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diff --git a/29991-h/29991-h.htm b/29991-h/29991-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6505c23 --- /dev/null +++ b/29991-h/29991-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9121 @@ +<!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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields, by Lieut. Howard Payson. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {} + +.toc {font-size: 110%;} + +.bigfont {font-size: 110%;} + +.smallfont {font-size: 90%;} + +table.toc span.pagenum {font-size: 72.7%;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields +by Lieut. Howard Payson + +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: The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields + +Author: Lieut. Howard Payson + +Illustrator: Charles L. Wrenn + +Release Date: September 14, 2009 [EBook #29991] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Rose Acquavella and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced +from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>THE BOY SCOUTS<br /> +ON<br /> +BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</h2> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smallfont">AUTHOR OF "THE MOTOR CYCLE SERIES," "THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE<br /> +EAGLE PATROL," "THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE," "THE BOY<br /> +SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP," "THE BOY SCOUTS' MOUNTAIN<br /> +CAMP," "THE BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM,"<br /> +"THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL,"<br /> +"THE BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN<br /> +MEXICO," ETC.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="center"><i>ILLUSTRATED BY<br /> +CHARLES L. WRENN</i><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smallfont">NEW YORK</span><br /> +<span class="bigfont"><b>HURST & COMPANY</b></span><br /> +<span class="smallfont">PUBLISHERS</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="center">Copyright, 1915,<br /> +<span class="smallfont">BY</span><br /> +HURST & COMPANY</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="352" height="511" alt="The long roll of rifle firing in volleys, and the faint cheers of charging men.—Page 178." title="" /> +<span class="caption">The long roll of rifle firing in volleys, +and the faint cheers of charging men.—<a href="#Page_178">Page 178</a>.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="" class="toc"> +<tr><td align="right">CHAPTER</td><td></td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_5">Antwerp, on the Scheldt</a></span></td><td align="right">5</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_19">The Aerial Map-maker</a></span></td><td align="right">19</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_31">Leaving for the Front</a></span></td><td align="right">31</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_45">The Day of the Boy Scout</a></span></td><td align="right">45</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_58">Under the Bridge</a></span></td><td align="right">58</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_68">Getting Near the War Zone</a></span></td><td align="right">68</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_80">The Desertion of Anthony</a></span></td><td align="right">80</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_92">When the Uhlans Came</a></span></td><td align="right">92</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_102">With Fire and Smoke</a></span></td><td align="right">102</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_112">The Duty of a Scout</a></span></td><td align="right">112</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_121">Mysterious Signals in the Night</a></span></td><td align="right">121</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_131">The Meeting Between the Lines</a></span></td><td align="right">131</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_140">Caught in the Act</a></span></td><td align="right">140</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_149">The Field Hospital</a></span></td><td align="right">149</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_161">Chasing a Jack-o'-Lantern</a></span></td><td align="right">161</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_180">The Battle for the Trenches</a></span></td><td align="right">180</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_190">The Badge of Courage and Mercy</a></span></td><td align="right">190</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_200">After the Fighting Was Over</a></span></td><td align="right">200</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIX.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_210">An Important Clue</a></span></td><td align="right">210</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XX.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_220">The Camp Fires of an Army</a></span></td><td align="right">220</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_230">The Hanging Bridge</a></span></td><td align="right">230</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_242">Scout Tactics</a></span></td><td align="right">242</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_254">The Frog Hunters</a></span></td><td align="right">254</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_266">The Armored Car</a></span></td><td align="right">266</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_278">Turning the Tables</a></span></td><td align="right">278</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_290">For Humanity's Sake</a></span></td><td align="right">290</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_302">Conclusion</a></span></td><td align="right">302</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1><a name="The_Boy_Scouts_on_Belgian_Battlefields" id="The_Boy_Scouts_on_Belgian_Battlefields"></a>The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields.</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>ANTWERP, ON THE SCHELDT.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Oh! how glad I am that part of the trip is +over, now we've crossed from England to Antwerp +without being wrecked!"</p> + +<p>"You certainly did seem to have a bad time +of it, Tubby, in the wash of the Channel!"</p> + +<p>"Bad time did you say, Rob? It was a great +deal worse than anything we struck on the voyage +between New York and Liverpool, let me +tell you."</p> + +<p>"But now we want to forget all our troubles +of the past, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"I know what you mean by that, Merritt; it's +just the same as telling me the worst is yet to +come."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm a little afraid myself that's go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>ing +to turn out a fact. Here we are, just landed +in a strange country that is being overrun +by an army of German invaders; and all of us +are bound to push deeper and deeper into the +mire."</p> + +<p>"Hey, Merritt, you give me a shiver when you +say that, don't you know?"</p> + +<p>"I guess you must mean a quiver, Tubby; +because whenever you laugh or tremble you +make me think of a bowl full of jelly!"</p> + +<p>"Now you're making sport of me because I'm +so pudgy and fat. Just as if I could help that; +can I, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure you couldn't, Tubby; and we +wouldn't want you to be anything but what you +are—the best natured scout in the whole Eagle +Patrol, and I'm safe in saying you're the only +fellow in the Long Island town of Hampton +who hasn't an enemy. Everybody takes a fancy +to a jolly rolypoly like you, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"What would we do without you?" Merritt +added, with real feeling in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Well, but it strikes me you tried mighty hard +to induce me not to join you two on this won<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>derful +trip abroad," complained the fat boy reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"There was a good reason for that, Tubby," +defended Merritt quickly. "I could see that with +all these Old World countries in a scrap, my job +of finding that man who is wanted so badly by +my grandfather might take me into the fighting +zone. Now Rob, as the leader of the Eagle Patrol, +volunteered to stand by me, and I gladly +accepted his assistance. When you asked to go +along I was afraid the hardships of the trip +might be too much for one of your peculiar +build. That's all, I give you my word for it, +Tubby."</p> + +<p>"My 'peculiar build,' as you call it, Merritt," +chuckled the other, considerably mollified by the +explanation offered, "has gotten me into a peck of +trouble, I admit. But you never saw me show +the white feather, did you?"</p> + +<p>"Never, Tubby!" admitted the boy addressed, +who was a rather thoughtful looking young +chap, of athletic build, though possibly not quite +the equal of Rob Blake, the leader of the scout +patrol to which all of them belonged. "It was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>mighty good of you two to back me up when I'd +decided to take the risk alone. But unless that +precious paper can be recovered, my grandfather, +you know, stands to lose what he says is an enormous +amount of money."</p> + +<p>"He's got plenty in reserve, I understand, +Merritt," observed Blake. "What a grand thing +that turned out for your folks when Grandfather +Merritt, who had cut your dad out of his will +many years ago after he married against his +wishes, repented of his cruelty, and paid you an +unexpected visit to get acquainted. Little did +you think, when you stood up for that old fellow +who was being snowballed so unmercifully +by a bunch of village boys, that it was your own +grandfather."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Tubby, "you know they say a +good action is never thrown away. That's why +I'm always watching for my opportunities. Some +day I hope to win the admiration of a crank millionaire +who should, of course, make me his heir."</p> + +<p>"Well, here we are landed in Antwerp, and +with a lot of sights to gather in before we set out +in the direction of Brussels to find your man. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>Every minute counts, so let's get busy, and begin +to wander around."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Rob," said Merritt. "Suppose +you lead the way."</p> + +<p>These boys, who were all dressed in the well-known +khaki that distinguishes scouts in nearly +every country of the world, had just landed from +a steamer that reached Antwerp from the shores +of England.</p> + +<p>They had managed to get themselves and few +belongings conveyed to a fair hotel by means of +a vehicle drawn by a broken-down horse; all of +the best animals as well as such automobiles as +were deemed worth taking having been commandeered +by the Government for cavalry, field and +artillery purposes.</p> + +<p>While Rob Blake and his two chums, Tubby +Hopkins and Merritt Crawford, are thus starting +out to secure their first view of the quaint +Flanders city, we may take occasion to glance +back and see who they are and what they have +done.</p> + +<p>Those who have had the pleasure of reading +previous volumes of this series need no further +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>introduction to the trio; but for the benefit of +any who are now making their acquaintance for +the first time, a few paragraphs may not come +in amiss.</p> + +<p>There were other patrols in the Hampton +Troop, but as the Eagles had been first in the +field, the members of this organization were +looked upon as the pioneers of the scout movement +in that part of Long Island.</p> + +<p>Rob filled the post of patrol leader, and had, +on one occasion, even occupied the position of +assistant scout-master, being fully qualified for +the certificate he had received from Scout Headquarters +in New York City.</p> + +<p>Merritt, the second in command, filled the position +of corporal. Tubby thus far seemed content +to remain just a scout, though he had, by +dint of hard labor managed to climb into the first +grade rank.</p> + +<p>Until recently, Merritt's folks had been in just +ordinary circumstances. His father was said to +be the best wheelwright in the eastern end of the +island, and by constant labor kept his little fam<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>ily +housed and clothed, and perhaps laid up a little +for a rainy day.</p> + +<p>Merritt always knew there was some sort of a +family skeleton around, and that he had a severe +old grandfather somewhere far away; but beyond +that he had never been able to probe.</p> + +<p>One day, near the end of the preceding winter, +had come the singular little incident that wound +up in a joyful reunion. Merritt, as one of his +chums chanced to remark a little further back in +this story, had come upon several village roughs +engaged in battering a stranger in town, a little +old gentleman who, carrying his grip and finding +the hacks all away from the station, had evidently +attempted to walk to the hotel.</p> + +<p>The cowardly assault aroused the indignation +of Merritt, who was a manly boy at all times. He +remonstrated with the assailants, and when they +continued to pelt the old man, he proceeded to +attack them. Whether he could have won out +alone and unaided will always be an open question. +Fortunately one of the town policemen +chanced to come in sight, which event caused the +three foes to vanish in hot haste.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> +<p>Then imagine the astonishment of Merritt +when, after giving the old gentleman his name at +the other's urgent request, he found himself being +hugged by the stranger. He announced himself +as Merritt's repentant grandfather who, unable +to keep up his bitter feud longer, had sought the +forgiveness of his son.</p> + +<p>Just what came up later to start these three +boys across the water during vacation time, when +the Old World was commencing to rock and +heave in the throes of the most terrible war ever +known, will be made clear as the story progresses.</p> + +<p>The first volume in the series, <i>The Boy Scouts +of the Eagle Patrol</i>, was necessarily confined to +the activities of the young organization; but Rob +and his mates met and overcame many difficulties +that are well worth reading about.</p> + +<p>In the second volume, <i>The Boy Scouts on the +Range</i>, were recounted a series of strange adventures +that befell some of the Eagles during a +visit to the Far Southwest, where they took part +in the wild life of a cattle ranch.</p> + +<p>Through the pages of <i>The Boy Scouts and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>the Army Airship</i> the reader will find that Rob +and his comrades always bore themselves manfully, +no matter the emergency; and that they +scrupulously observed "scout law" under any and +every occasion, as every true wearer of the khaki +makes it a point to do.</p> + +<p>After this, followed an account of many remarkable +happenings that befell the Eagles when +under canvas. <i>The Boy Scouts' Mountain Camp</i> +has deservedly been reckoned one of the very +best scout books ever published for boys, and +those who own a copy are likely to read it many +times.</p> + +<p>Once more, chance allowed some of the leading +characters in the Hampton Troop to come in +touch with Government officers who were experimenting +with a wonderfully designed submarine. +It happened that Rob and his friends were enabled +to assist Uncle Sam's agents in defeating +the plans of foreign spies who tried to steal the +design of the new invention. In the pages of +<i>The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam</i> are recorded +the adventures that accompanied their service, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>as well as mention of the reward following their +victory.</p> + +<p>It was a happy chance that allowed some of +the boys to pay a visit to the then uncompleted +Panama Canal. While in the Canal Zone they +again demonstrated that they were always wide-awake +and devoted to the service of their country. +Much useful information will also be found +between the covers of this volume, called <i>The +Boy Scouts at the Panama Canal</i>.</p> + +<p>Once more, Rob and several of his close adherents +were unexpectedly allowed to take a trip. +Andy Bowles, the bugler of the troop, had an uncle +who owned a cattle ranch down in Chihuahua, +in Mexico. He was sick, and unable to go down +himself to dispose of the stock before the fighting +forces of rebels and Federals drove the herds +away. Accordingly, he sent his nephew and several +of his chums to seek General Villa, whom he +had once befriended, and gain his assistance in +selling the valuable stock. The wonderful things +they saw, and the peculiar adventures that came +their way, have all been described in the seventh +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>volume, just preceding this, under the title of +<i>The Boy Scouts Under Fire in Mexico</i>.</p> + +<p>That, telling briefly some of the remarkable +things that happened in their career as Boy +Scouts, will have to suffice to introduce Rob and +his two chums to the reader.</p> + +<p>Starting out from their hotel, the three American +boys were soon engrossed in their pursuit of +seeing some of the strange sights for which this +old Flemish city on the Scheldt has always been +famous.</p> + +<p>While they gazed, and made many amusing +comments, Rob could not help noticing that, in +turn, they attracted considerable attention. He +could give a good guess as to the reason of this.</p> + +<p>At that time, with the vast German army +spreading out over most of Belgium, and also +fighting its way to Paris, the good people of Antwerp +were constantly worried over the possibility +of an attack. They had many scares, though as +yet the invaders, after taking Brussels, had not +chosen to invest the big city near the sea. Later +on, as we all know, the time came when their +heavy artillery was turned on the forts of Ant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>werp, +and before the terrible fire from those colossal +German guns, steel domes that had been +called invulnerable were easily battered to pulp.</p> + +<p>With the assault and fall of Antwerp we have +nothing to do, at least at present; but possibly +those Flemish people thought the Boy Scouts part +of an English army coming to defend Antwerp.</p> + +<p>When Rob and his two chums landed from +England, after crossing on a small steamer, they +found the city choked with fugitives and Belgian +soldiers.</p> + +<p>Pushing their way along the crowded sidewalks, +the boys took in all the sights that were so +new to their American eyes. Only Rob had a +small smattering of French, while his companions +could not speak a word of the language. All of +them were utterly ignorant of Flemish, current in +half the homes of Belgium.</p> + +<p>The way in which the natives made use of +sturdy-looking dogs, harnessed in small carts, and +trained to do their duty in order to earn their +keep, was perhaps the most interesting thing that +held their attention.</p> + +<p>"Why," remarked Merritt, "they use dogs for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>nearly everything. Dozens of milk peddlers have +teams to drag their big brass cans around. Then +there are the hucksters, like we have over in New +York, only these fellows peddle from carts drawn +by dogs. We saw one poor, four-footed wretch +roped to a treadmill, and doing the family churning; +so I guess Belgium must make the dog traffic +pay right well."</p> + +<p>"And think of dogs drawing a quick-firing gun, +which we saw in that street where the soldiers +were getting ready to go to the front!" exclaimed +Tubby. "I think that was the queerest sight +ever."</p> + +<p>"I can plainly see," Rob told them, "that while +we're over here we are bound to keep our eyes +wide open all the time because there are so many +things that strike us as being queer just because +we've been used to other ways. These people +would stare at many of the things we think are +common."</p> + +<p>"What are you looking at now, Tubby?" asked +Merritt, seeing that the boy, who had gained his +name because after a fashion he resembled a tub +of butter, was in the act of stretching his fat neck +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>in order to see something that had attracted his +attention.</p> + +<p>"Why, I was wondering what made all the +people crook their necks like that, and look up +in the air. Is there a German Zeppelin heaving +in sight? I don't seem to glimpse any big dirigible +up there; do you, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"What's that moving along away up near the +clouds?" demanded Merritt.</p> + +<p>"It must be an aėroplane," said Tubby. "I +just heard somebody say my name close by; but +he pointed up at that flier. What could he have +meant, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"I think I can tell you," replied the other scout. +"German aėroplanes are called Taubes, and it +sounded like your name. They say that is an +aėroplane spy up there!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE AERIAL MAP-MAKER.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"He's flying pretty high, let me tell you," said +Tubby, straining his neck in an endeavor to +watch the evolutions of the far-distant object +sailing on the border of the cloud, and which +looked so much like a great bird with outstretched +wings.</p> + +<p>"And all the while he is using his powerful +field-glass to watch things going on below," added +Rob. "I wouldn't be surprised if those chaps +make a rough map, as they go over a place, with +the position of forts marked, and the disposition +of troops. In this war they say aėroplanes and +dirigibles are going to play great stunts."</p> + +<p>"Think of the nerve of that German aviator, +sailing right over Antwerp in broad daylight!" +Tubby declared. "It's a dare, all right, and I +wonder if any of these Belgian fliers will take +him up. I really think I'd like to see a little scrap +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>up in the air. We didn't have a chance for anything +of that sort since we were down in Mexico +with Villa."</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Merritt, "you may see more +of that kind of business over here than you want. +These fliers don't go circling around just to spy +on the enemy. In lots of cases they have another +and more terrible mission."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" ejaculated the fat scout uneasily, "now +you're thinking of that visit paid by a Zeppelin to +Antwerp a short time back when it dropped a +bomb that smashed things to flinders. They say +it was aimed at the king's palace. But you don't +think now that fellow away up there in the +clouds would bother dropping explosives on our +heads, do you, Rob?"</p> + +<p>Tubby always appealed to the patrol leader +when bothered about anything. To hear him talk +you would imagine that he considered Rob Blake +a walking encyclopedia, and capable of answering +any kind of question.</p> + +<p>"No, he's flying too high for that," the other +told him confidently. "You see, with the air currents, +that we know something about ourselves, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>no one at that height could count on landing his +explosive anywhere near the place he wanted it +to go. Chances are that chap is only out on a +spying trip. Aėroplane pilots are the scouts of +the air these days, you understand. Nothing can +be hidden from them."</p> + +<p>"I understand," ventured Merritt, as they continued +to watch the circling of the lofty observer +and map-maker, "that there can be no surprises +in this war, because the enemy always knows all +about the massing of troops long before an attack +can be delivered. An eagle or a hawk, hovering +over shallow water, can see every bit of bottom +when the surface is still, and so he's able to +pounce down on the fish he's selected for dinner. +These wonderful air-pilots will bring information +of every contemplated move on the part of +the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Napoleon would be a back number in +these days," Tubby sighed, "because you remember +his strongest card was to divide the enemy, +and then smash one army and then the other. +They'd know all about his game in time to block +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>it. The romance of war has gone glimmering, +I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"Listen to all that shouting," said Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Seems to be cheers, as well as these people +can cheer, which is not like the good old United +States way," Tubby commented.</p> + +<p>"You can see what it means," remarked Rob. +"There goes a Belgian biplane up, to get after the +bold German!"</p> + +<p>"My stars!" gasped Tubby. "Now we <i>will</i> see +a circus! Think of two rival pilots maneuvering +up there among the clouds, and trying to knock +each other out! Whew! But watch him boring +up in spirals, would you? Does the German see +him, do you think, and is he beginning to skip +out?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing like that has happened yet, as far as +I can see," admitted Rob. "There he starts +around again, as if meaning to complete his map, +no matter if a dozen Belgian or English airmen +come up after him."</p> + +<p>"It'll be a fight, then, see if it doesn't!" Tubby +affirmed.</p> + +<p>"There goes a second aėroplane, and this time +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>a monoplane," Merritt told them, pointing as he +spoke. "Unless I miss my guess, there's an English +aviator in that machine. It doesn't carry the +little Belgian flag the other does, you notice."</p> + +<p>"Two against one," muttered the deeply interested +Tubby. "Better be making up your mind to +turn tail and run, Mr. Deutschland. The odds +are against you, and, if you should get tumbled +out of your seat a mile high, I'd hate to be under +you when you strike the ground."</p> + +<p>"They seem to be maneuvering for position," +asserted Rob. "Yes, both are circling around +now, and going still higher all the time. Before +long the German will be hidden in that cloud +bank, and that's what he's aiming to have happen."</p> + +<p>"I thought I saw something like a little puff +of smoke just then!" declared Merritt, who had +exceptionally good eyes, strong almost as those +of an eagle.</p> + +<p>"Then they must be bombarding each other!" +Tubby ventured to say, evidently greatly thrilled +by the spectacle that could never have been +dreamed of a few generations back.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> +<p>"It's likely they are using their automatics, and +trying to disable each other," admitted Rob, +"though, between us, Merritt, I don't believe the +tiny puff of smoke could be seen away down here, +unless you had a strong glass. Of course, when +moving as fast as they do, the chance of making +a shot tell is next door to nix."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, they're chasing the German aėroplane +off," Tubby declared. "That is the main +object for the brave Belgians going up there."</p> + +<p>The boys had made up their minds while on +the way across that as Americans they must obey +the President's appeal and be strictly neutral, if +it were possible. They had many good friends +who were of German descent, while others had +English ancestors and near relatives.</p> + +<p>The one country with which they sympathized +deeply was Belgium. The stubborn and heroic +way in which that seven millions of people had +defied seventy millions, and the gallant manner in +which their little army had tried to resist the +invasion of their beloved country, had aroused +the admiration of every one of the scouts.</p> + +<p>As they stood there on that afternoon, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>watched, they finally saw the German Taube vanish +in the clouds, with the leading Belgian aėroplane +following suit. Whether the pursuer +ever overtook the foreign air-scout or not, the +boys never learned.</p> + +<p>"Well, that was a lively little tilt while it lasted," +remarked Merritt as, the entertainment being +over, the crowds again commenced sauntering +back and forth, with everybody talking volubly +about the spectacle in the heavens.</p> + +<p>Soldiers gave them a curious look in passing. +Every stranger in Antwerp was under more or +less suspicion in those days, for it was becoming +known that the German secret service had +for years maintained the most wonderful system +of spying in France, England and Belgium +ever dreamed of. Antwerp had thousands of +Teuton residents before the war, some of them +leading merchants who owned splendid country +places six or seven miles outside the city, where +solid cement tennis courts afterward came in +very handy as foundations for the immense German +siege guns.</p> + +<p>"We'll see plenty more things that will give us +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>a thrill to beat that," Rob observed, pushing +through the bustling, chattering crowds.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'm afraid times may come when +danger will hang over our heads," Merritt pursued, +with a touch of regret in his voice. "Then +you'll both be sorry you didn't let me go off on +this wild goose chase, as it may turn out to be, +by myself."</p> + +<p>"What do you take us for, I want to know?" +demanded Rob. "Haven't we been through all +sorts of tough times together in the past; and +why shouldn't we stand by our chum when he +needs our help? What's a scout good for if he +is ready to desert a comrade when the sky grows +dark? That's just the time to show his true colors."</p> + +<p>"You're taking the very words out of my +mouth when you say that, Rob!" asserted Tubby +valiantly. "No matter what happens, we're +bound by the ties of old friendship. We'll sink +or swim together, boys. And Merritt, please +don't ever tell us again you're feeling sorry for +letting us come along."</p> + +<p>"If that man is to be found, we're going to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>corner him!" declared Rob, with his lips taking +on the firm lines that marked them whenever +he was making up his mind to hammer away persistently, +like Grant did before Richmond; "and +when we go back to the other side, we hope to be +carrying that precious old paper your grandfather +let get out of his possession in such a queer way."</p> + +<p>"This seems like a pretty warm day to me, +even for summer," observed Tubby irrelevantly.</p> + +<p>"Now, we can give a pretty good guess, Rob," +ventured Merritt smilingly, "that Tubby has a +sly meaning back of that remark."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added the patrol leader, "and the +chances are three to one it has something to do +with feeding."</p> + +<p>"You are champion guessers, both of you," +Tubby informed them, without seeming to be in +the least ashamed of the confession. "I'm consumed +by a violent thirst right now; and I bet you +the milk in that shiny brass can that those two +tired dogs have been dragging all over Antwerp +this afternoon will have a lump of ice in it. Anyway, +I'm going to test it; come along and let me +stand treat."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> +<p>Laughing at his earnestness, the others followed +the fat scout across the street, where the +old woman with her dog team was apparently +resting, and observing the remarkably interesting +sights around her.</p> + +<p>Just then there were loud cheers that attracted +the attention of the three boys.</p> + +<p>"Something else coming along that's worth +seeing," Merritt announced. "Better curb that +fierce thirst of yours for a minute or two, Tubby, +while we watch what's passing."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, I guess the milk won't sour while +we're waiting," admitted the fat boy with a sigh +of resignation, as he wheeled so as to face the +street.</p> + +<p>"What do you call that, I wonder?" remarked +Merritt, as he looked. "It's got the wheels of +an automobile; but say, notice how the body of +the car has been built up with steel sides, will +you? And as sure as you live there's a quick firing +Maxim mounted behind that bullet shield."</p> + +<p>"Now I know what it is," Rob hastened to +say.</p> + +<p>"Then tell us, please," urged Tubby helplessly.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> +<p>"They call them armored cars," said the patrol +leader. "I've read about how some of these reckless +Belgians have fitted up cars in this way. +Nearly every day they start out to raid through +the country, where they expect to run across detachments +of Uhlans, or bicycle squads of the +German advance. Then they dart down on them +and do some terrible work; before the enemy +can recover to smash them, they are off like a +flash, and return to town with all sorts of trophies."</p> + +<p>"They must have just been coming in," ventured +Merritt. "I saw one of the soldiers had a +bandage around his head. Another was holding +up two helmets which must have been worn by +Uhlans. And listen how the crowds roar and +cheer. They certainly do hate the Kaiser and +his army in Antwerp."</p> + +<p>"Well, do you wonder?" Rob asked. "After +some of their lovely towns have been burnt +down, and thousands of houses destroyed, simply +because these Belgians dared to stand up for +their rights as a neutral nation!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<p>"Well, how about that drink of milk, fellows?" +Tubby wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Suit yourself, Tubby," Rob told him. "If it +tastes good to you, we might join you in a glass."</p> + +<p>"Huh! sort of 'trying it on the dog first,' eh?" +Tubby retorted, and then turning toward the +owner of the dog team and the milk cart, he made +a gesture with his head, and held up three fingers.</p> + +<p>Evidently the old woman must have understood +what he meant, though she looked a bit +"peeved," as Tubby afterward expressed it, at +being asked to do a retail business. There were +a number of measures dangling from hooks +around the top of the shining brass milk can, +also several glass "schooners." Taking one of +the latter the old Belgian milk vender was in the +act of filling it from the contents of the can when +something astonishing happened.</p> + +<p>Four soldiers who had been passing became +excited, and pointed at the group; then they laid +violent hands on the owner of the milk cart!</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>LEAVING FOR THE FRONT.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"What's this? What's this?" stammered +Tubby, as the schooner of rich milk fell with a +crash to the pavement when the soldiers began +struggling with the woman vender, who was +also the owner of the dog team.</p> + +<p>Of course a crowd collected immediately, as +it always will in a city when there is the first +sign of something doing. Antwerp was fairly +seething with half suppressed excitement at that +time, and anything of this kind was like putting +a match to the powder magazine.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare but she's a husky old woman, +that's right!" Tubby was heard to say after his +astonishment had in a measure abated, and he +could catch his breath. "Why, it takes the whole +four soldiers to subdue her. Shame! to hit a +poor old woman like that; but my stars, don't she +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>kick and try to land a blow on some of their +noses."</p> + +<p>"Whew! what do you think!" exclaimed Rob +just then, for he had been listening to some of +the chattering on the part of the excited crowd +near by. "It isn't an old woman, after all, but a +man. That explains how he comes to fight as +he does, and why the Belgians keep on treating +him so roughly."</p> + +<p>"A man, and dressed up like a woman!" cried +Tubby. "Well, if that isn't a queer stunt, I want +to know. Is he trying to escape military duty, +do you think, Rob? I remember they have conscription +here in Belgium just like in Germany, +Russia and France. Every young fellow has to +serve the colors just so long."</p> + +<p>But Rob shook his head. By now the soldiers +had apparently conquered the spirit of the +man in woman's garments. His white Belgian +cap had been torn off in the struggle, showing that +his hair was short underneath. He was also +bleeding from having come in contact with some +hard object, but he now stood there as straight +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>as any grenadier, and looked his captors contemptuously +in the face.</p> + +<p>"They say he's a German spy!" Rob told his +two chums. Tubby again held his breath, and +stared as hard as he could at the prisoner.</p> + +<p>The crowd became fairly wild to get at the +captive, and made all manner of violent threats +as they surged around the little group. The milk +can was upset, and the dogs liberated by some +friendly hand ran wildly away, as though knowing +that their temporary master had gotten himself +in a serious scrape.</p> + +<p>The four determined Belgian soldiers guarding +their prisoner against the fury of the mob +began to work a way along the pavement, meaning, +no doubt, to land their prize in the lock-up, +where he would be safe until the firing squad +was called on to complete the tragedy.</p> + +<p>Presently their signals brought another detachment +of the guard to the spot, a way was speedily +cleared through the dense masses of people, +and that was the last the three scouts saw of the +spy. They could guess his fate, but at the same +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>time felt positive that he must have met it as +a man.</p> + +<p>Somehow, the experience gave them a queer +feeling. Here they had been rubbing up against +some of the tragic happenings of the war, and +after being in Antwerp only a few hours. No +wonder they all felt convinced that the signs +pointed to their having some lively times ahead.</p> + +<p>"And say, I didn't get my drink of milk, either, +did I?" lamented Tubby, after things settled +back into the old rut again, with that never-ending +procession of citizens, refugees, soldiers, and +even a sprinkling of venturesome foreign tourists +passing by in both directions.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that doesn't cut much figure in the matter," +Merritt told him, "because if you step off +this main street into one of the side <i>gassens</i> you'll +run across plenty of other milk-venders, who will +not turn out to be something else."</p> + +<p>"I see one right now," announced the persistent +Tubby, who did not like to give up anything +on which he had set his heart. "And look +at the name of the same, will you: <i>The Street of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>the Steen</i>. Now what does that stand for, Rob? +Is it the same as the German word <i>stein</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, you're away off there, Tubby," he +was immediately told by the patrol leader, who +had studied his guide book to some advantage. +"This Steen used ages ago to be a terrible prison, +where in the days of the Spanish Inquisition they +tortured people in all sorts of ways. Just now +it's a great museum; and if only we had time, +which we don't expect, I'd like nothing better +than to explore it."</p> + +<p>"You see," Merritt told them, "if only you +would let me go on by myself, and try to find +Steven Meredith, you might stay around here +and have a fairly decent time, unless the Germans +do really start to try and capture Antwerp, +after all."</p> + +<p>"That'll do for you, Merritt," Rob informed +him severely, "you forget that incident is closed."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Tubby, trying to frown, but as +usual making a sorry mess of it, for the lines +of his chubby face refused to take on such an +air, seeing that they were only adapted for smiling, +"don't let us hear another wheeze from you, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>Merritt. But please come with me, and let's see +if all the old milk-venders of Antwerp are German +spies. I hope the milk isn't poisoned."</p> + +<p>"That isn't fair talk, Tubby, because you +know the Germans would be away and above +doing anything like that. They have their faults, +but nobody calls them cowards. In fact, they +seem to be too brave for their own good, because +we hear how they are shot down like ripe +grain, pushing along in masses straight into the +jaws of death, and singing as they go."</p> + +<p>This time they were allowed to quaff their +mugs of cool, fresh milk without any unpleasant +incident to interrupt the ceremony. Tubby did +eye the woman who owned the outfit rather suspiciously, +and must have aroused her curiosity +by the way he turned his head several times after +they had walked off.</p> + +<p>For another hour the three American scouts +tramped back and forth, seeing all they possibly +could in so short a time. The quaint Flemish +houses, with their many gables, and their red-tiled +roofs, interested them greatly. In some of +the streets the buildings even seemed to lean +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>toward one another, and Tubby declared two men +could almost shake hands by stretching from the +upper windows.</p> + +<p>"Now we ought to see the burgomaster," said +Rob, as the afternoon waned. "You know you +are carrying a letter to him, Merritt, from your +grandfather, who happens to be acquainted with +him. And we count on getting a guide through +his influence who will take us along the roads +between here and Brussels."</p> + +<p>"Even if a guide is not to be found, because +nearly all the men are enlisted in the army," Merritt +replied, "we've made up our minds not to +hold back. Fellows who have had as much experience +in running the gauntlet as the scouts +of the Eagle Patrol can point to, needn't worry +about how they're going to get along."</p> + +<p>"Leave that to us," said Tubby, rather pompously; +"and we'll land on our feet all right, just +as a cat does if you drop it out of the second-story +window."</p> + +<p>After considerable difficulty, the boys were admitted +to an audience with the mayor or burgomaster +of Antwerp in his official chambers. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>tunately, +he spoke English, so they expected to +meet with little difficulty in acquainting him with +the nature of their mission to Belgium at a time +when nearly all other Americans were only too +well pleased to get away from the land of strife +and warfare.</p> + +<p>The burgomaster looked surprised and even +anxious when he heard that they desired an official +paper from him, requesting all Belgians to +assist them in their search for one Steven Meredith, +who was believed to be located in a town +not many miles to the west of the capital.</p> + +<p>"I would do much for my old friend, Monsieur +Charles Crawford, for whom I have long entertained +a sincere affection," he told Merritt, after +he had read the letter presented to him, and +questioned the boys at length, "but it is a most +serious undertaking you have in view. I question +the wisdom of my encouraging such a dangerous +trip."</p> + +<p>Rob, seeing that the good burgomaster appeared +to be hesitating, and as Tubby expressed +it, "on the fence," started in to talk. Rob had +a very persuasive way about him, as his chums +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>knew from past experiences. They guessed how +it would all turn out as soon as they saw how +impressed the Belgian city official seemed to be +with the arguments the boy brought forward.</p> + +<p>Of course, in the end, the burgomaster yielded, +and wrote them out the passport they wanted +so badly. This document would possibly permit +them to go even beyond the lines where the Belgian +army was intrenched, waiting to deal a +blow at the enemy in case the Germans turned +threateningly toward Antwerp.</p> + +<p>"I do this much against my will," he told them, +as he was shaking each one by the hand upon +their leaving. "But my old friend has written +me so much that is clever about the faculty you +boys have shown in taking care of yourselves, +that I am in hopes you may get through safely. +But I shall be sad indeed if anything overtakes +you through my giving way to sentiment. I wish +I could influence you to remain here in safety, +and send out some messenger in your stead to +bring this man to Antwerp."</p> + +<p>"We have made up our minds to accompany our +friend, the grandson of the Charles Crawford +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>you knew, sir," Rob told him, "and all we can +promise is that we mean to be very careful. If +the man you will send around to us as a guide +does his duty faithfully, we hope to get along +fairly well. And believe us, sir, we feel that you +have advised and assisted us even more generously +than Mr. Crawford expected of you. We +thank you a thousand times. Good-bye."</p> + +<p>That night passed without anything unusual +happening to disturb the three boys. Their hotel +chanced to be situated in a quiet part of the seething +city, so that they were not at all annoyed +by patriotic outbursts. And boys as a rule have +a happy faculty of losing their troubles in sleep.</p> + +<p>With the coming of that next morning all of +them were early astir. After breakfast they +went in search of mounts, having secured some +hints from the proprietor of the hotel.</p> + +<p>Horses were certainly at a high premium just +then in Flanders. Nearly every animal of any +worth at all had been taken by the Belgian field +forces for army use. If a few were by accident +hidden, and escaped this search, they were apt +to be discovered by the advancing Germans.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> +<p>"It would be of no use, anyway, getting hold +of respectable nags," Rob explained, when he saw +even Tubby gape at sight of the poor looking +animals they had offered to them at exorbitant +prices, "because we'd never have the least chance +to get anywhere on their backs. No matter how +many passes we had from burgomasters, or even +King Albert himself, somebody would be sure +to take them away from us."</p> + +<p>"I suppose half a loaf <i>is</i> better than no bread +at all," complained Merritt with vivid recollections +of the fine mounts he and his chums had +sported on several occasions, notably when on +the cattle ranch, and following Mexican war +trails.</p> + +<p>"But <i>such</i> a loaf!" sighed Tubby, as he ran his +hand over the bony back of the nearest quadruped, +and wondered whether so weak looking a +horse could long survive under his rather heavy +weight.</p> + +<p>"They may turn out a heap better than they +look," Rob told them. "Sometimes it's the bony +horses that can hold the pace in a grueling jour<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>ney. +But, after all, it's a case of Hobson's choice +with us; either these nags, or walk."</p> + +<p>"Whew! better close the bargain then, Merritt; +that is, if you think you can afford the +price," Tubby hastened to say, for as may be +easily understood, he was not very much in love +with protracted walks, not having been built for +a sprinter.</p> + +<p>So Merritt bought four horses, and paid cash +down for them, receiving a regular bill of sale +from the dealer, to show they were his property. +With them went old saddles and bridles, good +enough for the purpose of the three scouts, but +not of a type calculated to incite anyone to steal +the same.</p> + +<p>All that remained to be looked after now was +that promised guide. If the good burgomaster +of Antwerp kept his promise, they expected to +find a native waiting at the hotel when they +got back after their foray into the limited horse +market.</p> + +<p>And sure enough they found a swarthy Belgian +there who said he had been engaged by the mayor +to serve them. Merritt quickly made terms, for +the guide, besides being able to converse in French +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>and Flemish, could speak some English, and readily +comprehended all that was said in that tongue; +especially when the subject of a money contract +came under consideration.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing to detain us any longer, +boys," remarked Merritt. "We have made up a +little pack apiece which we'd like to take along. +We travel light on this trip, you know; all but +Tubby, and that's something he always gets left +on. The balance of our duffle the proprietor of +the hotel has promised to keep safely until we +show up to claim it again."</p> + +<p>"Small loss if we never see any of it again," +Rob admitted. "At the same time we hope to +come back this way after we've run that person +down, and either recover the paper your grandfather +wants, or learn that it's lost for good."</p> + +<p>"That is," corrected Tubby, "we expect to see +Antwerp again if the Germans don't gobble us +up."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see them try it," remarked Merritt, +with a significant look at the ample proportions +of the fat chum. "They'd have their +work cut out, as sure as you live, Tubby."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now, don't get personal again, Merritt," cautioned +the other, holding up a warning forefinger, +"but as there are heaps and heaps of queer +things I'd like to poke into around this town, I +certainly hope to visit it again."</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterward, mounted on scrubby +looking horses, which would have excited the derision +of any respectable cowboy in the West, +Rob and his two chums, accompanied by Anthony +Wallenhout, the Belgian guide, passed out of the +city, heading toward the east.</p> + +<p>Before they had gone a sixth of a mile they +found themselves stopped by a patrol of soldiers, +led by a young lieutenant, who, it happened, could +speak English.</p> + +<p>"It is no use, messieurs," he told them, with +a pleasant smile, but a determined shake of the +head, "you must face the other way and go back. +The enemy is in force in many places between +Brussels and Antwerp, and severe fighting is +going on wherever our brave army has thrown +up entrenchments. Antwerp is the only safe +place for any who speak English, these days."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>THE DAY OF THE BOY SCOUT.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Now, wouldn't that jar you!" muttered +Tubby, sprawled on the back of his horse very +much after the manner of a great toad. "Here +we hardly get started on our wonderful trip +over the battlefields of Belgium before we're held +up, and told to fade away. Huh! talk to me about +luck, we seem to have lost our grip."</p> + +<p>"Show him what you've got, Merritt," suggested +Rob, who did not give up quite so easily, because +of a sudden snag in the stream.</p> + +<p>"Oh! why, yes, how about that passport the +burgomaster wrote out for us himself? It ought +to do the trick!" exclaimed Tubby, his sad look +disappearing like a flash, and an expectant one +appearing in its stead.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> +<p>The officer scanned the paper which Merritt +handed him.</p> + +<p>"At a time like this the burgomaster himself is +under military orders," he told the waiting boys, +"and if it happened to be a matter of much importance +I could not honor his request. It +chances, however, that in this case there is nothing +involved except your safety. And you seem +to be willing to take the risk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, because we have a very important piece +of business to carry out," Rob hastened to tell +him, seeing which way the wind was blowing, +and wishing to take advantage of the flood-tide. +"It means a great deal to one of my friends if +we can find a certain man. You will allow us +to go on, then, I hope?"</p> + +<p>The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders in real +French style as he handed the burgomaster's +passport back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you are that rash, young messieurs," +he said. "We, of the Belgian army, can admire +pluck. You certainly have my best wishes."</p> + +<p>"Oh! thank you, lieutenant!" gushed Tubby, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>who was relieved to know that the enterprise +was not fated to be condemned at the start.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the time might come ere long when +the same Tubby would be secretly lamenting over +the fact that it had been given a free swing. But +coming events do not always cast their shadows +before; and just at that moment none of the +venturesome scouts could so much as guess what +awaited them in the disturbed country beyond.</p> + +<p>They gave the obliging lieutenant a regular +scout salute, which he returned in kind. The +paper had informed him that Rob and his chums +were members of the Boy Scout organization +in America, so that the fact of their wearing +khaki uniforms was easily understood.</p> + +<p>"I hope we have as good luck in skipping past +every obstacle we run up against," Merritt was +saying, as they moved along the road leading +from Antwerp in the direction of the Belgian capital.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we mustn't expect to be always as fortunate +as that," said Rob. "I believe in hoping +for the best, and preparing for the worst. It's +good policy all around."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> +<p>"Something like we read the Pilgrim Fathers +used to do in the good old days when they used +to ride to church with the wife back of them," +Tubby explained, "and every man carrying his +gun along. Their motto was 'trust in the Lord; +but keep your powder dry!'"</p> + +<p>"That's the idea," agreed Rob. "And so far, +in all our tramps and wanderings, we've managed +to do our part fairly well."</p> + +<p>"Let's hope this venture turns out as good," +Tubby added, with a side glance toward Merritt, +for, of course, it concerned him more than either +of the others whether success or failure resulted +from their trip abroad.</p> + +<p>That was only a beginning, for they were soon +held up again. This time it came about that the +soldier in charge of the detachment could not +speak a word of English, so the guide had to +exercise his ability in the line of a translator.</p> + +<p>So well did he plead, and explain that they +were all good friends of the burgomaster of Antwerp, +that once again they were allowed to proceed.</p> + +<p>Rob could easily see, however, that consider<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>able +doubt had arisen in the mind of the officer +as to whether he should permit three boys to head +into such a disturbed country as that lying beyond.</p> + +<p>Like the lieutenant, he shrugged his shoulders, +and dismissed the matter of responsibility from +his mind. Indeed, there were too many other +serious affairs to be considered just then to bother +about a party of tourists fairly wild to say they +had gazed upon actual battlefields; for, doubtless, +he concluded this was the real reason why +these venturesome boys elected to take chances +in the war zone.</p> + +<p>So long as they were not spies in the service +of the enemy it was all right; only he wanted to +warn them that they were apt to meet with some +roving detachment of Germans at almost any +time, since they were overrunning most of the +country, appearing suddenly at villages, and demanding +food and wine, or surprising isolated +stations poorly guarded, so as to hold some important +bridge for the coming of a column.</p> + +<p>"Look what's coming whizzing along ahead +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>there!" Tubby called out a short time after this +encounter.</p> + +<p>There was a little cloud of dust, and they could +see that it was caused by someone mounted on +a bicycle, who was bending down over the handlebars +and working his feet very rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Give him the road, fellows; he seems to be in +a big hurry!" ordered Rob.</p> + +<p>A minute later and the bicyclist shot by them. +As he did so he straightened up in the saddle, +and to their surprise gave them a regulation scout +salute. Then he went tearing down the road in +that cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>"Did you see that?" cried Tubby. "Why, he +was a Boy Scout as sure as anything! Now, +what in the wide world was he in such a terrible +hurry for? He acted like he might be late for +his breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Just now the Boy Scouts in Belgium have a +good many other things to bother them besides +missing an occasional meal," explained Rob. +"They have been taken over by the military authorities +and are doing splendid work in heaps +of ways."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes," added Merritt, as they rode on again, +"I noticed a number of them while we were in +Antwerp, and they seemed to be on the jump +constantly. Every fellow had a badge on his left +arm with the letters 'S. M.' on it. You remember, +Rob, when you asked what they stood for, +you were told the letters meant 'Service Militaire,' +and showed that the boys were working +for the Government."</p> + +<p>"What d'ye reckon they find to do?" asked +Tubby, deeply interested.</p> + +<p>"They act as dispatch bearers," replied Rob, +"ambulance orderlies, and aids to the police. +They told me that in Brussels, now held by the +Germans, some scouts daily herded the women +who came for their regular ration issued by the +Government, and kept order, too. Everybody +takes them seriously. This is no time for play +among the Boy Scouts of Belgium, when war +has gripped their native land."</p> + +<p>"When we were over in England," Merritt +related, "I made it a point to find out how all +the scouts there were being made use of. It +gave me a mighty proud feeling to know that I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>was authorized to wear the uniform of the Eagle +Patrol; for there never was a time in the history +of the world when boys were of as much +use as now."</p> + +<p>"But there have been no battles on English +soil, up to now, Merritt; tell me how the Boy +Scouts of Great Britain could do things, then?" +asked Tubby, who it seems could not have been +bothering himself very much when his chums +were making all these observations.</p> + +<p>Merritt took a slip of paper from his pocket. +They were riding slowly at the time, indeed at +all times, for the horses did not seem desirous +of making any particular speed.</p> + +<p>"Here's an account I clipped from an English +paper while we were in London," he told Tubby. +"It tells a lot of things the scouts have taken +to doing in order to assist; for, during the war, +school duties have been mostly dropped."</p> + +<p>"Oh! what joy!" cried Tubby; "but go and read +it out to us, Merritt."</p> + +<p>"Here's what the account says, then," Merritt +told them, as he managed to read from the +slip: "'Acting as guides to troops. Forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>ing +dispatches dropped from air craft. Coastguard +work, such as watching estuaries, guiding +vessels in unbuoyed channels, and showing lights +to friendly vessels!'"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" remarked Tubby; "that sounds fine +to me, Merritt. For once I almost wish I happened +to be a Johnny Bull boy instead of an Uncle +Sam. Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"It's only the beginning," he was told. "Listen +to some more work a scout can do for his country +over there. 'Collecting information as to +available supplies and transports. Helping the +families of men at the front. First aid; fitting +up nursing stations, refuges, dispensaries, and +kitchens in their own club rooms. Carrying on +organized relief of the destitute. Guarding and +patrolling bridges, culverts, telegraph lines, and +water supplies. Serving as dispatch bearers, telegraph +and mail delivery riders; and distributing +millions of notices as to billeting, commandeering, +safety precautions, and the like,' How's that +strike you, Tubby?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly gives me a thrill," the fat boy replied, +"and I envy the lucky Boy Scouts of Great +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>Britain. I reckon they're doing things like that +down in France. Yes, and in Germany too. Now +people will see what it means to wear the khaki +uniform. I'm prouder than ever because I have +that right."</p> + +<p>"They say," remarked Rob, chiming in with +what knowledge he had picked up, "that for once +the boys are appreciated in these times. They +have at last come into their own. A scout's uniform +is regarded in England as a sign of competence +and responsibility. It is treated with +the same respect given to any other official garb."</p> + +<p>"This account goes on to say that the boys +have developed a wonderful topographical knowledge," +Merritt continued, full of the subject as +any Boy Scout might well be. "They pack ambulances +systematically with instruments and +medical supplies, checking off their lists like experienced +quartermasters. Others take charge +of the delivery of camp outfits from the stores +to the troops about to embark for the seat of +war. The bicycle corps and mounted squads +can care for their machines and horses, make high +speed, and meet emergencies with decision and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>intelligence. The signal corps can use the telegraph +key, semaphore, and flags almost as well +as veterans, thanks to their training. They can +repair telegraph lines and instruments, and have +considerable knowledge of wireless."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" exclaimed Tubby. "This is sure +the day of the Boy Scout. I never thought I'd +ever live to see him climb to such a dazzling +height. Of course, over in America, scouts have +never been trained with any idea that they might +be soldiers; for we don't have a chip on our +shoulder all the time, and feel that we're spoiling +for a fight."</p> + +<p>"All the same," said Rob, "the time may come +when what we've learned will be of great use +to our country. Besides, every boy is ten times +better off for joining the organization."</p> + +<p>They had been riding in this fashion for an +hour and more, often meeting parties of fugitives +on the road, some of them bearing household +treasures, leading a mooing cow, or driving a +spavined old horse that was attached to a shaky +wagon piled up with goods of value to the owners +only.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> +<p>These sights at first struck the boys as pitiful. +They would in time become so accustomed +to them that such spectacles must be taken as +a part of the war game; still, all of them were +sure that in this case "familiarity would not +breed contempt."</p> + +<p>Then at times it happened that houses were +scarce, and a stretch of the road, from some reason +or other, ahead appeared deserted. Often, in +the distance, they heard strange sounds like far-away +thunder. It thrilled them to imagine that +possibly this was the roar of big guns; perhaps +they were even drawing near to an actual battlefield!</p> + +<p>About this time the boys noticed that their +guide was acting as though excited.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Anthony?" asked Rob, +bent on knowing the worst.</p> + +<p>In his broken English the Belgian guide tried +to tell them his fears.</p> + +<p>"Look you—over thisaways—you see men, +horses—they run thisaway, they run thataway—some +shake hands at us—I do not know, but it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>may be they will turn out to be Uhlan cavalrymen—bad +men who ride far in advance of the army, +to screen movements of troops. If they are Uhlans, +we may not go ahead further!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>UNDER THE BRIDGE.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>Of course what Anthony told them caused the +boys more or less concern. They had no desire +to fall into the hands of the Germans. While it +could not be said that they were against the invaders, +the terrible stories they had heard in +Antwerp, even if only a small part were true, +gave them an unpleasant feeling toward the +Kaiser's men.</p> + +<p>That word Uhlan was dreaded by every Belgian +or native of Northern France. While it +really stands for the cavalry arm of the German +forces, still, ever since the Franco-Prussian +war of more than forty years ago, it has possessed +a terrible significance all its own. Humble +peasants shivered when they pronounced it, and +no doubt many an unruly child was threatened +with the coming of the terrible Uhlans unless it +mended its ways.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> +<p>"If that's the case, then," Merritt voiced the +opinion of himself and chums by saying hurriedly, +"we want to get out of this. It's a case +of either run or hide with us."</p> + +<p>"But where could we hide?" asked Tubby, +looking all around him helplessly. "Just now +there isn't a single cottage in sight; and the bare +fields around don't offer much shelter, seems to +me."</p> + +<p>"There's a bridge just ahead of us," said Rob.</p> + +<p>"And we might manage to get our mounts +down underneath," added Merritt instantly, +grasping the idea that was in the patrol leader's +mind. "The bank slopes easy enough to allow +of it."</p> + +<p>"Eet could be done, Messieurs!" allowed the +guide, who was even more alarmed, it seemed, +than Tubby himself, since the prospect of falling +into the hands of the dreaded Uhlan raiders +began to assume greater proportions, now that +the peril no longer lay in the dim distance, but +was close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Then let's hurry and see what it looks like +under the bridge," advised Rob.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> +<p>Just as they figured, it proved easy enough to +lead their horses down the bank, which was covered +with grass and growing weeds, for since the +war began all really unnecessary work on roads +and railways had been stopped. And those horses +would have willingly gone anywhere if there only +seemed a prospect that they might rest a spell, +for they seemed tired all of the time.</p> + +<p>"Listen to them shouting, will you?" Tubby +complained as they were going down amidst the +bushes that promised to screen them from the +party on the other side of the little stream across +which the massive bridge had been built.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid they must have seen us," Merritt +said, "and that will mean they'll soon be across +the bridge again to find out what we're doing, +and who we are. What's the program, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"We must act as though our only object in +coming down here was to water our horses," replied +the patrol leader; this idea having possibly +come into his mind as he noticed the way his +mount put its ears forward, and commenced to +whinny—as horses invariably do when they scent +water, and are thirsty.</p> + +<p>"Come on, here, what's ailing you, Dobbin?" +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>demanded Tubby, jerking at the reins when his +animal displayed an inclination to hold back.</p> + +<p>"He acts kind of queer, doesn't he?" Merritt +said when, after considerable fussing, Tubby +managed to coax his horse to once more advance, +though the animal seemed to be snorting, and +trembling. "If we were on the cattle range right +now I'd be half inclined to think he smelled a rattler +near by."</p> + +<p>"My stars! I hope they don't have such pests +over here in Belgium!" exclaimed Tubby, beginning +to himself show immediate signs of nervousness.</p> + +<p>"Not the least danger," declared Rob. "But, +all the same, my horse seems trying to hold back, +just as yours did, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"They're sure a cantankerous lot all through!" +grumbled the fat scout, looking carefully where +he expected to plant his foot next; for, in spite +of Rob's assurance, he was not quite so certain +that the undergrowth beneath the bridge might +not harbor some poisonous reptile which might +strike unexpectedly.</p> + +<p>"They're still keeping up that shouting!" an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>nounced +Merritt, listening. "Which I take it is +a queer thing for them to do. If they're German +raiders why don't they come across and interview +us, I wonder? I thought I saw uniforms +among the bunch. How about that, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"The sun was in my eyes, and I couldn't say +for certain," acknowledged the one spoken to, +jerking at the bridle of his horse.</p> + +<p>"One thing is sure," said Tubby, "the horses +are not at all thirsty; else there's some thing they +don't like about this place down here."</p> + +<p>All of them were really puzzled by the strange +actions of their horses. It was no longer simply +Tubby's mount that acted so contrary, but the +other three also.</p> + +<p>"Guess my nag got cold feet about something; +and it's catching as the measles," Tubby announced, +as he shook his head in the manner of +one who finds himself with too hard a nut to +crack.</p> + +<p>"Well, that water looks cool and clear," said +Merritt, "and I think I could enjoy a few swallows +myself, if the horses won't."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<p>"Sure it ain't poisoned, are you, Merritt?" +queried Tubby dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh! get that crazy notion out of your poor +head, Tubby. Germans don't make war that way. +They face the music, and stand up before the +guns. What makes you look at me like that, +Rob?" and Merritt as he asked this question +stopped short, for he had been in the act of putting +his threat into deeds, and getting down beside +the stream to take a drink.</p> + +<p>"I smell it too, Rob!" exclaimed Tubby just +then. "And, oh! let me tell you it's a rank odor. +Isn't it in this country they make all that Limburger +cheese; or over the border in Holland? +Well, if you asked me I'd say it was something +like that."</p> + +<p>"Smells more like burnt powder to me!" +snapped Rob, showing visible signs of increasing +excitement.</p> + +<p>With that he commenced looking hurriedly +around. Perhaps a sudden tremendous suspicion +may have flashed into his mind, and he was seeking +to justify it by making some sort of discovery.</p> + +<p>The gully was of considerable width, as has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>been said before, though just at that time in +the late summer the stream that flowed through +it did not appear to be of any great depth, and +could be easily forded.</p> + +<p>There were bushes and grass and weeds growing +all about, besides stray stones that may have +fallen there when the solid masonry of the really +fine bridge had been constructed years before.</p> + +<p>Although he turned his eyes in this quarter and +that, Rob failed to see anything that looked at +all suspicious. Still that peculiar odor continued +to strike his sense of smell, stronger than before, +if anything.</p> + +<p>"Must be something burning, fellows!" announced +Tubby, as he held a hand up so that he +could close his nose with thumb and finger +against the offensive odor.</p> + +<p>The guide had meanwhile thrown himself +down at the brink of the stream and proceeded +to drink his fill. Evidently he had no fear concerning +the quality of the water. Typhoid germs +were unknown to his lexicon; and so long as +water looked fairly clear it suited him.</p> + +<p>He was getting on his feet again as Tubby +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>made that last remark. His horse had been pulling +more violently than ever at the rein, and the +Belgian started to say something uncomplimentary +to the animal in Flemish.</p> + +<p>Rob had stopped examining the shore upon +which they were standing. He turned his gaze +across the stream to the opposite bank, for his +scout training told him that since the breeze +came from that quarter he would be apt to learn +the cause of the odor, so like burnt powder, if he +followed it up.</p> + +<p>The others heard Rob give a half suppressed +shout, as though he had made a sudden and startling +discovery.</p> + +<p>"Oh! what is it?" cried Tubby, straining to +keep his horse from trying to start up the ascent +again.</p> + +<p>"Across the river, over there under the arch +of the bridge, don't you see that little curl of +blue-white rising?" exclaimed Rob. "Watch it +and you'll find that it is creeping along over the +ground. Come, we've got to get up out of this +in a hurry! Turn your horses, and let them help +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>to drag you up! Quick, everybody; not a second +to lose, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>Tubby no longer tried to hold his horse back; +on the contrary, he even urged the animal to +climb the grade in frantic haste. He did not +know what it all meant, but Rob acted as though +there must be some terrible danger threatening +them; and Tubby was no fool.</p> + +<p>With cries and shouts they urged the animals +to ascend. Several times a horse would slip, and +come near falling headlong backward; then it +was the one who held the reins found it necessary +to encourage the struggling beast with word +and act, so that the horse might regain his footing.</p> + +<p>Tubby, chancing to glimpse Rob's face about +the time they drew near the top was horrified to +see how very white it seemed. Then more than +ever did he realize that it must be something +dreadful that had threatened them.</p> + +<p>"Rob, tell us what it was all about?" Tubby +managed to gasp, when, having reached the road +again, they were hurrying back as rapidly as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>they could go, the horses helping to drag them +along.</p> + +<p>"Just this," Rob told him briefly. "They've +fixed a mine there under the bridge, so as to blow +it up; and we've had the narrowest escape of our +lives!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>GETTING NEAR THE WAR ZONE.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Hold on to your horses, everybody!" called +out Merritt, as he looked back toward the bridge +from which they had now managed to press +quite a little distance.</p> + +<p>Merritt somehow did not seem to be very much +astonished at what Rob had said. It might be he +himself had entertained suspicions along those +same lines.</p> + +<p>They had heard that the determined Belgians +were engaged in throwing all the obstacles possible +in the way of an advance in force on the +part of the invaders. If only cavalry were to +be dealt with, the defenders of the soil had faith +in their ability to take care of all that could be +sent against them; but it was known to be a fact +that the artillery arm was what the Germans +meant to depend on more than anything else in +this war for conquest.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> +<p>If bridges and culverts were destroyed in +every direction before the enemy could take possession +of the roads, it would be next to impossible +to move the great siege guns until some +sort of strong temporary structure had been built +in place of the stone and steel fabrics that were +blown up.</p> + +<p>And so, for days, there had been reports drifting +in to Antwerp that certain bridges had been +marked for destruction. Those who sallied forth +in armored cars to speed over the country, and +play havoc with their Maxim guns, found it +necessary to revise their map of the district every +night so as to conform to the new changes that +had been wrought.</p> + +<p>It was hardly ten seconds after Merritt told +them to keep a firm grip on the bridles of their +horses that the boys on looking back saw the +bridge suddenly rear itself in the air. Then came +a terrifying boom that made the very ground +under their feet quiver; and, in a moment later, +in place of the fine bridge lay a horrible gap, +from which smoke and dust was arising in sickening +clouds.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> +<p>Tubby was as white as a sheet. The others +could hear the big sigh with which he drew in a +gulp of air.</p> + +<p>"I want to say right here," he started to remark +solemnly, "that I'm thankful I've got such +a cracking good nose for queer odors. Think +what might have happened to us if I hadn't begun +to sniff around, and made Rob take notice. All +that pile of stuff would have buried us out of +sight. And the horses knew, sure they did. That +explains why they acted so funny all the while. +But isn't it a shame to see how they had to smash +that splendid bridge!"</p> + +<p>"Don't forget that this is war, Tubby," Merritt +told him, "and to hinder the enemy from +coming up, anything is allowable."</p> + +<p>"But that's going to block our going on, I take +it," ventured Tubby, watching Anthony, who +showed evidences of having been considerably +excited by the explosion, though Tubby could +not tell whether it was fear that influenced the +man, or an overmastering desire to join the army, +and engage in some of this obstructive work himself.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh! that doesn't follow," Rob assured him. +"I noticed that the river was shallow just now; +and I imagined I could see the old ford that used +to answer before this bridge was ever thought +of. We can get across without swimming. You +forded the Rio Grande once upon a time, Tubby, +and such a little bug stream as this shouldn't +phase you a bit."</p> + +<p>"Oh! count on me going wherever the rest of +you lead," retorted Tubby, with a blustering air, +as though he did not want anyone to think him +at all timid.</p> + +<p>"We might as well go back now," remarked +Rob, "and see about getting over. If the mine +has been exploded, there shouldn't be any danger; +I want to try that ford."</p> + +<p>It was found that though the bridge was +wrecked pretty badly, the greatest damage was +to the span, and not so much to the anchorages +or piers. In time another arch could be built—should +peace ever come to this distracted land—when +men would be able to once more "beat their +swords into ploughshares," and start to rebuilding +what had been destroyed.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> +<p>"Follow after me," Rob told them, as he started +to urge his horse across where he could see +the old ford had been.</p> + +<p>Little of the material from the wrecked bridge +had been thrown to any distance, so the ford was +not blocked. The horses still displayed more or +less restlessness, as though they could not understand +that, with such a smell of choking gases +in the air, the danger was all over. The three +boys, however, had had considerable experience +in handling balky animals, and knew just how to +urge them on.</p> + +<p>Once on the other side, they started up the +bank. As they arrived at the road, having crossed +the abyss, they saw a crowd of men hurrying +toward the spot. They were partly Belgian soldiers, +it turned out, along with some civilians, +possibly men versed in explosives or strategy to +be employed to delay the advance of the German +artillery.</p> + +<p>Of course, they were very much excited at +meeting the boys. The khaki uniforms seemed to +soften their anger to some extent, but one who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>appeared to be in authority started to scold them +for walking so blindly into a trap.</p> + +<p>Through the guide Rob hastened to explain +how it came they had not suspected the truth. +Then as questions began to follow, he also told +who and what they were, even mentioning something +concerning their self-imposed mission into +the danger zone of the fighting.</p> + +<p>When the precious passport, written out by +the good burgomaster, was shown, it had an additional +soothing effect. The man in charge of +the squad of destruction smiled and nodded as +he perused the document, written in French.</p> + +<p>"He say burgomaster his uncle!" explained Antonio, +after the other had handed the paper back, +and made some remark.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, that's what I call fine. Tell him +we're glad we got out from under that bridge in +time," said Rob, "and also that we think he made +a clean sweep of the job."</p> + +<p>This seemed to please the Belgian officer, for +he insisted on shaking hands all around. Feeling +that they were now free to proceed, the scouts +resumed their journey along the road that led +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>to Brussels; probably, wholly in the hands of the +invaders further on toward the capital, since +rumor had it that immense numbers of German +troops were daily being moved toward Ghent.</p> + +<p>"All of which only goes to show how necessary +it is to be constantly on the watch while +you're in a country that's fighting for its life," +Merritt remarked to his companions as they lost +sight of the ruined bridge.</p> + +<p>"If only we had eyes in the back of our heads, +we might get along a heap better, I think," +grumbled Tubby, as his horse awkwardly stumbled +over some small object, and gave him a +shock.</p> + +<p>"It was a close call, all right," acknowledged +Merritt, "and has sobered our guide a whole lot, +I notice. He listens to every far-off boom now, +as though something might be drawing him. But +the morning is wearing away, so I suggest that +we stop at the very first village we come to, and +see if we can beg, buy, or steal something to eat. +I'm hungry as a bear."</p> + +<p>"Oh! bless you, Merritt, for those kind words!" +called out Tubby. "I've felt a vacuum down +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>around my belt line for two hours back. Whoa! +there!" he added, as his horse stumbled again. +"Want to break my neck, you animated skeleton? +He knocks his hoofs together every third step +he takes. No wonder they didn't grab him for +the cavalry; he'd have fallen all over himself in +the first charge."</p> + +<p>Coming to a little hamlet, the boys found a +house where they could secure something in the +way of a lunch. Even at this early stage in the +war, however, prudent hotel keepers realized that +times were going to be hard, and that it would +be the part of wisdom to conceal all the stores +possible against a rainy day, or the raids of +such invaders who might be billeted upon the villagers.</p> + +<p>Here the boys remained between one and two +hours, since the day was unusually hot, and their +mounts were not in the best of condition for +standing hard service.</p> + +<p>Some of the good people had left for safer +quarters, which would mean Antwerp, of course,—deemed +impossible of capture at that day on +account of its wonderful defenses. A group +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>gathered in front of the little hotel, and questioned +Anthony as to who the three boys in the +uniform of scouts might be, and of the nature of +their mission that tempted them to invade a region +being made desolate by war.</p> + +<p>Anthony himself knew very little on that score; +but since it would not look well for him to admit +this fact, it is possible he "drew the long +bow" to some extent. He may even have told +all sorts of fairy stories about the boys being +English agents sent over to learn facts in connection +with the movements of the German army, +so that a strong force of the allies from across +the Channel could be hastily dispatched to the +scene, and chase the haughty Germans back +across the Rhine.</p> + +<p>Some idea like this the boys found very prevalent +all through their journey. The Belgians +seemed to believe the English were getting a wonderful +surprise ready with which to stagger the +enemy. If they could have only known how an +army had to be built up step by step in the great +island country, they might have felt less confi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>dence, +and perhaps shown more discretion in attacking +the invaders.</p> + +<p>Rob suspected something of this sort when he +saw the way the villagers observed him and two +chums, staring at them as though they were curiosities.</p> + +<p>"Makes you feel like some punkins, to have +all these people watch every little thing you do, +and get out of your way so quick when you go +to make a move, don't it?" remarked Tubby, evidently +tickled over the attention shown them.</p> + +<p>"I don't just like it, to tell you the truth," admitted +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you're too modest by half, Merritt!" +jeered the fat scout.</p> + +<p>"It isn't that, Tubby," explained the other. +"Rob here says he believes our guide is spreading +the report that we're English messengers, sent +ahead to pick up news about the Germans, so they +can be smashed when the British army gets here."</p> + +<p>"Well, what of that?" demanded his friend. +"It isn't so <i>very</i> dreadful that I can see, to be +mistaken for a Johnny Bull."</p> + +<p>"You'll change your tune, my boy," Rob told +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>him, "if the Germans should come along and +nab us. We'll soon see how you begin to roar +out that you're a Yankee, as true-blue as they +make them."</p> + +<p>"Oh! but they wouldn't know anything about +that!" declared Tubby, though showing signs of +increasing dismay at the same time.</p> + +<p>"You never can tell," he was told by Rob. +"The ways of these smart Germans are past finding +out. They've got spies everywhere. Right +now there may be some secret sympathizer with +the Fatherland in that bunch close by, taking in +all that silly Anthony has been saying."</p> + +<p>"Gingersnaps and popguns!" gasped Tubby, +"if that's really so I guess we'd better muzzle +our guide in a hurry. Where's he gone to, do +you think, Rob? It was all of half an hour ago +that I saw him last, talking to the crowd."</p> + +<p>"I was wondering about that myself," said +Merritt. "If we expect to be getting along about +this time, we ought to look Anthony up."</p> + +<p>"You take a turn that way, and I'll step into +the taproom of the inn, to see if he is there," remarked +Rob, who had a slight frown on his face +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>as he spoke, as if he might not be wholly satisfied +with the way in which their guide was acting.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Rob and Merritt joined +Tubby at the same time.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing in my section," remarked Merritt, +"except that I'm afraid somebody has swiped +one of our nags, for I could only count three +horses hitched there."</p> + +<p>"Then, that settles it!" said Rob positively.</p> + +<p>"Settles what?" piped up Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Anthony has basely deserted us, and taken +to the back road!" Rob told them. "I feared as +much from what the little inn proprietor let +out; but what you say clinches the thing. Our +guide is a mile or more on the way back to Antwerp +by now!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE DESERTION OF ANTHONY.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"The miserable hound! Hanging would be too +good for him!" exclaimed Merritt, who it appeared +had not up to that instant suspected anything +like the truth, and was therefore taken completely +by surprise.</p> + +<p>"That all depends on what his motive may have +been," said Rob reflectively.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's plain he got cold feet after that little +experience at the bridge this morning!" Merritt +hastened to declare. "I thought he was a +man of more nerve than that. I hope all Belgians +are not made of the same kind of stuff."</p> + +<p>"Hold on a minute, Merritt," Rob cautioned +him, "you are jumping to conclusions now without +being sure of your ground. I've been watching +Anthony from time to time and I've noticed +that whenever he happened to speak of the gallant +doings of his people on the battlefields his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>face would beam with pride, and what I took +to be a touch of envy."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Tubby, grasping the idea, "then, +Rob, you think our guide shook us just because +he couldn't hold back any longer. He thought +he ought to be on the firing line along with the +rest, and get in a crack at the invaders of his +country. Is that the stuff, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking that way," Rob informed him +gravely, "but we've got no time to look Anthony +up. Whether he's gone to join the Belgian army +or turned back to the city of Antwerp isn't going +to cut any figure in our calculations."</p> + +<p>"That's about the size of it, Rob," agreed Merritt, +beginning to show signs of returning confidence, +when the patrol leader spoke with such +vim.</p> + +<p>"What we've got to do is to figure out whether +we want to call the whole thing off just because +we haven't a guide to do the talking business +for us and turn back to the city, or set our teeth +together and push on."</p> + +<p>Tubby and Merritt exchanged looks.</p> + +<p>The latter even half opened his mouth as if +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>to indignantly protest against giving up the most +cherished plan of his life for a little snag, such +as the desertion of Anthony proved. Then he +suddenly closed his lips firmly. He had remembered +an important fact, which was that after +all he should not be the one to make such a suggestion. +Let one of these good chums, who were +his side partners, express an opinion first of all. +That was why Merritt remained silent.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we just can't quit at the first puff!" remonstrated +Tubby. "Fellows who have been +through all we have shouldn't be built that way. +Think of the battles we've been up against on +the diamond and the gridiron; and did anybody +ever hear us complain, or show a yellow streak? +Well, I guess not! Tell him how you feel about +it, Rob!"</p> + +<p>"Just as you do, Tubby," responded the scout +leader heartily. "I wasn't counting any too much +on Anthony's services, come to speak of it. Nine-tenths +of what we expected to accomplish would +have to come from our own hard work. If you +put it up to me to decide, I say every time, go +ahead!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> +<p>Merritt looked almost joyous. Though he was +not a demonstrative fellow as a rule, he could not +help reaching out and squeezing a hand of each +of his faithful chums. Indeed, no one ever knew +more reliable allies than Merritt possessed in Rob +and Tubby, who were ready to go through fire +and water with him, if necessary.</p> + +<p>"It may all turn out for the best," Tubby continued, +with fine optimism, such as these chubby +fellows nearly always show since life looks rosy +to them. "And it's going to save you a little +money in the bargain, too, Merritt. I must brush +up my French and Flemish from now on. Already +I can say as many as six words of the +first, and I think I know how to almost pronounce +one in Flemish."</p> + +<p>"No trouble to tell what that one is," remarked +Rob, laughing.</p> + +<p>"It stands for grub!" added Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Now, I consider it strange how you should +guess so easily," Tubby shot back at them reproachfully. +"I suppose I'll have to acknowledge +the corn. We've got to eat to live, and so I +thought I ought to know the right word that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>would produce results quickest. Don't blame me, +boys; I was thinking of you as well as myself."</p> + +<p>"Well, shall we get out of here?" asked Rob. +"I don't altogether like the way we are being +stared at by some of the people of the village. +They say in Antwerp that there's a hidden sympathizer +of the Germans in every city, town and +hamlet through the whole of Belgium always +trying to send information of value to the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Huh! don't know just what to believe, and +what to brand as big yarns," protested Tubby. +"Since we've landed here I've heard stories that +would make poor old Baron Munchausen hide his +head in shame as a has-been. If one-tenth of +the same turned out to be true, these Germans +are the most remarkable people that ever lived +for getting ready for a war against the whole +world forty years ahead of the date. I'm beginning +to use my own horse-sense, and figure things +out."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later they turned their backs on +the little hamlet where a fair meal had been pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>cured, +and which had also witnessed their first +real misfortune in the base desertion of Anthony.</p> + +<p>In many cases they found the roads occupied +with throngs of fugitives. These poor peasants +were flocking, in a general way, toward Antwerp, +though possibly a few of them meant to +cross the line into the Netherlands, where they +hoped to be safe from the German armies of +invasion that were gradually progressing further +and further toward the coast.</p> + +<p>A thousand-and-one sights greeted the eyes of +the three scouts. More than a few times they +stopped for some purpose or other that did their +hearts credit. Once it was a limping boy whose +condition excited the pity of Rob. He did not +hesitate to put to some use the practical knowledge +of surgery that he had picked up in company +with all the other members of the Eagle +Patrol.</p> + +<p>Another time they saw a wretched woman trying +to mend the wheel of a miserable old handcart, +upon which she had some humble belongings, +and three small children. That was more +than the boys could stand. They stopped their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>horses, and giving the lines of their mounts into +the keeping of Tubby, Rob and Merritt busied +themselves with fixing up the disabled wheel.</p> + +<p>Although they had next to no tools with which +to work, their skill proved sufficient to surmount +the difficulty. Inside of twenty minutes the +woman was able to trudge along again. She +thanked them volubly in Flemish, which they +did not understand. Tubby listened eagerly, but +owned up that it was beyond the range of his +extremely limited vocabulary, consisting, as that +did, of but one word.</p> + +<p>"Well, that look on her face paid us for all +our trouble," Rob remarked contentedly, as he +once more remounted, and led the way along the +highway.</p> + +<p>"It's something fierce where all these forlorn +people come from," said Tubby.</p> + +<p>"To me the greatest puzzle is where they're all +going," Merritt added.</p> + +<p>"If you should ask them," Rob advanced as his +opinion, "nine out of ten couldn't begin to tell +you. Some have had their houses burned over +their heads; others I expect have seen their homes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>destroyed by bursting shells, where they happened +to lie near the place where an artillery +duel was going on. So they've just started on +the road, hoping to reach <i>somewhere</i> the fighting +won't follow."</p> + +<p>"It's a terrible sight," sighed Tubby. "I'll +never forget it as long as I live. Every minute +I'm telling myself we ought to be the happiest +people going over in America, to know that we +needn't get mixed up in all this butcher business."</p> + +<p>Slowly the afternoon wore away. The three +chums did not make very rapid progress, and +for many reasons. In the first place their horses +objected to putting forth any unusual exertion, +and seemed to consider that they were doing their +full duty by merely working their four weary +legs in a machine-like fashion.</p> + +<p>Then, again, the roads were cluttered in places +with squads of the peasant population fleeing +from the battle lines. Three times did the scouts +come upon detachments of Belgian soldiers stationed +behind temporary intrenchments, where +they expected to harass the advance forces of +the Germans whenever they appeared.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> +<p>From these men they received many curious +stares. Of course the soldiers could not understand +why three boys in khaki, who were undoubtedly +not Belgian scouts, should be heading +so boldly toward the scene of carnage, when +everybody else was fleeing madly the other way.</p> + +<p>They were halted and questioned. At first Rob +felt a qualm of anxiety, lest the fact that they +no longer had an interpreter in their company +to explain things might get them into trouble. +That fear soon vanished, however. In every instance +it was found that some man could either +talk fair English, or else what little French the +patrol leader was able to muster explained matters +in a satisfactory manner.</p> + +<p>The probability was that the message given +them by the burgomaster of Antwerp was much +more potent than anything else. The worthy official +was a well known and highly respected man; +and among these commands there were always +those who knew him personally, so that his "passport," +while hardly worth the paper upon which +it was written, officially, acted magically with the +Belgian officers.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> +<p>As the afternoon sun began to draw near the +western horizon they continued to be on the lookout +for some haven of refuge. Another night +was coming; they must not only have food but +lodging, if this latter could possibly be obtained.</p> + +<p>"Of course," explained Rob, as they walked +their sorry looking horses on, "while we'd like to +find some sort of respectable beds to-night, if +the worst comes, we can always make shift with +a haystack. It wouldn't be the first time we've +curled up in the hay and snatched a few winks +of sleep."</p> + +<p>"I should say not," Tubby assured him. "Only +I do hope we manage to strike a dinner-call somehow +or other. I can do without a bed, but I must +have eats or I'll collapse utterly, like a balloon +with the gas let out."</p> + +<p>"Please don't think of it, Tubby," Merritt implored +him. "We promise to do everything in +our power to find the grub. Brace up! We're +coming to a village; and I think I can see an +inn the first thing."</p> + +<p>It proved to be as Merritt had said, and better +still, the man who kept the modest little tavern +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>assured Rob in fair English that he would be +proud to serve the honored guests; also that he +had once spent a year in the Birmingham machine +shops himself.</p> + +<p>"Just like all the rest, he takes us for Johnny +Bulls," complained Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's partly your fault," Rob told him.</p> + +<p>"Just because I'm so well filled out, I suppose +you mean, Rob? Well, if they keep on thinking +that, I guess I'll have to get busy and cultivate +a real cockney accent. 'Beg pawdon; thank <i>you</i>; +my word!' You see I've got a few of their favorite +jabs spotted."</p> + +<p>As before, they found themselves the object +of more attention than any of them enjoyed. +People kept peeping in through the open door of +the room where the three strange young chaps +in khaki were enjoying their really excellent supper.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind them," advised Rob, when he saw +that Tubby was posing, as if conscious of being +in the lime-light. "Let's finish our supper, and +then we can sit outside on the porch as the sun +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>goes down, and talk over our plans for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Merritt quickly, "because to-morrow +may take us so far on our journey that +we'll either find our man, or meet with some bitter +disappointment, something I hate to think +about."</p> + +<p>"Don't do it, then," advised Rob. "We must +believe everything is bound to come out right, +and that you'll not only run across Steven Meredith, +but that the paper will be found under the +lining of the cover to his field-glass case, where +he's been carrying it all this while, without knowing +it."</p> + +<p>"One thing sure," said Merritt grimly, "if he's +left that post and gone anywhere else, I'll follow +him, hit or miss, if it takes me to the battle +front."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Tubby. "What's that man +shouting, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"As near as I can make out," replied Rob quickly, +"he says the Uhlans are entering at one end +of the town."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>WHEN THE UHLANS CAME.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>When Rob Blake made this startling explanation +of the loud cries from without, his two companions +started up from the table in dismay. +They could easily understand that the coming +of the German cavalrymen just then threatened +them with unpleasant consequences.</p> + +<p>If they were mistaken for English boys they +might expect not only rough treatment, but possibly +find themselves railroaded into Germany, +with one of those terrible dungeons in a Rhine +fortress as their destination.</p> + +<p>Perhaps even Tubby began to deplore the fact +that he chanced to be wearing a Boy Scout khaki +suit, and a campaign hat besides; with the leggings +that scouts in the States have adopted instead +of the woolen stockings used by other +branches of the organization abroad.</p> + +<p>If pride must have a fall, Tubby began to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>experience the first twinges of regret at that moment +as he scrambled to his feet, and waited to +hear what Rob or Merritt would say.</p> + +<p>"It may be only a false alarm," Merritt suggested. +"These poor people have been seeing +imaginary regiments of Uhlans ever since war +was declared."</p> + +<p>"But they're making oodles of noise, anyhow!" +Tubby protested.</p> + +<p>"We can soon find out if it's so," said Rob, +hurrying over to one of the windows, which were +partly screened with flimsy curtains, through +which any person from the inside could look out, +but which would prevent scrutiny from the village +street, except when the lamps were lighted +later.</p> + +<p>They quickly saw that their worst fears were +realized. Down the street at least fifty horsemen +were riding. The fact that they carried +lances and wore the customary spiked helmets of +the German troopers told Rob as well as words +could have done that at last they were gazing on +the far-famed Uhlans.</p> + +<p>They were not at all the fierce-appearing war<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>riors +the boys may have pictured them, having +the Russian Cossacks in mind at the time. Indeed, +a number seemed to be laughing heartily, +doubtless on account of the evident terror their +presence had apparently inspired in the breasts +of the villagers. And some of them were rosy-cheeked +young fellows, who, shorn of their military +accouterments, would have struck the scouts +as good-natured German youths.</p> + +<p>Others, however, were more grim and haughty, +as though they thought it their duty to impress +these stubborn Belgians with a due sense of their +importance as factors to be dealt with.</p> + +<p>It was a thrilling sight to see those hard-riding +soldiers of the Kaiser coming along the village +street, with people staring at them from open +doors and windows, yet none daring to utter a +word of protest. Fear was written largely on +nearly every face, though doubtless there were +also those who viewed the coming of the hated +Uhlans with illy suppressed rage. Perhaps they +had lost some dear one during the battles that +had already been fought around Ličge and other +places; or in the destruction of Louvain.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> +<p>"Rob, don't you see they're heading right this +way?" whispered Tubby suddenly, after they had +watched the stirring picture for a minute or so.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's a fact," replied Rob. "Let's hope +they mean to only ride through the village, and +leave by the other side."</p> + +<p>"Gee! I hope now they won't fall in love with +our horses, and run them off!" ventured Tubby, +excited by his fears in that respect; for Tubby +did not like to walk any more than he could possibly +help.</p> + +<p>"Not much danger in that line," scoffed Merritt. +"But look at that officer in front of the +column—he's pointing right this way, you notice, +Rob, and is saying something to another +rider close behind him."</p> + +<p>"Oh! can he have seen us?" wailed Tubby, no +doubt having very positive visions of prison life +before him just then, with solitary confinement +on a diet of bread and water, which was the +worst punishment he could imagine.</p> + +<p>"That's impossible," Rob instantly assured +him. "The chances are he's discovered this inn, +and is telling the other officer they may be able +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>to secure something to eat, and a bottle of wine +here. Their men can pick up supper through the +place, making the poor people furnish the meal, +or have their houses knocked about their ears."</p> + +<p>"But if they come in here do we want to stay +and be arrested for English spies?" asked Merritt; +whereat Tubby's lips could be seen to move, +although no words came forth, while he anxiously +waited for Rob to decide.</p> + +<p>The other had already made up his mind.</p> + +<p>"That would be foolish on our part," he told +Merritt, "and unnecessary in the bargain. They +may only stop for five minutes to drink wine, +and then go on again, because they know they're +in the enemy's country here. We must find a +place to hide till they leave. Come along with +me, fellows."</p> + +<p>Now it happened that Rob had never forgotten +one of the things all scouts are enjoined to impress +upon their minds; which is to observe the +most minute detail wherever they happen to be. +In the woods this faculty for observation had +often served the patrol leader a good turn, and +the same thing happened now.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> +<p>While sitting there and enjoying the warm supper +which the keeper of the village inn had spread +before them, Rob had taken note of his surroundings. +Thus he knew just where the stairs leading +to the upper <i>etage</i> or floor of the inn was located; +and also that it could not be easily seen +from the door leading to the street.</p> + +<p>He led Tubby and Merritt over to the stairs.</p> + +<p>"We'll slip up here," he told them, for a quick +glance around had assured Rob that no one was +watching them.</p> + +<p>Most of those who had been around the tavern +hurried outside at the first sign of alarm, and +were now gaping at the coming troop. The proprietor, +guessing that his establishment would +be the first object of attention on the part of +the invading enemy, was wildly striving to conceal +certain valuables he possessed under a board in +the floor, where, perhaps, he also kept his choicest +wines.</p> + +<p>Once the scouts had climbed aloft they managed +to gain a sort of garret where broken furniture +and hair-covered trunks seemed to be +stored.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> +<p>"This will answer us as well as any other +place," Rob told them, as he closed the door, and +managed to push a heavy trunk against it.</p> + +<p>"And there are two little peephole windows, +too, for all the world like eye-glasses, but big +enough for us to see through," Tubby remarked, +groping his way among the collection of riffraff +with which the garret was encumbered, until he +found himself able to kneel and look through the +dusty glass of a window.</p> + +<p>"They're spreading all over the place," he immediately +announced, "and making the village +people get supper ready for them. Chances are, +too, they won't whack up a red cent for all they +eat and drink. Whee! so this is war, is it? Well, +all I can say is it's a mighty mean game."</p> + +<p>"Some of them have come into the inn," ventured +Merritt. "I can hear heavy voices below +us, German voices, too. You know sound travels +up walls like everything. And there's a heap of +bustle going on below, as if the landlord, his wife +and everybody else might be on the jump to wait +on the Uhlan guests."</p> + +<p>"Can you blame them?" said Tubby, "when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>like as not if they said no they'd find a torch +put to their house? Rob, you don't think they'll +come up here, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! hardly, unless they take to ransacking +the house for valuables, or more wine. They +must know time is too valuable for that, because +there are Belgian forces all around this place +who might drop in on them. No, they'll get a +hurried bite and then be off again."</p> + +<p>For some little time they continued to listen +to the confused sounds that came to their ears. +Considerable shouting from the street testified +to the fact that some of the soldiers might be acting, +as Tubby expressed it, "rough-house"; and +although the light outside was commencing to +grow rather dim, looking through the window +they saw several instances where a soldier struck +some half grown boy who may have acted in a +sullen fashion, or declined to do what he was +told.</p> + +<p>All at once there was a shot!</p> + +<p>This was followed by a great outcry, in which +loud German voices could be heard giving orders. +A scrambling downstairs announced that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>the officers who had been eating at the inn were +hurriedly rejoining their command.</p> + +<p>"Are the Belgian troops coming, Rob?" asked +Tubby, finding it impossible to see what was going +on, because he had been unable to open his +window, as the others had done.</p> + +<p>"No, it must have been some desperate villager +sniping from a house," replied Rob; and +a minute later he continued hastily: "Yes, they're +carrying a Uhlan to his horse, and threatening +the people with guns and lances."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope now they don't start in to shooting +the poor things down!" cried the sympathetic +Tubby, wringing his hands, though hardly conscious +of what he was doing.</p> + +<p>"They've rushed into the house next to this," +Merritt now exclaimed, "and seem to be searching +it, which tells me the party who fired, man +or boy, must have been concealed there!"</p> + +<p>"Gee! that's getting pretty near home!" muttered +Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Rob, did you see that puff of smoke coming +out of the house then?" Merritt presently demanded, +almost bursting with the excitement.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes, I'm sorry to say I do see it," replied +the leader of the Eagle Patrol, as he continued +to look downward. "They've set fire to +the building; and what bothers me most of all is +the wind coming straight this way. I'm afraid +it means the inn will take fire too, and like as not +be burned to the ground!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>WITH FIRE AND SMOKE.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Gingersnaps and popguns! then we're in for +a warm time of it!" Tubby burst out.</p> + +<p>"Let's hope they manage to get the fire out; +or that it doesn't spread to the inn," Merritt +soothed him, after the manner of one who wished +to throw oil on troubled waters.</p> + +<p>"If only the Germans would pull out right +away we could get down from here in good time," +continued Tubby hopefully. "Look again, fellows, +and see if they show any signs of skipping."</p> + +<p>"They seem to be galloping all over the village, +as far as I can see, and threatening to shoot +if anybody dares take a crack at them," Rob announced, +after making a hurried survey.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my stars!" groaned Tubby, "little did I +ever dream that I'd stand a chance of being +cooked before I'd been in Belgium two days. I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>always said I liked cold weather best, and now +I know it. Baked or stewed or even broiled +doesn't suit my taste."</p> + +<p>"The fire next door is beginning to rage fiercely," +remarked Rob. "The people are just standing +on, and sullenly watching it burn. They +don't seem to dare to offer to help save a single +thing, because they might be shot down."</p> + +<p>"That house is doomed!" asserted Merritt, +gloomily.</p> + +<p>"Better keep back more," cautioned Rob. "The +light grows stronger all the while, you notice, +and we might be seen up here by some Uhlan, +who'd think it fine sport to send a shot if only to +frighten us. I thought I saw one man glance +up. If he happened to see that we wore khaki +and had on these military looking hats he'd pass +the word along that there were Belgian soldiers +hiding in the inn."</p> + +<p>"Please don't start a riot," begged Tubby. "It's +sure bad enough as it stands without that happening. +If we had wings now we might sail +away. What wouldn't I give for an aėroplane +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>to come along at this minute, and pick me up? +Rob, has our house taken fire yet?"</p> + +<p>At first Rob did not see fit to answer, upon +which the suspicious Tubby pressed him to declare +the truth.</p> + +<p>"No matter how bad it is," he said soberly, +"we should know the worst, instead of pulling +the wool over our own eyes, and believing everything's +lovely. How about it, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's a bad job, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"You mean we're on fire, do you?" questioned +the other, with a hurried intake of his breath, as +his heart possibly beat tumultuously with new +apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's caught the end of the inn, and with +that breeze blowing there isn't a chance for this +house to be saved," Rob continued. "I'm sorry +for the poor man who owns it; but then he'll be +no worse off than tens of thousands of other +Belgian sufferers."</p> + +<p>"But think of us, will you?" the fat scout +urged. "We're neutrals only, and it's a shame +to make us stand for that foolish shot some sniping +boy may have fired. Hadn't we better make +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>our way downstairs, Rob, and throw ourselves +on the mercy of the Uhlans?"</p> + +<p>"I'm in favor of sticking it out just as long +as we can," said Merritt desperately; for only too +well did he know that once they fell into the hands +of the Germans, all chances of carrying out his +well laid plans would be lost.</p> + +<p>"Oh! so am I, when it comes to that," affirmed +Tubby; "and I hope that neither of you think +I'd be the one to scream before I'm hurt. But +I do smell smoke, and that looks bad, as the +plight of Bluebeard's wife."</p> + +<p>There could be no questioning that what Tubby +said was so, for little spirals of penetrating smoke +had commenced to come under the door, so that +they could already feel their eyes begin to smart.</p> + +<p>Rob went back to the open window to watch. +He knew that the thing calculated to help them +most of all would be the flitting of the Uhlan +troop. If the raiders would only gallop away +from town there would be an opportunity for +the three Boy Scouts to make their way from +the garret of the doomed inn.</p> + +<p>"Are they showing any signs of going yet?" +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>asked Tubby, rubbing one hand continually over +the other; and then he burst out into a half hysterical +fit of laughter as he went on to add: "D'ye +know, when I said that it made me think of Bluebeard, +don't you remember where the wife was +waiting to be called down to lose her head, and +expected her brothers to come to the rescue, she +had her sister watching out of the window for +a cloud of dust on the road? And all the while +she keeps on asking: 'Sister Ann, Sister Ann, +do you see anyone coming?'"</p> + +<p>"I guess you're not as badly rattled as you +make out, Tubby," suggested Merritt, "when you +can joke like that with the house on fire. In this +case you're wanting to know whether there's +anybody going. Well, they're here yet, I'm sorry +to tell you."</p> + +<p>"But I think they are getting together to ride +away," Rob added.</p> + +<p>"Did they shoot down many of the poor villagers +on account of that sniper?" asked the fat +scout anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, I couldn't see anything like that," Rob +hastened to assure him. "There was some firing, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>but it looked to me as if it might be done for effect, +just like cowpunchers ride into town, yelling, +and shooting their guns in the air. But at the +same time I think they must have got the person +who did the sniping."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard several shots that seemed to +come from inside that next house," Merritt admitted. +"It'll certainly be his funeral pyre. The +house is all aflame, and burning fiercely."</p> + +<p>"Poor chap! he must have been crazy to fire +on Uhlans when they were in such force," Tubby +declared. "They never refuse a dare, I've heard +said. And believe me, I don't ever want to test +them. I hope they hear the call soon now. That +fire must be getting pretty close to us by this +time, boys!"</p> + +<p>Rob opened the door of the garret a trifle, +after having pushed back the heavy trunk. Immediately +a cloud of smoke entered, at which +poor Tubby fell back in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we're goners, I'm afraid!" he moaned, +making his way through the pall in the direction +of the one small window that was open, so that +he might secure a breath of fresh air.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> +<p>"If we can keep the smoke out a little while +longer it's going to be all right," Rob informed +them. "The Uhlans are all in the saddle, and +seem to be only waiting for the order to leave. +I can hear the captain in charge of the troop +telling the villagers something or other, and he is +speaking in French, too; so I reckon it must be +a warning that if a single shot is fired as they +ride away, they will turn back and not leave one +stone unturned in the place."</p> + +<p>"That seems to be the usual Uhlan way, I've +heard," muttered Tubby, glad he could say anything; +for at the time he was desperately clutching +his nose with thumb and fingers, as though +in hopes of keeping the pungent smoke from entering +his lungs.</p> + +<p>He had apparently gotten beyond the seeing +stage, for both his eyes were kept tightly closed. +At the same time Tubby was listening eagerly +for good tidings. He knew that his chums were +constantly on the lookout.</p> + +<p>"There they go off!" he heard Rob say presently, +when the situation had almost become unbearable.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> +<p>The sound of many hoofs coming to their ears, +even above the roaring of the fire, affirmed this +statement. Tubby acted as though he wanted to +cheer, and then reconsidered his intention, +through fear that the sound might be heard by +the Uhlans, and work them harm.</p> + +<p>"Now, let's get out of here," said Rob briskly. +"Take hold of my coat, Tubby. Merritt, bring +up the rear. We'll find a room just below this +where we can drop out of a window easily, if +the stairs are ablaze, as I'm afraid may be the +case."</p> + +<p>Passing down from the garret in this fashion, +through dense billows of smoke that struck terror +to the soul of Tubby, they presently found themselves +in one of the ordinary rooms, used perhaps +for stray guests.</p> + +<p>Looking from the window Rob saw that it +would be easy for him and Merritt to drop down +on the turf below. Tubby must be taken care of +first, and so Rob snatched a sheet off a bed, and +twisted it into the shape of a rope.</p> + +<p>This he forced Tubby to take hold of, and then +climb over the window sill.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> +<p>"Keep a fast grip, and we'll lower you!" Rob +told the fat scout, who had full confidence in his +comrades since they had never failed him.</p> + +<p>After all, it was an easy thing to let him down, +because the distance was short. As for themselves, +the other two boys scorned to make use +of such means. Clambering out of the window, +when Tubby reported himself safe below, they +hung down as far as they were able, and then +just let go. There was a little jar as they struck +solid ground, and it was all over.</p> + +<p>"Beautifully done, fellows," Tubby was saying, +as he dug his fat knuckles into his still smarting +eyes. "We'd pass muster for fire laddies, I +tell you. After all, it takes scouts to know what +ought to be done. But I think some of these people +must have gone out of their minds to whoop +it up so. What's that poor woman shouting now, +Rob? Can you make it out? And look how +they're holding her back, would you? It must +be the wife of the inn keeper; the loss of her +home has unsettled her reason, I'm afraid, poor +thing!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> +<p>But Rob, who had been listening, knew better, +as he immediately proved.</p> + +<p>"It's a whole lot worse than that, I'm afraid," +he told the others. "She keeps calling out for +her baby; and I think the child's been left in the +burning building!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE DUTY OF A SCOUT.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>Tubby was dreadfully shocked when he heard +the news.</p> + +<p>"The poor thing!" he cried, "to be forgotten in +all the row, and left to be smothered by the smoke, +perhaps burned up in the bargain. Oh! Rob, I +hope you're mistaken!"</p> + +<p>"I wish I could believe so myself, Tubby, but +if you look you can see them all staring up there +at that window next to the one we jumped from. +Some even point at it, and you notice more than +a few of the women are crying like everything."</p> + +<p>"But my stars! why doesn't somebody run up +and get the child out, if that's so?" Tubby demanded,—forgetting +that his eyes still smarted,—because +this discovery, and the distress of the +parents overwhelmed him.</p> + +<p>"Because the lower floor is all afire, and the +stairs can't be used," Merritt told him.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> +<p>"If only we'd known about the child before +we came out, we might have saved it," Tubby +wailed. "If I could climb like some fellows I +know, who can even go up a greased pole in +the contests, I'd be for making my way up there +right now. Hey! what are you going to do, Rob, +Merritt? Let me help any way I can. Stand +on my back if you want to; it's broad enough to +do for a foundation! The poor little thing! We +mustn't let it be burned if we can help it!"</p> + +<p>Neither Rob nor Merritt had waited to give +Tubby any answer when he made that really generous +offer. They knew there would be no need +of his back as a means for elevating one of them +to the sill of the upper window. In fact, Rob +had made a sudden discovery that must have been +the main reason for his speedy actions.</p> + +<p>"The tree is close to the house, Merritt!" he +was saying as he sprang forward.</p> + +<p>"Better still, Rob, one limb grows right alongside +the window!" the other scout added, keeping +in touch with the patrol leader.</p> + +<p>They were quickly on the spot, Rob starting up +the trunk of the tree at once.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> +<p>"Don't follow me," he told his chum, as he +climbed upward. "If I find the child I may want +to drop it down to you. Get busy underneath, +Merritt!"</p> + +<p>"All right, Rob; I understand!" came the answer.</p> + +<p>Tubby had also heard what was said. He came +puffing forward, as though he did not mean to be +left out entirely of the rescue.</p> + +<p>"Let me help you, Merritt," he was saying, +between his pants from his recent exertions.</p> + +<p>"Sure I will, if there's any chance, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"Can Rob reach that window from the limb?" +the fat scout asked anxiously, as he tried to look +straight upward, a task that was always a trying +one with Tubby because of the odd shape of +his chubby neck.</p> + +<p>"He's about there now, you notice. There's +something of a little ledge underneath and he's +going to make it all right."</p> + +<p>"There! He's clinging outside and starting +to throw a leg over," Tubby exclaimed in evident +rapture. "And if there is a child inside that +room, our chum will find it. If it was me now, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>I'd be so blind with the smoke I'd have to just +grope my way around, and p'raps get lost in the +shuffle."</p> + +<p>"But what's that you've got in your hand, +Tubby?" pursued Merritt, becoming aware for +the first time that the other was holding on to +some white object.</p> + +<p>"This? Why, what but that fine sheet you +used to lower me with," he was told.</p> + +<p>"I remember that Rob dropped it down after +you landed," said Merritt, "but I never thought +you'd want to take it along with you, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"Oh! shucks! don't you see, I picked it up when +I started over after you," the stout boy tried to +explain.</p> + +<p>"But why should you do that?" persisted Merritt, +who was looking eagerly aloft just then, +and possibly not fully paying heed to what he +was saying.</p> + +<p>"Why, you know how firemen stand and hold +a blanket for people to jump into?" explained +Tubby; "I thought that if it came to the worst, +Rob might drop the baby into this sheet, which +both of us could hold stretched out!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> +<p>"Well, you <i>are</i> a daisy, after all, Tubby!" cried +Merritt, in sincere admiration. "That's as clever +a scheme as anyone could think up. Here, give +us a grip of an end, and we'll get ready for business!"</p> + +<p>Quickly they clutched the four corners of the +sheet. Fortunately, it appeared to be a fairly new +bed-covering, and might be trusted to bear a certain +weight without tearing.</p> + +<p>Having reached the point where nothing more +could be done in order to assist Rob, the other two +scouts had to stand there and wait, as the precious +seconds crept by, each seeming like an age to their +anxious hearts.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, what of Rob, who had, without the +least hesitation, risked his life in order to save the +child forgotten in the excitement of the Uhlans' +coming, and the strange events that had so soon +followed?</p> + +<p>When he reached that window, he found it +closed, but, on his pressing against the sash, it +had swung inward, allowing him free access to +the room.</p> + +<p>It was rather an appalling prospect that con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>fronted +Rob. The smoke seemed to be thick, and +he could not see three feet away. For all he knew +the fire that was raging in the lower part of the +inn might by this time have eaten partly through +the floor boards, so that, if he put his weight on +them, he stood a chance of being precipitated into +the midst of the flames.</p> + +<p>Rob never hesitated a second. He had taken +all these matters into consideration when making +up his mind as to what he meant to attempt. +More than this, he did not believe anything partaking +of such a disaster threatened him in case +he entered that apartment.</p> + +<p>The most he feared was that he might be unable +to discover where the child lay, for it was +manifestly impossible to use one's eyes to any advantage, +with all that veil of smoke interfering.</p> + +<p>Over the window-sill he climbed, just as the +two boys below witnessed. And, no sooner did +Rob find himself in the room, than he started to +cross it. He expected to find a bed somewhere, +and toward this purpose he at once set himself.</p> + +<p>He could hear the crackling of the flames below. +Besides this, there came to him with pain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>ful +distinctness the wails of the poor woman who +was being restrained from trying to rush into the +burning inn.</p> + +<p>Rob was listening for something more. He +had strong hopes that he might catch another +sound, perhaps feeble, but enough to guide him +to where the imperiled one lay in the bed or on +the floor.</p> + +<p>Groping as he advanced, and at the same time +feeling with his feet, in case the object he sought +should prove to be on the floor, Rob passed away +from the vicinity of the open window. The smoke +was pouring from the aperture now, as though it +were in the nature of a funnel. This turned out +to be of considerable help to the boy, for the +draught served to thin the smoke that had filled +the room to suffocation.</p> + +<p>Now he had reached the farther wall, and, +turning sharply to one side, started to comb this, +every second expecting to come upon a bed of +some sort.</p> + +<p>It was about this time that Rob thought he +heard a low, gasping cry just ahead of him. +Though unable to use his eyes with any measure +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>of success in locating the source of the sound, he +was encouraged, and persisted in pushing forward. +In this way he found himself bending over +a cot.</p> + +<p>His groping hand came in contact with something +warm—something that moved ever so +slightly at his touch. It was the forgotten child. +Rob found that it was a mere baby, possibly not +much more than a year old.</p> + +<p>The smoke had not yet choked the little thing, +though a short time longer would have certainly +finished it.</p> + +<p>Rob had no sooner clutched it in his arms than +he tried to set himself right for the window by +means of which he had reached the room. In +this he was assisted by the light that came +through the opening, and which served as his +guide. By the time he reached it, he could no +longer see a single thing, and, when he leaned out +of the window, his first thought was to shout:</p> + +<p>"Merritt, are you down below? I can't see a +thing! The smoke has blinded me!"</p> + +<p>To his great satisfaction there came an immediate +response, and never had words from the lips +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>of his chum sounded sweeter than they did then.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're both here, Rob. Let the child drop +straight down! We'll take good care of it!"</p> + +<p>"But you might miss it," objected Rob, still +unable to see a thing.</p> + +<p>"We can't! We've got a sheet spread out to +catch it in!" Merritt sent back. "You're all right +just there! Let go! Leave the rest to us!"</p> + +<p>So Rob did as he was told. Accustomed to giving +orders himself, he at the same time could obey +when the necessity arose. Perhaps it was with +considerable fear that he allowed the child to +leave his grip; but the joyful shout arising from +his chums below assured him that all was well.</p> + +<p>Then he heard a feminine shriek, and judged +that the frantic mother had darted to where the +boys were standing, to clasp her rescued offspring +to her breast.</p> + +<p>Rob crawled over the ledge. He could not see +how to make that friendly limb again, but then +there was no need of going to all that trouble. +He had dropped in safety before, and felt able to +do the same again; so down he came like a plummet.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS IN THE NIGHT.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>Of course once Rob found himself away from +that pungent smoke his sight was gradually restored +to him, though for quite a while his eyeballs +smarted more or less from the experience.</p> + +<p>"What will we do now?" asked Tubby, who +was very happy in the knowledge that he had +been allowed to have at least a hand, two of them, +he affirmed, in the saving of the little one.</p> + +<p>"I did have an idea of staying here all night," +returned Rob. "But, since the inn has been destroyed, +or will be utterly before the fire dies +down, of course that's out of the question."</p> + +<p>"You remember we asked questions of the tavern-keeper," +Merritt remarked. "He told us +there was another village about three miles farther +on along the road. We might make out to +go there, and see if they will put us up. If not, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>it's a haystack for ours, provided there are any +haystacks around."</p> + +<p>"H'm! three miles or more, on that animated +saw-buck, eh? I like that. It just invigorates +me, of course," they heard Tubby telling himself, +but his voice was anything but cheerful.</p> + +<p>"Here comes the mother and the baby; she +wants to thank you, Rob," Merritt told the patrol +leader.</p> + +<p>"Let's hurry and get out of this, then!" urged +Rob, who, above all things, seemed to dislike being +made a hero of when he felt that he had not +done anything worth mentioning after all.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" exclaimed Tubby, laying violent +hands on his chum. "It's only fair that you +give the poor woman a chance to tell you how +grateful she is. As it stands to reason she speaks +only Flemish, none of us can make head or tail +out of what she says, unless she mentions that +one word I know, which isn't likely."</p> + +<p>But the woman could talk French, and she +made it very evident to Rob that her mother heart +was full of gratitude to him for what he had done. +To the intense amusement of Tubby, she even +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>kissed Rob again and again, on either cheek, +after the manner of the Belgians.</p> + +<p>"Bully! That's the ticket! Give him another +for his mother! I like to see anyone appreciate a +<i>real</i> hero. And here's the innkeeper; mebbe he'll +want to add a few little caresses, too, Rob. Now, +don't grieve his heart by refusing. They all do +it over here, I reckon."</p> + +<p>The man who had owned the inn contented +himself, however, by telling Rob just how much +he appreciated the gallant work of the American +Boy Scout. Rob would not soon forget that experience; +and it must always bring a warm feeling +to his heart when thinking of how, with such +a little effort, he had made these two humble people +supremely happy.</p> + +<p>When he tried to make the man accept pay for +their food, the other utterly refused to listen to +such a thing.</p> + +<p>"It is the good wife and myself, young m'sieu, +who are heavily in your debt," he told Rob, with +the simplicity of sincerity. "How, then, could +we ever forgive ourselves for taking money from +one who has saved our baby's life? It would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>cause the blush of shame to dye our cheeks. We +could never look our neighbors again in the face. +It would not be right."</p> + +<p>Of course that ended it, although Rob would +rather have settled for that supper. Merritt +tugged at his coat, understanding what it was all +about.</p> + +<p>"Don't insist, Rob," he told the other. "You +mustn't try to take away the satisfaction he feels +in having done one little thing for you. Let it +go at that. He is not a poor man, I imagine, and +has something laid by. Now, hadn't we better +be getting out of here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! by the way, where are our horses?" asked +Tubby, suddenly.</p> + +<p>That reminded them they had forgotten all +about the animals. The horses had been left tied +to a rail at some little distance alongside the inn +when they went in to get supper. Rob had intended, +in case they meant to spend the night +there, to have the three animals taken care of, and +fed.</p> + +<p>The hitching bar was entirely destitute of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>horses of any type when they turned their eyes in +that quarter.</p> + +<p>"What if those awful Uhlans took our steeds +away with them?" Tubby suggested, with his +usual blank look, and that woebegone shake of +his head.</p> + +<p>"It seems unbelievable to me," Rob replied; +"but I'll make some inquiries. The inn-keeper +may have had them taken to the stables back +yonder, though I remember noticing the animals +at the time we were peeping out of the window +when the troopers were coming down the village +street. Wait for me, and I'll ask him."</p> + +<p>"I surely hope you learn good news, Rob!" +Tubby sighed, as he thought of three long Belgian +miles separating him from some sort of bed, +where he could secure the rest he needed so +badly.</p> + +<p>Presently Rob came back, and, when Tubby +saw him shake his head in the negative, he gave +a dull sort of a groan.</p> + +<p>"Bottom knocked out of everything, is it, +Rob?" he asked, in a dazed sort of way.</p> + +<p>"Well, nobody could give me any hope," was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>the reply. "Of course, the landlord was too excited +over the burning of his house to notice just +what the Uhlans did as they rode away, but one +man told us he saw the troopers take our horses +trailing behind them."</p> + +<p>"Then that settles it," said Merritt; "though +I'll never understand what they could want with +those bony and tired nags, unless it was to make +bologna sausages out of. We're in for a little +hike that will stretch our legs."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess it will," echoed Tubby, in a way +that was hardly cheerful.</p> + +<p>"And yours can stand a good deal of stretching, +Tubby, you know," added Merritt.</p> + +<p>"There's no use crying over spilt milk," said +Rob, in his usual cheery fashion. "I more than +half expected that we'd lose our mounts, sooner +or later."</p> + +<p>"So did I," agreed Merritt. "Only I thought +perhaps they'd die on our hands from over-exertion. +I never dreamed that rough riders like the +German cavalrymen would want to be caught +leading such ragtag animals along."</p> + +<p>"Well, shall we make a move?" asked Rob.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> +<p>There being no word against it, even from +Tubby, who knew when duty called, the three +scouts took their last look at the still burning +houses, and then strode forth on the road leading +toward the east.</p> + +<p>The night promised to be unusually clear, for +one thing. This pleased Rob, for, as they would +have no moon to light them on their way, even +the stars were welcome.</p> + +<p>Three miles, under ordinary conditions, would +have been reckoned almost nothing to scouts accustomed +to taking lengthy hikes over hills and +along valleys. It was a different matter, however, +when passing through a war-distracted +country, where hostile armies were encamped, so +that at any minute they were apt to be greeted +with a stern command, either in German or in +French or Flemish, to stand and give the countersign, +with the warning that to attempt flight +would be at the peril of their lives.</p> + +<p>Naturally the nerves of the boys were continually +on edge. Tubby, in particular, kept his +eyes roving from side to side, then into the uncertain +distance ahead; and even at times turning +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>to ascertain whether they were being pursued by +some soft-footed enemies who thought to take +them by surprise.</p> + +<p>In this way more than a mile was passed over. +When Rob announced that he believed they must +be all of halfway to the other village, Tubby expressed +fervent thanks.</p> + +<p>"I'm still able to put one foot in front of the +other," he remarked in a hushed voice, for Rob +had cautioned them against speaking aloud, as +it might draw unwelcome attention to the little +party.</p> + +<p>"Wait up a minute, please," whispered Merritt, +and there was that about his mysterious manner +that gave Tubby another bad shock.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, now, Merritt?" he asked +softly but solicitously. "Hope you haven't got a +stone bruise on your heel. Did you hear anything +suspicious? Are we going to be held up +by a patrol? Oh! dear, why don't you hurry and +tell us the worst?"</p> + +<p>"What do you make of that flickering light +over there, Rob?" asked Merritt. "It seems to +be in an open field, as near as I can understand. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>Just watch how it keeps on jumping up and down, +then sideways."</p> + +<p>"Why, it caught my eye just about the time +you spoke, Merritt," came the reply from the +patrol leader. "It must either be the work of +some crazy person, or else a way of signaling +by lantern."</p> + +<p>"Say, I honestly believe you've struck the truth +that shot, Rob," broke in Tubby, who had, of +course, immediately turned toward the spot indicated. +"See the way he swings the light around +and makes all manner of figures in the air with +the same. Why, that was the letter N, as sure +as you live. And there goes E, followed by W +and S. What does that spell but NEWS? Hey! +we're on the track of a discovery!"</p> + +<p>"Will you keep still, Tubby, and let's see if he +begins again?" said Merritt eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That must have been the last word of his +message," remarked Rob quickly, "but chances +are he'll repeat it. Stand ready to spell it out as +well as we can. Three scouts accustomed to +reading the Myers code of fire signaling ought +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>to—— There, that was C; and after that O, A, +S, T—which means COAST."</p> + +<p>Slowly, and somewhat laboriously, the boys +spelled the message, letter for letter, their previous +training proving of the greatest help; and +this was the result:</p> + +<p>"<i>Coast clear—safe landing here—important +news!</i>"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MEETING BETWEEN THE LINES.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Good for us! We're the ones to read a message! +But say, was that in German, or French, +or English, I want to know?" and Tubby seized +his chums each by an arm, as he asked this question +in a husky whisper.</p> + +<p>"When you come to making dots and dashes +in the Morse code, or what answers for the same +with the heliograph, or a torch, or signal flags, +I guess all languages are the same!" Merritt told +him, more to keep Tubby quiet than for any other +reason.</p> + +<p>"The question is, who could that message +have been for?" Rob was muttering.</p> + +<p>"There, he starts in again," said Tubby. "He's +a most persistent sort of chap, I take it, and +means that the other fellow will get that message, +sooner or later. What 'coast is clear'? Why, +we're miles and miles away from the sea-shore +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>now, ain't we? And what under the sun does +he mean by 'safe landing'? Where's the boat +going to come from, somebody tell me quick?"</p> + +<p>"I think I know," Rob had just managed to say +in reply, when all of them were suddenly startled +to hear a queer, rattling sound from behind that +kept swiftly drawing nearer and nearer, until +presently Tubby, in sheer alarm, dropped flat to +the ground.</p> + +<p>As he lay sprawled out on his back, judge of +his astonishment when he saw some object, that +was like an immense bird, pass over not fifty +feet above him. It was heading directly for the +spot where the light of the lantern glowed in that +open field.</p> + +<p>The shuttle sound abruptly ceased.</p> + +<p>"He's shut off his engine," remarked Rob, apparently +intensely interested.</p> + +<p>"Yes, because he means to alight in the field," +added Merritt.</p> + +<p>Tubby suddenly comprehended what it must +apparently mean. He hastened to scramble to +his feet again, and no sooner had he accom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>plished +this than he was, of course, busily engaged +with his questions.</p> + +<p>"Was that an aėroplane, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly was," he was informed.</p> + +<p>"Then that signal was for the pilot; that was +what it meant by 'safe landing here' and 'coast +clear!' Oh! I begin to see it all now. The 'important +news' he mentioned in his message must +be something a spy has gathered, and which he +wants this air-pilot to carry back to the German +lines for him? Am I on the right track, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that's about what it all means, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"Then that machine must have been one of +the Taube aėroplanes they told us about?"</p> + +<p>"We expect it is," replied the obliging Rob.</p> + +<p>"It must have landed by now, then, hasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"As we can hear nothing moving, that's about +the way things stand," replied the patrol leader.</p> + +<p>"Please shut up, Tubby, so we can listen," +Merritt suggested, not unkindly, but with the +authority that his position as second in command +of the Eagle Patrol allowed him to display.</p> + +<p>Tubby thereupon collapsed; that is, he simply +mumbled to himself, while staring as hard as he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>could toward the spot where they could see that +feeble little glow, made by the signaling lantern.</p> + +<p>Rob was considerably interested in the adventure. +It appealed to him in a way that was almost +irresistible. He could understand that this +might be only one of many methods taken by +the astute Germans to get valuable information +to the Staff Headquarters, which were at that +time supposed to be located in the captured Belgian +capital of Brussels.</p> + +<p>Some spy, who had the run of the Belgian +lines, would gather up certain information which +he believed might be appreciated. Then, at a +given time, when darkness covered the land, he +was to be waiting for a daring aviator, who +would take such risks as always accompany night +traveling and landing with an aėroplane.</p> + +<p>If the man aloft failed to receive the signal +agreed on, he would hover around up to a certain +hour, and then go back to Brussels. But, if +the coast was clear, and the secret agent gave +him assurance to that effect, he could dart down, +and take charge of the precious documents or +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>maps showing the positions of various hostile +forces, or else some new arrangement on the part +of the defenses of Antwerp.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to be able to just crawl up closer, and +see what goes on," Merritt remarked, after they +had stood there for a little while, listening and +watching, yet seeing only that small light in the +open space under the stars.</p> + +<p>"Would it be safe?" asked Tubby cautiously; +though, no doubt, if his chums decided on the +venture, he would be found remaining at their +side.</p> + +<p>As often happened, here again Rob had to +show his leadership, and curb his chum's impetuosity. +Merritt was apt to do things sometimes +on the impulse of the moment which were really +unwise.</p> + +<p>The prospect of stealing along, like Indians on +the warpath, and gradually drawing closer to the +spot where the pilot of the air-craft and the spy +were in consultation, was very inviting. Rob, +however, took a grip on himself, and decided that +it would be most unwise of them to accept such +an unnecessary risk.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> +<p>"It's really none of our business, Merritt," he +said. "First of all——"</p> + +<p>"Of course not, but——"</p> + +<p>"And, if they discovered us, you know what +it would mean?" Rob continued gravely.</p> + +<p>"I suppose they would fire on us," admitted +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"They certainly would, because they could only +believe that we were enemies," continued the +other, who, once he had started in to convince +an impulsive comrade, believed in delivering +sledge-hammer blows in succession, "and we're +not aching to be filled with lead just yet."</p> + +<p>"But," urged Merritt, "we might move along +the road just a little bit farther; that would take +us closer to the place. I'd like to be able to see +that Taube machine fly over our heads again."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no objection to doing that, only +we must keep mighty quiet. And, Tubby, mind +your feet!" said Rob.</p> + +<p>Tubby did not bother making any reply, for +none seemed necessary. He knew well enough +that, as a rule, he was inclined to be clumsy, and +could stumble, if given even half a chance. But, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>on the open road, and with the starlight to help +out, he could not believe there was any danger.</p> + +<p>So he sniffed disdainfully, and braced himself +to move as softly as a cat; for it is wonderful +how light on their feet most fat people can be, +when they try their best.</p> + +<p>Of course they could not see a thing, but then, +imagination often helps out, and by this means +they could picture the daring air-pilot, having +successfully landed, in consultation with the secret +agent.</p> + +<p>When he had delivered what news he had +picked up, perhaps verbally as well as through +some written process, the spy would most likely +assist the flier to get his Taube under way again, +after which he could return to take up his risky +profession amidst the Belgian forces.</p> + +<p>Once Tubby did come near falling, as his toe +caught in a projecting stone, which, of course, +had been invisible. He managed to clutch hold +of Merritt, who was on his left, and in this way +avoided a tumble that might have caused more +or less noise, even if it did not result in any damage +to his nose.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> +<p>Then Rob came to a stop. The others understood +that he must have decided they were as +near the place where the lantern glowed in the +field as they could get without clambering over +the stone barrier. This wall fence came up to +Tubby's chin, so that he had to stand on his tiptoes +to see over it.</p> + +<p>"Has he sailed away yet, Rob?" asked Tubby, +in his hushed voice, which sounded as though he +might be using the soft pedal on his vocal organ.</p> + +<p>"We would have heard the clatter of his motor +if he had," returned Rob. "So far it hasn't +been found possible to deaden the rattle of the +propeller. And, on a still night like this, you +could get that some ways off. No, they're talking +business yet, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! but they must have a lot to say," +muttered Tubby.</p> + +<p>"After they separate we'd better lie low a +while," suggested Rob.</p> + +<p>"What for?" demanded Tubby, bound to understand +everything, even if he had to swamp +his mates with questions.</p> + +<p>"The spy, or spies, for there may be more +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>than one of them, might just happen to cross +this way, so as to get to the road; and, if they +saw three shadowy figures moving along, the +first thing they'd be apt to think was that we +were enemies who had been listening."</p> + +<p>"Oh! now I see!" Tubby admitted. "And, +since we don't want to be made targets for them +to practice at, we'll be wise to do what you say, +Rob."</p> + +<p>"Please, please, let up on all that talk, Tubby!" +implored Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I will, if it bothers you any," the fat boy +answered; "but I think it queer a fellow can't ask +a few little innocent questions once in a while, +without being sat down on so hard. Now, I +know a boy who made himself a real nuisance +with his everlasting wanting-to-know, but I only +speak up when there's absolute nec——"</p> + +<p>Tubby stopped short there. It was not that +the annoyed Merritt clasped a hand over his +mouth, thus shutting off his supply of breath, for +no such thought entered the mind of the corporal +of the Eagle Patrol; but just then a horrible +din, in which shots, mingled with wild shouts, +broke out in the field nearby.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT IN THE ACT.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>What had happened was no mystery to Rob +and Merritt, though possibly Tubby, not quite so +apt to jump to conclusions, remained a little bewildered +at what was going on.</p> + +<p>It seemed that the Belgians must have suspected +something wrong, and possibly followed +the bearer of the lantern when he went into the +open field to flash his signals toward the sky.</p> + +<p>The three scouts from across the ocean were +not the only watchers who had read that message. +Yes, and the coast had not been as clear +as the signal man believed, since even then enemies +must have been creeping toward him, +though utterly unseen in the darkness.</p> + +<p>The rapid discharge of guns, and the loud outcries +of men engaged in desperate warfare, +thrilled the boys. They could not see a single +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>figure, but the spiteful flashing of firearms, as +they were discharged, told them that the fight +was not all one-sided, and that the Germans must +be resisting capture with their usual valor.</p> + +<p>All at once they heard another sound.</p> + +<p>"It's the motor—the aėroplane man has managed +to get going!" exclaimed Rob, instantly +comprehending what that meant.</p> + +<p>In order to rise, after starting his machine, it +was necessary for the aviator to first skim along +the field for a little distance, and gradually gain +an impetus which, at the proper instant, results +in a slow ascent.</p> + +<p>Of course he was taking all sorts of desperate +chances in making this blind venture; but his life +was at stake, if caught. Besides, he undoubtedly +must have examined the nature of that level +stretch of ground before, and selected it as a +landing place on account of its good qualities.</p> + +<p>"He's heading this way, Rob!" exclaimed Tubby, +almost in a panic.</p> + +<p>"If he butts into this wall it'll spell his finish!" +added Merritt.</p> + +<p>"No danger of that," said Rob. "He knows +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>every foot of ground around here. But duck +down, everybody. They will fire a volley after +him, and we might get in line of the bullets."</p> + +<p>Tubby dropped flat, forgetting that the high +stone wall was as good a breastwork as any one +could want.</p> + +<p>Just as Rob had anticipated, there was a series +of explosions, and they could even hear the patter +of bullets striking the piled-up stones composing +the wall.</p> + +<p>This was enough to tell them that the fleeing +aviator had headed straight toward the spot +where they were crouching. And, as the rattle +of his machine grew louder, they realized that he +was approaching them with considerable speed.</p> + +<p>Then, with an additional clatter, the Taube +passed over the wall, clearing its top by not more +than ten feet.</p> + +<p>"Keep down!" exclaimed Rob, feeling Merritt +beginning to make a move, and afraid lest he +should stand upright in order to better follow the +progress of the aėroplane.</p> + +<p>It was well he spoke when he did, for another +burst of firing came. The soldiers were sending +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>random volleys after the fleeing airman, in hopes +of injuring his machinery or wounding the aviator +himself.</p> + +<p>"That was sure a great getaway!" bubbled +Tubby, still seated there on the ground.</p> + +<p>"But I rather think they winged him," added +Merritt, possibly with a note of regret in his +voice.</p> + +<p>It was not that he felt any particular sympathy +for the German cause; but, boy-like, he could +admire grit and daring, no matter under what +flag it might be found. That bold flight of the +Taube operator in the face of the flying missiles +was quite enough to arouse the spirit of any one +with red blood in his veins.</p> + +<p>"What makes you say that?" asked Tubby, +not meaning to remain in ignorance when he possessed +a ready tongue.</p> + +<p>"I was pretty sure the machine wabbled as it +passed over," said Merritt.</p> + +<p>"My opinion, too," Rob chimed in. "It seemed +to me he was trying his best to get it to mount, +but it balked. That could only mean something +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>had gone wrong with the machinery, or else a +wing had been fractured."</p> + +<p>"Huh! you talk just like the machine might be +a baseball pitcher," commented Tubby. "But, if +that's the case, the chances are he'll drop to +the ground right away, or else smash up against +some tree."</p> + +<p>"Just what may happen to him," agreed Merritt.</p> + +<p>"You'll notice that the sound of motor and propeller +has suddenly died out," suggested Rob, +"which I take it looks pretty rough for the man-bird."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that would be too bad, now!" Tubby +whimpered, as he imagined he could see the bold +pilot of the crippled flier dashed to the ground +amidst the wreckage of his machine.</p> + +<p>"Well, the shooting seems to be over!" remarked +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what happened to the spy?" Rob +observed, as he stared over the top of the stone +wall toward the spot where the late confusion +had taken place.</p> + +<p>They could still see that little glow, proving +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>that the lantern had not been kicked over in all +the riot when the creeping Belgians had pounced +on the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Would it be wise for us to head over there +now, Rob?"</p> + +<p>Plainly Merritt was curious to know what had +happened, and his manner of putting this question +to the patrol leader showed that he would +never be satisfied unless they made some sort of +attempt to solve the mystery.</p> + +<p>This time he found Rob more agreeable. Conditions +had changed considerably since the leader +had put his foot down upon any suggestion that +they thrust themselves into the game. The Belgians +were their friends, and they could not believe +any danger was to be feared from that +source.</p> + +<p>"We might walk over that way," Rob admitted +slowly; "that is, if Tubby can get over this +wall."</p> + +<p>"If not, he could wait for us here," suggested +Merritt, with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>"I see myself waiting all alone on the other +side of the wall, while you two step forward and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>find out all there is going on. I can climb walls, +all right, if somebody only gives me a little +boost. Try me, and see, Rob. That's a good fellow!"</p> + +<p>Of course Rob was ready to lend the desired +assistance; and as Tubby secured a hold on a +large stone that crowned the wall, he was able +to hunch himself up, puffing and grunting at a +great rate.</p> + +<p>It was easy enough to get down, if one did +not care how he fell; but Tubby proved fortunate +in finding toe places where he could secure +a hold, and in some fashion managed to +"dismount."</p> + +<p>He pattered after his two chums, who were already +moving toward the middle of the big field.</p> + +<p>Rob, always noticing things as he went along, +found that the field was very level, and he could +understand how the place must have been selected +for a rendezvous since it offered such +exceptional facilities for an aėroplane to land +and start up again.</p> + +<p>Perhaps this had been a regular nightly affair, +and all sorts of valuable information may +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>have been carried to the German Headquarters +by means of this novel air route.</p> + +<p>As the three boys gradually drew nearer the +place where the lantern could still be seen, they +discovered that it was now being held in the +hand of some person who wore a uniform.</p> + +<p>"Belgians, all right!" muttered Rob, after +noting that the garb was not like the khaki-colored +clothes of the British troops, nor yet +the blue and red of the French soldiers.</p> + +<p>There seemed to be more than a dozen of the +men, showing that they had come in force. +Whether they had discovered the spy by accident +or followed him to the place of meeting, +Rob, of course, could only guess; nor did it matter +to him.</p> + +<p>"I can see the prisoner!" whispered Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and there seem to be two of them," +added Rob, noting that the men were being held +by several soldiers, and it was as though the +officer in command might be questioning them +closely, for a voice could be heard speaking in +French.</p> + +<p>"They've been up against hard knocks, it looks +like," Tubby mentioned, eager to let his chums +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>know he was close at their heels, and able to see +a few things for himself.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the men did have the appearance of +having been through the mill. Their hats were +missing, so that their hair hung about their +faces, which looked as if they had been brought +in contact with a pile-driver, for there was blood, +also contusions and bruises visible.</p> + +<p>"And one of them stands as if he hadn't any +use for his left leg, which means most likely he's +got a bullet through it," Rob continued.</p> + +<p>He spoke aloud, and for a reason. It were +better that the soldiers in the field learned of +their advance by some such method as this. If, +on the other hand, the trio of scouts were detected +advancing in any sort of suspicious manner +they might be unfortunate enough to evoke +a volley. Excited men sometimes shoot first +and ask questions afterward.</p> + +<p>A harsh voice suddenly demanded in French +to know who they were, and what they had to +say for themselves; adding that unless they replied +instantly the order to cut them down would +be given.</p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 349px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="349" height="494" alt=""Advance, and hold up your hands above your heads!" he ordered.—Page 149." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Advance, and hold up your hands above your heads!" he ordered.—<a href="#Page_149">Page 149</a>.</span> +<br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE FIELD HOSPITAL.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"We are friends, three American boys only!"</p> + +<p>Very often Rob had practiced his French so +as to get this explanation correct. If his accent +happened to be altogether wrong, what he +said could be understood, and that was the main +thing.</p> + +<p>Apparently, what he had called out must have +surprised the Belgian officer in charge of the +detachment, for he could be heard exchanging +comments with someone else. Then he spoke +aloud again.</p> + +<p>"Advance, and hold up your hands above your +heads!" he ordered.</p> + +<p>Rob understood the words, but of course his +chums could not; so the first thing he did was +to elevate both hands as high as he could, and +say to them:</p> + +<p>"Do the same as I am, both of you. The officer +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>has ordered it. And then come on over to where +they are waiting for us!"</p> + +<p>In this manner they drew near the spot where +the others stood. Everyone was staring very +hard, for to see three boys dressed in khaki, and +talking unmistakable English among themselves, +was indeed a considerable surprise.</p> + +<p>The one who held the lantern proved to be +a lieutenant. He was a man of middle age, and +as the newcomers drew near he held up his light +in order the better to examine their make-up. +What he saw must have created a good impression, +for the frown began to leave his face.</p> + +<p>"It is fortunate that I speak English," he +started in to say, greatly to the delight as well +as the surprise of Rob, "so you shall tell me +how it comes we find you here on this particular +night, and so close to a spot where a suspicious +transaction was going on which we had the +pleasure of nipping in the bud."</p> + +<p>Apparently the lieutenant was not wholly satisfied. +He could not tell but that these smart +looking boys might have some connection with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>the game he and his detachment had blocked in +the capture of the two spies.</p> + +<p>So Rob hastened to explain as briefly as he +could.</p> + +<p>"We have come to Belgium on some very +important business that has nothing whatever to +do with the war. There is a man we must see, +and it happens that he was last reported in a +town near Brussels. We know what great +risks we run in trying to pass between the lines +of the hostile armies; but we hope to keep out +of the hands of the Germans; and as for the +Belgians, we are carrying with us a letter that +has up to now always passed us."</p> + +<p>This was the signal for Merritt to produce +the passport written for them by the obliging +burgomaster of Antwerp. The lieutenant received +the paper gravely. He was evidently puzzled +to know how much of Rob's strange story +to believe; for it seemed remarkable that three +boys should take such a dangerous mission upon +their shoulders.</p> + +<p>When he had read the short recommendation +through, and saw the signature at the bottom, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>the officer uttered an exclamation of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"You could not have chosen a better sponsor +than the worthy burgomaster of Antwerp," he +said warmly. "I have met him more than once, +and he is held in high respect throughout the +land, as is Burgomaster Max of Brussels. Let +me return your paper safely. It is worth keeping."</p> + +<p>"And you will allow us to go on when we +choose, then?" asked Merritt eagerly.</p> + +<p>"There is no occasion for your detention," he +was informed, "but if I sought your best welfare +I should order that you turn back, and +give up this foolish mission, for there is hardly +one chance in ten that you can escape capture +at the hands of the enemy, since they are everywhere. +But you know best, and I shall not interfere. +It must be a serious motive that brings +you into this wretched country?"</p> + +<p>"It means a great lot to my family that I find +this man, Steven Meredith," Merritt told him, +possibly with a faint hope that the lieutenant +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>might recognize the name, and admit that he +knew the person.</p> + +<p>Rob had noticed several things. For one, that +the taller prisoner was certainly badly wounded, +since he stood on one leg, and had his teeth +tightly clinched as if to keep from betraying +any weakness that might be deemed unmanly.</p> + +<p>One of the Belgians also carried a bandage, +roughly fastened, possibly by a clumsy +comrade, around his arm. It showed traces of +blood, and Rob could guess that a speeding bullet +fired by the spies at bay probably had caused +the wound.</p> + +<p>"I notice that a couple of men here have been +wounded," he ventured to say to the lieutenant, +"and, as you must know, Boy Scouts are taught +something of field surgery. Would you mind if +I and my friend here looked at them? We might +stop the flow of blood, anyway, and perhaps +make the men a bit easier."</p> + +<p>The Belgian officer hesitated for a brief time. +He looked at Rob, and seemed to be considering. +Then he nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"As we have to stay here until my superior +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>officer and a larger detachment come along in +answer to the signals we are about to make, it +could do no harm. Yes, I have heard that Boy +Scouts are supposed to know something of surgery, +although I myself have never seen them +practice it. You may proceed. Albert!"</p> + +<p>He beckoned to the private who had his arm +bound up. The man upon being told to show +his injury hardly knew what was about to happen. +He could not believe that mere boys would +know what a surgeon was supposed to do.</p> + +<p>That man evidently had the surprise of his +life when Rob, assisted by Merritt, washed the +wound by the aid of some water obtained from +a canteen, and then neatly bound the arm up, +using some strips from a little roll of linen which +Rob took from his pocket.</p> + +<p>The officer watched the whole operation with +considerable interest.</p> + +<p>"That was neatly done," he commented, after +the man had stepped back to where a comrade +was holding his gun for him. "As you expressed +a wish to attend to the prisoner, I give you full +permission to do so. Though, after all, it will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>make but little difference with him, since his +doom is sealed."</p> + +<p>The tall German said never a word, but allowed +the boys to do as they willed with him. +He realized the desperate condition in which +his boldness had placed him and was evidently +determined, if convicted of being a spy, to die +game.</p> + +<p>His injury turned out to be much more serious +than that of the Belgian soldier, for the +bullet had made a bad puncture, and he had already +lost much blood.</p> + +<p>Tubby turned his head away at first, as though +he could not bear to see the wound, but evidently +realizing that a display of such timidity was +hardly in keeping with what they wished these +men to believe of Boy Scouts, he finally forced +himself to offer to assist his chums in their gruesome +work.</p> + +<p>It took all of ten minutes to wash and dress +that wound with the few things at their command +the best they were able to. During all that +time the spy did not say a word, nor did he groan +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>even when Rob knew he must be hurting him +more or less, although that could not be avoided.</p> + +<p>And the officer had commenced to ask questions. +It seemed to surprise him that even in +far-away America there, too, the boys had organized +themselves into patrols and learned all +these valuable lessons calculated to make them +better citizens when they came to take their +places in business, on the firing line, or among +the professions.</p> + +<p>"Then the scouts over in your country are also +taught to be ready for any emergency, the same +as the boys are in Belgium?" he asked Rob, as +he watched the latter's nimble fingers, with considerable +dexterity into the bargain, draw the +bandage tightly into place.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes," replied the boy, only too pleased +to say a good word for the thousands upon thousands +of comrades in khaki whom he represented. +"You see, most of us camp out a good deal, and +all sorts of accidents happen. I've known a boy +to cut himself so badly with an ax when he was +chopping wood that he would have bled to death +long before they could get him to a doctor, but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>it was easy for his mates to stop the flow of +blood, and do the right thing."</p> + +<p>"It is grand, this teaching boys to be able +to save human life," declared the middle-aged +officer, who perhaps had sons of his own in the +army, "and yet it never came to me before that +even in America they were practicing these noble +avocations. I have seen them in England, +yes, in France also, but in America—it is superb +to think of it. And there are other ways in +which boys in camp could be injured, you are +telling me?"</p> + +<p>He had become so deeply interested that Rob +only too willingly proceeded to explain at greater +length.</p> + +<p>"Why, sometimes a boy is taken with a cramp +when in swimming, and of course he is saved by +those who know just how to get him without +being pulled down themselves."</p> + +<p>"And," continued the Belgian lieutenant, "if +the poor fellow should be nearly gone, what then? +I myself once had a narrow escape that way, +and to this day it gives me a cold feeling every +time I remember it."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh! every scout, even when he's a tenderfoot, +is supposed to learn how to resuscitate a +comrade who has swallowed lots of water, and +come near drowning. Unless he was pulled out +too late, he will be brought back every time. +Then there are the bites from poisonous snakes +and insects that may happen; we are taught how +best to counteract the effect of poison, so as to +save the victim."</p> + +<p>"I am delighted to know all this," the officer +told them. "It has been quite a pleasure to have +met you, although under peculiar conditions, I +admit. And the more I see of you, young messieurs, +the more I am convinced that you can +look out for yourselves. At first I considered +it was a shame that three tender boys were allowed +to travel over this dangerous country. I +no longer feel that way. If anybody should +know how to take care of themselves, I surely +believe you know, and are equal to do it. I am +proud to shake hands with you, and wish you +all a successful journey."</p> + +<p>Which operation he proceeded to immediately +put into execution; though Tubby, having had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>one previous experience with a hearty Belgian +hand-grip, was mighty careful just how he allowed +the other to take hold of his plump digits.</p> + +<p>Rob was quite satisfied now that they had done +the right thing in coming forward and joining +the party. At least it had been the means of +easing the pain of those who were wounded, and +stopping the flow of blood sensibly.</p> + +<p>The German had actually broken his silence +to thank the boys when they finished their work. +It was evident, however, that he was not caring +very much what happened to him, since he knew +the probable penalty for allowing himself to be +captured in the act of delivering important plans +of fortifications—death.</p> + +<p>None of the boys so much as mentioned the +fact that they believed the Taube machine might +have been injured, and even fallen a short distance +away. If the Belgians did not see fit to +investigate conditions, it was no part of the +scouts' business to put them on the track. The +dashing aviator deserved to get away, Rob +thought, and it would hardly be fair for out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>siders, +who had really no interest in the matter, +to betray him to his enemies.</p> + +<p>So they left the soldiers still waiting for their +comrades to come along with a superior officer +in charge. The lieutenant had taken quite a sudden +fancy for Rob and his two chums; but then +that was not strange, Tubby told himself, since +the patrol leader always had a knack of making +friends wherever he went.</p> + +<p>They soon arrived at the stone wall, and to +Tubby's satisfaction found a break where they +could actually pass to the road without once +more climbing the barrier.</p> + +<p>The last they saw of the field was when the +lighted lantern was being waved in a way that +looked as though the lieutenant might be signaling +to others. In the opposite quarter only darkness +was to be seen. Rob wondered what had +become of the operator of the Taube aėroplane; +whether he had indeed come crashing to the +earth, or managed to sail away to safety. But +they were never fated to know.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>CHASING A JACK-O'-LANTERN.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"I wish you could tell me we were nearly at +that old village, Rob. Seems to me we've been +trudging along for hours, and I own up to feeling +just a little bit tired."</p> + +<p>Tubby had a beseeching way about him that +was hard to resist; and so Rob really felt sorry +that he could give him no joyful news.</p> + +<p>"I would like to be able to tell in the worst +way, Tubby," he told him, "but you see we're +making this turn only on hearsay. None of us +knows a single thing about it. There must be +some sort of a place ahead of us, because several +times I've heard dogs barking, and I even +thought I could hear people calling."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Tubby," chimed in Merritt, "because +there's a light, yes,—two, three of the +same kind. We'll soon be there, and I hope we'll +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>find some sort of a bunk, even if we have to drop +in the hay."</p> + +<p>"That's what I say," the fat scout declared energetically, +bracing up, now that it seemed the +haven might be in sight. "I could sleep standing +up, I believe, if only you braced me on the +sides."</p> + +<p>"I believe you," remarked Merritt; and Tubby +hardly knew whether he ought to demand an +explanation of that insinuation or not; he finally +concluded to change the subject.</p> + +<p>They soon found they had arrived at another +of those frequent little Belgian hamlets where, +in the past, thrift had held sway, but which were +rapidly becoming demoralized under the pressure +of the war fever. Most of the men were +serving the colors, of course, those remaining +being the very aged or crippled, the women, and +always the flocks of children.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me they're carrying on kind of +queer here, as if something might be going on," +Merritt hazarded while they were approaching +the border of the place.</p> + +<p>"Gingersnaps and popguns!" exclaimed Tub<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>by, +"I hope there isn't a bunch of those terrible +Uhlans in town, smashing things, and threatening +to burn every house unless the wine and the +ransom money are brought out!"</p> + +<p>"Let's go slow till we can make sure about +that," suggested Rob.</p> + +<p>Their recent unpleasant experience was so +fresh in their minds that they did not care to +have it duplicated. The next time they might +not be so fortunate about escaping from a burning +inn, or avoiding capture at the hands of raiding +Uhlans.</p> + +<p>"I don't seem to glimpse any cavalrymen +around, do you, Rob?" Merritt questioned, as +they hovered on the outskirts of the place, ready +to melt away in the darkness should any peril +arise.</p> + +<p>"No, and it's safe for us to push on," the patrol +leader announced.</p> + +<p>"But there are a raft of people around," ventured +the cautious Tubby, who had been closely +observing each and every soul, as though he suspected +that crafty Uhlans might be hidden under +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>peasants' garb, or in the clothes of the stout Belgian +dames.</p> + +<p>"Well, a lot of them are fugitives, the same +as those we've been seeing on the roads all day +long," Rob explained. "Some of them have been +burned out of house and home; but in the main +they're people who have believed all these awful +fairy stories about the terrible Germans, and +think that if they stay they'll be eaten up."</p> + +<p>"This place must have escaped a visit from +the Germans so far," Merritt suggested, "and +they are coming to believe it's a lucky town, +which would account for so many stopping here +in their rush to get away."</p> + +<p>"That's bad!" muttered Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Why is it?" demanded Merritt.</p> + +<p>"All the spare beds will be taken, you see," explained +the other dejectedly, "and those who +come late, like we are doing, must sit up all night, +or else sleep in the dog kennel or the pigsty or +the barn. Well, I said before and I mean it, if +I can have some hay under me to keep my bones +from the floor, I won't complain, or make a single +kick. I'm easily satisfied, you all know."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> +<p>"That must be the village inn, over yonder, +Rob," Merritt remarked, pointing as he spoke. +"Judging from the crowd in front we've got a +poor show to get beds for to-night."</p> + +<p>"Everybody stares at us as if they thought we +might be some kind of wild animal," Tubby complained.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can see that they've had some sort +of circus here lately because the showbills are still +posted on the fences," Merritt observed with a +chuckle, "and can you blame them for thinking +that the side shows have bust up, with the freaks +hiking all through the country, unable to ride on +the railroads, which are all taken over by the +Government to haul cannon, horses and soldiers? +I'll pass for the Living Skeleton, while you could +stand for the Fat Boy, Tubby!"</p> + +<p>Tubby was so used to having his friends joke +at him on account of his chubby build that as a +rule he let such reminders pass by without showing +any ill feeling. In this instance he hardly +noticed what Merritt was saying, because so +many other events were happening around them.</p> + +<p>Being satisfied at last that they were in no +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>apparent danger from concealed Uhlans, Tubby +felt his spirits rise once more.</p> + +<p>At the inn Rob entered into a brief conversation +with the proprietor. As this worthy knew +very little French, and Rob next to nothing of +Flemish, the "confab," as Tubby called it, had +to be conducted mostly through a series of shrugs +and gestures.</p> + +<p>"What luck, Rob?" asked Tubby, when the +other chum turned to them again.</p> + +<p>"He's cram full of sleepers to-night, and +couldn't give us even a cot," explained Rob. +"When I said we'd put up with the hay, he gave +me to understand we could pick out any place +found unoccupied."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! 'unoccupied,' you said, didn't you, +Rob?" cried Tubby hastily. "Now, does that +mean the place is apt to be <i>swarming</i> with these +peasant women and children, and shall we have +to listen to babies bawling all night long, not +to speak of roosters crowing, dogs barking, +horses neighing, pigs grunting and cows mooing?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> +<p>"'Beggars should never be choosers,' they +say," Merritt warned him.</p> + +<p>"And, after all, let's hope it won't be quite so +bad as all that," said Rob.</p> + +<p>They sought the stable. It was in the rear of +the inn, and a rather decent looking structure in +the bargain.</p> + +<p>"Why, this isn't half bad," admitted Tubby, as +they entered and found that the kind proprietor +of the house had hung up a lighted lantern, by +means of which it was possible for the boys to +see the stack of hay.</p> + +<p>"It smells like a sweet new crop," Rob remarked, +glad to find something to commend when +surrounded by such dismal prospects.</p> + +<p>"And so far as I can see we're the only barn +guests," Tubby announced jubilantly as he started +to burrow in the hay.</p> + +<p>He had hardly made much progress before he +came backing out in a hurry.</p> + +<p>"There's a great big dog sleeping in there!" +he declared excitedly.</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?" asked Rob, who +could hardly believe it possible.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> +<p>"I tell you he tried to bite me," urged Tubby, +holding up one finger of his right hand, and on +which a tiny speck of blood was visible.</p> + +<p>"Shucks! you only stuck it on a thorn, that's +all!" protested the unbelieving Merritt, "and I'll +prove it by crawling in the same hole."</p> + +<p>"Look out, now!" warned Tubby, anxious, and +yet with some eagerness, for he hoped to have +his words proved in a fashion even Merritt could +not doubt.</p> + +<p>Immediately there was more or less excitement +in the hay; and then came the unmistakable +scolding of a setting hen. Merritt backed +out, laughing.</p> + +<p>"There's your ferocious bulldog!" he told +Tubby; "but we'll leave old Biddy to her eggs, +and try another place. Plenty of room in this +hotel without chucking the other guests out of +their nests."</p> + +<p>After a while they made themselves comfortable. +Tubby, before turning in, had prowled +around a little. He told the others that as a true +scout he was only taking an inventory of his +surroundings, so that if there should happen to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>come a sudden midnight alarm he at least would +know what to do in order to lead the way out of +the barn by a rear exit.</p> + +<p>"Smart boy, Tubby," Merritt told him, when +he heard him say this; and it always pleased the +fat scout to receive a word of praise, possibly +because the occasions when he deserved any were +few and far between.</p> + +<p>They lay in the sweet hay, and talked in low +tones. No one else seemed to be pushed so hard +for a place to sleep as to come to the barn, for +which all of the chums professed to be very grateful.</p> + +<p>In the course of the conversation, which had +more or less bearing on their strange mission +abroad, the subject of the precious paper came +to the front. Perhaps it was Merritt himself +who mentioned it, because the matter was frequently +in his thoughts, and he seemed to be +growing more and more anxious, the nearer they +drew to the place where he anticipated finding +Steven Meredith.</p> + +<p>"You've never really told us who this man is, +Merritt, and how he comes to be wandering +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>around the world with a paper belonging to your +grandfather hidden away under the lining of the +case containing his field-glasses," Rob remarked +while Tubby, who had just been yawning, sat +up and seemed to be wide awake again.</p> + +<p>"That's a fact, Merritt," he chimed in. "If +you don't object, why, we'd like to be told."</p> + +<p>"The fact of the matter is," replied Merritt, +"I don't know a great deal more than you do, +come to think of it. Grandfather Crawford +comes from old Scotch stock, so he's a canny sort +of an old gentleman. No use of my telling you +about the way he treated my father when he was +a young man and married against the wishes of +his parents, because that you already know. It's +about the paper, also of Steven Meredith you're +curious to hear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, go along, please," begged Tubby.</p> + +<p>"The paper is a little scrap, he told me, on +which are marked certain directions as how to +find a certain rich gold mine out in our Southwest +country. Grandfather has one-half his paper, +and the other half is lodged in the cover of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>that field-glass case—if the man is still carrying +it with him."</p> + +<p>"That gets more and more queer, I must say," +grumbled Tubby, looking as though he could not +untangle the knot that was presented to him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if anybody had told it to me," admitted +Merritt, "I'd have made up my mind right away +he was trying to pull the wool over my eyes with +a silly yarn. And yet there was Grandfather +Crawford just as sober as you ever saw anyone, +and vouching for every word of it as true."</p> + +<p>"Well, how on earth did the half of the map +or the directions happen to get in that field-glass +case, without Steven Meredith, who carries the +same, knowing a thing about it?" asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"This deposit was discovered by an old miner +who never worked it, but had samples of wonderfully +rich ore, which he showed my grandfather +at the time he was rescued by my relative from +being tortured by a couple of halfbreeds who +wanted to get the miner's secret. He gave grandfather +the half of the map, and directions he had +on his person, and told him where he would find +the other half."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now it's beginning to look understandable," +Tubby admitted. "The old miner did that so if +anybody got hold of him they wouldn't be able to +locate the secret mine—wasn't that it, Merritt?"</p> + +<p>"Just what he had in mind," the other told +him, "and of course the injuries received in the +fight carried the miner off eventually, leaving my +grandfather as his sole heir, if he could only lay +hands on the other half of that valuable little +paper, for neither portion alone made any sense.</p> + +<p>"Gee! this is getting real interesting—if true!" +ventured Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's a straight yarn, never fear," retorted +Merritt without any trace of ill feeling, however, +for no one ever could quarrel with Tubby. "And +just about here is where this man Steven Meredith, +as he calls himself, breaks into the story. +The old miner had told my grandfather that for +security he kept the other half of the chart, and +the directions how to find the treasure, hidden +in the lining of the case holding a pair of field-glasses +that he had carried for years, as they +were of a special make and considered extra +fine."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> +<p>"And when your esteemed relative came to +make a hunt for the said glasses," remarked +Tubby, anxious to show that he was following +the narrative closely, "why of course he found +that Steve had got away with them—is that the +stuff, Merritt?"</p> + +<p>"Great head, Tubby," chuckled the other, as if +amused at this unexpected smartness on the part +of the stout boy. "You've said it, after a fashion; +for that was what really happened. The +glasses were supposed, along with other things +owned by the old miner, to be in the charge of +an old and invalid sister in a small town. To +that place my grandfather went, armed with a +paper which would give him possession of the +traps of the dead man, including the case with +the glasses. And that was where he came up +against a staggering disappointment.</p> + +<p>"It seemed that this sister of the miner was +a little queer in her head. When a visitor +chanced to examine the glasses, and offered her +a pretty fine sum for them, she, not knowing +how her brother valued them because of their as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>sociation +with his prospecting life, thought it a +good chance to dispose of some useless property.</p> + +<p>"And so the wonderful half of the chart was +gone. My grandfather took enough interest in +the matter to learn that a man by the name of +Steven Meredith possessed the glasses. He even +started a search for him, thinking that he might +be able to buy the glasses back, so as to satisfy +his mind about the worth of the chart.</p> + +<p>"Later on he learned that some valuable ore +had been struck in the region where the secret +mine of the dead prospector was said to be located. +This kept making him take more and +more interest in the finding of Steven and the +lost paper. He became absorbed in the hunt, +and in the end had three men on the track.</p> + +<p>"They traced Meredith across the ocean. All +sorts of strange rumors came back as to what +he really was. Once it was even said that he was +secretly in the pay of the German Government. +Anyway, he went to Berlin, and was known to +meet with certain men high up in the Secret +Service there.</p> + +<p>"Just a little while ago my grandfather re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>ceived +positive word from one of his agents that +Steven Meredith was stationed in a Belgian +town, though what his business there could be +was a mystery. This little town was an obscure +one near Brussels, where he could keep in the +background. Its name is Sempst; and that's +where we are headed now."</p> + +<p>"But just explain one queer thing, won't you, +please, Merritt?" asked Tubby.</p> + +<p>"I know what you're going to say," replied +the other. "Of course you're wondering why +my relative didn't wire his agent about the glasses, +and offer him a good sum to get them, with +the case. Well, the fact is he didn't have as +much faith in his agents as all that."</p> + +<p>"You mean that if the man knew he valued +the article so much he would begin to smell a +rat, and perhaps examine the lining of the case +himself, after he had managed to steal or buy the +glasses?" suggested Rob.</p> + +<p>"That's what he had in mind," Merritt continued. +"So he hardly knew what to do, or whom +to trust, until I asked him to send me, and let +me have you along. They didn't like the idea +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>of us boys starting over here when things were +so upset; but grandfather believes Boy Scouts +can do almost anything. So it came about. And +in a nutshell that's the strange story."</p> + +<p>"Gee! you'd think it a page from the <i>Arabian +Nights</i>," Tubby declared. "But queer things can +happen to-day just as much as ever. I only hope +that if we do manage to rake in that old field-glass +case, and the paper is still nestling underneath +the lining, it doesn't turn out to be a pipe +dream—something that old miner just hatched +up to make himself feel he was as rich as a Vanderbilt."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to chance that," said Rob. "Our +part of the business will be done when we carry +the case back to Merritt's grandfather. It's up +to him for the rest. But don't you think we'd +better try and get to sleep, for it's growing late?"</p> + +<p>They determined that this was a wise suggestion, +and shortly afterward not only Tubby and +Merritt, but Rob as well had lost all realization +of trouble and stress in sound slumber.</p> + +<p>The night passed, and with the coming of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>dawn the boys were astir. Nothing had apparently +happened during the night to disturb them.</p> + +<p>In the morning hens were beginning to cackle, +and cows to low, as the boys awoke and crawled +from the hay. A few minutes later, at a nearby +pump, they washed the last bit of drowsiness +from their eyes; after which they began to think, +from the pleasant odors in the air, that it was +nearly time for breakfast.</p> + +<p>"I dreamed about that grand paper hunt you +told us about, Merritt," Tubby announced, as +with his chums he sauntered over to the inn to +see what chance there was for getting something +to eat. "And talk to me about your will-o'-the-wisps, +or what they call jack-o'-lanterns, such as +flit around graveyards or damp places nights, +that certainly did beat the record. Lots of times +I was just stretching out my hand to grab it +when I'd hear a laugh, and Steve, he'd snatch +the old field-glass case away. I woke up still on +the trail, and as set as ever to win out."</p> + +<p>"Let's hope that will prove to be the case with +us," ventured Rob cheerily.</p> + +<p>They found that they were to be given break<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>fast; +and as all of the boys had a ferocious appetite +they soon did justice to the meal set before +them.</p> + +<p>It was while they were finishing that they +suddenly became aware of the fact that something +along the line of a battle had broken out +not a great ways off. The first intimation they +had of this was the deep-throated sound of a +heavy gun. It made them jump; and the entire +village seemed to become aroused at once, as people +began to run this way and that, chattering +like magpies, some of their faces turning white +with apprehension of what was to come.</p> + +<p>They had heard of the fate of Louvain, and +dreaded the hour when the German army should +come sweeping with irresistible force across that +section of the country.</p> + +<p>Quick on the heels of that opening gun came +other sounds—the long roll of rifle firing in volleys, +and the faint cheers of charging men. The +boys even fancied they could hear amidst all the +confusion the loud singing that was said to mark +the advance of the German legions as they went +into battle chanting the "Watch on the Rhine." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>Rob could well believe it, for he knew singing +was to the Teuton mind what the bagpipes meant +to Scotch Highlanders, or cheers to American +boys in khaki.</p> + +<p>It was evident that the gallant little Belgian +army, determined to resist to the uttermost the +passage of the Germans across their territory in +the direction of Antwerp and Ghent, had again +given battle to overwhelming numbers.</p> + +<p>Of course the boys had rushed out of the inn +and immediately sought the best position from +which they could see something of what was going +on. Many of the villagers were clustered +there, gazing with deepest concern at the section +where the smoke of battle was beginning to +spread like a pall over the country.</p> + +<p>"Oh! what is that up there, and heading this +way?" Tubby suddenly exclaimed.</p> + +<p>No sooner had Rob turned his gaze aloft than +he was able to give the desired information.</p> + +<p>"That is one of the famous German Zeppelins, +hovering over the battlefield," he told Tubby.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE BATTLE FOR THE TRENCHES.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>By this time everyone was gazing in mixed +wonder and awe at the strange dirigible balloon, +speeding in great circles far up toward the +clouds.</p> + +<p>Rob and his comrades had read more or less +about these monster airships which the German +Count had invented, and which were expected to +play a prominent part in this world war. They +had even hoped that before they left Belgium +they might be given an opportunity to see one of +the fleet monsters, which were said to be able to +carry dozens of men, as well as tons of explosives, +incredible distances.</p> + +<p>In Antwerp there had been considerable talk +concerning the possibility of these Zeppelins +making a concerted attack on the city, and forcing +its surrender. All manner of fearful stories +were going the rounds, and many timid people +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>had even left the city on the Scheldt for the +more hospitable shores of England, just on account +of the threatening peril from the clouds.</p> + +<p>"So, that's a real Zeppelin, is it?" Tubby remarked, +as they stood there with their eyes riveted +on the flittering monster of the air.</p> + +<p>"No question about it," Merritt told him, "because +the poor Belgians don't own such an expensive +airship, though they have some aėroplanes, +I was told."</p> + +<p>"But what do you reckon they're doing up +there?" asked Tubby, still seeking to increase +his limited stock of knowledge.</p> + +<p>"Why," Rob replied, "don't you see there's a +battle going on below, and from that height men +with glasses can see every little thing that's happening. +They are able to tell how the Belgian +forces are intrenched; and by means of signals +let their gunners know where to drop shells so +as to do the most harm."</p> + +<p>"Whee! what won't they do next in modern, +up-to-date fighting?" exclaimed Tubby.</p> + +<p>"There have been lots of remarkable surprises +sprung in this war already," Merritt observed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>thoughtfully, "but I'm thinking the worst is yet +to come. There never was such a war before in +the history of the world, and it's to be hoped this +one ends in a peace that will last forever."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Rob, greatly impressed by what +he was seeing, "war's going to cost so much after +this that the nations will have to fix up some +other way to settle their differences. About that +Zeppelin, Tubby; don't you see how they might +be able to drop a few bombs on the enemy's +trenches; or where the Belgians have fixed +barbed-wire entanglements to stop the rush of +the charging German troops? Just to think that +here we are really watching a battle that isn't +like one of the sham rights they have every summer +at home. It's hard to believe, boys!"</p> + +<p>They were all agreed as to this, and every little +while one of them might be detected actually +rubbing his eyes, as though suspecting he were +asleep and all this were but a feverish dream.</p> + +<p>The cannonading grew more and more furious +as the morning advanced. Huge billows of +smoke covered sections of the country, some of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>it not more than a mile away from the village +where Rob and his chums had stopped.</p> + +<p>"And just to think," said Tubby, with a touch +of sorrow in his voice. "While all this sounds +like a Fourth of July celebration to us, safe as +we are, it spells lots of terrible wounds for the +poor fellows who are in the fight. Why, with +all those big shells bursting, and the shrapnel +too, that you spoke about, Rob, right now I +reckon there are just hundreds of them wanting +to be attended to."</p> + +<p>"That's true enough, Tubby, the more the +pity," replied Rob.</p> + +<p>"What's this coming up behind us?" called out +Merritt, as loud cheers, together with the rattle +of wheels and the pounding of many horses' +hoofs, were heard on the road they had used on +the previous night.</p> + +<p>"Oh! they're going to bombard the village; and +now we'll get it!" gasped Tubby.</p> + +<p>"It looks like a battery coming from the direction +of Antwerp, and hurrying to get in action!" +Rob ventured to say, as he discovered +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>that those who were seated on the horses and +on the gun caissons wore the Belgian uniforms.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is, Rob," added Merritt excitedly. +"They hear the sound of the guns ahead, +and are crazy to get there. Look at them whip +the horses, would you! And how the animals +run! They smell the smoke of burnt powder, +and it's fairly set them all wild!"</p> + +<p>It was indeed a stirring sight to see that battery +come tearing along straight through the +little village, and heading directly toward the +place where the flashing and roaring of battle +seemed fiercest.</p> + +<p>The men were all keyed up to a pitch of excitement +that made them forget they were about +to face danger and death. They shouted as they +swept past, and the poor villagers, filled with a +momentary enthusiasm, sent back answering +cries.</p> + +<p>Such enthusiasm is always contagious. Why, +even peace-loving Tubby seemed to be infected +with some of it. His eyes glowed, and his breath +came in short puffs, as he watched the guns and +caissons go whirling along until men, horses and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>all had vanished down the road in a cloud of +dust.</p> + +<p>"Some of those brave fellows will never come +back again, I'm afraid," said Tubby sadly.</p> + +<p>"It begins to look as if the artillery arm was +going to be everything in this war," Rob remarked, +as though the sight of those bursting +shells impressed him.</p> + +<p>"But what do you suppose all that bombardment +means?" Merritt asked.</p> + +<p>"I can only give a guess," the patrol leader +replied. "From all I've read I get the idea that +before the Germans order a charge of their infantry +they pour in a heavy bombardment from +every big gun they can get in line. That makes +it so hot in the trenches that the enemy has to +keep under cover. Then the infantry manages +to get a good start before they are fired on."</p> + +<p>"Nothing new about that, I guess," replied +Merritt. "It was done in the battle of Gettysburg, +where Lee used more than a hundred cannon +to bombard, before starting to carry Little +Round-top and Cemetery Hill by assault. I was +just reading about it a few weeks ago in a maga<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>zine +article at home. But if those are their tactics, +Rob, we ought to be seeing some movement +of troops pretty soon."</p> + +<p>"Yes," the patrol leader admitted, "the gun +fire is slackening right now; and if we had glasses +I expect we could see the infantry starting +forward. Those up in the Zeppelin can watch +every move that takes place."</p> + +<p>"All the same I'd rather take my chances down +here," Tubby announced.</p> + +<p>"What's that moving away over there, Rob?" +demanded Merritt. "Seems like a gray looking +snake creeping out from the shelter of the +woods. I declare if I don't believe it is a mass +of men charging straight at the Belgian +trenches!"</p> + +<p>"The Germans all wear a sort of grayish green +uniform, you know," Tubby declared, "which is +so like the dirt that lots of times you can't tell +the soldiers from the earth half a mile away."</p> + +<p>"Look sharp, fellows," said Rob, "because that +is where they're going to shoot their bolt. What +we see is a battalion of infantry charging. Now +watch how they begin to gather momentum. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>Yes, and when the gun fire lets up we'll hear the +voices of thousands of men singing as they rush +forward, ready to die for the Fatherland."</p> + +<p>They stood there with trembling limbs, and +continued to watch what was developing right +before their eyes. It seemed as though that gray +mass would never cease coming into view. The +whole open space was covered with lines upon +lines of soldiers all pushing in one direction, and +that where the intrenchments of the Belgians +must lie.</p> + +<p>"Oh! look! look! they're opening on them with +quick-fire guns, and all sorts of things!" Tubby +exclaimed, in absolute horror. "Why, I can see +lanes cut in the lines of the Germans; but they +always close up, and keep right on! Isn't it terrible?"</p> + +<p>"It is sublime!" said Rob; and that tribute to +the unflinching bravery of the German advance +was about the limit of a boy's vocabulary.</p> + +<p>"But the plucky little Belgians won't yield an +inch of ground, you see!" cried Merritt. "They +keep pouring in that terrible fire, and mowing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>the Germans down, just like they were cutting +wheat on a Minnesota farm."</p> + +<p>"How will it all end, I wonder?" said Rob, fascinated, +more than he would have believed possible, +by the panorama that was being unfolded +before his eyes.</p> + +<p>"If the ammunition of the Belgian batteries +and Maxims holds out," ventured Merritt, "there +won't be any German army left in this part of +the country. Their best troops are said to be +down in France now, fighting the Allies; but if +these are only second or third class reserves, I +wonder what the really top-notch ones can do in +a battle."</p> + +<p>"They're weakening, let me tell you!" Rob +startled the others by saying. "Watch and you'll +see that they don't advance as fast as before. +Perhaps the general in charge has found that +the trenches can't be taken by a direct charge. +They're going to fall back, and let the artillery +start in again! The first part of the terrible battle +is over, for there the Germans begin to scatter, +and run, to get out of range of the Maxims!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> +<p>"And the plucky Belgians have won again!" +Merritt declared as though almost tempted to +join in the cries of satisfaction that were beginning +to rise from those of the villagers who +were clustered close by, intensely interested spectators +of the thrilling spectacle just enacted.</p> + +<p>"And there's that old Zeppelin still swinging +around up in the sky," remarked Tubby. "For all +the information they were able to signal down, +the Germans couldn't take the Belgian trenches. +When they got the wire entanglements they were +blocked."</p> + +<p>"But unless I miss my guess," exclaimed Merritt, +"the Zeppelin will have to get on the run +pretty quick or it'll find there's a little war brewing +in the sky, because I can see a couple of aėroplanes +rising from back of the Belgian lines!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE BADGE OF COURAGE AND MERCY.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"It seems like we were to be treated to about +everything there is going in the way of up-to-date +fighting!" said Tubby, who was having some +difficulty in craning his fat neck, to look toward +where the wonderful airship was still making +enormous circles above the battle lines.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure they are Belgian aėroplanes?" +asked Merritt, who had been attentively observing +the ascending fliers.</p> + +<p>"They came up from behind the line of +trenches," replied Rob, "and that makes it look +as if they couldn't be German machines. Besides, +the invaders all use a model that is called +a Taube, which is different from these."</p> + +<p>"But why d'ye suppose they didn't climb up +before now, and tackle that monster Zeppelin, +so as to put it out of business, or chase it off?" +inquired Tubby.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> +<p>"They had their reasons, I suppose," he was +told by the patrol leader. "No matter what they +may have been, we're not interested. It's enough +for us to watch what's going to happen from now +on."</p> + +<p>"I'll be jiggered if the Zeppelin isn't going to +have it out with them!" exclaimed Merritt. "Did +you see that little puff of what looked like smoke? +They've got some sort of gun aboard, and mean +to try and riddle the aėroplanes with it!"</p> + +<p>"Whew! talk to me about excitement, this has +got everything I ever knew beaten by a mile!" +admitted Tubby.</p> + +<p>"You notice that both the monoplanes manage +to keep pretty far away from the dirigible," Rob +told them. "And see how they bore up in circles +all the while, too, getting higher right +along."</p> + +<p>"What's the idea of that?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>"For one thing it'll put them on equal terms +with the Zeppelin so that they can send back shot +for shot," explained the other. "But unless I +miss my guess they mean to try a bigger scheme +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>than that, if once they can get above the airship."</p> + +<p>"You mean drop a bomb down on it, don't you, +Rob?" Merritt asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You know these Zeppelins are made in +many sections. They say one could keep afloat +even if a dozen of these were smashed. They're +along similar lines as the watertight compartments +of steamships. Some auto tires are made +the same way too. But if a bomb was dropped +on top of the gas bag, I reckon the explosion +would play hob with the whole business."</p> + +<p>They stood there and watched the strange duel +in the heavens. The thrill of that occasion would +never be forgotten by any one of the three scouts. +And all the while the guns over beyond the low-lying +hills were beating a terrible tattoo that +was like the music of the orchestra when a play +is being performed. That tragedy was there +above them, the stage being the limitless expanse +of the heavens.</p> + +<p>The Zeppelin maneuvered again and again in +order to get in touch with the wasp-like enemies +that constantly darted out of reach. There was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>more or less firing going on, the boys could see, +even though the distance and the growl of the +German artillery prevented them from hearing +any reports.</p> + +<p>"There, I believe they've done it!" shouted +Merritt suddenly.</p> + +<p>"The Zeppelin is running away, that's sure!" +echoed Tubby, "and one of the aėroplanes seems +to be further up, too!"</p> + +<p>"Something has happened, because the rear of +the dirigible looks as if it had collapsed," Rob +announced. "I wonder how they manage to +steer, with the rudder useless. But they're coming +down fast now, you notice!"</p> + +<p>"And aiming so as to bring the monoplanes +over the German lines," added Merritt. "If the +little fellows know what's good for them, they'll +keep a good distance off, because there are guns +made that can shoot straight up for a mile, and +send a shell or shrapnel to burst, and fetch an +aviator every time."</p> + +<p>While they watched, the disabled Zeppelin +dropped out of sight back of the woods, and it +was easily possible for the boys to hear the wild +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>shouts of derision that ascended from the +trenches where the Belgians lay concealed.</p> + +<p>The two aėroplanes then started to have a little +scout of their own, and doubtless those daring +air pilots picked up more or less information that +would prove of value to the defenders of the +trenches.</p> + +<p>"Is the battle over, do you think?" asked Tubby, +when this exciting panorama in the upper +air currents had come to an end.</p> + +<p>"Some of the guns are still muttering," Rob +told him, "but they seem to be further away. +Perhaps the Germans are bombarding some fortified +place off in the distance, or it may be an +English army has shown up, and is giving battle +to the Kaiser. You know the poor Belgians are +hoping for that to happen right along."</p> + +<p>"But just think what is over there!" continued +Tubby, with a shudder as he pointed a chubby +finger toward the scene of the late charge and +repulse. "Why, I can see hundreds of men +lying around, just like the corn when they go +to cutting so it can be stacked. Ugh! it's awful +to think of all those poor Germans!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> +<p>"They're not all Germans, either," corrected +Merritt; "because I saw one place where the +Belgians rushed out of their trenches, and fought +hand to hand. Lots of them must have been +knocked over, too. They just couldn't hold back, +I guess, with the fighting spirit in them."</p> + +<p>"And this is what's going on all through Belgium, +Northern France, and over along the border +of Russia," said Rob, powerfully impressed +with the tragic scene he had looked upon.</p> + +<p>"Here's another battery coming along the +road, too late to get in the fight!" they heard +Tubby saying.</p> + +<p>"That's where you're barking up the wrong +tree, Tubby," Merritt assured him, "because +what's coming now is just the opposite of a battery. +One cuts down the ranks of the enemy, +this one helps to bind up their wounds, and carry +them off the battlefield! In action the fighting +men become like fiends; but I guess you could +call these angels of mercy!"</p> + +<p>"Why, sure enough, I can see the Red Cross +on the wagon!" cried Tubby, evidently pleased +by the discovery. "Then that must be an ambu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>lance, +and they're going on the battlefield to +help the poor wounded fellows! Oh! how much +I admire them right now. I wish I was worth +a continental as a surgeon, and I'd like to volunteer +to help take care of some of the wounded."</p> + +<p>"There are three more ambulances, and they +seem to have several nurses aboard each one," +Rob observed, as the procession advanced closer +to where they were located.</p> + +<p>"There's a man driving, and I reckon now +that may be the surgeon," Merritt was saying, +as though deeply interested. "How about this, +Rob? I thought nurses only worked in the hospitals +back of the lines; but these seem heading +right for the battlefield."</p> + +<p>"As a rule they let men bring in the wounded," +said Rob. "But sometimes a nurse is allowed +to go about trying to help the poor fellows as +best she can until such time as a stretcher can +reach them. Most of them are parched with +thirst, and what they ask for first of all is a +drink of water."</p> + +<p>"I might do that much, anyway," Tubby was +heard to mutter to himself, "if only I thought I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>could stand the terrible sights. You know, seeing +blood always used to make me feel faint-like. +But then a scout ought to overcome that +weakness."</p> + +<p>Possibly it may have been something in what +Tubby said that gave Merritt his brilliant idea, +for he immediately whirled upon the patrol +leader, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Rob, why couldn't we ask them to take us +along, and let us do what we can to help? As +scouts we know something about taking care of +wounds, you remember. Why, didn't that officer +compliment us on the way we looked after his +men, and the German spy they'd captured? Rob, +see if we could do it, won't you? It might be +a terrible experience for us; but I feel like I'd +be better satisfied if I could lend a helping hand +here."</p> + +<p>The first of the three army ambulances had +by this time come close to the boys. Attracted +by their khaki uniforms, and possibly their bright +eager faces, the man who was driving held up +his team. A woman of middle-age, garbed as +a nurse, jumped to the ground, and approached +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>the boys. They saw that undoubtedly she must +be the one in charge of the Red Cross detachment.</p> + +<p>At sight of the little American flag which +Tubby wore on the lapel of his coat her eyes +glistened.</p> + +<p>"That is a glorious sight to my eyes in this +foreign land," she told them, "for I, too, am +American-born. My profession is that of a +trained nurse. A wealthy patient I brought +abroad died in Antwerp; and as the war had +broken out I determined to offer my services to +the Government, so that I was immediately given +a position of trust and responsibility. We are +short-handed with men, you can see. I happen +to know what Boy Scouts over in America have +to learn about taking care of wounded persons. +It is a terrible thing to ask, but this is a case +of necessity. Would you be willing to help us +out; and do you think you could stand the awful +sights and sounds of the battlefield?"</p> + +<p>Rob and Merritt exchanged glances; while +their flushed faces told the nurse what their an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>swer +would be, even before they spoke a single +word.</p> + +<p>"We were just wondering whether you would +let us join you," Rob said quickly, "for we want +to do something to help those poor fellows over +there. Yes, if you can make room for us aboard +your ambulance we'll gladly go along."</p> + +<p>Poor Tubby had lost all his color. He was +as white as a ghost; but with tightly shut teeth +he pushed up, to allow the nurse to fasten a +bit of muslin, stamped with a vivid red cross, +upon his left arm, and then he climbed into the +ambulance.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>AFTER THE FIGHTING WAS OVER.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>The horses had been urged on at considerable +speed, in order to arrive upon the scene of action, +for the animals began to show evidences of exhaustion +long before they reached a position +back of the Belgian trenches. That may have +been one of the reasons why they were halted +temporarily, at the time the head nurse talked +with the three Boy Scouts.</p> + +<p>As they approached the battle line Rob and +his friends became intensely interested. They +saw the heads of the defenders of the trenches +thrust up to observe their coming, and heard the +hearty ringing cheers with which the Red Cross +nurses were greeted.</p> + +<p>Men sprang out to assist them, so that apparently +it would be no hard task to find plenty of +recruits to handle the stretchers upon which the +wounded could be carried to the hastily con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>structed +field hospital in the rear, where the +surgeons would soon be busily employed.</p> + +<p>Tubby was still looking very white, but he +had made up his mind that he would go through +with this wonderful experience even if he fainted +dead away. All that was stubborn in his nature +had come to the surface; and Rob, after noticing +this, made up his mind Tubby was going to take +a long step forward before another sun had set.</p> + +<p>Now they were on the other side of the +trenches. There was considerable bustle. +Nurses commenced to spread out over the field, +on which some men lay groaning and others very +still.</p> + +<p>The assistants with the stretchers, upon whose +arms had been fastened badges bearing the +sacred red cross, began to carry off such of the +wounded as they found needed urgent attention.</p> + +<p>"Come on, boys, let's see where we can help +out!" said Rob, trying to appear perfectly cool +and collected, but at the same time knowing that +his knees were inclined to knock together, so +that he could not blame poor Tubby for feeling +as he did.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> +<p>They started out. At first all of them stuck +together, for the sights they soon saw filled them +with a sense of horror, as well as compassion.</p> + +<p>Never were Boy Scouts placed in a position +where they had more reason to be thankful for +what little knowledge of surgery they had attained.</p> + +<p>The American nurse may have felt considerable +doubt as to whether she had done a wise +thing in affording these boys a chance to assist +the Red Cross upon the battlefield. Rob saw that +she hovered near them, as though keeping an eye +on what they did.</p> + +<p>It was a dreadful experience for those boys, to +be thus brought in close contact with the dead +and the dying; they could never forget what they +saw there that day.</p> + +<p>Even Tubby braced up when he found that he +could be useful in helping the others. He had +secured a bucket of water, and when he heard +some poor fellow cry out, or saw him make frantic +gestures, it was his business to hurry over +and supply his wants. No matter what uniform +the wounded man wore, it did not make a bit of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>difference; since the Red Cross recognizes +neither friend nor foe, but treats all alike.</p> + +<p>It is possible to get accustomed to almost anything +in this world. Not one of those boys would +have imagined a short time before this that they +could find courage and nerve enough to walk in +the midst of such carnage; and yet they were +actually doing it now.</p> + +<p>As Rob and Merritt finished binding up the leg +of a poor fellow who would soon have bled to +death but for their coming, the nurse who had +meanwhile come up behind them commended +their work.</p> + +<p>"It was excellently done, I want you to know," +she told them, "and I can plainly see that I need +have no further fears concerning your ability to +be of much assistance here. Do all you can, my +brave boys, but remember not to go too far. You +are not accustomed to such sights, and it may +affect you in the end."</p> + +<p>She hurried away to take up her own labors, +leaving the boys with a proud sense of having +done their duty as genuine scouts should, trying +to be of use to others in sore need.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> +<p>For an hour, yes two of them, they continued +to work there, while the stretcher bearers and +the ambulances bore the victims of the late conflict +back in apparently an unending procession. +Those poor fellows who had no further need of +attention were of course allowed to remain just +as they had fallen; and by degrees the wounded +were weeded out, to be taken care of back of the +desperately defended lines, where the Red Cross +floated from the canvas field hospital.</p> + +<p>Tubby had about reached the end of his endurance. +They could see that he was certainly +getting very wabbly on his feet, for often he +stumbled as he moved around with his bucket and +dipper, seeking a stray wounded soldier who +might have been overlooked, so as to supply +water to quench his raging thirst.</p> + +<p>The sun looked down from a cloudless September +sky, and it was very hot for the advanced +season of the year. Far off in the distance those +never-ceasing German guns still kept up their +muttering as they sent shells into some fortified +place. The battle in this particular field was apparently +not going to be renewed; for already +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>some of the Belgian batteries were being taken +away, to face a new quarter where, according to +their air scouts, the enemy meant to next try a +forward movement.</p> + +<p>Terrible though the experience may have been +to all the boys, none of them had any regrets. +The grateful looks and words they had received +repaid them tenfold for all the nerve-racking +ordeals through which they had gone.</p> + +<p>"I think it's queer, though," Merritt was saying +to Rob, as they walked around in search of +any wretched victim whom they might assist, +"that not a single German has been out on the +battlefield to render first aid. I don't understand +it at all. They've got as fine surgeons as +any in the world, and the Red Cross works with +their armies the same as with all the rest."</p> + +<p>"I was bothering my head about that, too, +since you mention it," Rob announced.</p> + +<p>"What did you make up your mind was the +cause of it?" continued Merritt, who had considerable +respect for the opinions and decisions +of the Eagle Patrol leader.</p> + +<p>"It means either one of two things," he was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>told. "It may be the settled policy of the Germans +in their rush to push through Belgium and +Northern France to leave their wounded to be +taken care of by the enemy, whenever the battle +has gone against them; or else a quick change of +front compels them to abandon the field."</p> + +<p>"Still," argued Merritt, who secretly was much +in favor of the Allies, "you'd think there would +be some parties out with stretchers, looking up +their wounded. I never will understand it."</p> + +<p>"Well, they must have a good reason for acting +that way," Rob told him. "You know the +Germans are great sticklers for sacrificing everything +to the good of the cause of the Fatherland. +If necessary even the wounded must be temporarily +neglected until the end aimed at is attained. +You remember what we heard in Antwerp +about those three British cruisers that were +just torpedoed in the North Sea by German submarines?"</p> + +<p>"I can see what you mean, Rob. One was +struck, and began to sink. The other two hurried +up to render assistance, and while their engines +were still they were hit by torpedoes and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>went down. If, instead of trying to help their +distressed comrades in the English way, they had +let them look out for themselves, and first of all +smashed the conning towers of the submarines, +they would have saved themselves. I guess in +war times the German style counts best, though +it seems cruel to me."</p> + +<p>"I think we had better pull out of this before +long," remarked Rob.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you asked me I'd say I've had enough +to last the rest of my life," Merritt told his chum. +"If ever I had any idea I'd like to be a soldier +I give you my word that's gone glimmering now. +What I've looked on this day has cured me."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking more of poor Tubby than +either of us," the patrol leader remarked. "You +can see he's pretty near the end of his rope. +Twice now I've seen him trip and fall flat, over +some of the war material that's scattered around +so thick. And he could hardly get on his feet +again, he's that played out."</p> + +<p>"But, Rob, Tubby has certainly shown up +splendidly in this terrible trial!"</p> + +<p>"He's done a heap more than we have," Rob +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>asserted, "because he always has been a timid +sort of chap with regard to seeing blood when +any of us got hurt. I remember how ghastly +white Tubby grew that time one of the scouts +in the Owl Patrol cut his foot with the ax. I +thought for a while we'd have two patients on +our hands. He had to sit down so as to get +over it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and see what he's stood to-day," said +Merritt. "Many a boy who boasts of having lots +of nerve would have shrunk from doing what he +has. Tubby's all right, and that's a fact. But +it's high noon, and I warrant you he's feeling +mighty hungry."</p> + +<p>"He would, under ordinary conditions," said +Rob, "but just now I don't believe any of us could +eat a mouthful. I know the very thought of it +makes me feel queer."</p> + +<p>"That's because we're not used to such sights +and sounds," Merritt explained. "I expect to +wake up many a night with a groan and a shiver, +dreaming I'm on a battlefield again, after those +awful Maxims have been doing their murderous +work."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> +<p>"Well, we might take one last turn around," +suggested Rob, "and if we fail to find any more +wounded men, we'll call it a day's work, and +quit."</p> + +<p>"For one thing, I'm glad I don't mean to follow +this up as a profession," his comrade continued. +"I think I've had enough experience of +fighting to last me a lifetime, and yet, on second +thought, if it should happen again that they needed +what little help I could give, why I'd have to +pitch in."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>AN IMPORTANT CLUE.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"There was one thing I meant to mention to +you, Merritt," said Rob, as they once more started +to zigzag across the field where so many +windrows of fallen Germans lay, just as they had +dropped when making that daring charge.</p> + +<p>It was perhaps a little strange how the boys +could come to converse as they did while surrounded +by such gruesome sights; but after several +hours' familiarity with such scenes these begin +to lose some of their harrowing features. +And while Rob and his chum were still shocked +by frequent sights, they did not feel the same +weakness that had, in the beginning, almost overpowered +them.</p> + +<p>"Then, tell it now," urged Merritt.</p> + +<p>"It was about Anthony," continued the other.</p> + +<p>"Well, as we know only one Anthony just +now," pursued Merritt, "I reckon you must be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>referring to our late guide, the same who gave +us the slip like a coward. What about Anthony, +Rob?"</p> + +<p>"I guessed right about him," replied the patrol +leader. "It was not fear that tempted him +to leave us in the lurch, but a craze to get in +action. I think Anthony, while too old a man +to be on the active list of the Belgian army, must +have been a reservist."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he told me so," said Tubby, coming up +and catching what was being said by his chums.</p> + +<p>"Well," Rob continued, "apparently he knew +where to go to get a suit, for there he was as big +as life, and he even had the audacity to wave +his hand at me, and grin."</p> + +<p>"Where was this, Rob?" demanded Merritt, +surprised, as well he might be.</p> + +<p>"Where but sitting on one of those ammunition +caissons that went whirling past us into +action. Anthony must have been with the artillery +corps. He felt the longing come over +him when he thought of the enemies of his country—those +raiding Uhlans. So what did he do +but take French leave on his horse, and get to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>where this battery was waiting for orders to +proceed to the front."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, if you're dead sure it was Anthony," +Merritt observed, as if mollified by the +information, "of course we'll have to forgive +him. I was only mad because I thought the +fellow'd gone and gotten cold feet, after taking +our advance pay, too. If he's that kind of a +patriot, I've got no quarrel with Anthony."</p> + +<p>"And perhaps he even had a share in mowing +down some of these Germans who had invaded +his country," suggested Tubby. "Anthony +seemed to be pretty bitter against the +Kaiser and his people for trying to cross Belgium +in order to strike France in the back, as he +called it. Whee! I'm tired; but I didn't give +up, did I, fellows? You never thought Tubby +would be able to come through with what he has, +and I know it."</p> + +<p>"You deserve a medal, Tubby; and we were +just saying what a change there's been in you," +Rob told him, causing a wan smile to flit across +the wearied face of the fat scout.</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Merritt readily, "to see the ten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>der +way you handled that German, hardly more +than a boy himself, and who may never live to +see his people again, anyone would have thought +you had it in you to be a surgeon. Tubby, if I +were you I'd pay more attention to such things. +I honestly believe there's a streak of it in your +blood."</p> + +<p>"Well," Tubby remarked complacently, "we've +had eminent doctors in our family; and my folks +always said they hoped I'd take a fancy that +way; but when I found how weak I was every +time I saw a little blood, I gave up the idea. Now +I've had my baptism on the battlefield, so mebbe +I <i>will</i> change my mind. Even a soft-hearted +fellow might make a good doctor, if he couldn't +be a surgeon."</p> + +<p>"Listen, there's someone calling to us!" exclaimed +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"And in German, too," added Rob. "Look all +around, and see if you can find him. He must +have recovered his senses after we passed by +before."</p> + +<p>"There's something moving under that pile of +bodies," remarked Tubby with a shudder; "yes, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>and now you can see a hand waving to us. Oh! +let's hurry and get the poor fellow out!"</p> + +<p>The others were just as willing, and soon they +had dragged a man out from the weight that +had almost smothered him.</p> + +<p>"He's pretty badly hurt, I reckon," remarked +Rob, as he immediately stooped down over the +Bavarian soldier, "but not fatally, I think. We'll +do what we can for him here, and the next time +men come along with a stretcher, we'll send him +over to the field hospital."</p> + +<p>The wounded German soldier had listened to +them speaking.</p> + +<p>"Are you American boys, then?" he asked, in +excellent English.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, he must have guessed that when +you said you 'reckoned,' Rob," declared Merritt, +"but how comes it you talk English, my +friend?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm from Hoboken," said the man, smiling +in spite of the terrible pain he must have been +enduring.</p> + +<p>Rob was already busily engaged stanching +the bleeding from his wounds, which seemed to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>be numerous, though not apt to prove fatal, if +they had proper attention.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Hoboken, New Jersey?" he +asked, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Sure. I have lived there for many years +now, and have a large brewing interest. Krauss +is my name, Philip Krauss. I went across from +Munich, in Bavaria, and was on a visit to my +old home when the war came about. Although +I have long been an American citizen I still love +my native land, and they soon found a place for +me in the ranks. But now if I ever get over +this I think I will have had enough of fighting, +and expect to return to my wife and children +in Hoboken. But what are you doing here on +this terrible field? It is not the place for boys."</p> + +<p>"We are Boy Scouts," Tubby informed him +proudly. "By accident we were where we could +watch the battle being fought. Then along came +the Red Cross ambulances, and the nurses. They +asked us to assist, and as scouts all learn something +about first aid, why we thought we'd help +out. I guess you're about our last case, Herr +Krauss."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> +<p>Meanwhile Rob and Merritt busied themselves. +The way they went about temporarily +relieving his suffering, as well as stopping the +loss of blood, quite won the admiration of the +Hoboken patriot, even as it had done in the case +of numerous other wounded men whom the boys +attended previously.</p> + +<p>It chanced that once again the boys became +immersed in their own affairs, which were beginning +to weigh heavily on their minds.</p> + +<p>"I was making inquiries of one of the men +with the stretchers," Rob told his comrades, "and +he assured me that this little place by the name +of Sempst is only a matter of six miles or so +from where we are right now."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Merritt, brightening up, "if only +we stand a chance to get around without being +gobbled by the Germans, we might strike in +there to-morrow, and see if Steven Meredith is +still at his post. The agent sent word to my +grandfather that he had accepted a position +there in charge of some manufacturing plant +owned by a German firm in Brussels. I think +myself there may have been some truth in that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>story about his being in the pay of the German +Government, both over in America and here!"</p> + +<p>The wounded man was listening eagerly to +what they said.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," he now broke in. "But that is +not a common name; and I once met a Steven +Meredith, who pretended to be an American citizen, +but who I knew was an agent of the German +Government. It may be the same man. I +entertained him, together with the German consul +in New York City, at my home in Hoboken. +Do you happen to know any peculiarity about +his looks or manner that would identify him?"</p> + +<p>"The man we are trying to find was tall," said +Merritt quickly, "and has a slight cast in his left +eye. He talks with something of a twang, as +though he might be a Down-East Yankee."</p> + +<p>"It must be the same!" declared Philip Krauss, +as though convinced. "That accent, I believe, +was cleverly assumed for a purpose. Promise +me that you will not think it your duty to betray +him to the enemy, and I will tell you still more +of him."</p> + +<p>Merritt and Rob exchanged significant looks.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> +<p>"We have no fight against either Germany or +the Allies," Merritt observed, "for Americans +are neutral, and there would be no need of our +betraying him, even if we had the chance. So +we can easily give you that promise. He has +something in his possession that belongs to my +family; and we have come a long way to get it; +that is all we want of Steven Meredith. Now, +what can you tell us about him?"</p> + +<p>"Only this," replied the wounded Hoboken +brewer. "You have perhaps saved my life, and +I feel I am under heavy obligations for the favor. +It is worth something to my wife and family +that I should live to see Hoboken again. The +man you are looking for is in the suburbs of +Brussels. You spoke of Sempst. He was there +two days ago when my troop passed through. +That may ease your minds, my brave boys."</p> + +<p>"Would you mind telling us how you know +this?" asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"I saw him, and talked with him," came the +convincing response. "He remembered me, +though he put his finger on his lips, and looked +around him as though he were suspicious. He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>is, as you said, in charge of a manufacturing +plant, or appears to be, though he may have +been sent there to spy upon the people, and learn +valuable facts for the service. But I am glad +to be able to do even a little in return for your +kindness."</p> + +<p>As two soldiers wearing the Red Cross on their +sleeves came along just then with a stretcher, +the boys beckoned to them, and had Philip +Krauss carried off to the field hospital. They +did not see him again after that. If, however, +they should ever reach home again, they determined +some day to look the Hoboken man up, +and learn of his further adventures.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE CAMP FIRES OF AN ARMY.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Here, it's getting well along into the afternoon," +remarked Tubby with a forlorn look on +his face, "and I'm so knocked out that if you +told me you meant to make a start for the little +Belgian town right away I'd faint, sure I would."</p> + +<p>"Don't think of doing it, then, Tubby," Rob +told him, "because the rest of your chums are +feeling in pretty much the same box themselves."</p> + +<p>"We've had a terribly hard day of it, for a +fact," agreed Merritt, as he looked around upon +the scene, and shuddered in spite of his well +known nerve.</p> + +<p>"Then please tell me what's the program?" +pleaded the fat scout. "That munch of black +bread was good enough to keep a fellow from +starving to death; but I certainly do hope there's +a better prospect ahead of us for supper."</p> + +<p>"Rob, you've got a scheme!" asserted Merritt.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> +<p>"What makes you think so?" asked the other, +smiling languidly; for he was very nearly exhausted +from the hard work he had done acting +as an assistant field surgeon in the service of +the Red Cross corps, doing temporary work in +binding up wounds, and giving stimulants to +those who were weak through loss of blood.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I can tell it from the way you act," replied +Merritt. "I haven't been your closest chum +all this time without getting to know what different +things mean. Now give us a pointer; +what about getting some supper, and finding a +place to sleep to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Well, do you think you could stand for another +night in the hay?" demanded Rob.</p> + +<p>"Just try me, that's all!" whimpered Tubby. +"And, say, if you're thinking of going back to +that village again, I only hope they'll be good to +us, and feed us like they did this morning."</p> + +<p>"That's what I had in mind," the patrol leader +told them. "So the sooner we make a start that +way the sooner we can rest up."</p> + +<p>It was weary work tramping all the way back +to the little village where they had first met +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>the ambulances of the Red Cross corps, and +joined hands with the workers. Rob would have +liked to say good-by to the American nurse who +had taken so much interest in their welfare. He +knew, though, that it would be too much for +Tubby to approach that terrible field hospital, +where undoubtedly the nurses were still busily +engaged helping the surgeons in their labors.</p> + +<p>Whenever Tubby groaned and gave signs of +dropping, they called a temporary halt and, in +this way, made it as easy for the fat scout as +possible.</p> + +<p>Somehow the very thought of that sweet-scented +hay appealed to Tubby very nearly as +much as a good feed might; and that was saying +a great deal.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder at hoboes liking haystacks +when they're wandering around the country, if +only they're as nice as that mow we struck," he +told the others more than once. "Why, things +couldn't be better. Now I understand what they +mean when they say 'hitting the hay.' It means +a sweet sleep. But we're really getting there, +ain't we, Rob?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> +<p>"We're right on top of the village now, +Tubby," Merritt told him.</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Rob, "there you can see the elevation +we stood on when we watched the terrible +battle. The village is here on our left. One +more tug, and we'll arrive, so brace up, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm getting along quite decent, thank +you, Rob. But I'll be glad when we're sitting +on that bench under the shade of the tree."</p> + +<p>As they entered the village they found that +it was quite a different place from the time of +their previous visit. Streams of wounded men +had been brought in, and every other cottage +was turned into a temporary hospital.</p> + +<p>Of course the injured Belgians were given the +first choice, as was perfectly natural; but Rob +was pleased to see that after all these humble +villagers had human traits in their make-up. +Misery makes the whole world akin, and although +they had no reason to love any German +invader, the sight of stalwart young Teutons +suffering agonies touched many a mother's heart; +their own sons might any day be in need of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>same attention from strangers, and they could +not refuse to aid these wounded foes.</p> + +<p>So into many a Belgian home a sorely stricken +German was carried, to be cared for until the +time came when he could be removed, either to +his own lines, or to Antwerp.</p> + +<p>The boys first of all sought that shady spot +where the bench mentioned by Tubby offered an +inviting seat. Here they sat down, and observed +the many stirring sights that were taking place +all around them.</p> + +<p>"I've seen two men taken to the barn," remarked +Merritt, half an hour later, "and so I +reckon we'll have neighbors in our hay-mow to-night."</p> + +<p>Tubby made a grimace, and then seemed to be +ashamed of his selfishness.</p> + +<p>"Well, if we do have to play nurse," he observed +with the air of a philosopher, "I suppose +we can stand it. What are all our troubles, I'd +like to know, compared to those these poor people +are suffering?"</p> + +<p>"That's right, Tubby," said Merritt, "and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>we'll manage to pick up plenty of sleep, I should +think."</p> + +<p>"It'll have to be in the early part of the night, +then," Rob told them, "because we want to get +out of this a couple of hours before daylight."</p> + +<p>"You mean to start then for Sempst, do you?" +asked Tubby, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Yes, because it might turn out to be dangerous +work walking in broad daylight, until we've +managed to get around the Germans," Rob explained. +"I've already picked up considerable +information about the country, and the lay of +the land. Between now and the time we turn +in I hope to learn still more, so that I can take +you on a road by starlight that will make a circuit +around the German camps."</p> + +<p>Apparently both his mates had the utmost confidence +in Rob's ability to do this, for there was +no word of protest raised. Merritt asked a few +questions, and then they fell back upon their old +occupation of watching the movements of the +villagers, mostly women, as they bustled to and +fro.</p> + +<p>Pretty soon Rob sauntered over to the inn, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>had a long talk with the old man who ran the +public house. They could see him doing considerable +pointing, and from this fact judged that +Rob was keeping his word about picking up all +the information possible.</p> + +<p>When he came back it was getting near sundown; +and of course the first thing Tubby asked +was:</p> + +<p>"Did he say we could have it, Rob?"</p> + +<p>As both of the other scouts were so well acquainted +with Tubby's weak points they did not +need a dictionary in order to understand what +was on his mind.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to tell you, Tubby," replied the other, +"that the innkeeper says we deserve the best +supper he can get ready. It seems that they've +been talking about us here. Some of the nurses +must have told how we worked on the battlefield; +or it may be the wounded soldiers mentioned +the fact that we did something to help +them bear up till the stretchers arrived. No matter +what happened, the innkeeper thinks a heap +of us all, and we'll not go to our hay shake-downs +hungry this night!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> +<p>"Hurray!" cried Tubby joyfully, "he's certainly +a good fellow, Rob, I tell you; and I'm +never going to forget him. The man who keeps +my body and soul together has my eternal gratitude."</p> + +<p>Later on they were called in, and found that +a substantial meal had been prepared for them. +Tubby was fairly ravenous, and his chums found +it necessary to warn him not to founder.</p> + +<p>"Remember, we've got to be up and doing by +three in the morning at the latest," Rob observed, +"and if you make yourself sick the whole plan +will be knocked galley-west. We might have to +leave you behind, after all."</p> + +<p>That last threat brought Tubby to his senses.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see," he explained, as he pushed +himself away from the table and its temptations, +"I was trying to fix it so that in case we had to +go without our breakfast to-morrow I'd be in +shape to stand it."</p> + +<p>"Sometimes," mused Merritt, "I think you're +trying to fix it so that you could do without eating +for a week."</p> + +<p>When they made their way outside again it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>was to find that night had fallen. In the western +sky a young moon looked down pityingly on the +field which had so lately been marked by the desperate +charge of the German hosts, only to fail +in their effort to break through the Belgian intrenchments +with their barbed wire defenses.</p> + +<p>"Look, over there are hundreds of little fires +flickering!" exclaimed Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Those are the camp fires of the Germans," +Rob told him. "I want to fix them in my mind, +because we will have to make a wide detour, so +as to avoid running across any patrol on the +outskirts of their camp. I hope by the time daylight +comes we can be far enough around to get +off without being seen. The worst thing is this +khaki uniform business. If only we had on ordinary +clothes we might be taken for Belgian boys. +But, as it is, they'll think we're soldiers, or at the +least Belgian scouts, and they treat them as if +they were regular enlisted men."</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward they again sought the barn. +The lantern once more hung on its accustomed +hook, and by its friendly gleam Rob and his two +chums were enabled to find the place where on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>the preceding night they had slept so well. The +wounded men happened to be removed from them +by some little distance. They could be heard +occasionally groaning, or talking in low tones; +but, as the boys were too tired to remain awake +long, they soon lost all consciousness of what +was passing around them.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the crowing of a rooster nearby may +have told Rob that it was in the neighborhood of +three o'clock, for he aroused his chums close to +that time.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>THE HANGING BRIDGE.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Do we have to get out at this terribly early +hour?" asked Tubby, as he dug his knuckles into +his eyes, still heavy with sleep.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Rob. "I've taken a look at the +stars, and it must be half-past two, or near it. +You know I've made it a practice to be able to +tell the hour of night in that way, and can hit it +every time. Come, get a move on you, Tubby, +unless you'd prefer staying here in the hay and +waiting till we come back."</p> + +<p>"Well, you don't shake me that way if I know +it," muttered Tubby, hastening to crawl out of +his snug nest.</p> + +<p>The night air was rather chilly, when once +they found themselves outside. All of them were +glad to button up their coats.</p> + +<p>Looking in the direction where the myriad of +fires had been burning earlier in the night and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>seeming like innumerable giant fireflies which +they were accustomed to seeing summer evenings +at home, they found that most of them had died +out.</p> + +<p>"I expected that would happen," said Rob, +when Merritt called his attention to the altered +conditions in the camp of the Germans, "and it's +lucky I made my plans without depending on +seeing those fires again. I've got other landmarks +to go by."</p> + +<p>"I expected you'd have," said Merritt, filled +with the utmost confidence in the leader of the +Eagle Patrol, which faith was founded on a +long list of past performances worth remembering.</p> + +<p>As there was nothing to hinder them, they +made an immediate start. Tubby was observed +to cast a last longing look back toward the humble +village inn. No doubt he was deploring the +necessity that compelled them to leave such hospitable +quarters without waiting for breakfast-time +to come along.</p> + +<p>It was not exactly dark, once their eyes became +accustomed to conditions. The stars shone +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>brilliantly in the clear heavens overhead, and in +open country it is possible to steer one's way +fairly well by starlight.</p> + +<p>For some time the boys went on. Tubby, of +course, often stumbled, for it would not have +been Tubby otherwise; but, as he had not so +far actually spread himself face downward on +the road, he thought he was doing very well.</p> + +<p>Merritt could see how Rob had laid out their +course, by the assistance of the friendly innkeeper, +who had been told of their desire to reach +the little place called Sempst. He had really +drawn Rob a rude but correct chart of the roads +covering the territory between, and informed +him as to what his best plan of campaign would +be.</p> + +<p>A number of times they had slight scares. +Once a dog ran out from a yard and commenced +barking wildly at them, even threatening to nip +Tubby in the leg. It was only natural for the +threatened one to shout angrily and kick desperately +at the offending canine. By great good +luck he managed to land the toe of his shoe +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>against the vicious animal's nose, as a loud howl +announced.</p> + +<p>"There, that serves you right, for bothering +me, you silly thing!" grumbled Tubby.</p> + +<p>The others knew he must be very proud of +that shot, and would often refer to it when complaints +were made afterward to the effect that he +was "slow." Any one who could manage to get +his foot in contact with a snapping dog must not +be reckoned out of the running.</p> + +<p>Just what they would do should they finally +reach the small town where Steven Meredith +was supposed to be in charge of a large German +manufacturing plant, they had not as yet determined. +It was Rob's plan to secure possession +of that field-glass case by hook or crook, for, if +it proved impossible to obtain by fair means, then +he meant to try strategy.</p> + +<p>For this purpose he had even bought an empty +case while in Antwerp which had been carried +through all their adventures. It was a new +one, for, in making up his plans, Rob may have +had in mind the old Arabian story of the magical +lamp, and how the cunning schemer managed to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>get possession of it by going around and offering +housewives to exchange new lamps for old ones.</p> + +<p>He meant to exchange with Steven, and give +him a brand new case for his worn one, should +the opportunity arise for such a transfer.</p> + +<p>"And once we get our hands on that bit of +paper," he had told the others, "we'll shake the +dust of this country off our shoes in the biggest +hurry ever."</p> + +<p>It must have been fully an hour after they left +the stable of the village inn when Rob imparted +some information to his chums that caused +Tubby, at least, more or less apprehension.</p> + +<p>"It's about time we were coming to it now," +Rob started to say.</p> + +<p>"What, already?" remarked Tubby, evidently +delighted, for, of course, he foolishly thought it +must be the little town they were heading for that +Rob meant.</p> + +<p>The other quickly undeceived him.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we're a long, long way off from Sempst +yet, Tubby," he said. "I was referring to a +bridge the inn-keeper told me about, that's all."</p> + +<p>"What's there about a bridge to worry us, I'd +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>like to know?" muttered the fat scout suspiciously, +feeling terribly depressed, because he had been +so like a drowning man grasping at a straw.</p> + +<p>"Unless it happens to be guarded by the Germans," +suggested Merritt softly, "and then we'd +have a dickens of a time getting across."</p> + +<p>"The trouble about this particular bridge isn't +so much that it's apt to be guarded," Rob went +on to inform them, "but the inn-keeper was +afraid we'd find it gone!"</p> + +<p>"Blown up, do you mean, Rob?" Tubby demanded.</p> + +<p>"It's been reported that way," he was informed. +"Fact is, there doesn't seem to be much +doubt about it. From all accounts, the Belgians +destroyed it, as they have done many other costly +bridges, so as to impede the advance of the German +heavy guns. It takes lots of time and trouble +to rebuild a bridge and make it strong +enough to let a monster siege gun rumble over."</p> + +<p>"But, Rob, shall we have to swim across, or is +there a sort of ford handy that we might use?" +Merritt inquired.</p> + +<p>"I certainly hope we don't have to swim, any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>way," +Tubby declared, "for, if there's one thing +I hate to do, it's to get soaking wet. It's so uncomfortable +afterward, and especially when you +can't change your clothes. But, of course, if it's +got to be done, we'll all have to just grin and +bear it."</p> + +<p>"It may not be necessary in this case," added +Rob, no doubt purposely delaying his information, +because he liked to hear Tubby drumming +up his courage in this way.</p> + +<p>"Then mebbe you've gone and got some wings +hidden away, which we can use to fly across?" +suggested Tubby quickly, "or it might be an aėroplane +is kept handy so's to ferry folks over dry-shod."</p> + +<p>"Neither of your guesses hits the mark, Tubby," +he was informed. "The inn-keeper said one +man told him that, while the bridge was wrecked, +a few of the steel beams still hung in place, so +that any one who was fairly spry might manage +to make his way over from one side to the other. +A number had done it, including the man who +told him."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> +<p>"If others can, we ought to be able to make +it," Merritt said stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose that's so," admitted Tubby +ruefully, "but then you mustn't forget that they +had daylight to help out. That makes a heap of +difference. I never did have the eyes of a cat +so's to see in the dark."</p> + +<p>"It's getting on toward the first peep of dawn," +Rob told him; "and I expect there'll be some light +for us when we reach the bridge."</p> + +<p>"We can wait till she comes along, then," Tubby +continued, as though even that assurance gave +him more or less satisfaction.</p> + +<p>From the formation of the country Rob judged +they must soon arrive at the place of the bridge. +He had already made the discovery that there +was a stream on one side of them, which the +road would have to cross before long.</p> + +<p>"I think I see where it lies," Merritt announced +a few minutes after they had stopped +talking.</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted the leader, when he had followed +the course of Merritt's outstretched finger +as well as was possible in the semi-darkness, "that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>must be the anchorage of the bridge. We'll soon +know what we're going to be up against."</p> + +<p>"Well, all I hope is we don't have to swim, +that's what!" Tubby muttered.</p> + +<p>Rob, as they continued to advance, kept a careful +lookout. He wondered whether any sort of +patrol could have been stationed at the ruined +bridge by one or the other of the hostile armies. +It might make considerable difference with them +in their intended crossing; and would turn out +very awkward if, when they were in the middle +of the span, they discovered they were being +made targets by some reckless marksmen on the +further shore.</p> + +<p>Presently they drew up alongside the spot. As +Rob had hinted the night was really at an end, +and in the east the first peep of coming dawn +could be seen in the brightening sky.</p> + +<p>"It's a wreck, all right!" said Merritt, as they +stood there, straining their eyes to try and follow +the outlines of the torn steel girders that seemed +to have been twisted into all manner of queer +shapes by the force of the explosion.</p> + +<p>"Gingersnaps and popguns!" ejaculated Tub<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>by +helplessly, "and do you really expect to crawl +over that swinging thing? I've read about some +awful hanging bridges in the mountains of South +America and Africa, but I bet you they couldn't +hold a candle alongside this mussed-up affair. +Whee! you'd have to blindfold me, I'm afraid, +boys, if you expected me to creep out there on +that dizzy girder."</p> + +<p>"We'll wait a bit till the light gets stronger," +Rob counseled, knowing full well that when it +came to it Tubby would summon the necessary +resolution to cross over, especially if his comrades +showed the way.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour elapsed. By that time +they could see across fairly well.</p> + +<p>"First of all," Rob summed up, "there doesn't +seem to be anybody over there to bother us, that +I can notice."</p> + +<p>"And the way across isn't so bad, that I can +see," announced Merritt, principally to help buoy +up the sinking heart of poor Tubby. "Why, all +of us have done stunts worse than that. You +know we have, Tubby, many a time."</p> + +<p>"Well," Tubby answered him weakly, "just as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>you say, boys. I'm in your hands. I promise to +do the best I can to get over; but, if I <i>should</i> +slip, please get me out of the river as soon as +you can. You know I'm not a cracking good +hand at swimming."</p> + +<p>Of course they promised, and cheered him up +by every means possible; but it was with many +doubts that in the end Tubby consented to start +forth on the trip.</p> + +<p>Rob led the way, and after him came the fat +chum, with Merritt bringing up the rear. There +was a method in this arrangement, for, while the +pilot could test each girder, so as to pronounce +it secure, the rear guard was able to keep an eye +on luckless Tubby, and even give him an occasional +word of advice.</p> + +<p>Now that the morning had arrived they could +see better with each passing minute; and Rob +soon declared there was no necessity for any further +delay.</p> + +<p>It was always a principle with him to grapple +with a difficulty, and carry out his plans, without +letting anything like dismay seize hold of his +heart.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> +<p>Accordingly Rob now made a start.</p> + +<p>"Why, this is dead easy," was the way he +sung out, after he had passed along the swaying +girder for a little distance. "All you have to +make sure of is that your grip is sound. Then +keep hunching along, foot by foot. And don't +look down any more than you can help, because +it might make you dizzy."</p> + +<p>Tubby shut his teeth hard, and began to follow +after the pilot. He made good progress until he +had about reached the middle of the rocking span. +Then Rob was really alarmed to hear a sudden +loud cry, and feel his slender hold shaken violently.</p> + +<p>Something had certainly happened to unfortunate +Tubby!</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>SCOUT TACTICS.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>Just as he feared, when Rob managed to turn +around and look back, he found that Tubby had +gone and done it again. Whether he had missed +his footing, or something had given way under +his additional weight, was a question that could +not be decided.</p> + +<p>Before Merritt, close in his rear, could thrust +out a helping hand, poor Tubby had fallen. The +river was all of thirty feet below, and just there +the water looked unusually unpleasant, because +it had considerable foam on the surface, there +being a shallow rift above the wider stretch.</p> + +<p>By the merest accident in the world, Tubby's +clutching hands had succeeded in fastening upon +a loose steel stay that hung downward for ten +feet. It must have given the fat boy a considerable +wrench when he gripped this, but he had +clung with the tenacity of despair.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> +<p>When Rob turned around, the first thing he +saw was Merritt kneeling there on the violently +agitated girder over which they were making +their crossing. He was staring downward, and, +of course, Rob instantly focused his gaze in the +same quarter.</p> + +<p>He had expected to see Tubby splashing about +like a porpoise in the stream far down below; +but, instead, was astonished to discover him +clinging desperately to that loose piece of steel +wreckage.</p> + +<p>Tubby had his face turned up toward his +chums. There was not a particle of the rosy +color to be seen that as a rule dyed his ample face; +in fact, he was as white as a ghost. A beseeching +look was in his eyes. Tubby knew that swinging +there he was in a serious predicament, from +which there would be only one escape if he were +left to his own devices. That would mean he +must release his frantic clutch on the swaying +steel rope, and drop down into the river, a possibility +he shuddered to contemplate.</p> + +<p>"Hey! get me up out of this, fellows, can't +you?" he whined, for, after his recent gymnastic +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>efforts, he no longer had sufficient breath to +shout.</p> + +<p>"Clasp your legs around the thing, can't you, +Tubby?" said Rob, who saw that the strain on +the other's arms must be tremendous, judging +from the way he was hanging there.</p> + +<p>The advice struck Tubby as well worth following; +so he immediately began to work his short +legs violently until he found that he could, as Rob +suggested, twist them around his slender support.</p> + +<p>When that had been accomplished it was much +easier for him. He began to suck in some encouragement +once more.</p> + +<p>"But won't you try and get me up again, Rob?" +he asked piteously. "I can't hang on here for +very long, like a regular old pendulum to a clock. +I'm not wound up for a seven-day-goer. And +say, I'd hate to have to drop kerplunk into all +that water down there. Think up some way to +grab me out of this, won't you, Rob?"</p> + +<p>"I'm trying to, Tubby. Keep still a bit, and +let me think," he was told.</p> + +<p>In one way, of course, it was a ridiculous sight, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>and that was why Rob winked his eye at Merritt +when he thought he could detect a whimsical look +on the other's face. Still, it was anything but a +laughing matter to poor Tubby, who felt that he +had a tremendous amount at stake. Every time +he found himself compelled to let his horrified +eyes turn downward that noisy stream seemed to +be more and more formidable to him. He fairly +hated it.</p> + +<p>"Can't you climb up again, Tubby?" asked +Merritt, who knew exactly what he would have +quickly done had he found himself placed in the +same predicament.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to, the worst kind," the fat scout assured +him, "but you know I'm feeling very queer +and weak, so I don't believe I could do much +that way, unless," he added quickly, "I had some +assistance from above."</p> + +<p>"And that's just what I'm going to try and +give you, Tubby."</p> + +<p>While Rob was saying this he had unbuttoned +his coat. This he proceeded to take off, first making +sure to transfer anything he had in the pockets, +so that he might not suffer a loss.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now, by leaning down here, I think I can +reach you with this coat," he proceeded to explain. +"If I had a rope, it would be much easier, +for with a loop I could make a sure thing of it. +But half a loaf is better than no bread, they +say."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is, Rob," agreed Tubby, who was +in no position to quarrel with any measures that +were taken for his relief. "But what can I do +with the coat when it comes down to me? I don't +feel that cold, you know."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to keep hold of one end, Tubby," +Rob explained quietly, in a way to convince the +imperiled scout that everything was working as +arranged, and that he need not worry. "With +just one hand you get a good grip of the end +that's near you; then start in to try and climb, +using your clasped legs the best you know how. +And don't get discouraged if you only come up +an inch or so at a time. When you're within +reach Merritt will hang down and lend a hand, +too."</p> + +<p>All of which was undoubtedly very cheering to +Tubby. This thing of having stanch comrades +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>in times of distress was, he had always believed, +one of the best parts of the scout brotherhood.</p> + +<p>He immediately took a firm grip of the dangling +coat-sleeve, and commenced to wriggle the +best he knew how.<br /><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 355px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="355" height="538" alt="He immediately took a firm grip—and commenced to wriggle the best he knew how.—Page 247." title="" /> +<span class="caption">He immediately took a firm grip—and commenced to wriggle the best he knew how.—<a href="#Page_247">Page 247</a>.</span> +</div> + + +<p><br />"I'm making it, Rob; sure I am!" he presently +announced. "That time I slid up as much as six +inches. It was a bully hunch, that coat racket of +yours. Keep her going, Rob, and I'll get there +yet. Never give up—that's my motto, you know. +I may get in lots of scrapes, but somehow I always +do manage to crawl out, don't I?"</p> + +<p>"Save your breath, Tubby, for your work; +don't chatter so much," Rob told him.</p> + +<p>Merritt was ready to do his part. He had +clasped a leg about the girder to help hold him, +and was leaning as far down as possible. Presently +the grunting fat chum reached a place +where he could be taken hold of, and so Merritt +fastened a hand in his coat back of his neck.</p> + +<p>"Here you come, Tubby," he said encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"Don't let go with your hands or knees yet!" +warned Rob; for, should Tubby be so foolish as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>to do this, the chances were that such a sudden +weight might drag Merritt down, and both would +take the plunge.</p> + +<p>It required considerable effort to finally land +Tubby on the horizontal girder, but in the end +this was accomplished. Then all of them sat +there to rest after their recent violent exertions.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how I came to do it," Tubby finally +remarked, as though he deemed it necessary that +some sort of explanation were forthcoming. "I +was moving along as nice as you please, when all +of a sudden I felt myself going. I must have +grabbed at the air, and happened to get a grip on +that hanging steel rope. Well, it might have +been a whole lot worse for me! I'm glad I didn't +get soused in the river. And I'll never forget +how nobly my chums came to the rescue."</p> + +<p>"Oh! stow that sort of talk, Tubby," Merritt +told him. "That's what we're here for. What's +a scout wearing his khaki uniform for if it isn't +to remind him what he owes to his chums? +You'd do the same for us any old time."</p> + +<p>"Just try me, that's all," declared the grateful +Tubby; and then, changing his tune, he went on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>to say: "Here we are, out in the middle of the +span, and it's just as hard to go back as it is to +move forward. So when you're ready, Rob, start +off again. I'll try not to slip any more. The +next time you might see my finish."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it would see mine," remarked Merritt, +rubbing the arm he had used in order to +tug at Tubby's great weight.</p> + +<p>Luckily nothing more happened, and they were +able to reach the opposite shore in safety. Tubby +sank down and panted, as soon as he crawled off +the end of that fragment of the steel bridge.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness that job is over with!" he +exclaimed fervently, "and all I hope is that we +don't have to come back this way."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you're getting to be an expert tight-rope +walker by now, Tubby," Merritt said encouragingly. +"A little more practice, and you could +apply for a job with Barnum & Bailey's circus."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Merritt, but I have loftier aims +than that calling," said Tubby disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's be getting on," suggested Rob. +"We've spent enough time here already."</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness I don't have to tramp along +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>soaked to the skin," Tubby was heard to tell himself, +with gratitude.</p> + +<p>The road skirted the river bank on the side +they were now on for some little distance at least. +Rob continued to keep a watchful eye around as +they progressed. He knew there was always +a chance that they might meet some detachment +of troops hurrying along; though the fact of the +bridge being down must be known to the Germans, +and would deter them from trying to make +use of this road until a temporary structure could +be thrown across the river by their engineers.</p> + +<p>Most of the inhabitants had fled from that part +of the country. Some may have drifted into +Brussels before the capital fell into the hands of +the invaders, when August was two-thirds gone; +and they had remained there ever since. Others +had fled in the direction of Ghent and Antwerp, +in the hope that these cities might hold out +against the German army.</p> + +<p>Several times they saw old men at work in the +fields, trying to save a part of their farm crops, +though without horses they could do little. Every +beast of burden had been drafted for one or the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>other army; what the Belgians missed the Germans +had certainly commandeered to take the +place of horses lost in the numerous fierce engagements +thus far fought.</p> + +<p>On consulting his little chart Rob soon found +that it would be necessary for them to abandon +this good road, and take to a smaller one that +branched off from it, winding in through the +trees, and past farms that had been thrifty before +this blight fell on the land.</p> + +<p>"Here's a wood ahead of us that looks as if it +covered considerable territory, and you don't often +see such a bunch of timber in Belgium," Merritt +announced presently.</p> + +<p>"Because, with seven million inhabitants to +such a small area," added Rob, "it's always been +necessary that they employ what is called intensive +farming. That is, they get as much out of +the soil as possible, even to several crops off of +the same patch of ground during the year."</p> + +<p>"Belgium is a busy manufacturing country, +too, or has been up to now," Merritt continued, +which information he may have remembered +from his training at school, or else found in some +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>guide-book purchased in New York City before +their steamer sailed for England.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what we'll strike on the other side +of this wood?" Tubby questioned, always speculating +on things to come; and possibly hoping +then and there they might run across a hospitable +farmer who would kindly offer to provide them +with some sort of breakfast.</p> + +<p>"That's yet to be seen," Merritt told him. +"Here's where there seems to be a sort of +swampy patch, with water and bogs. Listen to +the frogs croaking, will you? And I can see +more than a few whoppers, too. Chances are +this is a frog farm that supplies the big hotels in +Brussels and Antwerp. You know the French +are keen on frogs' legs, and pay fancy prices for +them by the pound."</p> + +<p>"I've eaten them more than once," Rob informed +them, "and I never had spring chicken +that was more toothsome and tender."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Tubby cast a wistful eye toward +the border of the frogpond, where the big greenbacks +could be seen, sitting partly in the water, +and calling to one another socially.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> +<p>The boys kept walking on, and finally came +to where the trees began to get more scanty. +About this time Rob made a discovery that was +not at all pleasing.</p> + +<p>"Hold up, fellows," he said in a hoarse whisper +that thrilled Tubby in particular, "our road +is blocked. There's a whole German army corps +camped ahead of us; and it's either go back, or +else hide here in the woods till they take a notion +to break camp and clear out. Let's drop down +in the brush and talk it over."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE FROG HUNTERS.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"That settles me, I guess!" said Tubby sadly, +as he followed Rob into the shelter of the brush +nearby, from which haven of refuge they might +watch to see what chances there were of the big +camp, a mile and more away, being broken up.</p> + +<p>"I know what you're thinking about, Tubby," +Merritt told him; "that none of us has had any +breakfast, and the outlook for dinner is about as +tough as it could be."</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted the fat scout, "I feel just like +kicking myself, because I didn't think of doing +it when I had the chance."</p> + +<p>"Doing what?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Getting that good-natured old fellow at the +inn to put us up some lunch," was the explanation +Tubby offered. "I guess he'd have done it, +too, because he thought we deserved being taken +care of, after hearing what the wounded Belgian +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>soldiers had to tell about us. Oh! it's a shame +how all my great thoughts come afterward. +What's the use of locking the stable door when +the horse has been stolen?"</p> + +<p>"Well, cheer up," said Rob, who, of course, +had overheard what was being said; "it may not +be a case of starving."</p> + +<p>"See here, you don't happen to have a lot of +stuff hidden away on your person, do you, Rob?" +gasped Tubby hopefully; and, as the other shook +his head, he continued in a mournful tone, "I +thought that would be too good to be true. But +please tell us what you mean by saying it mightn't +be so very serious. Mebbe you know of a henroost +nearby, where we might find a tough old +Dominick fowl that had been overlooked by +the raider squads from the camp?"</p> + +<p>"If I did I'd tell you, Tubby; but wait a bit, +while we watch the camp. If nothing happens +inside of two hours, I've got a sort of scheme +to propose to you both, and I hope it'll meet with +your approbation."</p> + +<p>"Two hours! Two long, weary hours! Gee!" +And, as Tubby said this, he proceeded to take +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>in some of the slack of his waistband, possibly +meaning to show Rob how terribly he had fallen +away of late.</p> + +<p>They could see that myriads of men were moving +about on the level stretch of country where +the invaders were encamped. Fires were going, +and doubtless those excellent camp ovens, of +which so much had been written, were being +used to bake fresh bread for the day. Those +Germans omitted nothing that would provide for +the comfort of the enlisted men.</p> + +<p>"It looks as though they meant to stay there +all day," remarked Rob, when they had been observing +these things for at least a full hour.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Rob!" protested Tubby helplessly, as +though the information gave him a severe pain.</p> + +<p>"Well, they believe in drilling right up to the +minute they go into battle," was what Merritt +remarked; "for there you can see a whole regiment +of them marching in review past the commander, +with others following behind."</p> + +<p>"It's a wonderful sight," admitted Rob. "I +never saw soldiers keep step, and seem to be such +parts of a machine like that. You'd think they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>were moved by some network of wires, like a big +automatic engine."</p> + +<p>"Oh! look what funny steps that first line is +practicing!" cried Tubby. "Why, they must be +only boys, and just playing soldiers. See how +they lift their feet, and go along like a high-stepper +of a horse. Ain't that the limit, now?"</p> + +<p>"I tell you what that must be," said Rob, +quickly. "I've read about what they call the +'goose-step.' It's a flinging up of each leg, as +the step is taken, bending the knee, instead of +keeping it stiff, like most soldiers on parade do."</p> + +<p>"The silly nonsense!" laughed Tubby. "What +would I look like trying that fancy step? I +thought the Kaiser had more sense than that."</p> + +<p>"Hold on. Don't condemn a thing before you +know what it's meant for," said Rob. "There's +an object, and a mighty good one, about that +step, even if it does make most people smile when +they see it for the first time."</p> + +<p>"Then let's hear what it is, please, Rob."</p> + +<p>"As far as I know about it, the object is to +strengthen the muscles of the leg, and give those +that are tired from a set position a rest. Don't +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>you see how that sort of a movement relieves the +leg? Try it a few times, and you'll believe me."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever seen the goose-step before, +Rob?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Only once, in a moving-picture play of the +German maneuvers," he was told. "It struck me +then as ridiculous; but I knew those German +military men had long heads, and would not start +a thing like that in a parade without something +big back of it. So, when I got home I tried it +a few times, and then I saw what a splendid relief +that throwing forward of the foot was. +There goes another line doing it."</p> + +<p>They continued to crouch—there was small +possibility of any one discovering them—and +watched all that was going on in the busy camp +beyond.</p> + +<p>Not once did any of the soldiers wander away. +It was plainly evident that they were being given +no liberties. Rob only hoped that the order +would come for this corps to get on the move, +and head to the southwest; for he did not doubt +but they were meaning to go to Ghent, or to some +other place toward the coast.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> +<p>Several times Tubby was observed to crane his +neck and look up toward the heavens anxiously. +The others did not need to be told what those +signs indicated. They knew very well that the +fat chum had not become suddenly interested in +astronomy, or expected an eclipse of the sun to +happen. He was merely noting how far along +his morning journey the sky king had traveled, +because he could not forget how Rob had set +a time limit on their remaining there.</p> + +<p>Two hours he had mentioned as the sum total +of their stay; when that boundary had been +reached Rob was going to make some sort of +pleasing proposition. Tubby hoped it would have +to do with the procuring of a certain nourishment, +of which all of them certainly stood in +great need.</p> + +<p>At last Rob gave signs of making a move.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you fellows will come back along the +road a little ways with me," he announced with +a smile, "I've got something to propose. I only +hope you fall in with my views, for then there's +a chance that we'll have something to eat."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you can count on me agreeing with you, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>Rob!" said Tubby cheerfully. "No matter +whether it's fur, fin, or feather, I think I could +do justice to nearly anything that grows."</p> + +<p>"As it happens, it's something that doesn't fly +or walk that I have in my mind," Rob declared +rather mysteriously. "The fact is, it hops!"</p> + +<p>"Now you have got me worse balled up than +ever," protested Tubby, his brow wrinkled with +his endeavor to guess the answer.</p> + +<p>"I think I know," volunteered Merritt, grinning +amicably.</p> + +<p>"What does he mean, then? Please hurry and +tell me," pleaded Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Frogs, isn't it, Rob?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Oh! gingersnaps and popguns! Do I have to +come down to choosing between eating jumpers +and starving to death?" complained the fat boy, +looking distressed.</p> + +<p>"Well, wait till you get your first taste, that's +all," Rob told him. "If you don't say it beats +anything you ever took between your teeth, I'm +mistaken, and that's all there is about it. Why, +they're reckoned one of the fanciest dishes in all +the high-class clubs in America, along with dia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>mond-back +terrapin, canvas-back duck, and such +things. The only thing I'm afraid about is that +after you get your first taste you'll want to hog +the whole supply."</p> + +<p>"But how shall we catch the frogs, and then +cook them?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>"The first ought to be easy," replied Rob, "seeing +how plentiful they are, and how big and tame. +I see a dandy piece of wood that would make a +good bow with a piece of stout cord I've got in +my pocket. Merritt, get some of those straight +little canes, growing on the edge of the water. +We can make them do for arrows, and, even +without feathers, I think I can hit a big frog +with one at ten paces away. It'll be fun as well +as a profitable business. Frog-hunters, get busy +now."</p> + +<p>"Here's a long pole, Rob. Shall I take it and +steal up close enough to whack a few of the +jumpers on the head?" asked Tubby, now entering +into the spirit of the game.</p> + +<p>Being given permission, and warned not to +make too big a noise, lest he frighten all the +frogs into jumping, he set about his task. After +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>several failures he finally brought one monstrous +greenback frog to where the others were still +working.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you how to cut off the saddle, and +skin the hind legs," said Rob.</p> + +<p>Tubby did not altogether like this job. The +slimy feeling of the frog rather went against his +stomach. Still, after the large hind legs had been +duly skinned, they presented so much the appearance +of the white meat of a spring chicken +that Tubby felt encouraged enough to set forth +again.</p> + +<p>He had four victims by the time Rob and Merritt +pronounced the bow and arrow part of the +business in readiness for work.</p> + +<p>They kept at it steadily for an hour and more. +Rob found considerable excitement and profit in +his archery. His arrows could not be wholly +depended on, for they were not properly balanced; +but the distance was so short that he +made numerous fatal shots.</p> + +<p>Merritt, too, had secured another long pole, +and joined Tubby in his share of the frog hunt. +It was exciting enough, and with more or less +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>delicious little thrills connected with it. No +doubt the frogs must have enjoyed it immensely; +but then, no one bothered asking what they +thought of such tactics. A boy's hunger <i>must</i> be +allayed, and, if there were only frogs handy, why +so much the worse for the "hoppers."</p> + +<p>"Whew! Don't you think we've got enough, +Rob?" asked Tubby, unable to stand it any +longer.</p> + +<p>"What's the score?" asked the archer, as he +tossed still another great big victim toward the +spot where the fat scout had been counting the +pile.</p> + +<p>"Twenty-one, all told," replied Tubby. "That +would mean seven for each. But how in the +world can we cook them? I hope now you don't +mean to tackle them raw? I love raw oysters, +but I'd draw the line at frogs. I'm no cannibal."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's find a place deeper in the woods, +where we can make a fire out of selected dry +wood that will make so little smoke it can't be +noticed. That's an old Indian trick, you know. +Hunters used to practice it away back in the time +of Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. When they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>were in a hostile country they had to be mighty +careful about making a smoke. I've tried it before, +and believe I can pick out the right kind +of fuel to use."</p> + +<p>While the others were finishing the not very +pleasant work of skinning the numerous frog +saddles, Rob busied himself with making the fire +in a secluded neck of the woods. In the midst +of jutting stones he soon had a blaze going. It +could not be seen twenty feet away, on account +of the obstructions; and, as the proper kind of +wood had been selected, there was no smoke to +mention.</p> + +<p>The boys would have given something for +their well-remembered frying pan, just at that +time, and some pieces of salt pork with which to +sweeten the dainty morsels which were to constitute +their luncheon. They were true scouts, however, +and could make the best of a bad bargain.</p> + +<p>"All hunters do not have skillets when they're +in the woods," said Rob, as he took a long splinter +he had prepared, thrust it into one of the +saddles, and then, poking the other end into the +ground close to the fire, allowed the meat to get +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>the benefit of the heat. "We must do what we +can in this old-fashioned way. The best sauce, +after all, is hunger; and, from the look on Tubby's +face, I reckon he's fairly wild to set his teeth +in the first of the feast."</p> + +<p>Pretty soon it was a lively scene, with all those +forks having to be attended to. A tempting odor +also began to rise up that made Tubby's mouth +fairly water. He heaved many a sigh, as he +waited for Rob to tell him that the first of his +allotment was sufficiently browned to be devoured.</p> + +<p>"Now, let's begin," said Rob finally. "Only +look out not to burn your lips. And, Tubby, take +my word for it, you're going to get the treat of +your life!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE ARMORED CAR.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Honest, Rob, I never knew what I was missing +when I said toasted frogs' legs would do for +Frenchmen, but none for Merritt Crawford," +and, while making this abject confession, the +speaker allowed a look of sublime content to possess +his features, such as would remove any lingering +doubt concerning his sincerity.</p> + +<p>"How about you, Tubby?" asked the master +of ceremonies.</p> + +<p>Tubby had been savagely tearing at his first +helping. His eyes were glued on the various +sticks under his charge, at the ends of which the +rear portions of as many frogs were dangling, +and turning a delicious brown under the influence +of the heat.</p> + +<p>Then Tubby was seen to heave a sigh.</p> + +<p>"To think that there are only <i>six</i> more apiece!" +he said in a most solemn tone. But the others +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>laughed softly, because they knew any loud merriment, +under such peculiar conditions, was +hardly safe.</p> + +<p>"That settles one thing," remarked Rob. +"There's going to be a marked reduction in the +profits of this particular frog-raiser this season, +if Tubby has to stay here long."</p> + +<p>Tubby was already commencing on his second +batch. He could not waste time in talking when +his appetite had been excited to a feverish pitch +by the first bite of tender and succulent meat.</p> + +<p>"Only thing I kick about," he presently mumbled, +throwing away the slender bones which he +had picked clean, "is that they go so quick. +Why, you hardly get started before you're at the +end."</p> + +<p>"That's the way with nearly all good things," +Merritt informed him. "Just as soon as they become +so numerous that you can have all you +want, somehow it seems as if the craving leaves +you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess that's about it," admitted Tubby, +talking only because the next batch of provender +was not quite ready for disposal. "Anyhow, I've +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>seen my mother just dote on a horrible little cucumber +that dad brought home in January, paying +about twenty cents for the same, and, when +we have bushels of splendid ones in our own garden, +why, nobody cares to eat them."</p> + +<p>The little feast continued until everybody had +cleaned up their mess. Tubby was disconsolate +because the supply was so limited and the demand +so great.</p> + +<p>"How foolish we were not to double our +catch," he said several times, "for there wouldn't +have been any trouble about doing the same. +One thing I've settled in my mind, I want to tell +you."</p> + +<p>"Well, go on, then, and explain," urged Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I'll have one next summer, see if I don't," asserted +Tubby.</p> + +<p>"What—a feast of frogs' legs?" chuckled the +other scout.</p> + +<p>"Me? Only one show at the same? Well, +when I like a thing, I rave over it. I want it +every day. I mean to have a frog hatchery, and +a pond where I can raise 'em by the million!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> +<p>"Listen to him, will you, Rob?" exclaimed +Merritt, pretending to be horrified. "If ever +there was a case where eyes were bigger than a +stomach, it's right here. Millions of them, Tubby +wants now; seven is only a flea-bite to him."</p> + +<p>"Oh! shucks! don't make me out a hog!" remonstrated +Tubby. "I didn't mean I expected to +devour the whole lot. Why, can't you see there's +good money in raising frogs? I'm going to get +the figures, and find out just what the ratio of +increase might reach. And my folks have got a +dandy marsh on the old farm back near Huntington +that we own. Rob, I thank you for opening +my eyes to this grand opportunity. I expect +it will be the turning point of my life yet."</p> + +<p>They were used to hearing Tubby talk like this. +He often became inspired with ambition, but, +as time went on, the spirit died out, and something +new took its place.</p> + +<p>"You're letting the little fire die out, I notice, +Rob," Merritt observed.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes; we have no further use for it," +he was told, "and there's always a small chance +that some soldier would be sent this way on an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>errand, when he might get a whiff of the smoke, +and take a notion to investigate. For one I'm +not hankering to be sent a prisoner of war to +some detention camp on the Rhine."</p> + +<p>"And I'd feel pretty bad if my mission over +here turned out a fizzle," said Merritt, "because +my heart is set on getting that paper for Grandfather +Crawford."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to propose," Tubby projected, as +though he could not tear his thoughts away from +the one fascinating subject as long as the taste +of his remarkable feast was still on his lips, +"that we put in a couple of hours' more work +getting a supply of these bouncing big frogs. If +the Germans stay right there the rest of the day +we want to lay in some provisions; and our choice +is limited, you know, to this one thing."</p> + +<p>"Of course we could do that," Rob informed +him, "in case it was absolutely necessary; but +I've got a hunch that there's going to be a movement +of that army before sundown. If that +happens, we can get away from here, and find +some one to cook us a meal."</p> + +<p>"Then you must have noticed signs that told +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>they were beginning to get ready to go?" suggested +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Which was just what I did," replied Rob. "I +can hear certain sounds that tell me they have +received the order they were expecting, and are +breaking camp."</p> + +<p>As all of them were anxious to learn whether +this glorious possibility could be really true or +not, they once more made their way back to the +spot where their former vigil had taken place.</p> + +<p>"Why, the whole army is in motion, seems +like!" ejaculated Tubby.</p> + +<p>"And a wonderful sight it is, at that," added +Merritt. "They can say what they please about +these German soldiers—and the Belgians feel +they've got a right to call them all sorts of hard +names, as barbarians and the like; but there never +was such remarkable discipline in the history of +the world. The huge army is like one vast machine. +Men count only as necessary cogs. When +one goes another takes its place, and the engine +grinds on."</p> + +<p>They crouched there and watched every operation +from a safe distance. It seemed as though +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>there was a never-ending procession of gray-coated +figures, most of them with the spiked helmets +on their heads, marching away in columns +toward the southwest. Then came batteries of +quick-firing guns, and heavier field pieces. The +clattering of accouterments, the neighing of +horses, and the hoarse singing of various regiments—all +these things came floating on the +breeze to the ears of the three lads, as they lay +there in the afternoon sunshine and watched.</p> + +<p>"They seem particularly fond of certain +tunes," remarked Tubby, "and I know one is the +German national air, 'The Watch on the Rhine,' +because we've sung it many a time in the school +at Hampton. What's that other they roar out, +Rob?"</p> + +<p>"I think it's a popular patriotic German air, +called <i>Deutschland ueber Alles</i>, which means, of +course, 'Germany Over All'," Rob obligingly replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, every country's sons believe they +ought to have the first place in the sun; and I +reckon we Americans have done a heap of boast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>ing +that way," Merritt remarked, which seemed +to be about what Tubby thought, too.</p> + +<p>So they lay there until the camp was entirely +deserted. Never would those three scouts forget +the spectacle to which they had been treated that +day.</p> + +<p>It was now along toward the middle of the +afternoon. Far off in the distance somewhere, +an action was certainly going on, for the grumble +of heavy cannonading came almost constantly to +their ears.</p> + +<p>"Chances are," said Rob, as they prepared to +vacate their refuge and once more push onward, +"there's a fierce battle in progress, and this corps +has received orders to get on the firing line. +That would account for the way the troops were +singing. Their business is to fight, and most of +them are only happy when they can smell burnt +powder, hear the crash of bursting shrapnel, and +the heavy boom of big shells."</p> + +<p>"We've seen one battle," observed Tubby with +a shudder, "and for myself I'm not hankering +after a second experience."</p> + +<p>"I suppose in time we'd get used to such terri<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>ble +things," Rob pursued in a reflective way, "for +even the fellow who nearly swoons away in his +first fight, they say, becomes a regular fire-eater +after a while; but, so far as I'm concerned, I'll +be a happy boy when I see good old peaceful Long +Island again, with its sandy beaches, and the familiar +things we love."</p> + +<p>"We all will, Rob," remarked Tubby fervently, +a yearning expression coming over his rosy face, +as in imagination he again saw the home folks, +and sat down to a table that fairly groaned with +the good things he doted on.</p> + +<p>"Yes, after I've carried out my mission I'll be +just as glad to start back as either of you fellows," +Merritt assured them.</p> + +<p>The last of the Germans had disappeared from +view when the boys started out. Rob was looking +a bit serious, and the other noticed that he +kept turning his eyes off toward the right, for it +was in that direction the great host had gone.</p> + +<p>"You don't expect they will turn back and give +us trouble, do you, Rob?" asked Merritt, noticing +this frequent look.</p> + +<p>"No; it isn't that," he was told, "but I'm won<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>dering +what a certain movement that I happened +to notice could mean."</p> + +<p>"Tell us about it, won't you, Rob?" Tubby +implored. "It can't be that we have to take +the same road that army marched away +along, because we're heading in just the other +quarter."</p> + +<p>Before Rob could commence with his explanation +they heard the sound of what appeared to be +an automobile behind them. At the time they +chanced to be at the foot of a slight elevation, +which rose for perhaps twenty feet in a gradual +ascent.</p> + +<p>"Gingersnaps and popguns! Look what's +bearing down on us, will you?" gasped Tubby.</p> + +<p>"It's an armored automobile, as sure as anything!" +added Merritt, "just like that car we saw +in Antwerp, you know. Yes, I can see the muzzle +of the deadly Maxim gun that's back of that +metal shield. Rob, it's heading straight at us. +What if they take us for Germans, and open +fire?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! for goodness' sake, let's wave a white +flag to keep them from mowing us down like +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>wheat!" exclaimed Tubby, commencing to fumble +in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Hold up your hands to show that we have +no arms!" ordered Rob, abruptly. "They are +Belgians, and perhaps the same daring fellows +we saw come into Antwerp with all sorts of spoils +to show they had made a raid, and shot down +their regular allotment of the enemy. Yes, wave +the white bag, if you want, Tubby; we don't +mean to take any chances."</p> + +<p>"It's a hard thing to be shot down, and then +have some one say they're sorry, and that they +didn't know the gun was loaded," remarked Merritt.</p> + +<p>The armored car slowed down as it approached. +Those vigilant Belgians aboard were +doubtless observing the three figures in khaki +closely. Already they must have discovered that +they were Boy Scouts. Possibly they more than +half expected to find they were Belgian scouts, +for such boys were being used as dispatch bearers +all over the war zone.</p> + +<p>"We are friends!" called out Rob, "American +boys, who belong to the scouts over in our coun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>try, +you understand? We have nothing to do +with the war. Do any of you speak English? +I can talk in French a little, if it's necessary."<br /><br /></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 357px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="357" height="536" alt=""If you keep on the road ... you will fall into an ambush."—Page 277." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"If you keep on the road ... you will fall into an ambush."—<a href="#Page_277">Page 277</a>.</span> +</div> + +<p><br />The three Belgian soldiers laughed at that. +Plainly they had been at a loss to place these +three lads.</p> + +<p>"I happen to be able to talk English very +good," one of them called out, as the car stopped, +"and we are glad to meet you. Americans are +good friends of ours."</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Rob impressively, "if you keep +on the road you expect to take, so as to follow +the German army corps, you will fall into an +ambush inside of three minutes."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>TURNING THE TABLES.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>When Rob made this astonishing statement his +two chums suddenly realized that this must be +the matter he had been on the point of explaining +to them when the armored car from Antwerp +came tearing along the road in their rear like a +modern war chariot.</p> + +<p>The leader of the three Belgian soldiers, and +who seemed to be a captain, looked incredulous. +He repeated what Rob had said to his backers, in +Flemish; and they, too, observed the scout with +wondering eyes.</p> + +<p>"This is a strange thing you are telling me, +boy," remarked the captain. "How is it you +know there is an ambuscade laid to catch us napping?"</p> + +<p>"I will gladly explain," the Eagle Patrol leader +hastened to say. "You see, we want to get to +Sempst, and, as we helped the Red Cross on the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>battlefield yesterday, we were detained. Then +we found that there was a German army camped +right in our way. It moved off toward the front +only an hour ago, and we have been hiding most +of the day. But, while we were watching the +troops depart, I was surprised to see a single gun +taken into a patch of scrub on a little elevation +that commands the road. It is pointed this way, +and you can never notice it there unless you have +been posted. Now I can guess what they are +hiding for; they expect that you may be along, +and mean to rid the German army of your stinging +them so often!"</p> + +<p>Tubby's mouth was wide open. He stared at +Rob as though he hardly knew whether he were +awake or asleep. Even Merritt seemed thrilled +by what he had heard.</p> + +<p>As for the Belgian captain, it was an incredulous +look that gripped his features.</p> + +<p>"I do not know what to believe, boy," he said, +looking earnestly at Rob.</p> + +<p>"The best way is to prove it," that worthy told +him immediately.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> +<p>"It would at least be convincing," the pilot of +the armored car declared.</p> + +<p>"Suppose, then," continued the scout, "you +leave your car here at the foot of this little rise. +They couldn't see us with that hump between. +Go up the hill, and look along the road. You +needn't let them see you, of course; but I notice +that you've got a pair of field-glasses along. Follow +the road with those until you come to a little +break in the stone wall that lies around a patch +of field on the right. It is this knoll I spoke of, +crowned with brush. Watch that brush closely +for a minute; perhaps you will see the sun glint +from the gun; or else one of the hidden German +gunners may move ever so slightly. That will +tell the story, captain."</p> + +<p>The pilot of the armored car jumped out.</p> + +<p>"I will do as you say, at least it can be no +harm," he remarked hastily.</p> + +<p>After speaking in Flemish to his companions, +he started up the rise, carrying the field-glasses +and a revolver along with him. Watching, they +saw him get down and crawl the last yard or so; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>and then evidently he found a way to level his +glasses in the quarter under suspicion.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later and he backed off, coming +quickly down the little declivity. The first thing +he did was to grip Rob's hand and squeeze it +fiercely.</p> + +<p>"I have to thank you for my life, and the lives +of my brave comrades as well!" he said with +fervor.</p> + +<p>"Then you found that what I told you was +exactly so?" Rob asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is an ambuscade," replied the soldier. +"They must have suspected that we would +chase after the army so as to pick up stragglers, +because that is our favorite game these terrible +days; anything to sting the snake that is crawling +across our beloved country and leaving death and +destruction behind."</p> + +<p>"You will not go ahead after learning what is +waiting there, I suppose, Captain?" Rob continued.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, my boy, because they have the +range plotted out, and, when we reached a certain +spot, one shot would blow the car and the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>three of us to pieces. Our play is to go around +another way. But why have you done this for +us, when you say, as Americans, you must be +neutral?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly know," replied Rob. "Up to lately +we have not felt like favoring either side, because +we have many good German friends at +home. But what we have seen and heard here in +Belgium is beginning to turn us to the side of the +Allies. You see, I could not watch you rush +right to your death, knowing what I did. Perhaps, +if the tables had been turned I might have +warned a German pilot to turn around before it +was too late."</p> + +<p>"Well, you have done us a great favor, and we +thank you," said the Belgian soldier, with considerable +feeling; after which he conversed with +his two comrades for a minute or so, no doubt +explaining what had awaited them close by; and +that only for the timely warning of the Americans +they would have been launched into eternity.</p> + +<p>Then the car was turned around, and away +the three dashing Belgians sped. The last the +boys saw of them was when they waved their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>hands back ere vanishing around a curve in the +road.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Tubby, "that was a splendid thing +you did, Rob. And to think you noticed the Germans +laying that cute little ambush there! It +shows what training will do for a fellow, doesn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"It is only what every scout is supposed to do," +replied Rob, thinking to impress a lesson on Tubby's +mind. "Observe every little thing that happens, +and draw your own conclusions from it. +When I saw that gun going up into the field, I +wondered what they meant by that. Then I saw +they were laying a trap. I couldn't believe it +was intended for us, and so I was puzzled, because +we didn't expect to use that road at all."</p> + +<p>"And when the armored car came whizzing +along you knew the Germans meant to get the +Belgians who had been doing so much damage +day after day, as we'd heard; that was it, eh, +Rob?" and Merritt nodded his head sagely, as +though things were all as plain as anything to +him now.</p> + +<p>"Huh!" snorted Tubby, "after Columbus had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>cracked the end of the egg and stood it up, didn't +those Spanish courtiers all say that was as easy +as pie? Course we can see things after they've +happened. But you and me, Merritt, had better +be digging the scales off our eyes, so we can +discover things for ourselves next time."</p> + +<p>Merritt did not answer back. Truth to tell he +realized that he merited a rebuke for his lack of +observation. It might pass with an ordinary boy, +but was inexcusable in a scout who had been +trained to constantly use his faculties for observation +wherever he went.</p> + +<p>"Our road will take us past that place where +they are hiding, won't it, Rob?" he presently said. +"Suppose, now, they guessed that we must have +turned the armored car back, and lost them their +victims, wouldn't they be likely to take it out on +us, thinking we might be Belgian Boy Scouts?"</p> + +<p>"I had that in my mind, Merritt," admitted +Rob, "and for that reason I reckon we ought to +leave the road right here. We can make a wide +detour, and strike it further along, where the +danger will be past."</p> + +<p>All of them were of the same mind. They did +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>not fancy taking any chance of having that concealed +six-pounder discharged point-blank at +them. Mistakes are hard to rectify after a fatal +volley has been fired. The best way is to avoid +running any chances.</p> + +<p>They found a way to leave the road and take +to the fields, skirting fences, and in every way +possible managing to keep out of sight of the +German gunners who were lying concealed in +that scrub on the little elevation.</p> + +<p>It was while they were pushing on some distance +away that without the least warning they +caught a strange pulsating rattling sound from +the rear. All of them came to a stop, and wondering +looks were quickly changed to those of +concern.</p> + +<p>"Rob," exclaimed Merritt, "it comes from +near where that gun lies hidden back of the +bushes; and that's the rattle of a Maxim, as sure +as you live. Those Belgians have turned the +tables on the Germans; they've managed to sneak +around back of them, and must be pouring in a +terrible fire that will mow down every gunner in +that bunch of brush!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> +<p>Rob was a little white in the face, as he continued +to listen to the significant discharge. He +had seen what mischief one of those Maxim guns +could do at fairly close quarters, for they had +witnessed them at work during the battle of the +preceding day.</p> + +<p>"I feel bad about it in one way," he said, "because +in saving the lives of those three Belgians +we have been the means of turning the trap on +those who set it. But I never dreamed they +would try to surprise the men in ambush."</p> + +<p>The sounds died out, and silence followed; +though the far-away grumble of the conflict +could be heard from time to time.</p> + +<p>"They've launched their bolt," said Merritt, +"and either skipped out again, or else the German +battery has been placed out of commission. +We didn't hear the six-pounder go off, so they +had no chance to fire back."</p> + +<p>They continued their walk in silence. All of +them had been much sobered by these thrilling +and momentous events that were continually +happening around them. Much of the customary +jolly humor that, as a rule, characterized their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>intercourse with one another had been, by degrees, +crushed by the tragedies that they had seen +happening everywhere among the poor Belgians +and amid the stricken soldiers whom they had so +nobly assisted on the field of battle.</p> + +<p>Striking the little road again at some distance +beyond, they continued to follow it, under the +belief that they could not now be very far away +from the town they were aiming to reach.</p> + +<p>Before they entirely lost sight of the late encampment +of the German army, the boys discovered +that a number of peasants from the surrounding +country had come on the scene, and appeared +to be hunting for anything of value which +might have been purposely or by accident left +behind.</p> + +<p>"The poor things know they're going to have +the hardest winter ever," said Tubby, with considerable +feeling in his voice, "and they're trying +to find something to help out. Like as not +some of them even came from Louvain, where +they lost everything they had in the wide world +when the place was burned to the ground. It's +just awful, that's what it is. America looks like +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>the only place left where there's a chance of keeping +the peace."</p> + +<p>As they went along Rob was keeping track +of their course. He gave Merritt his reasons +for believing they would reach Sempst before +sunset after all, unless something entirely unexpected +happened to delay them again.</p> + +<p>"Just now we're in great luck," he finished. +"So far as we can see the Germans have cleared +out of this particular section completely. They +may be back again to-morrow; you never can +tell what they'll do. But the main line of railroad +is where they are mostly moving, because in that +way they can get their supplies of men, guns, +ammunition and food, and also take back the +wounded. Some of their dead are buried, but in +the main they prefer to cremate them, which is +the modern way to prevent disease following battles."</p> + +<p>Merritt did not make any remark, for he was +becoming more and more anxious the closer they +drew to the town where he expected to have that +question of the success or failure of his mission +settled.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> +<p>Rob knew how strained his nerves must be. +He could feel for his chum, and it was only natural +for him to want to buoy up Merritt's sinking +hopes.</p> + +<p>"Don't get downcast, old fellow," he told him. +"You've stuck it out through thick and thin so +far. Whether you find this Steven Meredith in +Sempst or not, you're bound to meet up with him +somewhere, sooner or later, you know."</p> + +<p>Merritt gritted his teeth, and the old look of +resolution came across his face, which the others +knew full well.</p> + +<p>"Thank you for saying that, Rob," he observed +steadily. "You know that once my mind is made +up I'm a poor one to cry quits. I'll follow that +man to China, or the headwaters of the Amazon, +if necessary, but I'll never give up as long as I +can put one foot in front of the other."</p> + +<p>"And," said Tubby vehemently, "here are two +loyal comrades who mean to stick to you, Merritt, +to the very end."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"I think we're coming to Sempst," said Rob.</p> + +<p>It was nearly half an hour after Merritt had +so firmly announced his intention of staying in +the game, no matter if he should meet with a bitter +disappointment in the town, which had been +the loadstone for their advance through the heart +of war-stricken Belgium.</p> + +<p>"Then Brussels can't be very far away, over +there," said Tubby. "Gee! I only wish we could +find some scarecrows about now, and get a +change of clothes."</p> + +<p>"What makes you say that?" asked Rob. "I +thought you were so proud of your suit of khaki +that nothing could tempt you to give it up."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I didn't mean I'd really want to discard +this bully suit," Tubby hastened to explain. "Only +if we could manage to conceal the scout uniform +under something more common, why, you see the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>Germans might take us for Belgian boys, and in +that case wouldn't molest us."</p> + +<p>"I understand what he's getting at, Rob," Merritt +chuckled, "Tubby has said a number of times +that the one thing he was sorry about was that +we couldn't have a run through Brussels. Seems +like he got a great notion he wanted to visit there, +as he'd read a lot about the wonderful city. But +you'll have to let that longing sleep until the next +time you come abroad, Tubby."</p> + +<p>"Unless we happen to find we've got business +in Brussels," observed the other cunningly. +"Then mebbe we might decide we'd find a way +to go in. 'Course I mean if they told us here in +Sempst that Mr. Steven Meredith, who seems to +be a pretty smart secret agent of the German +Government, had changed his residence to Brussels, +so as to be in touch with army headquarters +and the General Staff. How about that, Merritt?"</p> + +<p>"We won't cross rivers before we come to +them," Rob hastened to remark, not wishing the +other to fully commit himself to any course. +"After coming so far with the intention to find +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>our man here in this little town, it seems silly to +get cold feet when we're right on the spot, and +before we know anything that's against our having +the best of success."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you're right, Rob," agreed Tubby. "You +remember the old motto we used to write in our +copybooks at school long ago—'sufficient unto +the day is the evil thereof.' Guess that's from +the Good Book, too; but it applies to our case, +all the same. We'll wait till we see what is going +to happen here in Sempst. Anyway, they +haven't burned this little place down, because I +don't see anything that looks like ruins."</p> + +<p>Indeed, it seemed as though the peasants living +close to Brussels had been induced by the Germans +to continue their regular field work, under +promise of purchasing for fair prices all the +green stuff they could fetch into the capital. +They, mostly women, old decrepit men, and children, +for even the smallest could be given some +task that would help out, were working in the +fields.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if any of them could understand +my French," Rob was saying. "Of course it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>wouldn't be likely they could talk English. I've +got a good notion to try it on the first one we +meet on the road ahead."</p> + +<p>"Do it, Rob," urged Tubby. "Merritt and I +will stand by to catch him if he starts to faint."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope my French isn't quite that bad," +exclaimed Rob. "I've been polishing it up considerable, +you know, while on the steamer, and after +we landed in Belgium; and, with what I know, +and by pointing and shrugging my shoulders, I +generally manage to make people understand. +Of course, I don't know how it would be with a +clodhopper who didn't happen to be as intelligent +as I'd want. But here's a chance, and I'm +going to make the attempt."</p> + +<p>"It won't kill, even if it doesn't cure," said +Merritt; "and, Rob, if you can get him to understand +what you're saying, be sure and ask if that +chemical factory, where we understood Steven +had been given his responsible berth, has shut +down, or if it is still in operation."</p> + +<p>"I'll do that, Merritt," the other promised.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, when the peasant, smoking his +big pipe, came along in his wooden shoes, Rob +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>stopped him. He wanted to impress the fellow +favorably, so as to increase the prospect for a +favorable answer; and so Rob made sure to have +one of his famous smiles on his bright face when +he began to air his French.</p> + +<p>The other boys stood there watching the "circus," +as Tubby called it. They saw, however, +that Rob, many times at a loss for words in order +to express his meaning, must have managed to +make the peasant understand him.</p> + +<p>Again and again each of them pointed toward +the town so near at hand. Possibly Rob may +have been explaining just who he and his chums +were, and also how they had come all the way +from Antwerp with the one hope of finding a +certain person in this little suburb.</p> + +<p>"He's picking up some kind of news, seems +like," Merritt told Tubby, as the dialogue progressed +under so many difficulties, expressive +movements of the shoulders, and waving hands +taking the place of words that failed.</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?" demanded the +fat scout.</p> + +<p>"Look at Rob's face, and you can tell that he's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>feeling more or less satisfied with the way things +are going on," replied Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Gosh! that's so," muttered Tubby. "Seems +you're getting a move on, too, with observing +things. I'll have to hurry and do something myself, +if I don't want to find that I'm no first-class +scout, after all, but only a dub."</p> + +<p>Finally Rob was seen to press a coin in the +calloused palm of the peasant, who took off his +cap and bowed several times, as though grateful, +and then he continued on his way along the road.</p> + +<p>"What luck?" asked Tubby immediately; +while Merritt, more deeply interested than any +of them, silently waited to listen.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he gave me quite some information," replied +Rob; "and, so far as I can see, it looks good +for us. I didn't learn anything about Steven +Meredith, because the farm laborer probably +never heard of such a person; but he did tell me +that the chemical works have been kept going full +blast ever since the Germans occupied Brussels."</p> + +<p>"That must be because certain things are made +there that they can use in their war game, eh, +Rob?" Merritt conjectured, and the other nodded.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> +<p>"No question about it," he said, "though the +peasant couldn't say why certain things were +done, only that they did happen. But, if the factory +is running wide open, there seems to be a +chance that we may find Steven still on deck, and +keeping his finger on the pulse."</p> + +<p>"I'm only afraid that if he really is what we +think, a secret agent of the government," Merritt +suggested uneasily, "that he may have been +transferred to some other point where his smartness +would be apt to count, perhaps away down +in France, so that he could send up valuable information +about the making of artillery, or how +the conscription of the Nineteen-Fifteen boy recruits +is coming on."</p> + +<p>"Still, to find the works open, and doing business +right along, looks like a piece of good luck +to me," said Tubby.</p> + +<p>"It is," added Rob positively. "We agreed +long ago that we'd consider it such, if we learned +there had been no shutdown. We hoped it would +be that way, for we already knew that German +capital had been back of the chemical works. I +wouldn't be much surprised if it was learned that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>somewhere about the place, unknown to most +people, these clever Germans had long ago built +a heavy concrete floor, to be used in their business; +but which would make the best kind of +foundation for one of those big siege guns they +used to knock down the Ličge and Namur forts."</p> + +<p>When Rob said this he did not dream how +closely he was hitting the truth. It had not been +discovered at that time how secret preparations +along such lines had been made by the Germans, +year after year, in close proximity to many of +the leading cities in Belgium, France, and even +over in England.</p> + +<p>"Well, now for moving on, and entering the +town," Merritt remarked, with a look on his +face that told how he was summoning all his +resolution so as not to appear too heartbroken +should they meet with bitter disappointment.</p> + +<p>"I hope we don't run across any German soldiers +here," said Tubby.</p> + +<p>"We want to keep on the constant watch for +them," Rob gave warning. "If they saw us, they +might think it their duty to have us arrested at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>once, and detained until our story could be investigated."</p> + +<p>"And that would spell ruin for all our plans, +wouldn't it?" Merritt asked, not as cheerfully as +he might, because he had been fearful all along +that something like this might come to pass just +when he had discovered the object of his long +search, and before he could proceed to relieve +Steven Meredith of the old case in which he +carried those splendid field-glasses.</p> + +<p>They were now among the outer houses of the +town. So far as they could see, Sempst did not +differ to any degree from various other Belgian +towns they had seen. It consisted of numerous +small houses, a few more pretentious dwellings, +possibly of Brussels business men, and some factories.</p> + +<p>From only one of these stacks was smoke seen +coming, and, having picked up a pointer, it was +easy for the scouts to decide that this must be +the German-owned chemical works with which +Steven Meredith had been connected, between +his foreign trips.</p> + +<p>When thus entering the town that was so close +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>to Brussels, where the Germans were in full +charge, it was the policy of the three scouts to +draw as little attention to themselves as possible. +While thus far they had not chanced to notice +any German soldiers, still there was always a +possibility that some of them were around.</p> + +<p>Besides, Rob figured that if a German-owned +chemical factory had been in operation here for +years, very naturally there would be many natives +of the Rhine country employed there, and +living in the town. If the German government +were really back of this Belgian works, as seemed +possible, they would want to have mostly reliable +men on guard, who, in case of sudden emergency, +could throw off their workmen's garb and show +themselves in their true colors, as regularly enlisted +soldiers, serving their superiors while plying +their regular trade.</p> + +<p>When, therefore, the boys heard loud outcries, +after entering the town, and made the distressing +discovery that there was a runaway approaching +them, the first thought Rob had was that they +must keep out of the way, and not interfere, lest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>by so doing they attract attention toward themselves.</p> + +<p>With this discreet plan of action rapidly forming +in his mind, Rob was even in the act of hastily +drawing both his chums back behind a wall +until all the excitement had subsided, when he +made a discovery that brought his scheme to a +halt.</p> + +<p>It was, after all, only a pony that had been +seized with an attack of blind staggers, and was +now dashing frantically away, with a little basket-cart +dragging back and forth at his heels; +but in that cart Rob saw was a frightened child.</p> + +<p>In that moment, Rob struggled with a grave +question. To show themselves before a crowd +such as would likely gather, was full of danger, +not only to themselves, but for their mission as +well. At the same time there was a something +within his soul that refused to avoid the responsibility +by shutting his eyes.</p> + +<p>He could not do it. He knew that child was in +deadly peril, for, small as the pony might be, +just then he was acting like a little demon. If +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>he allowed the runaway to go by, and something +dreadful happened, how could he ever reconcile +his action with his vows as a true-blue scout?</p> + +<p>So Rob's mind was made up.</p> + +<p>"Merritt, we must save that poor little child, +come what will!" he exclaimed; and that loyal +comrade, forgetting all else for humanity's sake, +instantly cried:</p> + +<p>"We will, Rob! Hurry and get on one side, +while I look out for the other!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION.<br /><br /></h3> + + +<p>"Where do I come in? Won't you let me +help?" bawled Tubby, hurrying after his two +chums as fast as his fat legs would carry him.</p> + +<p>Neither of the others paid the slightest attention +to him. Just then Tubby was about as useless +as a fifth wheel to a wagon. He was so +clumsy that if he attempted to take a hand in +the rescue work the chances were Rob and Merritt +would have to spend a portion of their time +in saving him.</p> + +<p>They ran out into the middle of the road. The +crazy little pony was already close up, and there +was no time to be lost.</p> + +<p>"Now!" shouted Rob. "Nab him, and throw +him if you can!"</p> + +<p>Both scouts fastened upon the bridle close to +the bit. Every ounce of muscle the boys pos<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>sessed +was brought to bear, supplemented by all +the shrewdness they had acquired upon the football +field, in tackling and throwing the runner +who held the coveted pigskin oval.</p> + +<p>There was something of a struggle, and then +down went the frantic pony.</p> + +<p>"Hey! let me sit on him; I'll keep him quiet!" +called Tubby, as he came panting up to the spot; +and once he had deposited his extra weight upon +the little beast, it had no other course open but +to succumb to circumstances and lie quiet.</p> + +<p>Rob turned to see what had become of the child. +There was a stout, red-faced man, coming on the +run as fast as he could hurry. Undoubtedly it +was his child. While he was in a store, the pony +probably had been taken with a sudden seizure +of what Rob called "blind staggers," which sometimes +causes horses to dash madly away as +though possessed of an evil spirit, and even to +destroy themselves against any barrier that arises +in their path.</p> + +<p>The child, though crying with fright, was apparently +unhurt. Some one had taken her from +the basket-cart, and should the pony have broken +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>loose again, it could not have imperiled the little +one.</p> + +<p>In another minute, the red-faced man was hugging +his child, and covering her face with kisses. +The people must have told him who had saved +his darling, for he came up to Rob and Merritt. +(The pony had now become quite calm, though +Tubby continued to occupy his seat, for, as he +afterwards said, "he knew a good thing when he +found it; and he was <i>awful</i> tired.")</p> + +<p>The big stout man, evidently a German, from +his appearance and language, began to pour out +his thanks; but Rob shook his head as he remarked:</p> + +<p>"None of us can speak German, sir. We are +American boys, you see; I can understand a little +French, but that is all."</p> + +<p>The man's face lighted up. He immediately +seized Rob by the hand and commenced to kiss +him on the cheeks; but the boys had learned that +this was the common method of warm salutation +abroad, even among men, though they had never +seen it done across the water.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you are American and not Eng<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>lish!" +the other went on to cry. "I would be +sorry, indeed, if I owed the life of my little +Frieda to an English boy. But an American, it +is quite different. Ach! what would I not do to +show you how grateful I am for your brave act? +Tell me, can I not do something to prove that in +Germany we look upon your country as our +friends? My name it is Herr Frederick Haskins, +I am the principal owner of the chemical works +over yonder. Let me be your host while in +Sempst you stay. It would give me much pleasure, +I assure you."</p> + +<p>Rob stared at Merritt, and the latter almost +held his breath. Was there ever such great luck +as this? They had saved a child from danger, +and made a warm friend of her father, who had +turned out to be the proprietor of the very factory +where Steven Meredith had an interest outside +of his occupation as a secret agent of the +Kaiser.</p> + +<p>"Rob, ask him!" whispered Merritt, too overcome +himself to find words in which to give utterance +to what was weighing so heavily on his +mind.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> +<p>So the patrol leader, mastering his inclination +to feel just as "shaky" as Corporal Crawford, +turned again toward the red-faced German +chemist.</p> + +<p>"We might accept your kind offer of entertainment +for to-night, Herr Haskins," he said, +as though they took the man's sincerity for its +face value, "because we will have to put up somewhere, +though to-morrow it may be we shall +want to start back toward Antwerp again. You +said that you were the proprietor of the chemical +company in town. Are those the works where +the smoke is coming out of the stacks?"</p> + +<p>The man nodded. He held his little girl in his +arm, as though he could not bear to let her be +away from him again. A look of what seemed +to be pride crept over his face; it meant something +that his was the only factory that had been +kept running, simply because his foreign hands +did not have to go when the call to the Belgian +colors came.</p> + +<p>"It is because I have the confidence of the +German government that I am allowed to con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>tinue +my works," he said in a low tone, as though +not wishing others to hear what he was saying.</p> + +<p>"It is very strange," continued Rob, bound to +learn the worst immediately, now that such a +golden opportunity had come along, "but it was +to see a man connected with your business that +we came all the way from Antwerp. His name +is Mr. Steven Meredith, who was over in America +not so many months ago."</p> + +<p>It was apparent that they were going to meet +with a keen disappointment; Rob knew this the +second he saw the shade of regret pass over the +rubicund face of Herr Haskins.</p> + +<p>"Ah! that is really too bad," the stout man +exclaimed; "for you are just one week too late!"</p> + +<p>"Has he left Sempst, then?" asked Merritt +sturdily.</p> + +<p>"Just seven days ago he shook hands with me, +and said I could look for him when I saw him +again. That might be in a month, and it might +be six, even Steven could not say. He simply +had to obey his orders from his superiors. His +interest in the works is not the only thing he follows, +you understand."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> +<p>"No," said Rob, mysteriously, looking carefully +around, as though he wanted to make sure +he was not overheard, "of course we know his +other business. The General Staff has ordered +him again on duty somewhere. It is too bad, +because my friend here wishes to see Herr Meredith +very much, indeed."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry," remarked the stout man, in a +hesitating way, and Rob knew that if he hoped to +get any information from this source at all now +was the time to strike—while the iron was hot.</p> + +<p>"You say you are grateful, sir," he hurriedly +whispered, "because we happened to save your +little girl's life, or at least kept her from being +badly injured. We would call the debt canceled +if you could tell us where we can find Herr Meredith. +If he is in France, tell us where."</p> + +<p>The man did not immediately reply. His face +was a study. He was undoubtedly being torn +between gratitude and devotion to the interests +of his emperor, whom he would have died to +serve, no doubt.</p> + +<p>"If I could only be sure it was right for me to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>give you that information," Rob heard him mutter, +and he hastened to follow up his attack.</p> + +<p>"I give you my word of honor, Herr Haskins," +he said earnestly and convincingly, "that none of +us has the slightest intention to betray Steven +Meredith to his enemies. If you write down the +information we need, we solemnly promise you +not to use it to his injury. My friend only wants +to get a small thing Herr Meredith has with +him, although he himself does not know it is in +his possession, for it was all a mistake about his +taking it. He will be only too glad to give it to +us, and we shall trouble him no more. Won't +you take our word of honor, sir?"</p> + +<p>The big man looked down at his child, and that +must have decided him.</p> + +<p>"Come home with me, and spend the night," +he said in a hospitable way. "We will entertain +you the best we can under the peculiar conditions +existing here. If you care to, you can tell me +all about yourselves; and I promise you that before +you go to sleep this night I will place in +your possession an address in Northern France +where you will likely find my partner, <i>under an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>other +name</i>. But you must swear to me that under +no conditions will you imperil his position +there. Is it a bargain, my boys?"</p> + +<p>Rob looked at Merritt. The latter, although +terribly disappointed, was still game. He gave +not the slightest sign of submitting to the decrees +of a cruel Fate.</p> + +<p>"We will accept your hospitality, Herr Haskins," +he said quietly, "and also take from you +that address under the promise you ask. Steven +Meredith has no reason to fear that we will betray +him. We are Americans, and our President +has asked that every one, old and young, remain +strictly neutral while this war is going on."</p> + +<p>"We bound up the wounds of three times as +many Germans after the battle as we did Belgians," +Rob added, while Tubby was heard to +mutter under his breath:</p> + +<p>"Which was because there were ten times as +many Germans hurt as there were of the brave +little Belgian army."</p> + +<p>They accompanied Herr Haskins to his fine +home, where they were splendidly entertained +that night. Tubby ate so much dinner that he was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>incapable of joining in the conversation that immediately +followed, though that fact was of +minor importance, because, as a rule, he only +made himself a nuisance when there was any +serious discussion on hand.</p> + +<p>At least, if they had to be disappointed in not +finding the man they had come so far to deal +with, they could deem themselves lucky in meeting +Herr Haskins under conditions that placed +him heavily in their debt; otherwise they might +never have discovered in what direction Steven +Meredith had gone when his superiors in the +German Secret Service ordered him on duty +again.</p> + +<p>As it was, when the boys on the following +morning once more headed in the direction of +Antwerp, armed with a letter from Herr Haskins +that would be of considerable service should +they be held up by any German patrol, Merritt +also had a small bit of paper secreted inside the +lining of his coat, on which simply an address +was written.</p> + +<p>As they journeyed they had plenty of opportunities +to lay out their new program and build +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>fresh castles in the air concerning the success +which they meant to attain if it lay in mortal +power.</p> + +<p>Whether they were as fortunate in the new +fields that now stretched before them as they +had been in avoiding pitfalls between the battle +lines in Belgium, you will find recorded in the +next volume of this series, under the title of +"The Boy Scouts with the Allies in France."</p> + +<p class="center"><br /><br /><br /><br />THE END.<br /><br /></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BOY_SCOUT_SERIES" id="BOY_SCOUT_SERIES"></a><b>BOY SCOUT SERIES</b></h2> + +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<p class="center">LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</p> + +<p class="center"> +MODERN BOY SCOUT STORIES FOR BOYS<br /> +Cloth Bound, Price 50¢ per volume.<br /> +</p> + +<h3>The Boy Scouts on the Range.</h3> + +<p>Connected with the dwellings of the vanished +race of cliff-dwellers was a mystery. Who +so fit to solve it as a band of adventurous Boy +Scouts? The solving of the secret and the routing +of a bold band of cattle thieves involved Rob +Blake and his chums, including "Tubby" Hopkins, +in grave difficulties.</p> + +<p>There are few boys who have not read of +the weird snake dance and other tribal rites of +Moquis. In this volume, the habits of these fast +vanishing Indians are explained in interesting +detail. Few boys' books hold more thrilling +chapters than those concerning Rob's captivity +among the Moquis.</p> + +<p>Through the fascinating pages of the narrative +also stalks, like a grim figure of impending +tragedy, the shaggy form of Silver Tip, the giant +grizzly. In modern juvenile writing, there is +little to be found as gripping as the scene in +which Rob and Silver Tip meet face to face. +The boy is weaponless and,—but it would not +be fair to divulge the termination of the battle. +A book which all Boy Scouts should secure and +place upon their shelves to be read and re-read.</p> + +<p class="center">Sold by Booksellers Everywhere.</p> + +<h3>Hurst & Co., <span class="smallfont">Publishers</span> New York</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BOY_SCOUT_SERIES2" id="BOY_SCOUT_SERIES2"></a><b>BOY SCOUT SERIES</b></h2> + +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<p class="center">LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</p> + +<p class="center"> +MODERN BOY SCOUT STORIES FOR BOYS<br /> +Cloth Bound Price, 50¢ per volume.<br /> +</p> + +<h3>The Boy Scouts of the Eagle Patrol.</h3> + +<p>A fascinating narrative of the doings of some +bright boys who become part of the great Boy +Scout movement. The first of a series dealing +with this organization, which has caught on like +wild fire among healthy boys of all ages and in +all parts of the country.</p> + +<p>While in no sense a text-book, the volume +deals, amid its exciting adventures, with the +practical side of Scouting. To Rob Blake and +his companions in the Eagle Patrol, surprising, +and sometimes perilous things happen constantly. +But the lads, who are, after all, typical +of most young Americans of their type, are +resourceful enough to overcome every one of +their dangers and difficulties.</p> + +<p>How they discover the whereabouts of little +Joe, the "kid" of the patrol, by means of smoke +telegraphy and track his abductors to their disgrace; +how they assist the passengers of a stranded +steamer and foil a plot to harm and perhaps +kill an aged sea-captain, one must read the book +to learn. A swift-moving narrative of convincing +interest and breathless incident.</p> + +<p class="center">Sold by Booksellers Everywhere.</p> + +<h3>Hurst & Co., <span class="smallfont">Publishers</span> New York</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>Transcriber's note:</h4> + +<p>Obvious mistakes have been corrected, but other discrepancies +have not been changed. Inconsistent hyphenation has been retained. +</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields +by Lieut. 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