! He's trying to escape. +Catch the spy!" + +"That's right!" shouted several, who seemed to agree with what had +been said. + +But if the little man--the "spy" as he had been called--had it in mind +to escape, he was taking a queer way to go about it. For even as a +rush toward him on the part of those from whose midst he had escaped +began, the little man arose and held clasped in his arms the +snake--or as much of it as he could raise from the ground. On his face +was a look of anxiety relieved, and he fairly beamed on those who +confronted him. His former, and would-be, captors had again come to a +halt. Almost any ordinary body of men and boys would have done the +same under like circumstances, for there is an inherent fear of snakes +in almost every one. + +"Get him! Don't let the spy escape!" came the cry. + +"Yes! Let's see you get him--with that snake for a protector," +murmured one. + +"I don't mind getting shot at by a German," said a voice, "but I'll be +jiggered if I want to be bitten by a snake." + +"Shoot the snake!" came the cry. + +"No, please don't, I beg of you!" pleaded the little man in a mild +voice that, somehow, carried to the far end of the room. "Please don't +shoot the most valuable snake I ever owned. Really she is quite +harmless; aren't you, Ticula?" and he looked up at the swaying head of +the snake that was weaving above him, as though to ask the serpent to +speak. + +"Ticula!" burst out Ned. "Is that her name, Professor Snodgrass?" + +The little man started, and peered through his glasses in the +direction of the voice. + +"Ha! It seems there is some one here who knows me," he said. "I cannot +see him, but I seem to recognize the voice." + +"I should think you would," chuckled Ned. "We've traveled with you +often enough, Professor. But this is a new one--a pet snake as long as +a lasso." + +"And named Ticula!" added Jerry, with a laugh. + +"Oh, that is only a name I made up for her out of her own proper, +Latin one," explained the professor. "Her real name is _Python +Reticulatus_; but I call her Ticula for short. And, unless I am +greatly mistaken, it was Jerry Hopkins who spoke to me that time. Am I +right?" and he peered about rather uncertainly, for the corner where +the three chums were standing was in deep shadow. + +"You are right, Professor," said Jerry. "And we are as much surprised +to see you here as to 'meet up' with your snake, as the folks in the +South say. What brought you here?" + +Before Professor Snodgrass could answer--and it has been, perhaps, +guessed before this that he was the "spy" referred to--a sudden +movement on the part of the snake made it necessary for him to devote +some attention to his "pet" as he called her. + +Ticula seemed uneasy at being stared at by so many eyes, and she began +to writhe and twist as though anxious to escape. There was a sudden +scramble on the part of the soldiers and officers in the barrack +building, but the three chums, having faith in their old friend, the +little scientist, did not retreat. + +"There now, Ticula," murmured Professor Snodgrass, in what he +doubtless meant to be soothing terms, "no one shall harm you. You're +excited on account of getting out of your box, I suppose. But I'll +soon have you back there." + +He reached up, and began to stroke the snake back of the weaving head, +and gradually the forked tongue, that had been playing in and out with +the quickness of lightning, was quieted. Ticula seemed to regain her +composure. She settled down, wrapping a fold or two about the little +man, who did not seem at all alarmed at the movements of the snake, +though one officer murmured: + +"Great Scott! he's taking an awful chance. That's a constrictor, and +it can crush an ox!" + +But Professor Snodgrass gazed mildly through his glasses at those +surrounding him and inquired: + +"Are you all three there--Ned, Bob and Jerry?" + +"All present and accounted for, Professor," answered Jerry, with a +laugh. "And now that Ticula seems quiet, perhaps you'll explain what +it all means." + +"Yes, I think an explanation is very much in order," said the +colonel, who had urged some of his men to shoot the snake. + +"First let me get my pet back in her sleeping box," said the little +scientist. "She will be quieter then. If one of you gentlemen will +have the kindness to bring me the box you took away from me, I'll put +Ticula to sleep." + +"Bring in the box," commanded a lieutenant. "We caught this man, Sir," +said the lieutenant, addressing the colonel, "hanging around the +officers' mess hall with a box. We thought it contained an infernal +machine, and that he might be a German spy. We brought him here to +talk to him, and then we discovered the snake crawling around. The box +is outside." + +"Have it examined and brought in," said the colonel. "It is just +possible," he added with a smile, "that the prisoner is what he claims +to be--a naturalist. Is there any one here who knows him?" he asked. + +"Yes, Sir," answered Ned, Bob and Jerry in a chorus. + +"Come forward and explain," ordered the colonel. + +The three chums advanced and saluted. Professor Snodgrass seemed to be +having a little trouble quieting the snake, which had again raised her +head and was hissing at the crowd in front of her. Some explanations +were necessary, it would seem, and Ned, Bob and Jerry seemed the best +qualified to offer them. + +"We know Professor Snodgrass very well, Sir," said Jerry. "He has +often traveled with us, and we have helped him in his collection work. +He is connected with some of the largest museums, and goes about +getting rare specimens for them. He is no more a German spy than we +are." + +"Glad to know it," commented the colonel. "Do you know anything about +this mysterious box he had?" + +"No; but it is probably what he says it is--a cage for this snake, +Sir," explained Jerry. "He has any number of specimen boxes and cages +when he travels." + +By this time some of the men had brought in the box in question. It +was painted green, and was about three feet long--in itself rather a +good load for one man to carry, not so much on account of its weight +as because of its shape, but with the big snake inside, one man could +not have lifted it. + +"That's a snake box," said Jerry, after he had examined it, "but it is +a new one--I never saw it before." + +"No, I had it made especially for Ticula," explained the professor, +who had again succeeded in quieting the serpent. "Now, my little pet," +he went on, "I'll put you to bed." + +The box was brought forward and set down on the floor in front of the +professor. The man who brought it dropped it quickly and made a hasty +retreat at the nearer sight of the reptile. + +Then the scientist gently lowered the serpent's head toward the box, +which was lined with cloth. The snake seemed to recognize her +quarters, for, without hesitation, she coiled herself down in the +case, the perforated lid of which was then closed. + +"There, now she is all right," said the professor. "I shall not let +her loose again until to-morrow, and then----" + +"What?" yelled a lieutenant. "Are you going to turn her loose around +here _again_?" + +"Why not?" asked the professor. "The observations I hoped to make +to-day as to her feeding habits in the open have been spoiled because +you arrested me as a spy. I could not conclude my experiments, and I +must continue them to-morrow. But do not be alarmed. Ticula, though +rather large, is perfectly harmless to man. Indeed, she has not yet +gotten her full growth. She is only fifteen feet long, and her kind +often grows to twenty-six feet and weighs nearly two hundred pounds. +Ticula is a mere baby." + +"Some baby!" murmured a voice, and even the colonel laughed. + +"And now I suppose I am at liberty to go with my property?" asked the +professor, looking around inquiringly. + +"Well, since it seems that you are not a German spy, I fail to see +that we have any reason for holding you," returned the commandant. "As +for the snake, I think the men--and I may say myself--would feel +obliged if you did not turn it loose again." + +"Well, I suppose I can select some other place for my experiments," +murmured the professor, in rather disappointed tones. "But this spot +was ideal. There are so many rats and mice about a camp of this sort +that a snake or two would be very beneficial." + +"I have no doubt," said the colonel dryly. "And yet, somehow, I think +I prefer the rodents. But I should be glad to have you explain further +just what your experiments are in reference to your reptile. I am +interested. I shall be pleased to have you lunch with me," he went on, +for, now that he had a chance to observe, he saw that Professor +Snodgrass was a cultured gentleman, as well as, he presumed, a devoted +scientist. The colonel was something of a student himself. + +"I should like to lunch with you," said the professor, "but my three +friends--Ned, Bob and Jerry--are here and----" + +"We'll see you later," whispered Jerry. "We're enlisted men and can't +mess in the officers' quarters. You must dine with the colonel and +we'll see you later." + +"All right," assented the professor, and accepted the colonel's +invitation. "Help me carry Ticula out to my auto and I'll see you +after dinner," he went on to the boys. + +"Have you an auto here?" asked Bob. + +"Yes. I left it just beyond the confines of the camp. I have an old +friend of yours with me, too," he went on. "He helped me carry my +snake here." + +"An old friend?" murmured Bob. + +"Yes, Pete Bumps who used to be your father's hired man. I've engaged +him as a helper since you boys joined the army. He runs my auto for me +and helps me catch specimens. He isn't afraid of snakes." + +And old Pete Bumps it was who greeted Ned, Bob and Jerry as they +accompanied the professor to his car. + +Pete had left the Baker service some time ago, and had secured a place +as janitor of a college in which the professor taught, he briefly +explained to the boys. There the professor had engaged him just prior +to starting out on his present expedition. + +"Come on. We've got to hurry back to mess," said Jerry to his chums. +"But we want to have a talk with you, Professor, after you finish +dining with the colonel. We want to hear what you are doing here +again. I should think once being taken for a German spy was enough," +and he laughed at the recollection of a former occasion, when the +professor, coming to visit his friends at Camp Dixton, had been halted +on his way through the lines after some insects. + +"I never thought of that," admitted the scientist. "I certainly +remember coming down here in the spring, but I forgot about the spy +business." + +This was not surprising, since the professor seldom remembered for +very long anything not directly connected with his favorite study. + +And so, with the snake in the box safely confined to the care of Pete +Bumps in the automobile, Professor Snodgrass went back to dine with +the colonel, while the three chums hastened to their delayed mess. + +"You never know when he is going to turn up," remarked Ned. + +"That's right," agreed Jerry. "I wonder what he's after now?" + +They did not have long to wait before learning. Soon after mess they +saw the professor coming down their company street and, as they had a +brief respite from drills on account of the strenuous work of the +morning, the boys took him to a quiet spot and began to ask him +questions. + +"But first of all, tell us if there is anything the matter?" begged +Jerry. "You look worried. Are you?" + +"Yes," admitted the little scientist, "I don't mind admitting that I +am worried--and puzzled, too." + +"What about?" asked Bob. "Ticula hasn't got loose, has she?" + +"No, I went over to see, after dining with your colonel, whom I found +to be a most delightful man, though his ignorance of reptiles and +insects is painful. But, as I say, I assured myself of the safety of +Ticula. Pete has her in the auto." + +"Then what's worrying you?" demanded Ned. + +"Well, I have a problem to solve and I don't know how to do it," was +the answer. + +"Has it anything to do with the war?" Jerry queried. + +"Yes, it has," was the unexpected answer. "And now that you boys are +in the army and expect to go across to France soon, perhaps you can +help me. I'll tell you the puzzle I am trying to solve." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A TWO-GIRL PROBLEM + + +Jerry Hopkins stretched himself lazily and comfortably out on the +grass under the shade tree where he and Bob and Ned had taken +Professor Snodgrass for a little talk. They were far removed from the +center of the camp, so the noise of the men drilling or at their +various occupations came but faintly. + +"Do you mean that your problem has to be solved on the other side of +the water, Professor?" asked Jerry. + +"Part of it has. And I am anxious to get across as soon as possible to +begin." + +"What?" cried Ned. "You don't mean to say you, too, are going to +France, Professor?" + +"I hope to," was the answer. "I have arranged to go, and I have my +passport and some letters of introduction." + +"But what are you going for?" asked Bob. "Don't you know you will be +in the midst of terrible fighting? You can't solve any problems there. +It will be a bedlam of noise." + +"And the noise is just what I want," said Mr. Snodgrass. "That is one +of my problems--to find out the effect of noise on the organisms of +certain insects and reptiles. Men suffer from shell shock, and why +should not insects suffer from the terrific noise of bursting guns? +Most insects are noise-producers themselves," he went on, in something +of his class-room manner, which the boys so well remembered at Boxwood +Hall. "The grasshopper, the katydid and the cricket, to give them +their common names, each have a song of their own. These insects are +found in France, as well as here, though in somewhat different form. + +"Now I have a theory that a long-continued series of terrific noises +may produce structural changes in insects, so as to change the +character of their 'songs' as I prefer to call their sounds. This can +best be studied on the battlefields of France, though I suppose I +could get the same effect here, if there was a continuous thunderstorm +with vivid lightning. + +"But, as that condition is impossible to bring about, I shall best +find it in France, and thither I am going, soon I hope. This snake +experiment is only a brief one, undertaken at the behest of a friend +of mine who is writing a book on the feeding habits of pythons." + +"Is that what brought you back to our camp?" asked Jerry. + +"Yes. This particular part of the South at this season of the year has +the very climate suited to pythons and other large snakes of the +tropics." + +"I'm sure it's hot enough," murmured Bob, mopping his perspiring face. +"I'm glad we got out of drill this afternoon. But go on, Professor. I +didn't mean to interrupt you." + +"Well, there isn't much to tell about the snake," said the scientist. +"I purchased Ticula, as I call her, some time ago from a museum. She +is a fine specimen of the regal python. Originally she came from +Borneo, where she was captured when very young. As I stated, she has +not yet attained her growth, and I have succeeded in making quite a +pet of her." + +"Deliver me from such pets!" murmured Ned. + +"Ticula is not a venomous snake," went on the professor. "None of the +constrictor type of serpents is, though their power to crush their +prey in their folds is enormous. They depend on that power, while the +poisonous snakes kill their prey by the use of their venom. But Ticula +and I are quite friendly. + +"My friend, who is writing a book on snakes, asked me to find out +something of how pythons capture their food, and, knowing there would +be plenty of large rats in the vicinity of a camp, on account of the +great food supply there, I came here with my pet snake. + +"I suppose I should have secured permission from some officer to let +loose the serpent near one of the buildings, but I forgot all about +it, thinking of the problem I have to puzzle over. I also forgot for +the time being, that you boys were here at Camp Dixton, or I should +certainly have communicated with you and got you to help me. + +"But I went at it alone. Pete and I carried the box, with the snake in +it, of course, close to one of the buildings. I did not know until +later that it was the officers' mess hall. Then Pete left me alone." + +"How did you manage to get through the sentry lines unchallenged?" +asked Jerry. + +"I don't know," frankly answered the professor. "I suppose it was +because no one saw us; or they may have supposed we were bringing some +supplies to one of the officers. Then, there was a sham battle going +on not far away at the time, and that may have taken the attention of +the sentries. Anyhow, I got through the lines, and, opening the box, +let Ticula out to roam about and catch a rat if she could. + +"I was crawling around after her, watching her as she went under the +building when suddenly a soldier pounced on me and yelled that I was a +German spy. I was never more surprised in all my life." + +Jerry and Bob chuckled. + +"I should think you might be!" laughed Ned. "Then what happened?" + +"Well, they handled me rather roughly, and took me into custody, as I +suppose it is called. They seemed to think Ticula's box was an +infernal machine. They were very much excited, and I was trying to +explain to them who I was, when Ticula suddenly crawled up through a +hole in the floor in the building where I was being questioned." + +"And then there was more excitement, I suppose," said Jerry. + +"There was--considerable," admitted the professor. "Then you boys came +in, and--well, it's all over now. But I surely feared for a moment +they might shoot my snake." + +"Yes, it was rather a close call," observed Bob. "But did you have a +good dinner with the colonel?" + +"Listen to him, would you!" protested Ned. "All he can think of is +eating!" + +"Cut it out!" growled Bob, as Ned poked him in the ribs. "I just +wanted to know what sort of feed they give the officers." + +"Oh," said Jerry significantly. "Merely an academic interest, I +suppose." + +"Sure!" assented Bob. "That's all." + +"Well, the dinner was very good, though I cannot say that I remember +what I ate," confessed the professor. "I was thinking too much of +something else." + +"Do you mean you were puzzled as to how to study the effect of the +noises of the French battlefields on grasshoppers and crickets?" asked +Jerry. + +"No," and the professor shook his head. "This is an altogether +different problem. It is, as I might call it, the problem of two +girls." + +"Two girls!" cried the three Motor Boys in a chorus. "Two girls?" + +They looked at the little professor, whose eyes, mildly blinking +behind his strong glasses, regarded the lads curiously. + +"Two girls," repeated the little scientist. "The problem I have to +solve concerns two girls." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +MORE GIRLS + + +Ned, Bob and Jerry looked at one another. Then they turned their +glances on the professor. + +"Whew!" softly whistled Jerry. "Can it be possible that our dear +friend is in love--and with two girls at once? This is getting +serious!" + +It would have been had Jerry's diagnosis been correct. But it was +wrong, as was proved a moment later, when the professor, with a sigh, +resumed his narrative. + +"Yes," he said, "I am much concerned over two girls--young ladies I +suppose would be the more proper designation. I have never seen either +of them." + +Jerry breathed more freely, and so did his chums. Clearly if the +professor had not seen the two girls he could not be in love with +them. And the professor in love was something unthinkable. He never +would have remembered, from one day to the next, the name of the +favored lady. + +"And, boys," went on Professor Snodgrass, "I think you will agree with +me that it is quite a problem to try to find in Europe, at this +particular time, two girls I have never seen, that I may deliver to +them a small fortune, and claim one myself." + +"Say, this is getting worse and more of it!" cried Ned. "What does it +all mean, Professor? Are you in earnest about these girls and the +effect of war noises on insects?" + +"I am in earnest about both problems--never more so," was the answer, +and it needed but a glance at the face of the scientist to disclose +this fact. "But perhaps I had better explain." + +"Perhaps you had," said Jerry with a smile. + +"And never mind about the insects--tell us about the girls," urged +Bob. + +"Yes, relieve his mind," agreed Ned. "He hasn't heard from his dear +Helena in some hours, I guess." + +"Oh, cut it out!" protested the stout lad. + +"The two girls to whom I refer," went on Professor Snodgrass, "are the +nieces of my late friend, Professor Emil Petersen." + +"The man who wrote the book on trigonometry that we used to study at +Boxwood Hall?" asked Ned. + +"The same," murmured Professor Snodgrass. "Professor Petersen was an +eminent mathematician, and the world did not fully estimate his worth. +His mathematical work was only a branch of his many-sided activities. +Professor Petersen died about three months ago, and he left me a most +peculiar legacy." + +"Peculiar in what way?" asked Ned. + +"It is like this," said the little scientist, as he pulled up a blade +of grass, and examined it under a powerful hand glass to see if any +strange insects might be crawling on it. "Professor Petersen, unlike +most of us professional men, was very wealthy. He was a Swede, and his +wealth came to him from his father. He never used much of it, and the +money accumulated. + +"After his death I was surprised to learn that he had made me one of +his heirs, but under certain conditions. It appears that in his +younger days Professor Petersen was estranged from his brother and +sister, on account of some family matters. They received an equal +share with him from their father's estate, but they made unwise +investments, and soon lost the major portion of their inheritances. +The professor kept his. Perhaps that was one reason for the +estrangement. + +"At any rate, some coldness existed, and it was not until just before +his death that the professor wished to be reconciled. Then it was too +late, as his brother and sister were both dead. But each had left a +daughter, and the young ladies were studying abroad--somewhere in +France or Germany, I believe, when the war broke out. + +"I was greatly surprised, when the will was made public, to learn that +I was to have half the professor's not inconsiderable wealth, on a +certain condition." + +"And what condition?" remarked Jerry, as the professor hesitated. + +"That condition is as follows. I am to seek out these two nieces of my +dead friend and give them each a fourth of his estate. The other half +I am to have for myself if I fulfill the trust. That is, I get it if I +can succeed in finding the two girls, and I need not tell you that I +shall be very glad of the large sum of money--not for myself, oh, no!" +said Professor Snodgrass quickly, "but that I may devote it to the +furtherance of the interests of science. If I can solve the problem, +and find the two girls, I shall have a large sum at my disposal, and I +can then fulfill a life-long desire to undertake the study of the +insects of the Amazon River. That is what I have always desired to do +since I took up my studies, but I always lacked the means. Now, if I +succeed in finding these two girls, I shall have wealth enough to +travel in South America." + +"And where are the girls?" asked Jerry. + +"Somewhere in Germany or France," was the answer. "The latter country, +I think. I have, among my papers, their last address. But since the +war there is no telling where I may find them. I have written a number +of letters, but have had no answers. Now I must go to seek them, and, +at the same time, make a study of the effect of battle noises on +crickets and grasshoppers. Is it any wonder that I seem puzzled? Was +there ever such a hard problem for a peace-loving scientist to +solve?" + +"It isn't going to be easy," admitted Ned. "Then you really expect to +go across?" + +"Yes. And since I understand you are going, we may go together; or at +least meet there, for I suppose I shall not be allowed on a transport, +being a civilian." + +"Hardly," assented Jerry. "But if, as you say, you have passports and +credentials and letters of introduction, it may be arranged. You had +better see our colonel. He seems to have taken quite a notion to +you." + +"Thank you; I will," promised the scientist. "And now I think I had +better go back and see about Ticula and Pete Bumps. Pete may be +worried about me." + +"Just a moment," suggested Ned. "If we are to help you in the search +for these two girls, we ought to know something more about them." + +"That is right," assented the professor; "and I hope you will help me. +The problem of finding the two young ladies would be easy were it not +for the war. But they have been missing since the conflict started, +and I can get no trace of them. I hope they are still living, for, if +they are dead, all the wealth Professor Petersen left goes to a humane +society for the care of distressed cats and dogs and to provide a +shelter for them. Not that I object to cats and dogs," he hastily +added, "but I think some other form of scientific activity might be +chosen. However, Professor Petersen was very peculiar, and, after all, +it was his money. Will you boys help me?" + +"Indeed we will!" cried Jerry. "But how are we to go about it? What +part of France were the girls last in?" + +"And what are their names?" Bob demanded. + +"And what do they look like?" asked Ned. + +"That last question I can answer first," said the professor. "I happen +to have recent pictures of them. They sent them to their uncle +following the deaths of their parents, and after the reconciliation, +and Professor Petersen left them to me, with certain other material, +documents and such, to aid me in the search. Here are the girls--their +names are Gladys Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs." + +He reached in his pocket and took out a folded paper. As he opened it +he gave a start and hastily closed it again. + +"That isn't it," he murmured. "Those are some dried specimens of +_ameba_ that I wish to study under a microscope." + +"What are _ameba_?" asked Jerry. "Fish?" + +"Not exactly," answered the professor with a smile, "though I secured +these from a little pond on the other side of the camp. _Ameba_ are +microorganisms of the simplest structure--a protoplasm which is +constantly changing in shape. Very interesting--very interesting +indeed, but not the pictures of the girls. Ah, here they are," he +added, as he replaced the first paper and took out a second. From the +folds of that he produced two unmounted photographs at which the boys +gazed with interest. + +They saw the likenesses of two pretty girls in traveling costume, and +the pictures had, obviously, been snapped by an amateur at some +country place, for there was a barn and fields in the background. + +"The girls took these pictures themselves, I understand," explained +the professor. "They sent them to their uncle." + +"Which is which?" asked Jerry. "I mean which is Gladys and which is +Dorothy?" + +"The names are on the reverse side of the photographs, I believe," +said the professor, and so it proved. + +"They are both pretty," observed Jerry. + +"I rather fancy Gladys," murmured Ned. + +"Dorothy seems real jolly," stated Bob. + +"Here! None of that, young man, or I'll write to Helena Schaeffer, +and tell her how you're carrying on!" warned Jerry, shaking a finger +at his stout chum. + +"Aw, you----" began Bob. + +But at that moment there came an interruption. A small, very much +excited lad came fairly bounding over the grass toward the figures of +the three chums and Professor Snodgrass. + +"Oh, here you are!" cried the newcomer. "Found you at last--thought I +never would--asked everybody--nearly got stabbed by a sentry--had to +jump out of the way of a bullet--whoop--but here I am--Gosh! Say, it's +good to see you again--I told 'em I could find you--awful hot, ain't +it? Lots of things going on--never saw so many soldiers in all my +life--here they are, girls! I found 'em!" + +Ned, Bob and Jerry gazed in amazement at the small lad. Ned murmured +his name--Andy Rush--and then Jerry, looking over the head of the +excited little chap, descried three girls approaching. + +"Girls! Girls!" murmured the tall lad. "More girls! What does it +mean?" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +NODDY NIXON + + +Events were transpiring so rapidly for Ned, Bob and Jerry in the last +few hours, that it was no wonder they were somewhat startled. Coming +from strenuous bayonet practice to hear of a spy alarm, to have that +augmented by excitement over the big snake, to learn that the "spy" +was none other than Professor Snodgrass, and then to hear of his +strange mission, would have been almost too much for any group of lads +less sophisticated than this trio. + +And hardly had they digested the news about the two missing girls, in +a search for whom they mentally agreed they would join, than along +came excitable Andy Rush and--more girls. + +"There's Mollie Horton!" cried Ned, recognizing a girl who lived near +him in Cresville, and with whom he was very friendly. + +"Yes, and I see Alice Vines," added Jerry. + +"And Helen Gale is with her," commented Bob. "I'm glad she came! +Helen's a great girl for sport and----" + +"You'd better be careful how you talk," warned Jerry, as the girls +continued to approach. "Helen and Helena are names very much alike, +but if you get them mixed up--well, Helen isn't one to stand any +nonsense." + +"Aw, say----" began Bob, and then the nearer approach of the three +girls, to whom Andy Rush was beckoning, put a stop to any further talk +concerning them. + +It might be added, to explain Jerry's reference, that Helena Schaeffer +was a girl in whom Bob Baker felt more than ordinary interest. At +first, because of the pro-German leanings of her father, she had been +a bit cold toward Bob when he joined the army with his chums, to fight +the Kaiser. But, as readers of the volume preceding this know, Helena +changed her attitude, much to Bob's relief. + +"Well, of all the sights that are good for sore eyes!" cried Ned, as +he hurried forward to greet the girls, an example followed by his +chums. "What fine wind blew you here?" + +"We didn't come in an airship!" burst out Andy Rush. "I wanted to, but +they wouldn't--'fraid they'd fall--swoop up--swoop down--get here +quicker--fall maybe--maybe not--lots of fun, anyhow. Gosh, it's +great--I say, fellows, are you going----" + +Jerry gently but firmly took hold of Andy by the ear, and, pointing to +Professor Snodgrass, who was wandering about a distant field in +search of possible insects, said: + +"Andy, you go and aid in the interests of science, and, incidentally, +cool off. We'll see you later." + +And Andy, whose rapid flow of words had been suddenly stopped, looked +once at the tall, bronzed lad, and then followed the instructions to +the letter. So, whether he wanted it or not, Professor Snodgrass had +the assistance of the small youth. + +"Well! Well!" exclaimed Jerry, as he shook hands lingeringly with +Alice. "How did you get here?" + +"Going to enlist?" asked Ned. + +"Maybe they're going to join the girls' motor corps," suggested Bob, +who had attached himself to Helen. + +"No, we just came on a visit," explained Mollie. + +"To see us?" asked Ned. + +"Of course!" was the mischievous answer. "We got lonesome back in +Cresville, with all the nice boys gone, and so we got Andy to bring us +down here." + +"And if we believe that, I suppose you'll tell us another," laughed +Jerry. "Seriously now, how did you happen to come, and how long are +you going to stay? Fellows, we'll have to get furloughs and take the +girls around. Not that there's much to see down here, but we'll do +our best," he added. + +"Cease! Cease!" commanded Ned, holding up his hand like a traffic +officer in front of Jerry. "Let's hear how they happened to come." + +"Oh, that is soon told," remarked Alice. "Mollie's aunt lives not far +from here." + +"And she invited Mollie down on a visit," added Helen. "And Mollie was +good enough to ask us, so we all came together. We reached there +yesterday, and, knowing you boys were at camp here, we decided to come +out to see you, which we have done." + +"And for which we are duly grateful," added Jerry. "But what about +Andy Rush? I never was more surprised in my life when I heard his +usual flow of language. How did he happen to be with you?" + +"That was just an accident, a coincidence, or whatever you want to +call it," said Mollie, with a laugh. "When Andy heard we were coming +down this way he asked if he couldn't come with us. He says he is +going to enlist. He isn't going to wait to be drafted. He said he'd +sort of look after us on our way down." + +"But it's been the other way about!" laughed Alice. "We've had to +watch him all the while. He was always hopping about, talking to +strangers, and every time the train stopped at a station longer than +a minute he'd get off, and we'd be in a fix for fear he'd be left. But +he's here, thank goodness!" + +"Going to enlist!" cried Ned. "Why, he's too _small_." + +"That's what they told him back in Cresville when he tried it," +remarked Alice. "But we must give Andy credit for being a determined +little chap. He's sixteen, and he says lots of boys of sixteen have +gone in, and he's going. He said if the recruiting officer at home +wouldn't take him one here at camp might. So he came with us, and I +believe he's going to ask you boys to use your influence to get him +into the army." + +"A heap of influence we have!" laughed Ned. "Privates--with Jerry just +made corporal." + +"Well, Andy was very nice to us on the way down," said Helen, "so +please do all you can for him." + +"We will!" promised Jerry. "And now tell us about yourselves, and how +all the folks are at home. Oh, but it's great to see you again!" + +Then followed a talk until it was time for the three chums to report +for drill duty. + +"What are you girls going to do this evening?" asked Bob. + +The girls looked at one another. + +"Oh, just sit around, I suppose," remarked Mollie. + +"No, you're not!" cried Jerry. "There's a dance in town--a really nice +place--and we've been wishing for some girls to come along to help us +out. It's under the auspices of the local Y. W. C. A. And if we can +get off----" + +"Oh, we'll get off all right!" broke in Ned eagerly. + +"If worst comes to worst, we'll have the professor ask the colonel on +our behalf. The prof seems to pull a pretty good stroke with the C. O. +So a dance it is to be!" declared Bob. + +And a dance it was. The boys received permission to remain away from +camp until midnight, passes being issued to them, and they at once +proceeded to "doll up," as Bob expressed it. + +A joyous week followed, for the girls were to remain in the vicinity +of Camp Dixton, at Mollie's aunt's house for some time, and they asked +nothing better than to have the company of the three chums as often as +it might be possible. + +Of course, Ned, Bob and Jerry did not have very much time to +themselves during the day, and some of their nights were occupied. But +fate was kind to them, and they had several dances with the girls, and +also went to "shows" at the local Y. M. C. A., as well as entertaining +the girls by escorting them about the cantonment. + +Meanwhile, Professor Snodgrass received permission to loose his pet +snake, Ticula, in certain restricted areas, so that he might observe +her feeding habits in the open. + +"But I cannot stay here very long," he told the boys. "I must soon +begin to prepare for my trip to Europe. I simply must make an attempt +to find those two girls." + +"And we'll help you!" declared Jerry. "Just wait a few days more. I +think our orders to go across are coming." + +And come the orders did. The day before the three home-town girls were +to return to Cresville orders came for the larger part of the soldiers +at Camp Dixton to leave for France. + +"Hurray!" cried Ned, Bob and Jerry, as they saw the orders posted. +"Now we'll get a whack at the Germans!" + +"And I'm going, too!" declared Andy Rush. "I'll go if I have to leave +as a stowaway! I've simply got to fight--get me a gun--let me go in an +aeroplane--I want action--got to do something--can't keep +still--Hurray for Uncle Sam!" + +"Say, you'll burst a blood vessel if you aren't careful!" cautioned +Ned. "Better go slow, Andy." + +But Andy Rush was not the lad for that, and he hurried about the camp, +more excited than ever, seeking for a chance to go abroad. + +Ned, Bob and Jerry, with thousands of their chums, were to go to +Hoboken, New Jersey, there to go aboard a transport and be escorted +to France. By a stroke of good luck, and by pulling some official, or +scientific wires, Professor Snodgrass received permission to go on the +same vessel. He hurriedly sent his pet snake to a museum to be cared +for until his return, mailed his specimens of _ameba_ to a scientific +friend to be made into microscopical slides, and then, having fitted +himself out with as many specimen boxes and other paraphernalia as he +was permitted to take, announced that he was ready for his dual +mission--the seeking out of the two girls that he might apprise them +of their good fortune and to undertake the study of the effect of war +noises on crickets and katydids. + +The final drills, bayonet practices, hikes and other camp activities +were held, and then the order came to break camp. Professor Snodgrass +went on ahead, promising to meet the three chums in Hoboken, and +Mollie, Alice and Helen departed for Cresville, their good-byes to the +boys being rather tearful, it must be admitted. + +As for Andy Rush, he disappeared on the day when the young soldiers +were to take the train for the North, and no one seemed to know what +had become of him. + +"Guess he found he couldn't get in the army, and he went back home," +remarked Ned. + +Finally the three chums were on their way for the fighting front with +thousands of fellow soldiers, some being volunteers and others of the +selective service. + +Many and varied were the thoughts of our heroes as the train bore them +northward. What would be their fate in France? Would they ever see +home again, or would they be left across the water with the others who +died that civilization might live? And mingled with these thoughts +were others as to the mission of Professor Snodgrass. + +"It surely is some commission--trying to find two girls with just +their photographs and nothing much else to go by," commented Ned. + +"But we have done harder things," added Jerry. + +The journey North was rather tiresome, but the boys and their +companions enlivened it as much as possible by singing, telling +stories, and general activities. + +Once, when the train was delayed at a junction the three Cresville +friends got out, as did hundreds of others, to "stretch their legs." +There was another train-load of young soldiers on a siding, having +come from another camp, and lads from this were also walking up and +down. + +As Ned, Bob and Jerry stood together, looking at a group of recruits +who had been trained in Texas, they heard a voice saying: + +"This drafting business makes me sick! I don't like it at all!" + +"Maybe you'd rather have been passed over," suggested some one. + +"Naw, you get me wrong!" was the answer. "I want to fight all right, +but I want to do it my own way. I'd have enlisted in the air service +if they'd given me time enough. I was thinking of it when the draft +law went into effect, and then I couldn't. I know a lot about +airships. I used to run one, and I invented one, too." + +"Did it fly?" some one wanted to know. + +"It would have if it hadn't been for some mean fellows in my town who +didn't want me to beat them," was the announcement. "You wait until I +get on the other side! I'll show 'em what flying is, if they give me +the chance, and Jerry Hopkins and his pals sha'n't stop me, either!" + +"Did you hear that?" asked Ned in a low voice. + +"I should say so!" exclaimed Bob. "We ought to know who that is." + +"Noddy Nixon, without a doubt!" remarked Jerry. "And up to his old +tricks! I hope he isn't going on the same transport with us!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +OFF FOR FRANCE + + +Noddy Nixon needs no introduction to my old readers. This rich and +impudent lad had, more than once, done his best to injure the Motor +Boys, and, with the plotting of Jack Pender and Bill Berry, a +Cresville n'er-do-well, had too often succeeded. + +"Well, I don't see anything of Bill or Jack," observed Jerry, as he +looked toward Noddy Nixon, and noted, that the bully was surrounded by +a group of strange recruits. + +"Yes, if he's by himself he won't be so hard to handle," agreed Ned. +"But I wonder where he came from? He ought to be in jail!" + +"I suppose he came from some training camp--same as we did," observed +Bob. "And he looks as though he had been well fed, too. He's as fat as +butter." + +"That's Chunky all over--thinking of the eating end," laughed Ned. + +"Yes, Noddy is fat all right--too fat!" declared Jerry. "He hasn't +been drilled as hard as we have, or else he got a desk position +somewhere and held on to it." + +"Did you hear the bluff he was throwing about trying to enlist in the +air service?" asked Ned. + +"Yes," agreed his tall chum. "Talk about his being an expert flier! +Say, do you remember his _Tin Fly_?" + +"I should say so!" laughed Bob. "The flying machine that wouldn't go +up. That was a hot one! But keep quiet--he's looking over this way." + +Noddy, indeed, seemed to have his attention attracted to the three +friends. At first he looked uncomprehendingly, and then, as the +features of the lads toward whom he had acted so meanly became +plainer, he stared and finally exclaimed: + +"What are you fellows doing here?" + +"The same as you, I imagine," was Jerry's cool answer. "We are going +to fight in France." + +Jerry said afterward he wanted to add that he and his chums had +"volunteered" to do this fighting, but he did not think it would be +quite fair to the drafted men with Noddy who, to do them justice, were +in the same class as the best of patriots. The selective service law +solved many problems, but Noddy's was not among them. As the boys +learned later, the town bully had done his best to evade the draft, +and had only registered when threatened with military action. + +Then he made a virtue of necessity and talked big about having tried +to volunteer in the air service, only to be refused. But most of those +who heard Noddy Nixon talk understood him, and were not at all taken +in. + +"Where'd you fellows train?" asked Noddy, moving over toward his +Cresville acquaintances. + +"Camp Dixton," answered Ned. Then he added to Bob and Jerry: "Come on, +fellows, I think our train's about to pull out." + +None of the Motor Boys had any relish for talk with their former +enemy. As for Noddy, he seemed to think he was doing them a favor by +noticing them, and as they turned away he said: + +"Camp Dixton isn't in it with Upyank, where our bunch was trained! +We'll show you when we get to France!" + +"I hope we don't run across him," murmured Jerry, as they got back to +their seats, for Ned's alarm had proved true, and their train soon did +pull out. Noddy and his crowd were a little later in starting from the +junction, and then, as the Motor Boys were hauled on to their +destination to embark for France, they discussed the past doings of +the bully, and wondered how he would conduct himself in war. + +From that they switched to the more pleasant topic of the recent visit +of the girls, and speculated on what had become of Andy Rush. + +"They might enlist him and let him talk some of the Huns to death," +suggested Ned. "He could do that to perfection. But I'm afraid he's +too small to get in the army." + +"I wonder if we'll ever find the professor's two girls?" ventured Bob, +meaning thereby Gladys Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs. + +"I don't believe we'll have much time to look for them, if the +fighting keeps up as fiercely as it has," and Jerry handed his chums a +paper he had purchased, which gave a detailed account of some of the +first fighting of the American Expeditionary Force, in the Toul +sector, at Seicheprey. This fighting had taken place in April, and it +was late in June when Ned, Bob and Jerry, with others from their camp, +were on their way to France in that great movement of troops which was +to prove the turning, and winning, point of the war. The account in +the paper of the fighting at Seicheprey was a delayed one sent through +the mail by a correspondent. + +"Yes, it is getting hot," observed Ned. "But still we promised the +professor we'd help him look for the girls." + +"And so we shall, if we get the chance," declared Jerry. "I know what +it would mean to the professor if he lost his half of the fortune and +had to give up his work on the insects of the Amazon. Oh, we'll help +him all right!" + +[Illustration: THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS WERE CROWDING ON BOARD. +_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 57_] + +The journey of the boys to the "Atlantic Seaport," as Hoboken and New +York, as well as other well-known cities, were called in the +newspapers during the war, was not eventful. Their train was one of +many hundreds rushing troops to the transports, and in due time Ned, +Bob and Jerry found themselves getting off at a big dock in Hoboken +and going aboard a transport--a former German liner, her machinery +rebuilt after the ship's German crew had done their best to disable +it. + +"Well, we're here!" announced Jerry, as he eased his pack from his +shoulders to the deck, an example followed by Ned and Bob. + +"Yes, we're here, and we'll soon be--there!" and Ned nodded in the +direction of France--or where he thought it was. + +Somewhere a band was playing. Thousands of soldiers were crowding on +board, and there would be more thousands after them--a stream that +would not end until Prussianism had been dealt its death-blow. + +There was a period of seeming chaos while the troops were getting +settled and disposing of their baggage. Then the three chums had a +chance to look about them, and proceeding to the stern of the vessel +they glanced across the Hudson to New York, where the towering +buildings showed dimly through a harbor haze. + +"Wonder when we'll see them again," remarked Jerry, in a low voice. + +Neither of his chums answered. They were thinking, though. + +Late that afternoon the preparation and bustle seemed redoubled. More +soldiers and a number of officers came aboard, and then, suddenly, +after bugles had blared and bells had clanged, there was a tremor +through the big transport. + +"We're off!" cried Bob. + +"For France!" added Ned. + +"And I'm glad to be with you!" said a voice behind Jerry, who, +turning, beheld Professor Snodgrass. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TRAINING CAMP + + +My readers may well guess that Ned, Bob and Jerry were glad to see the +scientist. He was like part of their "own folks," and though they had +many friends among their army chums, and though they liked, and were +liked, by their officers, our three heroes felt that with Professor +Snodgrass along it was like taking part of Cresville aboard with +them. + +"So you got here all right, did you?" asked Ned with a smile, as he +and the others shook hands with the scientist. + +"Yes, I'm here; and I wish we were across. I dread the voyage." + +"Submarines?" asked Jerry. + +"Oh, no, I wasn't thinking of them," answered the professor. "But I am +anxious to get across, not only to begin my study of the effect of war +noises on European insects, but to search for those two young ladies. +I have been reading considerable about war conditions in France and +Germany since Professor Petersen made me his part heir, and I fear +the young ladies may have a hard time." + +"Yes, they are very likely to," assented Ned. "But until we get there +we can't do anything to help them. However, we'll do our best for you +and them when we do get there--if we have a chance--after getting a +Hun or two," he added. + +"That's right," said Mr. Snodgrass. "The winning of the war is the +first consideration. I wish I were young enough to fight. But I have +contributed to the Red Cross, to the Salvation Army, the Knights of +Columbus and the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A.; and I've mailed +every magazine I finished reading and sent over all the books I could +spare." + +The boys winked at one another. They gave full credit to Professor +Snodgrass for his contributions to the five organizations, which, with +the Jewish Welfare League, did so much to help win the war. + +"But if the boys in camp over there had to depend for reading on the +dry, scientific magazines and books the professor sent them they'd be +hard put," commented Jerry to his chums, afterward. + +"Well, we're moving, anyhow," observed Bob, as he and the others +noticed that tugs were backing the transport out into the river. "Now +that we're under way, don't you think we'd better go and see +about----" + +"Grub!" finished Jerry, fairly taking the word out of Chunky's mouth. + +The stout lad glared a moment, and then said: + +"Well, yes, grub! Why not? We have to eat, don't we?" + +"You said it, Bob!" exclaimed Ned. "Go to it!" + +But the boys found they need not have worried about the matter of +eating or sleeping. Competent hands had the comfort of the soldiers in +charge and there was nothing lacking that could be obtained. They were +taken in charge by officers, divided into squads, assigned to certain +lifeboats, and told where to report when an alarm for a submarine +attack, real or simulated, was sounded. + +Professor Snodgrass told how he had secured permission to come aboard +the transport with his friends, the young soldiers--no easy +matter--and how he had been designated as a "correspondent," though +Jerry Hopkins, on hearing this, remarked: + +"I suppose if he did send any news it would be to the _Bug Hunter's +Review_, describing the life of an insect on an army transport." + +"Very likely," agreed Ned. + +And so, amid the blaring whistle salutes of river craft, the former +German liner dropped down the bay and started for France with the +young soldiers who were to do their part in ending barbarous +militarism forever. + +It was not exactly a gay trip. There were many who were seasick in +spite of the calm weather, and there was little to do on board. Only a +few books were available to read, and these were in constant use. +Aside from lifeboat drill there was little to occupy the boys. + +But there was always the fear of a submarine attack when they should +reach the infested zone, and the boys looked forward to this as +something that would relieve the monotony. + +There was a gun crew on the transport--several of them, in fact--and +the troop ships were escorted by war vessels and the swift, snake-like +destroyers, which moved with such remarkable speed. + +One day, after the usual lifeboat drill, which was held at different +hours each day so that none would suspect when it was coming, the +three chums were standing near the forward gun, rather idly scanning +the water. The night had been a dreary one, cooped up as they were in +the darkness, for now that they were approaching the danger zone, all +but the most necessary lights were dimmed. + +Up above, and on various parts of the deck, were the lookouts, +scanning with strained and eager eyes the expanse of water ahead of +them for a sight of the white wake that would indicate a periscope, +or, perchance, hoping to see the wet, glistening sides of a "steel +fish" itself, as it broke water before sending the deadly torpedo. + +"Well, boys, how goes it?" asked a voice behind the three chums, and +they recognized Professor Snodgrass. + +As Jerry turned to speak to him, having finished a remark in which he +had speculated as to what had become of Noddy Nixon, who was not on +board, one of the men cried: + +"What's that?" + +He pointed to a spot about two points off the port bow, and Ned, Bob +and Jerry, as well as several others, distinctly saw a little +commotion in the water. + +"A sub, as sure as you're a foot high!" cried a marine, just as a +bugle call to quarters was blown, for a lookout, too, had observed the +disturbance in the water. + +Instantly the gun crew was in action, and several shots were fired +from the bow gun. The reports had hardly ceased echoing when some +remarkable activity was displayed, not only aboard the transport, but +on the part of the convoying squadron. + +As the shells splashed into the sea near the spot where the commotion +had been observed, there were smudges of black smoke at several points +on either side of the troopship. These were the funnels of the +destroyers belching out clouds of vapor that told of their approach +under forced draught. And as the other guns on the transport awoke and +began firing on the suspected submarine, up came racing the swift +craft, the men on board eagerly looking for a target. + +Then their big guns got into action, and for a time the sea in the +vicinity of the suspected place was churned by exploding shells, while +one destroyer, the fastest of the flotilla, shot right over the place +where the lookout thought he had seen a periscope, and dropped two +depth bombs that added further to the churning of Neptune's element. + +Meanwhile, for the second occasion in a short time, lifeboat stations +were sounded, and the soldiers, donning their life preservers, took +their places to await what might follow--possibly, an order to abandon +ship after she had been struck by a torpedo. + +But this contingency did not arise. The destroyers swarmed around the +transport, seeking in vain for something substantial on which to +expend their ammunition, and then the scare was over. + +And whether it was only a scare, or whether a real submarine had shown +her periscope and then dived before sending a torpedo, could, of +course, only be surmised. But no chances were being taken, and the +transport on which the Cresville boys traveled was not the only one of +the American Expeditionary Forces that believed itself the object of a +frustrated attack. + +"If that was a sub, it came out pretty far to meet us," observed +Jerry, when the excitement had died away and they were at ease once +more. + +"No telling where they'll be found," said a noncommissioned officer. +"If that had been one I believe we'd have got her, though." + +"Surest thing you know!" declared Ned Slade emphatically. + +This was the only incident that marked the passage. Of course, at +various times, especially during the nights, the lookouts may have +imagined they saw the wake of a periscope or a torpedo, but there was +no general alarm. + +And finally, after what really was a tiresome voyage, and one the end +of which was welcomed by all, the transport docked at a certain port +in France, and Ned, Bob and Jerry were able, with their water-weary +comrades, to go ashore. + +"Here at last!" murmured Jerry, as he and his chums sought their own +company. + +"And where are the Huns we're going to fight?" asked Bob, looking +around at the strange scenes. + +"Oh, we won't see them right away," returned Ned. "It'll be more +training camp for ours for a while. But we'll see real fighting soon +enough. Don't worry." + +"It can't come any too soon for me, Buddy!" exclaimed a tall, Southern +lad, with whom the Motor Boys had become chummy at Camp Dixton. "Lead +me to it!" + +But there was much to be done before this would occur. After the boys +had disembarked they were inspected, roll was called, and then they +were told to march to a designated depot, there to eat and be fitted +out for a march to the French village where they were to be billeted +until sent to a training camp. + +Professor Snodgrass could not, of course, stay with the army boys, but +he announced that he would follow them as closely as possible, and +keep in communication with them. As soon as might be he would arrange +to begin the search for the two missing girls. + +Not all that Ned, Bob and Jerry had read of the gigantic work +undertaken to fit out and maintain the American armies in France +prepared them for what they saw. The port where the transport docked +had been transformed. Great storehouses and warehouses were erected. +Whole railway systems had been built, with the American locomotives +replacing the diminutive French ones. And the French population and +army representatives were as much surprised at the initiative and +wonderful progress of the American forces as were the new recruits +themselves. + +"Say, we're going into this war with both feet!" exclaimed Jerry +admiringly. + +"That's the only way to do it," said Ned. "The harder we go at it the +sooner it will be over." + +They had their "chow," and even Bob admitted that it was "mighty +good," and, as you know, he was a connoisseur. + +Then, with their comrades, the three Motor Boys marched to the place +where they were to spend the night before going to the training camp. +This was a small French village, and its quaint beauty, unspoiled by +the Germans, was very attractive to the sea-weary soldiers. + +Ned, Bob and Jerry were billeted with five others at a French +farmhouse, where they were given beds in the attic. The "beds" were +only piles of clean straw, but the lads were delighted with them after +their close bunks on the ship. + +"I can roll over now without falling out," said Ned, with a sigh of +comfort as he stretched out. + +They drew their rations the following morning, and breakfasted most +heartily, if not luxuriously, and were ready for what the day held for +them. This was nothing else than a journey to their training camp, +which, they learned, was some miles behind the front lines where the +fighting was going on. + +"But you'll be moved up as fast as it's possible to do so," said the +officer who directed them. "The fighting's getting heavier and +heavier." + +And this was true, for about this time the 42d American Division was +in position east of Rheims where, a little later, a great German +attack was launched, and, as all the world now knows, was flung back +with disaster to the Hun forces. + +The railroad journey, from a point near their disembarkation port to +their training camp, was not a very comfortable one, as the troops had +to travel in cars that were used at times for horses. But every one +was in good spirits, and little inconveniences were laughed at. + +And finally, after three days, the welcome word was given to leave the +trains and march to the camp. This was situated in a beautiful part of +France--that is, it had been beautiful before the spoliation by the +Huns, and there Ned, Bob and Jerry, with thousands of their comrades, +prepared for the last phase of their training. Before them was the +enemy. + +"Well, here at last!" remarked Jerry, as he eased himself from his +pack, and, with his two chums, stacked the guns together. "I wonder +what happens first?" + +"Suppose you come over and have some chocolate?" suggested a voice +behind the boys, and, turning, they saw a pleasant-faced young man, +whose hair, however, was gray. He wore a semi-military uniform, but a +glance at his sleeve showed the red triangle, and the letters "Y. M. +C. A." were not needed to tell his character. + +"Come over and make yourselves at home," he went on. "You'll have time +before you'll be called on to report." + +"Thank you, we will," said Jerry. "Some chocolate would touch the +spot." + +"I've got two spots that need touching," laughed Bob. + +"Won't you boys come, too?" invited the Y. M. C. A. worker, as he +turned to some others who had marched up as Ned, Bob and Jerry were +moving away. + +"What? Trail in with a lot of psalm-singing goody-goodies?" was the +sneering retort of one, and it needed only a glance to show that the +speaker was Noddy Nixon. + +"He's here--worse luck!" murmured Ned. + +"No Y. M. C. A. for mine!" sneered Noddy. + +"Boor!" muttered Bob, in protest. + +"There is a Knights of Columbus station next to ours, and a Salvation +Army hut, as well as a Jewish Community station, here in camp," was +the gentle answer of the secretary. "If you prefer one of those you +will be very welcome, I know. We are all working together for you +boys." + +"None for mine!" sneered Noddy. "I want some cigarettes!" + +"I can let you have some at my _foyer_," said the secretary, with a +smile. "I don't smoke myself, but I like the smell of it mighty well. +Come along." + +But Noddy laughed sneeringly, and would not go. However, Ned, Bob and +Jerry accompanied the Y. M. C. A. man, and very glad they were to buy, +at a modest price, some cups of chocolate, and also some cakes of it +to put in their pockets. + +"These Y. M. C. A. and K. C. places are all to the merry!" voted Ned. +"They were great back at Camp Dixton, but they're twice as good +here!" + +"And we'll look after you, as well as we can, when you get on the +firing line," said their new friend. "You'll have to depend on the +Salvation Army lassies for doughnuts, but we can give you smokes and +chocolate almost any time. Have some more!" + +He made the boys and their comrades so welcome that they hated to +leave to go to roll call. But this must be done, and soon they were +assigned to barracks, much the same as in Camp Dixton. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON THE FIRING LINE + + +The training Ned, Bob and Jerry went through in the French camp, +though on a more intense scale and with greater attention to detail, +was much like that which they had obtained at Camp Dixton, and that +has been related at length in the volume preceding this. + +There were the same drills to go through, only they were harder, and +in charge were men who had seen terrible fighting. Some of them were +American army officers, sent back from the front to instruct the new +recruits, and others were French and British officers, detailed to +teach the raw troops who, at first, were brigaded with the veterans. + +It was rise early in the morning, drill hard all day, attend some +school of instruction in the evening, and then, after a brief visit +perhaps to the Y. M. C. A. hut or one of the other rest tents, go to +bed, to get up and do it all over again the next day. + +But the boys never felt it monotonous, nor did they complain of the +hard work. They knew it was necessary, and here on the very fighting +ground itself--in wonderful France--there was a greater incentive to +apply oneself to the mastering of the lessons of the war. + +Then, too, they saw or heard at first hand of the indescribable +cruelties and atrocities of the Huns. Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their +comrades saw with what fervor the French and British were proceeding +with the war, and their own spirits were inflamed. + +No work was too hard for them, from learning to throw hand grenades, +taught by men who had had them thrown at them, to digging trenches +laid out after the fashion of those on either side of No Man's Land. +Then came small sham engagements, when, imagining the sample trenches +to be held by Germans, a company would storm them to drive out the +"enemy." + +In fair and rainy weather this work went on, and it rained more often +than not, as Jerry wrote home to his mother. The chums could write, +but there was no telling when the missives would be delivered, nor +when they would get any in return, for there was such congestion that +the mail service broke down at times, and no wonder. So, though +eventually the home folks--and in them is included "the girls"--got +all the mail intended for them, there were days of anxious waiting. + +Meanwhile the Motor Boys were perfecting themselves as soldiers, and +were winning the commendation of their officers. Jerry was promoted to +be first corporal, and in his squad of seven were Ned and Bob, much to +their delight. + +"It's a pleasure to take orders from you, old man," said Ned. + +"Well, I won't give any more than I have to," remarked the tall lad, +now taller and more bronzed than ever. + +Professor Snodgrass had managed to find quarters in a village not far +from camp, and from there he came to see the boys occasionally. He was +getting his affairs in shape to proceed with the study of the matter +at present under his attention. + +"Have you heard anything from Miss Petersen or Miss Gibbs?" asked +Jerry. + +"No, not a word," was the answer. "I have sent several letters, and +made inquiries of the authorities here, but the latter give me very +little encouragement. That's bad, too; for I've just had word from +home that makes my share in that inheritance seem of more importance +than ever," and the professor gave a little sigh. + +"Why, what's happened, Professor?" questioned Jerry, with quick +sympathy. + +"I lent some money," explained Professor Snodgrass, "to one of my +friends--an old friend with whom I went through college--to help him +over a hard place. But he has not got over his troubles; in fact, his +affairs are growing worse, and it looks as if I would never get my +money back. And that will cripple me, cripple me badly, boys. Yes, I +need the money that Professor Petersen was good enough to leave me." + +"Well, let's hope that you find those girls quickly, Professor, and +get that inheritance very soon," said Ned. + +"But I am afraid I shall have to wait until you boys capture Germany, +and then I can go in and search." + +"Us boys--with help," chuckled Jerry. + +"Well, if it keeps up the way we've started we'll soon have the Hun on +the run!" declared Ned, and he spoke with some truth, for soon was to +be the beginning of the successful American advance. + +Greatly to their relief the boys saw little of Noddy Nixon, for he was +housed in barracks at the opposite end of the camp from those in which +they were billeted. But they met him occasionally, and listened with +ill-concealed disgust to his boasts, and his talk of having tried in +vain to enlist before he was drafted. + +"If they'd give me an aeroplane I'd go over the German lines and make +'em sit up and take notice!" boasted the bully. + +"Why don't you send home for what's left of your '_Tin Fly_'?" asked +Ned, with a wink at his chums. + +"Aw, you dry up!" commanded Noddy, for this airship, which he had once +built to compete in an exhibition, was a sore point with him, as it +had not justified its name. + +Meanwhile, all along the line in the sector where the American troops +were stationed hard fighting was going on. On either flank were French +and English forces, but the boys of Uncle Sam were holding up their +end of the work exceedingly well. + +"When can we get into it?" sighed Ned one evening, when reports came +in of heavy fighting, during which certain American units had won +distinction. + +"Very soon, so I hear," returned Jerry. "Our intensive training is +nearly over. We may be moved up to the front any day now." + +"The sooner the quicker," cried Bob. "Maybe the eats won't be so good +farther front, but we'll see some action!" + +Of course, there had been "action" in plenty at camp, but it was of +the safe variety, and this did not appeal to the boys. + +Then their chance came. One morning after drill emotion, like +electricity, seemed to run through the camp. + +"What's up?" came the queries from all sides. + +"We're ordered to the firing line!" was the answer. + +And then came cheers! Cheers that showed of what stuff America's +fighters were made. + +The news proved true. That evening, under the cover of darkness, so +that no lurking Hun planes might detect the movement, a considerable +body of troops from the training camp was sent up toward the front, to +relieve some battle-scarred units. + +At first, as the three chums and their comrades marched along, there +was joking and laughing. Then this died away. The seriousness of the +situation began to be comprehended. It was not that any one was +afraid. The boys were realizing the gravity of the occasion, that was +all. + +"Hark! what's that?" asked Bob, as he marched along with Ned, Jerry, +as corporal, being file leader. "Is it thunder?" + +They stepped lightly so as to listen more intently. + +"The guns!" explained a lieutenant hurrying past. "Those are the guns +on the firing line you hear. There must be a night attack." + +The guns of the front! Fighting was actually very near, for, though +the boys in camp had often heard a distant rumble when there was a big +bombardment on, this was the first time they had heard so plainly the +hostile guns. It gave them a thrill, even as they felt the ground +tremble beneath them. + +And so, in the darkness, they moved up to their new camp--a camp on +the very edge of the fighting; and from where they came to a halt, to +wait for morning before being assigned to the trenches, they could see +the lurid fires that flared across No Man's Land. + +Tired and weary, but with an eagerness nothing could subdue, the chums +and their comrades awoke the next morning as the bugle called them. At +first they could not realize where they were, and then with a rush it +came to them. + +"On the firing line!" cried Jerry. "Just where we wanted to be! Now +for some action!" + +Hardly had he spoken when there sounded a terrific explosion, and the +boys were fairly blown off their feet, toppling to the ground. + +There was action for them! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN THE TRENCHES + + +Stunned and bruised, the three chums and several of their comrades +around them were incapable of action for a little while. Then, as +Jerry raised himself from the ground, he heard Bob ask: + +"What hit us, anyway? Are the Germans attacking?" + +"Gee!" was Bob's muttered protest. + +"Get up!" some one cried. "You're all right. It was a bomb from a Hun +plane, but it missed its mark." + +"Seems to have hit me all right," observed Ned, whose face was +bleeding, though only from scratches. + +"You were knocked down by the concussion," explained the officer who +had told them to get up. "It was a close call all right, but no one is +hurt. Fall in for roll call!" + +Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of the other soldiers scrambled to their +feet. They had been on the point of answering roll call when the +explosion came, and now that the danger was over, at least for the +time being, they had a chance to see what had caused it. + +The aeroplane from which the bomb had been dropped was not now in +sight, but this is what had happened. One of the German machines +passing over the front line, as they often did, had escaped the Allied +craft, and had also managed to pass through the firing of the +anti-aircraft guns. Whether the machine had gone some distance back, +hoping to drop bombs on an ammunition dump, or whether it came over +merely to take a pot shot at the American trenches, was never known. + +But the aviator had dropped a large explosive bomb, which, luckily for +the Motor Boys and their comrades, had fallen into an open space, +though not far from one of the camouflaged stations where the soldiers +were quartered before being taken up to the front-line trenches. The +explosion had blown a big hole in the ground and damaged some food +stores, but that was all, except that when the Americans were about to +answer roll call they were knocked down by the concussion, and some, +like Ned, were scratched and cut by flying dirt and stones, or perhaps +by fragments of the bursting bomb. + +"See, no one is hurt," went on the officer, as if to reassure those +who were soon to take their places in the front-line trenches. "Good +luck was with you that time." + +"I hope it keeps up," murmured Bob. "It's a mean trick to shoot a man +before he has his breakfast," and then he wondered why the others +laughed. + +They all looked curiously, and it may be said, thankfully, at the big +hole made by the bomb. As the officer had said, only good luck had +prevented some of the boys from filling that hole. + +After this Jerry was silent and thoughtful. + +"Well, what's next?" asked Ned, after an examination had shown that +his wounds were merely scratches, for which he refused to go to the +hospital, or even a dressing station. + +"Breakfast, I hope," said Bob, and this it proved to be. + +The excitement caused by the dropping of the bomb soon died away, +though Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of the other soldiers who had not yet +been under hostile fire, felt their nerves a bit unsteady for some +time. + +But the veterans, of whom there were many, appeared to take it as a +matter of course. It had happened before, they said, and probably +would again. + +"But that's what we came here for--war," remarked Jerry, as he and his +chums finished their breakfast--no very elaborate meal, and one to +which little time was given. "We've got to take our chances." + +Up and down the line, on either side of the sector where the three +chums were to receive their baptism of fire, already begun, could be +heard dull booming. It was the firing of heavy guns, and might +indicate an attack in progress or one being repelled by either side. +Here the Allied and German lines were close together, in some places +the front-line trenches being less than six hundred feet apart. +Between was the famed and terrible No Man's Land. + +"I wonder if Professor Snodgrass will ever get up as far as this," +mused Ned, as they prepared to go back to their quarters and begin the +day's business. + +"The firing wouldn't keep him away, if he thought he could find some +bugs," answered Jerry. "And if he wants to ascertain the effect of +noises on crickets all he has to do is to bring the crickets here. We +can supply the noise." + +"I should say so!" agreed Bob. "It's getting worse, too! Listen to +that!" + +Indeed, with the broadening of day the noise of the big and small guns +increased. Whether a great battle was impending or merely local +engagements, the boys had no means of knowing. + +The position to which they had been brought, and where they would +spend about a week, holding the front and supporting line trenches, +until relieved by a new command, ran up and over a little wooded hill. +From this vantage point, which had more than once been stormed in vain +by the Germans, could be seen the country beyond No Man's Land--a +portion of France held by the enemy. And in the brief glimpse the +Motor Boys had of it, smoke-covered and stabbed with flashes of fire +here and there as it was, they saw something of what war meant. + +"The professor is going to have some job on his hands if he expects to +find any young ladies on the other side of that," and Ned waved his +hand to indicate the terrain possessed by the Huns. + +"Oh, we can get through if we attack in force," declared Bob. "And +maybe that's why they brought us up--there may be going to be an +attack." + +"We'll have to get through--for objects big and little; that the +professor may find his girls and his inheritance and," and here Ned's +lips set a little grimly, "that we may help to bring back freedom to +the earth." + +"There may be an attack all right, if Foch, Pershing and the other +generals think it's a good time for it," said Jerry. "But as for +having it postponed until our arrival, well, you boys have some ideas +of your ability." + +"Oh, I didn't mean that!" cried Bob. "I meant that maybe we'd be in +the big battle." + +"I hope we are," said Ned. "We want to do our share." + +This opportunity soon came to the boys. As soon as they reached their +headquarters--a series of ruined buildings in which they had passed +the night--they were told to get ready to go up and take their places +in the trenches. But first they were given a little talk by one of the +officers, who explained the necessity of donning gas masks at the +first alarm. Other instructions were given, and then, when it was seen +that every man had everything he needed, from the first-aid kit to the +grotesque-looking gas mask, the trip to the first-line trenches was +begun. + +So much has been written about the World War that it seems needless to +explain anything about the trenches. As all know, they were a series +of ditches, about six feet deep, dug along in front of similar ditches +constructed by the enemy. The distance between the two lines of +trenches varied from a few hundred feet to several thousand. + +The ditches, or trenches, were not in straight rows. They zig-zagged +to make attacks on them more difficult. There were several rows of +trenches on both sides of No Man's Land. This was so that in the event +of an attack the men could fall back from one line of trenches to the +other, fighting meanwhile to drive off the enemy. + +The trenches were narrow, about wide enough for one man, though two +might pass by squeezing. At intervals, however, were wider places +where food or wound-dressing emergency stations could be established. +At other places there were large excavations where dugouts were +constructed, and there relief parties rested and slept if they could +between periods of duty. + +The bottoms of some of the trenches were covered with "duck boards," +or short planks, with spaces between to let the water run out, and in +certain parts of France it seemed to some of the boys to rain about +three hundred out of the three hundred and sixty-five days of the +year. + +The trenches were sometimes braced with boards and cross pieces of +wood, such as is often used when a sewer is dug through the streets, +and again wicker-work, or jute bagging, might be used to hold the +earth firm. + +Below the top of the trenches, in certain places, were projections. +These were firing steps, and the men stepped up on these to aim their +rifles at the enemy. In certain other places were set up improvised +periscopes, so that an officer could look "over the top," and, by a +series of reflecting mirrors, observe what was going on in the enemy's +country. + +Again, at other places in the trenches, light artillery, such as +machine guns and grenade throwers were set up. Here and there were +little stoves to warm the food brought up whenever a relief party +could get through the rain of shells. In some places heavy concrete or +wooden dugouts were constructed, well under ground, though the Germans +did more of this than the Allies, the Hun trenches being very +elaborate at times. + +And it was to these trenches that Ned, Bob and Jerry, with their +comrades, were led. There they would remain on duty for a specified +time differing under varying conditions, or until an attack was either +made by them or by the enemy. After that, in case the enemy were +successful, trenches farther in the rear must be occupied. But in the +event of the German attack being repulsed, and a counter-attack +carrying the Allies forward, advanced trenches--possibly those +deserted by the Huns--would be used. + +"Forward!" came the command, and the three Motor Boys advanced. They +did not march long in open formation. To do this would be dangerous, +within range of the German guns as they were, and, too, they might be +seen by a Hun observer in an aeroplane. So, in a little while the +advancing squad, of which Ned, Bob and Jerry formed a part, found +itself in a communicating trench. This was a ditch dug at right-angles +to the front-line trenches, and through this the relief passed, and +food and ammunition were brought up. + +The communicating trench zig-zagged, as did the front-line ones, to +provide greater safety, and the boys finally gave up trying to guess +in which direction they were going. All they could see was the sky +above their heads. + +Suddenly, however, the trench widened, and they saw another crossing +it. At this point, too, there was what seemed to be a rough door, made +of planks nailed together. + +"This is your dugout," said the leading officer, indicating that Ned, +Bob and Jerry, with some others, were to remain there, while he led +the rest farther on. + +"Glad you've come," remarked a haggard-looking officer, who was to be +relieved by the commander of the squad in which were the three chums. + +"Has Fritz been bothering you?" asked Lieutenant Anderson, who was in +charge of the relief. + +"Has he? Well, rather! And then some! You have my permission to stay +as long as you please! Come on, boys!" and he led his war-weary men +back to a rest billet. + +"Make yourselves at home, fellows," said the lieutenant. "And wipe +your feet before you come in," he added with a laugh, as he looked +down at his muddy boots. + +The passwords had been given and received. The other relief party had +passed on to allow other worn-out men to get some rest. Ned, Bob and +Jerry looked about them. They were in a dirt ditch, filled here and +there with puddles of water from the last rain, and the clouds still +hung in the sky. + +"Where are the German trenches?" asked Ned. + +"Where? Right in front of us--over there," and the lieutenant pointed. +"Wait, I'll show you, and everybody get this, and take a lesson from +it!" he added. + +He held up a steel helmet on the end of a stick. In an instant it went +spinning off and fell at his feet in the trench. He picked it up, +pointing grimly to a neat little hole through it and said: + +"That's what will happen to any one of you if he sticks his head up. +You're in the front-line trench. Don't forget it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT PATROL + + +Every one who saw the heavy steel hat so neatly pierced by the swift +bullet was impressed by the object lesson, as the lieutenant had +intended all of them should be. But, somehow or other, Bob Baker +seemed more fascinated than either of his chums, and, indeed, more +than any other member of that particular relief squad. + +"Did a Hun bullet do that?" asked Bob, as he picked up the head +protector and looked at the hole. + +"That's what it did, my boy," answered the officer. "And that's what +will happen to you, or any one else, if you stick your head up above +the trench." + +"And the Huns did that!" murmured Bob, who seemed not to be able to +efface from his mind the picture of the punctured, spinning helmet. +"Then we're right within range of their fire." + +"Considerably so," answered the lieutenant. "In places the German +trenches are only six hundred feet away, and that's nothing for the +modern rifle. It can kill at over a mile." + +"So, Chunky," observed Jerry, "you've been under fire now." + +"Yes," said Bob, and his voice was sober, "we've been under fire." + +"Of course this isn't anything!" the lieutenant exclaimed with a +laugh, as he kicked aside the bullet-punctured helmet Bob had dropped. +"This is just a little byplay. You'll be under heavier fire than this, +but don't worry. It takes a good many bullets to get a man. However, +don't think of that. Do your duty. That's what you're here for!" + +The lieutenant looked somewhat anxiously into the faces of the relief +squad he was to command. Every officer likes to know that he has the +bravest of men in the army, and this young officer was no exception. +The firing line where the Motor Boys now were--the front-line +trenches--was no place for cowards. + +But the faces that looked back into the young lieutenant's gave no +reflection of fear. And at this he breathed in relief. There was +puzzled wonder on the countenance of some, and grim determination on +others, and this last was what counted. + +And then began for the Motor Boys and their chums a life of the utmost +tension, strenuousness, and danger, although theirs was a +comparatively quiet sector at that particular stage of the war, and +they were holding the trenches more to guard against a surprise attack +than anything else. + +"Well, there's one comfort," remarked Jerry, as he was placed in his +station in the trench, with Bob on one side and Ned on the other, both +within talking distance. + +"What?" asked Bob. "Do we get better eats here?" + +"Eats, you heathen!" exclaimed Ned. "Can't you forget that once in a +while? What are you going to do if the Germans make you a prisoner? +They won't feed you at all!" + +"Then I won't be a prisoner!" declared Bob. "But what were you going +to say about comfort, Jerry?" + +"We don't have to drill," was the answer. + +And this was true. All the life of the camp was now done away with, +even the training camp of France, where the boys had finished their +war education, so to speak. But if they did not have to drill there +was plenty else to occupy them. + +While on duty in the trench they had constantly to be on the alert, +and this not to guard against the unexpected approach of some friendly +officer, bent on determining how his sentries were performing their +duty, but to be on the watch against the approach of a deadly enemy. +There must be no sleeping--not even dozing--on post. + +Then, too, there was work to do. There was food and water to bring +up, and fire wood to scurry for when the chance offered, for it was +not often possible to bring up hot rations to the front lines, and the +boys heated their own as best they could, in discarded tin cans with a +few twigs for fuel. + +There were lines of trenches to cut, dugouts to repair after they had +been blown to bits by the German guns, and there was barbed wire to +replace under cover of darkness when it had been severed by the rain +of steel and lead from the enemy's guns. + +So the three chums and their comrades found no lack of things to keep +them busy in the trenches. They had their hours off, of course, when +they were permitted to go back to the dugout, and there, in +comparative safety, they might try to sleep. This was not easy, for +though in a manner they became used to the constant roaring and +blasting of the big guns, there was always an under-current of +disturbances of other kinds. They were on the firing line, and the +enemy did not let them forget it. + +Every day the aeroplanes went over the lines, and more than once there +was a battle in mid-air above where Ned, Bob and Jerry were on duty. +Once a Hun plane came down in flames, so near they could hear the thud +as it struck. + +At times, after a period of comparative quiet, the trenches on both +sides of No Man's Land would suddenly awaken into life. This would be +caused by a fear, either on the part of the Germans or the troops from +America, that one or the other was starting a raid. Then the machine +guns would open fire, they would be augmented by the rifles of the +men, and, if the shooting kept up long enough, the rival batteries +would awaken and the big guns would speak. + +It was one day, when the three chums had been on duty in the +front-line trench about a week, that, as they were talking about the +chance of seeing Professor Snodgrass and helping him in his search for +the two girls, something spun past Ned's head with a whine, and, with +a vicious ping, imbedded itself in the trench wall behind him. + +"What's that?" exclaimed Bob. + +"That sniper again," answered Ned. "That's the closest he's come. We'd +better move, fellows, or he may get one of us." + +"A sniper!" exclaimed Jerry. "Has he been taking pot shots at you?" + +"Several of 'em. I've tried to get him, but I can't figure out where +he hides. Better move down the trench a bit. He seems to train his gun +on this particular spot." + +"Gee!" gasped Bob. + +Bob and Jerry had moved up from their own stations to where Ned was +placed, as it was a quiet period of the day, and it was while they +were talking that the shot came. + +"I'd like to have a try at him," said Jerry. "It's queer he can send a +bullet down into this trench. It must come from above. A shot from the +German trenches wouldn't reach here over the top, unless it was fired +up, and landed here as it came down." + +"Then it would be a spent ball," argued Bob, "and it wouldn't sing out +the way that one did." + +"You're right," agreed Ned. "It was fired from above--you can tell +that by the slant it took as it came in. But it didn't come from an +aeroplane. There hasn't been any over the trench for a long while. No, +it's some German sniper, and he's out there in the woods, I believe. +Up a tree, most likely, where he can fire down into our trench. He +must have a long-range rifle." + +"We ought to try to get him," argued Jerry. "Have you, Ned?" + +"Yes, I've tried to bait him, so I could find out where he shoots from +and nip him in return, but I haven't been able to." + +"Then I'm going to have a shot at him," declared Jerry, who was rated +as an expert in the use of the rifle, as his badge showed. + +But his plan of getting revenge on the Hun, who had so nearly shot +Ned, was not destined to be carried out at once. For just then the +relief of the boys came up, and they were marched back to the dugout +for a rest period. + +It was after they had enjoyed this, and were counting on again doing +their turn in the trenches that their chance came to go out on night +patrol, one of the most dangerous missions in the line of duty. + +So far, since the Motor Boys had come up to the firing line, there had +been no really serious fighting in their immediate sector. On either +side of them there had been skirmishes, but a mile or so away, so they +had had no chance to participate. Also there had been night raids, but +Ned, Bob and Jerry had not been in them. + +This does not mean that Ned, Bob and Jerry were in no danger, for, as +has been shown, a bullet came near ending Ned's career. And aside from +this, there had been bombs dropped near them from Hun aeroplanes, and +once a whole portion of the trench, just beyond where they were +stationed, had been caved in by a shell from a German gun, and several +brave lads had been killed, while others were terribly injured. But +Ned, Bob and Jerry had come out unscathed. + +Also there had been waves of gas--the ordinary chlorine gas, and again +the more dangerous mustard variety. In fact, the Germans used their +yellow-cross and their green-cross gases alternately against the +sector where the Cresville chums were. But prompt use of the +protective masks prevented any casualties. + +So, as has been said, when the three chums were resting in the dugout, +wondering what their next duty would be, an officer came in, and, when +he had returned the salutes, he said: + +"Volunteers are wanted for a raiding party to-night. There's a German +dugout not far away, and the commander thinks we have a good chance to +get some prisoners and thus learn a thing or two about what Fritz is +up to in this section. There's also a chance, as I needn't mention, +that none of us will come back. Now then, who wants to go?" + +There was a moment of hesitation, and then, to the credit of the young +soldiers, every one stepped forward. + +"Um!" mused the officer. "I can't use you all. Thank you, just the +same. Now let's see," and he proceeded to pick out his squad. + +To their delight Ned, Bob and Jerry were selected, and at once began +to prepare for the dangerous mission. None of them gave more than a +passing thought to the reflection that all might safely return or none +of them come back. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BOB IS MISSING + + +Careful preparations had been made for this night raid. It was the +constant effort of both sides, during the period of trench fighting, +to get possession of facts which would allow successful attacks to be +carried out later. And to do this it was needful to get close to the +enemy's line. By so doing, certain things might be overheard in the +talk among the soldiers, or (for the results of the listening were +uncertain) better still, was the capture of prisoners. Once they were +taken back of the lines, questioned and searched, much of value might +be obtained. + +This, as a matter of fact, worked much better for the Americans than +it did for the Germans. If the Huns did succeed in capturing, during a +raid, some of our boys, they got little information from them about +the units with which the boys of Uncle Sam were connected. Nor did the +Huns learn much as to the strength of the forces opposed to them, +except, perhaps, in the way of exaggeration. + +"The American captive is more inclined to utter the equivalent of +'nothing doing,'" remarked Jerry, one day when discussing the matter. + +On the other hand, the German prisoners captured, almost invariably, +were glad that their fate had thus been ordered. They were sure of +decent treatment, they were in no more danger of being killed and, +more than anything else, they would be better fed than in their own +trenches. + +So it is no wonder they gave valuable information under the skilful +questioning of the American officers. Still this information had to be +carefully checked up before being acted on, as it would not do to run +into danger as a result of what some Hun captive told. + +"We are going out to try our luck," explained the lieutenant who was +to lead Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their comrades, numbering half a score, +out on a night raid. "There's a German dugout not far from here, and +near by a machine-gun nest, and if we can get close enough to rush it, +and capture those we don't kill, we may make it possible for a big +forward movement--if the information we get is of the right sort. So +get ready. Gas masks, hand grenades--rifles will be in the +way--automatic pistols, of course, and don't forget to blacken your +faces." + +This precaution was always taken by night raiding parties. The Germans +adopted the habit of sending up illuminating devices, known as "star +shells," at frequent intervals over No Man's Land. This was to guard +against a party of the enemy advancing on the trenches. The shells +gave a very bright light, and nothing stands out more conspicuously in +such a glare than a white face. So it was the custom to blacken +countenances and hands when a night-raiding party went over the top. + +It was not without a little feeling of nervousness and apprehension +that the three friends and their chums made their preparations. But it +was an apprehension of failure rather than fear. They wanted to +succeed, to get results, and they were afraid they might fail. They +were not afraid, personally. Still they were taking big chances, and +they all knew it. + +"Ought we to leave some word for Professor Snodgrass?" asked Ned, as +he and his friends were making ready about midnight. + +"Word about what?" Jerry inquired. + +"Well, in case we don't come back we can't help him in his search, as +we promised." + +"If we don't come back our friends will know it, and they can tell the +professor if he inquires for us," said Jerry grimly. "Let it go at +that. If we get back we'll be here ourselves in case the professor +ever gets this far to the front. If we don't get back--well, he'll +have to get some one else to help him. Come on!" + +The last word was given, the final preparations had been made. Then +silently, like shadows of the night, the figures crept out of the +trench in the darkness and advanced toward the German lines. + +The American barbed wire had been cut in places to let the party +through. To pass the German barrier they would have to do their own +cutting, and they were provided with tools for this purpose. + +Silently they went down the lane of wire, now and then passing grim +sentries to whom the password was given. And then, coming to the gap +in the wire, Ned, Bob and Jerry, with the others, passed through. Each +member of the party carried an automatic pistol and several hand +grenades. These were small, hollow containers, of cast-iron, loaded +with a powerful explosive, which was set off after a certain trigger +or spring or firing pin (according to the type used) was released by +the thrower. The explosive blew the grenade to bits, and it was +scored, or crisscrossed, by deep indentations so that the iron would +break up into small pieces like shrapnel. The grenades could be +carried in a pouch or in the pocket, and were harmless as long as the +detonating device was not disturbed. + +Silently the lieutenant led his men forward. Jerry Hopkins, the only +noncommissioned officer in the squad, marched next, as in the event of +the lieutenant being killed the command would fall to him. + +No talking was permitted, and each man knew what he was to do, so no +orders were necessary. On and on they went, and presently they found +themselves traveling over the battle-scarred and shell-pitted +territory of No Man's Land. They had got close to the German barbed +wire when suddenly, as though their movements had been watched, +several star shells were sent up by the Huns. + +Instantly every man in the party fell flat on his face and did not +move. It was the only thing to do. They resembled, as nearly as they +might, the dead which lay all about them on the desolate field. + +And some of the dead had been there a long time, as it was impossible +for either side to bury them, though occasionally, at night, parties +went out to bring in those in whom it was hoped a spark of life still +remained. + +Jerry found that he had thrown himself down close beside a dead Hun. +He wanted desperately to move, for his position was grimly unpleasant, +but he did not dare. This was not the most glorious side of war, but +it was vitally necessary. + +However, thanks to the precaution of blackened faces and hands, and to +the dark uniforms, the party of night-raiders must have resembled the +dead all about them, for no firing followed the illumination of star +shells. + +Then, when it was dark again, the party rose and went on. Good luck +attended them thus far, in that they reached the German barbed wire +undiscovered. Then began the ticklish work of cutting it, and in this +there was much danger. + +For some of the wire was under great tension, and, when cut, made a +twanging sound like a broken harp or piano string. And this sound +carried far in the silence of that sector. Other sectors were not so +quiet, for firing was going on along both lines of trenches, though +what movement was under way the Motor Boys did not know. + +The sound of the wire as it was cut was deadened as much as possible +by having a man hold the strand on either side of the place to be cut. +This helped some, but not always, as the wire twisted itself from the +grips of the soldiers, and sometimes the barbs injured them. + +"All cut, Lieutenant," reported Jerry, as the final strand was +severed. The commanding officer had been on watchful patrol while this +was being done. + +"Good!" was the low-voiced answer. "Come on, now. Every man with a +grenade in either hand!" + +Once more the party went forward. They were past the first German +barbed wire now, but the way was still not completely open, for more +opposing strands were found farther on. However, this was not +unexpected, for often three or more lines of this American invention +were to be found opposing the American forces. + +Once more the cutters were called into play, and as the last strand +was severed a dog, somewhere within the Hun lines, barked. Instantly +all in the raiding party crouched down, for a burst of star shells +might follow immediately. + +However, the dog must have been believed to be a false alarmist, or +else he was barking at some other disturbance than that caused by the +raiders, for darkness still reigned. + +Then, after waiting a moment to make sure all was right, the +lieutenant led his men forward. So far they had not been challenged by +the enemy, but now this immunity was to end, for when they had passed +the final wire barrier and were advancing with tense steps toward the +German dugout, with grenades in readiness, there came a sharp, +guttural order to halt. + +It was in the German tongue, as they all knew, and they all realized +that the crucial moment had come. + +The lieutenant, seeing a figure in the darkness before him, shot at it +pointblank with his pistol. There was a murmured exclamation, and the +sentry went down, his finger pressing the trigger of his rifle, +discharging it as he fell dead. + +"Come on now, boys! Give it to 'em!" cried the officer. + +"Forward!" shouted Jerry Hopkins, and with Ned and Bob at his heels he +rushed ahead, the others stumbling after him. They had reached the +German trenches, and from them now poured several defenders. The main +body were in the dugout a little farther on, and it was desired to +attack this, and, if possible, capture some prisoners. + +"Come on! Come on! Down with the Huns!" cried the lieutenant, and his +battle yell was echoed by Jerry and the others. + +Then began a fight in the dark, the details of which were never very +clear to the Motor Boys. Bob said he let loose all the grenades he had +at the advancing party of Germans and then rushed at them, head down, +as though advancing the ball for a touchdown. + +Ned declared that he fired his automatic pistol until he realized that +it was empty, and then, throwing it away, thought for the first time +of the grenades he carried. Then he began using them. + +There was a deafening noise as the grenades of the Americans exploded +in the faces of the advancing Huns, and they, in turn, threw hand +bombs and opened fire with their rifles. The attack awoke to life +sentries and guard parties all along the line, and the scene was +illuminated by a burst of star shells. + +"Come on! Into the trenches! They can't see us there so well!" yelled +Jerry. + +"That's the idea!" commanded the lieutenant. "Get to the dugout!" + +So desperate and sudden had been the attack of the Americans that, +after the first resistance, the Germans gave way and ran back, jumping +down into the trenches whence they had come. + +The raiding party asked nothing better than to follow, and for a time +pursued the Huns along their own trenches, the bursting star shells +above giving light enough to see. + +"Are you there--Ned--Bob?" demanded Jerry, as he ran on, following the +tortuous line of the trench. + +"I'm here!" answered Ned. + +"So'm I," added Bob. "Haven't a shot left, though." + +"Here, take these," and Jerry handed over some spare grenades he had +in a pouch slung at his back. "Don't pot any of our men, though. Some +are ahead of us." + +On ran the Motor Boys, and in another moment they came to the +dugout--a pretentious affair of concrete, now well lighted, for the +alarm of the attack had spread. + +One of the raiding party threw a hand grenade inside the structure. +There was a powerful explosion, not enough, indeed, to wreck the stout +place, but sufficient to send the inmates scurrying out--what were +left of them. + +"_Kamerad! Kamerad!_" some of the wounded ones cried, and others held +up their hands. + +"Come on!" shouted the lieutenant. "Gather 'em in and let's get back. +This place is getting too hot for us." + +He spoke with truth, for on all sides the big guns were now beginning +to bark, and a general engagement might be precipitated. + +Some of the Americans snatched guns from the now cowed Germans, and +prodded them back along the trench with the points of the bayonets. +Others held hand grenades or automatic pistols ready, and the order to +retreat was given. + +Half a dozen Hun prisoners had been captured, but at a price, for when +the lieutenant, hurrying his men back across No Man's Land, began to +look over his party, he found three were missing. They had either been +killed or wounded, or were left prisoners in the trenches. + +"Are you there, boys?" asked Jerry again, of his chums, and he +received reassuring answers from both. + +"Hurt?" was his next inquiry, as they raced across the stretch, +stopping every time there was a burst of star shells, and crouching +down, making their prisoners do the same, to take shelter in some +shell holes, some half-filled with water and others containing dead +bodies. + +"I'm all right," Bob answered. "Only a bit scratched by some Hun's +bayonet, I guess." + +"A bullet or a bayonet touched me in the side," came from Ned. "It's +bleeding a bit, but not much. I'm all right." + +Some of the others who were able to come back were not so fortunate, +however, and two died later of wounds received in that night raid. + +But the main party succeeded in getting back to the American lines, +and hurried through the opening in the barbed wire, where a relief or +a rescue party, whichever might be required, was in waiting. + +"Good work!" commended the captain to his lieutenant. "And you got +some prisoners?" + +"Six!" + +"That's fine. Couldn't be better. Get down now, there may be a Hun +barrage in a minute. They'll be ripping mad when they find out what's +happened. This was one of their main posts, and Prussians were on +guard." + +Jerry and Ned were each guarding a Hun prisoner, making him walk along +ahead with upraised hands, while the guns, taken away from the Germans +themselves, served as compelling weapons. + +Into the trenches they had left a short time before the raiders made +their way, and went to the dugout where they were to report. There the +commanding officer of that sector met them. + +Coming into the comparatively well-lighted place from the darkness, +Jerry blinked as he looked at the captured Germans and then glanced to +see how badly Ned was hurt. + +He saw that his chum was pale, and noted blood on his hands, but Ned +smiled in a reassuring way. Then, for the first time, Jerry noticed +that Bob was not with them. + +"Where's Chunky?" he demanded. + +"Who?" asked the lieutenant. "I thought we only left Black, Jones, and +Porter behind. Is there another missing?" + +"Bob Baker, sir," answered Jerry. "But he was with us when we got back +within our own wire. I was talking to him." + +"Send out a searching party!" ordered the captain. "It is possible he +was hit and didn't say anything about it, or a stray bullet may have +found him after he reached our lines. Send out and see!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"JUST LIKE HIM!" + + +Jerry and Ned both confessed, afterward, that the sinking feeling, +which seemed to carry their hearts away down into their muddy shoes, +was greater at the knowledge that Bob was missing than it had been +when they set out in the darkness to raid the Germans across the +desolate stretch of No Man's Land. + +It was all so unexpected. He had gone through the baptism of fire with +them--he had helped capture the Huns--and had been, seemingly, all +right on the return trip. And then, on the very threshold of his own +army home, so to speak, he had disappeared. + +"Did any one see him fall or hear of his being hit?" asked the +lieutenant, as he prepared to lead out a searching party. Ned and +Jerry, of course, and by rights, would be members of it. + +"No, he was right near me, Sir, and he said particularly, when I asked +him, that he was only scratched," declared Jerry. "I made sure Ned was +the worst hurt." + +"How much are you hurt?" asked the captain, turning to Jerry's chum. + +"Oh, it's only a scratch, Sir," was the quick answer. "I can't feel it +now." + +Ned did not speak the exact truth, but he did not want to be kept back +from the search. + +"Very well," said the captain. "You may go, but don't go too far. Much +as we would like to find Baker we must not take too many chances and +endanger this whole post. Be as quick as you can." + +With their hearts torn between a desire for vengeance and +apprehension, Ned and Jerry went out with the others. The riot started +by the raid had quieted down, and it was possible for the searchers to +advance above their own trenches without drawing the German fire. + +First the sentries who had been on duty near the gap in the American +wire were questioned. They had seen the party depart and come back, +but they had not noticed any member of it fall as though wounded, and +they were positive no Germans had been able to get near enough to +capture Private Baker. + +"But what can have happened to him?" asked the lieutenant. + +"He may have been wounded internally, and didn't speak of it, Sir," +suggested Ned, whose own wound was troubling him woefully. "Then he +may have become so weak that he fell in the trench somewhere without a +sound." + +"That is possible. We must make a careful search." + +This was done with pocket flashlights, for any general illumination +would have, perhaps, drawn a German attack. But no sign of Bob was +revealed. It was most mysterious, how he could disappear so suddenly +and completely. Of course, in the general confusion, much more than +this might have happened and not been noticed. But unless he had gone +back after speaking to Jerry, he must either have fallen well within +the American lines or have been captured there. And the last did not +seem possible. + +"Well," said the lieutenant, "we'll have to go over in No Man's Land +and take a chance there. He must have gone back after something, and +been potted. I'll have to go back and report and----" + +He paused to listen. The tramp of approaching feet could be heard +along the trench. Every man stood at attention, for it was possible +that the enemy had slipped in between sentries and were going to pay a +return visit. + +But a moment later the murmur of voices was heard--voices that were +unmistakably American. Some one asked: + +"Is your squad stationed here?" + +"About here, yes, Sir," was the answer, coming out of the darkness. + +"It's Chunky!" cried Jerry. + +"That's Bob!" added Ned, joyously. + +And a moment later there came into the dim light of the flashlights +the stout chum himself, escorted by three soldiers. He seemed to be +all right, and he carried something that was not a grenade, in one +hand. + +"Where have you been, Chunky?" demanded Jerry. "We've been looking +everywhere for you." + +"Yes," added the lieutenant, "will you please explain why you did not +report back with the rest of us?" + +Bob seemed a trifle surprised at the rather stern order, but he smiled +and answered: + +"Why, I thought, as long as we got back all right, I was relieved from +duty, so I went to get something to eat." + +"Something to eat!" exclaimed the lieutenant. + +"Something to eat," calmly repeated Bob. "You see it was this way. I +was terribly hungry----" + +"Nothing unusual," murmured Jerry, but the stout lad, paying no +attention to the interruption, went on: + +"So when I got back with the rest, after we captured the Huns, I +smelled something cooking farther up in our trenches. I knew some of +the fellows on duty there, and I felt sure they'd give me something to +eat. It was liberty links they were cooking, sir, and----" + +"Liberty links!" interrupted the lieutenant. "What are those?" + +"They used to be called Frankfurters," explained Bob with a grin; "but +since the war that's too German. So I went to get some liberty links, +and I got 'em!" he added with a sigh of satisfaction. + +"Well! Well!" exclaimed the lieutenant. And then, as he thought of +what Bob and the others had gone through with that night, he had not +the heart to add more. + +"I only meant to run up in a hurry to where they were cooking 'em," +explained Bob, "and come back with some for my bunkies. But I got to +talking and eating----" + +"Mostly eating," murmured Jerry. + +"And then I forgot to come back," finished Bob. + +"We told him he'd better report, Sir," said one of the escorting +party. "He was with our bunch all right, and when he told us he'd been +out with the night raiders and had slipped off before reporting back, +we told him he'd better report. So we showed him the way, as the +trenches are sort of mixed up around here." + +"Very well," said the lieutenant, trying not to smile. "You may go +back to your posts. Everything is explained." + +And so Bob was restored to his company again, and in view of the +successful raid no reprimand was given him. The capture of the German +prisoners proved important, as information was obtained that proved of +the greatest value afterward. + +Ned's wound turned out to be only a flesh one, but it was painful +enough, and kept him in the hospital a week. He would have fretted +over thus being kept away while Bob and Jerry were fighting, but, as a +matter of fact, his two chums received a rest period at this time, and +so were out of the trenches the same time that Ned was. + +But the war was far from won, and every man possible was needed on the +firing line, so that, in due season, the three chums found themselves +back again. And under no very pleasant circumstances. + +For it rained and rained, and then rained some more, though Jerry +insisted that where they got the water from was a mystery. + +It was a most desolate period, when the trenches were knee-deep in mud +and when casualties mounted by reason of unusual activity on the part +of the Huns. But the three friends and their comrades stuck grimly to +the work. There were local attacks, and counter-attacks, and night +raids, in all of which Ned, Bob and Jerry did their share. + +Then, one day, they were given a surprise. Some new recruits were +brought up to the front-line trenches, to be initiated, and among them +was Noddy Nixon. + +"I've come to show you fellows how to get a Hun!" he boasted in his +usual style. "Give me a chance, and I'll show you how to fight, though +I'd rather be in an aeroplane." + +"Truth to tell, I guess he'd rather be back home, but he doesn't dare +go," declared Jerry. + +Not very much to their delight, the Motor Boys learned that Noddy was +to be quartered near them, and he was on duty in the trenches in the +post adjoining theirs. + +There came a period of fierce attacks on the part of the Huns, when +they laid down such an artillery barrage that for three days it was +impossible for any relief to come to the men in the trenches, and they +had to live on what food they had when the firing began. They did not +actually starve, but there was not any too much to eat, and there was +a lack of hot things, which were much needed as it rained almost +constantly. + +By hard work Ned, Bob and Jerry had managed to get together some wood +which they kept dry in a niche in the trench, lined with pieces of +tin. The wood they used to make a little fire to warm their coffee. + +Coming in from several hours of duty one rainy evening, the three +chums were anticipating having something hot to drink made over their +little fire of cached wood. + +But when Bob, who by virtue of his appetite considered himself the +cook, went to get the fuel, it was not there. + +"Boys, the wood is gone!" he cried. + +"Who took it?" demanded Jerry. + +Ned inspected the place. He picked up a piece of damp paper, and in +the light of his flash torch read the scrawled writing which said: + + "Borrowed your wood. Give it back to you some day. + + "NODDY NIXON." + +For a moment there was silence, and then Jerry burst out with: + +"Well, if that isn't just like him--the dirty sneak!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A DESPERATE CHANCE + + +Disappointment rendered the three chums incapable of action for the +moment. They just stood and looked at the place where their little +store of wood had been hidden. Now it was gone, and with it the hope +of a hot supper from that particular source. + +"What are we going to do?" asked Bob blankly. + +"We ought to go down to the post where that sneak is and get the wood +back," declared Ned. "And tell his chums what sort of fellow they have +bunking with 'em!" + +"No, don't do that," advised Jerry, who had cooled down after his +first passionate outburst. "That will make trouble. Noddy would only +laugh at us, and some of the others might. It isn't the first time +wood has been taken." + +"I was just hungry for something hot," sighed Bob, as he thought of +the cold rations. + +"So was I," added Ned. "Isn't there anything we can do?" he went on. + +Jerry looked about. Here and there about the dugout their comrades +were eating as best they could, no one, it appeared, having anything +hot. It was at a critical period during the fighting, and the +commissary and transportation departments were suffering from a +temporary breakdown. Still the men had enough to eat, such as it was. + +"Well, we might as well have grub now--even if it is cold," said +Jerry, after considering matters. "No telling when we'll have to stand +off a Hun raid or go into one ourselves, and then we won't have time +to eat." + +"That's so!" agreed Bob, more cheerfully. "It would be fierce if we +didn't have anything to chew on at all. But when I catch that Noddy +Nixon--well, he'd better watch his step, that's all." + +"He's a coward, and lazy!" declared Ned. "Else he'd rustle his own +wood. I had hard work to get that bunch. There was a German sniper who +had a pretty fine bead on the place where I saw the sticks, but I went +down the trench a way, and began firing at him from there." + +"Did you hit him?" asked Bob eagerly. + +"No, I didn't expect to. But I drew his attention to that particular +spot. He thought a sharpshooter was there, and he laid his plans to +get him. That took his attention off the pile of wood, and I sneaked +out and got it. Now Noddy Nixon has it!" + +"I hope he burns his tongue on the hot soup or coffee or whatever he +heats with it," was the most charitable thing Jerry said. And the +others echoed this. Their nerves were on edge from the constant +fighting and danger they were in, and they were in no mood to be +trifled with. And at such times trifles that otherwise would be +laughed at assumed large proportions. + +However, there was no help for it. The three chums, as did their +comrades in the trenches, ate their supper cold, and then, cleaning +themselves as best they could from the wet, sticky mud, they prepared +to get what sleep they might until it was their turn to go on duty +again. + +The dugout was as comfortable as any of its kind, but it was not like +home, of course, and its accommodations were far short of even the +worst camps the Motor Boys had put up at during their many journeys. +Still there was not a word of complaint. It was war--war for +freedom--and discomforts were laughed at. + +"Name of a name, how it rains! as our friends the French say," +exclaimed Jerry, as he came into the dugout prepared to turn in, for +he had been sent on a message by an officer after supper. + +"Hard?" asked Ned, who, like Bob, was in a sort of bunk. + +"Hard? I should say so. Look; my tin hat is dented from the drops!" +and Jerry took it off and pretended to point out indentations made by +the rain drops. He shook his slicker, and a spray of moisture flew +about. + +"Here! Quit that!" called a tall, lanky soldier from the bunk across +from Jerry. "If you want to give a moving picture of a Newfoundland +dog go outside! I'm just getting dry." + +"Beg your pardon, old man!" exclaimed Jerry. "I didn't realize how wet +I was." + +He took off some of his garments, hanging them where they might +possibly get partly dry by morning, and then turned in. Whether he and +his chums would get a peaceful night's sleep or not, depended on the +Huns across No Man's Land. If an attack was started it meant that the +soldiers in the dugouts, as well as those on guard in the trenches, +would have to jump into the fight. With this end in view, every one on +turning in for the night had his weapons ready, and few did more than +make an apology for undressing. That was left until they went on rest +billet. Guns, grenades and gas masks were in readiness for instant +use. + +But the night passed undisturbed. + +"Oh, for some hot coffee!" exclaimed Bob, as he tumbled out the next +morning in answer to the call to duty. + +"Dry up!" ordered Jerry. "You ought to be glad to get it cold!" + +"Well, I'll try to be," assented Bob. "Where's Ned?" + +"Said he was going to see if he could get a bit of wood for a fire. +But if he finds any, which isn't likely, it'll be as wet as a sponge +after this rain. Suffering hand grenades! will it ever let up?" cried +Jerry, for it was still pouring. + +Simple preparations were going on for breakfast. There was no sign yet +of any of the carriers with big kettles of hot coffee or soup, and it +was evident that the commissary had not yet been reorganized since the +last breakdown. + +Afterward the boys learned that the reason for the failure of their +supplies to arrive was due to the fact that their sector was +temporarily cut off by an attempted flanking movement on the part of +the Germans. The Americans were in greater danger than they knew, but, +at the time, all they thought of was the lack of hot rations. + +"Ned ought to come back," remarked Jerry, as he and Bob prepared to +eat. "He'll be reported late, and this isn't any time for that. I +guess----" + +But Jerry did not finish, for just then came a tremendous explosion, +so close that for a moment he and Bob thought a Hun shell had been +dropped in the dugout near which they were sitting under an improvised +shelter. + +Instantly the trench was a scene of feverish activity. Everyone +expected a raid, and breakfast was hastily set aside, while the +soldiers caught up their guns. + +"It's all right," an officer called. "Fritz just took a pot shot at +one of our trucks out on the road." + +"Did he get it, Sir?" asked Jerry. + +"I should say so! Look here!" + +A curve in the road passed close by this line of trenches. It was a +road used to take supplies to another part of the American battleline, +and vehicles passed along it only at night, as it was within range of +some of the German guns, though fairly well camouflaged. But this auto +truck, returning in the early hours of the morning after having +delivered a load of ammunition, had been caught by a shell. Afterward +it was learned that the truck had broken down on the return trip and +that the driver had been delayed in repairing it, so that he had to +pass the danger point in daylight. + +Whether or not the German battery was on the lookout for just such a +chance as this, or whether it was a mere fortuitous opportunity of +which advantage was taken, could not be learned. But a shell +containing high explosive, though, fortunately for the driver, not a +large one, landed near the automobile and shattered it. + +This was the detonation which had so startled Jerry and Bob, and now, +with others, they looked over the top of the trench at the ruins of +the truck. It was blown apart, and the wooden body and wheels were +scattered about while the engine was a mere mass of twisted and fused +metal. + +"Look! They didn't get the driver!" cried Bob, for as he spoke the man +in charge of the truck picked himself up from a clump of bushes where +he had been tossed, and limped toward the American line. He had +escaped death by a miracle. + +Then something else attracted the attention of Bob, Jerry, and the +others. It was the sight of Ned Slade creeping along toward a pile of +splintered wood--all that was left of the demolished truck. + +"Who's that? What is he doing?" cried the officer in charge of that +part of the trench. "Does he hope to rescue the driver? Can't he see +that the man is safe and is coming in? Who is he?" + +"Private Slade, Sir," replied Jerry. + +"But what is he doing? That's a foolhardy piece of business, trying to +reach that truck. It's under the fire of the German trench, as well as +within range of their battery. What is he trying to do?" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SNIPER + + +All stood looking from the trench at the actions of Ned Slade. + +"Look!" cried Bob, pointing to his chum. "He's picking up pieces of +wood!" + +"Has he gone crazy?" murmured the officer, peering through his glasses +at Private Slade. "Does he think he can salvage anything from the +wreck?" + +Just what Ned was thinking of was not evident. He moved here and there +amid the ruins of the ammunition automobile, picking up bits of wood +until his arms could hold no more. It was raining heavily, and when +Ned stepped into a puddle the mud and water could be seen to splash. + +And then, when Ned could carry no more and turned to come back to his +own trench, the Germans, in theirs, suddenly awoke to the chance they +had been missing. There were sharp reports, and something besides rain +drops splashed into the pools of water all about Ned. + +"They're firing at him! He'll be killed!" cried Bob. + +"It seems very likely!" said the officer grimly. "Who gave him +permission to go out like that, and why did he do it?" + +No one answered. No one knew what to say. + +And now Ned, aware of his own danger, began to run toward the trench. +He came on, stooping over to offer less of a target to the Germans, +and he zig-zagged as he leaped forward. But through it all, through +the hail of lead, he did not drop the pieces of the demolished truck +he had picked up. + +The firing from the German lines became hotter, and a machine gun +began to splutter. + +"It's all up with him now!" said the officer, with something like a +groan. "I'll order our guns to shell the Hun trench, but it will be +too late!" + +He jumped down off the firing step, where he and the others, including +Jerry and Bob, were standing, and started for the nearest telephone +that connected with a battery. + +Just then Ned was seen to stagger. + +"He's hit!" some one cried. + +But if he was the lad who had taken such a desperate chance did not +stop. He dropped a piece of wood, but still he ran on, stooping over, +and darting from side to side. + +And at last he reached the trench where Bob, Jerry, and his other +comrades awaited him. The rain had made the top of the trench +slippery, and Ned, striking this while going at full speed, fairly +slid down into the ditch, the wood dropping from his arms all about. + +"There you are!" he cried, as he recovered himself. "Enough wood for +two fires! Now we can have something hot for breakfast! Bob, start the +coffee boiling! I'm like you--hungry!" + +For a moment the others stood staring at him, and then the officer +came back. + +"Did they get him?" he cried. "If they did they'll pay for it. We'll +wipe out the Hun trench in another minute!" + +Then he saw Ned, standing, surrounded by the splintered, wooden parts +of the ammunition truck. + +"Oh, you're here," said the officer, mechanically, as Ned saluted. +"Well, what in the name of General Pershing did you want to do that +for?" + +"I wanted some wood to make a fire for breakfast, Sir," answered Ned +simply. "Some one took our supply last night, and when I saw the truck +blown to pieces and noticed that the driver was safe, I thought it a +good chance to get some fairly dry fuel. So I took it. Better pick it +up though, or it won't be dry long," he added to Jerry, and the +latter, with Bob's help, obeyed. Ned had done his share. + +The officer stared at Ned as though the young soldier were a new sort +of fighter, and then, with a shake of his head, turned away. It was +past belief or understanding. + +As the three chums moved back to where they had set up an improvised +stove, where they could build a fire with the truck pieces Ned had +brought in, the ground shook with the thunder of the American guns +that soon enforced silence in the German trenches. It was revenge for +having fired on Ned. + +Technically Ned had been guilty of a breach of the regulations, but +though his venture into the open had resulted in a whole battery being +sent into action, nothing further was said, officially, of his +conduct. Perhaps his bravery was admired by the officer who saw it. + +At any rate Ned, Bob and Jerry had a warm breakfast, which they shared +with some of their chums, and then the day's duty began. It was +performed in the rain, that seemed never-ceasing. The bottom of the +trench was a ditch of mud, in spite of the duck boards laid down. + +"Too bad Professor Snodgrass isn't here," remarked Ned, as he pulled +one foot up from the mud and looked at it with the remark that he +wanted to make sure he still had the foot attached to his person. + +"Too bad the professor isn't here! Why?" asked Bob. + +"Oh, he might find some new kind of bug in this--soup!" and Ned +stirred the thick mud in the bottom of the trench with the butt of his +gun. "It might be more interesting than seeing how noises affect +French crickets." + +"Crickets!" cried Jerry. "I feel sorry for any self-respecting cricket +that would stay here to be affected. But, speaking of the professor, I +wish we could see him again. It would be like hearing from home, and +the letters are few and far between." + +"That's right," admitted Ned. They had had some missives from their +people, and also the girls, Alice, Helen and Mollie, while Bob, in +addition, had had a note from Helena Schaeffer, who said she was +knitting for the Red Cross. But, of late, no mail had come in. + +"I shouldn't be surprised to see the professor walk in on us any day," +mused Jerry. "He's likely to do it." + +"Then he'd better get a hustle on, or he may not find us here," +observed Ned. + +"Why not?" Bob inquired. + +"Well, there's a rumor that we're soon going to attack again," +answered Ned. "And when we go over the top we don't come back to the +old trenches. We make new ones. So the professor, if he doesn't come +soon, may find we have changed our address." + +"Going to make an attack!" Jerry spoke softly. "Well, that's the way +to win the war. I hope it will stop raining, though. I hate to fight +in the rain." + +But still the dreary drizzle kept up, and through it the soldiers +plodded in the mud of the trench. It was nearly time for the three +chums to be relieved when Ned, who had a post at the right of Jerry, +suddenly gave a start, following a distant report. + +"What is it?" asked his tall chum. + +In answer Ned pointed to a spattery hole in the trench wall behind +him. + +"The German sniper again," he said. "And I'm going to see if I can't +spot him. We've got to get him!" + +Ned took off his tin helmet and put it on his bayonet. Then he slowly +raised it above the top of the trench, at the spot where the bullet +had come in. A moment later there was a vicious "ping!" and the helmet +bore a deep indentation. + +"Spotted!" cried Ned. "I see where he keeps himself! And now, fellows, +if you'll help, we'll get Mr. Fritz Sharpshooter, and get him good! +I've got his address now!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +OVER THE TOP + + +"We haven't much time," remarked Jerry, as he glanced at the watch on +his wrist. "We'll be relieved in five minutes." + +"That's long enough," returned Ned, with a grim laugh. "If this fellow +who has tried to get me--or one of you--so often, runs true to form, +he's done his last shooting. I know where he keeps himself." + +"Where?" asked Bob. + +Ned took his chums by the arms, and led them a little way down the +trench where there was an improvised periscope. It was not being used +by the officer in charge just then, and Ned peered through it. + +He said nothing for a moment, and then called to Jerry: + +"Take a look at that brush pile just inside the first line of German +wire." + +"I see it," remarked Jerry, after a look through the mirror +arrangement. + +"Well, that's where Mr. Fritz is keeping himself," said his chum. +"It's just in line with the direction from which that last bullet +came. I've been thinking for some time that he was hidden there, but I +wasn't sure until I saw the flash of his gun as he nearly hit me just +now. But now I'll get him!" + +"That bush doesn't seem big enough to shelter a man," observed Bob, as +he, too, took an observation. + +"There's a hole dug under it, and he's hiding in that," said Ned. "At +first I thought the sharpshooter was popping at us from some height, +and I believe he was, a week or so back. But now he has changed his +tactics. He's doing ground sniping, and that bit of bush hasn't any +roots." + +"What do you mean?" asked Jerry. + +"I mean it's a bit of camouflage. The sharpshooter moves it about with +him, thinking we'll believe it's natural. He scoops a hole, gets in +with only his head sticking out, and puts this bit of foliage in front +of him as a screen. Now, Bob, you take your helmet, and when I tell +you hold it up on your gun. Jerry, you come with me down the trench a +way, and please don't fire until after I do. If I miss, you get him, +but I want first shot. + +"I want Bob to draw his fire, if he can," explained Ned. "I'll be in +reserve to shoot as soon as I see the flash. If I miss you take him. +It's got to be nip and tuck, and we'll have to make it a snap shot, +for he'll drop back into the hole after he fires." + +"Go to it!" advised the tall lad. "I'm with you." + +Quickly they made their preparations. While Ned and Jerry went a +little way down the trench, Bob took off his helmet and put it on the +end of his gun. He then awaited the signal from Ned. + +"Show your tin hat!" + +Slowly, and simulating as much as possible a soldier raising his head +above the top line of the trench, Bob elevated the helmet. Hardly had +he done so when there came a sharp crack, and the helmet spun around +on the point of the bayonet as a juggler spins a plate on the end of +his walking stick. + +"Right O!" cried Ned, and, almost in the same detonation as the firing +of the German's gun, Ned's rifle spoke. The clump of bushes seemed to +spout up into the air, blown by some underground explosion, and then a +figure was seen to half leap from what must have been an excavation. + +"You got him!" cried Jerry. + +"Yes," assented Ned, as he lowered his gun. "You won't have to shoot, +old man. Fritz won't do any more pot-hunting." + +So that was the end of one German sharpshooter. + +The three chums were congratulated by their relief, which came soon +after that, on ridding that part of this particular sector of a menace +that had long been in evidence. More than one American had been killed +or wounded either by this sharpshooter or by one who had adopted the +same tactics, and Ned, Bob and Jerry had well earned the thanks of +their comrades. + +"Have you heard anything more about going over the top soon?" asked +Jerry. + +"Nothing definite," replied Ned, who had started the rumor. "But don't +you feel a sort of tenseness all around--as though something were +going to happen?" + +"I do," answered Bob. "I think it's going to happen that I'm going to +have some chow. I smell it coming!" + +"You're a heathen materialist!" declared Ned. + +Bob proved a true prophet, for a few minutes later a relief squad came +to the dugout with a traveling kitchen, or rather, some of the +products of one in the shape of hot beef stew and coffee. + +Following the ending of the career of the German sniper, the three +Motor Boys, after several strenuous days in the trenches, went back +again to a rest billet. There they recuperated, and really enjoyed +themselves. There were letters from home to cheer them, and also a +communication from Professor Snodgrass. + +The little scientist said he had tried in vain to get some trace of +the two missing girls, and expressed the hope of seeing the boys soon, +to get the benefit of any advice they could give him. He also stated +that he was progressing well with his scientific work of noting the +effect of terrific noises on insects. But, somehow or other, the Motor +Boys did not take as much interest in the pursuit of the scientist as +they had formerly. + +"The war has changed everything," declared Jerry. + +"But, of course, we'll help him find the girls if we can," suggested +Ned. + +"Oh, of course," agreed his tall chum. + +Their stay in the rest camp was made pleasant by the ministrations of +the Y. M. C. A. and the Knights of Columbus representatives. The chums +and their comrades spent much time in the different huts, where they +were entertained and could get hot chocolate, candy or chewing +gum--rations not then issued by the army commissary. + +"If it wasn't for these organizations war would be a whole lot worse +than it is," declared Jerry, as they came from a Y. M. C. A. meeting +and moving-picture show one evening. + +"And don't forget the Salvation Army!" chimed in Bob. "The fried holes +those lassies turn out are the best I ever ate--not excepting those +mother used to make." + +"Yes, those doughnuts fill a big void, even if they have a hole in the +middle," agreed Ned. + +But all good things--even Salvation Army doughnuts--come to an end +some time, and so did the rest period of the three friends. Back to +the trenches they went, to find out that what Ned had predicted was +about to happen. An attack of considerable magnitude was in +preparation, and it was to be as much of a surprise to the Germans as +possible. + +"It's going to be over the top all right," declared Jerry, when, one +evening, they received their final instructions. The attack, preceded +by a brief artillery preparation, was to take place at dawn, the "zero +hour" selected. + +It was believed, and was proved true as after events showed, that by +considerably shortening the artillery fire, the Germans would be +unprepared. They were used to the big guns bombarding them for a day +or more at a stretch before the infantry came over. This was to be a +change. + +The night before the attack was a nervous one. Yet those not on duty +managed to get some sleep. For many it would be their last. + +Then came the general awakening, and the moving of the men along the +trenches to the posts assigned to them. Each squad of men was in +charge of an officer, commissioned or noncommissioned, and in Jerry's +squad were Ned and Bob. + +"Go over the top with a rush when you get the signal, which will be +three whistles after the barrage has ceased," were the instructions, +and Ned, Bob, and Jerry, with their comrades, prepared to do this. + +There was a period of tense waiting and then, with a suddenness that +shook their nerves and bodies, as well as the whole earth about them, +the big guns opened fire. + +That the Germans were taken by surprise was evident by the failure to +answer. For perhaps five minutes it seemed as though a thousand of the +most terrific of thunder storms had been condensed into one. + +Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the firing ceased. The "zero hour" +had arrived. + +Three shrill whistles, repeated from many points, sounded on the now +silent but quivering air. Not a German gun had yet awakened. + +"Over the top!" came the cry, and the friends, with thousands of other +brave lads, scrambled up the ladders from the trenches and started +toward the German lines. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +"FRIED HOLES" + + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry were stationed in a sector which was alternately +defending the lines against the Germans and attacking them in that +part of the country where the trend of the war eventually led up to +the terrific battles of St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest. But, up to +this time, no one had guessed that the whole nature of the war would +be so quickly changed with the advent of the Americans, nor was it +suspected what terrible fighting would have to be undertaken by our +boys; though, of course, they were ready for the worst. + +So that the battle in which the Motor Boys and their comrades were now +about to engage was merely what was termed a local engagement. + +Nevertheless, it meant everything--life and death--to those engaged in +it, though there was never a thought of death in the hearts of any of +the brave men who went over the top as the big guns ceased thundering +and the shrill whistles gave the signal. + +"Come on, boys!" yelled Jerry, as he led Bob and Ned forward, +followed by the others in the particular squad of which Jerry had +charge. "Come on!" + +"Yi! Yi! Yip!" screamed a young giant from the South, as he leaped +ahead of some of his chums to the side of Jerry. "Show the Fritzies +how we fight!" + +And together he and Jerry rushed on, followed by Ned and Bob--a +quartette acting as one man. + +It was the first really big battle in which the Cresville chums had +taken part. They had been out on skirmish work and on night patrol, +and they had come in conflict with parties of Germans, but no large +bodies. They had even each been wounded slightly, but never before, in +all their lives, had they had a part in such a hailstorm of death, +such a turmoil of blood, mud, smoke, gas and flying bullets as now. On +and over the rough shell-pitted ground they rushed toward the German +trenches. On they rushed in the gray dawn of the morning, firing as +they ran, hardly stopping to take aim, for they could see the gray, +indefinite mass before them, and knew they were the German troops who +had rushed out of their trenches to meet the onslaught. + +At first the attack had been a surprise--a surprise so great that the +Germans could not, at the beginning, reply even with adequate rifle +fire, to say nothing of artillery and machine guns. + +But, in a moment, seemingly, all this was changed. Tongues and slivers +of fire began to spit out from the gray ranks opposing the Americans. +There was a snarl of the lighter artillery guns, the spiteful bark of +the rifles and the wicked rat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns, which the +Germans depended on, more than on anything else, to stop a rush of our +infantry. + +Half way across No Man's Land rushed Ned, Bob, and Jerry, with their +cheering, madly yelling comrades, and then the toll of death began. It +was the fortune of war. Those that lived by rifles and bayonets must +perish by them, and for the deaths that they exacted of the Huns their +lives were exacted in return. + +Jerry, who with grim-set face and blazing eyes rushed on at the side +of the tall Southern giant, heard a dull thud. Then came a sort of +gasping, choking cry that was audible even above the horrid din of +battle. Jerry, in a glance, saw his big comrade crumple up in a heap, +the whole front of his body torn away by a piece of shell. And for one +terrible instant Jerry felt that he, himself, must fall there, too, so +terrible was the sight. But he nerved himself to go on, and a backward +glance showed that Bob had to leap over the dead body of the lad who +but a moment before was yelling encouragement to others. + +But it was war, and it had to be. + +On and on they rushed. Now they were at the first line of the German +barbed wire. Some of it had been cut by the swift firing of shrapnel +before the troops came from their trenches. But enough remained to be +a hindrance, and quickly the men with cutters surged forward to open +the way. + +It was while the Americans were held up here that the Germans took +fearful and heavy toll of them with their machine guns, which were now +sputtering with terrific firing. Scores of brave men went down, some +never to rise again. Others, only slightly wounded, staggered for a +minute, paused behind some dead comrade's body to adjust a bandage, +and then went on. + +Forward they rushed. Through the barbed wire now, trampling down the +cruel strands, never heeding the bleeding wounds it tore in them, +never heeding the storm of bullets, minding not the burst of shrapnel +or high explosive. + +On and on they went, yelling and shouting; maddened with righteous +anger against a ruthless foe. Forward once more. Somehow, though how +they did it they never knew, Ned, Bob, and Jerry stuck close to one +another. Since the death of the Southerner the three chums were in +line together, and stormed on. Their rifles were hot in their hands, +but still they fired. + +"The first-line trenches!" yelled Ned, as he pointed through the +smoke. + +And there, indeed, they were. They had passed over No Man's Land +through a storm of death which held many back. They had mastered the +barrier of the wire, and now were at the first line of the German +defense. And so fierce and terrible had been the rush of the Americans +the Germans had fallen back, so that, save for lifeless gray bodies, +the trenches were unoccupied. + +"Forward! Forward! Don't stop! Go on!" yelled the officers. + +A certain objective had been set, and the commanders were fearful lest +the troops, thinking that to capture the first German trenches was +enough, would stop there. + +But they need not have been apprehensive. The boys of Uncle Sam were +not of that sort. They wanted to come in closer contact with the +Boches. And they did. + +On over the first-line trenches they rushed, but now the fighting +became hotter, for they were in the midst of machine-gun nests, placed +there for just such a contingency. Death was on every side +now--horrible death. A bullet clipped Jerry's ear, but he only +laughed--half madly and unconsciously, no doubt--and rushed on. A man +was killed in front of him, and, falling forward, tripped the tall +lad, so that, for one terrible instant Bob and Ned thought their chum +had been killed. But Jerry sprang up again, and, seeing a knot of +Germans just ahead of him, tossed a hand grenade among them. As a wisp +of fog shuts out a view, so the smoke of the grenade hid the group of +Huns for a moment. And when a swirl of the air lifted the smoke +curtain, a gray heap on the ground was all that remained. It was like +some vision of the night, constantly changing. + +On and on they rushed, shouting and shooting, yelling and being yelled +at. They panted for breath, their tongues clove to their dry mouths, +they suffered horribly for water, but there was only blood about +them. + +Forward they surged. So great was the first rush that they fairly were +carried--it did not seem that they took themselves--beyond the last of +that particular line of German trenches. Now they were actually on the +open ground beyond--the space where the Huns had their reserves, and +these were now quickly thrown into the battle. + +Clip after clip of cartridges had been used by the boys, and they were +drawing on their reserve supply now. But the battle was not going with +the same rush. The Germans were holding even as a desperate eleven +holds when it is on its own goal line and the opponents are madly +striving to shove it over and out of the way, that a touchdown may be +made. + +Following the instructions they had received, the Americans began to +look for what shelter they could find--a hole in the ground, a heap +of dirt, the body of some fallen man, a slain horse, a heap of +rubbish, a dismantled machine gun, anything that, for a time, would +fend off a bullet. + +The first, or shock-wave, of troops had gotten as far as it was +advisable to go, and they must wait a moment for reinforcements and +for the artillery to come up. So it was that they threw themselves +flat, to escape the storm of bullets that drove into their very +faces. + +There was no question, now, of surprising the enemy. He was fully +awake to his danger, and had rushed all his available troops into the +conflict. He had an unusually large number of machine guns, and on +these he depended more than on artillery or rifle fire to break up the +attack. And nothing more effectual could have been chosen. Only, the +Americans were determined not to be stopped. + +Hastily they began entrenching, digging shallow ditches in which to +find shelter. It does not take much of a mound of earth to provide a +shield against rifle or machine-gun bullets, and in ten minutes an +advancing body of troops can provide themselves with temporary +protection, while in half an hour they can almost be in trenches, +though these are not as deep as the permanent ones. + +While part of the advancing Americans still maintained a fusillade +from their rifles and from a few machine guns that had been rushed up, +others used the intrenching tools. Then, when all were under temporary +shelter, they began assaulting the Boches from their vantage places. + +But now the Germans had begun to fight back with their artillery, +only, fortunately for Ned, Bob, and Jerry, and their comrades, the +range was not yet ascertained, so that the shots flew well over their +heads. The shells landed back of the American trenches which had been +abandoned when the order came to go over the top, and as this ground +was temporarily vacant no great harm was done. + +"There go our guns again!" cried Ned into Jerry's ear, as he lay +stretched out beside his tall chum. + +"Yes. They're trying to drive the Huns back so we can go on. We've got +to get farther than this." + +The battle was now one of longer range, the first fierceness of the +infantry having spent itself. Indeed, the men were practically out of +ammunition, though a reserve stock was being rushed to them under the +cover of the American guns. + +A considerable space, corresponding to No Man's Land, separated the +two lines, and over the heads of the prostrate men flew the shells of +their respective batteries. So, for the time being, except for stray +shooting of rifles and machine guns, the two confronting lines of +infantry were comparatively safe. + +It was during this lull that Bob, looking back from where he was +sheltered by a little hill of earth and stones, uttered a cry. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jerry quickly. "Are you hit, Chunky?" + +"Hit? No! But look there! Fried holes! See 'em!" + +For an instant both Ned and Jerry thought that Bob had been seriously +hurt, and was out of his head. But they looked to where he pointed and +saw a man in the uniform of the Salvation Army coming across the +ground over which the Americans had recently stormed. And the intrepid +noncombatant carried on either arm a big basket of a type well known +to our American fighters. + +"Fried holes!" cried Bob. "Fried holes! Salvation Army doughnuts, +fellows! I'm going to get some!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE SCHOOL JANITOR + + +Just how it happened that the Salvation Army worker had ventured into +that place of death none knew, and none stopped to inquire. Probably +the man, in his eagerness to serve, did not realize where he was nor +how he got there. Naturally he would have been denied permission to go +forward during an engagement--that was no time nor place for a +noncombatant. But he probably had not asked. He had made his way +through a rain of lead and steel to a zone of comparative safety. And +there he stood, as if bewildered, with his baskets of cheer on his +arms. + +And now a sudden change in the battle made the zone of comparative +safety one of danger. For the range of the German guns became shorter. +The muzzles were being depressed to seek out those intrepid Americans +who had rushed over the first Hun trenches and were waiting to rush +onward again. This must not be, thought the Huns, and so they sought +them out to kill them. + +So it was that as Bob spied the "fried holes" the dispenser of them +gave a start as a bullet or a piece of shell flew close to his head. +He was in grave danger now, and realized it. But he did not falter. He +gave one backward glance, not with an idea of retreating, that is +sure, but to see if there were any near him in that direction whom he +might serve. Then he saw the prone lines ahead of him. + +"Me for some of those!" yelled Bob, as he rose from his improvised +trench. + +"Lie still, you chump!" shouted Ned. "Do you want to be killed?" + +"No more than you did when you got the wood from the busted truck," +was the answer. "But I've got to have some of those doughnuts!" + +And Bob, never heeding the fact that he would be a shining target for +the guns of the Germans, started to run toward the Salvation Army +man. + +Some of the officers, from where they were stationed among the troops, +saw him. + +"Come back! Come back! Who is he? What's he doing? Is he going to +desert in the face of the enemy?" were some of the commands and +cries. + +But it needed only a glance to show that Bob never had a notion of +deserting. He ran toward the man with the baskets of doughnuts on his +arms. Crisp, golden-brown doughnuts they were, fresh from one of the +traveling kitchens where, behind the lines, the Salvation Army lassies +made them--a devoted service that will never be forgotten, but will +rank with that of the Red Cross and be immortal. + +And now, as might have been expected, the Germans saw the two +figures--the only upright ones in that particular neighborhood. And +the inevitable followed. They were fired at. + +Both offered good marks, but Fate, Providence, or whatever you choose +to call it, favored them, or else the Germans were wretched shots, +which last, in a measure, is known to be true. + +At any rate, Bob and the Salvation Army man met and Bob took charge of +one of the baskets of doughnuts. That, too, was to be expected. + +"Come on--run for it!" yelled the stout lad. "This place is getting +hot!" + +And indeed it was, for all about their feet were little spurts of +earth, showing where the bullets were striking. And together they ran +on toward the war-worn, weary figures of the men in the shallow +trenches. Straight to where he had left his comrades Bob led the brave +man, and they were received with a cheer. + +Though it was desperately against all orders and discipline for Bob to +do what he had done, not an officer rebuked him. And then the "fried +holes" were quickly handed out to the fortunate ones in that section +of the line, the officers refusing any, so that the weary men might +have some little refreshment. + +"Halves only--each man only take a half!" cried Ned, when he saw how +many men there were and how few--in spite of the two big baskets--the +doughnuts were. + +Bob looked a trifle crestfallen, but he agreed with a smile, and to +his eternal credit be it said that when he broke the one doughnut he +saved for himself, and it came apart in two unequal pieces, he gave +the larger section to a comrade on his right. + +"Bravo, Chunky!" said Jerry softly, as he observed. + +And then, as if in horrible contrast to this peaceful scene, the +battle began again. + +"Forward!" came the orders, and the three chums, with their comrades, +sprang from their shelter. + +And as Bob left the shallow hole he had dug for himself to see what +became of the Salvation Army man, he saw him roll gently over on his +side, a little hole in his forehead showing where death had entered +from one of the hundreds of bullets that were now sweeping down among +the troops. But there was a smile on his lips. + +And there died a very brave and gallant gentleman. + +Burst and roar and rumble and thunder and shriek and yell and cry and +sob succeeded, accompanied and overlapped one another. The battle was +on again in all its horrid fury. + +Forward rushed the troops, freshened by their rest, with more +ammunition of death. Forward they rushed, driving the Germans back, +out of the trenches improvised by the Huns. Forward they rushed while +the American guns lifted the barrage to protect them, and the German +cannon crashed out their answer. + +On they went, stumbling, falling, getting up again some of them, never +rising again many of them. Bloody and mud-stained, powder-grimed and +sweat-marked, torn and panting, cut and bruised, with dry tongues that +swelled in their blackened mouths. With eyes that saw nothing and +everything--the sight of comrades torn to pieces beside them, the +falling of beloved officers, the tearing of great holes in the ranks, +and the closing of those holes by a living wall of others who offered +themselves for the sacrifice. + +Forward they rushed, shouting and firing, tossing hand grenades into +the midst of the dust-gray bodies of the Huns that opposed them. +Onward they leaped and ran and staggered and jumped, but always +onward. + +A yell on their left caught the ears of Jerry and his chums. + +"Are we giving way?" asked Ned, grimly despairing. + +"No! It's the tanks! Look!" screamed Bob. + +And the tanks it was. A score of them, great lumbering giants, +impervious to everything save heavy guns, on they crawled, smashing +concrete machine-gun nests as though they were but collections of +vipers' eggs in a field. + +These tanks turned the tide of battle at that particular point. For +the Germans were putting up a stiff resistance, and were about to +launch a counter-attack, as was learned later. + +But with the tanks to protect them, to splatter death from their +armored machine guns, to spread terror and fear among the Huns, the +day was saved. + +On rushed the Americans, Ned, Bob, and Jerry among them, while all +about them thundered the big guns, rattled the rifles, adding their +din to the tat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns. + +And then the Germans, unable to withstand this withering fire and +being inadequately supported by their artillery, broke in confusion +and ran--ran to escape the terrible death that awaited them from the +avengers of a world dishonored by the Boches. + +Wave after wave of storming troops now surged over the positions +lately occupied in force by the Germans. Up the wooded slopes they +swept, taking possession of dominant heights so long desired. The +objective was more than won, and the American position much improved. + +The fury of the fighting began to die away. But it was still terrific +in spots, for there were many machine-gun nests left behind when the +Huns retreated, and the holders of them were told to die at their +posts. Many did. + +When Ned, Bob, Jerry, and some of their comrades, led by an officer, +approached one of the dugouts there was no sign of life. It had been +spouting death from a machine gun but a little while before, however. + +"Look out!" some one shouted. "Maybe they're playing possum!" + +And so it was, for as the group advanced there was a burst of fire, +and half a dozen men went down. Ned and Bob had a vision of Jerry +crumpling up at the very entrance of the dugout, and their hearts +seemed to stop beating. + +"Drive 'em out! Kill the Boches! Wipe 'em up!" yelled the survivors. + +With a fierce yell, Ned tossed into the open doorway a hand grenade. +It exploded with terrific force, partly wrecking the place, and then +in rushed he and his comrades, with gleaming bayonets. + +"_Kamerad! Kamerad!_" came the cowardly appeal from the Germans. + +And a moment later out of the dugout where the machine gun had been +concealed came four German soldiers, all that was left alive of a +company of twenty, and of these four two were badly wounded. + +Ned and Bob, seeing that the place, the last of any opposition in that +section, was captured, were about to turn back to see if Jerry was +still alive, when a second look at one of the German prisoners caused +Ned to cry: + +"Nick Schmouder!" + +"_Ja!_" came the answer, and then, in German, he asked: + +"Who speaks my name?" + +"Nick Schmouder!" said Ned again. + +"Do you know this man?" asked an officer sharply. + +"Yes," answered Ned. "He used to be a janitor at Boxwood Hall, a +school I attended." + +And the face of Nick Schmouder showed as much wonder as did that of +Ned Slade. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +NEWS AT LAST + + +"Well, well, Nick! To think of meeting you here!" exclaimed Bob. + +"Don't speak to the Hun!" some one called, and then, for the first +time, Ned and Bob seemed to realize that the little man, with whom +they had been on friendly terms at college, was an enemy. + +But such was the case. It was only one of many queer incidents of the +war, and more than one fighting American found among the prisoners +sent back, after he and his comrades had cleaned up a Boche nest, some +man he had known back home--a former waiter at a club, perhaps, or a +man who delivered his groceries. + +"How came you here?" asked Nick Schmouder, with scarcely a trace of +German accent, as he and the other prisoners stood with upraised +hands, though one of the survivors had to drop his as he fell in a +heap because of weakness from his wounds. + +"We came here to teach the Kaiser how to walk Spanish," said Bob. "I +didn't think you'd fight against us, Nick, after what you learned at +Boxwood Hall." + +"Ach! I was forced to," was the answer. "I am glad it is over--that I +am a prisoner. I did not like this war. I shall be glad when it is +over and you have won. It is terrible! Listen, I will a secret tell," +and he did not seem afraid of the effect it might have on his +apathetic comrades. "Every time I shoot the machine gun I point it at +the ground so it will kill no Americans. I do not want to kill them." + +"Hum, that's a good story to tell now!" said the incredulous officer. +"Take 'em to the rear with the other prisoners. Wait, though, this one +can't walk. He'll have to have a stretcher. I'll have his wounds +patched up. But take the others back. Corporal Hopkins!" he called. + +"Corporal Hopkins is wounded, Sir," reported Ned, with a catch in his +voice. "He may be dead. He fell just as we stormed this place, Sir!" + +"Oh, I did not know that. See to him at once. Here!" he called to some +stretcher-bearers who were coming up, "we may need you!" + +They hurried forward, and, leaving Nick Schmouder and the other German +prisoners under guard, the officer, with Ned, Bob, and some other +Americans, went back to where Jerry had been seen to fall. It was just +outside of a little defile leading to the dugout where the machine +gun had wrought such havoc. + +"There--there he is!" faltered Ned, as he pointed to the crumpled-up +body of his chum, and Bob turned his face away, for it seemed to be +the end of Jerry Hopkins. + +There was blood on Jerry's head, and blood had seeped out from his +right leg, near the knee. Poor Jerry lay very still, and about him +were heaped others, who were unmistakably dead. + +The lieutenant bent over the corporal and made a hasty examination. +There was relief on his face--relief which was reflected on the +countenances of Ned and Bob as he said: + +"He's still alive, but badly hurt, I'm afraid. Take him back as gently +as you can." + +Ned and Bob helped lift him on to the stretcher. Jerry did not move, +and so faint was his breathing that there were times when it seemed to +stop altogether. + +Desperately as Ned and Bob wanted to go back to the dressing station +to learn how it fared with their chum, they must stay on duty in the +advanced position they had helped to win. It must be consolidated as +much as possible before night, or the Germans might launch a counter +offensive. + +And so, when the Hun machine gun had been turned about, ready to rake +any advancing lines of its recent owners, other measures were taken +to insure the holding of the position won at such cost. + +"I'd like to have a talk with that Nick," said Bob, as he and Ned +paused for a moment in their work of digging trenches. + +"Yes, isn't it strange to meet him here like this? If he fired any of +the shots that did up Jerry Hopkins, why----" + +Ned did not finish, but Bob knew what his chum meant. + +Feverishly the Americans worked, and to good purpose, for when +darkness began to fall they were in strong front trenches with +supporting lines back of them, and the artillery was partly in place. +If the Germans wanted to take that particular hill again they would +have to work for every inch of it. + +And now the commissary department got busy, and hot soup and coffee +was rushed up to the well-nigh exhausted men. Never was a meal more +welcome. + +"But it doesn't taste any better than those doughnuts did," declared +Bob, as he sat on a pile of dirt, sipping coffee from a tin cup, his +face and hands plastered with mud and other dirt. + +"You took an awful chance, though, Chunky," said his chum. + +"No more than that Salvation Army man did. He was braver than I, +because it was my business to be where I was, and he didn't have to +if he didn't want to." + +"Well, that's so," agreed Ned. "But say, I'm going to see if we can't +find out how Jerry is. If he--if he's----" + +But he did not have the heart to finish. + +As much had been done as was possible that day, after the terrific +battle, and with the arrival of fresh reserves those who had borne the +brunt of the fighting were sent to the rear to rest. Ned and Bob were +among these, and, obtaining permission, they went to the dressing +station to learn Jerry's fate. + +Their hearts leaped with joy when they were told that, aside from a +bad scalp wound and a bullet through the fleshy part of his leg, their +chum was all right. + +The high-powered bullets do infinitely less damage than the +old-fashioned slower-moving sort, and the wound in Jerry's leg was a +clean one. + +Not so, however, the cut on his head, which was from a piece of +burning shell, making a jagged wound that, however, did not touch the +bone. + +"He'll be back in line again in three weeks," declared the surgeon to +Ned and Bob, and those were the happiest words they ever had heard. + +The next morning, after a feverish night in which they slept but +little, they were allowed to see Jerry, and they found him in better +condition, relatively, than themselves. For he had been given a bath +and cleaned after his wounds were dressed, whereas Ned and Bob were +still caked with the mud, dirt, and grime of battle. But it was +honorable dirt, as a Japanese might say. Most honorable and +cherished. + +"Well, how about you, old man?" asked Ned, as the Red Cross nurse said +they might talk a little to their injured chum. + +"Oh, I'm all right. Feel fine! Just knocked out a little. Save a few +Huns for me for the next rush." + +"Oh, we'll do that all right," agreed Bob. "Too bad you had to get +yours just as we won the game." + +"We won it, so I hear," observed Jerry. + +"Yes, cleaned 'em up," went on Ned. "And whom do you guess we caught +in the last batch of prisoners?" + +"Not Professor Snodgrass!" + +"No. But some one who knows him. Nick Schmouder!" exploded Bob. + +"What? Not the janitor at Boxwood Hall? The fellow who helped us get +the goat upstairs into the physics class?" + +"The same!" laughed Ned; and Jerry chuckled so at the recollection of +one of the jokes of their college days that the nurse was forced to +say she would order his chums away unless he remained more quiet. + +"I'll be good!" promised the tall lad. "But that is rich! How did it +happen?" + +"Don't know," admitted Ned. "I'm going to have a talk with him if I +can." + +"Let me know what he says," begged Jerry. "I don't suppose you have +heard anything about the professor or his quest for the two girls?" + +"No," answered Bob. "I guess he'll never find them. It's worse than +looking for a cent down a crack in the boardwalk at Atlantic City. But +I don't suppose you could convince the professor of that." + +"No," agreed Jerry. "I'm mighty sorry, too. You remember what he said +about losing the money he had lent to a friend of his and needing this +bequest from Professor Petersen. Well, if you see or hear from him let +me know. I won't be able to get about for a week--maybe more." + +Bob and Ned stayed until the nurse sent them away, but they promised +to call again as soon as allowed. Then, as they were relieved from +duty, they went to an officer and received permission to talk to the +prisoner, Nick Schmouder, after explaining about him. + +The man had been a janitor at Boxwood Hall when Ned, Bob, and Jerry +attended there. He had been a good friend to the three chums, and, as +mentioned, had assisted them in performing what they were pleased to +term a "joke." + +The boys had forgotten all about him, and it was with the utmost +wonder they met him again under such strange and strenuous +circumstances. + +"How did you come to get into the war?" asked Bob, as he and Ned +talked to the prisoner, who was in a wire cage with hundreds of +others. + +"Oh, it was an accident, yet. I came back to Germany to see my old +father, and I was caught here when the war broke out. I had not served +my full time in the army, and so I had to go in again. Ach! how I hate +it. But tell me--why are you here?" + +"The same reason that brought every other good American over," replied +Ned sharply. "We want to wipe Prussian militarism off the face of the +earth." + +"And a good job, I say!" declared Nick Schmouder. "It is like a bad +disease germ. One of those bugs Professor Snodgrass used to show me in +the microscope. Ah, I wish I was back at Boxwood Hall with him. He was +a nice little man." + +"Yes, he was," agreed Ned. "And you may see him, if you stay around +here." + +"See him? Is the professor in the war, too?" + +"Not exactly," Bob answered. "He is here on a scientific mission. +Something about war noises and insects. But he is after something +else, too. A friend of his, Professor Petersen----" + +"Professor Emil Petersen?" cried Nick Schmouder in such a strange +voice that Ned and Bob stared at him. "Did you say Professor Emil +Petersen?" + +"I don't know that I mentioned his first name, but it is Emil," +answered the stout lad. "Why, do you know him?" + +"Know him? Why, he once lived in the same German town where my father +and mother lived," declared the former janitor. "They were +friends,--my father worked for him and my mother had looked after him +when he was sick--and when the professor, who was studying or +something, had to go away, he left his two nieces----" + +"Two nieces!" burst out Ned and Bob together. "Do you mean Miss Gladys +Petersen and Miss Dorothy Gibbs?" + +"Yes! Those were the names," announced Schmouder easily. "He left the +two nieces with my father and mother. They were nice girls!" + +"Listen to that!" cried Ned, thumping Bob on the back. "News at last! +We must tell Jerry this!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A QUEER QUESTION + + +So unexpected was the news given by the captured Boxwood Hall janitor +that for a moment or two Ned and Bob could scarcely believe it. That +the information, so much desired and so ardently sought after, should +come to them by accident, while, doubtless, Professor Snodgrass was +using every energy to that end, seemed scarcely believable. Yet there +could be no doubt of it. Still Ned was a bit cautious, and restrained +his stout chum from rushing to the hospital to tell Jerry. + +"We don't want any mistake in this," remarked Ned. "Are you sure, +Nick, that this is the same Professor Petersen whom we mean, the same +one Professor Snodgrass means?" + +"I don't see how there can be any mistake," declared the former +janitor. "I often heard Professor Petersen speak of Professor +Snodgrass, and I know him well enough. I could tell him in the dark." + +"Yes, I guess that's right," assented Ned. + +"But there may be two Professor Petersens--the name is not uncommon in +Germany, at any rate." + +"There is no mistake," declared Schmouder. "I admit there may be +several Professor Petersens, but hardly two who would have nieces +named Dorothy Gibbs and Gladys Petersen." + +"That seems to clinch it," declared Bob. + +"Yes, I guess so," agreed his chum. "But what else can you tell us +about them, Nick, and where are the girls now?" + +The German prisoner shrugged his shoulders. + +"As for where they are now, I do not know," he answered. "My father +and mother live in a little town not far from Metz. It was there +Professor Petersen came sometimes to study and write his books, when +he was not in his own country or in your country, lecturing or +visiting Professor Snodgrass. + +"Just before this terrible war, which I wish with all my heart I had +never seen, Professor Petersen came to this little town, bringing for +the first time his two nieces. I happened to be there on a visit--I +came to see my parents, and now I wish I hadn't. + +"No, I will not say that!" quickly exclaimed the man. "I am glad I saw +them; but I wish I had sent for them to come to the United States to +see me. It would have been safer for them and me, for we shall lose +this war--I can see that." + +"You said it!" declared Bob, with energy. + +"Tell us all you can," urged Ned. "We have a great interest in finding +these girls." + +"Well, I am sorry I cannot tell you more," replied Schmouder. "As I +said, I came back just before the war broke out, was caught and sent +to the army. I saw Professor Petersen in my home town then with the +two young ladies. There was some story about his having been +reconciled to them after a long estrangement, but I did not pay much +attention to that. + +"All I know is that I saw the young ladies and knew they were the +nieces of the professor. They had been traveling in France and +Germany, it was said. Then the professor left just before war was +declared. He suspected it was coming, and said he had certain +investigations he wished to make before the fighting started. He left +the two young ladies in charge of my father and mother, telling them +he would be back as soon as he could, and that, thereafter, he would +look after them." + +"What happened next?" asked Bob. + +"The war," answered Schmouder succinctly. "That spoiled everything. I +had to go away and leave my parents. What has become of them I do not +know." + +"Haven't you heard from them?" asked Ned. + +"Not lately, no. Soon after I was forced to join the army I had a +letter, in which they told me they were going farther into Germany to +be safer." + +"And what about the two girls and Professor Petersen?" Bob queried. + +"What happened to Professor Petersen I cannot tell you," was the +answer. "As for his two nieces, my father wrote that they had gone on +some scientific expedition shortly after the professor left them, and +were not expected back for a month." + +"Were they scientists too?" asked Ned. + +"I believe so," answered the former janitor. "They loved study, as did +their uncle. At any rate they, too, went into the interior of Germany +just before the war broke out, and what has happened to them I do not +know any more than I know what happened to Professor Petersen." + +"We can tell you what happened to him," said Ned. "He died in America, +and left a lot of money." + +"So!" exclaimed Schmouder. "Well, it will do no one any good these +terrible days." + +"Maybe it will, and perhaps it won't," replied Bob. "At any rate, he +left half his fortune to Professor Snodgrass on condition that our +friend find the two nieces and give them the other half of the +fortune." + +"Ach! Well, I shall be glad if the young ladies get something," said +Schmouder. + +"Yes, but the trouble is they won't get it if they can't be found," +said Ned. "And Professor Snodgrass won't get anything, either. Now if +you could only tell us where these two girls are to be found, +why----" + +"That I could not do--no one could in these days!" declared the +prisoner earnestly. "I will help you all I can. I am an American at +heart, and I hope you will believe me when I say that every gun I +fired sent its bullets only into the ground. I could not shoot at my +former friends. Germany is no longer a friend to me!" + +"Nor to any one else," declared Bob. "Gee! but it's tough to be so +near the solution and then to fail." + +"Don't give up yet," advised Ned. "We can tell Professor Snodgrass +what we have learned, and maybe he can find a way to get in +communication with the young ladies. It's a pity Professor Petersen +didn't give them half his fortune when he was alive, and save all this +bother." + +"Yes, it would have been a good idea!" scoffed his chum. "The girls +and Professor Snodgrass would have been better off. But, as a rule, +people don't do that sort of thing. I haven't noticed your father--nor +mine--giving away half of his possessions. However, the money may be +lost entirely now. I don't see how it can be paid over, inherited or +whatever the term is anyhow, in these days. Maybe the war has wiped +out Professor Petersen's fortune." + +"I hardly think that," said the former janitor. "He was not a German, +and his wealth was not in that country. He was a very careful man, and +if he left any money to any one you may be sure it is waiting for +them, wherever they are." + +"That's the point!" exclaimed Bob. "The money may be all right, but we +can't find those for whom it is intended. And if Professor Snodgrass +can't locate the girls, all the fortune goes to a humane society." + +"Ach! So?" exclaimed Nicholas Schmouder. "Well, it is better that than +Germany should get it. Please tell your friends that I did never fire +my gun at them--always into the ground," he said wistfully, as the +boys turned away from the prisoners' wire cage. + +"We'll do the best we can for you," they said. But there was little +they could do to make life any easier for their old friend, who, +through no fault of his own, was in a bad predicament. + +When next they had a chance to visit Jerry the two chums told him all +they had heard, and the wounded lad suggested that they should write +to Professor Snodgrass at once, urging him to come on and have a talk +with Schmouder. This Ned and Bob did, though there was no certainty +that their letter would reach the scientist, or that he would be able +to obey the instructions in it. They had his last address, but he was, +at best, uncertain in his movements, and now, with the great forward +movement of the American armies beginning, it was hard for any one to +get to the front. + +"But we've found out something, anyhow," declared Ned. "The girls are +somewhere in Germany, if they are still alive, and it may be possible +for Professor Snodgrass to give them half the money and keep the other +half for his own necessities." + +"Yes, it may, and it may not. I hope it will, though." + +Jerry, thanks to the nature of his wounds and to his healthy +constitution, made a remarkably quick recovery, and though he was not +ready to go back to the front-line trenches when his chums had to +report for duty, it was probable that after their next rest period he +would join them. + +It was hard for Ned and Bob to say good-bye to their chum. They might +never meet again, and they knew it. But it was the fortune of war, and +had to be borne. + +Fate, however, was kind to them, and Ned and Bob were sent to a quiet +sector. After some slight skirmishes, which, however, were hard enough +on those engaged, they were again sent to the rear to recuperate. +There they found Jerry chafing against being kept out of the +fighting. + +"Feel all right?" asked Ned. + +"Sure! Never better. I want to get at the Huns again." + +"Didn't hear from Professor Snodgrass, did you?" inquired Bob. + +"No. But I wrote to him again. Schmouder has been sent back to the +rear to work with other prisoners, but I have his camp location so the +professor can interview him if he thinks it needful. And say, a rather +queer thing happened while you were away." + +"What?" asked Ned. + +"Well, Noddy Nixon came to see me." + +"He did!" cried Bob. "Well, the nerve of that shrimp! After he took +our wood!" + +"What did he want?" asked Ned. + +"Oh, nothing in particular, as far as I could make out. Just seemed to +want to be friendly. Asked me a lot of questions about how I was +treated in the hospital and whether I got enough to eat." + +"You did, didn't you?" asked Bob. + +"Sure. But I don't quite see what Noddy was aiming at. However, I +didn't trouble my head much about it until yesterday." + +"Why yesterday?" Bob demanded. + +"Well, the surgeon who patched me up came and inquired if Noddy was a +particular friend of mine." + +"Of course you told him he was!" laughed Ned. + +"Like fun I did! No, I said I hadn't any use for him, but I didn't go +into particulars. After all, Noddy is fighting on our side." + +"You mean he's making a bluff at it!" growled Bob. "But go on. Where +does the queer part come in?" + +"Here," answered Jerry. "The surgeon told me Noddy took him to one +side and asked very particularly whether a wound in the hand or one in +the foot hurt the most. That's what he wanted to know." + +"He did!" cried Ned. "Well, what's queer about that?" + +"Don't you see," resumed Jerry, "it looks as though----" + +But Jerry never finished that sentence, for as he was speaking came +cries of alarm from outside the hospital and the firing of several +guns, while some one shouted: + +"An air raid! An air raid! The Huns are coming!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A VISITOR + + +Jerry Hopkins, with his two chums and some of the hospital patients +who were able to move about, rushed toward the sound of the shouting +and firing. Jerry's leg wound was healed, and save for a slight limp +he was all right again. + +The boys saw a group of soldiers gathered about a battery of guns +erected a short time before to repel air raids. And that this was now +a time to use the weapons was evident after a glance aloft. + +For, hovering just below the clouds, were three big Hun planes, and +that they had come over the lines to bomb the American positions was +only too evident. + +There was no time to stop and inquire how the hostile aircraft had +managed to elude the vigilance of the Allied airmen at the front. It +was time to act and act promptly, and at once the anti-aircraft +batteries opened, while word was quickly telephoned to the nearest +aerodrome, so that American, French, or British fliers might ascend to +attack the Germans. It was the shooting at the Hun planes with the +guns nearest the hospital that had broken in on Jerry's remarks. + +"They won't bomb the hospital, will they?" asked Ned, in wonder. + +"They're very likely to," declared Jerry. "Then later on they'll claim +they couldn't see the red crosses on the roof, or else they'll say +they meant to drop bombs on an ammunition dump or a railroad center +and they miscalculated the distance--the beasts!" + +If the Huns intended to bomb the hospital now it would not be the +first time they had done such a dastardly trick. And that they +purposed sending down explosives somewhere in the neighborhood was +evident from the tactics of the hostile machines. + +They flew about, so high above the group of buildings containing the +wounded and convalescents as to make it difficult to hit them, and +appeared to be waiting their best chance to drop a bomb where it would +do the most damage. + +Meanwhile, nurses and orderlies were moving out their charges into the +open, so there would be less likelihood of their being caught in the +collapsed structures. + +For a few minutes the scene was one of wild confusion, and then army +discipline was established and matters went on as they should. Ned, +Bob, and Jerry helped in taking out the wounded, while the gun crews +increased their fire at the hostile planes. + +Suddenly there was a terrific explosion just in the rear of the +hospital. It shook the ground and brought forth screams of agonized +apprehension on the part of men suffering from shell shock. But either +the bomb was misdirected or the Huns were more merciful than they had +been on other similar occasions, for the bomb, dropped from one of the +aircraft, only tore a big hole in an adjacent field. + +"Too close for comfort, though," declared Ned. + +"Our boys are gettin' after 'em!" exclaimed Bob, as he and his chums +hurried back into the endangered building to assist in taking out more +of the helpless ones. + +This was true in two senses, for the fire of the anti-aircraft +batteries was increasing, and now several Allied airmen were mounting +aloft in their swift machines to give battle to the attacking Huns. + +It was high time, too, for now bombs were dropping on all sides of the +hospital, and there was no telling when the entire building might go +down in ruins. Whether the German airmen were deliberately trying to +hit the place where wounded men were being saved from death, or +whether they aimed their infernal machines at objects near it, could +not be said with certainty. + +Fiercer and more rapid became the firing from the anti-aircraft +batteries established near the hospital for this very purpose, and +more Allied planes took the air, seeking to drive off the invaders. + +By this time most of the wounded had been carried out and put under +trees, in the open, wherever it was considered safest for them. + +Though from the ruthless manner in which the Huns waged war no place +was immune from their bombs--even in the neighborhood of a hospital. + +"Look! Look!" suddenly cried Ned. "They got one!" + +"That's right!" echoed Jerry. "They've brought one down!" + +Tumbling over and over, in a fashion no airman, however reckless, +would dare to imitate as a ruse, was one of the German planes. It had +been hit either by a shell from a battery, or the bullets from one of +the machine guns on an Allied plane had found a mark. + +Then, as the invading machine continued to fall, out of control, it +burst into flames, and a small dark object was seen to detach itself +from the mass and fall to one side. + +"There goes the pilot!" said Bob grimly. "He's done for." + +And so he was, and so was his machine. It was a horrible death, but +none the less horrible than he had planned for others--and helpless +others, too. + +"There they go! They've had enough!" shouted Ned, and as he spoke it +was seen that the Hun machines, which had been circling about, as +though looking for more targets on the ground below, had turned and +were speeding toward their own lines, pursued by the American and +other machines, eager to visit on them just vengeance. + +And then the hospital patients, some of them wounded airmen +themselves, watched the battle of the clouds, out of danger now that +the Huns were in retreat. + +The machines were so high that little could be seen, but some one had +a pair of glasses and reported that one of the German craft was +disabled and was coming down out of control. + +This information afterward proved to be correct. Then during the +battle which followed another German machine was set on fire; so that +a total of three were destroyed, and another of the six engaged in the +raid sent back damaged, and one of its occupants killed. + +Nor did the Allied planes come off scatheless. One was shot down and +both occupants killed, while another man was wounded. But the hospital +had not been bombed, which was the great thing. + +"Do you wonder that I'm aching to get back into the fight against such +beasts?" asked Jerry, when the patients had once more been carried +back to the wards, and Jerry and his chums had resumed their +conversation in a quiet place outside. + +"Don't blame you a bit," assented Ned. "But we were talking about +Noddy Nixon." + +"Yes," resumed the tall lad. "I was saying he asked a mighty queer +question of the surgeon and I have my own opinion----" + +At that moment a smiling Red Cross nurse appeared and said: + +"There's a visitor asking to see you, Mr. Hopkins." + +"A visitor for me!" exclaimed Jerry. + +"Yes, do you wish to see any one?" + +"Man or young lady?" asked Ned, with a mischievous smile at his chum. + +"Oh, a dear, little, bald-headed man, who peers at you in such a funny +way through his big glasses and----" + +"Show him in!" cried Ned, Bob and Jerry in one voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +AN UNEXPECTED CAPTURE + + +The smiling Red Cross nurse had no need to mention the name of the +visitor. The boys knew him for Professor Snodgrass after that +description, which could fit no one else. And the little scientist it +proved to be a moment later. + +"Ah, here you are, boys!" he murmured, as though he had just parted +from them half an hour before, and under ordinary circumstances, +instead of the great war being in the background. "I am glad to see +you. I want----" + +He made a sudden motion toward the smiling, Red Cross nurse, and +instinctively she stepped back, with something of a look of alarm on +her face. + +"One moment--please!" exclaimed the professor. "There is a most +beautiful and rare butterfly on your apron. I just want it for my +collection," and, a moment later, he had safe in one of his wire boxes +the fluttering _Papilio_. + +"Oh, how beautiful!" murmured the nurse. "What are you going to do +with the poor thing?" + +"Preserve it so that others may gaze on its beauty," answered the +professor with a bow. "It will also aid me in my studies. This +particular butterfly is one I have long sought, because of the +peculiar markings. It is most lucky that I came here to-day." + +"Well, it might have been unlucky if you had happened to be hit by one +of the German air bombs," said Jerry. "But we're glad to see you. We +have good news for you about those two girls." + +"Yes, so I understand from your letters. So that janitor has seen +them. Well, now I must follow them up and give them their share of the +fortune. I came on as soon as I could after hearing from you boys. I +thank you for having my interests at heart. Now where can I see this +Nick Schmouder and have a talk with him?" + +The camp where the German prisoners were detained was not many miles +back of the hospital where Jerry had recovered from his wounds, and, +as he would be able to travel the next day, and as Bob and Ned could +get furloughs, it was decided that the four should make up a party and +seek out the former janitor, so that the professor might hear, at +first hand, all there was to be said. + +These arrangements having been made, transportation provided and the +necessary permissions having been secured, the professor and the +three Motor Boys, several hours later, sat down to have a long chat +and exchange experiences. Professor Snodgrass told how he was +progressing with his work of studying the effects of battle noises on +insects, and the boys related their stories of fighting and battles. + +"And we thought old Jerry was gone when we saw him go down outside the +dugout where we captured Schmouder," finished Ned, as a climax to his +story. + +"I thought so myself," admitted the tall lad. "But I'm as well as +ever, and next week I'll be fighting again. What are your plans, +Professor?" + +"I must try to find those two young ladies. The military authorities +have been very good to me. They have said I can go anywhere I like to +study the insects, provided I do nothing that would betray any army +secrets. And I have been very careful." + +That is he was careful not to disobey his instructions, but that he +was anything but careful of himself the boys learned later. They heard +stories of how he went up to the very front lines of the fighting, so +he might be nearer the big guns, and he took with him cages of +insects, noting the effect of the concussions of the great cannons on +their nervous systems. + +Professor Snodgrass would have laughed had you called him a brave man, +but he dared as much for his beloved science as others did for their +country's honor. And, moreover, only the age limit kept the professor +out of the army. + +The journey to the prison camp where Nick Schmouder was held took +place the next day, and was accomplished without incident worthy of +note. + +But if Professor Snodgrass hoped to obtain any more information from +the former janitor than the boys had about the two missing girls, he +was disappointed. For Nick Schmouder could only repeat what he had +already told. He was glad to see Professor Snodgrass, and it was quite +pathetic to hear the man tell his story about having always fired his +gun into the ground to avoid hurting any of those he called his +friends. + +"I didn't believe there were any good Germans in Germany any more," +said Jerry, "but I guess Nick is pretty near one." + +So they listened to his stories, and Professor Snodgrass made notes +about the girls. He said he would try to get into communication with +them through the parents of the former janitor, though the latter did +not know, himself, whether his father and mother were still alive. + +"Is it not terrible--awful--this war?" he cried. "I wish all my +countrymen were prisoners, and then they could no longer fight, and we +would have peace." + +"Well, if it keeps on we'll soon have most of the Kaiser's army in a +cage like this," declared Ned. "Don't worry--we're going to make a +good clean-up of it." + +"I hope you do," said Schmouder, and many of his fellow prisoners +agreed with him. + +At present all the professor could do was to depend on some message +getting to the missing girls. As they were not prisoners of war it was +thought that perhaps some missive might reach them, though all +ordinary communication between Americans and Germany was held up. + +The girls, though of Swedish parentage, were citizens of the United +States, as the fathers of both were naturalized; therefore, the +diplomatic channels of Sweden were closed to them, as the money had +been left in Professor Snodgrass' care. The Red Cross might aid, as a +last resort, and if that failed all that could be done was to wait +until after the war and then seek them out, if the two nieces were +still alive. + +So, having dispatched several letters by different routes, Professor +Snodgrass prepared to spend some time with the boys. + +"I might as well study the effect here of noises on insects, as to go +back where I was," he said. "Here I shall be nearer those two young +ladies, if I can ever find a chance to reach them. We are heading +toward Metz, are we not?" + +"Yes, and we'll get there," declared Jerry, for by this time enough +of General Pershing's plans had developed to show that his armies had +this town for one of its objectives. But there was still a long way to +go. + +True to his determination, Jerry went back to the front with his +chums, and Professor Snodgrass, by virtue of special permission, +accompanied them. The chums were welcomed by their comrades, and once +more took up the life of the trenches. + +It was one afternoon, just before time for them to be relieved, that +Ned, Bob, and Jerry had their attention drawn to a stretch of No Man's +Land in front of them, by hearing some of their comrades say: + +"Look at the bug-hunter! What in the name of Billie Bejinks is he +doing out there? He'll be bowled over by a German bullet just as sure +as guns!" + +The three lads looked, and, to their surprise and horror, saw +Professor Snodgrass with something supported on his back and partly in +his arms, walking across No Man's Land in the direction of the German +trenches as unconcernedly as though peace had been declared. + +"Look at him!" yelled Ned. + +"We've got to get him back!" cried Jerry. + +An officer, who had heard the commotion, came in from the nearest +dugout and asked: + +"Who gave him permission to go out there? Is he deserting?" + +[Illustration: THEY MARCHED STRAIGHT FOR THE AMERICAN LINES. +_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 183_] + +"Indeed he isn't, Sir," answered Ned. "I guess he must be trying some +experiment, or looking for bugs." + +"Well it's likely to be his last experiment," was the grim comment, +"and about all he'll find will be bullets. Ah, I was afraid so. Look, +they are going to capture him!" + +As he spoke the Americans, crouching in their trench, saw three German +soldiers leap out of their ditch and advance toward the professor. But +the latter did not seem in the least afraid. He walked on, for a +moment not observing his enemies, who were approaching from one side. +Then suddenly he noticed them. + +But he did not run, nor did he show any sign of fear, and then the +most unexpected thing happened. The Germans suddenly dropped their +rifles. Up in the air went their hands, and then they turned and +marched straight for the American lines, the professor following +behind, and fairly driving them on in some mysterious way. He had made +a most unexpected capture. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GREAT PREPARATIONS + + +Watching him from the security of their trench, Ned, Bob, and Jerry, +their comrades, and the officers on duty, could scarcely believe their +eyes as they saw what had happened. Yet there was no delusion about +it. Professor Snodgrass, rashly venturing across No Man's Land toward +the German trenches, was coming back and with three prisoners. As Bob +said afterward, it was like the advertisements of the circus which +boasted of three rings and innumerable clowns. + +"Three prisoners! Count 'em. Three!" Bob yelled. + +"Well, for the love of hot chocolate!" cried Jerry, "what does it +mean?" + +"Search me!" answered Ned, succinctly. "Looks as if he had 'em +hypnotized!" + +And so it did, for the Huns, as they came nearer, wore on their faces +looks of stupefied astonishment. + +Straight for the trench where his young friends were, Professor +Snodgrass marched his prisoners. He was in great danger, but he did +not seem to mind that, or even be aware of it. Doubtless it was the +latter, but, as a matter of fact, he was within range of the big guns, +as well as within shot of rifles or machine guns. + +Of course, though, had the Germans opened fire on the professor from +their trenches, they would have run the chance of killing their own +three men, captives though the latter were. And, too, had the Huns +fired there would have at once been answering fire from the Americans, +for the latter gunners were always on the alert, and once word was +passed up and down the line that the little "bug-hunter" was out in No +Man's Land, every man who knew or who had heard of him was ready with +his rifle--Ned, Bob and Jerry among them--ready to take full toll in +revenge had he been fired on. + +But the German trenches were silent, and for good reason, as was +learned later, so the professor marched on with his prisoners, the +latter never once looking behind them, but walking with their hands +high in the air. + +And the little scientist was as unconcerned as though he was on his +return from some insect-hunting trip. His appearance was a bit +unusual, though, and Ned commented on it. + +"What's that thing on his back?" asked the stout lad. + +"Looks like a magnified haversack of new design," replied Ned. + +"The professor hasn't enlisted, has he?" some one asked Jerry. "Not +but what he'd make a fine soldier," was the added comment. + +"No, I can't imagine what he has on," Jerry answered. "We'll soon find +out, though." + +On came the professor, and when he had his prisoners at the edge of +the first American trench he exclaimed, with a twinkle in his eyes: + +"Here you are! Make yourselves at home! Will some one please take +charge of--er--these--specimens?" asked the little scientist, and +again his eyes twinkled as he looked at the lieutenant who was in +command just then. + +"Great guns, man alive! Did you go out to get them?" asked the +officer. + +"Well, not exactly," was the reply. "These men tried to interfere with +me in my work, and I simply told them to mind their own business and +get out of the way. Bringing them over here seemed the easiest way to +get rid of them, so I marched them along. Now I will go back and +finish----" + +"Oh, no! Excuse me for seeming to be brusk and arbitrary," said the +lieutenant smiling, "but I can't permit you to go back. For our own +sake, as well as yours. You might precipitate a general engagement, +and while we're not running away from anything like that, we are not +looking for it just now. Please stay here." + +"Very well, I will," mildly agreed the professor. "Perhaps I can as +well continue my studies here. But what shall I do with my--my +specimens?" and he nodded toward the Germans. + +The prisoners were still standing with uplifted hands, gazing at the +professor as if the issue of life and death depended on him as far as +they were concerned. + +"Tell them they may put down their hands," begged the professor of the +lieutenant. "They're in your charge now, and you had better give them +orders. Besides, I don't speak their language very well." + +"Then how in the world did you get them to surrender?" asked the +officer. "How did you, alone, without a gun or a sword, or even a hand +grenade, capture three Germans?" + +"Well, I fancy it was due to this," and the professor motioned to the +strange contrivance on his back. "I threatened them with total +annihilation if they didn't do as I said and march for these trenches, +and they did. Whether they understood me or not I don't know. But up +went their hands and on they came." + +"Yes, they came on all right," said the lieutenant. "We saw that. But +still I don't understand." + +At this one of the prisoners spoke. + +"Haf ve der lieutnant's bermission to lower our hants?" he asked, +speaking with a deep, guttural accent. + +"Yes," said the officer curtly. "But first we'll search you. Go +through them," he ordered one of his men, and when an automatic pistol +and several hand grenades had been taken from each of the prisoners, +their hands were allowed to come down. They uttered sighs of relief. + +"Now, how did it happen?" went on the officer. + +"Ve surrender to suberior force, und dot iss no disgrace," said the +German soldier who had first spoken. "Ven ve saw der little man ve try +to capture him. But he turned on us, und by der--vot you call +machine--on his back mit total destruction threatened us. As ve did +not vant to die--vell, ve surrendered. Dot's all!" + +"_Ja!_" murmured his two companions. + +"Yes, I guess that is all," said the lieutenant, smiling grimly. "Take +'em to the rear, to the temporary prisoner-cage," he ordered one of +his men. And then, when the Germans, with a last wondering and fearful +look at the professor, had gone, the lieutenant, turning to the +scientist, asked with a smile: + +"What sort of infernal machine have you there, anyhow? Does it +generate a new kind of gas?" + +The professor laughed and unslung the apparatus from his back, where +it was carried by means of straps, like those on a haversack. + +"No, it isn't a gas machine," he said. "It's just a little apparatus +for taking moving pictures of insects. It's as harmless as the +chocolate sodas my friend Bob likes so well. I got it up to take views +of grasshoppers and crickets, and I wanted to get some pictures this +morning of those insects showing them as they hopped about normally. +Then, later, I intended to set the machine out in the open space, and +leave it there when heavy firing was going on. I hoped to get +contrasting pictures then, and show the effect, if any, of the sound +of big guns on the creatures. But those Germans spoiled my plans." + +"And I fancy you spoiled theirs," said the lieutenant with a laugh. +"So you threatened them with your moving-picture machine, did you?" + +"Yes, I couldn't think of anything else to do when I saw them +confronting me. So I yelled that my machine was a new product of the +war, and that unless they did exactly as I said I would at once +destroy them, even down to their finger nails, by a blast of terrible +fire from the machine. Fortunately they understood my very poor +German, mixed with English as it was." + +"Yes, very fortunately," said the lieutenant. "We saw them drop their +guns and raise their hands, and couldn't understand. But your +machine, harmless as it is, doubtless impressed them as very +dangerous." + +When Ned, Bob, and Jerry, as well as the others, looked at the +apparatus, they could understand why an ignorant man, accustomed to +obey and do no thinking, took the picture machine for some terrible +engine of war. The Motor Boys themselves had not seen it before, as +the professor carried it in sections in his luggage, and had only +fitted it together and used it that day. + +It consisted of a black box, with numerous wires, wheels, levers and +projecting tubes. These latter contained lenses and shutters, but the +Germans must have imagined devastating fire could spout from them. And +so they had surrendered. + +"But I can't understand why the others in the trenches didn't open +fire on you," said the officer. + +They learned, later, the reason for this. It was because the Germans +had retired from that particular part of the line. Whether for +strategic reasons, or otherwise, could not be learned, but the three +prisoners admitted that they, alone, had been left in the trench. + +Their orders were to remain quiet, and not to attack, but if the +Americans came out of their trenches in force the German sentries were +to fire their rifles, as many hand grenades and machine-gun rounds as +possible, and then retreat, if they could, to the next line of +trenches. + +But when Professor Snodgrass approached the lines alone, the Germans, +instead of firing, thought they would capture him, and so the trio +advanced stealthily on the scientist. The result has been seen. + +"Well, it was a great piece of work," declared the lieutenant. "Not +only the capture, but because we learned that the Germans are falling +back. This may change our plans somewhat. I must report to +headquarters. And you, Professor Snodgrass, had better come with me." + +"But what about my insects?" + +"They will have to wait, I'm afraid. Besides, there will be no heavy +firing now. Later--well, I'm afraid I can't tell you of that now. It's +a secret. But I think you'll soon have a chance to hear all the heavy +firing you want." + +"I wonder what he meant?" asked Ned, of his chums, as the professor, +returning his "infernal" insect moving-picture machine to his quarters +went away with the officer. + +"Maybe we're going to make a big attack," suggested Bob. + +"Perhaps," assented Jerry. "I heard some rumors of it. Well, we'll +have to wait and see." + +They did not have to wait long, for that day began preparations which, +to those who understood, indicated that a great attack was imminent. + +Great stores of shell and ammunition were brought up under cover of +darkness to the firing line. Big guns were shifted in position and +well camouflaged. And there also arrived at the front where the Motor +Boys were stationed several batteries of those wonderful French +seventy-fives, those guns which did so much to win the war, the secret +of which the Germans tried in vain to learn. + +It was after several days of hard work, during which they saw little +of Professor Snodgrass, that Bob, seeking out his chums one afternoon, +said: + +"Guess what's up!" + +"Can't," Ned replied. + +"Go on! Tell us!" cried Jerry. + +"We're going to have a lot of doughnuts and chocolate candy!" cried +Bob. + +"Doughnuts!" shouted Jerry. + +"Chocolate!" echoed Ned. "Where is it?" + +"Safe," laughed Chunky. "I struck a Salvation Army man with an extra +supply and I took all he'd give me. They're hidden in the trench, near +where we go on duty, and to-night we'll have a feast!" + +"Good for you, Chunky!" cried Jerry. "I always said you were all +right!" + +"Same here!" added Ned. + +And that night, when the three chums were about to go on duty in the +dismal trenches, Bob led them to a little place he had hollowed out +under a rock, and lined with boards. It was a hiding place known to +all three. + +"We can stick the stuff in our pockets," he said, "and eat it when we +get hungry. Things are so upset, getting ready for a big offensive, I +guess, that maybe the rations won't come up on time. But we'll be +fixed, anyhow." + +He opened the secret place, and then, as he reached his hand in and +drew it out empty, a queer look came over his face. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. + +"It's gone!" faltered Bob. + +Consternation showed on the faces of all three. Ned and Jerry made a +careful examination of the hiding place after Bob. There was no doubt +of it--the treasure was gone! And sweets were really a treasure to the +men in the trenches. + +"Who took 'em?" faltered Bob. + +Jerry looked about, flashed his electric pocket lamp, for the trenches +were in the shadow now. Suddenly he picked up a knife, and, as he held +it in his hand, he exclaimed: + +"Noddy Nixon's! He's been up to his rotten tricks again!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +"S. I. W." + + +There seemed no doubt on the subject, at least in the minds of the +three Motor Boys. Bob knew full well that he had left the treat of +sweet things in the hole in the wall of his trench. Now the hole was +empty, and a knife with Noddy Nixon's name on it was picked up at the +very spot. It surely indicated that Noddy had been there, and it +needed no very discerning mind, after one was acquainted with the +character of Nixon, to say that he was the guilty one. + +"What'll we do?" gasped Bob. + +"Let's go and accuse him and get the stuff away!" suggested Ned. +"Maybe he hasn't eaten it all yet." + +"Not much chance but what he has," commented Jerry. "It wouldn't last +long with him and his crowd. Still I'm in favor of letting him know +we're on to his game. Let's go and have it out with him." + +But this was not to be. Just as the three chums were about to go from +their part of the trench to that where Noddy Nixon was stationed, the +signal sounded for Ned, Bob, and Jerry to take their places on +official duty. + +"Too late!" exclaimed Bob. "We can't reach him now, and he'll eat it +all up." + +"The pig!" muttered Ned. + +And they had to let the matter rest there. They could not ask to be +relieved from trench sentry work to go and get back, possibly, +doughnuts and chocolate stolen by Noddy Nixon. It was too trivial a +matter from a military standpoint, though to Ned, Bob, and Jerry, +forced to be on duty during the long, wet, dreary night, it meant a +great deal. + +But it was another of the fortunes of war, and it had to be borne. + +However, it was not as bad as it might have been, for during the night +a relief party came along with hot chocolate, and this was grateful to +the lads in the trenches. + +"But I'll have it out with Noddy to-day!" declared Bob as he and his +chums went off duty in the morning. "I'll turn him upside down; that's +what I'll do!" + +But again his plans went astray, for orders came from headquarters, +shifting many of the regiments, and the three friends found themselves +on the move, without a chance to see Noddy. + +"But his company moves, too," declared Ned, who had made some +inquiries. "He's in the same division we are, and we'll see him when +we get settled again." + +But they did not see Noddy Nixon again for some time, though they +heard of him, and under tragic circumstances. + +The guess the boys had made about a great offensive was a correct one. +The time had come for the turning point in the war, and the backward +movement of the British and French was about to stop. The American +forces were increasing, and now General Foch was able to put into +practice the strategy he had so long waited for. He could attack, and +with great hope of succeeding. The turning point had been reached. + +There were rumors and all sorts of stories floating around the camp. +Ned, Bob and Jerry had been moved to the north and farther toward the +great Hindenburg line which was so soon to be pierced, impregnable +though the Germans boasted it. + +Professor Snodgrass, too, managed, by means of some influence he +possessed, to be allowed to accompany that part of the army to which +his young friends were attached. He had not ceased his efforts to +locate the two girls, but he realized, as did Jerry and his chums, +that it was an almost hopeless proceeding now. However, there was +still the study of explosive noises on insects to which the professor +could devote himself, and he did. + +The boys noted, however, that the strain of his uncertain financial +situation was telling on the little man. Cheerful as always, and +seemingly oblivious to practical affairs, yet there was at times a +strained look about his eyes. + +"Yes," he said one day in answer to a question Jerry put, "I have +enough for my immediate needs. If I do not get back what I lent to my +old friend--and I may even lose more, as I endorsed a note for him to +cover a loan from another--and if I cannot use what Professor Petersen +left me, I shall have before long to give up my work here, however. +And, of course, the trip to the Amazon and the investigations there +must be given up." + +"I am sorry, Professor. Can't we----" began Jerry. + +"Tut, tut!" interrupted Professor Snodgrass, with a kindly smile. +"We'll no doubt find the girls--I hope so for their sake as well as my +own--and perhaps my friend may be able to adjust his affairs, though I +fear----Poor man, poor Albert! It will be a dreadful thing for him to +lose all he has and be compelled to start the world over again at his +age." And Professor Snodgrass walked away, his personal trouble +forgotten in sympathy with his friend, the very man who was the cause +of his own anxieties and probable losses. + +Vast were the preparations that went on for the advance against the +enemy. Never was there such a collection of cannon, large and small. +Never was there such a store of powder and shell. The back lines were +like a hundred arsenals turned into one. Food, too, there was in great +quantities, for it has been well said that an army fights on its +stomach, and there must be no lack of nourishment when the troops went +forward, as they were destined to do. + +All these war-like preparations the three chums noted with every +manifestation of delight. They wanted to whip the Hun, and whip him +well, and all this argued for success. The soldiers knew they would be +well backed-up as they went forward, and forward they were going. + +Orders were given that every man must look well to himself +personally--to his uniform, his belongings, and his weapons. All gas +masks were tested, and those in use for some time, or which showed the +least defect, were thrown away and new ones issued. There must be no +holding up of the advance once it had begun, because of poison gas. +And it could not be doubted but what the Germans would use it +lavishly. + +Rifles and hand grenades, likewise, were looked to. Everything must be +in readiness so there would not be an instant of unnecessary delay. +But it was the store of cannon and ammunition back of the firing lines +that was most amazing. + +The three chums, being sent on duty to the rear one day, had a chance +to observe some of the measures being taken there to insure the defeat +of the Kaiser's troops. The ground was fairly covered with ammunition +boxes and shells--well concealed from hostile airmen, of course, even +had they been able to pass that far to the rear. And the guns, large +and small, lined up ready for the forward movement, were wheel to +wheel for miles and miles in extent. The greatest artillery firing in +the history of the world was about to take place. + +"If the professor wants to see the effect of a rattle-te-bang on his +bugs he'll soon get his chance," said Jerry, and his chums could only +agree with him. + +"I only wish one thing," remarked Bob, as they prepared to go back to +the front, after having accomplished their mission. + +"What?" asked Ned. + +"I'd like to have it out with Noddy Nixon before the big show. I just +want to get one whack at him for taking our wood and those doughnuts +and cakes of chocolate. Just one whack!" + +But this "whack" Bob was destined never to have. + +They again went on duty in the trenches. The day of the great +offensive was approaching. + +Suddenly a shot rang out in the sector near the three Motor Boys. They +started, and Ned exclaimed: + +"Can that be the signal for the attack?" + +"No, it doesn't begin until to-morrow," said Jerry. "That's one of our +own men. Guess his rifle went off by accident." + +There was a little excitement, but what had caused it the boys could +not learn at the time, as they must stay at their posts. But a little +later, when their lieutenant came through the trench, Ned, saluting, +asked: + +"Did one of our sharpshooters get a Hun, Sir?" + +"No," was the answer. "It wasn't that. Private Nixon was shot." + +"Noddy Nixon shot!" gasped Bob. "How?" + +"S. I. W.," was the terse reply of the officer, as he passed on. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE BLACK BOX + + +The three chums, standing in the wet and muddy trench, looked at one +another as this significant remark was made. Bob either did not catch +what was said, or did not understand, for he asked his companions: + +"What did he say?" + +"S. I. W.," repeated Jerry. + +"Self-inflicted wound," translated Ned. "So Noddy Nixon did that to +himself to get out of the big battle! Well, it's just like the coward! +I'm glad he isn't in our company!" + +"So am I," added Jerry. + +"Self-inflicted wound," repeated Bob. + +"Well, he's out of the fighting now," declared Ned, "though he'll have +the worst time he ever had in his life. He'd better be dead by a Hun +shell." + +Silence fell upon the three in the trench while, not far from them, +they could hear the commotion caused as Noddy was taken away to a +hospital. And there, for some time, he remained safely if not +comfortably in bed, while his companions endured the mud and the +blood of the trenches, meeting death and wounds, or just escaping them +by a hair's breadth to drive back the hordes of the Boches. + +But over Noddy's cot, and over that of several men on either side of +him was a placard with the significant letters: + + _S. I. W._ + +"Self-inflicted wound." One of the most terrible tragedies of the +war--more tragic, even, than the death of the gallant boys on the day +the armistice was signed, yes, within an hour of it. For those letters +indicated a disgrace that seldom, if ever, could be wiped out. + +Briefly it meant that a soldier afraid of going into action with his +comrades, went to some secluded place and, aiming his gun or pistol at +some extremity--a hand or a foot--where a wound was likely to be +slight and not very painful, pulled the trigger. Then followed the +story that a stray German bullet, coming over the top of the trench as +the man exposed himself, had done the deed. + +But the nature of the wound, the character of the bullet, and, above +all, the appearance of the man himself, told the real story. Sometimes +the victims would say their weapon went off by accident as they were +cleaning it, and this was perhaps worst of all, for it put the canker +of doubt into genuine cases of this sort, and there are bound to be +some such in every army. + +So Noddy was carried away to the hospital, and "S. I. W." was +inscribed over his cot. + +As to the causes leading up to the self-inflicted wounds they are many +and varied. Sometimes a soldier may become fear-crazed, and +irresponsible for his act. Other men are just plain "yellow," clear +through, and ought never to have gone into the fighting. They should +have confessed cowardice at first, though, of course, that would be +hard. + +Sometimes, though rarely, these "S. I. W." cases "came back." That is, +they were given a chance to redeem themselves and went to the fighting +front with a song on their lips and undaunted courage in their eyes. +And then, if they died doing their duty they were absolved. But it was +a desperate chance. + +Every one recognized that there was an element of doubt in these +cases, but as for Noddy Nixon, when his significant question to the +surgeon as to the relative pain of a hand or foot wound was recalled, +he was condemned already. He had shot himself slightly in the left +foot. He was dishonorably discharged when he was cured, and sent home, +and, therefore, did not trouble the Motor Boys again, nor did Bob get +his revenge for the stolen articles. + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry did not feel much like talking after they learned +what had happened. They had no love for Noddy Nixon, and he had +treated them exceedingly badly in the past, as well as tormenting them +since they had been associated in the army. But they knew that nothing +they could have done or said would have been half as effective +punishment as that which he had brought on himself. Henceforth, among +decent men, he was an outcast; a pariah. + +The long night passed. Sentries were changed, a watch was kept to +forestall any attack on the part of the Germans, but none came. Save +for the occasional clash of a night patrol, or the false alarm of some +one on listening post, there was little action during the hours +preceding the great offensive. + +Their tour of duty ended, Ned, Bob, and Jerry sought rest in the +dugout. There, with but few more comforts than in the trenches, they +waited until the time should come again for them to go out and take a +"mud bath," as Ned called it. + +For it rained often, and the trenches never seemed to dry. Still at +this stage of the war there were more comforts for the men on the +firing line than when France and England first opposed the advance of +the gray hordes. + +"When does the big show start?" asked Ned, as he and his chums came +out of the dugout for a few hours' stay farther behind the lines. "I +thought the bombardment was to begin this morning." + +"Must be delayed for some reason," said Jerry with a yawn. "Come on, +let's go somewhere and sit down. We'll know when it's time for the +shindig to start." + +"Let's see if we can find the professor," suggested Bob. "We may have +hard work to get word to him after the fighting begins." + +This seemed a good plan, and it was followed. Professor Snodgrass was +billeted temporarily in a farmhouse on the edge of a little French +village near which the boys were on duty. Thither they went, and found +their friend poring over books and papers. + +"Well, how goes it?" asked Jerry, after they had all shaken hands. + +"Well, indeed," was the answer. "I have not yet found the young +ladies, but I expect to, soon. I have heard that Mr. Schmouder, the +father of the janitor, who was looking after them, and who knew +something of their plans, moved from his home town, outside of Metz, +lately, and started farther back into Germany." + +"Then I should think it would be harder than ever for you to trace +them," suggested Ned. + +"No, I think it will be easier," said the professor, but he did not +explain how. + +"Getting the results you expected from the insect noise campaign, +Professor?" asked Jerry. + +"Yes, my boy. It is a complete success. I even have some moving +pictures taken with my new machine that helped me capture the Germans. +Wait, and I will show you." + +He seemed as cheerful as though no cloud of financial trouble hung +over his head and as though the World War were being fought to give +him opportunity to test the effect of noise on the crickets. He turned +to a table in his room, and began delving in a mass of things. To get +at something he wanted to exhibit to the boys, he set in the middle of +the floor a small, black box. + +Just as he did that a soldier, evidently an officer of some kind in +the French army, stepped into the room, and in a mixture of French and +English asked if Professor Snodgrass was there. + +"I am he," answered the scientist. + +"Ah, zen you will please come with me," said the soldier. "You are +wanted at ze headquarters." + +"Wanted at headquarters!" repeated the professor. "What for?" + +"Zis will explain," and the officer handed a note to Professor +Snodgrass. + +As the professor read it a smile came over his face. + +"Ah, I understand," he said. "I will come at once. Boys, we will let +the insect pictures wait a minute. Perhaps you will be interested in +my latest discovery. Come, I am ready to go," and he picked up the +black box from the floor and stood in waiting. + +The officer looked a little dubiously at the object in the professor's +hand, and then at the three boys. + +"My orders did not include--_zem_!" he said, indicating Ned, Bob, and +Jerry, "nor--_zat_!" and he pointed to the box. + +"This has to come," replied the professor. "It is part of what I +proposed. As for my friends, I will be responsible for them." + +"Very well, sair!" and the Frenchman bowed and led the way. + +Wonderingly the boys followed Professor Snodgrass, and presently found +themselves at field headquarters. A company of French soldiers were +standing about, and while waiting for the summons to the presence of +the headquarters officer who had sent for him, Professor Snodgrass set +down on the ground the black box he had brought. + +Then he suddenly saw a curious insect crawling along and became intent +on its capture. The boys were watching him and paid no attention to +the black box until they heard some one yell: + +"Look out, boys! It's an infernal machine in there--a bomb! He's a +spy and he's going to blow up the whole place. It's an infernal +machine--I can hear the buzzing of the battery inside." + +An American soldier, who had approached the box and had leaned over to +inspect it, leaped away and began running as he cried out his warning. +There was consternation among the officers and men outside the +headquarters building, and Professor Snodgrass, pausing in his search +for the elusive insect, gazed up in surprise at the commotion. + +"What has happened?" he asked. + +"Some one says there's a bomb in that black box of yours," explained +Jerry. + +"If there is, get it out of the way! Douse it in water. Throw it away. +Look out!" yelled several. + +One or two soldiers started for the black box, and others with ready +bayonets for the professor, for there had been a number of spies +discovered of late in that sector. + +"Don't touch that box!" cried the professor. "Don't open it! Keep away +from it!" + +And, as he hurried toward it, the soldiers leaped back. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +A DISAPPEARANCE + + +"Halt!" + +It was the ringing voice of one of the officers speaking, and so sharp +was the tone that even Professor Snodgrass paused in his movement +toward the black box. + +"Don't go any further," went on the officer, who stood dominating the +scene. "Some one secure that man, and then we'll dispose of the box. +Take good care of him!" and he pointed to the scientist. + +Ned Slade, Bob Baker, and Jerry Hopkins looked in astonishment at one +another. What could it all mean? + +"Zere must be some mistake," said the French officer who had escorted +the professor to headquarters. + +"Mistake? No!" exclaimed the American officer who had ordered a halt +in the proceedings. "But it would be a mistake if we let him get near +that black box. I heard all that was said. If that is a bomb the best +way to let him carry out his plan would be to set it going, even if +he destroyed himself. Some spies are capable of that." + +"Spy!" cried Jerry, instinctively, forgetting that he was speaking to +a superior officer. "Professor Snodgrass isn't a spy!" + +"No, I am sure he is not!" + +This was another officer speaking, one well known to the professor, +and who knew him. In fact, it was this officer who had summoned the +former instructor of Boxwood Hall to headquarters. + +"Don't arrest the professor," went on the latter officer. "As for his +black box, handle it just as he tells you." + +"But, Colonel Lacombe," protested the officer who had interfered in +the proceedings. "Surely you----" + +"I understand it perfectly, Major Dustan," was the smiling reply. "I'm +sure you'll find it all a mistake when I explain, or rather, when +Professor Snodgrass explains. That is why I sent for him. Will you +come this way, if you please, Professor? And bring the black box----" + +At that instant the little scientist, who appeared to have recovered +his composure on the appearance of his friend, the colonel, pointed to +the black box which, all this while, had remained on the ground in +front of the group of headquarters buildings. + +"Look out!" shouted Professor Snodgrass. "The box has been opened by +mistake. They're coming out! Run, everybody!" + +Turning, he caught hold of Bob, who was nearest him, and began pulling +him along. + +The flight of the professor was contagious. Every one near turned and +fled, and Jerry, looking over his shoulder, saw what seemed to be a +black cloud of smoke coming from the black box. + +The heart of the tall, young soldier seemed to fail him. After all, +had a mistake been made? Was it possible that a spy was using the +innocent and sometimes absent-minded professor for some base and +terrible end? Could there have been a substitution made, and one of +the harmless boxes of the scientist exchanged for a deadly bomb which +he had, unwittingly, introduced at headquarters, so that, exploding, +it might kill a number of valuable officers? + +These thoughts flashed through Jerry's mind as he ran along beside +Ned. The black cloud from the box was becoming more dense. + +"Maybe it's only a smoke bomb," thought Jerry. "Or perhaps the powder, +or whatever is in it, has become wet, because of so much rain, and is +only burning instead of exploding. I hope so." + +Then came a yell from some one. It was followed by several other cries +of physical distress. + +"Maybe it's a new kind of poison gas the Germans have taken this means +to set off," mused Jerry as he leaped along. "But I don't smell +anything. Could it be possible that spies have played this trick on +the professor?" + +Jerry well knew that even with all his absent-mindedness and his blind +devotion to science, that Professor Snodgrass would never, willingly, +do anything to harm the Allied cause. + +And yet---- + +More yells came from the soldiers that had been gathered around the +black box and who fled when Professor Snodgrass gave the alarm. And +the yells began to come from some of the officers, too. They were not +above giving vent to either pain or surprise. + +And then suddenly Jerry felt a sharp pain on the back of his neck. At +first he thought it might have come from some missile, discharged +noiselessly from the black box. He clapped his hand to the seat of the +pain and at once became aware that he had struck and crushed some +small insect. It came away in his hand, twisting and curling in its +death agony, and the pain in Jerry's neck increased. + +"Why!" he cried as he saw the bug. "Why, it's a wasp! A wasp!" + +"Of course it is!" said Professor Snodgrass, flapping his arms about +his head, and Jerry now saw the reason. A number of vicious wasps +were buzzing about them. + +"They're wasps, with the worst stings of any I ever saw!" yelled the +professor. "That's why I want to get away. I was stung by one of them +once, and I'll never forget it. Look out! Here come more of 'em!" + +There was a cloud of the wasps flying about Bob, Jerry, and the +professor now, and the tall lad noted that the insects were also +hovering around other soldiers and officers. There was a black cloud +of them near the small case that had caused such a scare. + +"Was that what was in the black box?" asked Jerry, as he dodged a wasp +that seemed about to alight on his nose. + +"Yes. Wasps," asserted the scientist. "The most war-like wasps I have +been able to discover in this part of Europe. They are a cross breed +of the _Vespidae Polistes_, _Eumenes_, and _Odynerus_, and for stings +are not to be equalled." + +"Wasps!" cried Jerry, as he swung and swatted at some still buzzing +around him. "What in the world did you expect to do with them, +Professor Snodgrass? And why did you have them in the black box?" + +"I had them to show to one of the headquarters officers," was the +answer. "But I think I had better postpone the explanation until we +get rid of our pursuers. Let's go under those bushes. I think we +shall be safe then," and the professor unceremoniously dived under a +clump of shrubbery, an example followed by Jerry and some of the +others. + +Ned and Bob, who had managed to accompany the professor and their tall +chum, were stung several times before they, also, found shelter +beneath the thick leaves, and howls of pain from a number of soldiers +indicated that they, too, felt the stings of the insects. + +For a while there was as bad a rout of the headquarters staff as if +the Germans had overwhelmed it. But finally the insects were +dispersed, most of them flying off to the woods, while those that +remained were beaten off, so that the officers and men began to drift +back again. The professor and the Motor Boys came out of hiding, and +then curious looks began to be cast at the scientist and the black +box, which was now empty. The displaced cover showed how the wasps had +gotten out. + +"Is this the new weapon for causing a German retreat that you promised +to show me?" asked the colonel of the professor, trying not to smile +as he put the question. + +"Yes," answered Professor Snodgrass, "it is. I am sorry, but I am +afraid there are no specimens left to show you. Some one must have +tampered with the fastening of the case, and the insects came out." + +"I can offer personal testimony that they came out," said the colonel, +trying not to squirm. "They came, they saw, and they conquered. And +all I have to say is that I thank you for your interest in the matter, +but that we shall have to decline to add your new and very efficient, +but uncontrollable, weapon to the Allied armament." + +"Does that mean you can't use the wasps?" asked the professor. + +"I'm afraid it does," said the colonel. "You see they are too +uncertain--like the poison gas the Germans first used. It came back on +them. The wasps might do that to us." + +"Yes," agreed the little scientist, "they might." + +And then, as the last of the insects disappeared, and the headquarters +staff came back from various places of refuge, Professor Snodgrass +explained. + +He had long wanted to do something to help the Allied cause, and +thought perhaps it might be along the line of his studies of insects. +Then the idea of wasps had come to him. He knew the vicious nature of +the insects, and how fearlessly they would attack anything in their +way. It was his idea that many thousands of the wasps might be +propagated in artificial nests and loosed on the German armies +preceding an attack by the Allies. The wasps would certainly cause +disorder, if not a rout, he thought, and so he had communicated his +idea to his friend, the colonel. + +That is, he had communicated the fact that he had the idea, but he had +not disclosed the nature of the "new weapon," as he called it in a +note. Always willing to test anything new, the colonel had sent for +the professor, inviting him to bring a model of the "new weapon" with +him. The officer supposed the "weapon" might be a gun, projectile or +powder. + +"The idea was a good one in theory," said Jerry, as he and his chums +went back with the professor, who carried the now empty black box. + +"And it worked out all right in practice," declared Ned. "I never saw +a quicker retreat." + +"The only thing that spoils it, as the colonel said," added Bob, "is +the inability of a wasp to distinguish between a friend and a foe. If +they could be trained, now----" + +"We'll delegate that to you," put in Ned. + +"No, thanks! I'm stung badly enough as it is." + +And the professor, sadly shaking his head over the failure of his +scheme, went back to work further on his plan of making moving +pictures of insects hopping about under the stimulus of the noise of +big guns. + +But for many a day the story of the wasps at headquarters was told up +and down the firing line. + +It was about a week after this, when preparations for the big attack +had almost reached completion, that the three chums, having an hour or +so to spare, thought to call on Professor Snodgrass. They went to the +little house in the French village where he had been staying, and +inquired for him. + +"He has disappeared, Messieurs," answered the old woman who looked +after the place. + +"Disappeared!" echoed the boys blankly. + +"Yes, Messieurs. He went out yesterday morning without his hat to +chase after a butterfly he saw in the garden, and he did not come +back. He has disappeared. I am sorry, for he was a nice man, though a +trifle queer at times." + +"Well, what do you know about that?" gasped Jerry, while his chums +looked at him in wondering amazement. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +ST. MIHIEL + + +"What are we going to do?" asked Bob. + +"What can we do?" Ned returned. + +"Let's go after him and bring him back!" exclaimed the excitable Bob. +"Maybe the Germans have him!" + +"Then we'll not easily get him," said Jerry. "And, as a matter of +fact, we can't even try." + +"Why not?" asked Ned. + +"Because we can't leave. All furloughs have been stopped these last +three days. We may go into action any minute. If the professor is in +trouble we can't help him." + +"That seems hard," murmured Bob. + +"It is," agreed Jerry. "But it's the fortune of war. We're here to +fight, and we've got to do that when the time comes. It may be that +the professor has only wandered off among our own soldiers, or those +of the French or English, after a butterfly or some other bug." + +"But without his hat!" exclaimed Bob. + +"And gone more than a day!" added Ned. + +"Those things wouldn't worry him," said Jerry. "Half the time he +forgets his hat, and it is midsummer now. As for being gone more than +a day, he's often spent longer than that chasing a single flea. He is +used to camping out, and he'll get along somehow. We'll just have to +let him go, that's all." + +"I suppose so," agreed Ned; "but it's too bad." + +It was, but there was nothing they could do. The professor might +wander into the enemy's territory and be captured, or he might come +safely back to the little French village. + +"Though if he doesn't come back what are we to do with his things and +about Professor Petersen's nieces?" asked Ned. + +"The best we can," advised Jerry. + +"After the war, if we're alive, we can look for the girls," suggested +Bob. + +"Pretty slim chance of finding 'em," murmured Ned. + +"It wouldn't do much good, anyway, if we can't find the professor. The +money was not left to us to divide," was Jerry's comment. + +Jerry had spoken truly when he said that all leave had been stopped, +for now were beginning the final great assaults of the American and +Allied armies that were, if not actually to overwhelm the Huns, at +least to approach so nearly that state that there was a distinction +without a difference. + +And it was well that Ned, Bob, and Jerry returned to their station +when they did, for not ten minutes later the general order to move +forward was given up and down the long line. + +"Forward!" was the battle cry--the watchword that was to guide them +all. "Forward!" + +Forward they went, against Germany's best troops. Forward against a +relentless and almost impregnable foe. Forward in the name of +Humanity, Freedom, and Right. Forward all! + +And as Ned, Bob, and Jerry marched with their comrades up to the +firing lines there began that great movement of American troops which +took part in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient--the wiping out +of the great wedge the Germans had driven into France. And with the +wiping out of this there began the final battle--the cleaning of the +Argonne Forest which brought an end to the war. + +For some time General Pershing and his general staff had looked +forward to the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient. With that out of +the way it meant the concentration of the American divisions in their +own zone. + +Late in August the line, beginning at Port sur Seille, east of the +Moselle, and extending to the west through St. Mihiel, thence north to +a point opposite Verdun, was placed under the supervision of the +American commander. Later the American sector was extended across the +Meuse to the western edge of the Argonne Forest, and included the +Second Colonial French, which held the point of the salient and the +Seventeenth French Corps, which occupied the heights above Verdun. + +As Ned, Bob, and Jerry marched on with their comrades they saw, or +became aware of, the immensity of the preparations needed to make this +movement a success. For they had to move against a German position +second to none in strength. To quote General Pershing: + +"The preparation for a complicated operation against the formidable +defenses in front of us included the assembling of divisions and of +corps of army artillery, transport, aircraft, tanks, ambulances, the +location of hospitals, and the molding together of all of the elements +of a great modern army with its own railheads, supplied directly by +our own Service of Supply. The concentration for this operation, which +was to be a surprise, involved the movement, mostly at night, of +approximately 600,000 troops, and required for its success the most +careful attention to every detail. + +"The French were generous in giving us assistance in corps and army +artillery, with its personnel, and we were confident from the start of +our superiority over the enemy in guns of all calibers. Our heavy +guns were able to reach Metz and to interfere seriously with German +rail movements. The French Independent Air Force was placed under my +command which, together with the British bombing squadrons and our air +forces, gave us the largest assembly of aviation that had ever been +engaged in one operation on the western front." + +It must not be imagined that all this great army went forward in a day +or two, or that the battle lasted but a short time. On the other hand, +it was a fight, tooth and nail, for almost every foot of the way. The +battle line from Les Esparages, around the nose of the St. Mihiel +salient to the Moselle River was about forty miles, and was greatly +strengthened by artificial defenses. This gives some idea of the task +ahead of General Pershing. If you will picture to yourself a distance +from your own home, as you sit reading this, to some point distant +forty miles, in the woods or mountains, and then figure this forty +miles occupied by advancing troops, fighting against a ruthless foe, +you will have some idea of the battle of St. Mihiel. + +And it was forward into this battle that Ned, Bob, and Jerry and their +comrades moved. It would be impossible to tell all that happened--of +the surging forward into the face of devastating fire; of the men who +fell at the sides of the chums, killed or desperately wounded; of the +terrible and awful sights they saw. For days they fought on. Gaining +ground here, losing, perhaps, a little there, hiding all night in +rain-filled shell-holes, being driven out, but going back to recapture +them again. On and on they went. + +They were weary to death, but they kept on, and, for a wonder, such is +sometimes the fortune of war, neither Ned, Bob, nor Jerry was +seriously wounded. They received minor knocks, scratches, and bruises, +and once Bob's cheek was grazed by a bullet. But they did not have to +drop out of the fighting. + +And it was fierce! No other word describes it. They fought, and +fought, and fought again, onward, ever onward. For they must not stop. +The American army did not know that word. + +And then, after nearly two weeks of steady fighting, with only such +rest for the exhausted troops as was absolutely necessary, came the +final stage. Ned, Bob, and Jerry, staggering from weariness, took +their places in line one gray morning. + +Suddenly about them thundered great salvos of firing. It shook the +very ground. The chums looked at one another in wonder. + +"This must be another big show," shouted Jerry. He had to shout to be +heard above the noise. + +"It is," said Ned. + +And it was. It was the final assault against the last of the German +defenses in St. Mihiel. + +"Forward!" came the cry, given after four hours of the greatest +artillery barrage ever laid down. At five o'clock, on the morning of +September 12th, seven American divisions in the front line advanced. +They were assisted by tanks, manned by Americans and French, and there +were groups of wire-cutters and other groups armed with bangalore +torpedoes. "These," says General Pershing, in his report, "went +through the successive bands of barbed wire that protected the enemy's +front line and support trenches, in irresistable waves on schedule +time, breaking down all defenses of an enemy demoralized by the great +volume of our artillery fire, and our sudden approach out of the +fog." + +And forward, in their own modest and humble way, with this great army +of liberation went Ned, Bob, and Jerry. Shooting and being shot at +they went forward until the iron strength of the foe was broken, and +the cry sounded: + +"They're running away! We've got 'em beat!" + +And thus it was. German troops were giving way in a rout. Let General +Pershing tell it in his own simple way: + +"Our 1st Corps advanced to Thiacourt, while our 4th Corps curved back +to the southwest through Nonsard. The 2d Colonial French Corps made +the slight advance required of it on very difficult ground, and the +5th Corps took its three ridges and repulsed a counter-attack. A rapid +march brought reserve regiments of a division of the 5th Corps into +Vigneulles in the early morning, where it linked up with patrols of +our 4th Corps, closing the salient and forming a new line west of +Thiacourt to Vigneulles and beyond Fresnes-en-Woevre. At the cost of +only 7,000 casualties, mostly light, we had taken 16,000 prisoners and +443 guns, a great quantity of material, released the inhabitants of +many villages from enemy domination, and established our lines in a +position to threaten Metz. This signal success of the American First +Army in its first offensive was of prime importance. The Allies found +they had a formidable army to aid them, and the enemy learned finally +that he had one to reckon with." + +And that was the battle of St. Mihiel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +IN ARGONNE FOREST + + +"Well, I reckon we get a rest now, don't we?" asked Bob of his two +chums, as they were ordered to report to a certain point with others +of their command. + +"A rest?" cried Ned. "Say, Chunky, I'm going to take a leaf out of +your book and wish for something to eat." + +"I guess we'll get that, but I doubt if we get much rest," put in +Jerry Hopkins. "I can smell something cooking, but I don't see 'em +getting any beds ready for us." + +And Jerry proved a true prophet, for there was refreshment for the +battle-worn troops--hot food which they very much needed. + +"Have we got to fight some more?" asked Bob, as he ate his rations +with every indication of appetite. + +"I should say so!" cried Jerry. "Why, we've got to take the Argonne +Forest yet, and that's going to be worse than this." + +And it was. + +Without giving his divisions a rest, which he dared not do, General +Pershing, on the day after the capture of St. Mihiel, sent some of +them toward the area back of the line between the Meuse River and the +western edge of the Forest of Argonne. Though the fighting to gain St. +Mihiel had been terrific, with this out of the way the German line was +still intact from Switzerland to the east of Rheims. The general +attack, all along this line, was with the hope of cutting it, and the +part assigned to the American armies was, as the hinge of the Allied +offensive, directed toward important railway communications of the +German armies through Mezieres and Sedan. + +Knowing that the Germans realized what it would mean to them to lose +the Argonne Forest, General Pershing and his staff made every +preparation for success. To this end as much secrecy as possible +marked the advance of the Americans. + +Says General Pershing: + +"We expected to draw the best German divisions to our front, and to +consume them, while the enemy was held under grave apprehension lest +our attack should break his line, which it was our firm purpose to +do." + +Ringing words that will go down in history to the honor of America! + +And with this advance, fighting as they went, Ned, Bob, and Jerry, and +thousands of their brave comrades, dashed forward into what was to be +one of the bloodiest and most desperate engagements of the war. To let +General Pershing tell the story in part, by quoting again from his +wonderful report: + +"On the night of September 25th our troops quietly took the place of +the French who thinly held the line in this sector, which had long +been inactive. In the attack which began on the 26th we drove through +the barbed-wire entanglements and the sea of shell craters across No +Man's Land, mastering all the first-line defenses. Continuing on the +27th and 28th, against machine guns and artillery of an increasing +number of enemy reserve divisions, we penetrated to a depth of from +three to seven miles and took the village of Montfaucon and its +commanding hill and Exermont, Gercourt, Cuisy, Septsarges, Malancourt, +Ivoiry, Epinonville, Charpentry, Very, and other villages. East of the +Meuse one of our divisions, which was with the 2d Colonial French +Corps, captured Marcheville and Rieville, giving further protection to +the flank of our main body. We had taken 10,000 prisoners, we had +gained our point of forcing the battle into the open, and were +prepared for the enemy's reaction, which was bound to come, as he had +good roads and ample railroad facilities for bringing up his artillery +and reserves. + +"In the chill rain of dark nights our engineers had to build new roads +across spongy, shell-torn areas, repair broken roads beyond No Man's +Land, and build bridges. Our gunners, with no thought of sleep, put +their shoulders to wheels and drag-ropes to bring their guns through +the mire in support of the infantry, now under the increasing fire of +the enemy's artillery. Our attack had taken the enemy by surprise, +but, quickly recovering himself, he began to fire counter-attacks in +strong force, supported by heavy bombardments, with large quantities +of gas. From September 28th until October 4th we maintained the +offensive against patches of woods defended by snipers and continuous +lines of machine guns, and pushed forward our guns and transport, +seizing strategical points in preparation for further attacks." + +And Ned, Bob, and Jerry had an honorable if humble part in all this. +Forward they fought their way, now falling back as some fierce German +resistance turned into a counter-attack and again rushing on to +capture some little wooded knoll or hold some group of trees after the +Hun machine gunners had been killed. + +That was the worst of the fighting--against the machine guns. They +were almost as thick as leaves in this Argonne Forest and the woods +offered excellent protection to the enemy. + +But it was fight, if not exactly in the open, more nearly so than +battles of the trenches, which the Americans hated. It was like being +on their own ground, for, though the forest was in France, the trees +and bushes were like those in any dense American woods. + +"It's like being with the professor on some bug-hunting trip!" yelled +Bob, as he and his chums rushed on, firing as they went. + +"Except it isn't so healthy," added Jerry. "Look out!" he shouted, and +he pulled Bob down into the underbrush beside him only just in time, +for there came a burst of bullets from a machine gun, concealed in a +clump of trees, and but for Jerry's timely act when he saw it, Bob +might have been killed. + +Then, with a yell, a company of Americans, with Ned, Bob, and Jerry +aiding them, rushed on the Hun nest and wiped it out, turning the +machine gun on the gray troops about them. + +So the fighting went on, bitterly and terribly, as it had been going +on for over a month, for this was now the beginning of October. + +There came a lull in the conflict in the immediate neighborhood of the +Motor Boys. They sank down exhausted on the ground under the trees, +waiting for further commands, for an officer had ordered a halt. + +As the captain of the company to which Ned, Bob, and Jerry had been +assigned was approaching to gather his men together, a runner came +along a scarcely defined path. + +He saluted the captain, and talked to him for a moment. Jerry, who was +nearest his commander, saw a queer look on the latter's face. Then, as +the runner, with his message disappeared into the depths of the +forest, the captain turned to his lieutenant, and our heroes heard him +say: + +"We're cut off!" + +"Cut off?" + +"Yes, our battalion and another is surrounded here in the Argonne +Forest. There are Germans all around us. We're cut off. A runner has +just gone to see if he can get through and summon help." + +"Surrounded!" was the thought that came to all who heard. "Surrounded +by the Germans! Cut off!" + +And then, almost as soon as that thought formed came another. + +"We'll hold out until help comes or fight our way through!" + +And then began the tragic story of the "Lost Battalions." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +CAPTURED + + +Just how or why the two battalions became lost and surrounded in the +Argonne Forest probably no one will ever know. It was probably a case +of the commands rushing on irresistibly to get as far as possible into +the fore of the fight, and in going too far through over-zealousness. +Or there may have been misunderstandings, which would not be uncommon +in such a great battle. + +However it was, two American battalions were cut off from their +supporting friends, and surrounded by the Germans who, after having +been driven out of the woods at a certain point, stormed back and +closed the gap through which the two battalions had gone. Thus they +were held at the mercy of the Huns. + +But, as has been said, there was only one thought in the minds of +all--or rather, two. To fight their way back and establish +communication with their comrades if possible, or to stand off the +attacking Germans until help came. + +And then began a terrible time that lasted from October 2d to October +8th--a week of terror, death and anguish. But the brave Americans bore +it all with fortitude. They had no thought of surrender even when +their food gave out and their ammunition was reduced to the last few +rounds. + +Once it was certain that the two battalions were surrounded by the +Germans in the thick woods, a plan of defense was laid out. The +commanding officers held a consultation and outlined what they hoped +to do. Sending runners for help was one of these. But this plan did +not succeed. Most of the runners were either killed or captured. Some +may have gotten through, wounded, but for some time it was impossible +for the relieving army to locate their lost comrades. Efforts were +made to find them by means of aeroplanes flying over the woods, but +the growth of trees and bushes was so dense that no observations could +be made. + +And, all this while, the Germans were firing steadily at the brave men +whom they had surrounded in a ring of steel. Mortars and machine guns +poured a storm of shot and bullets on them, but the Americans replied +in kind, killing and being killed. For terrible toll was taken by the +Huns, who had the advantage. + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry did their duty as it came to them, as their +companions did. Once Jerry, volunteering as a runner from one position +to another, to take the place of a man killed, came to a lonely spot +in the forest and as he advanced he heard the shrill whine of a bullet +near him. + +Instinctively he felt where it came from, and thought he had located +the German sniper. Dropping into a pile of leaves, as though shot, +Jerry watched from under his cap. He saw a Hun cautiously raise his +head from behind a distant stump, and that was the last act on the +part of that particular German. + +Jerry fired from his pistol, prone as he lay, and the shot went true. +Then the tall lad resumed his journey, delivered the message and +brought back the answer. + +The days and nights of terror passed slowly. There was engagement +after engagement. Time after time the Americans tried to break +through, but were driven back with terrific loss. But the Germans +could not approach close enough to wipe them out. Always when the Huns +stormed there was such a withering fire from the American guns that +the Kaiser's troops fled back to the fastness of the woods. + +Then came the sending, under a flag of truce, of the German +commander's invitation to surrender. He asked the American commander +to give up, to save useless bloodshed, and said the Americans taken +prisoner would be well treated. + +The American commander sent back an answer which rang with defiance. + +And the fighting went on. + +It was awful! The food dwindled away as did the ammunition. But still +the surrounded battalions--now less than half their original +strength--would not surrender. + +"What will be the outcome?" asked Bob wearily, as he and his chums, +hidden in a shell hole, held their part of the line. + +"We'll win! That's what will be the outcome!" cried Jerry fiercely. +"We'll show the Huns how we fight!" + +There came a terrific burst of firing, and a hail of bullets swept +over their heads. + +"They're coming on again!" yelled Ned. + +The firing increased, but it did not seem to approach nearer. Instead, +it appeared to be going away. + +"What can it mean?" asked Jerry. + +"There's heavy fighting going on over there," and Ned indicated a +point in the forest where it was known the Germans were in strong +force. + +There was activity among those that were left of the two battalions. +Last desperate efforts had been made to send runners through the enemy +line to regimental headquarters to summon help, but all had been +killed or captured. It seemed the end of everything, when this new and +heavy firing was heard. + +And then, like a drink of cold water to a fever-dying man, a ringing +American cheer came through the woods to the ears of the exhausted +ones. + +"What is it? What is it?" cried Bob. "What does it mean?" + +"It means we're rescued!" shouted Jerry, jumping up and swinging his +cap, disregarding possible German snipers. "It means the relief has +come through!" + +The lost battalions were found, the Germans holding them in the forest +were killed or driven away, and the remainder of the men were saved. + +So ended one of the most dramatic episodes of the war, the losing and +finding of these brave men who would not surrender, but preferred +death first. + +On came the relieving army, and there was rest and food and sleep for +the beleaguered ones--and of it all perhaps they needed sleep most, +for they had not dared to rest much during that terrible week. + +"But it will be something to tell the folks back home," said Bob, as +the three chums sat down together, able to eat and talk without the +fear of a German bullet or shell. + +"Yes, if we ever get there," admitted Ned. + +"And, all this while, we haven't heard a word from the professor," +said Jerry. "I'm worried about him." + +So were his chums, and if they could have seen their friend at that +moment their anxiety would have been justified. + +For briefly to chronicle the adventures that befell the little +scientist: The morning he had wandered from his temporary French +boarding place without his hat, he really had gone in pursuit of a +strange and rare butterfly. + +Then, as so often happened, he became so engrossed in his scientific +work that he forgot all about everything else, and, before he knew it, +he was miles away from home--or what passed for home in those days. + +It was late afternoon when Professor Snodgrass finally captured the +butterfly which had eluded him so long, and put it carefully away in a +pocket case. Then he began to think about getting back. His stomach +told him it was long past his dinner hour. + +Just how it happened he never knew, and probably it would never happen +again, but he managed to wander across No Man's Land at a place +secluded, and thinly guarded, and found himself behind the German +lines. + +Professor Snodgrass was not aware of this. He saw only that he was +approaching a small French village down a pleasant valley, so far away +from the immediate theater of war that the distant guns made but a +dull rumble. + +At first the little scientist thought it was his own humble village he +was coming to, and it was not until he saw some German soldiers about, +and noted the queer looks on the faces of the French inhabitants, that +he realized his mistake. + +As it happened, the big American attack was in progress, and every +available soldier was being rushed to the front, the few remaining in +this village being among the number. They were preparing to leave. + +So that, in their haste to obey orders and get to their firing line, +or perhaps because they were too busy to notice one lone little +American scientist, no attention was paid to Professor Snodgrass. + +When he saw that he was in an unfamiliar village and began to ask +questions, he was met with astonished looks, perhaps as much at his +peculiar way of speaking French as anything else. But one Frenchman +said: + +"How did you, an American, manage to get through?" + +"I don't know," answered the professor. "But now I want to get back." + +"Impossible, Monsieur. But come, I will hide you, if I can. I have +some fellow countrymen of yours at my house, or rather, some fellow +countrywomen." + +"Americans?" + +"Yes, two young ladies. They were left behind by a certain German, by +name of Louder or Chowder--name of a name--and I looked after them. +They will be glad to see you." + +"Oh, dear!" said the professor. "Ladies--American ladies--here in this +terrible place! I must do what I can for them. Take me to them, +please." + +And the Frenchman did so, with all the caution he could use. But it +was not needed. Events were transpiring that made the Germans think of +beginning a retreat instead of capturing one lone United States +college professor. + +"Here!" exclaimed the Frenchman, as he ushered his new friend into his +humble home. "Here are the ladies. I have brought you a fellow +countryman," he added, nodding to his guests. + +Two girls, whose pretty faces bore worried looks, arose to confront +Professor Snodgrass. He bowed, rather flustered as he always was in +the presence of women, and then, as he looked intently at the girls, a +strange look came over his face. + +"Excuse me," he murmured, as he reached for something in his pocket. +He took a card from an envelope and, looking at one of his companions, +asked: + +"Are you Gladys Petersen?" + +"I am!" was the surprised answer. "But how----" + +"And are you Dorothy Gibbs?" went on the little scientist, turning to +the other. + +"That is my name, but----" + +"Then I have found you," said the little man quietly. "My name is +Snodgrass, and I have a letter to you from your uncle, Professor Emil +Petersen. He leaves you half his fortune and me the other half. I have +been looking everywhere for you, and now I have found you. But I wish +the boys were here." + +"What boys?" asked Miss Petersen. + +Without answering this question the professor explained his errand, +and told of his long search for the girls, to their no small +astonishment. They were shocked to hear of their uncle's death, but +they had, long since, given up all hope of ever sharing in his wealth, +even though he had become reconciled to them after the deaths of their +parents. + +"But it is all true," said Professor Snodgrass. "He wants you to share +in his fortune, or rather, he wanted you to, and I am to carry out his +wishes as expressed in his will. By so doing I get a fortune for +myself. It is really a great relief. But now tell me--how did you +girls get here? The last I heard of you was that you were near Metz." + +"We were there," answered Miss Petersen; "but the German family with +whom we were staying after uncle went away thought the place in +danger of capture and left, taking us with them. Finally, after +traveling about, they said we had better shift for ourselves, as it +was dangerous for any German to befriend any American, which we are. +So we did what we could. We tried to make our way to the Allied lines, +but this was as far as we could get. Tell me, Professor, do you think +the Americans will come?" + +"Oh, of course! Yes!" asserted Professor Snodgrass, who would have +said anything, just then, to gain time to think, and not to worry the +girls. "Of course they'll be here, but perhaps we had better go to +meet them." + +"Oh, yes! Let's!" cried Dorothy. "Poor Uncle Emil! If he were only +here! He was very kind to us." + +"Yes, we loved him," added Gladys softly. "He was so much like you, +Professor Snodgrass--you remind me very much of him." + +"I am glad I do," was the simple answer. "Emil Petersen was a man to +be proud of. He was my friend. And now let us consider what is best to +do. I think we had better leave." + +And so, though only after much protest on the part of the kind +Frenchman, who warned them of their danger, the three set out. A hat +was provided for Professor Snodgrass. They were going to try to reach +the American lines. + +"I fear you will all be captured," said their host. "And, if you are, +it will go hard with you. The Germans hate the Americans worse than +ever since the recent defeat of the Kaiser's best troops. I fear you +will not get through." + +And they did not. Just as they seemed on the point of success, having +reached a French village at a place opposite the Allied line, they +were halted as they were about to cross in a secluded spot, and during +a lull in the fighting. + +In his innocence the professor made no effort to conceal his purpose, +and he and the young ladies were turned back, while a German officer, +smiling in contempt, said: + +"You will do for hostages if the Americans come too close!" + +"Oh, are they that near?" cried Dorothy. + +"Too near--the pigs!" muttered the officer. + +"Oh, I'm so glad!" cried Gladys. "Maybe they'll save us after all!" + +But, in spite of her brave words, she looked worried as she and her +cousin were led back. As for Professor Snodgrass, he bowed his head. +He had failed. Oh, if only the boys had come! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +RECAPTURED + + +Once more the desperate fighting was resumed. Ned, Bob, and Jerry, +after a brief rest, were again thrown into the conflict after their +rescue from the dense Forest of Argonne. That wood had not yet all +been won, but it was in the way of being. The Germans were fighting +their last desperate battles, and full well they knew it. Only a +miracle could save them now, and there was no miracle for them. + +Not that they did not fight, for they did. The resistance to the +American and Allied advance was stiff and formidable, but it was +overcome, and immense losses inflicted on the Huns as they made +counter-attack after counter-attack. + +It was one day, after some of the most severe fighting of the war that +they had ever seen, that the battalion, in which Ned, Bob, and Jerry +then were, crossed a little stream, driving the desperately defending +Germans beyond it, and entered a small French village. When the echo +of the shots had died away, and it was seen that the Huns were in +full retreat, the three chums and their comrades, at the head of a +victorious force, marched down the main street of the quaint and +ancient little town. + +Forth from their hiding places came the French population, weary and +scarred from four years of enemy occupation. Here and there the +tricolor, so long hidden, waved in the wind. The hated and dastardly +Germans had departed, never, please God, to come again! + +Forward, into the recaptured town, marched Ned, Bob, Jerry, and their +comrades in arms. With tears in their eyes the French people watched +the Americans come. It was the day so long prayed for. + +Near one of the half-ruined houses, which had been their abode--their +prison, in fact, since their capture,--stood Professor Snodgrass and +the two young ladies. + +"Oh, can you believe it, Gladys!" exclaimed Miss Gibbs. "It doesn't +seem possible, does it, that we are saved?" + +"No, but I am beginning to believe that it is not a dream any more. +Those American soldiers are real, aren't they?" + +"They are, indeed, young ladies," said the professor. "At last I shall +be able to go back to my collection, and finish, I hope, the moving +pictures of insects under the influence of big guns. Oh, I shall also +hope to take you to safety with me," he added, as he thought of his +wards. "If only the boys were here!" + +"What boys do you mean?" asked Miss Petersen. "You have so often +spoken of 'the boys,' but you have never mentioned who they were." + +And this was true, for, just as the professor had been on the point of +doing so, he and the girls had been captured by the Germans, and, +since then, he had not had the heart to speak of his friends. + +"Well, I can tell you now," he said as he and the two nieces of +Professor Petersen watched the victorious troops go marching by. +"There are three boys--three young men, American soldiers who----" + +The professor paused, and looked hard at a certain group of marching +Americans. He took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them on again +to stare with all his power at three youths who swung along with the +_sang-froid_ of veterans. + +"Why!" exclaimed Professor Snodgrass. "Why--bless my--bless--why, it's +Ned, Bob, and Jerry themselves!" he fairly shouted. "Oh, there they +are! There are the boys themselves!" and he rushed forward, tears of +joy for the moment dimming the glasses he had so carefully cleaned a +moment ago. + +"There are the boys. Jerry! Ned! Bob! Here I am! And here are the +girls! Hurrah! Hurrah for the U. S. A.! Hurrah for President Wilson! +Hurrah for General Pershing! Down with the Germans! The United States +and the Allies forever! Hurrah!" + +There was a laugh in the ranks of the marching Americans. Most of them +did not catch all that the little, excited, bald-headed man said, but +they laughed at his enthusiasm and loved him. But Ned, Bob, and Jerry +heard. + +"It's him!" yelled Bob. + +"It's the professor!" cried Ned. + +"And the girls are with him!" added Jerry. + +The lieutenant of the boys' company, seeing that something unusual was +in the wind said: + +"You may fall out. Join us later. We'll probably stay here a while. +This is our objective, and we've made it." + +And then the boys fell out and such a reunion as there was! + +The stories were told and retold, and Ned, Bob, and Jerry, after +having been presented to the young ladies, listened to their accounts +of what had happened to them since they were caught in war-torn +Europe. + +"And do you think we are safe now?" asked Miss Petersen. + +"As safe as in a church," declared Bob. "We've come to stay!" + +And so the Americans had. As General Pershing, in his report of the +operations culminating in the last phase of the Meuse-Argonne battles, +said: + +"The strategical goal which was our highest hope was gained. We had +cut the enemy's main line of communications, and nothing but surrender +or an armistice could save his army from complete disaster." + +And the armistice of November 11, 1918, came, bringing an end to the +war. + +And it also brings to an end this story. Not that the fighting was all +over, for there was some after the boys and the professor and his +charges were so happily reunited. But the Motor Boys had no further +part in it. They remained in the village where they had met the little +scientist, as a guard, until the Germans were so far away as to render +them harmless. + +"And to think you found the girls all by yourself!" exclaimed Ned, as +they were talking over the events after the first day of the capture +of the French town. + +"Well, yes, I did manage to," said the professor, "though I never +expected, when I started out for a butterfly that morning, that I'd +end up with meeting the girls I so much wanted to see." + +"But we were glad to see you," said Miss Gibbs. + +"Very," echoed Gladys. + +Ned, Bob, and Jerry were very curious to know what branch of +scientific study Miss Petersen and Miss Gibbs were interested in, for +they remembered that Nick Schmouder had said that they had left his +father's home to go further into Germany for some sort of scientific +work. It developed, however, that Schmouder, ashamed to confess that, +in his fright, he had abandoned the two girls, had made up the story +to clear himself of the charge of cowardice and neglect. + +"Well, I guess it's all over but the shouting," said Bob, at last. +"And now I guess nobody will say anything if I eat." + +"We're all with you, Chunky!" cried Ned. "I'm as hungry as--as Bob +Baker!" + +But of the "shouting," a little must be told. For when the fighting +was over, and it was certain that Germany could never resume, when the +armistice had been signed and the victorious movement of the Allies +into Germany began, Jerry and his chums were called one day before +their assembled comrades, and there, much to their surprise, they were +each given honorable mention for their acts while on duty with the +lost battalions in Argonne Forest. Jerry, for his work as a runner +received the Distinguished Service Cross, and Bob and Ned honorable +mention for their part in the desperate fight. + +[Illustration: JERRY RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. +_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 248_] + +"They ought to decorate Professor Snodgrass for going alone into the +enemy's territory and rescuing two young ladies," said Ned, when the +cheering was over. + +"All I want to do is to get back to my bugs," sighed the little +scientist, and he soon had his wish. It might be added that his moving +pictures of insects, showing their actions when heavy guns were being +fired near them, were very successful, and created a sensation in +scientific circles, even though the professor's "wasp-gun" was not +adopted. + +As soon as it was possible the two young ladies were sent back to the +United States with their share of their uncle's wealth, while +Professor Snodgrass made plans to use his share in making a full and +complete study of the insects of the Amazon. Also, the boys learned +later, Professor Snodgrass used a part of his fortune to further +assist his old friend, and thus saved the fortunes of this man and +enabled him to pay all his debts, including the money lent by the +professor himself. + +"And now I wonder what will happen to us!" exclaimed Bob, when these +three friends of theirs had departed. + +"Oh, I fancy we can find something to do," said Jerry. "I understand +the problems of peace will be as hard to solve as those of war, and +we'll have to do our share." + +"Sure thing!" assented Ned. + +What was in store for the boys will be related in the next volume of +this "Motor Boys--Second Series." In that we will see how Ned, Bob and +Jerry covered themselves with glory by solving a most unusual +mystery. + +A month or so later the three chums, with other soldiers of the +victorious armies, some of them sorely wounded, were sent to a port in +France, there to take ship for home. + +"And believe me!" exclaimed Bob, with feeling, as he went on board, +"France and Europe may be all right, and so are those Salvation Army +doughnuts, but give me a piece of mother's cherry pie!" + +"So say we all of us!" chanted Ned and Jerry. + +And then, as they stood together on deck, the transport began her +homeward trip. + +THE END + + + + +THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES + +BY LESTER CHADWICK + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. +BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS + +_or The Rivals of Riverside_ + +Joe is an everyday country boy who loves to play baseball and +particularly to pitch. + +BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE + +_or Pitching for the Blue Banner_ + +Joe's great ambition was to go to boarding school and play on the +school team. + +BASEBALL JOE AT YALE + +_or Pitching for the College Championship_ + +Joe goes to Yale University. In his second year he becomes a varsity +pitcher and pitches in several big games. + +BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE + +_or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher_ + +In this volume the scene of action is shifted from Yale college to a +baseball league of our central states. + +BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE + +_or A Young Pitcher's Hardest Struggles_ + +From the Central League Joe is drafted into the St. Louis Nationals. A +corking baseball story all fans will enjoy. + +BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS + +_or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis_ + +How Joe was traded to the Giants and became their mainstay in the box +makes an interesting baseball story. + +BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES + +_or Pitching for the Championship_ + +The rivalry was of course of the keenest, and what Joe did to win the +series is told in a manner to thrill the most jaded reader. + +BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD + +_or Pitching on a Grand Tour_ + +The Giants and the All-Americans tour the world, playing in many +foreign countries. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue. + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers--New York + + + + +THE HARRY HARDING SERIES + +By ALFRED RAYMOND + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. +The trials and triumphs of Harry Harding and Teddy Burke, two +wide-awake boys who make a humble beginning on the messenger force of +a great department store, with the firm resolve to become successful +business men, form a series of narratives calculated to please the +alert, progressive boys of today. + +HARRY HARDING--_Messenger "45"_ + +When Harry Harding bravely decided to leave school in order to help +his mother in the fight against poverty, he took his first long step +towards successful manhood. How Harry chanced to meet mischievous, +red-haired Teddy Burke who preferred work to school, how Teddy and +Harry became messengers in Martin Brothers' Department store and what +happened to them there, is a story that never flags in interest. + +HARRY HARDING'S YEAR OF PROMISE + +After a blissful two weeks' vacation, spent together, Harry Harding +and Teddy Burke again take up their work in Martin Brothers' store. +Their "year of promise" brings them many new experiences, pleasant and +unpleasant, but more determined than ever to reach the goal they have +set for themselves, they pass courageously and hopefully over the +rough places, meeting with many surprises and exciting incidents which +advance them far on the road to success. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue. + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers--New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line, by +Clarence Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED, BOB, JERRY ON FIRING LINE *** + +***** This file should be named 28442.txt or 28442.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/4/4/28442/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/28442.zip b/28442.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7171630 --- /dev/null +++ b/28442.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..da1e51c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #28442 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28442) |
