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diff --git a/old/56179-0.txt b/old/56179-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8f53586..0000000 --- a/old/56179-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5441 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Volunteers with the British -Artillery, by Kenneth Ward - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Boy Volunteers with the British Artillery - -Author: Kenneth Ward - -Release Date: December 14, 2017 [EBook #56179] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY VOLUNTEERS WITH BRITISH ARMY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Larry B. Harrison, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - - - - -THE BOY VOLUNTEERS SERIES - -By KENNETH WARD - - _12mo. Cloth. Fully Illustrated_ _50c per Volume_ - - THE NEWEST BOYS' BOOKS ON THE EUROPEAN WAR, RELATING THE ADVENTURES - OF TWO AMERICAN BOYS AND THEIR EXPERIENCES IN BATTLE AND ON AIR SCOUT - DUTY. ALL PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED WITH AUTHENTIC DRAWINGS. - - - =The Boy Volunteers on the Belgian Front= - - Describes the adventures of two American boys who were in Europe - when the great war commenced. Their enlistment with Belgian - troops and their remarkable experiences are based upon actual - occurrences and the book is replete with line drawings of - fighting machines, air planes and maps of places where the most - important battles took place and of other matters of interest. - - =The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen= - - This book relates the further adventures of the young Americans - in France, where they viewed the fighting from above the firing - lines. From this book the reader gains considerable knowledge of - the different types of air planes and battle planes used by the - warring nations, as all descriptions are illustrated with - unusually clear line drawings. - - =The Boy Volunteers with the British Artillery= - - How many boys today know anything about the great guns now being - used on so many European battle fronts? Our young friends had the - rare opportunity of witnessing, at first hand, a number of these - terrific duels, and the story which is most fascinatingly told - is illustrated with numerous drawings of the British, French and - German field pieces. - - =The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet= - - Our young heroes little expected to be favored with so rare an - experience as a trip under the sea in one of the great - submarines. In this book the author accurately describes the - submarine in action, and the many interesting features of this - remarkable fighting craft are made clear to the reader by a - series of splendid line drawings. - - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - PUBLISHERS NEW YORK - - - - -[Illustration: _"At them, boys!" shrieked the Corporal._] - - - - - THE BOY VOLUNTEERS - WITH THE - BRITISH ARTILLERY - - BY - KENNETH WARD - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - NEW YORK - - - - - Copyright, 1917, by - AMERICAN AUTHORS PUBLISHING CO. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. THE DECISION 13 - - II. THE FIGHT IN DEVIL'S CUT 24 - - III. THE 75-MILLIMETRE GUNS 32 - - IV. A LESSON IN OBSERVATION 42 - - V. THE CURTAIN OF FIRE 50 - - VI. A SHELLED BATTLEFIELD 60 - - VII. A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES 70 - - VIII. THE SPIES IN THE CAMP 82 - - IX. THE LAWS AGAINST SPIES 93 - - X. A DIFFICULT TRIP TO THE MAIN TRENCHES 104 - - XI. DISCOVERING A GERMAN RANGE-FINDER 116 - - XII. FINDING THE ENEMY'S BATTERY 128 - - XIII. THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURES ON THE RANGE-FINDER 140 - - XIV. CAUGHT IN A TERRIFIC DRIVE 152 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - - _"At them, boys!" shrieked the Corporal_ _Frontispiece_ - - PAGE - - _Method of Signaling from Airplanes_ 53 - - _Peculiarities of Trajectories_ 56 - - _Peculiarities of Trajectories_ 57 - - _The Deadly Shrapnel Shell_ 68 - - _The Spy's Account Book_ 91 - - _Pontooning Heavy Guns Across a Stream_ 101 - - _A German Range-Finder_ 118 - - _Arrangement of Guns on Hill 203_ 138 - - - - -THE BOY VOLUNTEERS - -WITH THE BRITISH - -ARTILLERY - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE DECISION - - -"It seemed to me as though I should never have the courage to go back -to the airplane service since Lieutenant Guyon was killed," remarked -Ralph, as he and Alfred were convalescing in the American Hospital, in -Paris. - -"That is the way I feel about it, too," replied Alfred. "To think that -he should have escaped the terrific shower of bullets, while we were -coming down, to be killed by having the machine hit the ground, the -way it did, makes me feel so sad that I sometimes wonder whether it is -really so." - -"I suppose the only thing we can do now is to go home; and, still, that -doesn't seem to be the right thing, just now," replied Ralph. - -"No; I am not in favor of that; suppose we go to England,—anywhere, -or anything except that which will remind us of poor Guyon," answered -Alfred, as he sat in the huge chair and slowly nodded his head. - - * * * * * - -At the outbreak of the war Alfred and Ralph were on the way from -southern Germany to Antwerp in an auto, accompanied by a Belgian -chauffeur, where they were pursued by the Germans near the frontier. -They escaped for a time, but were afterwards arrested by the Germans -and finally liberated. On their way to Antwerp they took part with the -Belgians in resisting the advances of the foe. Reaching Antwerp, they -escaped with the Belgian army, at the time the city was besieged, and -after some adventures, crossed the northern part of Belgium and reached -Dunkirk on the Channel. - -From that point, in the endeavor to reach Paris, they had some stirring -exploits, which tested their metal on many occasions. - -From the time they left Belgian territory it had been their wish to -join the aviation corps, and this wish was gratified after they had -left Paris and made their way to the eastern part of France. The corps -to which they belonged was stationed at Verdun, the most vigorous -outpost of the fighting line. - -There they were constantly engaged during a full year of most intrepid -warfare. They owed their success in joining the corps as actual -combatants to a peculiar incident. Before reaching the Verdun camp they -had met Lieutenant Guyon, attached to the station at Bar-le-Duc, and -with him they made numerous flights, especially in the work of testing -machines. On one occasion the lieutenant, who was the victim of a weak -heart, was attacked with the disease while aloft, and the boys piloted -the machine to earth in safety, notwithstanding the excitement caused -by the sudden pitching of the machine. It was sufficient to show that -the boys were made of the right stuff, and the officer appreciated -their bravery. - -Thereafter, the boys were his constant companions, flying with him on -many occasions and engaging with him in some of the most brilliant -encounters in the air with German aviators. The time came, however, -when, after fighting three of the swiftest and most notable German -aeroplanes, both of the boys were wounded. In the effort of the -lieutenant to bring the badly crippled machine to earth, it was -impossible to prevent the catastrophe which followed. The lieutenant -and one of the boys were thrown from the machine, and the officer died -from the effect of internal injuries within a week. - -The wounds of the boys were severe, and they were held at the base -hospital for weeks before their condition was such as to permit -them to be sent to the Paris Hospital. At the time of the foregoing -conversation they had been convalescing for a month. The death of their -friend was a terrible blow to them, so severe that, as indicated by -their conversation, they did not feel like participating in any more -airship work. - -"I suppose we shall always have a feeling that there is nothing like -flying," said Ralph, as he mused over their experiences that evening. - -"It is all right, and I hope to do a great deal of flying after the war -is over, but I suppose we might as well make up our minds to give it up -for good at this time," replied Alfred. - -It was really a relief that the final decision had come, for the -feeling of reverence was so strong for their dead friend that it seemed -as though something would be wrong to go up in an airship without him. - -"When shall we start?" said Ralph the next morning. - -"As soon as they give us the discharge," replied Alfred. "You know -no one is permitted to leave the hospital until the doctor gives his -certificate." - -A week thereafter they were informed by the nurse that the doctor had -prepared a certificate to the effect that both were able to leave. -In one way this was very gratifying, but they could not forget the -tender care which had been bestowed on them from the moment they became -patients there. - -The certificates were finally handed to them, and, going to their -rooms, they sadly packed up the few things which had accumulated. As -they passed out and marched down between the rows of cots, with the -packages on their backs, every patient greeted them. The history of -the boys had reached every one long before this time, so they were not -permitted to go without the usual wishes. - -"Sorry to see you go, but glad you are good as ever!" "Give them fits -this time;" "Send the Boches my compliments," said another. "Where are -you bound for this time?" cried a voice, from across the room. Every -remark, in fact, indicating that they were expected to return to the -fighting line. - -The emotions awakened by the greetings and the good wishes were too -deep to dispel the idea. They could not, in the presence of the -enthusiastic men all about them, say that they had enough of the -_fighting game_, as every one called it. It made them feel as though -something was wrong, and as they neared the door they almost made a -bound for it. - -As they walked down the steps, Ralph looked at Alfred with a peculiar -expression on his face. Alfred turned away, but suddenly wheeled around. - -"Well, are we going back?" he asked with startling suddenness. - -"I felt awfully sheepish; didn't you?" asked Ralph. - -"No; I felt like a coward. Now when I think of it I don't remember of -a single fellow who left the hospital since we have been here who ever -suggested that he wasn't going back," replied Alfred. - -"That's a fact; well, I'm going back, but not, in the airship service," -said Ralph. "No; I couldn't do that; anything but flying." - -"Hello!" cried a voice behind them. "Out for good, are you? Well, -sorry to lose you; we have a very polite way of bidding our patients -good-bye, and I suppose I shall have to spring it on you." - -"What is that?" asked Ralph. - -"Hope you won't come back again," replied the doctor, with a laugh. - -The boys were really unprepared for mirth just at this time, but they -managed to assure the doctor that his wishes were reciprocated. - -"Which way now?" continued the doctor. - -"We don't know," replied Alfred. "We are debating what to do." - -"You see," interrupted Ralph, "since Lieutenant Guyon's death we are -all broken up, and we have been debating whether or not we can go back -into the service." - -"Go back?" queried the doctor. "You don't have to go back; you are -still in the service. Were you discharged by any one?" he asked, -glancing at them keenly. - -"Why, no; we never thought of that," said Alfred, looking at Ralph. - -"We were just talking about going to England," explained Ralph. - -"If you did you would be deserters," replied the doctor with a smile. - -"Well, I thought it was singular that when they gave us the -certificates they should give us these slips," said Alfred, pulling out -the document. - -"Of course, you are still in the service, and that is merely an order -for the last month's pay." - -"I know that, but they didn't say anything about keeping on," said -Ralph. - -"They don't have to. You are in and the only way to get out is to be -invalided, or to get a discharge in a regular way, and then you are -free. Of course, we know how you feel about the death of your friend, -and no one blames you for your aversion to re-entering the aviation -service; but if you really want to get out, the matter can be easily -arranged by applying to the American Ambassador, on the ground that you -are Americans, and are minors," said the doctor. - -The boys looked at each other in silence, and finally Ralph spoke: "I -think it would be well to do that; would you mind taking the steps for -us?" - -"I certainly shall be glad to do so; you have earned an honorable -discharge, if any one has," said the doctor. - -It thus turned out that three days after leaving the hospital, they -received a document at their hotel from the American Embassy. On -opening it they found two documents, reciting that Alfred Elton and -Ralph Cottrell, native Americans, in the aviation service, were -entitled to honorable discharges. - -Somehow the news was not enthusiastically received. They glanced at -each other for a few moments in silence. - -"Does that suit you?" asked Ralph. - -"Not in the least," said Alfred with a mournful shake of the head. "I -don't think the doctor had any business to get us out of the service." - -"But we told him that is what we wanted." - -They walked down the rue Rivoli, passed through the place de la -Concorde, and reached the Champs Elysees in a half daze. Soldiers were -moving hither and thither, vehicles of every description, Red Cross -vans, and even cavalry squads were in the procession, but none of them -seemed to attract their attention, so completely were they absorbed in -the last episode of their lives, and, besides, they had seen so many of -the trappings of war that a few more or less did not seem to cause much -of a ripple. - -But as they slowly moved along the street they stopped, as by a -common impulse, to witness a procession of machine guns mounted on -smart little autos, followed by two full batteries of field guns. -The artillery pieces were mounted on specially made auto trucks, and -trailing behind each truck was the caisson. - -"Now, that looks like business," said Ralph. "It would have taken from -eight to twelve horses to pull the gun and ammunition around. Gee! how -soon those fellows could get into action and pull out when the command -is given!" - -"That would suit me about as well as the flyers, but I suppose we -haven't an earthly chance to get in on that," said Alfred ruefully. - -"Why not? We can get there if we try hard enough," responded Ralph. - -Alfred, with his eyes intent on the fine display before him, did not -respond. The discharge, honorable though it was, made a sore spot in -the heart of each. - -The following morning they awoke earlier than usual. The usual topic -was again taken up and discussed. - -"Suppose we take a trip to the Artillerie Ecole?" remarked Alfred. - -"Where is it?" asked Ralph. - -"I don't know, myself, but it is across the river, somewhere. It was -founded by the first Napoleon; it was always his hobby," said Alfred. - -"Yes, I know. It was he who said that God was always on the side that -had the heaviest artillery," responded Ralph. - -"I don't think he would say so if he lived in the present time," -answered Alfred. - -"Why not?" asked Ralph. - -"Why, he would have said 'With the most airplanes,'" suggested Alfred. - -Ralph laughed at the new idea. "Well, you may be right. I think that if -the Allies would put more money and energy into flying machines and less -in big guns, there would be more likelihood of success; but I don't -suppose we ought to know it all," said Ralph with a sarcastic grin. - -When they arrived at the artillery school they were still garbed in -the uniforms indicating the service in which they had been engaged. -A kindly professor, in the uniform of a colonel, received them with -smiles, and he questioned them about their work, and to him they -confided their wishes. - -"You have been granted honorable discharges, and it would not be prudent -for me to make any recommendations, however meritorious your services -might have been," he remarked. After some reflection he continued: - -"If you are really bent on going back and entering the artillery -branch, it would be well to apply to the English officials. They are -preparing a tremendous organization in that direction." - -"Thank you," said Ralph. "We shall, probably, act upon your suggestion." - -Returning to the hotel the question was again considered, and the -decision formed to depart for the British sector at once. That -afternoon they emerged from the hotel and wended their way to the -Gard du Nord, as the great northwest station of Paris is known. There -two tickets were purchased for Amiens, a town eighty miles north, by -railway, as they considered they would be able, probably, to get into -contact with the British forces at that point. - -It was late in the morning when the train rolled into the city, and -seizing their haversacks, the boys were quickly out of the train and -ranged up alongside the military restaurant, awaiting an opportunity to -be served. They were informed that a movement of great importance was -going on in the sector directly east of that point, as was indicated -by the vast number of field pieces, which were constantly being -transported by motor and lorry. - -It was, really, the beginning of the combined English and French -drive in the Somme region, as it is now known. A dapper little French -sergeant, who sat between them, volunteered much of the information, -which they were eager to obtain, as to the localities and disposition -of the forces. - -"My battery was detrained at Moreil yesterday, and they will come -north and cross the canal about eight kilometers east of the city," he -remarked, in response to their questionings. - -"That is the branch of the service we are anxious to join," said Alfred. - -"What? after having had a hand with the flyers?" he asked, as he looked -at them quizzically. - -"Yes; our best friend was killed, and then the doctor at the hospital -was so much interested in us as to get us discharged," responded Ralph. - -"But the artillery is a tough place; you've got to rough it and stand -an awful lot of pounding. Why, in the Champagne region, where we came -from at the time we made the five-mile sweep, we went ahead so fast -that the commissary couldn't keep up with us, and we were in the fight -at one stretch for more than seventy hours, and with little to eat at -that." - -That was said not in a boastful way, but merely to impress on them the -hard lot of an artilleryman. - -"I suppose that is so," remarked Alfred. "But that's what the infantry -men say; and the air pilots think they have a particularly tough time -of it, and even the Red Cross people are in danger all the time; but -that's to be expected." - -"Oh, if you're bound to go, there will be plenty to do, but the chances -of getting in are pretty slim unless by regular enlistment." - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE FIGHT IN DEVIL'S CUT - - -One of the important canals in northern France starts from the English -Channel, near Abbeville, and parallels the Somme river, passing through -Amiens, extending thence to Peronne, within the German lines. It was an -important artery for the transportation of munitions and heavy ordnance -directly to the front. - -When, two hours after the conversation related in the last chapter, -the sergeant hunted around for means of conveyance to the section -where his battery was to reach the canal, the boys accompanied him. -Accommodations were finally secured on one of the many vans which lined -the highway, and before noon the sergeant informed them that, as they -were approaching the great highway leading to Corbie, he would have to -bid them good-bye, as that was the point designated for the battery to -ship on the canal. - -The boys debated the question, whether to remain or proceed to the -front, and finally decided to continue their journey. But before -proceeding two miles further the procession of loaded trucks halted, -and the work of unloading began. They had reached the last permanent -depot near the fighting line, but what to do now was the question. They -were no nearer the object of their desires than when they left Paris. - -"I wonder why they are loading up that truck?" asked Ralph, as they -glanced at several power machines close by. "Those boxes are going to -the front, I am sure." - -"Want any help!" asked Alfred. - -"That's always welcome," said one of the men. - -"All right, then," said Alfred, "here goes. Which boxes do you want -first?" - -They had already learned that there is nothing so welcome in the -busy front as willingness to lend a hand. It is the open sesame to -friendship and advancement. - -"Where are you bound?" asked Ralph, as they marched to and fro. - -"Right up to the front. These things must reach the 14th battery before -night," was the reply. - -Each of these trucks carried two tons of provisions, loads greatly -in excess of the weights for which they were built, but that was of -no consequence. The fighters must have something to eat, whatever -happened. When the last boxes were piled up the boys remained on the -truck, and the driver, nodding at them pleasantly, threw in the clutch -and speeded out the road to the east. - -"How long have you been at this business?" asked Ralph. - -"Three months," was the reply. - -"How do you like the job?" asked Alfred. - -"I like anything that will help the boys at the front," was the reply. - -"Is this your regular business?" asked Ralph. - -"Well, no, not exactly," he replied. "I didn't have any regular -business before the war, but when it came along I went back into the -army, and I would be there now if the Boches hadn't permanently lamed -me; you see I can't quite get my right leg to straighten out. But it's -all right; we saved France at the Marne, and I'd give the other leg to -give them another such a licking as they got there." - -"Let me relieve you," said Alfred after the second hour. - -"Why, yes; an offer like that would be acceptable," he replied, as he -rose from his seat. - -In all their conversation the man had the aspect of a true gentleman, -and he was certainly out of his element, in that menial position. Later -the boys learned from the assistant on the truck that Loree was the son -of a nobleman, and after having been invalided he insisted on taking -his place in the capacity where he might be most useful. - -"Why, you would be surprised, just as I am and have been ever since -this war began, to find how many of the young men of the noble families -of France are doing this kind of work, after they have been rendered -unfit for duty in the ranks," said their companion to Ralph, as they -were seated on the rear of the van. - -"How often do you make these trips?" asked Ralph. - -"Twice a day, if we can get across the Devil's Cut without -interruption," was the answer. - -"What do you mean by the Devil's Cut?" asked Ralph. - -"Well, we have a stretch of about two kilometers that's like going -through hell fire. The Germans have had the range of that road for a -month. When we get through that we are all right, and sometimes they -let us pass without shelling; but not often," was the answer. - -An hour thereafter the driver moved along and notified Alfred that it -would be necessary for him to take the wheel. "Now get on the left side -of the truck low down," he said to the boy. - -Without asking why, he did so and was surprised to see the assistant -and Ralph hanging to a narrow running board at the side. - -"What's up?" shouted Alfred. - -"We are near the Devil's Cut," said Ralph. - -"Well, we are in it now," said the assistant. "Everything seems fairly -quiet,——" - -"Bang." Something exploded. The boys had heard that sound before. It -startled but did not disconcert them. - -"What! are we going right into the German lines?" asked Alfred, as he -glanced about. - -"No," responded Ralph, "but we have a mile or so of close work, and -this is the way the Germans have of welcoming us, as well,——" - -"Crash,——" came the second shell, followed by another, completely -drowning the voice of the assistant. - -"They mean to get us this time, sure," said he finally. "Some airship -gave them the tip, as they usually do. We must now make a run for it, I -am sure of that." - -The words had hardly left his lips before it seemed as though a dozen -shells had burst simultaneously. One of the missiles had struck the -load, or some of the flying pieces went through. The truck stopped. -The assistant was lying on the ground motionless, and Ralph, although -unhurt, was beneath a heavy box, as Alfred picked himself up and looked -around. - -He drew Ralph out and glanced at the assistant. "Too bad!" said the -driver, as he descended from the van, and stooped down to examine his -assistant. "That fragment finished him. But we haven't time to wait -here. They have our range, and we cannot help him now. Get in quickly; -there is another one coming, back there; two more,—oh! but they'll -make mince meat of those fellows." - -Looking back the boys saw a half-dozen loaded vans, all speeding up, -and some of the men waving their hats in frenzy of excitement. - -"Hiding doesn't do much good, but stay down at the side as long as you -can," he shouted back. - -Another explosion, this time most deafening, and so near that it seemed -the truck was thrown to one side,—still on went the machine. Then -something peculiar happened. The van started across the field toward -the German lines. - -"Something's wrong!" shouted Ralph. "I wonder what the driver is up to -now? We're off the road." - -Alfred drew himself up and Ralph saw him disappear toward the front of -the van. The latter followed, and, as he gained the top of the load, he -noticed Alfred leaning over and grasping the steering wheel. The van -swerved around and reached the road, after two of the loaded vehicles -passed them. No sooner had they regained the road when they met a hail -of shrapnel, this time one of the shells striking full and fair beneath -the machine directly ahead. - -Alfred had barely time to turn the machine to avoid the wreckage made -by the shot. It was not such a time as to enable the men on one machine -to aid those who were so unfortunate as to be hit by the missiles. The -last series of explosions, unfortunately, struck the driver of the -first van to pass them, as well as demolished the second. Ralph saw the -driver fall and the machine turn. It described a circle. - -Alfred looked back and put on the brake hard. Ralph understood. He -leaped from the truck, and rushed across the intervening space, being -fortunate enough to seize a stanchion at the side of the wild van as it -dashed by. It was but a moment's work to reach the chauffeur's seat. He -waved his cap to Alfred, whose car was now again on the main road. They -had now gone more than half the distance across the Cut, and, looking -back, Ralph saw four machines intact and following them. One was -completely demolished and the load scattered; and another, evidently, -had the motive power out of commission. - -But they were not yet out of the danger zone. Alfred was now in the -lead, and he had no idea where to go or what roads to take, as they -approached several divergent roads. With shrapnel flying all about, he -halted and as Ralph came up he drove alongside. - -"What is the matter?" asked Ralph. - -"Nothing," answered Alfred. "Wait until the other fellows come up. Some -one must take the lead." - -The third machine drew alongside. - -"Go on," said Ralph. "We don't know the way." - -"Nor do I," replied the driver. - -"Has your driver recovered?" asked Ralph. - -"No, I am afraid he is done for; he has an awful cut across the head," -answered Alfred. "But come on; we can't wait to get information here." - -Another machine appeared as the vans driven by Alfred and Ralph were -getting under way. - -"This way! this way!" shouted a voice on the fourth machine. "Down to -the left; and don't waste a minute if you don't want to be blown from -the face of the earth." - -A cavalryman sped past, waving his carbine, and rounded up Alfred. "Go -back quickly; turn to the left." - -Ralph was caught in time; they rounded the crest of a little hill, and -then, for the first time, the rear batteries came into view, and a -mile beyond, rows of sheds appeared in sight. - -"That is your place," shouted the man on horseback. "Follow the row of -trees to the right, but don't cross the bridge." - -The throttle was thrown on full speed, and, although the roads were -fearfully cut up, and great holes appeared at every turn, which had to -be avoided, they never stopped the maddening race until the first guard -line was reached. - -As they turned into the compound where a division was quartered, a -speedy motor car dashed out, and, halting before Alfred's car, signaled -for him to stop. - -"Did you all get through?" shouted an officer. - -"We left two behind," said Alfred. - -The officer sat down, gave a quick order, and speeded away to go back -into that scorching streak of road called the Devil's Cut, to rescue -those who had fallen. This was a mere incident repeated day by day, -until two batteries of 75-millimeter guns were placed in position, a -week thereafter, when that section of the road was made as safe as any -in France. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE 75-MILLIMETER GUNS - - -The Director of the Commissary Department, with his staff, was on hand -to inspect the six van loads, which drove into the space between the -store sheds. He stopped in front of the van occupied by Ralph. The -latter stood up and saluted. - -"We had a hot time of it," said Ralph. - -Without replying for a moment the officer quickly glanced at Alfred in -the following car, in astonishment. - -"How does it happen that you are in charge of these vans?" he asked. - -"We were aboard on the trip, and when the drivers were hit we took -their places," said Alfred. - -"Did you know what chances you were taking?" he asked. - -"Well, no," replied Ralph, "but that didn't make any difference. We are -used to taking chances." - -"You deserve great credit for the work. Orderly, take the names of -these young men, and assign them quarters. Be at my office in an hour," -he said. - -"Thank you; we will be there," said Alfred. "Where shall we take these -vans?" - -"The officer in charge of transportation will direct you," was the -reply. - -After the loads had been disposed of and they were walking toward the -commandant's quarters, Ralph said: "We seem to get into the service by -the back-door route right along." - -"Why, do you think they will give us a job running those vans?" asked -Alfred. - -"Possibly so; but I don't want any of it in mine. I'd like to join the -artillery and smash the life out of those fellows who are shelling -Devil's Cut," replied Ralph. - -At the appointed time the boys entered the commandant's office. The -drivers of the different vans were present, and all greeted the two -boys with considerable show of appreciation. - -"How did it happen that you were on the goods vans?" asked the officer. - -"We were trying to get to the front, so we took the opportunity to help -them load up, and just came along after we got through," said Alfred. - -"Where did you get your uniforms?" he asked. - -"We wore these while we were in the service," replied Ralph, and, as -the latter said this, he drew out the discharge paper, and Alfred took -pleasure in doing likewise. - -The officer glanced at the papers, nodded his head approvingly, and -said: "Those credentials are certainly creditable to you. We admire -Americans, and assure you we have the utmost respect for the American -boy. Do you wish to enter the service? We can use brave fellows like -yourselves." - -"We are trying to join the artillery," said Ralph, "but we haven't -succeeded so far in getting a position." - -"I am sorry I cannot be of any service to you in that direction," -responded the officer, "but I can commend you to the commanding -general, in submitting my report." - -On leaving the building they passed a group of men, who, evidently, -were discussing the incidents of the afternoon, for, as they -approached, some of the men saluted them, and one of them held up his -hand to stop them. - -"I am requested to say that Count Le Clery wishes to see you," he said. - -They looked at him in a bewildered way. "Count Le Clery, who is he?" -asked Alfred. - -"You will find him in the hospital, ward 8," was the reply. - -"Does he want to see us now?" asked Ralph. - -"Yes; he is able to see you now," was the answer. - -Entering the hospital they were directed to a row of cots, patient C, -28. Before them was a man with a bandaged head, and an arm stretched -across the bed, held straight with a splint. - -"I don't suppose you recognize me?" said the man. - -Alfred looked closer and slowly shook his head. - -"I am told that you and your friend piloted my car and another through -that storm in Devil's Cut," he said. - -"Oh, I know you now," said Ralph. "Well, we couldn't do anything else, -could we?" - -"Well, I want to thank you, and tell you that you have made a friend -who will never forget you. I remember the conversation with you before -we had our little accident," he continued, addressing Alfred. "We need -young men of your stamp, and I will keep you in mind and act as soon as -I am able to move about." - -Incidents of this kind are always the subjects of conversation among -hospital internes. They seem to crave excitement, and like to talk -about exceptional exploits. That the boys were volunteers and Americans -at that, lately in the aviation corps, bearing honorable discharges for -valuable services rendered, was certainly worthy of comment. - -It was with some surprise that they were directed by the orderly to -take possession of a tent, and assigned to a mess made up of the clerks -of the warehouse. There they found several other young men, and during -the two weeks they remained, were general favorites with every one in -the government employ. - -Late in the evening, hearing an unusual bustle outside, and the tooting -of horns, they peered out, and saw a dozen goods vans coming across -the compound. On investigation they learned that the last supply vans -had not been molested in the least, but the first convoy to reach the -field base the next morning was literally shot to pieces, two of the -chauffeurs having been killed, several of the assistants severely -wounded, and three of the vans completely demolished. - -The supply station was less than a mile behind the lines, but it was -well concealed behind a bluff on the western side of the little stream, -and only occasionally would a shell find its way to that section. -The precaution was taken by the commanding officer, to keep a score -of airplanes above and near the camp and thus prevent the enemy from -locating the spot. - -During the following day they visited the trenches, not on account of -the novelty, but more a matter of curiosity. On returning they crossed -the stream and ascended an elevation, designated as Hill 207, where -they inspected the battery and conversed with some of the gunners. - -"The big Bobs are on the way," said the sergeant, in speaking of the -preparations that were going on for the great drive. - -"What do you mean by that?" asked Alfred. - -"Oh, that's the term we use for the 75's," he replied. - -"They are the fellows we must see," said Ralph, as they walked down the -hill. - -"When did that fellow say the 75's would come up?" asked Alfred the -following morning. - -"He said they were on the way now," answered Ralph. "Suppose we ask the -boys." - -Every one had heard of the famous 14th, which had done such terrible -execution east of Marmelon. It was understood that they were to take -up position along the ridge west of Hill 209. - -"Let's go over there at once," said Ralph. - -It was a long tramp to the top, made doubly tedious and difficult owing -to the torn-up condition of the earth. This entire section had been -shelled by the French for more than two weeks, and now, in turn, the -Germans were bombarding the same region. It would be impossible to give -an adequate idea of the nature of the fields over which they traveled. -At every convenient spot the light field batteries were stationed, and -after numerous inquiries the place selected for the famous battery was -located. - -Before noon the great field pieces were being transported in a long -train through the narrow valley south of the river, while airplanes -were circling around continually, a sure indication that something -unusual was happening in that particular part of the front. - -Below the hill to the west, and entirely out of sight of the German -observation posts, was a deep ravine through which an emergency -railroad had been operated, and a great tractor was drawing the guns -headed for the depression. - -"That's where they are going to land those guns," said Ralph in -excitement. "Look at the men filing up along the ditch." - -"Come on," shouted Alfred. - -They rushed down the hill, and impatiently awaited the arrival of the -first section. The great tractor paid no attention to the soft earth -and the shell holes in its path. It rolled along serenely like a thing -of life. - -"Just in time, boys!" called out a voice from the ammunition van behind -the gun. - -"It's the sergeant," said Alfred. - -"So it is," replied Ralph. "Do you want any help!" he asked, as he -rushed over and walked alongside the heavy truck. - -"Oh, there'll be plenty to do as soon as we unlimber," replied the -sergeant. - -"One, two, three, four, five, six. I suppose they'll put them all along -this hollow'?" - -"What are they bringing that brush for?" asked Ralph. "Look at those -trucks filled with trees." - -"We're going to plant a grove here," said the sergeant. "That will take -some work." - -The boys looked at each other. There would be plenty to do. An -officer, the commander of the battery, rushed up in a motor car, and, -in a business-like manner ordered the spacing of the guns, and the -disposition of the racks which held the ammunition. The racks are -really pigeon holes in a heavily built frame, each frame holding a -hundred of these shells. They are located about ten feet from the gun -so as to be within convenient distance for supplying the ordnance after -each discharge. - -The boys admired the wonderful mechanism, and the sergeant was quick to -notice their great interest in the arrangement for rapidly manoeuvering -the piece. - -"That is the most remarkable weapon that the war has produced," -explained the sergeant, as he dismounted. "The Germans have tried to -imitate it, but we are always just a little ahead of them, and can fire -three shots to every two that they will get out of their best. Wait -until tomorrow and you will see some business with the fellows on the -other side." - -"Good!" said Alfred. "We owe them a thing or two for what they tried to -do to us yesterday." - -"What's that?" he asked. - -"They shelled us all the way through Devil's Cut, but we managed to -bring out several of the trucks," said Ralph. - -"Why, we heard of that down at the village this morning," said the -sergeant. "And you are really the fellows that helped out our men? That -was fine! I must tell the captain about it." - -He beckoned to the boys. They followed. - -After the usual salute, the sergeant, addressing an officer, said: "Do -you remember the story we heard at the village this morning about a -couple of young fellows who were brave enough to rescue several vans at -Devil's Cut yesterday? Here are the boys who did the work." - -"I am glad to know you. What! in the aviation service?" he remarked, -looking at their uniforms. - -"But not now," said Ralph. "We are looking for a chance to help out -with the artillery." - -The captain looked pleased at this quick introduction of the subject -on the part of the boys. Then, turning to the sergeant, he said: "The -chapparal, officer; they can help out in that direction." Then, turning -to the boys, he continued: "I am afraid you will not have a very easy -time of it, for those vans will have to be unloaded and the guns -concealed before we commence business." - -Then the boys understood. They saluted and accompanied by the sergeant, -mounted the first vehicle, which had stopped in the rear of one of the -guns. Out came the brush and the poles. Meanwhile, the gun in charge of -the sergeant was pushed back, while a squad of men began to level the -ground in the deep depression. - -The gun was wheeled into position, and the wheels underpinned with -timbers curiously laid together and tamped, making a solid foundation. -Then began the work of concealment, so that those prized pieces of the -French artillery would be safe from the prying eyes of the German air -fleet. - -"Now, boys," said the sergeant, addressing the special squad delegated -for the building of the chapparal, "plant several of the heavy poles -with the brushy tops on each side of the gun; then stretch wires -across and hang the small brush to them. Be sure to distribute them -irregularly, so as to make it as natural as possible." - -Shovels and picks were now employed feverishly to dig the holes and -plant the poles. The wires were strung and the decorations added, not -only along and around the location of each gun, but in the spaces -between the pieces. The vans came up continually with new burdens of -boughs, until the boys thought there would be no end to this new -species of arbor culture. - -"Ralph, do you think we could spot this place at a distance of five -thousand feet in a swift Morane?" asked Alfred. - -"I should say not," replied Ralph, "but there is one thing I should do -if I had anything to say about it." - -"And what is that?" asked the captain, who overheard the remark. - -"I'd completely cover the breech of the gun and the ammunition case," -he answered. - -"And why?" asked the captain, with a smile. - -"Because the merest glimpse of shiny metal is likely to be noticed when -flying. I have seen that many times when flying, and Lieutenant Guyon -always told us to watch for it," replied Ralph. - -"You are right," answered the captain. "That will be your work. Here, -men, follow the instruction of these boys as to the placing of the -boughs." - -The sergeant showed his pleasure at the order, for he somehow felt -himself to be sponsor for the boys. "You've got the old man going," he -whispered to the boys. - -"Shall I go to the next gun?" inquired Alfred, addressing the captain. - -"By all means; orderly, instruct the workers to follow the direction of -the young men," said the captain. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A LESSON IN OBSERVATION - - -The strenuous work was completed before night covered the scene. The -flying machines had acted as a screen, and the guns, now in position, -were effectually covered from the eyes of a prying foe. As they were -about to leave the captain said: - -"For the present you may find room in the vans, but tomorrow the -regular quarters will be prepared near the guns." - -The steaming hot supper, which was brought up in the kitchen vans, was -relished as never before. After the meal they sat around and talked -over the incidents of the day, and learned each other's histories, for -there is a comradeship in the field that obtains nowhere else in any -other occupation. - -"And so you have been flying?" said the sergeant. "That has always had -a fascination for me, but, strange as it may seem, I have never yet -been up in the air, although I have had many opportunities. I have -often wondered how things look from a height of two kilometers." - -"Well, the first time I went up I couldn't distinguish a thing," said -Ralph. "I could tell what trees were, and could make out rivers, and -houses, of course, but outside of that everything else looked like a -blurred picture." - -"Couldn't you make out people walking, or troops marching, and the -like?" asked one of the men. - -"No, indeed," said Alfred. "Why, how big do you suppose a man would -look at a distance of five thousand feet, when you are directly -overhead?" - -"I don't know," replied the sergeant, with an inquiring look. "I don't -suppose he could be seen at all, unless he happened to be moving." - -"Why, at that distance it would be impossible to see the man, moving -or not, for he would not appear bigger to the eye than the end of the -finest wire," Ralph informed him. - -"I remember when we made our first flights at Bar-le-Duc, that the -lieutenant asked us to give him our impression as to the sizes of -objects we saw and to tell him what they were. When a fellow is -flying about the first thing he will notice is a river, if there is -one anywhere in the neighborhood, and, of course, I saw a bridge. I -couldn't wait until we landed before I marked it down on a piece of -paper: 'A bridge; 200 feet long.' I thought I'd get it long enough. We -were then flying about 5,000 feet above the earth. I saw the lieutenant -smile. At that height the bridge looked about like a lead pencil held -ten feet from the eye. Well, when we landed, the lieutenant said: 'It -was a bridge, sure enough, but it happens to be seven hundred feet -long.'" - -"That reminds me," observed Alfred, "that we talked about several -other things on that trip, and it will show how poor the judgment -is unless the eye is well trained. Do you remember the drill ground -east of Fleury? Well, we were asked to put down the number of men we -could estimate in each group, and I was particularly anxious to tell -the lieutenant how many men were in each of the squares which were -formed. Each block of men, as they appeared to me, were about the size -of a domino. I felt sure there couldn't be more than 50 men, but the -lieutenant said there were at least two hundred." - -"But that isn't the worst of it," rejoined Ralph. "We knew they were -soldiers, because they were on the drill ground, but if that same -number of men had been in the open country, it would have taken an -expert to see them. I was fooled in that way not long after the -experience I was just telling about, and, although the lieutenant -pointed out the marching men, I couldn't spot them until he told me to -watch for the glint of steel that would occasionally flash out. Then I -understood." - -"I have heard it said that if every moving object, it mattered not how -big it might be, were painted the same color as the earth and other -surrounding objects, aviators would not be able to discover them; is -that really so?" inquired the sergeant. - -"Yes," answered Ralph. "I think it's pretty near the truth. Sometimes -even the upturned face of a man will attract attention, although the -face makes a mighty small speck, but I believe that fellows who think -they can see a man's face at a distance of 5,000 feet, either use a -field glass, or the man below happened to be wearing eye glasses, for -they make fine reflectors for the airmen." - -"But those who are flying get birds' eyes, after a time," said Alfred. - -"What is that?" asked the captain, who appeared at the door. "Do you -think a man's eyesight grows keener by flying, after he is at it for a -time?" - -"It seems so to me," answered Ralph. - -The captain shook his head. "I think that is a misapprehension. The -eyesight does not become sharper or more acute." - -"Then how is it that I can now see things that I could not notice when -we first began to fly?" asked Alfred. - -"Observation! observation, my boy! You can't see one whit better today -than you could the first time you went aloft," said the captain. "The -eye is a very deceptive thing,—you laugh at the statement,—well, -I'm going to prove it. In everything you see the judgment is not -formed by what the eye tells you, but by your knowledge, your habit of -observation and application growing out of previous experiences." - -"Pardon me, Captain. Do you mean to say that the eye doesn't correctly -tell you distance or size or what the object really is?" asked Alfred. - -"That's exactly what I mean," replied the captain. - -"Well, that's a new idea to me," said Ralph. - -"Suppose we examine that. I have an article here,—a box, in my hand. -Tell me, Ralph, how large it is, what it is made of, and what it is -used for?" said the captain. - -"Quite easy," replied the boy. "It is about two inches long; is made of -metal, of some kind, and is used to hold matches." - -"The answer needs examination. Now, tell me, first, how you judged it -to be two inches long," remarked the captain. - -"Why, I should easily judge that, because it wasn't as big as your -hand, and not even as long as one of your fingers," said Ralph. - -"In other words, you used my hand to measure it by, or, if my hand -hadn't been there you would have guessed its size because you knew, -approximately, the size of match boxes; is that it?" asked the captain. - -"Yes," was the answer. - -"Very well; how did you know it was of metal?" was the next question. - -There was a broad grin on the faces of all; that was too easy; Ralph's -face was all aglow as he answered: "Because I know that all match boxes -are made of metal, and it looked like metal." - -"You mean it was your previous knowledge; that is a fair answer," -replied the captain. "But how did you know its uses?" - -Ralph glanced about preparatory to making the answer, and Alfred -replied: "I should say because I know that a box of that kind and -of that size, and I've seen hundreds of them, is used for holding -matches." - -"Well answered. Now, let us sum up: the eye told you that the box was -about two inches long. That is fairly accurate. You got the measurement -simply by comparison. If a box had been placed within the range of your -vision, so that there would be absolutely nothing with which to compare -it, you could not have told by a mere observation of the eye whether it -was an inch or three inches long," observed the captain. - -"Do you mean I wouldn't have been able to tell the size of a match -safe?" asked Alfred. - -"No; I didn't say match safe. I said if _a box_ had been exhibited -before you. If I had asked you the size of a match safe it wouldn't -have been necessary for me to exhibit it; your knowledge of the general -sizes of match safes would have enabled you to answer me without even -glancing at it. Isn't that true?" asked the captain. - -"I see what you mean now," said Ralph. "It is previous knowledge that -aids the eye." - -"That is the idea," said the captain. "Now, proceed with the next -question. Why did you say it was made of metal?" - -"Because I never saw a match safe that wasn't made of some kind of -metal," said Ralph. - -"Did the eye tell the truth?" said the captain, taking out his knife and -opening it. "You will see it is made of _papier mache_, merely colored -to look like metal. The eye was a gay deceiver; don't you think so?" - -This was too much for the men; there was a sally of laughter in which -the boys joined with the greatest glee. - -"But we are not through with this investigation. We have been talking -about a match safe. The sergeant here is a very wise person, and has -had a fine education, so I am going to ask him whether it looks like a -match safe," said the captain. - -"I should say so; that is about the only thing that occurs to me," he -answered. - -"Are you relying on your eyes, or what?" asked the captain. - -"Well,—on my eyes and on my previous knowledge," answered the sergeant. - -"Then you are doubly wrong," said the captain, as he opened the lid, -and exposed the interior of the case filled with tablets. "It is not -a match safe; was never intended for one, and was never used for that -purpose. Have I proven my case?" - -The company applauded the clever manner in which the captain explained -the subject. - -"This leads me to say that the eye brings into your range something -which may be familiar, that is, something of which you have seen -before, and you say you have seen thus and so; or, on the other hand, -you see something which is unknown, or strange. It is at this point -where the value of observation is of service. If you cannot compare its -size with something you have knowledge of, or have no gauge by which -you can determine of what it is made, and no means which will enable -you to judge of its use, or its purpose, you must depend on your own -judgment to decide what it can possibly be. In course of time the man -in an airship becomes a thinker and a reasoner, and does not depend so -much on the eye, as upon a judgment aside from that which the eye tells -him. Do you understand now what I mean when I say that the eye does not -grow more acute, but that the mind becomes more active, and, through -observation, enables the aviator to judge more accurately as time goes -on." - -The captain's argument was unanswerable. It was a revelation to the -boys, and, as the captain was about to leave, Ralph said: "We thank -you, Captain, for the wonderful lesson you have taught us. I am sure we -shall never forget it, and I know we shall profit by it." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE CURTAIN OF FIRE - - -Before the morning sun had lighted up the scene, they could hear the -buzzing of airplanes overhead. That was a sound so familiar to them -that they could, at times, distinguish even the motors that were used -on most of them. - -"I'll bet that's a Morane," said Ralph, as they rolled around over the -blankets, preparatory to getting up. - -"They are out pretty early in the morning," said Alfred. - -"Got to be out promptly before any of the Boches are able to come over -and take observations," said the sergeant, in the adjoining van. - -"Oh, yes; I had forgotten about that," replied Alfred. "What time will -the fireworks begin?" - -"As soon as the observations are completed," replied the sergeant. - -"Any particular set of fellows on the other side you are going to wipe -out?" asked Ralph. - -"You bet! We're going to make Devil's Cut a promenade for a health -resort," replied the sergeant. - -"Then I'm with you," said Alfred, springing out of his bunk. - -The ten machines in the air inspired the boys as they glanced aloft. -"I rather have a longing to return to that business," said Alfred, -pointing upwardly. - -Ralph walked away without replying. - -Shovels and picks were again brought into use. Some of the men made an -observation of the bank alongside of the guns, while others began to -dig into the hills. Others brought up short sections of young trees, -which were planted upright side by side and placed across the top to -form a sort of roof or ceiling. The earth, as it was taken out, was -pitched up on top of the roof thus formed. The holes were dug into the -banks from six to eight feet deep, and usually six feet wide. Each of -the shelters thus made room for four men. Really, each was intended for -eight men, but as half of the men would be on duty, while the other -half would be at rest, it will be seen that much space was economized. - -The mess shelters were somewhat larger or rather, longer, but not any -deeper, and heavy posts were set at intervals, to hold the roof and -the earth. As these places were on the rear side of the steep bank -they were protected from shot or shell, however vigorous might be -the bombardment, but, of course, the guns were subject to be hit by -well-aimed shots. - -The boys took keen delight in digging their shelter and in carpeting -the floor with the stray leaves, which were found all about the gun -emplacements after the protecting boughs had been put overhead. True, -the easy chairs were not the most comfortable, as they had to improvise -the furniture from the odd sticks and branches which were obtainable. -But this didn't matter. They were going to have a taste of the work -with a 75-millimeter battery. - -"That Nieuporte machine is making observations now," said Alfred, "and -the puff indicates that they have located two of the batteries." - -"Well done," said the captain. "Glad you can read the signals so well. -Take your station at No. 2; and you, Ralph, go to No. 4. Report to the -lieutenant there, and give him the benefit of your observation." - -It was a proud moment for the boys. They saluted and stationed -themselves as ordered. - -There had not been one moment of silence during the entire morning. The -guns were constantly booming, and sometimes there would be a rattle, as -though salvos of machine guns were brought into action. Anti-airship -guns were always flashing, and high in the air white and gray puff -balls would announce the explosion of shells, trying to feel out the -positions of the airships. - -"That was a German shrapnel," said Ralph, "and the one this side a -French high explosive." - -"How do you know?" asked one of the men. - -"By the color of the smoke," replied Ralph. "There, did you see the two -that came together, one with very white smoke on the right; the other -with a sort of gray, off to the left? That last one was from a French -gun." - -"What's the matter with that Farman machine?" said one of the gunners. -"He acts queerly." - -"The wing must be shot off, or he wouldn't spiral in that way," replied -Ralph. - -"He's coming down, but he has the machine in control, I think," -remarked one of the men. - -[Illustration: _Method of Signaling from Airplanes_] - -"Yes; if he can keep it in that way, but he must straighten out or he -will never reach our lines," said Ralph. - -"See if you can make out the trouble," said the lieutenant, as he -handed Ralph the glasses. - -"The pilot is dead," said Ralph, after a quick observation. - -"Do you think so?" asked the lieutenant. - -"Yes; he is lying over the side of the pit; see, he is motionless; take -a look for yourself," said Ralph, as he handed the glasses back to the -lieutenant. - -"I am very sorry, as we were dependent on Dupuy for the day's work. -Report to the captain." - -Ralph quickly made his way to the station occupied by the captain. "I -am requested to report to you that Dupuy has been injured or killed, -and that is his machine now coming down beyond the lines," said Ralph. - -The gun crew glanced in the direction indicated. As the machine neared -the earth two of the French machines more venturesome than the rest -flew low, hoping, no doubt, that the wind would be sufficiently strong -to carry poor Dupuy into friendly territory, but in this they were -disappointed. - -Almost immediately another Farman sailed across the battery and -signaled. As it did so the order came from the captain, to the -lieutenant in charge of the three guns on the right. "Line up with -Farman D 63, range 4700 meters." - -The men stood at attention, all eyes riveted on the disappearing -machine. Every second a voice would call out: "27, 27 and a half, 28, -28 and a half," and so on, and at each call the gun pointer would turn -a small wheel, and the gun muzzle of the gun would move up a trifle. -Soon a puff was plainly visible below the airplane. - -"Tirez!" shouted the officer, and instantly there was a sharp, crashing -roar. The aeroplane had, in the meantime, made a turn, and a puff -appeared above the machine. - -"Too high!" shouted the officer. Two more puffs appeared. "Two degrees -lower!" was the next order. - -The guns were reloaded before the foregoing orders were completed. -Bang! bang! bang! Again another signal; still too far overhead. Another -adjustment, and another round. The flying machine sent up a succession -of puffs, and the lieutenant's face glowed with pleasurable excitement, -as he shouted: "You have it. Give them forty shots; then depress." - -While this was going on the three other guns were just as busy. The -guns were pointed diagonally across the river, where the hills in the -distance seemed to be constantly covered with a smoke. - -"I notice that they have lots of smoke over there, so it is hard to -tell where to fire," said Alfred, as he stood alongside the captain. - -"That is true," he answered. "Our guns use smokeless powder, and that -will aid us in concealing our position. If we used the same powder they -use in shelling Devil's Cut, we wouldn't last a day." - -Alfred understood why so much care had been taken to cover up the guns, -for the Germans had guns which would reach as far as the 75's, but the -question was how to locate the batteries. In this particular the French -were superior, as well as in the ability to handle the guns rapidly and -accurately, for it must be admitted that the French had easily taken -the lead in the use of heavy ordnance. - -It did not take long to fire forty shots. There was only a short -cessation after the prescribed number had been let loose. The Farman -machine came up close. It signaled. - -"That battery has been put out of commission," said Alfred. The -lieutenant nodded approvingly and with a great show of pleasure. - -"Two degrees to the left," shouted the lieutenant. - -[Illustration: _Peculiarities of Trajectories_] - -Crack! crack! bang! spoke out the pieces as before. And now it seemed -as though the whole hillside shook with the resounding roar. Alfred -and Ralph, as well as the officers, were on a slight elevation, which -enabled them to look across the valleys, but the gunners who were -firing could not see, because they were too far down behind the crest. - -The boys had been too busily engaged to notice that all along that low -range, of which they occupied but a small part, the artillery had taken -up positions during the night, and that more than two hundred guns were -now commencing and with frightful execution carrying out that most -terrible of all forms of modern artillery warfare, the barrage fire. - -"We heard about that before we left Verdun," said Ralph. "Is that what -is going on now?" he asked. - -The captain nodded. "You will notice that the guns are now pointed at -an angle which will carry the shell the farthest," he said. - -"Is that the forty-five degree angle?" asked Alfred. - -[Illustration: _Peculiarities of Trajectories_] - -"Yes; if we elevate the guns the trajectory will be higher, but the -shot will fall short of the maximum; if the gun is depressed the shell -will fall nearer to the gun. After we have demolished everything at -long range, the forward end of the gun is lowered and a certain number -of shots fired, each gun swinging around a little to the right and to -the left, so as to reach all the spaces between the guns. Then the gun -is depressed still more, and at regular intervals this is repeated -until every foot of space from the longest range to the shortest in -front of us is searched out." - -"But while the shots are coming closer and closer to our front lines -won't the Germans come up and occupy the spaces, just as before?" -asked Ralph. - -"That is just what we want them to do," replied the lieutenant. - -"Why so?" asked Alfred. - -"Because, at a given signal, the guns are again raised at the highest -angle, and the result is that all who have ventured to come forward, -are trapped, and will be caught by the next sweep of shots as they are -brought forward," answered the lieutenant. - -For more than five hours this incessant stream of shells continued -without interruption. The men at the guns were perspiring. The relief -crews were lying on the ground, some of them actually sleeping. -Occasionally the boys would see a squad arise, spring forward and take -their places, while those who had been serving the guns would drop back -exhausted in the shelters. - -An orderly rode up and handed the captain a paper. He signaled the -lieutenant. "They are preparing for the charge," he said. "Come, come, -my men!" - -They rushed down the hill, and stopped before the telephone booth, -which had been installed while the first assault was being carried out -in the forenoon. The operator was dictating information to an assistant. - -"The batteries will commence close action at two o'clock. Commanders -will observe the strictest care as the columns move forward. The -curtain of fire will be in advance of the first line at least two -hundred meters. Scouts report heavy columns of enemy on the road to -Albert. All batteries east of hill 60 must concentrate on the ridge -behind hill 307, until the skirmishers are near." - -"Low depression!" ordered the captain, as he glanced at his watch. The -boys noticed that it was now within ten minutes of two. - -The excitement was intense. There were no men in the shelters now. -Those not on duty were near the crest of the ridge, shading their -eyes and glancing across the smoking fields. Two minutes passed. The -captain then marched out, followed by the officer and the boys. As they -reached the top of the hill the captain, watch in one hand, raised a -handkerchief with the other. - -It did not seem possible that the din could increase, but it now -seemed to be intensified. Every gun was so low that the shells barely -missed the crest of the hill as they passed over. Five minutes,—ten -minutes,—it seemed an age. - -"Look at the men along the river," shouted Ralph. "They are going -forward,—they have crossed the narrow field, and are running up the -hill. There is the second column. Why, they act as though they were -only having a practice drill." - -No sooner had the first and second lines passed from view, than the -third columns were noticed, and behind them the reserves. - -"Where did they all come from?" asked Alfred. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A SHELLED BATTLEFIELD - - -The one hundred and two guns, which the French had massed in this -sector, covered a line equal to nearly a mile and a half in length, as -they were less than seventy feet apart. As each gun was able to fire -twenty shots a minute, they hurled over one thousand high explosive -shells from all of the guns each minute. - -This multiplied by sixty, to represent an hour, and then by five to -get the grand total, in point of time, makes more than three hundred -thousand missiles distributed over an area of less than five square -miles. Imagine, if you can, what it would mean to have ten of those -terrific shrapnel shells explode over every acre in that region. No -wonder that human flesh cannot stand that sort of warfare. - -Slowly the muzzles of the guns were raised higher and higher. In the -front, over that broad field, although the sun was shining brightly, -yet there was a thick haze. Absolutely nothing could now be seen but -the densest smoke, and noises were no longer distinguishable. - -The boys rushed down to the telephone station. The operator, streaming -with perspiration, and with a voice so hoarse that it was scarcely -above a whisper, was still taking the messages. - -"The second line has just been taken. They are rounding up a division -beyond the hill. The traverses beyond are filled with Germans, who have -not offered any resistance. Prisoners are coming in by the thousands. -The railroad has been reached." - -"Wonderful! wonderful!" shouted the lieutenant in an ecstasy of joy. "I -didn't expect that. We have cut into them two miles, at least." - -The operator held up his hand. "The main defenses on the ridge -have just been taken. The reserves have been ordered up to handle -the prisoners. Four staff officers have been taken from the tunnel -shelters," he said. - -Every one was in a delirium. Each felt that he had contributed some -share to the glorious victory. It was a revelation of the power of -the French gunnery, and the wonderful co-operation of the infantry in -moving forward in the shelter of the _curtain_, as it has been so aptly -termed. - -Gradually the deafening din ceased and appeared to die away. One -gun from each battery still remained on duty, and fired at regular -intervals. With field glasses many things could now be distinguished, -the important one, and that which most interested the boys, being the -immense number of troops moving to and fro and through the fields so -lately harrassed by their guns. - -"Would you like to take a trip across that territory?" asked the -lieutenant, as the boys came up. - -"Indeed, we would," replied Ralph. - -"It is too late tonight, but we intend to make an inspection tomorrow," -he replied. "I promise you shall go along." - -At supper that night there did not seem to be any extraordinary show of -enthusiasm. Probably every one had been surfeited with excitement. - -"Don't you have a queer feeling in your ears?" said Alfred. - -"Well, my ears have been humming and buzzing right along. It appears -sometimes as though the guns were still going. It seems unnatural to -have this quiet," remarked Ralph. - -"You'll get over that after a few days of this," said a gunner. "It -wasn't an exceptionally noisy day, as we had only about a hundred -guns on tap; but over in the Champagne, when we cut a swath of six -kilometers, fifteen kilometers long, in two days, we had over three -hundred guns. That meant some pounding." - -At nine o'clock in the morning the boys were ready for the trip over -Dead Man's land, as the region was termed. Four officers and a half -dozen of the gunners made up the party of observation. - -As they marched down the hill the lieutenant said: "This is not a trip -to satisfy mere curiosity, but to give us an idea of the nature and -extent of our work. In order to appreciate it we are compelled to make -an investigation before the traces of our work disappear." - -They had little difficulty in crossing the stream, for hundreds of -crafts were all about. The first evidences of the galling fire did -not appear until they had gone a thousand feet from the stream, where -the first line trenches of the Germans zig-zagged around the inclined -surface of the fields. - -"This may interest you," said the captain, as he pointed to a section -directly behind the main trench. The scene was an excellent one, as it -gave them a clear view over a field covering about two acres. Before -the onslaught, it had been a field of sod, level as a floor, and part -of the green was in front of a magnificent country home. - -The house was a mass of ruins, of course, and two of the outbuildings -had been burned. It would not be a misstatement to say that so close -together were the holes and the upturned pieces of sod that it would -have been possible for one to go over that entire lawn stepping from -hole to hole, without touching the grass. - -"That must be a tunnel," said Ralph, as he approached an opening, which -could be observed from the ruins of the house. - -Together the party moved over and entered the covered way. His surmise -was correct. It was a timbered channel way, three feet wide, and high -enough to permit a tall man to walk erect in it. - -Alfred peered in. As his eyes became accustomed to the darkness, -several objects were noticed in the enlarged space. - -"I suppose they have furniture here," remarked Ralph. "Hello! what's -this?" - -The captain came forward, and struck a light. Three bodies of Germans -were lying on the floor. That was queer. A closer examination was made. -It was then discovered that in the sound chamber were other bodies, -more than a dozen, and most of them officers, as the insignias on their -uniforms indicated. - -"They were, undoubtedly, brought here at the beginning of the fight," -said the lieutenant. "They had no idea what they had to contend with -when we opened on them." - -All hurried away from the place. A plowed field at the rear of the -house was crossed, their steps being directed to the stumps of trees at -the other side of the field. In crossing this short stretch of field -more than fifty dead were found, all in such positions as to indicate -that there must have been a panic in their ranks. - -An infantry officer in the party, who had been with the reserve the -previous day, remarked: "More than three hundred prisoners were taken -along the edge of this field where these trees stood. In taking them -back into our lines I had a conversation with one of the officers. He -said: - -"'I cannot begin to describe the effect of the fire when your shots -reached the timber. We had our traverses alongside these rows of trees, -and it seemed as though a hurricane was going through and breaking off -the limbs, leaves and branches, and flinging them down on the men. But -that was not the worst of it. As long as we were in the traverses we -could get some shelter from the bursting shells; but it was impossible -to get away from the falling branches. The ditches didn't help us -then, and the men, despite all our efforts, rushed out, preferring the -bursting shells to the new terror.'" - -"Did you ever see such kindling wood?" remarked Ralph, as they picked -their way through the debris. - -"But did you ever see such a fine collection of metal?" replied Alfred, -as he pointed at the pieces of shells which were scattered on all -sides, and in every conceivable place. - -One trench after the other was crossed. Without exception all contained -bodies of men, who were stricken before they could get out, for the -men delegated had not yet been able to give the dead proper burial. -Various parties were at work, performing the last rites to those who -had fallen, and they stopped before one party thus at work. - -Several dozen men were engaged in carrying the bodies to the trenches -where they were laid side by side close together. Not all were Germans, -for many Frenchmen lost their lives on that day. When a sufficient -number were gathered the officer in charge of the party directed the -assistant to examine the remains of each. - -The first quest was to determine the number tag, usually attached to -each soldier, and after this had been entered in a book, a search was -made to discover letters, photos, money and souvenirs which the pockets -might contain. A note was made of all these things, and, finally, the -exact location of the interment was added to the transcript, thus -giving a reasonable assurance that the friends or relatives might know -with some degree of certainty the burial place and also in time receive -the effects taken from the bodies of the fallen soldiers. - -It was, indeed, a gruesome sight, not worse, perhaps, than many others -which belong to the battlefield. In the heat of battle, when everything -is noise and bustle, and when men grit their teeth and rush into every -sort of danger, they become numbed to scenes even worse than this. But -it is different when in the calm of the morning, they see the results -of their work and allow their thoughts to wander. - -The party had reached the base of the hill, and was nearing the -formidable fourth line of the German trenches, which were taken at -the last assault. One company after the other of French infantry -was even then marching over the fields to take up positions in the -newly acquired territory. The trenches were turned around facing the -other way, the shelters revised to meet the new conditions, and the -underground retreats properly cleaned out. - -"Did you ever see anything so awful as this?" said Alfred with a -shudder, as they gazed on the great corpse-filled trench directly -behind the crest of the ridge. - -"There must have been an infantry charge here," said Ralph. - -"Quite right," said the infantry officer. "They made the last stand -here. It was really pitiful to see them, as our infantry came up the -hill. The shells were exploding over them, not a hundred meters ahead -of our foremost columns. They tried to fight, it must be said to their -credit, but they were crazed by the terror of that fire." - -"How far are we from our battery?" asked Ralph. - -"I should say about three kilometers," said the lieutenant. - -"Just to think of it," responded Alfred, "about two and a half miles -distant, and see what happened here." - -It would be merely a repetition of the same sights over and over -to describe the scenes. Every sort of accoutrement, guns, swords, -knapsacks, articles of food, clothing of every description, kitchen -utensils, and at one place a poor dog, horribly mutilated, made up the -scene and afforded a gruesome picture. - -"What is this?" said Alfred, as he stopped and picked up an envelope. -It was sealed, and had not, evidently, reached the one for whom it was -intended. - -"What shall I do with it?" asked Alfred. - -"Turn it over to the searchers,—the ones who are now burying the -dead," replied the lieutenant. - -Alfred marched across the open and handed it to the officer. "I found -this at the corner of the field," he explained. - -The officer acknowledged the receipt with a bow, and held it up. -"Lieutenant Johann Schroeder, 10th Infantry," the inscription read. -"Have you the name there?" he asked, looking at the clerk. - -The latter examined the index. "Yes; here it is; body in the tenth -lateral, over to the left," so the letter was deposited in a huge sack -carried by two assistants. - -[Illustration: _The Deadly Shrapnel Shell_] - -But there were other objects which had to be taken care of besides the -bodies, as everything on the battlefield that has a value is gathered -up. Metals are of great utility, leather can be used over again, and so -on through the whole list. Repairs to roads were necessary and parties -for this purpose were also in evidence, as it was their business to -make this region habitable again for the army which must occupy it. - -Several large vans were now seen coming up over what was once a -roadway. It stopped at intervals while the men carried the various -articles to them and others put them in place inside the vehicles. The -boys with their party were passing a group of men thus engaged when a -terrific explosion took place. - -The noise created by the unexpected calamity attracted the attention -of hundreds of soldiers and officers, who rushed to the scene. The -captain was killed, and the lieutenant wounded. When Ralph regained -consciousness, he saw a half dozen men lying on the ground, and -finally recognized Alfred among the number lying still. - -An officer rushed up and shouted: "That makes the second accident with -unexploded shells. Where is your commanding officer?" he inquired of -one of the workers. - -"There!" said the man, as he pointed to the figure of an officer who -was lying in the unfortunate group. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES - - -Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields. However -carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the -instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of -them that prevents it. - -Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except -the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum. It -did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything -dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead. - -After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact -occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a -battlefield. - -When he again recovered consciousness, he saw a dim light close by his -bedside, and noticed some moving figures. Then he looked about and -glanced upward. The ceiling was white and clean, and a woman with a -neat white cap and gown stood beside his bed, and smiled at him. This -was, indeed, strange. He couldn't have been hurt, for he felt no pain. - -"Do you feel better now?" said a sweet voice. - -That seemed to break the charm. "Why,—yes; I am feeling well; but what -has happened? Where am I? and,—and—where's Alfred? Oh, yes; I know -now; something happened a little while ago. Where is he?" said Ralph, -as he tried to move. - -"Alfred is across there; he is sleeping now. He will be all right in a -few weeks," said the nurse. - -Ralph looked at her for a time without replying. He seemed to be -gathering his thoughts. He raised up his arm, and noticed that it -was bandaged. He dropped it and glanced up at the nurse. "We had an -accident a few minutes ago, didn't we?" he asked. - -"That was two days ago," replied the nurse. "But you are all right now. -We were a little worried at first, because it was impossible to tell just -where or how you were hurt; but now you'll get well, so don't worry." - -"Will Alfred, too?" he asked eagerly. - -"He is mending rapidly, but his injuries are more severe than yours. -Every one here is so anxious and inquires about you," remarked the -nurse. - -"Why, who are looking out for us? Where are we? What place is this?" he -asked wonderingly. - -"This is the town of Corbie, north of Amiens. The lieutenant of your -battery was badly shaken up, but he is all right now and left this -afternoon. But you must be quiet; a hospital is a bad place to be -excited in," said the nurse. - -"Yes, I know that. We have been in the hospital before. This isn't the -first time," said Ralph. - -"Is that you, Ralph?" said a weak voice. - -"That's Alfred, I know. And how are you?" asked Ralph. - -"All right. I thought you'd never wake up. I'm all right now," said -Alfred. - -"Now be quiet," said the nurse soothingly. "The doctor says you must -not do anything to excite yourselves." - -The night passed without incident. In the morning Alfred's cot was -moved over adjoining the one on which Ralph lay. - -"Now you can talk all you want to, but sleep whenever you can," -remarked the nurse, as they were comfortably fixed. - -"Say, Alfred, did you have any pain at all after the thing went off?" -asked Ralph. - -"Not the slightest bit; the first thing I knew I found myself here all -fixed up, and heard a band playing outside," said Alfred. - -"So they have a band here?" inquired Ralph. - -"Yes, indeed; and a dandy one, too; say, did you have anything to eat -yesterday?" asked Alfred. - -"I don't know; and there's another thing I know; I'm mighty hungry now. -When did that thing happen?" asked Ralph. - -"Day before yesterday; no, the day before that," replied Alfred. - -"Well, then, I don't think I've had anything to eat since then. My, but -I'm hungry," said Ralph. - -"There she is; she's coming; look at that big tray," said Alfred with -glistening eyes. - -"I thought you'd relish something about this time," said the nurse as -she deposited the tray on the folding table and wheeled it near their -cots. - -"Well, I should guess so, after not having had anything to eat for -three days," said Ralph. - -"Why, you ate a fairly good meal yesterday noon," replied the nurse. - -"What? _I_ did?" said Ralph, looking at Alfred in an amused manner, and -then at the nurse. He shook his head, and continued: "Well, if you say -so it must be so; but I never knew it." - -"No; of course, you didn't remember; well, we see so many instances of -this kind. It is really strange," continued the nurse, "how men will -forget everything, not even know their names, and still will not forget -to eat. That seems to be a law of nature,—the first law,—the one of -self-preservation." - -"Well, even if I did eat right along this tastes as though I hadn't -taken a meal for a month," said Ralph. - -There were many curious cases in the hospital,—forms of disease -developed by the war that were novel even to the doctors. - -Two weeks thereafter, when Ralph had entirely recovered, and Alfred was -able to go out for short walks, they had many conversations with the -doctor. - -One day while returning from a jaunt they encountered him, just as -a patient was brought into the hospital, who was staring about and -screaming wildly. - -"Is that a crazy man?" asked Alfred. - -"Not exactly," replied the doctor. "It is a peculiar mania, however. We -had several dozens of cases the day after the great drive,—in fact, at -the very time you were brought here,—of Germans who were brought in -suffering from that ailment." - -"What is it?" asked Ralph. - -"It has been called 'War Psychosis,'" answered the doctor. - -"What is the cause of it?" asked Ralph. - -"I suppose it is brought about by the patient being compelled to -witness the most terrible sights," answered the doctor. "It occurs -where the man has a peculiarly sensitive or nervous organization." - -"A man like that cannot be very brave, I suppose," said Alfred. - -"It is not that at all. Lack of bravery, or fear has nothing to do with -it. I have seen the strongest men break down under it," said the doctor. - -"Is it a fatal disease?" asked Alfred. - -"No, it seems to leave them almost as suddenly as they are affected by -it. Do you see that tall man over to the left—the one who is swinging -his head to and fro, and staring at those about him?" - -"Yes, I have frequently watched him during the week," said Ralph. - -"He is a typical case," said the doctor. "He is an Alsatian, and -belonged to the first reserves. He was a first-class shot, as well as a -member of the battery when in the service. At the breaking out of the -war he joined the colors at once. His battery was in the thickest of -the fighting from and after the Marne. He saw all the slaughter about -him, and at first became moody. His boon companion was a neighbor's -boy, Tony, who carried the ammunition. - -"One day a shell exploded near the battery and poor Tony was killed. -This did not seem to affect him much, and he looked around listlessly -when they buried the boy. The next day another shell exploded near him, -tearing the captain to pieces, and wounding three of his companions. -Instantly he leaped forward toward the enemy, and had to be restrained -and forcibly carried back of the line, where he was taken charge of by -the hospital attendants. That happened less than a week ago. We had to -bind him hand and foot, but he is better now, and will be all right -again in another week. There are thousands of such cases." - -Some days hundreds of patients would be sent away,—taken to Paris, -or to some of the great hospitals, where the best of care could be -bestowed. In fact, all cases which were expected to require weeks to -effect a cure, had to be sent to the base hospitals, or the field -hospitals would be overcrowded. - -The boys were only too glad now to relinquish their cots in the general -ward and take a room in the convalescent ward. From that place they -would wander out and watch the great processions of soldiers as they -passed on to the front. - -"I wonder why it is that we don't see any French soldiers around here -lately?" remarked Alfred. - -"I was thinking about that very thing," said Ralph. "We must inquire -about that." - -Inquiry developed the fact that the English had been extending their -lines, and now occupied the front in that section down to the area over -which the French had made their last successful drive. - -"Do you know where the 14th French battery has gone?" asked Ralph of an -attendant, when they returned to the hospital. - -"I really do not know, but I understand that they are now near Noyen, -or in that region," was the reply. - -A week thereafter the boys, now fully satisfied, left the hospital, and, -as the doctor handed them their certificates of discharge, he remarked: - -"The lieutenant sent your things to us the day they left the ridge. The -attendant will get them for you." - -They had entirely forgotten that they owned anything. The two packages -were found intact, together with a note of regret from the lieutenant, -and from the men of the 14th battery. It was a gratifying thing to -receive, and greatly appreciated by the boys. - -On the road they walked along toward the reserve camp two miles to the -north, during which they met numerous fellow pedestrians, of all sorts, -conditions and characteristics. Peddlers, hucksters, dealers in all -sorts of wares, tradesmen, a few carpenters with their tools, going -and coming, and this over a road which in normal times would not have a -dozen visitors during the day. The vast army to the east brought trade -to many inhabitants. - -They were particularly interested in a peddler, who plied his trade -with considerable energy. He would push to the front whenever a troop -of soldiers appeared, offering his wares, and, after each sale, or when -he had completed his canvass of a troop, would swing off his pack, take -out the money, and count it. Then, invariably, he would draw out a -pencil, note down something on the wrapper in which the money was kept, -shoulder his pack, and march on. - -"That fellow is the most particular man I ever met," remarked Ralph. "I -suppose he puts down every sou he receives. He is what I would call a -tightwad." - -"Perhaps not that, but just a trifle careful," responded Alfred. - -It was an amusing experience to the boys, as they watched his -procedure. It was always the same and never varied. The camp was in -sight, and they left the road to visit it, but before entering the -grounds they sat down to rest, and while there the peddler passed them. - -The boys waited until a regiment of newly arrived English entered -the gateway, before they rose and followed. The peddler was on hand -the moment the regiment halted, and obsequiously passed down the -line offering his wares. They noticed that although there were no -purchasers, nevertheless the peddler went through the same formula of -making a notation on the paper, which was used as a wrapper for the -money. - -Parked at one side was an immense train of the well-known English -three-inch guns, the counterpart of the French 75's which did such -terrific execution several weeks previous to this time, as heretofore -related. - -"There are the flyers," said Ralph, as he pointed to an open field to -the east. - -"Let's have a look at them," responded Alfred. - -As they were crossing the ground, Alfred stopped. "There is the old -peddler again. He is a diligent fellow, sure enough," he said. - -Although there were only twenty machines on the ground, they could see -from the vans within view that many more were awaiting the unpacking -process. Here, as elsewhere, the peddler appeared. - -Ralph stopped and gazed at the man for a few moments. "Alfred," he -said, "somehow I don't like that fellow's actions. What business has he -here if he is really a peddler?" - -"That fellow's a spy, or there is something the matter with him," -replied Alfred. "Do you know I have had my suspicions ever since the -regiment came in." - -"Why?" asked Ralph. - -"For this simple reason: did you observe that he went through the -entire regiment without making a single sale?" asked Alfred. - -"Yes, I saw that," answered Ralph. - -"Well, after he got through with them, he took out his money just the -same and made a note on the paper," answered Alfred. - -"That does look very strange," replied Ralph. "He will bear watching." - -"Suppose we follow him and see what he has to sell?" suggested Alfred. - -As they neared him the peddler had reached a group of assistants and -threw off the pack, displaying a collection of wares, such as needles, -pins, handkerchiefs, and like articles of utility likely to be used by -soldiers and officers. - -"That looks innocent enough," observed Ralph. - -A sale was made, the change passed over, and the inevitable paper -package drawn out, followed by a pencil, which was used, apparently, to -note the amount of the sale. - -He was followed to the space where the artillery was parked. - -"That fellow may be all right, but he looks queer to me," said Ralph. -"Suppose we count the number of guns here and their calibre." - -Alfred paused, and looked at Ralph with a cynical grin. "What for? Do -you think he will carry any of them away?" he asked. - -"Never mind; let's count them," answered Ralph. - -"Then, why not count the airships, those in the vans as well," -returned Alfred, now smiling and catching the meaning of this proposed -investigation. - -"Yes; go over at once; I will attend to the guns. Meet me at the stand. -I see he is going over in that quarter," replied Ralph. - -The latter took particular note of the Long 3's, as they were known -technically. There were forty-two. Eight howitzers were under cover -at one end of the line, as well as three mounted, heavy-calibre guns, -which Ralph judged might be at least eight-inch bore. He entered the -sheet-iron warehouse at the end of the field, as the peddler emerged -from it at a side door. - -Within was stored an immense quantity of trench equipments, a row of -newly devised bomb-throwers being conspicuously displayed at one end -of the warehouse. Ralph counted them. "There are certainly more than a -hundred; I may have missed some of them," he remarked to himself. - -As he marched across the open space to the stand which had been selected -as the meeting place, he saw Alfred awaiting him. The latter seemed to -be greatly excited, and the moment Ralph was sighted he ran over. - -"Do you know who is at the hangar?" he said. - -"No; I can't guess," answered Ralph. - -"Joe; don't you remember Joe; the American that we made our first -flight with up at Dunkirk? He is over at the hangar and wants to see -you," said Alfred. - -"All right; let's go over," replied Ralph. "But did you count them?" - -"No; but Joe gave me the information; eight Sopwith tractors, ten -Bristols, and six B. E.'s, all set up. Tomorrow they will unpack eight -more Sopwiths and six Bristols. That makes a total of thirty-nine," was -Alfred's answer. - -"What do you think? That fellow was coming out of the warehouse the -minute I got there. Do you suppose he thought there was any peddling -business over there?" said Ralph with some determination in his voice. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE SPIES IN THE CAMP - - -"By jing! I'm awfully glad to see you," said Joe, as the boys appeared. -"Excuse me for not shaking with the right hand, but that is out of -commission, and the left is not much better. And how have you been? Oh, -I heard all about you. Lieutenant Guyon! poor fellow! he was a brick; -sure enough. Too bad he had such a weak heart! That's what did him up. -Say, do you know when we got the first reports we understood that both -of you went under; and say; did you ever get hold of any of the New -York papers that wrote you up? Fine obituaries! Makes a fellow feel -good to read about yourself after you're dead. I have some notices of -the same kind about myself." - -Ralph and Alfred laughed, as Joe rattled on. - -"But tell me," he continued, "what have you been doing the past six -months?" - -"Why, we've been in the artillery service," said Ralph. - -Joe arose and looked at them straight and hard, as he replied: - -"Artillery service? You don't mean it? And where?" he asked. - -"Directly east of Amiens. We just came out of the hospital," said -Alfred. - -"Out of the hospital? Were you in the big drive? Wasn't that a dandy? -So you got peppered up there, eh?" he asked. - -"Well, yes; we were in that from the first; but they never touched us; -we got hurt after the battle was over; accidental bomb explosion on the -battlefield," replied Ralph. - -"Tell us about yourself," said Alfred. "How did you happen to lose your -right arm?" - -"Tried to bring down too many of them in one day, I suppose. Oh, they -gave me a tough fight; but they came down when I did." - -"So you are not flying now?" remarked Alfred with a rueful voice. - -"No," said Joe, looking down and slowly shaking his head. "I can do it -as well as ever, but they won't let me." - -"See here, Joe; we've got something that's bothering us; we believe we -are on the trail of a spy. He acts like it. It's a peddler. I followed -him around, and both of us noticed some suspicious-looking things on -his part," said Ralph. - -"A peddler!" remarked Joe. "Why, I saw a peddler around here a half hour -ago. Fellows of that kind need watching. Go on investigating. I am -awfully sorry I can't move around as I used to, or I would help you out." - -"What is the matter with your foot?" asked Alfred, as he now saw a -bandage above the ankle. - -"Oh, that was only a part of the damage. Go on, boys; see the -commandant; here, let me give you a note; now, take it over to that low -building in front of the brown warehouse," said Joe. - -"Thank you for the hint," said Alfred. - -"Don't forget to come back; I want to talk with you," remarked Joe, as -he waved his hand in the parting salute. - -The peddler was nowhere to be seen as they hurried across the field. -The boys were too much excited to open and read the note which Joe had -given them. - -"Is the commandant in?" asked Alfred, as they approached the guard. - -An orderly appeared, and to him Ralph handed the note. It was at once -taken into the officer's room. The orderly came out smiling, bowed and -said: - -"Col. Winston wishes you to step in." - -They were met at the door by the officer, who grasped their hands -warmly as he said: - -"You don't know how happy I am to meet you. My brother always speaks so -affectionately of you, and my sister is really much hurt because you -left Dunkirk without seeing her." - -The boys were astonished. Ralph was the first to speak: - -"Are you Lieutenant Winston's brother?" - -"Did he recover from the fall in the airship?" asked Alfred. - -"Yes, and he says that without you he would have been crushed to death; -we are certainly thankful to you. And now, what can I do for you? Joe -says you have something important to communicate to me without delay," -said the colonel, glancing at the note. - -"We may be mistaken," said Ralph, "but we think we have spotted a spy." - -"Where?" asked the colonel, as he arose from the chair. "Here in the -camp?" - -"Yes, right here; over in the warehouse and at the hangars, and he -acted so suspiciously before he reached the camp that we've been -trailing him," said Alfred. - -The colonel tapped a bell. The orderly appeared. "Send for Captain -Rose. Tell him it is urgent," said the colonel. - -"We ought to be out looking for the fellow, for we missed him as we -came across the grounds. He's a peddler," said Ralph. - -"The captain is out on duty and cannot be here for a half hour, so he -informs me over the wire," said the orderly. - -"Then suppose I go out and tell Joe to watch that end of the field, and -from there I will go to the entrance. Probably they,——" - -"Wait one moment," said the colonel, interrupting, as he turned to the -orderly. "'Phone to the corporal of the gate squad and ask whether a -peddler has passed out within the past half hour; if not, tell him to -arrest a peddler if he attempts to go out." - -"I will go over to the warehouse," said Alfred. "I have an idea he is -sneaking around in that part of the grounds." - -"Good idea," said the colonel. "Hand this to the officer in charge," he -said, as he sat down and wrote a few lines on a pad, and handed it to -Alfred. - -The latter lost no time in presenting himself to the officer in charge. - -"Is this Lieutenant Brand?" asked Alfred, as he addressed a -trim-looking officer. - -"Yes; at your service," was the reply. He looked at the note. - -"What is this?" he continued. - -"A spy, we think," said Alfred. - -"Do you mean he has been here?" said the officer in an incredulous tone. - -"Yes; not more than a half hour ago," answered Alfred, "and he is here -somewhere on the grounds; we are trying to find him." - -"One moment; there is a call on the 'phone; excuse me," said the -lieutenant, as he disappeared into the next room. - -"Yes, he is here!" Alfred heard the lieutenant say. "Do you want him?" - -Alfred was moving toward the door when the lieutenant appeared and -announced: "They have arrested a peddler at the gate. The colonel -wishes to speak to you." - -Alfred took the receiver. "They have the peddler at the gate. They are -bringing him over now, so be kind enough to get here at once," was the -message. - -Alfred hurried to the commandant's office, and met Ralph at the door. - -"Too bad; they have gotten the wrong peddler. He is in that room. Look -in through the door and see what you think," said Ralph. - -Alfred waited and finally obtained a glimpse. "No, it doesn't look like -the man we spotted. What was this fellow selling?" asked Alfred. - -"There's his pack," said the orderly. - -"That looks just like the pack that our peddler had. Same kind of -things, too; same strap,—and that flap; well,—I'll bet he belongs to -the other fellow, or knows something about him," said Alfred. - -"What is that?" said the colonel, as he entered and heard the last -remark. - -"I just said that this pack is just the same, the flap and the belt are -exactly like the one the peddler had that we are after, and although -that doesn't look like the man, I wouldn't be surprised if he belonged -to the same gang," answered Alfred. - -"I have a way that will tell the story," said Ralph. "Where are the -things that were taken from him?" he asked. - -"In my office," said the colonel; "come in and look them over." - -They made a careful examination of the peddler's pockets, and Ralph -shook his head doubtfully. - -"Where is his money?" said Alfred. - -"That's it!" almost shouted Ralph. - -The arresting officer was directed to bring in the money, and the -moment it was deposited on the table both boys stared at the paper -wrapped around it. - -"I think we know some of the figures on that paper," said Ralph. - -The colonel looked at the boys incredulously. "If you do," he said, "I -should call it some pretty fine detective work." - -"There are figures here," said the officer, unwrapping the paper. - -"Do you see 42 there?" asked Ralph. - -"Yes," replied the officer. - -"Now, right next to it or very near, is there a figure 8, and then 3?" - -The officer looked at Ralph in amazement. "That is just what I note -here, and in the order you have given," he said. - -"Now look for the following numbers, which ought to be up somewhere -above those you have just mentioned: 10, 8 and 6. Do you find them -there?" asked Alfred. - -"Yes," replied the officer. "But there is another amount here, 14." - -"That represents the fourteen unpacked aeroplanes," said Alfred. - -"What do you know about them?" asked the colonel. - -"Joe told me there were that many in the cases," answered Alfred. - -"Well, I wonder where that fellow has hidden himself?" said Ralph. - -"How did you know about the numbers on that paper?" asked the colonel. - -"We saw him put them down; and that is what created the suspicion in -our minds," said Alfred. - -"One thing more," said Ralph. "May I examine the paper?" - -He scanned it from top to bottom, then turned to the colonel. "How many -men," he asked, "were in the regiment that came in about an hour ago?" - -The colonel turned to the orderly. The latter replied: "890, according -to the rolls, if you mean the 23d Essex." - -"There it is," said Ralph, pointing to the figures. - -The colonel stooped over. "Where is 890? What you are pointing to is -8.90, and it may have reference to the sales he made to the members of -the regiment," he observed. - -"But he didn't make any sales to any of the fellows there," said Alfred. - -"Are you sure of that?" asked the colonel. - -"We are both sure of that," replied Ralph, "and what is still more, -here is 23 right above it with an X following. Doesn't that mean the -23d Essex regiment?" - -"Well, I consider that a pretty piece of reasoning from observation," -said the colonel. - -The boys turned to the colonel and fairly stared at him. - -"I hope I have not offended you." - -"No; we didn't feel that way about your remark, but it reminded me of -the lesson that the captain of the artillery company gave us one night -on the value of observation," said Alfred. - -"Bring in the man; I think we have a clear case," ordered the colonel. - -He was ushered in and the colonel addressed him. "When did you come -into the grounds?" - -"About an hour ago," was the reply. - -"Were you on the grounds when the Essex regiment arrived?" - -"Yes." - -"This paper which was wrapped around your money contains an account of -the sales you made at various times; is that so?" - -"Yes." - -"What was the sum total of the sales you made to the regiment?" - -He leaned forward and glanced over the paper, as he responded: - -"Eight francs and nine centimes." - -"What did you sell that brought 23 centimes?" asked the colonel with a -scrutinizing gaze. - -"Are you sure that 23 meant centimes?" - -The man's face paled, and for the first time he hesitated to reply -promptly. The colonel gave him no time to collect his thoughts. - -"What does the X stand for following 23?" - -"Ten." - -"Ten what?" - -"The profit I made." - -"On what? On the 8.90?" - -"Yes," was the relieved reply. - -"Put him under guard," ordered the colonel. - -As the man was led away, Ralph said: "While he is dressed differently, -and appears to look somewhat unlike the peddler we spotted, I think it -is the same man," said Ralph. - -"That pack might show something. Do you object if we take out all the -things?" asked Alfred. - -"Of course not; that fellow is guilty; I am sure of that," said the -colonel. - -[Illustration: _The Spy's Account Book_] - -The goods were unpacked. In the bottom, neatly folded, was the -identical suit that the peddler wore when the boys first noticed him. - -"He simply shifted suits somewhere in the grounds, and altered his -personal appearance. I regard that as very clever, on your part, boys, -and the service shall be rewarded," said the colonel. "Now, tell me -about your adventures since you left Dunkirk." - -For an hour the boys were busy telling the colonel about their -experiences, their work in the aerial corps, and in the artillery, to -all of which he listened with the most intense interest. At the close -of the interview the colonel said: - -"Where are you now staying?" - -"Anywhere, and nowhere," said Ralph, with a laugh. - -"Well, you are entitled to a comfortable place, and you shall have it -right here. The orderly will see that you are well taken care of; here, -Cameron, put up the boys and see that they get anything they want." - -"Thank you," replied both. As they were passing out the door, an -officer was about to enter. - -"One moment, boys; this is Captain Rose, in charge of the Secret -Service. We have had an interesting experience since you left this -morning, Captain. Go over to the quarter with the boys and they will -tell you about it, for I shall depend on your co-operation to convict -the fellow." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE LAWS AGAINST SPIES - - -"Did you notice the colonel said that we could have anything we -wanted?" said Ralph, after they were once installed in their room in a -wing of the building where the officers were sheltered. - -"I hope he won't forget it," said Alfred. "Tell him we want to be -assigned to the artillery branch." - -"Perhaps we ought to wait until we get through with the peddler, as -Captain Rose said the case would come up in the morning," replied Ralph. - -"Too bad we haven't told Joe. I wonder where he puts up? Maybe the -captain knows," said Alfred. - -"We might look him up," replied Ralph, and they were quickly out of -the room and prancing across the parade ground toward the commandant's -quarters, where the main offices were located. As it was past nine at -night they had some difficulty in locating Joe, but he was eventually -found, and at eleven o'clock they left the quarters in the rear of -the hangars, and marched across the ground in the direction of their -building. - -Turning the corner they were confronted by an individual who caused -the boys to gasp. It was the peddler,—the identical individual they -had followed during the day. He glanced at the boys, then turned and -hurried away. - -"We mustn't let him get away this time," said Ralph. - -The man evidently heard Ralph's voice, for he hurried his steps. - -"Halt!" cried Alfred. - -The man paid no attention to the command. - -"Halt or we'll shoot!" shouted Ralph. - -The man hesitated, then stopped and turned around. - -"Face the other way," shouted Ralph. - -The man obeyed. Neither of the boys were armed. It was an awkward -position. - -"Run for the captain," said Ralph in a whisper. - -Alfred quietly walked around the corner and fairly flew across the -ground. - -"We've got him; come on quickly," said Alfred in excitement, as he -burst into the captain's room without waiting for an invitation. The -captain was about to retire, and jumped up with a roar of laughter as -he recognized Alfred. - -"Who is it? What is up?" asked the captain. - -"The peddler!" replied Alfred. - -"I'll be there as soon as I can get something on," said the captain. - -"Then I'll borrow this," said Alfred, seizing the heavy army revolver, -"if I may." - -He rushed out of the door without waiting to get the desired -permission, and reached the corner of the building just as Ralph was -shouting: "Halt, I say!" - -Evidently the man began to doubt the authority or the sincerity of his -would-be captor, for he turned just as Alfred emerged from the corner. -One look was sufficient. The peddler bolted for the shelter of the -buildings to the left. - -Alfred raised the revolver and fired. The man stopped. - -"Come this way!" ordered Ralph. - -The shot at such a time was sufficient warning for the guards and the -officers. They swarmed from all sides, as the boys advanced toward the -peddler. - -One of the first to arrive was the captain, half-dressed. He was the -only one who understood the meaning of the shot. Alfred handed him -the weapon, and in another moment the peddler was in the hands of the -captain and on the way to the lock-up. - -As they marched across the ground the colonel ran up. - -"What's this!" he asked the boys, as they were following the captain -and the prisoner. - -"We have him this time," said Ralph. - -"Who?" asked the colonel. - -"The real peddler," said Alfred. - -The aroused camp soon learned of the work of the boys. It is marvelous -how soon things of this character drift from mouth to mouth. Earlier -in the day the camp knew of the capture of a spy; that seemed to be -common knowledge. The incident which had just taken place seemed to be -a fitting complement to the happening of the day, and in both instances -the boys had a prominent part. - -Naturally, the boys had to go to headquarters and relate the -circumstances surrounding their latest exploit, so that it was late in -the morning before they were able to get to their room and retire. - -"I feel a sort of sympathy for those fellows," said Alfred, while -dressing the next morning. - -"Well, I don't," replied Ralph. "They are mean sneakers; they daren't -do anything openly. They ought to be shot if they are really spies." - -"There's one thing about this business I can't understand," said -Alfred. "I don't think spying is any worse than other things that are -done in war. It isn't worse than killing, is it?" - -"No; but don't you remember Lieutenant Guyon saying that it was not the -doing of a thing, but the _way_ it was done that was wrong," said Ralph. - -"Well, I can't see how that helps things in the least. Here comes the -captain; he just passed the window. Come in!" said Alfred. "We've been -discussing what is right and what is wrong in war. I said that it -didn't seem to me to be any worse to spy than to do anything else." - -"There is nothing wrong in spying,—that is, trying to find out what -your enemy is doing; that isn't it. If a man does it openly, and not -in disguise, he is protected. It is only when fellows take the guise of -a peddler, we will say, that the rules of war decide he is entitled to -no consideration and cannot be protected," answered the captain. - -"I must say, now that I think of it, that there must be something -wrong about the laws that are made to use such an excuse to execute a -man. I read in the papers a few weeks ago that one of the war vessels -exhibited a neutral flag until the unsuspecting ship got near enough so -it could attack. Now, if it was wrong for an individual to deceive, or -sail under false colors, why wasn't it wrong for a ship to do that very -thing?" remarked Ralph. - -"You are right about that, undoubtedly," said the captain, "but, of -course, we must be guided by what law is, and not by what we think or -know it ought to be. If the peddlers are guilty they must suffer," -answered the captain. - -"I agree with you," said Alfred. "Of course, those men knew the risks -they were taking, and they did it with their eyes open. That reconciles -me." - -"Yes; and the very thing those fellows tried to do would mean, if they -succeeded, death to many of our soldiers, and it is better for two to -die than to have hundreds suffer," remarked Ralph. - -The evidence brought forth at the trial that day was conclusive. The -men refused to make any statements concerning their co-operation -in the work of espionage, but when the second peddler's pack was -eventually discovered, it was learned that each carried a suit, the -counterpart of the other. - -It was obvious that the arrest of one would enable him to prove an -alibi, just as he was prepared to do when the first one was apprehended -by the boys, and he would have been successful, too, were it not for -the fact that the boys observed the man in the act of taking notes, or -jotting down items so systematically, and on several occasions items -were put down where no sales were effected. - -No time was lost in carrying out the orders of the court and the spies -were executed without delay. - -The boys remained in the camp for two weeks, and it was getting to -be irksome. There seemed to be no occasion for hurry. Soldiers were -arriving from England in every branch of the service, and the camp was -enlarged by taking in a vast plain directly to the west and adjoining -the main camp. - -"I wonder if the colonel will forget what he said about giving us -whatever we want," said Ralph, one morning. - -"We might as well find out," replied Alfred. - -Once in the colonel's presence they were quick to bring up the subject. - -"You may remember," said Ralph, "that you once told us that we could -have anything we wanted." - -"I remember it well," he said. "Now, what is it?" he asked. - -"Why, we want to join an artillery company," said Alfred. - -"And is that all?" he inquired with an amused air. - -"Yes; we thought you might help us out; of course, we know we are -minors, and Americans, and all that, but we can help out, just the -same," said Ralph. - -"Yes; that is, indeed, commendable. Your cases are so different from -the ordinary ones that it may make the job of getting you in much -easier; at any rate, I hope so," he remarked. - -"Thank you," said Alfred. - -"Now, mind you, I may not be able to succeed, for the War Department is -very particular, and we are working under a pretty rigid set of rules, -but you have been in the service and are entitled to consideration; -and, by the way, won't you tell me how you succeeded in getting in -heretofore. Did you have any influence to push you along?" asked the -colonel. - -"Oh, yes; we had considerable influence," said Alfred with a smile. - -"Yes, that's what I wanted to find out," replied the colonel. "How did -you work it?" - -"Well," replied Ralph, "we simply walked in and went to work; that's -the influence we had; they couldn't help but take us." - -The colonel leaned back in his chair and roared with laughter, in which -the boys joined. - -"Maybe it wasn't just as bad as that," rejoined Alfred, after the -laughter subsided, "but down at Bar-le-Duc the chances of getting in -with the flyers were pretty slim, so we just went into the hangars and -asked them what there was to do, and we didn't wait for them to tell -us, we simply went to work." - -"That's a sample of the way we worked also to get into the -transportation service,——" - -"So you've been in that, too? Tell me about it," said the colonel. - -"Down at Amiens we saw them loading up a military truck, and they -looked as though they were rather short of help, so we pitched in and -helped fill up the van. It happened we were on the van when it started -for the front, and that's where we had a lively experience in taking -the vans through Devil's Cut," said Ralph. - -"Devil's Cut! I've heard about that! But I imagine there isn't any more -trouble in that place now," observed the colonel. - -"No, indeed! The big drive spoiled Devil's Cut," said Alfred, "and we -helped the artillery to do it, and that's why we want another chance in -the same direction." - -If there is anything more disagreeable than another, it is waiting. -Waiting for something, good or bad, is equally discouraging. In their -wanderings they had become acquainted with a quaint corporal, formerly -of the British navy, and at that time a trainer for the various gun -squads at the camp. Daily guns were prepared and hurried to the front, -and Walker, the corporal, was always on hand and frequently accompanied -the guns as they were sent forward. - -"Would you like to have a little outing?" he remarked one morning, as -the boys appeared at his tent. - -"Yes; anything, to get a change, this is too trying," said Ralph. - -[Illustration: _Pontooning Heavy Guns Across a Stream_] - -"Well, we are going to send half a dozen heavy guns out the Bapaume -road this morning, so along," he remarked. - -Six horses were hitched to each piece, and were pulling out, as Walker -spoke. - -"Jump on this ammunition van," shouted Walker, as he ran forward and -seized the stanchions at the side. - -The boys needed no second invitation, for they would, at least, have an -opportunity to go over a great deal of the ground formerly occupied by -the Germans, before the British commenced the Somme drive. - -"Why don't you use lorries for these guns?" asked Alfred. - -"There is one very good reason," replied Walker. "The bridges are -down, and we haven't had time to repair them, and the pontoons are too -light for the heavy pieces we are taking across, so we have to adopt -an entirely new method," he said, shrugging his shoulders and making a -grimace, which, at first, seemed very comical to the boys. - -"Then how do you get them across? Is the river very deep?" asked Ralph. - -"About ten feet deep, I should say; of course, we can't run them across -on their own wheels, but we pontoon them over," he said. - -The subject was dropped for the moment, as one of the officers came in -at that moment to consult with Walker. The boys seemed to be puzzled at -his remarks, and when he returned he said: - -"When we reach the end of this road, beyond, we turn to the right, at -a point only a few hundred feet from the river. Well, just notice the -heavy barrels at the landing." - -As the corner was turned they quickly observed the barrels, and men -busily engaged with ropes and heavy poles. A gun was run on its wheels -close to the river's edge, and five of the barrels were secured -to two poles, and lashed forward of the wheels, the poles running -transversely. A like number of guns were then secured behind the -wheels, also held by cross poles. - -All of the barrels were hung higher than the tread of the wheels, so -that after the equipment, as thus explained, was fully attached, the -horses were driven into the river and hitched to the floating gun, -while others mounted the float thus constructed, and, with poles, -assisted in floating the piece across. - -There was not a single mishap, and the six guns were taken over in a -brief space of time. The ammunition wagons were taken across by way of -the pontoon bridge, crowded as it was, and the entire outfit assembled -on the other side within an hour of the time the stream was reached. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A DIFFICULT TRIP TO THE MAIN TRENCHES - - -The great camp at which the boys were located was south of Albert, a -town of about 7,000 inhabitants, at the opening of the war. It was less -than ten miles west of the first line trenches at that time. About -fifteen miles northeast was Bapaume, and southeast of Albert, the same -direction, was Peronne, towns of 3,000 and 5,000 respectively, both -within the German lines, and important distributing centers for the -armies in that region. - -"I do not know how true it is, but the information I have is that the -immense preparation going on here, and farther to the north, means a -drive on Bapaume and Peronne. If such is the case we may expect lively -times during the next three months," said the lieutenant, as they were -conversing about the probabilities of taking part. - -"What branch of the service were you in?" asked Ralph. - -"The artillery; that is the most important by all means, especially in -this war," was the answer. - -"How is it that you are not attached?" asked Alfred. - -"Immediately after the Boer war I resigned, went to America, and -engaged in business there. As soon as I could do so I disposed of my -interests and came back two months ago. I was sent to this point two -weeks ago, where, undoubtedly, I will be called upon to take a part," -was the lieutenant's reply. - -That evening in their rooms, Ralph remarked: "I think we ought to stick -pretty close to the lieutenant; there might be a chance for us there." - -"But suppose the colonel fixes it for us?" said Alfred. - -"Then we'll go," answered Ralph. - -"While we are waiting, suppose we make a trip to the trenches," -suggested Ralph. - -"When? Tomorrow?" asked Alfred. - -"Why not?" replied Ralph. - -"Suppose we start early in the morning, as soon as we have breakfast," -suggested Alfred. - -As they walked across the ground, preparatory to the start, in the -morning they were accosted by the captain. "Which way?" he asked. - -"Going to take a look at the boys in the trenches," said Alfred. - -"I can give you a lift," replied the captain. "Go over to the station -and ask for Lieutenant Moore; tell him who you are and that I requested -him to give you a place on the goods train. - -"That was a happy thought," said Alfred, after they had thanked the -captain. "It's good to have friends," he added. - -At the station they were disappointed to learn that the lieutenant was -at the other end of the line. "Where is his assistant?" asked Alfred. - -"That's the man over there," said their informant, pointing to a -nervous officer on the platform. - -"Sorry I can't accommodate you in the absence of the lieutenant," was -his discouraging reply to their inquiries. - -"Well, shall we walk it?" said Ralph. - -"Not as long as the railroad is here; I have gotten out of the idea -of walking since the captain made the suggestion," said Alfred, as he -looked about. - -"That looks as though it might go the right way," said Ralph, as he -pointed to a long train and noticed a squad of men closing the doors. -While walking across they saw an engine backed up and coupled on the -coaches. - -"This is our chance," said Ralph. - -The conductor gave the signal and slowly the train began to move. Ralph -sprang up on the running board, and, calling to Alfred, said: "Just in -time!" - -"Ay, there! where's your permit?" shouted a voice. - -"Permit?" said Ralph. "Permit to get to the front? Well, that's news to -me. Did you ever hear anything like that?" he continued. - -The latter laughed at the audacity of the remark, but the conductor -assumed that it was a species of assurance on the part of the boys, and -it caused him to hesitate. - -The boys, meanwhile, boldly crept up the ladder and landed on top, -where they quietly sat down, with their legs dangling over the side. -After the train had gone a mile or so the conductor mounted the last -coach and walked forward. - -"Hi 'ave me orders to allow no one without a permit," he said. - -"Well, you ask Lieutenant Moore whether we can ride or not," said -Alfred. - -"Hey, but it must be in writing," he answered. - -"Yes; we know that; we will get the written permit as soon as we get to -the other end of the line where the lieutenant is," said Ralph, with an -assuring nod. - -"Blime me if this isn't irregular," he said. - -"Yes, it may be," answered Alfred. "It isn't exactly regular to ride on -top, but we haven't been invited to have a seat in the caboose," said -Ralph. - -"Caboose! caboose! did you say? Hi never heard of it," replied the -conductor. - -"Never heard of a caboose?" said Alfred. "That's queer; I thought all -railroad men knew what that meant." - -"Why, he's never been in America. They don't have cabooses in England. -You ought to know that," said Ralph. - -"Oh, yes, Mr. Conductor, over in the United States all our freight -trains have cabooses on the rear end for the use of the train hands," -said Alfred. - -"Freight trains! My word, you confuse me. And what do you mean by train -hands?" he asked. - -"Well, this is a freight train, and your men are train hands," said -Ralph. - -"Ah! you mean _goods_ train and train _crews_," said the man. - -The boys laughed heartily, as this was really the first opportunity -they had for a lark since they reached France. - -The laughter seemed to infect the conductor. Two of the train crew came -forward, and finally joined in the conversation, and the matter of the -permit was entirely forgotten. The conductor turned out to be really -human after all. What interested him was the information that the boys -were Americans, and when Ralph told them that they were aviators and -had been in a fight above the clouds, they fairly owned the train, and -everybody in it. - -In due time they reached what is known as Siding 8, one of the regular -stations on the way. It was a military road, passage on the trains -being permitted only by means of written orders. The boys knew this, -of course, but they had had months of experience in traveling over -roads of this character, and knew the value of bluff and of assuming -situations which would be hard to controvert. At any rate they were now -sure of reaching the end of the journey without molestation. - -They felt sure of this until the train stopped at Siding 8. A pompous -individual approached the group. - -"That is the inspector," said one of the men in an aside to Ralph. - -"I am afraid it's all up with us," said Alfred. - -As he neared the group the boys both gave the regulation salute, which -was recognized by the officer. - -"Where are you bound for?" he asked. - -"To the front," said Alfred. - -"What front? Where?" he persisted. - -"Anywhere; so we get there," said Ralph. - -"Where are your permits?" he asked. - -"We haven't any," said Alfred. - -"Then how did you get here on this train?" he asked sternly, glancing -at the conductor, who was now squirming. - -"We rode on top most of the way," said Ralph. - -"Who gave you permission to do so?" he fired at them. - -"No one; we didn't need any permission; we simply got on and here we -are," said Alfred. - -There was a faint snicker in their rear. The officer colored up. -"I will make a report of this," said the officer, glancing at the -conductor, and drawing out a book he proceeded to write down the name -of the conductor and the number of the train. - -"What are your names?" he asked, turning to the boys. - -"Now, see here, Lieutenant, you are doing your duty; we know that," -said Ralph. "We're just plain American boys with a little deviltry in -us sometimes, and the conductor isn't to blame. We have just come out -of the hospital after a pretty hot time in the artillery service, and -Captain Rose at the camp told us to tell Lieutenant Moore that we -wanted transportation. At the station we found he was at this end of -the line, so we took this means to get the permit from him." - -"In the service, eh? Where?" he snapped. - -"At Verdun and at St. Quentin," answered Alfred. - -The answer seemed to soften him. "I am sorry," he continued in a -different tone, "but I cannot allow you to go on without a permit." The -boys stepped off the car. - -"I would suggest a good way out of the trouble," said Ralph. - -"Very well!" he answered. - -"Suppose you issue us a permit; that will get us there without further -trouble," said Ralph. - -"I have no authority to issue permits," he replied. - -"Well, then," said Alfred, "suppose you did have the authority to issue -them would you give us permission to go on in that case?" - -"Most assuredly," was the reply. - -The second section of the train was approaching and the Inspector -hurried back. The signal was given and the train commenced to move. - -"Jump in!" said Ralph. - -"Just what I was going to do," replied Alfred. "He didn't fill up -his blank to make the report. You are all right," continued Alfred, -addressing the conductor. - -The latter smiled at the neat manner in which the boys had handled the -situation, and the train crew had a good laugh at the expense of the -inspector. - -Siding 8 was just two miles from the trenches,—that is, from the -active zone. All along this section were ditches, like vast drains, -which were once occupied by the Germans. Cannon were constantly -booming, but so common had such noises become that they ceased to -attract the notice of the boys. Soon the great lines of tents and -temporary barracks were visible. The most intense activity prevailed in -every quarter. - -The boys left the train as soon as it reached its destination, having -in their minds one thing only and that was to get to the front -trenches, and, if possible, get in touch with the batteries. They were -aware that it was a difficult matter to obtain permission for either of -those purposes, but they relied more on the conditions under which they -might find themselves, to obtain their ends. - -Leading from the station was a road which entered a village. One of the -trenches not then occupied, but which had been made by the Germans, -extended alongside this road directly through the little hamlet. -Several stores were in operation, and at one of them were noticed a -half dozen civilians, all discussing means to get a glimpse of the -operations near the front. - -"It is no use," said one of them. "They will not grant any permits to -go nearer, and I understand that the reason is they are preparing to -cut their way through to Bapaume." - -"That fellow's an American, I'll bet on that." - -"Talks like it, anyway," responded Alfred. - -"We may have a chance to help in another artillery battle, if what he -says is so," observed Ralph. "Hello! what's this?" continued Ralph, as -a black and white terrier approached, wagging its tail. Ralph patted it -and looked around expecting to find its owner. - -"Come on," said Alfred. "We aren't getting anywhere at this rate. We -might go through the village and inquire." - -The terrier followed, every moment or two friskily coming up close -and looking up at them wistfully. They discouraged him by paying no -attention to his show of friendliness. - -"It looks as though he had adopted us," said Alfred. "Come here, -Frisky; do we suit you?" - -"I feel mighty hungry; there's a stall. We might get a bite, and we'll -get some information at the same time," said Ralph. - -They entered the apology called a restaurant, and ordered coffee with -rolls and butter. Cold meat was the only other thing available. - -"Let's have some of that," said Alfred. - -"Where are the nearest front line trenches?" asked Ralph. - -"About a mile to the east," said the waiter. "You'll have trouble -getting there, since the new orders went into effect." - -"What new orders?" asked Alfred. - -"To permit no passes," he replied. - -"I don't think we need any passes," said Ralph in an undertone. - -"Do you belong to the army?" asked the waiter. - -"No; but we expect to," answered Ralph. - -The meal finished they were about to go, but Frisky danced about them. - -"Poor fellow! we forgot him," said Alfred, giving the dog some scraps, -which he speedily devoured. That meal sealed a bond of friendship, on -the part of the dog, at least, and as they marched out the road to the -east Frisky followed, dancing about them continually, and exhibiting -his pleasure, dog-fashion, in his newly found friends. - -"Is that a guard line ahead?" observed Ralph, as they approached a -shed-like structure, and saw a group of soldiers with guns standing -near. - -"I suppose it is," replied Alfred. "Here is where we make a halt, I -suppose." - -Alfred was right. No one dared cross the line which extended north -and south of the structure. It was the dead line, and there was no -hope for them, so as there was no use to argue the matter they sadly -turned back, retraced their steps through the village and without any -prearrangement turned to the right. - -"We might see something from that hill," said Ralph. - -"That is just what was in my mind," remarked Alfred. - -The narrow road was observed winding around the hill and going up -diagonally. Half way to the hill, and at a point where there was a -perceptible ascent, Frisky ran forward, barking furiously. He stopped -at the remains of a ragged fence, beyond which was soon observed the -ruins of a low building. - -"I suppose that is one of the cottages destroyed by the fighting," said -Ralph. - -"Frisky is acting queerly," remarked Alfred. "Let us go over." The -animal would run around the ruin, then come back, look up at them, and -actually seem to want to talk. - -"I suppose that is an invitation to follow him," said Ralph. - -As the boys passed over the fence Frisky showed his pleasure by -emitting a series of short, sharp barks, which he kept up continually, -running around as though in the greatest excitement. - -"I wonder what he does that for?" said Alfred. "Come here, Frisky, -poor fellow!" said Ralph, as he stooped and fondled the little fellow. -Frisky nestled up close and gave a peculiar whine. - -"I believe that was his home," said Alfred, "and this is his way of -telling it. I would like to know what became of the people who lived -here." - -"Come on, Frisky; we'll take care of you," said Ralph, with a hug. - -As they passed out of the enclosure Frisky followed, apparently cured -of his singular actions. Half way up the hill they met a tottering old -man, carrying a bundle of faggots. - -"Do you know anything about the people who lived in that ruined -cottage?" said Ralph. - -The old man shook his head. - -"He doesn't understand English," said Alfred, who put the question in -French. - -He looked at the dog and replied: "The cottage was struck by the first -shell that the Germans fired from yonder hill when they came through -here on their way to Paris. The house was torn to pieces and all were -killed." - -Ralph pointed to the dog. The old man nodded. "He goes up there every -day; they can't keep him away. The soldiers have stolen him many times, -but he always comes back." - -The boys looked at each other in silence. "Come here, Frisky!" finally -said Alfred, as he held out his hand. He leaped toward the boys, and -put up his paws on each of them in turn, while the old man turned sadly -away and shambled down the hill. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -DISCOVERING A GERMAN RANGE FINDER - - -It seemed as though every one they met knew Frisky, for some of them -whistled to him, and a few tried to entice him to follow, but on the -journey to the west of the hill he followed the boys' footsteps, and -seemed to recognize no one but them. - -"That must be a battery up there," almost shouted Ralph, as he gazed -ahead, and pointed to a ridge newly made, apparently, of fresh earth. - -"It certainly looks like it," answered Alfred, with enthusiasm, as he -bounded forward eagerly to reach the top. - -Evidences of the effect of shells now became more pronounced, although -holes in the earth and the fallen debris had been noticed everywhere, -even before they had reached the hillside. - -"It must be a battery of big guns up there," remarked Ralph, as they -sat down for a few moments of rest. - -"Yes, that last shot sounded bigger than a 75," answered Alfred. - -"I wonder what Frisky is doing over there?" said Ralph, glancing across -a small ravine to the left, where the animal was engaged in briskly -pawing the earth. - -"I suppose he has treed something; suppose we investigate," replied -Alfred. - -They quickly found their way through the tangled brush and broken stone -down the little hollow and up again to the mound-like structure where -Frisky was engaged. - -"What have you found?" asked Ralph, as they neared the scene. - -Frisky answered with a quick yelp, and kept on digging. Evidently there -was something in the burrow before him. - -"What kind of animals do they have here in France?" said Ralph. "I -don't think I ever saw even a field mouse since we came here." - -"No wonder; we've never been anywhere except in spots like this, and it -is certain animals wouldn't last long in such places," replied Alfred. - -"We might help Frisky out a little," said Ralph, as he grasped a stick, -and began to rake out the earth. - -While they were at work Alfred was lying with his back against a low -mound. He happened to turn around and noticed that the upper part of -the elevation was smooth, and contained certain marks and inscriptions. - -"What's this?" shouted Alfred, as he arose and gazed down on it. - -Ralph, somewhat startled, sprang out of the hollow and drew himself up. - -"What have you got?" he asked. - -"Here is a mark of some kind; now what can it be?" said Alfred, -pointing down to the stone. - -"That is singular," remarked Ralph. "A cross, a circle, two arrows, and -a set of figures. I suppose it means something, and is there for some -purpose." - -[Illustration: _A German Range-finder_] - -"It may be a surveyor's post; no, that's not the name of it either. -What was it the professor called the marking place where they measure -from?" asked Alfred. - -"I don't know what you mean," said Ralph. - -"Why, when they locate a station, or a particular spot and then sight -from that place to the next;—what is it called?—oh, I know; it's a -_bench_," said Alfred. - -"So it is; I had forgotten the name," answered Ralph. - -Frisky kept on digging, and had worked his way in until he was almost -hidden. - -"I am afraid you will have to stop," said Alfred, but Frisky didn't -cease his efforts. "Come on, we might as well reach the top," continued -Alfred, walking away. - -Ralph gave another glance at the inscription, and turned to follow. As -he gazed across the brow of the hill he stopped. - -"Alfred," he said, "this arrow points straight to that hill in the -southwest; do you see that figure there? I wonder if there is anything -in that?" said Ralph. - -"I wish I had a straight stick, and then we could tell exactly," -remarked Alfred, as he looked around for something to verify the -assertion. - -"Use a string," said Ralph. "Here is one; wait, and let me stand right -over the stone. Now, I'm going to stretch it and hold it parallel with -the arrow below. When I give the word sight along the string and see -whether or not it crosses the hill in the distance." - -"All right," answered Alfred. "Lower the right hand a little; it -over-shoots the hill too much; are you ready?" - -"Yes; how is it?" asked Ralph. - -"Oh, it points down to the hollow left of the hill," said Alfred, "so I -suppose the mark must be intended for something else." - -"Come on, Frisky; enough of that," shouted Alfred. "Up the hill," and -he marched off whistling. - -After Ralph started Frisky jumped out of the hole, gave a few -discouraging barks, and leaped after the boys. - -Within fifteen minutes the motor camp was reached; then great cave-like -holes were noticed, stored with huge shells, and numerous smaller -caves, in which were men lying about. - -"There the guns are," said Alfred. "Well, they have them nicely hidden, -and I don't see how the flyers would ever pick them out the way they -are arranged." - -A guard blocked the way, and a corporal approached. "Your business," he -said. - -"We are from the 14th French Artillery; just came out of the hospital a -few weeks ago," said Ralph. - -"Have you authority to pass the lines?" asked the corporal. - -"No; we just came over from the field base today; didn't think it was -necessary," said Alfred. - -"I will report," said the orderly, as he turned on his heels and -marched alongside the hill to one of the dug-outs. - -An officer approached; the boys saluted. - -"From the 14th, I understand," he said. "Any credentials?" he quickly -remarked. - -The boys looked at each other, for they were now conscious of the fact -that they did not have the first evidence to sustain the contention -that they were members of the 14th. - -Ralph shook his head. Alfred reached into his pocket and drew out -the certificate of the physician, which detailed the wounding, the -detention at the hospital, and the discharge. - -The officer examined the paper with some interest. - -"We were never regularly enlisted in the artillery, but we helped them -out when they had the big drive there a month ago," said Ralph. "It was -there we were wounded." - -"Here is something that may be just as good," said Alfred. "We did -belong to the Aviation corps, and got wounded while serving there, too, -and here is our discharge, and the other certificate from the hospital." - -"That looks pretty straight," said the officer. "Come in and you may -look around for a half hour. At that time the firing will proceed, and -no one is permitted closer than the motor house." - -"Those guns are the same size as the ones mounted on the dunes at -Dunkirk," said Ralph, after a silence, as he glanced under the cover of -the first one. - -"What do you know about the Dunkirk guns?" - -"We were there nearly a week before we went to Paris," said Alfred. "We -had an opportunity to examine them while they were hauling them out of -the boats and setting them up," replied Alfred. - -"Why, that was at the beginning of the war," remarked the officer. - -"Yes; it was just after they drove us across northern Belgium," said -Ralph. - -"Where were you driven from?" asked the officer, in a surprised voice. - -"From Antwerp," said Alfred. - -"So you boys took a hand from the first?" he asked. - -"Yes, from the very first day, and, I guess, from the first hour," said -Ralph, with a smile. - -"When was that?" asked another officer, who had overheard the remark. - -"At five o 'clock, on the 3d day of August, 1914," said Alfred in -measured tones. - -"Right you are," responded the officer. - -As they passed the third giant field piece, the gunners were at setting -up exercise,—that is, going through their paces initiating a green -squad of recruits in the manoeuvers necessary to load, aim and fire. - -"That looks natural," said Ralph, "and they do it well, too; but we -never had any exercises except with the 75's." - -"Look at that hill over there; they are pointing straight at it; so it -seems to me. Isn't that the hill we saw from the bench marks below?" -asked Alfred. - -"So it is," answered Ralph. Then, turning to the officer, he continued: -"Are you bombarding that hill?" - -"We are not sure where they are located, but they have a powerful -battery somewhere there, and we have tried for two weeks to find it. -You see we are three and a half miles from that hill," said the officer. - -"You should aim for that hollow directly north of the hill," said -Alfred. - -Both officers looked at Alfred, who nodded his head and kept a sober -face. Both men began to laugh. "What makes you think they have their -big battery there?" asked one of them. - -"Because we have just been examining the bench mark which the Germans -left on the side of the hill," replied Ralph. - -"What do you mean? Where?" asked the officers in a breath. - -The questions were almost shouted. The excitement attracted others near -by. - -"That can't be possible," said one of the officers. - -"Do you mean," said another, "that the fellows over there left a range -mark?" - -"Well, we don't know about that, exactly, but in coming up,—here -Frisky,—our dog treed something in a hole,——" - -"Treed in a hole,—ha, ha,—that's clever!" interrupted one of the -officers. The others laughed in unison, and the boys joined. - -"Well, that's what we call it, at any rate," continued Alfred. "So we -went over to help him out. Right near the hole was a big flat stone on -top of a mound, and it had the cross marks on it, some circles, and -arrows, and also some marks." - -"Where is that?" asked an officer, now thoroughly sobered. - -"But what made you think it had anything to do with that hill over -there?" interrupted another. - -"Because the arrow pointed that way, but when we made a test we were -disappointed, as the arrow went straight to that hollow place that I -referred to, north of the hill. Now, there may be something in that; I -don't know," said Alfred. - -"That is something worth looking into; accompany us," said the officer. - -On the way to the narrow cut which led to the roadway, the commanding -officer of the battery appeared. - -"What is this I hear about finding a range mark left by the Germans?" -he asked. - -The matter was explained to him. - -"It looks to me like a bench mark," said Alfred, as they walked down -the hill. - -"So you have been a surveyor?" said the commander. - -"No, sir; never did anything in that line, but take lessons; what made -you think so?" asked Alfred. - -"That happens to be my line, and the term is one rarely, if ever, used -outside of the profession," he remarked. "And, by the way, Lieutenant, -did you order the theodolite brought down?" - -"I did, sir!" was the response. - -The party picked their way along the brush, Ralph and Alfred in -the lead. Back and forth they stumbled over the hillside, but the -longed-for spot seemed to elude them. - -"Now, isn't that singular?" said Ralph. "It seemed to be on a rather -level spot, and there was a ravine, not a deep one, which we had to -cross to get there. It may be further around the hill, for we could -see across the country to the east from the bench." - -Back and forth, up and down, and still it could not be located. - -"You are sure it is not far from the road?" asked one of the officers. - -"Why, we were so near we could hear Frisky pawing and barking,—where -is he now? Hello, Frisky!" cried out Alfred. "Come, Frisky." - -There was a short, quick bark to the right, and Ralph waved his -cap. "He's over there; he's at the hole now," shouted Ralph, as he -disappeared in a gully. - -Ralph was observed climbing the steep incline at the other side and the -party followed. - -"Good boy, Frisky!" said Alfred, as he came up and stooped down to pat -the dog. - -"That's a remarkable animal; and where did you get him?" asked the -commander. - -"He adopted us down in the village this afternoon," said Ralph with a -chuckle. - -The commander threw his head back and fairly shook with merriment at -the remark. - -"Ah! that's the devoted dog that used to live at the stone cottage," -said one of the officers. "I know him now." - -"Here's the bench," said Ralph, "and it's through Frisky we found it." - -The officers gathered around the stone and examined it with intense -curiosity. The sketch of it, which is here appended, shows the marks -and the figures. The face of the stone was about fourteen inches -across and perfectly flat. On this was a cross, the limbs of which were -a foot long. - -The crosses indicated the cardinal points of the compass; that was -evident, as one of them had, at its extremity, the letter N. Two -circles were scribed, the center being at the crossing point of the two -limbs. One arrow pointed northeast, the other southeast, one having the -figure 7 at the point, and 47 across the middle of the body, while the -other had 5 at the apex and 52 across the body. - -The commander examined the stone intently for several minutes, -occasionally shaking his head. Evidently something puzzled him. - -"I cannot understand the meaning of the circles, and of the numbers -which appear attached to them, namely, 300, 60 and 200. It is possible -they may be there as a mere blind," he said. - -"Captain, isn't it possible that it may be a bench erected by the -French surveyors previous to the war?" asked an officer. - -"It is not at all likely," replied the captain. "In the first place, -the marking is not such as the French surveyors use; and, in the second -place, the arrows are meant to show a point which would be of no value -to a topographical survey except for finding certain distant objects." - -"Then what do the figures attached to the arrows mean?" asked an -officer. - -"The apex figures are kilometers, and those on the bodies of the arrows -represent meters," answered the captain. - -"Well, the one with the 5 at the end does seem to point to the hill we -have been shelling for the past week," said an officer. - -"Put up the instrument and get the exact angle," said the captain. - -This was done. The boys' experiments were confirmed. - -"It is just two and a half degrees north of the peak of the hill," said -the officer, looking through the instrument. - -"And it is 5 kilometers, 52 centimeters distant, and a little over, as -the plus mark indicates," said the captain. - -"Now, if that is the distance to the place over there, we have the -exact range also for the other point, 7 kilometers and 47 centimeters -beyond. The question in my mind is," said the officer, "has it -reference to a battery location?" - -"Have you figured out the distance of 5.52 kilometers in miles?" asked -the captain. - -"Yes; it is a trifle over three and a half miles, or to be exact, -18,488 feet," said the officer. - -"You see that corresponds within a hundred feet or so of the -triangulated measurement we made of the hill," said the captain. - -"One thing is sure, however, that if their big battery is on that hill, -or near it, they have some way of protecting it, for they are doing as -much damage with it as the first day we started in," said the officer -addressed. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -FINDING THE ENEMY'S BATTERY - - -"I think it is a very fortunate circumstance that we have found this -range mark," said the captain, turning to the boys. "It is a remarkable -evidence that your training has been in the right direction. This -discovery entitles you to special mention in my report. Take the names -of these young men," he said, addressing an officer, "and also the -address, so that due credit may be given them." - -"Where are you staying?" asked the officer. - -"At the main camp north of Corbie," answered Ralph. "Colonel Winston -knows us, and he has promised to get us in the artillery." - -"Then you really want to be put to work!" asked the commandant. - -"Yes; that is why we left the aviation service, after our friend was -killed," said Alfred. - -"How would our battery suit you?" asked the commandant with a smile. - -"Oh, it would be just what we want," answered Ralph quickly. "We can do -anything; if you'll only try us." - -"Then come along and help us tomorrow when we alter our range," said -the commandant. - -"Here, Frisky! come on!" said Alfred, as the animal was still pawing -and sniffing around. "I suppose he can go along, too, may he?" - -The group was immensely amused at the request. "We might make him the -mascot of the battery," said one of them. - -As they were walking up the hill, one of the great guns resounded, soon -followed by another crash. - -"How long do you keep it up at a time?" asked Alfred. - -"Usually an hour; but I presume there will be no more firing after we -reach the battery. The revelations of that stone will necessitate some -revision and calculation," was the answer. - -Arriving at the dug-outs, the first care of the commandant was to give -orders for the housing of the boys, and Frisky was provided with a cozy -place. - -"I suppose he'll go back to the cottage this evening or tomorrow. The -old man said that he returned to the house every day," said Ralph. - -There was no thought now of going back to the camp. Their belongings, -what few they had, were still there, and the thing uppermost in their -minds, after they were comfortably settled, was to devise a way to have -them sent over. - -"Why not write a letter to Capt. Rose, and ask him to see that they are -packed up and sent to us?" proposed Alfred. - -A letter was, therefore, prepared, setting forth their adventures -briefly, in which their compliments were sent to Col. Winston, with the -request that their things should be forwarded. - -"How are we to have the things directed?" queried Ralph. - -"I will ask one of the men," said Alfred. - -"Going to have your things sent here, eh?" replied the man. "Just -address Royal Artillery, Hill 406; it will come all right." - -"When will this go out?" asked Ralph. - -"Tomorrow forenoon," was the reply. - -The evening meal was hugely enjoyed by the boys, for they had had a -strenuous day. It was the first time in months that they were served -roast beef,—the Britisher's dish, and while the hospitals are always -provided with the best-cooked food, and many dainties, such as invalids -relish, the artillery branch of the service is usually served with the -most substantial and regular meals. The infantry always has plenty, but -the difficulty is that the poor fellows in the front line can get their -food, while a battle is in progress, only at irregular intervals. - -Located, as they were, near the top of a hill, far from the enemy, -having no fear of unexpected assaults, and only occasionally disturbed -by the great shells which sometimes search them out, the artilleryman -can dine in comfort on food well cooked in a finely arranged kitchen, -usually presided over by a competent chef. - -That was why the boys enjoyed the meal, or one of the reasons; the -other being, undoubtedly, the normal hunger which seems to come to all -boys who are in an active and growing stage. - -They had potatoes, turnips and salad, and even fruit, as well as tea, -although coffee was also served to those who called for it. - -"Well! if they don't have real apple pie!" said Alfred, as the dishes -were removed for the final course. - -"Tarts! my boy! Tarts!" interjected Alfred's neighbor. - -"Well, we call them pies," explained Ralph. "When they have a crust on -top they are pies, and the little things without any tops are tarts." - -This started a laugh, followed by the usual discussion on the different -terms used by various people. - -"You may be the right one after all," said Alfred. "We lived in England -for a time, and I remember once going into a grocery with father who -wanted to get some fruit. He asked for a can of peaches, and the clerk -replied: 'Ah! you mean tinned peaches!' - -"Yes; that was correct," said the man. - -"The clerk handed down the article, and the label on the outside said: -'American Canning Co.' I always supposed the goods were canned, not -tinned," replied Ralph, laughing. - -"My word! I never thought of that before! I dare say you may be right," -was the reply. - -It was evident from the activity in the camp the next morning that -something unusual was at hand. At eight o 'clock Ralph burst into -the lean-to, which extended out from the hole-in-the-ground shelter, -which they called the boudoir, with the startling information that two -aeroplanes were hovering about. - -"What! are they Germans?" asked Alfred, as he leaped up. - -"No, indeed; one is a Farman, and the other is a Bruegot: I imagine -from that there will be some special observation work on hand," -answered Ralph, as they moved out of the shadow of the trees, so as to -get a good view of them. - -"Why are they settling down on that side of the hill?" asked Alfred, as -an officer appeared. - -"That is the only available landing place near by," was the answer. - -"Do they come over frequently?" It was Ralph who spoke. - -"This is the first time since I have been here," replied the officer. -"But we are going to change the range today," he continued, "and we -need the flyers to report results." - -"I am glad of that," replied Alfred. - -"The commandant is very agreeably surprised at your discovery, and is -hoping for good results," he said, as he moved away. - -"Let's go over to headquarters," said Ralph. - -"Why not go down and take a look at the machines?" suggested Alfred. - -"That would be a good idea," responded Ralph, as he led the way. - -Just then an officer hurriedly marched across the open space behind -the guns, and, passing the guard line, moved down the hill to the left. -The boys followed. - -"I suppose that's where he is going," remarked Alfred. - -The road made a slight turn at a point below the guard line, and one -of the machines was just sighted as it passed the brow of the hill and -descended the valley. - -"Hurry up! there it is!" remarked Ralph. - -"There is the other machine," said Alfred, as he stopped to gaze to the -east. - -A ten minutes' walk brought them close to the plateau, on which the -machines had landed. They followed the officer and were soon alongside -the Farman. - -One of the men arose from his seat in the machine, held out his hand -toward the boys, and shouted: "What are you doing here?" - -The boys sprang forward, jumped on the fuselage and extended their -hands. - -"Lieutenant Winston! sure enough!" said Ralph. - -"No! Captain!" corrected Alfred. - -"How do you do, Captain?" said Ralph. "I am so glad to see you. You -came at the right time." - -"Well, it seems you always come at the right time, too," replied the -captain, as he reached forward with both hands to welcome them. - -The officer now approached and saluted. - -"We got our orders this morning to report here for special duty," said -the captain. "What is up now? Have the Germans been doing you up?" - -"Oh, no! Just getting ready to perform that service on them, thanks to -the boys," replied the officer, laughing and pointing to them. - -"Well, that is interesting; if it hadn't been for these boys I would -not have had the pleasure of reporting to you this morning," answered -the captain. - -"That is certainly surprising news, and the telling of it will please -the colonel," said the officer. - -The boys were now introduced to Lieutenant Martin, who occupied the -seat of observer in the other machine. Together the five ascended the -hill and reported to the colonel commanding the batteries on the crest. - -The captain and lieutenant entered the commandant's office, while the -boys remained outside with the officers. - -In a few moments an orderly appeared and notified the boys that the -commandant required their presence. As they entered the door the -commandant met them with a pleasant smile. - -"I am glad to hear about you from the captain. Why didn't you tell me -you were friends of the captain here and of Colonel Winston at the -camp?" asked the commandant. - -"Well, I suppose we had too much else to think about, sir," replied -Alfred. - -"It is very interesting," continued the commandant. "But we must -proceed to business. These boys made a remarkable discovery yesterday; -I am about to make a test of the information we gained through them, -and we need your eyes to help us out." - -"No wonder the boys were entitled to decorations!" said the captain, -looking at the boys with ill-concealed admiration. - -"Decorations?" almost shouted the commander. "Where are they?" he asked -the boys. - -"Why, we have them in our pockets," said Ralph, amused at the allusion -to them. - -Alfred drew out his and dangled it. The officers laughed heartily, as -the commandant said: "Well, most men would have had them on show all -the time." - -"Our engineers have made these charts for your guidance," continued the -commandant. "We have peppered that section, marked 29, for the past -week, but the big guns they have somewhere in that section are just -as lively as ever. This sketch shows the bench marks that the boys -discovered yesterday on the side of the hill. Our observation of it -seemed to confirm the theory of the boys that these arrows pointed to -the hidden batteries. We want your aid to ascertain whether or not they -are really there, and if you will commence your observation over that -section, the guns will begin as soon as we receive your signals." - -The preliminaries having been all arranged, and the signals understood -so that there would be no errors, the captain and lieutenant at once -proceeded down the hill. Fifteen minutes thereafter the two machines -began to circle overhead, and, having reached the predetermined -height, began the flight southeast to reach the depression to the left -of the hill behind the German lines. - -The two machines soon found themselves antagonized by several enemy -ships, but still the flights were made back and forth. With field -glasses it could plainly be seen that there was a fight on hand, which -increased their anxiety more and more as two more German machines came -up from the north. - -"That begins to look a little serious for our boys," said Ralph, -walking back and forth nervously. - -"That makes six machines after them," said Alfred. "But what is that -over there?" continued Alfred, as he pointed to the south. "Look at -them, Ralph! Are they our machines?" - -"Yes! yes! four, five, six, eight; some of them Sopwiths; now there'll -be some fun," cried Ralph enthusiastically. - -"They'll be there in ten minutes," said Alfred. "They are going up, up; -that was Lieutenant's favorite trick; they are doing that to frighten -the German aeroplanes away from Captain Winston." - -"And it's succeeding, too," replied Ralph. "One of the machines is -coming this way; no, it's not the lieutenant, so it must be Captain -Winston." - -"Order the men to stand at attention," shouted the commandant. "Are -they all ready?" he asked after a moment. - -"They are ready for the order." - -"The captain has just signaled with two puffs." - -"Trial range!" ordered the commandant. "Boom! boom!" replied two of the -monsters in reply. - -The machine turned, and speeded away toward the hill beyond. - -"Where are the German ships now?" asked the commandant. - -"Nowhere in sight," replied Ralph. - -"The other machine must be coming this way," sang out Alfred. "Three -puffs to the right, followed by another one." - -"One degree to the right!" observed the chief gunner. This order was -imparted to the gun crews. - -Thus the battle continued for two hours, while the great guns on -the hill searched every nook and corner, if there was one, in the -depression toward which the arrow on the bench mark pointed. - -The machines were returning. It would be impossible for the aviators -and observers to continue the arduous duty for a much greater length -of time, and as the guns were landing the great shells within the area -which it was intended to search out, the new duty would call them the -next day. - -The guns didn't cease to roar until late that evening. Three great -motor vans were constantly moving up and down the hill, bringing the -immense shells, and it was a fascinating game to see the manner in -which they were handled after they left the vans. - -Directly behind the row of guns was a narrow-gauge railway, with a -return switch, or siding. Two metal trucks were employed, each truck -having a rack which carried six shells which were loaded crosswise. -Below the rack was a sort of box, also of metal. Behind each gun was a -track, which led to the main railway, and on this short branch was a -truck adapted to hold a single shell. - -[Illustration: _Arrangement of Guns on Hill 203_] - -A stationary rack was alongside of the track adjacent the branch track, -capable of holding three shells, so that this rack would temporarily -hold the shells as they were unloaded from the carrying truck. As the -truck on the main line unloaded its freight, the assistants would throw -the cartridge, or the rear part of a fired shell, into the box beneath -the racks, and it was thus conveyed back to the vans. The latter would -be loaded and conveyed down the hill to be transported back to the -munition factories. - -The loading operation of the huge shells was also interesting, for it -must be remembered that some of the missiles weigh nearly a ton. After -the tremendous rebound of the gun, the breech block was opened, the -opening mechanism being so arranged that the cartridge shell would be -extracted automatically, thus preparing the gun for the next shell. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURES ON THE RANGE FINDER - - -All in the battery arose the next morning with an air of expectancy on -their countenances, and this was particularly marked in the demeanor of -the boys. Captain Winston was at the camp all night, and the probable -result of the cannonading was the all-important topic. - -"Do you think, Captain, that we wiped out the big battery over there -yesterday?" asked Ralph. - -"That is the problem uppermost in my mind," replied the captain. "It -was impossible for me to spot any location in that depression, which -could conceal the guns, although, of course, as my observations were -not less than a mile from the earth, it is rather indefinite." - -"Do you think they will have another try at it today?" asked Alfred. - -"I understand not," was his reply. - -"Then what will be done really to find out?" asked Ralph. - -"That is what we are now considering," said the lieutenant. "I do not -know what suggestion to make. We have gone over the bench mark and are -sure that it portends something, but what it is impossible to figure -out." - -During all this conversation it must not be understood that the guns -were silent. It was the custom to change the angle and sweep of the -guns continually during these desultory rounds, the annoying thing -being that there was no positive way of determining the effect of shots -which landed three and four miles away. - -"The commandant wishes to see you," said an orderly, addressing the -captain. - -Directly west of the hill, within the German lines just referred to, -and, probably, three miles distant, was a spur of the railroad which -led from the main camp ten miles in the rear. For more than two weeks -it had been impossible for the British forces to use that road as some -hidden battery of Germans, having the exact range, could rake it with -heavy shells, and it was, consequently, torn up after each repair trip. - -It was generally used in the night to transport troops and provisions, -but even that was too unsafe. All the supplies, therefore, for a mile -of trenches, had to be conveyed through a section over which there -were no roads, by vans, and the entire road was literally lined with -machines which were mired. To wipe out the battery or batteries which -were doing such execution, was the problem before our battery on the -hill. - -Furthermore, it must be understood that before an advance could be -made, with any degree of success, the location of that battery must -be found. Once discovered, the English knew that it would be only a -matter of hours before it would be wiped off the face of the earth. The -great eight-inch guns were there for that purpose. - -"I have some interesting news for you," said the captain, as he -appeared at the door. - -"What is it?" asked the lieutenant. - -"The branch railroad was actually pulverized last night," he replied. - -Ralph dropped back and slowly shook his head. "I guess," he said, "the -arrow means something else." - -It was a great blow to all of them. - -"Have you the sketch of the chart with you?" - -The captain took it out of his pocket with a listless air. - -"I am very much disappointed," he said. "If it is in that hollow I do -not see how they could possibly be in condition to use the guns during -the night. We could not see a trace of tracks to convey the ammunition -to the guns at that place if any were there, and our shots fell all over -the hollow back for a mile beyond the range indicated on the stone." - -Alfred was intently examining the chart. "The commandant was puzzled at -the figures 300, 200 and 60, which are in the circles below the arrows. -Isn't it likely that they are there for some purpose?" asked Alfred. - -"Unquestionably," replied the lieutenant. "Those figures may be the key -to the whole reading." - -"I'll tell you what I think," said Ralph, rising and walking about -excitedly. "I have an idea about that 300. Do you know, Captain, how -far it is from the depression where the arrow points to, to the top of -the hill?" - -"Not definitely; it might be about 450 or 500 feet; possibly more. But -why do you ask?" remarked the captain. - -"Well, here is the arrow, with the 5 at the head of it, on the right -side of the line that runs east and west; and below the cross line and -also on the right side is the number 300. Now, my idea is, that if -the battery is not found at the place where the arrow points, it must -be 300 meters to the right side of the direction given by the arrow," -answered Ralph. - -The captain arose with just as much enthusiasm in his action. "I -believe you have struck it, we must consult the commandant; come on," -and he led the way with quickened steps. - -"Reading the chart?" said the commandant, with a twinkle in his eye, -as the company entered, and the captain pointed to the chart, while -the amused smile on the faces of the others plainly indicated that -something unusual had taken place. - -"It seems to me Ralph has struck it," said the captain. - -The commandant reached for the chart. "Do you mean the strange figures -in the circle?" he asked. - -"Yes; I felt sure those figures were the keys; Ralph seems to have -given a turn to a key that has possibilities in it; we all know the -battery is not in that depression. Might it not be 300 meters to the -right of the direction which the arrow indicates?" asked the captain. - -The commandant gazed at the chart, and with it in his hand paced the -floor, stopping occasionally to fix some feature in his mind. - -"If you will pardon me," said Ralph, "it does not seem to me that the -300 has anything to do with the circle, but that its position on the -right of the east and west line means something." - -"That is the very thing I had in my mind this moment," responded the -commandant. "It is most probable that such is the case. But stop; might -that not be feet, eh, Captain?" - -"Not at all likely, for that would land us somewhere near the top -of the hill, and I think you have plowed up that region pretty -thoroughly," answered the captain. - -"Enough; if that battery isn't 300 meters to the right then we must -make another guess. Get your ranges for 300 meters, and we'll pepper -them tomorrow," said the captain in a decisive tone. "Before you go, -boys, I want to say that you are certainly deserving of praise for your -methods of observation; it is exercised in a direction that might be -observed with profit by many others." - -The boys accompanied the captain and lieutenant to the temporary shed -on the plateau next morning, after the final interview had taken place -with the commandant. - -"The sight of the machines here almost makes me feel as though I ought -to get back in the aviation service," said Alfred, as he walked around -the machine and examined the new improvements that had been added since -they were in that branch of the army. - -Promptly at eight o'clock the engines started and the machines began -their flight. It was a beautiful sight to see them sail across the -sunlit fields of France, for it was a lovely morning. - -"Ah! this will be a fine day to make observations," said the -commandant, as the boys reached headquarters. "I should like to have -you here to note the movement of the machines during their manoeuvers," -he said, addressing the boys. - -Both Ralph and Alfred were accordingly supplied with strong field -glasses to aid them in noting the events which would take place. The -guns were silent as no orders had been issued for the resumption of the -bombardment. - -Meanwhile, the airplanes had reached the zone directly above the -questionable ground. They could be seen plainly by the boys, circling -to and fro over the hill and to the south. In a half hour one of the -machines rapidly ascended and started for the English lines. - -"Here she comes," said Ralph. "One of them is on the way." - -"But where is the other one? I haven't noticed it since they -disappeared beyond the clouds," remarked Alfred. - -The airplane grew larger, and a single puff appeared. The order was -given for the first round, and the hill shook with the reverberations. -The airplane now circled around, while the guns kept booming, and -after the first circle it flew back above the suspected area. Then it -disappeared. - -The faintest trace of smoke appeared on top of the hill. The commandant -saw it. "I suspect," he said, "that they have located some anti-airship -guns on that point." - -"Yes, we noticed that yesterday," said Ralph. - -Suddenly, one of the airplanes came out of the gray cloud and Alfred -was quick to announce the fact. - -"But why do we not get any signals from them?" asked the commandant. - -"The one coming this way is signaling," said Ralph. "Two puffs, so far, -but it is very misty; yes, two puffs, and two more, one above the ship -follows it. Why, we must be firing beyond the mark." - -The gunners were directed to alter the range. - -After a half dozen rounds the commandant asked: "Do the signals confirm -the range?" - -"Not yet,—wait a moment,—I can see a single puff only; it is above -the machine; the gunners are all right; there, another puff to the -left; if the gunners will aim a little more to the left they will be -all right," said Alfred, as rapidly as he could utter the words. - -"That machine acts queerly," said Ralph. "What do you make out? Is it -the Farman machine?" - -"It looks like it," said Alfred. After a few moments' observation he -added: "Yes, that is Captain Winston's machine. It seems as though he -were making a dive. I can't understand it." - -"He seems to be coming this way," said Ralph. - -"Yes; but he is going down for all he is worth," said Alfred. - -It was now evident that the Farman had been hit. It moved through the -air like a drunken man, and several times it dove down headlong, only -to catch itself and momentarily sail upward again. - -"If he can only keep that up for another mile he will be all right," -said Ralph, as his gaze was fixed intently on the moving object. The -suspense was intense for a few minutes. - -"Isn't that too bad!" said Alfred, as he removed the glasses from his -eyes. "He's gone! he's gone!" he added in great excitement. - -"The machine is now going at a terrific rate of speed. I know what that -means," sadly remarked Ralph. - -"I believe the captain's all right, after all," shouted Alfred, -somewhat cheered up, after he again had focused the glasses. - -"Why do you think so?" queried Ralph. - -"Because he has again righted the machine; that shows he's all right," -responded Alfred. - -The machine was now less than a thousand feet from the earth, and was -safe within the English lines. Down, down it went, sometimes plunging -almost vertically, then again staggering from side to side. - -"He's almost down now," said Ralph. "Poor fellow; I wish we could go -over and see him." - -"Take one of the vans, and present the order at the village," said -the commandant. "This will give you permission to requisition any -conveyance." - -The boys fairly flew out of the commandant's office. They sprang into -the first motor van which was rounding the corner, Ralph holding up the -slip with the red gun on the corner. The man in charge nodded his head -in reply. - -"Hot work," he remarked. "Any news up there?" he asked. - -"Nothing in particular," said Alfred. "We saw one of our machines go -down, and are going over to see if he is all right." - -"Good luck to you. Hope he is all right." - -"Well, that beats me," shouted one of the helpers, seated on the rear -end of the van. - -"What's that?" questioned Ralph. - -"Look at the pup!" replied the man. - -"Say, Mister, hold up until I get the dog," cried Alfred. - -Frisky had seen the attempt of the boys to steal away. He was following -the van at top speed. - -"Come on Frisky! Forgot all about you! Here, take hold of him," -directed Alfred, as he handed up the animal. - -"Where did you get him?" asked the chauffeur. - -"He's our war relic. Used to live at the wrecked cottage at the turn of -the road; you know, the place down below," said Ralph. - -The chauffeur rushed the van down and out along the road leading to the -village. - -"Which way are you going?" he asked. - -"Toward the big hill across the river. He came down in that direction," -said Alfred. - -"But you're not going to walk there, are you?" he queried. - -"Not if we can find any other way," said Alfred. - -"Then let me advise you; there's a fellow on the side street that leads -past the old hotel, who has some bicycles. You might borrow a couple," -responded the chauffeur. - -"The suggestion is a good one; thank you," replied Alfred. - -They were fortunate in finding the very articles needed. "How much for -these two machines for two hours?" asked Ralph. - -"Six francs; but you must deposit the value of the machines," replied -the man. - -"Then we'll requisition them," said Alfred, drawing the slip out of his -pocket and presenting it to the astonished man. - -He quickly handed back the slip, as he remarked: "You may take the -machines." - -Alfred then handed him the six francs, and the boys, mounting the -wheels, were soon rapidly speeding out the same avenue on which they -were halted so unceremoniously two days before. Frisky was at their -heels, delighted, no doubt, at the outing. The guard line being -reached, Alfred drew out the slip, as he remarked: - -"I suppose we can get through this time?" - -"Certainly," replied the guard, and then noticing the uniforms they -wore, he added: "Who was it that came down a half hour ago?" - -"Captain Winston," replied Ralph. "We are anxious to know whether he is -all right." - -"I hear he is pretty badly mashed up," remarked the guard as the boys -again mounted their wheels. "Take the first road to the right after -passing the white cottage," he shouted. - -The road led down an incline, and they could see the flat country -beyond. As they proceeded the road grew worse and worse. The tall trees -on both sides of the road had prevented the sun from drying up the way -properly, but, probably, that didn't matter much, as it was evident -that the horses and few vehicles which passed over it would have kept -it in a bad condition at the best. - -This road, which was between the first and fifth line trenches, had -not been repaired since that section was taken from the Germans. They -were at this time less than a mile from the first trenches, and, after -passing the white house, they turned to the right. - -"Look at the fellows running across the second field," shouted Ralph. -"I suppose there is where he landed." - -At the eastern side of the meadow adjoining the one on which they -noticed the soldiers running, was a fringe of tall trees. Near by, -groups of men were visible, and as they neared the place they saw an -object high in the trees. - -"Is that the machine hung up between the two trees?" asked Alfred. - -"It looks very much like it," responded Ralph. "Yes; that is the tail -and one of the wings, sure." - -It was a struggle to get across the miry field, but they finally -arrived. The Red Cross people, who were already there, were rendering -first aid to the captain, who was lying on his side, his face pale, and -one of his bared arms covered with blood. - -"How is he, Doctor?" asked Ralph, as he sprang from his wheel and -leaned over. - -The doctor, without looking up, answered: "A very bad fall; internal -injuries; we may know more in a few minutes." - -"Why, that's Doctor Walker," said Alfred. - -The physician quickly looked up at the mention of his name. - -"This is a strange place to find you boys," he remarked with a -welcoming smile. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -CAUGHT IN A TERRIFIC DRIVE - - -"Did he land in that tree?" asked Ralph, addressing a bystander. - -"Yes, the machine seemed to be pretty badly riddled, and became -unmanageable long before he reached the tree; but he went into it at -a smashing speed. The officer was thrown out and shot down into that -small tree, which broke the fall. If it hadn't been for that he would -have been mashed to flinders," was the response. - -Shortly thereafter the captain showed signs of recovering -consciousness. He raised the uninjured arm, and soon opened his eyes. -He glanced at the boys, but did not seem to recognize them. - -"He seems to be very much better," said the doctor. "He is bruised up -about the same as you were when you were brought to the hospital at -Cortier," he said, addressing Ralph. - -After a wait of half an hour more, the doctor announced that the -patient could be moved, and he was accordingly carried to the van and -comfortably fixed on the hammock within. - -"So you knew the captain?" inquired the doctor. - -"Yes; we happened to be crossing the aviation grounds at Dunkirk, at a -time when the captain was aloft, and some part of the machine broke. He -had a bad fall, and we were, fortunately, close at hand and helped to -rescue him from under the machine," said Alfred. - -The captain opened his eyes; he tried to smile, but the attempt died -away. Then he seemed to make another effort, and this time succeeded. - -"You were right," said the captain in a weak voice. "We found it; -report to the colonel. The battery must have wiped them out by this -time." - -He closed his eyes and was silent for a time. It seemed as though he -actually dropped off into a sound sleep. - -"What does he mean? Do you know what he is talking about?" asked the -doctor, turning to the boys. - -The patient's eyelids began to quiver, and the boys quietly nodded -their heads. "That was a corker!" continued the captain. "Tell the -colonel, by all means." - -"What colonel does he mean?" asked Alfred. "The colonel commanding the -battery, or his brother?" - -"Both, of course," suggested Ralph. - -The van started, the boys mounting their wheels and following. - -"We are going back to the base camp, and put him in the hospital -there," said the doctor. - -"That is where his brother, the colonel, is in command," remarked Ralph. - -"Yes," answered the doctor. - -During the foregoing period of time there was not a moment when the -firing on both sides of the lines had ceased. As the boys turned to the -right to reach the road, they saw hundreds of soldiers rushing across -to reach the third line, and it seemed as though the firing had grown -heavier than when they had come out the road an hour before. - -"Something unusual is going on," remarked Ralph. "Why are they gathering -the machine guns behind those trenches? That is the third line; the -second line cannot be more than three hundred yards behind us." - -They were about to turn to the east and west road, when the most -intense shell fire was opened up on their right. - -"Get under cover quickly!" shouted a voice. - -The boys turned, but were unable to detect the speaker. "I suppose we -must obey," said Ralph. - -"Hide? But where?" asked Alfred. - -"Wheel down to the hollow," cried Ralph. - -The hollow was reached, and in their eagerness they almost fell into -the ditch. It was the third line, filled with men ready to do their -duty. Frisky tumbled in with a yelp and a growl. - -"What's the matter?" asked Ralph, as he picked himself up from the -bottom of the trench. - -"The Germans are making a counter attack over a front of a mile," was -the reply of the corporal. - -"Then we are just in time," said Alfred. "Any guns handy?" - -The men looked amused at the request. "Well, that's no laughing -matter," said Ralph. "We're not here for the fun of the thing." - -This prompt answer was an additional cause for merriment, in which both -boys joined. - -Crack! crack! crack! R-r-r-r-r-r. The machine guns began to speak. -The men on each side became subdued, and their faces exhibited set -expressions, for they knew that the voices of the machine gun meant an -enemy near at hand. - -At a little alcove, cut in the side of the trench, was an orderly with -a telephone transmitter in his hand. The corporal leaned over to catch -his words, for the din was now intense. - -"The Germans have taken the first line and are moving the 22d back on -the Corbeville road. The third line must hold them until the additional -guns are brought up. We shall counter attack in the next section to -the south." Such were, in part, the orders and instructions which the -operator imparted to the corporal. - -"Why, this is the Corbeville road," said Ralph in a tremor of -excitement. - -"Then we are in for it this time," said Alfred. - -"You may have the guns," said the orderly, as the boys stood before him -and repeated the request. - -There was no time to give orders as to the positions they were to take. -Almost instantly there arose a column of troops three hundred feet -ahead and every man, without an order, leveled his gun across the -parapet above the trench and fired as fast as the levers of the guns -could be manipulated. - -"Fire deliberately!" said the corporal, as he walked along the short -stretch of the ditch directly under his command. - -The moment the boys began to fire they seemed to be animated with an -entirely different feeling. The tremor and excitement had gone, and -they were keyed up to the most extreme earnestness. The dark, greyish -line on the other side of the field kept moving toward them, but gaps -in the ranks were plainly seen. Would they dare charge all the way up -to the trench? - -They fired and fired and fired, until their shoulders began to ache; -then something happened. No more Germans were in sight. What had become -of them? - -"They are digging in," said the corporal. "Get ready, boys." - -"I wonder what that means?" asked Ralph. - -"Why, don't you see the Germans have stopped and are digging trenches, -and the corporal is going to order a charge to drive them out?" -answered Alfred. - -The order came sooner than expected. "Ready! Forward! Open order!" -shouted the corporal, and he was the first to scramble out of the ditch. - -There was no firing now on the part of the British, for they were too -busily engaged in springing forward and avoiding the obstructions -which beset them every foot of the way. If the hidden Germans were -firing at them they were not aware of it, for the din was too great to -distinguish anything. The singular thing, to the boys, however, was the -fact that at almost every step, some one would halt and drop down. - -"Halt! Down!" cried a voice. Suddenly the line was prone on the ground. -The man between the boys thrust his bayonet into the sod and loosened -it, and with his hands quickly built a small parapet in front of him. -Looking about they saw others do the same. - -"Is that called digging in?" asked Ralph. - -"That's one way," replied the soldier. The sod was rolled up and pushed -from him, and he dragged himself forward until his body rested in the -shallow trench thus made, while the roll of sod in front became, in -reality, a protection. - -"Ready to repel!" shouted the corporal. - -They now understood; for no sooner had the words left the corporal's -lips than the Germans sprang forward. Every gun must have cracked at -the same time, and the aim was evidently careful, for their first -volley caused the line to halt and waver. - -"At them, boys! Forward on the run!" fairly shrieked the corporal. -Frisky was the first one out of the trench. - -Every man was on his feet. As the boys rose to follow they happened -to glance back for the first time. The sight that met them created -the greatest enthusiasm and confidence, for, climbing out of the -very trenches they had occupied twenty minutes before, were hundreds -of khaki-clad veterans,—the reserves, who had come up to support the -counter attack. That banished every fear, if such a thing was lurking -within them. At every step, and whenever a favorable object came into -view, the gun would be raised and a shot or two given by each soldier, -which only slightly impeded their forward movement. - -Suddenly there was a tremendous cheer to the right; the boys could -see hundreds of men leaping over the brush, and stumbling across the -remains of a stone fence. The Germans were giving way, and when the -line on their right had passed the ridge and began to rush down the -little incline, the corporal cried, "Halt!" - -The movement of the troop cut off the only line of retreat of the enemy -in front of the position occupied by the company the boys had engaged. -They stopped but for a moment only, when the second order came. -"Forward march!" - -"Kamarad!" shouted several voices, as the forms appeared through the -smoke. - -"Come forward!" came the order. - -Instantly there rose from the ground, as if by magic, dozens of men. -They stood up with hands upstretched, and formed themselves together -in columns. The lieutenant in charge of the British advance stepped -forward, gave a quick command, and the men, now prisoners of war, -marched forward and were ordered to halt long enough to permit the -officer in charge to point out the detail which was selected to take -the prisoners to the rear. - -The corporal looked at the boys, and they knew that it meant their -detail as well. The orderly marched ahead, and the prisoners with the -guard began the march to the village two miles in the rear. - -As they were about to enter the village, Ralph shouted to Alfred, who -happened to be on the other side of the row of prisoners: "Say, we -forgot to bring our wheels back!" - -The remark brought forth the first ripple of laughter in that party. -It was such an unexpected thing. Who cared about a couple of wheels? -Escorting prisoners of war to the detention camp was certainly of more -importance than recovering a pair of bicycles. - -"Never mind the wheels," replied Alfred. "We have better business to -attend to just now." - -The German lieutenant, who understood the language, enjoyed the remarks -quite as much as the guards, for he laughed in spite of the disaster to -his troops. Thereupon he and Alfred had quite a conversation on the way. - -The village was entered and passed. Frisky now darted from one side of -the column to the other and yelped his approval. - -"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Frisky, making fun of these poor -fellows," said Alfred. - -"No, he oughtn't to!" shouted Ralph, in reply, and the smile faded from -the face of the German lieutenant. - -The names of the soldiers and officers were taken down, their clothing -searched, and one by one they passed into the enclosure to remain until -the end of the war, unless exchanged. - -"I suppose we are out of a job now," said Ralph to the corporal. "To -whom shall we turn over the guns?" - -The corporal designated two soldiers to take the guns and cartridge -belts. "Before you go, just give me your name and the detachment to -which you belong," he said. - -"Never mind about that," said Alfred. "It isn't necessary," he added. - -"Yes, it is part of my duty; I must include it in my report." - -While speaking, Alfred noticed the orderly belonging to the battery -approaching. He advanced and handed an envelope to him. Alfred -hurriedly opened it. - -"The commandant on the hill desires your presence at the battery -without delay," said the communication. - -"All right! We are ready! Come on, Frisky," said Ralph. - -"The colonel's machine is outside waiting for you," said the orderly. - -"Well, how did you know we were here?" asked Alfred. - -"Colonel Winston, whose machine will take us up the hill, arrived a -quarter of an hour ago, with some friends of yours, and when he learned -you were not here, sent me down with orders to hunt you up. I had -no idea you came in with the prisoners, and just stepped over out of -curiosity to have a look at them, and thus, fortunately, found you," -said the orderly. - -"Well, who can our friends be that called with Colonel Winston?" asked -Ralph. - -"I really don't know," replied the orderly. - -"And, by the way, where is Captain Winston? Does Colonel Winston know -about the accident to his brother?" asked Alfred. - -"I presume that is what brought him over so quickly, for the accident, -as you know, happened less than three hours ago," replied the orderly. - -The motor car was not long in making the trip to the top of the hill. -When they passed the ruins of the cottage, Frisky jumped up onto the -seat, gave a few distinct yelps, and then settled back into the seat -beside Alfred. It is singular that from the time he attached himself to -the boys, there seemed to be no desire in his mind to return to his old -home. - -"Go direct to the commandant's quarters," said the orderly to the -chauffeur. - -The commandant and Colonel Winston were at the door as the machine -drove up. The boys were out and sprang toward them. - -"Is the captain all right, sir?" asked Alfred hurriedly. - -"Yes; I left him a half hour ago, very comfortable, indeed," replied -the colonel. - -"We received the note, ordering us to come here at once," said Ralph. - -"Yes; we want to inform you that we have every reason to believe that -300 meters to the right hit the spot," said the commandant. - -"Well, we _know_ it was the right spot," replied Alfred. "The German -battery there was literally wiped out." - -"How did you learn that?" asked the commandant with the greatest -eagerness. - -"We learned it from Captain Winston; he told us about it since the -accident," said Ralph. - -"I know it from another source," replied Alfred. - -"Where? What?" asked the colonel, in astonishment. - -"The German lieutenant whom we captured this morning told me on the -way over, that of the six guns they had south of the hill there wasn't -enough left to gather up, and that was the main reason why they started -the drive that failed so miserably," said Alfred. - -"But the orderly said some friends were up here to see us," said Ralph. - -"Yes; I brought them over with me; they were afraid you'd get into -more trouble," said the colonel, as he opened a door leading into an -adjoining room. - -Ralph stepped forward with some curiosity on his countenance. He could -not speak as his mother appeared and rushed toward him. - -"Oh, you're not my boy any more," she sobbed, as she embraced him and -held him at arm's length for a moment. - -Alfred was no less astounded as his mother first took him in her arms, -and his father also put his arms around him. - -"What naughty boys you've been," said Alfred's mother. "We didn't hear -from you for four months, and once we were notified that you were dead; -what a joy it is to see you again!" - -"But how they have grown," said Ralph's mother. - -"But you must remember, Mother, that they are men now," said the -colonel, with a smile. - - -THE END - - - - -THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES - -SERIES - -By ELMER TRACEY BARNES - - -The object of these books is to place before the reader the unusual -experiences of a party of boys who succeed in filming a number of -interesting scenes. - -The stories are replete with striking incidents on land and sea, and -above all they describe with remarkable accuracy the methods employed -to obtain many of the wonderful pictures which may be seen on the -screen. - - =The Motion Picture Comrades' Great Venture; or, On the Road with - the Big Round Top= - - =The Motion Picture Comrades Through African Jungles; or, The - Camera Boys in Wild Animal Land= - - =The Motion Picture Comrades Along the Orinoco; or, Facing Perils - in the Tropics= - - =The Motion Picture Comrades Aboard a Submarine; or, Searching for - Treasure Under the Sea= - - - _12mo. Cloth_ _50c per volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201-213 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - - - -THE HILLTOP BOYS SERIES - -By CYRIL BURLEIGH - - - =The Hilltop Boys; A Story of School Life= - - Jack Sheldon, a clean-minded and popular student in the academy, - gains the enmity of several of the boys, but their efforts to - injure him fail. A mystery, connected with Jack's earlier life, - is used against him, but he comes off with flying colors. - - =The Hilltop Boys in Camp; or, The Rebellion at the Academy= - - A strange situation arises in which an airship figures as the - bearer of an important letter. The head-master acts without - investigating all the facts, but matters are all finally - adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. - - =The Hilltop Boys on Lost Island; or, An Unusual Adventure= - - The scene now shifts to the West Indies and Jack figures as the - hero of a daring rescue. Their experiences in tropical waters - form a most stirring narrative, and the young reader is assured - of a tale of gripping interest from first to last. - - =The Hilltop Boys on the River= - - The Doctor takes a number of the boys on a cruise up the Hudson. - An unlooked for incident finds Jack Sheldon equal to the - occasion, and what at one time promised to be a disastrous trip - for all concerned was turned into a complete victory for our - young friends. - - _12mo. Cloth_ _50c per volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - NEW YORK - - - - -THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS - -A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS - -By Capt. ALAN DOUGLAS, Scout-master - - -These stories are from the pen of a writer who not only possesses a -thorough knowledge of his subject but who is gifted with the ability -to describe the various experiences of the Hickory Ridge Scouts so the -young reader may enjoy and be benefitted thereby. - -The narratives are normal and healthful in their tone—in other words, -_real_ scout stories which hold the reader's interest to the last page. - - =The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol= - - =Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good= - - =Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot= - - =Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield= - - =Great Hike; or, The Pride of the Khaki Troop= - - =Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day= - - =Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost= - - =Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts= - - =Afloat; or, Adventures on Watery Trails= - - - =Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy Scout - Series, all Illustrated:= - - Wild Animals of the United States—Tracking—Trees and Wild Flowers - of the United States—Reptiles of the United States—Fishes of the - United States—Insects of the United States and Birds of the United - States. - - - _Cloth Binding._ _Cover Illustrations in Four Colors—50c per Volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - - - -THE CAMPFIRE AND TRAIL SERIES - - - =1. In Camp on the Big Sunflower= - - =2. The Rivals of the Trail= - - =3. The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island= - - =4. Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp= - - =5. With Trapper Jim in the North Woods= - - =6. Caught in a Forest Fire= - - =7. Chums of the Campfire= - - =8. Afloat on the Flood= - - =9. The Cruise of the Houseboat= - - By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE - -A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and -appealing to their love of the open. - - _Each, 12mo. Cloth_ _50c per Volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - - - -THE MOUNTAIN BOYS SERIES - - - =1. Phil Bradley's Mountain Boys= - - =2. Phil Bradley at the Wheel= - - =3. Phil Bradley's Shooting Box= - - =4. Phil Bradley's Snow-Shoe Trail= - - =5. Phil Bradley's Winning Way= - - By SILAS K. BOONE - -These books describe, with interesting detail, the experiences of a -party of boys among the mountain pines. - -They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the -elements, what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become -self-reliant and manly. - - _12mo. Cloth_ _50c per Volume, Postpaid_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - - - -THE MERRYVALE BOYS - -By ALICE HALE BURNETT - - Six real stories for small boys, each complete in itself, telling - about the many interesting doings of "Toad" and "Chuck" Brown, and - their friends, "Fat," "Reddy" and others. - - The books are written so the boy may read and understand them and - the action faithfully portrays boy life in a small town. - - - CIRCUS DAY AT MERRYVALE - - "Toad" and "Reddy," by good fortune, each earn two tickets to - the circus, although they find watering elephants a harder task - than it at first seemed. A jolly party of boys visit the circus. - - FATHER BROWN'S INDIAN TALE - - Dad's story is followed by an unexpected visitor who at first - startles then interests all of the little party gathered around - the fireside. - - THE PICNIC AT MERRYVALE - - Did you ever go to a picnic in a large farm wagon, filled with - boys and girls? Then did you catch a fine lot of trout and broil - them before a camp-fire? "Toad" and "Reddy" did these very - things and had a day long to be remembered. - - CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN MERRYVALE - - Daddy Williams' Toy Shop is the center of interest to "Toad" and - his friends long before Christmas arrives. They plan a surprise - that brings joy to a poor family. The boys erect snow forts and - the two sides have a battle royal. - - MERRYVALE BOYS ON THE FARM - - "Toad's" grandmother invites him and "Reddy" to spend a month in - the country. Their experiences at Sunnyside farm, with its - horses, cows, pigs and chickens, are most entertainingly told, - and they have the time of their lives boating, swimming and - fishing in the creek. - - HALLOWE'EN AT MERRYVALE - - For many days the boys had been looking forward to the party to - be held at Toad Brown's house, but the evening finally arrived - and a number of new games were played, although a few things - happened which were not on the program. - - - _Illustrations in Color_ _12mo. Cloth_ _40c per Vol., Postpaid_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK CO., 201 E. 12th St., New York - - - - -THE MERRYVALE GIRLS - -By ALICE HALE BURNETT - -Six delightful books for the smaller girls, each a complete story in -itself, describing in simple language the interesting experiences of -Beth, Mary and Jerry, three little maids of Merryvale. - - - Beth's Garden Party - - The three girls take part in a very formal little affair on the - lawn of Beth's home, and each of the guests receives a present. - The drive home in Beth's pony cart furnishes a few exciting - moments, but Patsy bravely comes to the rescue. - - A Day at the County Fair - - The girls are taken to the fair in a motor, but a slight delay - occurs on the way. How they finally arrived at the fair ground - and their amusing experiences are most entertainingly told. - - Geraldine's Birthday Surprise - - Geraldine, whom we know better as Jerry, plays hostess to her - many friends, although it must be admitted that her guests knew - of the affair before she did. A jolly evening is spent by the - girls which is shared in by our young Merryvale boy friends. - - Mary Entertains the Sewing Club - - Mary has the club at her home, and the efforts of the members - cause many outbursts of merriment. The girls hold a "fair of all - nations" for the benefit of the Merryvale Day Nursery, and their - plans succeed beyond their expectations. - - Merryvale Girls at the Seaside - - The three girls are invited to the light-house where they see - many wonderful things. A luncheon on the shore and days spent in - sailing with the captain make their visit a round of pleasure. - - Merryvale Girls in the Country - - A real old-fashioned farm affords the girls a most enjoyable - time and every hour is filled with delightful experiences. - - _12mo. Cloth._ _Illustrations in Color._ _40c per Volume, Postpaid_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK CO., 201 E. 12th St., New York - - - - -Transcriber's Note - - - Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations - in hyphenation have been standardized but all other spelling and - punctuation remains unchanged. - - "List of Illustrations" made complete. - - Pg. 53, 56, 57: Added captions to the illustrations. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Volunteers with the British -Artillery, by Kenneth Ward - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY VOLUNTEERS WITH BRITISH ARMY *** - -***** This file should be named 56179-0.txt or 56179-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/1/7/56179/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Larry B. 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