diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-23 15:45:12 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-23 15:45:12 -0800 |
| commit | c0fed7f4af4af3e1bbb9df8502e6343b9a052e02 (patch) | |
| tree | 805d237c70828d611330f97258bb423adaf7dff8 | |
| parent | f727c0423c9faecc69675968fbb2ed7efb872079 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-0.txt | 7595 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-0.zip | bin | 155338 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h.zip | bin | 1058064 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/64236-h.htm | 7874 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/ad.jpg | bin | 74016 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 100624 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/front.jpg | bin | 99094 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/i004.jpg | bin | 99641 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/i043.jpg | bin | 100837 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/i093.jpg | bin | 99112 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/i135.jpg | bin | 98020 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/i225.jpg | bin | 100270 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/i283.jpg | bin | 99562 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64236-h/images/title.jpg | bin | 24914 -> 0 bytes |
17 files changed, 17 insertions, 15469 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..82385e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #64236 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64236) diff --git a/old/64236-0.txt b/old/64236-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 56b8060..0000000 --- a/old/64236-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7595 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Under Foch's Command, by Captain F. S. -Brereton - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Under Foch's Command - A Tale of the Americans in France - -Author: Captain F. S. Brereton - -Illustrator: Wal Paget - -Release Date: January 08, 2021 [eBook #64236] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Juliet Sutherland, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND *** - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - -UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND - - - - -STORIES OF WAR - -BY CAPTAIN BRERETON - -"When Captain Brereton has a war subject to handle he always does it -well."--+Westminster Gazette.+ - - +The Armoured-Car Scouts+: The Campaign in the Caucasus. - - +On the Road to Bagdad+: A Story of the British Expeditionary - Force in Mesopotamia. - - +With Our Russian Allies+: A Tale of Cossack Fighting in the - Eastern Campaign. - - +On the Field of Waterloo.+ - - +With Wellington in Spain+: A Story of the Peninsula. - - +A Hero of Sedan+: A Tale of the Franco-Prussian War. - - +With Wolseley to Kumasi+: The First Ashanti War. - - +From the Nile to the Tigris+: Campaigning from Western Egypt to - Mesopotamia. - - +At Grips with the Turk+: A Story of the Dardanelles Campaign. - - +With Roberts to Candahar+: Third Afghan War. - - +A Hero of Lucknow+: A Tale of the Indian Mutiny. - - +Under Haig in Flanders+: A Story of Vimy, Messines, and Ypres. - - +With Joffre at Verdun+: A Story of the Western Front. - - +Under French's Command+: A Story of the Western Front from Neuve - Chapelle to Loos. - - +With French at the Front+: A Story of the Great European War down - to the Battle of the Aisne. - - +How Canada was Won+: A Tale of Wolfe and Quebec. - - +Jones of the 64th.+: Battles of Assaye and Laswaree. - - +A Soldier of Japan+: A Tale of the Russo-Japanese War. - - +With Shield and Assegai+: A Tale of the Zulu War. - - +Under the Spangled Banner+: The Spanish-American War. - - +In the King's Service+: Cromwell's Invasion of Ireland. - - +In the Grip of the Mullah+: Adventure in Somaliland. - - +With Rifle and Bayonet+: A Story of the Boer War. - - +One of the Fighting Scouts+: Guerrilla Warfare in South Africa. - - +The Dragon of Pekin+: A Story of the Boxer Revolt. - - +A Gallant Grenadier+: A Story of the Crimean War. - -LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, LTD., 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. - - -[Illustration: THE GERMAN "GOT HIM" AT ONCE] - - -UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND - -A Tale of the Americans in France - -BY - -CAPTAIN F. S. BRERETON - -Author of "The Armoured-car Scouts" -"From the Nile to the Tigris" -"Under Haig in Flanders" -&c. &c. - -_Illustrated by Wal Paget_ - -BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED -LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY - - - - -Contents - - CHAP. Page - I. AN AMERICAN DECLARATION 9 - - II. THE SHERIFF'S POSSE 21 - - III. IN THE MINE SHAFTS 37 - - IV. "EN ROUTE" FOR EUROPE 53 - - V. A GERMAN AGENT 68 - - VI. BOMBED IN MID-OCEAN 81 - - VII. ABOARD A U-BOAT 95 - - VIII. CAPTURE OF THE TRAWLER 109 - - IX. A HARD FIGHT 124 - - X. THE EUROPEAN CONFLICT 137 - - XI. ON CONVOY DUTY 150 - - XII. GERMANY'S GREATEST EFFORT 162 - - XIII. SURROUNDED 176 - - XIV. WHERE MEN FOUGHT FOR EMPIRE 191 - - XV. ATTACKED FROM ALL SIDES 206 - - XVI. HEINRICH HILKER, MASTER SPY 221 - - XVII. AN AMERICAN ENCAMPMENT 236 - -XVIII. IN SEARCH OF LIBERTY 251 - - XIX. PLOTS WITHIN PLOTS 262 - - XX. A TURN IN THE TIDE 275 - - - - -Illustrations - - Page -THE GERMAN "GOT HIM" AT ONCE _Frontispiece_ - -ONE OF THE THREE FELL WITH A DULL THUD 40 - -THE THREE FRIENDS ARE HAULED ABOARD THE U-BOAT 88 - -A LUCKY SHOT TOOK AWAY A PORTION OF THE BRIDGE 128 - -BILL, TYING A SOMEWHAT DIRTY HANDKERCHIEF TO - THE TOP OF HIS BAYONET, WAVED IT 216 - -THE MAN BESIDE HIM WAS A MANIAC, HE TOLD HIMSELF 272 - - - - -UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND - - - - -CHAPTER I - -An American Declaration - - -It was one of those glorious days which they enjoy so frequently west -of the giant range of the Rocky Mountains, an exhilarating day when one -rises from one's bed and issues into the open to discover a snap in -the air. For spring was but just coming, and the mountains were still -clad in snow and in hoar frost; the atmosphere positively sparkled, -while the rays of the sun coming aslant through a giant canyon swept -across the steep slopes of the mountain, where it encompassed the -apparently sleeping city down below, and were reflected from thousands -of minute angles, from masses of virgin snow, and from icicles which -had gathered since the previous evening. Could one have clambered into -those mountains, or into the canyon we have mentioned, one would have -found here and there spring flowers already pushing their tender -buds through the coating of snow, here far thinner than higher up -towards the peaks of the range. In a hundred hollows little rivulets -were running, while towards the centre of the canyon to which all -progressed, some at speed and some leisurely, there raced a brook, -gathering size at an inordinate pace, sweeping on its surface masses -of half-melted snow, flashing here and there as the rays struck upon -bubbling eddies, and then plunging beneath an arch of snow, to go -tumbling over rocks farther down, and so speed on towards the city. - -Compare this scene with the peaks above, still ice-bound, with spring -hardly come as yet, so that residence at that elevation was not to -be encouraged. Compare it with the city down below: a city of wide, -well-swept, tree-edged streets, of big houses and wide open spaces, -green already. Down there was a different scene, throbbing with life, -though from the heights above it appeared to be slumbering; with busy -cars clanging their way and motor-cars dashing hither and thither. Seen -from the heights above it presented a whitish blotch, picked out by red -roofs here and there, and by dark streaks which represented the roads. -It appeared to be a gigantic gridiron, for every block of houses was -square, and the roads intersected one another at right angles. - -Out beyond it see the glimmer from a vast expanse of water--a lake--the -first glimpse of which astounded and delighted the eyes of Brigham -Young and those pioneers who, forsaking the East, fought their way -across the prairie to discover a new land, and, peeping downward at -the sight we are presenting to our reader, imagined they had gained a -fertile country--a country flowing with milk and honey. Fertile indeed -it looks from the mountains: trees by the thousand stretch out on every -hand, casting a delightful shade, and farther afield green patches -of vast extent hug the lake and stretch away into the open country, -with brown squares here and there, on which fruit farms abound, and -where dairy-men work for their living. But hasten to the lake, dip -a hand in it, and taste the water. It is brine. For down there is a -huge salt lake, which gives its name to the city. Down below there is -Utah, which, for all its salt lake and its salt desert, has been termed -"God's own country". - -Ten miles away perhaps, beyond the smoke of the city, yet surrounded -in the smoke and dust which it itself creates, lies a copper-mine of -world-wide notoriety. Rails run hither and thither; tubs and trucks -clank over them; while the mountain side, which the active hands of man -and the never-ceasing grinding of machinery is eating away at a rapid -pace, presents a series of steps, as it were, along which other rails -are laid, where locomotives grunt, where trucks screech their way past -the wide openings which give admission to the centre of the mountain. - -"And that is you, Jim," said one young fellow as he dropped out of a -passing truck and accosted another; "just coming off, eh? Then let's -walk home together. It takes longer, I know, for we could ride in the -trucks down to the bottom of the mountain; but a walk's a walk; it does -one good at this hour in the morning." - -"Sure," the other answered, with that drawl common to men of his -country. "While we walk we can talk about the situation. What'll you -do, eh? I've been itching this two years past to be up and away. Of -course I know that some people must work, for copper's needed, and so -are thousands of other articles, but----" - -"But," said Dan, looking sharply round at him--"but for us young chaps -the time's come for fighting." - -They trudged on down the rocky slope along which the rails ran, -descending gradually and by an easy grade to the bottom, and thence to -the smelting plant, where the ore was crushed and treated. They walked -between the rails which carried, every day and all day and night too, -long lines of trucks, heavily laden, needing no locomotive to carry -them to their destination, they stepped aside now and again at some -siding to pass another train, this time of empty trucks being dragged -up by a smoking engine, and for a while they did not exchange another -word. For their thoughts, like the thoughts of everyone in America -at that moment, whether East or West, North or South, were filled to -overflowing. - -Armageddon, the world war which had broken out with such irresistible -violence and so unexpectedly--at least unexpectedly to Americans--in -the year 1914, had progressed through long weary months to this -eventful year of 1917. Tales of tragedy had reached America; thousands -of men had heard or read of atrocities committed by the Germans in -Belgium, and had ground their teeth and become almost violent. Still -more thousands of men had taken a firm grip of themselves and had -looked at the situation as dispassionately as was possible. - -"No! Not yet--not yet," they had told themselves. "America loves peace; -we are a democratic nation, all men, from the President downwards, are -equal--as good the one as the other; we wish no harm to anyone in the -world; we desire only to work, to thrive, to live surrounded by freedom -and justice, only----" - -And then heads wagged, men looked doubtful, some cursed. The women, -fearful of what might follow, fearful lest America should be drawn into -this gigantic conflict, and their men-folk--their husbands and their -sons--take up the cudgels, yet perhaps more susceptible than the men, -feeling more acutely the sufferings of their distant sisters, spoke out: - -"What of the _Lusitania_? Are American women and children then to be -sent to the bottom of the ocean because the Kaiser ordains that none -but German ships shall sail the seas? Is no American vessel to make -its way to England, to France, or any other country without fear that -the torpedo of a German submarine may explode beneath her? Is that the -idea that American men hold of freedom and justice?" - -"Bah!" American men were getting out of hand; even the wonderful -patience of President Wilson was becoming exhausted. For see, since the -_Lusitania_ had been sunk on a peaceful voyage in 1915, other vessels -had followed the same way; more lives had been lost, citizens of the -great Republic of America had fallen victims to the ruthless acts of -German pirates; and now the Kaiser had ordained that America must -cease her traffic on the ocean altogether. She might by his consent -send a few vessels across to Europe, and these must be painted in -vivid colours, must follow certain tracks, must obey the orders of the -"All-Highest". - -"And this is his idea of freedom, eh?" Jim Carpenter shouted all of a -sudden, catching Dan Holman by the shoulder, his face flushed a deep -red, his eyes glowing as through a mist. "I say, who's going to put -up with that sort of bullying, for bullying it is sure? Say now, Dan, -supposing you and I lived in Salt Lake City, and you were to say to me: -'Here you, clear out!--slick off! Salt Lake City ain't the place to -hold both you and me. Quit!--without more talking!'" - -"Huh!" growled Dan, and walked on. "Huh!" he repeated, and there was -more than disgust in his voice. - -"Just so," said Jim, proceeding. "You and I are chums, Dan, and such -a thing ain't likely to happen; only, supposing it was the other way, -just sort of half-friendly, as Germany and America are supposed to be -at this moment, and you out with such orders, d'you think----?" - -"Do I think!" growled Dan, almost shouted it. "Don't I know that you'd -tell me to mind my own business--to quit talking nonsense, that you'd -up and say that you was as good a man, and that if I wanted to turn you -out of the city, why, I'd better get to business. And that's the answer -all of us hope the President will send to this Kaiser." - -From west to east and north to south they were discussing the same -theme, the men in their clubs, in their hotels, and their offices -and elsewhere; and the women, keeping the tidy homes which America -possesses, were wondering, hoping against hope many of them still, that -war might be averted, while praying that nothing might happen to sully -the honour of America. - -In the capital, at Washington, on this very day, there were collected -all the wise heads of the community, all the nominated representatives -of the States of this vast country. Even as Jim and Dan reached the -valley below, and trudged along towards the hostel where they boarded, -the decision of America was being taken, the wires were singing with -the words transmitted over them, telephones were buzzing, and that -noble speech which President Wilson delivered to Congress was being -swept to the far corners of the country. - -"It is war!" said a man who suddenly emerged from a store that the two -young fellows were passing, waving his hat over his head--an uncouth, -rough individual wearing a slouch hat, a somewhat frayed coat with -many stains about it, a pair of blue trousers tucked into big, high -boots, and a tie red enough in all conscience. "War!" he shouted. "The -President ain't goin' to stand any more o' this nonsense. He's told the -Kaiser slick that if America wants to send ships over the sea, and of -course she wants to do so, she'll do it without permission from him or -any other man who likes to style himself 'All-Highest'. He's told that -German crowd that his patience is worn out, that America, although she -hates war, is going to war for the principles that are dearer to her -than almost to anyone. He's intimated to the Kaiser that he'll call -upon him somewhere in France and on the sea too, and fight the question -out till one of 'em's top dog, and that'll be America and her allies." - -The fellow threw his hat into the air, and, running up to Jim and Dan, -shook them by the hand. "I know what you think," he said, bubbling over -with enthusiasm--"you two young chaps that's often chatted it over with -me; you've been waiting for the day. You, like thousands and thousands -more of us, will go across yonder to take the President's message to -the Kaiser--eh?" - -They shook hands eagerly on it, and for a while stood there chatting. -For they had each of them much to say. Indeed, there were groups -eagerly talking everywhere in this mining encampment: in the houses -wherein the married people had their quarters, in the hostels where -bachelors roomed and boarded, and farther away, where the ore from this -giant copper mountain was smelted, in the hostels there, and amongst -the clanking machinery. - -"War! America's at war!" - -In spite of the fact that thousands of them had anticipated the event, -it struck them like a whirlwind, left them almost speechless, or, -contrariwise, set them shouting. Pass along the street and see men -dressed as they are in those parts--their hands in leather gloves, -their coats wide open, and often their shirts too at the neck, arguing, -speaking in loud tones and most emphatically, or talking in some quiet -corner to a group of friends who listen intently. In the stores along -the street they had stopped business, and customers and men behind the -counter exchanged views on the situation. In the saloons, where spirits -and other liquors were served, there was excitement; much, it must be -confessed, in one of them which bore no very enviable reputation. For -into this place a motley throng lounged or swaggered every day of the -week: Spaniards, who had come to America to delve a way to fortune; -Poles, and Greeks, and Russians, who had come from their own lands to -make wealth more rapidly; Austrians, Turks, and Germans also come -here to seek a short road to prosperity. They were seated at tables -along one wall, or stood at the bar talking heatedly like those others -outside, or whispered to one another. But behind the bar there was no -whispering on the part of the ruddy-faced and jovial tender whose duty -it was to serve drinks to those thirsty mining people. - -"War!" he shouted, and brought a big brawny fist down upon the counter -with a bang which set glasses jingling. "War at last, and not too soon -neither. Down with Germans and all that's German, say I, and I've said -it these months past. Down with the Kaiser!" - -A man lounging there not six feet from him, a huge hat over his eyes, -and collar turned up as if to hide his features, leaned across the -counter and tapped the bar-tender on the shoulder. - -"Say," he drawled, and with a distinctly guttural accent. "You vos for -war? Ha! And you haf said: 'Down mit the Germans and Germany!'" - -"Sure!" shouted the barman, rocking with laughter; "and so says every -one of us. I'm not one for politics; I'm just a plain straightforward -American, with plenty of friends and a good home, but I bar the -slaughter of women, and I don't take orders from no one. Nor shall -America! That's why I'm glad that it's going to be war. That's why I -say: 'Down with the Germans!'" - -Men raised their heads as they sat at the tables, and looked across at -the bar-tender; many of them smiled, some nodded, and others laughed -outright. - -"Just Charles," one of them said, "the brightest, jolliest fellow we've -ever had. It does one good to look at him. And he's downright. Say, -Charles!" he called out, "I'm with you. Down with the Germans! I'm glad -it's war. Let's get in and whop 'em." - -The man leaning against the bar counter turned his head towards the -speaker and scowled. - -"A German," another of the customers at a table near at hand observed, -_sotto voce_, to his comrade. "It's said that he's been over this -side only a matter of six months, and chances are that he's a German -agent, though he'd tell you that he's American to the backbone. A -sulky-looking beggar." - -"Say!" that individual began again, as he stretched over the bar, and -once more tapped the bar-tender on the shoulder, "you said down mit -Germans and Germany?" - -"Aye, sure!" - -"And what then? And down mit the Kaiser also?" - -"Of course," flashed Charlie, "him first of all, because then it'll be -easier to knock sense into the heads of the Germans." - -There was a flash, a loud report, and a column of smoke just where the -bar-tender had been standing. Men sprang to their feet; one rushed -across to support the tottering figure of Charlie, while a second -man sprang towards the individual who had been leaning against the -counter. Then he recoiled, for a revolver muzzle looked steadily at him. - -"Don't move," came in even tones from the rascal who had just fired. -"Stand back every one of you, I mean business." - -He backed to the door of the saloon, and pushed his way through it; -then, turning on his heel, and thrusting his still smoking weapon into -his pocket, he sped down the street, passed Jim and Dan, who were still -discussing the question of war with animation, and so towards the -mountain. - -Here, miles away in the heart of America as it were, the Kaiser had -indirectly brought about yet another tragedy; for undoubtedly one of -his emissaries had carried the war far afield, and had done here, as -ruthlessly as could well be imagined, the wishes of his master. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -The Sheriff's Posse - - -Imagine the commotion that ensued in the mining city which lay -at the foot of that giant mountain which the industry of man is -slowly eating away. That shot which had rung out in the saloon near -which Jim Carpenter and Dan Holman, his bosom chum, happened to be -standing--listening to the harangue of that bearded and excitable -person who had announced the declaration of war to them--though it -was muffled by the windows of the saloon itself and by the half-door -which closed the entrance, yet attracted the ears of quite a number. -Nevertheless the figure which presently emerged and went off down the -street escaped attention. Then an avalanche poured into the street. - -"Where's he gone? Which way did he turn? Where's that German?" - -"German?" asked Jim. "What's happened? We heard a shot, and guessed -there must be a shindy in the saloon. Still, there have been others, -so we didn't take much notice. As to seeing anyone coming out, that we -did not, for we weren't quite sure where the sound came from, and were -looking the other way. Who's the man? What's happened?" - -"What's happened!" exclaimed a heated individual, a tall, lithe, -broad-shouldered and clean-shaven American, tapping Jim in friendly -fashion on the shoulder. "Let me tell you, sir, the cruellest and most -bloodthirsty murder that the Kaiser has ever committed!" - -Dan stood back a pace and stared at the man in amazement. "The Kaiser," -he exclaimed, "here? Surely----" - -Another face was thrust forward into the circle now standing about Jim -and Dan. "He didn't mean the Kaiser himself," this lusty miner cried. -"George, here, is talking of what the Kaiser's brought about through -one more of his rascally agents. Listen here: a man was standing up -against the bar counter five minutes ago; a chap that's not long been -in these parts, but I happen to know something about him, and that -something is that he's a German. Well now, what d'you think happened? -Charlie, the most jovial fellow that ever served a glass to any of us, -states the case squarely and aloud, just as he's been used to: says as -he's glad it's war, says as he thought it was high time we Americans -were in it, and just downs the Kaiser with a bang of his fist." - -"And then this here scoundrel of a German chap shoots him point-blank! -Where's he got to?" shouted another. - -It was less than five minutes later that the Sheriff, hastily summoned -by telephone, came cantering up the street, and after him his posse, -collected from all parts from men who had already been selected to act -as special police in case of trouble arising, well acquainted with -their duty, and hurrying from their work, from their houses, from -wherever they might have been, all mounted on horseback, and making for -the centre of the mining city. - -Let us say that though the old mining cities and villages of America -now wear a totally different aspect, and lead a supremely different -life from that common in the '40's, yet "hold-ups" still occur in -places; ruffians even now are come across, and every now and again -there is a broil, and some tragedy or crime is perpetrated. Here then -was one, and already the Sheriff and his men were seeking for the -culprit. - -"He came right round along the street down here," a man bellowed, -running up a few moments later; "a dark man, with his coat collar -turned up and hat pulled over his eyes?" - -"That's the one," they shouted. - -"And hops into one of the trucks making up the mountain; it'll be well -up the slope now. He's setting his tracks for the workings." - -At once there was an exodus; the crowd broke up, the Sheriff and his -men galloping off to ascend the mountain by a winding track, whilst -Jim and Dan and twenty more dived for their own homes, then, armed -with the best weapons they possessed, turned out again, and, clambering -aboard a train of empty trucks going upwards, made for one of the -tunnels which had been cut into the heart of the mountain. - -"We've telephoned round to the other side to tell 'em to close the -exit, and I've told off parties of men to watch every one of the -openings on this side," the Sheriff told them as they alighted opposite -one of the huge galleries which gave access to the mountain. "Next -thing is to have a confab. We've got to get that fellow out, but we'd -best remember it's dark in there, there are cuttings this way and that, -and galleries running everywhere, so lights are wanted, and, after -that, guides." - -Jim stepped forward and Dan with him. "How'll we do?" they asked. - -"You?" - -"Yep!" declared Jim, with the curt assurance of a young American. "Dan -and I have worked here since we were boys, and know every tunnel and -every cutting. As to lights, Mr. Sheriff, I don't know. You see----" - -"How's that?" demanded the Sheriff. "No lights! Waal, that gets me!" - -"You see," explained Dan, coming to the assistance of Jim, for he had -seen his reasons instantly, "the man who enters the workings carrying a -lamp will draw fire, if that fellow means to do more shooting." - -For a moment or so there was silence, the Sheriff pushing his hat back -from his head and rubbing his forehead, while the men about him looked -at one another and nodded. - -"Mebbe all right! Say, now, I don't want to dictate to no one," -declared the Sheriff, "but, draw fire or not, we've got to get a lamp -to find this fellow; we've got to take our risks so as to arrest him. -Waal, taking risks is in our line; we expected that when we were -elected. I'll chance it." - -Jim and Dan instantly agreed to do likewise. - -"There's a motor-car over here," said the former at once, beginning to -walk towards it. "We can remove the lamps and use those. I don't say, -Mr. Sheriff, that you're not right. This is a job which means risk, -and, as you say, it's your duty to get into danger. Our job is to help -you, like every honest citizen will want to do. Come on, Dan, and let -us see what we can make of the lamps, for the sooner we follow that -beggar the better." - -It chanced that the motor-car standing not far off was equipped with -acetylene head-lights, being dissimilar in that respect to the majority -of modern automobiles in America, and promptly they removed these lamps -and brought them back to the party. Presently they had them alight, -and, taking one and sending the second along to the next party, who -were watching the nearest opening, they plunged boldly into the gallery -which led to the inner workings, one man carrying the lamp and the -rest grouped about him, the Sheriff and half a dozen of them bearing -revolvers, while not a few carried guns which they had hurriedly -snatched from their lodgings. - -Pushing on with great caution, and flashing the lamp hither and -thither, so as to expose the openings to works which led off from this -main gallery, the party had presently proceeded some three hundred -yards, and had as yet discovered no trace of the fugitive. Then one of -them gave vent to a cry, and, bending down, picked up an object. - -"The hat he was wearing, I could swear," he said, lifting it. "Let's -put it in front of the light. See, Mr. Sheriff, I was in the saloon -there with Bill Harkness, a-talkin' about this here declaration of -war that the President's made, with one eye on Harkness, as you might -say, and one on the chap leanin' up against the counter. This is his -hat--I'd put me boots on it." - -He raised the hat till the full stream of light from the lamp fell -upon it, so that all could examine it. As he lowered it again, and the -beams swept on into the depths of the tunnel, there suddenly came a -deafening report; the lamp went out as if drowned in water, while the -man carrying it fell to the ground with a crash. - -"Pick him up," said the Sheriff. "Jim Carpenter, you were right. Did -any of you folks catch a sight of the varmint?" - -Not one answered. As a matter of fact, the man who had fired the shot -had been secreted round a corner, and, at the moment he stretched forth -one arm with his weapon, the party in search of him were examining the -hat which he had dropped, and which was sure evidence of the fact that -he had taken refuge in these workings. A second later he had dived back -round the corner, and now the whole place was in darkness. - -"We had best get out," said the Sheriff in low tones. "I ain't the one -to be driven off by a murderer. But Jim's right, and every time we come -in bearing a lamp that fellow's open to get us. He's a shot, too, for -else he wouldn't 'a got his bullet in so straight. Let's get back and -'tend to our mate." - -Feeling their way along the walls, they staggered back to the exit, and -were presently once more in the open, where, to the relief of all, they -discovered that the man they carried had been merely stunned. For he -had held the lamp at arm's length and just level with his head, and the -bullet which had struck it had flung it back violently against his head -and so stunned him. - -"And what next?" the Sheriff asked as the party gathered in a group and -looked at one another enquiringly. "Young Jim Carpenter, you've been -these many years in and around the works, what 'ud you do? Mebbe you -can find your way round blindfold." - -Jim thought the matter over for a while. It was true that he could -find his way anywhere in those works blindfold, or without a lamp, -and indeed would have been a dunce could he not have done so, seeing -that he habitually went to his work along the galleries without a -light, every inch being familiar to him. Yet to find one's road in the -workings within the mountain and to search for a murderer therein were -two entirely different propositions. The one required no nerve, hardly -any effort; the other called for something more, and promised at the -least excitement and adventure. - -"Guess, Mr. Sheriff," he said at last, "it's the duty of every one of -us to lend a hand." - -"I can't compel," came the answer. "Me and my posse were elected to -look after the rights of people in this here city and surroundings, to -arrest thieves and vagabonds, and to maintain order. If we are hard -pressed we are entitled to call upon those nearest, but they ain't -compelled to join; they are free citizens. Folks in this country are -free, young Jim Carpenter." - -He eyed the young fellow critically, peering at him closely from the -top of his peaked hat to the soles of his sturdy mining boots, noticing -the breadth of his shoulders, the depth of his chest, his firm face -with the pair of glittering, frank eyes looking out from it, the strong -hands and arms, bared almost to the shoulder, and the general air of -strength and resolution about this young miner. - -"Should say as he and Dan are just the last to refuse a request that -might plunge 'em into danger," he was thinking. "They're quiet, -hard-working folks, as we all know, and orphans this many a year, -having earned their own grub and a good deal more, and have been -independent of others. Waal?" he asked bluntly. - -"I've been thinking, that's all," said Jim. "It don't do to go in for -a thing like this without some sort of consideration. Any way you look -at it it's not an easy job; for I take it this German chap is bottled -up in the mountain and has to be hunted out of any corner or hollow in -which he's taken shelter. You might board up the entrances and starve -him out, only the chances are there's food enough in the workings to -keep him alive for quite a while; for the miners often take in a store -so as to free them from the job of carrying food up every day. As to -water, there's pools of it; so, as you might say, a siege like this -could last for days on end, and the murderer fail to be captured. So -the best and quickest way is to go in and pull him out; and bearing a -lamp, as we have just now tried, ain't successful." - -"Just as you warned us, I'll own," the Sheriff admitted. "Now then?" - -"I'd take in a small party only," Jim said, "every one of 'em armed -and good shots, and one of 'em carrying an electric torch. I'd let 'em -wear rubber boots, and would warn 'em not even to whisper. They could -arrange signals before they went in: a tug at the coat to warn each -other that one of 'em had heard a suspicious sound. I'd let 'em creep -forward till near their man, and then the one with the lamp could flash -it on, while the others covered the fellow with their revolvers." - -"Gee," shouted the Sheriff, "that's some talking!--some sense! Let's -think it over. But what about a guide? Who'd lead 'em? Who's the chap -who's a-goin' to take hold o' the torch? It means shootin', mind. That -there skunk what's got inside could shoot the eye out of a horse, I -reckon, so that those who go in after him will have to look mighty -lively--so who's a-goin'?" - -"That's settled," Jim said abruptly. "That is, of course, if you think -I'll do." - -"And I'll go along with him," Dan immediately chimed in. "Only we shall -want someone who can shoot well: Jim and me's used a gun (revolver) at -times, but we ain't no experts; but Larry, here, he's the man. If the -chap who shot Charlie over the bar, and put our light out a while ago, -could hit the eye out of a horse, Larry'ud shoot one out of a fly, I -guess." - -"Huh!" grunted the Sheriff, and cast a sharp glance at the individual -in whose direction Dan had jerked a thumb. There he saw quite a -diminutive person, yet looking rather terrific in his mining costume. -For what with his high brown boots with their thick soles and the -lacings which ran almost from the toe right up to the knee, his rough -trousers cut too big for him, and a somewhat broad hat tilted right on -the back of his head, to say nothing of fierce moustaches, Larry looked -a terrible fellow. - -Yet those who knew him knew him as a smiling, happy-go-lucky -individual, a miner whose chief characteristic was a penchant for -spending money. Dollars fled through the unfortunate Larry's pockets -as if the latter were full of holes. He was always in an impecunious -position; and yet Larry had pride, for not once did he beg of his -comrades. For the rest, it was on quiet half-holidays that he and a few -others would betake themselves to some retreat down at the foot of the -mountain, and there practise with their revolvers. - -"You ain't got no cause to take on," Larry had told Jim many a time -when the latter had missed a can tossed in the air, for that was his -particular test applied to all who desired to become marksmen. "See -here, young fellow, I tosses the can into the air, and you has your -back turned to it. I says 'Go!' and round you swings, up yer arm goes, -and then the gun speaks. It ain't done by aimin', it comes natural. You -can't hit a can, same as that, tossed in the air, unless you've spent -dollars in ammunition same as I've done. There ain't no particular -difficulty in it, it's just persistence and practice--just stickin' to -it. So there, and that's all there is to it." - -It might be easy enough for the diminutive Larry, but it caused him -no end of amusement to see the obstinate way in which Jim and others -tackled the proposition, and to watch their many failures; although, to -do this jovial fellow but justice, it caused him to shout with delight -when finally they were able to hit the flying object. Yet, with all -their practice, not one came up to the redoubtable Larry. - -"Yep, Sheriff," he grinned, as the latter pointed a finger at him, -"I'll own up to it. It ain't that I'm of a quarrelsome sort of a -disposition." - -At that they all grinned. - -"What's that?" demanded Larry, firing up, not understanding their -humour. "Me quarrelsome! Why, I've been here about the mines this six -years past and there ain't one with whom I've had a ruction." - -That again was substantial truth; yet we must amplify it a little by -the statement that the population working round this huge copper-mine -was constantly fluctuating, and only a small proportion of the men -remained there for many months together. Yet in such a community men -soon gather knowledge of one another, and, though there were brawls -now and again, though men came to the mine who were of a distinctly -cantankerous and quarrelsome disposition, it was significant that, -learning early of Larry's prowess with a gun, it was not with this -diminutive little miner that they picked their quarrels. - -Larry grinned widely, for now he saw that his friends were merely -bantering. - -"I kin git you," he laughed. "Waal, Mr. Sheriff, let's move on. I've a -gun here handy," and he tapped the holster in which his revolver was -resting. - -"But there's the torch to be got first of all," Jim reminded them, -"and then there are rubber boots or shoes. They are of as much -importance almost as our friend Larry. What's the odds, Mr. Sheriff, if -we set our guards at the exits from the mountain, and send down below -to get all we want? I ain't the one to delay, but we are more likely to -succeed if we make our preparations carefully." - -There came a commotion away on their left as he was speaking: a weapon -snapped sharply, there was a rush of men towards the entrance, which, -like the one in front of which Jim and his friends were standing, -was being watched and guarded, and then one of the Sheriff's posse -approached. - -"The varmint tried to make out, Mr. Sheriff," he reported. "We was -there a-talkin' away and watchin' the entrance, when a man comes -slinkin' along out o' the darkness, peers out at us, and lifts his -revolver. It was Jacques what took a pot shot at him, and I see'd the -bullet splash on the rock by his head, and our chap turned and went off -like greased lightning." - -The Sheriff at once went to the telephone hut near at hand and called -up the parties at the other exits and warned them to be on their guard. - -"You'd best get some sort of cover," he told them, "so that if the -fellow tries to break out he won't have a clear shot at you. Me and my -mates here are going in to search for him, and just before we move off -I'll send another 'phone message to you. Keep a bright look-out." - -It was perhaps half an hour later that the messenger, whom they had -dispatched to the bottom of the mountain by means of one of the mine -locomotives, came back on the foot-board of that same wagon bearing -sundry pairs of rubber-soled shoes with him and a couple of electric -torches, also he carried a basket of food and a couple of water-bottles. - -"Seems to me, boss," he said, addressing the Sheriff, "that you folks -might be some while in the mountain; it ain't altogether a small place, -now, is it? And ef you get on the tracks of this here chap what's -murdered Charlie, you won't be askin' to come back just to get a bite -of food or a drink of water. You'll want to trace him and perhaps drive -him out to one of the watching-parties. Ef that's so, it occurred to me -that some meat and bread and a couple of cans of cold tea would meet -your ticket, and here they are. Now I'm a-goin' to put on one o' these -pairs of shoes, for I'm one o' the party." - -It took quite an amount of argument to settle who were to go and who -were to stay behind to watch the entrance into which Jim and his -friends were to penetrate. Naturally enough the Sheriff must be one of -the little adventurous band, and Larry was an indispensable. Jim, too, -must go, for he was to guide them; and Dan would be there to assist -him if need be, or to replace him in case he became a casualty. But -the remainder clamoured to accompany them; and it took not a little -persuasion and tactful chatter on the part of the Sheriff to pick his -men and to decide who should be of the party. - -"It stands to reason, boys," he said, "that we are all doing our duty -whether we go in or stay out here. You've seen for yourselves that this -here chap we're after won't stand at anything: if he comes into the -open he's as likely to shoot at you as he will at us who are goin' in -after him, only, of course, I admit it's slower work stayin' out here. -Guess you've put me up as Sheriff so as I should be able to talk when -times like these come round." - -"You bet!" they admitted, nodding their heads. - -"Then I'm goin' to give orders right off. Larry and Jim and Dan and me, -and Jacques there, and Tom Curtis will make the investigating-party; -t'others waits here and takes cover under boulders. Our friend Tim, -what's been round the mines these many years, will take charge of the -lot of you, and will post a man at the 'phone ready to call up the -other parties. This here young fellow, Harry Dance, will follow us in -five minutes after we've started, and when he's gone for five minutes, -this here Tim will make in after him, and ef we are longer still, and -moving up, Frank Stebbins will take the track into the mine so as to -keep in contact. It will be a sort of relay business. Ef we get held -up, the message can be passed back, and ef we want help some of you can -come in after us. Only mind, there's always got to be a guard standing -here in case the fellow doubles; for you've got to remember that in the -workings in there there are burrows in all directions, and a man can -leave the main gallery and turn and twist and come back on his tracks -and easily avoid a search-party." - -Donning the rubber shoes which had been brought for them, and each of -them tucking a portion of bread and meat into his pockets, while Dan -and the Sheriff shouldered the cans of tea, the party saw to their -weapons. Jim made sure that the electric torch he carried was in -working order, and thrust the reserve one in his pocket. Then, at a nod -from the Sheriff, and a cheery "Good luck!" from the party who were to -remain behind, and who watched their departure ruefully, Jim led the -way into the mine, and presently he and his friends were swallowed up -by the darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -In the Mine Shafts - - -There was dense opaqueness within the bosom of the gigantic mountain -which the industry of man in Utah has honeycombed with passages, and -once the search-party, with Jim at the head, had gained some distance -from the exit and had turned abruptly to their left, thereby cutting -themselves off, as it were, from the few stray rays of daylight which -filtered in through the arched entrance, the darkness seemed to become -accentuated, while the silence was positively startling. - -"Stop!" - -Jim touched the Sheriff on the sleeve, and the latter signalled to the -next man behind him, and so they all came to a halt. There they stood -listening for three or four minutes. - -"Pat-a-pat! pat-a-pat!" they heard, and then a deep splash. "Pat-a-pat! -pat-a-pat!" once more, and then a bubbling sound, only to give way to -that same refrain: "Pat-a-pat! pat-a-pat!" - -"It's----!" gasped the Sheriff, for he was an open-air man, a farmer in -the neighbourhood, and these inner workings rather tended to overawe -him. "What is it?" he whispered. - -"Water falling from the roof into a pool; there's lots of it," Jim told -him, _sotto voce_. "Come along!" - -Once more they were threading their way onward, each man with his left -hand outstretched, feeling the damp, roughly-hewn side of the tunnel, -while with his other hand he held the tail of the coat of the comrade -in front of him. As for Jim, he gripped the electric torch in his -right hand, ready at any moment to switch the light on and project the -beams in any direction. A hundred, two hundred yards they gained, five -hundred yards, without having heard a single sound to disturb them, -save occasionally that pat-a-pat, the often tuneful dripping of water -from the roof into some rocky pool beneath, water through which their -feet splashed when they came to it. Then of a sudden a rumbling roar -smote upon their ears, advanced swiftly towards them, met them, as it -were, and then, racing past their ears, went on along the dark gallery, -and so towards the open, bringing the party to a halt. - -"A shot," Jim whispered. "That fellow's fired his gun somewhere on -beyond us, and a goodish way, I'd say, for the gallery carries sound -like a speaking-tube, and you can hear a man shout, for instance, more -than a quarter of a mile away. Let's move forward faster." - -"Get in at it," the Sheriff answered. - -And then they were moving again, on through the darkness, stumbling -over rough tram-lines, through pools of water, over fallen boulders, -round acute corners, and so on and on, while behind them first one -and then others of the party they had left at the entrance crept in, -forming that communicating chain which the Sheriff had so thoughtfully -ordered. - -"H--hush!" The Sheriff's bony fingers gripped Jim's arm, and, unmindful -of the fact that darkness surrounded them, he stretched forth his other -hand and pointed into the void in front. "The varmint's there," he -whispered hoarsely. "I heard him move. Listen!" - -Yes, something or someone was moving. Whether in the near distance or -far it was impossible to state definitely, though every member of the -search-party stretched his ears to the fullest extent and listened -eagerly, head forward, horny palm making a funnel in the endeavour to -catch more sound waves, and so to unfathom what was then a mystery. - -"Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat!" went those lugubrious drops into the pools of -water underfoot, "pit-a-pat!" they tumbled from the arched roof of the -gallery on to the persons of that listening search-party, while water -streamed down the rough-hewn sides and dribbled over the fingers which -they had placed there to guide them. - -Yes, someone moved. - -"Farther along," Jim hardly whispered, tugging at the Sheriff's coat. -"Let Larry come along!" - -The giant form of the Sheriff unbent a little when he turned, stretched -out a hand and gripped that youth by the shoulder. - -"I heard," came a whisper. "I've got me gun, and all's well. You get -in, Jim, I'm following." - -The party they left heard them stumbling along, their feet making -mysterious sounds as they splashed along the floor of the tunnel, and -then of a sudden the blackness in front of them was illuminated by -one piercing beam which cut its way through the darkness, its edges -brilliant, its centre blurred. That beam hit upon the dripping side of -the tunnel some yards ahead, painted a brilliant circle on it, hovered -to one side, then flicked back, and later showed in its very centre the -figure of a man bent almost double crouching beside the wall, a metal -object on one knee gripped by one hand, an object which reflected the -beam brightly. - -"It's----" shouted the Sheriff, and then a sharp crack from a revolver -drowned his voice and stunned the ears of all present. They saw the -flash of the weapon, and a moment later watched as the crouching figure -darted along the side of the tunnel, and swept round a corner, while a -second shot, a second reverberation, wakened the echoes, and a bullet -flicked a piece out of the edge of rock round which that crouching -figure had doubled. - -"Come on," shouted Jim, while Larry beat himself on the breast, vexed -that he should have missed such a shot. - -"It's the light," he cried angrily, "it put me out; I wasn't expecting -it. Seems to me I'd better have a torch, too. Here! hand one over, -Jim, then I shall know when to put it on and be ready." - -For five minutes or more they struggled on, running at times, and then -halting to listen. Finally Larry clapped a wet and perspiring hand on -Jim's shoulder. - -"Gee!" he said; "it ain't no good, this here runnin' up and down like -rabbits. Every time we moves the fellow hears us. This party's too big. -Let's divide, or, better still, supposin' we post sentries who will -block the tunnel. You see the skunk we're after is mebbe bolting round -and round in a circle." - -"That's true," Jim assured him. "There are burrows leading in all -directions here, and it's not at all difficult to miss anyone." - -"Particularly if you're anxious to avoid a meeting, same as this -white-livered German," grunted the Sheriff, who was panting after his -exertions. - -"And you've got to remember," said Larry, "that every time we moves -he hears us. Listen! There, didn't I say so? That's the varmint we're -after, and mebbe he's two or three hundred yards away, yet you can hear -his feet splash in a pool of water." - -There echoed along the wet walls of the gallery the sound of a distant -splash, and then there was silence for a few moments, broken again by -the clatter of someone's heel against a piece of rock. - -"Same as he hears us," growled the Sheriff. "Larry's right, and we've -got to break up this party. Well then----?" - -He plucked at Jim's shoulder, and the latter at once responded. - -"Larry and Dan and I will go on," he said abruptly. "You, Mr. Sheriff, -and the others had best divide into two--half here and half farther -back. That may trap the fellow we're after. Meanwhile we three who are -going on can crawl very carefully and slowly beside the wall of the -gallery and halt after a while. If we hear our man we will try and get -nearer, but our main object will be to get him to move nearer to us, -then we'll have our lights on him in a moment." - -"Not forgettin' guns," laughed Larry, "not forgettin' this here, this -shooter! It's just horse sense that, Mr. Sheriff. Jim's been long -enough in the mine to know his way about, and he's listened hours and -hours, same as me, and knows what it is to hear a man a-comin'. When he -sits down and listens to you movin' along to him, and it's a case of -shootin' between two people, it's the man who sits tight and does the -listening has all the chances. Shucks! Jim's given us an idea what's -worth followin'." - -It took but very little time to make their preparations, when Jim -and Dan and Larry again crept away, this time at a much slower pace, -halting when they had proceeded some two hundred yards. Here they were -at a point where a smaller gallery left the main one, and ensconcing -themselves at the entrance they lay down and listened. - -"Seems to me as the skunk's got right away," said Larry, his patience -nearly exhausted when they had lain there nearly half an hour and not a -sound had reached their ears, save those made by their distant friends -who were patrolling the main gallery, "suppose----" - -Dan gripped him by the shoulder. - -"H--h--ush!" he whispered. - -Jim pushed his torch forward and made ready. - -"Aye!" grunted Larry, and then there was a faint click as he prepared -his revolver. - -"Wait!" Someone was coming toward them. A sound of stealthy footsteps -reached their ears, though whether coming from the left or the right -was at that moment uncertain. Peering in both directions, the three lay -there with bated breath, endeavouring to remain cool and yet almost -trembling with suppressed excitement. Then, of a sudden, the sound of -a splash only a few yards away arrested their attention, and caused -them to start to their knees. An instant later their two torches cast -beams into the gallery, and centred themselves with a flash upon an -individual creeping along some twenty yards from them. It was the -German without a doubt, hatless, dishevelled, sopping wet, and bearing -a haunted, hunted expression. He blinked as the light fell full in -his face, and then snatched at a weapon which he held concealed in a -pocket. At the same moment Larry's pistol spoke, and with a howl the -man dropped his left arm helpless beside him. But a moment later a -flame flashed from beneath his coat, and one of the three fell with -a dull thud on to the wet ground which floored the tunnel, his fall -pushing Larry aside and upsetting his aim so that his second bullet -went wide of the mark. A moment later the man was gone, and could be -heard scuttling along into the distance. - -[Illustration: ONE OF THE THREE FELL WITH A DULL THUD] - -"Show a light," said Jim hoarsely, as he bent over Dan's prostrate -figure; "where's he hit, Larry? Ah!--look!" - -Beneath the wide-open shirt which Dan wore there was a splash of colour -extending over his broad chest, a splash of red running down beneath -the cotton. The young fellow's eyes were closed, his face, brilliant in -the rays of the electric torch, was desperately pale, while he seemed -to have ceased breathing. - -"Hard hit!" said Larry. "If I don't rip the heart of that darned -German! And next time I don't shoot only to wound, to make him -helpless, same as I did this time, I shoot to kill, Jim, shoot to -exterminate the varmint." - -They debated for a while what they would do, and then whistled for the -Sheriff and his party to join them. - -"It's a bad do!" the latter said when he came up and looked at Dan, -bending over him and feeling his pulse and then counting his breathing. -"Hard hit, as you say, Larry, but he's young and strong and ain't taken -to liquor; if anyone can pull through it's Dan. Only, he's got to get -every chance, which means that the sooner we've got him out of here -the better. Let's carry him, boys; later on we'll hunt out this German." - -"Later on?" said Jim, who had now recovered a little from the shock -which Dan's condition had caused him. "No, Mr. Sheriff, I'm going on -at once, there's no time to be lost, for when it gets dark a fellow's -chance for creeping out of the mine will be enormously improved. I'm -going to hunt him down and either shoot or capture him, which it don't -matter." - -"Same here," declared Larry, "same here, Mr. Sheriff; now's the time, -as Jim says. We've winged our man, and chances are he's bled quite -a heap and will be weak like and more easily taken. If we wait till -to-morrow he may have got away or got his arm tied up, and be in better -shape to meet us. Now's the time. You pull out, Mr. Sheriff, with Dan, -for the boy's life depends on it; me and Jim's goin' forward." - -They parted, the Sheriff and his men to pick Dan up with every care and -bear him along as gently as they could to the entrance; there he was -put in a car and hurried down to the mining hospital below, where, in -case of casualties occurring, the surgeon was already in attendance. - -"Hum!" he said; "a close call, Mr. Sheriff. I don't know! I don't -know! Indeed," he continued, shaking his head as he bent over Dan's -almost lifeless figure and put his stethoscope to his chest, "slick -through--small-calibre bullet, and not over-much bleeding. Missed the -heart by two or three inches, which is lucky. Well, it might have -been worse, Mr. Sheriff, it might have caught him right through the -heart, or that bullet might have lodged in his lung and set up no end -of trouble in the future. If he lives for a few days, he will pull -round. You and your men get off now and leave Dan to me and the nurses; -but----" he shook his head again, "but, Mr. Sheriff, don't count on -anything wonderful." - -Meanwhile, Jim and Larry had pushed on resolutely into the darkness of -the tunnel. - -"Hold hard!" said Jim after a while, when they had crawled some -distance and had listened on many occasions, only to hear nothing which -told them of the near presence of the man they were seeking. - -To be sure, there came to their ears the steady dripping of water as -it splashed into the inky-black pools on the floor of the tunnel, and -now and again a distant echo which reverberated gently along the whole -length of the gallery. - -"It's the Sheriff talking in that big voice of his to the men in the -opening," Larry explained. "This here tunnel's like a speaking-tube. -Well, what is it, Jim?" - -"I've been thinking. This is like hunting for a needle in a bundle -of hay. We've nothing to go on, Larry, except sounds, and they're -uncertain; it seems to me that we must pursue a different course." - -"A different course?" asked his companion, a little astonished. "How? -which way?" - -"I don't mean in direction; I mean course of action. See here," said -Jim, "you've winged the German." - -"Winged!" said Larry, his tones now those of disgust. "If I was worth -a cent with a gun I'd have drilled a hole clean through him. I could -'a done, Jim. Ef you was to put up a dollar at ten paces distant, end -ways on, I'd hit it slick ten times out of ten, and I ain't boastin' -now----" he ended, with a low hiss of annoyance. - -"Everyone knows what you can do, Larry," Jim told him. For indeed -Larry's prowess with a revolver was known throughout the mine. - -"If you couldn't shoot straight you wouldn't have been able to hit -his arm; for you've told us you meant only to wound him. Of course I -understand that you wish now that you'd killed him, for then Dan might -not have fallen, but you've winged him and probably he's bleeding. -Perhaps if we use our torches, we shall be able to follow a trail if by -chance he's left one." - -The suggestion cannot be described as one of any brilliance, for indeed -it was so very obvious; yet in the excitement of the chase it had not -occurred to either of them before, and now the prospect it offered -caused Larry to grip Jim by the shoulder eagerly. - -"It's it! Gee," he whispered excitedly, "ef it don't offer the only -chance! And then?" - -"And then," said Jim, "if we get on his trail we shoot off our lights -and go forward say twenty yards and pick it up again. In that way, -sooner or later, we may get him cornered. He'll shoot." - -"Aye, he'll shoot," agreed Larry, "and we'll chance that, Jim. Only, if -the chance comes, you can lay it that we'll flatten out our man with -one of these bullets. Pity you ain't armed, Jim, you ought to 'a had a -gun along with you; but you ain't fearful." - -"Fearful! Let's move on. Now search the ground with your light." - -It was not until ten minutes or more had passed that the two as they -crept along the floor of the gallery came upon a patch brighter than -that they had been traversing, and here on the wall, about three feet -from the floor, there was the impression of a hand--a blood-stained -impression. For the outline of the fingers and the palm of a man's hand -were imprinted upon the stone in a brilliant red--sure sign that the -German had gone in that direction. - -"And here's his boot-mark in the mud at the foot of the wall," said -Larry, pointing it out to Jim, "and right here's another and another. -He was going along this way. See, here, Jim," he whispered, putting his -lips close to the ear of the young fellow who was his companion, "ef it -was me alone as was leading this expedition, I'd turn off me light here -and get ready with the feet. I'd move along quick, say a hundred yards -or more, and then lie low and listen." - -"Same as I was going to suggest," Jim answered. "Come on, let's hold -hands so that we don't get separated; and after this, not a word, not a -sound!" - -Hurrying forward, they stopped again when they thought they had covered -the distance agreed upon, and then sat down with their backs against -the wall of the gallery, listening and waiting. It was some ten minutes -later that the faintest whisper of a sound was heard, a whisper which -appeared to be approaching them, although that was a matter for -conjecture. They listened intently till both were certain that someone -was approaching them, though whether in the gallery in which they -themselves were waiting, or in some other of the numerous burrows which -honeycombed the mountain, was a matter they could only guess at. Then, -of a sudden, they became aware of the fact that whoever gave rise to -the sound was very near them. Almost instantly they switched on their -lights, and just as rapidly one of them went out, while at the same -moment Larry gave vent to a shrill exclamation, and a flash of flame on -the far side of the gallery and a loud report accompanied the cry he -gave. - -When Jim contrived to turn his own torch on the point where the flame -of a pistol-shot had illuminated the darkness, the tunnel was bare, -there was not a sign of anyone, though rapidly moving away were the -sounds of retreating footsteps. By his side lay Larry, groaning and -muttering and growling. - -"Guess that there fox has managed to do us in again," he managed to -tell Jim. "You lay hold o' me, young fellow, and carry me under yer -arm. I'm only a small bit of a chap, and of no great account, but, Gee, -if I get hold o' that chap! If I ever gets square face to face o' that -feller!" - -It was indeed a sorry finish to what might have been quite an -exhilarating affair. Undoubtedly the German had got the better of the -bargain. In some uncanny manner, indeed, he had contrived to hoodwink -all his pursuers, and late that night was clever enough to slip out of -one of the exits and escape from the mountain. All that could be heard -of him after that was that he had managed to reach the Pacific coast, -and had taken ship no doubt for Germany. One clue he left: a photograph -of himself, which was found in his lodgings. Below the portrait the -man's signature was scrawled in a calligraphy decorated with many -flourishes. - -"Perhaps we'll see him over t'other side," said Larry, a few days -later. "Guess we'll find no difficulty in recognizing that ugly mug -wherever we come across it." - -"And I just hope that happy meeting 'll come along pretty quick," -agreed Jim. "As soon as you are fit to move we'll get off there and -make tracks." - -"Aye, aye, make tracks!" cried Larry, for they had talked the matter -over and decided to leave for France at the very first opportunity. -"Our chaps will be trained over this side," Larry had said, "but -that's too slow a job for me. Reckon a man as can shoot same as I can, -and same as you, will be useful over yonder. Pity Dan can't come." - -Dan couldn't, and indeed would hardly be fitted for the duties of a -soldier for many months to come, for the German's bullet had wounded -him severely. But his place was taken almost at once by English Bill, a -mere stripling. - -"Son o' Charlie, down in the saloon in the camp," he told Jim. "You -see, mother's an English-born woman; father came over here seven years -ago, leaving me and mother to follow. I've been here just a year." - -"Just a year!" repeated Larry, looking the stripling over. "And what -may be your age, young feller? Yer size and yer cheek, don't yer know, -make yer out to be a good twenty; yer face, and what-not, says that yer -barely eighteen." - -"Seventeen this last fall--old enough to come along o' you and do -something to them Germans," came the quick answer. "I can shoot, too, -Larry. You ain't the only one that knows how to hold a gun. Father -taught me. Besides, didn't this low-down hound murder him? Wasn't he -a German agent? Hasn't England been fighting Germany this last three -years? What's the good of me here then? I've something to do in France, -same as you have. I'll come right along." - -And come right along English Bill did, stripling though he was, and -made quite an excellent companion for Jim and Larry. Indeed the three -of them were to meet with many adventures before they reached France -itself, and there, with British and French and American troops round -them, were to see quite a deal of fighting. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -"En Route" for Europe - - -It was three weeks after the affair of the copper mine and the runaway -German, and of the murder of Charlie by this unscrupulous agent of the -Kaiser, that Jim and Larry and the juvenile English Bill--William John -Harkness--made definite plans for their departure. - -"Yer see," said Larry, as he stood, hands thrust deep into the -capacious pockets of his trousers, his head tilted forward, and his cap -over his brows, "yer see, young feller, it ain't been possible before -to get a move on. There's been--there's been things to do," he said -rather lamely, a little diffidently. - -"Huh!" Jim merely nodded and looked a little askance at Bill, who, like -many a youngster, coloured as his deeper feelings were stirred. - -"Yep," he blurted out a minute later, though the two of them saw him -gulp. "Yep," he repeated, aping the speech of Larry; for Larry and Jim -seemed to this young English lad personalities to be envied, admired, -and copied. "There's been things! The burial of Father, for instance, -the winding up of affairs." - -"Aye," grunted Larry, "the winding up of affairs, and yours have been -important, Bill." - -Jim nodded, and again the young fellow beside them flushed. Indeed, -the winding up of his personal affairs had been to him, if not to the -others, quite a big concern, which, coming very fortunately for him -immediately after the death and burial of a father whom he admired and -respected and cared for deeply, had helped to distract his grief from -the loss he had suffered. - -Curiously enough, it turned out that Charlie, the bar tender, was by no -means bereft of this world's goods. It should be noted that bar tending -in America is a highly-thought-of occupation, controlled by its own -particular Union, demanding high wages, and the best of surroundings -and conditions. Add to this that Charlie, popular with all with whom he -came in contact, was a man possessed of no small intellect, and one can -gather good reasons for his becoming affluent. - -"A man can work quite contented at what seems a subordinate job, young -Will," he told his only son soon after he had joined him from England. -"I don't mind saying I could give up this work to-morrow if need be, -and live perhaps at ease like what's sometimes called a 'gentleman' -back in England. But I ain't the one for living at ease. Work's what -I like, and plenty of it, so long as it's congenial; and here it's -that all the time. And mark you this, lad, I'm a teetotaller, though -I do serve drinks over a bar, often enough to rude miners. But I was -sayin', a chap don't need to leave his work if he likes it, and working -behind a bar don't prevent me from making a way in other directions. -There's mining shares to be bought by the chap that's saved; and I've -bought 'em. If yer mother had lived, she could have gone back to -England and aped the lady. There's been ranch shares to buy, and them -too I've taken a liking to, and done well with 'em. Think it out, me -boy, a man thrifty and careful, and who works steadily most every day -and most hours of the day, will have dollars to spare to put into work -that other men are doing; and so it goes on till one day he turns round -and finds that he's got quite a tidy sum tucked away to cover the time -when he's too old for working." - -It was that "tidy sum" that Larry referred to when he said that English -Bill had had "affairs" to clear up, and it was those "affairs" and the -attorney to whom Jim introduced him that distracted Bill's attention -from the loss he had suffered, taking his mind from the gruesome act -of that rascally German and forcing him to concentrate on other more -humane affairs. Now everything was cleared up, the estate of the -murdered Charles was either sold already or being sold, the money was -banked, and there was no longer any need for Bill to be in attendance. -As for Jim, he was satisfied that Dan was progressing, slowly, perhaps, -but surely. - -"Though he won't be fit for months yet," the doctor told him. "As it -is, he's had as narrow an escape as you could imagine, and it'll be -months before he's able to run about, which means that it will be -months before he finds his way to France to take part in smashing that -villain of a Kaiser. Aye, villain!" he cried, bringing a fist down with -a bang on the edge of the operating-table. "D'you think we over here -don't know? Haven't I friends, American doctors, that have been over in -England these months past, who joined up to help the British Medical -Service? Haven't they been in France? Aren't there friends of mine who -have been working for months in the French hospitals? And what's their -tale?" - -If Jim had waited to hear the whole tale--for the doctor was -notoriously garrulous--he would have heard much that he had already -read, and would certainly have gathered some new information: news of -shattered villages, of smashed châteaux, of a country ravaged wherever -the Hun could reach it, of the Cathedral of Reims levelled almost, of -poisoned gas projected at French and British, of dastardly acts in all -directions, of the bombing of towns and villages, and the slaughtering -of women and innocents. But Jim knew a lot about it himself. It had not -required the dastardly act of that German who murdered Charlie to rouse -him to a state of indignation, to make him swear to leave for France -at the earliest possible opportunity. He had read of the ravaging of -Belgium; he too knew something of the diabolical acts of the Germans -to their British and French prisoners. Besides, it did not want a -very wise man to realize that the German was no ordinary combatant. He -had not hesitated to break every rule of warfare. Was not one of his -infractions of the general usages his new, widely proclaimed intention -to torpedo and submarine every ship afloat, whether it carried women -and children, or whether only merchandise? - -Jim knew his own mind, like thousands and thousands of other Americans. -He had only waited the word of the President of the United States. -That word was spoken, and nothing now could hold him back, after the -personal experience he had so recently met with. - -"Guess we can board the train to-morrow," said Larry, pushing his head -a little farther forward and looking at Bill in such a truculent way -that one would have thought that he meant to be pugnacious. - -"Yep--the 5.45 out," came the answer. "Bags packed; got some dollars in -my pocket, with a draft on a bank at Noo York." - -"And then?" asked Jim, for, though the three had made up their minds to -leave for France together, they had not yet discussed the details of -their journey. It didn't seem to matter, in fact, so long as they did -reach France, and at the earliest possible moment. - -"And then?" - -"Oh, and then? Yep," said Larry, opening his lips, shutting his eyes, -and then grinning inanely at the two of them. - -"Yep," he repeated, and looked hard at Jim. - -"Yep," said Bill, looking in the same direction. - -"And then--oh!--and then," said Jim, scratching his head, "well, let's -get there," he added in the most practical voice. "The train will take -us there without any bother, and once on the spot we'll be nearer the -coast--on the water, as you might say--and could really get a move on -about sailing." - -See them then on the cars _en route_ from Salt Lake City, via the -Canyon, to New York, where, in the course of four days, they put in an -appearance. - -"First thing is to fix up quarters," said Larry as he jingled a few -cents in his pockets. "Time was when I come to Noo York and gone to the -best hotel. That was in good times, Jim, when I was out for a holiday -and didn't mind spending. But this is business; we're on a different -jaunt altogether now. Say now, we'll make right down for the docks." - -Taking their "grips" (hand-bags) with them--for, like many an American, -the three travelled very light, and (porters not being in evidence -at the stations as they are in England) were therefore not in any -difficulty--they found their way to the cars (tram-cars) which plough -in all directions through the old and new portions of this premier city -of America, where once the Dutch held play, and where in their turn -the British dispossessed them. Presently they were down in the docking -area, with warehouses about them, the masts of huge ships projecting -into the air--amongst them not a few which were German. Larry jerked a -somewhat dirty thumb in that direction. - -"There's the _Vaterland_ and what-not yonder," he grinned. "Ships nigh -thirty or more thousand tons, what the Kaiser built to beat creation on -the water. Guess they'll be American soon, if they ain't already." - -"Not yet," replied the critical Jim, "though in effect they do belong -to the country. I was reading in the news last night that Uncle Sam -has put a guard upon each of the ships belonging to Germany, and that -the crews which have lived on them all these months since the war -began in Europe have been sent ashore. Pity is that in the meanwhile -they've damaged the engines, though our workmen will soon make that -good. And--who knows?--in a few months' time they'll be taking American -soldiers to France to teach the Kaiser his lesson." - -To Larry and Jim the sights they saw all along the waterside were -novel, for, though Larry had been to New York before, and indeed had -travelled quite a considerable amount in America, the water-side had -never attracted him, but now that he was likely to embark for France, -ships and all that passed on the ocean were a source of interest to -him. To English Bill--young Bill as they sometimes called him--the -sight was a common one. - -"There'll be ships and ships going across," he told his two companions. -"Store-ships filled with food, some for the Belgians, who are nigh -starving, other store-ships with food for Britain, because, you see, -being an island with a big population, she cannot very well feed them -all. Besides, as folks told me before I came out, she has these many -years devoted herself to manufacturing all sorts of articles. She's -allowed her land to go under grass, and hasn't been growing the crops -that once she used to produce. There's the Argentina, there's America, -there are the wide wheatfields of Canada to supply her." - -"Or were," Jim said laconically, "or were, young Bill." - -"Aye," agreed Larry, with a puff of the lips, "and will be yet, Jim. -You are thinking of submarines. Well, it'll take all the submarines -that the Kaiser's got, and a heap more, to keep America from sending -food to our British allies. But you was talkin' about ships, Bill. What -then?" - -"There's others full of ammunition--ammunition made in American -factories--going over to be fired by British and French guns. There'll -be steamers and sailing vessels. Seems to me that, as not one of us -three knows one end of a ship from the other, we'd better keep away -from sailing vessels. There would be jobs, perhaps, aboard one of the -steamers, and we might manage to get taken on." - -"You! Take you on!" said a huge upstanding figure with a ruddy face, -whose curly locks protruded from beneath the blue sailor cap he was -wearing. "You!" he laughed, almost scornfully, and yet with a kindly -note, as he stood over English Bill and peered down at this smiling -youngster. "Think as we've got jobs for such as you aboard our vessel!" - -Then he laughed outright, and clapped a huge hand on Bill's shoulder. - -"You'll be English," he said. - -"Aye. English Bill, we call him," Larry interjected. - -"British!" Bill fired out, "same as these here two, only they're -American." - -"American, of course," the huge sailor responded, looking a little -puzzled. "But British? How?" - -"He means," said Jim, with one of his pleasant smiles, "that America's -allied with Britain and France and all the rest of the Entente against -the Kaiser and his barbarians, so that we are all one and the same--all -friends, all fighting for the identical cause. Besides, Bill and we two -are chums, so it don't matter whether you call us all three Americans -or all three British. I ain't ashamed of being one or the other after -seeing the way Britons have shown up, have come forward by the million, -have fought the Hun in France and many another place. After that, why, -who's going to be ashamed of being mistaken for a Briton? Not me, eh, -Larry?" - -"Nor me neither," jerked the latter, his head thrust forward as was -his wont, his cap tilted at a most dangerous angle, his eyes screwed -up, peering at the big sailor. "See here," he said, "I like yer look, -stranger. Yer come from aboard that ship, do yer?" - -"I do," the man admitted, and then laughed uproariously. "You three -just take it! And what may be yer wants? This 'ere youngster you've -called English Bill has asked for a job. Well, there may be a job--two -or three of 'em; only what for? What's your game? There's talk of -America adopting conscription, eh?" and he looked a little slyly at -them--a little sharply at Larry and Jim, whereat the former actually -scowled and then smiled. - -"I know what you're thinking of, but it's natural. Down at the mines, -if a chap had said that to me, most likely there would have been -shooting. You are right, though. There has been men elsewhere, perhaps, -that has tried to escape their national duty by slipping away from -their country. Well, stranger, just listen to this. We three are bound -for France. We're in a hurry to join up and get a slap in at the -Germans." - -Thereupon they sat down on the quay-side and told their story, to which -the big sailor listened intently, sometimes scowling, then nodding his -head in evident approval. - -"Tom's my name," he said, when the yarn was finished--"Tom Burgan, but -Tom'll be good enough for you young fellows; and let me say I like yer -spirit. It was a pity, though, that you didn't nail that Heinrich. -I should say that he was an enemy agent. There are lots of 'em in -America, as you people must know by now, seeing the way there have been -fires at works which have been manufacturing munitions for us Britons. -What do they call that, eh?" - -"Sabotage," said Jim. - -"Aye, something of that sort," agreed Tom. "'Sabitarge,' let's call it. -Dirty work, whatever you calls it. Pity is, I say, that this Heinrich -escaped, 'cause he's free to carry on the same sort of work elsewhere. -And he shot young Bill's father, did he? And he was a good man, eh?" - -Bill's lips twitched; they always did when his father was referred to. - -"A good man, Tom!" he ejaculated; "there never was a better." - -"And proudly spoken, too. Happy's the man that knows that his son will -say that of him. Well, let's hope you'll meet this German again; only, -look out for squalls if you do. As for the search you made for him, it -must have been tricky business in that mine. It must have been nervy -sort of work seeking for him in those dark passages. And now you're -looking for more trouble. That don't surprise me. Every man that's -the proper age--and the younger and more active he is, the sooner he -seeks it--seeks for something over in France, on the high seas, or -elsewhere, some job that he can do to put a spoke in the wheel of the -German Emperor dominating the world. Well, he flooded the sea with his -submarines to keep all ships from sailing. Ho, ho, ho!" laughed Tom -uproariously, disdainfully, and the trio who listened to him joined in -heartily. "But come aboard; we'll go and see the old man." - -"Old man?" said Jim. - -"Aye, old man," Tom repeated, winking at Bill, who evidently understood -the meaning of the words he had employed. - -"Old man?" said Larry, a puzzled look on his face. "See here, Tom, and -no offence meant, I don't want to be serving under no old man." - -"You come aboard," said Tom, gripping him by the shoulder and lifting -Larry to his feet as if he were a child or a doll or some quite -inconsiderable person. "The old man's my skipper. 'Old man' stands for -skipper in the navy. You'll find him young enough even for your liking. -Step aboard." - -"Af'noon, sir," he said, addressing a dapper, clean-shaven, nautical -individual who at that moment emerged from a companion and stepped on -the deck before them. "Here's three who wants to make for France to -fight the Germans. There's three jobs goin' aboard, for you're short -of your complement by that and more. How'll they do? This 'ere lad's -English to his toe-nails." - -"Oh!" The nautical individual looked Bill up and down in that swift way -that officers have, and seemed to take in every tiny feature. "To his -toe-nails," he tittered, for Tom was quite a character aboard the ship, -and could take certain liberties with his officers. - -"Aye, sir," repeated Bill, liking his look, "from the hair of my head -to the soles of my feet, and these two are Americans, just as much -American as I am British." - -"And what can you do?" asked the Skipper, for it was he undoubtedly. -"This young fellow," and he pointed to Jim, "looks strong and steady, -and could do almost any job aboard. Young Bill, here, will fit in -almost anywhere, but you----" and he pointed a finger at the diminutive -Larry. Even to be unusually kind to him and a little flattering, Larry, -with his small attenuated figure, his ill-fitting clothes, his absurdly -big head, and his somewhat buccaneering appearance, was anything but -an attractive object, and certainly looked as though he were hardly -capable of strenuous work. "But you----" repeated the Skipper; "now I -have my doubts!" - -It was like Larry to fire up at once. - -"Doubts! See here, Old Man," he growled. - -Whereat Jim put out a restraining hand, and Tom, enjoying the joke, -roared heartily. - -"He can do a day's hard work with anyone, yep," said Jim; "and if you -was to get into any sort of trouble this here Larry would be a good -man: he can shoot, he can. When we're out at sea he'll give you a show, -and if it's a case of hitting a dollar at ten yards or of perforating -a tin that's thrown in the air, why Larry's your man. And he ain't so -fierce as he looks, nor so delicate neither." - -The upshot of the whole thing was that then and there the three were -taken on as hands aboard the vessel, for indeed it was hard to obtain -full crews just at that period. A day later the ship cast off her -mooring, backed into the Hudson River, and, swinging round with the -assistance of a tug, was soon steering out towards the ocean. Little -did Bill and his friends dream, as they looked back and watched New -York disappear, and the banks of the beautiful Hudson River sink into -the distance, that their voyage to Europe and to France would prove as -eventful, even more so, as had been their last few weeks at the copper -mine, where the German had put in an appearance. - -A peaceful voyage was denied them, first, because the weather was -unpropitious. A hurricane faced them as they gained the ocean, and for -four or five days the vessel whirled amongst the waves, huge masses of -spray bursting over her forecastle, while her decks heaved and tossed -in a manner which tried even Tom and older sailors. As for Bill and Jim -and Larry, all the fight was knocked out of them. - -"I'd rather die!" groaned Larry, after many hours had passed, as he lay -prostrated in his bunk. "Here, you, Tom!" he said feebly, "take me up -and shy me overboard. I'd like to drown." - -"You'll just sit up and swallow this 'ere 'ot cup o' stuff," the sailor -told him, roughly gripping him with that huge hand of his; "now open -yer face and take it in. No lyin' down again, neither; up yer get! Move -up and down! Now you, Jim! Bill's already feelin' better--youngsters -do. How's that, Larry? It's made yer feel good and warm inside. -What?--you won't? Oh, won't yer?" - -And Larry did in most obedient manner. Indeed Tom's friendly treatment -soon brought him round, so that, as the gale abated, all three were -already proving useful. It was then, or a little later, that events -occurred to disturb the remainder of the voyage. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -A German Agent - - -"I've been thinking," said Bill, on the fifth evening after the three -friends had left New York on their journey to Europe. - -"Aye," said Larry in his slow way. "Thinking of what, Bill?" - -"Wonder," said Bill, "what a man would want out here in the middle of -the ocean to be slinking along the deck at night as if he was afraid of -meeting people." - -Jim and Larry looked at him in some astonishment, a little puzzled to -know what he meant. - -"A man slinking along at night out here?--Where?--on this vessel?" -asked Jim. - -"Yep," came the abrupt answer. "What 'ud he want to do? Who'd he be -afraid of meeting?" - -"Meeting?" said Larry. "Is this one of the crew? Course he must be, -though, 'cos there ain't anyone else aboard the ship; we ain't carryin' -passengers. What do a man want to be slinkin' along at night-time for, -Jim? It was at night-time, wasn't it, Bill?" - -"Yep," again came the curt answer. - -"And what else did he do?" asked Jim, beginning to get interested. -"Tell us all about it." - -"I was on watch," said Bill, "and Tom had sent me down from the -fo'c'sle to the waist to get him a drink of water. The ship was -rolling about fairly well, and so I had to hang on to a stanchion as -I was crossing. I was just by the donkey engine when I saw a man on -the far side passing me. He was hanging on too, going along almost on -all-fours." - -"Yes, yes," said Jim, "looks as though he was afraid of falling, same -as you were. Perhaps he's a new hand, same as us, only----" - -"Not that," said Bill sharply. "Someone shouted an order just then from -the bridge, which was above us; the man squeezed himself in close to -the donkey engine, and I could see him turn his face to look up at the -bridge. He lay there two or three minutes and then slunk off. At the -far end he disappeared, and I went on my errand. I did not think much -of it then, but I have been thinking since. It was queer." - -It was so queer that, after discussing the matter, the three decided -to set a watch to see whether they could gather further information, -and that night once more as Jim and Bill, who lay together in the -waist, were about to return to their bunks, inclined to pooh-pooh the -importance of the whole incident, a man's figure appeared, dimly seen -under the light shed by the thin crescent of the moon, a man who slunk -across the deck, sheltering behind the engine, the mast, and the -hatchway. Then he was gone, only to reappear a little later, and then -disappear once more just after an order had been called from the bridge -and the man on watch on the forecastle had responded to the hail. - -"It's mighty queer," said Larry when the three were closeted together -in the cabin in which they were quartered. - -It should be explained that the bunks usually handed over to the crew -had, on this particular ship and on this particular voyage, been -vacated for a special reason, and the space thus left free was filled -with war material of an important nature. The ship herself, in pre-war -days one of the ocean greyhounds which conveyed passengers between the -United States and England, provided ample accommodation elsewhere for -the crew as well as a 'tween-decks space for cargo--in this case, as -has been hinted, of unusual value. - -"Mighty queer," repeated Larry, as he thrust the stump end of a cigar -into the corner of his mouth, American-wise, and chewed it savagely. -"You're sure you're right, you young chaps. This feller, who is -he?--one of the officers, crew, or what?" - -Bill shook his head. - -"Oh!" gulped Larry, drawing at his cigar and then regarding it severely -when he found it had gone out. - -"Couldn't say. Might be anything," said Jim reflectively. "It was too -dark to be sure, but----" - -"Yep, but----" Larry flicked the ash off the end of his smoke. "Yep," -he repeated encouragingly, "but----" - -"But he went for'ard." - -"Oh, he went for'ard!" said Larry. - -"For'ard!" ejaculated Bill; "but that's where----" and then he stopped -in the midst of his sentence. - -"That's where things of importance are carried," said Larry -significantly, "things that if they was lost might hamper the troops in -France, things what Uncle Sam's been hard at work makin' so as to down -the Kaiser; now if----" - -All three looked in succession at one another, their suspicions clearly -written on their faces. - -"If," said Bill at last, "he wanted--this fellow we've caught a sight -of--to break up the ship to sink the cargo--well, isn't he the sort of -man that would slink about and not want to be seen, and disappear when -there was a hail from the bridge? Should he look sideways at everyone -and want to keep himself to himself? As to whether he's one of the crew -or not, who knows?" - -Finally they came to the conclusion that no one could guess, and that -positive evidence was required before they could proceed further with -the matter. - -"Only," said Jim in his quiet reflective way, "it's up to us to give a -hint to the old man. Supposing now we set a watch and the fellow eludes -us and really does a mischief, who'd be blamed? Who'd blame themselves -most? You would Larry--you and I and Bill." - -"But supposing it's a mare's nest, what about it?" asked Larry, pulling -hard at his cigar. "The old man would point at us, the officers would -smile, the men would smirk and have a few things to say that wasn't -altogether complimentary. I'm a quiet sort of chap I am, Jim, but when -fellers gets sarcastic it gets my goat up. I can stand fun--lots of -it--skylarkin' don't come amiss to me nor to Bill either, and I dare -say you can enjoy a little of it; but downright contempt, nasty sort -of sarcasm, that gets me every time, and I find myself fingering my -gun, that is, I should if I carried one, which I don't now, seeing it's -against the rules of shipboard." - -In the end they approached Tom, the huge sailor who had befriended them -in getting their berths on board the ship, and with his approval took -the first opportunity of having a clandestine meeting with the Skipper. - -"You've done quite rightly," the latter told them. "This may be a -mare's nest, as Larry here says. In that case it doesn't go any -further, not another man aboard the ship will know; though, as a matter -of precaution, I shall tell my officers. They have all sailed with me -for years and I can vouch for their honesty and patriotism, they are -either British or American to the backbone--and that's something in -these days." - -"Guess it is," Larry ejaculated. "Well then?" - -"Forewarned is forearmed," the Skipper said. "I'll not interfere -further. You three, with Tom here, will take the matter into your own -hands. One of you had best feign illness--serious illness I mean; and -the other two can be put on duty night and day to watch him. Tom can be -the sympathetic friend. We'll give it out that it's pneumonia or some -other ailment which will account for two of the men--two friends that -is--attending to him. After that you will make your own plans. Carry -on, as they say in the army." - -And "carry on" Bill and Jim and Larry did, with Tom's connivance. - -"And you've give it out that it's pneumonia?" asked Larry in subdued -tones that very evening, as Bill stood at the door of his cabin -with a jug of milk in his hand, while Jim stood at the foot of his -resting-place. "Every soul aboard knows as Larry, new hand--what we'd -call a 'tenderfoot' way west--is down with a go of bronchitis and a -cough what 'ud make his worst enemy sorry for him. Listen to it!" - -The impertinent fellow coughed and coughed and coughed till Jim really -felt anxious about him, while Bill, seeing the fun of the thing, -laughed so heartily that the milk spilt from the jug, and Jim brought -him up with an "about-turn". - -"That's the sort of thing you'd do at the door of a sick-room?" he -asked severely. "Here's Larry coughing his heart out, and you laughing -in that heartless way. Put the milk down and go!" - -If any one of the crew had been in the neighbourhood they would have -seen the youthful Bill slinking away with his tail between his legs; -for he recognized how injudicious his behaviour had been, though indeed -Larry was to blame, since he was the cause of it. But a few hours' -experience of this new plan caused all to settle down, and their -hilarity to give place to essential seriousness. Indeed that night all -realized that their quest meant much, not only to themselves and their -shipmates, but to the British army, which was looking for the delivery -of the goods which they were carrying. - -However, they had yet to prove that their suspicions were well founded. -It might, as Larry had said and repeated more than once with a sheepish -grin, be "but a mare's nest", in which case all three friends, and the -burly Tom in addition, felt--though they took care not to tell one -another--that the position would be a little trying. - -"You can take it from me," said Larry, when he had given up coughing -violently, and he and Bill and Jim sat with their heads close together -discussing the matter, "you can put it right like this: ef there's -a chap aboard what's slinking about, he's either crazy or he's got -something to slink for. What's a man want to slink about in the -darkness for--eh?" - -"Stealing," suggested Jim. - -"Ho! stealing!" growled Larry; "as ef there was any one of us aboard -worth robbing! No, that don't appeal to me; it's something wus." - -"Worse," Bill also thought it. He stood for a while silent and -thoughtful and then crept out of the cabin. Yet though he watched from -the waist of the ship for an hour, and Jim, who relieved him, sat there -for a similar period, nothing occurred to arouse their suspicions. -A little later, Larry, with a blanket wrapped round him, groped his -way along the deck and lay down at the doorway which led into the -forecastle. - -"If the feller's on the roam, he's got to roam over me," he thought, as -he made himself comfortable. "Of course it may be as he wants to get -down one of the hatchways. Ef so, Tom, watching back there, will spot -him." - -Yet the night passed without incident, and on the following day the -three friends continued with their plan, though now doubting more than -ever the justice of their suspicions. As to the imposition they were -practising, it was never suspected by any of the crew of the steamer. - -"That there young Larry's ill," said a stoker, as he pushed his head -up from the engine companion and wiped the sweat from his brow with -a dirty rag, which had been clean that morning, and which he removed -from his neck, as is the habit of the fraternity, "he's just the look -of a man what 'ud go down. Pneumonia, eh?" he remarked, as he casually -plugged tobacco into the bowl of his pipe. "Huh! shouldn't wonder!" he -nodded wisely. "Thin, delicate sort of a chap what 'ud break up easy. -That sort doesn't make old bones. Perhaps dead afore morning! You -never know! So long, sonny!" - -The beaming face, the smoking clay pipe, the black head of tousled hair -disappeared; the stoker dived down into the bowels of the ship, and the -man to whom he had addressed his somewhat lugubrious remarks heard the -rattle of his stoking shovel a few moments later. If the stoker himself -could have seen Larry his exclamations might well have been varied. - -"Never felt better in all my life," said the invalid, as he sat in -the corner of the cabin, smoking a cigar, which, as was his wont, was -tucked into the corner of his mouth alongside his teeth, and caused a -bulge in one cheek. "Never! Only I'm puzzled about this matter, and -don't I want to catch this fellow?--that is," he added, "ef there is -a feller, ef young Bill didn't imagine him. He's young is Bill, and -there's no saying ef he's grown out of all his youthful imaginings yit." - -Whereat Bill flared up, and became even more determined to discover the -culprit. - -"For I'm sure," he told himself, as he walked up and down the deck, -"that I saw someone--someone who was slinking about--a suspicious -someone. Well, we shall see. We are more than half-way across to -England now, and in a couple of nights we shall make the north coast -of Ireland. If anything is going to happen, it's got to happen pretty -soon. We shall see!" - -It was in fact precisely two nights later, when the ship had drawn -within twenty miles of the Irish coast, and was making a direct run -for her English port, that Bill, creeping along the deck, sighted a -flitting figure. - -"Come along," he whispered, running back to the cabin and beckoning -Larry and Jim. "I've seen someone--he's down in the waist. Don't wait -for anything, and be as quiet as you know how. I reckon we'll discover -who he is this time." - -They followed instantly, and, sneaking down the ladder, hid themselves -beside the windlass, with a mast towering quite close to them, and -there, breathless with their haste, their hearts thumping with -excitement and expectation, they waited, peering this way and that, -seeing nothing for the moment. A little later Bill stretched out a hand -and touched Larry on the shoulder. - -"There!" he whispered. "There!" and, swinging round, Larry, too, caught -a faint impression of a head and shoulders against the star-lit sky. He -waited while Jim drew closer and also saw the figure. - -Then all three crept along the deck, one behind another, as a man on -the far side of it drew away from them. - -"Bound for the fo'c'sle," Larry said hoarsely. "It's locked ain't it?" - -"Locked," answered Jim laconically. "But he'll have a key. Listen to -it!" - -There came to their ears the faint click of an instrument being used -in the lock of the forecastle door--a gentle, grinding sound, and then -silence. - -"Come on," whispered Bill; "perhaps he's gone in. Got your flash lamps?" - -All three had, and, making their way swiftly along the deck, they -soon reached the bulkhead behind which lay the forecastle. The door, -previously shut fast and locked, stood ajar. Bill pushed it open -without hesitation, Larry pressed up beside him, and Jim peered over -their shoulders. Then Bill switched on the beam of his electric torch. - -The light flooded the forecastle, fell upon that material so valuable -to our fighting forces which the vessel was carrying at full speed -to Britain _en route_ for the battle-fields, swept over a space of -empty deck, hugged other material, and glancing from it went on to the -depths beyond, almost to the bows of the vessel. There it was brought -up, as it were, abruptly by the figure of a man, half-bent, facing -the doorway, a man at whose feet stood a square iron box, in the lid -of which was a metal plunger, a man who stared at them with wide-open -eyes, startled yet full of hate, which blinked in the electric beams. - -"It's--it's Heinrich!" roared Larry, darting forward and slipping a -hand on his empty holster pocket. "It's the German that shot Charlie -back there in the camp by the copper-mine. It's the same ugly phiz as -was in the picture found in his lodgings. It's----" - -With a hasty movement the man banged a fist on the metal plunger. A -brilliant flash of light followed the movement, and then a hissing, -sizzling noise, while smoke filled the forecastle. Steps were heard, -and the door above banged as the rascal, too much concerned for his -own safety to think of any further need for caution, clambered up the -companion and emerged on the deck, then came a blinding flash, and Jim, -seizing Bill and Larry, dragged them through the doorway. - -"Back!" he shouted. "Lie down on your faces! Hi there, on the bridge!" -he bellowed. "Look out for yourselves! we've come upon our man, but -it's too late; he's fired his detonator, his bomb's on the point of -bursting." - -Before a return hail could come, almost before the three could fling -themselves upon the deck, so as to escape the effects of the impending -explosion, the deck above the forecastle soared into the air, there -came a shattering, tearing roar of breaking woodwork, a deafening -detonation, while bolts and masses of wood and iron thudded upon the -decks around or splashed into the water--water made clearly visible -by the flare which burst from the fore part of the vessel. As for the -latter, she trembled in every timber and plate, her decks shook and -rolled, she heaved and thrust her bows upward; then they came down with -a souse, and for a moment it looked as though she were going under. -But not yet! She lay with her stern high in the air and her forecastle -slowly submerging; and as she lay there helpless, changed in one -moment from a controllable dependable unit of efficiency to a shattered -wreck, of a sudden a beam broke the blackness all about her--an -electric beam projected from some surface vessel. This beam flooded the -ship, flooded the water all about her, and threw a streak of brilliant -light from a point perhaps half a mile from her. - -Somewhere in that streak there appeared a tiny object, a tiny boat in -which a single man rowed furiously--doubtless he was the German. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -Bombed in Mid-ocean - - -Darkness covered the scene a minute after that shattering detonation -which had lifted the forecastle of the ship in which Larry, and Jim, -and Bill were sailing. The deafening report, the shattering sound of -raining woodwork and iron, and the swish of timber and bullets as they -fell in the water were succeeded by a deathly silence. No one called -out, not a cry escaped the crew of the vessel. From that point, half -a mile distant across the level surface of the water, from which a -brilliant beam had played upon the scene there came not so much as a -whisper, not a hail, nothing to denote whence the light came, or from -what source--whether enemy or ally--and then, of a sudden, the darkness -was rent, though in puny form, by the comparatively feeble light from -a torch wielded by Larry. Those who stared down from the bridge to the -waist of the ship could make out the dim form of the American, with Jim -and Bill near him, and could see Larry's right arm moving up and down, -his fist shaking in the direction from which the light had flashed upon -them. - -"Of all the scoundrels!" he was shouting. "Of all the low-down German -skunks! And we was too late to take him, we was, Jim! Gurr!" The fist -came down with a bang upon his somewhat attenuated chest, whereupon -Larry coughed. - -"Silence!" There came a hail from the bridge. "To your boat stations! -Larry, come up here, and your friends too, and report what's happened. -Mr. Quartermaster, go forward and report." - -Mr. Quartermaster promptly carried out the order, in fact he was -already on his way for'ard as it came, and presently returned bearing a -smoking lantern. - -"It's driv her deck right off and blown a hole right down through her, -sir," he reported. "There's six foot or more water in the fore part of -the vessel, and she's down four foot or more." - -"Sinking?" asked the Skipper curtly. - -"Aye, sir, sinking!" - -"Ah! and how long will she take?" - -"Depends!" came the answer. "If the bulkhead holds she might make -a port safely. If it don't"--the burly Quartermaster shrugged his -shoulders--"if it don't, well it don't!" - -For a while they stood there on the bridge, considering the matter, and -then the Skipper himself took the lamp and went for'ard, taking Jim and -Larry and Bill with him, while the ship's electrician followed with a -couple of high-power lamps with which to illuminate the part which had -been damaged. - -"Not so bad as I thought," said the Skipper after a while, when he -had thoroughly examined the matter. "You can douse that light now, -for it will be seen far out at sea, and that submarine which picked -up the German might become inquisitive. There's a chance of saving -her, I think, only it's almost impossible to say at night-time. At the -first streak of dawn we'll have a careful investigation of the ship, -and meanwhile we'll victual our boats and make all ready. There's one -thing I'm glad to see: the explosion has shattered the deck above and -has blown a hole downward, but it doesn't seem to have damaged much of -our cargo; in fact, the effects of the high-explosive have not spread -except directly upwards and downwards; and that is fortunate--that is -to say, if we can save the vessel." - -The remainder of the night was spent in swinging out the boats and in -carefully victualling them all, food and water being placed in every -one of them. Then the men sat down on the deck and smoked as calmly -as might be, uncertain of the morrow, yet, sailor-like, as confident -as ever. As the dawn came, hot coffee was served round together with -ship's biscuit. - -"It'll do no harm to any one of us," the Skipper said; "and an empty -stomach doesn't conduce to high courage; a chilly early morning and -hunger don't let a man tackle a job squarely. Now then, we'll have a -good look round. Ha! four feet down, you said, Mr. Quartermaster. I -should say she was six feet down by the head now. Ugly! Don't like it!" - -"Only, she ain't more down than she was last night," came a moment -later the most emphatic answer. "I'll swear to it. At night-time a -man's likely to be put out a little in his measurements, and that's -what's happened, I believe. If she's deeper its only by a matter of six -inches, which you'd expect, seeing that I sounded the water in her hold -within half an hour of the explosion. If she ain't sunk by now, sir, -she won't sink by this time to-morrow; that is, if you don't drive her -too hard, and if the weather don't come up over too rough and blowin'." - -"If," sniffed Larry. "I'm not a sailor, but even I can see that things -are queer. Only if there's a chance of saving her we'll stand by. Trust -us!" - -A cheer came from the men who stood round waiting for the Skipper to -decide finally what was to happen. Once more he went forward, and now -that there was bright daylight, and he was able the better to examine -the damage, it was not long before he returned to them, his face set, -but his eyes bright and glowing. - -"She might sink any moment," he told them abruptly, looking round at -the expectant faces. "In that case she'd take us all down, and the -boats too. Well, those of you who don't like the outlook had better -launch a boat or so and clear off." - -"Oh! Ah! Aye!" came from the assembled crew, while one--a foreigner -from a neutral country--whimpered. Tom, the giant Quartermaster, -turned, growling, upon him. Then he swung round. - -"What about you, Skipper?" he asked bluntly. - -"Yep! what about you?" lisped Larry in his inimitable manner. "Me and -Jim and English Bill has got a little inquisitive, ain't we?" he asked, -whereat the two chums nodded. - -"Aye, very inquisitive!" Jim chimed in. - -"And I'll tell you why, sir," Bill said. "If you are not going over the -side into one of the boats to pull away, if you are going to stay here -with the chance of being pulled under----" - -"Well, what of it?" asked the Skipper, his eyes deep sunk, sparkling in -the morning sunlight. - -"That's all about it, then," Bill answered him, just as abruptly; -"we're not going either. You are in command here, and if you tell us -it's no longer a case of ordering us to stay, and that you are going to -stand by because it's duty or something of that sort, because you are -going to save the ship and her cargo, and by doing that to help your -country, that means that every mother's son of us that's English stands -by you, and every mother's son of us that's an American ally does the -same--eh, Larry?" - -That individual merely tilted his peaked cap a little forward, hitched -up his baggy trousers, and slapped the empty pocket wherein he was wont -to keep his revolver. - -"Yep," he replied, and finally extricated from the depths of one of -his coat pockets the stump of a cigar, which went into its accustomed -position. "Yep," he lisped again; "I rather like it, Skipper. Supposin' -she was to go down now and pull us with her, it wouldn't be worse than -being blown sky-high, the same as that Heinrich something-or-other -would have done with us. Sky-high, eh? You wait until I meet him again, -I'll 'sky-high' him! But it's get in at it, Skipper. You are staying, -so am I, so's English Bill, and so's Jim and Tom and every other -mother's son of us. What? No; I've made a mistake. Here's one as wants -to go over the side and pull off into safety! You--you----" he began, -as he stepped towards the shrinking sailor who had whimpered. - -"Stop!" commanded the Skipper. "Lower one of the boats and put this man -in it; only, see that there are no oars. He can tow aft, and if the -ship shows signs of going down he can cut himself adrift, otherwise if -he cuts he will be alone. In any case he will be safe, and that's what -he considers of uppermost importance. Now, lads, we've got to hold a -council of war. Tom, it's my belief that if we push the old girl along -even in this sea, for you can't call it rough, we shall burst in our -for'ard bulkheads, swamp her 'midships, and send her down like a stone." - -Tom agreed. He nodded that big curly head of his and turned his quid -into the other cheek. - -"So we'll run her astern. She's sound there, and no sea that's running -will do her any harm. It'll make steering a bit of a job, but it's not -impossible. Of course I shall lay a course for the nearest port, which -means some little corner on the Irish coast. If she gets deeper down -in the water, and looks like foundering, I shan't wait to run her into -a port, but shall beach her on the first opportunity. After all, boys, -it isn't the ship that matters so much, though ships are valuable these -days and getting more so, it's the cargo we've got, and that we must -save at any hazard." - -All through that day the crew stood by the Skipper gamely, so gamely -that, what with their jovial faces and their satirical remarks to the -sailor seated in the boat towing behind the vessel, that worthy managed -to scrape together a modicum of courage. He even begged to be taken -aboard, and, finding that no one took the slightest notice of him, -finally pulled on the rope, and, getting close under the bows of the -vessel, now sadly sunk and projecting only a little way from the water, -he managed to clamber aboard, and found his way across the wrecked -planking. - -Towards evening the wind, which had been swinging round to the west -since the early hours, veered to the east and began to blow more -strongly. The swell, which had rocked the vessel ever so gently during -the day, became bigger, and soon waves were washing against her sides -and were causing her to roll and to plunge, every plunge sending her -bows deep under, till at times it appeared they would never rise again. -Yet the crew stuck to their posts. Fortunately, too, every hand was -required to assist in navigating the vessel, for, going astern as she -was, it was no easy task to keep her on a course, and at least four men -were required at the wheel, which now steered her, her automatic steam -steering-gear having got out of order. What with preparing the boats, -making ready for their rapid launching, cooking food, hauling ropes, -and standing by the wheel, every member, whether steward or deck-hand, -had ample employment, and therefore sufficient distraction from his -dangerous surroundings. - -Yet in spite of distractions it became greatly and increasingly obvious -to all that the vessel was sinking deeper, that her buoyancy was gone, -that she lifted now so very slowly from the trough of the seas that a -larger one following in her wake might easily overwhelm her. Yet the -eyes of the Skipper still flashed and glowed as warmly as ever; Larry -strutted the deck as gamely as he had done on the first day when he had -stepped aboard as she lay in the Hudson River; Jim, his arms bare to -the elbow, worked as cheerily as any member; while Bill--English Bill, -as he had naturally come to be called--carried on as though nothing out -of the usual was occurring. It was five o'clock in the evening when the -Skipper, pointing to the Irish coast-line, now some four miles distant, -gave the order to beach the vessel. - -"She may or she may not carry as far as that," he added, his lips -compressed together. "If she does, it's a flat beach and a high -tide, so the cargo will be salved without much difficulty, even the -vessel might be salved later on, though I am not thinking of her in -particular. Keep her on that course, Mr. Quartermaster; she'll do. -I'll go right for'ard so as to con her when we get to close quarters. -English Bill, you come along too, and bring Larry and Jim. You might be -useful." - -The sun was sinking, and already evening was drawing in, but the light -was sufficiently good to enable all hands to see the Irish coast -clearly. Peering at it through the glasses which the Skipper lent him, -Bill could make out a flat pebbly shore, with land rising gradually -from it. It looked indeed the very place on which to beach a vessel, -and, better than all, the beach seemed to stretch for miles, so that -though the ship could only steer an erratic course it was hardly likely -that she would miss some portion of the part selected for landing. - -"What's that? Look yonder!" Jim called out a few minutes later, as, -having watched the shore for a time, he swept his eyes seaward. "That, -sir----" - -"A submarine! Possibly the one that took off that rascal last night. -A submarine without doubt, and coming to the surface. She's up! She's -raising her guns! There's no doubt that she took it for granted last -night that the bomb had destroyed us, and, finding us now still -floating and about to beach the vessel, she's going to shell us. Stand -by, boys! You three remain here, so as to help con the vessel; I'll go -on to the bridge to make other arrangements." - -Cool and determined, he ran aft to the bridge, and gained it as the -submarine opened fire upon them. A shell, indeed, flicked its rapid -path just above the bridge, and hitting the charthouse, stripped the -roof from it. - -"Boys," called out the Skipper, as cool as ever, "swing out the two -boats here on the starboard side. The ship will give them shelter. -Lower them into the water and let 'em tow. Now, all hands at it! One -moment, though. You, Tom Spencer, get down to the engine-room and send -the Chief Engineer to me." - -As the vessel's screws pulled her still nearer to the Irish coast, and -the men set to work, rapidly yet in good order and without confusion, -to lower the boats on the side farthest from that point where the -submarine had made its appearance, the guns aboard the latter--for she -carried two--got the range and began to burst shrapnel over her decks. -A man fell; the front of the bridge and the canvas screen along it were -torn into shreds. Another man, standing on the bulwark guiding the -falls of one of the boats, let go his hold, staggered, and tumbled head -foremost into the water. An instant later Tom, the Quartermaster, dived -in after him, and as the Skipper looked over the side he saw the sturdy -form of the lusty sailor rise to the surface bearing the man in one -arm. By then a couple of hands had swung down the falls into the boat, -and the two were dragged into her. - -Crash! A shell plunged across the decks near the after part of the -vessel, where Jim and Larry and Bill stood, and, hitting the deck house -which sheltered the steam steering-gear, rent it as if it were made of -cardboard. The explosion drove the trio to the rails, and left them -staggered and gasping. Another, bursting high amidships, flung the men -at the wheel in all directions. - -"Steady, boys!" called out the Skipper. "Four more of you get to that -wheel! Larry, how's she doing?" - -"As straight as a die! She'll do!" came the cheery answer. "Now, you -young chaps," went on Larry, as a shell ricochetted from the sea close -under the stern of the vessel, "you two had best get along towards the -bridge and go over the side into the boats. The hands are all tumbling -into 'em. They'll be clear of shells there, the ship'll give 'em -shelter." - -"And you?" asked Jim, while Bill looked sharply at Larry, looked quite -indignantly at him in fact. - -"Me----?" began Larry, as though he were intensely astonished at the -question. "Oh, me? I've been given the job of staying here, but you -ain't. You cut off, you two." - -There might have been an explosion on the spot, judging from the -appearance of Jim and Bill. They were, in fact, on the point of -reminding their chum that they too had received orders. - -"Leave the job? Funk it?" began Bill. - -"See here," Jim shouted. "I--we----" - -The arguments, whatever they were, were cut short by a blinding flash, -by a shattering detonation, then, so far as the trio were concerned, -by nothingness. A shell had burst against the ship's counter, wrecking -her rudder and smashing a huge hole in her plates just above the -water-line. In its course it crumpled the deck above upwards as if -it had been made of paper, and, bursting its way through, probably -ricochetting from one of the main beams of the vessel, it scattered -Jim and Bill and Larry in the very midst of their argument. It flung -them far from the ship, and sent them sprawling in the water, where, -fortunately for them, the cold revived them and helped to keep them -conscious. Yet it was only in a half-conscious way, automatically, as -it were, that each one battled and supported himself in the water, -while his head swam, his brain reeled, and his ears were filled with -strange noises. - -Little by little the ship passed on. Now and again other shells crashed -against her. More than once, Bill, peering through his wet eyelashes at -her, heard the sound of voices, and then presently saw a beam of light -flash from the shore, and watched as the vessel slowly grounded. - -"Saved her!" he shouted, and then subsided, as the sea washed into his -mouth and set him choking. - -Something touched his shoulder. Something gripped him by his sodden -coat-sleeve. He turned, and there, staring at him, illuminated by the -beam from the shore, was a face with which he was familiar, no one -could have mistaken it. It was the thin, cadaverous, smiling face of -Larry, with those twinkling, merry eyes of his, that happy-go-lucky, -inimitable look with which he always favoured his friends and his -enemies. - -"You!" he shouted, "and here's Jim too! Here, hang on, young Bill, -we've got hold of something that looks like a bit of a boat. Now, if we -get washed ashore, what a landing!" - -"Only----!" Jim, who lay athwart the shattered boat, peering at the -shore, blinking in the light, stretched an arm across their faces and -directed their attention to a point closely adjacent. "Look there!" - -It was the submarine, now awash with the surface, her conning-tower -thrown open. A man was standing there, while on the deck below there -were a couple of German sailors armed with rifles. Did they see the -three wallowing in the water? Were they going to shoot them down? -Heaven knows! German sailors, to their eternal dishonour, have shot -down helpless people--aye, helpless women and children, too--in open -boats after similar submarine warfare. But no. The submarine came -closer, the officer in the conning-tower gave a sharp order and -shouted. A man slid down her bulging side with a rope round his waist, -and a minute or so later the three friends had been hauled on to her -narrow deck. Then a guttural voice ordered them to clamber to the -conning-tower. - -[Illustration: THE THREE FRIENDS ARE HAULED ABOARD THE U-BOAT] - -As the good ship, which they had so gallantly helped to salve, settled -down on the pebbly shore of Ireland, a wreck no doubt, yet with her -cargo more or less intact, and, as it proved, easily and successfully -salved, Bill and Jim and Larry found themselves prisoners in the -submarine, motoring away into the North Sea, bound for a German prison. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Aboard a U-boat - - -"Which all comes of being in a hurry," said Jim, with philosophical -calm, as he squatted against the side of the submarine in the narrow -hole into which the Germans had pushed himself and Larry and Bill, and -sat there with a pool of water increasing about him. - -"Hum! Yes!" sniffed Larry, who in some miraculous manner had contrived -to salve his peaked hat, and bring it aboard the submarine with him. -He, too, sat crouched against the walls, the electric beams from a lamp -flooding his head, his attenuated form, his somewhat sloping shoulders -and short limbs, and casting a shadow of the man athwart the iron grids -which formed the deck, till Larry, pictured in shadow, looked like a -horrible demon. As for Bill, dripping with sea water, chilled to the -bone, yet as philosophical as either of his companions--for friendship -with them had taught him calmness and philosophy if it had taught -him nothing else--he lay at full length, breathing heavily, a little -depressed, yet, with youthful spirit, already beginning to think of the -future. - -"Which comes of being in a hurry! Yes, Jim," he agreed. "Only think -what it's brought us to--a submarine! and I suppose we're already under -the water." - -The two friends nodded at him. "You can hear it outside. I felt her -going down," said Larry. "Rummy feeling--eh? being right under the -sea; running along without anyone being any the wiser. Supposing one -of your British torpedo-boat destroyers--T.B.D.'s they call 'em--or -one of ours, 'cos, don't yer know, Uncle Sam's already got some of his -fleet over this side of the Atlantic, supposing they were to drop a -depth-charge on us. Disagreeable--eh?" and Larry looked at Jim and Bill -with that wry little smile of his, and shrugged his narrow shoulders; -whereat Bill at least burst into laughter. - -"You ain't going to frighten me in that way, Larry," he said. "Besides, -if it bust this show it might send us clear of her. Of course I know -it would be awkward to go to the bottom like a stone, to find yourself -boxed in this steel cage, unable to move out, waiting to be suffocated; -we won't think of that! Let's think of France, of the fighting there -that we're going to take a part in." - -"That we mean to take part in," said Jim, with determination. "Wonder -if these fellows'll give us something to eat, it was breakfast time at -daybreak, and we've had nothing since then." - -As if summoned by the speech, the door leading to the narrow -compartment into which they had been thrust opened and a German sailor -pushed his head in. - -"Come out!" he commanded, and led the way over only a few short feet -of deck to the central part of the vessel, where was all the apparatus -that controlled her movements. - -"Now tell us who you are," demanded the officer who accosted them, and -who spoke excellent English. "First--British or American?" - -"American," said Larry, pushing himself to the fore and speaking before -Bill could get in an answer. - -"Good country to come from--you'll never see it again," came the -sardonic answer. "But as you're American, and not British, perhaps -you'll get off lighter. If you'd been British I'd have pushed you -overboard." - -Larry looked at the man, contempt written on every feature of his -sharp, determined face, Jim's lips curled, only Bill stood staring at -the German as if he thought him a monster. - -"Well?" demanded the naval officer. - -"See here," said Larry, who made himself the spokesman, "this ain't -the sort of place for you and I to have a conversation on this matter. -If things was reversed, and you was me and I was you, which I'm glad -it ain't, but if it was like that, then we might have a pow-wow. -Being as it is, few words the better. As for us, if you says you'll -push us overboard, we're bound to believe you. What then--we're -Americans--what'll you do?" - -"Depends! What was the cargo you had aboard the vessel? What damage was -done?" - -"Done! How?" asked Larry, curious to learn how much the Commander knew -himself. - -"By the bomb placed by our agent--a clever trick that!" said the -officer; "a clever man Heinrich Hilker! But perhaps you don't know him." - -Whereat Larry sniffed harder, but, feeling it wise to make no answer, -stood staring round him at the various wheels and quadrants and -instruments which filled almost every available inch of the centre of -the vessel. - -"Well then," demanded the officer, when a minute had passed, "what is -your report?" - -Larry looked under the peak of his hat into his eyes, regarding every -portion of the officer down to his feet, screwed up his lips, smiled -that enigmatical smile of his and answered not a word. Then, after a -long pause, he tapped the officer on the shoulder. - -"See here, Mr. Officer," he said, "you've taken us in what you call -fair fighting, and we're prisoners; let it stand at that. You wouldn't -expect to give away what had happened in your own case, supposing -positions were reversed. Then don't expect it of an American. Play -the game, and give us something to eat and drink, for we're well-nigh -famished, and something strong would send the blood through us after -being chilled in the water." - -Maybe the German officer in command of this German submarine was of -a type different from those who have commanded the majority of these -under-water vessels, and who seem to have stooped to the murder of so -many helpless individuals. He looked Larry up and down, stared hard at -Jim, and stepped a pace closer to Bill, as if attracted by his youthful -appearance and anxious to interrogate him. Then he clapped his hands, -gave a sharp order, and saw the trio led back to the compartment in -which they had been incarcerated. There a sailor brought them food and -steaming coffee, adding to each cup some rum, which helped to warm them -wonderfully. A little later he brought them dry clothing and took their -wet garments away from the compartment; then, as if anxious to treat -them well, he produced blankets and mattresses, upon which Larry and -his two friends were soon stretched. - -Indeed they slept for hours, worn out with their exertions of the -previous night and with the struggle they had waged during the day -which had just passed. Nor were their dreams unhappy. They fell asleep -mindful of the unfortunate position in which they found themselves, but -buoyed up by the memory of their success in helping to beach the vessel -and her valuable cargo. - -"It ain't as if the Hun had done us in altogether," said Larry just -before he dropped asleep. "He was clever, he was, and that Heinrich was -about the most cunning scoundrel that the Kaiser could have employed. -See how he failed, though! Gee! That bomb ought to have blown the front -of the ship away, and yet it left her cargo almost undamaged. Reckon, -young Bill, your chaps is working like niggers now to get it salved, -and--and--we're here." - -"And alive and well," said Jim cheerfully. - -"And while there's life there's hope. And there's the French front," -Bill chimed in in sleepy tones, "that's the next thing to be thought -of." - -Yet other things soon arose to engage their attention. It was at -an early hour on the following morning--though they themselves did -not know that the day had broken, for it was quite dark in the -interior of the submarine and the electric beams still flooded their -compartment--that they knew that the vessel had stopped, and presently -felt a breath of cool air as the door of their prison was opened. - -"Come up!" a voice called, and obediently they clambered into the -conning-tower and so on to the deck of the submarine. She was lying -awash, and near her a surface vessel, a trawler by appearance. - -"Hope you haven't had an uncomfortable night," grinned the officer -in command of the submarine. "I'm transferring you to one of our -mine-sweepers. She'll take you to Germany and to prison. _Bon voyage!_" - -A boat pulled alongside and the three dropped into it and were rowed -to the trawler, which, as soon as they were aboard, hauled in its -anchor and steamed off, leaving the submarine still floating on the -surface. Not that Larry and Jim and Bill were able to watch her, for -immediately they reached the deck of the vessel they were hustled to -a companion-way and forced to go down between decks. Here, when their -eyes became accustomed to the darkness, they found themselves in the -hold of the vessel with a number of other occupants of the space seated -against the bulkheads or against the sides of the trawler. - -"Hello, mates!" began Larry, as if to open the ball. "Cheerio!" - -A short, heavily-built man came forward at once. "You're British?" he -said. "No, American!" - -"No, both," said Larry. "I'm American, so's Jim, here. This here is -Bill, who's English." - -"Submarined?" came the next question. - -"Yep. First done in by a German agent and his bomb, then gunned by a -submarine. Me and my mates were blown overboard and rescued by a fellow -in command of the submarine." - -"Rescued! That's unusual! Why?" - -Larry shrugged his shoulders. Indeed, neither he nor Jim nor Bill could -tell why it was that the submarine commander had taken it into his head -to preserve their lives. Too often, alas! men had been left floating -helpless on the water after a similar attack, and the submarine, having -risen to the surface, and its officers and crew maybe having jeered at -them, had motored off and left them to their fate. It was no wonder -then that this burly individual expressed surprise at such a happening. - -"And you?" asked Jim after a while. - -"Me and these fellows 'long with me belong to the merchant marine, -and we've to thank a submarine for being here. It's three nights ago -that, without a word of warning, without sight of the submarine, there -was a terrific explosion that burst our plates in and swamped our -engine-room. The chief engineer and his mates were killed right off, -and our skipper was thrown from his bridge into the water. We chaps set -to work to lower the boats, but they'd been smashed into matchwood. It -so happened that this trawler was steaming some few miles away, and it -may be that the same submarine that did you in was the cause of our -misfortune. Anyways, we were taken aboard and brought to the trawler, -and--and--here we are." - -"Waiting to go to a German prison," came a voice from one of the -figures seated against the bulkhead. - -"Which means wellnigh starvation for the British," said another, -whereat there was silence. - -"If--starvation if----" began Bill, as though he had suddenly thought -of something brilliant. - -"If what, young Bill?" - -"That is, if we get to a German prison." - -"If--we--get--to--a--German--prison!" the burly individual repeated -slowly, emphasizing each word in turn. "Now, you don't think--look -here, my name's Jack, and I was bos'n aboard our vessel. You spit it -out. What's the yarn?" - -Larry looked at Bill curiously. In the dim semi-darkness of the hold he -could see his face, not clearly, but sufficiently well to realize that -his eyes were gleaming. - -"Yep, Bill," he said encouragingly, "spit it out! It don't want any -tellin' that neither you nor me, nor any of these fellows, wants to go -to a German prison, but----" - -"Aye, but," said Jim, "how are we to work it not to do so?" - -"Depends," said Bill, "only it's got to be done quick, if at all. I'm -only guessing, but I reckon we're steaming now for the German coast. -There are mine-fields and all sorts of things through which a vessel -has to thread her way, and once in those we couldn't easily make our -way out again; so the sooner we get to work the better." - -"Get to work! How?" demanded Jack. - -"Like this. Make a row, shout, attract the attention of the guards, get -'em to come down here, collar one of 'em, take his rifle, fight our -way up. I'm not sure, but I had a good look round when we came aboard, -and counted only eight men. Two of them were armed, and stood near the -companion down which we came, the rest were deck-hands. There will -be the captain, too, and a small staff down in the engine-room--they -needn't count. If we're going to do it, we shall be through with the -business and masters of the ship before the engineers knows what's -happened. Then, if we are wise----" - -The burly sailor clapped a hand on Bill's shoulder. - -"You speak soft, sonny," he said; "you just talk gently for a moment. -Bless me, but I believe he's got the very idea; and if the idea's any -good it's as he says: it's got to be done now. This very moment, as you -might say, within half an hour at most, and it's got to be gone through -without whimpering. Boys, close round!" - -Heads had been lifted in the meanwhile, the figures of men crouching -against the bulkheads and against the side of the trawler, crouching -despondently it must be admitted, had moved, had straightened -themselves, while not a few of their fellow-prisoners had sprung to -their feet and come nearer as Bill and his friends discussed the matter. - -"Escape!" one of them said. "Why not?" - -"Better than going to a German prison; better than being starved. I'd -risk a hit," said another, "if I knew that I could get back to England. -Besides----" - -"Besides what? I'll tell you; besides every man's wanted to get our -ships going. What then? What next, young fellow? How's it to be done?" - -By then all of them were standing about Bill and his friends, peering -at the youth in their midst, and endeavouring to decipher his meaning; -their faces thrust forward, their hands on their hips, listening -eagerly to every word he and his friends uttered. - -As for Bill, he was rather taken off his feet by the sudden interest he -had aroused. To be sure, as he came aboard the vessel he had taken a -swift glance round, and had noticed what a small crew she appeared to -carry. In a swift glance, too, he had taken note of the companion-way, -and of the method adopted to close it. There was a door at the top, and -against that had been placed a huge bale and a coil of rope, which, -seeing that it opened outwards, effectually closed it. But strong men -from within could easily push it aside, and--why not? - -"There are two ways of doing the trick, I think," he told them, his -voice now lowered. "One of them is to feign illness and to shout for -help. That may or may not bring one of the guards down amongst us, but -it will have the effect also of warning the remainder of the crew. -T'other's to creep up, put our shoulders to the door, and heave it -open. We'd have to chance a shot from the man on guard, but once we've -mastered them we'd be free of the deck, and nineteen of us, as I make -our number to be, should be able to overpower them." - -"Line up, you men!" came from Jack. "This 'ere business wants in the -first place a lusty chap with shoulders that will take no denyin'. It's -a case for volunteers. Is any of you for it?" - -If any of the guards had peered down into the hold of the trawler just -then they would have witnessed a weird performance; they would have -seen those eighteen sturdy men, all silent, desperately in earnest, -line up, listening to the words of their leader. And as he spoke they -would have watched the whole line step forward without a moment's -hesitation. All were volunteers. - -"So it's like that!" said Jack, and Bill could have sworn he chuckled. -"Now, seein' that the companion won't carry every one of you, and one -is bound to go first, and have another strong 'un by him, and seein' -as I have the broadest shoulders of the lot--why, I go first, as is -natural, then Jim Scott comes second, 'cos he's a heavy weight, and if -I go down the door won't stand much of a push from him, will it? After -that we comes as we can, but I'm goin' to tell each man of you off for -special business." - -"Hold hard! And what about us, Mister?" came from Larry, who pushed -himself forward, automatically putting his hat at an angle as he did -so, though the darkness hid the movement. "See here, Mr. Jack, it was -one of this here party that fixed the business up. What have we done to -be left to the last?" - -For answer, the burly figure of the sailor came a little nearer and -the two gnarled hands were stretched out, the fingers extended, and, -falling upon Larry's attenuated shoulders, passed thence down his arms, -down his body, and finally to his legs. - -"No offence! You're an American, and everyone knows that Americans are -not the boys to hold back, but rather the ones to be right in front," -said Jack. "But it's beef that's wanted here, sir, British beef, and me -and Jim's got it. I don't say as we ain't got the pluck too, but pluck -won't push that door at the top of the companion open. Weight will, -beef will--get me?" - -Larry did. He had already summed up the business with his quick -American wit, and liked the bos'n and his bluff statements, liked the -bold way in which he had adopted Bill's ideas. That the other men -below fancied the English sailor there was no denying, and if it had -not been for the need for secrecy they would have cheered him. Then, -too, there was the added need for haste, there were those mine-fields -to be thought of, and the fact that every minute carried the trawler, -presumably, nearer to some German port. - -"Get you? Yep," said Larry. "'Carry on', as they say in the British -army." - -In deadly silence, feeling their way in the dim darkness of the hold, -the imprisoned sailors made their way to the companion, up which -Jack crept on all-fours, followed closely by Jim Scott, while the -others--Bill, Larry, and Jim foremost amongst them--followed closely. - -"You just shove easy and quiet first of all, so as to get a move on," -said Jack, "and then out yer comes, every mother's son of yer!" - -Leaning his whole weight against the door above, the sailor pushed -with gentle force--with force which increased every moment. The wood -creaked and bent. To those behind, eager for a successful result, it -sounded as though the timbers would crack asunder rather than that the -door would open. But no! Wait! In a moment a thin crevice of light -showed; it grew broader; it was now a whole inch wide; then two, then -three. - -Bill, peering between the legs of Jack, who stood above him, could see -right through on to the deck of the trawler, and then, with a heave and -a hoist, the door was thrown right open. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -Capture of the Trawler. - - -A deafening report greeted the coming of Jack and Jim and Bill and his -friends through the doorway of the companion which led to their prison. -A bullet flicked its path across their faces and buried itself in the -bale which had been thrown against the door--then there was a crack. -Sailor-like, with an agility of which one would hardly have thought -him capable, considering his burliness, Jack had leaped at the German -who had fired the shot, and, displaying much science in the manœuvre, -undercut him in a manner which astonished not only the marine, but some -deck hands standing close beside him. For the German's chin went back, -his head was jerked almost from his body, his feet left the deck a -moment later, and he measured his length on the steel plates. - -It was at that precise instant that Larry seized the falling rifle, and -hardly a second later that Bill, coming swiftly after him, launched -himself like an arrow in amongst the German deck hands. Jim was there -too, following up his strokes, while another party of the sailors had -turned sharp right and were sweeping the deck hands on that side of -the vessel. As for the second marine on sentry-go, he was dealt with -in the most disagreeable and summary manner--that is, disagreeable to -himself--for one of the sailors, bobbing up from the companion like a -jack-in-the-box, gripped the muzzle of his rifle as he was in the act -of firing it, and, extending his other hand, took the German by the -nape of his neck and exerted such pressure that the man first let go -his weapon, then shouted, and later screamed with pain. - -"And you ain't wanted," cried the sailor, lifting him bodily from his -feet at last, "not here! So down yer goes!" And down the German went, -falling like a bale down the companion and into the depths below, only -at that moment cleared of British prisoners. - -There, too, the deck hands were hounded within less than five minutes, -leaving only the skipper of the trawler on his bridge above, an officer -by his side, and the staff of the engine-room. - -"Just you carry on, young Bill," cried Jack, seeing that the decks were -cleared, and hearing at that moment a crack from a revolver as the -skipper opened fire upon them. "This 'ere was your manœuvre; carry it -through!" - -Bill swung towards Larry with the thought of giving him an order, -only to discover the American already stretched flat upon the deck, -sheltering behind the mast, his rifle directed on the bridge. Indeed, -almost at that same instant his weapon spoke, and the skipper, who by -then had emptied his revolver in the direction of the escaping sailors, -lifted his arms with a sudden spasmodic movement and fell back behind -the canvas screen which crossed the front of the bridge. There, within -a short space of time, appeared the face of the other officer, just -peering over the screen, his hands raised above his head, calling -loudly that he surrendered. - -"Send along a party to the engine-room hatch, and order the men up one -by one," cried Bill. "Larry, just get up on the bridge and nab that -officer. What's doing, Jack? There's a commotion. That was a gun!" - -"A gun!" Jack looked worried for a little while as he peered over the -bulwarks of the trawler and looked seaward. "This 'ere trip's come off -well, young feller, but it ain't the only fightin' we've got to do this -time. That gun-shot came from aboard a sister trawler. You can see her -there, steaming up out of the mist. She's heard the shooting. Maybe she -thinks there's mutiny aboard, though, knowing there was prisoners here, -she guesses what's happened. There's another!" he exclaimed as a sharp -report sounded from the direction in which he pointed, while through -the mist there loomed the bows of another trawler. "A shot's gone just -ahead of us. Next time they'll get our range. Things then won't be very -pleasant." - -Bill clambered to the bridge and looked eagerly about him in all -directions. Right aft he could see a party of the sailors standing -about the hatch, which no doubt led to the engine-room, and presently -a head appeared. A man was extricated by the scruff of his neck, and -was tossed on along the deck to the companion, out of which Bill and -his comrades had so recently emerged. There, at an order he had given -now some minutes ago, stood two burly British sailors, one of whom was -armed with a rifle, while the other had seized an axe from the rack -round the mast. On the bridge beside him stood Larry, alert, and as -eager as himself. At his feet lay the body of the skipper; and then -of a sudden his eye fell upon an object right forward, covered in -tarpaulin. - -"A gun!" he shouted, and waved eagerly to Jack. "Hi!" he bellowed. -"There's a gun for'ard, Jack; see if you've got any men who understand -it. There's a locker, too, near at hand, and there will be ammunition -in it. Larry, you get along with one of the men and see if you can -discover some rifles and ammunition, for we shall have to look for a -boarding-party. If not rifles, then get axes, iron bars, shovels if you -like from the stoke-hole, anything with which to repel the Germans. -Jack, ahoy!" he shouted again, and that worthy, playing up to the young -fellow whom he had placed in command, touched his cap and aye-ayed to -him. - -"Aye, aye, sir," he repeated as he came up on to the bridge, having -sent four of his men forward to the gun. - -"We have been making a bad mistake," said Bill. "She's still steaming, -but now that we're taking the hands away from the engine-room she'll -soon come to a stop. Put her about; and Jim, here, will take command of -the stoke-hole. Send some men down with him, and let 'em stand over the -German boys there." - -He hailed the men standing at the opening of the companion which led to -the hold. - -"Order up those of the engine-room staff who have been passed down, and -send them along to their job again. Some of 'em'll understand enough -English; and just see that you get 'em!" - -In between his orders, punctuating them in fact, came the thuds of the -gun aboard the other trawler, which was now clearly visible, though at -some distance. Fortunately, too, not yet had her shells reached the -vessel, though they ricochetted astern and ahead and passed over her -decks, without hitting her. As Jack put a man at the wheel and swung -the vessel round, the shots went far astern, though a little later, the -trawler turning too, they began to burst within a few feet of her bows, -and looked as though presently they would come aboard her. By then, -however, the scratch gun-crew, which Jack had sent into the bows of the -captured vessel, had thrown off the tarpaulin which covered the gun, -and very swiftly (for your British sailor is a man of parts and smart -at understanding things of that nature) they had grasped the meaning of -the various wheels and levers, and had made themselves familiar with -its breech action. - -Inspection of the ammunition and a trial loading followed, and then -a shot which shook the trawler and deafened those on her decks. Not -one, but a dozen and more pairs of eyes followed the shot or fixed -themselves upon the other vessel. Then a hoarse cheer burst from the -men, for a splotch of white suddenly obliterated the bows, there was a -blinding flash, and when the smoke had cleared away it was seen that -the short bowsprit had been smashed, and that the halyards from it had -been cut adrift. What other damage had been done by this lucky shot it -would be impossible to say, but it was significant that the trawler -sheered off at once, and steered a course which took her farther away -rather than nearer to the captured vessel. - -"Which just gives us time to get going," came a cool and very cheerful -voice at Bill's elbow. "Young chap, you've done mighty well. I ain't -goin' to say that me or Jim or any of the other chaps that was down -below couldn't have thought out the plan of an escape that you happened -on, but it was happening on it just then, at what you might call the -psychological moment, that just did it; and since we broke out you've -given your orders clear and sharp, and there's been only one bad one, -Mister, amongst them." - -"Getting the engine-room staff up--eh?" asked Bill. - -"Yep," came Larry's short rejoinder. "But that's fixed now: there's Jim -down below working like a slave-driver, standing with two other mates, -one in the stoke-hole and t'other in the engine-room, and if you'll -look at their faces you'll know, and the Germans know too, that they -ain't going to stand any sort of humbug. It's a case of shoot the first -time a German tries to mix up the engine, or to let steam go, or to do -us down in some other dirty manner. Gee! Ain't we seen something of the -Germans now? That Heinrich and his shooting of your father, and his -bombing of that other ship; and what with Jack's tale, and the hundreds -of others that we've heard of, why, don't you ask Jim nor me nor any -other American to trust a German. We'll put the handcuffs on 'em first, -and then perhaps we'll know they ain't going to do any further damage. -But you sent me for arms, young fellow; well now, this here trawler, -and probably every other one of 'em, has a sort of magazine, at least -I guessed it was that, though I couldn't read the words written on the -door--this German language ought to be abolished! But I made free to -cut a way in with an axe, and there was rifles and swords and what-not; -every one of our men is now armed. Tuck this quick-shooter into your -belt, young fellow. It ain't the sort of box-of-tricks that appeals -to me, being too easy on its trigger; here's one of my sort--a heavy, -cavalry revolver." - -Automatically, not thinking at all of what he was doing, yet conscious -of the meaning of Larry's words, Bill took the weapon and pushed it -into his pocket; meanwhile he peered over the canvas screen which -lined the front of the bridge, casting his eyes in the direction of -the pursuing trawler, then turned in the direction of the gun which -some of his own men were handling. Even to him, inexperienced as he -was, the thought came that never before had he seen such calmness and -such method and order. The gallant fellows, whom Jack had put under -his command so suddenly and unexpectedly, were "carrying on" after the -traditions of their service. Handy tars that they were, they had no -sooner seized upon the ship than they settled down to the manning of -her, as if she had been in their care for weeks past. There was no fuss -or flurry about those jack tars, though, to be sure, there was haste -and hurry, frenzied movement almost, as each man at the gun carried out -the task which in every case was self-appointed. One swung her round -and sighted her, another opened the breech, the third rammed in the -shell-case, and sprang back for yet another, then all moved clear away, -the lanyard was pulled, and scarcely had the gun recoiled, and the -shell gone hurtling out toward the trawler, than the breech was flung -open, while, through the smoke which issued, the man in charge of the -ammunition pushed another shell into position. Thus, time and again -the gun spoke--twice to every shot fired by the pursuing trawler; and -if the gun were strange to these gallant fellows their shooting at any -rate was precise enough--too precise in fact for the Germans. - -"They are just about getting it about the ears," grinned the man who -led the gunners. "How's that for a plunk under his bridge, getting her -skipper in his stomick or under the belt, which is all fair in this -'ere warfare. What's that?" - -"That" was a blinding flash yonder on the deck of the pursuing trawler, -a burst of smoke, and then a flame which spouted up from the bridge -at which the tar had aimed. But in warfare of this sort retaliation -has to be expected, and, almost as the three men raised a cheer, a -shell screeched across the deck behind them, struck the mast just in -front of the bridge on which Bill and Larry stood, and, bursting as it -struck, brought the steel affair down with a crunching roar and a thud -across the bulwarks, bending them out of shape and denting the deck, -incidentally, too, missing the bridge by less than a foot, tearing -away its screen and leaving our two friends as it were stripped naked, -staring across an open patch of deck, now littered with the fragments -left by the bursting missile. - -"Bah!" growled Larry, tilting his hat at a little more of a rakish -angle--a habit he had when greatly moved, though, to be sure, nothing -else could be seen about him to suggest excitement. As for Bill, young -though he was, he stood his ground without wincing. - -"And ain't doing half bad," Jack the bos'n told the men he was then -taking along the deck to clear away the wreck of the mast. "I've had me -weather eye on him as you might say. I seed or rather heard from his -voice when he came below and joined us that that young chap had got -something good about him. Mind, I don't say as the Americans along -with him ain't just as good, better you might say, seeing as they are -older and has a right then to expect to be; but the youngster's sharp, -smart, and has lots of go, besides being cool-headed. Cut this stuff -adrift! Chuck it overboard; it's only hampering us, and if another -shell comes in the splinters might do us damage." - -His words were almost prophetic; for hardly a minute later an enemy -shell burst inboard, and its shattering roar half-stunned Jack and his -men and Bill and Larry; yet by some miraculous chance not one of them -was severely hurt, though certainly shaken. - -As to elsewhere--if the men at the gun, Jack and his deck hands, and -Bill and Larry, were "carrying on", to use an expression beloved both -of sailors and of soldiers, what of the men down below? Jack told the -tale some five minutes later. - -"If you'll believe me, sir," he said, clambering up on to the -bridge and touching his cap for all the world as though Bill were a -full-blooded skipper, "if you'll believe me, young feller, there's -Jim, your chum, and his mates, working those Germans at the boilers as -if they were slaves. Not a-drivin' of 'em--oh, no! Only encouragin' -of 'em like. You see, now that the tables are turned, and there's Jim -and Charlie Pipkin and Joe Bent and two others--boys as I know of -well--a-standing over the Germans with rifles, instead of the Germans -a-standin' over them as they was a little while ago, the Hun's sort of -lost all his spirit. If it had been the other way about, from what I -seed of 'em--those chaps what talks about 'Kultur' and raves about the -Kaiser--they'd have pushed the muzzle of a rifle under your ear, and -they'd have made you move slippy. But, bless you, it only wants a look -from that there chap Jim; and as for Charlie, when he just cocks his -eye across one o' them Huns, the chap shrivels--fairly shrivels." - -Jack burst into a roar of laughter which was hardly suppressed even -by the scream and flick of a shell which crossed the trawler a little -in front of them. He held his sides and bent back till his stout body -formed an arc, and then set to work mopping his eyes, which were -streaming. "It's a fair turn about, this," he said. - -Larry cocked an eye at him in return, just as Charlie down below was -described as doing to the Germans in the engine-room. - -"It was. Yep," he lisped; "only--eh? Look over yonder!" - -Jack looked, Bill looked, and in spite of himself blanched just a -trifle. As for Jack, the colour surged to his bearded face and he -gripped the rail. - -"Oh! Ah! I----" he spluttered. - -There was good reason, too, for his exclamations, for the mist which -had been hanging over the sea when this brilliant little action opened, -and which, as it were, had clouded the scene for a while and indeed had -assisted Bill and his friends not a little, was now whisked aside by a -fresh breeze which had got up in the meanwhile and was now rippling the -surface of a sea of dull green colour on which the rays of the sun were -reflected in every direction. Looking towards the German coast there -was a haze, though no mist. The bright sun rays and the glittering -reflection from thousands of ripples seemed to have cast up there an -opaque haze, out of which the pursuing trawler emerged every now and -again, a curtain which was rent asunder every odd minute by her gun, -when a splash of flame, followed by a cloud of smoke, filled in the gap -and then subsided and was replaced by the opacity. - -Towards the ocean, however, one could see a long distance, and -there, but a dot yet, though visible to all eyes, was a low-lying, -queer-shaped vessel--one of the greyhounds of the ocean, about whose -bows foamed a white crest of water and from whose deck streamed black -billowy clouds of smoke which formed, as it were, a huge screen behind -her, against which her smoke-stacks and the crest of white stood out -silhouetted sharply. It was a torpedo-boat destroyer. - -"Huh!" grunted Larry. - -"Hum!" coughed Bill, shielding his eyes. - -Jack gripped the rails again and burst into bitter anger. - -"And after all what we've done!" he blustered. "After we've been took -at sea and clapped into the hold here like so many dogs--though I -admit we might have been left to drown. After we've broke our way -out and fixed things up in fine trim, and have got almost clear away -safe from the trawler yonder, which ain't worth countin', to see -that--that--image!" - -Larry produced his beloved cigar, or rather the bedraggled end of one. -He always seemed to carry one in his pocket. It went to his mouth, was -pushed home into the favourite position, then two hands groped in his -pockets for a sodden matchbox. Quite naturally he attempted to strike a -light, lifted the damp match to the cigar, and threw it to the deck the -next instant. - -"How'd you know?" he asked suddenly. "She might be British." - -"B--B--British?" shouted Jack. "British! By gum! she might, and in that -case----" - -"She ain't," Bill ejaculated. "I'll swear we've got the best of her in -this position. We can see her clearly, standing out in the sun's rays. -Look aft at the trawler. One minute she's gone in the haze, the next -minute she comes up. So you can count that the ship yonder, or the -men aboard her, ain't yet seen us, but they've heard the guns and are -coming along to see what's happened." - -"In which case," said Larry, looking aside at Bill, while Jack too -turned to the young fellow. - -"In which case," said Bill. "Well, there's nothing else for it; we keep -straight on. If that's a German torpedo-boat destroyer it's bad luck; -if it's British, well, it's British." - -There was no need for further argument after that, for it was quite -clear to all three of them, and indeed to the deck hands down below, -and to those standing over the staff in the engine-room, to whom the -news soon filtered, that liberty so recently won might already be -on the point of being torn from them; and if it were, what sort of -treatment might they expect from the Germans? What indeed? It was no -wonder, then, that their spirits sank to zero when, perhaps a quarter -of an hour later, the torpedo-boat destroyer having drawn much nearer, -a gun spoke from her deck and a shot sailed over them. Meanwhile, too, -the pursuing trawler had kept up her fire, so that Bill and his friends -were now attacked from two quarters. It looked like hopeless failure; -and yet, wait. - -"What's that?" demanded Bill, pointing to sea eastward. "Another -ship--eh? Another torpedo-boat destroyer! A Ger----." - -"German?" shouted Jack. "You can skin me if that ain't a British -torpedo-boat destroyer! You can hoist me to the top of the first -yard-arm you comes across if that there boat ain't British from the cap -of its mast down to its keel! Only, will she come up in time? that's -the puzzle." - -It was a point which might well bother him and Bill and the others, -for, undoubtedly, if this second torpedo-boat destroyer was part of the -British fleet, the German had a long start of her. That gun now opening -upon the trawler might well destroy her, and the crew who had won their -liberty, long before the British boat came up. It was a moment for -quick decision and swift action. - -"Swing her round! Shove her in the opposite direction! Keep her going -as hard as you can," shouted Bill. "Jack, send a message down to the -engine-room staff to stoke hard, all they can. We must knock every -ounce of speed out of the trawler." - -They turned, and, as it were, dived into the haze rising from the -water, and as the engine staff laboured down below, and "whacked"--to -use a nautical expression--the utmost speed out of the boat, a bow wave -rose in front of the trawler. Behind came the other trawler, farther -aft the German pursuing boat, and still farther astern, and from a -different quarter, what everyone hoped was a rescuing British vessel. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -A Hard Fight - - -Long minutes passed before the end of the affair came, and before the -fate of Bill and Jim and Larry and the rest of them was settled. Not -that all the participators in this alarming and exciting adventure -realized the length of time or found the seconds hang heavy upon them. -These fled indeed faster almost than the thudding screw of the trawler -pushed that vessel through the water. For every half-minute brought -some new event, everyone was working to his utmost, and at every turn -the position wore a different complexion. - -"It's a time when every man has to work hard, to go all out," said -Jack, as, dripping with perspiration, he clambered to the bridge to -report to Bill. "You can believe me, young sir, but I've just come up -from that there engine-room again, and, my! how them Germans do work to -escape from their own people!" - -The very mention of it tickled him so much that, in spite of their -precarious position, this honest, burly sailor burst into uproarious -laughter. Indeed, he might well do so, for the picture down below in -the engine-room would have exercised the same influence on anyone of -British nationality and blessed with a sense of humour. In amongst the -eddying clouds of steam, with the thud and thump of the pistons and -the deafening whirr of machinery filling the air, stood Jim on one of -the engine-room gangways, gripping the rails and looking over into -the smoke-clouds down below, peering now in this direction and then -in that, fixing his eye upon some German "greaser"--just fixing his -eye on him for a moment--and then swinging round to stare in another -direction. No need to show the revolver, which he now wore strapped -round his waist, no need to shout a peremptory order, no need to point, -to gesticulate, to shake a fist. Those "greasers" knew. They cast -glances askance at the young American now and again, and, seeing his -square jaw, his determined appearance, flung themselves upon the task -of keeping the engines going, well knowing all the time that they were -steaming away from their own people. - -From the stoke-hold, near at hand, from which now emerged bigger, -whiter clouds of steam and smoke, came the clank of spades upon the -steel decks, and the scrape as fuel was shovelled up and thrown into -the furnaces. There, in what appeared to be an inferno of smoke and -flashing beams of light as furnace doors were opened, amidst fiercest -heat and sweat and incessant movement, stood two of the recently -escaped British sailors, nonchalant, erect, one hand gripping the -muzzle of a rifle and the other akimbo, resting upon their hips. They, -too, glanced now here, now there, noting every movement of every man -under their charge, but never moved. The glance alone was sufficient. - -"They're keepin' them at work as if they was willin' slaves," Jack -roared, mopping the perspiration from his streaming forehead, "and -you'd hardly believe me, sir, but when I comes up on deck--and glad -to get there too, for it's hot down below--I finds our deck hands -a-fallin' in and makin' all ready to repel boarders. It looks like the -good old days, and if only the Germans do get up, why, repel boarders -it will be!" - -Bill took a glance around him; not that he had not done so on many an -occasion, and had seen all that was going on, but his chief attention -was now engaged with the pursuing trawler and with the torpedo-boat -destroyers, and with conjecturing where the next shell would fall and -what chance he and his men stood of escape from the double danger -behind. - -"I'm beginning to think," he had just told Larry, "that the German -destroyer will soon have her attention fully occupied by the other -one--that is, supposing she's British; so if we can escape the shells -she's firing at us now we shall have merely the trawler to deal with. -She's drawing nearer, I'm sure. Perhaps her engines are bigger and -stronger than those in this vessel; in any case we shall soon see. I -don't fear her nearly as much as I do the destroyer." - -Larry, from the view Bill and Jack obtained of him, cared very little -as to what might happen. With his hat tilted forward in the most -approved manner, sucking at his cigar again, he peered in the most -nonchalant manner over the rail at the pursuing trawler, and hardly -lifted his eyes as her gun spoke and repeated the shot--hardly even -deigned to turn his head to watch where the missiles went, though when -one sailed close over the bridge he cocked his eye overhead, gave a -shrug, and whistled. - -"It's the miss that don't matter," he told Bill. "If she was plugging -them things into us all the time a chap might get nervy and unsettled, -but, as it is, this is playing. Seems to me, young Bill, that you'll -soon be having to give other orders. You see, as things are, we're -steaming away dead ahead of the trawler, and our gun, perched up there -in the bows, ain't able to rake her, while she, with her gun in the -same position, can fire at us all the time, and with no fear of return -shelling. Now supposin' that destroyer there, what's German, does -happen to give over because the other happens to be British, what's -to prevent us turning round and going full ahead at the trawler, or -steaming off at an angle, as you might say? Gee! Then we could pound -her with our own weapon. D'you get me, young fellow?" - -Bill did--Jack too, for the matter of that; for he smacked the -American so violently on the back that Larry began to cough and looked -at the burly sailor with some amount of indignation. - -"You ain't got no call to do that, Jack," he spluttered. "No forcible -argument of that sort ain't needed. Just say what you think of the -suggestion." - -"Think!" the burly sailor shouted. "Why, you couldn't have suggested -anything that would ha' pleased me and the men we've got aboard better. -If that there destroyer does get fully engaged by t'other--and it's -too good a thing to think of--then what's to prevent us going head on -for the trawler? Ain't we entitled to have our own action? What's to -prevent us making her a prize, same as she'll try to make of us? Just -you think what the boys back in Dover town 'ud think if we came sailing -in with this 'ere boat, and another with a prize crew aboard her. They -wouldn't half shout, would they?" - -Even the phlegmatic Larry was forced to show some signs of enthusiasm. -The very fact that this experienced sailor took up his idea so -enthusiastically and approved of it was encouraging, and then who could -escape the infection shed all around by the jovial enthusiastic Jack? -The picture of the trawler steaming into Dover, a port to which Larry -had never yet sailed, but which he could well imagine, the picture of -the ship entering docks, the sides of which were lined with cheering -soldiers and sailors and civilians, while behind her came that other -trawler, no longer firing her gun, but a captive with a prize crew -steering her in---- Well, Larry could picture that, and at the thought -grinned widely. - -But as yet there was the destroyer to be thought of. Not that she was -doing much harm to the trawler up to this moment, for the other trawler -immediately in pursuit of our friends was steering a course which -placed her across the line of fire from the destroyer, which, still at -some considerable distance, was unable to get a clear field of fire. -As a matter of fact her captain hesitated from fear of injuring the -pursuing vessel. But a few minutes more would give a clear field of -vision, and aboard the destroyer all was in readiness to open upon Bill -and his friends. Under such a bombardment no doubt their vessel would -have been rapidly blown to pieces. - -"I'd best just get along and see what sort of boats we're carrying," -said Jack, when he and his two companions had stared at the two -destroyers for a few minutes. "That there German is gettin' into -position to put a broadside into us, and, if that comes off, this -vessel will sink inside five minutes. We may want to be off without -stopping to think about it. Best get things ready then, so as to leave -her." - -He went off down the steps leading from the bridge and mustered the -deck hands about him. Every one of the men was now armed with a weapon -of some description. Some had rifles, others revolvers, while not -a few carried boarding-axes. They trapesed off along the deck to -where a couple of boats swung out from the davits, and having assured -themselves that both were in readiness to be launched, and as yet -undamaged, certain of them dived below in search of food and water to -provision them. In the midst of their search they were recalled to the -deck by Jack, who descended a few steps down the companion and bellowed -at them. - -"Hi, lads, you come above again!" he yelled. "We're goin' to put -ourselves on board the trawler. I wants every man that's got a rifle to -come over here and take up a position; the chaps as has axes only'll -lie down behind the bulwarks. When the time comes, every one of you -goes over on to the other boat. Now, I tell you, we're goin' to take -her!" - -The men crowded round him yelling like maniacs. These whilom prisoners, -so depressed but a short time before, who had given themselves up to -the thought of long incarceration in a German prison, were now filled -with the highest spirits. They mustered on the deck brandishing their -weapons, took up places which Jack assigned to them, and then, casting -their eyes first at Bill and Larry on the bridge above, and then over -the side at the trawler, they yelled themselves hoarse once more as -they saw that their own vessel had turned about and was heading direct -for their pursuer. - -The man at the wheel, too, had caught something of their excitement, -though he sat there impassive, steering the vessel with care and -judgment, making ready to fling her alongside the other. As for the -German trawler, great movement could be observed on her decks; men were -rushing to and fro, while a figure on the bridge was gesticulating -violently, though the words he shouted could not be heard. In any case, -the gun in her bows, which had fired only a little while before, had -ceased abruptly as Bill gave the order to swing his vessel round, and -its crew had scuttled along the deck to join their comrades. - -Not so the three who manned the gun aboard the ship on which our heroes -were sailing. They waited only for their trawler to swing round, when -they laid their gun on the other vessel, and then in rapid succession -poured in shots, some of which screamed over her deck, while others -holed her above the water, or crashed their way through her bulwarks -scattering splinters along her decks. Indeed, it was the fire of these -enthusiastic fellows which mainly beat down the resistance of the -Germans. A lucky shot took away a portion of the bridge and killed the -skipper, a splinter at the same time tearing the wheel from the hands -of the man who steered the trawler and wrecking it. She swung off her -course at once, while Bill's ship, conned by that impassive steersman -before mentioned, swung round in a circle and headed so as to come -alongside her. - -[Illustration: A LUCKY SHOT TOOK AWAY A PORTION OF THE BRIDGE] - -"Just mark that wheel aft!" came in stentorian tones from Jack. "The -last shot smashed the steering-gear on the bridge, and if we don't let -'em man the other gear they'll be helpless. Here you, Tom, and you, -Charles, you make it your business to see that no one goes near it! -Boys, make ready to board the trawler!" - -They waved their hands at him, those gallant sailors, they cheered -him with vigour, and then, peering over the bulwarks, watching every -movement, they waited eagerly for the moment when the two ships would -grind together. They drew nearer. Figures aboard the hostile trawler -were now clearly visible; men still raced to and fro. Now and again a -rifle was fired, and a bullet could be heard as it pinged against the -steel sides of the vessel. Two men rushed aft towards the steering-gear -which Jack had pointed out to his comrades, and, reaching it, measured -their length at once, shot down by those told off to fire in that -direction. - -Less than five minutes later the two vessels came together with a clang -and a grinding crash, and instantly, before the men picked out by Jack -to lash them together could get a hawser over the side, a number of -the British sailors had scrambled from their own ship and gained the -deck of the hostile trawler. They swept along it like an avalanche, -beating down the resistance of the deck hands. They threw them down -the companion-way, just as they had done with the crew of their own -captured vessel. They shouted down the engine-room hatch, and in but -a few brief minutes they had assembled the whole of the engine-room -staff on the deck, and Jack could be seen haranguing them for all the -world as if these Germans could understand all that he said. And, as he -talked, Larry stood beside him, as nonchalant a figure as ever, chewing -his cigar, vastly entertained by all the proceedings. - -"You get in and talk to 'em, Jack," he said. "Just tell 'em all that's -wanted. Ef they keep on working hard, and play the game and what not, -well, all will be well with them; ef not---- Well, let 'em know what -then." - -Jack nodded, Jack actually grinned, then mopped the perspiration from -his hot forehead. "I knows! See here, you--you--sons o' guns," he said, -bellowing the words at the Germans, "you'll get straight down below. -Savvy? You'll stoke and grease and carry on as you did before; and if -you don't, well no one will be there to help you. This 'ere Tom will go -along to watch things. Tom, you've got a gun, ain't you?" - -Tom had. Tom was a tall and sinewy individual--as honest a British -sailor as you could meet in a day's march, but one who, if he wished, -could adopt a sinister appearance. And sinister he looked now as he -patted his rifle and glared at the prisoners. Then he held up one big -battered forefinger and beckoned to them. - -"You come right along here," he said. "You get right down below, -double quick. Savvy! I'm comin' along behind you, don't you fear. You -get in and carry on yer business. No," he added a moment later, shaking -the same forefinger at one of the prisoners--a man with an evil cast of -countenance, who glowered at him, "you ain't got no call to look at me -like that. I'm harmless, I am! Only, just you take care of yourself, -young feller! Just hop it, or things will begin to happen as won't be -too comfortable for you!" - -And "hop it" the German did. He and his comrades disappeared down the -engine hatchway, with their tails between their legs, as you might -say, and Tom, following, presently discovered them as hard at work and -as diligent as those he had left on the other trawler. No doubt more -than one of the engine staff would have willingly upset the running of -the machinery had such a thing been easily effected and not so easily -discovered, but the sturdy Tom, with his sinister glance, drove all -thoughts of mutiny or double dealing out of his prisoners' heads. The -rifle, on which he leaned so unconcernedly, and Tom's stern looks, sent -these men about their business in a desperate hurry. - -Meanwhile the lashings which had bound the two trawlers together had -been cut adrift. Jim, extracted from the engine-room of the vessel he -and his friends had captured, was now perched on what was left of the -bridge of the other ship, and presently the two vessels were under -way, heading this time out to sea towards the spot where the German -destroyer had been steaming. - -And what of her? What of the other boat which had been observed -dashing towards the escaping trawler? The fight and the boarding of -the trawler had occupied every bit of the attention of Bill and his -friends. While it lasted it had been a breathless affair, and, though -it was soon ended, the resistance of the German crew had not been -altogether negligible. Indeed, the sturdy fellows whom Bill commanded -had fought furiously for those few minutes, so furiously, in fact, that -they failed to note the bang of guns in the offing, or to follow the -movements of the two destroyers. - -Now, as they steamed towards the spot, it was to discover the German -boat down by the stern, afire for'ard, her funnels shot to ribbons, and -her decks smashed, while steaming close to her was the other destroyer -with a white ensign blowing out from her mast-head. Boats were being -lowered, and as the two trawlers came upon the spot they discovered -British sailors rescuing the German survivors of the enemy destroyer. - -Imagine the shouts and the cheers to which Jack and his gallant friends -gave vent. Imagine, if you can, the thrill of pride which went through -Bill's frame as he rang the engine telegraph and stopped his machinery. -It was the first big occasion in his life, and, like Jim and Larry and -all the rest of them, he gloried in it. - -"We couldn't ha' come into English waters in better shape," observed -Larry that night as he sat on the deck and surveyed his surroundings, -the boat having meanwhile made the port of Dover. "Here's England right -beyond us and all round us. Yonder there's France. Listen a bit! Hear -the guns, Bill? That's the British and French holding the line against -the Germans. Well, we'll be there soon--eh?" - -"We will," Bill and Jim echoed. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -The European Conflict - - -Many and long were the discussions held by Jim and Bill and Larry now -that they had reached the neighbourhood of the vast European conflict -which had drawn America into its whirlpool. As they sat on their -captured trawler at Dover they could literally hear the sound of that -conflict in the distance; for across the Channel, but fifty miles -inland, beyond Ypres--the celebrated Ypres, which had long since been -shattered into fragments--British troops were fighting their way along -the ridge of Paschendaele. Messines, the German stronghold, had fallen. -British guns, made in British factories manned by British women, had -smashed the Hun defences. - -Consider this achievement for a while. In 1914 Britain possessed guns -sufficient only for a small expeditionary force, and the supply none -too liberal. In 1915 her manufacturing resources were sufficient to -supply guns for an increasing host of volunteers--guns and every other -munition necessary for the conduct of warfare. But the business of -manufacturing weapons and all that appertains to fighting was not yet -by any means fully expanded. Indeed, the need for it was not apparent. -The call for shells, more shells, and still more shells, and for guns -by the hundred to project them, had not yet gone through the land, nor -had munition factories sprung up in every direction with the rapidity -of mushrooms. - -Then came the Ministry of Munitions--a huge Government concern -inaugurated to control supplies for every kind of warfare. It commenced -its work perhaps hesitatingly, it forged ahead with determination, it -got fully into its stride; so that when 1916 arrived, and Britain and -France faced the German in Picardy across the Somme valley, British -guns, aye, and British men, were the masters of the situation. - -And here was 1917 with still more men and with a still mightier array -of munitions, deluging the German, bruising him all along the line -through Flanders into France, smashing him and his defences, driving -him from the ridges which he had held since 1914, and from which he had -looked down upon the British troops floundering in the mud in Flanders. - -To the Kaiser and his ruthless agents, to the German High Command as -it is termed, those days must have seemed portentous. Disaster hung in -the air, the fortune which had favoured them from the first instant -seemed to have departed from them altogether. The Central Powers were -in fact girt in by enemies. The world had declared war against these -land and sea marauders. America had joined the Allies, having suffered -indignities at the hands of the Kaiser; Portugal had joined the -ranks of Prussia's enemies; and states in South America were already -considering their position, or were now throwing in their lot with -those sworn to beat down the oppressors of mankind and to fight for the -freedom of nations. - -The Dardanelles was an old tale. Britain had there left her mark, and -the graves of her sons, and had departed. In Egypt the tribes haunting -the Delta of the Nile, stirred up by German agents and supplied with -money and with weapons, had revolted and had been subjugated by -British columns. The Senussi, to take an example, were now conquered. -Across the Canal, and far to the east of it, Turkish hosts gathered -in Beersheba, Jerusalem, and other places were watching the steady -relentless advance of a British railway across the desert, and, as Bill -and his friends reached European waters, troops of the King-Emperor -were already on the fringe of Palestine, where very soon they were to -advance by Beersheba, Hebron, Bethlehem, and other places of Biblical -interest, and were to hoist their flag over the ancient and sacred -walls of Jerusalem, once the home of historical crusaders. - -Farther east lay Mesopotamia, where the forced surrender of General -Townshend's gallant troops at Kut had long since been avenged by the -capture of that place and the taking of Bagdad. The noble-hearted -Sir Stanley Maude was already leading his forces up the Tigris and -Euphrates towards Mosul, and, though in later months that dread scourge -cholera seized him, there were others to step into his place and still -lead British and Indian troops onwards. - -Glance to the eastern area of Europe. If matters wore a rosy aspect -on the French front, in Egypt, Salonica, and Mesopotamia, if along -those lengths of British trench-lines British guns and British troops -were causing the Prussian to reel, the Turks to surrender, and the -Bulgarians to wish perhaps that they had never joined hands with the -Kaiser and his soldiers, to the east of Europe Russian troops were -reeling from another reason altogether. - -Revolution was in the air; the rights of man were being preached -and practised in preference to patriotism and unselfish devotion to -country; upstarts were springing into position; subtle agents of the -Kaiser, their pockets heavy with German gold, had seized upon the ear -of the ignorant people; soldiers turned against their officers; the -working and the peasant class were induced first to oppose and then to -throw off allegiance to those who had been their lords and masters. -Anarchy supervened, though for a time the revolutionists, holding -those who would carry matters to great lengths, attempted to form a -Government and control the country, even attempted to keep the soldiers -in the trenches and to stem the German invasion; until anarchy reared -its head still higher, the voices of Trotsky and Lenin overpowered the -voices of the moderates. The Tsar and his house had been removed, -and were, in fact, prisoners; the government of the people, on behalf -of the people, was destroyed. Trotsky and Lenin became, in fact, the -rulers of the country, and they, be it understood, were already more -than half given over to Germany. Trenches were abandoned, soldiers gave -themselves leave and went off to their distant homes, a few faithful -and patriotic divisions were left stranded; guns by the hundred -and munitions of every description--for the most part supplied by -Britain--lay at the mercy of any German battalion that cared to come -for them. - -The inevitable followed. German troops advanced and seized wide tracts -of country. They took, with only the trouble of taking it, vast masses -of military booty; they imposed peace terms on the Russians which -practically made slaves of them; and, with their accustomed cunning, so -handled matters that this huge country, once tenanted by a patriotic -people, became dissolved into separate provinces, each claiming its -own sovereignty, the one already engaged in warfare against the other, -careless of the fact that the conqueror was already knocking at their -doors. - -That was the position which faced the line when Jim and Bill and Larry -came upon the scene. Our eastern ally, who had held masses of Germans -and Austrians, and bid fair with proper organization and generalship to -march into Austria, and perhaps into the Kaiser's territory, suddenly -went out of the conflict, leaving Germany and Austria free to withdraw -their troops and throw them upon the French and British in the west and -upon the Italians. The situation was more than serious. Already, in -fact, Italy had suffered a serious reverse, and had been driven from -the line along the River Izonso, which she had captured, right back to -the Piave. - -There again German cunning and Austrian duplicity had had much to do -with this loss of territory and of soldiers. Lies had been spread, -gullible subjects of King Victor had listened to and had disseminated -tales which robbed some of their comrades of their patriotic valour. -Thus, when the ground was fully prepared, a secret massing of the -Austrians and Germans allowed strong forces to be flung upon our -Italian ally. The line reeled; where the poisonous lies of the Germans -had penetrated, it broke, it fell back, in places it surrendered. The -whole line then was forced to retire, but, thanks to the valour of the -majority of the Italians, to the patriotism of King Victor's army, a -rear-guard action was fought which saved the situation, though for a -time the position was precarious, so precarious, in fact, that British -and French troops were rushed to Italy to stem this invasion. - -And now the end of 1917 was at hand. What had 1918 in prospect for -Britain and her allies? The line in France, stretching from Dunkerque -to Verdun and so to Belfort, bristled with men and weapons. Opposite -it lay the German line packed with an increasing throng of soldiers, -while guns and every implement of warfare, now no longer needed on the -Russian front, were being massed, preparatory to the biggest conflict -the world has ever witnessed. - -But not yet had the blow fallen. A comparative calm existed along the -front--the calm before the storm which was undoubtedly brewing. It was -this period of the war which found Bill and his friends stepping from -the steamer at Boulogne, about to take their places in the ranks of the -Allies. - -"Hello, boys!" someone greeted them as they halted on the quay and -looked about them. "Come over--eh?" - -"Yep," Larry answered laconically, shaking hands with this undoubted -specimen of American citizenship, and then casting his eyes round once -more, for he could never tire of the hum and bustle which existed all -round him. - -What with railway trucks being slowly shunted towards the water-side, -what with the vessel then busily unloading, the big station and its -restaurant, alive with officers and men, with blue-frocked porters, -hospital nurses, and every variety of human being; with the quay -farther along stacked high with boxes and bales and parcels of every -sort and description, more ships, motor-cars, motor-ambulances, a -shrieking locomotive, soldiers, sailors, and civilians, women and -children and babies, the place was a seething mass of movement, backed -by the hills beyond, and the picturesque town of Boulogne climbing -towards the summit. It was quite a little time, in fact, before either -Larry or Bill or Jim could give much attention to the person who -had accosted them. They found him a tall, raw-boned, thin, American -non-commissioned officer. - -"Names!" he snapped, and they gave them. - -"Ah! I've heard of you. They sent me a chit through from London. You've -come right here to get trained. How's that? Why not do your training in -the camps in America?" - -They told him--Larry in his jerky, short, abrupt and smiling manner; -Jim, serious, rather monosyllabic, having to have the details dragged -out of him; Bill impulsively, as one might expect of such a youth, yet -modestly enough. Then the Sergeant stopped them and clapped a big, -brawny hand on Bill's shoulder. - -"I've heard of you. Gee!" he cried, and pushed the young fellow away -from him so as to study him the better. "So you three are Larry and Jim -and Bill, and, say, what did you do with the trawler?" - -"Trawler!" Larry gaped, Jim gaped, Bill looked astonished. - -"Aye, trawler! D'you think we're such dunces over here that we don't -know what's going on? Just you wait! Look at this--a _communiqué_ which -was issued last night--see it? - -"'Gallant affair in the North Sea. British prisoners on board a German -trawler overpower crew and conduct a fight with another trawler. -German torpedo-boat destroyer intervenes, but assistance arrives -at the critical moment in the shape of a British destroyer. The -escaped prisoners capture the other trawler and steam her in with -the help of their prisoners. The two trawlers reach the roads at -Dover quite safely. This feat is mainly the work of three men from -America--Larry----'" - -"Here, hold hard!" cried Larry, pushing his head forward, "you're -romancing--eh? Gee! It's truth! Well I----!" - -The big Sergeant shouted his laughter and pointed a finger at the -diminutive Larry. - -"True? I should say it was! So you are the three! Come right along. -I've quarters for you, and you can get some food and then sit down and -give me the whole yarn. To-morrow you'll go up country and then start -in at the business of training." - -Three days later the three had reached a spot some fifteen miles from -the front line, where they were at once posted to a Franco-American -transport unit. - -"You'll have to learn the work with horses first of all," they were -told, "after that there is the motor traction part of it. Yes, you'll -see some of the front. In a day or two you'd be sent with one of the -convoys taking ammunition up. It's exciting work sometimes, boys," the -Sergeant continued. "When shelling's severe, the chaps that take up -food and such like, see things, or rather feel 'em. But you've been -under gun-fire--eh! Don't tell me! Ain't I seen the news about the -trawler?" - -So he had seen it too, others also, for the advent of the three to -this Franco-American unit was the signal for quite an outpouring of -questions. The very first night indeed, as Larry puffed tranquilly at -his cigar, a big American finger was pointed at him, while there sat -round the circle with their American brothers a number of blue-coated -_poilus_, likewise attached to the unit. - -"Oui! Bien!" one of them said, shrugging his shoulders expressively; -"Larry, Jim, Beill! A-ha! Ve knows sem! Ve 'ave 'eard seir names many -time. You come out wis see story now--hey! Dat is bien!" - -Larry blew a cloud of smoke at him, Jim fidgeted, Bill felt really like -bolting; to stand upon the bridge of the trawler under gun-fire had -been one thing, to sit there under this battery of eyes with questions -being flung at them, bursting all round them as it were, was quite a -different experience and a greater ordeal to our heroes. - -"See here," drawled Larry at length, turning an expressive and somewhat -dirty thumb in Jim's direction, "he's the scholar of our crew, he'll -spout. Jim, you get in at it. 'Sides, you speak French a little, you -told us so on our way over; give it 'em in French and English together." - -It was true enough that Jim, in a moment of enthusiasm, and when -feeling confidential, had informed his chums that he was quite a -considerable French speaker; but now he seemed to have forgotten the -occurrence. He shook his head quite angrily, shook a fist at the -grinning Larry, and mopped a streaming forehead. So it devolved on Bill -to tell of their experiences, which he did quite modestly, interjecting -a word or two of French now and again; for, if Jim were dumb, he at -least had heard something in his schooldays and was, as a matter of -fact, quite a fair linguist. - -"Then you ain't got no call to feel scared about going up to the line," -said their Sergeant when the tale was finished. "You three did mighty -well. There's Americans as reached France in advance of our fighting -units in queer ways. Some of 'em come over as stowaways, some sneaked -across in perhaps more open fashion. I know a chap what got took on as -a German nootral in Noo York. What, don't know what a German nootral -is? Well that is some! A German nootral, chaps, is a man what's -absolutely nootral; he don't care nothing for one side nor t'other. But -he happens to have been born of German parents. They've likely as not -settled in America this many years back, and have made pots of money -under the old stars and stripes. They're grateful, they are! they've -brought up their son to feel grateful too! He speaks German, of course, -and equally of course he's nootral, that is when he's speakin' open and -above-board; but behind the scenes he's as German as the Kaiser. He'd -down America and the very boys that he went to school with. He's out -for planting 'Kultur' round the whole world. He looks for a Germany -that'll spread across England and away over the Atlantic to Noo York, -Washington, and Philadelphia. Shucks! He's about as nootral as I am! -He's just a born traitor! This here pal of mine was all that I've said, -only he wasn't a traitor, he was just artful and burning keen to get -over. So he takes on as I said as a German nootral on a nootral boat -that wasn't any more nootral than a German. He hoodwinked the crowd, -got across, and slipped ashore in England; in twenty-four hours he was -over here. He's laid back o' the churchyard over yonder, he is. Harvey -Pringle was his name--you'll see it chalked up on the cross on his -grave. He was a man, was Harvey Pringle." - -The big Sergeant blew his nose violently, stared at Larry in quite -a pugnacious way, lit a pipe with considerable display of energy, -and spat a little aggressively. It was American feeling; it was the -only way in which this sturdy fellow would allow his feelings to vent -themselves. Larry knew what he meant; Jim and Bill realized that he had -lost a friend almost before he mentioned the churchyard; their French -comrades, quick in feeling and understanding, glanced at one another, -exclaimed, and lit their pipes as if in sympathy with the Sergeant. - -"Well, boys," the latter went on when he had smoked for a little while -in silence, "you've come over in fine style, and you'll do fine. We -can't have too many boys of your sort. Anyways, we're glad to see you." - -It was three nights later when the three chums joined a convoy which -moved out of the camp with its laden wagons for the trench line, where, -for the first time, they were to experience warfare as it was just then -in France. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -On Convoy Duty - - -A moon, half risen and not yet full, lit up the surroundings as the -supply column drew away from the village where Bill and his friends had -their head-quarters. The road wound away from them pale and ghost-like, -a ribbon of shimmering greenish-white, once shaded by trees, the stumps -of which alone remained. Woods cropped their green heads up here and -there, a stream tinkled in the immediate neighbourhood, and all around -lay a blue-green waste over which moonbeams played gently. - -"Pipes out!" came the order. "Young Bill, you'll come along with this -French sergeant; you can call him any name you like, he'll answer to -it. Do as he says all the time and you won't get into trouble. Larry, -you come along with me; Jim's fixed with another Frenchman. I needn't -tell you that no matches must be struck, and when we get a couple -of miles nearer not one of you must speak above a whisper. If heavy -shelling starts you'll carry on just the same until further orders." - -Bill climbed to the seat beside the driver of the wagon to which the -Sergeant had pointed, and found himself reared well above the column, -able to look right along it. There for an hour he was jolted and jarred -as the vehicles were pulled northward, and there he listened to the -chatter of the men and to the clatter of the horses' hoofs as they -trod the highway. Far away in the distance guns spoke; nearer at hand -at times there were louder clashes as French guns answered. More than -once the hum of an engine could be heard; far overhead and soaring -upwards he caught a fleeting glimpse of an aeroplane hurrying to its -destination. Once, too, a still period was of a sudden broken by the -sharp tattoo of a machine-gun up in the trenches, followed by silence -which was almost painful. - -"Just a little 'do'," the Frenchman told him. "Oh yes, _mon -ami_, I speaks the American well, but you--ah! _Je me rappelle!_ -you--you--speak French beautifully." - -It was just the politeness of the Frenchman; indeed Bill was to find -the friendly and gallant _poilu_ a boon companion, and the few hours he -spent with this soldier made him feel the warmest friendship for him. - -"What's that?" he asked a little later, as the pale rays of the moon -were put in the shade by a brilliant conflagration which lit up the sky -ahead and made every horse, every vehicle, and every driver stand out -boldly silhouetted against the ground. - -"Very lights! Listen to the machine-gun again! Someone's restless up -there; perhaps it's the Boche suffering from toothache and strolling -out in 'No-Man's-Land'. My comrades of France always shoot when a Boche -is in sight. They do not forget the invaded districts of France, my -friend! They do not forget Belgium! _Pardieu!_ They do not love the -Boche! No, not at all, _mon ami_. Ah, it has died down! Now we shall -push on, for we are within one and a half miles of the trenches." - -They clattered on their way steadily; behind them came other columns, -and presently they found themselves driving abreast with another which -had emerged from a side road. Under those mysterious beams they pushed -forward along the road, a collection of vehicles containing all that -makes war possible to an army; bread and meat, and bacon and coffee, -and wine, and such-like articles; trench stores, rifles, ammunition, -barbed wire, and poison gas apparatus; shells for the soixante-quinze, -the famous French quick-firer; shells for the howitzers; and in -bigger and stronger vehicles, which were motor-propelled, shells for -other guns, of larger calibre, which had been pushed up towards the -trench-line. Then the column halted. - -"Here we go straight on while the others branch off to various -rendezvous," said the driver. "Do you find it a queer sensation, this -driving at night with the trench-line in front, knowing that there are -men there stretched on either hand for miles upon miles--yes, for four -hundred miles--American, British, Portuguese, Belgian; and opposite -them the Boche--the hated Boche? Do you realize, _mon ami_, that on -every road along that four hundred miles at this very moment similar -convoys are pushing up stores to be carried to the trenches, and that -on the far side of 'no-man's-land' the same is going forward? For the -Boche also must replenish the stomachs and the ammunition dumps of -his soldiers. Poof, you will say, it is all wasted labour! That all -this ammunition will be fired into the air, and that, being fired, it -will cause more waste, for it will kill people! But is it waste? _Mon -Dieu! Non!_ It is spent for the freedom of all nations. This pouring -out of shells and blood, though some of it is thrown to the winds in -these days, will bring forth fruit in the future; for it will see the -defeat of the Germans and the downfall of Prussian militarism, and -will find France mightier than ever, Britain the Queen of Empires, -and America--well, America refined by the fire through which she has -passed, nobler than at the moment. The price, my friend? Well, it -appears high--outrageously high--in our day; posterity will realize -that it was not too high for the liberty it purchased. - -"But there, I am romancing. I think in these night hours, I think of my -country saddened by its losses, of yours, and of Britain and our other -allies. I wish that this war had not been, but, being a philosopher, I -see that it was inevitable. And the Boche, does he wish that it had -never been? Bah! Ask him! It was a bad day for the Kaiser when he let -loose his soldiers. An easy conquest was then promised. Does it look -easy now? Will he achieve triumph? Never! Even if he were to do so it -would be to discover a shattered, broken Germany. Ah, here we are at -the rendezvous! Now we halt and feed our horses; presently the fatigue -parties from the trenches will come down and then our stuff will be -taken." - -A little later a ghostly line of men appeared out of nothingness as -it were; they were challenged by the officer commanding the convoy, -and soon, laden with material for themselves and their comrades, went -trudging off again under the moonbeams, making for the entrance to the -communicating-trench which led to the front line. - -"Heigh ho! a good job done!" said the _poilu_ as he picked up his reins -again. "Get along to the leaders, my friend, and help to turn them, for -these roads are narrow for steering a cart of this sort round. Another -half-hour and we shall be able to light pipes. My word, this night work -costs the country something in tobacco!" - -Not a shot, not a shell of any description, had come near the convoy -so far, and in fact the front line, illuminated quite brilliantly a -little while before, and stirred to some movement, as evidenced by the -rattle of machine-guns, had now sunk as it were into blissful slumber. -Even the Very lights failed to illuminate the sky. It looked as though -the two armies had decided upon a truce until the morning. But not so! -Some ten minutes later there came the boom of distant guns, and then a -screech ending in a loud detonation. - -"Hum!" thought Bill. "Heard that sort of thing before! Shrapnel--and -not very far away either." - -"Just ahead. You can hear the bullets dropping on the roadway," the -_poilu_ answered, pointing. "It's just a strafe; they know, as we know, -that convoys occupy the roads at night, and every now and again they -send over a feeler. If they have luck--poof! it is uncomfortable for -some of us. But then, so also for the Boche; for if he shells, so do we -also. Besides, there are the aeroplanes; they swoop down on the roads. -A week ago the Boche had the impudence to attack us, but we hurried -under some trees, and in the darkness he lost us. But, plague take the -Boche, there are more shells! He is wakeful! It must be the man with -the toothache again, for listen to the machine-guns. Bother the man! -Why does he not go to the doctor?" - -Bill could hear him chuckling. That the Frenchman was undisturbed by -the shells now sailing over the country-side was quite evident. He did -not even duck his head as one played over the convoy and ricochetted -from the road perhaps a hundred yards in advance. If his features had -been clearly visible, his eyebrows would have been seen to lift as if -he were vastly astonished when another one spluttered shrapnel to the -left of the convoy. He even laughed when one plunged into the ground -not ten yards away. - -"It's always so," he said quite quietly. "You've heard, my friend, that -the bullet does not strike you which has not your number on it. It is -a great joke, I tell you; my number--my regimental number--is so great -that I doubt the bullet was never made that can hold it. But a shell. -Ah! that is different--eh? We can smoke now--_bien_! That is a comfort." - -Bill might have found it a comfort too if he had taken yet to smoking; -instead, he sat perched up beside this cool Frenchman, listening to -his words, turning his head round to watch the bursting shells, and -listening to others which hurtled through the air at a distance. - -"Uncanny, yes!" he told himself. "It makes one rather feel inclined to -shiver, as if a jug of cold water were being poured slowly down one's -back. But yes, it is something to be a philosopher, only difficult -under such conditions. Somehow it's so different from what it was on -the trawler; then everything was movement, hurry, rush, with fighting -to be expected; here it's all so peaceful--er--except for the shells." - -It was peaceful in its own way, though dangerous enough as many have -already discovered; yet, to do him justice, Bill never flinched, and -indeed rather enjoyed the whole experience. - -"A man gets used to it," said the Sergeant, when they got back to -their quarters, having in the meanwhile surreptitiously obtained a -report on Bill and his two chums. "You three fellows were not, of -course, expected to mind shelling after that trawler affair; but you -can take my word for it, son, that shelling gets on a man's nerves even -when he thinks he's used to it. You may go up to the trenches night -after night; sometimes there's not a shot fired; then you come in for -a burst of it and things are lively. If you don't, every odd gun that -sounds in your ear may have a shell for you--you're listening for it, -expecting it; it's almost as bad as a strafe same as I've been talkin' -of. Now, young shaver, you turn in! Precious soon you may be takin' -your own convoy up." - -Less than a month had passed when Bill was actually driving one of -the convoy carts, Larry and Jim being placed in similar responsible -positions. Then each got a step in rank and became lance-corporal, and -finally, when a few weeks had passed, were full sergeants. Just about -then it happened they were transferred from the Franco-American unit -to one of the new units working with the American army, which was now -swelling visibly and increasing in numbers. - -"We're off to the Somme area," Larry said. "Say now, ain't that the -place where British chaps fought the Huns somewheres about 1916, when -America wasn't yet in the war, and when the President was still tryin' -to keep us out of it? Guess it would want a lot of keepin' us out of it -now! What was it they said when we came in?--'in with both feet'--eh? -Gee. It's more than our feet we're putting into this business." - -They went by road to Amiens, where the famous Cathedral overshadows the -ancient city, soon to be the objective of the Germans; then they turned -due east and rode to Peronne, where, to their amazement, to Bill's -huge delight and none the less to the satisfaction of Larry and Jim, -they found themselves billeted next to British troops and their unit -actually attached to a British division. - -"It's getting a sorter mix-up, boys," a friend of theirs explained. -"Way north there's Belgians and French and British sorter mixed up -together; then there's Portuguese and British and French again sorter -mixed up and jumbled lower down; there's us and more British and -French, and then more Americans, all of 'em facin' the Hun and ready -for him. Folks say as how he's about to start a big offensive. There's -hundreds of thousands of German troops on t'other side of 'No Man's -Land'. For that we've got to thank the Revolutionists in Russia--or -rather, a chap should say, the Bolshevists--who, I reckon, are sorter -super-Socialists, and are agin' the law and agin' everything as the -Irish might say. Well, we're watching for Mr. Hun and his offensive." - -"And meanwhile we go on learning our own particular job with motor -transport," said Bill, for this part of the work entrusted to him -and his friends interested him even more than that of the horsed -transport. "You seem to be able to do so much more with motors; you -can go so much faster and farther, and the loads you carry are so much -heavier. Then, too, our job is to take up shells; and when you hear the -guns shying them over at the Huns you somehow feel that you're doing -better work than you were beforehand. An offensive--eh, Larry? Wonder -where it'll start? I did hear that this front might be attacked." - -"Guess the Hun wants to win back the line the British and French took -from him in the Somme offensive," Jim said. "You see, he was lying -then just east of Albert and pretty nigh within easy shot of Amiens; -then he got pushed back right away past Fricourt and Pozières and -other historical places, till his line was so broken and his defences -so upset that he made a forced retirement after the battle was over, -clearing out of Bapaume, Peronne, and Noyon to mention a few of the -places. It must have shook him up a little that offensive of our -allies, and if he's made up his mind to recapture the ground, well it -ain't wonderful." - -"Not when you come to remember the fact that the Russians are out of -this business altogether," declared Larry with a curl of his lip; -for somehow or other the downfall of the great Muscovite nation, the -refusal of the soldiers there to fight, and the upheaval and revolution -which had undermined the strength of the country, roused something -like contempt. "There ain't no longer need for Germans in the east nor -for Austrians either; a few battalions marching here and there are -quite enough to occupy the country and to bully and overawe the people. -Meanwhile the Kaiser is moving every man-jack he can find into France. -Folks says that the railways are worn-out with transporting guns and -men; and yonder, just over there"--and standing up the diminutive Larry -stretched out a hand to the country beyond Peronne, where the German -lines were--"somewhere yonder there are masses of the enemy, masses of -guns too, I dare say, thousands of gas shells, trench mortars, bombs, -and every sort of implement, all being stored and made ready for the -day when the Germans will fling themselves upon Britons and French and -Belgians and Americans, not to mention Portuguese and others who are -fighting on the Western Front. It will be a terrific combat." - -Yet days went by, settled weather arrived, and the end of March was -already approaching. Those were days of beautiful sunlight, when men -began to think of throwing off the hairy waistcoats with which the -British soldier is provided, when greatcoats were discarded during -the daytime, and when men sniffed at the breeze, scented the spring -flowers, and thought of summer. But at night cold winds played over -the ground, and the earth, in which so many thousands were living, -dug deeply into it, struck chill and cold, and, as the early hours -of morning came, condensed the moisture. Then the country-side was -obscured in damp, wet fog, which hid the combatants from one another, -hid, indeed, all but the sound of guns, which thundered here and there -along the battle line. - -For days past, indeed, gun-fire had been a feature along the front; -it broke out here and there with violence; it subsided, perhaps, only -to burst into double fury at an adjacent point; while for some hours -now the enemy artillery had been thudding over a wide stretch, and -the Allied guns had been answering shot for shot, so that there was -pandemonium. Then, in the early hours of the 21st March, German masses -were suddenly launched through the dense fog which still clad the -country-side, and threw themselves with desperate fury upon the British -Third and Fifth Armies. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -Germany's Greatest Effort - - -It was cold and raw as Bill put his head up from the dug-out where he -and his chums had their head-quarters. - -"Something doin'," he said laconically, bobbing down again and -clambering to the depths below, where in 1915 the Germans had dug hard -to prepare a defensive line which would arrest the British forces. - -Yet that contemptible force, as the Kaiser had arrogantly called it, -swollen to unwonted proportions, had overrun this line in spite of -strenuous German resistance, and here, in March, 1918, in place of the -Hun enjoying such comfort as these dug-outs provided--here were Bill -and his friends snug under cover. - -"Somethin' doin'," Bill repeated, as he joined the throng down below, -some thirty-five feet under the surface, and stumbled in to find a seat -in the dug-out, about which sat or lounged, perhaps, a dozen men facing -the centre, where, perched on a kerosene tin, a single army-pattern -candle spluttered and glimmered. - -"Oh, aye!" answered one, as he pulled at his pipe. "Sounds like it! -Shouldn't wonder!" - -They listened. Each man, as if by habit, lifted his head and stared -hard at the spluttering candle. - -"Yep!" Larry interjected, pulling his hat from his head and rubbing his -fingers through his hair. "It do sound something like a ruction. This -here gunnin's been goin' on this four hours. Say, Bill, what's it doin' -upstairs?" - -"Aye, what's it doin'?" - -They turned their eyes upon the young soldier, and then sat there still -staring at the fluttering flame of the candle, listening, listening -to the thud, thud, thud, the almost continuous roar of distant -guns--damped down, as it were, by their deeply entrenched position, yet -a roar for all that--and listening to the distant reverberation, which -shook the earth and sent tremors through the dug-out. - -For hours, indeed, German guns had been thundering; for hours shells -of every variety, but mainly gas shells, had been crashing into the -British defences, and crashing upon roads, levelling all that was -left of the puny walls of one-time pleasant hamlets, creating more -destruction in an area already almost utterly destroyed by previous -bombardments. And to those guns British guns made answer, till the roar -made speaking well-nigh impossible even deep down there in that dug-out. - -"Best get something to eat, boys," said the practical Jim, when -a few minutes had passed in silence--that is, silence save for -that interminable thud, the occasional whine of a shell scarcely -perceptible deep down in the dug-out, and the deep rumbling of the -earth caused by so many concussions. "It looks as if the Germans are -coming on, and, that being so, the man who's got his waistcoat well -lined will be ready for them. Ah! hear that one? That's an ammunition -dump gone up! Hit direct, I shouldn't wonder." - -They had been almost deafened by a rumbling roar, and sat for a while -again in silence, then from an adjoining opening there emerged a -tin-hatted, hairy individual bearing a dixie in one hand and a ladle in -the other. It was the cook--a stalwart British Tommy, his muffler wound -round his face, a cigarette between his lips, the very embodiment of -coolness and nonchalance. - -"Food, boys!" he called out, "and maybe it's the last we'll get down in -this dug-out. With all that fire comin' over, it ain't possible that -we shall advance, and from what I've sorter gathered we'll be lucky -if we can hold our ground. There's millions of Germans. The Kaiser's -been bringin' 'em over from Russia all the time, and I expects that -'e's been bringin' all the guns and ammunition that the Russians left -to 'im. 'Ere you are, Bill, hold yer plate! Good bully and stew with -a potato or two a-floatin' around. You won't turn yer nose up at it, -I know, nor Larry neither. I don't know America, but I guess there -couldn't be anything better put before you out there--eh, Larry?" - -"Yep! You bet! Feedin' ain't no better and no worse out there, and -it'll never be better than it is here," the American answered, sniffing -at the stew and smacking his lips. - -Indeed he spoke the truth, for never were soldiers better fed than -those belonging to Britain. They ate their stew with relish, those men -down in that deep well of the earth, and then fell to smoking and to -chatting, while Bill clambered along flights of steep wooden steps till -he came to the gas curtain which hung across the exit, and, keeping his -gas respirator at the "alert" position, ready to pop the mask over his -face at any instant, he pushed the curtain aside, and, helmet on head, -emerged into the open. It was light--that is to say, it was lighter -than it had been three hours earlier, though a damp, wet fog clung to -the ground. Gun-fire still sounded, but for some uncanny reason its -fierceness had subsided; though now, in place of the heavy thuds of -distant batteries and the bursting of shells, there was to be heard the -sharp, crisper report of smaller explosive missiles. - -"Trench mortars, shouldn't wonder," he thought, "and that's rifle-fire, -machine-gun firing, and it's spreading all along the line! It's---- by -James! it's behind us! It's close here to our left! It's---- who are -they?" - -He peered through the mist, and then, lifting the curtain, dived down -the steps of the dug-out, reaching his friends eventually in a confused -heap, for he had missed his footing on the damp stairway. - -"Why, it's our little Bill," chaffed Larry, and then looked serious, -for Bill sat up, his clothes awry, his helmet dangling in one hand, his -eyes starting. - -"They're Huns--Huns I tell you! They're all round us! They've got -behind us! Our men have fallen back. It's been a surprise attack, and -the mist and the fog have helped them. It's--it looks as though we're -cornered." - -"Cornered! Cornered! Looks as though we're cornered," they repeated, -the words coming to Bill's ears as if from a far distance, first with a -decided flavour of the American accent, then in broad Devonshire, and -again from Jim in that drawl which was so unmistakable. "Cornered!" - -"Yep!" - -"But," said Larry, diving for his morsel of cigar, "you don't mean----?" - -"I mean," said Bill, "that the Germans are all round us, that we chaps -down here are probably cut off, and that we're in a tight fix. Where's -yer rifles? Where's yer bombs? Some of you men have got a store of -bombs down here that you were to carry up to the front line, and what -about ammunition stocks? This is a business! Look here, boys, make -ready whilst I go up and have another look round. The thing to do would -be to decide which way to go, how to act if we are surrounded. We shall -be made prisoners the moment we turn out, or get shot down. I'm not -asking to be made a prisoner--not me!" - -"Nor me neither," came from the burly individual who had borne the -steaming dixie into the dug-out, "nor me neither, Bill. I had some!" -he added, and he actually grinned in spite of the precariousness of -their situation. "Don't yer forgit, young feller, that in 1915 I was -took at Hulloch, opposite Loos, you know--no yer don't, 'cos you was -in America; but Hulloch's just where we gave the Hun proper stuff -somewhere about September, 1915. Well, I got pinched, and for about -a week I was a guest of the Kaiser's. Oh, no thanks! No more being a -guest of the Kaiser nor of any other Hun, I thank you. Skilly ain't in -it--I give yer my word, I was worn wellnigh to a shadow--I----" - -The incorrigible, loquacious fellow would have gone on discussing the -event for half an hour had not Bill abruptly interrupted him, while -another of the men brusquely ended his conversation. - -"Stow it, Nobby! You as thin as a rake, eh? You'll be thin soon if you -don't hold yer wind and help us to get out of what looks like a nasty -business. Yes, young Bill, you nip up, me and the other boys'll make -ready." - -"And I'll go along with him," said Jim, making towards the stairway. - -They clambered up rapidly, Jim adjusting his gas respirator. Then, -arrived at the gas curtain, they pulled it slowly aside and peered out. -It was lighter still, for every minute now made a difference. Mounting -higher overhead was the spring sun, though still invisible, yet -sucking continuously at the moisture, driving deep lanes through it, -trying all the while to send its rays to the soaked earth underneath. -There were figures moving about, a batch of men disarmed and dressed -in khaki were being marched across the narrow foreground; officers -dressed in field grey--the German uniform--were galloping to and fro, -and a host of men were staggering past bearing machine-guns and trench -mortars. It was a German invasion in fact. For the German hosts, -seizing the opportunity provided by mist, had taken the British Fifth -Army at a disadvantage, and, coming on by the thousand, had swept -through their front line and were already hotly engaged with other -troops farther to the rear. In that sudden, successful advance they had -overwhelmed small parties of the British, they had run over trenches -and advanced posts and dug-outs, and, in fact, they had erected a -curtain between those men in the front line who had been unable to fall -back, and their comrades now resisting the enemy advance. - -In that area which they had so suddenly captured lay the dug-out in -which Bill and his friends were quartered, and they too, like many -another party, were derelict, surrounded, encompassed by enemies, with -no way out, though as yet they were not actually prisoners. - -"Huh!" grunted Bill, peering from beneath the flap of the blanket, "it -don't look healthy--do it? A fellow don't know which way to turn nor -what to do. If we wait, we are taken. There'll be a party of Germans -come along and summon us to surrender. Then it would be a case of -'hands up' and 'come out'--or----" - -"Be burst in by a bomb," said Jim. "I know it! I went up with a party -of our chaps in one of those raids of ours when we blew up some of the -German dug-outs. My, it was a game!" - -They lowered the gas curtain over the entrance again and stumbled down -the stairway. - -"Yes, it was a game," said Jim, as they entered the dug-out and joined -their comrades. "A game for the Huns, you bet! Gee! and we wouldn't -find it so." - -The big man in the hairy waistcoat, with the broad smile on his strong -face, grinned, and, taking the cigarette from his mouth, tapped Larry -familiarly on the shoulder. - -"A game I've played too, up here in these very parts in the days when -we was fighting the Germans back over the Somme. Kamerad! D'you know -the call? They'd come tumbling up from the dug-outs, with their hands -above their heads, and, if you believe me, they'd offer money, watches, -anything, for their lives, boys. We gave 'em somethin' that time. Of -course, if they didn't come up we gave 'em a smoke-bomb; and if that -didn't fix 'em we put a sentry at the door and waited till a chap came -along with something stronger." - -"Hold hard! Sentry! Oh!" Bill shouted. - -"Oh!" repeated the big man; "and what's now? You ain't frightened?" - -"Frightened!" glared Larry. For the very thought sent him into a hot -flush of indignation. "Him!--Bill!--the chap----" - -"Shut up!" said Bill. "I was thinking of that sentry. We're -cornered--that's what all agreed--eh?" - -Even the big man in the hairy waistcoat could not fail to be in -sympathy with the suggestion. If he had, a glance out through the -door of the dug-out would have soon satisfied him. The light was now -stronger. The mist was clearing. On every side Germans could be seen, -while behind them, where there had been British support-lines before, -was now the fierce rattle of machine-guns and of trench mortars. -Across what had been "No-Man's-Land" streamed columns of Germans, some -marching in good order, others trapesing over the ground dragging every -sort of war material. There were detached bands, too, marching hither -and thither, and halting unexpectedly. They were searching for the -hidden caches of British soldiers, cut off by this sudden advance, and -for dug-outs. - -"Hold hard!" said Bill. "You chaps wait down here. Larry and Jim come -along up with me. I'm going to post a sentry over our show," he said, -when they had gained the curtain and were able to peep out. "Perhaps -we'll get a chance." - -"A chance!" said Larry, scratching his head--"a chance to place a -sentry! You mean a chance to get hold of some togs in which to rig one -of us up. That's a fine idea, Bill, but it would mean shooting if we -were discovered." - -"Not if the sentry's a real German," grinned Bill. "You know what I -mean--a real stout, floppy German!" - -"A real stout---- Here, what are you getting at!" cried Jim, and he too -was grinning. - -As for Larry, as one might expect, he merely cocked his hat a little -farther forward, fumbled automatically for the stump of his cigar, and -scrutinized the smiling Bill from the top of his tin hat to his thick -boots. - -"Look here, me lad, this 'ere fat, floppy German," he said. "What are -you after? Gee, lad, but--but I do believe----" - -"Hist! Sit down! Let the blanket drop! There are men there, fat and -floppy," whispered Bill, pulling them both back well into the entrance, -and seeing that the curtain was carefully lowered. Then, pushing it -aside with a single finger, he bid them in turn peer out. - -A shattered hedge ran not far from the opening to the dug-out, masking -the entrance to some extent. A bank, too, obstructed the approach to -it, and bordered a sunken road, which no doubt at one time had been -a feature of the village situated just there. But the village had -gone long since. High-explosive shells had churned the ground in all -directions, had torn the pleasant dwellings of the villagers to shreds, -had lacerated the trees and broken them on every side, had even turned -water-courses, by bursting in their channels, and, having dug deep -holes and pits in all directions and flattened every prominence known -by the residents, had transformed the country thereabouts, and indeed -for miles and miles on either hand, into a vast disordered desert. - -Yet this one feature remained--a narrow, sunken cart track, passing -along beside a bank which gave it shelter, perhaps, from the desolating -action of the shells--a bank which was seamed and furrowed by the -spades of men who had dug deep into it for shelter. It harboured -amongst those many cavities the entrance to this dug-out. As for the -lane itself, it harboured at this particular moment a German--a big, -lumbering man, whose steel helmet seemed so huge that it covered his -head as an extinguisher covers a candle. He was plodding along towards -the dug-out, perhaps some two hundred yards distant from it, his eyes -upon the ground, his weary feet moving heavily, his rifle over one -shoulder. - -"That's him," said Bill, pointing a finger through a niche made by -withdrawing the curtain with his finger. "That's our sentry--a fine -big, fat German!" - -He could feel rather than hear Larry giggling. As for Jim, he squatted -down beside the wooden sides of the entrance to the dug-out and did his -utmost to stifle the roars of laughter he felt bound to give way to. -For somehow the sight of that plodding German coming steadily towards -them, Bill's incriminating finger, and their own peculiar position, -struck a ludicrous note. It tickled his fancy immensely. - -"Ho! ho! ho!" he roared, till Larry, turning, struck him sharply on the -shoulder. - -"Gee, man!" he said; "d'yer think we're going to stay here and be -captured 'cos a big lout such as you gets a-laughin'? But Bill's right, -ain't he? A fine German, just fine! And won't he do for us! Just how'll -we tackle him?" - -"Tackle him!" exclaimed Bill. "Easy! Get your gun, push it through the -curtain. Here, wait till he gets close to us, then watch and see!" - -Neither of the three had any fears as to the result of the encounter, -and less so as the German drew nearer. From being just a big, fat, -ambling German, he was seen from a closer view to be in addition a very -shaken and frightened individual. - -"Here, you just sit up sharp," said Larry, pushing his revolver through -an opening which Jim made, while Bill pushed his head up through the -other side of the curtain. "Hands up--quick! Now, young feller, you -come over here straight! D'you get me?" - -The German "got him" at once. He stood of a sudden stock still, lifted -his eyes, and gazed at the entrance to the dug-out. Then he dropped his -rifle, opened his mouth wide as if about to shout, and half turned. But -at that instant Larry's weapon was pushed still farther forward, and, -obedient to Bill's beckoning finger, the German picked up his rifle, -holding it well above his head, and the other hand also, and advanced -towards them. - -"Now, you look here, you Hun," said Larry, pushing his way farther -forward, "I'll be just behind you here--savvy?--with a bit of the -curtain between us. You'll march to and fro--get me? Just to and fro -same as any ordinary sentry. But if you try tricks, cunning tricks, me -boy, look out for it!" - -"Aye, look out for it!" Jim chimed in; "because, if Larry misses, I -ain't so bad a shot by no means." - -"Here, he doesn't understand. Let's try him with a bit of French," -said Bill, stepping out to the bewildered German. "Speak English?" he -asked, and then, as the man answered "Nein"; "then understand this," -he told him in French, "you're to act as sentry. If you are challenged -by any other Germans, simply say that you've been put here by orders. -Don't try to play any games with us. My friends here are Americans, and -perhaps you know what that means: they can shoot. You understand that, -eh?" - -The man nodded; his mouth gaped for a moment, and then, flinging his -rifle over his shoulder, he began to move to and fro, to and fro, like -an automaton, glancing sheepishly at the entrance to the dug-out, and -seeing there every now and again a little niche or opening, and from -that niche the faces of either Jim or Larry or Bill, and sometimes -also the muzzle of a revolver. It was marching to and fro that -comrades of his saw him, and, taking it for granted that he had been -stationed there to watch the dug-out, they passed on without thinking -to challenge him. For the moment, in fact, Bill's ruse had saved his -comrades from capture, but how long would it act in that manner? The -sentry could not possibly march to and fro for ever, and presently -there would be more Germans in the neighbourhood. What then? - -"Aye, what then?" asked Larry thoughtfully, as he cocked and uncocked -his revolver. - -"Ah!" replied Jim, unable to fathom the difficulty. - -"A teaser," agreed Bill. "Let's hope for the best! What about a meal -anyway?" - -"Fine!" was Larry's terse rejoinder. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -Surrounded - - -"Let's count heads," said Bill, some hours after the German sentry -was posted and when one of the watchers had reported that he still -continued diligently at his post. "It's getting dark--things will be -moving presently." - -"And if we ain't by then, something unpleasant will be happening," -remarked the big man with the hairy waistcoat as he ladled the contents -of a steaming dixie out into the mess-tins of the men. "That there -sentry, as I've squinted at this dozen times now, will be off the -moment it gets dark and dusk's fallen. Give 'im ten minutes from that -to shout hisself hoarse and call up some of 'is mates; after that----" - -"After that," grinned one of the men, as though he rather enjoyed the -statement and thought it a joke, "there'll be a swarming band of the -blighters all round--there'll be bombs coming down most like. Say, -boys, we'd better eat all the grub we've got and make the best of it. -Pity to waste good things--eh?" - -He laughed as he dug his teeth into a huge slice of bread-and-jam. - -"But what about the heads? There's Jim and Bill and me--I counts -us three first, boys, 'cos, you see, I knows me mates best," -explained Larry. "Then there's Nobby here, our cook--and prime good -stuff he turns out--that's four, and Simkins over there eating -bread-and-jam--five; and, yes, there's five more, which makes us ten -down below and one upstairs watching the Hun--eleven good boys--eh?" - -"And ten hundred Huns outside," said Bill. "Yes, fair odds, Larry. -Fighting won't do much for us; we've got to use a little artifice. -Seems to me the first thing to do is to get out of the dug-out, for -once the sentry does get off, or once we're discovered, it will become -a trap. As to the sentry getting off, we could soon put a stop to that -by dragging him down here. But is it worth it?" - -"And what then?" demanded Nobby. "Young Bill, you are the boy to show -us the ropes--eh?" - -"Yep. You bet!" Larry interjected. "This here Bill's shown me and Jim -and a whole lot of pals the ropes before now. This ain't the time to -spout, but you can take it from me that he's a bit of a leader. Waal, -Bill, what about it?" - -"Aye, what about it?" they asked, gathering round the young Englishman, -much to Bill's discomfort. - -"Don't you get rattled," said Nobby, seeing him flush. For though the -light was not very good down there the fluttering candle still showed -sufficient light to make the men's faces easily visible, and Bill -had flushed at Larry's words. "You sit yerself down and take another -bite; there's just a tinful left at the bottom of my dixie. Then -have a smoke--one o' these yeller perils. Yer don't know them! Yer -don't smoke! Why, these 'ere things is the soldier's delight, and the -orficers smoke 'em too; so they're good, you can guess. No, you won't -eat any more, and yer won't smoke, but yer thinkin'. What is it?" - -"Can't say," said Bill. "But I'm too young to lead you fellows." - -"Too young!" exclaimed Nobby. "You don't 'come it' in that way, young -Bill. I ain't been down 'ere these many days cookin' for our mess -without learning things. My word, Larry ain't the one to talk much -unless you've got 'im in a good mood--and seems to me he ain't always -in a good mood--but he did talk at times, and--well--there's some of -us as has heard o' that trawler. Boys, there ain't no officer 'ere; -there's some of us what 'as got non-commissioned rank--but this is a -fix what's likely to cost us our liberty. Who's to lead us?" - -"Bill," came from many of them. "Bill," they cried. - -"Sure--Bill. Didn't I tell you, boys," said Larry. "Then get in at it, -youngster. What are we to do?" - -"Do?--it's almost impossible to say," Bill answered them; for -during the last few hours he had been hard at work considering the -situation--only to meet with disappointment. How could he devise any -plan when there was nothing to base his plans upon? If they stayed down -in the dug-out they risked destruction and certainly imprisonment; if -they went abroad, well, plans then depended entirely upon circumstances. - -"Boys," he said, "I'll do what I can. Some of you fellows may be senior -to me, but no matter; we're all in the show together, and if I can -help, why, you can count on me. Now, as to what we're to do: I'm going -aloft at once, and immediately it's dark enough I'm going to our German -and I'll send him off down the lane double quick, with orders not to -come back unless he wants a bullet in him. By then you chaps will have -collected all the grub you've got, each one of you will have picked -up his rifle, and you will see that every round of ammunition we're -possessed of is carried on with you. Then we take a line that leads -us west and south, and we'll make for the Somme River, for that's the -direction, I think, in which our troops have retreated." - -"Good for you!" said Larry. - -"It sounds a likely sort of business, it do," said the big man with the -hairy waistcoat--"leastways it's better'n nothing. Being cooped up here -is worse than bein' blown to bits or taken prisoner out in the open. -Well," he went on, swinging his arms wide, or as wide, we will say, -as the dug-out permitted, and throwing his chest forward, "the open's -the place for a man--eh, boys? Living down here like a rat or like a -rabbit ain't what I asks for." - -A glance at this gallant fellow was quite enough to show that he was -an open-air man; he was indeed a typical example of your English -countryman who lives the day long in the open, thrives on fresh air, -and looks robust and sturdy. As to fear, he seemed to have no idea as -to what it meant, and rather looked upon these new difficulties and -dangers as something of a diversion. He at any rate would make a most -excellent companion on the sort of adventure on which the party were -now to step out. Bill glanced at him approvingly; Larry cocked an eye -at this burly Englishman and smiled. - -"Say, boy," he lisped, "ef you ain't just it--just the sort o' pard as -Uncle Sam likes. I'm glad I've a chance of soldiering up alongside o' -you. It does a man good what's come from the States, where we've been -looking on at the fighting these last two or three years, to come in -contact with British soldiers who've been fighting like tigers all this -while. But we'll do the same, never you fear. America means business!" - -Probably the huge Nobby had never had such a long speech addressed -to him before, and in front of such an audience. He positively -blushed--stuttered--grinned--and then brought an enormous paw down on -Larry's attenuated shoulder. - -"Don't you worry, chum," he said; "I'll look after you. If any blighted -German tries to get at yer, just call to me." - -It was hardly the kind of statement that Larry looked for--distinctly -not the sort of thing he required, for, diminutive though he was, -the American positively oozed courage and determination--that cool -determination which seemed to suit him and his languid person so -admirably. As for wanting anyone to take care of him, he was well able -to do that for himself, and was about to tell Nobby so in unmistakable -manner, when, on second thoughts, he realized that it was merely good -comradeship which had prompted him to give vent to the statement. - -"You're a chum," was all he said; "you'll look after me. And say, -Nobby, ef ever you get into a tight corner, just sing out. I'm small -but I'm handy--eh?" - -He grinned as he turned in Jim's direction, and then winked at Bill, -whereat Nobby glanced at the two of them to find Jim nodding violently. - -"He's put the case fine," said the latter. "Larry's small--you'd think -you could take him by the neck and shake the life out of him--but he's -a vixenish little rat, I can tell you, and he'd dig his teeth into -you before you could get a real good grip. And, Nobby boy, don't you -ask him to start in with a gun; he'd flick the eyelid off of a weasel -within ten yards, would Larry--it's part of his vixenish spirit. Oh -yes, he's weak, he is! A tarnation little rat to deal with." - -It was complimentary in half a sense, the reverse if viewed from -another direction. But it pleased Larry immensely, and it appealed to -the understanding of the British soldier. He glanced 'cutely at Larry, -took far more notice of the various points of his person, and then -patted him violently on the shoulder. - -"I see! You're sort o' small and daring," he said, -"and--and--pug--er--what's the word?" - -"Pugnacious," Bill interjected. - -"Aye, pugnacious--always wantin' a row, looking round for things to -fight, like so many little people. And he can shoot--he can flick the -eyelid off a weasel! Well, that'ud want doing at ten yards. But, to -speak as you chaps do, I guess he can shoot. That's good. He'll want to -know how in the next few hours, if we're to get through the Germans. -Now, boys, up we go!" - -They waited, however, in the dug-out whilst Bill clattered up the -stairs and so to the curtain. Peering out, he discovered it was -already dusk, though he could still see the German sentry. The man was -trapesing up and down in less soldierly manner--he was slouching in -fact--looking about him a great deal more than he had done before, and, -if only Bill could have read his mind, was wondering how long it would -be before the dusk was sufficiently deep to allow him to bolt away -suddenly from his captors. - -"Only, then there's the alternative," this hulking German was saying -to himself. "I must return to our forces--I must continue fighting. -Ah! that is terrible! I am tired of it--always it is fight on! fight -on!--for victory! We Germans outnumber them by hundreds of thousands, -and then, where is the victory? Not at Verdun--where I fought! Not at -Ypres before it! Not since then anyway. And now in this great 'push' -shall we attain it?" - -It was a question which many another German was asking himself -at that moment--many indeed of the High Command. For Germany was -staking everything--her very existence--upon this enormous and sudden -offensive, which she had launched against the British Third and Fifth -Armies. We have already recapitulated the facts of the case, and -will only remind the reader that on March 21st, when this assault -was opened, Germany's eastern front facing Russia had been almost -completely depleted of German troops. The railways across Germany from -Russia into France were almost worn out with the constant transit -of battalions; and here they were--they and those guns--those guns -manufactured by Britain for Russia and treacherously handed over to -the Germans. Here they all were--thrown pell mell at the British--and -already the line had bulged back, thanks to this enormous mass of -fighting material and to a favouring mist; and the line was to go -still farther back. Indeed the Fifth Army was to experience on this -day, and for almost ten days following, as severe fighting as ever -troops took part in on the Western Front. Nothing but swift retreat, -fighting every inch of the way, could save the British line; nothing -but constant pressure, giving here and there as German masses became -overwhelming--constant pressure, with retreat at the psychological -moment, and taking advantage of every coign and vantage-point--that and -only that, with British valour behind it, could save the line and hold -up this gigantic massed attack on the part of the enemy. - -We may advance the story a little with advantage. The Fifth British -Army, which by all the canons of warfare should have been annihilated, -considering its inferior strength and the enormous advantage the mist -gave the enemy--that army retreated rapidly at first, but maintained -cohesion between its various units. It fought night and day, it fought -for every foot of the road from Peronne and back to the valley of the -Somme. It held up the German advance here and there and everywhere, and -melted away from it as huge German reinforcements were brought up. It -smote the enemy battalions, it laid thousands of them in the dirt, and -finally, after days and nights of an ordeal which would have tried the -best of troops, it passed the line at Albert, running north and south, -where the British and French trench line had rested from 1914 onwards -to the summer of 1916, until, indeed, the Somme battles were fought. -There it settled down firmly like a rock, holding up further advance on -the part of the enemy. - -During these strenuous days the Third British Army, on the left of the -Fifth, also fell back as respects its right flank, inflicting very -severe casualties on the enemy, while French reserves and American -troops were poured in the direction of Albert and Montdidier, where -soon the Germans were beating against the Franco-American-British line -ineffectually, fighting desperately to continue an advance and to force -the British into a rout. - -That retreat will, when its details are better known, be viewed as of -as great historical importance as that from Mons to the south-east of -Paris in 1914. Indeed, in a measure and in its own particular way, it -will demand closer attention and perhaps greater admiration on the -part of a future generation. For, whereas the retreat from Mons was -performed by the British Expeditionary Force when small in numbers as -compared with the enemy, the fighting was less strenuous, manœuvre -warfare had only just commenced and that at the very commencement of -hostilities. The retreat from Peronne to the Somme and across it was, -on the contrary, manœuvre warfare following a long period of close -trench warfare. In it the utmost use was made of mechanical means of -killing people. No cavalry screens could hold the enemy off as our -fine cavalry did on the road to the south-east of Paris. It was a case -of machine-guns and trench mortars in front firing into the British, -and British machine-guns and rifles attempting to hold up the advance -of a horde of men armed to the teeth, behind whom were masses of guns -constantly being hurried forward. - -This retreat, however, is analogous to that from Mons in one respect, -in that our very gallant French ally fought shoulder to shoulder -with us. It marks as well a stage absolutely apart, a new era in this -gigantic war in that at this moment American troops appeared, to fight -shoulder to shoulder with us. Not yet had American troops appeared in -force. There were some hundreds of thousands of them already in France, -but the bulk--the millions that America can and will place in the -field if need be--were still in America, five thousand miles distant, -and time and ships were needed to convey such armies and the material -essential for them. Those American troops, let us add--forerunners of -the vast army above referred to--acquitted themselves like men. Though -only a few of the number then in France were flung into this battle -they did wonderful work, so that Larry and Jim and Bill had every -reason to be proud of them. - -Mention of the last brings us back to our friends. Bill, emerging from -the dug-out entrance, gripped the German sentry. - -"See that?" he said, pointing down the lane, now hardly -distinguishable. "Move on. Don't turn to right or to left--and look -out--we shall be following you. If you try to communicate with your -pals--well, there'll be trouble." - -He saw the lumbering German go plodding off down the lane, his rifle -still over his shoulder, and waited until he disappeared into the -gloom. Then he shouted down the stairway: - -"Come up, boys, all clear!" - -One by one the men filed up from below, each carrying his rifle and -ammunition as well as a haversack filled with provisions, while the -majority also had water-bottles, and all wore steel helmets. Presently -they stood outside the entrance in the gathering dusk, a forlorn little -band, fully conscious of the fact that they stood as it were alone -in this veritable "No-Man's-Land", surrounded by a host of Germans. -Indeed, as they stood there waiting for the order to move, they -could hear voices here and there--the guttural tones of the Kaiser's -soldiers--while from their right, in a south-westerly direction, there -came the continuous rattle of machine-guns, the rolling sounds of -volleys and of independent rifle-firing, and, smothering all these -sounds at times, the racket of a heavy cannonade. Far away sounds -seemed to be echoing--the sounds of British guns and British rifles and -other weapons. - -"And then?" asked Nobby, his tin hat a little on one side, his hairy -person standing out conspicuous from amongst the others in spite of -the semi-darkness. "Over there," and he jerked a thumb towards the -fighting-line, "there's ructions, and round about there's Huns, and -there'll be Fritzes here and there and everywhere between us and the -battle-line. Young Bill, you've got somethin' to face! What's the word?" - -"Aye, what's the word?" others asked. - -"March! Not a sound! Let no one answer if they challenge. But wait, -we'll form up into column of twos, and I'll post a man on either flank -of the column whose job it will be to tackle any inquisitive German. No -shots to be fired, boys! Butt-ends!" - -"Ah! butt-ends! I'll butt-end Fritz if he comes near me!" growled -Nobby, his grin gone for a moment, looking, what indeed he was, -a formidable fellow, as he swung his rifle-butt forward from the -sling which was over his shoulder. "If Fritz comes between me and -liberty--well, it'll be Fritz's fault. I've done 'em in before now, -young Bill, and I'll do in a few more before this journey's finished." - -"March!" Bill put himself at the head of the little column and trudged -forward, first a few steps down the lane and then out through a gap -which led from it towards the south-west. Right away, far on their -right, he could distinguish a huge dull mass, which common sense and -his knowledge of the geography of those parts told him must be the -Butte of Warlencourt. Farther along, a little to the right of it, would -lie the Albert-Bapaume road, the road which led to safety, and along -that again, in the direction of Albert, on either side, a country -decimated and torn to shreds by the fighting in 1916. There the Somme -battles were bitterly contested, and for miles on either hand, where -once had been a fair land dotted with pleasant villages, was now, as -he knew from frequent observation, a blasted, battered rolling plain -of mud and grass, and grass and mud and shell-holes interspersed with -fragments of smashed villages. Here and there, perhaps as much as -four feet of a wall remaining, elsewhere the base of some ancient -church, a factory in another part crumbling to dust, its machinery -rusting--rotten with exposure. - -There would be derelict British tanks, too, turned on their sides, -burst by interior explosion, and far and wide, here and there in -groups--as in the case of the graves of those gallant Australians who -captured Pozières--stood pathetic little crosses, beneath which rested -all that remained of men who had gallantly fought for the empire. -You who live secure in old England, and find it almost impossible to -imagine such conditions, take the word of those who have seen. Conjure -up in your mind's eye this blasted country, and recollect that there, -on the fields they conquered, lie men who died for you, that you and -England might survive the tyranny of Prussia. - -But enough of such things. Bill knew every step of the way, for he had -driven it and walked it on many an occasion. - -"March!" he exclaimed; "we'll make straight for the Butte and then -for the road. Look out for Germans! A few German overcoats would give -us fine cover, and this mist also should help us far on our way. Step -out--the faster we go the better!" - -They went off through the gathering gloom, through the wet mist which -was already cloaking the earth, and presently swung past the western -end of the Butte of Warlencourt, which marked the limit of advance of -the British army in 1916. Then their feet gained the Albert-Bapaume -road, and presently they were speeding along it and getting every -half-hour nearer to the sounds of battle. But though they marched -nearer and nearer to their friends, what chance had they? Would they -ever break through that line of Germans which undoubtedly extended far -and wide and cut them adrift from the Allied armies? - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -Where Men fought for Empire - - -"Halt! I hear men coming! There are troops on the road--listen!" - -Bill, who was leading the party of men cut off from the British army--a -party, be it remembered, comprising not only sturdy British soldiers, -but just as sturdy members of the new American army--suddenly thrust -out an arm and brought them to a standstill. There on the paved highway -which runs from Albert to Bapaume, and which the British, with that -thoroughness for which they have now no doubt won world-wide fame, had -macadamized and rolled until it was as smooth as a billiard table, -though but a few months before it had been churned and smashed to -pieces by gun-fire--there, unhappily, the same churning and smashing -process was being repeated between the spot where Bill and his friends -stood and Albert itself, perhaps five miles distant. For in that -direction the thunder of guns was loudest, and even the mist and the -darkness could not hide the flash of hidden batteries and the bursting -of shells from British artillery, nor could the sounds of distant -battle altogether drown other sounds--the deep muffled tread of a mass -of men. - -"Coming back towards us from the Albert direction," said Bill. -"Probably men who have been relieved, or perhaps it's a ration party. -Anyway, off we go! Take the road here to the right. Look sharp!" - -He stepped off the macadam, to find himself to his arm-pits in a huge -shell-hole--a relic of 1916--in which also reclined what remained of -a shattered tank--one of the land fighting-ships which Britain had -brought to bear against the Germans. Clambering out of it, with two -other men of the party who had been similarly unfortunate, he struck -away from the road, the others following closely. Then, of a sudden, -Larry called to him. - -"Say, Bill, here's just the sort of stunt for us! Seems like an old -building." - -"Aye, a _sucrerie_. I remember it," came from Nobby. "Here you are, -here's one of the tanks in which they boiled their roots. It's -Pozières--for a hundred! Pozières! don't I know it? Here's where the -Australians did in the Germans what was holding 'em up, and pushed on -towards Courcelette." - -Bill recollected the place at once. Not once but a hundred times -probably had he been up or down this Albert-Bapaume road, and, like -everyone who had traversed it, he remembered well that little graveyard -on the left with the crosses to the gallant Australians, and on the -right, here and there, lost almost amongst the tumbled earth and -smashed country-side, solitary little crosses, and farther along on -the left again, as he went to Bapaume or Peronne, that shattered -factory with the old sugar-tanks, smashed and crumbled and perforated -by shrapnel and machine-gun bullets, lying three hundred yards from -the road, sole relic of the once flourishing and pretty village of -Pozières, now relic only of a spot which was the scene of some of the -bitterest fighting in 1916. - -"In you go," said Bill. "These ruins will hide us, and we can sit down -and have a feed. Nobby, you know the place you say--tell us all about -it, so that we may know what we're in for. Any good hiding-places?" - -"Know the place?" grinned Nobby, as they entered the shattered walls -of the factory and sat themselves down on the floor, which was still -littered with much of the broken material left by the British. "Well -now, when I was here--seems months and months ago--there was a medical -post stationed 'ere, covered up in sand-bags. And, my word, didn't -they want 'em! Shrapnel was comin' over all the time, and you've only -got to see those tanks outside to realize how machine-gun bullets were -buzzing. Yet it was a comfortable enough crib then, though rough, and -gave fair shelter." - -"Fair shelter?" said Bill, suddenly pricking up his ears and thinking. -"Supposing now we were forced to protect ourselves, it would----" - -The gallant Nobby realized his meaning promptly. "It would," he said -with emphasis. "These 'ere old walls, what you can see of 'em in the -mist and the darkness, are thick--that is, what's left of 'em is--and -there used to be a cellar underneath the floor. If Fritz becomes -inquisitive and tries to round us up, why, believe me, this 'ere place -might do us a treat. Better'n being in the dug-out anyway. 'Sides, as -I remember it, it just tops a rise, and the ground slopes gently away -from it all round. That'ud be nasty for the Boche, eh?" - -"It'ud provide us with a hiding-place perhaps," said Bill thoughtfully, -as they all sat down and munched a ration. "Looks to me, Larry, as -though we'd better have another council of war, we fellows, right -forward there. We might with a bit of luck get right through the lines -during the night. On the other hand, we mightn't. We'd stand a better -chance if we could hide up in a place like this, which, as Nobby says, -ain't a dug-out, but gives us shelter. We could then get an observation -post and look round the neighbourhood. Of course the place might be -searched; but then we always stand a chance of being discovered, even -if we move on, eh? What's your idea? What do you say about it?" - -"Yep," said Larry, pursing his lips. "Gee! this here's a conundrum! I'd -like to treat it as our folks say in 'judgematical' manner. Supposin' -we move on--well, soon we've got to get off the road, for we've come -somewhere near the line where troops are moving. You may say that the -Germans have pushed right ahead, past the Butte of Warlencourt and -beyond Pozières. They've made a tidy advance in the few hours that have -passed since their offensive opened, and now they're held up, or nearly -held up, let's hope, somewheres just in front of us. But where is -that somewheres? It may be just a mile ahead; it mayn't, on the other -hand. Supposin' we moves on, then we may barge into a whole crowd and -get bayoneted for our trouble; we may get shot down by our own guns; -or we may even find ourselves mixed up in a German offensive and get -done in by German machine-gun bullets, perhaps American machine-gun -bullets--for some of our boys will get rushed up to help the Allied -line. No, siree, I vote that we sits down here for the night, and, come -morning, hides away. Then we'll look up some place from which we can -observe, and will try to get an idea of what's happening." - -"And Jim?" asked Bill, for Jim was one of those quiet Americans who -never spoke unless he had something worth saying, but whose opinion was -valuable. - -"I'm in with Larry," he said. "There's uncertainty either way, whether -we go forward or remain here. We may get hunted out to-morrow, or caged -in this place like rats in a trap. If so, we can put up a fight at -least, same as I guess many other pockets of soldiers overrun by the -Germans will be doing. Better that than push on and shove our noses -into a noose." - -One after another the men gave vent to their own particular personal -opinions, and so it became apparent that the general consensus of -thought was that the party should halt where it was and rest till dawn -came. After that--well, their fortunes lay in the lap of the gods. -It was hardly likely that they would escape from such a predicament -without trouble or danger, but, if it came, they would be better able -to face it after having rested. - -Trust the British soldier and his American chum to make the most of any -sort of surroundings and to gain comfort in spite of bleak conditions. -Half an hour later the whole party--with the exception of one man who -watched at the exit of the factory--lay fast asleep, snoring, in their -greatcoats under the blankets, which each of them had carried. The -sentry stood on a piled-up heap of shattered masonry which had once -supported the upper floor of the factory, looking through one of the -exits. We have said one of the exits, though that hardly gives a good -idea of the condition of the place, seeing that British guns and German -guns had each in turn hammered this property, with the result that -walls had been flattened and holed. The upper story had gone entirely, -windows were no more, and but a battered wreck remained, with hardly a -semblance of a factory about it, gaping to the skies with wide rents in -all directions. Its interior was a mass of fallen stones, save where -lay relics of previous British occupation. - -Morning found the party, refreshed by their sleep, fit once more -and ready for anything. The mist, too, was not sufficiently thick to -prevent their inspecting their immediate surroundings, and Bill, as -leader of the party, at once proceeded to make himself familiar with -them. - -"Good!" he exclaimed. "Some hundreds of sand-bags here. Some of 'em -rotten and going to pieces, but others quite sound. They formed, of -course, the protection to the aid post. And here's the 'elephant' -shelters still standing. Better still! they'll keep the rain out. Now -for a squint all round, and then for the cellar. Seems to me we might -hold out here for some time." - -Months before, parties of natives and others employed by the British -had swept over the Somme battle-field, throughout its vast extent, and -had salvaged a great amount of material for future use: guns here and -there, munitions elsewhere, telephone wires, every sort of warlike -material had been gathered in to one collecting centre, even timbers -had been extracted from the deep dug-outs constructed by the Germans. -But sand-bags and this heavy iron sheeting forming the "elephant" -shelter were not worth removing, and were therefore left to rot like -the remainder of their surroundings. To Bill and his friends they -promised a certain amount of security. - -"You see," said Bill, "we could set to work now, select the bags that -are in good order, and form a strong post here, out of which no sort -of machine-gun fire could drive us--they'd have to bring guns along, -or bombs, to do us in--eh, Larry? What about it, Nobby? Suppose the -Germans did track us to this spot, are you going to surrender without -putting up a fight?" - -Nobby looked distinctly annoyed. He glared at Bill, and looked more -enormous and more formidable in his hairy coat in that morning mist -than he had done previously. He smote himself violently on the chest -and tilted his tin hat forward. - -"Me give in to Fritz without a fight?" he asked. "'Ere, young chap, -what d'yer take me for?--a blinkin' blighter?" - -Bill didn't. He mollified the great Nobby by placing one hand on his -stalwart shoulder, and then turned to Larry. It was characteristic of -the latter that he merely smiled. - -"What should I do? What'ud you do yerself, Bill? Give in, of course! -Walk out and ask Fritz to be friendly! That's you all over, that is. -Just what you'd do, Bill: hob-nob with him--ask him to take a cup of -tea--sit down and be pally." - -"Huh!" It was then that Jim laughed--Jim, the usually silent American. -Larry's sarcasm tickled him wonderfully, and then, of course, he knew -Bill so thoroughly. Was it typical of Bill, the young fellow who led -them, cool, quiet, and calm on most occasions, yet already an approved -fire-eater--was it typical of him to suggest surrender without putting -up a strenuous opposition? Jim cackled loudly. - -"There'll be trouble here soon, Larry," he went on, "ef you carry on -like that. This here Bill was only asking a polite question, and it's -up to you to answer politely--you and Nobby, who's about the biggest -and most pugnacious man I've come across this side of the water. As ef -we didn't know that both of you are crazy for a fight, and believe me, -yep, you'll be having it soon, to your heart's content. Here we are, -boxed in, we might say, only in nicer surroundings than we was back -there in the dug-out, and d'you mean to say that we're going to give up -these comfortable quarters because Fritz asks us to do so?" - -Jim stood up and stretched his hands out on either side, pointing to -their immediate surroundings--those shattered masses of bricks and -mortar, tumbled beams, and wrecked and twisted ironwork--for all the -world as if it were a palace. And, indeed, to these men, accustomed to -the decimated country of France, in which war was now raging, these -shattered factory walls did present the aspect, if not of a palace, -then of a place which offered some sort of protection. Those sand-bags, -for instance, the ironwork of the "elephant" shelter, the heaps of -bricks also, all offered something which would allow them to put up a -formidable resistance. It was not a matter that needed explaining to -any one of the party, it was merely a question of coming to a decision -as to their plans. Not a single one of the party was likely to be -behindhand in his determination; yet it was good to hear Larry talking -so sarcastically to Bill, Jim laughing at them, and to see the huge -Nobby getting red with indignation at the very suggestion of surrender. -It was encouraging to see the spirit of cheerful confidence, as well as -defiance, that animated all. - -"In course we all comes in," blurted out one of the party, himself -no inconspicuous person, inasmuch as he stood nearly six feet in his -socks, and was as fine and clean-limbed a young Englishman as one could -wish to find. "I ain't got no particular 'down' on Fritz, I ain't, -though I bears in mind the fact that he's murdered women and children -and old men up and down the country; all I asks for is a clean fight, -if he can give it, which I doubts. If not, then let's have a fight -that'll do for him, and if I don't give Mr. Fritz 'is stomick full, -why, you can send me home to Blighty. Fight, Bill? In course we will! -Nobby knows you will, only he likes a row, he does. What about fixing -the plans up--eh? so as to make ready." - -The upshot of it all was that they put their heads together, and very -soon every one of the party, save one particular man, was hard at work -perfecting their defences, selecting the best of the sand-bags and -piling them into the openings in the brickwork, so that the shell of -the factory, no very considerable place, was soon converted into a -species of filter, in the centre of which a ragged hole gave access to -a rotting and severely damaged staircase, and that in turn to a cellar -which would give protection from gun-fire. - -In the meanwhile a single man had clambered to a post of vantage on -the walls, where his figure was concealed by a mass of ivy, which -already was invading the interior of the factory. From that point he -could survey the country-side, and, as the mist lifted, was able to -report to his friends what was going forward. - -"There's guns and men and carts of all sorts filing along the -road--thousands of 'em--all making towards Albert; and--'arf a mo! -bless me, if there ain't aeroplanes comin' along in this direction! -What's they got, naughts or crosses? Ah, it's naughts! They're British. -Oh, and ain't they givin' 'em 'arf a time! Believe me, they're -a-clearin' this 'ere road from Albert to Bapaume, divin' down and -droppin' things! And Fritz ain't 'arf a-boltin'. Look at them blighters -scuttlin' in among the trees like a flock o' scared chickens!" - -The announcement brought every man of the party to some aperture from -which he looked craftily towards the road, but a little way distant; -and there, as he watched, as the sentry had told him, he could see -columns of Germans pressing on after the British line, which had -retreated, some of the battalions marching across the ploughed-up and -shell-destroyed land on either hand. Overhead, flights of aeroplanes -could be seen, and some of these were skimming low over the road, -emptying their machine-guns into the massed infantry, which in turn -either broke up in confusion, and dived from the road, or fired with -their rifles upon the aeroplanes, though with little or no effect. - -From the far distance came the muffled roar of guns, sometimes -silenced, as it were, by the nearer staccato rattle of machine-guns, -and then from perhaps five hundred yards away was heard the sharp -report of anti-aircraft weapons. - -"And it do yer good," said Nobby, hidden well behind the masonry, -staring up into the sky, "it do yer good to see them boys up there -fightin' their aeroplanes same as ships is fought at sea. Gee! as -our one and only Larry says, if they ain't cleared the road already! -There's not a bloomin' German left on it, which says somethin' for -aeroplanes and more for British machine-guns, lettin' alone the young -chaps as works 'em. If only some of 'em could see us down 'ere and drop -to the ground to take us off! I wouldn't be scared, give you my word, -though I'd rather go through any sort of battle in the front line than -go up in an aeroplane. They don't look safe, and they ain't, that's my -belief, though to see them boys of ours a-goin' off in 'em you'd think -it was just a joy ride. S'welp me! 'Ere, what's happenin'?" - -Bill, standing close beside him, gripped his arm. - -"Get down!" he said; "they're coming this way. Our machine-guns have -driven them from the road, and they are looking for shelter. This is an -awkward business." - -"Awkward! It's--it's--rotten!" said Nobby. - -"Yep," they heard the inevitable lisp from Larry. "Gee! it is real -awkward that! Them German chaps don't like your British machine-guns -firing down on 'em, and I don't wonder; but that didn't ought to make -'em want to come poachin' here on our shelter. We ain't got no use for -'em! See here, Bill, it's likely to show us up." - -Necks were craned round odd corners, eyes peered out across the broken -ground towards the road, and fixed themselves upon numbers of crawling -figures--the figures of German infantry who a little while before had -been marching full of confidence along the Albert road. But those -swirling aeroplanes which had drawn the admiring glances of Bill and -his friends had swooped down upon them, and, as we have described, they -had cleared the road in little time, but for the men who lay killed -or wounded upon it, and now had shot off towards Bapaume, bombing and -machine-gunning other troops behind. But they might return at any -instant, and, with that in mind, the Germans, swept from the road, were -seeking the closest cover. Some of them had been attracted by the ruins -where Bill and his party hid, and were coming rapidly towards them. - -"And there's quite a whole heap of 'em," said Nobby. - -"Ah!" he heard Bill exclaim. "If it was a matter of a dozen, or even -two, we might take 'em one by one as they crawled in, and----" - -"And do 'em in," whispered Nobby. "Here, let me get down to that place -there for which they are making. I'll do 'em in, 'struth I will!" - -"No!" Bill told him abruptly. "Hun or no Hun, we'd play the game and -take 'em prisoners; but there's too many of 'em." - -"And a jolly good job too," Nobby growled. "If it's to be a case of -taking prisoners and playing the game, or a case of fightin', let's -fight. There's not one of us as ain't ready for it." - -"Not one." A glance round at the assembled men showed them all eager, -some gripping their rifles with bayonets fixed, others already -opening pouches which carried their bombs, while Larry had produced -from amongst the ruins an iron bar some two feet in length, which he -proposed to use as a club. Bill smiled upon them. - -"Good boys!" he said. "One of you chaps pitch a bomb over, just to let -'em know that they ain't welcome; then the fight'll start fair. Now, -all the rest get down under cover." - -It was Nobby who stepped into the centre of the ruin so as to give his -arm free play, and, pulling the safety-pin from his grenade, measured -the distance with his eye and lobbed it over, all eyes following its -path till presently it struck the ground perhaps twenty yards in front -of the leading German. Then there was a violent explosion; the enemy -advancing upon the ruin halted, looked at one another, discussed the -situation, and even began to retreat. But, a minute later, one, who -proved to be an officer, crawling right behind the others, came to -the head of the column, and, realizing that none but an enemy could -have tossed that bomb, and that here, quite by accident, he and his -men had unearthed a party of the British, sent scouts out to surround -the place, and presently, calling other men to his assistance, opened -rifle-fire upon them. The action had begun. From the numbers engaged -upon it on the enemy's side it looked as though Bill and his friends -had little chance of pursuing their journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -Attacked from All Sides - - -"It's going to be an attack from all sides," said Bill, as he crouched -behind a mass of masonry which stood rather higher than the rest, -and which, while giving a certain amount of shelter, also allowed -him to look out over the wreckage of the factory, to peer into -neighbouring shell-holes, past shattered and rent tree trunks towards -the Albert-Bapaume road in one direction, to Courcellette in the other, -and elsewhere across the desert of churned-up earth which represented -the heart of this once beautiful Somme country. "And I can see heads -bobbing up here and there and everywhere, and, yes, there go the -bullets!" - -One of them splashed debris and rotting mortar in his eyes as it struck -the fractured masonry just above his head, while another thudded into a -sand-bag not a yard from him--a sand-bag which had lain there rotting -since 1916, and which now, receiving the sudden blow, burst asunder, -the earth which it had contained spouting out in a cascade. It was -answered almost instantly by a shot fired from a crevice somewhere down -below him. He searched for the figure of the man who had discharged -his weapon, and after a while distinguished the well-known form of -Nobby, his broad shoulders squeezed in an angle of broken masonry, his -head thrust forward, his tin hat covering him like a halo, legs bent -beneath him, arms pressed to his sides, weapon at the ready. Glancing -across the open space towards Courcellette, Bill saw one of those -dodging German figures suddenly rear itself erect, bend forward as if -about to fall, then with an effort straighten up, only of a sudden to -give vent to a shrill shout--a shriek almost--and collapse into the -shell-hole from which he had originally clambered. - -"One Hun the less," grinned Nobby, turning round, "and he won't be the -only Fritz as'll 'go west' in this 'ere skirmish. Larry boy, d'yer want -our commanding officer to be shot down out of hand, just because he -must put himself up where there's no cover. I'm only a humble private, -you're a full-blown sergeant, why don't yer see to the chum that's -commanding us?" - -It wasn't the first occasion, perhaps, when the good-natured Larry -had shown unusual energy and decision. Not that he was incapable of -either or both those virtues, but it was typical of Larry that as -a general rule he lounged and drawled and lisped, and really made -pretence that he was a person of no great consequence and of no great -ability in any way. Yet friends knew that he was stanch, that danger -did not daunt him, that fear was almost foreign to the nature of this -diminutive, delicate-looking, nonchalant, and unconcerned American. He -turned swiftly in the narrow angle where he lay near Nobby, and cast a -threatening glance at Bill. - -"Hi! Here, you, young Bill, you come right out of that!" he shouted. -His face reddened with emotion as he gave the order. "You ain't got -no call to stand up there like a darned fool, askin' the Hun to shoot -you! Look at that? What did I tell you? Chips of mortar all round you! -They've got a machine-gun going! Come down! d'yer hear?" - -Jim, on the far side of the ruin, watching the shell-seamed earth -between the factory and the main road, turned round too, lay flat on -his back for a moment under the shelter of the wall, and shook a fist -at Bill. Till then he had not noticed the perilous position in which -the young fellow had placed himself, but now he saw it clearly, and, as -showing what he thought of Bill, he too became heated, and that, let us -add, was something foreign to Jim's calm, contented nature. - -"Yep," he roared. "You come right down! What d'yer want for to get -right up there, a-starin' round, when there's heaps of ruins down here -to cover anyone? Ef yer don't move quick I'll be up after yer!" - -Bill surveyed the two with something approaching curt disdain. He -peered over the top of the masonry which protected his head, and -turned slowly until he had made a complete circle; then of a sudden he -pointed. - -"Boys," he called out, "the officer that's commanding them is yonder -on the way to the road, and he's got a machine-gun mounted. They are -loading fast, so as to keep our attention while the rest of the men are -collecting right opposite and are making ready just now to rush us. -You'll----" - -The rattle of the machine-gun in question drowned his next words, and -as the splutter died down, and the chips of mortar and bricks and stone -dropped and flew about Bill's figure, it was Jim's voice and that of -Larry that again were heard. - -"You ain't heard us, Bill," Jim shouted. "Come down, won't yer! Yer -askin' to get killed." - -"I'll Fritz yer, yep!" Larry called, rising from the spot in which he -lay, and jamming his tin hat closely down. "If yer don't come yerself -I'll be up there to make yer." - -But Bill scarcely noticed them; he turned to look first at Jim and then -at Larry, and then cast a glance over his shoulder towards the spot -where the attacking party of Germans were forming. - -"You'll stay in your places," he ordered sharply. "Someone's got to be -here to watch those fellows, and that someone's going to be the one -you've put in command. If you're not contented with him, get someone -else, for while I'm in command of the party here I stay. Jim, stop -cackling! Go over there and lie down by Larry. Here, boy!" he called -to another of the men, "your rifle'll be useful over here to stop the -rush, and, Nobby, you're the boy for the bombs--get 'em ready and heave -'em over as the Huns get within distance!" - -The incipient mutiny collapsed as rapidly as it had commenced. Not -indeed that Larry or Jim or any of the others were inclined to quarrel -over-much with the young leader they had themselves appointed. The -urgency of the situation in the first place made argument undesirable -if not impossible, and then Bill's abrupt commands, his obvious control -of a difficult situation, the fact that an attack was just about to -be launched, caused them to think of other matters; the rattle of the -machine-gun, too, assisted, and to that was presently added heavy -firing from many points, which caused all to keep under cover, that -is, all but Bill, who stood stoically peering out over the top of the -ruin, watching that party of Germans as they crept from shell-hole to -shell-hole, firing an occasional shot, and getting closer every minute. - -But if Bill remained aloft in his post of vantage and of danger, and if -he had summarily quelled the anticipated mutiny, he could not arrest -entirely the growls of Nobby, the surreptitious scowls of Larry, and -the almost open threats thrown at him by Jim. Then Nobby put an end to -the matter. - -"He's right," he said. "That there young Bill is a-doin' just like what -one of our young orficers would do, same as your orficers would take -on, Larry, and here are you a-cussin' of him for it. You ought to be -ashamed of yerself, you ought!" - -That, with bullets flicking just above the wall and half an inch over -the top of Nobby's tin hat! Not that it upset this gallant British -soldier, not either that it could upset Larry--the quiet and somewhat -retiring Larry. To speak the truth, in all his experience of Bill, -Larry had never been so abruptly silenced, and, conscious as he was -that his young friend was quite in the right, he yet burned with -indignation at the summary way in which his own efforts had been -worsted, and, finding Nobby close at hand and now trying to turn the -tables on him, he swung round, leant up on one elbow, and poured a -torrent of invective upon him. - -"Say, here, this is real fine! Here's you and me and Jim gets turned -down by that there young cuss of a Bill, and when he's put in the -last word and fired the last shot, as you might say, there's you come -roundin' on a pal--you, Nobby, what never could keep yer mouth shut. -See here, sir; you're British, I'm American--only just as British as -you are, if you know what I mean--I----" - -A bullet put a very sudden end to Larry's explosion; it hit the tip of -his tin hat and sent it off amongst the ruins booming and clanking, -while the shock of the blow partly stunned the American. He blinked at -Nobby, who just a second before had raised a huge grimy fist and placed -it within an inch of his nose. Larry blinked again. Nobby grinned. Jim -roared outright, and thus, with the help of an enemy bullet, the little -fracas was brought to a friendly ending. A second later Bill's voice -was heard. - -"Boys!" he called out; "there's a bunch of Huns within sixty yards of -us, and they've all converged into one shell-hole. I don't suppose -there's a man here who could pitch a bomb that far--only if there -was----" - -"Look 'ere, young chap," came from Nobby, "sixty yards! and yer don't -think a man can do it! You watch. Larry, stand by to corpse the first -Fritz that puts his head up and tries to shoot at me. Jim, you do the -same. Same over there. You watch the boys with that machine-gun. I -don't take much notice of a single rifle, but being filled up with lead -ain't healthy, as Larry likes to say; it ain't good for a fellow. So -just you watch, and yer mates with you. Now then for brother Fritz in -the shell-hole!" - -He stood up, deliberately measured the distance from the ruin to the -shell-hole at which Bill then pointed, pulled the pin from a bomb, and, -swinging his powerful shoulders back, sent it hurtling towards the -object. It struck a shell-hole three yards nearer, and for a moment -obscured the one at which he had aimed, flinging up a cloud of mud and -grass and loose material. By then Nobby had poised himself for a second -attempt, and, hardly pausing to measure the distance, launched his -missile, and then stood watching its curve as it approached the object. - -It was Larry then who shouted, and Bill too joined in. - -"Bang! Right in the centre," the latter called. "If they don't pick -it up they'll be done for. They can't! Look at 'em! They're trying to -bolt." - -"They ain't got time--not any," Larry told him as they peered over the -top of the breastwork. "There she goes!" - -There was a dull detonation, a bright flash of flame, and then shouts. -A second before, the shell-hole, into which Bill could look to some -extent but the interior of which was hidden from the eyes of his -comrades, had appeared empty but for a drain of water at the bottom; -but, as the bomb fell, heads had bobbed up, and, just before the -explosion occurred, fifteen or more men had struggled desperately to -dash away from it. That explosion caught them in the midst of the act, -and every one was killed or wounded. It was indeed a brilliant ending -to this first attempt to defend themselves against the enemy, and -caused the garrison of the shattered factory to set up a shout. - -"But they ain't done--not by a whole heap," said Larry, producing his -cigar. "It stands to reason, seeing we are here right in the midst of -the enemy, that they'll have reinforcements. The noise of the bomb'll -bring 'em along if the officer's whistle don't do it. Hear that? You -can hear him a-whistlin' now for help. Boys, there's goin' to be a -stand-up tussle." - -Whereat Larry gripped his cigar and wetted his lips, while his eyes -flashed. It was plain indeed that this diminutive American felt no -fear, but rather that he was full of enthusiasm and ready for anything -that might happen. That Jim, too, was thirsting for adventure there -was little doubt, while the rest of the party could be relied upon -to support their young commander and his two American friends. Nobby -himself was likely to be quite a formidable opponent. - -"You see, Bill," he called out after a while, "having had one sort of -lesson, and now that they know we've got bombs with us, they'll keep -at a distance and'll turn machine-guns on us. Seems to me we've got -to think out some clever way of fightin' 'em. What d'you think, boy? -Supposin' they gets shootin' bombs in here, same as we've been throwin' -'em out--as they will, 'cos Fritz is a nasty chap at thinkin' things -out--and supposin' we're a-lyin' as we are now--not healthy--eh, boy?" - -"You bet!" Larry chimed in; "we should get 'done in', like Fritz over -there in the shell-hole." - -"Then we'll separate," Bill told him. "What d'you say to this, -boys? That German officer and his men have seen us here in this -ruined factory, and every shot they've fired has been put in in this -particular direction. If shell-holes are good enough for Fritz, ain't -they good enough for us too? Why not separate, though still forming a -sort of circle? I'll stay up here and can call out to any one of you; -then if bombs are thrown in, as Nobby says----" - -"As you can see for yourself," said Nobby dryly, as a rifle sounded -in the distance and a grenade flew over the wrecked factory and burst -beyond it, "as you can see for yourself now, Bill." - -"As I know," went on Bill, "then there's only one that's likely to be -damaged." - -"And that's you," said Larry. - -"And who else?" Bill asked him curtly. "We've had all that before. You -clear off, Larry, and you too, Jim. Boys, scatter in the same direction -as you're lying in now. Slip off to the nearest shell-hole, get the -best cover, and hold your fire till you know you've cause to use your -rifles--we've got to keep the enemy out till night-fall." - -And then what was to happen to this gallant and somewhat forlorn little -party? Could they, having regard to all the circumstances in which they -stood, really look forward to securing their liberty and to gaining the -Allied line? Could they, when they remembered that between them and -that line there stretched a host of Germans, and reflected also that -at the moment they were surrounded--could they reasonably expect to -make further progress? It was hardly possible, certainly not probable, -though, fortunately for all the members of the little band commanded by -Bill, such thoughts hardly crossed their minds, and there was no time -for reflection. Even as they wriggled off from the ruined walls of the -factory, sidling in behind layers of brick, dodging between battered -and perforated boilers and so gaining shell-holes, enemy bullets came -buzzing thicker than ever over the scene, while every minute or so a -rifle grenade reached the ruins, and, bursting, filled the air with -bits of iron, with fragments of stone and mortar, and threw up such a -cloud of dust, in spite of recent wet weather, that life became more -difficult. - -"Still, we've got pretty good cover," Bill thought, as, perched in a -niche he had selected, he hung to his post and watched carefully all -round, every now and again raising his rifle and firing at a German -figure. "If only it would get dark. But it won't, not for hours yet, -and there's no mist--nothing to cover us. Hi, Larry!" he shouted; -"they're bunching up in front of you and Nobby. Break 'em up, if you -can!" - -Nobby, with a cigarette hanging to the very corner of his mouth, -grinned in Bill's direction and then at Larry. It was an extremely -cool and methodical Nobby who then proceeded to pip, as he termed it, -brother Fritz, his shots, together with Larry's equally well-aimed -fire, soon dispersing the band of Germans approaching from the point -directly in front of them. But there were other points from which the -enemy were advancing also. Unpleasant little rushes were indulged in -here and there, all of which served to bring the enemy still nearer, -till, as the minutes grew to an hour, and that hour into two, the -defenders were more closely surrounded, engirdled by an increasing -number of Germans, whose offensive became increasingly insistent. -Bombs, too, became more frequent, bursting amongst the ruins, and in -course of time driving Bill and the defenders completely out of them. - -"It's no go!" Nobby was at length forced to admit, smiling grimly and -somewhat wryly at Bill. - -"See here, Bill," Larry joined in, for the three were now in a -shell-hole together, "ef it was a case of dying hard, so as we might -hold the line that meant the safety of our pals yonder, we would be -right to do it, and we'd do it willingly. But a live man, Bill, is much -better than a dead one, eh?" - -"Yep, a live man lives perhaps to fight again, while if he's dead he -ain't no longer any use. Nobby's right: there ain't nothin' degradin' -in giving in. Things has gone against us." - -That was the opinion of them all, though quite loyally they had -supported their young leader without a grumble. Yet already more than -one of the defenders had paid the price for resisting the enemy, -while of the latter quite a number were grovelling lifeless in the -surrounding shell-holes. It was a little after noon, therefore, that -Bill, tying a somewhat dirty handkerchief to the top of his bayonet, -lifted the latter over the top of the shell-hole and waved it. The -machine-gun answered it with an angry rattle and then ceased, while a -glance over the top showed him an answering signal. Then there came -an order shouted in a loud voice: "Stand out, all of you, and advance -without your arms. You've put up a good fight and shall have fair -treatment." - -[Illustration: BILL, TYING A SOMEWHAT DIRTY HANDKERCHIEF TO THE TOP OF -HIS BAYONET, WAVED IT] - -"Fair treatment!" scoffed Larry. "That's a prison, with skilly, with -food at which the lowest criminal would turn up his nose. However, -we're beggars this time and can't choose. But, Bill, there's still a -chance to get out. Some of our boys has escaped, why not us, eh? We can -do what others has done." - -"You bet!" Bill answered. "Now, boys, out we go; we've made a fight, -there's nothing to be ashamed of!" - -Presently they were surrounded by Germans, who, contrary to their -expectations, treated them quite fairly. There was no roughness -displayed, for, indeed, the two hours or more during which the contest -had lasted had filled the enemy with admiration for this sturdy little -party. After all, German or no German, the enemy could appreciate -bravery. He may be, and is undoubtedly, a cruel and ruthless opponent; -he wages war in a manner which has sullied his name for ever, but in -individual bravery he is by no means lacking, and he can appreciate -similar qualities in his opponent. - -Therefore, having placed an escort round the prisoners, the officer -marched them away to the adjacent road, and presently sent them along -it. Yet Bill and his friends had not quite done with incident. Ere -they gained a German prison that evening, they were herded in a camp -near by; and, just as the light was falling, observed an aeroplane -making ready to take the air and join in the enemy offensive. Yet was -it merely for ordinary purposes that this machine made ready to depart? -Bill of a sudden grabbed Larry's arm as they stood close to the wire -entanglements which surrounded them. - -"It's--" he gasped, "it's Heinrich Hilker!" and in his excitement he -clutched at the barbed railing. - -Larry stared and then started. A second later he clasped his thin -fingers firmly round Bill's arm and pulled him back. - -"Get hold of him on the other side, Jim," he said hoarsely. "Gee! If -that isn't that traitor! If that isn't the man who shot Bill's father -way back in the saloon in the Utah mine camp! If that ain't the agent -that fired the bomb aboard the ship that brought us to Europe! Come -back, Bill; if you shout you'll give yourself away, and the man, once -he recognizes you, wouldn't stop at anything. Gosh! what a meeting! And -what's he after?" - -"After! After!" said Jim, beginning now to fully appreciate the -position. "He's getting aboard that aeroplane as a passenger. He's -dressed as a American. You bet he's--he's going off to be dropped in -the American lines, where he'll act the traitor again, where he'll be a -spy." - -"Stop him!" Bill tried to shout, but Larry clapped a hand over his -mouth and just stopped him; and there, as they stood, helpless to -intervene, they watched the aeroplane take flight, watched the figure -of the man they knew to be a despicable spy, dressed in American -uniform, steal off into the heavens. Without doubt the man was gone to -carry on his nefarious work amongst their unsuspecting comrades. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -Heinrich Hilker, Master Spy - - -Time sweeps along, and this gigantic contest which has engulfed the -world spreads and grows constantly greater. The times in which we live -are so momentous, and the incidents so numerous and so close at hand, -that one is apt to lose grip of the general situation and to forget, in -the vastness of our own responsibilities, that others than ourselves -are concerned. Yet it were wise to dissever ourselves for a moment -from our own particular and personal interest in this world-contest, -and, standing aside as it were in some quiet niche--if one is actually -discoverable when the world is aflame--to look out and survey the whole -area of operations from that niche or point of vantage. We should -see Britain and France, and now America too, locked closely with the -enemy along the line of trenches from Nieuport to far-off Belfort -on the Franco-Swiss frontier. In Italy we should catch a glimpse of -King Victor's hosts, driven back from the Isonzo, in October, 1917, -mourning the loss of a fertile province, and awaiting the onslaught of -the Austrian hosts along the Trentino front and throughout the whole -length of the Piave River. - -In Salonika and adjacent parts there would appear British and French -and Serbians and Greeks and Italians facing the Bulgarian cohorts. In -Palestine, General Allenby's troops beyond Jericho and Jerusalem, in -touch with the King of the Hadjiz, steadily driving the Turk before -them. Farther east, in Mesopotamia, other British and British-Indian -troops, sweeping steadily upward along the courses of the Tigris and -Euphrates Rivers, leaving the Persian frontier behind them, with -their right flank thrown out in the direction of the Caucasus. Behind -these two last groups of British troops, in Egypt itself, would be -seen teeming masses of troops ready to reinforce the Palestine and -the Mesopotamian fronts, and prepared at any moment to subjugate the -tribes in the western desert should they again venture to rise. But the -Senussi have learnt their lesson. Elsewhere the Arabs, stirred up by -German agents, and fed and paid by them, have likewise learnt that the -British arm is a strong and a long one, and they too are glad to be at -peace with us. - -Go east across the ocean to East Africa, where German columns still -trek through swampy and forest country, and where British troops, with -Indians amongst them, pursue them relentlessly, having already captured -practically the whole of this, the last of the German colonies. Then -turn to Russia. Was there ever such a wretched country? Revolution -having first deposed the Tsar, the Revolutionists have turned upon one -another. Armies have disappeared, the German has invaded the Muscovite -provinces without difficulty; for while the hand of brother was raised -against the hand of brother there were none to oppose the invader. We -have dealt already in some detail with this lamentable condition of -affairs, and have shown how it reacted on the Western Front, but we -have not so far dealt with its meaning in other directions. - -Siberia borders China and runs down to the sea which washes the -Japanese islands. Not only are Russian revolutionists swarming in these -parts, but the many hundreds of thousands of Austrian prisoners and -the many thousands of Germans captured by Russia in the early days -of the war, when the Russian armies were triumphant, are at large, -seizing arms, electing leaders, and at this very period threatening the -security of the Chinese provinces across the Siberian border, and the -interests of Japan in Manchuria and elsewhere. - -Thus as, ensconced in our niche, we look out and survey this world-wide -scene, another aspect of affairs is presented to us. China, like many -of the South American provinces, indeed as in the case of nearly every -nationality throughout the world other than the Central Empires of -Europe, has declared war against the Kaiser and his allies, or has -severed diplomatic relations with them, while it needs not to be added -that the Japanese have long since joined Britain and her allies. But -till this stage of the war neither China nor Japan has taken active -military steps against the enemy, though the navy of Japan has already -lent much assistance. The time has now arrived, however, when China -must seriously consider the protection of her Siberian frontier, when -Japan must likewise protect her interests on the coast washed by the -Sea of Japan. - -At this stage of the conflict one is unable to prophesy what will -happen in this particular direction; yet, bearing in mind the course -of this gigantic war, its constant spread, it seems only reasonable to -expect that presently China and Japan will be brought actively into the -fighting. - -One last point in our survey. The Caucasus, captured in such -magnificent manner by the Russians, has now been abandoned by the -Revolutionists, and the Armenian people, released from the torture of -Turkish rule, have again been thrown into the hands of that remorseless -people. Thus, while the outbreak of revolution has dismembered Russia, -and brought infinite misery upon the people, it has automatically, as -it were, brought even greater misery upon the Armenians. Yet it has not -found them irresolute or without strength to protect their homes. As we -write, they are fighting the Turk, and may success follow their efforts! - -Then let us turn to the active centre of the world-wide contest--to -France. We have already set down the outline of the German offensive -which commenced on 21st March, 1918, when Bill and Larry and Jim and -Nobby and their comrades were engulfed. We can conveniently, then, -follow this offensive to its end, and, advancing the story a stage or -two, describe events that followed. - -The Fifth British Army, opposed to the bulk of the German host, fell -back by force of circumstances, fighting a brilliant rear-guard action, -while the Third Army, just to the north of it, swung its right flank -farther to the west to keep in touch with the left of the Fifth Army. -At the same time French troops were rushed forward to reinforce the -right flank of the Fifth Army, while American battalions were brigaded -with British and French troops, so that, as the Fifth Army retired, its -resistance was supported by others, and reinforcements accumulated. - -The German drive was presently stopped definitely before Albert. -In effect that drive had carried the enemy across the conquered -battle-fields of the Somme, and the line now established was that held -for so many weary months through the years 1914, 1915, and 1916. - -Then followed a short lull and another German offensive in the -neighbourhood of Armentières, which carried the enemy over Messines -Hill, across the flats of French Flanders, beyond Bailleul, in a big -bow which encompassed Kemmel Hill, the village of Locre, and many -other villages from a point south of Ypres down to Festubert to the -north-east of Bethune. Once more British and French and American -reserves checked the rush, and the Allied line once again held up the -enemy advance. - -Another pause, more frantic efforts on the part of the enemy, whose -policy it was to smash the French and British before American troops -could arrive in sufficient numbers, and a third offensive was launched -towards the Aisne River, which swept the defenders back right to the -Marne and carved out another huge section of French country, till this -third wave of advance reached the Marne River at a point thirty-four -miles from Paris, encircling Reims to the east, and running from the -Marne past Villers Cotterets--scene of British gallantry in 1914--to -Noyon. - -The position is one to consider for a moment. How had this trio of -retreats affected the Allies, and what success had it brought to -the Germans? In the case of the former it had caused losses, it had -secured country, it had devastated fertile areas, and it had rendered -homeless thousands of hapless French people. Moreover, it had brought -the Germans within easier striking distance of Paris, on which at least -three of their long-range guns had for some weeks now been casting -shells. But it had not broken Britain and her allies. Those losses -had already been made good, and now, instead of some three or four -hundred thousand Americans standing shoulder to shoulder with Britain -and France and Italy and Portugal and Belgium, there were a million -Americans, with more swarming on ships to cross the Atlantic and come -to our assistance. - -What then of the Germans? What was in the first place the ultimate aim -and object of that first offensive, which, successful enough, we admit, -had yet caused them stupendous losses? What was the net result of -these three successful attempts, all accompanied by losses, which, if -published broadcast and fully known, might well stagger the people of -Germany? Ground had been won, prisoners had been taken, but the effort -was a failure--a ghastly failure--because its main object had been to -smash and drive a wedge in between the British forces to the north -and the French troops farther south--a position which would have been -pressed to the fullest and which would have enabled the Kaiser to have -thrown the whole of his forces upon the British and so overwhelm them. - -That had not eventuated; that was the main object of the German High -Command, and its failure spelt failure in all directions. Those three -offensives had taken time--valuable days had slipped by, valuable -weeks had gone, and during those weeks, running into some three -months, America, stimulated by the danger, had made good the gaps in -the fighting-line of the Allies, and had sent her troops to France in -unprecedented manner. - -What then of the future? There stood now in France a solid wall of -British and French and American troops, with Italians, Portuguese, and -Belgians, a wall growing stouter every day as American troops arrived. -On the other side of the line there stood a German host, staggered in -spite of itself by its losses, shaken by the stupendous task still -before it, doubtful of the future, hesitating as to the course it -should pursue. - -As to the other theatres of war: in Italy another blow was given to -the German Alliance, for the Austrians, having staked their all on an -offensive, were hopelessly defeated, and Italy was advancing her line -across the Piave. Thus July arrived, and with it the crisis of this -world-wide conflict. - -What of Bill and his friends? What, too, of Heinrich Hilker, the German -spy whom they had seen whisked off in an aeroplane, obviously with the -intention of landing behind the Allied line, there to mingle with the -American soldiers? - -"It's--it's----" spluttered Bill, as the machine took the air and went -off. "I--we----" - -"You shut up," Larry commanded, still gripping him by the arm and -beginning to lead him away. "Sakes! D'you want every one of the Germans -outside to hear you--to see that something's happened? Come over here! -Stuff that into your mouth! Smoke, man! Now, Jim, sit down; we'll have -a talk. Nobby, you come across here. Of course you don't understand. -Well, sit down; now listen!" - -"See here!" said Jim, tapping the huge Nobby on the knee as he sat -in front of him, for Larry was now engaged in talking sternly to -Bill. "This here is a real drama: our Bill--our young Bill, him as -we've been along with these weeks now--was a chum of ours out west in -America. There was Germans there, Nobby; you know as I'm speakin' of -times when America wasn't at war with Germany. Them Germans was up to -all sorts of stunts--dirty stunts; you get me?" - -Nobby nodded. He opened a capacious mouth and popped in the tip of a -tiny cigarette, looking almost as though he would swallow it. - -"Yep!" he said, unconsciously mimicking Larry. - -"Well now, there was a bar down there, and Bill's father was the man -in charge of it. One of these here German skunks shot him because he -was talkin' about the Kaiser. That man was the man dressed in American -uniform that's just gone off aloft in that aeroplane. Say, Nobby, -what d'you think a German skunk like that wants to get dressing up in -American togs for? What d'you think?" - -"Think!" Nobby's brow was wreathed with furrows, his eyes sank a trifle -deeper into his head, and for the first time since they had known -him he actually scowled. "Think! As if I wanted to think!" he said. -"Ain't I been out 'ere these months and months? Ain't we had spies -before?--nice, dear old gentlemen, who you'd think were real till you'd -stripped them of their beards and some of their clothes. Haven't I -known German officers dressed up as old Flemish women? Ain't they tried -every game on?--even to dressin' in British uniforms!--and you get -askin' me the sort o' question you'd put to a child! 'Ere, Jim, I've -took a likin' to you, but if you fling things like that at me, you and -I'll part--savvy?" - -He blew out a puff of smoke directly into Jim's face, perhaps not very -politely; but then on active service the refinements of civilization -are not always observable--men think deeply and sometimes forget the -niceties they practised at home. - -"D'you get me?" asked Nobby, blowing out another cloud of smoke, and -becoming quite American in his drawl, "or d'you really take me for a -child?--me as 'as been on active service almost since the war begun. -So young Bill's father was killed by that dirty scoundrel, eh?" he -asked, "and that explains his excitement just now. Bill, boy," he said, -holding out a hand and gripping Bill's arm with his huge fingers, -"don't you take on, you'll get even with that chap one of these days, -and I'll help you. Pull yerself together! Now let's talk! Of course -you mean to escape out of this place--so do we. Of course, you want -to get back to your folks as quick as possible, so as to give 'em a -warning--well, so do we. You ain't the only one as thinks of such -things or worries over the Americans. Well then, we're agreed. Then -let's put our heads together and talk it over and make plans and so on." - -Nobby sat down, blew his cheeks out, grimaced at Bill, winked at Larry, -and jerked his head as much as if to invite Jim to be seated near him. - -"Stand up, you English swine!" a German non-commissioned officer -shouted at them, using the English language. - -"English swine!" Nobby grunted, while his cheeks flushed. "Well, -I don't know; suppose you've got to hold yerself in these days, -because it don't do to quarrel with the Germans when you're a -prisoner--but----" His big fist doubled, while with the other hand he -dashed the sweat from his forehead. - -As for Bill, he appeared to take no offence at the coarse command. -Automatically, as it were, he stood up. All his thoughts were bent upon -the scoundrel, Heinrich Hilker, whom he had seen leaving the place on -that aeroplane, undoubtedly bound for the American lines. "American -lines!" They were the Allied lines; for was not America one of the -stanchest of the Allies? and had not he, Bill himself, the closest -relationship and friendship for America? Whatever did Heinrich Hilker's -presence bode for those friends of his? What danger did it mean? In -any case, his presence as a spy could hardly signify anything else but -trouble for the Allies, trouble which might lead to disaster. - -"It must be stopped. We must get away," he said. - -"Sure!" grunted Larry, "but you hold yer jaw, young Bill!" he added, -_sotto voce_. "This German chap speaks English, don't you forget it. -Perhaps he's been a waiter--most of 'em seem to have been that--and has -made a small fortune out of your people or out of mine. That's why he -hates us, perhaps; for see how he scowls at us. But escape, boy? Sure -we will--eh, Jim?" - -Jim merely glanced at them, but as he did so his eyes flashed an answer -which there was no mistaking, and he nodded. - -"March! No talking! I'll bayonet the man who speaks! Fall in, you dogs! -Listen to me. We've broken the British line; we've separated the French -and the English. We're marching to Paris. We shall soon have conquered -both England and France, and then America shall feel the weight of our -blows. Ha, America!" - -The German swung round upon the diminutive Larry, and, stepping a pace -nearer, stood over him as if he would trample upon him and crush him. -Whereat Larry, no doubt unconsciously, felt for his cigar end, and, -discovering it had gone, merely stood staring up at this giant, this -bully. - -"Say, mister!" he said in gentle tones, "you ain't got no call to try -and skeere me--I ain't the American army. You won't find the American -army and our boys so jolly small as I am. You wait! Marching on -Paris, eh? Waal, you ain't there yet, I'll bet. As for whoppin' the -British----waal! My! I've seen something of them fellows, and they'll -take some whopping! And then you'll beat the Americans. Oh ho, you -will! Waal, that too'll want a bit o' doin'." - -The man scowled down at him, and, gripping his rifle, lifted it up -above his head as if he would dash the butt against Larry's face. -Then he thought better of the matter, lowered it, and, finally turning -on his heel, marched away. Who knows? The very mildness of Larry's -appearance, the gentleness of his voice, may have taken the man by -surprise. Or was it that in that gentle and diminutive exterior he -had seen something, perceived something hidden before, had grasped -some idea, as it were, of the indomitable courage of this gallant -American? Yes, it must have been that. Those who looked into Larry's -eyes under similar circumstances saw a glimmer there of warning. This -was the little man who in the mines was feared by evil-doers. Even as a -prisoner he was not to be derided. In point of fact, that swinging butt -had caused him to brace every muscle and every sinew. Unknown to the -German, unsuspected by his comrades, he was on the point of springing -at the man's throat, when luckily the bully turned abruptly. - -"I'll know him next time," said Larry in the same gentle tone. "Things -then may be a bit more even. Suppose now he's got a gun, and I too. -Waal, boys, guess I'll do more than stand still and talk to him." - -Nobby's big broad fingers were stretched out, and gripped the frail -shoulders of the American. Nobby, broad-shouldered, powerfully built, -and perhaps a little obtuse and dull of understanding, could yet -realize what had passed in those last few moments. Long since this he -had developed an enormous admiration for Larry and his other American -comrades, for Bill, too, let us say, and none the less for his British -comrades. Larry was such a queer fellow; so calm, so deliberate, so -full of pluck and spirit, and yet so fragile in appearance. - -"Say, Larry," he gulped, mimicking the American's drawl, "you do get -me. Blest if I can understand a chap like you. Now if I was to take you -by this same shoulder, I could shake yer as a dog does a rat, and blest -if I don't think you look as though you'd fall to pieces. But when you -gets a squint at me, I knows that, like the rat, you'd turn and get yer -teeth into me, and then it'ud be a fight to the death. Blimey! I'm glad -I ain't that German, because some day you'll meet him, that's certain, -and then---- Well, as I said, I'm real sorry for 'im!" - -"March!" They were hurried out of the barbed-wire entanglements, and -presently joined another column of unfortunate prisoners. A few hours -later they reached the railway station at Péronne, where they were -driven into cattle trucks preparatory to the journey into Germany. That -night the train pulled out of the station and lay in a siding. Far off, -very far off indeed, they heard the sounds of strife. British guns, -American guns, French guns, in the far distance, defending the Allied -line against the German rush. Then they lost these sounds as the train -which carried them steamed out on its journey. - -When would they hear those reassuring sounds again? What chance -had Bill and his friends of ever returning to their comrades? And, -worst thought of all, what opportunity would they have to circumvent -the plans of Heinrich Hilker, the villain who by this time, in all -probability, had landed behind the American lines, and was no doubt -already fraternizing with those whose destruction he plotted? - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -An American Encampment - - -A small crescent of the moon illuminated the country-side, thrusting -pale beams through the mist which rose from the ground, sodden after -days of rain, lighting up the roofs of houses, the white walls of -barns, camouflaged tents and huts, and gleaming now and again from the -wings of an aeroplane soaring over the line. A man in that aeroplane, -masked and clad in leather garments, bent forward, tapped his pilot on -the shoulder, and spoke to him through the telephone which connected -their head-pieces. - -"A little lower, Fritz; now to the right. Wait! I think I see the -church tower which was to be our mark. No, not that one; farther on. -Listen!--there are guns! I saw the flashes down below, so that we are -still in the area of operations." - -The pilot grunted. He was a huge, broad-shouldered beast-like -individual. He turned his head impatiently and growled something into -the telephone, though what it was Heinrich Hilker, seated behind him, -did not understand. How could he? How could he realize that these -gruff words shouted at him contained all the venomous contempt of -which the pilot was capable, and yet a contempt which he dared not show -too openly. - -"This--this Hilker--a spy--yes!" the pilot was saying to himself. "Not -that I blame him for that, for it's a dangerous game to play, and calls -for courage. But is the fellow honest with anyone at all?--with us, -for instance? I doubt it. Yet, what is one to think? For his record -for America is splendid, and now he goes to join the Americans again. -Bah! it's a dangerous game to play; that is, dangerous for us should he -elect to tell the Americans all he knows about us." - -So Heinrich Hilker, intriguer, ruffian, rascal that he was, had -succeeded in arousing the suspicions of one at least of his -compatriots, while certainly he had aroused in the minds of Bill and -Larry and his chums something far beyond suspicion. Not that Heinrich -Hilker himself cared what others thought. To him the work that he was -engaged on was the height of enjoyment. America, for some unexplained -reason, seemed to have aroused all his enmity. Well, Americans were -down below there. He would soon be amongst them. A friend--yes, a -friend for the moment. And what would his coming portend? Disaster! - -He rubbed his gloved hands together and chuckled into the telephone. - -"Wait until I get there," he told himself. "Wait till I learn all -about them! Wait until my signals bring shells smashing into their -batteries! Then they'll know. Then they'll learn what it means to hunt -Heinrich Hilker from their country." - -"Stop!" he shouted. "That's the church tower! Now steer her to the -right, then drop! The ground is clear behind, and you can make a -landing." - -The broad back in front wriggled and writhed, the strong shoulders -heaved upwards. If Heinrich Hilker had been a man of discernment, and -less engaged with his own affairs and his own importance, he would have -appreciated the fact that that heave, that wriggle, denoted something -not altogether pleasant. Indeed it denoted the anger of the pilot, his -hatred for his passenger, his indignation with this man who ventured to -give him--an experienced pilot--instructions. He growled a reply into -the telephone, and, sighting the spot to which Heinrich had referred, -sent his machine down in a spinning nose-dive. - -"I'll scare the life out of him," he thought. "Let him believe he's -about to be dashed to pieces--there!" and he threw his hands up from -the "joy-stick". - -But Heinrich never even blinked his eyelids. His thoughts were upon the -task he had before him, and his eyes were riveted upon the ground. All -thought of his own personal safety had left him for the moment, while -that heaving of the shoulders in front of him, like the reply the pilot -had growled at him, escaped his attention. - -"Down!" he shouted. "Faster!" - -"Faster! The man's crazy," thought the pilot, pulling his machine out -of its spinning nose-dive with some little difficulty. "What if we find -a crowd of the enemy there! But the landing-place looks broad enough. -Get ready to move out! I shall drop here like a stone, give you half a -minute to dismount, and be off again instantly." - -Heinrich's answer was to begin to unbuckle the belt which strapped him -securely to his seat, and to make sure that no part of his clothing -was entangled in the framework. He bent easily over the side of the -fuselage, which was now lying horizontally, and then half rose to his -feet as the machine, already within a thousand feet of the ground, shot -down at a steep angle. Presently the pilot flattened it, dropped it -again, bumped his wheels, and, having already switched off his engine, -finally brought the aeroplane to a standstill. - -"Au revoir!" shouted Heinrich, for by then the pilot--a skilful -fellow--had got his engine going again. - -"To the devil with you!" muttered the latter. He waved an arm, turned -one glance upon the figure now standing a few feet from his machine, -opened his throttle, and went bounding off and so into the air and away -from the spot where he had landed. - -As for Heinrich, he watched the departure for two minutes, and then, -turning, walked towards the church-tower which had been his landmark. -It was perhaps a minute later when a man accosted him. - -"Say!" someone cried; "halt! Who goes there? Advance and give the -countersign!" - -"Hundred and forty-first Regiment!" came the prompt answer. "Name--John -Miller--American Expeditionary Force, same as yourself, sonny. Say, did -you see that aeroplane just now?" he asked, approaching the sentry. - -"Yep. Must 'a been one of ours. Thought it landed on the flats yonder, -but wasn't certain, and couldn't get a view from just here." - -"Good-night, sonny!" - -The two men stood opposite one another for just a brief moment, and -then Heinrich passed on towards the American encampment which this -sentry guarded. - -"John Miller--eh? Oh! Just John Miller! Now I'd have sworn----" the -sentry told himself as he paced to and fro--a lithe, tall, sinewy -young fellow, a magnificent example of American manhood. "Gee, now! -Where have I met that chap before?--and not liked him either. John -Miller--why, bless us! Now, where?" - -He swung his rifle to his shoulder and marched to and fro far more -rapidly than the regulations warranted. His beat took him as far as -the church tower in one direction, and back to the post to which -barbed wire was attached, and which marked the limit of the encampment -occupied by his own particular comrades. Something was agitating this -fine young fellow--some fleeting memory the essence of which just -escaped him. In his mind's eye he could picture the figure--the -somewhat sloping shoulders, the rather bullet head, and the particular -cast of countenance of this John Miller, who had just answered his -challenge, had given him the correct counter-sign without faltering. - -That he was not American born he felt quite sure; that he was of alien -extraction he was ready to venture upon a wager; but that did not say -that John Miller was not an altogether reputable person. For there are -thousands of alien-born Americans who are now in the American ranks -fighting against the nation which threatens the liberties of all the -free peoples of the world. The man's eye absorbed the thoughts of the -sentry. - -"Same sort of gleaming optic," he said. "Now where? This gets me! I----" - -He suddenly halted and grounded his rifle, the butt-end striking the -hard earth with a clang. One hand grabbed the muzzle just below the -bayonet, while the other went to his waist, where the thumb stuck -within his belt. Then a low deep-drawn whistle escaped from between the -pursed-up lips of the sentry. He shouldered his weapon, and, turning -abruptly, walked with even more decided step toward the guard-tent. - -"Sergeant of the Guard!" he called. - -Presently a man, taller than himself, with tin hat tilted somewhat over -his eyes, turned out of the tent and approached him. - -"Aye?" he asked, in brusque yet kindly tones; "what now, Dan? Somethin' -special?" - -Dan! Could Larry and Jim have caught but a glimpse of this fine young -fellow, what shouts of joy they would have given. How they would have -rushed towards him and gripped his hands. For this Dan was none other -than their chum away in Salt Lake City at the copper-mine--the same Dan -whom Heinrich Hilker had shot down in that famous encounter. And here -was a coincidence! Dan, recovered of a desperate wound--thanks to his -magnificent physique and wonderful health--had volunteered, and had -followed his chums across the water. Here he was--tin-hatted, arrayed -in khaki, drilled, and thoroughly well informed in matters pertaining -to modern warfare--on sentry duty, and for a moment face to face with -the man who had done his best to kill him. More than that, that man was -a spy--none other than Heinrich Hilker--and Dan, with the swiftness for -which he was notorious, had recognized him. - -True, the fleeting glance he had obtained of this ruffian as he peered -at his face under the thin beams cast by the moon-crescent had given -him hardly even an inkling, but it had set some odd corner of his brain -at work, had stirred, as it were, some cell in his cerebral matter, -which, since the affair in the mine, had until that moment been lying -dormant. Dan had caught a glimpse of Heinrich Hilker in a similar -way when the light had been thrown full upon him in the heart of the -copper-mine, just before Dan himself had been put out of action by the -bullet he had fired, and now this second fleeting glance recalled -that old memory, and that memory had developed to the point where he -recognized that he, Dan, had information of the utmost importance. - -"Well, Dan," repeated the Sergeant of the Guard. "Report, eh?" - -"Serious, Sergeant. I'd like to go before the officer right now. Will -you take me?" - -"Jim, there," the Sergeant called, "I want a relief at once. Turn out, -Jim!" And straightway he relieved his sentry. "Now, Dan, boy, we'll -go right off. Say, Lootenant, this here's Private Dan Holman, same as -you know, and he's asked to come along with a report that he considers -important." - -The officer, who had been hastily summoned--a stoutly-built, thick-set -fellow--took a long look at Dan, and answered him in business-like -fashion. - -"Report, eh? Sentry duty--what? Come over here! Now," he said. - -"Confidential, Lootenant," Dan told him. "No offence to the Sergeant, -but my report's a matter of no end of importance, not only to you -and to me, sir, but to all us Americans. It's a report that a -Commander-in-Chief should have right now--the sooner the better." - -Those who knew Dan knew him to be a strong and steady and promising -young soldier, not the sort of fellow upon whom the moonbeams could -have played a trick, or a man given to imagining something out of the -ordinary. The officer merely took another glance at him, ordered the -Sergeant back to the guard-tent, and, turning upon his heel, led the -way to Divisional Head-quarters. There it was that Dan told his story. - -"And you recognized this man as a German--a German agent who shot the -barman at a saloon near Salt Lake City, and afterwards nearly put you -out of action for good? You're sure?" - -"Certain, sir!" Dan told him promptly. "I've only had, as you might -say, a peep at the fellow once, way over by Salt Lake City, and the -second time just now, but I'm as sure as sure! You've a spy landed -right here and right now--a spy dressed in American uniform, who speaks -English same as you and me--a spy who'd do his utmost to damage the -American army." - -That the information might well prove of the utmost importance was -clear to the Divisional Commander, just as it was to the Intelligence -side of his Staff. There followed a discussion, and presently sharp -orders were issued. - -"We'll muster every man at dawn," the Commander ordered--"every man, -whether he's serving with his battalion, or as a cook, or what-not; -fatigue parties, men in camp, men in billets--every single man of this -division--and we'll call the roll-call from end to end of the camp. If -that John Miller's here, we'll get him. 141st Regiment, eh?" he said. -"Now how did the fellow get his information? He must have had news from -this quarter, for see how he got into the camp! This private will be -attached to the Intelligence for the time being. We shall have to hunt -for this man, for he's likely to prove, while at large, a real danger." - -He was likely to prove, in addition, a spy so cunning as to be not so -easily captured as the Commander imagined. Did they think, indeed, -that Heinrich Hilker, a man who had spied in many countries and under -varying conditions, would be so easily trapped? Why, even then, as the -order was issued for an early morning muster of the whole division, -Heinrich heard the news. At the moment he stood at the entrance to a -tent, for all the world as though he had just turned out to see whether -daylight were coming. He stretched his arms and yawned, and, seeing a -sergeant about to pass, hailed him. - -"What time o' day?" he asked. - -"4.30." - -"Be daylight in another hour," he suggested, smothering another yawn. - -"Yep, an hour or a little more. There's a muster a half an hour after -that--six o'clock sharp--every man-Jack of the division." - -"A muster! A blame nuisance! What for?" - -"Dunno! It's a blame nuisance, as you say--some! But guess they've got -a reason!" - -Heinrich guessed also. He stood outside the tent stretching his arms -until the man was out of sight, and then, looking about him for a few -moments, he sped off into the darkness and presently disappeared from -sight. Yet, when the muster was held in the misty early hours of the -morning, Heinrich, though absent, though not to be found among the -American ranks, was yet within sight of the parade. In a little corner -of a church tower, hidden beneath the tiles of the broken roof, lying -full length on a truss of straw, placed there for him by a peasant who -was his accomplice, he watched the whole scene and chuckled. - -"My brave Alphonse!" he said, as the parade he witnessed was presently -dismissed. "You see that! These American swine, eh? And you chuckle! -Ha! where are you, Alphonse? You are a sly, slippery, cunning fellow." - -But a few minutes before, the figure of a man had actually been beside -Heinrich, staring out between the cracks in this tower, and pointing -and gibing, and then, as the German turned, the man was no longer -there. Now, however, as he called, there was just the merest trace -of a sound on the rungs of the ladder which led to this loft in the -tower of the church, and half a minute later a long, hooked-nosed -visage was thrust over the edge of the floorway, up through the square -opening--a leering, bleary, pock-marked face, crowned by a head of -hair which was thin at the temples and decidedly so on the crown--the -face of an inebriate, followed by the figure of a man who had once -upon a time been powerful. Now, creeping and cunning and noiseless in -his movements, it was clear from his attenuated frame, from his big -bones and joints, his sunken flanks, his thin calves, and his claw-like -hands, that the man was no longer what he had been. And what was his -nationality? French? Bah! The man spoke like a peasant of those parts, -and yet trace his history back. - -Alphonse, as he was generally known, had dropped upon this part of -the country as if literally from the skies. He had simply arrived -there late one evening, when only a young man, and, having put up at -a local cabaret for some few days, he presently blossomed forth as -the owner of the local forge. Pierre, the man who had controlled the -forge for many and many a year, had died, conveniently it seemed, -and here was Alphonse installed in his stead--Alphonse, who charged -such ridiculously low prices, who did his work so well, who was such -a "hail fellow" with all the French farmers and their men--Alphonse, -who seemed to have so much money jingling in his pockets, who was so -curious about other people's affairs, who travelled now and again to -the neighbouring cities, who, it was whispered, had more than once been -met by strangers--yet, Alphonse, the shoesmith, who did good work and -charged the most reasonable prices. - -Years went by, and Alphonse grew older. Perhaps it was the lonely life; -perhaps it was some secret grief which preyed upon him. In any case, -Alphonse's visits to neighbouring cabarets became more frequent and -lasted longer; and here was the result. A fine figure of a man at one -time, he was now attenuated, horrid to look upon, while his face was -that of a leering, cunning, crafty, and unscrupulous drunkard. Let us -whisper more--in his cups, Alphonse spoke German with perfection. - -"See!" he said hoarsely, pushing forward a gnarled finger and pointing -out through the cracks between the tiles from which Heinrich the spy -was peering. "They thought to take you so easily, these Americans! -But it is you--no, it is I--who have outwitted them--outwitted them, -you hear? and the wretch broke into a dry, echoing chuckle which -reverberated from the tiles around him, and from the walls of the old -tower, till Heinrich was startled. - -"Peace, you fool!" he growled, turning upon him. Whereat the big, bony -fingers of the other man assumed the shape of claws, his brow knitted, -and for a moment he scowled at his companion; then he pointed again. - -"Outwitted--yes!" he whispered hoarsely, as though fearful that the -Americans down below, all unconscious of their presence, might overhear -them. "And what a prize! How we shall still further upset their -plans! In a little while--in a week or two perhaps--in less for all -we know--the signal will come to us; we shall know that our comrades -yonder are about to strike once more, and it may be for the last time, -for the Fatherland. Then----" - -The wretch broke again into that dry, creaking, rusty cackle which -grated upon Heinrich's nerves so much. - -"Then! What?" he asked abruptly, angrily. - -"Then! I'll tell you," the man responded. "We--you and I--will see -to it that it is here that our comrades break through. That it is -we who discover ourselves to the great German general and claim our -reward. Reward! Money, money, money in plenty; far more than the German -Government has sent me in these past years that I have lived in this -vile country amongst these vile peasants, and have done the bidding of -the Fatherland--money with which to live. Ah, that will be worth while!" - -Heinrich positively shivered. The man's face acted like a douche of -cold water upon him, and then those huge, bony fingers positively gave -him the creeps. - -"Worth while!" he said rapidly. "Money for what? More visits to the -cabaret? Well, we will see; but we must work, and work hard, together." - -"Ah! Yes, work hard, as I have worked for years, and you too, no doubt, -my comrade, work for the Kaiser and the Fatherland." - -Down below American battalions were dismissing--those fine Americans -who had come four thousand miles across the Atlantic to meet the -barbarians of the twentieth century--were strolling off to their -bivouacs, their cook-houses, their rest-huts, and so on. Not one, -perhaps, suspected that so near at hand lay the spy for whom their -general was searching; not one, as he cast an eye upward and caught a -glimpse of that picturesque yet half-shattered tower, realized that -there lay the man whom they were seeking; and he, this Heinrich and the -odious creature by his side, boded no good to these gallant men who had -come to stand beside the British and their allies. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -In Search of Liberty - - -"Getting nearer Germany," said Jim laconically. - -Larry kicked the sides of the cattle-truck in which they were -incarcerated, pulled that tin hat of his down over his brow--his -unconscious yet characteristic habit--scowled and then grinned. - -Nobby got angry; he doubled his fist, projected his head until his face -was within a few inches of Larry, and growled something at him. - -"You're always laughin'--you, Larry," he said. "If we gits into a tight -hole, 'stead o' bein' serious-like all the time, you gits a-laughin'. -Now, look 'ere!" - -Bill took the huge fellow by the shoulder and pulled him back. - -"Stop talking rot, Nobby! We're alone for a moment, but you never -know when the train'll stop and the guard'll put his head in. 'Nearer -Germany,' Jim said." - -"Aye--sure," the latter grunted. "I'm thinking of it all the time. Here -are we--come all this way, been through all these things--and say, -boys, we've enjoyed it, haven't we?" - -"Aye, aye," they grunted. - -"Well, we've been all through these times waitin' for our boys to come -out and join in with 'em, and then we gets scooped up by the Hun, and -won't have a chance of seein' all the fightin'." - -"No?" lisped Larry. "I ain't so sure. I ain't going to Germany, Jim, -not if I can help it. See here, chums! we're gettin' near Germany, and -we've got to do something." - -That was the sort of speech that pleased Nobby. He grunted his -approval. He was the sort of man--steady, strong, and fearless--who was -ready to carry out any sort of desperate enterprise; but to think one -out, to make plans, that was entirely beyond the genial, hard-fighting -Nobby. - -"You get in at it, Bill," for, like his comrades, he had a great -appreciation of that young fellow's shrewdness. "How 'ud you do it?" - -It was Bill's turn to shrug his shoulders. "Do it?" he asked. "Ah! But -chaps have jumped from a train before now--eh? What's to prevent us?" - -"Them doors!" declared Nobby, pointing to the iron-bound doors which -had been bolted on them. - -"Aye, but there's a roof and a floor," said Jim. - -"Sure!" Larry exclaimed, beginning to peer about him in the -semi-darkness of the truck. - -The very suggestion, patent though it was, brought them all to their -feet, and for the next few minutes they were walking about the truck, -feeling in all directions, they and half a dozen comrades with them. -Then came a sharp, shrill cry from one of the men. - -"What is it?" demanded Nobby roughly. "Ah! A loose board! Let's get -there! Loose at one end. You wait--get out of the way! Christopher! -It's coming!" - -Nobby came with it too! For, getting his fingers underneath the end of -the board which one of the men had discovered to be loose, he threw all -his bull-like strength into it, tore the board up, and fell backward. -But a moment later he was on his feet again, and had his fingers at the -next board to that which was already wrenched out of position. This -one, too, came away to the sound of thudding, thumping iron wheels on -steel rails, and to the sound of splitting timber. A third time he -ventured to pull, and there, at his feet, lay a hole through which -three men could have gone together, a hole through which what little -light there was outside penetrated, a hole which might easily lead to -liberty, perhaps even to the road back to their comrades. - -"There!" exclaimed Nobby, mopping the sweat from his forehead with the -dirty sleeve of his khaki jacket. - -"Sure!" grinned Larry, peering over the hole and watching the ground -fleeing away from them. - -"Interesting!" Jim ventured, lying flat on the floor, his head thrust -through the square which Nobby's powerful fingers and muscles had -provided for them. "But this here raises a conundrum; droppin' through -on to the road would mean getting smashed by the axle of the wagon just -behind it. One man might have a bit of luck, but t'others would get -brained. Here's the hole right enough--but yet----" - -"But, yes," said Bill thoughtfully. - -"Ha!" gurgled Nobby, pushing his way nearer to them now that he had -recovered from his effort, while other men pressed round them. - -"Only," ventured Bill, breaking the long silence which followed, "only, -you know----" - -Nobby interrupted him. "I know what you're after, young Bill," he said. -"It's always you as is makin' plans and thinkin' things out while -the rest of us is puzzling. You shut up, mates; give him a moment to -think. Now then!" he said when a few more minutes had passed--passed -painfully, be it mentioned; for the opening at their feet, the gleam -of light which came through it, the swiftly-passing road it disclosed, -were tantalizing to the prisoners. In a measure their cage was broken -open and they were free to go; but that rushing train, the swiftness of -its pace, made escape from their open cage still an almost impossible -matter. - -"Only it ain't altogether impossible," said Bill. "No, not altogether." - -"Ah! Oh!" Nobby gurgled. - -"You see," said Bill, "a chap might sling himself out here with his -head to the back of the wagon. T'other chaps would then hold his -two legs and his two hands, so that he could get his head 'way out -under the last beam and take a squint round. There'll be buffers, -perhaps--that's certain in fact; there'll be couplings, perhaps -there'll be handles. He'll get slung back here and give directions; -and then out he goes again, and you chaps'll let go one hand, when he -shouts or wriggles you'll let go the other, and the fellows with the -feet'll help him to move backward; finally one leg will go, then the -second, and after that----" - -"Ah! ah!" lisped Larry. "Yep, it is after that. You ain't yet out of -the wood--not by a long bit. Say, sonny, it's a bright idea; it's a -really bright brain-wave, but----" - -"Here, catch hold!" said Bill with decision. "Larry, you stand by -and direct operations. Jim will hold one hand, Tom, here, the other. -Nobby's the boy for the legs; I should be safe, I know, if he'd got a -grip of 'em. Now then, swing me down. Don't be frightened! Here I go!" - -And go he did. They gripped him by all four extremities and lowered him -through the opening as they would have lowered a bundle or a bed, then -very carefully they allowed his form to drift, as it were, backward -till his head was under the farthest edge of the wagon. Peering up -through a cloud of dust, which almost smothered him, Bill caught sight -of a coupling clanging just overhead, and, on either side, of buffers, -as he had suspected. Better than all, there was a strong iron handle -or grip beside the coupling, and one immediately opposite it on the -next truck, while below it was a foot-rest by means of which one could -mount the side of this truck, which, like the one in which they were, -was covered. He wriggled, and at the signal was hauled back. - -"Waal?" demanded Larry hoarsely, while Nobby leaned over the opening -and peered into his face, breathing heavily on him. - -"Can't say," came from Bill, "only the trick can be done right enough. -Next time I'll clamber along and see if the doors can be opened. Now -you swing me down again, holding my wrists and ankles. When I double -up my right hand, let it go, and keep me as far swung back as you can. -When I've got a grip I'll move the other hand and you can let that go -too. I'll jiggle my feet in turn as I want you to liberate 'em--get me?" - -"You bet!" Nobby grunted. "Got you square! Take care, young Bill, now. -We don't want to see you dashed to pieces, but----" - -"But someone's got to do it," said Bill, "and I'm as active as any one -of you and fairly light. Down I go! Hang on tight. And don't be afraid -to let go when you get the signal." - -He was swung through the opening again, and then allowed to drift -backward. Once more he caught a glimpse of the clanging couplings -just above his head, and of the grating buffers on either side. Then, -measuring his distance, he closed the fingers of his right hand, and -rather reluctantly that member was released, while he felt the grip on -the ankles and the other wrist tighten as if the men were fearful of -his escaping from between their fingers. Then he reached upward and -without difficulty gripped the first of the handles. Shifting his grasp -along it, he then closed the fingers of the other hand, and a minute -later was holding on to the single broad handle, while the men inside -the van allowed his form to drift still farther backward. - -There was team work there between them all--intelligent team work. -For though Larry and Jim and the others could not see what Bill was -attempting, they could imagine it well enough, and the writhings of -his body gave them a hint as to how they were to behave under every -circumstance. Yet it was not without reluctance that they let his -right leg loose, as he wriggled the ankle, and Nobby, who released -it, was more than relieved when Jim, bending over the hole, called -to two of them to grip his wrists, and was himself lowered through -the opening, head downward, his feet and legs resting on the floor -of the wagon. Twisting his head, he could see Bill's right leg swing -backward, and presently watched as it was hooked over the foot-rest. -Then came another wriggle of the other ankle, and a minute later Bill -had practically disappeared, one leg only still showing hooked over the -foot-rest. - -By the time Jim had been hauled back, Bill had gone, and those within -were left staring at the ground below fleeing past them. It seemed ages -before there was a clang at one of the doors--the clang of a bolt -being shot backward. Then a crevice of light appeared, and, to the -amazement and joy of all, a hand was pushed into the compartment--a -hand which Nobby gripped and presently drew on--drew on until he -finally pulled Bill in amongst them. - -"So you did it! Bravo!" he cried, while Jim pushed the sliding door, -which Bill had liberated, farther back. As for the latter, he grinned -upon his comrades. - -"Easy as eating dinner," he said. "There wasn't a padlock, but only -bolts, and they didn't take much opening. After that the trick was -done. Here we are, boys--there's the road to liberty--only, of course, -we've got to slow the train up first. Another conundrum I hadn't -thought of." - -"I have," Jim joined in. "See here, boys, this train may go rushing on -for hours yet, and every foot of the way takes us farther into Germany. -You might shout yourself hoarse and the driver of the locomotive would -never hear. If we was to take those planks that we've torn from the -floor and chuck 'em on the rails, they'd be cut up like carrots, and -wouldn't no more derail her than if you was to chuck out Nobby there." - -At that the worthy and pugnacious Nobby looked threateningly at the -American, and opened his mouth to expostulate. - -"No," went on Jim, in deep earnest, unmindful of what he had said, "you -couldn't wreck the train if you wanted to. So next thing is to stop -her." - -"Aye, stop her!" Nobby grinned. "Ain't we all aware o' that? Clever, -Jim--eh?" - -"And to stop her," said Jim, unperturbed by Nobby's sudden explosion, -or by his sarcasm, "ain't such a difficult task, I should reckon. -Bill's done his bit; you boys wait here while I do my share; I'm going -to uncouple the chains right here in front of us." - -That, too, was no easy matter. Indeed it was one full of danger, as -Jim himself appreciated when he gained the end of the truck, and, -standing upon the foot-rest and clinging to the handles, endeavoured -to manipulate the couplings. The truck in front wobbled and swayed -horribly; that upon which he rested jerked to and fro, threatening to -throw him from his hold, and the couplings were drawn tight--so tight -that there was no possibility of unhooking them--while the buffers -were parted by an inch or more of space. And so the position continued -for a long ten minutes--those coupling chains in strongest tension, -the buffers separated, no power that he could exert, nor indeed that a -hundred men could exert, being able to unhook them. - -And then came the sudden scream of the vacuum brakes, the buffers -tapped gently together, and at once the ends of the two trucks between -which he clung drew closer together. They were on a decline, and the -driver of the engine had applied his brakes all along the train to keep -her in control and steady the trucks as they ran downwards. As for -the couplings, taut a moment before, they swung loosely now, so that -Jim, bending over, picked up the link hooked upon the coupling in front -and threw it off with an ease which surprised him. That link provided -the only means of attaching them to the forward part of the train, and -when, perhaps a minute later, the long line of trucks had gained the -level again, and steam was given to the engine, of a sudden the truck -in front leapt away from him, sped away, rushed off at uncommon speed, -leaving Jim clambering there with only space in front of him. - -It was a very hot and dishevelled Jim who clambered back into the -compartment, and it was a very dishevelled and excited party that stood -at the open doorway as the speed of this latter half of the train -slowly diminished. Then anxiety took possession of them, for far away -in the distance they heard the shrill whistle of the locomotive--the -locomotive which had dragged the train from which they were now parted. - -"Driver's discovered it--sure! Yep. Awkward! That means that he'll stop -the blamed train, and perhaps come back to us--what's that, eh?" - -"Conductor right behind has wakened up and made the same sort of -discovery," said Bill; "reckons the train has broken in half--as it -has--eh? There go the hand-brakes. Couldn't ask for anything better. -Boys, make ready!" - -From outside the car came the scream and scrape of brakes, while -the landscape, which had been flashing past them, now glided by at -respectable speed, which encouraged the prisoners immensely. They -crowded to the door, waited till Bill gave the order, and then, as the -car slowed down to quite reasonable speed, that made a leap to the -ground quite practicable, they dropped off one by one--some fifteen of -them--and presently, gathering together, moved off along the track. But -first of all, as the last man left the car he had been careful to close -the doorway. - -"You never know," said Bill, as he warned them. "Perhaps they'll think -that putting the brakes on down that decline somehow unhooked the -coupling. If they saw the door open they'd realize at once that a trick -had been played on them. Let 'em talk about the breaking in two of -the train and wonder how it happened, and get to work to hook the two -trucks together again. Perhaps they won't suspect that we've got out, -for there won't be anything to tell 'em. Now, boys, here we all are! -About turn! Quick march! This trek ought to take us, with a little more -luck, into the lines of the Allies." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -Plots within Plots - - -"You're sure--certain, Private Dan Holman?" the Divisional Commander -asked him for perhaps the twentieth time, some two or three days after -that parade which had followed the discovery of the presence of a spy -in the midst of this particular American division. "Certain you'd -recognize him? Remember, boy, you caught only one single glimpse of -him, and that under torchlight. A man looks queer under the glare of a -searchlight--different from what he looks under the moonbeams." - -Dan gulped. Even an American soldier, with all that assurance born -of the freedom of the vast country in which he lives, may feel -disconcerted under the gaze of a superior officer, indeed under the -gaze--the almost incredulous gaze--of a number of officers. Dan gulped, -therefore, but his eyes, steadily fixed on those of the Commanding -Officer, never wavered. - -"Sure, sir," he answered. "It sounds queer, I know, but I've laid in -bed thinking it over, and I'm as sure as sure--surer than I was when I -first came along with the information. That man that came down in the -aeroplane--for I take it he was dropped, as the Germans have dropped -spies before--was the same man that shot the father of a chum of mine -way back in a saloon by the copper-mine near Salt Lake City, the same -chap as drilled me through with a bullet from a revolver. I ain't -dreamin'; the thing's sure; and the fellow's somewhere about in these -parts dressed in our uniform." - -A long and secret discussion followed. Dan was closeted with the -Intelligence Branch of the division for many hours, and on more -than one occasion, and thereafter, though the life of the camp was -unaltered, though nothing untoward seemed to be occurring, and though -the ordinary rank and file and their officers were entirely ignorant of -what had been or of the suspicions in their Commanding Officer's mind -that a spy was lurking in the neighbourhood, active steps were being -taken to come upon Heinrich Hilker. - -"We'll telephone along to the other commanders, and notify the French -and the British; we'll get every billet, every hut, even the woods -searched. If the chap's in the neighbourhood we'll see if we can ferret -out the hiding-place he's selected. Gee! it makes me feel uneasy to -think that there's a spy somewhere here--a fellow that knows all about -us Americans. What's more, it makes me feel worse to believe that he's -got an accomplice; for otherwise how could he have slipped through -our clutches when we guessed his presence within a few minutes of his -arrival?" - -Up and down the line, from the trenches to a point some miles behind, -French and British and American military police and Intelligence -branches caused the closest search to be made--a search which naturally -enough included that church in which Heinrich Hilker and Alphonse, -a spy like himself, had taken shelter. But granted that Heinrich -himself was cunning, Alphonse was still more so. One of that band of -individuals sent out broadcast by Germany to penetrate peacefully the -countries of their neighbours, to prepare the ground in case of a -German invasion, and to keep Berlin informed as to all local affairs -and on every matter of importance, Alphonse had lived the life of a -schemer for many years. He, in fact, chuckled on numerous occasions at -the ease with which he had hoodwinked the simple peasants with whom he -had taken up his residence. Even in his cups he had, as a general rule, -been extraordinarily careful and crafty; and now, as he went his way, -unsuspected by the Americans, his craft and his guile allowed of his -throwing dust in their eyes also. - -"You've got to stay here," he told his accomplice as he visited him one -night in his lair at the top of the tower. "Here's better than anywhere -else, because every billet is being searched. There isn't a hut, an -outhouse, or any farm or hovel in these parts and right along the line -that isn't being looked into. They've been to the church, too, but----" -and then he began to cackle, that horrid cackle which grated upon -Heinrich's nerves so much. - -"But!" the latter ejaculated curtly; "what then? How is this place -secure? Tell me," he asked anxiously; for indeed he had observed much -coming and going of American soldiers, had seen staff cars arriving -bearing French and British officers, and, though that was no unusual -occurrence, he could guess from the bustle which he could see and note -from his peep-hole, that something unusual was happening. - -"But----" began Alphonse again, crouching beside the spy, his huge -knuckles taut as he clenched his fists, "but----" and then cackled once -more, so that Heinrich could have hit him so great was his vexation. - -"But--you fool! Go on!" - -"S--sh! Steady! Men down below, I hear them." - -Heinrich had heard not so much as a sound, but the crafty villain -beside him had spent years in eavesdropping--in listening and avoiding -people whom it was undesirable he should meet--and now, above the -gentle rustle of the straw in which he lay, he heard the distinct -murmur of voices, the slip and slither of booted feet, the sound of men -in the body of the church. He lifted a finger to his lips, and, turning -silently with a snake-like movement, bent over the square opening -leading to the loft. Lights were flashing down below. He could see -men walking about, catching only a glimpse of them as the flash of an -electric torch settled upon their figures. He heard steps on the broken -and wrecked stone stairs which led to the chamber down below, and -then he became active. Those powerful if attenuated arms of his were -stretched out, the two hands gripped the rickety ladder by which he had -ascended, and swiftly, yet with the utmost care and silence, he drew it -upward. To cover the opening with some straw was an easy matter, and -presently, long before the American soldiers arrived in the chamber -referred to, the square through which Alphonse had entered Heinrich's -hiding-place had been, as it were, obliterated. So much so, that though -the light was cast upward, the broken boards above, the wisps of straw -dangling through the crevice, the wrecked appearance of the place, in -fact the very stars visible through the shattered tiles above, and the -lack of all means of reaching this aerie, persuaded the searchers that -no spy could be lurking there. - -"Empty--sure!" came a voice. "'Taint likely that he's here. Looks as -though the tower might fall to pieces any moment. So down we go! Easy -with it, boys, those stairs take a lot of climbing." - -Sounds receded. Footsteps were heard again in the body of the church. -Lights flashed hither and thither and then disappeared. Silence -followed, except that from outside came again the murmur of voices -as the soldiers departed. Heinrich breathed freely once more, while -Alphonse gave vent to a deep-throated, husky cackle. - -"And so I cheated 'em time and again," he breathed, his eyes riveted -now to a crevice between the tiles through which he could see the -search-party of the Americans receding, "cheated 'em--these fools of -French peasants--same as I'll cheat the soldiers down below, and help -Germany to gain Paris--to gain Paris," he repeated, this time with -something approaching a hiss, his eyes flashing. "Paris, my friend -Heinrich!" - -His companion, who a little while before had shrunk from contact with -this bony, attenuated scoundrel, and who, to speak the truth, was half -fearful of him, now actually put up with a grip of his fingers as they -closed round his arm, and, crouching on his knees, Heinrich Hilker -repeated that word. - -"Ah!" he said, "Paris! Paris!--ah! that is the aim we have! But -listen, Alphonse! We failed to drive a wedge between the British and -the French, we failed to reach the Channel ports, but there is always -Paris--the heart of France and the French people. Let us but reach it, -let us but get our fingers about it, and--ah!--and we will strangle the -life out of these Frenchmen." - -His eyes blazed. Sitting there he gripped his two hands together, -squeezing the palms and interlocking his fingers, feeling as though he -had already a strangling grip upon our gallant ally. Thereafter the -two lay quietly together discussing matters in whispers, and had there -been someone at hand to hear their words, what a commotion would have -resulted when the information was transmitted to the Americans and sent -to the French and British armies. For Heinrich had penetrated into -the Allied line with the knowledge that presently Germany was to try -another onslaught. His duty it was to obtain further and more intimate -information, and once he had secured it he was to return by any means -available and repeat that information to the German High Command. - -But the time had not yet arrived. So close was the hunt for Heinrich, -thanks to the report which Dan Holman had given his Commanding Officer, -that he was held a close prisoner in the tower, and would have starved, -indeed, had it not been for the crafty and creeping Alphonse. - -"But never mind," he told the latter one day some two weeks later. -"Thanks to this note which one of our aeroplanes dropped, and which you -brought to me, I know that our people are prepared. The blow will fall -shortly; not, you understand, my friend, the great blow--the big blow -that will take us and our armies to Paris--but the preliminary one, -just to open the way, to give us elbow room, to let us bring on the -forces which will then dash on to the city. Alphonse, that will be the -time for you. Dream of it--a German army in Paris! Think of what you -and I will do! Think of the loot!--of the gold! of the jewels!--think!" - -The big, bony rascal beside him sat up abruptly to think. His eyes were -sunken, only half filling the enormous sockets, and they were staring -out into the darkness of the farthest corner of the tower. "Ah!" the -wretch gasped, and, catching a fleeting glance of him a moment later, -Heinrich felt almost alarmed, for those staring, sunken eyes had a -suspicion of madness in them; the man's intent face, his hook-like -nose, his parted lips and gaping nostrils made him look like a vampire, -and then the hoarse dry cackle which followed completed the illusion. -Heinrich shuddered. - -"The man is mad," he thought; "he is a devil. He lives for gain, and -would perpetrate any cruelty to make money. Well, soon I shall be quit -of him; soon he will have carried out his purpose, and I shall have -no further need of him. That will be a good day. I am tired of this -dog-kennel." - -They became bolder as the days passed and search on the part of the -Americans practically ceased. They wormed out numerous secrets, and by -means of craftily-arranged signals, and with the help of an aeroplane -which once more descended close to the tower, they transmitted -information to the enemy. It was then that of a sudden the Germans -flung themselves upon the Chemin des Dames, which overlooks the -Aisne River, and thrust forward across the ground where the British -Expeditionary Force of 1914, that "contemptible" yet ever glorious -army, fought its way across the river. They swept south to Fère en -Tardenois, and even gained the Marne, though they were unable to cross -it. Yet they had achieved a huge success, a sudden advance, which -caused stores and guns and men to fall into their clutches, and which -won for them a closer approach to Paris, now but thirty-five miles -distant, indeed but half the distance of the range of those gigantic -guns humorously called "Big Berthas", able to project shot seventy -miles, which for weeks past had been playing upon Paris. - -It was the first milestone, one may say, on the road to the capital -city of France. A success to be followed up as rapidly and violently -as possible. It was a time when information of French military -preparations to protect their beloved city would be of the utmost -assistance to the Germans, and a time, therefore, when the activities -of Heinrich and Alphonse redoubled. - -"We must get through! We must find our way past these American curs to -the Marne, and so into the German lines. These American curs, I tell -you," Heinrich said, "they suspect something. The search-parties are -about again, and for me, I feel that if we remain here longer we shall -be taken. So to-night we move on. You agree?" - -He cast a half-nervous glance over his shoulder, for, to tell the -truth, longer acquaintance with Alphonse had made him even more fearful -of that strong, uncouth individual; and what wonder? For the strained -life which this agent of the German Government had lived so many years -among the people of France had tended to throw him off his mental -balance; loneliness had preyed upon his mind, and those frequent visits -to the cabaret had not assisted to retain his mental powers in equal -balance. There were times, though Heinrich hardly guessed it, when -Alphonse raved, when he was apt to be violent, when that dry, harsh, -cruel chuckle of his became the scream of a madman. Now, as Heinrich -turned upon him, the man was kneeling up, bent forward and leaning -upon his closed fists--those huge, bony fists of his--his chin pushed -forward, his lips agape and teeth showing, his sunken eyes staring at -nothing in particular. He chuckled hoarsely, and then turned swiftly -upon the German. - -"The time--" he said, "the time to return, to cross the Marne to our -people--yes, for you, Heinrich, but for me, no!" - -"For you, no?" the other asked incredulously; "but----" - -"But Paris, man," Alphonse gurgled. - -"Paris! of course, of course!" Heinrich laughed, though there was -little merriment in his tone. "Of course, later on, with our comrades -as they advance over the Marne. In the meanwhile you are the man to -guide me back to them." - -The big, sprawling, bony figure of the man beside him was jerked upward -and that pugnacious chin shot towards Heinrich Hilker, while the -deep-set eyes gleamed--gleamed dangerously. - -"What, leave Paris! the loot!" the man gasped, as if the news astounded -him. "Direct you over the Marne to our comrades! Get behind the -advanced lines of our troops, and so reach Paris after they have -entered! What, lose that splendid opportunity! Man--!" and Alphonse -brought a huge, bony hand down on Heinrich's shoulder, making the -spy wince. "Man, it's a moment I have lived for--dreamed of night and -day--this pillage of Paris. Why, I have been there a hundred times and -have marked out the way of entry, the path I would take first of all, -the spot for which I would make, the spot where---- Listen, listen, -man!" he whispered in his rusty voice; "the place where all the gold -and the jewels are concentrated. It will be a haul. A bomb to burst in -the door, no _poilus_ to intervene, none of these infernal soldiers -to shoot at you, no fear of watchers--a plain straightforward action, -careless of who looks on. A bomb I say--the door burst in--then a dive -in amongst the riches--jewels, man, sparkling jewels--pockets filled in -five minutes--afterwards, wealth--wealth of a Crœsus!" - -Heinrich was peering round at his companion now--peering in a cunning, -half-frightened way, his eyes now and again turning to those sunken -orbs which stared into the farthest hole beneath the shattered tiles -of the church tower. He could feel the hand on his shoulder trembling; -the bony fingers closed and gripped him with such force that he could -have called out for pain. The man beside him was a maniac, he told -himself--a maniac to be got rid of at the first opportunity, but a -man to be handled carefully, to be cajoled, to be humoured until he -had carried out the work required of him, and "after that a shot will -finish the brute", Heinrich whispered, "a shot in the back. Once we are -across the Marne, and with our people, Alphonse shall go to a place -where he can dream on for ever. Only--ah, yes!" - -[Illustration: THE MAN BESIDE HIM WAS A MANIAC, HE TOLD HIMSELF] - -Heinrich Hilker's eyes sought the depths of that dark corner just as -Alphonse's had done. For a moment or so he became thoughtful, moody, -while the expression of his face denoted cunning, slyness--the cunning -of a man who has suddenly thought of something worth noting. - -"And why not? A shot? Yes--in the back. But first this path into -Paris--a place full of riches. Alphonse may be crazy, but he is -a cunning fellow, and--yes, he has been thinking of Paris often. -Listen!" he said aloud a few moments later; "this scheme of yours, -Alphonse--splendid! magnificent! Riches beyond thought, and all -obtained in five minutes and quite openly, without fear of arrest. But -supposing the Army Commander places a guard on all public buildings, -and private also?" - -"Ha!" Alphonse's face grew black--grew terrible, while his strong teeth -grated together. "Ha!" he grunted. - -"But," went on Heinrich, "get back to our army now with this valuable -information and I can obtain a special pass which will send us ahead -with our advanced troops. You would not mind, Alphonse? For, as you -say, there are riches there to make both you and me rich beyond belief, -tell me--eh? We go back to our people now, and your chances of getting -that wealth will be improved. It is a magnificent suggestion." - -It was. It captured the fancy of the madman beside him on the instant, -and set him rubbing his two big bony, attenuated hands together, while -the man sat up on his heels, and, still staring into that dark corner, -chuckled hoarsely, his rusty voice awaking the echoes of the deserted -tower. - -See them then two days later creeping away from the place disguised as -peasants; watch them a day later dressed as _poilus_--the one driving -a cart in which Alphonse lay at full length, for no helmet, no blue -uniform, could disguise the bony Alphonse. See them far up towards the -Marne, and watch them as they take shelter in a hovel, already badly -battered by German guns, within easy reach of the river, within almost -calling distance of the Kaiser's troops on the far bank. - -Let us look about the spot where those two ruffians had taken shelter. -Situated in "No-Man's-Land", under the German guns and under those of -the Allies, it offered no great security from shell-fire, though it -afforded as it were a jumping-off post from which anybody secreted -there might reach the Germans in one direction and the watching Allies -in the other. Yet, what a coincidence that Bill and Jim and the -inimitable Larry, with the formidable Nobby, too, close at hand, should -have almost at the same moment discovered a little dwelling, likewise -battered, within a hundred and fifty yards of that spot--Bill and his -friends, whose fortunes and misfortunes now claim our attention. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -A Turn in the Tide - - -Weeks had passed since that train had thundered along the rails into -Germany, carrying its truck-loads of British prisoners. It was ages -since the brilliant and powerful Nobby had wrenched up the flooring of -the truck and had thereby discovered an opening, which might or might -not lead to liberty, and it seemed a positively endless period since -Bill had been swung out by hands and feet, since Jim had thrown off the -couplings, since the moment when this gallant little band had escaped -from their captors and had plunged towards the west, where lay friends -and safety. - -But consider the difficulties before them. That part of Germany was -not so thickly populated that movement of a band of men was out of the -question; across the Rhine Germans swarmed--German soldiers--while -farther west, in the invaded French territory, the movement of a mouse -was almost likely to be noted. - -"It's got to be a slow game," Bill said, when after their first night's -journey they lay down in a wood, hungry and feeling desolate. "Of -course we may have unusual luck, but there's little doubt that we -shall have to go quietly and very secretly. Let's sleep, boys, then -we'll forage for food, after that--well, leave it." - -"Aye, leave it," laughed Nobby--laughed uproariously, for this gallant -fellow was in the highest spirits. "As for taking time and all that, -what's it matter, so long as we do get back one of these days? Seems to -me, slow but sure--the pace of a tortoise--is the thing we're out for. -But food! crikey, ain't I hungry!" - -"Aye!" gasped another of the band, a lusty eater like Nobby himself. -"But there'll be food round about, and we'll take it--eh, Bill?--eh, -Sergeant Bill?--sorry, Sergeant!" - -Bill laughed. Yet it was a sign of the times. These comrades of his -were becoming a little careful how they addressed him. Perhaps the -feeling of discipline had something to do with it, and perhaps it was -the fact that they recognized in Bill a born commander, the sort of -young man of which our officers are made, and let us say at once we -include the officers of all the Allies. - -Then they lay down, and presently all were asleep, nearly all indeed -slept heavily till the early morning. Sounds of someone approaching, -and the sudden appearance of a cow and a calf with a soldier behind -them, threw the band into a commotion. The men seized the sticks with -which they had armed themselves, Larry dashed towards a tree; then the -soldier laughed. - -"My! Ain't I frightened the whole lot o' you," he shouted. "A-feared -of Nobby and a couple of cows a-walkin' into the camp, and lookin' as -though you'd like to chuck 'em out, when I'm bringing food, too." - -The gallant Nobby, for he it was, hurled two fowls in amongst his -comrades. "Didn't know I was a sort of gamekeeper in peace times, did -yer? I'd almost forgotten it meself, for them days seems a long way -off; but I chanced to wake at the first streak of dawn, and went off -to see what was around us. This 'ere cow and calf was mighty handy. -Right down below there's a settlement, and I happed on a convenient -Hun residence. What's this--eh? Why, bless me soul!--it's bread! My, I -am surprised! Believe me, when I saw that in the larder of a house--a -farmhouse, you know--I felt like leaving it for the Huns. Then I -thought of you chaps, and I guessed it 'ud do you more good than it 'ud -do any German. Sit up, boys. Here's milk and meat and bread for to-day; -to-morrow, if we can't move off, we can kill the calf, and there'll be -more meat for a week perhaps; after that--well, we'll be able to look -round by then, eh? What about some breakfast?" - -"What abaht it?" one of the band sang out, while the rest were -convulsed with laughter or ran forward to congratulate the gallant -Nobby. - -Indeed his was a find--a valuable find as it proved. For it so happened -that though the band had managed to escape to a part of the country -which was sparsely populated, their escape was noised abroad, and -search-parties were sent in all directions. - -"Only they don't seem to have thought of these woods," said Larry, as -he and Bill watched from the fringe of the cover in which they had -taken shelter. "I guess they think we've made along the railway. Waal -now, the longer we stick here without moving into the open the better, -for then we'll throw them off the scent. Nobby's calf will be useful. -Mebbe we'll take to the cow yet, but it'll want some killing, seeing -that we've only sticks and knives with us." - -Yet another early-morning jaunt on the part of Nobby, with Bill in -company, secured a couple of old rifles and revolvers, beside more -bread; and thus armed, and with plenty of food, the band settled -themselves in the wood for two weeks till the search-parties had -returned and the matter had blown over. Then they issued forth, and -little by little, sometimes gaining a dozen miles in one night, -sometimes lying up in a friendly wood for a week or more, now and -then half starved--for provisions were short throughout the whole of -Germany--and again well fed--for they did not hesitate to take fowls -and calves when they came across them--the band gained France, and -finally filtered through the German lines to the spot we have indicated. - -The journey had taken weeks--those eventful weeks during which the -Kaiser, careless of the losses he incurred, had thrown his hordes -against the Allies, had thrown to win, and so far at least had -failed to achieve his object. But now the moment for the last throw -had arrived. Germans, massed in that salient which stretched to the -Marne, were about to make a desperate push--a last push for Paris. Guns -were ready; every device of war was there to slaughter the Allies; -the All-Highest, himself less arrogant than of yore, less certain of -success, was himself present; the hour had come for Germany to strike a -final blow for victory. - -And strike she did, driving a reckless path over the Marne River in -the neighbourhood of Château Thierry and to the east of that pleasant -provincial town, while her forces swept to the west, pushing the Allied -line backward. It was a critical time for British and French and -American troops, and the Entente generally; for the rush carried the -Germans to within some thirty miles of Paris, and further success would -have thrown a road to that city wide open, with, no doubt, disastrous -results to the defenders of human liberty. But the Allies, though taken -in some measure by surprise, were by no means found wanting. Unity of -command on the part of Germany and Austria and their Allies had, during -almost four long years of warfare, given enormous advantage to the -troops controlled nominally by the Kaiser: one brain and one man, in -fact, commanded the situation, striking blows here, following them up -swiftly, supporting a threatened spot, and massing effects where the -Allied line appeared weakest. But the Allies themselves had not failed -to see the vital importance of this unity of command. It had taken -time; it had required many conferences; there had been much discussion -before a decision was reached; but Mr. Lloyd George, the Premier of -England, Monsieur Clemenceau, France's able leader, and Mr. Wilson, the -President of the United States, and all the prominent leaders had come -forward and insisted upon this one condition. - -Thus, just prior to this final German rush, the whole of the Allied -armies in France and Italy had been placed under the command of General -Foch, the hero of the Marne fighting in 1914. This unity of command -placed in his hands a power not hitherto wielded by any single one of -the Allied forces. It allowed him to mass his reserves, to control the -movements of all the troops, and permitted of his disposing of his -forces so that within a few days the enemy rush was successfully held -up, and almost at once a counter-attack, similar almost to that of the -Sixth French Army in 1914, which was cast upon the right flank of Von -Kluck's army, but a little north of the part where that army operated, -was hurled against the flank of this dangerous German irruption. - -A few lines and we may dismiss further mention of the fighting. -French and British, aye, and Americans in much force, took part in -that brilliant counter-offensive. They smashed in the German flank, -they drove deep into the Tardenois, they sent the enemy fleeing back -from the Marne and its wrecked villages and towns, till his back was -against the Aisne, and until the Vesle alone divided the combatants. -That single dramatic movement smashed the hopes of the German people, -and wrecked for ever the already severely damaged prestige of the once -arrogant Crown Prince of Prussia. - -We will carry the tale a short stage further. The fighting in this -neighbourhood was scarce ended, and the fifth year of the war but just -commenced, when on the 8th August, the Fourth British Army, with a -French army acting in combination with it, suddenly advanced upon the -Germans between Albert and Montdidier, and assisted by numerous small -tanks, called "whippets"--more speedy and more efficacious than the big -tanks first used in 1916--drove a huge hole or salient into the German -position, capturing hundreds of guns and a vast number of prisoners. -Since then fighting has extended north and south, and all along the -line the invader--the ravager of France and Belgium--has been driven -back reeling before our blows. The tide has turned without a doubt. The -Allies march irresistibly on to final victory. - -Thus was the fifth year of this awful contest inaugurated. It brought -success to the Allies, it found their numbers increasing daily by the -influx of American troops, and, significant too, it discovered those -American troops to be stanch and sturdy fighters, fresh to the country, -keen to destroy the power of the Kaiser. - -As for Bill and his friends, that sudden irruption of the Germans over -the Marne swamped the hovels in which they were lying, swamped, too, -the shattered dwelling in which Heinrich Hilker and Alphonse lay in -waiting. It drove both parties in fact to the cellars, and thence into -the subterranean passages which joined them. There, late one morning, -it brought the two parties face to face; though, to be sure, Heinrich -and Alphonse were as yet unaware of the presence of Bill and his party. - -"It's a noise! It's someone around!" said Nobby, when the party had -sat in the dark cellar for perhaps a couple of hours listening to the -roar of guns above, and sometimes hearing voices. "Always them Germans! -Ain't that a German voice yahring away? Listen!" - -"Sure!" said Larry; "German, and not so far away. It'll be Fritz -searching these dug-outs, these cellars. Boys, is it your wish that -Fritz should come down here and take you into the open? Have you come -all this way, right along here to within almost speaking distance of -your mates, just to be hiked out by a few Fritzes?" - -Bill stopped him. - -"There's a row going on," he said; "it's men fighting, and not many of -'em--two or three at the most, I should say. Stay here, you boys. Let's -get along, Jim and Larry and Nobby; we'll come back and report in a few -minutes." - -They crept along the passage, full of cobwebs and dirt and debris, and -pitch dark at first, till they had traversed perhaps a hundred yards, -passing here and there the entrances to other cellars; for bear in -mind they were in the country of the vine-growers of France, and huge -cellars are required to store the wines produced by the vineyards which -cluster along the sides of the Marne valley. Then a gleam of light -lit the passage, and pushing on they came in time, after many twists -and turns, to another cellar, from which issued now the voices of men -engaged in a strenuous struggle. Creeping in, they found themselves in -a large cellar of brick, on the floor of which two men rolled hither -and thither, locked in a firm embrace, breathing heavily, sometimes -shouting at one another. Their figures were fully lit up by an opening -above, which gave light and ventilation to the cellar, and which -presently allowed Bill and his friends to take in every atom of their -surroundings. - -"Two _poilus_ fighting! and----" gasped Larry. - -"And talking German!" said Nobby. "German!--listen to 'em!" - -Bill clutched Jim by the arm. "Jingo! that one with his head close to -the ground, it's---- I'd swear it!" - -Jim took a firm hold of his young friend, for standing there at the -entrance, peering into the cellar, he had at first not obtained so -good a view of the combatants. But now for a moment the two men, -locked in one another's arms, ceased their struggles to gain breath -for a continuance of the conflict. Then it was that he obtained a -full view of the face of the man who lay nearest the ground. It was -Heinrich Hilker; no French uniform could disguise the scoundrel. But -the other--no, he did not know him. - -"It's--gee!--it's Heinrich the spy caught by a Frenchman," he muttered. - -"A Frenchman! not it!" came bluntly from Nobby. "He's a-talkin' German -now. It's two spies in the midst of a ruction." - -As for Bill, Jim could feel him straining forward already, and -heard his breath coming in deep gasps, and knew well that his -young friend had recognized the wretch so near him who had been -the cause of his father's death. A little more and Bill would have -torn himself from Jim's grip and hurled himself upon the spy; but -Alphonse intervened--Alphonse, now crazier than ever, Alphonse driven -to desperation by the thought and the knowledge that Heinrich had -hoodwinked him, and had dragged him here to the Marne only to dispose -of him. - -It was but ten minutes ago that he had suddenly detected Heinrich in -the act of lifting a heavy stick with which to brain him, and thereupon -Alphonse had cast himself upon the traitor. For those ten minutes the -two had been locked in a deadly struggle, but now, as Bill and his -friends looked on, it ended. For with a superhuman effort the madman -suddenly freed his hands and gripped Heinrich by the neck. He lifted -him upward, and then suddenly dashed him back, breaking his head upon -the brick-lined floor as though it were an egg shell. - -"And so--and so you are dead!--wretch! villain! spy!" Alphonse gasped, -his rusty voice echoing in the cellar. "You, who enticed me to agree to -your plans to lead you safely through the American lines so as to join -our comrades. Ha! You--you were to slay me, and then, free of me, were -to join the Germans, forgetting the reward I was to have, forgetting -Paris and the loot to be obtained there. Well, you are dead--dead, you -dog!" - -The huge form of the pseudo-Frenchman was erected to its full -height--the huge, bony frame standing out gaunt in the rays descending -from the skylight above, the hands clenched, the blue uniform of a -_poilu_ skin-tight upon him--for there was never found a Frenchman -requiring such a suit of clothes as Alphonse needed--he stood there -leering, grinding his teeth, staring at the dead man. He kicked the -inanimate body, and then, turning, glared up at the skylight, while -Bill and his friends, horrified by the scene of which they had been the -silent witnesses, crouched backwards into the passage which had led -them to it, moved back from the entrance, waiting there, wondering what -they should do. - -It was then, within a few seconds, as Alphonse made ready to depart, -his crazy mind still fixed upon looting some house in Paris, that there -came a terrific crash above. Clouds of dust and bits of brick and dirt -were projected into the passage, and then there was an appalling -detonation, which shook these subterranean workings, which dislodged -blocks and stones from the roof of the gallery, and which brought the -roof of the cellar in upon Alphonse and the dead body of Heinrich, the -German spy--the roof and the mass of wrecked dwellings above it. Indeed -it was only by a miracle that Bill and his friends escaped destruction. -They crept off through the dust-clouds to their comrades, and there sat -down, moody at first, and then telling their story curtly, for it had -moved them deeply. An hour later the sounds of conflict waned, and soon -afterwards, peering up from the cellar which sheltered them, they found -the Germans in rapid retreat and Allied troops approaching. - -"It's an American lot!" shouted Bill at the top of his voice. - -"Sure!" gurgled Larry, and Jim was certain that the diminutive little -fellow's legs positively shook. Perspiration was dropping from his -forehead, and though Larry made every effort to appear nonchalant as -of yore, and tipped his helmet farther forward, and even searched -involuntarily, by force of habit, for that long-departed stump of -cigar, yet he could not deceive Jim. Larry was upset--greatly so. The -sight of those Americans had set him shaking, while it brought tears -to Jim's own eyes. And then, who should suddenly accost the party? -It was Dan--magnificent Dan--a true type of American manhood. Do you -wonder that they fell upon each other, gripping hands? If they had -been Frenchmen they would have embraced each other; as it was, even -the stoical Nobby was gulping as Dan took his huge hand and shook it -forcibly. - -"Fine, fine!" was all that gallant soldier could say. "Fine! I'm glad -to meet you." - -No need to trace their movements further, and no need to say that -within two weeks Nobby and his friends had been transferred to -the British force, while Larry and Jim, and Bill too, by special -arrangement, were attached to that American division in which Dan -served. They are in France as we write. Shoulder to shoulder with those -comrades of theirs they are opposing the most ruthless enemy that has -ever threatened the liberties of mankind; shoulder to shoulder they -will go through the work till the war is finished, till the Kaiser and -his myrmidons are vanquished. They have seen much, these gallant men. -They will see more before the war is done--when they have served longer -under Foch's command. - - -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN - -_By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow_ - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND *** - -***** This file should be named 64236-0.txt or 64236-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/2/3/64236/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/64236-0.zip b/old/64236-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a619ce5..0000000 --- a/old/64236-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h.zip b/old/64236-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0477db7..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/64236-h.htm b/old/64236-h/64236-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 1a39fb5..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/64236-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7874 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Under Foch's Command, by Captain F. S. Brereton. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 47.5%; - margin-right: 47.5%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .mynote { background-color: #DDE; color: black; padding: .5em; margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; } /* colored box for notes at beginning of file */ - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .left {text-align: left;} - .s3 {display: inline; margin-left: 3em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Under Foch's Command, by Captain F. S. Brereton</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Under Foch's Command</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>A Tale of the Americans in France</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Captain F. S. Brereton</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Wal Paget</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 08, 2021 [eBook #64236]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Juliet Sutherland, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND ***</div> - -<div class ="mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/front.jpg" alt="front" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<h1>UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND</h1> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/ad.jpg" alt="STORIES OF WAR" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><a name="i004.jpg" id="i004.jpg"></a><br /> -<img src="images/i004.jpg" alt="THE GERMAN GOT HIM AT ONCE" /></div> - -<p class="bold">THE GERMAN "GOT HIM" AT ONCE</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="title page" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">UNDER<br />FOCH'S COMMAND</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">A Tale of the Americans<br />in France</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">CAPTAIN F. S. BRERETON</p> - -<p class="bold">Author of "The Armoured-car Scouts"<br />"From the Nile to the Tigris"<br /> -"Under Haig in Flanders"<br />&c. &c.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above"><i>Illustrated by Wal Paget</i></p> - -<p class="bold space-above">BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED<br />LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<h2>Contents</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smcap">Chap.</span></td> - <td><span class="smaller">Page</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>I. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">An American Declaration</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>II. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Sheriff's Posse</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>III. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">In the Mine Shafts</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">"En Route" for Europe</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>V. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A German Agent</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Bombed in Mid-ocean</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Aboard a U-boat</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Capture of the Trawler</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IX. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Hard Fight</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>X. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The European Conflict</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">On Convoy Duty</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Germany's Greatest Effort</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Surrounded</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Where Men fought for Empire</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Attacked from All Sides</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Heinrich Hilker, Master Spy</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">An American Encampment</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">In Search of Liberty</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_251">251</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIX. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Plots within Plots</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_262">262</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XX. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Turn in the Tide</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<h2>Illustrations</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="Illustrations"> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td><span class="smaller">Page</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The German "got him" at once</span><span class="s3"> </span><a href="#i004.jpg"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">One of the three fell with a dull thud</span></td> - <td><a href="#i043.jpg">40</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The three friends are hauled aboard the u-boat</span></td> - <td><a href="#i093.jpg">88</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A lucky shot took away a portion of the bridge</span></td> - <td><a href="#i135.jpg">128</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Bill, tying a somewhat dirty handkerchief to<br /> - the top of his bayonet, waved it</span></td> - <td><a href="#i225.jpg">216</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The man beside him was a maniac, he told himself</span></td> - <td><a href="#i283.jpg">272</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I</span> <span class="smaller">An American Declaration</span></h2> - -<p>It was one of those glorious days which they enjoy so frequently west -of the giant range of the Rocky Mountains, an exhilarating day when one -rises from one's bed and issues into the open to discover a snap in -the air. For spring was but just coming, and the mountains were still -clad in snow and in hoar frost; the atmosphere positively sparkled, -while the rays of the sun coming aslant through a giant canyon swept -across the steep slopes of the mountain, where it encompassed the -apparently sleeping city down below, and were reflected from thousands -of minute angles, from masses of virgin snow, and from icicles which -had gathered since the previous evening. Could one have clambered into -those mountains, or into the canyon we have mentioned, one would have -found here and there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> spring flowers already pushing their tender -buds through the coating of snow, here far thinner than higher up -towards the peaks of the range. In a hundred hollows little rivulets -were running, while towards the centre of the canyon to which all -progressed, some at speed and some leisurely, there raced a brook, -gathering size at an inordinate pace, sweeping on its surface masses -of half-melted snow, flashing here and there as the rays struck upon -bubbling eddies, and then plunging beneath an arch of snow, to go -tumbling over rocks farther down, and so speed on towards the city.</p> - -<p>Compare this scene with the peaks above, still ice-bound, with spring -hardly come as yet, so that residence at that elevation was not to -be encouraged. Compare it with the city down below: a city of wide, -well-swept, tree-edged streets, of big houses and wide open spaces, -green already. Down there was a different scene, throbbing with life, -though from the heights above it appeared to be slumbering; with busy -cars clanging their way and motor-cars dashing hither and thither. Seen -from the heights above it presented a whitish blotch, picked out by red -roofs here and there, and by dark streaks which represented the roads. -It appeared to be a gigantic gridiron, for every block of houses was -square, and the roads intersected one another at right angles.</p> - -<p>Out beyond it see the glimmer from a vast expanse of water—a lake—the -first glimpse of which astounded and delighted the eyes of Brigham<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -Young and those pioneers who, forsaking the East, fought their way -across the prairie to discover a new land, and, peeping downward at -the sight we are presenting to our reader, imagined they had gained a -fertile country—a country flowing with milk and honey. Fertile indeed -it looks from the mountains: trees by the thousand stretch out on every -hand, casting a delightful shade, and farther afield green patches -of vast extent hug the lake and stretch away into the open country, -with brown squares here and there, on which fruit farms abound, and -where dairy-men work for their living. But hasten to the lake, dip -a hand in it, and taste the water. It is brine. For down there is a -huge salt lake, which gives its name to the city. Down below there is -Utah, which, for all its salt lake and its salt desert, has been termed -"God's own country".</p> - -<p>Ten miles away perhaps, beyond the smoke of the city, yet surrounded -in the smoke and dust which it itself creates, lies a copper-mine of -world-wide notoriety. Rails run hither and thither; tubs and trucks -clank over them; while the mountain side, which the active hands of man -and the never-ceasing grinding of machinery is eating away at a rapid -pace, presents a series of steps, as it were, along which other rails -are laid, where locomotives grunt, where trucks screech their way past -the wide openings which give admission to the centre of the mountain.</p> - -<p>"And that is you, Jim," said one young fellow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> as he dropped out of a -passing truck and accosted another; "just coming off, eh? Then let's -walk home together. It takes longer, I know, for we could ride in the -trucks down to the bottom of the mountain; but a walk's a walk; it does -one good at this hour in the morning."</p> - -<p>"Sure," the other answered, with that drawl common to men of his -country. "While we walk we can talk about the situation. What'll you -do, eh? I've been itching this two years past to be up and away. Of -course I know that some people must work, for copper's needed, and so -are thousands of other articles, but——"</p> - -<p>"But," said Dan, looking sharply round at him—"but for us young chaps -the time's come for fighting."</p> - -<p>They trudged on down the rocky slope along which the rails ran, -descending gradually and by an easy grade to the bottom, and thence to -the smelting plant, where the ore was crushed and treated. They walked -between the rails which carried, every day and all day and night too, -long lines of trucks, heavily laden, needing no locomotive to carry -them to their destination, they stepped aside now and again at some -siding to pass another train, this time of empty trucks being dragged -up by a smoking engine, and for a while they did not exchange another -word. For their thoughts, like the thoughts of everyone in America -at that moment, whether East or West, North or South, were filled to -overflowing. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - -<p>Armageddon, the world war which had broken out with such irresistible -violence and so unexpectedly—at least unexpectedly to Americans—in -the year 1914, had progressed through long weary months to this -eventful year of 1917. Tales of tragedy had reached America; thousands -of men had heard or read of atrocities committed by the Germans in -Belgium, and had ground their teeth and become almost violent. Still -more thousands of men had taken a firm grip of themselves and had -looked at the situation as dispassionately as was possible.</p> - -<p>"No! Not yet—not yet," they had told themselves. "America loves peace; -we are a democratic nation, all men, from the President downwards, are -equal—as good the one as the other; we wish no harm to anyone in the -world; we desire only to work, to thrive, to live surrounded by freedom -and justice, only——"</p> - -<p>And then heads wagged, men looked doubtful, some cursed. The women, -fearful of what might follow, fearful lest America should be drawn into -this gigantic conflict, and their men-folk—their husbands and their -sons—take up the cudgels, yet perhaps more susceptible than the men, -feeling more acutely the sufferings of their distant sisters, spoke out:</p> - -<p>"What of the <i>Lusitania</i>? Are American women and children then to be -sent to the bottom of the ocean because the Kaiser ordains that none -but German ships shall sail the seas? Is no American<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> vessel to make -its way to England, to France, or any other country without fear that -the torpedo of a German submarine may explode beneath her? Is that the -idea that American men hold of freedom and justice?"</p> - -<p>"Bah!" American men were getting out of hand; even the wonderful -patience of President Wilson was becoming exhausted. For see, since the -<i>Lusitania</i> had been sunk on a peaceful voyage in 1915, other vessels -had followed the same way; more lives had been lost, citizens of the -great Republic of America had fallen victims to the ruthless acts of -German pirates; and now the Kaiser had ordained that America must -cease her traffic on the ocean altogether. She might by his consent -send a few vessels across to Europe, and these must be painted in -vivid colours, must follow certain tracks, must obey the orders of the -"All-Highest".</p> - -<p>"And this is his idea of freedom, eh?" Jim Carpenter shouted all of a -sudden, catching Dan Holman by the shoulder, his face flushed a deep -red, his eyes glowing as through a mist. "I say, who's going to put -up with that sort of bullying, for bullying it is sure? Say now, Dan, -supposing you and I lived in Salt Lake City, and you were to say to me: -'Here you, clear out!—slick off! Salt Lake City ain't the place to -hold both you and me. Quit!—without more talking!'"</p> - -<p>"Huh!" growled Dan, and walked on. "Huh!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> he repeated, and there was -more than disgust in his voice.</p> - -<p>"Just so," said Jim, proceeding. "You and I are chums, Dan, and such -a thing ain't likely to happen; only, supposing it was the other way, -just sort of half-friendly, as Germany and America are supposed to be -at this moment, and you out with such orders, d'you think——?"</p> - -<p>"Do I think!" growled Dan, almost shouted it. "Don't I know that you'd -tell me to mind my own business—to quit talking nonsense, that you'd -up and say that you was as good a man, and that if I wanted to turn you -out of the city, why, I'd better get to business. And that's the answer -all of us hope the President will send to this Kaiser."</p> - -<p>From west to east and north to south they were discussing the same -theme, the men in their clubs, in their hotels, and their offices -and elsewhere; and the women, keeping the tidy homes which America -possesses, were wondering, hoping against hope many of them still, that -war might be averted, while praying that nothing might happen to sully -the honour of America.</p> - -<p>In the capital, at Washington, on this very day, there were collected -all the wise heads of the community, all the nominated representatives -of the States of this vast country. Even as Jim and Dan reached the -valley below, and trudged along towards the hostel where they boarded, -the decision of America was being taken, the wires were singing with -the words transmitted over them, telephones were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> buzzing, and that -noble speech which President Wilson delivered to Congress was being -swept to the far corners of the country.</p> - -<p>"It is war!" said a man who suddenly emerged from a store that the two -young fellows were passing, waving his hat over his head—an uncouth, -rough individual wearing a slouch hat, a somewhat frayed coat with -many stains about it, a pair of blue trousers tucked into big, high -boots, and a tie red enough in all conscience. "War!" he shouted. "The -President ain't goin' to stand any more o' this nonsense. He's told the -Kaiser slick that if America wants to send ships over the sea, and of -course she wants to do so, she'll do it without permission from him or -any other man who likes to style himself 'All-Highest'. He's told that -German crowd that his patience is worn out, that America, although she -hates war, is going to war for the principles that are dearer to her -than almost to anyone. He's intimated to the Kaiser that he'll call -upon him somewhere in France and on the sea too, and fight the question -out till one of 'em's top dog, and that'll be America and her allies."</p> - -<p>The fellow threw his hat into the air, and, running up to Jim and Dan, -shook them by the hand. "I know what you think," he said, bubbling over -with enthusiasm—"you two young chaps that's often chatted it over with -me; you've been waiting for the day. You, like thousands and thousands -more of us, will go across yonder to take the President's message to -the Kaiser—eh?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> - -<p>They shook hands eagerly on it, and for a while stood there chatting. -For they had each of them much to say. Indeed, there were groups -eagerly talking everywhere in this mining encampment: in the houses -wherein the married people had their quarters, in the hostels where -bachelors roomed and boarded, and farther away, where the ore from this -giant copper mountain was smelted, in the hostels there, and amongst -the clanking machinery.</p> - -<p>"War! America's at war!"</p> - -<p>In spite of the fact that thousands of them had anticipated the event, -it struck them like a whirlwind, left them almost speechless, or, -contrariwise, set them shouting. Pass along the street and see men -dressed as they are in those parts—their hands in leather gloves, -their coats wide open, and often their shirts too at the neck, arguing, -speaking in loud tones and most emphatically, or talking in some quiet -corner to a group of friends who listen intently. In the stores along -the street they had stopped business, and customers and men behind the -counter exchanged views on the situation. In the saloons, where spirits -and other liquors were served, there was excitement; much, it must be -confessed, in one of them which bore no very enviable reputation. For -into this place a motley throng lounged or swaggered every day of the -week: Spaniards, who had come to America to delve a way to fortune; -Poles, and Greeks, and Russians, who had come from their own lands to -make wealth more rapidly; Austrians,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> Turks, and Germans also come -here to seek a short road to prosperity. They were seated at tables -along one wall, or stood at the bar talking heatedly like those others -outside, or whispered to one another. But behind the bar there was no -whispering on the part of the ruddy-faced and jovial tender whose duty -it was to serve drinks to those thirsty mining people.</p> - -<p>"War!" he shouted, and brought a big brawny fist down upon the counter -with a bang which set glasses jingling. "War at last, and not too soon -neither. Down with Germans and all that's German, say I, and I've said -it these months past. Down with the Kaiser!"</p> - -<p>A man lounging there not six feet from him, a huge hat over his eyes, -and collar turned up as if to hide his features, leaned across the -counter and tapped the bar-tender on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Say," he drawled, and with a distinctly guttural accent. "You vos for -war? Ha! And you haf said: 'Down mit the Germans and Germany!'"</p> - -<p>"Sure!" shouted the barman, rocking with laughter; "and so says every -one of us. I'm not one for politics; I'm just a plain straightforward -American, with plenty of friends and a good home, but I bar the -slaughter of women, and I don't take orders from no one. Nor shall -America! That's why I'm glad that it's going to be war. That's why I -say: 'Down with the Germans!'"</p> - -<p>Men raised their heads as they sat at the tables, and looked across at -the bar-tender; many of them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> smiled, some nodded, and others laughed -outright.</p> - -<p>"Just Charles," one of them said, "the brightest, jolliest fellow we've -ever had. It does one good to look at him. And he's downright. Say, -Charles!" he called out, "I'm with you. Down with the Germans! I'm glad -it's war. Let's get in and whop 'em."</p> - -<p>The man leaning against the bar counter turned his head towards the -speaker and scowled.</p> - -<p>"A German," another of the customers at a table near at hand observed, -<i>sotto voce</i>, to his comrade. "It's said that he's been over this -side only a matter of six months, and chances are that he's a German -agent, though he'd tell you that he's American to the backbone. A -sulky-looking beggar."</p> - -<p>"Say!" that individual began again, as he stretched over the bar, and -once more tapped the bar-tender on the shoulder, "you said down mit -Germans and Germany?"</p> - -<p>"Aye, sure!"</p> - -<p>"And what then? And down mit the Kaiser also?"</p> - -<p>"Of course," flashed Charlie, "him first of all, because then it'll be -easier to knock sense into the heads of the Germans."</p> - -<p>There was a flash, a loud report, and a column of smoke just where the -bar-tender had been standing. Men sprang to their feet; one rushed -across to support the tottering figure of Charlie, while a second -man sprang towards the individual who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> been leaning against the -counter. Then he recoiled, for a revolver muzzle looked steadily at him.</p> - -<p>"Don't move," came in even tones from the rascal who had just fired. -"Stand back every one of you, I mean business."</p> - -<p>He backed to the door of the saloon, and pushed his way through it; -then, turning on his heel, and thrusting his still smoking weapon into -his pocket, he sped down the street, passed Jim and Dan, who were still -discussing the question of war with animation, and so towards the -mountain.</p> - -<p>Here, miles away in the heart of America as it were, the Kaiser had -indirectly brought about yet another tragedy; for undoubtedly one of -his emissaries had carried the war far afield, and had done here, as -ruthlessly as could well be imagined, the wishes of his master.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II</span> <span class="smaller">The Sheriff's Posse</span></h2> - -<p>Imagine the commotion that ensued in the mining city which lay -at the foot of that giant mountain which the industry of man is -slowly eating away. That shot which had rung out in the saloon near -which Jim Carpenter and Dan Holman, his bosom chum, happened to be -standing—listening to the harangue of that bearded and excitable -person who had announced the declaration of war to them—though it -was muffled by the windows of the saloon itself and by the half-door -which closed the entrance, yet attracted the ears of quite a number. -Nevertheless the figure which presently emerged and went off down the -street escaped attention. Then an avalanche poured into the street.</p> - -<p>"Where's he gone? Which way did he turn? Where's that German?"</p> - -<p>"German?" asked Jim. "What's happened? We heard a shot, and guessed -there must be a shindy in the saloon. Still, there have been others, -so we didn't take much notice. As to seeing anyone coming out, that we -did not, for we weren't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> quite sure where the sound came from, and were -looking the other way. Who's the man? What's happened?"</p> - -<p>"What's happened!" exclaimed a heated individual, a tall, lithe, -broad-shouldered and clean-shaven American, tapping Jim in friendly -fashion on the shoulder. "Let me tell you, sir, the cruellest and most -bloodthirsty murder that the Kaiser has ever committed!"</p> - -<p>Dan stood back a pace and stared at the man in amazement. "The Kaiser," -he exclaimed, "here? Surely——"</p> - -<p>Another face was thrust forward into the circle now standing about Jim -and Dan. "He didn't mean the Kaiser himself," this lusty miner cried. -"George, here, is talking of what the Kaiser's brought about through -one more of his rascally agents. Listen here: a man was standing up -against the bar counter five minutes ago; a chap that's not long been -in these parts, but I happen to know something about him, and that -something is that he's a German. Well now, what d'you think happened? -Charlie, the most jovial fellow that ever served a glass to any of us, -states the case squarely and aloud, just as he's been used to: says as -he's glad it's war, says as he thought it was high time we Americans -were in it, and just downs the Kaiser with a bang of his fist."</p> - -<p>"And then this here scoundrel of a German chap shoots him point-blank! -Where's he got to?" shouted another. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was less than five minutes later that the Sheriff, hastily summoned -by telephone, came cantering up the street, and after him his posse, -collected from all parts from men who had already been selected to act -as special police in case of trouble arising, well acquainted with -their duty, and hurrying from their work, from their houses, from -wherever they might have been, all mounted on horseback, and making for -the centre of the mining city.</p> - -<p>Let us say that though the old mining cities and villages of America -now wear a totally different aspect, and lead a supremely different -life from that common in the '40's, yet "hold-ups" still occur in -places; ruffians even now are come across, and every now and again -there is a broil, and some tragedy or crime is perpetrated. Here then -was one, and already the Sheriff and his men were seeking for the -culprit.</p> - -<p>"He came right round along the street down here," a man bellowed, -running up a few moments later; "a dark man, with his coat collar -turned up and hat pulled over his eyes?"</p> - -<p>"That's the one," they shouted.</p> - -<p>"And hops into one of the trucks making up the mountain; it'll be well -up the slope now. He's setting his tracks for the workings."</p> - -<p>At once there was an exodus; the crowd broke up, the Sheriff and his -men galloping off to ascend the mountain by a winding track, whilst -Jim and Dan and twenty more dived for their own homes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> then, armed -with the best weapons they possessed, turned out again, and, clambering -aboard a train of empty trucks going upwards, made for one of the -tunnels which had been cut into the heart of the mountain.</p> - -<p>"We've telephoned round to the other side to tell 'em to close the -exit, and I've told off parties of men to watch every one of the -openings on this side," the Sheriff told them as they alighted opposite -one of the huge galleries which gave access to the mountain. "Next -thing is to have a confab. We've got to get that fellow out, but we'd -best remember it's dark in there, there are cuttings this way and that, -and galleries running everywhere, so lights are wanted, and, after -that, guides."</p> - -<p>Jim stepped forward and Dan with him. "How'll we do?" they asked.</p> - -<p>"You?"</p> - -<p>"Yep!" declared Jim, with the curt assurance of a young American. "Dan -and I have worked here since we were boys, and know every tunnel and -every cutting. As to lights, Mr. Sheriff, I don't know. You see——"</p> - -<p>"How's that?" demanded the Sheriff. "No lights! Waal, that gets me!"</p> - -<p>"You see," explained Dan, coming to the assistance of Jim, for he had -seen his reasons instantly, "the man who enters the workings carrying a -lamp will draw fire, if that fellow means to do more shooting."</p> - -<p>For a moment or so there was silence, the Sheriff<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> pushing his hat back -from his head and rubbing his forehead, while the men about him looked -at one another and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Mebbe all right! Say, now, I don't want to dictate to no one," -declared the Sheriff, "but, draw fire or not, we've got to get a lamp -to find this fellow; we've got to take our risks so as to arrest him. -Waal, taking risks is in our line; we expected that when we were -elected. I'll chance it."</p> - -<p>Jim and Dan instantly agreed to do likewise.</p> - -<p>"There's a motor-car over here," said the former at once, beginning to -walk towards it. "We can remove the lamps and use those. I don't say, -Mr. Sheriff, that you're not right. This is a job which means risk, -and, as you say, it's your duty to get into danger. Our job is to help -you, like every honest citizen will want to do. Come on, Dan, and let -us see what we can make of the lamps, for the sooner we follow that -beggar the better."</p> - -<p>It chanced that the motor-car standing not far off was equipped with -acetylene head-lights, being dissimilar in that respect to the majority -of modern automobiles in America, and promptly they removed these lamps -and brought them back to the party. Presently they had them alight, -and, taking one and sending the second along to the next party, who -were watching the nearest opening, they plunged boldly into the gallery -which led to the inner workings, one man carrying the lamp and the -rest grouped about him, the Sheriff and half a dozen of them bearing -revolvers, while not a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> carried guns which they had hurriedly -snatched from their lodgings.</p> - -<p>Pushing on with great caution, and flashing the lamp hither and -thither, so as to expose the openings to works which led off from this -main gallery, the party had presently proceeded some three hundred -yards, and had as yet discovered no trace of the fugitive. Then one of -them gave vent to a cry, and, bending down, picked up an object.</p> - -<p>"The hat he was wearing, I could swear," he said, lifting it. "Let's -put it in front of the light. See, Mr. Sheriff, I was in the saloon -there with Bill Harkness, a-talkin' about this here declaration of -war that the President's made, with one eye on Harkness, as you might -say, and one on the chap leanin' up against the counter. This is his -hat—I'd put me boots on it."</p> - -<p>He raised the hat till the full stream of light from the lamp fell -upon it, so that all could examine it. As he lowered it again, and the -beams swept on into the depths of the tunnel, there suddenly came a -deafening report; the lamp went out as if drowned in water, while the -man carrying it fell to the ground with a crash.</p> - -<p>"Pick him up," said the Sheriff. "Jim Carpenter, you were right. Did -any of you folks catch a sight of the varmint?"</p> - -<p>Not one answered. As a matter of fact, the man who had fired the shot -had been secreted round a corner, and, at the moment he stretched forth -one arm with his weapon, the party in search of him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> were examining the -hat which he had dropped, and which was sure evidence of the fact that -he had taken refuge in these workings. A second later he had dived back -round the corner, and now the whole place was in darkness.</p> - -<p>"We had best get out," said the Sheriff in low tones. "I ain't the one -to be driven off by a murderer. But Jim's right, and every time we come -in bearing a lamp that fellow's open to get us. He's a shot, too, for -else he wouldn't 'a got his bullet in so straight. Let's get back and -'tend to our mate."</p> - -<p>Feeling their way along the walls, they staggered back to the exit, and -were presently once more in the open, where, to the relief of all, they -discovered that the man they carried had been merely stunned. For he -had held the lamp at arm's length and just level with his head, and the -bullet which had struck it had flung it back violently against his head -and so stunned him.</p> - -<p>"And what next?" the Sheriff asked as the party gathered in a group and -looked at one another enquiringly. "Young Jim Carpenter, you've been -these many years in and around the works, what 'ud you do? Mebbe you -can find your way round blindfold."</p> - -<p>Jim thought the matter over for a while. It was true that he could -find his way anywhere in those works blindfold, or without a lamp, -and indeed would have been a dunce could he not have done so, seeing -that he habitually went to his work along<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> the galleries without a -light, every inch being familiar to him. Yet to find one's road in the -workings within the mountain and to search for a murderer therein were -two entirely different propositions. The one required no nerve, hardly -any effort; the other called for something more, and promised at the -least excitement and adventure.</p> - -<p>"Guess, Mr. Sheriff," he said at last, "it's the duty of every one of -us to lend a hand."</p> - -<p>"I can't compel," came the answer. "Me and my posse were elected to -look after the rights of people in this here city and surroundings, to -arrest thieves and vagabonds, and to maintain order. If we are hard -pressed we are entitled to call upon those nearest, but they ain't -compelled to join; they are free citizens. Folks in this country are -free, young Jim Carpenter."</p> - -<p>He eyed the young fellow critically, peering at him closely from the -top of his peaked hat to the soles of his sturdy mining boots, noticing -the breadth of his shoulders, the depth of his chest, his firm face -with the pair of glittering, frank eyes looking out from it, the strong -hands and arms, bared almost to the shoulder, and the general air of -strength and resolution about this young miner.</p> - -<p>"Should say as he and Dan are just the last to refuse a request that -might plunge 'em into danger," he was thinking. "They're quiet, -hard-working folks, as we all know, and orphans this many a year, -having earned their own grub and a good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> deal more, and have been -independent of others. Waal?" he asked bluntly.</p> - -<p>"I've been thinking, that's all," said Jim. "It don't do to go in for -a thing like this without some sort of consideration. Any way you look -at it it's not an easy job; for I take it this German chap is bottled -up in the mountain and has to be hunted out of any corner or hollow in -which he's taken shelter. You might board up the entrances and starve -him out, only the chances are there's food enough in the workings to -keep him alive for quite a while; for the miners often take in a store -so as to free them from the job of carrying food up every day. As to -water, there's pools of it; so, as you might say, a siege like this -could last for days on end, and the murderer fail to be captured. So -the best and quickest way is to go in and pull him out; and bearing a -lamp, as we have just now tried, ain't successful."</p> - -<p>"Just as you warned us, I'll own," the Sheriff admitted. "Now then?"</p> - -<p>"I'd take in a small party only," Jim said, "every one of 'em armed -and good shots, and one of 'em carrying an electric torch. I'd let 'em -wear rubber boots, and would warn 'em not even to whisper. They could -arrange signals before they went in: a tug at the coat to warn each -other that one of 'em had heard a suspicious sound. I'd let 'em creep -forward till near their man, and then the one with the lamp could flash -it on, while the others covered the fellow with their revolvers." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Gee," shouted the Sheriff, "that's some talking!—some sense! Let's -think it over. But what about a guide? Who'd lead 'em? Who's the chap -who's a-goin' to take hold o' the torch? It means shootin', mind. That -there skunk what's got inside could shoot the eye out of a horse, I -reckon, so that those who go in after him will have to look mighty -lively—so who's a-goin'?"</p> - -<p>"That's settled," Jim said abruptly. "That is, of course, if you think -I'll do."</p> - -<p>"And I'll go along with him," Dan immediately chimed in. "Only we shall -want someone who can shoot well: Jim and me's used a gun (revolver) at -times, but we ain't no experts; but Larry, here, he's the man. If the -chap who shot Charlie over the bar, and put our light out a while ago, -could hit the eye out of a horse, Larry'ud shoot one out of a fly, I -guess."</p> - -<p>"Huh!" grunted the Sheriff, and cast a sharp glance at the individual -in whose direction Dan had jerked a thumb. There he saw quite a -diminutive person, yet looking rather terrific in his mining costume. -For what with his high brown boots with their thick soles and the -lacings which ran almost from the toe right up to the knee, his rough -trousers cut too big for him, and a somewhat broad hat tilted right on -the back of his head, to say nothing of fierce moustaches, Larry looked -a terrible fellow.</p> - -<p>Yet those who knew him knew him as a smiling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> happy-go-lucky -individual, a miner whose chief characteristic was a penchant for -spending money. Dollars fled through the unfortunate Larry's pockets -as if the latter were full of holes. He was always in an impecunious -position; and yet Larry had pride, for not once did he beg of his -comrades. For the rest, it was on quiet half-holidays that he and a few -others would betake themselves to some retreat down at the foot of the -mountain, and there practise with their revolvers.</p> - -<p>"You ain't got no cause to take on," Larry had told Jim many a time -when the latter had missed a can tossed in the air, for that was his -particular test applied to all who desired to become marksmen. "See -here, young fellow, I tosses the can into the air, and you has your -back turned to it. I says 'Go!' and round you swings, up yer arm goes, -and then the gun speaks. It ain't done by aimin', it comes natural. You -can't hit a can, same as that, tossed in the air, unless you've spent -dollars in ammunition same as I've done. There ain't no particular -difficulty in it, it's just persistence and practice—just stickin' to -it. So there, and that's all there is to it."</p> - -<p>It might be easy enough for the diminutive Larry, but it caused him -no end of amusement to see the obstinate way in which Jim and others -tackled the proposition, and to watch their many failures; although, to -do this jovial fellow but justice, it caused him to shout with delight -when finally they were able to hit the flying object. Yet, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> all -their practice, not one came up to the redoubtable Larry.</p> - -<p>"Yep, Sheriff," he grinned, as the latter pointed a finger at him, -"I'll own up to it. It ain't that I'm of a quarrelsome sort of a -disposition."</p> - -<p>At that they all grinned.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" demanded Larry, firing up, not understanding their -humour. "Me quarrelsome! Why, I've been here about the mines this six -years past and there ain't one with whom I've had a ruction."</p> - -<p>That again was substantial truth; yet we must amplify it a little by -the statement that the population working round this huge copper-mine -was constantly fluctuating, and only a small proportion of the men -remained there for many months together. Yet in such a community men -soon gather knowledge of one another, and, though there were brawls -now and again, though men came to the mine who were of a distinctly -cantankerous and quarrelsome disposition, it was significant that, -learning early of Larry's prowess with a gun, it was not with this -diminutive little miner that they picked their quarrels.</p> - -<p>Larry grinned widely, for now he saw that his friends were merely -bantering.</p> - -<p>"I kin git you," he laughed. "Waal, Mr. Sheriff, let's move on. I've a -gun here handy," and he tapped the holster in which his revolver was -resting.</p> - -<p>"But there's the torch to be got first of all,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> Jim reminded them, -"and then there are rubber boots or shoes. They are of as much -importance almost as our friend Larry. What's the odds, Mr. Sheriff, if -we set our guards at the exits from the mountain, and send down below -to get all we want? I ain't the one to delay, but we are more likely to -succeed if we make our preparations carefully."</p> - -<p>There came a commotion away on their left as he was speaking: a weapon -snapped sharply, there was a rush of men towards the entrance, which, -like the one in front of which Jim and his friends were standing, -was being watched and guarded, and then one of the Sheriff's posse -approached.</p> - -<p>"The varmint tried to make out, Mr. Sheriff," he reported. "We was -there a-talkin' away and watchin' the entrance, when a man comes -slinkin' along out o' the darkness, peers out at us, and lifts his -revolver. It was Jacques what took a pot shot at him, and I see'd the -bullet splash on the rock by his head, and our chap turned and went off -like greased lightning."</p> - -<p>The Sheriff at once went to the telephone hut near at hand and called -up the parties at the other exits and warned them to be on their guard.</p> - -<p>"You'd best get some sort of cover," he told them, "so that if the -fellow tries to break out he won't have a clear shot at you. Me and my -mates here are going in to search for him, and just before we move off -I'll send another 'phone message to you. Keep a bright look-out." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was perhaps half an hour later that the messenger, whom they had -dispatched to the bottom of the mountain by means of one of the mine -locomotives, came back on the foot-board of that same wagon bearing -sundry pairs of rubber-soled shoes with him and a couple of electric -torches, also he carried a basket of food and a couple of water-bottles.</p> - -<p>"Seems to me, boss," he said, addressing the Sheriff, "that you folks -might be some while in the mountain; it ain't altogether a small place, -now, is it? And ef you get on the tracks of this here chap what's -murdered Charlie, you won't be askin' to come back just to get a bite -of food or a drink of water. You'll want to trace him and perhaps drive -him out to one of the watching-parties. Ef that's so, it occurred to me -that some meat and bread and a couple of cans of cold tea would meet -your ticket, and here they are. Now I'm a-goin' to put on one o' these -pairs of shoes, for I'm one o' the party."</p> - -<p>It took quite an amount of argument to settle who were to go and who -were to stay behind to watch the entrance into which Jim and his -friends were to penetrate. Naturally enough the Sheriff must be one of -the little adventurous band, and Larry was an indispensable. Jim, too, -must go, for he was to guide them; and Dan would be there to assist -him if need be, or to replace him in case he became a casualty. But -the remainder clamoured to accompany them; and it took not a little -persuasion and tactful chatter on the part of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> the Sheriff to pick his -men and to decide who should be of the party.</p> - -<p>"It stands to reason, boys," he said, "that we are all doing our duty -whether we go in or stay out here. You've seen for yourselves that this -here chap we're after won't stand at anything: if he comes into the -open he's as likely to shoot at you as he will at us who are goin' in -after him, only, of course, I admit it's slower work stayin' out here. -Guess you've put me up as Sheriff so as I should be able to talk when -times like these come round."</p> - -<p>"You bet!" they admitted, nodding their heads.</p> - -<p>"Then I'm goin' to give orders right off. Larry and Jim and Dan and me, -and Jacques there, and Tom Curtis will make the investigating-party; -t'others waits here and takes cover under boulders. Our friend Tim, -what's been round the mines these many years, will take charge of the -lot of you, and will post a man at the 'phone ready to call up the -other parties. This here young fellow, Harry Dance, will follow us in -five minutes after we've started, and when he's gone for five minutes, -this here Tim will make in after him, and ef we are longer still, and -moving up, Frank Stebbins will take the track into the mine so as to -keep in contact. It will be a sort of relay business. Ef we get held -up, the message can be passed back, and ef we want help some of you can -come in after us. Only mind, there's always got to be a guard standing -here in case the fellow doubles; for you've got to remember that in the -workings in there there are burrows in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> all directions, and a man can -leave the main gallery and turn and twist and come back on his tracks -and easily avoid a search-party."</p> - -<p>Donning the rubber shoes which had been brought for them, and each of -them tucking a portion of bread and meat into his pockets, while Dan -and the Sheriff shouldered the cans of tea, the party saw to their -weapons. Jim made sure that the electric torch he carried was in -working order, and thrust the reserve one in his pocket. Then, at a nod -from the Sheriff, and a cheery "Good luck!" from the party who were to -remain behind, and who watched their departure ruefully, Jim led the -way into the mine, and presently he and his friends were swallowed up -by the darkness.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III</span> <span class="smaller">In the Mine Shafts</span></h2> - -<p>There was dense opaqueness within the bosom of the gigantic mountain -which the industry of man in Utah has honeycombed with passages, and -once the search-party, with Jim at the head, had gained some distance -from the exit and had turned abruptly to their left, thereby cutting -themselves off, as it were, from the few stray rays of daylight which -filtered in through the arched entrance, the darkness seemed to become -accentuated, while the silence was positively startling.</p> - -<p>"Stop!"</p> - -<p>Jim touched the Sheriff on the sleeve, and the latter signalled to the -next man behind him, and so they all came to a halt. There they stood -listening for three or four minutes.</p> - -<p>"Pat-a-pat! pat-a-pat!" they heard, and then a deep splash. "Pat-a-pat! -pat-a-pat!" once more, and then a bubbling sound, only to give way to -that same refrain: "Pat-a-pat! pat-a-pat!"</p> - -<p>"It's——!" gasped the Sheriff, for he was an open-air man, a farmer in -the neighbourhood, and these inner workings rather tended to overawe -him. "What is it?" he whispered. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Water falling from the roof into a pool; there's lots of it," Jim told -him, <i>sotto voce</i>. "Come along!"</p> - -<p>Once more they were threading their way onward, each man with his left -hand outstretched, feeling the damp, roughly-hewn side of the tunnel, -while with his other hand he held the tail of the coat of the comrade -in front of him. As for Jim, he gripped the electric torch in his -right hand, ready at any moment to switch the light on and project the -beams in any direction. A hundred, two hundred yards they gained, five -hundred yards, without having heard a single sound to disturb them, -save occasionally that pat-a-pat, the often tuneful dripping of water -from the roof into some rocky pool beneath, water through which their -feet splashed when they came to it. Then of a sudden a rumbling roar -smote upon their ears, advanced swiftly towards them, met them, as it -were, and then, racing past their ears, went on along the dark gallery, -and so towards the open, bringing the party to a halt.</p> - -<p>"A shot," Jim whispered. "That fellow's fired his gun somewhere on -beyond us, and a goodish way, I'd say, for the gallery carries sound -like a speaking-tube, and you can hear a man shout, for instance, more -than a quarter of a mile away. Let's move forward faster."</p> - -<p>"Get in at it," the Sheriff answered.</p> - -<p>And then they were moving again, on through the darkness, stumbling -over rough tram-lines, through pools of water, over fallen boulders, -round acute corners, and so on and on, while behind them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> first one -and then others of the party they had left at the entrance crept in, -forming that communicating chain which the Sheriff had so thoughtfully -ordered.</p> - -<p>"H—hush!" The Sheriff's bony fingers gripped Jim's arm, and, unmindful -of the fact that darkness surrounded them, he stretched forth his other -hand and pointed into the void in front. "The varmint's there," he -whispered hoarsely. "I heard him move. Listen!"</p> - -<p>Yes, something or someone was moving. Whether in the near distance or -far it was impossible to state definitely, though every member of the -search-party stretched his ears to the fullest extent and listened -eagerly, head forward, horny palm making a funnel in the endeavour to -catch more sound waves, and so to unfathom what was then a mystery.</p> - -<p>"Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat!" went those lugubrious drops into the pools of -water underfoot, "pit-a-pat!" they tumbled from the arched roof of the -gallery on to the persons of that listening search-party, while water -streamed down the rough-hewn sides and dribbled over the fingers which -they had placed there to guide them.</p> - -<p>Yes, someone moved.</p> - -<p>"Farther along," Jim hardly whispered, tugging at the Sheriff's coat. -"Let Larry come along!"</p> - -<p>The giant form of the Sheriff unbent a little when he turned, stretched -out a hand and gripped that youth by the shoulder. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I heard," came a whisper. "I've got me gun, and all's well. You get -in, Jim, I'm following."</p> - -<p>The party they left heard them stumbling along, their feet making -mysterious sounds as they splashed along the floor of the tunnel, and -then of a sudden the blackness in front of them was illuminated by -one piercing beam which cut its way through the darkness, its edges -brilliant, its centre blurred. That beam hit upon the dripping side of -the tunnel some yards ahead, painted a brilliant circle on it, hovered -to one side, then flicked back, and later showed in its very centre the -figure of a man bent almost double crouching beside the wall, a metal -object on one knee gripped by one hand, an object which reflected the -beam brightly.</p> - -<p>"It's——" shouted the Sheriff, and then a sharp crack from a revolver -drowned his voice and stunned the ears of all present. They saw the -flash of the weapon, and a moment later watched as the crouching figure -darted along the side of the tunnel, and swept round a corner, while a -second shot, a second reverberation, wakened the echoes, and a bullet -flicked a piece out of the edge of rock round which that crouching -figure had doubled.</p> - -<p>"Come on," shouted Jim, while Larry beat himself on the breast, vexed -that he should have missed such a shot.</p> - -<p>"It's the light," he cried angrily, "it put me out; I wasn't expecting -it. Seems to me I'd better have a torch, too. Here! hand one over, -Jim,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> then I shall know when to put it on and be ready."</p> - -<p>For five minutes or more they struggled on, running at times, and then -halting to listen. Finally Larry clapped a wet and perspiring hand on -Jim's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Gee!" he said; "it ain't no good, this here runnin' up and down like -rabbits. Every time we moves the fellow hears us. This party's too big. -Let's divide, or, better still, supposin' we post sentries who will -block the tunnel. You see the skunk we're after is mebbe bolting round -and round in a circle."</p> - -<p>"That's true," Jim assured him. "There are burrows leading in all -directions here, and it's not at all difficult to miss anyone."</p> - -<p>"Particularly if you're anxious to avoid a meeting, same as this -white-livered German," grunted the Sheriff, who was panting after his -exertions.</p> - -<p>"And you've got to remember," said Larry, "that every time we moves -he hears us. Listen! There, didn't I say so? That's the varmint we're -after, and mebbe he's two or three hundred yards away, yet you can hear -his feet splash in a pool of water."</p> - -<p>There echoed along the wet walls of the gallery the sound of a distant -splash, and then there was silence for a few moments, broken again by -the clatter of someone's heel against a piece of rock.</p> - -<p>"Same as he hears us," growled the Sheriff. "Larry's right, and we've -got to break up this party. Well then——?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<p>He plucked at Jim's shoulder, and the latter at once responded.</p> - -<p>"Larry and Dan and I will go on," he said abruptly. "You, Mr. Sheriff, -and the others had best divide into two—half here and half farther -back. That may trap the fellow we're after. Meanwhile we three who are -going on can crawl very carefully and slowly beside the wall of the -gallery and halt after a while. If we hear our man we will try and get -nearer, but our main object will be to get him to move nearer to us, -then we'll have our lights on him in a moment."</p> - -<p>"Not forgettin' guns," laughed Larry, "not forgettin' this here, this -shooter! It's just horse sense that, Mr. Sheriff. Jim's been long -enough in the mine to know his way about, and he's listened hours and -hours, same as me, and knows what it is to hear a man a-comin'. When he -sits down and listens to you movin' along to him, and it's a case of -shootin' between two people, it's the man who sits tight and does the -listening has all the chances. Shucks! Jim's given us an idea what's -worth followin'."</p> - -<p>It took but very little time to make their preparations, when Jim -and Dan and Larry again crept away, this time at a much slower pace, -halting when they had proceeded some two hundred yards. Here they were -at a point where a smaller gallery left the main one, and ensconcing -themselves at the entrance they lay down and listened.</p> - -<p>"Seems to me as the skunk's got right away,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> said Larry, his patience -nearly exhausted when they had lain there nearly half an hour and not a -sound had reached their ears, save those made by their distant friends -who were patrolling the main gallery, "suppose——"</p> - -<p>Dan gripped him by the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"H—h—ush!" he whispered.</p> - -<p>Jim pushed his torch forward and made ready.</p> - -<p>"Aye!" grunted Larry, and then there was a faint click as he prepared -his revolver.</p> - -<p>"Wait!" Someone was coming toward them. A sound of stealthy footsteps -reached their ears, though whether coming from the left or the right -was at that moment uncertain. Peering in both directions, the three lay -there with bated breath, endeavouring to remain cool and yet almost -trembling with suppressed excitement. Then, of a sudden, the sound of -a splash only a few yards away arrested their attention, and caused -them to start to their knees. An instant later their two torches cast -beams into the gallery, and centred themselves with a flash upon an -individual creeping along some twenty yards from them. It was the -German without a doubt, hatless, dishevelled, sopping wet, and bearing -a haunted, hunted expression. He blinked as the light fell full in -his face, and then snatched at a weapon which he held concealed in a -pocket. At the same moment Larry's pistol spoke, and with a howl the -man dropped his left arm helpless beside him. But a moment later a -flame flashed from beneath his coat, and one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> the three fell with -a dull thud on to the wet ground which floored the tunnel, his fall -pushing Larry aside and upsetting his aim so that his second bullet -went wide of the mark. A moment later the man was gone, and could be -heard scuttling along into the distance.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i043.jpg" id="i043.jpg"></a><br /> -<img src="images/i043.jpg" alt="ONE OF THE THREE FELL WITH A DULL THUD" /></div> - -<p class="bold">ONE OF THE THREE FELL WITH A DULL THUD</p> - -<p>"Show a light," said Jim hoarsely, as he bent over Dan's prostrate -figure; "where's he hit, Larry? Ah!—look!"</p> - -<p>Beneath the wide-open shirt which Dan wore there was a splash of colour -extending over his broad chest, a splash of red running down beneath -the cotton. The young fellow's eyes were closed, his face, brilliant in -the rays of the electric torch, was desperately pale, while he seemed -to have ceased breathing.</p> - -<p>"Hard hit!" said Larry. "If I don't rip the heart of that darned -German! And next time I don't shoot only to wound, to make him -helpless, same as I did this time, I shoot to kill, Jim, shoot to -exterminate the varmint."</p> - -<p>They debated for a while what they would do, and then whistled for the -Sheriff and his party to join them.</p> - -<p>"It's a bad do!" the latter said when he came up and looked at Dan, -bending over him and feeling his pulse and then counting his breathing. -"Hard hit, as you say, Larry, but he's young and strong and ain't taken -to liquor; if anyone can pull through it's Dan. Only, he's got to get -every chance, which means that the sooner we've got him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> out of here -the better. Let's carry him, boys; later on we'll hunt out this German."</p> - -<p>"Later on?" said Jim, who had now recovered a little from the shock -which Dan's condition had caused him. "No, Mr. Sheriff, I'm going on -at once, there's no time to be lost, for when it gets dark a fellow's -chance for creeping out of the mine will be enormously improved. I'm -going to hunt him down and either shoot or capture him, which it don't -matter."</p> - -<p>"Same here," declared Larry, "same here, Mr. Sheriff; now's the time, -as Jim says. We've winged our man, and chances are he's bled quite -a heap and will be weak like and more easily taken. If we wait till -to-morrow he may have got away or got his arm tied up, and be in better -shape to meet us. Now's the time. You pull out, Mr. Sheriff, with Dan, -for the boy's life depends on it; me and Jim's goin' forward."</p> - -<p>They parted, the Sheriff and his men to pick Dan up with every care and -bear him along as gently as they could to the entrance; there he was -put in a car and hurried down to the mining hospital below, where, in -case of casualties occurring, the surgeon was already in attendance.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" he said; "a close call, Mr. Sheriff. I don't know! I don't -know! Indeed," he continued, shaking his head as he bent over Dan's -almost lifeless figure and put his stethoscope to his chest, "slick -through—small-calibre bullet, and not over-much bleeding. Missed the -heart by two or three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> inches, which is lucky. Well, it might have -been worse, Mr. Sheriff, it might have caught him right through the -heart, or that bullet might have lodged in his lung and set up no end -of trouble in the future. If he lives for a few days, he will pull -round. You and your men get off now and leave Dan to me and the nurses; -but——" he shook his head again, "but, Mr. Sheriff, don't count on -anything wonderful."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Jim and Larry had pushed on resolutely into the darkness of -the tunnel.</p> - -<p>"Hold hard!" said Jim after a while, when they had crawled some -distance and had listened on many occasions, only to hear nothing which -told them of the near presence of the man they were seeking.</p> - -<p>To be sure, there came to their ears the steady dripping of water as -it splashed into the inky-black pools on the floor of the tunnel, and -now and again a distant echo which reverberated gently along the whole -length of the gallery.</p> - -<p>"It's the Sheriff talking in that big voice of his to the men in the -opening," Larry explained. "This here tunnel's like a speaking-tube. -Well, what is it, Jim?"</p> - -<p>"I've been thinking. This is like hunting for a needle in a bundle -of hay. We've nothing to go on, Larry, except sounds, and they're -uncertain; it seems to me that we must pursue a different course."</p> - -<p>"A different course?" asked his companion, a little astonished. "How? -which way?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't mean in direction; I mean course of action. See here," said -Jim, "you've winged the German."</p> - -<p>"Winged!" said Larry, his tones now those of disgust. "If I was worth -a cent with a gun I'd have drilled a hole clean through him. I could -'a done, Jim. Ef you was to put up a dollar at ten paces distant, end -ways on, I'd hit it slick ten times out of ten, and I ain't boastin' -now——" he ended, with a low hiss of annoyance.</p> - -<p>"Everyone knows what you can do, Larry," Jim told him. For indeed -Larry's prowess with a revolver was known throughout the mine.</p> - -<p>"If you couldn't shoot straight you wouldn't have been able to hit -his arm; for you've told us you meant only to wound him. Of course I -understand that you wish now that you'd killed him, for then Dan might -not have fallen, but you've winged him and probably he's bleeding. -Perhaps if we use our torches, we shall be able to follow a trail if by -chance he's left one."</p> - -<p>The suggestion cannot be described as one of any brilliance, for indeed -it was so very obvious; yet in the excitement of the chase it had not -occurred to either of them before, and now the prospect it offered -caused Larry to grip Jim by the shoulder eagerly.</p> - -<p>"It's it! Gee," he whispered excitedly, "ef it don't offer the only -chance! And then?"</p> - -<p>"And then," said Jim, "if we get on his trail we shoot off our lights -and go forward say twenty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> yards and pick it up again. In that way, -sooner or later, we may get him cornered. He'll shoot."</p> - -<p>"Aye, he'll shoot," agreed Larry, "and we'll chance that, Jim. Only, if -the chance comes, you can lay it that we'll flatten out our man with -one of these bullets. Pity you ain't armed, Jim, you ought to 'a had a -gun along with you; but you ain't fearful."</p> - -<p>"Fearful! Let's move on. Now search the ground with your light."</p> - -<p>It was not until ten minutes or more had passed that the two as they -crept along the floor of the gallery came upon a patch brighter than -that they had been traversing, and here on the wall, about three feet -from the floor, there was the impression of a hand—a blood-stained -impression. For the outline of the fingers and the palm of a man's hand -were imprinted upon the stone in a brilliant red—sure sign that the -German had gone in that direction.</p> - -<p>"And here's his boot-mark in the mud at the foot of the wall," said -Larry, pointing it out to Jim, "and right here's another and another. -He was going along this way. See, here, Jim," he whispered, putting his -lips close to the ear of the young fellow who was his companion, "ef it -was me alone as was leading this expedition, I'd turn off me light here -and get ready with the feet. I'd move along quick, say a hundred yards -or more, and then lie low and listen."</p> - -<p>"Same as I was going to suggest," Jim <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>answered. "Come on, let's hold -hands so that we don't get separated; and after this, not a word, not a -sound!"</p> - -<p>Hurrying forward, they stopped again when they thought they had covered -the distance agreed upon, and then sat down with their backs against -the wall of the gallery, listening and waiting. It was some ten minutes -later that the faintest whisper of a sound was heard, a whisper which -appeared to be approaching them, although that was a matter for -conjecture. They listened intently till both were certain that someone -was approaching them, though whether in the gallery in which they -themselves were waiting, or in some other of the numerous burrows which -honeycombed the mountain, was a matter they could only guess at. Then, -of a sudden, they became aware of the fact that whoever gave rise to -the sound was very near them. Almost instantly they switched on their -lights, and just as rapidly one of them went out, while at the same -moment Larry gave vent to a shrill exclamation, and a flash of flame on -the far side of the gallery and a loud report accompanied the cry he -gave.</p> - -<p>When Jim contrived to turn his own torch on the point where the flame -of a pistol-shot had illuminated the darkness, the tunnel was bare, -there was not a sign of anyone, though rapidly moving away were the -sounds of retreating footsteps. By his side lay Larry, groaning and -muttering and growling. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Guess that there fox has managed to do us in again," he managed to -tell Jim. "You lay hold o' me, young fellow, and carry me under yer -arm. I'm only a small bit of a chap, and of no great account, but, Gee, -if I get hold o' that chap! If I ever gets square face to face o' that -feller!"</p> - -<p>It was indeed a sorry finish to what might have been quite an -exhilarating affair. Undoubtedly the German had got the better of the -bargain. In some uncanny manner, indeed, he had contrived to hoodwink -all his pursuers, and late that night was clever enough to slip out of -one of the exits and escape from the mountain. All that could be heard -of him after that was that he had managed to reach the Pacific coast, -and had taken ship no doubt for Germany. One clue he left: a photograph -of himself, which was found in his lodgings. Below the portrait the -man's signature was scrawled in a calligraphy decorated with many -flourishes.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we'll see him over t'other side," said Larry, a few days -later. "Guess we'll find no difficulty in recognizing that ugly mug -wherever we come across it."</p> - -<p>"And I just hope that happy meeting 'll come along pretty quick," -agreed Jim. "As soon as you are fit to move we'll get off there and -make tracks."</p> - -<p>"Aye, aye, make tracks!" cried Larry, for they had talked the matter -over and decided to leave for France at the very first opportunity. -"Our chaps will be trained over this side," Larry had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> said, "but -that's too slow a job for me. Reckon a man as can shoot same as I can, -and same as you, will be useful over yonder. Pity Dan can't come."</p> - -<p>Dan couldn't, and indeed would hardly be fitted for the duties of a -soldier for many months to come, for the German's bullet had wounded -him severely. But his place was taken almost at once by English Bill, a -mere stripling.</p> - -<p>"Son o' Charlie, down in the saloon in the camp," he told Jim. "You -see, mother's an English-born woman; father came over here seven years -ago, leaving me and mother to follow. I've been here just a year."</p> - -<p>"Just a year!" repeated Larry, looking the stripling over. "And what -may be your age, young feller? Yer size and yer cheek, don't yer know, -make yer out to be a good twenty; yer face, and what-not, says that yer -barely eighteen."</p> - -<p>"Seventeen this last fall—old enough to come along o' you and do -something to them Germans," came the quick answer. "I can shoot, too, -Larry. You ain't the only one that knows how to hold a gun. Father -taught me. Besides, didn't this low-down hound murder him? Wasn't he -a German agent? Hasn't England been fighting Germany this last three -years? What's the good of me here then? I've something to do in France, -same as you have. I'll come right along."</p> - -<p>And come right along English Bill did, stripling though he was, and -made quite an excellent <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>companion for Jim and Larry. Indeed the three -of them were to meet with many adventures before they reached France -itself, and there, with British and French and American troops round -them, were to see quite a deal of fighting.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV</span> <span class="smaller">"En Route" for Europe</span></h2> - -<p>It was three weeks after the affair of the copper mine and the runaway -German, and of the murder of Charlie by this unscrupulous agent of the -Kaiser, that Jim and Larry and the juvenile English Bill—William John -Harkness—made definite plans for their departure.</p> - -<p>"Yer see," said Larry, as he stood, hands thrust deep into the -capacious pockets of his trousers, his head tilted forward, and his cap -over his brows, "yer see, young feller, it ain't been possible before -to get a move on. There's been—there's been things to do," he said -rather lamely, a little diffidently.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" Jim merely nodded and looked a little askance at Bill, who, like -many a youngster, coloured as his deeper feelings were stirred.</p> - -<p>"Yep," he blurted out a minute later, though the two of them saw him -gulp. "Yep," he repeated, aping the speech of Larry; for Larry and Jim -seemed to this young English lad personalities to be envied, admired, -and copied. "There's been things! The burial of Father, for instance, -the winding up of affairs." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Aye," grunted Larry, "the winding up of affairs, and yours have been -important, Bill."</p> - -<p>Jim nodded, and again the young fellow beside them flushed. Indeed, -the winding up of his personal affairs had been to him, if not to the -others, quite a big concern, which, coming very fortunately for him -immediately after the death and burial of a father whom he admired and -respected and cared for deeply, had helped to distract his grief from -the loss he had suffered.</p> - -<p>Curiously enough, it turned out that Charlie, the bar tender, was by no -means bereft of this world's goods. It should be noted that bar tending -in America is a highly-thought-of occupation, controlled by its own -particular Union, demanding high wages, and the best of surroundings -and conditions. Add to this that Charlie, popular with all with whom he -came in contact, was a man possessed of no small intellect, and one can -gather good reasons for his becoming affluent.</p> - -<p>"A man can work quite contented at what seems a subordinate job, young -Will," he told his only son soon after he had joined him from England. -"I don't mind saying I could give up this work to-morrow if need be, -and live perhaps at ease like what's sometimes called a 'gentleman' -back in England. But I ain't the one for living at ease. Work's what -I like, and plenty of it, so long as it's congenial; and here it's -that all the time. And mark you this, lad, I'm a teetotaller, though -I do serve drinks over a bar, often enough to rude<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> miners. But I was -sayin', a chap don't need to leave his work if he likes it, and working -behind a bar don't prevent me from making a way in other directions. -There's mining shares to be bought by the chap that's saved; and I've -bought 'em. If yer mother had lived, she could have gone back to -England and aped the lady. There's been ranch shares to buy, and them -too I've taken a liking to, and done well with 'em. Think it out, me -boy, a man thrifty and careful, and who works steadily most every day -and most hours of the day, will have dollars to spare to put into work -that other men are doing; and so it goes on till one day he turns round -and finds that he's got quite a tidy sum tucked away to cover the time -when he's too old for working."</p> - -<p>It was that "tidy sum" that Larry referred to when he said that English -Bill had had "affairs" to clear up, and it was those "affairs" and the -attorney to whom Jim introduced him that distracted Bill's attention -from the loss he had suffered, taking his mind from the gruesome act -of that rascally German and forcing him to concentrate on other more -humane affairs. Now everything was cleared up, the estate of the -murdered Charles was either sold already or being sold, the money was -banked, and there was no longer any need for Bill to be in attendance. -As for Jim, he was satisfied that Dan was progressing, slowly, perhaps, -but surely.</p> - -<p>"Though he won't be fit for months yet," the doctor told him. "As it -is, he's had as narrow an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> escape as you could imagine, and it'll be -months before he's able to run about, which means that it will be -months before he finds his way to France to take part in smashing that -villain of a Kaiser. Aye, villain!" he cried, bringing a fist down with -a bang on the edge of the operating-table. "D'you think we over here -don't know? Haven't I friends, American doctors, that have been over in -England these months past, who joined up to help the British Medical -Service? Haven't they been in France? Aren't there friends of mine who -have been working for months in the French hospitals? And what's their -tale?"</p> - -<p>If Jim had waited to hear the whole tale—for the doctor was -notoriously garrulous—he would have heard much that he had already -read, and would certainly have gathered some new information: news of -shattered villages, of smashed châteaux, of a country ravaged wherever -the Hun could reach it, of the Cathedral of Reims levelled almost, of -poisoned gas projected at French and British, of dastardly acts in all -directions, of the bombing of towns and villages, and the slaughtering -of women and innocents. But Jim knew a lot about it himself. It had not -required the dastardly act of that German who murdered Charlie to rouse -him to a state of indignation, to make him swear to leave for France -at the earliest possible opportunity. He had read of the ravaging of -Belgium; he too knew something of the diabolical acts of the Germans -to their British and French prisoners. Besides, it did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> not want a -very wise man to realize that the German was no ordinary combatant. He -had not hesitated to break every rule of warfare. Was not one of his -infractions of the general usages his new, widely proclaimed intention -to torpedo and submarine every ship afloat, whether it carried women -and children, or whether only merchandise?</p> - -<p>Jim knew his own mind, like thousands and thousands of other Americans. -He had only waited the word of the President of the United States. -That word was spoken, and nothing now could hold him back, after the -personal experience he had so recently met with.</p> - -<p>"Guess we can board the train to-morrow," said Larry, pushing his head -a little farther forward and looking at Bill in such a truculent way -that one would have thought that he meant to be pugnacious.</p> - -<p>"Yep—the 5.45 out," came the answer. "Bags packed; got some dollars in -my pocket, with a draft on a bank at Noo York."</p> - -<p>"And then?" asked Jim, for, though the three had made up their minds to -leave for France together, they had not yet discussed the details of -their journey. It didn't seem to matter, in fact, so long as they did -reach France, and at the earliest possible moment.</p> - -<p>"And then?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, and then? Yep," said Larry, opening his lips, shutting his eyes, -and then grinning inanely at the two of them. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yep," he repeated, and looked hard at Jim.</p> - -<p>"Yep," said Bill, looking in the same direction.</p> - -<p>"And then—oh!—and then," said Jim, scratching his head, "well, let's -get there," he added in the most practical voice. "The train will take -us there without any bother, and once on the spot we'll be nearer the -coast—on the water, as you might say—and could really get a move on -about sailing."</p> - -<p>See them then on the cars <i>en route</i> from Salt Lake City, via the -Canyon, to New York, where, in the course of four days, they put in an -appearance.</p> - -<p>"First thing is to fix up quarters," said Larry as he jingled a few -cents in his pockets. "Time was when I come to Noo York and gone to the -best hotel. That was in good times, Jim, when I was out for a holiday -and didn't mind spending. But this is business; we're on a different -jaunt altogether now. Say now, we'll make right down for the docks."</p> - -<p>Taking their "grips" (hand-bags) with them—for, like many an American, -the three travelled very light, and (porters not being in evidence -at the stations as they are in England) were therefore not in any -difficulty—they found their way to the cars (tram-cars) which plough -in all directions through the old and new portions of this premier city -of America, where once the Dutch held play, and where in their turn -the British dispossessed them. Presently they were down in the docking -area, with warehouses about them, the masts of huge ships projecting -into the air—amongst them not a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> which were German. Larry jerked a -somewhat dirty thumb in that direction.</p> - -<p>"There's the <i>Vaterland</i> and what-not yonder," he grinned. "Ships nigh -thirty or more thousand tons, what the Kaiser built to beat creation on -the water. Guess they'll be American soon, if they ain't already."</p> - -<p>"Not yet," replied the critical Jim, "though in effect they do belong -to the country. I was reading in the news last night that Uncle Sam -has put a guard upon each of the ships belonging to Germany, and that -the crews which have lived on them all these months since the war -began in Europe have been sent ashore. Pity is that in the meanwhile -they've damaged the engines, though our workmen will soon make that -good. And—who knows?—in a few months' time they'll be taking American -soldiers to France to teach the Kaiser his lesson."</p> - -<p>To Larry and Jim the sights they saw all along the waterside were -novel, for, though Larry had been to New York before, and indeed had -travelled quite a considerable amount in America, the water-side had -never attracted him, but now that he was likely to embark for France, -ships and all that passed on the ocean were a source of interest to -him. To English Bill—young Bill as they sometimes called him—the -sight was a common one.</p> - -<p>"There'll be ships and ships going across," he told his two companions. -"Store-ships filled with food, some for the Belgians, who are nigh -starving, other store-ships with food for Britain, because,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> you see, -being an island with a big population, she cannot very well feed them -all. Besides, as folks told me before I came out, she has these many -years devoted herself to manufacturing all sorts of articles. She's -allowed her land to go under grass, and hasn't been growing the crops -that once she used to produce. There's the Argentina, there's America, -there are the wide wheatfields of Canada to supply her."</p> - -<p>"Or were," Jim said laconically, "or were, young Bill."</p> - -<p>"Aye," agreed Larry, with a puff of the lips, "and will be yet, Jim. -You are thinking of submarines. Well, it'll take all the submarines -that the Kaiser's got, and a heap more, to keep America from sending -food to our British allies. But you was talkin' about ships, Bill. What -then?"</p> - -<p>"There's others full of ammunition—ammunition made in American -factories—going over to be fired by British and French guns. There'll -be steamers and sailing vessels. Seems to me that, as not one of us -three knows one end of a ship from the other, we'd better keep away -from sailing vessels. There would be jobs, perhaps, aboard one of the -steamers, and we might manage to get taken on."</p> - -<p>"You! Take you on!" said a huge upstanding figure with a ruddy face, -whose curly locks protruded from beneath the blue sailor cap he was -wearing. "You!" he laughed, almost scornfully, and yet with a kindly -note, as he stood over English Bill and peered down at this smiling -youngster.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> "Think as we've got jobs for such as you aboard our vessel!"</p> - -<p>Then he laughed outright, and clapped a huge hand on Bill's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"You'll be English," he said.</p> - -<p>"Aye. English Bill, we call him," Larry interjected.</p> - -<p>"British!" Bill fired out, "same as these here two, only they're -American."</p> - -<p>"American, of course," the huge sailor responded, looking a little -puzzled. "But British? How?"</p> - -<p>"He means," said Jim, with one of his pleasant smiles, "that America's -allied with Britain and France and all the rest of the Entente against -the Kaiser and his barbarians, so that we are all one and the same—all -friends, all fighting for the identical cause. Besides, Bill and we two -are chums, so it don't matter whether you call us all three Americans -or all three British. I ain't ashamed of being one or the other after -seeing the way Britons have shown up, have come forward by the million, -have fought the Hun in France and many another place. After that, why, -who's going to be ashamed of being mistaken for a Briton? Not me, eh, -Larry?"</p> - -<p>"Nor me neither," jerked the latter, his head thrust forward as was -his wont, his cap tilted at a most dangerous angle, his eyes screwed -up, peering at the big sailor. "See here," he said, "I like yer look, -stranger. Yer come from aboard that ship, do yer?"</p> - -<p>"I do," the man admitted, and then laughed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> uproariously. "You three -just take it! And what may be yer wants? This 'ere youngster you've -called English Bill has asked for a job. Well, there may be a job—two -or three of 'em; only what for? What's your game? There's talk of -America adopting conscription, eh?" and he looked a little slyly at -them—a little sharply at Larry and Jim, whereat the former actually -scowled and then smiled.</p> - -<p>"I know what you're thinking of, but it's natural. Down at the mines, -if a chap had said that to me, most likely there would have been -shooting. You are right, though. There has been men elsewhere, perhaps, -that has tried to escape their national duty by slipping away from -their country. Well, stranger, just listen to this. We three are bound -for France. We're in a hurry to join up and get a slap in at the -Germans."</p> - -<p>Thereupon they sat down on the quay-side and told their story, to which -the big sailor listened intently, sometimes scowling, then nodding his -head in evident approval.</p> - -<p>"Tom's my name," he said, when the yarn was finished—"Tom Burgan, but -Tom'll be good enough for you young fellows; and let me say I like yer -spirit. It was a pity, though, that you didn't nail that Heinrich. -I should say that he was an enemy agent. There are lots of 'em in -America, as you people must know by now, seeing the way there have been -fires at works which have been manufacturing munitions for us Britons. -What do they call that, eh?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Sabotage," said Jim.</p> - -<p>"Aye, something of that sort," agreed Tom. "'Sabitarge,' let's call it. -Dirty work, whatever you calls it. Pity is, I say, that this Heinrich -escaped, 'cause he's free to carry on the same sort of work elsewhere. -And he shot young Bill's father, did he? And he was a good man, eh?"</p> - -<p>Bill's lips twitched; they always did when his father was referred to.</p> - -<p>"A good man, Tom!" he ejaculated; "there never was a better."</p> - -<p>"And proudly spoken, too. Happy's the man that knows that his son will -say that of him. Well, let's hope you'll meet this German again; only, -look out for squalls if you do. As for the search you made for him, it -must have been tricky business in that mine. It must have been nervy -sort of work seeking for him in those dark passages. And now you're -looking for more trouble. That don't surprise me. Every man that's -the proper age—and the younger and more active he is, the sooner he -seeks it—seeks for something over in France, on the high seas, or -elsewhere, some job that he can do to put a spoke in the wheel of the -German Emperor dominating the world. Well, he flooded the sea with his -submarines to keep all ships from sailing. Ho, ho, ho!" laughed Tom -uproariously, disdainfully, and the trio who listened to him joined in -heartily. "But come aboard; we'll go and see the old man."</p> - -<p>"Old man?" said Jim. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Aye, old man," Tom repeated, winking at Bill, who evidently understood -the meaning of the words he had employed.</p> - -<p>"Old man?" said Larry, a puzzled look on his face. "See here, Tom, and -no offence meant, I don't want to be serving under no old man."</p> - -<p>"You come aboard," said Tom, gripping him by the shoulder and lifting -Larry to his feet as if he were a child or a doll or some quite -inconsiderable person. "The old man's my skipper. 'Old man' stands for -skipper in the navy. You'll find him young enough even for your liking. -Step aboard."</p> - -<p>"Af'noon, sir," he said, addressing a dapper, clean-shaven, nautical -individual who at that moment emerged from a companion and stepped on -the deck before them. "Here's three who wants to make for France to -fight the Germans. There's three jobs goin' aboard, for you're short -of your complement by that and more. How'll they do? This 'ere lad's -English to his toe-nails."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" The nautical individual looked Bill up and down in that swift way -that officers have, and seemed to take in every tiny feature. "To his -toe-nails," he tittered, for Tom was quite a character aboard the ship, -and could take certain liberties with his officers.</p> - -<p>"Aye, sir," repeated Bill, liking his look, "from the hair of my head -to the soles of my feet, and these two are Americans, just as much -American as I am British." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And what can you do?" asked the Skipper, for it was he undoubtedly. -"This young fellow," and he pointed to Jim, "looks strong and steady, -and could do almost any job aboard. Young Bill, here, will fit in -almost anywhere, but you——" and he pointed a finger at the diminutive -Larry. Even to be unusually kind to him and a little flattering, Larry, -with his small attenuated figure, his ill-fitting clothes, his absurdly -big head, and his somewhat buccaneering appearance, was anything but -an attractive object, and certainly looked as though he were hardly -capable of strenuous work. "But you——" repeated the Skipper; "now I -have my doubts!"</p> - -<p>It was like Larry to fire up at once.</p> - -<p>"Doubts! See here, Old Man," he growled.</p> - -<p>Whereat Jim put out a restraining hand, and Tom, enjoying the joke, -roared heartily.</p> - -<p>"He can do a day's hard work with anyone, yep," said Jim; "and if you -was to get into any sort of trouble this here Larry would be a good -man: he can shoot, he can. When we're out at sea he'll give you a show, -and if it's a case of hitting a dollar at ten yards or of perforating -a tin that's thrown in the air, why Larry's your man. And he ain't so -fierce as he looks, nor so delicate neither."</p> - -<p>The upshot of the whole thing was that then and there the three were -taken on as hands aboard the vessel, for indeed it was hard to obtain -full crews just at that period. A day later the ship cast off her -mooring, backed into the Hudson River, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> swinging round with the -assistance of a tug, was soon steering out towards the ocean. Little -did Bill and his friends dream, as they looked back and watched New -York disappear, and the banks of the beautiful Hudson River sink into -the distance, that their voyage to Europe and to France would prove as -eventful, even more so, as had been their last few weeks at the copper -mine, where the German had put in an appearance.</p> - -<p>A peaceful voyage was denied them, first, because the weather was -unpropitious. A hurricane faced them as they gained the ocean, and for -four or five days the vessel whirled amongst the waves, huge masses of -spray bursting over her forecastle, while her decks heaved and tossed -in a manner which tried even Tom and older sailors. As for Bill and Jim -and Larry, all the fight was knocked out of them.</p> - -<p>"I'd rather die!" groaned Larry, after many hours had passed, as he lay -prostrated in his bunk. "Here, you, Tom!" he said feebly, "take me up -and shy me overboard. I'd like to drown."</p> - -<p>"You'll just sit up and swallow this 'ere 'ot cup o' stuff," the sailor -told him, roughly gripping him with that huge hand of his; "now open -yer face and take it in. No lyin' down again, neither; up yer get! Move -up and down! Now you, Jim! Bill's already feelin' better—youngsters -do. How's that, Larry? It's made yer feel good and warm inside. -What?—you won't? Oh, won't yer?"</p> - -<p>And Larry did in most obedient manner. Indeed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> Tom's friendly treatment -soon brought him round, so that, as the gale abated, all three were -already proving useful. It was then, or a little later, that events -occurred to disturb the remainder of the voyage.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V</span> <span class="smaller">A German Agent</span></h2> - -<p>"I've been thinking," said Bill, on the fifth evening after the three -friends had left New York on their journey to Europe.</p> - -<p>"Aye," said Larry in his slow way. "Thinking of what, Bill?"</p> - -<p>"Wonder," said Bill, "what a man would want out here in the middle of -the ocean to be slinking along the deck at night as if he was afraid of -meeting people."</p> - -<p>Jim and Larry looked at him in some astonishment, a little puzzled to -know what he meant.</p> - -<p>"A man slinking along at night out here?—Where?—on this vessel?" -asked Jim.</p> - -<p>"Yep," came the abrupt answer. "What 'ud he want to do? Who'd he be -afraid of meeting?"</p> - -<p>"Meeting?" said Larry. "Is this one of the crew? Course he must be, -though, 'cos there ain't anyone else aboard the ship; we ain't carryin' -passengers. What do a man want to be slinkin' along at night-time for, -Jim? It was at night-time, wasn't it, Bill?"</p> - -<p>"Yep," again came the curt answer. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And what else did he do?" asked Jim, beginning to get interested. -"Tell us all about it."</p> - -<p>"I was on watch," said Bill, "and Tom had sent me down from the -fo'c'sle to the waist to get him a drink of water. The ship was -rolling about fairly well, and so I had to hang on to a stanchion as -I was crossing. I was just by the donkey engine when I saw a man on -the far side passing me. He was hanging on too, going along almost on -all-fours."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," said Jim, "looks as though he was afraid of falling, same -as you were. Perhaps he's a new hand, same as us, only——"</p> - -<p>"Not that," said Bill sharply. "Someone shouted an order just then from -the bridge, which was above us; the man squeezed himself in close to -the donkey engine, and I could see him turn his face to look up at the -bridge. He lay there two or three minutes and then slunk off. At the -far end he disappeared, and I went on my errand. I did not think much -of it then, but I have been thinking since. It was queer."</p> - -<p>It was so queer that, after discussing the matter, the three decided -to set a watch to see whether they could gather further information, -and that night once more as Jim and Bill, who lay together in the -waist, were about to return to their bunks, inclined to pooh-pooh the -importance of the whole incident, a man's figure appeared, dimly seen -under the light shed by the thin crescent of the moon, a man who slunk -across the deck, sheltering behind the engine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> the mast, and the -hatchway. Then he was gone, only to reappear a little later, and then -disappear once more just after an order had been called from the bridge -and the man on watch on the forecastle had responded to the hail.</p> - -<p>"It's mighty queer," said Larry when the three were closeted together -in the cabin in which they were quartered.</p> - -<p>It should be explained that the bunks usually handed over to the crew -had, on this particular ship and on this particular voyage, been -vacated for a special reason, and the space thus left free was filled -with war material of an important nature. The ship herself, in pre-war -days one of the ocean greyhounds which conveyed passengers between the -United States and England, provided ample accommodation elsewhere for -the crew as well as a 'tween-decks space for cargo—in this case, as -has been hinted, of unusual value.</p> - -<p>"Mighty queer," repeated Larry, as he thrust the stump end of a cigar -into the corner of his mouth, American-wise, and chewed it savagely. -"You're sure you're right, you young chaps. This feller, who is -he?—one of the officers, crew, or what?"</p> - -<p>Bill shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" gulped Larry, drawing at his cigar and then regarding it severely -when he found it had gone out.</p> - -<p>"Couldn't say. Might be anything," said Jim reflectively. "It was too -dark to be sure, but——" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yep, but——" Larry flicked the ash off the end of his smoke. "Yep," -he repeated encouragingly, "but——"</p> - -<p>"But he went for'ard."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he went for'ard!" said Larry.</p> - -<p>"For'ard!" ejaculated Bill; "but that's where——" and then he stopped -in the midst of his sentence.</p> - -<p>"That's where things of importance are carried," said Larry -significantly, "things that if they was lost might hamper the troops in -France, things what Uncle Sam's been hard at work makin' so as to down -the Kaiser; now if——"</p> - -<p>All three looked in succession at one another, their suspicions clearly -written on their faces.</p> - -<p>"If," said Bill at last, "he wanted—this fellow we've caught a sight -of—to break up the ship to sink the cargo—well, isn't he the sort of -man that would slink about and not want to be seen, and disappear when -there was a hail from the bridge? Should he look sideways at everyone -and want to keep himself to himself? As to whether he's one of the crew -or not, who knows?"</p> - -<p>Finally they came to the conclusion that no one could guess, and that -positive evidence was required before they could proceed further with -the matter.</p> - -<p>"Only," said Jim in his quiet reflective way, "it's up to us to give a -hint to the old man. Supposing now we set a watch and the fellow eludes -us and really does a mischief, who'd be blamed? Who'd blame themselves -most? You would Larry—you and I and Bill." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But supposing it's a mare's nest, what about it?" asked Larry, pulling -hard at his cigar. "The old man would point at us, the officers would -smile, the men would smirk and have a few things to say that wasn't -altogether complimentary. I'm a quiet sort of chap I am, Jim, but when -fellers gets sarcastic it gets my goat up. I can stand fun—lots of -it—skylarkin' don't come amiss to me nor to Bill either, and I dare -say you can enjoy a little of it; but downright contempt, nasty sort -of sarcasm, that gets me every time, and I find myself fingering my -gun, that is, I should if I carried one, which I don't now, seeing it's -against the rules of shipboard."</p> - -<p>In the end they approached Tom, the huge sailor who had befriended them -in getting their berths on board the ship, and with his approval took -the first opportunity of having a clandestine meeting with the Skipper.</p> - -<p>"You've done quite rightly," the latter told them. "This may be a -mare's nest, as Larry here says. In that case it doesn't go any -further, not another man aboard the ship will know; though, as a matter -of precaution, I shall tell my officers. They have all sailed with me -for years and I can vouch for their honesty and patriotism, they are -either British or American to the backbone—and that's something in -these days."</p> - -<p>"Guess it is," Larry ejaculated. "Well then?"</p> - -<p>"Forewarned is forearmed," the Skipper said. "I'll not interfere -further. You three, with Tom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> here, will take the matter into your own -hands. One of you had best feign illness—serious illness I mean; and -the other two can be put on duty night and day to watch him. Tom can be -the sympathetic friend. We'll give it out that it's pneumonia or some -other ailment which will account for two of the men—two friends that -is—attending to him. After that you will make your own plans. Carry -on, as they say in the army."</p> - -<p>And "carry on" Bill and Jim and Larry did, with Tom's connivance.</p> - -<p>"And you've give it out that it's pneumonia?" asked Larry in subdued -tones that very evening, as Bill stood at the door of his cabin -with a jug of milk in his hand, while Jim stood at the foot of his -resting-place. "Every soul aboard knows as Larry, new hand—what we'd -call a 'tenderfoot' way west—is down with a go of bronchitis and a -cough what 'ud make his worst enemy sorry for him. Listen to it!"</p> - -<p>The impertinent fellow coughed and coughed and coughed till Jim really -felt anxious about him, while Bill, seeing the fun of the thing, -laughed so heartily that the milk spilt from the jug, and Jim brought -him up with an "about-turn".</p> - -<p>"That's the sort of thing you'd do at the door of a sick-room?" he -asked severely. "Here's Larry coughing his heart out, and you laughing -in that heartless way. Put the milk down and go!" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p>If any one of the crew had been in the neighbourhood they would have -seen the youthful Bill slinking away with his tail between his legs; -for he recognized how injudicious his behaviour had been, though indeed -Larry was to blame, since he was the cause of it. But a few hours' -experience of this new plan caused all to settle down, and their -hilarity to give place to essential seriousness. Indeed that night all -realized that their quest meant much, not only to themselves and their -shipmates, but to the British army, which was looking for the delivery -of the goods which they were carrying.</p> - -<p>However, they had yet to prove that their suspicions were well founded. -It might, as Larry had said and repeated more than once with a sheepish -grin, be "but a mare's nest", in which case all three friends, and the -burly Tom in addition, felt—though they took care not to tell one -another—that the position would be a little trying.</p> - -<p>"You can take it from me," said Larry, when he had given up coughing -violently, and he and Bill and Jim sat with their heads close together -discussing the matter, "you can put it right like this: ef there's -a chap aboard what's slinking about, he's either crazy or he's got -something to slink for. What's a man want to slink about in the -darkness for—eh?"</p> - -<p>"Stealing," suggested Jim.</p> - -<p>"Ho! stealing!" growled Larry; "as ef there was any one of us aboard -worth robbing! No, that don't appeal to me; it's something wus." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Worse," Bill also thought it. He stood for a while silent and -thoughtful and then crept out of the cabin. Yet though he watched from -the waist of the ship for an hour, and Jim, who relieved him, sat there -for a similar period, nothing occurred to arouse their suspicions. -A little later, Larry, with a blanket wrapped round him, groped his -way along the deck and lay down at the doorway which led into the -forecastle.</p> - -<p>"If the feller's on the roam, he's got to roam over me," he thought, as -he made himself comfortable. "Of course it may be as he wants to get -down one of the hatchways. Ef so, Tom, watching back there, will spot -him."</p> - -<p>Yet the night passed without incident, and on the following day the -three friends continued with their plan, though now doubting more than -ever the justice of their suspicions. As to the imposition they were -practising, it was never suspected by any of the crew of the steamer.</p> - -<p>"That there young Larry's ill," said a stoker, as he pushed his head -up from the engine companion and wiped the sweat from his brow with -a dirty rag, which had been clean that morning, and which he removed -from his neck, as is the habit of the fraternity, "he's just the look -of a man what 'ud go down. Pneumonia, eh?" he remarked, as he casually -plugged tobacco into the bowl of his pipe. "Huh! shouldn't wonder!" he -nodded wisely. "Thin, delicate sort of a chap what 'ud break up easy. -That sort doesn't make old bones.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> Perhaps dead afore morning! You -never know! So long, sonny!"</p> - -<p>The beaming face, the smoking clay pipe, the black head of tousled hair -disappeared; the stoker dived down into the bowels of the ship, and the -man to whom he had addressed his somewhat lugubrious remarks heard the -rattle of his stoking shovel a few moments later. If the stoker himself -could have seen Larry his exclamations might well have been varied.</p> - -<p>"Never felt better in all my life," said the invalid, as he sat in -the corner of the cabin, smoking a cigar, which, as was his wont, was -tucked into the corner of his mouth alongside his teeth, and caused a -bulge in one cheek. "Never! Only I'm puzzled about this matter, and -don't I want to catch this fellow?—that is," he added, "ef there is -a feller, ef young Bill didn't imagine him. He's young is Bill, and -there's no saying ef he's grown out of all his youthful imaginings yit."</p> - -<p>Whereat Bill flared up, and became even more determined to discover the -culprit.</p> - -<p>"For I'm sure," he told himself, as he walked up and down the deck, -"that I saw someone—someone who was slinking about—a suspicious -someone. Well, we shall see. We are more than half-way across to -England now, and in a couple of nights we shall make the north coast -of Ireland. If anything is going to happen, it's got to happen pretty -soon. We shall see!"</p> - -<p>It was in fact precisely two nights later, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> the ship had drawn -within twenty miles of the Irish coast, and was making a direct run -for her English port, that Bill, creeping along the deck, sighted a -flitting figure.</p> - -<p>"Come along," he whispered, running back to the cabin and beckoning -Larry and Jim. "I've seen someone—he's down in the waist. Don't wait -for anything, and be as quiet as you know how. I reckon we'll discover -who he is this time."</p> - -<p>They followed instantly, and, sneaking down the ladder, hid themselves -beside the windlass, with a mast towering quite close to them, and -there, breathless with their haste, their hearts thumping with -excitement and expectation, they waited, peering this way and that, -seeing nothing for the moment. A little later Bill stretched out a hand -and touched Larry on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"There!" he whispered. "There!" and, swinging round, Larry, too, caught -a faint impression of a head and shoulders against the star-lit sky. He -waited while Jim drew closer and also saw the figure.</p> - -<p>Then all three crept along the deck, one behind another, as a man on -the far side of it drew away from them.</p> - -<p>"Bound for the fo'c'sle," Larry said hoarsely. "It's locked ain't it?"</p> - -<p>"Locked," answered Jim laconically. "But he'll have a key. Listen to -it!"</p> - -<p>There came to their ears the faint click of an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> instrument being used -in the lock of the forecastle door—a gentle, grinding sound, and then -silence.</p> - -<p>"Come on," whispered Bill; "perhaps he's gone in. Got your flash lamps?"</p> - -<p>All three had, and, making their way swiftly along the deck, they -soon reached the bulkhead behind which lay the forecastle. The door, -previously shut fast and locked, stood ajar. Bill pushed it open -without hesitation, Larry pressed up beside him, and Jim peered over -their shoulders. Then Bill switched on the beam of his electric torch.</p> - -<p>The light flooded the forecastle, fell upon that material so valuable -to our fighting forces which the vessel was carrying at full speed -to Britain <i>en route</i> for the battle-fields, swept over a space of -empty deck, hugged other material, and glancing from it went on to the -depths beyond, almost to the bows of the vessel. There it was brought -up, as it were, abruptly by the figure of a man, half-bent, facing -the doorway, a man at whose feet stood a square iron box, in the lid -of which was a metal plunger, a man who stared at them with wide-open -eyes, startled yet full of hate, which blinked in the electric beams.</p> - -<p>"It's—it's Heinrich!" roared Larry, darting forward and slipping a -hand on his empty holster pocket. "It's the German that shot Charlie -back there in the camp by the copper-mine. It's the same ugly phiz as -was in the picture found in his lodgings. It's——" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> - -<p>With a hasty movement the man banged a fist on the metal plunger. A -brilliant flash of light followed the movement, and then a hissing, -sizzling noise, while smoke filled the forecastle. Steps were heard, -and the door above banged as the rascal, too much concerned for his -own safety to think of any further need for caution, clambered up the -companion and emerged on the deck, then came a blinding flash, and Jim, -seizing Bill and Larry, dragged them through the doorway.</p> - -<p>"Back!" he shouted. "Lie down on your faces! Hi there, on the bridge!" -he bellowed. "Look out for yourselves! we've come upon our man, but -it's too late; he's fired his detonator, his bomb's on the point of -bursting."</p> - -<p>Before a return hail could come, almost before the three could fling -themselves upon the deck, so as to escape the effects of the impending -explosion, the deck above the forecastle soared into the air, there -came a shattering, tearing roar of breaking woodwork, a deafening -detonation, while bolts and masses of wood and iron thudded upon the -decks around or splashed into the water—water made clearly visible -by the flare which burst from the fore part of the vessel. As for the -latter, she trembled in every timber and plate, her decks shook and -rolled, she heaved and thrust her bows upward; then they came down with -a souse, and for a moment it looked as though she were going under. -But not yet! She lay with her stern high in the air and her forecastle -slowly submerging; and as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> lay there helpless, changed in one -moment from a controllable dependable unit of efficiency to a shattered -wreck, of a sudden a beam broke the blackness all about her—an -electric beam projected from some surface vessel. This beam flooded the -ship, flooded the water all about her, and threw a streak of brilliant -light from a point perhaps half a mile from her.</p> - -<p>Somewhere in that streak there appeared a tiny object, a tiny boat in -which a single man rowed furiously—doubtless he was the German.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI</span> <span class="smaller">Bombed in Mid-ocean</span></h2> - -<p>Darkness covered the scene a minute after that shattering detonation -which had lifted the forecastle of the ship in which Larry, and Jim, -and Bill were sailing. The deafening report, the shattering sound of -raining woodwork and iron, and the swish of timber and bullets as they -fell in the water were succeeded by a deathly silence. No one called -out, not a cry escaped the crew of the vessel. From that point, half -a mile distant across the level surface of the water, from which a -brilliant beam had played upon the scene there came not so much as a -whisper, not a hail, nothing to denote whence the light came, or from -what source—whether enemy or ally—and then, of a sudden, the darkness -was rent, though in puny form, by the comparatively feeble light from -a torch wielded by Larry. Those who stared down from the bridge to the -waist of the ship could make out the dim form of the American, with Jim -and Bill near him, and could see Larry's right arm moving up and down, -his fist shaking in the direction from which the light had flashed upon -them. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Of all the scoundrels!" he was shouting. "Of all the low-down German -skunks! And we was too late to take him, we was, Jim! Gurr!" The fist -came down with a bang upon his somewhat attenuated chest, whereupon -Larry coughed.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" There came a hail from the bridge. "To your boat stations! -Larry, come up here, and your friends too, and report what's happened. -Mr. Quartermaster, go forward and report."</p> - -<p>Mr. Quartermaster promptly carried out the order, in fact he was -already on his way for'ard as it came, and presently returned bearing a -smoking lantern.</p> - -<p>"It's driv her deck right off and blown a hole right down through her, -sir," he reported. "There's six foot or more water in the fore part of -the vessel, and she's down four foot or more."</p> - -<p>"Sinking?" asked the Skipper curtly.</p> - -<p>"Aye, sir, sinking!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! and how long will she take?"</p> - -<p>"Depends!" came the answer. "If the bulkhead holds she might make -a port safely. If it don't"—the burly Quartermaster shrugged his -shoulders—"if it don't, well it don't!"</p> - -<p>For a while they stood there on the bridge, considering the matter, and -then the Skipper himself took the lamp and went for'ard, taking Jim and -Larry and Bill with him, while the ship's electrician followed with a -couple of high-power lamps with which to illuminate the part which had -been damaged. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Not so bad as I thought," said the Skipper after a while, when he -had thoroughly examined the matter. "You can douse that light now, -for it will be seen far out at sea, and that submarine which picked -up the German might become inquisitive. There's a chance of saving -her, I think, only it's almost impossible to say at night-time. At the -first streak of dawn we'll have a careful investigation of the ship, -and meanwhile we'll victual our boats and make all ready. There's one -thing I'm glad to see: the explosion has shattered the deck above and -has blown a hole downward, but it doesn't seem to have damaged much of -our cargo; in fact, the effects of the high-explosive have not spread -except directly upwards and downwards; and that is fortunate—that is -to say, if we can save the vessel."</p> - -<p>The remainder of the night was spent in swinging out the boats and in -carefully victualling them all, food and water being placed in every -one of them. Then the men sat down on the deck and smoked as calmly -as might be, uncertain of the morrow, yet, sailor-like, as confident -as ever. As the dawn came, hot coffee was served round together with -ship's biscuit.</p> - -<p>"It'll do no harm to any one of us," the Skipper said; "and an empty -stomach doesn't conduce to high courage; a chilly early morning and -hunger don't let a man tackle a job squarely. Now then, we'll have a -good look round. Ha! four feet down, you said, Mr. Quartermaster. I -should say she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> was six feet down by the head now. Ugly! Don't like it!"</p> - -<p>"Only, she ain't more down than she was last night," came a moment -later the most emphatic answer. "I'll swear to it. At night-time a -man's likely to be put out a little in his measurements, and that's -what's happened, I believe. If she's deeper its only by a matter of six -inches, which you'd expect, seeing that I sounded the water in her hold -within half an hour of the explosion. If she ain't sunk by now, sir, -she won't sink by this time to-morrow; that is, if you don't drive her -too hard, and if the weather don't come up over too rough and blowin'."</p> - -<p>"If," sniffed Larry. "I'm not a sailor, but even I can see that things -are queer. Only if there's a chance of saving her we'll stand by. Trust -us!"</p> - -<p>A cheer came from the men who stood round waiting for the Skipper to -decide finally what was to happen. Once more he went forward, and now -that there was bright daylight, and he was able the better to examine -the damage, it was not long before he returned to them, his face set, -but his eyes bright and glowing.</p> - -<p>"She might sink any moment," he told them abruptly, looking round at -the expectant faces. "In that case she'd take us all down, and the -boats too. Well, those of you who don't like the outlook had better -launch a boat or so and clear off."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Ah! Aye!" came from the assembled crew, while one—a foreigner -from a neutral country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>—whimpered. Tom, the giant Quartermaster, -turned, growling, upon him. Then he swung round.</p> - -<p>"What about you, Skipper?" he asked bluntly.</p> - -<p>"Yep! what about you?" lisped Larry in his inimitable manner. "Me and -Jim and English Bill has got a little inquisitive, ain't we?" he asked, -whereat the two chums nodded.</p> - -<p>"Aye, very inquisitive!" Jim chimed in.</p> - -<p>"And I'll tell you why, sir," Bill said. "If you are not going over the -side into one of the boats to pull away, if you are going to stay here -with the chance of being pulled under——"</p> - -<p>"Well, what of it?" asked the Skipper, his eyes deep sunk, sparkling in -the morning sunlight.</p> - -<p>"That's all about it, then," Bill answered him, just as abruptly; -"we're not going either. You are in command here, and if you tell us -it's no longer a case of ordering us to stay, and that you are going to -stand by because it's duty or something of that sort, because you are -going to save the ship and her cargo, and by doing that to help your -country, that means that every mother's son of us that's English stands -by you, and every mother's son of us that's an American ally does the -same—eh, Larry?"</p> - -<p>That individual merely tilted his peaked cap a little forward, hitched -up his baggy trousers, and slapped the empty pocket wherein he was wont -to keep his revolver.</p> - -<p>"Yep," he replied, and finally extricated from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>the depths of one of -his coat pockets the stump of a cigar, which went into its accustomed -position. "Yep," he lisped again; "I rather like it, Skipper. Supposin' -she was to go down now and pull us with her, it wouldn't be worse than -being blown sky-high, the same as that Heinrich something-or-other -would have done with us. Sky-high, eh? You wait until I meet him again, -I'll 'sky-high' him! But it's get in at it, Skipper. You are staying, -so am I, so's English Bill, and so's Jim and Tom and every other -mother's son of us. What? No; I've made a mistake. Here's one as wants -to go over the side and pull off into safety! You—you——" he began, -as he stepped towards the shrinking sailor who had whimpered.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" commanded the Skipper. "Lower one of the boats and put this man -in it; only, see that there are no oars. He can tow aft, and if the -ship shows signs of going down he can cut himself adrift, otherwise if -he cuts he will be alone. In any case he will be safe, and that's what -he considers of uppermost importance. Now, lads, we've got to hold a -council of war. Tom, it's my belief that if we push the old girl along -even in this sea, for you can't call it rough, we shall burst in our -for'ard bulkheads, swamp her 'midships, and send her down like a stone."</p> - -<p>Tom agreed. He nodded that big curly head of his and turned his quid -into the other cheek.</p> - -<p>"So we'll run her astern. She's sound there, and no sea that's running -will do her any harm. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>It'll make steering a bit of a job, but it's not -impossible. Of course I shall lay a course for the nearest port, which -means some little corner on the Irish coast. If she gets deeper down -in the water, and looks like foundering, I shan't wait to run her into -a port, but shall beach her on the first opportunity. After all, boys, -it isn't the ship that matters so much, though ships are valuable these -days and getting more so, it's the cargo we've got, and that we must -save at any hazard."</p> - -<p>All through that day the crew stood by the Skipper gamely, so gamely -that, what with their jovial faces and their satirical remarks to the -sailor seated in the boat towing behind the vessel, that worthy managed -to scrape together a modicum of courage. He even begged to be taken -aboard, and, finding that no one took the slightest notice of him, -finally pulled on the rope, and, getting close under the bows of the -vessel, now sadly sunk and projecting only a little way from the water, -he managed to clamber aboard, and found his way across the wrecked -planking.</p> - -<p>Towards evening the wind, which had been swinging round to the west -since the early hours, veered to the east and began to blow more -strongly. The swell, which had rocked the vessel ever so gently during -the day, became bigger, and soon waves were washing against her sides -and were causing her to roll and to plunge, every plunge sending her -bows deep under, till at times it appeared they would never rise again. -Yet the crew <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>stuck to their posts. Fortunately, too, every hand was -required to assist in navigating the vessel, for, going astern as she -was, it was no easy task to keep her on a course, and at least four men -were required at the wheel, which now steered her, her automatic steam -steering-gear having got out of order. What with preparing the boats, -making ready for their rapid launching, cooking food, hauling ropes, -and standing by the wheel, every member, whether steward or deck-hand, -had ample employment, and therefore sufficient distraction from his -dangerous surroundings.</p> - -<p>Yet in spite of distractions it became greatly and increasingly obvious -to all that the vessel was sinking deeper, that her buoyancy was gone, -that she lifted now so very slowly from the trough of the seas that a -larger one following in her wake might easily overwhelm her. Yet the -eyes of the Skipper still flashed and glowed as warmly as ever; Larry -strutted the deck as gamely as he had done on the first day when he had -stepped aboard as she lay in the Hudson River; Jim, his arms bare to -the elbow, worked as cheerily as any member; while Bill—English Bill, -as he had naturally come to be called—carried on as though nothing out -of the usual was occurring. It was five o'clock in the evening when the -Skipper, pointing to the Irish coast-line, now some four miles distant, -gave the order to beach the vessel.</p> - -<p>"She may or she may not carry as far as that," he added, his lips -compressed together. "If she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> does, it's a flat beach and a high -tide, so the cargo will be salved without much difficulty, even the -vessel might be salved later on, though I am not thinking of her in -particular. Keep her on that course, Mr. Quartermaster; she'll do. -I'll go right for'ard so as to con her when we get to close quarters. -English Bill, you come along too, and bring Larry and Jim. You might be -useful."</p> - -<p>The sun was sinking, and already evening was drawing in, but the light -was sufficiently good to enable all hands to see the Irish coast -clearly. Peering at it through the glasses which the Skipper lent him, -Bill could make out a flat pebbly shore, with land rising gradually -from it. It looked indeed the very place on which to beach a vessel, -and, better than all, the beach seemed to stretch for miles, so that -though the ship could only steer an erratic course it was hardly likely -that she would miss some portion of the part selected for landing.</p> - -<p>"What's that? Look yonder!" Jim called out a few minutes later, as, -having watched the shore for a time, he swept his eyes seaward. "That, -sir——"</p> - -<p>"A submarine! Possibly the one that took off that rascal last night. -A submarine without doubt, and coming to the surface. She's up! She's -raising her guns! There's no doubt that she took it for granted last -night that the bomb had destroyed us, and, finding us now still -floating and about to beach the vessel, she's going to shell us. Stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -by, boys! You three remain here, so as to help con the vessel; I'll go -on to the bridge to make other arrangements."</p> - -<p>Cool and determined, he ran aft to the bridge, and gained it as the -submarine opened fire upon them. A shell, indeed, flicked its rapid -path just above the bridge, and hitting the charthouse, stripped the -roof from it.</p> - -<p>"Boys," called out the Skipper, as cool as ever, "swing out the two -boats here on the starboard side. The ship will give them shelter. -Lower them into the water and let 'em tow. Now, all hands at it! One -moment, though. You, Tom Spencer, get down to the engine-room and send -the Chief Engineer to me."</p> - -<p>As the vessel's screws pulled her still nearer to the Irish coast, and -the men set to work, rapidly yet in good order and without confusion, -to lower the boats on the side farthest from that point where the -submarine had made its appearance, the guns aboard the latter—for she -carried two—got the range and began to burst shrapnel over her decks. -A man fell; the front of the bridge and the canvas screen along it were -torn into shreds. Another man, standing on the bulwark guiding the -falls of one of the boats, let go his hold, staggered, and tumbled head -foremost into the water. An instant later Tom, the Quartermaster, dived -in after him, and as the Skipper looked over the side he saw the sturdy -form of the lusty sailor rise to the surface bearing the man in one -arm. By then a couple of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> hands had swung down the falls into the boat, -and the two were dragged into her.</p> - -<p>Crash! A shell plunged across the decks near the after part of the -vessel, where Jim and Larry and Bill stood, and, hitting the deck house -which sheltered the steam steering-gear, rent it as if it were made of -cardboard. The explosion drove the trio to the rails, and left them -staggered and gasping. Another, bursting high amidships, flung the men -at the wheel in all directions.</p> - -<p>"Steady, boys!" called out the Skipper. "Four more of you get to that -wheel! Larry, how's she doing?"</p> - -<p>"As straight as a die! She'll do!" came the cheery answer. "Now, you -young chaps," went on Larry, as a shell ricochetted from the sea close -under the stern of the vessel, "you two had best get along towards the -bridge and go over the side into the boats. The hands are all tumbling -into 'em. They'll be clear of shells there, the ship'll give 'em -shelter."</p> - -<p>"And you?" asked Jim, while Bill looked sharply at Larry, looked quite -indignantly at him in fact.</p> - -<p>"Me——?" began Larry, as though he were intensely astonished at the -question. "Oh, me? I've been given the job of staying here, but you -ain't. You cut off, you two."</p> - -<p>There might have been an explosion on the spot, judging from the -appearance of Jim and Bill. They were, in fact, on the point of -reminding their chum that they too had received orders. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Leave the job? Funk it?" began Bill.</p> - -<p>"See here," Jim shouted. "I—we——"</p> - -<p>The arguments, whatever they were, were cut short by a blinding flash, -by a shattering detonation, then, so far as the trio were concerned, -by nothingness. A shell had burst against the ship's counter, wrecking -her rudder and smashing a huge hole in her plates just above the -water-line. In its course it crumpled the deck above upwards as if -it had been made of paper, and, bursting its way through, probably -ricochetting from one of the main beams of the vessel, it scattered -Jim and Bill and Larry in the very midst of their argument. It flung -them far from the ship, and sent them sprawling in the water, where, -fortunately for them, the cold revived them and helped to keep them -conscious. Yet it was only in a half-conscious way, automatically, as -it were, that each one battled and supported himself in the water, -while his head swam, his brain reeled, and his ears were filled with -strange noises.</p> - -<p>Little by little the ship passed on. Now and again other shells crashed -against her. More than once, Bill, peering through his wet eyelashes at -her, heard the sound of voices, and then presently saw a beam of light -flash from the shore, and watched as the vessel slowly grounded.</p> - -<p>"Saved her!" he shouted, and then subsided, as the sea washed into his -mouth and set him choking.</p> - -<p>Something touched his shoulder. Something gripped him by his sodden -coat-sleeve. He turned, and there, staring at him, illuminated by the -beam<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> from the shore, was a face with which he was familiar, no one -could have mistaken it. It was the thin, cadaverous, smiling face of -Larry, with those twinkling, merry eyes of his, that happy-go-lucky, -inimitable look with which he always favoured his friends and his -enemies.</p> - -<p>"You!" he shouted, "and here's Jim too! Here, hang on, young Bill, -we've got hold of something that looks like a bit of a boat. Now, if we -get washed ashore, what a landing!"</p> - -<p>"Only——!" Jim, who lay athwart the shattered boat, peering at the -shore, blinking in the light, stretched an arm across their faces and -directed their attention to a point closely adjacent. "Look there!"</p> - -<p>It was the submarine, now awash with the surface, her conning-tower -thrown open. A man was standing there, while on the deck below there -were a couple of German sailors armed with rifles. Did they see the -three wallowing in the water? Were they going to shoot them down? -Heaven knows! German sailors, to their eternal dishonour, have shot -down helpless people—aye, helpless women and children, too—in open -boats after similar submarine warfare. But no. The submarine came -closer, the officer in the conning-tower gave a sharp order and -shouted. A man slid down her bulging side with a rope round his waist, -and a minute or so later the three friends had been hauled on to her -narrow deck. Then a guttural voice ordered them to clamber to the -conning-tower.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i093.jpg" id="i093.jpg"></a><br /> -<img src="images/i093.jpg" alt="THE THREE FRIENDS ARE HAULED ABOARD THE U-BOAT" /></div> - -<p class="bold">THE THREE FRIENDS ARE HAULED ABOARD THE U-BOAT</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>As the good ship, which they had so gallantly helped to salve, settled -down on the pebbly shore of Ireland, a wreck no doubt, yet with her -cargo more or less intact, and, as it proved, easily and successfully -salved, Bill and Jim and Larry found themselves prisoners in the -submarine, motoring away into the North Sea, bound for a German prison.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII</span> <span class="smaller">Aboard a U-boat</span></h2> - -<p>"Which all comes of being in a hurry," said Jim, with philosophical -calm, as he squatted against the side of the submarine in the narrow -hole into which the Germans had pushed himself and Larry and Bill, and -sat there with a pool of water increasing about him.</p> - -<p>"Hum! Yes!" sniffed Larry, who in some miraculous manner had contrived -to salve his peaked hat, and bring it aboard the submarine with him. -He, too, sat crouched against the walls, the electric beams from a lamp -flooding his head, his attenuated form, his somewhat sloping shoulders -and short limbs, and casting a shadow of the man athwart the iron grids -which formed the deck, till Larry, pictured in shadow, looked like a -horrible demon. As for Bill, dripping with sea water, chilled to the -bone, yet as philosophical as either of his companions—for friendship -with them had taught him calmness and philosophy if it had taught -him nothing else—he lay at full length, breathing heavily, a little -depressed, yet, with youthful spirit, already beginning to think of the -future. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Which comes of being in a hurry! Yes, Jim," he agreed. "Only think -what it's brought us to—a submarine! and I suppose we're already under -the water."</p> - -<p>The two friends nodded at him. "You can hear it outside. I felt her -going down," said Larry. "Rummy feeling—eh? being right under the -sea; running along without anyone being any the wiser. Supposing one -of your British torpedo-boat destroyers—T.B.D.'s they call 'em—or -one of ours, 'cos, don't yer know, Uncle Sam's already got some of his -fleet over this side of the Atlantic, supposing they were to drop a -depth-charge on us. Disagreeable—eh?" and Larry looked at Jim and Bill -with that wry little smile of his, and shrugged his narrow shoulders; -whereat Bill at least burst into laughter.</p> - -<p>"You ain't going to frighten me in that way, Larry," he said. "Besides, -if it bust this show it might send us clear of her. Of course I know -it would be awkward to go to the bottom like a stone, to find yourself -boxed in this steel cage, unable to move out, waiting to be suffocated; -we won't think of that! Let's think of France, of the fighting there -that we're going to take a part in."</p> - -<p>"That we mean to take part in," said Jim, with determination. "Wonder -if these fellows'll give us something to eat, it was breakfast time at -daybreak, and we've had nothing since then."</p> - -<p>As if summoned by the speech, the door leading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> to the narrow -compartment into which they had been thrust opened and a German sailor -pushed his head in.</p> - -<p>"Come out!" he commanded, and led the way over only a few short feet -of deck to the central part of the vessel, where was all the apparatus -that controlled her movements.</p> - -<p>"Now tell us who you are," demanded the officer who accosted them, and -who spoke excellent English. "First—British or American?"</p> - -<p>"American," said Larry, pushing himself to the fore and speaking before -Bill could get in an answer.</p> - -<p>"Good country to come from—you'll never see it again," came the -sardonic answer. "But as you're American, and not British, perhaps -you'll get off lighter. If you'd been British I'd have pushed you -overboard."</p> - -<p>Larry looked at the man, contempt written on every feature of his -sharp, determined face, Jim's lips curled, only Bill stood staring at -the German as if he thought him a monster.</p> - -<p>"Well?" demanded the naval officer.</p> - -<p>"See here," said Larry, who made himself the spokesman, "this ain't -the sort of place for you and I to have a conversation on this matter. -If things was reversed, and you was me and I was you, which I'm glad -it ain't, but if it was like that, then we might have a pow-wow. -Being as it is, few words the better. As for us, if you says you'll -push us overboard, we're bound to believe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> you. What then—we're -Americans—what'll you do?"</p> - -<p>"Depends! What was the cargo you had aboard the vessel? What damage was -done?"</p> - -<p>"Done! How?" asked Larry, curious to learn how much the Commander knew -himself.</p> - -<p>"By the bomb placed by our agent—a clever trick that!" said the -officer; "a clever man Heinrich Hilker! But perhaps you don't know him."</p> - -<p>Whereat Larry sniffed harder, but, feeling it wise to make no answer, -stood staring round him at the various wheels and quadrants and -instruments which filled almost every available inch of the centre of -the vessel.</p> - -<p>"Well then," demanded the officer, when a minute had passed, "what is -your report?"</p> - -<p>Larry looked under the peak of his hat into his eyes, regarding every -portion of the officer down to his feet, screwed up his lips, smiled -that enigmatical smile of his and answered not a word. Then, after a -long pause, he tapped the officer on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"See here, Mr. Officer," he said, "you've taken us in what you call -fair fighting, and we're prisoners; let it stand at that. You wouldn't -expect to give away what had happened in your own case, supposing -positions were reversed. Then don't expect it of an American. Play -the game, and give us something to eat and drink, for we're well-nigh -famished, and something strong would send the blood through us after -being chilled in the water." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maybe the German officer in command of this German submarine was of -a type different from those who have commanded the majority of these -under-water vessels, and who seem to have stooped to the murder of so -many helpless individuals. He looked Larry up and down, stared hard at -Jim, and stepped a pace closer to Bill, as if attracted by his youthful -appearance and anxious to interrogate him. Then he clapped his hands, -gave a sharp order, and saw the trio led back to the compartment in -which they had been incarcerated. There a sailor brought them food and -steaming coffee, adding to each cup some rum, which helped to warm them -wonderfully. A little later he brought them dry clothing and took their -wet garments away from the compartment; then, as if anxious to treat -them well, he produced blankets and mattresses, upon which Larry and -his two friends were soon stretched.</p> - -<p>Indeed they slept for hours, worn out with their exertions of the -previous night and with the struggle they had waged during the day -which had just passed. Nor were their dreams unhappy. They fell asleep -mindful of the unfortunate position in which they found themselves, but -buoyed up by the memory of their success in helping to beach the vessel -and her valuable cargo.</p> - -<p>"It ain't as if the Hun had done us in altogether," said Larry just -before he dropped asleep. "He was clever, he was, and that Heinrich was -about the most cunning scoundrel that the Kaiser could have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> employed. -See how he failed, though! Gee! That bomb ought to have blown the front -of the ship away, and yet it left her cargo almost undamaged. Reckon, -young Bill, your chaps is working like niggers now to get it salved, -and—and—we're here."</p> - -<p>"And alive and well," said Jim cheerfully.</p> - -<p>"And while there's life there's hope. And there's the French front," -Bill chimed in in sleepy tones, "that's the next thing to be thought -of."</p> - -<p>Yet other things soon arose to engage their attention. It was at -an early hour on the following morning—though they themselves did -not know that the day had broken, for it was quite dark in the -interior of the submarine and the electric beams still flooded their -compartment—that they knew that the vessel had stopped, and presently -felt a breath of cool air as the door of their prison was opened.</p> - -<p>"Come up!" a voice called, and obediently they clambered into the -conning-tower and so on to the deck of the submarine. She was lying -awash, and near her a surface vessel, a trawler by appearance.</p> - -<p>"Hope you haven't had an uncomfortable night," grinned the officer -in command of the submarine. "I'm transferring you to one of our -mine-sweepers. She'll take you to Germany and to prison. <i>Bon voyage!</i>"</p> - -<p>A boat pulled alongside and the three dropped into it and were rowed -to the trawler, which, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> soon as they were aboard, hauled in its -anchor and steamed off, leaving the submarine still floating on the -surface. Not that Larry and Jim and Bill were able to watch her, for -immediately they reached the deck of the vessel they were hustled to -a companion-way and forced to go down between decks. Here, when their -eyes became accustomed to the darkness, they found themselves in the -hold of the vessel with a number of other occupants of the space seated -against the bulkheads or against the sides of the trawler.</p> - -<p>"Hello, mates!" began Larry, as if to open the ball. "Cheerio!"</p> - -<p>A short, heavily-built man came forward at once. "You're British?" he -said. "No, American!"</p> - -<p>"No, both," said Larry. "I'm American, so's Jim, here. This here is -Bill, who's English."</p> - -<p>"Submarined?" came the next question.</p> - -<p>"Yep. First done in by a German agent and his bomb, then gunned by a -submarine. Me and my mates were blown overboard and rescued by a fellow -in command of the submarine."</p> - -<p>"Rescued! That's unusual! Why?"</p> - -<p>Larry shrugged his shoulders. Indeed, neither he nor Jim nor Bill could -tell why it was that the submarine commander had taken it into his head -to preserve their lives. Too often, alas! men had been left floating -helpless on the water after a similar attack, and the submarine, having -risen to the surface, and its officers and crew maybe having jeered at -them, had motored off and left them to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> their fate. It was no wonder -then that this burly individual expressed surprise at such a happening.</p> - -<p>"And you?" asked Jim after a while.</p> - -<p>"Me and these fellows 'long with me belong to the merchant marine, -and we've to thank a submarine for being here. It's three nights ago -that, without a word of warning, without sight of the submarine, there -was a terrific explosion that burst our plates in and swamped our -engine-room. The chief engineer and his mates were killed right off, -and our skipper was thrown from his bridge into the water. We chaps set -to work to lower the boats, but they'd been smashed into matchwood. It -so happened that this trawler was steaming some few miles away, and it -may be that the same submarine that did you in was the cause of our -misfortune. Anyways, we were taken aboard and brought to the trawler, -and—and—here we are."</p> - -<p>"Waiting to go to a German prison," came a voice from one of the -figures seated against the bulkhead.</p> - -<p>"Which means wellnigh starvation for the British," said another, -whereat there was silence.</p> - -<p>"If—starvation if——" began Bill, as though he had suddenly thought -of something brilliant.</p> - -<p>"If what, young Bill?"</p> - -<p>"That is, if we get to a German prison."</p> - -<p>"If—we—get—to—a—German—prison!" the burly individual repeated -slowly, emphasizing each word in turn. "Now, you don't think—look -here,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> my name's Jack, and I was bos'n aboard our vessel. You spit it -out. What's the yarn?"</p> - -<p>Larry looked at Bill curiously. In the dim semi-darkness of the hold he -could see his face, not clearly, but sufficiently well to realize that -his eyes were gleaming.</p> - -<p>"Yep, Bill," he said encouragingly, "spit it out! It don't want any -tellin' that neither you nor me, nor any of these fellows, wants to go -to a German prison, but——"</p> - -<p>"Aye, but," said Jim, "how are we to work it not to do so?"</p> - -<p>"Depends," said Bill, "only it's got to be done quick, if at all. I'm -only guessing, but I reckon we're steaming now for the German coast. -There are mine-fields and all sorts of things through which a vessel -has to thread her way, and once in those we couldn't easily make our -way out again; so the sooner we get to work the better."</p> - -<p>"Get to work! How?" demanded Jack.</p> - -<p>"Like this. Make a row, shout, attract the attention of the guards, get -'em to come down here, collar one of 'em, take his rifle, fight our -way up. I'm not sure, but I had a good look round when we came aboard, -and counted only eight men. Two of them were armed, and stood near the -companion down which we came, the rest were deck-hands. There will -be the captain, too, and a small staff down in the engine-room—they -needn't count. If we're going to do it, we shall be through with the -business and masters of the ship before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> engineers knows what's -happened. Then, if we are wise——"</p> - -<p>The burly sailor clapped a hand on Bill's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"You speak soft, sonny," he said; "you just talk gently for a moment. -Bless me, but I believe he's got the very idea; and if the idea's any -good it's as he says: it's got to be done now. This very moment, as you -might say, within half an hour at most, and it's got to be gone through -without whimpering. Boys, close round!"</p> - -<p>Heads had been lifted in the meanwhile, the figures of men crouching -against the bulkheads and against the side of the trawler, crouching -despondently it must be admitted, had moved, had straightened -themselves, while not a few of their fellow-prisoners had sprung to -their feet and come nearer as Bill and his friends discussed the matter.</p> - -<p>"Escape!" one of them said. "Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Better than going to a German prison; better than being starved. I'd -risk a hit," said another, "if I knew that I could get back to England. -Besides——"</p> - -<p>"Besides what? I'll tell you; besides every man's wanted to get our -ships going. What then? What next, young fellow? How's it to be done?"</p> - -<p>By then all of them were standing about Bill and his friends, peering -at the youth in their midst, and endeavouring to decipher his meaning; -their faces thrust forward, their hands on their hips,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> listening -eagerly to every word he and his friends uttered.</p> - -<p>As for Bill, he was rather taken off his feet by the sudden interest he -had aroused. To be sure, as he came aboard the vessel he had taken a -swift glance round, and had noticed what a small crew she appeared to -carry. In a swift glance, too, he had taken note of the companion-way, -and of the method adopted to close it. There was a door at the top, and -against that had been placed a huge bale and a coil of rope, which, -seeing that it opened outwards, effectually closed it. But strong men -from within could easily push it aside, and—why not?</p> - -<p>"There are two ways of doing the trick, I think," he told them, his -voice now lowered. "One of them is to feign illness and to shout for -help. That may or may not bring one of the guards down amongst us, but -it will have the effect also of warning the remainder of the crew. -T'other's to creep up, put our shoulders to the door, and heave it -open. We'd have to chance a shot from the man on guard, but once we've -mastered them we'd be free of the deck, and nineteen of us, as I make -our number to be, should be able to overpower them."</p> - -<p>"Line up, you men!" came from Jack. "This 'ere business wants in the -first place a lusty chap with shoulders that will take no denyin'. It's -a case for volunteers. Is any of you for it?"</p> - -<p>If any of the guards had peered down into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> hold of the trawler just -then they would have witnessed a weird performance; they would have -seen those eighteen sturdy men, all silent, desperately in earnest, -line up, listening to the words of their leader. And as he spoke they -would have watched the whole line step forward without a moment's -hesitation. All were volunteers.</p> - -<p>"So it's like that!" said Jack, and Bill could have sworn he chuckled. -"Now, seein' that the companion won't carry every one of you, and one -is bound to go first, and have another strong 'un by him, and seein' -as I have the broadest shoulders of the lot—why, I go first, as is -natural, then Jim Scott comes second, 'cos he's a heavy weight, and if -I go down the door won't stand much of a push from him, will it? After -that we comes as we can, but I'm goin' to tell each man of you off for -special business."</p> - -<p>"Hold hard! And what about us, Mister?" came from Larry, who pushed -himself forward, automatically putting his hat at an angle as he did -so, though the darkness hid the movement. "See here, Mr. Jack, it was -one of this here party that fixed the business up. What have we done to -be left to the last?"</p> - -<p>For answer, the burly figure of the sailor came a little nearer and -the two gnarled hands were stretched out, the fingers extended, and, -falling upon Larry's attenuated shoulders, passed thence down his arms, -down his body, and finally to his legs. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No offence! You're an American, and everyone knows that Americans are -not the boys to hold back, but rather the ones to be right in front," -said Jack. "But it's beef that's wanted here, sir, British beef, and me -and Jim's got it. I don't say as we ain't got the pluck too, but pluck -won't push that door at the top of the companion open. Weight will, -beef will—get me?"</p> - -<p>Larry did. He had already summed up the business with his quick -American wit, and liked the bos'n and his bluff statements, liked the -bold way in which he had adopted Bill's ideas. That the other men -below fancied the English sailor there was no denying, and if it had -not been for the need for secrecy they would have cheered him. Then, -too, there was the added need for haste, there were those mine-fields -to be thought of, and the fact that every minute carried the trawler, -presumably, nearer to some German port.</p> - -<p>"Get you? Yep," said Larry. "'Carry on', as they say in the British -army."</p> - -<p>In deadly silence, feeling their way in the dim darkness of the hold, -the imprisoned sailors made their way to the companion, up which -Jack crept on all-fours, followed closely by Jim Scott, while the -others—Bill, Larry, and Jim foremost amongst them—followed closely.</p> - -<p>"You just shove easy and quiet first of all, so as to get a move on," -said Jack, "and then out yer comes, every mother's son of yer!"</p> - -<p>Leaning his whole weight against the door above,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> the sailor pushed -with gentle force—with force which increased every moment. The wood -creaked and bent. To those behind, eager for a successful result, it -sounded as though the timbers would crack asunder rather than that the -door would open. But no! Wait! In a moment a thin crevice of light -showed; it grew broader; it was now a whole inch wide; then two, then -three.</p> - -<p>Bill, peering between the legs of Jack, who stood above him, could see -right through on to the deck of the trawler, and then, with a heave and -a hoist, the door was thrown right open.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII</span> <span class="smaller">Capture of the Trawler.</span></h2> - -<p>A deafening report greeted the coming of Jack and Jim and Bill and his -friends through the doorway of the companion which led to their prison. -A bullet flicked its path across their faces and buried itself in the -bale which had been thrown against the door—then there was a crack. -Sailor-like, with an agility of which one would hardly have thought -him capable, considering his burliness, Jack had leaped at the German -who had fired the shot, and, displaying much science in the manœuvre, -undercut him in a manner which astonished not only the marine, but some -deck hands standing close beside him. For the German's chin went back, -his head was jerked almost from his body, his feet left the deck a -moment later, and he measured his length on the steel plates.</p> - -<p>It was at that precise instant that Larry seized the falling rifle, and -hardly a second later that Bill, coming swiftly after him, launched -himself like an arrow in amongst the German deck hands. Jim was there -too, following up his strokes, while another party of the sailors had -turned sharp right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> and were sweeping the deck hands on that side of -the vessel. As for the second marine on sentry-go, he was dealt with -in the most disagreeable and summary manner—that is, disagreeable to -himself—for one of the sailors, bobbing up from the companion like a -jack-in-the-box, gripped the muzzle of his rifle as he was in the act -of firing it, and, extending his other hand, took the German by the -nape of his neck and exerted such pressure that the man first let go -his weapon, then shouted, and later screamed with pain.</p> - -<p>"And you ain't wanted," cried the sailor, lifting him bodily from his -feet at last, "not here! So down yer goes!" And down the German went, -falling like a bale down the companion and into the depths below, only -at that moment cleared of British prisoners.</p> - -<p>There, too, the deck hands were hounded within less than five minutes, -leaving only the skipper of the trawler on his bridge above, an officer -by his side, and the staff of the engine-room.</p> - -<p>"Just you carry on, young Bill," cried Jack, seeing that the decks were -cleared, and hearing at that moment a crack from a revolver as the -skipper opened fire upon them. "This 'ere was your manœuvre; carry it -through!"</p> - -<p>Bill swung towards Larry with the thought of giving him an order, -only to discover the American already stretched flat upon the deck, -sheltering behind the mast, his rifle directed on the bridge. Indeed, -almost at that same instant his weapon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> spoke, and the skipper, who by -then had emptied his revolver in the direction of the escaping sailors, -lifted his arms with a sudden spasmodic movement and fell back behind -the canvas screen which crossed the front of the bridge. There, within -a short space of time, appeared the face of the other officer, just -peering over the screen, his hands raised above his head, calling -loudly that he surrendered.</p> - -<p>"Send along a party to the engine-room hatch, and order the men up one -by one," cried Bill. "Larry, just get up on the bridge and nab that -officer. What's doing, Jack? There's a commotion. That was a gun!"</p> - -<p>"A gun!" Jack looked worried for a little while as he peered over the -bulwarks of the trawler and looked seaward. "This 'ere trip's come off -well, young feller, but it ain't the only fightin' we've got to do this -time. That gun-shot came from aboard a sister trawler. You can see her -there, steaming up out of the mist. She's heard the shooting. Maybe she -thinks there's mutiny aboard, though, knowing there was prisoners here, -she guesses what's happened. There's another!" he exclaimed as a sharp -report sounded from the direction in which he pointed, while through -the mist there loomed the bows of another trawler. "A shot's gone just -ahead of us. Next time they'll get our range. Things then won't be very -pleasant."</p> - -<p>Bill clambered to the bridge and looked eagerly about him in all -directions. Right aft he could see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> a party of the sailors standing -about the hatch, which no doubt led to the engine-room, and presently -a head appeared. A man was extricated by the scruff of his neck, and -was tossed on along the deck to the companion, out of which Bill and -his comrades had so recently emerged. There, at an order he had given -now some minutes ago, stood two burly British sailors, one of whom was -armed with a rifle, while the other had seized an axe from the rack -round the mast. On the bridge beside him stood Larry, alert, and as -eager as himself. At his feet lay the body of the skipper; and then -of a sudden his eye fell upon an object right forward, covered in -tarpaulin.</p> - -<p>"A gun!" he shouted, and waved eagerly to Jack. "Hi!" he bellowed. -"There's a gun for'ard, Jack; see if you've got any men who understand -it. There's a locker, too, near at hand, and there will be ammunition -in it. Larry, you get along with one of the men and see if you can -discover some rifles and ammunition, for we shall have to look for a -boarding-party. If not rifles, then get axes, iron bars, shovels if you -like from the stoke-hole, anything with which to repel the Germans. -Jack, ahoy!" he shouted again, and that worthy, playing up to the young -fellow whom he had placed in command, touched his cap and aye-ayed to -him.</p> - -<p>"Aye, aye, sir," he repeated as he came up on to the bridge, having -sent four of his men forward to the gun.</p> - -<p>"We have been making a bad mistake," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> Bill. "She's still steaming, -but now that we're taking the hands away from the engine-room she'll -soon come to a stop. Put her about; and Jim, here, will take command of -the stoke-hole. Send some men down with him, and let 'em stand over the -German boys there."</p> - -<p>He hailed the men standing at the opening of the companion which led to -the hold.</p> - -<p>"Order up those of the engine-room staff who have been passed down, and -send them along to their job again. Some of 'em'll understand enough -English; and just see that you get 'em!"</p> - -<p>In between his orders, punctuating them in fact, came the thuds of the -gun aboard the other trawler, which was now clearly visible, though at -some distance. Fortunately, too, not yet had her shells reached the -vessel, though they ricochetted astern and ahead and passed over her -decks, without hitting her. As Jack put a man at the wheel and swung -the vessel round, the shots went far astern, though a little later, the -trawler turning too, they began to burst within a few feet of her bows, -and looked as though presently they would come aboard her. By then, -however, the scratch gun-crew, which Jack had sent into the bows of the -captured vessel, had thrown off the tarpaulin which covered the gun, -and very swiftly (for your British sailor is a man of parts and smart -at understanding things of that nature) they had grasped the meaning of -the various wheels and levers, and had made themselves familiar with -its breech action. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<p>Inspection of the ammunition and a trial loading followed, and then -a shot which shook the trawler and deafened those on her decks. Not -one, but a dozen and more pairs of eyes followed the shot or fixed -themselves upon the other vessel. Then a hoarse cheer burst from the -men, for a splotch of white suddenly obliterated the bows, there was a -blinding flash, and when the smoke had cleared away it was seen that -the short bowsprit had been smashed, and that the halyards from it had -been cut adrift. What other damage had been done by this lucky shot it -would be impossible to say, but it was significant that the trawler -sheered off at once, and steered a course which took her farther away -rather than nearer to the captured vessel.</p> - -<p>"Which just gives us time to get going," came a cool and very cheerful -voice at Bill's elbow. "Young chap, you've done mighty well. I ain't -goin' to say that me or Jim or any of the other chaps that was down -below couldn't have thought out the plan of an escape that you happened -on, but it was happening on it just then, at what you might call the -psychological moment, that just did it; and since we broke out you've -given your orders clear and sharp, and there's been only one bad one, -Mister, amongst them."</p> - -<p>"Getting the engine-room staff up—eh?" asked Bill.</p> - -<p>"Yep," came Larry's short rejoinder. "But that's fixed now: there's Jim -down below working like a slave-driver, standing with two other mates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -one in the stoke-hole and t'other in the engine-room, and if you'll -look at their faces you'll know, and the Germans know too, that they -ain't going to stand any sort of humbug. It's a case of shoot the first -time a German tries to mix up the engine, or to let steam go, or to do -us down in some other dirty manner. Gee! Ain't we seen something of the -Germans now? That Heinrich and his shooting of your father, and his -bombing of that other ship; and what with Jack's tale, and the hundreds -of others that we've heard of, why, don't you ask Jim nor me nor any -other American to trust a German. We'll put the handcuffs on 'em first, -and then perhaps we'll know they ain't going to do any further damage. -But you sent me for arms, young fellow; well now, this here trawler, -and probably every other one of 'em, has a sort of magazine, at least -I guessed it was that, though I couldn't read the words written on the -door—this German language ought to be abolished! But I made free to -cut a way in with an axe, and there was rifles and swords and what-not; -every one of our men is now armed. Tuck this quick-shooter into your -belt, young fellow. It ain't the sort of box-of-tricks that appeals -to me, being too easy on its trigger; here's one of my sort—a heavy, -cavalry revolver."</p> - -<p>Automatically, not thinking at all of what he was doing, yet conscious -of the meaning of Larry's words, Bill took the weapon and pushed it -into his pocket; meanwhile he peered over the canvas screen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> which -lined the front of the bridge, casting his eyes in the direction of -the pursuing trawler, then turned in the direction of the gun which -some of his own men were handling. Even to him, inexperienced as he -was, the thought came that never before had he seen such calmness and -such method and order. The gallant fellows, whom Jack had put under -his command so suddenly and unexpectedly, were "carrying on" after the -traditions of their service. Handy tars that they were, they had no -sooner seized upon the ship than they settled down to the manning of -her, as if she had been in their care for weeks past. There was no fuss -or flurry about those jack tars, though, to be sure, there was haste -and hurry, frenzied movement almost, as each man at the gun carried out -the task which in every case was self-appointed. One swung her round -and sighted her, another opened the breech, the third rammed in the -shell-case, and sprang back for yet another, then all moved clear away, -the lanyard was pulled, and scarcely had the gun recoiled, and the -shell gone hurtling out toward the trawler, than the breech was flung -open, while, through the smoke which issued, the man in charge of the -ammunition pushed another shell into position. Thus, time and again -the gun spoke—twice to every shot fired by the pursuing trawler; and -if the gun were strange to these gallant fellows their shooting at any -rate was precise enough—too precise in fact for the Germans.</p> - -<p>"They are just about getting it about the ears," grinned the man who -led the gunners. "How's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> that for a plunk under his bridge, getting her -skipper in his stomick or under the belt, which is all fair in this -'ere warfare. What's that?"</p> - -<p>"That" was a blinding flash yonder on the deck of the pursuing trawler, -a burst of smoke, and then a flame which spouted up from the bridge -at which the tar had aimed. But in warfare of this sort retaliation -has to be expected, and, almost as the three men raised a cheer, a -shell screeched across the deck behind them, struck the mast just in -front of the bridge on which Bill and Larry stood, and, bursting as it -struck, brought the steel affair down with a crunching roar and a thud -across the bulwarks, bending them out of shape and denting the deck, -incidentally, too, missing the bridge by less than a foot, tearing -away its screen and leaving our two friends as it were stripped naked, -staring across an open patch of deck, now littered with the fragments -left by the bursting missile.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" growled Larry, tilting his hat at a little more of a rakish -angle—a habit he had when greatly moved, though, to be sure, nothing -else could be seen about him to suggest excitement. As for Bill, young -though he was, he stood his ground without wincing.</p> - -<p>"And ain't doing half bad," Jack the bos'n told the men he was then -taking along the deck to clear away the wreck of the mast. "I've had me -weather eye on him as you might say. I seed or rather heard from his -voice when he came below and joined us that that young chap had got -something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> good about him. Mind, I don't say as the Americans along -with him ain't just as good, better you might say, seeing as they are -older and has a right then to expect to be; but the youngster's sharp, -smart, and has lots of go, besides being cool-headed. Cut this stuff -adrift! Chuck it overboard; it's only hampering us, and if another -shell comes in the splinters might do us damage."</p> - -<p>His words were almost prophetic; for hardly a minute later an enemy -shell burst inboard, and its shattering roar half-stunned Jack and his -men and Bill and Larry; yet by some miraculous chance not one of them -was severely hurt, though certainly shaken.</p> - -<p>As to elsewhere—if the men at the gun, Jack and his deck hands, and -Bill and Larry, were "carrying on", to use an expression beloved both -of sailors and of soldiers, what of the men down below? Jack told the -tale some five minutes later.</p> - -<p>"If you'll believe me, sir," he said, clambering up on to the -bridge and touching his cap for all the world as though Bill were a -full-blooded skipper, "if you'll believe me, young feller, there's -Jim, your chum, and his mates, working those Germans at the boilers as -if they were slaves. Not a-drivin' of 'em—oh, no! Only encouragin' -of 'em like. You see, now that the tables are turned, and there's Jim -and Charlie Pipkin and Joe Bent and two others—boys as I know of -well—a-standing over the Germans with rifles, instead of the Germans -a-standin' over them as they was a little while ago,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> the Hun's sort of -lost all his spirit. If it had been the other way about, from what I -seed of 'em—those chaps what talks about 'Kultur' and raves about the -Kaiser—they'd have pushed the muzzle of a rifle under your ear, and -they'd have made you move slippy. But, bless you, it only wants a look -from that there chap Jim; and as for Charlie, when he just cocks his -eye across one o' them Huns, the chap shrivels—fairly shrivels."</p> - -<p>Jack burst into a roar of laughter which was hardly suppressed even -by the scream and flick of a shell which crossed the trawler a little -in front of them. He held his sides and bent back till his stout body -formed an arc, and then set to work mopping his eyes, which were -streaming. "It's a fair turn about, this," he said.</p> - -<p>Larry cocked an eye at him in return, just as Charlie down below was -described as doing to the Germans in the engine-room.</p> - -<p>"It was. Yep," he lisped; "only—eh? Look over yonder!"</p> - -<p>Jack looked, Bill looked, and in spite of himself blanched just a -trifle. As for Jack, the colour surged to his bearded face and he -gripped the rail.</p> - -<p>"Oh! Ah! I——" he spluttered.</p> - -<p>There was good reason, too, for his exclamations, for the mist which -had been hanging over the sea when this brilliant little action opened, -and which, as it were, had clouded the scene for a while and indeed had -assisted Bill and his friends not a little,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> was now whisked aside by a -fresh breeze which had got up in the meanwhile and was now rippling the -surface of a sea of dull green colour on which the rays of the sun were -reflected in every direction. Looking towards the German coast there -was a haze, though no mist. The bright sun rays and the glittering -reflection from thousands of ripples seemed to have cast up there an -opaque haze, out of which the pursuing trawler emerged every now and -again, a curtain which was rent asunder every odd minute by her gun, -when a splash of flame, followed by a cloud of smoke, filled in the gap -and then subsided and was replaced by the opacity.</p> - -<p>Towards the ocean, however, one could see a long distance, and -there, but a dot yet, though visible to all eyes, was a low-lying, -queer-shaped vessel—one of the greyhounds of the ocean, about whose -bows foamed a white crest of water and from whose deck streamed black -billowy clouds of smoke which formed, as it were, a huge screen behind -her, against which her smoke-stacks and the crest of white stood out -silhouetted sharply. It was a torpedo-boat destroyer.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" grunted Larry.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" coughed Bill, shielding his eyes.</p> - -<p>Jack gripped the rails again and burst into bitter anger.</p> - -<p>"And after all what we've done!" he blustered. "After we've been took -at sea and clapped into the hold here like so many dogs—though I -admit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> we might have been left to drown. After we've broke our way -out and fixed things up in fine trim, and have got almost clear away -safe from the trawler yonder, which ain't worth countin', to see -that—that—image!"</p> - -<p>Larry produced his beloved cigar, or rather the bedraggled end of one. -He always seemed to carry one in his pocket. It went to his mouth, was -pushed home into the favourite position, then two hands groped in his -pockets for a sodden matchbox. Quite naturally he attempted to strike a -light, lifted the damp match to the cigar, and threw it to the deck the -next instant.</p> - -<p>"How'd you know?" he asked suddenly. "She might be British."</p> - -<p>"B—B—British?" shouted Jack. "British! By gum! she might, and in that -case——"</p> - -<p>"She ain't," Bill ejaculated. "I'll swear we've got the best of her in -this position. We can see her clearly, standing out in the sun's rays. -Look aft at the trawler. One minute she's gone in the haze, the next -minute she comes up. So you can count that the ship yonder, or the -men aboard her, ain't yet seen us, but they've heard the guns and are -coming along to see what's happened."</p> - -<p>"In which case," said Larry, looking aside at Bill, while Jack too -turned to the young fellow.</p> - -<p>"In which case," said Bill. "Well, there's nothing else for it; we keep -straight on. If that's a German torpedo-boat destroyer it's bad luck; -if it's British, well, it's British." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was no need for further argument after that, for it was quite -clear to all three of them, and indeed to the deck hands down below, -and to those standing over the staff in the engine-room, to whom the -news soon filtered, that liberty so recently won might already be -on the point of being torn from them; and if it were, what sort of -treatment might they expect from the Germans? What indeed? It was no -wonder, then, that their spirits sank to zero when, perhaps a quarter -of an hour later, the torpedo-boat destroyer having drawn much nearer, -a gun spoke from her deck and a shot sailed over them. Meanwhile, too, -the pursuing trawler had kept up her fire, so that Bill and his friends -were now attacked from two quarters. It looked like hopeless failure; -and yet, wait.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" demanded Bill, pointing to sea eastward. "Another -ship—eh? Another torpedo-boat destroyer! A Ger——."</p> - -<p>"German?" shouted Jack. "You can skin me if that ain't a British -torpedo-boat destroyer! You can hoist me to the top of the first -yard-arm you comes across if that there boat ain't British from the cap -of its mast down to its keel! Only, will she come up in time? that's -the puzzle."</p> - -<p>It was a point which might well bother him and Bill and the others, -for, undoubtedly, if this second torpedo-boat destroyer was part of the -British fleet, the German had a long start of her. That gun now opening -upon the trawler might well destroy her, and the crew who had won their -liberty, long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> before the British boat came up. It was a moment for -quick decision and swift action.</p> - -<p>"Swing her round! Shove her in the opposite direction! Keep her going -as hard as you can," shouted Bill. "Jack, send a message down to the -engine-room staff to stoke hard, all they can. We must knock every -ounce of speed out of the trawler."</p> - -<p>They turned, and, as it were, dived into the haze rising from the -water, and as the engine staff laboured down below, and "whacked"—to -use a nautical expression—the utmost speed out of the boat, a bow wave -rose in front of the trawler. Behind came the other trawler, farther -aft the German pursuing boat, and still farther astern, and from a -different quarter, what everyone hoped was a rescuing British vessel.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX</span> <span class="smaller">A Hard Fight</span></h2> - -<p>Long minutes passed before the end of the affair came, and before the -fate of Bill and Jim and Larry and the rest of them was settled. Not -that all the participators in this alarming and exciting adventure -realized the length of time or found the seconds hang heavy upon them. -These fled indeed faster almost than the thudding screw of the trawler -pushed that vessel through the water. For every half-minute brought -some new event, everyone was working to his utmost, and at every turn -the position wore a different complexion.</p> - -<p>"It's a time when every man has to work hard, to go all out," said -Jack, as, dripping with perspiration, he clambered to the bridge to -report to Bill. "You can believe me, young sir, but I've just come up -from that there engine-room again, and, my! how them Germans do work to -escape from their own people!"</p> - -<p>The very mention of it tickled him so much that, in spite of their -precarious position, this honest, burly sailor burst into uproarious -laughter. Indeed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> he might well do so, for the picture down below in -the engine-room would have exercised the same influence on anyone of -British nationality and blessed with a sense of humour. In amongst the -eddying clouds of steam, with the thud and thump of the pistons and -the deafening whirr of machinery filling the air, stood Jim on one of -the engine-room gangways, gripping the rails and looking over into -the smoke-clouds down below, peering now in this direction and then -in that, fixing his eye upon some German "greaser"—just fixing his -eye on him for a moment—and then swinging round to stare in another -direction. No need to show the revolver, which he now wore strapped -round his waist, no need to shout a peremptory order, no need to point, -to gesticulate, to shake a fist. Those "greasers" knew. They cast -glances askance at the young American now and again, and, seeing his -square jaw, his determined appearance, flung themselves upon the task -of keeping the engines going, well knowing all the time that they were -steaming away from their own people.</p> - -<p>From the stoke-hold, near at hand, from which now emerged bigger, -whiter clouds of steam and smoke, came the clank of spades upon the -steel decks, and the scrape as fuel was shovelled up and thrown into -the furnaces. There, in what appeared to be an inferno of smoke and -flashing beams of light as furnace doors were opened, amidst fiercest -heat and sweat and incessant movement, stood two of the recently -escaped British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> sailors, nonchalant, erect, one hand gripping the -muzzle of a rifle and the other akimbo, resting upon their hips. They, -too, glanced now here, now there, noting every movement of every man -under their charge, but never moved. The glance alone was sufficient.</p> - -<p>"They're keepin' them at work as if they was willin' slaves," Jack -roared, mopping the perspiration from his streaming forehead, "and -you'd hardly believe me, sir, but when I comes up on deck—and glad -to get there too, for it's hot down below—I finds our deck hands -a-fallin' in and makin' all ready to repel boarders. It looks like the -good old days, and if only the Germans do get up, why, repel boarders -it will be!"</p> - -<p>Bill took a glance around him; not that he had not done so on many an -occasion, and had seen all that was going on, but his chief attention -was now engaged with the pursuing trawler and with the torpedo-boat -destroyers, and with conjecturing where the next shell would fall and -what chance he and his men stood of escape from the double danger -behind.</p> - -<p>"I'm beginning to think," he had just told Larry, "that the German -destroyer will soon have her attention fully occupied by the other -one—that is, supposing she's British; so if we can escape the shells -she's firing at us now we shall have merely the trawler to deal with. -She's drawing nearer, I'm sure. Perhaps her engines are bigger and -stronger than those in this vessel; in any case we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> shall soon see. I -don't fear her nearly as much as I do the destroyer."</p> - -<p>Larry, from the view Bill and Jack obtained of him, cared very little -as to what might happen. With his hat tilted forward in the most -approved manner, sucking at his cigar again, he peered in the most -nonchalant manner over the rail at the pursuing trawler, and hardly -lifted his eyes as her gun spoke and repeated the shot—hardly even -deigned to turn his head to watch where the missiles went, though when -one sailed close over the bridge he cocked his eye overhead, gave a -shrug, and whistled.</p> - -<p>"It's the miss that don't matter," he told Bill. "If she was plugging -them things into us all the time a chap might get nervy and unsettled, -but, as it is, this is playing. Seems to me, young Bill, that you'll -soon be having to give other orders. You see, as things are, we're -steaming away dead ahead of the trawler, and our gun, perched up there -in the bows, ain't able to rake her, while she, with her gun in the -same position, can fire at us all the time, and with no fear of return -shelling. Now supposin' that destroyer there, what's German, does -happen to give over because the other happens to be British, what's -to prevent us turning round and going full ahead at the trawler, or -steaming off at an angle, as you might say? Gee! Then we could pound -her with our own weapon. D'you get me, young fellow?"</p> - -<p>Bill did—Jack too, for the matter of that; for he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> smacked the -American so violently on the back that Larry began to cough and looked -at the burly sailor with some amount of indignation.</p> - -<p>"You ain't got no call to do that, Jack," he spluttered. "No forcible -argument of that sort ain't needed. Just say what you think of the -suggestion."</p> - -<p>"Think!" the burly sailor shouted. "Why, you couldn't have suggested -anything that would ha' pleased me and the men we've got aboard better. -If that there destroyer does get fully engaged by t'other—and it's -too good a thing to think of—then what's to prevent us going head on -for the trawler? Ain't we entitled to have our own action? What's to -prevent us making her a prize, same as she'll try to make of us? Just -you think what the boys back in Dover town 'ud think if we came sailing -in with this 'ere boat, and another with a prize crew aboard her. They -wouldn't half shout, would they?"</p> - -<p>Even the phlegmatic Larry was forced to show some signs of enthusiasm. -The very fact that this experienced sailor took up his idea so -enthusiastically and approved of it was encouraging, and then who could -escape the infection shed all around by the jovial enthusiastic Jack? -The picture of the trawler steaming into Dover, a port to which Larry -had never yet sailed, but which he could well imagine, the picture of -the ship entering docks, the sides of which were lined with cheering -soldiers and sailors and civilians, while behind her came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> that other -trawler, no longer firing her gun, but a captive with a prize crew -steering her in—— Well, Larry could picture that, and at the thought -grinned widely.</p> - -<p>But as yet there was the destroyer to be thought of. Not that she was -doing much harm to the trawler up to this moment, for the other trawler -immediately in pursuit of our friends was steering a course which -placed her across the line of fire from the destroyer, which, still at -some considerable distance, was unable to get a clear field of fire. -As a matter of fact her captain hesitated from fear of injuring the -pursuing vessel. But a few minutes more would give a clear field of -vision, and aboard the destroyer all was in readiness to open upon Bill -and his friends. Under such a bombardment no doubt their vessel would -have been rapidly blown to pieces.</p> - -<p>"I'd best just get along and see what sort of boats we're carrying," -said Jack, when he and his two companions had stared at the two -destroyers for a few minutes. "That there German is gettin' into -position to put a broadside into us, and, if that comes off, this -vessel will sink inside five minutes. We may want to be off without -stopping to think about it. Best get things ready then, so as to leave -her."</p> - -<p>He went off down the steps leading from the bridge and mustered the -deck hands about him. Every one of the men was now armed with a weapon -of some description. Some had rifles,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> others revolvers, while not -a few carried boarding-axes. They trapesed off along the deck to -where a couple of boats swung out from the davits, and having assured -themselves that both were in readiness to be launched, and as yet -undamaged, certain of them dived below in search of food and water to -provision them. In the midst of their search they were recalled to the -deck by Jack, who descended a few steps down the companion and bellowed -at them.</p> - -<p>"Hi, lads, you come above again!" he yelled. "We're goin' to put -ourselves on board the trawler. I wants every man that's got a rifle to -come over here and take up a position; the chaps as has axes only'll -lie down behind the bulwarks. When the time comes, every one of you -goes over on to the other boat. Now, I tell you, we're goin' to take -her!"</p> - -<p>The men crowded round him yelling like maniacs. These whilom prisoners, -so depressed but a short time before, who had given themselves up to -the thought of long incarceration in a German prison, were now filled -with the highest spirits. They mustered on the deck brandishing their -weapons, took up places which Jack assigned to them, and then, casting -their eyes first at Bill and Larry on the bridge above, and then over -the side at the trawler, they yelled themselves hoarse once more as -they saw that their own vessel had turned about and was heading direct -for their pursuer. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> - -<p>The man at the wheel, too, had caught something of their excitement, -though he sat there impassive, steering the vessel with care and -judgment, making ready to fling her alongside the other. As for the -German trawler, great movement could be observed on her decks; men were -rushing to and fro, while a figure on the bridge was gesticulating -violently, though the words he shouted could not be heard. In any case, -the gun in her bows, which had fired only a little while before, had -ceased abruptly as Bill gave the order to swing his vessel round, and -its crew had scuttled along the deck to join their comrades.</p> - -<p>Not so the three who manned the gun aboard the ship on which our heroes -were sailing. They waited only for their trawler to swing round, when -they laid their gun on the other vessel, and then in rapid succession -poured in shots, some of which screamed over her deck, while others -holed her above the water, or crashed their way through her bulwarks -scattering splinters along her decks. Indeed, it was the fire of these -enthusiastic fellows which mainly beat down the resistance of the -Germans. A lucky shot took away a portion of the bridge and killed the -skipper, a splinter at the same time tearing the wheel from the hands -of the man who steered the trawler and wrecking it. She swung off her -course at once, while Bill's ship, conned by that impassive steersman -before mentioned, swung round in a circle and headed so as to come -alongside her.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i135.jpg" id="i135.jpg"></a><br /> -<img src="images/i135.jpg" alt="A LUCKY SHOT TOOK AWAY A PORTION OF THE BRIDGE" /></div> - -<p class="bold">A LUCKY SHOT TOOK AWAY A PORTION OF THE BRIDGE</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Just mark that wheel aft!" came in stentorian tones from Jack. "The -last shot smashed the steering-gear on the bridge, and if we don't let -'em man the other gear they'll be helpless. Here you, Tom, and you, -Charles, you make it your business to see that no one goes near it! -Boys, make ready to board the trawler!"</p> - -<p>They waved their hands at him, those gallant sailors, they cheered -him with vigour, and then, peering over the bulwarks, watching every -movement, they waited eagerly for the moment when the two ships would -grind together. They drew nearer. Figures aboard the hostile trawler -were now clearly visible; men still raced to and fro. Now and again a -rifle was fired, and a bullet could be heard as it pinged against the -steel sides of the vessel. Two men rushed aft towards the steering-gear -which Jack had pointed out to his comrades, and, reaching it, measured -their length at once, shot down by those told off to fire in that -direction.</p> - -<p>Less than five minutes later the two vessels came together with a clang -and a grinding crash, and instantly, before the men picked out by Jack -to lash them together could get a hawser over the side, a number of -the British sailors had scrambled from their own ship and gained the -deck of the hostile trawler. They swept along it like an avalanche, -beating down the resistance of the deck hands. They threw them down -the companion-way, just as they had done with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> crew of their own -captured vessel. They shouted down the engine-room hatch, and in but -a few brief minutes they had assembled the whole of the engine-room -staff on the deck, and Jack could be seen haranguing them for all the -world as if these Germans could understand all that he said. And, as he -talked, Larry stood beside him, as nonchalant a figure as ever, chewing -his cigar, vastly entertained by all the proceedings.</p> - -<p>"You get in and talk to 'em, Jack," he said. "Just tell 'em all that's -wanted. Ef they keep on working hard, and play the game and what not, -well, all will be well with them; ef not—— Well, let 'em know what -then."</p> - -<p>Jack nodded, Jack actually grinned, then mopped the perspiration from -his hot forehead. "I knows! See here, you—you—sons o' guns," he said, -bellowing the words at the Germans, "you'll get straight down below. -Savvy? You'll stoke and grease and carry on as you did before; and if -you don't, well no one will be there to help you. This 'ere Tom will go -along to watch things. Tom, you've got a gun, ain't you?"</p> - -<p>Tom had. Tom was a tall and sinewy individual—as honest a British -sailor as you could meet in a day's march, but one who, if he wished, -could adopt a sinister appearance. And sinister he looked now as he -patted his rifle and glared at the prisoners. Then he held up one big -battered forefinger and beckoned to them.</p> - -<p>"You come right along here," he said. "You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> get right down below, -double quick. Savvy! I'm comin' along behind you, don't you fear. You -get in and carry on yer business. No," he added a moment later, shaking -the same forefinger at one of the prisoners—a man with an evil cast of -countenance, who glowered at him, "you ain't got no call to look at me -like that. I'm harmless, I am! Only, just you take care of yourself, -young feller! Just hop it, or things will begin to happen as won't be -too comfortable for you!"</p> - -<p>And "hop it" the German did. He and his comrades disappeared down the -engine hatchway, with their tails between their legs, as you might -say, and Tom, following, presently discovered them as hard at work and -as diligent as those he had left on the other trawler. No doubt more -than one of the engine staff would have willingly upset the running of -the machinery had such a thing been easily effected and not so easily -discovered, but the sturdy Tom, with his sinister glance, drove all -thoughts of mutiny or double dealing out of his prisoners' heads. The -rifle, on which he leaned so unconcernedly, and Tom's stern looks, sent -these men about their business in a desperate hurry.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the lashings which had bound the two trawlers together had -been cut adrift. Jim, extracted from the engine-room of the vessel he -and his friends had captured, was now perched on what was left of the -bridge of the other ship, and presently the two vessels were under -way, heading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> this time out to sea towards the spot where the German -destroyer had been steaming.</p> - -<p>And what of her? What of the other boat which had been observed -dashing towards the escaping trawler? The fight and the boarding of -the trawler had occupied every bit of the attention of Bill and his -friends. While it lasted it had been a breathless affair, and, though -it was soon ended, the resistance of the German crew had not been -altogether negligible. Indeed, the sturdy fellows whom Bill commanded -had fought furiously for those few minutes, so furiously, in fact, that -they failed to note the bang of guns in the offing, or to follow the -movements of the two destroyers.</p> - -<p>Now, as they steamed towards the spot, it was to discover the German -boat down by the stern, afire for'ard, her funnels shot to ribbons, and -her decks smashed, while steaming close to her was the other destroyer -with a white ensign blowing out from her mast-head. Boats were being -lowered, and as the two trawlers came upon the spot they discovered -British sailors rescuing the German survivors of the enemy destroyer.</p> - -<p>Imagine the shouts and the cheers to which Jack and his gallant friends -gave vent. Imagine, if you can, the thrill of pride which went through -Bill's frame as he rang the engine telegraph and stopped his machinery. -It was the first big occasion in his life, and, like Jim and Larry and -all the rest of them, he gloried in it.</p> - -<p>"We couldn't ha' come into English waters in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> better shape," observed -Larry that night as he sat on the deck and surveyed his surroundings, -the boat having meanwhile made the port of Dover. "Here's England right -beyond us and all round us. Yonder there's France. Listen a bit! Hear -the guns, Bill? That's the British and French holding the line against -the Germans. Well, we'll be there soon—eh?"</p> - -<p>"We will," Bill and Jim echoed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X</span> <span class="smaller">The European Conflict</span></h2> - -<p>Many and long were the discussions held by Jim and Bill and Larry now -that they had reached the neighbourhood of the vast European conflict -which had drawn America into its whirlpool. As they sat on their -captured trawler at Dover they could literally hear the sound of that -conflict in the distance; for across the Channel, but fifty miles -inland, beyond Ypres—the celebrated Ypres, which had long since been -shattered into fragments—British troops were fighting their way along -the ridge of Paschendaele. Messines, the German stronghold, had fallen. -British guns, made in British factories manned by British women, had -smashed the Hun defences.</p> - -<p>Consider this achievement for a while. In 1914 Britain possessed guns -sufficient only for a small expeditionary force, and the supply none -too liberal. In 1915 her manufacturing resources were sufficient to -supply guns for an increasing host of volunteers—guns and every other -munition necessary for the conduct of warfare. But the business of -manufacturing weapons and all that appertains to fighting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> was not yet -by any means fully expanded. Indeed, the need for it was not apparent. -The call for shells, more shells, and still more shells, and for guns -by the hundred to project them, had not yet gone through the land, nor -had munition factories sprung up in every direction with the rapidity -of mushrooms.</p> - -<p>Then came the Ministry of Munitions—a huge Government concern -inaugurated to control supplies for every kind of warfare. It commenced -its work perhaps hesitatingly, it forged ahead with determination, it -got fully into its stride; so that when 1916 arrived, and Britain and -France faced the German in Picardy across the Somme valley, British -guns, aye, and British men, were the masters of the situation.</p> - -<p>And here was 1917 with still more men and with a still mightier array -of munitions, deluging the German, bruising him all along the line -through Flanders into France, smashing him and his defences, driving -him from the ridges which he had held since 1914, and from which he had -looked down upon the British troops floundering in the mud in Flanders.</p> - -<p>To the Kaiser and his ruthless agents, to the German High Command as -it is termed, those days must have seemed portentous. Disaster hung in -the air, the fortune which had favoured them from the first instant -seemed to have departed from them altogether. The Central Powers were -in fact girt in by enemies. The world had declared war against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> these -land and sea marauders. America had joined the Allies, having suffered -indignities at the hands of the Kaiser; Portugal had joined the -ranks of Prussia's enemies; and states in South America were already -considering their position, or were now throwing in their lot with -those sworn to beat down the oppressors of mankind and to fight for the -freedom of nations.</p> - -<p>The Dardanelles was an old tale. Britain had there left her mark, and -the graves of her sons, and had departed. In Egypt the tribes haunting -the Delta of the Nile, stirred up by German agents and supplied with -money and with weapons, had revolted and had been subjugated by -British columns. The Senussi, to take an example, were now conquered. -Across the Canal, and far to the east of it, Turkish hosts gathered -in Beersheba, Jerusalem, and other places were watching the steady -relentless advance of a British railway across the desert, and, as Bill -and his friends reached European waters, troops of the King-Emperor -were already on the fringe of Palestine, where very soon they were to -advance by Beersheba, Hebron, Bethlehem, and other places of Biblical -interest, and were to hoist their flag over the ancient and sacred -walls of Jerusalem, once the home of historical crusaders.</p> - -<p>Farther east lay Mesopotamia, where the forced surrender of General -Townshend's gallant troops at Kut had long since been avenged by the -capture of that place and the taking of Bagdad. The noble-hearted -Sir Stanley Maude was already <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>leading his forces up the Tigris and -Euphrates towards Mosul, and, though in later months that dread scourge -cholera seized him, there were others to step into his place and still -lead British and Indian troops onwards.</p> - -<p>Glance to the eastern area of Europe. If matters wore a rosy aspect -on the French front, in Egypt, Salonica, and Mesopotamia, if along -those lengths of British trench-lines British guns and British troops -were causing the Prussian to reel, the Turks to surrender, and the -Bulgarians to wish perhaps that they had never joined hands with the -Kaiser and his soldiers, to the east of Europe Russian troops were -reeling from another reason altogether.</p> - -<p>Revolution was in the air; the rights of man were being preached -and practised in preference to patriotism and unselfish devotion to -country; upstarts were springing into position; subtle agents of the -Kaiser, their pockets heavy with German gold, had seized upon the ear -of the ignorant people; soldiers turned against their officers; the -working and the peasant class were induced first to oppose and then to -throw off allegiance to those who had been their lords and masters. -Anarchy supervened, though for a time the revolutionists, holding -those who would carry matters to great lengths, attempted to form a -Government and control the country, even attempted to keep the soldiers -in the trenches and to stem the German invasion; until anarchy reared -its head still higher, the voices of Trotsky and Lenin overpowered the -voices of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> moderates. The Tsar and his house had been removed, -and were, in fact, prisoners; the government of the people, on behalf -of the people, was destroyed. Trotsky and Lenin became, in fact, the -rulers of the country, and they, be it understood, were already more -than half given over to Germany. Trenches were abandoned, soldiers gave -themselves leave and went off to their distant homes, a few faithful -and patriotic divisions were left stranded; guns by the hundred -and munitions of every description—for the most part supplied by -Britain—lay at the mercy of any German battalion that cared to come -for them.</p> - -<p>The inevitable followed. German troops advanced and seized wide tracts -of country. They took, with only the trouble of taking it, vast masses -of military booty; they imposed peace terms on the Russians which -practically made slaves of them; and, with their accustomed cunning, so -handled matters that this huge country, once tenanted by a patriotic -people, became dissolved into separate provinces, each claiming its -own sovereignty, the one already engaged in warfare against the other, -careless of the fact that the conqueror was already knocking at their -doors.</p> - -<p>That was the position which faced the line when Jim and Bill and Larry -came upon the scene. Our eastern ally, who had held masses of Germans -and Austrians, and bid fair with proper organization and generalship to -march into Austria, and perhaps into the Kaiser's territory, suddenly -went out of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> conflict, leaving Germany and Austria free to withdraw -their troops and throw them upon the French and British in the west and -upon the Italians. The situation was more than serious. Already, in -fact, Italy had suffered a serious reverse, and had been driven from -the line along the River Izonso, which she had captured, right back to -the Piave.</p> - -<p>There again German cunning and Austrian duplicity had had much to do -with this loss of territory and of soldiers. Lies had been spread, -gullible subjects of King Victor had listened to and had disseminated -tales which robbed some of their comrades of their patriotic valour. -Thus, when the ground was fully prepared, a secret massing of the -Austrians and Germans allowed strong forces to be flung upon our -Italian ally. The line reeled; where the poisonous lies of the Germans -had penetrated, it broke, it fell back, in places it surrendered. The -whole line then was forced to retire, but, thanks to the valour of the -majority of the Italians, to the patriotism of King Victor's army, a -rear-guard action was fought which saved the situation, though for a -time the position was precarious, so precarious, in fact, that British -and French troops were rushed to Italy to stem this invasion.</p> - -<p>And now the end of 1917 was at hand. What had 1918 in prospect for -Britain and her allies? The line in France, stretching from Dunkerque -to Verdun and so to Belfort, bristled with men and weapons. Opposite -it lay the German line packed with an increasing throng of soldiers, -while guns<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> and every implement of warfare, now no longer needed on the -Russian front, were being massed, preparatory to the biggest conflict -the world has ever witnessed.</p> - -<p>But not yet had the blow fallen. A comparative calm existed along the -front—the calm before the storm which was undoubtedly brewing. It was -this period of the war which found Bill and his friends stepping from -the steamer at Boulogne, about to take their places in the ranks of the -Allies.</p> - -<p>"Hello, boys!" someone greeted them as they halted on the quay and -looked about them. "Come over—eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yep," Larry answered laconically, shaking hands with this undoubted -specimen of American citizenship, and then casting his eyes round once -more, for he could never tire of the hum and bustle which existed all -round him.</p> - -<p>What with railway trucks being slowly shunted towards the water-side, -what with the vessel then busily unloading, the big station and its -restaurant, alive with officers and men, with blue-frocked porters, -hospital nurses, and every variety of human being; with the quay -farther along stacked high with boxes and bales and parcels of every -sort and description, more ships, motor-cars, motor-ambulances, a -shrieking locomotive, soldiers, sailors, and civilians, women and -children and babies, the place was a seething mass of movement, backed -by the hills beyond, and the picturesque town of Boulogne climbing -towards the summit. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> quite a little time, in fact, before either -Larry or Bill or Jim could give much attention to the person who -had accosted them. They found him a tall, raw-boned, thin, American -non-commissioned officer.</p> - -<p>"Names!" he snapped, and they gave them.</p> - -<p>"Ah! I've heard of you. They sent me a chit through from London. You've -come right here to get trained. How's that? Why not do your training in -the camps in America?"</p> - -<p>They told him—Larry in his jerky, short, abrupt and smiling manner; -Jim, serious, rather monosyllabic, having to have the details dragged -out of him; Bill impulsively, as one might expect of such a youth, yet -modestly enough. Then the Sergeant stopped them and clapped a big, -brawny hand on Bill's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"I've heard of you. Gee!" he cried, and pushed the young fellow away -from him so as to study him the better. "So you three are Larry and Jim -and Bill, and, say, what did you do with the trawler?"</p> - -<p>"Trawler!" Larry gaped, Jim gaped, Bill looked astonished.</p> - -<p>"Aye, trawler! D'you think we're such dunces over here that we don't -know what's going on? Just you wait! Look at this—a <i>communiqué</i> which -was issued last night—see it?</p> - -<p>"'Gallant affair in the North Sea. British prisoners on board a German -trawler overpower crew and conduct a fight with another trawler. -German torpedo-boat destroyer intervenes, but assistance arrives -at the critical moment in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> shape of a British destroyer. The -escaped prisoners capture the other trawler and steam her in with -the help of their prisoners. The two trawlers reach the roads at -Dover quite safely. This feat is mainly the work of three men from -America—Larry——'"</p> - -<p>"Here, hold hard!" cried Larry, pushing his head forward, "you're -romancing—eh? Gee! It's truth! Well I——!"</p> - -<p>The big Sergeant shouted his laughter and pointed a finger at the -diminutive Larry.</p> - -<p>"True? I should say it was! So you are the three! Come right along. -I've quarters for you, and you can get some food and then sit down and -give me the whole yarn. To-morrow you'll go up country and then start -in at the business of training."</p> - -<p>Three days later the three had reached a spot some fifteen miles from -the front line, where they were at once posted to a Franco-American -transport unit.</p> - -<p>"You'll have to learn the work with horses first of all," they were -told, "after that there is the motor traction part of it. Yes, you'll -see some of the front. In a day or two you'd be sent with one of the -convoys taking ammunition up. It's exciting work sometimes, boys," the -Sergeant continued. "When shelling's severe, the chaps that take up -food and such like, see things, or rather feel 'em. But you've been -under gun-fire—eh! Don't tell me! Ain't I seen the news about the -trawler?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> - -<p>So he had seen it too, others also, for the advent of the three to -this Franco-American unit was the signal for quite an outpouring of -questions. The very first night indeed, as Larry puffed tranquilly at -his cigar, a big American finger was pointed at him, while there sat -round the circle with their American brothers a number of blue-coated -<i>poilus</i>, likewise attached to the unit.</p> - -<p>"Oui! Bien!" one of them said, shrugging his shoulders expressively; -"Larry, Jim, Beill! A-ha! Ve knows sem! Ve 'ave 'eard seir names many -time. You come out wis see story now—hey! Dat is bien!"</p> - -<p>Larry blew a cloud of smoke at him, Jim fidgeted, Bill felt really like -bolting; to stand upon the bridge of the trawler under gun-fire had -been one thing, to sit there under this battery of eyes with questions -being flung at them, bursting all round them as it were, was quite a -different experience and a greater ordeal to our heroes.</p> - -<p>"See here," drawled Larry at length, turning an expressive and somewhat -dirty thumb in Jim's direction, "he's the scholar of our crew, he'll -spout. Jim, you get in at it. 'Sides, you speak French a little, you -told us so on our way over; give it 'em in French and English together."</p> - -<p>It was true enough that Jim, in a moment of enthusiasm, and when -feeling confidential, had informed his chums that he was quite a -considerable French speaker; but now he seemed to have forgotten the -occurrence. He shook his head quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> angrily, shook a fist at the -grinning Larry, and mopped a streaming forehead. So it devolved on Bill -to tell of their experiences, which he did quite modestly, interjecting -a word or two of French now and again; for, if Jim were dumb, he at -least had heard something in his schooldays and was, as a matter of -fact, quite a fair linguist.</p> - -<p>"Then you ain't got no call to feel scared about going up to the line," -said their Sergeant when the tale was finished. "You three did mighty -well. There's Americans as reached France in advance of our fighting -units in queer ways. Some of 'em come over as stowaways, some sneaked -across in perhaps more open fashion. I know a chap what got took on as -a German nootral in Noo York. What, don't know what a German nootral -is? Well that is some! A German nootral, chaps, is a man what's -absolutely nootral; he don't care nothing for one side nor t'other. But -he happens to have been born of German parents. They've likely as not -settled in America this many years back, and have made pots of money -under the old stars and stripes. They're grateful, they are! they've -brought up their son to feel grateful too! He speaks German, of course, -and equally of course he's nootral, that is when he's speakin' open and -above-board; but behind the scenes he's as German as the Kaiser. He'd -down America and the very boys that he went to school with. He's out -for planting 'Kultur' round the whole world. He looks for a Germany -that'll spread across England and away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> over the Atlantic to Noo York, -Washington, and Philadelphia. Shucks! He's about as nootral as I am! -He's just a born traitor! This here pal of mine was all that I've said, -only he wasn't a traitor, he was just artful and burning keen to get -over. So he takes on as I said as a German nootral on a nootral boat -that wasn't any more nootral than a German. He hoodwinked the crowd, -got across, and slipped ashore in England; in twenty-four hours he was -over here. He's laid back o' the churchyard over yonder, he is. Harvey -Pringle was his name—you'll see it chalked up on the cross on his -grave. He was a man, was Harvey Pringle."</p> - -<p>The big Sergeant blew his nose violently, stared at Larry in quite -a pugnacious way, lit a pipe with considerable display of energy, -and spat a little aggressively. It was American feeling; it was the -only way in which this sturdy fellow would allow his feelings to vent -themselves. Larry knew what he meant; Jim and Bill realized that he had -lost a friend almost before he mentioned the churchyard; their French -comrades, quick in feeling and understanding, glanced at one another, -exclaimed, and lit their pipes as if in sympathy with the Sergeant.</p> - -<p>"Well, boys," the latter went on when he had smoked for a little while -in silence, "you've come over in fine style, and you'll do fine. We -can't have too many boys of your sort. Anyways, we're glad to see you."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was three nights later when the three chums joined a convoy which -moved out of the camp with its laden wagons for the trench line, where, -for the first time, they were to experience warfare as it was just then -in France.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI</span> <span class="smaller">On Convoy Duty</span></h2> - -<p>A moon, half risen and not yet full, lit up the surroundings as the -supply column drew away from the village where Bill and his friends had -their head-quarters. The road wound away from them pale and ghost-like, -a ribbon of shimmering greenish-white, once shaded by trees, the stumps -of which alone remained. Woods cropped their green heads up here and -there, a stream tinkled in the immediate neighbourhood, and all around -lay a blue-green waste over which moonbeams played gently.</p> - -<p>"Pipes out!" came the order. "Young Bill, you'll come along with this -French sergeant; you can call him any name you like, he'll answer to -it. Do as he says all the time and you won't get into trouble. Larry, -you come along with me; Jim's fixed with another Frenchman. I needn't -tell you that no matches must be struck, and when we get a couple -of miles nearer not one of you must speak above a whisper. If heavy -shelling starts you'll carry on just the same until further orders."</p> - -<p>Bill climbed to the seat beside the driver of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> wagon to which the -Sergeant had pointed, and found himself reared well above the column, -able to look right along it. There for an hour he was jolted and jarred -as the vehicles were pulled northward, and there he listened to the -chatter of the men and to the clatter of the horses' hoofs as they -trod the highway. Far away in the distance guns spoke; nearer at hand -at times there were louder clashes as French guns answered. More than -once the hum of an engine could be heard; far overhead and soaring -upwards he caught a fleeting glimpse of an aeroplane hurrying to its -destination. Once, too, a still period was of a sudden broken by the -sharp tattoo of a machine-gun up in the trenches, followed by silence -which was almost painful.</p> - -<p>"Just a little 'do'," the Frenchman told him. "Oh yes, <i>mon -ami</i>, I speaks the American well, but you—ah! <i>Je me rappelle!</i> -you—you—speak French beautifully."</p> - -<p>It was just the politeness of the Frenchman; indeed Bill was to find -the friendly and gallant <i>poilu</i> a boon companion, and the few hours he -spent with this soldier made him feel the warmest friendship for him.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" he asked a little later, as the pale rays of the moon -were put in the shade by a brilliant conflagration which lit up the sky -ahead and made every horse, every vehicle, and every driver stand out -boldly silhouetted against the ground. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Very lights! Listen to the machine-gun again! Someone's restless up -there; perhaps it's the Boche suffering from toothache and strolling -out in 'No-Man's-Land'. My comrades of France always shoot when a Boche -is in sight. They do not forget the invaded districts of France, my -friend! They do not forget Belgium! <i>Pardieu!</i> They do not love the -Boche! No, not at all, <i>mon ami</i>. Ah, it has died down! Now we shall -push on, for we are within one and a half miles of the trenches."</p> - -<p>They clattered on their way steadily; behind them came other columns, -and presently they found themselves driving abreast with another which -had emerged from a side road. Under those mysterious beams they pushed -forward along the road, a collection of vehicles containing all that -makes war possible to an army; bread and meat, and bacon and coffee, -and wine, and such-like articles; trench stores, rifles, ammunition, -barbed wire, and poison gas apparatus; shells for the soixante-quinze, -the famous French quick-firer; shells for the howitzers; and in -bigger and stronger vehicles, which were motor-propelled, shells for -other guns, of larger calibre, which had been pushed up towards the -trench-line. Then the column halted.</p> - -<p>"Here we go straight on while the others branch off to various -rendezvous," said the driver. "Do you find it a queer sensation, this -driving at night with the trench-line in front, knowing that there are -men there stretched on either hand for miles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> upon miles—yes, for four -hundred miles—American, British, Portuguese, Belgian; and opposite -them the Boche—the hated Boche? Do you realize, <i>mon ami</i>, that on -every road along that four hundred miles at this very moment similar -convoys are pushing up stores to be carried to the trenches, and that -on the far side of 'no-man's-land' the same is going forward? For the -Boche also must replenish the stomachs and the ammunition dumps of -his soldiers. Poof, you will say, it is all wasted labour! That all -this ammunition will be fired into the air, and that, being fired, it -will cause more waste, for it will kill people! But is it waste? <i>Mon -Dieu! Non!</i> It is spent for the freedom of all nations. This pouring -out of shells and blood, though some of it is thrown to the winds in -these days, will bring forth fruit in the future; for it will see the -defeat of the Germans and the downfall of Prussian militarism, and -will find France mightier than ever, Britain the Queen of Empires, -and America—well, America refined by the fire through which she has -passed, nobler than at the moment. The price, my friend? Well, it -appears high—outrageously high—in our day; posterity will realize -that it was not too high for the liberty it purchased.</p> - -<p>"But there, I am romancing. I think in these night hours, I think of my -country saddened by its losses, of yours, and of Britain and our other -allies. I wish that this war had not been, but, being a philosopher, I -see that it was inevitable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> And the Boche, does he wish that it had -never been? Bah! Ask him! It was a bad day for the Kaiser when he let -loose his soldiers. An easy conquest was then promised. Does it look -easy now? Will he achieve triumph? Never! Even if he were to do so it -would be to discover a shattered, broken Germany. Ah, here we are at -the rendezvous! Now we halt and feed our horses; presently the fatigue -parties from the trenches will come down and then our stuff will be -taken."</p> - -<p>A little later a ghostly line of men appeared out of nothingness as -it were; they were challenged by the officer commanding the convoy, -and soon, laden with material for themselves and their comrades, went -trudging off again under the moonbeams, making for the entrance to the -communicating-trench which led to the front line.</p> - -<p>"Heigh ho! a good job done!" said the <i>poilu</i> as he picked up his reins -again. "Get along to the leaders, my friend, and help to turn them, for -these roads are narrow for steering a cart of this sort round. Another -half-hour and we shall be able to light pipes. My word, this night work -costs the country something in tobacco!"</p> - -<p>Not a shot, not a shell of any description, had come near the convoy -so far, and in fact the front line, illuminated quite brilliantly a -little while before, and stirred to some movement, as evidenced by the -rattle of machine-guns, had now sunk as it were into blissful slumber. -Even the Very lights failed to illuminate the sky. It looked as though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -the two armies had decided upon a truce until the morning. But not so! -Some ten minutes later there came the boom of distant guns, and then a -screech ending in a loud detonation.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" thought Bill. "Heard that sort of thing before! Shrapnel—and -not very far away either."</p> - -<p>"Just ahead. You can hear the bullets dropping on the roadway," the -<i>poilu</i> answered, pointing. "It's just a strafe; they know, as we know, -that convoys occupy the roads at night, and every now and again they -send over a feeler. If they have luck—poof! it is uncomfortable for -some of us. But then, so also for the Boche; for if he shells, so do we -also. Besides, there are the aeroplanes; they swoop down on the roads. -A week ago the Boche had the impudence to attack us, but we hurried -under some trees, and in the darkness he lost us. But, plague take the -Boche, there are more shells! He is wakeful! It must be the man with -the toothache again, for listen to the machine-guns. Bother the man! -Why does he not go to the doctor?"</p> - -<p>Bill could hear him chuckling. That the Frenchman was undisturbed by -the shells now sailing over the country-side was quite evident. He did -not even duck his head as one played over the convoy and ricochetted -from the road perhaps a hundred yards in advance. If his features had -been clearly visible, his eyebrows would have been seen to lift as if -he were vastly astonished when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> another one spluttered shrapnel to the -left of the convoy. He even laughed when one plunged into the ground -not ten yards away.</p> - -<p>"It's always so," he said quite quietly. "You've heard, my friend, that -the bullet does not strike you which has not your number on it. It is -a great joke, I tell you; my number—my regimental number—is so great -that I doubt the bullet was never made that can hold it. But a shell. -Ah! that is different—eh? We can smoke now—<i>bien</i>! That is a comfort."</p> - -<p>Bill might have found it a comfort too if he had taken yet to smoking; -instead, he sat perched up beside this cool Frenchman, listening to -his words, turning his head round to watch the bursting shells, and -listening to others which hurtled through the air at a distance.</p> - -<p>"Uncanny, yes!" he told himself. "It makes one rather feel inclined to -shiver, as if a jug of cold water were being poured slowly down one's -back. But yes, it is something to be a philosopher, only difficult -under such conditions. Somehow it's so different from what it was on -the trawler; then everything was movement, hurry, rush, with fighting -to be expected; here it's all so peaceful—er—except for the shells."</p> - -<p>It was peaceful in its own way, though dangerous enough as many have -already discovered; yet, to do him justice, Bill never flinched, and -indeed rather enjoyed the whole experience.</p> - -<p>"A man gets used to it," said the Sergeant, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> they got back to -their quarters, having in the meanwhile surreptitiously obtained a -report on Bill and his two chums. "You three fellows were not, of -course, expected to mind shelling after that trawler affair; but you -can take my word for it, son, that shelling gets on a man's nerves even -when he thinks he's used to it. You may go up to the trenches night -after night; sometimes there's not a shot fired; then you come in for -a burst of it and things are lively. If you don't, every odd gun that -sounds in your ear may have a shell for you—you're listening for it, -expecting it; it's almost as bad as a strafe same as I've been talkin' -of. Now, young shaver, you turn in! Precious soon you may be takin' -your own convoy up."</p> - -<p>Less than a month had passed when Bill was actually driving one of -the convoy carts, Larry and Jim being placed in similar responsible -positions. Then each got a step in rank and became lance-corporal, and -finally, when a few weeks had passed, were full sergeants. Just about -then it happened they were transferred from the Franco-American unit -to one of the new units working with the American army, which was now -swelling visibly and increasing in numbers.</p> - -<p>"We're off to the Somme area," Larry said. "Say now, ain't that the -place where British chaps fought the Huns somewheres about 1916, when -America wasn't yet in the war, and when the President was still tryin' -to keep us out of it? Guess it would want a lot of keepin' us out of it -now!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> What was it they said when we came in?—'in with both feet'—eh? -Gee. It's more than our feet we're putting into this business."</p> - -<p>They went by road to Amiens, where the famous Cathedral overshadows the -ancient city, soon to be the objective of the Germans; then they turned -due east and rode to Peronne, where, to their amazement, to Bill's -huge delight and none the less to the satisfaction of Larry and Jim, -they found themselves billeted next to British troops and their unit -actually attached to a British division.</p> - -<p>"It's getting a sorter mix-up, boys," a friend of theirs explained. -"Way north there's Belgians and French and British sorter mixed up -together; then there's Portuguese and British and French again sorter -mixed up and jumbled lower down; there's us and more British and -French, and then more Americans, all of 'em facin' the Hun and ready -for him. Folks say as how he's about to start a big offensive. There's -hundreds of thousands of German troops on t'other side of 'No Man's -Land'. For that we've got to thank the Revolutionists in Russia—or -rather, a chap should say, the Bolshevists—who, I reckon, are sorter -super-Socialists, and are agin' the law and agin' everything as the -Irish might say. Well, we're watching for Mr. Hun and his offensive."</p> - -<p>"And meanwhile we go on learning our own particular job with motor -transport," said Bill, for this part of the work entrusted to him -and his friends interested him even more than that of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> horsed -transport. "You seem to be able to do so much more with motors; you -can go so much faster and farther, and the loads you carry are so much -heavier. Then, too, our job is to take up shells; and when you hear the -guns shying them over at the Huns you somehow feel that you're doing -better work than you were beforehand. An offensive—eh, Larry? Wonder -where it'll start? I did hear that this front might be attacked."</p> - -<p>"Guess the Hun wants to win back the line the British and French took -from him in the Somme offensive," Jim said. "You see, he was lying -then just east of Albert and pretty nigh within easy shot of Amiens; -then he got pushed back right away past Fricourt and Pozières and -other historical places, till his line was so broken and his defences -so upset that he made a forced retirement after the battle was over, -clearing out of Bapaume, Peronne, and Noyon to mention a few of the -places. It must have shook him up a little that offensive of our -allies, and if he's made up his mind to recapture the ground, well it -ain't wonderful."</p> - -<p>"Not when you come to remember the fact that the Russians are out of -this business altogether," declared Larry with a curl of his lip; -for somehow or other the downfall of the great Muscovite nation, the -refusal of the soldiers there to fight, and the upheaval and revolution -which had undermined the strength of the country, roused something -like contempt. "There ain't no longer need for Germans in the east nor -for Austrians either; a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> battalions marching here and there are -quite enough to occupy the country and to bully and overawe the people. -Meanwhile the Kaiser is moving every man-jack he can find into France. -Folks says that the railways are worn-out with transporting guns and -men; and yonder, just over there"—and standing up the diminutive Larry -stretched out a hand to the country beyond Peronne, where the German -lines were—"somewhere yonder there are masses of the enemy, masses of -guns too, I dare say, thousands of gas shells, trench mortars, bombs, -and every sort of implement, all being stored and made ready for the -day when the Germans will fling themselves upon Britons and French and -Belgians and Americans, not to mention Portuguese and others who are -fighting on the Western Front. It will be a terrific combat."</p> - -<p>Yet days went by, settled weather arrived, and the end of March was -already approaching. Those were days of beautiful sunlight, when men -began to think of throwing off the hairy waistcoats with which the -British soldier is provided, when greatcoats were discarded during -the daytime, and when men sniffed at the breeze, scented the spring -flowers, and thought of summer. But at night cold winds played over -the ground, and the earth, in which so many thousands were living, -dug deeply into it, struck chill and cold, and, as the early hours -of morning came, condensed the moisture. Then the country-side was -obscured in damp, wet fog, which hid the combatants from one another, -hid, indeed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> all but the sound of guns, which thundered here and there -along the battle line.</p> - -<p>For days past, indeed, gun-fire had been a feature along the front; -it broke out here and there with violence; it subsided, perhaps, only -to burst into double fury at an adjacent point; while for some hours -now the enemy artillery had been thudding over a wide stretch, and -the Allied guns had been answering shot for shot, so that there was -pandemonium. Then, in the early hours of the 21st March, German masses -were suddenly launched through the dense fog which still clad the -country-side, and threw themselves with desperate fury upon the British -Third and Fifth Armies.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII</span> <span class="smaller">Germany's Greatest Effort</span></h2> - -<p>It was cold and raw as Bill put his head up from the dug-out where he -and his chums had their head-quarters.</p> - -<p>"Something doin'," he said laconically, bobbing down again and -clambering to the depths below, where in 1915 the Germans had dug hard -to prepare a defensive line which would arrest the British forces.</p> - -<p>Yet that contemptible force, as the Kaiser had arrogantly called it, -swollen to unwonted proportions, had overrun this line in spite of -strenuous German resistance, and here, in March, 1918, in place of the -Hun enjoying such comfort as these dug-outs provided—here were Bill -and his friends snug under cover.</p> - -<p>"Somethin' doin'," Bill repeated, as he joined the throng down below, -some thirty-five feet under the surface, and stumbled in to find a seat -in the dug-out, about which sat or lounged, perhaps, a dozen men facing -the centre, where, perched on a kerosene tin, a single army-pattern -candle spluttered and glimmered. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, aye!" answered one, as he pulled at his pipe. "Sounds like it! -Shouldn't wonder!"</p> - -<p>They listened. Each man, as if by habit, lifted his head and stared -hard at the spluttering candle.</p> - -<p>"Yep!" Larry interjected, pulling his hat from his head and rubbing his -fingers through his hair. "It do sound something like a ruction. This -here gunnin's been goin' on this four hours. Say, Bill, what's it doin' -upstairs?"</p> - -<p>"Aye, what's it doin'?"</p> - -<p>They turned their eyes upon the young soldier, and then sat there still -staring at the fluttering flame of the candle, listening, listening -to the thud, thud, thud, the almost continuous roar of distant -guns—damped down, as it were, by their deeply entrenched position, yet -a roar for all that—and listening to the distant reverberation, which -shook the earth and sent tremors through the dug-out.</p> - -<p>For hours, indeed, German guns had been thundering; for hours shells -of every variety, but mainly gas shells, had been crashing into the -British defences, and crashing upon roads, levelling all that was -left of the puny walls of one-time pleasant hamlets, creating more -destruction in an area already almost utterly destroyed by previous -bombardments. And to those guns British guns made answer, till the roar -made speaking well-nigh impossible even deep down there in that dug-out.</p> - -<p>"Best get something to eat, boys," said the practical Jim, when -a few minutes had passed in silence—that is, silence save for -that interminable thud,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> the occasional whine of a shell scarcely -perceptible deep down in the dug-out, and the deep rumbling of the -earth caused by so many concussions. "It looks as if the Germans are -coming on, and, that being so, the man who's got his waistcoat well -lined will be ready for them. Ah! hear that one? That's an ammunition -dump gone up! Hit direct, I shouldn't wonder."</p> - -<p>They had been almost deafened by a rumbling roar, and sat for a while -again in silence, then from an adjoining opening there emerged a -tin-hatted, hairy individual bearing a dixie in one hand and a ladle in -the other. It was the cook—a stalwart British Tommy, his muffler wound -round his face, a cigarette between his lips, the very embodiment of -coolness and nonchalance.</p> - -<p>"Food, boys!" he called out, "and maybe it's the last we'll get down in -this dug-out. With all that fire comin' over, it ain't possible that -we shall advance, and from what I've sorter gathered we'll be lucky -if we can hold our ground. There's millions of Germans. The Kaiser's -been bringin' 'em over from Russia all the time, and I expects that -'e's been bringin' all the guns and ammunition that the Russians left -to 'im. 'Ere you are, Bill, hold yer plate! Good bully and stew with -a potato or two a-floatin' around. You won't turn yer nose up at it, -I know, nor Larry neither. I don't know America, but I guess there -couldn't be anything better put before you out there—eh, Larry?"</p> - -<p>"Yep! You bet! Feedin' ain't no better and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> no worse out there, and -it'll never be better than it is here," the American answered, sniffing -at the stew and smacking his lips.</p> - -<p>Indeed he spoke the truth, for never were soldiers better fed than -those belonging to Britain. They ate their stew with relish, those men -down in that deep well of the earth, and then fell to smoking and to -chatting, while Bill clambered along flights of steep wooden steps till -he came to the gas curtain which hung across the exit, and, keeping his -gas respirator at the "alert" position, ready to pop the mask over his -face at any instant, he pushed the curtain aside, and, helmet on head, -emerged into the open. It was light—that is to say, it was lighter -than it had been three hours earlier, though a damp, wet fog clung to -the ground. Gun-fire still sounded, but for some uncanny reason its -fierceness had subsided; though now, in place of the heavy thuds of -distant batteries and the bursting of shells, there was to be heard the -sharp, crisper report of smaller explosive missiles.</p> - -<p>"Trench mortars, shouldn't wonder," he thought, "and that's rifle-fire, -machine-gun firing, and it's spreading all along the line! It's—— by -James! it's behind us! It's close here to our left! It's—— who are -they?"</p> - -<p>He peered through the mist, and then, lifting the curtain, dived down -the steps of the dug-out, reaching his friends eventually in a confused -heap, for he had missed his footing on the damp stairway. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why, it's our little Bill," chaffed Larry, and then looked serious, -for Bill sat up, his clothes awry, his helmet dangling in one hand, his -eyes starting.</p> - -<p>"They're Huns—Huns I tell you! They're all round us! They've got -behind us! Our men have fallen back. It's been a surprise attack, and -the mist and the fog have helped them. It's—it looks as though we're -cornered."</p> - -<p>"Cornered! Cornered! Looks as though we're cornered," they repeated, -the words coming to Bill's ears as if from a far distance, first with a -decided flavour of the American accent, then in broad Devonshire, and -again from Jim in that drawl which was so unmistakable. "Cornered!"</p> - -<p>"Yep!"</p> - -<p>"But," said Larry, diving for his morsel of cigar, "you don't mean——?"</p> - -<p>"I mean," said Bill, "that the Germans are all round us, that we chaps -down here are probably cut off, and that we're in a tight fix. Where's -yer rifles? Where's yer bombs? Some of you men have got a store of -bombs down here that you were to carry up to the front line, and what -about ammunition stocks? This is a business! Look here, boys, make -ready whilst I go up and have another look round. The thing to do would -be to decide which way to go, how to act if we are surrounded. We shall -be made prisoners the moment we turn out, or get shot down. I'm not -asking to be made a prisoner—not me!" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Nor me neither," came from the burly individual who had borne the -steaming dixie into the dug-out, "nor me neither, Bill. I had some!" -he added, and he actually grinned in spite of the precariousness of -their situation. "Don't yer forgit, young feller, that in 1915 I was -took at Hulloch, opposite Loos, you know—no yer don't, 'cos you was -in America; but Hulloch's just where we gave the Hun proper stuff -somewhere about September, 1915. Well, I got pinched, and for about -a week I was a guest of the Kaiser's. Oh, no thanks! No more being a -guest of the Kaiser nor of any other Hun, I thank you. Skilly ain't in -it—I give yer my word, I was worn wellnigh to a shadow—I——"</p> - -<p>The incorrigible, loquacious fellow would have gone on discussing the -event for half an hour had not Bill abruptly interrupted him, while -another of the men brusquely ended his conversation.</p> - -<p>"Stow it, Nobby! You as thin as a rake, eh? You'll be thin soon if you -don't hold yer wind and help us to get out of what looks like a nasty -business. Yes, young Bill, you nip up, me and the other boys'll make -ready."</p> - -<p>"And I'll go along with him," said Jim, making towards the stairway.</p> - -<p>They clambered up rapidly, Jim adjusting his gas respirator. Then, -arrived at the gas curtain, they pulled it slowly aside and peered out. -It was lighter still, for every minute now made a difference. Mounting -higher overhead was the spring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> sun, though still invisible, yet -sucking continuously at the moisture, driving deep lanes through it, -trying all the while to send its rays to the soaked earth underneath. -There were figures moving about, a batch of men disarmed and dressed -in khaki were being marched across the narrow foreground; officers -dressed in field grey—the German uniform—were galloping to and fro, -and a host of men were staggering past bearing machine-guns and trench -mortars. It was a German invasion in fact. For the German hosts, -seizing the opportunity provided by mist, had taken the British Fifth -Army at a disadvantage, and, coming on by the thousand, had swept -through their front line and were already hotly engaged with other -troops farther to the rear. In that sudden, successful advance they had -overwhelmed small parties of the British, they had run over trenches -and advanced posts and dug-outs, and, in fact, they had erected a -curtain between those men in the front line who had been unable to fall -back, and their comrades now resisting the enemy advance.</p> - -<p>In that area which they had so suddenly captured lay the dug-out in -which Bill and his friends were quartered, and they too, like many -another party, were derelict, surrounded, encompassed by enemies, with -no way out, though as yet they were not actually prisoners.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" grunted Bill, peering from beneath the flap of the blanket, "it -don't look healthy—do it? A fellow don't know which way to turn nor -what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> to do. If we wait, we are taken. There'll be a party of Germans -come along and summon us to surrender. Then it would be a case of -'hands up' and 'come out'—or——"</p> - -<p>"Be burst in by a bomb," said Jim. "I know it! I went up with a party -of our chaps in one of those raids of ours when we blew up some of the -German dug-outs. My, it was a game!"</p> - -<p>They lowered the gas curtain over the entrance again and stumbled down -the stairway.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it was a game," said Jim, as they entered the dug-out and joined -their comrades. "A game for the Huns, you bet! Gee! and we wouldn't -find it so."</p> - -<p>The big man in the hairy waistcoat, with the broad smile on his strong -face, grinned, and, taking the cigarette from his mouth, tapped Larry -familiarly on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"A game I've played too, up here in these very parts in the days when -we was fighting the Germans back over the Somme. Kamerad! D'you know -the call? They'd come tumbling up from the dug-outs, with their hands -above their heads, and, if you believe me, they'd offer money, watches, -anything, for their lives, boys. We gave 'em somethin' that time. Of -course, if they didn't come up we gave 'em a smoke-bomb; and if that -didn't fix 'em we put a sentry at the door and waited till a chap came -along with something stronger."</p> - -<p>"Hold hard! Sentry! Oh!" Bill shouted. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh!" repeated the big man; "and what's now? You ain't frightened?"</p> - -<p>"Frightened!" glared Larry. For the very thought sent him into a hot -flush of indignation. "Him!—Bill!—the chap——"</p> - -<p>"Shut up!" said Bill. "I was thinking of that sentry. We're -cornered—that's what all agreed—eh?"</p> - -<p>Even the big man in the hairy waistcoat could not fail to be in -sympathy with the suggestion. If he had, a glance out through the -door of the dug-out would have soon satisfied him. The light was now -stronger. The mist was clearing. On every side Germans could be seen, -while behind them, where there had been British support-lines before, -was now the fierce rattle of machine-guns and of trench mortars. -Across what had been "No-Man's-Land" streamed columns of Germans, some -marching in good order, others trapesing over the ground dragging every -sort of war material. There were detached bands, too, marching hither -and thither, and halting unexpectedly. They were searching for the -hidden caches of British soldiers, cut off by this sudden advance, and -for dug-outs.</p> - -<p>"Hold hard!" said Bill. "You chaps wait down here. Larry and Jim come -along up with me. I'm going to post a sentry over our show," he said, -when they had gained the curtain and were able to peep out. "Perhaps -we'll get a chance."</p> - -<p>"A chance!" said Larry, scratching his head—"a chance to place a -sentry! You mean a chance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> to get hold of some togs in which to rig one -of us up. That's a fine idea, Bill, but it would mean shooting if we -were discovered."</p> - -<p>"Not if the sentry's a real German," grinned Bill. "You know what I -mean—a real stout, floppy German!"</p> - -<p>"A real stout—— Here, what are you getting at!" cried Jim, and he too -was grinning.</p> - -<p>As for Larry, as one might expect, he merely cocked his hat a little -farther forward, fumbled automatically for the stump of his cigar, and -scrutinized the smiling Bill from the top of his tin hat to his thick -boots.</p> - -<p>"Look here, me lad, this 'ere fat, floppy German," he said. "What are -you after? Gee, lad, but—but I do believe——"</p> - -<p>"Hist! Sit down! Let the blanket drop! There are men there, fat and -floppy," whispered Bill, pulling them both back well into the entrance, -and seeing that the curtain was carefully lowered. Then, pushing it -aside with a single finger, he bid them in turn peer out.</p> - -<p>A shattered hedge ran not far from the opening to the dug-out, masking -the entrance to some extent. A bank, too, obstructed the approach to -it, and bordered a sunken road, which no doubt at one time had been -a feature of the village situated just there. But the village had -gone long since. High-explosive shells had churned the ground in all -directions, had torn the pleasant dwellings of the villagers to shreds, -had lacerated the trees and broken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> them on every side, had even turned -water-courses, by bursting in their channels, and, having dug deep -holes and pits in all directions and flattened every prominence known -by the residents, had transformed the country thereabouts, and indeed -for miles and miles on either hand, into a vast disordered desert.</p> - -<p>Yet this one feature remained—a narrow, sunken cart track, passing -along beside a bank which gave it shelter, perhaps, from the desolating -action of the shells—a bank which was seamed and furrowed by the -spades of men who had dug deep into it for shelter. It harboured -amongst those many cavities the entrance to this dug-out. As for the -lane itself, it harboured at this particular moment a German—a big, -lumbering man, whose steel helmet seemed so huge that it covered his -head as an extinguisher covers a candle. He was plodding along towards -the dug-out, perhaps some two hundred yards distant from it, his eyes -upon the ground, his weary feet moving heavily, his rifle over one -shoulder.</p> - -<p>"That's him," said Bill, pointing a finger through a niche made by -withdrawing the curtain with his finger. "That's our sentry—a fine -big, fat German!"</p> - -<p>He could feel rather than hear Larry giggling. As for Jim, he squatted -down beside the wooden sides of the entrance to the dug-out and did his -utmost to stifle the roars of laughter he felt bound to give way to. -For somehow the sight of that plodding German coming steadily towards -them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> Bill's incriminating finger, and their own peculiar position, -struck a ludicrous note. It tickled his fancy immensely.</p> - -<p>"Ho! ho! ho!" he roared, till Larry, turning, struck him sharply on the -shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Gee, man!" he said; "d'yer think we're going to stay here and be -captured 'cos a big lout such as you gets a-laughin'? But Bill's right, -ain't he? A fine German, just fine! And won't he do for us! Just how'll -we tackle him?"</p> - -<p>"Tackle him!" exclaimed Bill. "Easy! Get your gun, push it through the -curtain. Here, wait till he gets close to us, then watch and see!"</p> - -<p>Neither of the three had any fears as to the result of the encounter, -and less so as the German drew nearer. From being just a big, fat, -ambling German, he was seen from a closer view to be in addition a very -shaken and frightened individual.</p> - -<p>"Here, you just sit up sharp," said Larry, pushing his revolver through -an opening which Jim made, while Bill pushed his head up through the -other side of the curtain. "Hands up—quick! Now, young feller, you -come over here straight! D'you get me?"</p> - -<p>The German "got him" at once. He stood of a sudden stock still, lifted -his eyes, and gazed at the entrance to the dug-out. Then he dropped his -rifle, opened his mouth wide as if about to shout, and half turned. But -at that instant Larry's weapon was pushed still farther forward, and, -obedient to Bill's beckoning finger, the German picked up his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> rifle, -holding it well above his head, and the other hand also, and advanced -towards them.</p> - -<p>"Now, you look here, you Hun," said Larry, pushing his way farther -forward, "I'll be just behind you here—savvy?—with a bit of the -curtain between us. You'll march to and fro—get me? Just to and fro -same as any ordinary sentry. But if you try tricks, cunning tricks, me -boy, look out for it!"</p> - -<p>"Aye, look out for it!" Jim chimed in; "because, if Larry misses, I -ain't so bad a shot by no means."</p> - -<p>"Here, he doesn't understand. Let's try him with a bit of French," -said Bill, stepping out to the bewildered German. "Speak English?" he -asked, and then, as the man answered "Nein"; "then understand this," -he told him in French, "you're to act as sentry. If you are challenged -by any other Germans, simply say that you've been put here by orders. -Don't try to play any games with us. My friends here are Americans, and -perhaps you know what that means: they can shoot. You understand that, -eh?"</p> - -<p>The man nodded; his mouth gaped for a moment, and then, flinging his -rifle over his shoulder, he began to move to and fro, to and fro, like -an automaton, glancing sheepishly at the entrance to the dug-out, and -seeing there every now and again a little niche or opening, and from -that niche the faces of either Jim or Larry or Bill, and sometimes -also the muzzle of a revolver. It was marching to and fro that -comrades of his saw him, and, taking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> it for granted that he had been -stationed there to watch the dug-out, they passed on without thinking -to challenge him. For the moment, in fact, Bill's ruse had saved his -comrades from capture, but how long would it act in that manner? The -sentry could not possibly march to and fro for ever, and presently -there would be more Germans in the neighbourhood. What then?</p> - -<p>"Aye, what then?" asked Larry thoughtfully, as he cocked and uncocked -his revolver.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" replied Jim, unable to fathom the difficulty.</p> - -<p>"A teaser," agreed Bill. "Let's hope for the best! What about a meal -anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Fine!" was Larry's terse rejoinder.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII</span> <span class="smaller">Surrounded</span></h2> - -<p>"Let's count heads," said Bill, some hours after the German sentry -was posted and when one of the watchers had reported that he still -continued diligently at his post. "It's getting dark—things will be -moving presently."</p> - -<p>"And if we ain't by then, something unpleasant will be happening," -remarked the big man with the hairy waistcoat as he ladled the contents -of a steaming dixie out into the mess-tins of the men. "That there -sentry, as I've squinted at this dozen times now, will be off the -moment it gets dark and dusk's fallen. Give 'im ten minutes from that -to shout hisself hoarse and call up some of 'is mates; after that——"</p> - -<p>"After that," grinned one of the men, as though he rather enjoyed the -statement and thought it a joke, "there'll be a swarming band of the -blighters all round—there'll be bombs coming down most like. Say, -boys, we'd better eat all the grub we've got and make the best of it. -Pity to waste good things—eh?"</p> - -<p>He laughed as he dug his teeth into a huge slice of bread-and-jam. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But what about the heads? There's Jim and Bill and me—I counts -us three first, boys, 'cos, you see, I knows me mates best," -explained Larry. "Then there's Nobby here, our cook—and prime good -stuff he turns out—that's four, and Simkins over there eating -bread-and-jam—five; and, yes, there's five more, which makes us ten -down below and one upstairs watching the Hun—eleven good boys—eh?"</p> - -<p>"And ten hundred Huns outside," said Bill. "Yes, fair odds, Larry. -Fighting won't do much for us; we've got to use a little artifice. -Seems to me the first thing to do is to get out of the dug-out, for -once the sentry does get off, or once we're discovered, it will become -a trap. As to the sentry getting off, we could soon put a stop to that -by dragging him down here. But is it worth it?"</p> - -<p>"And what then?" demanded Nobby. "Young Bill, you are the boy to show -us the ropes—eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yep. You bet!" Larry interjected. "This here Bill's shown me and Jim -and a whole lot of pals the ropes before now. This ain't the time to -spout, but you can take it from me that he's a bit of a leader. Waal, -Bill, what about it?"</p> - -<p>"Aye, what about it?" they asked, gathering round the young Englishman, -much to Bill's discomfort.</p> - -<p>"Don't you get rattled," said Nobby, seeing him flush. For though the -light was not very good down there the fluttering candle still showed -sufficient light to make the men's faces easily visible,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> and Bill -had flushed at Larry's words. "You sit yerself down and take another -bite; there's just a tinful left at the bottom of my dixie. Then -have a smoke—one o' these yeller perils. Yer don't know them! Yer -don't smoke! Why, these 'ere things is the soldier's delight, and the -orficers smoke 'em too; so they're good, you can guess. No, you won't -eat any more, and yer won't smoke, but yer thinkin'. What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Can't say," said Bill. "But I'm too young to lead you fellows."</p> - -<p>"Too young!" exclaimed Nobby. "You don't 'come it' in that way, young -Bill. I ain't been down 'ere these many days cookin' for our mess -without learning things. My word, Larry ain't the one to talk much -unless you've got 'im in a good mood—and seems to me he ain't always -in a good mood—but he did talk at times, and—well—there's some of -us as has heard o' that trawler. Boys, there ain't no officer 'ere; -there's some of us what 'as got non-commissioned rank—but this is a -fix what's likely to cost us our liberty. Who's to lead us?"</p> - -<p>"Bill," came from many of them. "Bill," they cried.</p> - -<p>"Sure—Bill. Didn't I tell you, boys," said Larry. "Then get in at it, -youngster. What are we to do?"</p> - -<p>"Do?—it's almost impossible to say," Bill answered them; for -during the last few hours he had been hard at work considering the -situation—only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> to meet with disappointment. How could he devise any -plan when there was nothing to base his plans upon? If they stayed down -in the dug-out they risked destruction and certainly imprisonment; if -they went abroad, well, plans then depended entirely upon circumstances.</p> - -<p>"Boys," he said, "I'll do what I can. Some of you fellows may be senior -to me, but no matter; we're all in the show together, and if I can -help, why, you can count on me. Now, as to what we're to do: I'm going -aloft at once, and immediately it's dark enough I'm going to our German -and I'll send him off down the lane double quick, with orders not to -come back unless he wants a bullet in him. By then you chaps will have -collected all the grub you've got, each one of you will have picked -up his rifle, and you will see that every round of ammunition we're -possessed of is carried on with you. Then we take a line that leads -us west and south, and we'll make for the Somme River, for that's the -direction, I think, in which our troops have retreated."</p> - -<p>"Good for you!" said Larry.</p> - -<p>"It sounds a likely sort of business, it do," said the big man with the -hairy waistcoat—"leastways it's better'n nothing. Being cooped up here -is worse than bein' blown to bits or taken prisoner out in the open. -Well," he went on, swinging his arms wide, or as wide, we will say, -as the dug-out permitted, and throwing his chest forward, "the open's -the place for a man—eh, boys? <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>Living down here like a rat or like a -rabbit ain't what I asks for."</p> - -<p>A glance at this gallant fellow was quite enough to show that he was -an open-air man; he was indeed a typical example of your English -countryman who lives the day long in the open, thrives on fresh air, -and looks robust and sturdy. As to fear, he seemed to have no idea as -to what it meant, and rather looked upon these new difficulties and -dangers as something of a diversion. He at any rate would make a most -excellent companion on the sort of adventure on which the party were -now to step out. Bill glanced at him approvingly; Larry cocked an eye -at this burly Englishman and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Say, boy," he lisped, "ef you ain't just it—just the sort o' pard as -Uncle Sam likes. I'm glad I've a chance of soldiering up alongside o' -you. It does a man good what's come from the States, where we've been -looking on at the fighting these last two or three years, to come in -contact with British soldiers who've been fighting like tigers all this -while. But we'll do the same, never you fear. America means business!"</p> - -<p>Probably the huge Nobby had never had such a long speech addressed -to him before, and in front of such an audience. He positively -blushed—stuttered—grinned—and then brought an enormous paw down on -Larry's attenuated shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Don't you worry, chum," he said; "I'll look after you. If any blighted -German tries to get at yer, just call to me." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was hardly the kind of statement that Larry looked for—distinctly -not the sort of thing he required, for, diminutive though he was, -the American positively oozed courage and determination—that cool -determination which seemed to suit him and his languid person so -admirably. As for wanting anyone to take care of him, he was well able -to do that for himself, and was about to tell Nobby so in unmistakable -manner, when, on second thoughts, he realized that it was merely good -comradeship which had prompted him to give vent to the statement.</p> - -<p>"You're a chum," was all he said; "you'll look after me. And say, -Nobby, ef ever you get into a tight corner, just sing out. I'm small -but I'm handy—eh?"</p> - -<p>He grinned as he turned in Jim's direction, and then winked at Bill, -whereat Nobby glanced at the two of them to find Jim nodding violently.</p> - -<p>"He's put the case fine," said the latter. "Larry's small—you'd think -you could take him by the neck and shake the life out of him—but he's -a vixenish little rat, I can tell you, and he'd dig his teeth into -you before you could get a real good grip. And, Nobby boy, don't you -ask him to start in with a gun; he'd flick the eyelid off of a weasel -within ten yards, would Larry—it's part of his vixenish spirit. Oh -yes, he's weak, he is! A tarnation little rat to deal with."</p> - -<p>It was complimentary in half a sense, the reverse if viewed from -another direction. But it pleased<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> Larry immensely, and it appealed to -the understanding of the British soldier. He glanced 'cutely at Larry, -took far more notice of the various points of his person, and then -patted him violently on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"I see! You're sort o' small and daring," he said, -"and—and—pug—er—what's the word?"</p> - -<p>"Pugnacious," Bill interjected.</p> - -<p>"Aye, pugnacious—always wantin' a row, looking round for things to -fight, like so many little people. And he can shoot—he can flick the -eyelid off a weasel! Well, that'ud want doing at ten yards. But, to -speak as you chaps do, I guess he can shoot. That's good. He'll want to -know how in the next few hours, if we're to get through the Germans. -Now, boys, up we go!"</p> - -<p>They waited, however, in the dug-out whilst Bill clattered up the -stairs and so to the curtain. Peering out, he discovered it was -already dusk, though he could still see the German sentry. The man was -trapesing up and down in less soldierly manner—he was slouching in -fact—looking about him a great deal more than he had done before, and, -if only Bill could have read his mind, was wondering how long it would -be before the dusk was sufficiently deep to allow him to bolt away -suddenly from his captors.</p> - -<p>"Only, then there's the alternative," this hulking German was saying -to himself. "I must return to our forces—I must continue fighting. -Ah! that is terrible! I am tired of it—always it is fight on!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> fight -on!—for victory! We Germans outnumber them by hundreds of thousands, -and then, where is the victory? Not at Verdun—where I fought! Not at -Ypres before it! Not since then anyway. And now in this great 'push' -shall we attain it?"</p> - -<p>It was a question which many another German was asking himself -at that moment—many indeed of the High Command. For Germany was -staking everything—her very existence—upon this enormous and sudden -offensive, which she had launched against the British Third and Fifth -Armies. We have already recapitulated the facts of the case, and -will only remind the reader that on March 21st, when this assault -was opened, Germany's eastern front facing Russia had been almost -completely depleted of German troops. The railways across Germany from -Russia into France were almost worn out with the constant transit -of battalions; and here they were—they and those guns—those guns -manufactured by Britain for Russia and treacherously handed over to -the Germans. Here they all were—thrown pell mell at the British—and -already the line had bulged back, thanks to this enormous mass of -fighting material and to a favouring mist; and the line was to go -still farther back. Indeed the Fifth Army was to experience on this -day, and for almost ten days following, as severe fighting as ever -troops took part in on the Western Front. Nothing but swift retreat, -fighting every inch of the way, could save the British line; nothing -but constant pressure, giving here and there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> as German masses became -overwhelming—constant pressure, with retreat at the psychological -moment, and taking advantage of every coign and vantage-point—that and -only that, with British valour behind it, could save the line and hold -up this gigantic massed attack on the part of the enemy.</p> - -<p>We may advance the story a little with advantage. The Fifth British -Army, which by all the canons of warfare should have been annihilated, -considering its inferior strength and the enormous advantage the mist -gave the enemy—that army retreated rapidly at first, but maintained -cohesion between its various units. It fought night and day, it fought -for every foot of the road from Peronne and back to the valley of the -Somme. It held up the German advance here and there and everywhere, and -melted away from it as huge German reinforcements were brought up. It -smote the enemy battalions, it laid thousands of them in the dirt, and -finally, after days and nights of an ordeal which would have tried the -best of troops, it passed the line at Albert, running north and south, -where the British and French trench line had rested from 1914 onwards -to the summer of 1916, until, indeed, the Somme battles were fought. -There it settled down firmly like a rock, holding up further advance on -the part of the enemy.</p> - -<p>During these strenuous days the Third British Army, on the left of the -Fifth, also fell back as respects its right flank, inflicting very -severe casualties on the enemy, while French reserves and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> American -troops were poured in the direction of Albert and Montdidier, where -soon the Germans were beating against the Franco-American-British line -ineffectually, fighting desperately to continue an advance and to force -the British into a rout.</p> - -<p>That retreat will, when its details are better known, be viewed as of -as great historical importance as that from Mons to the south-east of -Paris in 1914. Indeed, in a measure and in its own particular way, it -will demand closer attention and perhaps greater admiration on the -part of a future generation. For, whereas the retreat from Mons was -performed by the British Expeditionary Force when small in numbers as -compared with the enemy, the fighting was less strenuous, manœuvre -warfare had only just commenced and that at the very commencement of -hostilities. The retreat from Peronne to the Somme and across it was, -on the contrary, manœuvre warfare following a long period of close -trench warfare. In it the utmost use was made of mechanical means of -killing people. No cavalry screens could hold the enemy off as our -fine cavalry did on the road to the south-east of Paris. It was a case -of machine-guns and trench mortars in front firing into the British, -and British machine-guns and rifles attempting to hold up the advance -of a horde of men armed to the teeth, behind whom were masses of guns -constantly being hurried forward.</p> - -<p>This retreat, however, is analogous to that from Mons in one respect, -in that our very gallant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> French ally fought shoulder to shoulder -with us. It marks as well a stage absolutely apart, a new era in this -gigantic war in that at this moment American troops appeared, to fight -shoulder to shoulder with us. Not yet had American troops appeared in -force. There were some hundreds of thousands of them already in France, -but the bulk—the millions that America can and will place in the -field if need be—were still in America, five thousand miles distant, -and time and ships were needed to convey such armies and the material -essential for them. Those American troops, let us add—forerunners of -the vast army above referred to—acquitted themselves like men. Though -only a few of the number then in France were flung into this battle -they did wonderful work, so that Larry and Jim and Bill had every -reason to be proud of them.</p> - -<p>Mention of the last brings us back to our friends. Bill, emerging from -the dug-out entrance, gripped the German sentry.</p> - -<p>"See that?" he said, pointing down the lane, now hardly -distinguishable. "Move on. Don't turn to right or to left—and look -out—we shall be following you. If you try to communicate with your -pals—well, there'll be trouble."</p> - -<p>He saw the lumbering German go plodding off down the lane, his rifle -still over his shoulder, and waited until he disappeared into the -gloom. Then he shouted down the stairway:</p> - -<p>"Come up, boys, all clear!"</p> - -<p>One by one the men filed up from below, each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> carrying his rifle and -ammunition as well as a haversack filled with provisions, while the -majority also had water-bottles, and all wore steel helmets. Presently -they stood outside the entrance in the gathering dusk, a forlorn little -band, fully conscious of the fact that they stood as it were alone -in this veritable "No-Man's-Land", surrounded by a host of Germans. -Indeed, as they stood there waiting for the order to move, they -could hear voices here and there—the guttural tones of the Kaiser's -soldiers—while from their right, in a south-westerly direction, there -came the continuous rattle of machine-guns, the rolling sounds of -volleys and of independent rifle-firing, and, smothering all these -sounds at times, the racket of a heavy cannonade. Far away sounds -seemed to be echoing—the sounds of British guns and British rifles and -other weapons.</p> - -<p>"And then?" asked Nobby, his tin hat a little on one side, his hairy -person standing out conspicuous from amongst the others in spite of -the semi-darkness. "Over there," and he jerked a thumb towards the -fighting-line, "there's ructions, and round about there's Huns, and -there'll be Fritzes here and there and everywhere between us and the -battle-line. Young Bill, you've got somethin' to face! What's the word?"</p> - -<p>"Aye, what's the word?" others asked.</p> - -<p>"March! Not a sound! Let no one answer if they challenge. But wait, -we'll form up into column of twos, and I'll post a man on either<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> flank -of the column whose job it will be to tackle any inquisitive German. No -shots to be fired, boys! Butt-ends!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! butt-ends! I'll butt-end Fritz if he comes near me!" growled -Nobby, his grin gone for a moment, looking, what indeed he was, -a formidable fellow, as he swung his rifle-butt forward from the -sling which was over his shoulder. "If Fritz comes between me and -liberty—well, it'll be Fritz's fault. I've done 'em in before now, -young Bill, and I'll do in a few more before this journey's finished."</p> - -<p>"March!" Bill put himself at the head of the little column and trudged -forward, first a few steps down the lane and then out through a gap -which led from it towards the south-west. Right away, far on their -right, he could distinguish a huge dull mass, which common sense and -his knowledge of the geography of those parts told him must be the -Butte of Warlencourt. Farther along, a little to the right of it, would -lie the Albert-Bapaume road, the road which led to safety, and along -that again, in the direction of Albert, on either side, a country -decimated and torn to shreds by the fighting in 1916. There the Somme -battles were bitterly contested, and for miles on either hand, where -once had been a fair land dotted with pleasant villages, was now, as -he knew from frequent observation, a blasted, battered rolling plain -of mud and grass, and grass and mud and shell-holes interspersed with -fragments of smashed villages. Here and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> there, perhaps as much as -four feet of a wall remaining, elsewhere the base of some ancient -church, a factory in another part crumbling to dust, its machinery -rusting—rotten with exposure.</p> - -<p>There would be derelict British tanks, too, turned on their sides, -burst by interior explosion, and far and wide, here and there in -groups—as in the case of the graves of those gallant Australians who -captured Pozières—stood pathetic little crosses, beneath which rested -all that remained of men who had gallantly fought for the empire. -You who live secure in old England, and find it almost impossible to -imagine such conditions, take the word of those who have seen. Conjure -up in your mind's eye this blasted country, and recollect that there, -on the fields they conquered, lie men who died for you, that you and -England might survive the tyranny of Prussia.</p> - -<p>But enough of such things. Bill knew every step of the way, for he had -driven it and walked it on many an occasion.</p> - -<p>"March!" he exclaimed; "we'll make straight for the Butte and then -for the road. Look out for Germans! A few German overcoats would give -us fine cover, and this mist also should help us far on our way. Step -out—the faster we go the better!"</p> - -<p>They went off through the gathering gloom, through the wet mist which -was already cloaking the earth, and presently swung past the western -end of the Butte of Warlencourt, which marked the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> limit of advance of -the British army in 1916. Then their feet gained the Albert-Bapaume -road, and presently they were speeding along it and getting every -half-hour nearer to the sounds of battle. But though they marched -nearer and nearer to their friends, what chance had they? Would they -ever break through that line of Germans which undoubtedly extended far -and wide and cut them adrift from the Allied armies?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV</span> <span class="smaller">Where Men fought for Empire</span></h2> - -<p>"Halt! I hear men coming! There are troops on the road—listen!"</p> - -<p>Bill, who was leading the party of men cut off from the British army—a -party, be it remembered, comprising not only sturdy British soldiers, -but just as sturdy members of the new American army—suddenly thrust -out an arm and brought them to a standstill. There on the paved highway -which runs from Albert to Bapaume, and which the British, with that -thoroughness for which they have now no doubt won world-wide fame, had -macadamized and rolled until it was as smooth as a billiard table, -though but a few months before it had been churned and smashed to -pieces by gun-fire—there, unhappily, the same churning and smashing -process was being repeated between the spot where Bill and his friends -stood and Albert itself, perhaps five miles distant. For in that -direction the thunder of guns was loudest, and even the mist and the -darkness could not hide the flash of hidden batteries and the bursting -of shells from British artillery, nor could the sounds of distant -battle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> altogether drown other sounds—the deep muffled tread of a mass -of men.</p> - -<p>"Coming back towards us from the Albert direction," said Bill. -"Probably men who have been relieved, or perhaps it's a ration party. -Anyway, off we go! Take the road here to the right. Look sharp!"</p> - -<p>He stepped off the macadam, to find himself to his arm-pits in a huge -shell-hole—a relic of 1916—in which also reclined what remained of -a shattered tank—one of the land fighting-ships which Britain had -brought to bear against the Germans. Clambering out of it, with two -other men of the party who had been similarly unfortunate, he struck -away from the road, the others following closely. Then, of a sudden, -Larry called to him.</p> - -<p>"Say, Bill, here's just the sort of stunt for us! Seems like an old -building."</p> - -<p>"Aye, a <i>sucrerie</i>. I remember it," came from Nobby. "Here you are, -here's one of the tanks in which they boiled their roots. It's -Pozières—for a hundred! Pozières! don't I know it? Here's where the -Australians did in the Germans what was holding 'em up, and pushed on -towards Courcelette."</p> - -<p>Bill recollected the place at once. Not once but a hundred times -probably had he been up or down this Albert-Bapaume road, and, like -everyone who had traversed it, he remembered well that little graveyard -on the left with the crosses to the gallant Australians, and on the -right, here and there, lost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> almost amongst the tumbled earth and -smashed country-side, solitary little crosses, and farther along on -the left again, as he went to Bapaume or Peronne, that shattered -factory with the old sugar-tanks, smashed and crumbled and perforated -by shrapnel and machine-gun bullets, lying three hundred yards from -the road, sole relic of the once flourishing and pretty village of -Pozières, now relic only of a spot which was the scene of some of the -bitterest fighting in 1916.</p> - -<p>"In you go," said Bill. "These ruins will hide us, and we can sit down -and have a feed. Nobby, you know the place you say—tell us all about -it, so that we may know what we're in for. Any good hiding-places?"</p> - -<p>"Know the place?" grinned Nobby, as they entered the shattered walls -of the factory and sat themselves down on the floor, which was still -littered with much of the broken material left by the British. "Well -now, when I was here—seems months and months ago—there was a medical -post stationed 'ere, covered up in sand-bags. And, my word, didn't -they want 'em! Shrapnel was comin' over all the time, and you've only -got to see those tanks outside to realize how machine-gun bullets were -buzzing. Yet it was a comfortable enough crib then, though rough, and -gave fair shelter."</p> - -<p>"Fair shelter?" said Bill, suddenly pricking up his ears and thinking. -"Supposing now we were forced to protect ourselves, it would——"</p> - -<p>The gallant Nobby realized his meaning promptly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> "It would," he said -with emphasis. "These 'ere old walls, what you can see of 'em in the -mist and the darkness, are thick—that is, what's left of 'em is—and -there used to be a cellar underneath the floor. If Fritz becomes -inquisitive and tries to round us up, why, believe me, this 'ere place -might do us a treat. Better'n being in the dug-out anyway. 'Sides, as -I remember it, it just tops a rise, and the ground slopes gently away -from it all round. That'ud be nasty for the Boche, eh?"</p> - -<p>"It'ud provide us with a hiding-place perhaps," said Bill thoughtfully, -as they all sat down and munched a ration. "Looks to me, Larry, as -though we'd better have another council of war, we fellows, right -forward there. We might with a bit of luck get right through the lines -during the night. On the other hand, we mightn't. We'd stand a better -chance if we could hide up in a place like this, which, as Nobby says, -ain't a dug-out, but gives us shelter. We could then get an observation -post and look round the neighbourhood. Of course the place might be -searched; but then we always stand a chance of being discovered, even -if we move on, eh? What's your idea? What do you say about it?"</p> - -<p>"Yep," said Larry, pursing his lips. "Gee! this here's a conundrum! I'd -like to treat it as our folks say in 'judgematical' manner. Supposin' -we move on—well, soon we've got to get off the road, for we've come -somewhere near the line where troops are moving. You may say that the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>Germans have pushed right ahead, past the Butte of Warlencourt and -beyond Pozières. They've made a tidy advance in the few hours that have -passed since their offensive opened, and now they're held up, or nearly -held up, let's hope, somewheres just in front of us. But where is -that somewheres? It may be just a mile ahead; it mayn't, on the other -hand. Supposin' we moves on, then we may barge into a whole crowd and -get bayoneted for our trouble; we may get shot down by our own guns; -or we may even find ourselves mixed up in a German offensive and get -done in by German machine-gun bullets, perhaps American machine-gun -bullets—for some of our boys will get rushed up to help the Allied -line. No, siree, I vote that we sits down here for the night, and, come -morning, hides away. Then we'll look up some place from which we can -observe, and will try to get an idea of what's happening."</p> - -<p>"And Jim?" asked Bill, for Jim was one of those quiet Americans who -never spoke unless he had something worth saying, but whose opinion was -valuable.</p> - -<p>"I'm in with Larry," he said. "There's uncertainty either way, whether -we go forward or remain here. We may get hunted out to-morrow, or caged -in this place like rats in a trap. If so, we can put up a fight at -least, same as I guess many other pockets of soldiers overrun by the -Germans will be doing. Better that than push on and shove our noses -into a noose." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> - -<p>One after another the men gave vent to their own particular personal -opinions, and so it became apparent that the general consensus of -thought was that the party should halt where it was and rest till dawn -came. After that—well, their fortunes lay in the lap of the gods. -It was hardly likely that they would escape from such a predicament -without trouble or danger, but, if it came, they would be better able -to face it after having rested.</p> - -<p>Trust the British soldier and his American chum to make the most of any -sort of surroundings and to gain comfort in spite of bleak conditions. -Half an hour later the whole party—with the exception of one man who -watched at the exit of the factory—lay fast asleep, snoring, in their -greatcoats under the blankets, which each of them had carried. The -sentry stood on a piled-up heap of shattered masonry which had once -supported the upper floor of the factory, looking through one of the -exits. We have said one of the exits, though that hardly gives a good -idea of the condition of the place, seeing that British guns and German -guns had each in turn hammered this property, with the result that -walls had been flattened and holed. The upper story had gone entirely, -windows were no more, and but a battered wreck remained, with hardly a -semblance of a factory about it, gaping to the skies with wide rents in -all directions. Its interior was a mass of fallen stones, save where -lay relics of previous British occupation.</p> - -<p>Morning found the party, refreshed by their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> sleep, fit once more -and ready for anything. The mist, too, was not sufficiently thick to -prevent their inspecting their immediate surroundings, and Bill, as -leader of the party, at once proceeded to make himself familiar with -them.</p> - -<p>"Good!" he exclaimed. "Some hundreds of sand-bags here. Some of 'em -rotten and going to pieces, but others quite sound. They formed, of -course, the protection to the aid post. And here's the 'elephant' -shelters still standing. Better still! they'll keep the rain out. Now -for a squint all round, and then for the cellar. Seems to me we might -hold out here for some time."</p> - -<p>Months before, parties of natives and others employed by the British -had swept over the Somme battle-field, throughout its vast extent, and -had salvaged a great amount of material for future use: guns here and -there, munitions elsewhere, telephone wires, every sort of warlike -material had been gathered in to one collecting centre, even timbers -had been extracted from the deep dug-outs constructed by the Germans. -But sand-bags and this heavy iron sheeting forming the "elephant" -shelter were not worth removing, and were therefore left to rot like -the remainder of their surroundings. To Bill and his friends they -promised a certain amount of security.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Bill, "we could set to work now, select the bags that -are in good order, and form a strong post here, out of which no sort -of machine-gun fire could drive us—they'd have to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> bring guns along, -or bombs, to do us in—eh, Larry? What about it, Nobby? Suppose the -Germans did track us to this spot, are you going to surrender without -putting up a fight?"</p> - -<p>Nobby looked distinctly annoyed. He glared at Bill, and looked more -enormous and more formidable in his hairy coat in that morning mist -than he had done previously. He smote himself violently on the chest -and tilted his tin hat forward.</p> - -<p>"Me give in to Fritz without a fight?" he asked. "'Ere, young chap, -what d'yer take me for?—a blinkin' blighter?"</p> - -<p>Bill didn't. He mollified the great Nobby by placing one hand on his -stalwart shoulder, and then turned to Larry. It was characteristic of -the latter that he merely smiled.</p> - -<p>"What should I do? What'ud you do yerself, Bill? Give in, of course! -Walk out and ask Fritz to be friendly! That's you all over, that is. -Just what you'd do, Bill: hob-nob with him—ask him to take a cup of -tea—sit down and be pally."</p> - -<p>"Huh!" It was then that Jim laughed—Jim, the usually silent American. -Larry's sarcasm tickled him wonderfully, and then, of course, he knew -Bill so thoroughly. Was it typical of Bill, the young fellow who led -them, cool, quiet, and calm on most occasions, yet already an approved -fire-eater—was it typical of him to suggest surrender without putting -up a strenuous opposition? Jim cackled loudly.</p> - -<p>"There'll be trouble here soon, Larry," he went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> on, "ef you carry on -like that. This here Bill was only asking a polite question, and it's -up to you to answer politely—you and Nobby, who's about the biggest -and most pugnacious man I've come across this side of the water. As ef -we didn't know that both of you are crazy for a fight, and believe me, -yep, you'll be having it soon, to your heart's content. Here we are, -boxed in, we might say, only in nicer surroundings than we was back -there in the dug-out, and d'you mean to say that we're going to give up -these comfortable quarters because Fritz asks us to do so?"</p> - -<p>Jim stood up and stretched his hands out on either side, pointing to -their immediate surroundings—those shattered masses of bricks and -mortar, tumbled beams, and wrecked and twisted ironwork—for all the -world as if it were a palace. And, indeed, to these men, accustomed to -the decimated country of France, in which war was now raging, these -shattered factory walls did present the aspect, if not of a palace, -then of a place which offered some sort of protection. Those sand-bags, -for instance, the ironwork of the "elephant" shelter, the heaps of -bricks also, all offered something which would allow them to put up a -formidable resistance. It was not a matter that needed explaining to -any one of the party, it was merely a question of coming to a decision -as to their plans. Not a single one of the party was likely to be -behindhand in his determination; yet it was good to hear Larry talking -so sarcastically to Bill, Jim laughing at them, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> see the huge -Nobby getting red with indignation at the very suggestion of surrender. -It was encouraging to see the spirit of cheerful confidence, as well as -defiance, that animated all.</p> - -<p>"In course we all comes in," blurted out one of the party, himself -no inconspicuous person, inasmuch as he stood nearly six feet in his -socks, and was as fine and clean-limbed a young Englishman as one could -wish to find. "I ain't got no particular 'down' on Fritz, I ain't, -though I bears in mind the fact that he's murdered women and children -and old men up and down the country; all I asks for is a clean fight, -if he can give it, which I doubts. If not, then let's have a fight -that'll do for him, and if I don't give Mr. Fritz 'is stomick full, -why, you can send me home to Blighty. Fight, Bill? In course we will! -Nobby knows you will, only he likes a row, he does. What about fixing -the plans up—eh? so as to make ready."</p> - -<p>The upshot of it all was that they put their heads together, and very -soon every one of the party, save one particular man, was hard at work -perfecting their defences, selecting the best of the sand-bags and -piling them into the openings in the brickwork, so that the shell of -the factory, no very considerable place, was soon converted into a -species of filter, in the centre of which a ragged hole gave access to -a rotting and severely damaged staircase, and that in turn to a cellar -which would give protection from gun-fire.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile a single man had clambered to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> a post of vantage on -the walls, where his figure was concealed by a mass of ivy, which -already was invading the interior of the factory. From that point he -could survey the country-side, and, as the mist lifted, was able to -report to his friends what was going forward.</p> - -<p>"There's guns and men and carts of all sorts filing along the -road—thousands of 'em—all making towards Albert; and—'arf a mo! -bless me, if there ain't aeroplanes comin' along in this direction! -What's they got, naughts or crosses? Ah, it's naughts! They're British. -Oh, and ain't they givin' 'em 'arf a time! Believe me, they're -a-clearin' this 'ere road from Albert to Bapaume, divin' down and -droppin' things! And Fritz ain't 'arf a-boltin'. Look at them blighters -scuttlin' in among the trees like a flock o' scared chickens!"</p> - -<p>The announcement brought every man of the party to some aperture from -which he looked craftily towards the road, but a little way distant; -and there, as he watched, as the sentry had told him, he could see -columns of Germans pressing on after the British line, which had -retreated, some of the battalions marching across the ploughed-up and -shell-destroyed land on either hand. Overhead, flights of aeroplanes -could be seen, and some of these were skimming low over the road, -emptying their machine-guns into the massed infantry, which in turn -either broke up in confusion, and dived from the road, or fired with -their rifles upon the aeroplanes, though with little or no effect. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> - -<p>From the far distance came the muffled roar of guns, sometimes -silenced, as it were, by the nearer staccato rattle of machine-guns, -and then from perhaps five hundred yards away was heard the sharp -report of anti-aircraft weapons.</p> - -<p>"And it do yer good," said Nobby, hidden well behind the masonry, -staring up into the sky, "it do yer good to see them boys up there -fightin' their aeroplanes same as ships is fought at sea. Gee! as -our one and only Larry says, if they ain't cleared the road already! -There's not a bloomin' German left on it, which says somethin' for -aeroplanes and more for British machine-guns, lettin' alone the young -chaps as works 'em. If only some of 'em could see us down 'ere and drop -to the ground to take us off! I wouldn't be scared, give you my word, -though I'd rather go through any sort of battle in the front line than -go up in an aeroplane. They don't look safe, and they ain't, that's my -belief, though to see them boys of ours a-goin' off in 'em you'd think -it was just a joy ride. S'welp me! 'Ere, what's happenin'?"</p> - -<p>Bill, standing close beside him, gripped his arm.</p> - -<p>"Get down!" he said; "they're coming this way. Our machine-guns have -driven them from the road, and they are looking for shelter. This is an -awkward business."</p> - -<p>"Awkward! It's—it's—rotten!" said Nobby.</p> - -<p>"Yep," they heard the inevitable lisp from Larry. "Gee! it is real -awkward that! Them German chaps don't like your British machine-guns -firing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> down on 'em, and I don't wonder; but that didn't ought to make -'em want to come poachin' here on our shelter. We ain't got no use for -'em! See here, Bill, it's likely to show us up."</p> - -<p>Necks were craned round odd corners, eyes peered out across the broken -ground towards the road, and fixed themselves upon numbers of crawling -figures—the figures of German infantry who a little while before had -been marching full of confidence along the Albert road. But those -swirling aeroplanes which had drawn the admiring glances of Bill and -his friends had swooped down upon them, and, as we have described, they -had cleared the road in little time, but for the men who lay killed -or wounded upon it, and now had shot off towards Bapaume, bombing and -machine-gunning other troops behind. But they might return at any -instant, and, with that in mind, the Germans, swept from the road, were -seeking the closest cover. Some of them had been attracted by the ruins -where Bill and his party hid, and were coming rapidly towards them.</p> - -<p>"And there's quite a whole heap of 'em," said Nobby.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he heard Bill exclaim. "If it was a matter of a dozen, or even -two, we might take 'em one by one as they crawled in, and——"</p> - -<p>"And do 'em in," whispered Nobby. "Here, let me get down to that place -there for which they are making. I'll do 'em in, 'struth I will!"</p> - -<p>"No!" Bill told him abruptly. "Hun or no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> Hun, we'd play the game and -take 'em prisoners; but there's too many of 'em."</p> - -<p>"And a jolly good job too," Nobby growled. "If it's to be a case of -taking prisoners and playing the game, or a case of fightin', let's -fight. There's not one of us as ain't ready for it."</p> - -<p>"Not one." A glance round at the assembled men showed them all eager, -some gripping their rifles with bayonets fixed, others already -opening pouches which carried their bombs, while Larry had produced -from amongst the ruins an iron bar some two feet in length, which he -proposed to use as a club. Bill smiled upon them.</p> - -<p>"Good boys!" he said. "One of you chaps pitch a bomb over, just to let -'em know that they ain't welcome; then the fight'll start fair. Now, -all the rest get down under cover."</p> - -<p>It was Nobby who stepped into the centre of the ruin so as to give his -arm free play, and, pulling the safety-pin from his grenade, measured -the distance with his eye and lobbed it over, all eyes following its -path till presently it struck the ground perhaps twenty yards in front -of the leading German. Then there was a violent explosion; the enemy -advancing upon the ruin halted, looked at one another, discussed the -situation, and even began to retreat. But, a minute later, one, who -proved to be an officer, crawling right behind the others, came to -the head of the column, and, realizing that none but an enemy could -have tossed that bomb, and that here, quite by accident, he and his -men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> had unearthed a party of the British, sent scouts out to surround -the place, and presently, calling other men to his assistance, opened -rifle-fire upon them. The action had begun. From the numbers engaged -upon it on the enemy's side it looked as though Bill and his friends -had little chance of pursuing their journey.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV</span> <span class="smaller">Attacked from All Sides</span></h2> - -<p>"It's going to be an attack from all sides," said Bill, as he crouched -behind a mass of masonry which stood rather higher than the rest, -and which, while giving a certain amount of shelter, also allowed -him to look out over the wreckage of the factory, to peer into -neighbouring shell-holes, past shattered and rent tree trunks towards -the Albert-Bapaume road in one direction, to Courcellette in the other, -and elsewhere across the desert of churned-up earth which represented -the heart of this once beautiful Somme country. "And I can see heads -bobbing up here and there and everywhere, and, yes, there go the -bullets!"</p> - -<p>One of them splashed debris and rotting mortar in his eyes as it struck -the fractured masonry just above his head, while another thudded into a -sand-bag not a yard from him—a sand-bag which had lain there rotting -since 1916, and which now, receiving the sudden blow, burst asunder, -the earth which it had contained spouting out in a cascade. It was -answered almost instantly by a shot fired from a crevice somewhere down -below him. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> searched for the figure of the man who had discharged -his weapon, and after a while distinguished the well-known form of -Nobby, his broad shoulders squeezed in an angle of broken masonry, his -head thrust forward, his tin hat covering him like a halo, legs bent -beneath him, arms pressed to his sides, weapon at the ready. Glancing -across the open space towards Courcellette, Bill saw one of those -dodging German figures suddenly rear itself erect, bend forward as if -about to fall, then with an effort straighten up, only of a sudden to -give vent to a shrill shout—a shriek almost—and collapse into the -shell-hole from which he had originally clambered.</p> - -<p>"One Hun the less," grinned Nobby, turning round, "and he won't be the -only Fritz as'll 'go west' in this 'ere skirmish. Larry boy, d'yer want -our commanding officer to be shot down out of hand, just because he -must put himself up where there's no cover. I'm only a humble private, -you're a full-blown sergeant, why don't yer see to the chum that's -commanding us?"</p> - -<p>It wasn't the first occasion, perhaps, when the good-natured Larry -had shown unusual energy and decision. Not that he was incapable of -either or both those virtues, but it was typical of Larry that as -a general rule he lounged and drawled and lisped, and really made -pretence that he was a person of no great consequence and of no great -ability in any way. Yet friends knew that he was stanch, that danger -did not daunt him, that fear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> was almost foreign to the nature of this -diminutive, delicate-looking, nonchalant, and unconcerned American. He -turned swiftly in the narrow angle where he lay near Nobby, and cast a -threatening glance at Bill.</p> - -<p>"Hi! Here, you, young Bill, you come right out of that!" he shouted. -His face reddened with emotion as he gave the order. "You ain't got -no call to stand up there like a darned fool, askin' the Hun to shoot -you! Look at that? What did I tell you? Chips of mortar all round you! -They've got a machine-gun going! Come down! d'yer hear?"</p> - -<p>Jim, on the far side of the ruin, watching the shell-seamed earth -between the factory and the main road, turned round too, lay flat on -his back for a moment under the shelter of the wall, and shook a fist -at Bill. Till then he had not noticed the perilous position in which -the young fellow had placed himself, but now he saw it clearly, and, as -showing what he thought of Bill, he too became heated, and that, let us -add, was something foreign to Jim's calm, contented nature.</p> - -<p>"Yep," he roared. "You come right down! What d'yer want for to get -right up there, a-starin' round, when there's heaps of ruins down here -to cover anyone? Ef yer don't move quick I'll be up after yer!"</p> - -<p>Bill surveyed the two with something approaching curt disdain. He -peered over the top of the masonry which protected his head, and -turned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> slowly until he had made a complete circle; then of a sudden he -pointed.</p> - -<p>"Boys," he called out, "the officer that's commanding them is yonder -on the way to the road, and he's got a machine-gun mounted. They are -loading fast, so as to keep our attention while the rest of the men are -collecting right opposite and are making ready just now to rush us. -You'll——"</p> - -<p>The rattle of the machine-gun in question drowned his next words, and -as the splutter died down, and the chips of mortar and bricks and stone -dropped and flew about Bill's figure, it was Jim's voice and that of -Larry that again were heard.</p> - -<p>"You ain't heard us, Bill," Jim shouted. "Come down, won't yer! Yer -askin' to get killed."</p> - -<p>"I'll Fritz yer, yep!" Larry called, rising from the spot in which he -lay, and jamming his tin hat closely down. "If yer don't come yerself -I'll be up there to make yer."</p> - -<p>But Bill scarcely noticed them; he turned to look first at Jim and then -at Larry, and then cast a glance over his shoulder towards the spot -where the attacking party of Germans were forming.</p> - -<p>"You'll stay in your places," he ordered sharply. "Someone's got to be -here to watch those fellows, and that someone's going to be the one -you've put in command. If you're not contented with him, get someone -else, for while I'm in command of the party here I stay. Jim, stop -cackling! Go over there and lie down by Larry. Here, boy!" he called -to another of the men, "your rifle'll be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> useful over here to stop the -rush, and, Nobby, you're the boy for the bombs—get 'em ready and heave -'em over as the Huns get within distance!"</p> - -<p>The incipient mutiny collapsed as rapidly as it had commenced. Not -indeed that Larry or Jim or any of the others were inclined to quarrel -over-much with the young leader they had themselves appointed. The -urgency of the situation in the first place made argument undesirable -if not impossible, and then Bill's abrupt commands, his obvious control -of a difficult situation, the fact that an attack was just about to -be launched, caused them to think of other matters; the rattle of the -machine-gun, too, assisted, and to that was presently added heavy -firing from many points, which caused all to keep under cover, that -is, all but Bill, who stood stoically peering out over the top of the -ruin, watching that party of Germans as they crept from shell-hole to -shell-hole, firing an occasional shot, and getting closer every minute.</p> - -<p>But if Bill remained aloft in his post of vantage and of danger, and if -he had summarily quelled the anticipated mutiny, he could not arrest -entirely the growls of Nobby, the surreptitious scowls of Larry, and -the almost open threats thrown at him by Jim. Then Nobby put an end to -the matter.</p> - -<p>"He's right," he said. "That there young Bill is a-doin' just like what -one of our young orficers would do, same as your orficers would take -on, Larry, and here are you a-cussin' of him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> for it. You ought to be -ashamed of yerself, you ought!"</p> - -<p>That, with bullets flicking just above the wall and half an inch over -the top of Nobby's tin hat! Not that it upset this gallant British -soldier, not either that it could upset Larry—the quiet and somewhat -retiring Larry. To speak the truth, in all his experience of Bill, -Larry had never been so abruptly silenced, and, conscious as he was -that his young friend was quite in the right, he yet burned with -indignation at the summary way in which his own efforts had been -worsted, and, finding Nobby close at hand and now trying to turn the -tables on him, he swung round, leant up on one elbow, and poured a -torrent of invective upon him.</p> - -<p>"Say, here, this is real fine! Here's you and me and Jim gets turned -down by that there young cuss of a Bill, and when he's put in the -last word and fired the last shot, as you might say, there's you come -roundin' on a pal—you, Nobby, what never could keep yer mouth shut. -See here, sir; you're British, I'm American—only just as British as -you are, if you know what I mean—I——"</p> - -<p>A bullet put a very sudden end to Larry's explosion; it hit the tip of -his tin hat and sent it off amongst the ruins booming and clanking, -while the shock of the blow partly stunned the American. He blinked at -Nobby, who just a second before had raised a huge grimy fist and placed -it within an inch of his nose. Larry blinked again. Nobby grinned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> Jim -roared outright, and thus, with the help of an enemy bullet, the little -fracas was brought to a friendly ending. A second later Bill's voice -was heard.</p> - -<p>"Boys!" he called out; "there's a bunch of Huns within sixty yards of -us, and they've all converged into one shell-hole. I don't suppose -there's a man here who could pitch a bomb that far—only if there -was——"</p> - -<p>"Look 'ere, young chap," came from Nobby, "sixty yards! and yer don't -think a man can do it! You watch. Larry, stand by to corpse the first -Fritz that puts his head up and tries to shoot at me. Jim, you do the -same. Same over there. You watch the boys with that machine-gun. I -don't take much notice of a single rifle, but being filled up with lead -ain't healthy, as Larry likes to say; it ain't good for a fellow. So -just you watch, and yer mates with you. Now then for brother Fritz in -the shell-hole!"</p> - -<p>He stood up, deliberately measured the distance from the ruin to the -shell-hole at which Bill then pointed, pulled the pin from a bomb, and, -swinging his powerful shoulders back, sent it hurtling towards the -object. It struck a shell-hole three yards nearer, and for a moment -obscured the one at which he had aimed, flinging up a cloud of mud and -grass and loose material. By then Nobby had poised himself for a second -attempt, and, hardly pausing to measure the distance, launched his -missile, and then stood watching its curve as it approached the object.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was Larry then who shouted, and Bill too joined in.</p> - -<p>"Bang! Right in the centre," the latter called. "If they don't pick -it up they'll be done for. They can't! Look at 'em! They're trying to -bolt."</p> - -<p>"They ain't got time—not any," Larry told him as they peered over the -top of the breastwork. "There she goes!"</p> - -<p>There was a dull detonation, a bright flash of flame, and then shouts. -A second before, the shell-hole, into which Bill could look to some -extent but the interior of which was hidden from the eyes of his -comrades, had appeared empty but for a drain of water at the bottom; -but, as the bomb fell, heads had bobbed up, and, just before the -explosion occurred, fifteen or more men had struggled desperately to -dash away from it. That explosion caught them in the midst of the act, -and every one was killed or wounded. It was indeed a brilliant ending -to this first attempt to defend themselves against the enemy, and -caused the garrison of the shattered factory to set up a shout.</p> - -<p>"But they ain't done—not by a whole heap," said Larry, producing his -cigar. "It stands to reason, seeing we are here right in the midst of -the enemy, that they'll have reinforcements. The noise of the bomb'll -bring 'em along if the officer's whistle don't do it. Hear that? You -can hear him a-whistlin' now for help. Boys, there's goin' to be a -stand-up tussle."</p> - -<p>Whereat Larry gripped his cigar and wetted his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> lips, while his eyes -flashed. It was plain indeed that this diminutive American felt no -fear, but rather that he was full of enthusiasm and ready for anything -that might happen. That Jim, too, was thirsting for adventure there -was little doubt, while the rest of the party could be relied upon -to support their young commander and his two American friends. Nobby -himself was likely to be quite a formidable opponent.</p> - -<p>"You see, Bill," he called out after a while, "having had one sort of -lesson, and now that they know we've got bombs with us, they'll keep -at a distance and'll turn machine-guns on us. Seems to me we've got -to think out some clever way of fightin' 'em. What d'you think, boy? -Supposin' they gets shootin' bombs in here, same as we've been throwin' -'em out—as they will, 'cos Fritz is a nasty chap at thinkin' things -out—and supposin' we're a-lyin' as we are now—not healthy—eh, boy?"</p> - -<p>"You bet!" Larry chimed in; "we should get 'done in', like Fritz over -there in the shell-hole."</p> - -<p>"Then we'll separate," Bill told him. "What d'you say to this, -boys? That German officer and his men have seen us here in this -ruined factory, and every shot they've fired has been put in in this -particular direction. If shell-holes are good enough for Fritz, ain't -they good enough for us too? Why not separate, though still forming a -sort of circle? I'll stay up here and can call out to any one of you; -then if bombs are thrown in, as Nobby says——" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<p>"As you can see for yourself," said Nobby dryly, as a rifle sounded -in the distance and a grenade flew over the wrecked factory and burst -beyond it, "as you can see for yourself now, Bill."</p> - -<p>"As I know," went on Bill, "then there's only one that's likely to be -damaged."</p> - -<p>"And that's you," said Larry.</p> - -<p>"And who else?" Bill asked him curtly. "We've had all that before. You -clear off, Larry, and you too, Jim. Boys, scatter in the same direction -as you're lying in now. Slip off to the nearest shell-hole, get the -best cover, and hold your fire till you know you've cause to use your -rifles—we've got to keep the enemy out till night-fall."</p> - -<p>And then what was to happen to this gallant and somewhat forlorn little -party? Could they, having regard to all the circumstances in which they -stood, really look forward to securing their liberty and to gaining the -Allied line? Could they, when they remembered that between them and -that line there stretched a host of Germans, and reflected also that -at the moment they were surrounded—could they reasonably expect to -make further progress? It was hardly possible, certainly not probable, -though, fortunately for all the members of the little band commanded by -Bill, such thoughts hardly crossed their minds, and there was no time -for reflection. Even as they wriggled off from the ruined walls of the -factory, sidling in behind layers of brick, dodging between battered -and perforated boilers and so gaining shell-holes, enemy bullets came -buzzing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> thicker than ever over the scene, while every minute or so a -rifle grenade reached the ruins, and, bursting, filled the air with -bits of iron, with fragments of stone and mortar, and threw up such a -cloud of dust, in spite of recent wet weather, that life became more -difficult.</p> - -<p>"Still, we've got pretty good cover," Bill thought, as, perched in a -niche he had selected, he hung to his post and watched carefully all -round, every now and again raising his rifle and firing at a German -figure. "If only it would get dark. But it won't, not for hours yet, -and there's no mist—nothing to cover us. Hi, Larry!" he shouted; -"they're bunching up in front of you and Nobby. Break 'em up, if you -can!"</p> - -<p>Nobby, with a cigarette hanging to the very corner of his mouth, -grinned in Bill's direction and then at Larry. It was an extremely -cool and methodical Nobby who then proceeded to pip, as he termed it, -brother Fritz, his shots, together with Larry's equally well-aimed -fire, soon dispersing the band of Germans approaching from the point -directly in front of them. But there were other points from which the -enemy were advancing also. Unpleasant little rushes were indulged in -here and there, all of which served to bring the enemy still nearer, -till, as the minutes grew to an hour, and that hour into two, the -defenders were more closely surrounded, engirdled by an increasing -number of Germans, whose offensive became increasingly insistent. -Bombs, too, became more frequent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> bursting amongst the ruins, and in -course of time driving Bill and the defenders completely out of them.</p> - -<p>"It's no go!" Nobby was at length forced to admit, smiling grimly and -somewhat wryly at Bill.</p> - -<p>"See here, Bill," Larry joined in, for the three were now in a -shell-hole together, "ef it was a case of dying hard, so as we might -hold the line that meant the safety of our pals yonder, we would be -right to do it, and we'd do it willingly. But a live man, Bill, is much -better than a dead one, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yep, a live man lives perhaps to fight again, while if he's dead he -ain't no longer any use. Nobby's right: there ain't nothin' degradin' -in giving in. Things has gone against us."</p> - -<p>That was the opinion of them all, though quite loyally they had -supported their young leader without a grumble. Yet already more than -one of the defenders had paid the price for resisting the enemy, -while of the latter quite a number were grovelling lifeless in the -surrounding shell-holes. It was a little after noon, therefore, that -Bill, tying a somewhat dirty handkerchief to the top of his bayonet, -lifted the latter over the top of the shell-hole and waved it. The -machine-gun answered it with an angry rattle and then ceased, while a -glance over the top showed him an answering signal. Then there came -an order shouted in a loud voice: "Stand out, all of you, and advance -without your arms.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> You've put up a good fight and shall have fair -treatment."</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i225.jpg" id="i225.jpg"></a><br /> -<img src="images/i225.jpg" alt="BILL WAVED IT" /></div> - -<p class="bold">BILL, TYING A SOMEWHAT DIRTY HANDKERCHIEF TO THE<br />TOP OF -HIS BAYONET, WAVED IT</p> - -<p>"Fair treatment!" scoffed Larry. "That's a prison, with skilly, with -food at which the lowest criminal would turn up his nose. However, -we're beggars this time and can't choose. But, Bill, there's still a -chance to get out. Some of our boys has escaped, why not us, eh? We can -do what others has done."</p> - -<p>"You bet!" Bill answered. "Now, boys, out we go; we've made a fight, -there's nothing to be ashamed of!"</p> - -<p>Presently they were surrounded by Germans, who, contrary to their -expectations, treated them quite fairly. There was no roughness -displayed, for, indeed, the two hours or more during which the contest -had lasted had filled the enemy with admiration for this sturdy little -party. After all, German or no German, the enemy could appreciate -bravery. He may be, and is undoubtedly, a cruel and ruthless opponent; -he wages war in a manner which has sullied his name for ever, but in -individual bravery he is by no means lacking, and he can appreciate -similar qualities in his opponent.</p> - -<p>Therefore, having placed an escort round the prisoners, the officer -marched them away to the adjacent road, and presently sent them along -it. Yet Bill and his friends had not quite done with incident. Ere -they gained a German prison that evening, they were herded in a camp -near by; and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> just as the light was falling, observed an aeroplane -making ready to take the air and join in the enemy offensive. Yet was -it merely for ordinary purposes that this machine made ready to depart? -Bill of a sudden grabbed Larry's arm as they stood close to the wire -entanglements which surrounded them.</p> - -<p>"It's—" he gasped, "it's Heinrich Hilker!" and in his excitement he -clutched at the barbed railing.</p> - -<p>Larry stared and then started. A second later he clasped his thin -fingers firmly round Bill's arm and pulled him back.</p> - -<p>"Get hold of him on the other side, Jim," he said hoarsely. "Gee! If -that isn't that traitor! If that isn't the man who shot Bill's father -way back in the saloon in the Utah mine camp! If that ain't the agent -that fired the bomb aboard the ship that brought us to Europe! Come -back, Bill; if you shout you'll give yourself away, and the man, once -he recognizes you, wouldn't stop at anything. Gosh! what a meeting! And -what's he after?"</p> - -<p>"After! After!" said Jim, beginning now to fully appreciate the -position. "He's getting aboard that aeroplane as a passenger. He's -dressed as a American. You bet he's—he's going off to be dropped in -the American lines, where he'll act the traitor again, where he'll be a -spy."</p> - -<p>"Stop him!" Bill tried to shout, but Larry clapped a hand over his -mouth and just stopped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> him; and there, as they stood, helpless to -intervene, they watched the aeroplane take flight, watched the figure -of the man they knew to be a despicable spy, dressed in American -uniform, steal off into the heavens. Without doubt the man was gone to -carry on his nefarious work amongst their unsuspecting comrades.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI</span> <span class="smaller">Heinrich Hilker, Master Spy</span></h2> - -<p>Time sweeps along, and this gigantic contest which has engulfed the -world spreads and grows constantly greater. The times in which we live -are so momentous, and the incidents so numerous and so close at hand, -that one is apt to lose grip of the general situation and to forget, in -the vastness of our own responsibilities, that others than ourselves -are concerned. Yet it were wise to dissever ourselves for a moment -from our own particular and personal interest in this world-contest, -and, standing aside as it were in some quiet niche—if one is actually -discoverable when the world is aflame—to look out and survey the whole -area of operations from that niche or point of vantage. We should -see Britain and France, and now America too, locked closely with the -enemy along the line of trenches from Nieuport to far-off Belfort -on the Franco-Swiss frontier. In Italy we should catch a glimpse of -King Victor's hosts, driven back from the Isonzo, in October, 1917, -mourning the loss of a fertile province, and awaiting the onslaught of -the Austrian hosts along the Trentino<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> front and throughout the whole -length of the Piave River.</p> - -<p>In Salonika and adjacent parts there would appear British and French -and Serbians and Greeks and Italians facing the Bulgarian cohorts. In -Palestine, General Allenby's troops beyond Jericho and Jerusalem, in -touch with the King of the Hadjiz, steadily driving the Turk before -them. Farther east, in Mesopotamia, other British and British-Indian -troops, sweeping steadily upward along the courses of the Tigris and -Euphrates Rivers, leaving the Persian frontier behind them, with -their right flank thrown out in the direction of the Caucasus. Behind -these two last groups of British troops, in Egypt itself, would be -seen teeming masses of troops ready to reinforce the Palestine and -the Mesopotamian fronts, and prepared at any moment to subjugate the -tribes in the western desert should they again venture to rise. But the -Senussi have learnt their lesson. Elsewhere the Arabs, stirred up by -German agents, and fed and paid by them, have likewise learnt that the -British arm is a strong and a long one, and they too are glad to be at -peace with us.</p> - -<p>Go east across the ocean to East Africa, where German columns still -trek through swampy and forest country, and where British troops, with -Indians amongst them, pursue them relentlessly, having already captured -practically the whole of this, the last of the German colonies. Then -turn to Russia. Was there ever such a wretched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> country? Revolution -having first deposed the Tsar, the Revolutionists have turned upon one -another. Armies have disappeared, the German has invaded the Muscovite -provinces without difficulty; for while the hand of brother was raised -against the hand of brother there were none to oppose the invader. We -have dealt already in some detail with this lamentable condition of -affairs, and have shown how it reacted on the Western Front, but we -have not so far dealt with its meaning in other directions.</p> - -<p>Siberia borders China and runs down to the sea which washes the -Japanese islands. Not only are Russian revolutionists swarming in these -parts, but the many hundreds of thousands of Austrian prisoners and -the many thousands of Germans captured by Russia in the early days -of the war, when the Russian armies were triumphant, are at large, -seizing arms, electing leaders, and at this very period threatening the -security of the Chinese provinces across the Siberian border, and the -interests of Japan in Manchuria and elsewhere.</p> - -<p>Thus as, ensconced in our niche, we look out and survey this world-wide -scene, another aspect of affairs is presented to us. China, like many -of the South American provinces, indeed as in the case of nearly every -nationality throughout the world other than the Central Empires of -Europe, has declared war against the Kaiser and his allies, or has -severed diplomatic relations with them, while it needs not to be added -that the Japanese<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> have long since joined Britain and her allies. But -till this stage of the war neither China nor Japan has taken active -military steps against the enemy, though the navy of Japan has already -lent much assistance. The time has now arrived, however, when China -must seriously consider the protection of her Siberian frontier, when -Japan must likewise protect her interests on the coast washed by the -Sea of Japan.</p> - -<p>At this stage of the conflict one is unable to prophesy what will -happen in this particular direction; yet, bearing in mind the course -of this gigantic war, its constant spread, it seems only reasonable to -expect that presently China and Japan will be brought actively into the -fighting.</p> - -<p>One last point in our survey. The Caucasus, captured in such -magnificent manner by the Russians, has now been abandoned by the -Revolutionists, and the Armenian people, released from the torture of -Turkish rule, have again been thrown into the hands of that remorseless -people. Thus, while the outbreak of revolution has dismembered Russia, -and brought infinite misery upon the people, it has automatically, as -it were, brought even greater misery upon the Armenians. Yet it has not -found them irresolute or without strength to protect their homes. As we -write, they are fighting the Turk, and may success follow their efforts!</p> - -<p>Then let us turn to the active centre of the world-wide contest—to -France. We have already set down the outline of the German offensive -which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> commenced on 21st March, 1918, when Bill and Larry and Jim and -Nobby and their comrades were engulfed. We can conveniently, then, -follow this offensive to its end, and, advancing the story a stage or -two, describe events that followed.</p> - -<p>The Fifth British Army, opposed to the bulk of the German host, fell -back by force of circumstances, fighting a brilliant rear-guard action, -while the Third Army, just to the north of it, swung its right flank -farther to the west to keep in touch with the left of the Fifth Army. -At the same time French troops were rushed forward to reinforce the -right flank of the Fifth Army, while American battalions were brigaded -with British and French troops, so that, as the Fifth Army retired, its -resistance was supported by others, and reinforcements accumulated.</p> - -<p>The German drive was presently stopped definitely before Albert. -In effect that drive had carried the enemy across the conquered -battle-fields of the Somme, and the line now established was that held -for so many weary months through the years 1914, 1915, and 1916.</p> - -<p>Then followed a short lull and another German offensive in the -neighbourhood of Armentières, which carried the enemy over Messines -Hill, across the flats of French Flanders, beyond Bailleul, in a big -bow which encompassed Kemmel Hill, the village of Locre, and many -other villages from a point south of Ypres down to Festubert to the -north-east of Bethune. Once more British and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> French and American -reserves checked the rush, and the Allied line once again held up the -enemy advance.</p> - -<p>Another pause, more frantic efforts on the part of the enemy, whose -policy it was to smash the French and British before American troops -could arrive in sufficient numbers, and a third offensive was launched -towards the Aisne River, which swept the defenders back right to the -Marne and carved out another huge section of French country, till this -third wave of advance reached the Marne River at a point thirty-four -miles from Paris, encircling Reims to the east, and running from the -Marne past Villers Cotterets—scene of British gallantry in 1914—to -Noyon.</p> - -<p>The position is one to consider for a moment. How had this trio of -retreats affected the Allies, and what success had it brought to -the Germans? In the case of the former it had caused losses, it had -secured country, it had devastated fertile areas, and it had rendered -homeless thousands of hapless French people. Moreover, it had brought -the Germans within easier striking distance of Paris, on which at least -three of their long-range guns had for some weeks now been casting -shells. But it had not broken Britain and her allies. Those losses -had already been made good, and now, instead of some three or four -hundred thousand Americans standing shoulder to shoulder with Britain -and France and Italy and Portugal and Belgium, there were a million -Americans, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> more swarming on ships to cross the Atlantic and come -to our assistance.</p> - -<p>What then of the Germans? What was in the first place the ultimate aim -and object of that first offensive, which, successful enough, we admit, -had yet caused them stupendous losses? What was the net result of -these three successful attempts, all accompanied by losses, which, if -published broadcast and fully known, might well stagger the people of -Germany? Ground had been won, prisoners had been taken, but the effort -was a failure—a ghastly failure—because its main object had been to -smash and drive a wedge in between the British forces to the north -and the French troops farther south—a position which would have been -pressed to the fullest and which would have enabled the Kaiser to have -thrown the whole of his forces upon the British and so overwhelm them.</p> - -<p>That had not eventuated; that was the main object of the German High -Command, and its failure spelt failure in all directions. Those three -offensives had taken time—valuable days had slipped by, valuable -weeks had gone, and during those weeks, running into some three -months, America, stimulated by the danger, had made good the gaps in -the fighting-line of the Allies, and had sent her troops to France in -unprecedented manner.</p> - -<p>What then of the future? There stood now in France a solid wall of -British and French and American troops, with Italians, Portuguese, and -Belgians, a wall growing stouter every day as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> American troops arrived. -On the other side of the line there stood a German host, staggered in -spite of itself by its losses, shaken by the stupendous task still -before it, doubtful of the future, hesitating as to the course it -should pursue.</p> - -<p>As to the other theatres of war: in Italy another blow was given to -the German Alliance, for the Austrians, having staked their all on an -offensive, were hopelessly defeated, and Italy was advancing her line -across the Piave. Thus July arrived, and with it the crisis of this -world-wide conflict.</p> - -<p>What of Bill and his friends? What, too, of Heinrich Hilker, the German -spy whom they had seen whisked off in an aeroplane, obviously with the -intention of landing behind the Allied line, there to mingle with the -American soldiers?</p> - -<p>"It's—it's——" spluttered Bill, as the machine took the air and went -off. "I—we——"</p> - -<p>"You shut up," Larry commanded, still gripping him by the arm and -beginning to lead him away. "Sakes! D'you want every one of the Germans -outside to hear you—to see that something's happened? Come over here! -Stuff that into your mouth! Smoke, man! Now, Jim, sit down; we'll have -a talk. Nobby, you come across here. Of course you don't understand. -Well, sit down; now listen!"</p> - -<p>"See here!" said Jim, tapping the huge Nobby on the knee as he sat -in front of him, for Larry was now engaged in talking sternly to -Bill. "This here is a real drama: our Bill—our young Bill,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> him as -we've been along with these weeks now—was a chum of ours out west in -America. There was Germans there, Nobby; you know as I'm speakin' of -times when America wasn't at war with Germany. Them Germans was up to -all sorts of stunts—dirty stunts; you get me?"</p> - -<p>Nobby nodded. He opened a capacious mouth and popped in the tip of a -tiny cigarette, looking almost as though he would swallow it.</p> - -<p>"Yep!" he said, unconsciously mimicking Larry.</p> - -<p>"Well now, there was a bar down there, and Bill's father was the man -in charge of it. One of these here German skunks shot him because he -was talkin' about the Kaiser. That man was the man dressed in American -uniform that's just gone off aloft in that aeroplane. Say, Nobby, -what d'you think a German skunk like that wants to get dressing up in -American togs for? What d'you think?"</p> - -<p>"Think!" Nobby's brow was wreathed with furrows, his eyes sank a trifle -deeper into his head, and for the first time since they had known -him he actually scowled. "Think! As if I wanted to think!" he said. -"Ain't I been out 'ere these months and months? Ain't we had spies -before?—nice, dear old gentlemen, who you'd think were real till you'd -stripped them of their beards and some of their clothes. Haven't I -known German officers dressed up as old Flemish women? Ain't they tried -every game on?—even to dressin' in British uniforms!—and you get -askin' me the sort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> o' question you'd put to a child! 'Ere, Jim, I've -took a likin' to you, but if you fling things like that at me, you and -I'll part—savvy?"</p> - -<p>He blew out a puff of smoke directly into Jim's face, perhaps not very -politely; but then on active service the refinements of civilization -are not always observable—men think deeply and sometimes forget the -niceties they practised at home.</p> - -<p>"D'you get me?" asked Nobby, blowing out another cloud of smoke, and -becoming quite American in his drawl, "or d'you really take me for a -child?—me as 'as been on active service almost since the war begun. -So young Bill's father was killed by that dirty scoundrel, eh?" he -asked, "and that explains his excitement just now. Bill, boy," he said, -holding out a hand and gripping Bill's arm with his huge fingers, -"don't you take on, you'll get even with that chap one of these days, -and I'll help you. Pull yerself together! Now let's talk! Of course -you mean to escape out of this place—so do we. Of course, you want -to get back to your folks as quick as possible, so as to give 'em a -warning—well, so do we. You ain't the only one as thinks of such -things or worries over the Americans. Well then, we're agreed. Then -let's put our heads together and talk it over and make plans and so on."</p> - -<p>Nobby sat down, blew his cheeks out, grimaced at Bill, winked at Larry, -and jerked his head as much as if to invite Jim to be seated near him.</p> - -<p>"Stand up, you English swine!" a German non-commissioned <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>officer -shouted at them, using the English language.</p> - -<p>"English swine!" Nobby grunted, while his cheeks flushed. "Well, -I don't know; suppose you've got to hold yerself in these days, -because it don't do to quarrel with the Germans when you're a -prisoner—but——" His big fist doubled, while with the other hand he -dashed the sweat from his forehead.</p> - -<p>As for Bill, he appeared to take no offence at the coarse command. -Automatically, as it were, he stood up. All his thoughts were bent upon -the scoundrel, Heinrich Hilker, whom he had seen leaving the place on -that aeroplane, undoubtedly bound for the American lines. "American -lines!" They were the Allied lines; for was not America one of the -stanchest of the Allies? and had not he, Bill himself, the closest -relationship and friendship for America? Whatever did Heinrich Hilker's -presence bode for those friends of his? What danger did it mean? In -any case, his presence as a spy could hardly signify anything else but -trouble for the Allies, trouble which might lead to disaster.</p> - -<p>"It must be stopped. We must get away," he said.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" grunted Larry, "but you hold yer jaw, young Bill!" he added, -<i>sotto voce</i>. "This German chap speaks English, don't you forget it. -Perhaps he's been a waiter—most of 'em seem to have been that—and has -made a small fortune out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> of your people or out of mine. That's why he -hates us, perhaps; for see how he scowls at us. But escape, boy? Sure -we will—eh, Jim?"</p> - -<p>Jim merely glanced at them, but as he did so his eyes flashed an answer -which there was no mistaking, and he nodded.</p> - -<p>"March! No talking! I'll bayonet the man who speaks! Fall in, you dogs! -Listen to me. We've broken the British line; we've separated the French -and the English. We're marching to Paris. We shall soon have conquered -both England and France, and then America shall feel the weight of our -blows. Ha, America!"</p> - -<p>The German swung round upon the diminutive Larry, and, stepping a pace -nearer, stood over him as if he would trample upon him and crush him. -Whereat Larry, no doubt unconsciously, felt for his cigar end, and, -discovering it had gone, merely stood staring up at this giant, this -bully.</p> - -<p>"Say, mister!" he said in gentle tones, "you ain't got no call to try -and skeere me—I ain't the American army. You won't find the American -army and our boys so jolly small as I am. You wait! Marching on -Paris, eh? Waal, you ain't there yet, I'll bet. As for whoppin' the -British——waal! My! I've seen something of them fellows, and they'll -take some whopping! And then you'll beat the Americans. Oh ho, you -will! Waal, that too'll want a bit o' doin'."</p> - -<p>The man scowled down at him, and, gripping his rifle, lifted it up -above his head as if he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> dash the butt against Larry's face. -Then he thought better of the matter, lowered it, and, finally turning -on his heel, marched away. Who knows? The very mildness of Larry's -appearance, the gentleness of his voice, may have taken the man by -surprise. Or was it that in that gentle and diminutive exterior he -had seen something, perceived something hidden before, had grasped -some idea, as it were, of the indomitable courage of this gallant -American? Yes, it must have been that. Those who looked into Larry's -eyes under similar circumstances saw a glimmer there of warning. This -was the little man who in the mines was feared by evil-doers. Even as a -prisoner he was not to be derided. In point of fact, that swinging butt -had caused him to brace every muscle and every sinew. Unknown to the -German, unsuspected by his comrades, he was on the point of springing -at the man's throat, when luckily the bully turned abruptly.</p> - -<p>"I'll know him next time," said Larry in the same gentle tone. "Things -then may be a bit more even. Suppose now he's got a gun, and I too. -Waal, boys, guess I'll do more than stand still and talk to him."</p> - -<p>Nobby's big broad fingers were stretched out, and gripped the frail -shoulders of the American. Nobby, broad-shouldered, powerfully built, -and perhaps a little obtuse and dull of understanding, could yet -realize what had passed in those last few moments. Long since this he -had developed an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> enormous admiration for Larry and his other American -comrades, for Bill, too, let us say, and none the less for his British -comrades. Larry was such a queer fellow; so calm, so deliberate, so -full of pluck and spirit, and yet so fragile in appearance.</p> - -<p>"Say, Larry," he gulped, mimicking the American's drawl, "you do get -me. Blest if I can understand a chap like you. Now if I was to take you -by this same shoulder, I could shake yer as a dog does a rat, and blest -if I don't think you look as though you'd fall to pieces. But when you -gets a squint at me, I knows that, like the rat, you'd turn and get yer -teeth into me, and then it'ud be a fight to the death. Blimey! I'm glad -I ain't that German, because some day you'll meet him, that's certain, -and then—— Well, as I said, I'm real sorry for 'im!"</p> - -<p>"March!" They were hurried out of the barbed-wire entanglements, and -presently joined another column of unfortunate prisoners. A few hours -later they reached the railway station at Péronne, where they were -driven into cattle trucks preparatory to the journey into Germany. That -night the train pulled out of the station and lay in a siding. Far off, -very far off indeed, they heard the sounds of strife. British guns, -American guns, French guns, in the far distance, defending the Allied -line against the German rush. Then they lost these sounds as the train -which carried them steamed out on its journey. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> - -<p>When would they hear those reassuring sounds again? What chance -had Bill and his friends of ever returning to their comrades? And, -worst thought of all, what opportunity would they have to circumvent -the plans of Heinrich Hilker, the villain who by this time, in all -probability, had landed behind the American lines, and was no doubt -already fraternizing with those whose destruction he plotted?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII</span> <span class="smaller">An American Encampment</span></h2> - -<p>A small crescent of the moon illuminated the country-side, thrusting -pale beams through the mist which rose from the ground, sodden after -days of rain, lighting up the roofs of houses, the white walls of -barns, camouflaged tents and huts, and gleaming now and again from the -wings of an aeroplane soaring over the line. A man in that aeroplane, -masked and clad in leather garments, bent forward, tapped his pilot on -the shoulder, and spoke to him through the telephone which connected -their head-pieces.</p> - -<p>"A little lower, Fritz; now to the right. Wait! I think I see the -church tower which was to be our mark. No, not that one; farther on. -Listen!—there are guns! I saw the flashes down below, so that we are -still in the area of operations."</p> - -<p>The pilot grunted. He was a huge, broad-shouldered beast-like -individual. He turned his head impatiently and growled something into -the telephone, though what it was Heinrich Hilker, seated behind him, -did not understand. How could he? How could he realize that these -gruff<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> words shouted at him contained all the venomous contempt of -which the pilot was capable, and yet a contempt which he dared not show -too openly.</p> - -<p>"This—this Hilker—a spy—yes!" the pilot was saying to himself. "Not -that I blame him for that, for it's a dangerous game to play, and calls -for courage. But is the fellow honest with anyone at all?—with us, -for instance? I doubt it. Yet, what is one to think? For his record -for America is splendid, and now he goes to join the Americans again. -Bah! it's a dangerous game to play; that is, dangerous for us should he -elect to tell the Americans all he knows about us."</p> - -<p>So Heinrich Hilker, intriguer, ruffian, rascal that he was, had -succeeded in arousing the suspicions of one at least of his -compatriots, while certainly he had aroused in the minds of Bill and -Larry and his chums something far beyond suspicion. Not that Heinrich -Hilker himself cared what others thought. To him the work that he was -engaged on was the height of enjoyment. America, for some unexplained -reason, seemed to have aroused all his enmity. Well, Americans were -down below there. He would soon be amongst them. A friend—yes, a -friend for the moment. And what would his coming portend? Disaster!</p> - -<p>He rubbed his gloved hands together and chuckled into the telephone.</p> - -<p>"Wait until I get there," he told himself. "Wait till I learn all -about them! Wait until my signals bring shells smashing into their -batteries!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> Then they'll know. Then they'll learn what it means to hunt -Heinrich Hilker from their country."</p> - -<p>"Stop!" he shouted. "That's the church tower! Now steer her to the -right, then drop! The ground is clear behind, and you can make a -landing."</p> - -<p>The broad back in front wriggled and writhed, the strong shoulders -heaved upwards. If Heinrich Hilker had been a man of discernment, and -less engaged with his own affairs and his own importance, he would have -appreciated the fact that that heave, that wriggle, denoted something -not altogether pleasant. Indeed it denoted the anger of the pilot, his -hatred for his passenger, his indignation with this man who ventured to -give him—an experienced pilot—instructions. He growled a reply into -the telephone, and, sighting the spot to which Heinrich had referred, -sent his machine down in a spinning nose-dive.</p> - -<p>"I'll scare the life out of him," he thought. "Let him believe he's -about to be dashed to pieces—there!" and he threw his hands up from -the "joy-stick".</p> - -<p>But Heinrich never even blinked his eyelids. His thoughts were upon the -task he had before him, and his eyes were riveted upon the ground. All -thought of his own personal safety had left him for the moment, while -that heaving of the shoulders in front of him, like the reply the pilot -had growled at him, escaped his attention.</p> - -<p>"Down!" he shouted. "Faster!"</p> - -<p>"Faster! The man's crazy," thought the pilot,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> pulling his machine out -of its spinning nose-dive with some little difficulty. "What if we find -a crowd of the enemy there! But the landing-place looks broad enough. -Get ready to move out! I shall drop here like a stone, give you half a -minute to dismount, and be off again instantly."</p> - -<p>Heinrich's answer was to begin to unbuckle the belt which strapped him -securely to his seat, and to make sure that no part of his clothing -was entangled in the framework. He bent easily over the side of the -fuselage, which was now lying horizontally, and then half rose to his -feet as the machine, already within a thousand feet of the ground, shot -down at a steep angle. Presently the pilot flattened it, dropped it -again, bumped his wheels, and, having already switched off his engine, -finally brought the aeroplane to a standstill.</p> - -<p>"Au revoir!" shouted Heinrich, for by then the pilot—a skilful -fellow—had got his engine going again.</p> - -<p>"To the devil with you!" muttered the latter. He waved an arm, turned -one glance upon the figure now standing a few feet from his machine, -opened his throttle, and went bounding off and so into the air and away -from the spot where he had landed.</p> - -<p>As for Heinrich, he watched the departure for two minutes, and then, -turning, walked towards the church-tower which had been his landmark. -It was perhaps a minute later when a man accosted him. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Say!" someone cried; "halt! Who goes there? Advance and give the -countersign!"</p> - -<p>"Hundred and forty-first Regiment!" came the prompt answer. "Name—John -Miller—American Expeditionary Force, same as yourself, sonny. Say, did -you see that aeroplane just now?" he asked, approaching the sentry.</p> - -<p>"Yep. Must 'a been one of ours. Thought it landed on the flats yonder, -but wasn't certain, and couldn't get a view from just here."</p> - -<p>"Good-night, sonny!"</p> - -<p>The two men stood opposite one another for just a brief moment, and -then Heinrich passed on towards the American encampment which this -sentry guarded.</p> - -<p>"John Miller—eh? Oh! Just John Miller! Now I'd have sworn——" the -sentry told himself as he paced to and fro—a lithe, tall, sinewy -young fellow, a magnificent example of American manhood. "Gee, now! -Where have I met that chap before?—and not liked him either. John -Miller—why, bless us! Now, where?"</p> - -<p>He swung his rifle to his shoulder and marched to and fro far more -rapidly than the regulations warranted. His beat took him as far as -the church tower in one direction, and back to the post to which -barbed wire was attached, and which marked the limit of the encampment -occupied by his own particular comrades. Something was agitating this -fine young fellow—some fleeting memory the essence of which just -escaped him. In his mind's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> eye he could picture the figure—the -somewhat sloping shoulders, the rather bullet head, and the particular -cast of countenance of this John Miller, who had just answered his -challenge, had given him the correct counter-sign without faltering.</p> - -<p>That he was not American born he felt quite sure; that he was of alien -extraction he was ready to venture upon a wager; but that did not say -that John Miller was not an altogether reputable person. For there are -thousands of alien-born Americans who are now in the American ranks -fighting against the nation which threatens the liberties of all the -free peoples of the world. The man's eye absorbed the thoughts of the -sentry.</p> - -<p>"Same sort of gleaming optic," he said. "Now where? This gets me! I——"</p> - -<p>He suddenly halted and grounded his rifle, the butt-end striking the -hard earth with a clang. One hand grabbed the muzzle just below the -bayonet, while the other went to his waist, where the thumb stuck -within his belt. Then a low deep-drawn whistle escaped from between the -pursed-up lips of the sentry. He shouldered his weapon, and, turning -abruptly, walked with even more decided step toward the guard-tent.</p> - -<p>"Sergeant of the Guard!" he called.</p> - -<p>Presently a man, taller than himself, with tin hat tilted somewhat over -his eyes, turned out of the tent and approached him.</p> - -<p>"Aye?" he asked, in brusque yet kindly tones; "what now, Dan? Somethin' -special?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> - -<p>Dan! Could Larry and Jim have caught but a glimpse of this fine young -fellow, what shouts of joy they would have given. How they would have -rushed towards him and gripped his hands. For this Dan was none other -than their chum away in Salt Lake City at the copper-mine—the same Dan -whom Heinrich Hilker had shot down in that famous encounter. And here -was a coincidence! Dan, recovered of a desperate wound—thanks to his -magnificent physique and wonderful health—had volunteered, and had -followed his chums across the water. Here he was—tin-hatted, arrayed -in khaki, drilled, and thoroughly well informed in matters pertaining -to modern warfare—on sentry duty, and for a moment face to face with -the man who had done his best to kill him. More than that, that man was -a spy—none other than Heinrich Hilker—and Dan, with the swiftness for -which he was notorious, had recognized him.</p> - -<p>True, the fleeting glance he had obtained of this ruffian as he peered -at his face under the thin beams cast by the moon-crescent had given -him hardly even an inkling, but it had set some odd corner of his brain -at work, had stirred, as it were, some cell in his cerebral matter, -which, since the affair in the mine, had until that moment been lying -dormant. Dan had caught a glimpse of Heinrich Hilker in a similar -way when the light had been thrown full upon him in the heart of the -copper-mine, just before Dan himself had been put out of action by the -bullet he had fired, and now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> this second fleeting glance recalled -that old memory, and that memory had developed to the point where he -recognized that he, Dan, had information of the utmost importance.</p> - -<p>"Well, Dan," repeated the Sergeant of the Guard. "Report, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Serious, Sergeant. I'd like to go before the officer right now. Will -you take me?"</p> - -<p>"Jim, there," the Sergeant called, "I want a relief at once. Turn out, -Jim!" And straightway he relieved his sentry. "Now, Dan, boy, we'll -go right off. Say, Lootenant, this here's Private Dan Holman, same as -you know, and he's asked to come along with a report that he considers -important."</p> - -<p>The officer, who had been hastily summoned—a stoutly-built, thick-set -fellow—took a long look at Dan, and answered him in business-like -fashion.</p> - -<p>"Report, eh? Sentry duty—what? Come over here! Now," he said.</p> - -<p>"Confidential, Lootenant," Dan told him. "No offence to the Sergeant, -but my report's a matter of no end of importance, not only to you -and to me, sir, but to all us Americans. It's a report that a -Commander-in-Chief should have right now—the sooner the better."</p> - -<p>Those who knew Dan knew him to be a strong and steady and promising -young soldier, not the sort of fellow upon whom the moonbeams could -have played a trick, or a man given to imagining something out of the -ordinary. The officer merely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> took another glance at him, ordered the -Sergeant back to the guard-tent, and, turning upon his heel, led the -way to Divisional Head-quarters. There it was that Dan told his story.</p> - -<p>"And you recognized this man as a German—a German agent who shot the -barman at a saloon near Salt Lake City, and afterwards nearly put you -out of action for good? You're sure?"</p> - -<p>"Certain, sir!" Dan told him promptly. "I've only had, as you might -say, a peep at the fellow once, way over by Salt Lake City, and the -second time just now, but I'm as sure as sure! You've a spy landed -right here and right now—a spy dressed in American uniform, who speaks -English same as you and me—a spy who'd do his utmost to damage the -American army."</p> - -<p>That the information might well prove of the utmost importance was -clear to the Divisional Commander, just as it was to the Intelligence -side of his Staff. There followed a discussion, and presently sharp -orders were issued.</p> - -<p>"We'll muster every man at dawn," the Commander ordered—"every man, -whether he's serving with his battalion, or as a cook, or what-not; -fatigue parties, men in camp, men in billets—every single man of this -division—and we'll call the roll-call from end to end of the camp. If -that John Miller's here, we'll get him. 141st Regiment, eh?" he said. -"Now how did the fellow get his information? He must have had news from -this quarter, for see how he got into the camp! This private will be -attached<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> to the Intelligence for the time being. We shall have to hunt -for this man, for he's likely to prove, while at large, a real danger."</p> - -<p>He was likely to prove, in addition, a spy so cunning as to be not so -easily captured as the Commander imagined. Did they think, indeed, -that Heinrich Hilker, a man who had spied in many countries and under -varying conditions, would be so easily trapped? Why, even then, as the -order was issued for an early morning muster of the whole division, -Heinrich heard the news. At the moment he stood at the entrance to a -tent, for all the world as though he had just turned out to see whether -daylight were coming. He stretched his arms and yawned, and, seeing a -sergeant about to pass, hailed him.</p> - -<p>"What time o' day?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"4.30."</p> - -<p>"Be daylight in another hour," he suggested, smothering another yawn.</p> - -<p>"Yep, an hour or a little more. There's a muster a half an hour after -that—six o'clock sharp—every man-Jack of the division."</p> - -<p>"A muster! A blame nuisance! What for?"</p> - -<p>"Dunno! It's a blame nuisance, as you say—some! But guess they've got -a reason!"</p> - -<p>Heinrich guessed also. He stood outside the tent stretching his arms -until the man was out of sight, and then, looking about him for a few -moments, he sped off into the darkness and presently disappeared from -sight. Yet, when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> muster was held in the misty early hours of the -morning, Heinrich, though absent, though not to be found among the -American ranks, was yet within sight of the parade. In a little corner -of a church tower, hidden beneath the tiles of the broken roof, lying -full length on a truss of straw, placed there for him by a peasant who -was his accomplice, he watched the whole scene and chuckled.</p> - -<p>"My brave Alphonse!" he said, as the parade he witnessed was presently -dismissed. "You see that! These American swine, eh? And you chuckle! -Ha! where are you, Alphonse? You are a sly, slippery, cunning fellow."</p> - -<p>But a few minutes before, the figure of a man had actually been beside -Heinrich, staring out between the cracks in this tower, and pointing -and gibing, and then, as the German turned, the man was no longer -there. Now, however, as he called, there was just the merest trace -of a sound on the rungs of the ladder which led to this loft in the -tower of the church, and half a minute later a long, hooked-nosed -visage was thrust over the edge of the floorway, up through the square -opening—a leering, bleary, pock-marked face, crowned by a head of -hair which was thin at the temples and decidedly so on the crown—the -face of an inebriate, followed by the figure of a man who had once -upon a time been powerful. Now, creeping and cunning and noiseless in -his movements, it was clear from his attenuated frame, from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> big -bones and joints, his sunken flanks, his thin calves, and his claw-like -hands, that the man was no longer what he had been. And what was his -nationality? French? Bah! The man spoke like a peasant of those parts, -and yet trace his history back.</p> - -<p>Alphonse, as he was generally known, had dropped upon this part of -the country as if literally from the skies. He had simply arrived -there late one evening, when only a young man, and, having put up at -a local cabaret for some few days, he presently blossomed forth as -the owner of the local forge. Pierre, the man who had controlled the -forge for many and many a year, had died, conveniently it seemed, -and here was Alphonse installed in his stead—Alphonse, who charged -such ridiculously low prices, who did his work so well, who was such -a "hail fellow" with all the French farmers and their men—Alphonse, -who seemed to have so much money jingling in his pockets, who was so -curious about other people's affairs, who travelled now and again to -the neighbouring cities, who, it was whispered, had more than once been -met by strangers—yet, Alphonse, the shoesmith, who did good work and -charged the most reasonable prices.</p> - -<p>Years went by, and Alphonse grew older. Perhaps it was the lonely life; -perhaps it was some secret grief which preyed upon him. In any case, -Alphonse's visits to neighbouring cabarets became more frequent and -lasted longer; and here was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> result. A fine figure of a man at one -time, he was now attenuated, horrid to look upon, while his face was -that of a leering, cunning, crafty, and unscrupulous drunkard. Let us -whisper more—in his cups, Alphonse spoke German with perfection.</p> - -<p>"See!" he said hoarsely, pushing forward a gnarled finger and pointing -out through the cracks between the tiles from which Heinrich the spy -was peering. "They thought to take you so easily, these Americans! -But it is you—no, it is I—who have outwitted them—outwitted them, -you hear? and the wretch broke into a dry, echoing chuckle which -reverberated from the tiles around him, and from the walls of the old -tower, till Heinrich was startled.</p> - -<p>"Peace, you fool!" he growled, turning upon him. Whereat the big, bony -fingers of the other man assumed the shape of claws, his brow knitted, -and for a moment he scowled at his companion; then he pointed again.</p> - -<p>"Outwitted—yes!" he whispered hoarsely, as though fearful that the -Americans down below, all unconscious of their presence, might overhear -them. "And what a prize! How we shall still further upset their -plans! In a little while—in a week or two perhaps—in less for all -we know—the signal will come to us; we shall know that our comrades -yonder are about to strike once more, and it may be for the last time, -for the Fatherland. Then——"</p> - -<p>The wretch broke again into that dry, creaking,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> rusty cackle which -grated upon Heinrich's nerves so much.</p> - -<p>"Then! What?" he asked abruptly, angrily.</p> - -<p>"Then! I'll tell you," the man responded. "We—you and I—will see -to it that it is here that our comrades break through. That it is -we who discover ourselves to the great German general and claim our -reward. Reward! Money, money, money in plenty; far more than the German -Government has sent me in these past years that I have lived in this -vile country amongst these vile peasants, and have done the bidding of -the Fatherland—money with which to live. Ah, that will be worth while!"</p> - -<p>Heinrich positively shivered. The man's face acted like a douche of -cold water upon him, and then those huge, bony fingers positively gave -him the creeps.</p> - -<p>"Worth while!" he said rapidly. "Money for what? More visits to the -cabaret? Well, we will see; but we must work, and work hard, together."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Yes, work hard, as I have worked for years, and you too, no doubt, -my comrade, work for the Kaiser and the Fatherland."</p> - -<p>Down below American battalions were dismissing—those fine Americans -who had come four thousand miles across the Atlantic to meet the -barbarians of the twentieth century—were strolling off to their -bivouacs, their cook-houses, their rest-huts, and so on. Not one, -perhaps, suspected that so near at hand lay the spy for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> whom their -general was searching; not one, as he cast an eye upward and caught a -glimpse of that picturesque yet half-shattered tower, realized that -there lay the man whom they were seeking; and he, this Heinrich and the -odious creature by his side, boded no good to these gallant men who had -come to stand beside the British and their allies.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII</span> <span class="smaller">In Search of Liberty</span></h2> - -<p>"Getting nearer Germany," said Jim laconically.</p> - -<p>Larry kicked the sides of the cattle-truck in which they were -incarcerated, pulled that tin hat of his down over his brow—his -unconscious yet characteristic habit—scowled and then grinned.</p> - -<p>Nobby got angry; he doubled his fist, projected his head until his face -was within a few inches of Larry, and growled something at him.</p> - -<p>"You're always laughin'—you, Larry," he said. "If we gits into a tight -hole, 'stead o' bein' serious-like all the time, you gits a-laughin'. -Now, look 'ere!"</p> - -<p>Bill took the huge fellow by the shoulder and pulled him back.</p> - -<p>"Stop talking rot, Nobby! We're alone for a moment, but you never -know when the train'll stop and the guard'll put his head in. 'Nearer -Germany,' Jim said."</p> - -<p>"Aye—sure," the latter grunted. "I'm thinking of it all the time. Here -are we—come all this way, been through all these things—and say, -boys, we've enjoyed it, haven't we?" </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Aye, aye," they grunted.</p> - -<p>"Well, we've been all through these times waitin' for our boys to come -out and join in with 'em, and then we gets scooped up by the Hun, and -won't have a chance of seein' all the fightin'."</p> - -<p>"No?" lisped Larry. "I ain't so sure. I ain't going to Germany, Jim, -not if I can help it. See here, chums! we're gettin' near Germany, and -we've got to do something."</p> - -<p>That was the sort of speech that pleased Nobby. He grunted his -approval. He was the sort of man—steady, strong, and fearless—who was -ready to carry out any sort of desperate enterprise; but to think one -out, to make plans, that was entirely beyond the genial, hard-fighting -Nobby.</p> - -<p>"You get in at it, Bill," for, like his comrades, he had a great -appreciation of that young fellow's shrewdness. "How 'ud you do it?"</p> - -<p>It was Bill's turn to shrug his shoulders. "Do it?" he asked. "Ah! But -chaps have jumped from a train before now—eh? What's to prevent us?"</p> - -<p>"Them doors!" declared Nobby, pointing to the iron-bound doors which -had been bolted on them.</p> - -<p>"Aye, but there's a roof and a floor," said Jim.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" Larry exclaimed, beginning to peer about him in the -semi-darkness of the truck.</p> - -<p>The very suggestion, patent though it was, brought them all to their -feet, and for the next few minutes they were walking about the truck, -feeling in all directions, they and half a dozen comrades<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> with them. -Then came a sharp, shrill cry from one of the men.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" demanded Nobby roughly. "Ah! A loose board! Let's get -there! Loose at one end. You wait—get out of the way! Christopher! -It's coming!"</p> - -<p>Nobby came with it too! For, getting his fingers underneath the end of -the board which one of the men had discovered to be loose, he threw all -his bull-like strength into it, tore the board up, and fell backward. -But a moment later he was on his feet again, and had his fingers at the -next board to that which was already wrenched out of position. This -one, too, came away to the sound of thudding, thumping iron wheels on -steel rails, and to the sound of splitting timber. A third time he -ventured to pull, and there, at his feet, lay a hole through which -three men could have gone together, a hole through which what little -light there was outside penetrated, a hole which might easily lead to -liberty, perhaps even to the road back to their comrades.</p> - -<p>"There!" exclaimed Nobby, mopping the sweat from his forehead with the -dirty sleeve of his khaki jacket.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" grinned Larry, peering over the hole and watching the ground -fleeing away from them.</p> - -<p>"Interesting!" Jim ventured, lying flat on the floor, his head thrust -through the square which Nobby's powerful fingers and muscles had -provided for them. "But this here raises a conundrum;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> droppin' through -on to the road would mean getting smashed by the axle of the wagon just -behind it. One man might have a bit of luck, but t'others would get -brained. Here's the hole right enough—but yet——"</p> - -<p>"But, yes," said Bill thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Ha!" gurgled Nobby, pushing his way nearer to them now that he had -recovered from his effort, while other men pressed round them.</p> - -<p>"Only," ventured Bill, breaking the long silence which followed, "only, -you know——"</p> - -<p>Nobby interrupted him. "I know what you're after, young Bill," he said. -"It's always you as is makin' plans and thinkin' things out while -the rest of us is puzzling. You shut up, mates; give him a moment to -think. Now then!" he said when a few more minutes had passed—passed -painfully, be it mentioned; for the opening at their feet, the gleam -of light which came through it, the swiftly-passing road it disclosed, -were tantalizing to the prisoners. In a measure their cage was broken -open and they were free to go; but that rushing train, the swiftness of -its pace, made escape from their open cage still an almost impossible -matter.</p> - -<p>"Only it ain't altogether impossible," said Bill. "No, not altogether."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Oh!" Nobby gurgled.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Bill, "a chap might sling himself out here with his -head to the back of the wagon. T'other chaps would then hold his -two legs and his two hands, so that he could get his head 'way out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -under the last beam and take a squint round. There'll be buffers, -perhaps—that's certain in fact; there'll be couplings, perhaps -there'll be handles. He'll get slung back here and give directions; -and then out he goes again, and you chaps'll let go one hand, when he -shouts or wriggles you'll let go the other, and the fellows with the -feet'll help him to move backward; finally one leg will go, then the -second, and after that——"</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" lisped Larry. "Yep, it is after that. You ain't yet out of -the wood—not by a long bit. Say, sonny, it's a bright idea; it's a -really bright brain-wave, but——"</p> - -<p>"Here, catch hold!" said Bill with decision. "Larry, you stand by -and direct operations. Jim will hold one hand, Tom, here, the other. -Nobby's the boy for the legs; I should be safe, I know, if he'd got a -grip of 'em. Now then, swing me down. Don't be frightened! Here I go!"</p> - -<p>And go he did. They gripped him by all four extremities and lowered him -through the opening as they would have lowered a bundle or a bed, then -very carefully they allowed his form to drift, as it were, backward -till his head was under the farthest edge of the wagon. Peering up -through a cloud of dust, which almost smothered him, Bill caught sight -of a coupling clanging just overhead, and, on either side, of buffers, -as he had suspected. Better than all, there was a strong iron handle -or grip beside the coupling, and one immediately opposite it on the -next truck, while below it was a foot-rest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> by means of which one could -mount the side of this truck, which, like the one in which they were, -was covered. He wriggled, and at the signal was hauled back.</p> - -<p>"Waal?" demanded Larry hoarsely, while Nobby leaned over the opening -and peered into his face, breathing heavily on him.</p> - -<p>"Can't say," came from Bill, "only the trick can be done right enough. -Next time I'll clamber along and see if the doors can be opened. Now -you swing me down again, holding my wrists and ankles. When I double -up my right hand, let it go, and keep me as far swung back as you can. -When I've got a grip I'll move the other hand and you can let that go -too. I'll jiggle my feet in turn as I want you to liberate 'em—get me?"</p> - -<p>"You bet!" Nobby grunted. "Got you square! Take care, young Bill, now. -We don't want to see you dashed to pieces, but——"</p> - -<p>"But someone's got to do it," said Bill, "and I'm as active as any one -of you and fairly light. Down I go! Hang on tight. And don't be afraid -to let go when you get the signal."</p> - -<p>He was swung through the opening again, and then allowed to drift -backward. Once more he caught a glimpse of the clanging couplings -just above his head, and of the grating buffers on either side. Then, -measuring his distance, he closed the fingers of his right hand, and -rather reluctantly that member was released, while he felt the grip on -the ankles and the other wrist tighten as if the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> men were fearful of -his escaping from between their fingers. Then he reached upward and -without difficulty gripped the first of the handles. Shifting his grasp -along it, he then closed the fingers of the other hand, and a minute -later was holding on to the single broad handle, while the men inside -the van allowed his form to drift still farther backward.</p> - -<p>There was team work there between them all—intelligent team work. -For though Larry and Jim and the others could not see what Bill was -attempting, they could imagine it well enough, and the writhings of -his body gave them a hint as to how they were to behave under every -circumstance. Yet it was not without reluctance that they let his -right leg loose, as he wriggled the ankle, and Nobby, who released -it, was more than relieved when Jim, bending over the hole, called -to two of them to grip his wrists, and was himself lowered through -the opening, head downward, his feet and legs resting on the floor -of the wagon. Twisting his head, he could see Bill's right leg swing -backward, and presently watched as it was hooked over the foot-rest. -Then came another wriggle of the other ankle, and a minute later Bill -had practically disappeared, one leg only still showing hooked over the -foot-rest.</p> - -<p>By the time Jim had been hauled back, Bill had gone, and those within -were left staring at the ground below fleeing past them. It seemed ages -before there was a clang at one of the doors—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> clang of a bolt -being shot backward. Then a crevice of light appeared, and, to the -amazement and joy of all, a hand was pushed into the compartment—a -hand which Nobby gripped and presently drew on—drew on until he -finally pulled Bill in amongst them.</p> - -<p>"So you did it! Bravo!" he cried, while Jim pushed the sliding door, -which Bill had liberated, farther back. As for the latter, he grinned -upon his comrades.</p> - -<p>"Easy as eating dinner," he said. "There wasn't a padlock, but only -bolts, and they didn't take much opening. After that the trick was -done. Here we are, boys—there's the road to liberty—only, of course, -we've got to slow the train up first. Another conundrum I hadn't -thought of."</p> - -<p>"I have," Jim joined in. "See here, boys, this train may go rushing on -for hours yet, and every foot of the way takes us farther into Germany. -You might shout yourself hoarse and the driver of the locomotive would -never hear. If we was to take those planks that we've torn from the -floor and chuck 'em on the rails, they'd be cut up like carrots, and -wouldn't no more derail her than if you was to chuck out Nobby there."</p> - -<p>At that the worthy and pugnacious Nobby looked threateningly at the -American, and opened his mouth to expostulate.</p> - -<p>"No," went on Jim, in deep earnest, unmindful of what he had said, "you -couldn't wreck the train if you wanted to. So next thing is to stop -her." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Aye, stop her!" Nobby grinned. "Ain't we all aware o' that? Clever, -Jim—eh?"</p> - -<p>"And to stop her," said Jim, unperturbed by Nobby's sudden explosion, -or by his sarcasm, "ain't such a difficult task, I should reckon. -Bill's done his bit; you boys wait here while I do my share; I'm going -to uncouple the chains right here in front of us."</p> - -<p>That, too, was no easy matter. Indeed it was one full of danger, as -Jim himself appreciated when he gained the end of the truck, and, -standing upon the foot-rest and clinging to the handles, endeavoured -to manipulate the couplings. The truck in front wobbled and swayed -horribly; that upon which he rested jerked to and fro, threatening to -throw him from his hold, and the couplings were drawn tight—so tight -that there was no possibility of unhooking them—while the buffers -were parted by an inch or more of space. And so the position continued -for a long ten minutes—those coupling chains in strongest tension, -the buffers separated, no power that he could exert, nor indeed that a -hundred men could exert, being able to unhook them.</p> - -<p>And then came the sudden scream of the vacuum brakes, the buffers -tapped gently together, and at once the ends of the two trucks between -which he clung drew closer together. They were on a decline, and the -driver of the engine had applied his brakes all along the train to keep -her in control and steady the trucks as they ran downwards. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> for -the couplings, taut a moment before, they swung loosely now, so that -Jim, bending over, picked up the link hooked upon the coupling in front -and threw it off with an ease which surprised him. That link provided -the only means of attaching them to the forward part of the train, and -when, perhaps a minute later, the long line of trucks had gained the -level again, and steam was given to the engine, of a sudden the truck -in front leapt away from him, sped away, rushed off at uncommon speed, -leaving Jim clambering there with only space in front of him.</p> - -<p>It was a very hot and dishevelled Jim who clambered back into the -compartment, and it was a very dishevelled and excited party that stood -at the open doorway as the speed of this latter half of the train -slowly diminished. Then anxiety took possession of them, for far away -in the distance they heard the shrill whistle of the locomotive—the -locomotive which had dragged the train from which they were now parted.</p> - -<p>"Driver's discovered it—sure! Yep. Awkward! That means that he'll stop -the blamed train, and perhaps come back to us—what's that, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Conductor right behind has wakened up and made the same sort of -discovery," said Bill; "reckons the train has broken in half—as it -has—eh? There go the hand-brakes. Couldn't ask for anything better. -Boys, make ready!"</p> - -<p>From outside the car came the scream and scrape of brakes, while -the landscape, which had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> flashing past them, now glided by at -respectable speed, which encouraged the prisoners immensely. They -crowded to the door, waited till Bill gave the order, and then, as the -car slowed down to quite reasonable speed, that made a leap to the -ground quite practicable, they dropped off one by one—some fifteen of -them—and presently, gathering together, moved off along the track. But -first of all, as the last man left the car he had been careful to close -the doorway.</p> - -<p>"You never know," said Bill, as he warned them. "Perhaps they'll think -that putting the brakes on down that decline somehow unhooked the -coupling. If they saw the door open they'd realize at once that a trick -had been played on them. Let 'em talk about the breaking in two of -the train and wonder how it happened, and get to work to hook the two -trucks together again. Perhaps they won't suspect that we've got out, -for there won't be anything to tell 'em. Now, boys, here we all are! -About turn! Quick march! This trek ought to take us, with a little more -luck, into the lines of the Allies."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX</span> <span class="smaller">Plots within Plots</span></h2> - -<p>"You're sure—certain, Private Dan Holman?" the Divisional Commander -asked him for perhaps the twentieth time, some two or three days after -that parade which had followed the discovery of the presence of a spy -in the midst of this particular American division. "Certain you'd -recognize him? Remember, boy, you caught only one single glimpse of -him, and that under torchlight. A man looks queer under the glare of a -searchlight—different from what he looks under the moonbeams."</p> - -<p>Dan gulped. Even an American soldier, with all that assurance born -of the freedom of the vast country in which he lives, may feel -disconcerted under the gaze of a superior officer, indeed under the -gaze—the almost incredulous gaze—of a number of officers. Dan gulped, -therefore, but his eyes, steadily fixed on those of the Commanding -Officer, never wavered.</p> - -<p>"Sure, sir," he answered. "It sounds queer, I know, but I've laid in -bed thinking it over, and I'm as sure as sure—surer than I was when I -first came along with the information. That man that came down in the -aeroplane—for I take it he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> dropped, as the Germans have dropped -spies before—was the same man that shot the father of a chum of mine -way back in a saloon by the copper-mine near Salt Lake City, the same -chap as drilled me through with a bullet from a revolver. I ain't -dreamin'; the thing's sure; and the fellow's somewhere about in these -parts dressed in our uniform."</p> - -<p>A long and secret discussion followed. Dan was closeted with the -Intelligence Branch of the division for many hours, and on more -than one occasion, and thereafter, though the life of the camp was -unaltered, though nothing untoward seemed to be occurring, and though -the ordinary rank and file and their officers were entirely ignorant of -what had been or of the suspicions in their Commanding Officer's mind -that a spy was lurking in the neighbourhood, active steps were being -taken to come upon Heinrich Hilker.</p> - -<p>"We'll telephone along to the other commanders, and notify the French -and the British; we'll get every billet, every hut, even the woods -searched. If the chap's in the neighbourhood we'll see if we can ferret -out the hiding-place he's selected. Gee! it makes me feel uneasy to -think that there's a spy somewhere here—a fellow that knows all about -us Americans. What's more, it makes me feel worse to believe that he's -got an accomplice; for otherwise how could he have slipped through -our clutches when we guessed his presence within a few minutes of his -arrival?"</p> - -<p>Up and down the line, from the trenches to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> point some miles behind, -French and British and American military police and Intelligence -branches caused the closest search to be made—a search which naturally -enough included that church in which Heinrich Hilker and Alphonse, -a spy like himself, had taken shelter. But granted that Heinrich -himself was cunning, Alphonse was still more so. One of that band of -individuals sent out broadcast by Germany to penetrate peacefully the -countries of their neighbours, to prepare the ground in case of a -German invasion, and to keep Berlin informed as to all local affairs -and on every matter of importance, Alphonse had lived the life of a -schemer for many years. He, in fact, chuckled on numerous occasions at -the ease with which he had hoodwinked the simple peasants with whom he -had taken up his residence. Even in his cups he had, as a general rule, -been extraordinarily careful and crafty; and now, as he went his way, -unsuspected by the Americans, his craft and his guile allowed of his -throwing dust in their eyes also.</p> - -<p>"You've got to stay here," he told his accomplice as he visited him one -night in his lair at the top of the tower. "Here's better than anywhere -else, because every billet is being searched. There isn't a hut, an -outhouse, or any farm or hovel in these parts and right along the line -that isn't being looked into. They've been to the church, too, but——" -and then he began to cackle, that horrid cackle which grated upon -Heinrich's nerves so much.</p> - -<p>"But!" the latter ejaculated curtly; "what then?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> How is this place -secure? Tell me," he asked anxiously; for indeed he had observed much -coming and going of American soldiers, had seen staff cars arriving -bearing French and British officers, and, though that was no unusual -occurrence, he could guess from the bustle which he could see and note -from his peep-hole, that something unusual was happening.</p> - -<p>"But——" began Alphonse again, crouching beside the spy, his huge -knuckles taut as he clenched his fists, "but——" and then cackled once -more, so that Heinrich could have hit him so great was his vexation.</p> - -<p>"But—you fool! Go on!"</p> - -<p>"S—sh! Steady! Men down below, I hear them."</p> - -<p>Heinrich had heard not so much as a sound, but the crafty villain -beside him had spent years in eavesdropping—in listening and avoiding -people whom it was undesirable he should meet—and now, above the -gentle rustle of the straw in which he lay, he heard the distinct -murmur of voices, the slip and slither of booted feet, the sound of men -in the body of the church. He lifted a finger to his lips, and, turning -silently with a snake-like movement, bent over the square opening -leading to the loft. Lights were flashing down below. He could see -men walking about, catching only a glimpse of them as the flash of an -electric torch settled upon their figures. He heard steps on the broken -and wrecked stone stairs which led to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> chamber down below, and -then he became active. Those powerful if attenuated arms of his were -stretched out, the two hands gripped the rickety ladder by which he had -ascended, and swiftly, yet with the utmost care and silence, he drew it -upward. To cover the opening with some straw was an easy matter, and -presently, long before the American soldiers arrived in the chamber -referred to, the square through which Alphonse had entered Heinrich's -hiding-place had been, as it were, obliterated. So much so, that though -the light was cast upward, the broken boards above, the wisps of straw -dangling through the crevice, the wrecked appearance of the place, in -fact the very stars visible through the shattered tiles above, and the -lack of all means of reaching this aerie, persuaded the searchers that -no spy could be lurking there.</p> - -<p>"Empty—sure!" came a voice. "'Taint likely that he's here. Looks as -though the tower might fall to pieces any moment. So down we go! Easy -with it, boys, those stairs take a lot of climbing."</p> - -<p>Sounds receded. Footsteps were heard again in the body of the church. -Lights flashed hither and thither and then disappeared. Silence -followed, except that from outside came again the murmur of voices -as the soldiers departed. Heinrich breathed freely once more, while -Alphonse gave vent to a deep-throated, husky cackle.</p> - -<p>"And so I cheated 'em time and again," he breathed, his eyes riveted -now to a crevice between the tiles through which he could see the -search-party <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>of the Americans receding, "cheated 'em—these fools of -French peasants—same as I'll cheat the soldiers down below, and help -Germany to gain Paris—to gain Paris," he repeated, this time with -something approaching a hiss, his eyes flashing. "Paris, my friend -Heinrich!"</p> - -<p>His companion, who a little while before had shrunk from contact with -this bony, attenuated scoundrel, and who, to speak the truth, was half -fearful of him, now actually put up with a grip of his fingers as they -closed round his arm, and, crouching on his knees, Heinrich Hilker -repeated that word.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he said, "Paris! Paris!—ah! that is the aim we have! But -listen, Alphonse! We failed to drive a wedge between the British and -the French, we failed to reach the Channel ports, but there is always -Paris—the heart of France and the French people. Let us but reach it, -let us but get our fingers about it, and—ah!—and we will strangle the -life out of these Frenchmen."</p> - -<p>His eyes blazed. Sitting there he gripped his two hands together, -squeezing the palms and interlocking his fingers, feeling as though he -had already a strangling grip upon our gallant ally. Thereafter the -two lay quietly together discussing matters in whispers, and had there -been someone at hand to hear their words, what a commotion would have -resulted when the information was transmitted to the Americans and sent -to the French and British armies. For Heinrich had penetrated into -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> Allied line with the knowledge that presently Germany was to try -another onslaught. His duty it was to obtain further and more intimate -information, and once he had secured it he was to return by any means -available and repeat that information to the German High Command.</p> - -<p>But the time had not yet arrived. So close was the hunt for Heinrich, -thanks to the report which Dan Holman had given his Commanding Officer, -that he was held a close prisoner in the tower, and would have starved, -indeed, had it not been for the crafty and creeping Alphonse.</p> - -<p>"But never mind," he told the latter one day some two weeks later. -"Thanks to this note which one of our aeroplanes dropped, and which you -brought to me, I know that our people are prepared. The blow will fall -shortly; not, you understand, my friend, the great blow—the big blow -that will take us and our armies to Paris—but the preliminary one, -just to open the way, to give us elbow room, to let us bring on the -forces which will then dash on to the city. Alphonse, that will be the -time for you. Dream of it—a German army in Paris! Think of what you -and I will do! Think of the loot!—of the gold! of the jewels!—think!"</p> - -<p>The big, bony rascal beside him sat up abruptly to think. His eyes were -sunken, only half filling the enormous sockets, and they were staring -out into the darkness of the farthest corner of the tower. "Ah!" the -wretch gasped, and, catching a fleeting glance of him a moment later, -Heinrich felt almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> alarmed, for those staring, sunken eyes had a -suspicion of madness in them; the man's intent face, his hook-like -nose, his parted lips and gaping nostrils made him look like a vampire, -and then the hoarse dry cackle which followed completed the illusion. -Heinrich shuddered.</p> - -<p>"The man is mad," he thought; "he is a devil. He lives for gain, and -would perpetrate any cruelty to make money. Well, soon I shall be quit -of him; soon he will have carried out his purpose, and I shall have -no further need of him. That will be a good day. I am tired of this -dog-kennel."</p> - -<p>They became bolder as the days passed and search on the part of the -Americans practically ceased. They wormed out numerous secrets, and by -means of craftily-arranged signals, and with the help of an aeroplane -which once more descended close to the tower, they transmitted -information to the enemy. It was then that of a sudden the Germans -flung themselves upon the Chemin des Dames, which overlooks the -Aisne River, and thrust forward across the ground where the British -Expeditionary Force of 1914, that "contemptible" yet ever glorious -army, fought its way across the river. They swept south to Fère en -Tardenois, and even gained the Marne, though they were unable to cross -it. Yet they had achieved a huge success, a sudden advance, which -caused stores and guns and men to fall into their clutches, and which -won for them a closer approach to Paris, now but thirty-five miles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> -distant, indeed but half the distance of the range of those gigantic -guns humorously called "Big Berthas", able to project shot seventy -miles, which for weeks past had been playing upon Paris.</p> - -<p>It was the first milestone, one may say, on the road to the capital -city of France. A success to be followed up as rapidly and violently -as possible. It was a time when information of French military -preparations to protect their beloved city would be of the utmost -assistance to the Germans, and a time, therefore, when the activities -of Heinrich and Alphonse redoubled.</p> - -<p>"We must get through! We must find our way past these American curs to -the Marne, and so into the German lines. These American curs, I tell -you," Heinrich said, "they suspect something. The search-parties are -about again, and for me, I feel that if we remain here longer we shall -be taken. So to-night we move on. You agree?"</p> - -<p>He cast a half-nervous glance over his shoulder, for, to tell the -truth, longer acquaintance with Alphonse had made him even more fearful -of that strong, uncouth individual; and what wonder? For the strained -life which this agent of the German Government had lived so many years -among the people of France had tended to throw him off his mental -balance; loneliness had preyed upon his mind, and those frequent visits -to the cabaret had not assisted to retain his mental powers in equal -balance. There were times, though Heinrich hardly guessed it, when -Alphonse raved, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> he was apt to be violent, when that dry, harsh, -cruel chuckle of his became the scream of a madman. Now, as Heinrich -turned upon him, the man was kneeling up, bent forward and leaning -upon his closed fists—those huge, bony fists of his—his chin pushed -forward, his lips agape and teeth showing, his sunken eyes staring at -nothing in particular. He chuckled hoarsely, and then turned swiftly -upon the German.</p> - -<p>"The time—" he said, "the time to return, to cross the Marne to our -people—yes, for you, Heinrich, but for me, no!"</p> - -<p>"For you, no?" the other asked incredulously; "but——"</p> - -<p>"But Paris, man," Alphonse gurgled.</p> - -<p>"Paris! of course, of course!" Heinrich laughed, though there was -little merriment in his tone. "Of course, later on, with our comrades -as they advance over the Marne. In the meanwhile you are the man to -guide me back to them."</p> - -<p>The big, sprawling, bony figure of the man beside him was jerked upward -and that pugnacious chin shot towards Heinrich Hilker, while the -deep-set eyes gleamed—gleamed dangerously.</p> - -<p>"What, leave Paris! the loot!" the man gasped, as if the news astounded -him. "Direct you over the Marne to our comrades! Get behind the -advanced lines of our troops, and so reach Paris after they have -entered! What, lose that splendid opportunity! Man—!" and Alphonse -brought a huge, bony hand down on Heinrich's shoulder,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> making the -spy wince. "Man, it's a moment I have lived for—dreamed of night and -day—this pillage of Paris. Why, I have been there a hundred times and -have marked out the way of entry, the path I would take first of all, -the spot for which I would make, the spot where—— Listen, listen, -man!" he whispered in his rusty voice; "the place where all the gold -and the jewels are concentrated. It will be a haul. A bomb to burst in -the door, no <i>poilus</i> to intervene, none of these infernal soldiers -to shoot at you, no fear of watchers—a plain straightforward action, -careless of who looks on. A bomb I say—the door burst in—then a dive -in amongst the riches—jewels, man, sparkling jewels—pockets filled in -five minutes—afterwards, wealth—wealth of a Crœsus!"</p> - -<p>Heinrich was peering round at his companion now—peering in a cunning, -half-frightened way, his eyes now and again turning to those sunken -orbs which stared into the farthest hole beneath the shattered tiles -of the church tower. He could feel the hand on his shoulder trembling; -the bony fingers closed and gripped him with such force that he could -have called out for pain. The man beside him was a maniac, he told -himself—a maniac to be got rid of at the first opportunity, but a -man to be handled carefully, to be cajoled, to be humoured until he -had carried out the work required of him, and "after that a shot will -finish the brute", Heinrich whispered, "a shot in the back. Once we are -across the Marne, and with our people,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> Alphonse shall go to a place -where he can dream on for ever. Only—ah, yes!"</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i283.jpg" id="i283.jpg"></a><br /> -<img src="images/i283.jpg" alt="THE MAN BESIDE HIM WAS A MANIAC" /></div> - -<p class="bold">THE MAN BESIDE HIM WAS A MANIAC, HE TOLD HIMSELF</p> - -<p>Heinrich Hilker's eyes sought the depths of that dark corner just as -Alphonse's had done. For a moment or so he became thoughtful, moody, -while the expression of his face denoted cunning, slyness—the cunning -of a man who has suddenly thought of something worth noting.</p> - -<p>"And why not? A shot? Yes—in the back. But first this path into -Paris—a place full of riches. Alphonse may be crazy, but he is -a cunning fellow, and—yes, he has been thinking of Paris often. -Listen!" he said aloud a few moments later; "this scheme of yours, -Alphonse—splendid! magnificent! Riches beyond thought, and all -obtained in five minutes and quite openly, without fear of arrest. But -supposing the Army Commander places a guard on all public buildings, -and private also?"</p> - -<p>"Ha!" Alphonse's face grew black—grew terrible, while his strong teeth -grated together. "Ha!" he grunted.</p> - -<p>"But," went on Heinrich, "get back to our army now with this valuable -information and I can obtain a special pass which will send us ahead -with our advanced troops. You would not mind, Alphonse? For, as you -say, there are riches there to make both you and me rich beyond belief, -tell me—eh? We go back to our people now, and your chances of getting -that wealth will be improved. It is a magnificent suggestion." </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was. It captured the fancy of the madman beside him on the instant, -and set him rubbing his two big bony, attenuated hands together, while -the man sat up on his heels, and, still staring into that dark corner, -chuckled hoarsely, his rusty voice awaking the echoes of the deserted -tower.</p> - -<p>See them then two days later creeping away from the place disguised as -peasants; watch them a day later dressed as <i>poilus</i>—the one driving -a cart in which Alphonse lay at full length, for no helmet, no blue -uniform, could disguise the bony Alphonse. See them far up towards the -Marne, and watch them as they take shelter in a hovel, already badly -battered by German guns, within easy reach of the river, within almost -calling distance of the Kaiser's troops on the far bank.</p> - -<p>Let us look about the spot where those two ruffians had taken shelter. -Situated in "No-Man's-Land", under the German guns and under those of -the Allies, it offered no great security from shell-fire, though it -afforded as it were a jumping-off post from which anybody secreted -there might reach the Germans in one direction and the watching Allies -in the other. Yet, what a coincidence that Bill and Jim and the -inimitable Larry, with the formidable Nobby, too, close at hand, should -have almost at the same moment discovered a little dwelling, likewise -battered, within a hundred and fifty yards of that spot—Bill and his -friends, whose fortunes and misfortunes now claim our attention.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX</span> <span class="smaller">A Turn in the Tide</span></h2> - -<p>Weeks had passed since that train had thundered along the rails into -Germany, carrying its truck-loads of British prisoners. It was ages -since the brilliant and powerful Nobby had wrenched up the flooring of -the truck and had thereby discovered an opening, which might or might -not lead to liberty, and it seemed a positively endless period since -Bill had been swung out by hands and feet, since Jim had thrown off the -couplings, since the moment when this gallant little band had escaped -from their captors and had plunged towards the west, where lay friends -and safety.</p> - -<p>But consider the difficulties before them. That part of Germany was -not so thickly populated that movement of a band of men was out of the -question; across the Rhine Germans swarmed—German soldiers—while -farther west, in the invaded French territory, the movement of a mouse -was almost likely to be noted.</p> - -<p>"It's got to be a slow game," Bill said, when after their first night's -journey they lay down in a wood, hungry and feeling desolate. "Of -course we may have unusual luck, but there's little doubt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> that we -shall have to go quietly and very secretly. Let's sleep, boys, then -we'll forage for food, after that—well, leave it."</p> - -<p>"Aye, leave it," laughed Nobby—laughed uproariously, for this gallant -fellow was in the highest spirits. "As for taking time and all that, -what's it matter, so long as we do get back one of these days? Seems to -me, slow but sure—the pace of a tortoise—is the thing we're out for. -But food! crikey, ain't I hungry!"</p> - -<p>"Aye!" gasped another of the band, a lusty eater like Nobby himself. -"But there'll be food round about, and we'll take it—eh, Bill?—eh, -Sergeant Bill?—sorry, Sergeant!"</p> - -<p>Bill laughed. Yet it was a sign of the times. These comrades of his -were becoming a little careful how they addressed him. Perhaps the -feeling of discipline had something to do with it, and perhaps it was -the fact that they recognized in Bill a born commander, the sort of -young man of which our officers are made, and let us say at once we -include the officers of all the Allies.</p> - -<p>Then they lay down, and presently all were asleep, nearly all indeed -slept heavily till the early morning. Sounds of someone approaching, -and the sudden appearance of a cow and a calf with a soldier behind -them, threw the band into a commotion. The men seized the sticks with -which they had armed themselves, Larry dashed towards a tree; then the -soldier laughed.</p> - -<p>"My! Ain't I frightened the whole lot o' you,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> he shouted. "A-feared -of Nobby and a couple of cows a-walkin' into the camp, and lookin' as -though you'd like to chuck 'em out, when I'm bringing food, too."</p> - -<p>The gallant Nobby, for he it was, hurled two fowls in amongst his -comrades. "Didn't know I was a sort of gamekeeper in peace times, did -yer? I'd almost forgotten it meself, for them days seems a long way -off; but I chanced to wake at the first streak of dawn, and went off -to see what was around us. This 'ere cow and calf was mighty handy. -Right down below there's a settlement, and I happed on a convenient -Hun residence. What's this—eh? Why, bless me soul!—it's bread! My, I -am surprised! Believe me, when I saw that in the larder of a house—a -farmhouse, you know—I felt like leaving it for the Huns. Then I -thought of you chaps, and I guessed it 'ud do you more good than it 'ud -do any German. Sit up, boys. Here's milk and meat and bread for to-day; -to-morrow, if we can't move off, we can kill the calf, and there'll be -more meat for a week perhaps; after that—well, we'll be able to look -round by then, eh? What about some breakfast?"</p> - -<p>"What abaht it?" one of the band sang out, while the rest were -convulsed with laughter or ran forward to congratulate the gallant -Nobby.</p> - -<p>Indeed his was a find—a valuable find as it proved. For it so happened -that though the band had managed to escape to a part of the country -which was sparsely populated, their escape was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> noised abroad, and -search-parties were sent in all directions.</p> - -<p>"Only they don't seem to have thought of these woods," said Larry, as -he and Bill watched from the fringe of the cover in which they had -taken shelter. "I guess they think we've made along the railway. Waal -now, the longer we stick here without moving into the open the better, -for then we'll throw them off the scent. Nobby's calf will be useful. -Mebbe we'll take to the cow yet, but it'll want some killing, seeing -that we've only sticks and knives with us."</p> - -<p>Yet another early-morning jaunt on the part of Nobby, with Bill in -company, secured a couple of old rifles and revolvers, beside more -bread; and thus armed, and with plenty of food, the band settled -themselves in the wood for two weeks till the search-parties had -returned and the matter had blown over. Then they issued forth, and -little by little, sometimes gaining a dozen miles in one night, -sometimes lying up in a friendly wood for a week or more, now and -then half starved—for provisions were short throughout the whole of -Germany—and again well fed—for they did not hesitate to take fowls -and calves when they came across them—the band gained France, and -finally filtered through the German lines to the spot we have indicated.</p> - -<p>The journey had taken weeks—those eventful weeks during which the -Kaiser, careless of the losses he incurred, had thrown his hordes -against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> the Allies, had thrown to win, and so far at least had -failed to achieve his object. But now the moment for the last throw -had arrived. Germans, massed in that salient which stretched to the -Marne, were about to make a desperate push—a last push for Paris. Guns -were ready; every device of war was there to slaughter the Allies; -the All-Highest, himself less arrogant than of yore, less certain of -success, was himself present; the hour had come for Germany to strike a -final blow for victory.</p> - -<p>And strike she did, driving a reckless path over the Marne River in -the neighbourhood of Château Thierry and to the east of that pleasant -provincial town, while her forces swept to the west, pushing the Allied -line backward. It was a critical time for British and French and -American troops, and the Entente generally; for the rush carried the -Germans to within some thirty miles of Paris, and further success would -have thrown a road to that city wide open, with, no doubt, disastrous -results to the defenders of human liberty. But the Allies, though taken -in some measure by surprise, were by no means found wanting. Unity of -command on the part of Germany and Austria and their Allies had, during -almost four long years of warfare, given enormous advantage to the -troops controlled nominally by the Kaiser: one brain and one man, in -fact, commanded the situation, striking blows here, following them up -swiftly, supporting a threatened spot, and massing effects where the -Allied line appeared weakest. But the Allies <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>themselves had not failed -to see the vital importance of this unity of command. It had taken -time; it had required many conferences; there had been much discussion -before a decision was reached; but Mr. Lloyd George, the Premier of -England, Monsieur Clemenceau, France's able leader, and Mr. Wilson, the -President of the United States, and all the prominent leaders had come -forward and insisted upon this one condition.</p> - -<p>Thus, just prior to this final German rush, the whole of the Allied -armies in France and Italy had been placed under the command of General -Foch, the hero of the Marne fighting in 1914. This unity of command -placed in his hands a power not hitherto wielded by any single one of -the Allied forces. It allowed him to mass his reserves, to control the -movements of all the troops, and permitted of his disposing of his -forces so that within a few days the enemy rush was successfully held -up, and almost at once a counter-attack, similar almost to that of the -Sixth French Army in 1914, which was cast upon the right flank of Von -Kluck's army, but a little north of the part where that army operated, -was hurled against the flank of this dangerous German irruption.</p> - -<p>A few lines and we may dismiss further mention of the fighting. -French and British, aye, and Americans in much force, took part in -that brilliant counter-offensive. They smashed in the German flank, -they drove deep into the Tardenois, they sent the enemy fleeing back -from the Marne and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> its wrecked villages and towns, till his back was -against the Aisne, and until the Vesle alone divided the combatants. -That single dramatic movement smashed the hopes of the German people, -and wrecked for ever the already severely damaged prestige of the once -arrogant Crown Prince of Prussia.</p> - -<p>We will carry the tale a short stage further. The fighting in this -neighbourhood was scarce ended, and the fifth year of the war but just -commenced, when on the 8th August, the Fourth British Army, with a -French army acting in combination with it, suddenly advanced upon the -Germans between Albert and Montdidier, and assisted by numerous small -tanks, called "whippets"—more speedy and more efficacious than the big -tanks first used in 1916—drove a huge hole or salient into the German -position, capturing hundreds of guns and a vast number of prisoners. -Since then fighting has extended north and south, and all along the -line the invader—the ravager of France and Belgium—has been driven -back reeling before our blows. The tide has turned without a doubt. The -Allies march irresistibly on to final victory.</p> - -<p>Thus was the fifth year of this awful contest inaugurated. It brought -success to the Allies, it found their numbers increasing daily by the -influx of American troops, and, significant too, it discovered those -American troops to be stanch and sturdy fighters, fresh to the country, -keen to destroy the power of the Kaiser. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> - -<p>As for Bill and his friends, that sudden irruption of the Germans over -the Marne swamped the hovels in which they were lying, swamped, too, -the shattered dwelling in which Heinrich Hilker and Alphonse lay in -waiting. It drove both parties in fact to the cellars, and thence into -the subterranean passages which joined them. There, late one morning, -it brought the two parties face to face; though, to be sure, Heinrich -and Alphonse were as yet unaware of the presence of Bill and his party.</p> - -<p>"It's a noise! It's someone around!" said Nobby, when the party had -sat in the dark cellar for perhaps a couple of hours listening to the -roar of guns above, and sometimes hearing voices. "Always them Germans! -Ain't that a German voice yahring away? Listen!"</p> - -<p>"Sure!" said Larry; "German, and not so far away. It'll be Fritz -searching these dug-outs, these cellars. Boys, is it your wish that -Fritz should come down here and take you into the open? Have you come -all this way, right along here to within almost speaking distance of -your mates, just to be hiked out by a few Fritzes?"</p> - -<p>Bill stopped him.</p> - -<p>"There's a row going on," he said; "it's men fighting, and not many of -'em—two or three at the most, I should say. Stay here, you boys. Let's -get along, Jim and Larry and Nobby; we'll come back and report in a few -minutes."</p> - -<p>They crept along the passage, full of cobwebs and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> dirt and debris, and -pitch dark at first, till they had traversed perhaps a hundred yards, -passing here and there the entrances to other cellars; for bear in -mind they were in the country of the vine-growers of France, and huge -cellars are required to store the wines produced by the vineyards which -cluster along the sides of the Marne valley. Then a gleam of light -lit the passage, and pushing on they came in time, after many twists -and turns, to another cellar, from which issued now the voices of men -engaged in a strenuous struggle. Creeping in, they found themselves in -a large cellar of brick, on the floor of which two men rolled hither -and thither, locked in a firm embrace, breathing heavily, sometimes -shouting at one another. Their figures were fully lit up by an opening -above, which gave light and ventilation to the cellar, and which -presently allowed Bill and his friends to take in every atom of their -surroundings.</p> - -<p>"Two <i>poilus</i> fighting! and——" gasped Larry.</p> - -<p>"And talking German!" said Nobby. "German!—listen to 'em!"</p> - -<p>Bill clutched Jim by the arm. "Jingo! that one with his head close to -the ground, it's—— I'd swear it!"</p> - -<p>Jim took a firm hold of his young friend, for standing there at the -entrance, peering into the cellar, he had at first not obtained so -good a view of the combatants. But now for a moment the two men, -locked in one another's arms, ceased their struggles to gain breath -for a continuance of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> conflict. Then it was that he obtained a -full view of the face of the man who lay nearest the ground. It was -Heinrich Hilker; no French uniform could disguise the scoundrel. But -the other—no, he did not know him.</p> - -<p>"It's—gee!—it's Heinrich the spy caught by a Frenchman," he muttered.</p> - -<p>"A Frenchman! not it!" came bluntly from Nobby. "He's a-talkin' German -now. It's two spies in the midst of a ruction."</p> - -<p>As for Bill, Jim could feel him straining forward already, and -heard his breath coming in deep gasps, and knew well that his -young friend had recognized the wretch so near him who had been -the cause of his father's death. A little more and Bill would have -torn himself from Jim's grip and hurled himself upon the spy; but -Alphonse intervened—Alphonse, now crazier than ever, Alphonse driven -to desperation by the thought and the knowledge that Heinrich had -hoodwinked him, and had dragged him here to the Marne only to dispose -of him.</p> - -<p>It was but ten minutes ago that he had suddenly detected Heinrich in -the act of lifting a heavy stick with which to brain him, and thereupon -Alphonse had cast himself upon the traitor. For those ten minutes the -two had been locked in a deadly struggle, but now, as Bill and his -friends looked on, it ended. For with a superhuman effort the madman -suddenly freed his hands and gripped Heinrich by the neck. He lifted -him upward, and then suddenly dashed him back, breaking his head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> upon -the brick-lined floor as though it were an egg shell.</p> - -<p>"And so—and so you are dead!—wretch! villain! spy!" Alphonse gasped, -his rusty voice echoing in the cellar. "You, who enticed me to agree to -your plans to lead you safely through the American lines so as to join -our comrades. Ha! You—you were to slay me, and then, free of me, were -to join the Germans, forgetting the reward I was to have, forgetting -Paris and the loot to be obtained there. Well, you are dead—dead, you -dog!"</p> - -<p>The huge form of the pseudo-Frenchman was erected to its full -height—the huge, bony frame standing out gaunt in the rays descending -from the skylight above, the hands clenched, the blue uniform of a -<i>poilu</i> skin-tight upon him—for there was never found a Frenchman -requiring such a suit of clothes as Alphonse needed—he stood there -leering, grinding his teeth, staring at the dead man. He kicked the -inanimate body, and then, turning, glared up at the skylight, while -Bill and his friends, horrified by the scene of which they had been the -silent witnesses, crouched backwards into the passage which had led -them to it, moved back from the entrance, waiting there, wondering what -they should do.</p> - -<p>It was then, within a few seconds, as Alphonse made ready to depart, -his crazy mind still fixed upon looting some house in Paris, that there -came a terrific crash above. Clouds of dust and bits of brick and dirt -were projected into the passage, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> then there was an appalling -detonation, which shook these subterranean workings, which dislodged -blocks and stones from the roof of the gallery, and which brought the -roof of the cellar in upon Alphonse and the dead body of Heinrich, the -German spy—the roof and the mass of wrecked dwellings above it. Indeed -it was only by a miracle that Bill and his friends escaped destruction. -They crept off through the dust-clouds to their comrades, and there sat -down, moody at first, and then telling their story curtly, for it had -moved them deeply. An hour later the sounds of conflict waned, and soon -afterwards, peering up from the cellar which sheltered them, they found -the Germans in rapid retreat and Allied troops approaching.</p> - -<p>"It's an American lot!" shouted Bill at the top of his voice.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" gurgled Larry, and Jim was certain that the diminutive little -fellow's legs positively shook. Perspiration was dropping from his -forehead, and though Larry made every effort to appear nonchalant as -of yore, and tipped his helmet farther forward, and even searched -involuntarily, by force of habit, for that long-departed stump of -cigar, yet he could not deceive Jim. Larry was upset—greatly so. The -sight of those Americans had set him shaking, while it brought tears -to Jim's own eyes. And then, who should suddenly accost the party? -It was Dan—magnificent Dan—a true type of American manhood. Do you -wonder that they fell upon each other, gripping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> hands? If they had -been Frenchmen they would have embraced each other; as it was, even -the stoical Nobby was gulping as Dan took his huge hand and shook it -forcibly.</p> - -<p>"Fine, fine!" was all that gallant soldier could say. "Fine! I'm glad -to meet you."</p> - -<p>No need to trace their movements further, and no need to say that -within two weeks Nobby and his friends had been transferred to -the British force, while Larry and Jim, and Bill too, by special -arrangement, were attached to that American division in which Dan -served. They are in France as we write. Shoulder to shoulder with those -comrades of theirs they are opposing the most ruthless enemy that has -ever threatened the liberties of mankind; shoulder to shoulder they -will go through the work till the war is finished, till the Kaiser and -his myrmidons are vanquished. They have seen much, these gallant men. -They will see more before the war is done—when they have served longer -under Foch's command.</p> - -<p class="center space-above">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN<br /><i>By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow</i></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER FOCH'S COMMAND ***</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>This file should be named 64236-h.htm or 64236-h.zip</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in https://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/2/3/64236/</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s web site -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/ad.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/ad.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7db58ff..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/ad.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3593c49..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/front.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/front.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a28e934..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/front.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/i004.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/i004.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0d598d0..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/i004.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/i043.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/i043.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cc18985..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/i043.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/i093.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/i093.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 40fd928..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/i093.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/i135.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/i135.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6c6939b..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/i135.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/i225.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/i225.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b414842..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/i225.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/i283.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/i283.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4eb9665..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/i283.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64236-h/images/title.jpg b/old/64236-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7dab6fa..0000000 --- a/old/64236-h/images/title.jpg +++ /dev/null |
