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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/21671-8.txt b/21671-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7eacefb --- /dev/null +++ b/21671-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6090 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Army Boys on the Firing Line, by Homer Randall + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Army Boys on the Firing Line + or, Holding Back the German Drive + + +Author: Homer Randall + + + +Release Date: June 3, 2007 [eBook #21671] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 21671-h.htm or 21671-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671/21671-h/21671-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671/21671-h.zip) + + + + + +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE + +Or + +Holding Back the German Drive + +by + +HOMER RANDALL + +Author of "Army Boys in France," "Army Boys in the French Trenches," +etc. + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full +in the sentry's face.] + + + +The World Syndicate Publishing Co. +Cleveland, O. ------ New York, N. Y. + +Copyright, 1919, by +George Sully & Company + + + + +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + I FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS + II A PERILOUS JOURNEY + III AMONG THE MISSING + IV CAPTURED OR DEAD? + V NICK RABIG TURNS UP + VI THE COMING DRIVE + VII IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS + VIII FRYING-PAN TO FIRE + IX THE CONFESSION + X A MIDNIGHT SWIM + XI GALLANT WORK + XII THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT + XIII A DEEPENING MYSTERY + XIV THE STORM OF WAR + XV FURRY RESCUERS + XVI CLOSING THE GAP + XVII THE MINED BRIDGE + XVIII A DESPERATE VENTURE + XIX THE JAWS OF DEATH + XX A TRAITOR UNMASKED + XXI CROSSING THE LINE + XXII A JOYOUS REUNION + XXIII CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT + XXIV WOUNDS AND TORTURE + XXV DRIVEN BACK + + + + +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE + + +CHAPTER I + +FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS + +"The Huns are coming!" exclaimed Frank Sheldon, as from the American +front line his keen, gray eyes searched a broad belt of woodland three +hundred yards away. + +"Bad habit they have," drawled his special chum and comrade, Bart +Raymond, running his finger along the edge of his bayonet. "We'll have +to try to cure them of it." + +"I think they're getting over it to some extent," remarked Tom +Bradford, who stood at Frank's left. "The last time they tried to rush +us they went back in a bigger hurry than they came. What we did to +them was a shame!" + +"They certainly left a lot of dead men hanging on our wires," put in +Billy Waldon. "But there are plenty of them ready to take their +places, and the Kaiser's willing to fight to the last man, though you +notice he keeps his own precious skin out of the line of fire." + +"I think Frank's getting us on a string," chaffed Tom, when some +minutes had passed in grim waiting. "I don't see any Heinies. Trot +out your Huns, Frank, and let's have a look at them." + +"You'll see them soon enough," retorted Frank. "I saw the flash of +bayonets in that fringe of woods and I'm sure they're massing." + +"Do you remember that little thrilly feeling that used to go up and +down our spines when we were green at the war game?" grinned Bart. "I +feel it now to some extent, but nothing to what I did at first." + +"That's because we've tackled the boches and taken their measure," +commented Frank. "We know now that man for man when conditions are +equal we can lick them. The world had been so fed up with stories +about Prussian discipline that it seemed as though the Germans must be +supermen. But a bullet or a bayonet can get them just like any one +else, and when it comes to close quarters, the American eagle can pick +the pin feathers out of any Prussian bird." + +"It isn't but what they're brave enough," remarked Bart. "When they're +fighting in heavy masses they're a tough proposition. But they've got +to feel somebody else's shoulder against theirs to be at their best. +Turn a hundred of them loose in a ten-acre lot against the same number +of Americans, where each man had to pick out his own opponent, and see +what would happen to them." + +"They wouldn't be in it," agreed Tom with conviction. "Put a Heinie in +a strange position where he has to think quickly without an officer to +help him, and he's up in the air. Take his map away from him and he's +lost." + +"Even when you talk of his mass fighting being so good, perhaps you're +giving him too much credit," said Billy grudgingly. "He goes into +battle with his officer's revolver trained on him, and he knows that if +he flinches he'll be shot. He's got a chance if he goes ahead and no +chance at all if he doesn't. And you remember at the battle of the +Somme how the gun crews were chained to their cannon so that they +couldn't run away. You'll notice that we don't use chains or revolvers +for that purpose in the American army." + +"I heard Captain Baker tell the colonel the other day that what he +needed was a brake instead of a spur in handling his bunch of +doughboys," chuckled Tom. + +"Quit your chinning," commanded Frank suddenly. "Here they come! Now +will you boobs tell me that my eyesight's no good?" + +"You win," agreed Bart, as a sharp word of command came down the line. +"They're coming for fair!" + +From the thick woods beyond, a huge force of enemy troops were coming, +marching shoulder to shoulder as stiffly and precisely as though they +were on parade or were passing in review before the Kaiser himself. + +Their artillery, which had been keeping up a steady fire, now redoubled +in volume, and a protecting barrage was laid down, in the shelter of +which they steadily advanced. + +But now the American guns opened up with a roar that shook the ground. +The guns were served with the precision that has made American gunnery +the envy of the world, and great gaps were torn in the dense masses of +the enemy troops. But the lanes filled up instantly, and with hardly a +moment of faltering the advance continued. + +As the troops drew nearer, it could be seen that all the men were clad +in brand-new uniforms as though for a festive occasion. + +"Getting ready to celebrate in advance," murmured Bart. "They must +feel pretty sure of themselves." + +"Just Prussian bluff," growled Tom. "They think it will brace up +Fritz, and that we'll think it's all over but the shouting and lighting +out for home." + +"They'll have to take those uniforms to the tailors when we get through +with them," muttered Billy, as he took a tighter grasp on the stock of +his rifle. + +"They'll do well enough for shrouds," added Frank grimly. + +The advancing troops were now not more than a hundred yards away, and +though their losses had been severe there were so many left that it was +evident it would come to a hand-to-hand fight. The enemy cannon had +torn big rents in the barbed wire entanglements that stretched before +the American position so that it would be possible to get through. + +Now the American machine guns began sputtering, and their shrill treble +blended with the deep bass of the heavier field guns. A moment more, +and from the rifles of the American infantry a withering blast of flame +sprang out and the enemy went down in heaps. + +There were signs of confusion in the German ranks and the American +commander gave the signal to charge. + +Out from their shallow trenches leaped the Army Boys, the light of +battle in their eyes, and fell like an avalanche upon the advancing +hosts. + +In an instant there was a welter of fearful fighting. The force of the +enemy had been largely spent by their march over that field of death, +while the Americans were fresh and their vigor unimpaired. + +For a brief space the Germans were pressed back, but they had +concentrated their forces on that section of the line so that they +outnumbered the Americans by two or three to one, and little by little, +by sheer weight, they pressed their opponents back. And behind those +immediately engaged, fresh forces could be seen emerging from the woods +and coming to the help of their comrades. + +But Americans never show to such advantage as when they are fighting +against odds, and the battle line swayed back and forth, first one and +then the other side seeming to have a temporary advantage. + +Frank and his comrades were in the very thick of the fight, shooting, +stabbing, using now the bayonet and again the butts of their rifles as +the occasion demanded. There was a red mist before their eyes and +their blood was pounding in their veins and drumming in their ears from +their tremendous exertions. + +Slowly but surely, the fierce determination of the Americans began to +tell. The solid enemy front was broken up into groups, and the gaps +grew wider and wider as their men were pushed back further and further +over the ground that lay between the lines. In the center the +Americans were winning. + +But suddenly a new danger threatened. A fresh body of German troops +had worked its way to a position where it could attack the American +right flank, which was but thinly held because for the time being the +bulk of the forces were engaged in pressing the advantage gained at the +center. If the enemy could turn that flank and throw it back in +confusion on the main body, it might lead to serious disaster. + +At the point where Frank and his comrades were fighting, there was a +nest of machine guns that commanded the space over which the new enemy +forces were bearing down on the threatened flank. Several of the gun +crews had fallen, and the guns were temporarily unserved. + +There was no time to wait for orders. Another minute and the guns +would be in the enemy's hands. + +"Quick, Bart! Come along, Billy and Tom!" shouted Frank, as he rushed +toward the guns. + +His chums were on his heels in an instant. Quick as a flash, the guns +were aimed, and streams of bullets cut the front ranks of the attacking +force to ribbons. Volley after volley followed, until the guns were so +hot that the hands of the young soldiers were blistered. + +But the hardest part of their work was done, for now fresh guns had +been brought into position and the flank was strengthened beyond the +power of the enemy to break. Frank's quick thought and instant action +had averted what might have been a calamity that would have decided the +fortune of the day. + +"Good work, old man!" panted Bart, when in a momentary lull he could +gain breath enough to speak. + +"Yours as well as mine!" gasped Frank, as he dashed the perspiration +from his forehead. "If you fellows hadn't been right on the job, I +couldn't have done anything worth while." + +Regular crews had now been assigned to take their places, and resuming +their positions in the ranks the young soldiers plunged once more into +the hand-to-hand work at which they were masters. + +The issue was no longer in doubt. The scale had turned against the +Germans and they were retreating. But they went back stubbornly, +giving ground only inch by inch, and in certain scattered groups the +fighting was as furious as ever. + +As far as might be, they kept together, but as the swirl of the battle +tore them apart, Tom and Billy were lost sight of by Bart and Frank, +who were laying about them right and left among the enemy. + +A sharp exclamation from Bart caused Frank to turn his eyes toward him +for a second. + +"Hurt, Bart?" he queried anxiously. + +"Bullet ridged my shoulder," responded Bart. "Doesn't amount to +anything, though. Look out, Frank!" he yelled, his voice rising almost +to a scream. Frank turned to see two burly Germans bearing down upon +him with fixed bayonets. + +Bart sought to engage one of them, but was caught up in a mass of +combatants and Frank was left to meet the onset alone. + +Quick as a cat, he sidestepped one of them, and putting out his foot +tripped him as he plunged past. He went down with a crash, and his +rifle flew from his hands. + +The remaining German made a savage lunge, but Frank deftly caught the +blade upon his own, and the next instant they were engaged in a deadly +bayonet duel. + +It was fierce but also brief. A thrust, a parry, and Frank drove his +weapon through the shoulder of his opponent. The latter reeled and +fell. Frank strove to pull out his weapon, but it stuck fast, and just +then a pair of sinewy hands fastened on his throat and he looked into +the reddened eyes of the antagonist whom he had tripped. + +With a quick wrench Frank tore himself away, and the next instant he +had grappled with his opponent and they swayed back and forth, each +putting forth every ounce of his strength in the effort to master the +other. + +Panting, straining, gasping, neither one of them saw that the struggle +had brought them to the edge of a deep shell crater. A moment more and +they fell with a crash to the bottom of the hole. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A PERILOUS JOURNEY + +The shock was a heavy one. For an instant both combatants were +stunned. The flying arms and legs straightened out and lay quiet. +Then Frank staggered painfully up to his hands and knees. + +Luckily he had fallen on top, and the breath had been knocked out of +his opponent's body. But even as Frank looked down upon him, his foe +showed signs of reviving. His eyes opened, and a glare of rage came in +them as they rested on Frank. + +He put his hand to his belt, but Frank was the quicker and in an +instant his knife was out and pointed at the German's throat. + +"Say 'Kamerad,'" he commanded. + +The German hesitated, but a tiny prick of the knife decided him. + +"Kamerad," he growled sullenly. + +"That's right," said Frank, "but just to make sure that you won't stick +your knife into me when I'm not looking, I guess I'll take care of it. +No, you needn't take the trouble of handing it to me," he continued, as +he saw a vicious expression in his captive's eyes. "You just keep your +hands stretched above your head and I'll find your knife myself. And +don't let those hands come down until I tell you, or something awkward +is likely to happen." + +If the prisoner did not understand all that was said to him, there was +enough in Frank's gestures to indicate his meaning, and the hands went +up and stayed up, while Frank searched his prisoner and removed his +knife, which he put in his own belt. Then he bound the fellow's hands. + +The attack had been made late in the afternoon, and dusk had fallen +while the fight was still going on. Now it was quite dark, and Frank +rose to his feet, intending to clamber out of the shell hole, taking +his prisoner with him. + +But what was his consternation, on lifting his head to the level rim of +the crater, to hear about him commands shouted in hoarse guttural +accents. The sounds of battle had died down and it was evident that +the fight for that day was over. And that part of the field had been +left in German hands! + +Reinforcements coming up in the nick of time had halted a retreat that +was threatening to become a rout. The battle would probably be resumed +on the morrow, but for the present both forces were resting on their +arms. + +The tables were turned with a vengeance. A moment before he had been +holding a prisoner and getting ready to take him into the American +lines. Now he was himself in the enemy lines, liable at any moment to +be discovered and dragged out roughly, to be questioned by German +captors. + +All this passed through Frank's mind in a twinkling. But then another +thought came to him. He must silence his prisoner. + +The thought came not a moment too soon, for as Frank dropped down +beside him a shout arose from the German's lips. He too had heard and +understood the sounds about him. + +In an instant Frank had thrust his handkerchief into the prisoner's +mouth. The man squirmed and struggled, but his bound hands made him +powerless, and Frank soon made a gag that, while allowing the man a +chance to breathe comfortably, would keep him silent. + +Then he settled back and tried to think. And his thoughts were not +pleasant ones. + +He had had a brief taste of German imprisonment, and he was not anxious +to repeat the experience. Yet nothing seemed more probable. Little +short of a miracle would prevent his capture if he stayed there much +longer. In the morning, discovery would be certain. He must escape +that night, if at all. But how could he make his way through that +swarm of enemies? + +And while he is cudgeling his brain to find an answer to the question, +it may be well, for the sake of those who have not read the preceding +volumes of this series, to tell briefly who Frank and his chums were +and what they had done up to the time this story opens. + +Frank Sheldon had been born and brought up in the town of Camport, a +thriving American city of about twenty-five thousand people. His +father was American but his mother was French. Mr. Sheldon had met and +married his wife in her native province of Auvergne, where her parents +owned considerable property. They had died since their daughter's +marriage, and in the natural course of things she would have inherited +the estate. But legal difficulties had developed in regard to the +will, and Frank's parents were contemplating a trip to France to +straighten matters out, when the war broke out and made it impossible. +Mr. Sheldon had died shortly afterward, leaving but a slender income +for his widow. Frank had become her chief support. She was a +charming, lovable woman, and she and her son were very fond of each +other. + +Frank had secured a good position with the firm of Moore & Thomas, a +prosperous hardware house in Camport, and his prospects for the future +were bright when the war broke out. But he was intensely patriotic, +and wanted to volunteer as soon as it became certain that America would +enter the conflict. For a time he held back on account of his mother, +but an insult to the flag by a German, whom Frank promptly knocked down +and compelled to apologize, decided his mother to put no obstacles in +the way of his enlisting. + +But Frank was not the only ardent patriot in the employ of Moore & +Thomas. Almost all of the force wanted to go, including even Reddy the +office boy, who although too young, was full of ardor for Uncle Sam. +Chief among the volunteers were Bart Raymond, Frank's special chum and +a fine type of young American, and Tom Bradford, loyal to the core. +Poor Tom, however, was rejected on account of his teeth, but was +afterward accepted in the draft, and by a stroke of luck rejoined Frank +and Bart at Camp Boone, where they had been sent for training. Another +friend of all three was Billy Waldon, who had been a member of the +Thirty-seventh regiment before the boys had joined it. The four were +the closest kind of friends and stuck by each other through thick and +thin. + +There had been one notable exception to the loyalty of the office +force. This was Nick Rabig, a surly, bullying sort of fellow, who had +been foreman of the shipping department. He was a special enemy of +Frank, whom he cordially hated, and the two had been more than once at +the point of blows. Rabig was of German descent, although born in this +country, and before the war began he had been loud in his praise of +Germany and in "knocks" at America. His chagrin may be imagined when +he found himself caught in the draft net and sent to Camp Boone with +the rest of the Camport contingent. + +How the Army Boys were trained to be soldiers both at home and later in +France; their adventures with submarines on the way over; how Rabig got +what he deserved at the hands of Frank; what adventures they met with +and how they showed the stuff they were made of when they came in +conflict with the Huns--all this and more is told in the first volume +of this series, entitled: "Army Boys in France; Or, From Training Camp +to Trenches." + +From the time they reached the trenches the Army Boys were in hourly +peril of their lives. They took part in many night raids in No Man's +Land and brought back prisoners. Frank met a Colonel Pavet whose life +he saved under heavy fire and learned from the French officer +encouraging news about his mother's property. The four friends had a +thrilling experience when they were chased by Uhlan cavalry, plunged +into a river from a broken bridge only to find when they reached the +other side that the bank was held by German troops. How an airplane +rescued them from German captivity is only one of stirring incidents +narrated in the second volume of the series, entitled: "Army Boys at +the Front; Or, Hand-to-Hand Fights with the Enemy." + +Frank had been in many tight places since he had been in France. In +fact, danger had been so constant that he had come to expect it. To +have a feeling of perfect comfort and security would hardly have seemed +natural. But now he freely owned to himself as he sat crouching low in +the shell hole that his liberty if not his life was scarcely worth a +moment's purchase. + +Something of what was passing in his mind must have been evident to the +German who shared the hole with him. Frank could not see his face +clearly but he could hear the man shaking as if with inward laughter. + +"Laugh ahead, Heinie," remarked Frank, though he knew the man could +probably not understand him. "I'd do the same if the tables were +turned. It'll be a mighty good joke to tell your cronies at mess +tomorrow how the Yankee _schweinhund_ thought he had you and then got +nabbed himself. But they haven't got me yet. Those laugh best who +laugh last, and perhaps I've got a laugh coming to me." + +But just then the laugh seemed a good ways off. At any instant some +one of the many passing to and fro might stumble into the hole and the +game would be up. Or a flare from a star-shell might reveal him +crouching beside his prisoner. His prisoner! What irony there was in +the word under those circumstances. + +Yet not all irony, for at the moment the thought passed through his +mind, another thought told him how he might exercise the power that the +fortune of war had given him over the German and by so doing effect his +escape. + +It was certain that in his American uniform he could not get through +the Germans who surrounded him. His only chance would be to make a +dash, and although he was a swift runner the bullets that would be sent +after him would be swifter. + +_But in a German uniform_-- + +And here was one in the hole right beside him! + +The plan came to him like a flash of light and he started at once to +put it into execution. But just then a sober second thought made him +pause. + +If he were captured wearing his own uniform it would be just as an +ordinary prisoner, entitled to be treated as such by the laws of war. + +But if they took him wearing a German uniform he would be regarded as a +spy and would be shot or hanged offhand, perhaps even without the form +of a court-martial. + +He weighed the question carefully, for he knew that life or death might +result from the way he answered it. + +To help him decide, he raised his head with infinite caution to the rim +of the shell hole and looked about him. In the faint light that came +from lanterns disposed at various places he could see men moving here +and there and catch the murmur of conversation where some of them were +sitting in groups. + +Occasionally a man would rise from one of these gatherings and move +away, apparently without attracting notice or arousing question. Why +could he not do the same? + +Of course there was the chance of a word being addressed to him and he +could not answer without revealing his ignorance of German. But +perhaps he could pretend not to hear or respond with a grunt that would +pass muster. + +One thing was certain. If it were done at all it must be done at once +while there were many about. If he waited until things were quiet his +solitary figure would be sure to attract attention. + +His choice was made. Between the certainty of capture and the chance +of being shot he would take the chance. If worse came to worst he had +his knife and his revolver and he would sell his life dearly. + +He knelt down close by his captive and began to strip off his clothes. +The man was inclined to resist, but a sharp prick of Frank's knife told +him that his captor was in no mind to stand any nonsense and he lay +quiet. It was hard work because the man was heavy and the quarters +were cramped. The coat had to be cut off in places because Frank did +not dare to untie his prisoner's hands. But at last the clothes were +off, and Frank slipped them on over his own. + +It was with a shudder of repulsion that he saw himself clad in the +detested uniform that stood for all that was hateful and brutal in +warfare. It made him feel soiled. But he comforted himself with the +thought that the clothes were only external and that good United States +khaki lay between that abhorred uniform and his skin. + +He saw that the gag was still securely in position and that his +captive's bonds had not relaxed. Then as a last reminder he laid the +back of his knife on the prisoner's neck and felt him shiver beneath +the cold steel. + +"I guess he'll make no attempt to give me away," he said to himself. +"He knows that he'll be all right in the morning anyway." + +Slowly and with the infinite precaution that had been taught him in his +scout training, Frank lifted himself out of the hole and lay flat on +the ground near the edge. There he waited until he was sure that he +had attracted no attention. + +Then having carefully taken his bearings and fixed upon the direction +of the American lines, he yawned, stretched and rising slowly to his +feet strolled carelessly toward the outskirts of the camp. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AMONG THE MISSING + +Frank's heart was beating like a triphammer and his nerves were at a +fearful tension. The next five minutes would probably determine +whether he was to live or die. + +But he kept himself well in hand and to all appearances he was only a +tired German soldier going to his bunk. + +As far as he could without attracting attention, he kept carefully away +from the low fires around which some of the Germans were sitting. But +at one point he was forced to pass within the zone of light, and one of +a group threw a laughing remark at him, occasioned probably by the cuts +in his coat which he had been compelled to make when he had stripped +his prisoner. + +"_Asel!_" Frank flung back at him and passed on, thankful that he at +least knew the German term for jackass. + +Nearer and nearer he drew to the confines of the camp. Here the great +danger lay, for he knew that it would be closely guarded after the +day's fighting. + +If he were challenged what should he say? To the sentinel's "_Wer +da?_" he could answer "_Freund_." But when he was told to advance and +give the countersign what would be his answer? + +He had it ready. But it would not suit the Germans. + +At the point that he had selected for his attempt, there was an opening +in the wire that had been hastily strung to guard against a possible +night attack by the American forces. + +Up and down in front of this a stalwart sentry was pacing. He stopped +and looked sharply at Frank, as the latter approached. When he was ten +feet distant the sentry presented his bayonet and called: + +"_Halt_! _Wer da_?" + +"_Ein freund_," responded Frank. + +"_Losung_," demanded the sentinel, asking for the countersign. + +"America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full in the sentry's +face. + +The heavy butt of the weapon landed plumb in the middle of the German's +forehead. He had opened his mouth to shout, but no sound came forth. +The rifle fell from his hands and he went down like a log. + +With a leap Frank got through the gap in the wire and started running +like a deer toward the American lines. + +There were startled shouts behind him, hoarse commands, a rushing of +feet and a crackling volley of shots. The bullets whizzed and zipped +close to him and he felt a sharp sting as one of them grazed the lower +part of his left arm. Once he stumbled and fell headlong, but he +scrambled hastily to his feet and ran on. + +But now a new peril was added. Behind him a star-shell shot up, +followed by another and another, together with strings of "blazing +onions," until the broken field over which he was making his way became +almost as bright as day. In that greenish radiance his flying figure +stood out sharply, and the firing which had been wild now became more +accurate. At the same time, a look behind him showed that a troop of +men had been hastily organized and was rushing after him. + +This, however, gave him little concern. A bullet might catch him, but +these heavy Germans, never! + +But just as he was comforting himself with this thought he tripped and +went down with a shock that jarred every bit of breath out of his body. + +He struggled to get up but could not move. His lungs labored as though +they would burst. His legs refused to obey his will. He felt as if he +were in the clutches of a nightmare. + +And all the time he could hear the pounding of his pursuers' feet +drawing closer and closer. Would he never be able to breathe again? + +Little by little, during seconds that seemed ages, his breath came back +to him, in short gasps at first but gradually becoming longer, until at +last he rose weakly to his feet. + +He started out again, slowly at first, but, as his wind came back to +him, gathering speed at every stride. But now his pursuers were +perilously near. Those precious seconds lost perhaps had been fatal. + +His fingers gripped the handle of his knife. He would not be taken. +Capture in that uniform meant certain death. No German should gloat +over his execution. If brought to bay he would die fighting then and +there, using his knife so savagely that his enemies would have to shoot +him to save themselves. + +Commands to halt came from behind him accompanied by bullets, but he +only ran the swifter. + +But just then a tumult rose from another quarter. The lines in front +of him seemed to awake. Lights flashed here and there, a mass of +figures detached themselves from the gloom, and in the light of a +star-shell Frank saw a detachment of American troops coming on the run! + +His pursuers saw them too and the chase slackened. There was a hurried +gathering for consultation, a volley of shots, and then the Germans +beat a hasty retreat, hotly pursued by a band of the Americans while +another group of them rushed up and surrounded Frank. + +"Why, it's a Hun!" exclaimed one of them disgustedly, as his eyes fell +on the uniform. "Only a deserter, and we thought they were chasing one +of our own men." + +"That's one on us," remarked another. "The rest of the boys will have +the laugh on us for sure." + +"Do I look like a Heinie?" demanded Frank with a grin. "I can lick the +fellow that calls me one." + +A shout of amazement rose from the crowd as they gathered close to him. + +"Sheldon! Sheldon! Old scout! Bully boy!" + +They mauled and pounded him until he was sore, for he was the idol of +the regiment. There was a rush, and Bart and Billy had their arms +around him and fairly hugged the breath out of him. + +"Frank! Frank!" they exclaimed delightedly. "We thought you were +gone. The last we saw of you, you were fighting like a tiger, but then +the enemy reinforcements came and we were swept away from you. We +didn't know whether you were dead or a prisoner. Thank God you're +neither one nor the other." + +"Pretty close squeak," smiled Frank happily. "But a bit of luck, and +these two legs of mine carried me through, and I'm worth a dozen dead +men yet. But I'm hungry as a wolf, and if you fellows don't feed me up +you'll have me dead on your hands." + +"Trust us," laughed Bart. "You can have the whole shooting match. The +whole mess will go hungry if necessary to fill you up. Come along now +and tell us the story." + +It was a happy crowd that bore Frank back in triumph to his old +quarters. There the rest of the boys flocked about him in welcome and +jubilee. + +"Not a word, fellows," protested Frank laughingly, "until I get these +rags off of me. It's the first time I ever wore a German uniform and I +hope it will be the last. I feel as if I needed to be fumigated before +I'm fit to talk to decent fellows again." + +It was a long time before the hubbub quieted down, and he had to tell +his story again and again before the other soldiers left him alone with +his own particular chums. + +"Where's Tom?" asked Frank. "Our bunch doesn't seem complete without +him. On special duty somewhere, I suppose?" + +Bart and Billy looked at each other with misery in their eyes. + +"What's the matter?" asked Frank in quick alarm, as he intercepted the +glance. "Great Scott!" he added, springing to his feet. "You don't +mean to say that anything's happened to him?" + +Bart shook his head soberly. + +"We don't know," he answered. "The last any of the boys saw of him he +was hacking right and left in a crowd of the boches. But he didn't +come back with the rest of us." + +"You don't mean to say he's dead?" cried Frank. "You're not stalling +to let me down easy?" + +"Not that," protested Billy quickly. "Honor bright, Frank. The burial +parties haven't come across him at last reports, and he hasn't been +picked up as wounded. That's all we know. The chances are that he's +been taken prisoner." + +"Prisoner!" repeated Frank in blank despair. "Tom a prisoner of the +Huns! Heaven help him!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +CAPTURED OR DEAD? + +There was very little sleep for the three Army Boys that night, in +spite of the exhausting labors of the day. They rolled and tossed +restlessly in their bunks, tortured by conjectures as to the fate of +their missing comrade. + +Good old Tom! He had been so close to all of them, loyal to his +heart's core, brave as a lion, ready to stand by them to his last +breath. He had been beside them in many a tight scrape and had always +held up his end. It seemed as though part of themselves had been torn +from them. + +Still, while there was life there was hope, and they drew some comfort +from the fact that he had not yet been found among the dead. If he +were a prisoner he might escape. They had all been in a German prison +camp before and had gotten away. Perhaps Tom might have the same luck +again. + +They fell asleep at last, but the thought clung to them and assumed all +sorts of fantastic attitudes in their dreams so that they awoke tired +and depressed. + +But there was little time on that morning to indulge in private griefs. +The fight was on, and shortly after dawn the battle was resumed. + +All the forenoon it raged with great ferocity. But American grit and +steadfastness never wavered and the enemy was forced to retire with +heavy loss. Not only had they failed to drive the Americans from their +positions, but they had been driven back and forced to surrender a +large portion of their own, including the place where Frank had +crouched in the shell hole the night before. + +Shortly after noon there came a lull while the Americans reorganized +the captured positions. Infantry actions ceased, though the big guns, +like belligerent mastiffs, still kept up their growling at each other. + +"Hot work," remarked Frank, as, after their work was done, the three +friends found themselves together in the shade of a great tree. + +"A corking scrap," agreed Bart, as he sprawled at his ease with his +hands under his head. + +"The Heinies certainly put up a stiff fight," observed Billy, as he +tied up his little finger from which blood was trickling. + +"They felt so sure that they were going to make mincemeat out of us +that it was hard to wake out of their dream," chuckled Frank. "I +wonder if they're still kidding themselves in Berlin that the Yankees +can't fight." + +"In Berlin perhaps but not here," returned Bart. "They've had too much +evidence to the contrary." + +"I wonder if this is really the beginning of the big drive that the +Huns have been boasting about?" hazarded Billy. + +"I hardly think so," replied Frank. "There's no doubt that that's +coming before long, but the fighting yesterday and today was probably +to pinch us out of the salient we're holding. That would straighten +out their line and then they'd be all ready for the big push. When +that comes there will be some doings." + +"The longer they wait the harder the job will be," said Billy. "They +say that our boys are coming over so fast that they're fairly blocking +the roads." + +"They can't come too many or too fast," replied Bart. "And they'll +sure be some busy bees after they get here." + +"Well, we're not worrying," observed Billy. "We're getting along +pretty well, thank you. By the way, Frank," he went on with a grin, +"are you feeling any different on this ground today than you felt last +night?" + +"Bet your life," laughed Frank. "It's just about here that I was +calling a Heinie a jackass. And at that same minute I was thinking +that my life wasn't worth a plugged nickel." + +"Wonder how the fellow made out that you left in the shell hole," +chuckled Billy. + +"Oh, he was all right," replied Frank. "I shouldn't wonder if he was +rather chilly during the night, but no doubt they hauled him out in the +morning." + +"He got off lucky, though," put in Bart. "It's the sentry who got the +hot end of the poker. I wonder what he thought when he heard that +watchword." + +"He didn't have much time to think," guessed Billy, "and to tell the +truth, I don't think he's done much thinking since. That revolver must +have hit him a fearful crack." + +"It's safe to say that it gave him a headache anyway," remarked Bart +drily. + +"Speaking of the revolver," said Frank, rising to his feet, "I'm going +to take a look for it. It was just over near that tree that I plugged +the sentry and it's probably there yet." + +He searched industriously among the welter of debris and after a few +minutes arose with a shout. + +"Here's it is," he said, as he held up his recovered treasure, which +had his initials scratched upon the butt. "Same old trusty and as good +as ever. It's saved my life many a time through the muzzle, but last +night was the first time it saved it through the butt." + +He fondled the weapon lovingly for a moment, carefully cleaned and +reloaded it, and thrust it in his belt. + +Just then a French colonel passed by, accompanied by two orderlies. +The French had been holding a section of the line at the right of the +Americans and their uniform was a familiar sight, so that the boys only +gave the group a passing glance. But Frank's eyes lighted with +pleasure when the colonel detached himself from the others and came +over with extended hand. + +Frank wrung the hand heartily. + +"Why, Colonel Pavet!" he exclaimed. "This is a great pleasure! I +didn't know that you were in this locality." + +"My regiment is only two miles from here," replied the colonel, his +face beaming. "I need not say how glad I always am to see the brave +young soldier who saved my life." + +"What I did any one else would have done," responded Frank lightly. + +"But no one else did," laughed the colonel. "And from what I hear from +your commander you've been doing similar things ever since. I just +heard of your daring escape last night. It was gallantly done, _mon +ami_." + +"Luck was with me," replied Frank. + +"It usually is in such exploits," was the visitor's reply. "You know +the old saying that 'fortune favors the brave.' But I'll spare your +blushes and come down to something that will probably interest you +more. Did you get that letter from Andre, my brother, about your +mother's property?" + +"Why, no, I didn't," answered Frank. "When was it written?" + +"That's strange," said the colonel, a puzzled look coming over his +face. "I received a letter from Andre day before yesterday and he said +that he had written to you by the same mail." + +"Well, you know the mail is rather irregular just now," replied Frank. +"No doubt it will get to me before long. Perhaps your brother told you +something of what was in the letter he wrote to me." + +"Not in detail. He just mentioned that he was very anxious to get hold +of a former butler in your grandfather's family who is now in the +ranks. They had his testimony in part before he was called into +service, but he had not been cross-examined. Andre seems to feel sure +that he can extract information from him that will aid your mother to +come into possession of the estate. Andre's judgment is good, and as +you know, he is one of the leading lawyers of Paris." + +"He is too good, and you also, to take all this trouble in our behalf," +said Frank warmly. "My mother and I can never thank you enough." + +"The debt will be always on our side," responded the colonel with a +wave of the hand. "By the way, how is your mother? I hope she is +well." + +"She was well when I last heard from her," replied Frank, "and +happy--that is as happy as she can be while we are separated from each +other." + +"She is a true daughter of France," said the colonel, "and she should +be happy to have so brave a son. Please remember me to her when you +write. _Au revoir_," and with a friendly smile he passed on. + +"Still hobnobbing with the swells, I see," remarked Billy, as Frank +rejoined his chums. + +"He was telling me of a letter that his brother had written me about my +mother's property," explained Frank. "Queer that it hasn't reached me. +Did any of you fellows get any mail yesterday?" + +"I got a couple of letters," replied Billy. "Tom handed them to me +just before we went into action yesterday morning." + +"Come to think of it, Tom was asking for you at the same time," said +Bart. "He'd brought down the mail for the bunch. He said he had a +letter for you. But you weren't around at the time and he stuck it +into his pocket. Then the boches came swinging at us, and in the +excitement I suppose he forgot all about it. Likely enough he has it +with him now--that is if the Huns have let him keep it." + +"That must be the explanation," said Frank. "Well, all I can do is +write to the colonel's brother and ask him to send me a duplicate of +the letter. Poor Tom! I'd give all the letters in the world to have +him safe with us just now." + +"Same here," said Billy and Bart in chorus. + +"I guess the Huns have got him," said Frank gloomily. "He isn't among +the dead or wounded as far as we've been able to find. But I'll bet +they thought they had hold of a wildcat when they nabbed him." + +"Trust Tom for that," said Bart. "He was a terror when he had his +blood up. He must have got knocked on the head, or they wouldn't have +taken him alive." + +"Perhaps he'd have been luckier if he had been killed," said Billy +sadly. "From all I hear there are plenty of prisoners in German camps +who would welcome death." + +"It makes me grit my teeth to think of the humane way we treat the men +we capture, and then compare it with the way the Huns treat our +soldiers," said Frank bitterly. "Look at the German prisoners we saw +working on the roads that time we went away on furlough. Plenty of +food, kind treatment, good beds. Why, lots of those fellows are living +better than they ever did in their own country. They're getting fat +with good living." + +"Nothing like that in German prison camps," growled Bart. "Horrible +food, mouldy crusts, rotten meat, and not enough of that to keep body +and soul together. In a few months the men are little more than +skeletons. They work them sixteen or eighteen hours a day in all kinds +of weather. They set dogs on them and prod them with bayonets. Did +you read of the forty they tortured to death by swinging them by their +bound arms for hours at a time in freezing weather?" + +"It's no mistake to call the Germans Huns," snapped Billy, clenching +his fists. + +"No," agreed Frank, "but it's rough on the Huns." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +NICK RABIG TURNS UP + +"Guess who's here," said Billy a few mornings later, as he came up to +Bart and Frank. "Give you three guesses." + +"That's generous," remarked Frank. "Well, I'll bite. Who is it? The +Kaiser?" + +"Come off." + +"The Crown Prince?" + +"Quit your kidding." + +"I know," said Bart. "Hindenburg." + +"Blathering boobs, both of you," pronounced Billy. "But with your +limited intellects one ought to be patient. I'll give you one more +chance. Think of the fellow you like the least in all the world." + +"Nick Rabig!" the others exclaimed in one breath. + +"Right," grinned Billy. "I knew that would get you. Nick seems to be +as popular with you as poison ivy at a church picnic." + +"What cat dragged it in?" groaned Bart. + +"Our unlucky day," growled Frank. "I knew something would happen when +I picked up the wrong shoe this morning." + +"But how did he get back?" asked Bart, his curiosity overcoming his +repugnance. + +"Came in on his own feet," replied Billy. "Escaped, so he says, after +performing prodigies of valor. To hear Nick talk you'd think he'd +wiped out half the German army." + +His comrades laughed. + +"I suppose we ought to kill the fatted calf," said Frank sarcastically. + +"Where's the calf?" asked Bart. "Unless we take Billy here," he added +as an afterthought. + +He dodged the pass that Billy made at him, and just then Fred Anderson, +another young soldier, strolled up. + +"Heard the news?" he inquired. + +"About Nick Rabig? Yes," replied Frank. "Billy's just been telling us +about it." + +"Bad news travels fast," growled Bart. + +"Nick doesn't seem to cut much ice with you fellows," commented Fred. +"I never thought much of him myself, but you seem to have it in for him +especially. I suppose it's because he tried to play that dirty trick +on Frank in the boxing bout." + +"No, it isn't that," replied Frank. "I got satisfaction for that then +and there, and I don't hold grudges. It's something altogether outside +of personal matters. Have you heard any details about how Nick made +his escape?" + +"Only a bit here and there," answered Fred. "I suppose it will all +come out later on. But it seems that he has a lot of information about +the German plans and he's now at headquarters being questioned by the +officers." + +Frank turned the conversation into other channels, because although he +had the gravest reasons for believing Rabig to be a traitor, he did not +want to do the fellow an injustice or voice his suspicions until he was +able to confirm them by absolute proof. + +Fred passed on after a few minutes and the boys looked at each other. + +"Did you hear what Fred said about Nick's 'important information'?" +asked Frank. + +"Important misinformation," growled Bart. + +"Bunk," declared Billy. + +"Of course, Nick has an advantage in understanding German," said Frank +cautiously, "and a loyal fellow in his situation might have picked up +something that would be of advantage to our people, though it isn't +likely, for the Germans guard their secrets pretty well." + +"What's the use of talking?" burst out Bart. "We fellows are all onto +Rabig. We know at this minute that he'd like nothing better than to +see the United States licked by Germany. Don't we know that he let +that German prisoner escape? Don't you know that he was talking in the +woods at night with that German spy that you shot? I tell you +straight, Frank, that if Rabig escaped it was because the Germans let +him escape. If he has information, it is because the Germans filled +him up with just the kind of information they wanted our officers to +believe." + +"I think Bart's right," remarked Billy. "It'll be the best day this +regiment ever saw when Rabig's stood up before a firing squad." + +"In my heart I believe the same," assented Frank. "But the tantalizing +thing is that we haven't a bit of legal proof. Rabig had that cut on +his hand to explain the escape of the prisoner. He seemed to be +sleeping in his bunk that night I got back from the woods. So far he +has an alibi for everything. We can't prove that he let himself be +captured. We can't prove that the Germans let him escape. As for the +information he claims to have, our suspicions are based only on what we +know of the man's character." + +"That legal stuff doesn't make a hit with me," growled Bart. "Some day +I'll break loose and take it out of him myself. My fingers itch every +time I see him. I'd hoped I'd never have to see him again." + +"You're doomed to be disappointed, then," grinned Billy, "for here he +comes now." + +They looked in the direction he indicated and saw Rabig coming along +the company street. + +His step was swaggering and he looked immensely satisfied with himself. + +Bart's fist clenched. + +"Nothing doing, Bart," Frank counseled in a low tone. "Hold your +horses. I know just how you feel. I had to lick him once and maybe +you'll have your turn. But not now. I want to find out whether he +knows anything about Tom." + +"All right," said Bart, "but it comes hard." + +Nick saw them standing there, and for a fraction of a second seemed to +be of two minds about keeping on. He hated them all cordially and he +had no doubt of the feeling with which they regarded him. But his +hesitation was only momentary, and he came on with just a little +additional swagger in his gait. + +He would have passed without stopping but Frank spoke to him pleasantly +enough. + +"Hello, Nick!" he said. "See you've got back." + +"That's plain enough to see," responded Nick surlily. + +"Papa's little sunshine," murmured Billy under his breath. + +"Huns seem to have fed you pretty well," remarked Frank. + +Rabig only grunted and looked at Frank suspiciously. + +"Did you see anything of Tom Bradford over there?" asked Frank. + +A look of surprise came into Rabig's little eyes. + +"No," he answered. "Was he captured?" + +"We're afraid so," answered Frank. + +"I didn't see him," declared Rabig. "Perhaps he's killed," he added, +almost smacking his lips with satisfaction. + +They longed to kick him, but restrained themselves, and Rabig passed on. + +"Isn't he a sweet specimen?" asked Bart in disgust, as he looked at +Rabig's receding figure. + +"Did you see how his eyes lighted up when he heard that Tom was gone?" +put in Billy. "The only thing that would give him more satisfaction +would be to have the same thing happen to Frank." + +"I guess he hates us all alike," said Frank. "Down in his heart he +knows that we believe him to be a traitor. His only comfort is that we +haven't been able to catch him with the goods. But that will come in +time. A little more rope and he can be depended on to hang himself. +But that can wait. What I'm more interested in is that he didn't have +any news of Tom." + +"Perhaps he was lying," suggested Bart. "He may have seen Tom over +there, but wouldn't give us the satisfaction of telling us." + +"No, I don't think it was that," commented Billy. "I was watching him +closely while Frank was talking to him, and I could see that he was +really surprised as well as pleased to learn that Tom was gone." + +"But even if he didn't see him, that doesn't prove that Tom isn't +there," suggested Bart. "He may have been captured by some other +division. Besides, to tell the truth, I don't believe that Rabig was +in a prison camp at all. Did you notice how fat and well fed he +looked? I'll bet that he's been living high on the best the Huns could +give him." + +"He didn't look like most escaped prisoners for a fact," assented +Frank. "We'll let his failure to see Tom go for what it's worth. But +there's one thing that's been growing in my mind right along. We're +sure that Tom isn't dead, for the burial parties cleared up the field +and didn't find him. We know too that he isn't on the hospital list. +I got a squint at that no later than yesterday, and Tom's name isn't +there. That seems to cut out everything except capture by the Huns, +doesn't it?" + +"What else is there?" asked Bart gloomily. + +"Just one thing," replied Frank, "and that is that Tom has got away +from the Huns but hasn't yet got back to us. I know what that boy is. +He isn't the kind to settle down and tell himself that he's a prisoner +and that's all there is to it. There isn't a bone in his head, and +he's been busy every minute thinking up some plan to get away. You +know what the boches are doing now. They're getting so short of men +that they're using prisoners right behind the lines in cutting brush +and hauling guns and that sort of thing. Of course it's dead against +all the rules of war, but a little thing like that doesn't bother the +Germans. Now if that's going on there are lots of chances to escape +that the prisoners wouldn't have if they were all huddled together in a +prison camp under the rifles of their guards. Get me? Picture Tom out +in the thick woods going meekly ahead doing as he is told without +making a break for freedom. Not on your life! Some way or other he'll +slip off, and some fine day you'll see the old scout come walking in +and asking us if breakfast's ready." + +"It sounds good," said Bart unconvinced, "but I'm afraid it's a dream." + +"All guess work," chimed in Billy. "We don't know anything." + +"No," admitted Frank, "but we know Tom." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE COMING DRIVE + +"That big German drive seems to have slipped a cog somewhere," Bart +remarked to his comrades, a few days later, as they were resting after +a hard morning's work at organizing the position that their division +was holding. + +"I suppose the Crown Prince is making up a new time-table," grinned +Billy. "He seems to have a passion for that. He ought to have been a +railroad man." + +"The trouble is that they always go wrong," laughed Frank. "I'll bet +he's cross-eyed." + +"Yet the Heinies fall for them every time," said Billy. "I suppose +they figure that just by the law of chance one of them will have to be +right some time." + +"I thought that the drive had started the other morning, when the +Germans came down like wolves on a fold," said Bart. "But it seems +that things were quiet on other parts of the line, so that this must +have been just a local operation." + +"Local operation!" snorted Billy. "In other days it would have been +counted a big battle. Why, if Waterloo were pulled off now do you know +how the papers would describe it? They'd say that there was +'considerable activity on a section of the line over near Hougomont +Farm yesterday, where certain units under Napoleon and Wellington came +in contact. The artillery fire was fairly strong, and there were +clashes between a few infantry regiments and the French were repulsed. +Apart from this there is nothing to report.'" + +The boys laughed. + +"Everything's topsy-turvy nowadays," said Frank. "It used to be armies +that did the fighting. Now it's whole nations. But look at that scrap +going on overhead. Its a dandy." + +They looked in the direction he indicated and their pulses quickened, +for they themselves had once been engaged in a battle in the sky, and +an aerial combat had a personal interest to them. + +Far up in the sky, which just then was as clear as crystal, a duel was +in progress between two planes. It was evident at a glance that both +of the rival aviators were masters of their profession. They circled +deftly about each other like giant falcons, jockeying for position, +each trying to get the weather gauge on the other where he could rake +his opponent with his machine gun without exposing himself to his +enemy's fire in return. + +Swooping, climbing, diving, the planes pursued their deadly purpose, +while exclamations of admiration came from the lips of the fascinated +onlookers as some specially daring manoeuvre promised to give the +advantage first to one and then to the other of the antagonists. + +"Classy work!" exclaimed Frank. + +"They're both dandies," declared Billy. "It's a toss up as to which +will win." + +"They're so far up that it's hard to tell which is which," said Bart, +"but I've got a nickel that says the Hun will be downed." + +"Great Scott," cried Frank. "One of them was hit that time. See it +swerve." + +"And look at the smoke!" Billy shouted. "It's on fire! A bullet must +have hit the petrol tank." + +A burst of smoke and flame shot out from the doomed plane, and it began +to fall, fire streaming out in its wake like the tail of a meteor. +Down it came like a plummet. + +"It's coming right in our lines!" exclaimed Bart. "Scatter, fellows, +or it will be right on top of us!" + +The wrecked plane had fallen about two hundred feet, when a figure shot +from the burning mass, whirling over and over as it descended. The +aviator, knowing that his only choice lay between being burned or +crushed, had chosen the less painful form of death. + +The body fell some distance off, but the plane itself came down within +a few rods of the boys. It was blazing so fiercely that they could not +approach very close to it, but they could easily detect the marking +which indicated that it was a French plane. + +The Army Boys looked at each other regretfully. + +"Score one for the Huns," remarked Frank. "You'd have lost your +nickel, Bart." + +"It's too bad," said Billy, as he straightened up and shook, his fist +at the victorious plane. + +But to the boys' amazement, the conqueror, instead of flying off toward +his own lines, was coming down toward them in long sweeping spirals. + +"Why, it looks as if he were going to land here!" exclaimed Billy in +wonder. + +"If he does, we'll have the satisfaction of taking him prisoner +anyway," observed Bart. + +"It must be that his own plane is injured and he has to descend," +suggested Frank. + +But there was no sign of injury to the descending plane and it seemed +to be in perfect control. Swiftly and steadily it came down, and a cry +of astonishment broke from the boys as they saw that it bore American +markings. + +"How's that?" exclaimed Frank. "There's been a fearful mistake +somewhere. This fellow has downed a French plane thinking that it was +German." + +"He'll be court-martialed for that or I miss my guess," said Bart with +a frown. + +"It's bad enough to have the Huns after us without trying to kill our +own people," growled Billy. + +There was a level place nearby that made an ideal place for a landing, +and the American machine came down there with scarcely a jar. + +The boys rushed toward it with reproaches on their lips, but their +wrath was lost in astonishment when they recognized, in the aviator who +stepped forth, Dick Lever, one of the most daring of the American +"aces" and a warm personal friend of theirs. + +The reproaches died when they saw him, for only a little while before +he had saved them from a German prison by swooping down with his +machine and carrying them off from their captors. It was with mixed +feelings that they greeted him, as he came gaily forward, a smile upon +his handsome bronzed face. But Dick seemed to feel a certain stiffness +in their welcome that was unusual. + +"Hello, fellows," he greeted. "What's the grouch?" + +"No grouch at all, Dick," answered Frank. "We owe you too much for +that. We're only sorry that you happened to make a mistake and down a +French plane thinking it was German." + +Dick's eyes twinkled. + +"Come out of your trance," he chuckled. "I don't make that kind of +mistakes." + +For answer Frank led the way to the wrecked and partly burned plane and +pointed out the markings. + +But despite the evidence, Dick still seemed unabashed and his chuckle +broke into a laugh. + +"That's one on you fellows," he snorted. "Those markings are pure +camouflage. Just another cute little German trick that went wrong. +That fellow set out to take photographs over our lines and he didn't +want to be disturbed, so he painted out his own markings, and put the +French in their place. If you'll come a little closer you can see the +Hun marks under their coat of white." + +The boys did so and, now that their attention had been called to it, +they could readily see the tracings that had been almost obliterated. + +"That's evidence enough," remarked Dick, "but to make assurance doubly +sure we'll go over to where the aviator fell and you'll see that he was +a German all right." + +The body had been decently covered up before the boys reached there, +but the clothing and the effects found proved beyond a doubt that the +aviator had been one of their foes. + +"Take it all back, Dick," said Frank. "You knew what you were about. +And I'm glad that you came out of the scrap safe and sound. But it +certainly was some scrap while it lasted." + +"It sure was," replied Dick. "That fellow was as skilful and plucky as +they make them. He kept my hands full, and there was one time when he +came within an ace of raking me. But luck was with me. Poor fellow! +I'm sorry for him, but I'd have been still more sorry if it had been +myself." + +"What beats me is the way you tumbled to him," puzzled Billy. "You +surely couldn't have read the German markings under their coat of +paint. How did you know he was a German?" + +Dick smiled. + +"Simple enough," he answered. "We Allied aviators have a secret system +of signals, something like Freemasonry. When we come near another +plane that seems to be one of our own, we make a certain dip of our +plane. That's like asking for the countersign. If the other fellow's +all right he makes a certain signal in return. If he doesn't do it the +first time, we try again, because there's always a chance that he +hasn't noticed our signal, or is too busy in handling his plane to give +the reply. But if after two or three times we don't get the +countersign, we know the fellow's a Hun and we open up on him." + +"Good stuff!" approved Billy. + +"That's what happened this morning," continued Dick. "This fellow came +sailing along as calm and cheeky as you please, and was having a bully +time taking pictures of our positions. At least I suppose that is what +he was doing, as he evidently wasn't out looking for fight. I thought +it wouldn't do any harm to take a look at him, although I saw the +machine had French markings. I gave the signal, but of course he +couldn't give the countersign. I repeated it three times without +getting an answer, and then I pitched into him. That makes the +thirteenth that I've brought down." + +"Thirteen was an unlucky number for him, all right," remarked Billy. + +"How are you fellows getting along?" asked Dick, stretching himself out +on the ground for a brief resting spell. "I notice that you've been +right up to your neck in fighting lately." + +"Its been pretty hot along this sector," Frank admitted, "though I +suppose it's nothing to what it will be after the big German drive gets +started. That is if it ever does start. I sometimes think they've +given up the idea." + +"Don't kid yourself," replied the aviator grimly. "It's coming, all +right. If you fellows had been up in the air with me you wouldn't have +any doubt about it. The roads back of the German lines are just black +with troops. It's like an endless swarm of ants. The trains move +along in endless procession and they're packed. Big guns, too, till +you can't count them. It seems as if all Germany was on the move. +It's the old invasion of the Huns over again." + +"Where do they get them all, I wonder," remarked Billy. + +"That's easy," replied Frank bitterly. "They're coming from the +Russian front. The breakdown of Russia means a cool million at the +very least added to the German troops on the western front." + +"That accounts for most of them," agreed Dick. "Then in addition +Germany's combing out her empire to put every available man into +service. She's enslaving the Belgians to work in her factories so that +German workmen can be sent into the ranks. She's calling up mere boys +who ought to be at their schoolbooks. I tell you, boys, Germany's +desperate. She's beginning to realize what a fool she was to bring +America into the war, and she's going to try to get a decision before +we get a big army over here." + +"She'll have to get busy mighty soon, then," said Bart, "for Uncle +Sam's boys are coming into France by the hundreds of thousands. And +those hundreds of thousands will be millions before long." + +"Right you are," agreed Dick. "The jig's up with Germany and she's the +only one that doesn't see it. It's fun to see the way she tries to +belittle America to her own people. Almost every week she has to +change the story. At first she said that America wouldn't fight at +all. We were a nation of money grabbers. Then even if we wanted to +fight the U-boats would keep us from getting over; Then even if we got +over, our troops would be green and run like hares as soon as they +caught sight of the veteran Prussian regiments." + +The boys looked at each other with a grin. + +"We've run, all right," chuckled Billy, "but we've run toward them +instead of away from them." + +"They thought our marines would run too," laughed Frank, "but do you +see what they're calling them now? _Teufelhunden_. They're +devil-hounds, all right, and the dachshund yelps when he sees them +coming." + +"What do you think the Germans will aim for when they do begin their +drive?" queried Bart. + +"The Allied commanders would give a good deal to know that," smiled +Dick. "Of course the thing the Huns want to do above everything else +is to separate and crush the Allied armies. Everything would be easy +after that. But if they can't do that, they'll probably make a break +for Paris. They figure that if they once got that in their hands the +French would be ready to sue for peace. Or they may try to take the +Channel Ports, where they'd be in good position to take a hack at +England. The only thing that's certain is that the drive is coming and +when it does come it's going to be the biggest fight in the history of +the world." + +"Let Heinie do his worst," said Bart. + +"Yes," agreed Frank. "And no matter what he does, he'll have to reckon +with Uncle Sam." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS + +The last thing that Tom Bradford remembered in the fight that separated +him from his comrades was the sight of Frank in a bayonet duel with two +Germans. He was trying desperately to get to his friend's side and +help him in the unequal combat, when a great blackness seemed to sweep +down upon him and he knew nothing more. + +When he came to consciousness, he felt himself dragged roughly to his +feet and thrust into a group of other prisoners who were being sent to +the rear under guard of a squad of German soldiers. He reeled and +would have fallen had he not been supported by some of his other +companions in misfortune. Then the line was set in motion and he +stumbled along dazedly, abused verbally by his guards and prodded with +bayonets if he lagged or faltered. + +Gradually his head stopped whirling and his brain grew clearer. His +face felt wet and sticky, and putting his hand to it he drew his +fingers away covered with blood. + +He felt his head and found a ragged gash running almost the length of +the scalp. It must have bled freely, judging from the weakness he felt +and the way his hair was matted and his face smeared. But the blood +had congealed now and stopped flowing. He figured from the character +of the wound that it had been made by a glancing blow from a rifle. + +It was fully dark when the gloomy procession halted at a big barn where +the prisoners were counted and passed in to stay for the night. + +A little later some food was passed in to the prisoners, but Tom had no +appetite and even if he had been hungry it would have been hard to +stomach the piece of dry bread and watery soup that was given him as +his portion. So he gave it to others, and sat over in a corner +immersed in the gloomy thoughts that came trooping in upon him. + +He was a prisoner. And what he had heard of Hun methods, to say +nothing of a former brief experience, had left him under no delusion as +to what that meant. + +What were his comrades Frank, Bart and Billy doing now? Had they come +safely through the fight? He was glad at any rate that they were not +with him now. Better dead on the field of battle, he thought bitterly, +than to be in the hands of the Huns. + +But Tom was too young and his vitality too great to give himself up +long to despair. He was a prisoner, but what of it? He had been a +prisoner before and escaped. To be sure, it was too much to expect to +escape by way of the sky as he had before. Lightning seldom strikes +twice in the same place. But there might be other ways--there should +be other ways. While breath remained in his body he would never cease +his efforts to escape. And sustained and inspired by this resolve, he +at last fell asleep. + +When he awoke in the morning, his strength had in large measure +returned to him. His head was still a little giddy but his appetite +was returning. Still he looked askance at the meagre and unpalatable +breakfast brought in by the guards. + +"Don't be too squeamish, kid," a fellow prisoner advised him, as he saw +the look on the young soldier's face. "Take what's given you, even if +it isn't fit for Christians. You'll get weak soon enough. Keep strong +as long as you can." + +There was sound sense in this even with the woeful prophecy and Tom, +though with many inward protests, followed the well-meant advice. + +Bad as it was, the food did him good, and he was feeling in fairly good +condition when, a little later, he was summoned before a German +lieutenant to be examined. + +That worthy was seated before a table spread with papers, and as Tom +entered or rather was pushed into his presence he compressed his +beetling black brows and turned upon the prisoner with the face of a +thundercloud. + +But if he expected Tom to wilt before his frowning glance he was +disappointed. There was no trace of swagger or bravado when Tom faced +his inquisitor. But there was self-respect and quiet resolution that +refused to quail before anyone to whom fate for the moment had given +the upper hand. + +The officer spoke English in a stiff and precise way so that an +interpreter was dispensed with, and the examination proceeded. + +"What is your name?" the lieutenant asked. + +Tom told him. + +"Your nationality?" + +"American." + +The officer snorted. + +"There is no such thing as American," he said contemptuously. "You are +just a jumble of different races." + +Tom said nothing. + +"What is your regiment?" the officer continued. + +There was no answer. + +"Did you hear me?" repeated the lieutenant impatiently. "What is your +regiment?" + +"I cannot tell," answered Tom. + +"You mean you will not?" + +"I refuse to tell." + +"Refuse," exclaimed the officer, growing red in the face. "That is not +a safe word to say to me." + +Tom kept quiet. + +The officer after a moment of inward debate shifted to another line. + +"What are your commanders' plans, as far as you know?" + +"To beat the Germans," returned Tom promptly. + +The officer's face became apoplectic. + +"Yankee pig!" he roared. "You know that is not what I meant. Tell me +if you know anything of their tactics, whether they intend to attack or +stand on the defensive." + +"I don't know," replied Tom truthfully. + +"Have you plenty of ammunition?" + +"More than we can use," replied Tom promptly, glad to tell what could +do no harm and would only increase the chagrin of his enemy. + +"How many troops have the Americans got in France?" + +"A good many hundreds of thousands," answered Tom, "and they're coming +over at the rate of two hundred thousand a month." + +"Yankee lies," sneered the officer. "You are very ready to give me +more information than I ask for when it will suit your purpose." + +Tom kept discreetly silent, but he chuckled inwardly at the discomfort +shown by his enemy. + +The officer pondered a moment, and evidently decided that there was not +much to be got out of this young American who faced him so undauntedly. +Perhaps other prisoners would prove more amenable. But his dignity had +been too much ruffled to let Tom get off without punishment. + +"You think that you have baffled me," he said, "but you will find that +it is not wise to try to thwart the will of a German officer. We have +ways to break such spirits as yours." + +He called to the guard, who had been standing stolidly at the door. + +"Take him out in the woods and put him to work where the enemy's shell +fire is heaviest," he commanded. "It doesn't matter what happens to +him. If his own people kill him so much the better. It will only be +one less Yankee pig for us to feed." + +The guard seized Tom and thrust him roughly out of the door. Then he +took him back to the barn and a whispered conversation ensued, with +many black glances shot at Tom. + +A short time afterward he was placed with some others in the custody of +a squad of soldiers, and taken into the woods close behind the German +lines. Of course this was a flagrant breach of all the laws of war. +But there was no use in protesting. That would only arouse the +amusement of the German guards. + +As a matter of fact, when Tom came to think it over, he did not want to +protest. His captors could have taken no course that would have suited +him better. At first his heart had sunk, for he realized that the +officer's purpose was to sign his death warrant. The chances of being +killed by the American shells was very great. And then the significant +word of the lieutenant that it didn't matter what happened to him, was +a hint to the guards that they could murder him if they liked, and +there would be no questions asked. + +But after all, to be in the open was infinitely better than to be +eating his heart out in a squalid prison camp. His health stood less +chance of being undermined. As to the shells, he had grown so used to +that form of danger that it hardly disturbed him at all. + +But the one thing that stood out above all others was that in the woods +he would have a chance of escape, while in the camp he would have +practically none at all. His limbs would have to be free in order to +do the work demanded of him. And he was willing to match his keen +American wits against the heavy and slow-thinking guards who might +stand watch over him. + +He soon reached the section where he was to work, and was set to +felling trees to make corduroy roads over which guns and supplies could +be brought up from the enemy's rear to the advanced lines. + +He had never done that kind of work, and at first the tremendous +efforts demanded of him amounted to sheer physical torture. He was +hounded on unceasingly under the jibes and threats of his brutal +guards. Not half enough food was supplied, and he was forced to work +for sixteen and eighteen hours on a stretch. + +But he had great reserves of youth and vitality to draw on, and he kept +on doggedly, his brain alert, his eyes wide open, his heart courageous, +looking for his opportunity. + +On the third night his opportunity came. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FRYING-PAN TO FIRE + +The third day of Tom's captivity had been more trying than the two that +preceded it. + +A new piece of woodland had been ordered to be cleared and, as there +was a scarcity of labor, Tom had been taxed to even a greater degree +than usual. By the time night came, he was feeling utterly exhausted +and ready to drop. + +But dusk brought him little relief, for he was told that he must keep +on by lantern light until ten o'clock, before he would be permitted to +stop. + +His troubles were aggravated by the fact that this afternoon a change +of guards had brought him under the control of an especially brutal one +who made his life a burden by abuse. + +His guard had ordered him into a thick part of the woods where the high +underbrush cut them off from the sight of other working parties a +hundred yards away. Here the German had seated himself comfortably on +a fallen tree while he watched his prisoner toil, occasionally hurling +a threat or epithet at him. + +The guard's watch was out of order, and he had borrowed a small clock +from the mess room in order to know when the time came to report with +his prisoner at quarters. He had placed the clock in the light of the +lantern and kept looking at it frequently and yawning. It was plain +that he would welcome the hour that released him from his monotonous +duty. + +The night was warm and the guard's gun was heavy. He stood it against +the tree, but within instant reach, and unbuckled his belt. + +In working around the tree, Tom's foot as though by accident knocked +against the clock and it fell over on its face. The guard thundered a +curse against his awkwardness, and stooped down to pick it up. + +Quick as thought Tom picked up the heavy lantern and brought it +crashing down on the German's head. The next instant his hands were on +the German's throat. + +The struggle was brief, for the German at his best would have been no +match for the young American. Tom had soon choked him into +unconsciousness, and when he felt the man become limp beneath him he +relaxed his hold. + +He tied the German's hands with his belt and gagged him securely. The +lantern had gone out with the blow and he did not dare to relight it. +Darkness was now his best friend. + +His eyes fell on the clock. It had done him good service, but now was +of no further use to him. But a second thought made him pick it up and +put it in his blouse. + +He had no compass, but the clock would do in a pinch. His woodcraft +had taught him how the hands of a clock could find for him the cardinal +points. More than once his watch in more peaceful times had done him a +similar service. + +The first thing necessary was to put as wide a distance as possible +between himself and the place where he now was. Afterwards he could +figure out how to regain his own lines. By ten o'clock at latest his +attack on the guard would be discovered. He must be miles away before +then, or his life would not be worth a cent. + +His impulse was to take the German's gun, but he discarded the thought +at once. His only salvation lay in hiding. The gun would count for +nothing among the innumerable foes that surrounded him. It was heavy +and cumbrous, and would only retard his progress through the woods. He +must travel light if he would travel fast. + +He gathered up some fragments of food left from the lunch that the +guard had been munching and tucked them in his pocket. Then like a +shadow he slipped away through the woods. + +From what he had seen and bits of information that he had picked up +from other prisoners, some of whom were Frenchmen and knew the country +well, Tom had a pretty good idea of the lay of the land. He knew that +the country was rolling, with here and there a range of hills that rose +almost to the dignity of mountains. Here there ought to be plenty of +hiding places where he could stay while he planned a way to get across +the lines. + +Of course his route would be within the German lines for miles. But +the inhabitants were in sympathy with the Allied cause, prisoners in +almost as great a degree as he himself had been, and he might find +among them aid and comfort, though such assistance if discovered would +be sure to be visited with hard punishment by the German oppressors. + +The way was full of difficulties and almost every step would be +attended by danger. But for the present at least he was free. Free! +The word had never appealed to him so strongly before. He drew in +great draughts of the mountain air. They seemed in a way to cleanse +his lungs from the prison taint. + +For what seemed to him hours he never slackened his pace. Many times +he stumbled in the darkness and his body was full of bruises, but in +the joy of his recovered freedom, he scarcely felt the pain. On he +went and on until he felt certain he had placed a safe distance between +himself and the scene of his recent captivity. + +To be sure, the German command had other things to rely on than mere +physical pursuit. There were the long arms of the telegraph and +telephone, through which every division on the sector might be warned +to be on the lookout for him. But it was wholly unlikely that this +would be done. On the eve of the great drive, the authorities were too +busy to expend their energies on the recapture of an escaped prisoner. +Even if he should fall into the hands of another body of his enemies, +it was unlikely that they would know anything of his recent exploit. + +So with body tired after his strenuous exertions, but with his mind as +much at rest as it could be under the circumstances, Tom threw himself +down at last to take a brief rest under the shadow of a giant beech. + +The sun streaming through the branches woke him a little later. For a +moment he did not know where he was and lay trying to get his thoughts +in order. Then it all came back to him with a rush and he sprang to +his feet and looked about him. + +There was nothing in sight to alarm him. The place seemed to be wild +and unvisited. A squirrel sat in the boughs over his head chattering +his surprise and perhaps his displeasure at the sight of the intruder. +A chipmunk slipped along a grassy ridge and vanished in the +undergrowth. Birds sang their welcome to a new day. Everything about +him spoke of peace and serenity. It seemed as though there were no +such thing as war in the world. + +Yet even while this thought lingered with him there came a discordant +note in the booming of a distant gun. But it seemed far off and though +other guns soon swelled the menacing chorus there seemed to be no +immediate cause for alarm. + +A little way off from where he had slept, a small brook wound its way +through the sedge grass. Tom welcomed it with a grin, for he had not +had a bath since he had been captured. + +In a moment he had undressed and plunged into the brook. The water was +scarcely deeper than his waist, but its coolness was like balm to Tom's +bruised and heated body. When he resumed his clothing he felt +infinitely strengthened and refreshed. + +The young soldier worked his way into a dense thicket as a measure of +precaution, before he ate the remnants of food that he had carried away +with him the night before. It was a meager breakfast and he could have +eaten four times as much if he had had it. But even crumbs were +grateful to him in his famished condition. + +He had just finished when an ominous sound fell on his ears. Voices +mingled with the tread of feet and the clank of weapons. He looked +through the bushes and saw a squad of soldiers wearing helmets coming +over a little rise of ground beyond where he lay concealed. + +He counted them as they came into view. There were at least forty +Germans going along in loose marching order. They might have been a +patrol out for scout duty or, what was more likely, a foraging party. + +He had scarcely established their numbers when on the other side of the +thicket and not more than fifty feet away another squad of Germans came +into view. They apparently belonged to the same party, but had +separated somewhat from the others, probably for more ease in marching. + +They seemed to have come from some distance for they were warm and +perspiring. The sight of the brook was refreshing, and after a brief +conference between the lieutenant in command and a sergeant, the order +was given to break ranks, and the men threw themselves down in +sprawling attitudes for a rest under the trees. + +Tom's heart was in his mouth. What kind of a trick was fate playing on +him? Was this to be the end of his heartbreaking struggle, his wild +flight through the woods? Was he to get just a tantalizing glimpse of +liberty to have it immediately snatched from him? At that moment he +tasted the bitterness of death. + +How lucky it was, though, that he had sought refuge in that thicket +before he commenced his breakfast. There was still a chance. The men +were tired and would not be likely to wander about. They were only too +glad of a chance to rest. + +He burrowed deeper and deeper into the recesses of the thicket. He lay +as close to the ground as possible. What would he have given for the +friendly shelter of a trench! + +The men conversed lazily together while the officer sat some distance +apart. At times the Germans' eyes rested carelessly on Tom's shelter, +but without any sign of suspicion. + +At last the order came to resume the march, and Tom drew an immense +sigh of relief. A few minutes more and they would be gone. + +The men had formed in loose marching order and the lieutenant lifted +his hand to give the signal. + +Suddenly a loud ringing came from the center of the thicket, whirring, +rattling, clanging. + +_The time-piece Tom was carrying was an alarm clock!_ + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CONFESSION + +To poor Tom that ringing was the crack of doom. + +The world seemed to end for him then and there. The first surprise had +paralyzed him. Then he rolled upon the betraying clock, tried to crush +it, strangle it, press it into the earth. But it kept on remorselessly +until the alarm ran down. + +The Germans had been almost as startled at first as Tom himself. But +they hesitated only for a moment. There could be no mistaking where +that insistent buzzing was coming from. There was a rush for the +thicket, and the next moment Tom was hauled out and stood upon his feet +among his captors. + +It took only a glance to tell them that Tom was an American. His face +as well as his uniform betrayed that fact. Amid a hubbub of excited +exclamations he was taken before their leader. + +But this time the officer was not able to talk English and there was no +interpreter at hand, so that Tom for the present was spared the ordeal +of questioning. + +The fateful clock was passed around among the men with jest and +laughter. It was a good joke to them, but Tom was in no mood to see +the humor of the situation. To him it meant that all his strivings had +come to naught. + +Why had he not noticed that the clock was of the alarm variety and that +the alarm had been set? He promised that he would never forgive +himself for that. + +A number of men were counted off to take Tom to the local prison camp, +while the rest of the party went on with their expedition. + +The journey was long, but it was not attended by the rough treatment +that would ordinarily have been meted out to the prisoner. The men +were glad, for one thing, that they were relieved from going on the +special duty for which the party had been formed. Then, too, Tom's +misadventure had given them a hearty laugh, and laughs were something +to be prized in their arduous life. + +After reaching the camp, Tom was taken before an officer for +examination. But the officer was busy and preoccupied, and the +questioning was largely a matter of form. Tom was vague or dense as +the case demanded, and the impatient officer curtly ordered him to be +thrust in with the other prisoners and promptly proceeded to forget him. + +Tom passed through several stages of emotion when he was left to +himself. First he moped, and then he raged. Then, as the comical side +of the situation forced itself even upon his misery, he laughed. + +A proverb says that "the man is not wholly lost who can laugh at his +own misfortunes." Tom laughed and immediately felt better. His +natural buoyancy reasserted itself. But he had imbibed a prejudice +against alarm clocks that promised to last for the rest of his life. + +The sector was a quiet one and Tom was not sent out to work under shell +fire. For a few days he was left unmolested to the tedium of prison +life, and he began with renewed zest to formulate plans for his escape. + +He had a chance also to become more or less acquainted with his +fellow-prisoners. There were not many and Tom reflected with +satisfaction that the Americans held more German prisoners than the +Huns had captured of his own countrymen. + +There was a sprinkling of nationalities. There were a few American and +British, but the majority were French and Belgians. + +About the only French prisoner that Tom grew to know intimately was one +who could speak English fairly well. This he explained was due to the +fact that the man in whose employ he had been as a butler had a +daughter who had married an American, and English had been much spoken +in the household. + +"What part of France do you come from?" asked Tom one day, when they +were chatting together. + +"From Auvergne," answered the Frenchman, whose name was Martel. "Ah," +he continued wistfully, "what would I not give to see the gardens and +vineyards of Auvergne again! But I never will." + +"Sure you will," said Tom cheerily. "Brace up, Martel. You won't stay +in this old hole forever." + +Martel shook his head. + +"I'm doomed," he said. "I was in the first stage of consumption when I +came here, and the disease is gripping me more tightly every day. +Perhaps it's a judgment on me." + +"What do you mean by that?" asked Tom, but Martel did not reply except +by a shrug of the shoulders. + +"Speaking of Auvergne," remarked Tom after a pause, "reminds me that I +have a special chum whose mother came from that province. She married +an American, too." + +"_Vrai_?" exclaimed Martel with quickened interest. "What was her +name, _mon ami_?" + +"Blest if I remember," answered Tom. "I've heard it, too, but I don't +recall it. But I'll tell you how I can find out," he went on, +rummaging in his pockets. "I've got a letter somewhere that was sent +to my chum. I got it from the headquarters post-office the day I was +captured and forgot to give it to him. The Huns tore the envelope off +when they saw me, but when they saw that it was of no importance to +them they tossed it back. I've kept it carefully ever since because +it's from some lawyer fellow in Paris telling him about his mother's +property, and I hope some time to be able to hand it to him. It's +simply a business letter with nothing private or personal in it. Here +it is," and Tom produced from his pocket a crumpled letter without an +envelope. "Let's see, the name of Frank's mother is Delatour--why, +what's the matter, Martel?" he added anxiously, as he saw the Frenchman +turn white and start back at the mention of the name. + +"Nothing," answered Martel, controlling himself with difficulty. "A +little weakness--I'm not very strong, you know." + +The conversation turned then in other channels, and Tom soon forgot it +in his absorption of his one idea of escape. + +A week had passed when a sudden hemorrhage that attacked Martel brought +the prison doctor to his side. He shook his head after an examination. +There was no hope. It was a matter of days only, perhaps of hours. He +was heartless and perfunctory. What did it matter? The sufferer was +only a prisoner. + +A little while after, Martel called Tom to him. + +"I told you, _mon ami_, that it would not be long," he said with the +ghost of a smile. "And I also told you that perhaps it was a judgment +on me. Do you remember?" + +"Why, yes," answered Tom reluctantly. "But perhaps you'd better not +excite yourself talking about it. I guess we've all done things we're +sorry for afterwards." + +"But I committed a crime," said Martel. "I perjured myself. And I did +it for gain." + +"There, there," soothed Tom, but Martel continued: + +"No, I must speak. _Le bon Dieu_ has sent you to me. Listen, _mon +brave_, I was in the household of Monsieur Delatour. I had seen +Mademoiselle Lucie grow up from childhood. She was charming. But she +married and passed largely out of our life. Monsieur Delatour grew +old. He had made his will leaving the property chiefly to his +daughter. But there was a nephew, a spendthrift--what you call in +English the black sheep--and after Monsieur Delatour died this _mauvais +sujet_ offered me money to swear that there was a later will. The +object? To tie up the estate, to delay the settlement, to force a +compromise with the daughter. I took the money. I perjured myself. +There was no later will. The property belongs to Mademoiselle +Lucie--pardon, Madame Sheldon." + +He fell back exhausted on his pillow. Tom was shocked, but he was also +greatly excited at the prospect of the wrong that had been done to +Frank's mother being righted. At Martel's request the confession was +reduced to writing with many details added, and then a number of the +prisoners signed their names as witnesses. + +Tom was not sure how far the confession would stand in law, but he felt +reasonably certain that it would be regarded as good evidence and he +was jubilant at the chance that had made him of such great service to +his chum, Frank. + +The confession was made none too soon, for that same night Martel died. + +"Well, Frank, old scout," said Tom to himself the next day, as he +carefully read and re-read the important document, "that alarm clock +played me a lowdown trick, but it's sure been a good friend of yours, +all provided I can get this confession to you!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A MIDNIGHT SWIM + +"A pretty tight place we're in," remarked Bart to Frank as the Army +Boys stood side by side behind a barricade of logs where they had just +repelled a German attack that had surged up close before it fell back +in confusion. + +"Tight is right," grunted Bart, as he reloaded his rifle which was +getting hot from firing. + +"We ought to be used to tight places by this time," put in Billy, +stopping long enough to wipe the perspiration from his face. "It seems +that when our division has a specially tough job to do they always call +upon the old Thirty-seventh to do it." + +There was no exaggeration in describing the position the soldiers were +holding as a tight place. While the great drive had not yet begun, the +enemy was carrying on a nibbling process in the attempt to improve his +position before the start of the big offensive. + +There was a piece of woodland surmounting a broad plateau that had +considerable strategic importance. Its possession would enable the +Germans to straighten their lines and permit their guns to dominate the +valley beyond. They had made several attacks previously which had been +driven back; but on the morning in question the assaults had been +particularly ferocious and determined. It was evident that the Germans +had received orders to carry it at all costs, and they had thrown their +forces ahead again and again regardless of their heavy losses in men. + +Their attacks on the direct front had remained without result, but they +had been able to gain some advantages on the side that separated the +detachment in the woods from their main divisions. It was necessary +that American reinforcements should be sent at once, for the +comparatively small force that held the position was rapidly thinning +out, owing to the terrific shell fire of the enemy's guns. + +Several couriers had been sent to notify the main command of the +perilous position in which the defenders were placed, but these had +evidently been killed or captured, and at last Major Blake, the officer +in command, had to use his last resort. + +There was a cage of carrier pigeons that the detachment had brought +with them, beautiful, soft-eyed creatures that had been thoroughly +trained. It seemed a pity that things so gentle should have to serve +the harsh purposes of war. But human lives were at stake, and one of +the birds was quickly selected, and a message tied on it securely. +Then it was thrown up in the air. It circled about for a moment to get +its direction, and then straight as an arrow to its mark made for +division headquarters. + +A cheer rose from the men as they watched the feathered messenger, but +this quickly changed to a groan when the bird was seen to falter and +then plunge downward. An enemy shot had winged or killed it. + +Two more were sent and met with the same fate. The need was growing +fearfully urgent, for the enemy had been reinforced and the attacks +were growing in intensity. Unless help came very soon the position +would be overwhelmed. + +Frank and his comrades were fighting like tigers, their faces covered +with grime and sweat. The last time the enemy came on they had reached +the breastworks and had been beaten back with savage bayonet fighting +and clubbed rifles. But they still kept coming as though their numbers +were endless. + +"The boys had better hurry up if they want to find any of us alive," +muttered Billy. + +"They'll probably find us dead," grunted Bart, "but they'll find, too, +that we've taken a lot of the Huns with us." + +"There goes the fourth bird," said Frank. "Perhaps he'll have better +luck." + +Through the tempest of shot and shell the bird winged its way unhurt, +and with new hope the desperate defenders buckled down to their work. +They knew their comrades would not leave them in the lurch. + +Two more attacks came on, but the gray-clad waves broke down before the +gallant defense. And then, above the roar of battle, came a rousing +American cheer, and into the woods came plunging rank after rank of +fresh troops to relieve their hard-pressed comrades. + +They rapidly fell into position, and the next time the Germans came for +what they believed would be their crowning success they had the +surprise of their lives. A withering rifle fire ploughed their ranks, +and then the American boys leaped over the barricade and chased the +enemy back to his own lines. The position was saved, and the hardy +fighters who had held it so gallantly looked at each other and wondered +that they were alive. + +"The narrowest shave we ever had!" gasped Billy as, utterly exhausted, +he threw himself at full length on the ground. + +"It was nip and tuck," panted Bart. "I know now how the besieged +British at Lucknow felt when they heard the bagpipes playing: 'The +Campbells are coming.'" + +"We pulled through all right," said Frank, "and don't forget, boys, +that we owe it to the birds." + +Two days later the position of the divisions was shifted and the Army +Boys found themselves on the banks of a small river that forms the +dividing line between the hostile armies. + +The squad to which Frank and his comrades were assigned under the +command of Corporal Wilson, who had now fully recovered from his +wounds, was stationed at a point where the river was about a hundred +and fifty yards wide. Desultory firing was carried on, but the sector +at the time was comparatively quiet, as both armies were engrossed in +their preparations for the great battle that was impending. It was the +lull before the storm, and the boys improved it to the utmost. Their +duties were light compared to what they had been, and they rapidly +recuperated from the great strain under which they had been for some +weeks past. + +"If only Tom were here now," remarked Frank for perhaps the hundredth +time, for their missing comrade was always in the thoughts of the other +Army Boys. + +"Poor old scout!" mourned Bart. "I wonder where he is now?" + +"Working his heart out in some German camp, I suppose," said Billy +savagely. + +"You see, Frank, your hunch hasn't worked out as you thought it would," +said Bart. "You felt sure that Tom would be with us again before this." + +"I know," admitted Frank. "My time-table has gone wrong, but I haven't +given up hope. Tom is only human and he can't work miracles. He may +have been so placed that it simply wasn't possible to make a break. +But one thing you can gamble on, and that is that he hasn't given up +trying. And when a man has that spirit his chance is sure to come." + +"I wish I had your optimism," said Bart gloomily. + +"Look at those skunks on the other side of the river," interrupted +Billy. + +He pointed to a group of German soldiers who were making insulting +gestures and holding up huge placards with coarse inscriptions on them. + +"Cheap skates," replied Frank. "You notice they're not quite so gay +when we get to close quarters with them." + +"They get my goat," said Billy with irritation. "I'd like to cram +those placards down their throats." + +"Pretty big mouthful," laughed Frank. + +"We'll get them yet," said Billy vengefully. + +"What's the use of saying 'yet,'" suggested Frank. "Why not say 'now'?" + +They looked at him curiously. + +"What do you mean?" queried Bart. + +"Got anything up your sleeve?" asked Billy. + +"An idea just came to me," replied Frank. "I don't know whether it's +any good, but perhaps it's worth chewing over." + +"Let's have it," demanded Billy eagerly. + +"Well," said Frank slowly, "I figure that there must be about twenty +Germans in that detachment just opposite us. What would be the matter +with a few of us going over there some dark night and cleaning up the +bunch?" + +A delighted shout met the suggestion. + +"Bully!" exclaimed Bart. + +But though the approval was enthusiastic, practical difficulties soon +presented themselves. + +"How are we to get across?" asked Bart dubiously. + +"We haven't any boat on this side that's big enough," said Billy. "In +fact, I don't think we have any at all." + +"That's an easy one," answered Frank. "Do you see that big lobster of +a boat on the other side? That looks as though it would carry almost a +dozen anyway. We won't need any more than that to nab the Huns, +because we'll have the advantage of the surprise if our plans go +through all right." + +"But how are we going to get the boat?" asked Bart. + +"Swim over for it," replied Frank. "I'll attend to that. Give me a +dark night and it's all I ask." + +"Let's see what the corporal has to say about it," suggested Bart. + +The corporal listened with interest. It was a plan after his own heart. + +"You young roosters are always looking for fight," he grinned. "I'll +put it up to the captain and see what he says." + +The assent of the captain was readily obtained as he knew the value of +such exploits in keeping the spirits of the men up to high fighting +pitch. + +The night following there would be no moon until late, and it was fixed +on for carrying out the raid. Frank was to swim across the river and +get the boat. On the American side Wilson with eight men would be in +waiting. They would embark and try to reach the other side without +detection. Quick thinking and Yankee grit could be depended on to do +the rest. + +The night came, black as pitch. Frank slid into the water as +noiselessly as a fish and struck out for the other side. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GALLANT WORK + +The water had a chill in it that struck to Frank's marrow, but the +reaction soon came and he proceeded swiftly, making as little noise as +possible, and keeping body and head low in the water. He was a +powerful swimmer, and the distance was as nothing to him. But the +greatest caution had to be exercised lest he be discovered by a sentry +whose shot would alarm his comrades and put an end to the projected +raid. + +But fortune favored him and he soon reached the boat, which seemed to +be large enough, with some crowding, to carry the American party. It +swung with its stern toward the shore, to which it was held by a rope +that was passed about a cleat. + +Frank clung for a moment to the bow and listened intently. He could +hear no breathing nor any other sound that indicated that any one was +on board. The Germans had evidently not dreamed of any such exploit as +that on which Frank was bent. + +But that a watch was kept on the shore was evident, for Frank could +hear the measured step of a sentinel some distance away. The steps +receded as he listened, and he gathered that the patrol was an extended +one. Now was his time, while the sentry was at the further limit of +his beat. + +Swiftly he climbed on board, slipped the rope from its cleat, and with +a push of an oar against the bank sent the boat some distance out into +the stream. He did not dare to row for he feared that the oars grating +in the rowlocks might betray him. But he made a paddle of one of the +oars, dipping it in alternately on opposite sides of the bow, paddle +fashion, and before long reached his party, by whom he was received +with intense though subdued jubilation. + +In whispers Frank explained to Wilson what he had observed and action +was agreed on accordingly. The party, ten in all, bestowed themselves +as best as they might in their narrow quarters and the boat started on +its perilous expedition. + +A paddle was employed as before, and the journey was necessarily slow, +for the boat sank in the water almost to the gunwales. But they +reached the other side at last, and Frank, slipping into the water, +waded to the bank, where he fastened the boat securely. + +Whether they would ever step into that boat again was known to none of +the party that slipped like shadows up the grassy bank. They were +outnumbered two to one, or more, and their success depended mainly on +surprise. The slightest slip in their plans would bring the expedition +to grief. + +They lay flat on the bank and listened. There was no sound except the +tread of the sentry's feet coming nearer. It was unlikely that the +absence of the boat had been discovered. Still, it might have been, +and the dead silence might portend an ambush by the enemy. + +This was a chance, however, that they had to take. But the first thing +to do was to dispose of the sentry. + +The path along which he seemed to be coming was bordered with a small +and uncared-for hedge. + +In a hurried whisper Wilson gave his commands. + +"You, Sheldon and Raymond, creep ahead and lie on opposite sides of the +ledge. When the sentry comes along, close on him at the same time. +Keep him from making a noise if you can. The one thing is to be quick." + +Frank and Bart glided along and took up positions opposite each other. + +"You grab his gun, Bart, and I'll make for his throat," whispered Frank. + +The sentry came on unsuspectingly. Lithe as panthers the boys leaped +upon him, Bart grasping the gun, while Frank's sinewy hands fastened on +his throat. + +There was a muffled exclamation and a short sharp struggle. Then the +sentry lay on the ground unconscious, while Frank and Bart hastily +improvised a gag, and bound the man's hands and feet. + +"Good work," commended the corporal, as Frank and Bart rejoined their +comrades. "That was the most ticklish part. The rest ought to be +easy." + +But he was mistaken, for just then the door of a dugout in a small +trench opened, and two men came out with lanterns. It was evidently +the corporal of the guard who had come out with a private to relieve +the sentry. + +There was an exclamation of surprise and alarm, and as the light of the +lanterns revealed the group of dark figures at the head of the trench, +the men started to leap back into the dugout. But a rifle cracked and +one of them fell. The other, however, got inside and slammed and +barred the door. + +"Rush them, men!" shouted the corporal, and charged, at their head, +toward the dugout. + +Two or three of them launched themselves against the door, but it held. + +"Splinter it with your gun butts!" yelled the corporal, and a series of +heavy blows thundered against the barrier. + +Some of the planks started to give, but before the door had completely +yielded, it was thrown open from within and the Germans rushed out, +firing as they came. + +They were met by a return volley, and two of them fell. But the others +charged fiercely, and in an instant the two forces were engaged in a +terrible hand-to-hand battle. + +In the narrow confines of the trench there was no chance for shooting +after the first volley. It was a matter of fists and knives and in +this the Germans proved, as they had many times before, that they were +no match for the sinewy young Americans who with a yell went at them +like wild-cats. + +Sullenly they retreated and their leader held up his hands and shouted +"_Kamerad!_" + +His followers did the same. The fight was over. None of the Americans +had been killed though one was slightly and another severely wounded. +Three of the Germans would never fight again and two others stood +supported by their comrades. + +Two of the Americans stood at the door of the dugout and searched the +Germans for arms as they came through. Others stood at the head of the +trench and herded the prisoners together for transportation to the +other side. + +The German corporal looked about him as he and his men stood guarded by +Americans with loaded rifles, and his chagrin was evident as he +realized that he had been captured by so small a force. + +"Are these all the men you have?" he asked in passable English of +Wilson. + +"They were enough, weren't they?" answered Wilson with a grin that +reflected itself on the faces of his comrades. + +"_Donnerwetter!_" growled the German. "You would never have taken us +if we had known!" + +"We don't tell all we know," answered Wilson with a grin. + +The prisoners were ferried across in groups of half a dozen at a time, +but not before Billy had had the satisfaction of gathering up the +insulting placards that had aroused his ire and tearing them up before +the Germans' faces. + +"Feel better now?" laughed Frank. + +"Lots," replied Billy. "I couldn't exactly make them swallow them, but +they must have felt almost as bad to see so much German Kultur going to +waste." + +The party was greeted with exuberant delight on their return, and +received the special thanks of the captain. + +"It was a big risk," he smiled, "but risks have a way of going through +when they are carried out by the boys I'm lucky enough to command." + +"You forget, Captain," smiled the lieutenant who stood nearby, "that +there are no American soldiers in France." + +"That's so," laughed the captain. "The U-boats stopped us from coming +over, didn't they?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT + +A scouting party was being made up a few days later, and the Army Boys +were glad that they were included in it. In the region where they were +stationed the woods were thick, and there was a sort of "twilight zone" +that afforded excellent opportunities for individual fighting. The +lines were rather loosely kept, and it was no uncommon occurrence to +have raiding parties slip across, have a brush with their opponents, +and retire with what forage or prisoners they might be lucky enough to +take. + +There had been a good deal of "sniping" that, while it only caused +occasional losses, was a source of harassment and irritation, and +Frank's squad had orders to "get" as many of these sharpshooters as +possible. + +A little way from the camp there was a deep gorge. Along its top were +many huge trees whose branches reached far out over the precipice. +They drew so close together that their branches in many cases were +interwoven. + +The squad was moving along without any attempt to keep formation in +such rough country, when there was the crack of a rifle and a bullet +zipped close by Frank's ear. + +He started back. + +"Did it get you, Frank?" called out Bart in alarm. + +"No," replied Frank, "but it came closer than I care to think about." + +At the corporal's command they took shelter behind trees, from which +they scanned the locality in the direction from which the shot had come. + +There was no trace of any concealed marksman, search the coverts as +they would. But that he was there, and that he was an enemy to be +dreaded, was shown a moment later when a bullet ridged the fingers of +the hand that Billy had incautiously exposed. + +With an exclamation, Billy put his bleeding fingers to his mouth. The +injury was slight and Bart bound his hand up for him, using extreme +care to keep behind the trees. + +"We have to hand it to that fellow," remarked the corporal. "He +certainly knows how to shoot." + +"I'd hand him something if I only knew where he was," growled Billy. + +"I know where he is," said Frank. + +"Do you?" asked the corporal eagerly. + +"Where?" + +"In the tallest of that clump of trees on the edge of the gorge," +replied Frank. "I caught a glimpse of his rifle barrel the last time +he fired." + +"We'll give him a volley," decided the corporal, and a moment later, at +his command, the rifles rang out. + +Several times this was repeated in the hope that one of the bullets +would find its mark. But the tree trunk was enormously thick and +bullets imbedded themselves in it without injury to the marksman, +snugly sheltered on the further side. + +If they could have surrounded the tree and shot from different sides +there would have been no trouble in bagging their quarry. But the tree +had been cunningly chosen for the reason that the further side hung +over the precipice and could only be attacked from the side where the +party now were. + +Frank's keen eyes had been sizing up the situation and he now had a +proposal to make. + +"I think I see a way to dislodge him if you'll let me try it, +Corporal," he said. + +"What is it?" asked Wilson. + +"You'll notice that the branches of those trees are mixed in with each +other," replied Frank. "If you can keep him busy with your shooting, +so that he won't be thinking of anything else, I think I can make a +detour and climb up one of those other trees on the side away from him. +I could carry my rifle strapped on my back. Then I might work my way +along the branches and perhaps catch sight of him." + +"It's worth trying," decided the corporal. "Go ahead, Sheldon, but be +mighty careful." + +Frank slipped away in the shelter of the trees, described a +semi-circle, reached the third tree from the one where the German was +stationed, and commenced to climb. + +It was hard work, for the tree was thick and he could not get a good +grip on it with his arms. But he persisted until he reached the first +limb and drew himself up on it. Then he examined his rifle carefully +and with the utmost caution began to work his way among the branches. + +Some of these were so thick as to be themselves almost like tree +trunks, and he had no apprehension on the score of his weight. He +passed to the next tree, and then to the next. There he paused, +parting the branches carefully. + +He knew that his comrades were keeping their part of the bargain, for +the thud of bullets against the tree that sheltered the enemy was +almost continuous. + +For several minutes Frank looked for his enemy. Then his search was +rewarded, and through an open space he found himself looking squarely +into the eyes of the man who, a few minutes before, had tried to send a +bullet through his brain. + +The man saw him at the same instant. Like a flash he leveled his rifle +and fired. + +For such a hurried aim the shot was good. Frank felt the whistle of +the bullet as it almost grazed him. But it was not good enough. + +The next instant Frank's rifle spoke. The man flung out his arms, +toppled over and fell with a crash into the gorge that the tree +overhung. The rifle clanged after him. There would be no more sniping +by that particular marksman from that particular tree. + +There was a shout from the squad who had witnessed the duel, and as +Frank slid down the tree he was greeted with acclamations. + +"A nervy thing, Sheldon," commended Wilson. + +"He almost got me, though," returned Frank. "It was a case of touch +and go." + +"He was a brave man," was the tribute of the corporal, "though that +particular kind of work has always seemed to me something like murder. +He shot his victims without giving them a chance. His work on land was +that of the U-boats on the sea--a species of assassination." + +The squad went on with special caution and with a close watch on the +trees. But noon came without further adventure and they got out their +rations and prepared to enjoy them at the foot of a spreading maple. + +They were perhaps half way through the meal, which they had seasoned +with jokes and laughter, when there was a rustling in the bushes near +at hand. Instantly they leaped to their feet and reached for their +rifles. + +"Who goes there?" demanded the corporal. + +There was no answer. + +"Answer or we shoot!" cried Wilson. + +The bushes parted and a young peasant girl stepped forth. + +She was a pretty girl of about eighteen. Her face bore the marks of +tears, her hair was dishevelled, and she was in a state of extreme +agitation. She began to talk feverishly and with many gestures. + +"Here, Sheldon," said the corporal, "you speak French. See if you can +understand what the girl is saying." + +Frank stepped forward. + +"_Que voulez-vous, Mademoiselle?_" he asked. + +The relief of the girl when she heard her own language was evident. + +"These are English soldiers, Monsieur?" she asked. + +"No," said Frank, "they are Americans." + +"Oh, _les braves Americains_!" she exclaimed. "How glad I am! I know +you will help me." + +"Be sure of that," replied Frank. "But tell me now just what has +happened." + +"The boches," she answered. "They are at our house." + +"How many are there?" asked Frank with quickened interest. + +"About thirty," she replied. Then as she saw Frank glance at the ten +who made up his party, she went on: "But you can capture them, I am +sure. They are drugged." + +"Drugged?" + +"Yes. They came to our house early this morning. They upset +everything. They smashed the furniture. They tied my father and +brother in chairs. They said they were going to burn the house when +they got ready to go away." + +"But how were they drugged?" + +"They made me get them all the food and wine there was in the house. I +did so. I put some laudanum in the wine. They ate and drank. Then +they got sleepy. They dropped off one by one. Then I ran out to find +help. I find you. Heaven is good." + +Frank consulted the corporal as the others crowded around in great +excitement. + +The corporal meditated. + +"It may be a trap," he said cautiously. + +"I don't think so," replied Frank. "Look at the girl. She's no +actress. I think she's telling the truth." + +"But even if they were drugged, they may have recovered from the +effects by this time," pondered the corporal. + +Then he made up his mind. + +"We'll take a chance," he decided. "Ask the girl how far the house is +from here." + +"About a mile," the girl answered to Frank's query. "And there is one +other thing," she added. "They have a prisoner with them. He is young +and he has a uniform like yours, only it is torn and soiled. They +threw him on the floor in a room upstairs. He was tied with ropes." + +"What does he look like?" asked Frank. "Tell me as well as you can." + +She described the prisoner amid the growing excitement of the Army Boys. + +"Tom, for a thousand dollars!" cried Frank. + +"It must be!" echoed Bart. + +"Sure as guns!" chimed in Billy. + +"Do you know him, then?" asked the girl, who had been looking at them +wonderingly. "Oh, then hurry! For they are going to hang him. They +put a rope over the tree near the well and said they would hang him +when they got through eating and drinking." + +Hang Tom! If there had been any hesitation before, there was none now. +The chums would have run every step of the way if the corporal had not +restrained them. As it was they covered the mile in double-quick time. + +As they came to where the farm bordered on the woods and caught sight +of the house, their eyes turned with dread toward the well. An +exclamation of heartfelt relief broke from them. The rope was there as +the girl had said, but no hideous burden dangled from it. + +No one was in sight, and a death-like silence brooded over the place. +They waited in the shelter of the trees. Perhaps the enemy had +recovered and was waiting for them with a force three times their own. + +Five minutes passed. Then the corporal gave an order. + +"Fix bayonets! We're going to rush the house." + +There was a sharp click. + +"Charge!" + +With a cheer they rushed across the brief space that separated them +from the house and up to the open door. + +The corporal looked in. + +"Put up your guns, boys," he said quietly. "We've got them." + +The others crowded after him into the long low-ceiled room. The enemy +had been delivered into their hands. There, sprawled over the floor in +all sorts of ungainly attitudes among the smashed furniture, were the +invaders in various stages of stupor. Some of them opened their eyes +at the sudden interruption and stared hard at the newcomers. The +lieutenant himself sat at the table on which his head had fallen +forward. + +But the Army Boys did not tarry long. A word of permission from the +corporal and they bounded up the narrow stairs and burst into the room +where the girl had said Tom had been left. + +The room was empty! + +They searched and called frantically. + +"Tom! Tom! Where are you? Come out! It's friends, Frank, Billy, +Bart!" + +They looked in every cranny and corner of the house upstairs and then +down. Then they rushed out to the barn. Then with fear at their +hearts they sounded the well. + +All was to no purpose. Tom--if it had really been Tom--might have +vanished into thin air for any trace they found of him. + +Where had he gone? What had become of him? Or, worst of all, what had +the enemy done to him? + +There was no answer, and at last they rejoined their comrades in the +hope that questioning of the German lieutenant or some of his men might +tell them what they wanted to know. + +The first precaution that the corporal had taken was to disarm and bind +his prisoners. Then the farmer and his son were released. They were +wild with rage at the treatment they had undergone and the wanton havoc +wrought in their home. If the choice had been left to them they would +have killed every prisoner on the spot. + +At the corporal's command water was brought from the well and buckets +of it were dashed over the Germans. There was sputtering and yelling, +but the soldier boys enjoyed it hugely, and they worked with a hearty +good will. + +It was a drastic remedy for sleepiness but it worked, and before long +the Germans, looking like so many drowned rats, had come out of their +stupor and began to realize their situation. The privates were +sheepish, but the lieutenant went almost crazy with anger when he +realized how he had been trapped. His eyes looked venom at the girl, +who laughed at him triumphantly. His rage was increased by his +consciousness of the pitiable figure he presented. His smart uniform +was dripping, his hair was matted over his face and even his ferocious +mustache had lost its Kaiser-like curl. Even one of his own men +ventured to snicker at him, and the look the officer turned on him was +not good to see. + +The corporal began to question him, but the lieutenant looked at him in +disdain. + +"A German officer does not answer the questions of a corporal," he +sneered. + +"Just as you like," retorted Wilson coolly. "Perhaps you'd like to +have me leave you here with the owner of the house and his son. I +think they'd like nothing better than to have five minutes alone with +you. Perhaps even one minute would be enough." + +The lieutenant took one glance at the glowering faces of the farmer and +his son and wilted instantly. + +"I will answer your questions," he said, shortly. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A DEEPENING MYSTERY + +"He came off his perch mighty quick," remarked Bart to Frank in a +whisper. + +"I don't wonder," replied Frank. "He'd be a pretty poor insurance risk +if these people could get a whack at him." + +The corporal asked a few formal questions as to the lieutenant's +regiment and division, which were answered sullenly though promptly. +But these had little interest just then, and their asking was really a +matter for headquarters. They were simply the prelude to other +questions in which the company were much more deeply concerned. + +"You had a prisoner here?" asked the corporal. + +"Yes." + +"Where is he now?" + +"He was placed upstairs." + +"He is not there now. What have you done with him?" + +"Nothing." + +"What were you going to do with him?" + +The officer moved uneasily. + +"Take him back to my quarters," he finally answered. + +"Why did you have that rope put over the tree by the well?" + +There was no answer, but the officer grew red in the face. + +"Did you hear the question?" + +"It was to frighten him," the lieutenant finally blurted out. "Anyway +he was a spy and deserved to be hung. He had come into our lines in +disguise." + +The corporal motioned to Frank. + +"Ask the girl again if she is sure the prisoner had on an American +uniform," he directed. + +Frank did so. + +"_Oui, oui,_" she affirmed emphatically. + +To make sure, Frank repeated the question to the farmer and his son and +received the same answer. + +He reported to the corporal. + +"These people all say that the prisoner was not in disguise, +Lieutenant," said Wilson. "Do you still wish to insist that he was?" + +"Yes." + +"That is enough," replied the corporal with quiet scorn. "Line up the +prisoners, men," he commanded. + +This was quickly done, and the homeward march commenced, but not until +another search had been made for the missing captive of the Germans. + +It had the same result as the previous one and the boys were full of +questionings and forebodings as they marched back guarding their +prisoners. But there were some elements of comfort in their perplexity. + +In the first place, they had saved some American soldier, whether Tom +or another, from a horrible death. Then, too, they had in their power +the brute who had planned that death. It was not impossible, too, +that, under further questioning of the lieutenant and his men at +headquarters, more might be learned of what they wanted so badly to +know. + +Another subject of congratulation also was that the prisoner, if he had +escaped, was not far from the American lines. He might find his way in +at any time. + +But there was one thing that bothered Frank considerably, and he +mentioned it that night when he found himself alone with Bart and Billy. + +"Do you remember the minute at the edge of the wood when the corporal +gave the order to fix bayonets?" he asked. + +"Sure thing," replied Bart. "What about it?" + +"Just this," replied Frank. "At that minute I caught sight of a man +running away from the farmhouse into the woods on the other side. I +got the picture of him in my mind, but I didn't have time to think +about it just then, for we were making a rush for the house. Then +other things crowded it out of my mind altogether. But it came back to +me on the way home this afternoon." + +"What did the man look like and how was he dressed?" asked Billy +eagerly. + +"He had on an American uniform," replied Frank slowly, as he tried to +make the picture clear in his own mind. + +"Perhaps it was Tom!" cried Bart. + +"No, it wasn't," said Frank positively. "The uniform was smart and +newer than ours. Tom's must be in tatters and you remember the girl +said it was. Then, too, I'd know Tom's gait among a thousand just as +you would. No, it wasn't Tom, worse luck." + +"Who was it, then?" + +"I think it was Nick Rabig," replied Frank. + +"Nick Rabig!" the others cried together. + +"Mind, I only say I think," repeated Frank, looking around to see that +no outsider was within hearing. "I wouldn't be willing to swear to it. +But the motions were Nick's--you know he runs like a cart horse--and +you know that Nick has been togged out in a new uniform since he came +back from that queer captivity of his among the Huns." + +"Nick Rabig there," mused Bart perplexedly, as he began to pace up and +down. "What on earth could he have been doing there?" + +"Say," put in Billy with agitation, "could he have done anything to +Tom? Suppose he went there, no matter for what purpose; suppose he +found that German crowd dead to the world; suppose he found Tom +upstairs bound and helpless. You know how Nick hated him." + +"Keep cool, old man," counseled Frank, though there was a trace of +anxiety in his own voice. "No, I don't think anything of that kind has +happened. If it had we'd have found some traces of it. I think we can +leave that out of our calculations." + +"I'm only too glad to," said Billy. "But what was Nick's reason for +being around that farmhouse anyway?" + +"What have always been Nick's reasons for being where there are +Germans, or where he expects there will be Germans?" said Bart. +"Suppose--just suppose--that Nick knew--had a tip, let us say--that a +certain German lieutenant on a certain day would be in a certain place, +ready to receive and pay for any information about the American forces +that Nick had been able to gather. Do you get me?" + +"I get you, all right," answered Frank, "and from what we know of Nick +we've got a right to think so. Well, he didn't sell anything today +anyway. He didn't find the German lieutenant in any condition to talk +business." + +The bugle blew for "taps" just then, and the conversation came to an +end. And the two days that followed were so crowded with events that +their own personal interests were thrust into the background. + +For the great drive was coming, the drive for which they had been +looking for months, looking not with fear but with eager anticipation, +their ardent young hearts aflame with the desire to fight to the death +the enemies of civilization. + +The weather had favored the enemy in his preparations. Usually at that +time of the year the ground was soft and not fit for military +operations on a grand scale. But the ground this year had dried out +unusually early and was suitable for the bringing forward of men and +guns. + +There were all sorts of rumors afloat as to what the enemy had in +store. There were said to be monster guns that could throw shells more +than seventy miles. There were new and diabolical inventions in the +way of gas that were to cause unspeakable agonies to their victims. +There was talk of gigantic mirrors that would act as burning-glasses +and blind the opposing troops. + +Some of these things proved to be true. Others were mere lies, +designed to sap the morale of the Allied armies and civil populations +before the fight began. + +"Heinie's the biggest boob that ever happened," grinned Billy, when the +boys were discussing the coming conflict. "He acts as if the Allies +were a lot of children. He thinks that all he has to do is to dress up +a bugaboo and we'll all roll over and play dead." + +"He'll get something into that thick head of his after a while," +predicted Frank. "It will have to be jabbed in, but there are a lot of +us ready to do the jabbing." + +"Let him bring on his bag of tricks," scoffed Bart. "When all's said +and done, it's going to be man-stuff that will decide this war. And +there's where we've got him on the hip. Man to man we're better stuff +than the Huns. We know it and they know it. They can't stand before +our bayonets." + +"Right you are, old scout!" said Frank, enthusiastically, giving him a +resounding slap on the back. "Let them bring on their old drive as +soon as they like. They can begin the drive. We'll end it. And we'll +end it in the streets of Berlin!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE STORM OF WAR + +"Listen to that music," said Frank to his comrades the next morning, as +a furious cannonade opened up that made the ground shake and filled the +air with flying missiles of death. + +"Too many bass notes in it to be real good music," remarked Billy with +a grim. + +"Maybe it's the overture just before the rising of the curtain," +suggested Bart. + +"Perhaps it is," agreed Frank. "The Hun has got to start his drive +some time, and this would be just the kind of morning for it. See how +heavy that mist lies on the ground? We couldn't see the Germans at a +distance of fifty yards." + +"It's mighty thick for a fact," observed Bart. "But I guess our +advanced posts are on the job. They'll give us warning in plenty of +time." + +"Not that we need much warning as far as I can see," said Billy. +"We've been ready for a long time to fight at the drop of a hat. I'll +bet the Hun doesn't carry a foot of our line." + +"That's where you're wrong, Billy, old scout," warned Bart. "It stands +to reason that he'll get away with something at first. You take any +one man, no matter how strong he is, and if ten fellows rush him all at +once they're bound to drive him back at the start. The Huns have got +the advantage of knowing where they're going to strike. We don't know +and so we have to spread our forces out so as to be ready to meet him +at any point. Then, too, the man who comes rushing in has the +advantage of the fellow who's standing still because he's got momentum. +That's why generals would rather fight on the offensive than on the +defensive. They're able to pick the time and place and the other +fellow has to follow his lead." + +"I don't see why the Allies can't take the offensive," grumbled Billy. +"It gets my goat to let the Huns hit first." + +"It does mine too," admitted Frank, "and if it hadn't been for Russia +quitting, we'd be looking now at the coattails of the Kaiser's generals +as they scooted back to Berlin. But that's a bit of hard luck that we +can't help. Russia's back-down has taken ten million soldiers from the +Allies' strength. But America will make that all up in time and then +you'll see us doing the chasing." + +"It can't come too soon to suit me," said Billy. "I only wish Uncle +Sam had started sooner to get ready." + +"So do I," replied Frank. "But there's no use crying over spilt milk. +We're getting ahead now with leaps and bounds. I was talking to Will +Stone the other day, and he'd just got back from a flying trip to one +of the French seaports. He says it simply knocked him stiff to see the +transports coming in loaded to the guards with American troops. And he +says the roads are fairly choked with doughboys moving this way. +They're coming like a swarm of locusts. And there's millions more +where they came from. Oh, Uncle Sam is awake now, all right, and don't +you forget it! And when he once gets started there's nothing on earth +can stop him." + +"Right you are!" said Bart. + +"We've won every war we've ever been in and it's got to be a habit," +grinned Billy. + +The old Thirty-seventh was stationed on the second line, or what is +called in military terms, "the line of resistance." In modern +fighting, when a heavy attack is expected the defending army is usually +arranged in three lines. The first is the advanced line, and this is +hardly expected to be held very long. Its chief aim is to hold back +the enemy for a while and weaken him as far as possible. Not many +troops are employed on this line nor many big guns. The chief reliance +is on rifle fire and machine guns, which are so placed as to deliver a +withering cross-fire and cut up the enemy divisions. + +By the time the first line is driven back the defending army knows +where the enemy has chosen to strike and is ready for him on the second +line or "line of resistance." Here the battle is on in all its fury. +If here again the enemy advances, there is still a third line of +"battle positions." This is practically the last entrenched position +that the defenders have. If they are driven back from this into the +open country beyond, it becomes a serious thing for the retreating +army, as many of their big guns will have been lost, and their forces +are apt to be more or less disorganized, while the enemy is flushed +with the victory he has so far gained. + +The cannonade kept on with increasing fury all through the early +morning. + +"Heinie must have plenty of ammunition," remarked Frank. "He's +spending it freely." + +"It beats anything we've been up against since we came to the front," +observed Billy. + +"It seems to be coming nearer and nearer all the time," said Bart. "I +guess this is going to be our busy day." + +There was intense activity all through the lines. Orderlies galloped +from place to place with orders. Big motor cars rumbled up, loaded +with troops who were hastily placed in position. The big guns of the +Allied forces had opened up and were sending back shell for shell over +the enemy lines. + +For over two hours the artillery kept up the Titanic duel. The fog was +lifting, though still heavy in some of the low-lying sections. The +Thirty-seventh was resting easily on its arms, ready for whatever might +happen. + +"We may not see so much fighting after all," remarked Billy, after a +while. "The fellows in front seem to be holding pretty well. Perhaps +they'll throw the Huns back right from the start." + +"Don't kid yourself," replied Frank grimly. "That first line is almost +sure to go. It's expected to. It's only a forlorn hope anyway. We'll +get our stomachs full of fighting before the day is over." + +Even while he spoke there were signs of confusion up in front. Groups +of men came in sight evidently retreating. Machine gun crews, bringing +their weapons with them, were hurriedly setting them up in new +positions. There would be a few discharges and then they would be +forced to retreat still further. They were fighting splendidly, and +putting up a dogged resistance, yielding ground only foot by foot, but +to the experienced eyes of the boys there was no mistaking the signs. +The enemy had broken through the first line positions. + +"Well, it's nothing more than we knew would happen," remarked Frank, as +his frame tingled with the excitement of the coming fight which he knew +would soon be upon him. + +"That's so," agreed Bart. "But what gets me is that the line was +broken so quickly. I thought it would be afternoon at least before the +Huns got as far as this." + +The lines opened up to let the newcomers through so that they could go +to the rear and re-form. + +"How about it?" Frank asked of a machine gunner whom he knew, as the +man limped by him, supported by a comrade. "We didn't expect to see +you fellows so soon." + +"It was the mist," was the reply. "The Huns got within thirty yards +before we tumbled to it. We did the best we could but they just +swamped our position before we could get our cross-fire going. Even at +that we mowed them down in heaps with our rifle fire, but they kept on +coming. For every dead man there were twenty live ones to take his +place. We put up a stiff fight, but there were too many of them. It +seemed like millions. They're coming now like a house afire and you +boys want to brace." + +"We're braced already," muttered Billy through his clenched teeth, as +he gripped his rifle until it seemed as though his fingers must leave +their imprint on the stock. + +There was a short period of waiting, more trying by far than any actual +fighting. + +Then the storm broke! + +In front of them rank after rank of gray-clad troops came in sight, +stretching back as far as the eye could see. The mist had wholly +vanished now and the boys could see their enemy. It seemed as though +the machine gunner had not exaggerated when he said that there were +millions. They were like the waves of the sea. + +But the stout hearts of the American boys never quailed. Time and +again they had met these men or their fellows and driven them back at +the point of the bayonet. They had outfought and outgamed them. They +had sent them flying before them. They had seen their backs. + +The blood of heroes and of patriots ran in the veins of the defenders. +Their ancestors had fought at Bunker Hill, at Palo Alto, at Gettysburg. +Above them floated the Stars and Stripes, an unstained flag, a glorious +flag, a flag that had never been smirched by defeat. + +Their eyes blazed and their muscles stiffened. + +Then like an avalanche the enemy struck! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +FURRY RESCUERS + +The satisfaction that Tom felt at having in his pocket the confession +of Martel helped to make his imprisonment much more bearable in the +week that followed. His heart warmed at the thought of the delight +Frank would feel in clearing up the matter that had long laid heavy +upon his mother's mind. + +For the conviction never left him that some time he was going to put +that confession in his friend's hand. He had escaped before from +German captivity, not once but twice. What he had done then he would +do again. And every minute of his waking hours found that active brain +of his working hard at the problem. + +He confessed to himself that the solution would not be easy. The +guards were many and were changed frequently. The windows of the old +barracks where he slept were fortified with steel bars, and the open +camp where the prisoners were employed in outside work was surrounded +with wires through which a strong electric current ran. To touch them +would mean instant death, and they were so close together that it would +be impossible to squeeze through without touching. + +He fell to studying the routine of the various conveyances that were +constantly arriving and departing. Some of them brought bales of +goods, others barrels. The latter were especially common. They were +in a part of the country that abounded in vineyards, and great +hogsheads of wine were being constantly brought in to supply the +demands of the division stationed there. + +They did not stay full long. The German officers were notoriously +heavy drinkers, and there were days when there were great drayloads of +empty hogsheads ready to be taken away to be refilled. + +Tom developed a great interest in these hogsheads. The work of loading +them on the drays was performed by prisoners, and he managed to be in +the vicinity as often as possible to help. He was stronger than most +of the prisoners and he worked with such good will at loading the bulky +hogsheads that little by little it became a habit with the guards to +assign him to this work whenever it was to be done. + +A day came when the rain poured down in torrents. Tom had waited and +prayed for just such a day. The air was full of fog and a cloud of +steam rose from the horses' backs. Everything in the prison yard was +dim and gray and spectral. The guards were enveloped in heavy +raincoats and the flaps of oilskin on their caps fell halfway over +their faces. + +Tom had managed to get on one of the trucks and was tugging at one of +the hogsheads to make room for others further back. Other prisoners +were lifting on the last hogsheads. Tom leaned over one of the +hogsheads and suddenly let himself go into it headfirst. It was all +over in a flash. + +There was an awful moment of suspense. Had anyone seen him? He +listened intently. No shout was raised. Nothing happened out of the +usual. + +The driver climbed up to his seat and the horses started. There was a +momentary delay as the gates were opened to let him pass. Then the +horses started on a jog trot and the truck was bumping its way over an +uneven country road. A thrill of exultation shot through Tom, +crouching at the bottom of the hogshead. He had made the first step on +the road to freedom. + +He was still in the most imminent danger. At any moment he might hear +the clattering of horsemen in pursuit. And he knew the kind of +treatment he would get if he were recaptured. + +How to get out of the hogshead without detection was another problem. +But this worried him least of all. He felt sure that the driver would +stop at the first tavern he came across to refresh himself. Then he +would make his break. + +His faith was justified, for before long the truck came to a halt and +the driver got down. The weather had driven all the tavern idlers +indoors and the streets of the little hamlet were deserted. Like an +eel, Tom squirmed over the edge of the hogshead, dropped into the +roadway on the side of the truck away from the tavern, and, with +assumed carelessness, went on down the road. + +A few rods brought him into the open country. He had not the least +idea where he was. In the gloom he could not tell which was north or +south or east or west. But for the moment he was free. + +He made his way across some fields in the direction of a dark fringe of +woods. There he would find shelter for the present. It would be a +poor kind of shelter, but just then Tom asked nothing better. The day +would bring counsel. + +For some days past he had been stowing away fragments from his scanty +meals in his pockets. They were only dry and mouldy crusts, but they +would at least sustain life. + +Up in the streaming woods he hollowed out a place under a fallen tree. +He was drenched to the skin, but he was so exhausted with the strain he +had undergone that no bodily discomfort could prevent his falling +asleep. + +When he awoke the rain had ceased and the sun was striking through the +branches of the trees. With the morning came new courage. He would +yet win through. + +He studied the sun and got a general idea of the direction in which he +must go. He knew that the American lines lay to the south and west. +He could hear the distant thunder of the guns. + +All that day he traveled in the friendly shadow of the woods. He did +not dare to approach a cottage or go to any of the peasants he could +see working in the fields. Some of them, he felt sure, would befriend +him, but at any moment he might come in contact with one of the +oppressors who held the land in their grip. He would take no chances. + +His food was almost gone now although he had husbanded it with the +greatest care. But he tightened his belt and kept on. + +On the morning of the second day he was crossing a small brook and was +just stepping up on the other side when a wet stone rolled beneath his +foot and threw him headlong. His head struck a jagged stump and he lay +there stunned. + +When he regained consciousness, he found himself looking into the face +of a German officer who was amusing himself by kicking the youth. + +"Awake, are you, Yankee pig?" the officer greeted him. "It's time. I +had half a mind to give you a bayonet thrust and put you to sleep +forever. You needn't tell me how you came here. I know. You're the +schweinhund that escaped two days ago. Here," he called to some of his +men, "tie this fellow and throw him over a horse. We'll settle his +case later on." + +The command was promptly obeyed and poor Tom found himself once more in +the grasp of his foes. And from this captivity there seemed little +promise of escape. The deadly purpose of the brute who held him in his +power had been plainly written on his face. + +After what seemed an endless journey, the party reached a farmhouse. +The detachment took possession of the place and an orgy of pillage and +destruction ensued. Tom was taken to an upper room and thrown roughly +on the floor. Here he lay bound hand and foot. He could hear cries of +terror and smashing of furniture going on below. + +He had no companion but his own thoughts, except when some of the +drunken roysterers invaded his room to remind him of the rope that hung +over the tree near the well and to drive home the information with +kicks of their heavy boots. + +His thoughts were black and bitter. This, then, was the end. He was +to be hung to furnish an occasion of laughter to a horde of drunken +brutes. Well, there would be no whine from him. He would show them +how an American could die. + +His attention was attracted by a pattering of tiny feet. He looked in +the direction from which the sound came. + +A rat had emerged from a hole in the corner and was busy nibbling a +lump of cheese that had been dropped by one of the soldiers who had +just left. The nibbling ceased as Tom turned his head and the rat +scurried back to the corner. There he stayed, his bright eyes looking +longingly at the cheese. + +A thought shot through Tom's mind that set him tingling from head to +foot. Was it possible? Of course it was only a forlorn hope. But he +would try it. He would be no worse off if it failed. + +He rolled himself over to the cheese and rubbed the rope that tied his +hand in the soft substance until it was thoroughly smeared with it. +Then he lay on his side with his hands outstretched and pretended to +sleep. + +Through his nearly closed lids he watched the rat. For some minutes it +stayed motionless. Tom never moved a muscle. Then the rat crept +stealthily forward, and, with many half retreats, at last started in to +nibble at the rope to get the cheese. Soon another rat came and then +another. + +Tom conquered the sense of repulsion that their close proximity +inspired in him. His life depended on his self-control. The least +movement might send them scurrying back to their holes. And out in the +yard there was that rope that hung from the tree near the well! + +So he nerved himself and his reward came at last. He could feel the +tension of the rope yielding as one strand after another was torn by +the tiny teeth of his unknowing rescuers. + +Finally they ceased and sat up on their haunches washing their faces, +and the need for inaction had passed. With a mighty effort Tom +strained at the rope and it snapped. + +He could have shouted with exultation. He waved his arms in the air +and the frightened rats vanished. He rubbed his hands and arms until +the circulation came back. It was an easy matter then to untie the +rope that bound his feet. + +The noise on the floor beneath had ceased, He stole to the window and +looked out. No one was stirring in the space around the house. He +shuddered as he saw the dangling rope on the tree near the well. + +There was the sound of a stealthy step below. Tom drew his head from +the window. Standing in the shadow of the frame he could see a young +girl emerge and run swiftly away. + +Where were the others? Consulting perhaps as to how they could get the +most enjoyment from the spectacle of his hanging. + +There was only one way of exit that promised safety. He must escape by +the window. + +He measured with his eye the distance from the ground. It seemed to be +about eighteen feet. He himself was six feet high. That would leave a +clear drop of twelve feet. He could probably make it without injury. +At any rate he had no choice. + +He let himself down gently with his hands and dropped. The shock +brought him to his knees, but he arose unhurt. + +The next moment he was racing for the woods with the speed of the wind. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +CLOSING THE GAP + +A sheet of flames leaped from the American rifles. A blasting torrent +of death poured from the machine guns. The heavy field artillery, that +had the range to a dot, tore gaping holes in the serried German ranks. +Great lanes opened up in the advancing hosts. The target was broad and +there was no need to take aim, for every bullet was bound to find a +mark. + +The enemy ranks faltered before that terrific fire and fell back, +leaving hundreds of dead and wounded on the open space in front of the +lines, while hundreds more were strewn along the barbed wire +entanglements. + +But the German commanders were prodigal of the lives of their men, and +after a brief time for re-forming, the divisions came on again, only to +be hurled back again with still more fearful losses. A third attempt +met with a similar result. The Americans were standing like a rock. + +"Guess Fritz is getting more than he bargained for," grinned Billy, as +the Germans were forming for another attack. + +"Yes," agreed Frank, "but he'll try again. He'll stand a whole lot of +beating." + +For several hours the fight continued with a bitterness that had not +been paralleled before in the whole course of the war. Again and again +the enemy attacked, only to be beaten back before the stonewall defense. + +But the Americans were not satisfied with merely defending their +position. About two hours after noon they organized a counterattack. +With splendid vim and ardor, and in a dashing charge, they smashed the +division confronting them, driving them back in confusion and bringing +hundreds of prisoners back with them to the trenches. + +"I guess that will hold them for a while," crowed Billy, as they rested +for a few minutes after their return. + +"We certainly slashed them good and plenty," exulted Frank, as he +washed up a scratched shoulder that had been struck by a splinter of +shrapnel. + +"If the rest of the line is holding as well as our fellows, the drive +will be ended almost as soon as it began," remarked Bart. + +"And Heinie was going to walk all over us, was he?" grinned Billy. +"He's got another guess coming." + +But their amazement was great a few minutes later when the order came +for the regiment to fall back. + +"Fall back!" howled Billy when he heard the order. "What is this, a +joke?" + +"Why should we fall back, when we've just licked the tar out of the +Heinies?" growled Bart. + +"Orders are orders," said Frank briefly. "I suppose our commanders +know what they're doing. But it certainly is tough luck." + +Their officers no doubt felt an equal chagrin, but the need was +imperative. The Germans had struck along a front of fifty miles. At +many points they had encountered a resistance as fierce and determined +as that put up by the old Thirty-seventh and its companion regiments of +the same division. + +But at others they had been more successful. They had introduced a new +kind of tactics that had never been used before on the western front, +although it had been employed successfully in Russia. These were the +so-called Von Hutier tactics whereby, when a division was used up, +instead of falling back it simply opened up and let a fresh division +pass through and take up the burden. + +The old plan had been to clear up everything as one went along. The +idea of the new tactics was to press swiftly ahead even if they left +behind them machine-gun nests and strong enemy positions. These could +be cleaned up later one by one, while in front the swift advance was +intended to demoralize the opposing army and throw it out of formation +by the very speed of the progress. + +The plan, like every other, had its weak points. It involved a very +heavy loss of men because of the masses in which they moved forward, +and it also exposed its flank by penetrating too rapidly into the host +lines before the artillery could be brought up for support. But if +successful, it was almost sure to break the enemy's line and throw it +into confusion. + +Later on the Allies were to learn how they might most easily frustrate +these tactics. But at the start of the great drive the plan met with +considerable success because of its novelty. + +It was this that had brought the command to retreat. The British +forces on the right wing of the Allied armies had been forced to give +way. The line had not been broken, but it had been badly bent. The +British retreated doggedly, fighting with the splendid heroism that was +in accordance with their traditions, and at no time did the retreat +become a rout. But in order to keep the line straight the American +forces too were ordered to fall back, even though they had been +successful on their section of the line. + +"It's a shame!" growled Billy, as the retirement began. "It makes me +sore to have those Heinies think they've got us going." + +"We'll come back," said Frank cheerfully. "It's a good general that +knows when to retreat as well as to advance. We're only going to get +space enough to crouch for a spring." + +The division withdrew in good order, keeping up a rear-guard action +that kept the enemy at a respectful distance. When night fell the +Americans had reached the position assigned to them, and the backward +movement was halted. The troops entrenched, and with the Allied line +straightened out once more, faced the foe that it had decisively +defeated earlier in the day. + +"Nothing to do till tomorrow," exclaimed Frank as he threw himself on +the ground. + +"Don't fool yourself that way," said Corporal Wilson, who had just come +up and heard the remark. "Unless I lose my guess you've got something +to do tonight. Didn't you tell me the other day that you understood +how to handle a motorcycle?" + +"Why, yes," said Frank. "I've ridden one a good deal. I won a race on +Camport Fair Grounds a couple of years ago." + +"Then you're just the man the general wants to see," replied Wilson. +"He sent a message to the colonel asking for the services of a man who +was cool and plucky, and who could also ride a motorcycle. I don't +know of any one else who can fill the bill better than you." + +"I'll be glad to do whatever's wanted of me," replied Frank, and with a +word of farewell to his comrades he accompanied the corporal to +headquarters. + +Here he was ushered into the presence of a group of officers who were +poring over a large map spread out upon a table. + +"Is this the young man you were telling me about, Colonel?" asked the +general, a tall, powerfully built man, looking sharply at Frank from +beneath a pair of bushy eyebrows. + +"Yes, General," replied the colonel. "Captain Baker vouches for his +coolness and courage and his quick thinking in an emergency. And I'm +told he understands all about motorcycles." + +"Just the man," commented the general. "I want you," he continued, +addressing Frank, "to carry a message for me to the British commander +on our right. Our division has lost touch with him and the field +telephone is not working. Probably it has been cut by the enemy. The +message is most important and I want you to make all the speed you can. +Go and get ready now and report to your captain, who will hand you the +papers. He will have a machine ready for you. That is all." + +Frank hurried back and made his preparations, which were brief. While +he worked he told his eager companions of the errand with which he had +been entrusted. + +"Wish I were going with you," remarked Bart. + +"Same here," said Billy. + +"That would be dandy," agreed Frank. + +He shook hands with them and hurried away to the captain's quarters, +where he found that officer waiting for him with the papers. + +"There's no answer," he said, as he handed them over. "When you've +delivered the papers your work is done. Good luck." + +Frank thrust the papers in his pocket after receiving full directions +as to his route. The motorcycle was standing at the door. It was a +powerful machine of the latest make and everything about it suggested +strength and speed. He noticed that there was a saddle in the rear and +a thought came to him. + +"I see that this machine will carry double," he said. "Would you mind +if I took a companion with me? The machine will carry two as swiftly +as it will one. Then, too, if one of us were hurt or shot the other +one could still go on with the message." + +"An excellent idea," said the captain after pondering a moment. "Get +him, but make haste." + +Frank rushed back to his chums. + +"Which one of you wants to go with me?" he asked breathlessly. + +"I do," they yelled in chorus. + +"Sorry," laughed Frank, "but there's only room for one. Toss a coin." + +The luck favored Bart, much to Billy's disappointment. In a jiffy +Frank and Bart had bidden Billy good-by, jumped to their places, and +with a leap the powerful machine darted off. + +The night was clear, and as soon as they were away from the camp Frank +had no trouble in finding the road that he had been ordered to take. +It was a good one in ordinary times, but now it had been torn by shells +from the German guns in many places and care had to be taken to avoid a +spill. The shaded light threw its rays a considerable distance ahead, +but they were going at a speed that did not leave them much time to +avoid obstacles even after they were detected. + +The road swung around in a wide semi-circle and led through a number of +French villages. These the Army Boys found in great confusion. The +approach of the Huns was a terrible threat to the towns that might fall +into German hands. What the enemy had done in the occupied parts of +France and Belgium had given warning of what any other places they +might capture would have to expect. + +Wagons were being hastily piled with household belongings, men were +shouting, children were crying, and the whole scene was desolate and +pitiful beyond description. + +The roads were so congested at these places that rapid progress was +impossible. They had to thread their way among the crowd of vehicles, +and in some cases were compelled to resort to the fields. But they +made up for this on other stretches, and were congratulating themselves +that on the whole they were making pretty good time when suddenly they +were startled by a number of rifle shots and bullets whizzed by +uncomfortably close. + +"It's the Huns!" cried Frank. + +"I didn't know they'd got as close as this!" exclaimed Bart. "More +gas, Frank! Quick!" + +There were hoarse commands to halt, and another volley followed the +first. At the same time a number of dark figures threw themselves in +the road, shouting and waving their hands. + +Frank leaned forward, threw on all speed, and the machine responded +with a leap that almost unseated the riders. The crowd in front +scattered as the machine rushed at them, but one of them was not quick +enough and was hurled twenty feet away. + +More shots followed the daring riders, but they were now beyond range. +For another mile they kept up the killing pace and then Frank slowed up +a little. + +"Ran right into their arms that time," he ejaculated. + +"We were mighty lucky to come through with a whole skin," replied Bart. + +"More than the machine has done, I'm afraid," remarked Frank. "I can +tell by the way she runs that there's something wrong with the tires." + +He looked behind, and seeing no signs of pursuit, he stopped the +motorcycle and dismounted. + +Something had indeed happened to the tires. Both the front and rear +ones had been punctured by bullets. The air had gone out of them. + +"Hard luck," exclaimed Bart. + +"Never mind," returned Frank. "We'll ride her flat as long as we can +and if worse comes to worse we'll ride her on the rims. We've got to +get that message to the general no matter what happens." + +"We'll get it there if we have to travel on our hands and knees," +affirmed Bart. + +"It won't come to that, I hope," laughed his companion, as he bound the +flat tires fast with straps. Then he settled himself again in his seat +and started the machine. + +It went along more slowly now, and their troubles were increased by the +fact that their route had carried them into a main road that was filled +with motor lorries--huge trucks loaded with men and supplies that +rushed on with the speed almost of an express train. + +The lorries had the right of way, and individual riders had to look out +for themselves. Sometimes they came down two abreast, filling the +whole width of the road, and in such cases the boys had to dismount and +draw to the side of the road until they had passed. If their machine +had been in condition, they might have kept ahead by sheer speed, but +in its present crippled state they would have been run down. And to be +run down by one of those Juggernauts would have meant instant death. + +On one such occasion they were hugging the fence, with their machine +standing between them and the road. A lorry came thundering by, but +just as it was nearly opposite, it swerved and struck the machine. It +was torn from Frank's hand and hurled in front of the lorry which ran +over and completely wrecked it. + +The lorry tore on, leaving the two chums looking at each other in +consternation. + +"That's worse by long odds than the German bullets," exclaimed Frank. +"I guess we'll have to do the hands and knees stunt you were talking +about a little while ago." + +"We must be pretty near to the English general's headquarters now +anyway, aren't we?" asked Bart. + +Frank consulted his route by the aid of a flashlight that he carried +with him. + +"About two miles," he announced. "Put on some speed now, Bart. We'll +run most of the way and jog-trot the rest." + +They let no grass grow under their feet, and fifteen minutes later they +had reached the general's headquarters and were ushered into his +presence. He seemed to be greatly agitated and was talking with great +emphasis to a group of officers who surrounded him. + +He took the papers that the boys had brought and read them over +hurriedly. + +"Very good," he announced briefly. "There is no answer. Were your +orders to go back to your regiment to-night?" + +"No, sir," replied Frank. + +"In that case my orderly will find quarters for you," replied the +general, and he gave directions to an officer who took them in charge +and saw them safely bestowed for the night. + +"That was some wild ride?" grinned Frank, as they were getting ready +for sleep. + +"It sure was," laughed Bart, "especially that part where the German +bullets were zipping all around us. Wait till we tell Billy about it. +He'll be green with envy." + +"Well, we carried out our orders anyway," said Frank. "I'm glad that +we'll be able to tell the captain so tomorrow morning." + +But they did not report to their captain the next morning, nor for +several following mornings, for when they woke they found that a +condition had developed that was full of peril to the Allied cause. + +The German plan had been to strike at the junction point of the Allied +armies. If they could separate them there would be a chance to turn +upon one of them and crush it with overwhelming forces and then at +their leisure destroy the other. + +In this they had come very near succeeding. A threatening gap had +developed between two of the most important armies that were holding +that portion of the front. The armies had lost touch with each other +and the gap had gradually widened until at one place the armies were +eight miles apart. + +The only helpful thing about the situation was that the Germans +themselves did not know of the gap until it was too late to take +advantage of it. The very speed with which they had pushed forward had +thrown their forces into confusion. Brigades and regiments had become +badly mixed and it took some time to straighten matters out. + +But if the Germans did not know how matters stood, the Allied +commanders knew it only too well. It was this that explained the +agitation that the boys had noticed in the general the night before. +He had been called upon to close the gap. Upon his shoulders rested +for the time the salvation of the Allied cause. + +If he had had sufficient forces at his command, the problem would have +been comparatively simple, provided he had been given time to solve it. +But he had neither time nor men. He had only fifty cavalrymen. He +lacked guns and ammunition. The hard-pressed armies at the right and +left were battling desperately against the on-rushing German hordes and +could spare him little. + +"Looks as if he had to make bricks without straw," said Frank to Bart +the next morning, when the state of things had been explained by the +orderly who had taken them in charge. + +"It's a case of must," said Bart, "and from the squint I had at the +general last night he's the one who can do the job if it can be done at +all." + +"Will you stay and help?" asked the orderly. "Every man will help. +The general's picked up three hundred American engineers working on a +road nearby. Every one of them has thrown down his pick and shouldered +a rifle." + +"Bully for the engineers!" cried Frank. + +"Will you stay?" asked the orderly. "Of course you can return to your +own command if you want to." + +"Will we stay?" exclaimed Frank. "Give me a gun. I know my captain +would be willing." + +"You can't drive us away," Bart almost shouted. + +It was a scratch army that the general finally got together. Some of +his men had never handled a gun before. Some were drivers, some were +telegraph linemen, some were cooks. But he made the most of what he +had. He himself was here, there and everywhere, having trees felled to +obstruct the roads, planting machine guns in strategic places, digging +shallow trenches, resting neither by day or night. + +Frank and Bart worked like beavers. They were placed in charge of +machine-gun crews, and their deadly weapons kept spitting fire until +they were almost too hot to handle. Again and again they beat back +German detachments. They fought like fiends. They never expected to +come out of that fight alive. The odds seemed too tremendous. + +"It's like Custer's last charge," panted Frank. "There wasn't one of +his troopers left alive. But I'll bet that not one of them was sorry +he was there." + +"I'm glad that motorcycle carried double," replied Bart. "I'd have +been cheated out of a lot of lovely fighting if it hadn't." + +They fought desperately, savagely, their bodies tired to the breaking +point, but their courage never failing. And at last they won out. The +armies rejoined each other. The gap was closed. And Frank and Bart +rejoiced beyond measure that they had been able to do their part in the +closing. + +"Some fellows have all the luck," remarked Billy, when they had +rejoined their regiment two days later, and were telling him all about +it. "Now if that coin we flipped had only come down heads instead of +tails----" + +"Stop your grouching," laughed Frank. "You'll have all the fighting +that's good for you by the time we've driven the boches over the Rhine." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE MINED BRIDGE + +For several days the drive continued. At first it had been quite as +successful for the Germans as they could have hoped. Their initial +surprise had carried them a long way into French territory, and this +had involved the capture of a considerable number of men and guns. + +But they had fallen far short of their ambitious aims. They had not +rolled up the Allied armies. They had not reached Paris. They had not +captured the Channel ports. + +The Allied armies had stretched like an elastic band, but had not +broken. They knew now what the enemy's plans were and they were +rapidly taking measures to check them. + +The Germans had had a great advantage in being under a single command. +There was no clash of plans and opinions. If they wanted to transfer a +part of their forces from one point to another they could do so. + +With the Allies it had been different. There had been a French army, a +British army, an Italian army, a Belgian army, a Russian army and +latest of all an American army. They had tried to work together in +harmony and in the main had done so. But the British naturally wanted +above all to prevent the German armies from reaching the coast where +they could threaten England. The French were especially anxious to +prevent Paris being captured. Either side was reluctant to weaken its +own army by sending reinforcements to the other. + +But the German success in the first days of the drive changed all this. +The Allies got together and appointed General Foch as the supreme +commander of all the Allied forces. He had done brilliant work in +driving the Germans back from the Marne in the early days of the war, +when they had approached close to Paris. + +"Have you heard the news?" asked Frank of his chums the day after the +appointment had been made. + +"No," said Bart. + +"What is it?" asked Billy. + +"We've got just one man that's going to boss the job of driving back +the Huns," answered Frank. + +Bart gave a whoop of delight and Billy threw his hat in the air. + +"Best news I've heard yet," crowed Billy. + +"That's as good as a battle lost for the Huns," exclaimed Bart. "The +only wonder is that it wasn't done before. Who's the man they've +chosen?" + +"General Foch," was the answer. + +"Better and better," pronounced Bart. "That man's a born fighter. He +licked the Germans at the Marne, and he can do it again." + +"What I like about him," commented Billy, "is that he's a hard hitter. +He isn't satisfied to stand on the defensive. He likes to hand the +other fellow a good one right at the start of the fight." + +"That's what," agreed Frank. "He hits out right from the shoulder. Of +course he'll have to wait a little while yet until he sizes up his +forces and sees what he has to fight with. But you can bet it won't be +long before he has the boches on the run." + +In the days that followed, the advantage of the appointment became +clear. The armies worked together as they never had before. The khaki +of the British mingled with the cornflower blue of the French. +Reserves were sent where they were most needed, no matter what army +they were drawn from. And, fighting side by side, each nation was +filled with a generous rivalry and sought bravely to outdo the other in +deeds of valor. + +The old Thirty-seventh had been in the thick of the fighting and had +covered itself with glory. It had taught the Germans that there were +Americans in France, and that they were fighters to be dreaded. + +The course of the fighting had taken Frank and his comrades in the +vicinity of the farmhouse where they had rounded up the German +lieutenant and his squad. But it was a very different place now from +what it had been when they had first seen it. Shells had torn away +part of the roof, and the attic lay open to the sky. But the farmer +and his family still stayed there although in daily peril of their +lives. They lived and slept in the cellar, which was the only place +that afforded them a chance of safety. + +One day when only an artillery duel was going on and the infantry was +getting a rest that it sorely needed, the Army Boys went over to the +house. The girl saw them coming and recognized them at once. She came +out to meet them with a smile on her face. + +"_Les braves Americains!_" she exclaimed. "You have not then been +killed by those dreadful Germans." + +"Don't we look pretty lively for dead men?" asked Frank jokingly. + +"And that lieutenant?" she inquired. "Oh, I hope you have hanged him." + +"No," said Frank, "but he's a prisoner." + +"It is not enough," she said with a shudder of repulsion. + +"Have you heard anything of the young soldier that the lieutenant was +going to hang?" asked Frank eagerly. + +"No," she answered. "But stay," she added, "I have something here that +you may want to see." + +She darted back in the house and quickly returned with a very-much +crumpled card in her hand. + +"It is a _carte postale_," she explained. "We found it in the yard +some days after you had been here. It had been trampled in the mud by +the horses' feet and the writing had been scraped or blotted out. +Perhaps it belonged to the young man. It may have fallen from his +pocket. I do not know." + +Frank took it eagerly from her hand, while his comrades gathered around +him. + +The card was almost illegible, but it could be seen that it was a +United States postal. There was not a single word upon it that could +be made out in its entirety, but up in the corner where the postmark +had been they could see by straining their eyes the letters C and M. + +"That's Camport, I'm willing to bet!" exclaimed Bart excitedly. + +"And here's something else," put in Billy pointing to where the address +would naturally be looked for. "See those letters d-f-o-r----" + +"It's dollars to doughnuts that that stands for 'Bradford,'" Frank +shouted. "A card from Camport to Tom Bradford. Boys, we didn't guess +wrong that day. That was Tom that that brute of a lieutenant was going +to hang!" + +They were tingling with excitement and delight. To be sure, they did +not know what had become of their friend. But he had escaped from this +house. He was perhaps within a few miles of them. He was, at any +rate, not eating his heart out in a distant prison camp. + +Then to Frank came the thought of Rabig. Perhaps Tom hadn't escaped. +Perhaps Rabig had added murder to the crime of treason of which they +were sure he was guilty. + +"Are you sure that you haven't found anything else that would help us +in finding our friend?" he asked of the girl, whose face was beaming at +the pleasure she had been able to give to her deliverers. + +"No," she answered. "There is nothing else. I am sorry." + +"Let's take a look around the house again, fellows," suggested Frank. +"We may have overlooked something the other day. It's only a chance, +but let's take it." + +They made a careful circuit of the house, but nothing rewarded the +search until Frank, with an exclamation, picked up some pieces of rope +that had been lying in the grass not far from the window from which the +prisoner had dropped. + +"Are these yours?" he asked of the girl who had accompanied them and +had been as ardent in the search as themselves. + +She examined them. + +"I do not think so," she declared. "I do not remember seeing any rope +like that around the house." + +They scrutinized the pieces carefully. + +"Look at these frayed edges," said Frank, laying them together. "You +see that these two pieces were part of one rope." + +"I'll tell you what that means," put in Billy. "The girl says that Tom +was bound with ropes. That cut or broken one was the one that was used +to tie his hands. In some way he cut that. He didn't have a knife or +the cut would be cleaner. Perhaps he sawed the rope against a piece of +glass that he might have managed to get near." + +"Good guess," commended Bart. "And this long rope was the one that was +used to tie his feet. Tom didn't need to cut that for his hands were +free then and he could untie it." + +"Good old scout!" exclaimed Frank in tribute to his absent chum. +"Trust that stout heart of his to keep up the fight to the last minute. +Think of the old boy sawing away at the rope when he didn't know what +minute he'd be taken out and hanged." + +"He's all wool and a yard wide," agreed Bart. + +"The real goods," said Billy. "But what were the ropes doing out here +in the grass?" + +"Oh, I suppose he hated them so that he chucked them as far away as he +could," suggested Bart. + +"No," said Frank, measuring the window with his eye. "I'll tell you +how I think it was. Tom knew, of course, that he couldn't get out of +the house by the downstairs way without being nabbed. He didn't know, +of course, that the bunch of Huns weren't in condition to nab anybody. +So the window was the only way left to him. He took the ropes to the +window with the idea of splicing them and climbing down by them. But +that would have taken time, and when he saw that the window wasn't very +high up he made up his mind to drop. The ropes were in his hand and he +simply threw them out of the window as the easiest way of getting rid +of them." + +"That sounds reasonable," said Billy. "But, oh boy! if poor Tom had +only known that all he had to do was to walk downstairs and bag the +whole blooming bunch!" + +"I wish he had," said Frank mournfully. + +"If he had, that lieutenant wouldn't have got off so easily as he did," +declared Bart. "Do you know what would have happened? Of course the +first thing Tom would have done would have been to untie the farmer and +his son. Can you picture, then, what would have happened to that +lieutenant and probably to his men, too? The United States wouldn't +have been put to any expense for feeding them." + +"That rope by the well would probably have been put to work," agreed +Frank. "But poor Tom didn't know and there's no use of our +speculating." + +Encouraged by the information they had gained, they looked still +further. But nothing more was found, and they at last said good-by to +the girl and made their way back to their quarters with their hearts +lighter than they had been for days. In a sense they had got in touch +with their missing comrade, had seemed near to him, and their hopes +were high that before long they would have him with them again. + +"It's disposed of one thing that was worrying me anyway," remarked +Frank. "We know that Rabig had nothing to do with making away with +Tom." + +"Yes," said Bart, "that's one thing the fellow can't be charged with. +But I'm still mighty curious to know what he was hanging around that +farmhouse for." + +"It sure was a mighty strange coincidence that he should be there at +the time the Germans were," declared Billy. "But Rabig is the only one +who knows why and you can bet that he won't tell." + +The comparative lull that had occurred in the fighting was only +temporary, and the next day the drive was resumed in all its fury. + +This time the use of gas was greater than it had been at any previous +time in the battle. And the Germans had made still greater strides in +this diabolical contrivance which they were the first to inflict upon +an outraged world. + +At first the gas had been light and volatile. It caused terrible +suffering to those caught by it, but it did not hover long over any +given place and a gust of wind was sufficient to drive it away. + +But that was not vile enough to satisfy the infernal ingenuity of the +foes of humanity. Now they were using gas that settled on the ground +so that nothing but a gale would drive it away, and that lasted for +hours and even for days. And then there was mustard gas, that +penetrated everywhere through the clothing, through the skin, and that +burned and ate up the living tissues like so much vitriol. + +But the Allies were on the alert and soon found a way to avert or +modify the worst consequences of the various kinds of gases. And they +were forced to fight fire with fire simply in self-defence. It was a +question of kill or be killed, and they were left no alternative. They +asked nothing better than to fight as knightly and honorable nations +always have fought and always will fight when they are left free to +choose their weapons. + +But whatever the methods used by the Germans, whether gas or guns or +men, they were finding increasing difficulty in keeping up the momentum +of their drive. Sheer force of numbers had sufficed at first to carry +them forward, but now the Allies with American help coming over the sea +at the rate of two hundred thousand men a month--and the finest kind of +men at that--were gradually getting on even terms. + +"I see the Germans had a good day yesterday," remarked Frank, as he and +his comrades were at mess. + +"I didn't notice it," said Bart, looking at his friend in surprise. +"We drove them back and gained ground from them." + +"Oh, I don't mean here," exclaimed Frank. "I mean in Paris." + +Billy almost choked in surprise and alarm. + +"You don't mean to say they've got to Paris?" he sputtered. + +"Not by a jugful," laughed Frank. "But they're sending shells into it." + +"Then they must be pretty close to it," said Bart in some apprehension. + +"The gun they're shooting with is seventy miles away from the city," +replied Frank. + +"Quit your kidding," commanded Billy. + +"Where do you get that stuff?" asked Bart incredulously. + +"Cross my heart and hope to die," said Frank seriously. "Honestly, +fellows, they've got a gun that shoots a shell seventy miles or more. +The shell weighs two hundred pounds. It rises twenty miles in the air, +and it takes three minutes on the trip to Paris." + +"Is that straight goods?" asked Billy suspiciously. + +"It sure is," Frank assured him. "I was reading about it in a Paris +paper I got hold of this morning." + +"What was it you were saying about yesterday being a good day for the +Germans," asked Bart, when he had digested the facts. + +"Oh, one of the shells hit a church where they were having a service +and killed seventy-five people, mostly women and children," answered +Frank. "Don't you imagine the Germans call that a good day? Can't you +see them grinning and rubbing their hands? It's as good as bombing a +hospital or an orphan asylum. The Kaiser felt so good about that he +sent a special message of congratulation to the manager of the Krupp +works, where the gun was made. Oh, yes, it was a good day!" + +"The swine!" exclaimed Bart furiously, while Billy's fist clinched. + +"Let's get busy," cried Frank, springing to his feet. "I can't wait to +get at those barbarians. I hope there's lots of bayonet work today. I +never felt in better trim for it." + +They fought that day as they had never fought before, for they had +never felt so strongly that the world would never be a decent place to +live in until their barbarous enemies were humbled to the dust. + +The next day the old Thirty-seventh was ordered to take up its position +at a bridgehead that it was of the utmost importance should be strongly +held. The enemy attacks were converging there, and it was evident that +they were planning to cross the river in force. The country behind the +American troops was flat and difficult to defend, and if the enemy +should make good his crossing the consequences to the Allied cause +might prove serious. + +The enemy advance had reached the further side of the river, which at +that point was about two hundred yards in width. A fierce artillery +duel was kept up between the hostile forces. A wooden bridge with +stone arches afforded the only means of crossing, and this was swept by +such a fierce shell fire from the Allied guns that it did not seem as +though anything could live on it for a moment. + +As an additional precaution the bridge had been secretly mined by the +Allied engineers. Electric wires ran to the concealed charges. + +A pressure of a button--and the bridge would be reduced to atoms. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A DESPERATE VENTURE + +"The Huns will get a surprise party if they try to cross that bridge," +remarked Billy with a grin, as the boys were talking over the present +situation. + +"I don't see why we don't blow it up right away," said Bart. "Then the +Germans would have to rely on pontoons and what we would do to them +would be a crime." + +"Our officers know what they're about," objected Frank. "We might want +that bridge to go across on ourselves if things take the right turn. +So it's just as well to have it handy. If there's any blowing up to +do, we can do it later just as well as now. And it's just as well to +have it go skyward when it's crowded with Germans as when it's empty. +Get me?" + +"I get you, all right," replied Bart. "But suppose something should go +wrong when the time came to blow it up?" + +"That would be something else again," laughed Frank. "But I guess +there isn't much danger Of that. Just one little pressure of a +button--and--zowie!" + +Just then Frank caught sight of his friend, Colonel Pavet, coming +toward him and went forward to meet the French officer. + +The colonel's greeting was a very cordial one. + +"I'm glad to see that you've come safely so far through this fierce +fighting," he said. + +"Fierce is the right word," answered Frank smilingly. + +"I was at Verdun," went on the colonel, "and I thought at the time that +nothing could be more ferocious than the fighting there. But this has +been much worse." + +"We've got a pretty stiff proposition right now in holding this +bridge," observed Frank. + +"Indeed you have," agreed the colonel, "and it is a compliment to the +American forces that the defense of such an important position has been +entrusted to them. Oh, you Americans! Where would we have been +without your aid? And your fighting qualities! You grow men on your +side of the ocean, Monsieur Sheldon." + +"The superb fighting of the French has been an inspiration to us," +replied Frank warmly. + +"To come to personal matters," went on the colonel, "I have heard more +in detail from my brother Andre about your mother's property. He has +traced the butler--Martel is his name--in the official records, and has +found that he was taken prisoner in an attack several months ago. He +was very anxious to cross-examine him on some testimony he had given +previously. It seems that Martel had testified that he had witnessed +the execution of a later will than that in which the property was left +to your mother. You can easily see how unfortunate that might be if it +could be proved. Andre has a suspicion that cross-examination might +show Martel's testimony to be false." + +"It is too bad that the man is a prisoner," said Frank anxiously. + +"There is more to be told," went on the colonel gravely. "I myself +have put investigations on foot through the Swiss Red Cross. They were +able to find out from German prison records that Martel died recently." + +Frank started back visibly perturbed. + +"Died!" he echoed. "Then his statement about the will stands +uncontradicted." + +"As far as he is concerned, yes," replied the colonel soberly. "I am +bitterly disappointed, and I know that Andre will be, too, for he has +made a very strong point of disproving that special testimony. But we +will not remit our efforts in the least, _mon ami_. Be assured of +that. I will let you know when I have any further news," and with a +friendly wave of the hand the colonel passed on. + +"What's the matter, Frank?" asked Billy as he went slowly back to his +friends. "You look as jolly as a crutch." + +"I'm no hypocrite, then," answered Frank soberly, "for that's exactly +how I feel." + +He told his chums of what the colonel had said, and they were sincere +in their expressions of sympathy. + +"I don't care a button about it for myself," explained Frank, "but I +hate to have to tell my mother about it. She has little enough to make +her happy nowadays, and I know how badly she will feel about this." + +All that day the artillery kept up a ceaseless fire and the Germans did +not venture on the bridge. But great activity was observed among them, +and Dick Lever, who was leader of the aviation detachment that was +operating in that sector, brought the news that evening that they were +preparing pontoons and other small boats with which they would probably +attempt a crossing at points that were not so well guarded. + +"Your officers over here want to keep their eyes peeled," he remarked +to the Army Boys after he had just made his report at division +headquarters. "Those Heinies have made up their minds to get across +this river by hook or crook. They figure that with the open country +behind you they'll have a good chance to throw you back if they can +only get a footing on this side." + +"Don't you worry about our officers," replied Frank with a conviction +that had been deepened by the skilful leadership the American troops +had had so far in the drive. "It'll be as hard to find them napping as +it is to catch a weasel asleep." + +"I know they're good stuff," agreed Dick, "but we're all human, you +know." + +"All except the boches," grunted Billy. "They're inhuman." + +"We've had plenty of proofs of that," laughed Dick. "They like to +think they're superhuman, but we're teaching them differently." + +"Seen anything of Will Stone lately?" asked Frank. + +"Ran across him about a week ago," replied Dick. "He's fighting about +ten miles north of here, where the country's suitable for tank work. +He's doing some great fighting, too." + +"I don't need to be told that," replied Frank. "That fellow would +rather fight than eat." + +"Well, so long, fellows," said Dick, as he rose to his feet. "Keep a +sharp eye on those boches across the river." + +"Trust us," replied Frank. "They'll never get over here." + +The aviator's warning had been heeded by the officers, and detachments +were stationed at places along the river above and below the main +bridge. + +Suddenly one morning, a whole fleet of boats, large and small, shot out +at the same instant from the enemy side of the river. They were loaded +with men and machine guns, and the evident plan was to get a footing on +the American side which could be held until reinforcements could be +hurried over and make the footing secure. + +At the same time a tremendous gunfire strove to protect the crossing +and clear the banks at the points where the boats were planning to land. + +Before the American guns could get the range on the rapidly moving +targets, the boats were halfway across the river, and the rowers were +pulling like mad. One boat after another was struck and the occupants +thrown into the river. But the Germans had allowed for the loss of +some of the boats, and were perfectly resigned to lose them, provided a +certain percentage of all could effect a crossing. + +"Let them get here," muttered Frank, who, with Bart and Billy, was +among the force which had been assigned to that point where the passage +was being attempted. "They'll never get back again." + +The surviving boats drew closer to the shore. The men on the boats +were using their machine guns, and the banks were swept by a rain of +bullets. More of the boats went down under the return fire, but a full +dozen of them finally struck the shore. The crews jumped out in the +shallow water and commenced to wade ashore. + +But they were doomed men. With a yell the American boys swept down +upon them. Frank and his comrades rushed into the water, and there was +a battle that must have resembled those of the old Vikings. Back and +forth the combatants struggled, shooting, hacking, swinging their gun +butts. Some of them, locked in a death grip, went down together in the +water that was taking on a reddish tinge. Others floated away on the +stream. Others of the enemy, seeing that the fight was going against +them, leaped back into the boats and strove desperately to push out +into the river. But Frank leaped at the bow of one boat and held it, +while Bart and Billy with their comrades did the same to others. + +In a few minutes the fight was over. It had been a hot one while it +lasted. Several of the Americans had been killed and quite a number +wounded, but their loss had been largely exceeded by that of the enemy. +Not a boat got back, and all who had not been killed remained as +prisoners in American hands. + +While the action was in progress, another fleet of equal size had +started out. This had been designed to reinforce the first party if it +had succeeded in gaining a footing. But the utter collapse of the +first effort had taught the enemy that the bank was too strongly held +and they stopped in midstream and rowed back. + +"Even a Heinie can see through a milestone when there's a hole in it," +commented Billy, as he watched the enemy retreating. + +"It's a pity they don't keep on," said Bart. "I'm just getting my +blood up." + +"First bit of marine fighting we've done yet," laughed Frank. "We can +say now that we belong to both branches of the service." + +"All we need now is a fight in the air to make the thing complete," +said Bart, "and we came pretty near to that, too, when we were with +Dick that time in his bombing machine." + +With their boat plan thwarted, the German commanders now centered all +their attention on the bridge. One or two surprise attacks at night +were detected and driven back, but the enemy did not give up. + +At dusk on the day following the fight in the stream they made the +great attack. True to their tactics, they apparently took no account +of the lives of their men. The taking of the bridge was bound to +result in tremendous slaughter. Every foot of it was swept by the +American guns. But the enemy leaders had determined that the bridge +must be taken, no matter how high a price they paid for the taking. It +was easier for the leaders to reach this conclusion since it was the +men who would pay the price rather than themselves. + +A tremendous artillery fire paved the way for the operation. Then, +just as twilight was gathering, a strong body of enemy troops, marching +in heavy columns, attempted to storm the bridge. + +Beyond the first ranks could be seen other columns standing in reserve. +The great climax was approaching. The German command at that point had +determined to stake everything on one throw. + +On they came to the death awaiting them. The American artillery and +machine guns swept the bridge with a withering fire. The front ranks +melted away like mist. + +But their places were filled with others and still others, despite the +frightful slaughter. The American machine guns got too hot to handle +from their unceasing fire. + +And still the German horde kept crowding forward as though their +reserves were inexhaustible. It was known that they had been heavily +reinforced of late and that they largely outnumbered the American +troops opposed to them. Over the dead bodies of their comrades which +strewed the bridge they were creeping nearer, urged by the irresistible +pressure from behind. Considering the disparity of forces, it was +sound tactics to destroy the bridge before the foremost ranks could get +a footing on the side where their overwhelming numbers would begin to +tell. + +The American commander gave the order to blow up the bridge. But when +the button was pressed that should have sent the electric current into +the powder mine there was no response. + +Several times the pressure was repeated and still no explosion +followed. A hasty consultation ensued between the leaders who were +standing close by the place where the Army Boys were fighting. + +"The electric wires must have been cut by the enemy's fire," Frank +heard one of them say. + +Cut! Then all the elaborate plans for blowing up the bridge had come +to naught. And that apparently inexhaustible gray force was getting +nearer and nearer! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE JAWS OF DEATH + +"There's just one possible chance," said Frank's colonel. + +"What is that?" asked the general in command. + +"An explosive bullet sent into the mine might explode it," replied the +colonel. "But it would have to be fired from a boat. We can't do it +from here." + +"It would be certain death to whoever tried it," replied the general, +looking at the shell-swept stream. + +"Not certain, perhaps, but probable," said the colonel. "It's the only +chance, though, to explode the mine. It can only be reached from +underneath." + +"We'll try it," said the general with decision. "But I won't assign +any one to it. It's a matter for volunteers." + +When the call came for volunteers, Frank sprang forward and saluted. +Bart and Billy followed close behind him. + +The officer's eye swept the three and rested on Frank. + +"You volunteer?" he asked. "You know the danger?" + +"Yes, sir," they responded. + +A gleam of pride and admiration came in the general's eyes. + +"Very well," he said. "I'm proud to be your commander." + +Orders were hurriedly given, explosive bullets were furnished; and a +few minutes later a small boat carrying the three Army Boys shot out +from the shore. + +The dusk had thickened now, and Bart and Billy, who were rowing, hugged +the bridge as closely as they could, so as to profit by its shadow. + +None of this bombardment had been directed at them as yet, because +their little boat had not been seen. But when they were forced to move +a little way from the shadow of the bridge, so that Frank could get the +proper angle from which to fire, they were detected, and a perfect +tempest of fire opened up not only from the batteries on the further +shore, but from the soldiers who were on the bridge. + +Frank knew exactly where the powder charges had been located. His +rifle was loaded and he had sufficient confidence in his marksmanship +to believe that only one shot would be needed. + +All he dreaded was that a bullet might strike him before he had done +his work. After that it did not so much matter. He knew that he had +taken his life in his hand and he had already counted it as lost. + +Bart and Billy were rowing like fiends. At last they reached the point +that Frank had indicated. He peered through the dusk and could see the +outlines of the mine. + +The bridge now was black with Germans. They had covered two-thirds of +the distance over it, and they were packed so closely, crowding on each +other's heels, that the rails of the bridge bulged outward with the +pressure. + +Frank raised his rifle to his shoulder, took steady aim and fired. + +There was a hideous roar, and then the shattered timbers of the bridge +went hurtling toward the sky. Hundreds of bodies were mingled with the +debris, and the water surged up in great waves as the mass fell back +into the river. + +Where the bridge had been there was a yawning gap of two hundred feet. +At either end there was a remnant of the bridge still standing, and on +these the survivors were rushing frenziedly toward the land before the +remaining timbers should give way. + +Those Germans who were left on the American side, severed from the help +of their comrades, were surrounded and disarmed as soon as they reached +the shore. The attempt at capture had ended in a terrible disaster to +the German forces. + +The instant Frank fired. Billy and Bart plunged their oars in the +water and started rowing with all their might away from the bridge. + +But despite their efforts they could not get out of the danger zone in +time. A heavy piece of timber struck the side of the boat, crushing it +in and throwing the occupants into the water. + +Frank and Billy came to the surface a moment later and shook the water +from their eyes. They looked about for Bart, but he was not to be seen. + +Instantly Frank dived, searching frantically for his chum. His arm +came in contact with someone's hair. He grasped it and drew the body +to the surface. + +It was Bart, but he was unconscious. The timber that had smashed the +boat had caught him a glancing blow on the head and stunned him. + +Frank held his comrade's face above the water and shouted to Billy, who +also had been searching and had just come up. He swam to Frank's side +and helped him in bearing up Bart. + +They found a floating plank, over which they placed Bart's arms and +then with Frank holding on to Bart's body and Billy guiding the plank +they struck out for the nearer shore. + +They had been nearer the American than the German side when the +explosion took place. But the current was bearing strongly toward the +German side and they had been carried some distance by it while they +were taking care of Bart. The consequence was that, while they thought +that the nearer bank was that held by their own troops, it was the +German side towards which they were moving with their unconscious +burden. + +They were within a few feet of the shore at some distance below where +the bridge had stood, when Frank's quick ear heard the sound of voices +speaking in German. At first he thought it was probably some of the +prisoners whom the American troops had captured. But a moment later he +recognized a dilapidated fishing pier that he had often gazed at from +his own side of the river, and the truth burst upon him. + +They were on the wrong side of the river! If Bart had been in the same +condition as Billy and himself, their situation, though dangerous, +would not have been desperate. They were all strong swimmers and +although fearfully tired from their exertions would have been able to +swim across to comrades and safety. + +But it was another matter with Bart unconscious. Frank did not know +what had caused his friend's injury. Perhaps he had been shot. At +this very moment, for all Frank knew, his chum might be bleeding to +death. Above all things he wanted to find dry land, where he could +examine his chum and render him first aid if necessary. + +He communicated with Billy in whispers. + +"We've gone and done it, old scout," he whispered. "We're on the +German side." + +"That's good news--I don't think," returned Billy. + +"Let's swim in under this old pier," suggested Frank, "We'll be out of +sight then and we may strike a bit of beach up toward the head of it." + +They followed the suggestion and were relieved to find that there was a +little stretch of dry sand beyond the water line. They took Bart from +the plank and bore him out on the sand. Here they rubbed his wrists +and tried as far as they could in the darkness to ascertain the extent +of his injuries. Frank did not dare to use his flashlight for fear of +betraying their presence to the enemy. + +To their immense relief Bart soon showed signs of returning animation. +He opened his eyes and was about to speak, when Frank put his hand +gently on his lips. + +"Don't speak, old man," he whispered. "You're all right. It's Frank +speaking. Billy's here. Just whisper to me and tell where you're +hurt. But be careful, for the Germans are all around us." + +"Guess I'm not hurt much," whispered Bart. "Got a clip on the head +when that beam struck the boat." + +"Sure you didn't get a bullet?" asked Frank anxiously. + +"I don't think so," replied Bart. "Head's dizzy from that crack, but I +feel all right everywhere else." + +"Bully!" said Frank. "Now you just lie there till you get your +strength back, and then we'll figure out what's to be done." + +It was a hard problem, and it became none the easier a few minutes +later when a boat came along under oars and was tied up at the end of +the pier. It was a big boat and similar to those in which the Germans +had made their unsuccessful attempt to cross the river a few days +before. + +It had evidently been out in the river picking up the wounded who had +been thrown into the stream by the explosion. The rickety planks +creaked as the soldiers carried the wounded survivors over the pier to +the bank beyond. It would have been an exceedingly bad time for the +Army Boys to be discovered and they crowded back as far as they could +to escape detection. + +The Germans were in a terrible rage over the body blow that had been +dealt them in the destruction of the bridge. Apart from the heavy +losses in men their entire plan of campaign would have to be +reconstructed. + +"That one bullet of yours was a mighty effective one, Frank," whispered +Billy. + +"It was classy shooting," said Bart. "From a rocking boat with shells +bursting all around and so much depending on it, there'd have been lots +of excuse for missing." + +"Maybe the old Thirty-seventh isn't feeling good over the way the thing +went through," chuckled Billy. + +"And maybe we won't get the glad hand when we get over there," murmured +Bart. + +"We've got to get there first," whispered Frank, "and we've got a +mighty slim chance of doing that as long as this boat stays here." + +Every instant was fraught with peril. They had no weapons and even if +they had they would have stood no chance against the throng of enemies +surrounding them. Their only hope of safety lay in not being +discovered. + +But at last, to their great relief, the German rowers resumed their +places at the oars and the boat pulled out into the darkness. + +"Thank heaven, they're gone at last!" breathed Billy. + +"Do you feel equal to the swim over, Bart?" asked Frank. + +"Sure thing," replied Bart. "My head's dizzy yet, but with you and +Billy to give me a hand, if necessary, I'll get through all right." + +As silently as so many otters they slipped into the water and struck +out for the other side. + +The current was strong and the work was arduous, especially with the +care they had to exercise lest any splash should be heard by the enemy. +There was also the chance that one of the boats that were abroad might +come in their direction. But aided by the pitch darkness that +prevailed, they made the trip in safety and Bart had no need of calling +on the aid of his comrades. + +As they drew near the other side a sentry hailed them. + +"Halt!" he cried. "Who goes there?" + +"That's Fred Anderson," murmured Billy, as he recognized the voice. + +"Friends!" called Frank. "Hello, Fred. It's Raymond, Waldon and +Sheldon." + +There was a shout of delight, and Fred, accompanied by several other +sentries, came running to the water's edge. + +"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Fred, as eager hands pulled the Army Boys +up on the bank. "So you pulled through after all. The whole regiment +had given you up. Say, if they'd known you were coming every mother's +son of them would have been down here to meet you and they'd have +brought the band with them. Come along now, but I warn you in advance +that all the fellows will shake your hands off." + +They still had their hands when their mates got through with them, but +Fred had not over-estimated the royal welcome that awaited them. They +had always been prime favorites with the boys of the old +Thirty-seventh, and that afternoon's exploit made them more popular +than ever. Their officers, too, were jubilant at their return. + +They were taken to headquarters, where the general thanked them and +shook hands with each in turn. + +"I don't need any report from you," he smiled. "I heard that when the +bridge went up. It was a brave deed, most gallantly done. I thank you +in the name of the army. Your names will be cited to-morrow in the +orders of the day and I shall personally bring the matter to the +attention of General Pershing." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A TRAITOR UNMASKED + +When Tom Bradford found himself racing toward the woods, the only +thought in his mind was to put as great a distance as possible between +himself and his would-be executioners. + +At every step he expected to hear a shout raised and see a crowd of +pursuers rush from the house like a pack of wolves after their prey. + +The thought lent wings to his feet and he covered the distance in +record time. And not until he was safe in the shelter of the friendly +trees did he pause to draw breath and cast a glance toward the house. + +If his escape had been noticed, there was absolutely no sign of it. +The landscape lay in serene and smiling beauty. Not a trace of life +was to be seen about the house. It seemed scarcely possible that so +much tragedy and so much peace could exist side by side. + +But he had no time for musing, and after a moment's glance he turned +and burrowed deeper into the woods. There alone for the moment lay +safety. In those leafy coverts he could lie concealed, while he took +breath and thought out the situation. + +He had no idea of where the American lines lay. Bound hand and foot as +he had been during that terrible journey, and tortured by the thoughts +that had assailed him, he had taken little note of the way he was +traveling. And even if he had, he could not have told with certainty +what was the dividing line between the hostile armies. + +All that he could do was to exercise the utmost caution, get as deeply +into the recesses of the wood as he could, and let his future course be +guided by circumstances. In a battle area that was so full of soldiers +it would not be long before he would catch sight of some of them. The +great thing was to see them before they saw him. If they wore German +helmets he would keep his distance. If, on the contrary, he should see +the old familiar khaki uniform of his American comrades, his troubles +would be over. + +But if the most important thing was concealment, another problem almost +as important was the question of food. He had had only the scantiest +kind of nourishment since his escape from the prison yard. The last +crumb had been eaten that morning. He had no weapon of any kind with +which to shoot squirrels or rabbits or birds. And he did not dare to +approach a cottage for fear that he might again be placed in the power +of his enemies. + +But he was not yet starving, though exceedingly hungry, and he kept on +in the woods, intent upon putting as many miles behind him as possible +before he stopped for rest. + +Far up in the wooded hills he came in sight of a little cabin. It was +a dilapidated little shack that perhaps had been used by hunting +parties in happier days. It seemed to be entirely deserted, but he was +wary and lay in the bushes for an hour or more, watching it closely for +any sign of life. Only when he felt perfectly sure that there was no +one about, did he creep up to the door and look in. + +He drew a sigh of relief when he saw that it was indeed uninhabited. +Not only that, but there was no evidence that any one had visited it of +late. There was no sign of a path and the bushes had grown up close to +the door. One of the hinges of the door had rusted away and the door +sagged heavily upon the other. + +There was absolutely nothing in the hut except a rough board table and +a three-legged stool. Tom searched about eagerly in the hope that he +might find some food left by its last occupants. He was not +particular, and even mouldy crusts would have been eagerly welcomed. +But even in this he was doomed to be disappointed. + +Still it was something to be under a roof. Human beings once had been +there, and the fact seemed to bring him in contact with his kind. And +even this rough shelter was better than being compelled to sleep in the +woods. If he had only had something to still the terrible gnawing at +his stomach he would have been content--at least as far as he could be +contented while a fugitive, with his life and liberty in constant +danger. + +After he had rested a while he went outside, with the double purpose of +watching for enemies and trying to find something to eat. He fashioned +a club from a stout branch and made several attempts to get a squirrel +or a bird by hurling it at them. But the weapon was too clumsy and +they were too quick, and this forlorn hope came to nothing. So that +when night at last dropped down upon him he was more hungry than ever +and had to go to sleep supperless. + +The next morning he was more fortunate, for he came upon a stream that +abounded in fish. He improvised a hook and line and landed several +fair-sized ones. He had some matches in an oilskin pouch, and he made +a little fire in a deep depression, so as to hide the smoke, and +roasted fish over it. He had no salt, but never had a meal tasted more +delicious in his life. + +Now a burden was lifted from his mind. At least he would not starve. +Fish, no doubt, would grow wearisome as a diet if it were varied with +nothing else. But at least it would sustain life and give him strength +for the tasks that lay before him. + +He listened for the booming of the guns and tried to figure out from +the sound just where the contending armies were facing each other. +Sometimes they grew louder and fiercer, and at other times seemed to +recede, as the tide of battle ebbed and flowed. But there was rarely +any lull in the ominous thunder, and Tom knew that the fiercest kind of +fighting was going on. He thought of Frank and Bart and Billy, who he +felt sure were in the very thick of it, and he grew desperate at the +thought that he was not at their side, facing the same dangers, and, as +he hoped, sharing in the same victories. + +Gradually he worked his way down the mountain, taking the utmost care +to avoid detection, until he felt sure from the increasing din that he +was not far from one or the other of the hostile armies. But it was of +the utmost importance to him to know whether he was within the German +or the American lines. + +The question was solved for him when, some days later, he caught sight +of a file of German soldiers passing through a ravine a little way +below him. These were followed by others. He sought shelter instantly +upon catching his first glimpse of them, but the bushes were thin at +that point, and a huge tree seemed to offer a more secure refuge. He +climbed it quickly, and, peering through the leaves, tried to figure +out the situation. Rank after rank passed, and seemed to be taking up +a position with the view of making an attack. Batteries were drawn up, +and their guns pointed in a direction away from where Tom was hiding. +This was a valuable, but at the same time a painful, bit of +information, because it showed Tom that he was behind the German lines +instead of in front of them. If he had been in front, it would be +simply a matter of making his way in all haste to where the American +armies lay. Now he knew that in order to reach his own lines he would +have to cross through the German positions. And without weapons this +could only be a forlorn hope. Even had he been armed it would have +been a desperate chance. + +He was pondering this fact with a sinking of the heart, when suddenly +he saw approaching a man in American uniform. What could it mean? The +man was not a prisoner, or he would have been under guard. Yet what +other explanation was there for the appearance of the uniform in the +midst of the Germans, who swarmed all about? + +The man came nearer, until he paused beneath the tree. He looked about +as though expecting to see some one. Then he glanced at the watch on +his wrist, and uttered an exclamation of impatience. It was evident +that he had made an appointment, and that the other party to the tryst +was slow in coming. + +The day was warm, and the upward climb through the woods had been +arduous. The man took his hat from his head and wiped his forehead +with his handkerchief. As he did so, Tom caught his first glimpse of +the newcomer's face, and his heart gave a leap of surprise as well as +repulsion when he recognized Nick Rabig. + +The last news that Tom had had of Rabig was that he had been taken +prisoner in the preceding Fall. He had not known, of course, of Nick's +alleged escape from German captivity, and of his return to the American +lines, but his quick mind readily reached the correct conclusion. He +had always distrusted Rabig and had felt sure that the fellow was at +heart a traitor. He was morally certain that the German corporal, whom +Nick had been assigned to guard, had escaped with Rabig's connivance, +and he remembered what Frank had told him about hearing Rabig's voice +in the woods the night the German spy was shot. But Rabig's cunning, +or perhaps his luck, had prevented his treachery being proved. + +Whatever errand had brought Rabig to this spot, Tom felt sure that it +boded no good to the American cause, and even in the precarious +position in which he found himself he rejoiced at the thought that he +might be instrumental in unmasking a traitor. + +While these thoughts were passing through his mind, a German officer +approached from another direction. He saw Rabig, and hastened toward +him. He greeted Nick coldly, and with an air that scarcely concealed +the contempt he felt for the man whose services he was using. + +An animated colloquy began at once. But unluckily for Tom it was in +German. He hated the language, but just then he would have given +anything if he could have understood what was passing between the two +men. + +The conversation continued for some time. Rabig handed over some +papers which the German officer carefully looked over, using a pencil +to follow some lines that seemed to be the tracing of a map or plan. +Then he folded them up and put them carefully in his pocket, and after +a few more sentences had been exchanged Tom heard the clink of money +and saw Rabig tuck something away in his belt. Then the officer stood +up and with a curt nod went away toward the bottom of the hill. + +For some minutes more Rabig remained sitting at the foot of the tree. +Then he took money from his belt and counted it carefully. Tom +couldn't help wondering whether it consisted of thirty pieces of silver! + +In Tom's mind a plan was rapidly forming. He looked through the trees +in every direction. No one was in sight. From the slope below came +the hum of the camp, but no helmets were visible. + +If Rabig had come through the German lines he had done so by means of a +pass. That pass would take him back just as it had brought him +through. He must have it in his pocket now. + +Tom measured the distance between himself and the figure sitting +beneath him. Then with the litheness of a panther he dropped plump on +Rabig's shoulders. + +The shock was terrific and knocked the breath from the traitor's body. +He rolled over and over. Tom himself was thrown forward on his hands +and knees, but the next moment he had risen and his hands fastened like +a vise around Rabig's throat. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CROSSING THE LINE + +Nick Rabig was a young man of powerful build, and under ordinary +conditions Tom would have had his work cut out for him. But the +surprise and the shock had taken all the fight out of the traitor, and +Tom's sinewy hands never relaxed until Rabig's face was purple and he +lay limp and gasping. Then Tom improvised a gag and thrust it into the +rascal's mouth and rapidly bound his hands and feet. + +When he had the miscreant helpless, Tom rose panting to his feet and +looked about him. There was no sign that the struggle had attracted +attention. Rabig himself had had no time to utter a cry for help. + +The renegade had revived sufficiently now to understand what had +happened, and his face was a study of conflicting emotions. Rage and +hate and fear showed in his features. He recognized Tom, and he knew +that his treachery stood discovered. He knew that with the evidence +against him he was doomed to stand before a firing squad if he should +be taken into the American lines. + +Tom looked at him as one might look at a leper. + +"You low-down traitor!" he said bitterly. "You vile scoundrel! I've +caught you at last and caught you dead to rights. You're the most +contemptible thing that breathes. You're a disgrace to your uniform. +You ought to be wearing a wooden overcoat and you will when Uncle Sam +lays his hands on you. I ought to kill you myself this minute." + +His hand clenched the pistol which he had taken from Rabig's pocket, +and a look of craven fear came into the traitor's eyes. + +"Oh, don't be afraid," said Tom scornfully. "I'm not going to do it. +Perhaps you'll suffer more if I let you live than if I killed you. +You're a marked and branded man. You're a man without a country. The +very men you've sold yourself to look upon you as a yellow dog. + +"Now, Rabig, listen to me," Tom went on with deadly earnestness. "I'm +going to strip you of the uniform you've disgraced. I'll have to untie +your hands for a minute to get the coat over your arms, but I've got +the drop on you and if you make the slightest move except to do what I +tell you to you're a dead man." + +Rabig was too cowed to do anything but obey, and in a few minutes Tom +had stripped him of coat and trousers and put them on himself. He +re-bound Rabig's hands tightly. Then he went through the pockets of +the coat. + +As he had expected he found the pass that had admitted Rabig to the +German lines. Opposite the word "_Losung_," which Tom knew meant +"countersign," was scribbled the word "Potsdam." + +"I guess this thing that brought you over will take me back," Tom +remarked. "Now, Rabig, I'm going to leave you here with your German +friends. They'll pick you up after a while, though I don't care +whether they do or not. I'm going back to the boys of the old +Thirty-seventh and tell them just what has happened to Nick Rabig, the +traitor. So long, Benedict Arnold." + +With a parting glance of contempt Tom left the traitor and went down +the hill with a confidence that he was very far from feeling. + +He had the pass and the countersign, but he was not sure that these +would be sufficient. Perhaps an officer would be called by the sentry +to make sure that everything was all right. Perhaps the sentry at the +point where he should try to pass the line might be the same one who +had let Rabig through, and he might notice the difference in personal +appearance. Any one of a dozen things might happen to arouse suspicion. + +Luckily it was growing dark and Tom had pulled Rabig's hat well down +over his face, yet not so far as to make it appear that he was trying +to evade scrutiny. He walked on briskly to a point where a sentry on +duty before an opening in the wire fence was standing. + +"_Halt! Wer da?_" hailed the sentry. + +"_Ein Freund_," replied Tom. + +"_Losung._" + +"_Potsdam._" + +At the same time Tom carelessly extended the pass which the sentry +glanced at and returned to him with a curt gesture, in which Tom +thought he saw contempt. But it meant that he was free to pass, and he +did so with an air of indifference. + +His heart was beating so fast that it seemed as if he would suffocate. +At every step he feared to hear a shout behind him that would tell him +that the ruse was discovered. But the fortune that had frowned upon +him so many times of late this time was friendly. Behind him were the +usual camp noises and nothing more. + +In a few minutes he had gotten out of sight of the lines and was in the +woods at a point where the trees grew thickly and only a half-beaten +trail led through the underbrush. Then he quickened his pace and soon +found himself running. + +If he were pursued, he had fully made up his mind what he would do. He +would never again see the inside of a German prison. He had the +revolver and he would fight to the last breath. He might go down, +probably would, considering the odds that there would be against him, +but he would die fighting, and would take one or more of his enemies +with him. + +He was racing along now at top speed and he only slackened his gait +when he knew that he had put miles behind him. By that time it had +grown wholly dark, and in the woods it was as black as pitch. He was +safe for that night at least. His enemies could not have seen him if +they had been within ten feet of him. + +And the darkness brought with it a word of warning. While in one sense +it was a protection, on the other it had in it an element of danger. +He could no longer know the direction in which he was traveling. He +knew the danger there was of traveling in a circle. If he kept on he +might swing around in the direction of the German lines. And it would +be a sorry ending to his flight to have it finish at the very point +from which he had started. + +He made up his mind that he would curl himself up in some thicket and +snatch a few hours of sleep. At the first glimmer of dawn he would +resume his journey. Then he could see, no doubt, the American lines, +from which he knew he could not be very far away. The big guns, too, +that had now settled down to their nightly muttering, would be in full +cry at dawn, and sound as well as sight would help him. + +He found a heavy clump of bushes into which he crawled. He had no fear +of oversleeping. He knew that his burdened mind would keep watch while +his body slept, and that he would surely wake at the first streak of +dawn. + + +Some distance ahead of where the old Thirty-seventh was posted on the +far-flung battle line, the Army Boys were on sentry duty. It was the +turn of Corporal Wilson's squad to perform this irksome task, and they +were glad that it was nearly over and that soon they would be relieved. + +Their beats adjoined each other and there were times when they met and +could exchange a few words to break the monotony of the long grind. + +"This sentry stuff doesn't make a hit with me," grumbled Bart. "I'm +getting blisters on my feet from walking." + +"Where do you expect to get them, on your head?" laughed Frank. "Cheer +up, old man. The sun will be up in a few minutes and then the relief +will be along." + +"It can't come too soon," chimed in Billy. "Gee, but I'm hungry! This +early morning air does sure give you an appetite." + +"If only something would happen," complained Bart. "It's the deadly +monotony of the thing that gets my goat. Now if a Hun patrol should +come along and stir things up, it would be worth while." + +A sharp exclamation came from Frank. + +"Look out, fellows!" he warned. "I saw those bushes moving over on the +slope of that hill just now and there isn't a bit of wind." + +In an instant they had their rifles ready. + +The bushes parted and a figure stepped forth into the open. + +"Why, it's one of our fellows!" said Bart, as he saw the American +uniform. + +"Been out on scout duty, I suppose," remarked Billy. + +Frank said nothing. His keen eyes noted the newcomer and his heart +began to thump strangely. + +As the soldier came nearer he took off his hat and waved it at them. + +A yell of delight broke from the startled group. + +"It's Tom! It's Tom! It's Tom!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A JOYOUS REUNION + +Shouting like so many maniacs, they rushed toward him. At the same +instant Tom, too, began to run, and in a moment they had their arms +around him, and were hugging him, pounding him, mauling him, +exclaiming, questioning, laughing, rejoicing, all in one breath. + +Tom was back with them again, good old Tom, their chum, their comrade, +Tom, over whose fate they had spent so many sleepless hours, Tom, for +whom any one of them would have risked his life, Tom who they knew was +captured, and who they feared might be dead. + +There he was, the same old Tom, with face and body thin, with hair +unkempt and matted, with traces showing everywhere of the anxiety and +suffering he had undergone, and yet with the same indomitable spirit +that neither captivity nor threatened death had broken, and the same +smile upon his lips and twinkle in his eyes. + +"Easy, easy there, fellows," he protested laughing. "Let me come up +for air. And before anything else, lead me to some grub. I haven't +eaten for so long that there's only a vacuum where my stomach ought to +be." + +"You bet we'll lead you to it," cried Bart. + +"An anaconda will have nothing on you when we get through filling you +up," promised Billy. + +"What did I tell you, fellows," cried Frank delightedly. "Didn't I say +the old boy'd be coming in some morning and asking us if breakfast was +ready?" + +Tom was giving Frank the long-lost letter he had been carrying when +Corporal Wilson came up with the relief and their greeting was almost +as boisterous and hilarious as that of his own particular chums had +been, for Tom was a universal favorite in the regiment, and they had +all mourned his loss. + +They would have overwhelmed him with questions, but Frank interposed. + +"Nothing doing, fellows," he said. "This boy isn't going to say +another word until we've taken him to mess and filled him up till he +can't move. After that there'll be plenty of time for a talk and we'll +keep him talking till the cows come home." + +It was a rejoicing crowd that took Tom back to the main body of the +regiment, where he almost had his hands wrung from him. They piled his +plate and filled his coffee cup again and again and watched him while +he ate like a famished wolf. + +"Tom's running true to form," joked Frank, as they saw the food vanish +before his onslaught. + +"Whatever else the Huns took away from him, they left him his +appetite," chuckled Billy. + +"Left it?" grinned Tom, as he attacked another helping. "They added to +it. I never knew what hunger was before. Bring on anything you've +got, and I'll tackle it. All except fish. I'm ashamed now to look a +fish in the face." + +It was a long time before he had had enough. Then with a look of +seraphic contentment on his face he sat back, loosened his belt a +notch, and sighed with perfect happiness. + +"Now fellows, fire away," he grinned, "and I'll tell you the sad story +of my life." + +They needed no second invitation, for they had been fairly bursting +with eagerness and curiosity. Questions rained on him thick and fast. +Their fists clenched when he told them of the cruelties to which he had +been subjected. They were loud in admiration of the way in which he +had met and overcome his difficulties. They roared with laughter when +he told them of the alarm clock, and Tom himself, to whom it had been +no joke at the time, laughed now as heartily as the rest. + +"So that's the way you got those ropes gnawed through when you were at +the farmhouse," exclaimed Frank, when Tom told them of the aid that had +come to him from the rats. "We figured out everything else but that. +We thought that you must have frayed them against a piece of glass." + +"I used to hate rats," said Tom, "but I don't now. I'll never have a +trap set in any house of mine as long as I live." + +"If you'd only known how safe it would have been to walk downstairs +that day!" mourned Frank. + +"Wouldn't it have been bully?" agreed Tom. "Think of the satisfaction +it would have been to have had the bulge on that lieutenant who was +going to hang me. I wouldn't have done a thing to him!" + +"Well, we got him anyway and that's one comfort," remarked Bart. + +"To think that you were legging it away from the house just as we were +coming toward it," said Billy. + +"It was the toughest kind of luck," admitted Tom. "Yet perhaps it was +all for the best, for then I might not have had the chance to get the +best of Rabig." + +"Rabig?" exclaimed Frank, for the traitor had not yet been mentioned in +Tom's narrative. + +"What about him?" questioned Billy eagerly. + +"Hold your horses," grinned Tom. "I'll get to him in good time. If it +hadn't been for Rabig I wouldn't be here. I owe that much to the +skunk, anyway." + +It was hard for them to wait, but they were fully rewarded when Tom +described the way in which he had trapped and stripped the renegade, +and left him lying in the woods. + +"Bully boy!" exclaimed Frank. "That was the very best day's work you +ever did." + +"Got the goods on him at last," exulted Bart. + +"The only man in the old Thirty-seventh that has played the yellow +dog," commented Billy. "The regiment's well rid of him. He'll never +dare to show his face again." + +"He can fight for Germany now," said Frank, "and if he does, I only +hope that some day I'll run across him in the fighting." + +"You won't if he sees you first," grinned Billy. "He doesn't want any +of your game." + +Tom had left one thing till the last. + +"By the way, Frank," he remarked casually, "I ran across a fellow in +the German prison camp who came from Auvergne, the same province where +you've told me your mother lived when she was a girl. He said he knew +her family well." + +"Is that so?" asked Frank with quick interest. "What was his name?" + +"Martel," replied Tom. + +"Why that's the name of the butler who used to be in my mother's +family!" cried Frank. "Colonel Pavet was telling me that he had been +captured, and had died in prison. I was hoping that he was mistaken in +that, for the colonel said he had information that might help my mother +to get her property." + +"The colonel is right about the man's dying," replied Tom, "for I was +with him when he died." + +"It's too bad," said Frank dejectedly. + +"I shouldn't wonder if he did not know something," said Tom, "for he +seemed to have something on his mind. He told me one time that his +imprisonment and sickness happened as a judgment on him." + +"If we could only have had his testimony before he died," mourned Frank. + +"I got it," declared Tom triumphantly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT + +Frank sprang to his feet. + +"What do you mean?" he cried. + +"Just this," replied Tom, taking the confession from his pocket. "He +told me the whole story and there it is in black and white, names of +witnesses and all." + +Frank read the confession with growing excitement, while his comrades +clustered closely around him. + +"Tom, old scout!" Frank exclaimed, as the whole significance of the +confession dawned upon him, "you've done me a service that I'll never +forget. Now we can see our way clear, and my mother will come into her +rights." + +"I'm mighty glad, old boy," replied Tom with a happy smile. "I've held +on to that paper through thick and thin, because I knew what it would +mean to you and your mother. But now," he went on, "I've been +answering the questions of all this bunch and turn about is fair play. +Tell me how our boys are doing. How is the big drive going on? Have +we stopped the Germans yet?" + +"They're slowing up," said Bart. + +"We're whipping them," declared Billy. + +"I wouldn't quite say that," objected Frank. "We haven't whipped them +yet except in spots. Of course we're going to lick them. The whole +world knows that now except the Germans themselves, and I shouldn't +wonder if they were beginning to believe it in their hearts. But +they'll stand a whole lot of beating yet, and we don't want to kid +ourselves that it's going to be an easy job. But we're holding them +back, and pretty soon we'll be driving them back." + +"I'll bet the old Thirty-seventh has been doing its full share," said +Tom proudly. + +"You bet it has," crowed Billy. "Tom, old man, you've missed some +lovely fighting." + +"You fellows have had all the luck," refilled Tom wistfully. + +"Don't grouch, Tom," laughed Frank. "There's plenty of it yet to come. +And I'll bet you'll fight harder than ever now, when you think of all +you've been through. You've got a personal score to settle with the +Huns now, as well as to get in licks for Uncle Sam." + +"You're right there," replied Tom, as his eyes blazed. "I can't wait +to get at them. My fingers fairly itch to get hold of a rifle." + +"But you ought to have a little rest and get your strength back before +you get in the ranks again," suggested Bart. + +"None of that rest stuff for me," declared Tom. "When you boys get in +I'm going to be right alongside of you." + +His wish was not to be gratified that day, however, for there was a +lull in the fighting just then while the hostile armies manoeuvred for +position. But the pause was only temporary, and the next day the storm +broke in all its fury. + +Of course Tom had to make a report at headquarters. There his story, +especially as it related to Nick Rabig, was listened to with much +interest. + +When the fighting began again it was not trench work. That was already +in the past. Of course the armies took advantage of whatever shelter +was offered them, and there were times when shallow trenches were dug +with feverish haste. But these were only to be used for minutes or for +hours, not for weeks and months at a time. The great battle had become +one of open warfare, and it ebbed and flowed over miles of meadow and +woodland, of hill and valley. + +It was just the style of fighting that suited the American troops. +They wanted action, action every minute. They wanted to see their +enemies, to get at grips with them, to pit their brawn and muscle, +their wit and courage against the best the enemy could bring forth. It +was the way their ancestors had fought, man to man, bayonet to bayonet, +where sheer pluck and power would give the victory to the men who +possessed them in largest measure. + +"We'll be in it up to our necks in a few minutes now," muttered Bart, +as they waited for the order to charge. + +"It's going to be hot work," remarked Billy. "They've got a pile of +men in that division over there, and they've been putting up a stiff +fight so far this morning." + +"They're in for a trimming," declared Frank. "Just wait till the old +Thirty-seventh goes at them on the double quick." + +"Why don't the orders come?" grumbled Tom. + +They came at last and, with a rousing cheer, the regiment rushed +forward. The enemy's guns opened up at them, and a deadly barrage +sought to check the wild fury of their charge. Men went down as shot +and shell tore through them, but the others never faltered. The old +Thirty-seventh was out to win that morning, and a bad time was in store +for whoever stood in the way of its headlong rush. + +In the front ranks the Army Boys fought shoulder to shoulder, and when +the regiment struck the enemy line, they plunged forward with the +bayonet. There was a furious melée as they ploughed their way through. + +So impetuous was their dash that it carried them too fast and too far. +They found themselves fighting with a group of their comrades against a +fresh body of enemy troops who had just been thrown in in a fierce +counterattack. For the moment they were greatly outnumbered and as the +enemy closed around the little band it seemed as though they were +doomed to be cut off from the support of their comrades. + +They must cut their way through and rejoin the main body. And not a +moment must be lost, for the ring surrounding them was constantly being +augmented by fresh reinforcements. + +A shot tore Frank's rifle out of his hands. He looked around and saw +an axe that had been left there by some one of an engineer corps. + +He stooped and picked it up. He swung it high above his head. In his +powerful hands it was a fearful weapon, and the enemy detachment hi +front of him faltered and drew back. + +With a shout of "Lusitania!" Frank leaped forward, his eyes flashing +with the fury of the fight, his axe hewing right and left. Foot by +foot he cut his way through the crowded ranks. + +Then suddenly a great blackness came down upon him and he knew nothing +more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WOUNDS AND TORTURE + +When long hours afterward Frank came to himself, he lay for a time +wondering where he was and what had happened to him. + +His brain was not clear, and he had the greatest difficulty in +concentrating his thoughts. Little by little he pieced events +together. He remembered the charge made by his regiment, the pocket in +which he had found himself when he had gone too far in advance of his +comrades, the axe with which he had started to cut his way through the +ring of enemies that surrounded him. There his memory stopped. + +He must have been wounded. He raised his head painfully and looked +himself over. He did not seem to be bleeding. He put his hand to his +head. There was a cut there and a great lump that was as big as a +robin's egg. The movement set his brain whirling, and he fell back +dizzy and confused. + +How thirsty he was! His mouth felt as though it were stuffed with +cotton. His veins felt as if fire instead of blood was in them. His +tongue seemed to be double its normal size. He would have given all he +possessed for one sip of cool water. + +He seemed to be alone. There were bushes all about him. He remembered +that he had been fighting on the edge of a wood where there was a great +deal of underbrush. This no doubt accounted for his being alone. Out +in the meadow beyond there were lying a number of dead and wounded, as +he could see by peering through the bushes. There were some dead men +in the bushes, too, but no wounded. It would have been a comfort at +that moment to have had some wounded companions to whom he might speak, +whom he might help, or by whom he might be helped. He felt as though +he were the only living man in a world of the dead. + +He tried to rise, but a horrible pain shot through his right leg as he +bore his weight upon it, and it crumpled under him. He wondered if it +were broken. He felt of it carefully. No bone seemed to be broken as +far as he could tell, but the ankle was swelled to almost double its +normal size. He must have strained or twisted it. The mere touch gave +him agony and he was forced to desist. + +His fever increased and he was afraid that he was getting delirious. +Some way or other he must get back to his own lines before his senses +left him. He got up on his hands and feet and began to crawl in what +he thought was the right direction. + +He had no idea of time. Things seemed dark around him, but he was not +sure whether this was due to the sky being overcast or to the approach +of twilight. Perhaps it was neither. It might be only that his eyes +were dimmed by the fever that was raging in him. + +His wounded leg dragged behind him as he slowly worked along and every +moment was torture. Sometimes it caught in a bush, and the resulting +wrench almost caused him to swoon. But he kept on doggedly. + +He passed many dead men, and painfully worked his way around to avoid +touching them. One of them, he noticed, had a sack full of hand +grenades. But the stiffening hand of the owner would never hurl +another of those messengers of death. + +On and on Frank toiled. His head felt so light that it seemed to be +detached from his shoulders. He caught himself talking aloud, speaking +the names of Bart and Billy and Tom. Where were they? What were they +doing? Why were they not there with him? + +And what had happened to the regiment? Had it been driven back? He +remembered the heavy reinforcements that the enemy had thrown into the +fight. Perhaps the old Thirty-seventh was getting ready for another +attack. But the effort to think was too painful and Frank gave it up. + +Suddenly he heard the sound of voices a little way in front of him, and +a thrill of joy shot through him. He was paid at that moment for all +his suffering. How lucky that he had steeled himself to the task of +crawling back to his comrades! Soon he would be with the boys again. +They would give him water. They would bind up his leg. His head would +stop aching. The hours of torture would be over. + +He was about to shout to them, when through a thick clump of bushes he +saw the helmets of German soldiers. They were working feverishly to +get some machine guns in position. It was evident that they were +expecting an attack. + +In that moment of terrible disappointment Frank tasted the bitterness +of death. All that agony had been endured only to bring him into the +hands of the Huns! + +But this revulsion of feeling lasted only for an instant. The sight of +his enemies had cleared his brain and awakened his indomitable fighting +instinct. The Huns were working like mad at the machine-gun nest. +That meant that the old Thirty-seventh was coming back! He must help +them. These guns, cunningly placed, would do terrible execution if +they were allowed to work their will. + +But what could he do unaided and alone? He was wounded and weaponless. + +Like a flash the thought came to him of the dead man whose sack was +full of hand grenades. + +His body quailed at the thought of the journey back to where the man +lay. But his spirit mastered the flesh. + +With his dragging leg one quivering pain, he crawled back. It seemed +ages before he got there, but at last he had secured three of the +grenades and started back for the machine-gun nest. + +He had no more than time. Behind him, he heard the well-known cheer of +his regiment. The boys were coming! + +The gun crews heard it, too, and they gathered about their weapons, +whose deadly muzzles pointed in the direction from which the rush was +coming. + +Supporting himself on one hand and knee, Frank hurled his grenades over +the top of the bush in quick succession. They fell right in the midst +of the startled Germans. There was a terrific explosion and the guns +and crews were torn to pieces. Another instant and the old +Thirty-seventh came smashing its way to victory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +DRIVEN BACK + +Two weeks later and Frank had left the hospital and was back again with +the Army Boys. The injury to his head was found to be not serious, and +the leg although badly wrenched and strained had no bone broken. It +yielded rapidly to treatment, and Frank's splendid strength and +vitality aided greatly in his cure. + +There was immense jubilation among the Army Boys when their idolized +comrade resumed his place in the ranks. + +"You can't keep a squirrel on the ground," exulted Tom, as he gave his +friend a tremendous thump on the back. + +"Or Frank Sheldon away from the firing line," grinned Bart, looking at +his friend admiringly. + +"You didn't think I was going to stay in that dinky hospital when there +was so much doing, did you?" laughed Frank. "Say, fellows, if my leg +had been broken instead of just sprained, I'd have died of a broken +heart. I've got to get busy now and get even with the boches for that +crack on the head they gave me. It's a good thing it's solid ivory, or +it would have been split for fair." + +"You don't need to worry about paying the Germans back," chuckled +Billy. "You paid them in advance. You don't owe them a thing. Say, +what George Washington did to the cherry tree with his little hatchet +wasn't a circumstance to what you did to the Huns with that axe of +yours. The axe is your weapon, Frank. A rifle doesn't run one, two, +three, compared with it." + +"I'll admit that the axe work was good as a curtain raiser," remarked +Tom. "But the real show was when those machine guns and their crews +were blown to pieces. That made the work of the regiment easy." + +"It was classy work," agreed Will Stone, who came along just then and +heard what they were talking about. + +"How are the tanks?" asked Frank of the newcomer. "I suppose old Jumbo +is just spoiling for a fight." + +"I guess he is," replied Stone, with a touch of affection in his voice +for the monster tank that he commanded, "and from all I hear he's going +to get lots of it." + +"I guess we all are," said Bart. + +"All little pals together," hummed Billy. + +"And it's going to be a different kind of fighting," went on Stone. +"The tide is turning at last. The Hun has been doing the driving. Now +he's going to be driven." + +"Glory hallelujah!" cried Billy. + +"Do you think that General Foch is going to take the offensive?" asked +Bart eagerly. + +"It looks that way," replied Stone. "Of course, I'm not in the secrets +of the High Command, and only General Foch himself knows when and where +he's going to strike. But by the way they're massing tanks here I +think it will be soon. They're gathering them by the hundreds in the +woods, so that the movement can't be seen by enemy aviators. When the +blow comes it will be a heavy one. And do you notice the way the +American divisions are being brought together here? That means that +they'll take a big part in the offensive. Foch has been watching what +our boys have been doing, and he's going to put us in the front ranks." + +"Better and better," chortled Billy. "That boy's got good judgment. +He's a born fighter himself and he knows fighters when he sees them." + +"Well, you boys keep right on your toes," said Stone, as he prepared to +leave them, "and I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that within three days +you'll see the Heinies on the run." + +Two days passed and nothing special happened. Then at dawn on the +third day, Foch struck like a thunderbolt! + +He had gathered his forces. He had chosen the place. He had bided his +time. + +The German forces were taken utterly by surprise. Their General Staff +was caught napping. They had underestimated their enemy's daring and +resources. Their flank was exposed, and it crumpled up under the +terrific and unexpected blow. + +Thousands of prisoners and hundreds of guns were taken on the first +day, and the success was continued for many days thereafter. The +Allies were elated and the Germans correspondingly depressed. Their +boasted drive had been held back, and now they themselves were the +pursued, with the Allies, flushed with victory, close upon their heels. + +The Army Boys were in their element, and they fought with a dash and +spirit that they had never surpassed. Other volumes of this series +will tell of the thrilling exploits, with the tanks and otherwise, by +which they upheld the honor and glory of the Stars and Stripes. + +"Well," said Frank one evening, after a day crowded with splendid +fighting, "we've put a dent in the Kaiser's helmet." + +"Yes," grinned Bart, as he wiped his glowing face. "Considering that +we're green troops that were going to run like sheep before the +Prussian Guards, we haven't done so badly." + +"I guess the folks at home aren't kicking," remarked Tom. "They told +us to come over here and clean up, and so far we've been obeying +orders." + +"We've held back the German drive," put in Billy, "but that's just the +beginning. Now we've got to tackle another job. We've got to drive +the Hun out of France----" + +"And out of Belgium," added Tom. + +"And back to the Rhine," chimed in Bart. + +"Get it right, you boobs," laughed Frank. "Straight back to Berlin!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE*** + + +******* This file should be named 21671-8.txt or 21671-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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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 = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Army Boys on the Firing Line</p> +<p> or, Holding Back the German Drive</p> +<p>Author: Homer Randall</p> +<p>Release Date: June 3, 2007 [eBook #21671]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE***</p> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p> </p> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT=""America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full in the sentry's face." BORDER="2" WIDTH="401" HEIGHT="627"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 401px"> +"America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full in the sentry's face. +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +OR +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +Holding Back the German Drive +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +HOMER RANDALL +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +<I>Author of "Army Boys in France," <BR> +"Army Boys in the French Trenches," etc.</I> +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO. +<BR> +CLEVELAND, O. ——— NEW YORK, N. Y. +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY +<BR> +GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<CENTER> + +<TABLE WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">A PERILOUS JOURNEY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">AMONG THE MISSING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">CAPTURED OR DEAD?</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">NICK RABIG TURNS UP</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">THE COMING DRIVE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">FRYING-PAN TO FIRE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE CONFESSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">A MIDNIGHT SWIM</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">GALLANT WORK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">A DEEPENING MYSTERY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">THE STORM OF WAR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">FURRY RESCUERS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">CLOSING THE GAP</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">THE MINED BRIDGE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">A DESPERATE VENTURE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">THE JAWS OF DEATH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">A TRAITOR UNMASKED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">CROSSING THE LINE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">A JOYOUS REUNION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">WOUNDS AND TORTURE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">DRIVEN BACK</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS +</H3> + +<P> +"The Huns are coming!" exclaimed Frank Sheldon, as from the American +front line his keen, gray eyes searched a broad belt of woodland three +hundred yards away. +</P> + +<P> +"Bad habit they have," drawled his special chum and comrade, Bart +Raymond, running his finger along the edge of his bayonet. "We'll have +to try to cure them of it." +</P> + +<P> +"I think they're getting over it to some extent," remarked Tom +Bradford, who stood at Frank's left. "The last time they tried to rush +us they went back in a bigger hurry than they came. What we did to +them was a shame!" +</P> + +<P> +"They certainly left a lot of dead men hanging on our wires," put in +Billy Waldon. "But there are plenty of them ready to take their +places, and the Kaiser's willing to fight to the last man, though you +notice he keeps his own precious skin out of the line of fire." +</P> + +<P> +"I think Frank's getting us on a string," chaffed Tom, when some +minutes had passed in grim waiting. "I don't see any Heinies. Trot +out your Huns, Frank, and let's have a look at them." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll see them soon enough," retorted Frank. "I saw the flash of +bayonets in that fringe of woods and I'm sure they're massing." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you remember that little thrilly feeling that used to go up and +down our spines when we were green at the war game?" grinned Bart. "I +feel it now to some extent, but nothing to what I did at first." +</P> + +<P> +"That's because we've tackled the boches and taken their measure," +commented Frank. "We know now that man for man when conditions are +equal we can lick them. The world had been so fed up with stories +about Prussian discipline that it seemed as though the Germans must be +supermen. But a bullet or a bayonet can get them just like any one +else, and when it comes to close quarters, the American eagle can pick +the pin feathers out of any Prussian bird." +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't but what they're brave enough," remarked Bart. "When they're +fighting in heavy masses they're a tough proposition. But they've got +to feel somebody else's shoulder against theirs to be at their best. +Turn a hundred of them loose in a ten-acre lot against the same number +of Americans, where each man had to pick out his own opponent, and see +what would happen to them." +</P> + +<P> +"They wouldn't be in it," agreed Tom with conviction. "Put a Heinie in +a strange position where he has to think quickly without an officer to +help him, and he's up in the air. Take his map away from him and he's +lost." +</P> + +<P> +"Even when you talk of his mass fighting being so good, perhaps you're +giving him too much credit," said Billy grudgingly. "He goes into +battle with his officer's revolver trained on him, and he knows that if +he flinches he'll be shot. He's got a chance if he goes ahead and no +chance at all if he doesn't. And you remember at the battle of the +Somme how the gun crews were chained to their cannon so that they +couldn't run away. You'll notice that we don't use chains or revolvers +for that purpose in the American army." +</P> + +<P> +"I heard Captain Baker tell the colonel the other day that what he +needed was a brake instead of a spur in handling his bunch of +doughboys," chuckled Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Quit your chinning," commanded Frank suddenly. "Here they come! Now +will you boobs tell me that my eyesight's no good?" +</P> + +<P> +"You win," agreed Bart, as a sharp word of command came down the line. +"They're coming for fair!" +</P> + +<P> +From the thick woods beyond, a huge force of enemy troops were coming, +marching shoulder to shoulder as stiffly and precisely as though they +were on parade or were passing in review before the Kaiser himself. +</P> + +<P> +Their artillery, which had been keeping up a steady fire, now redoubled +in volume, and a protecting barrage was laid down, in the shelter of +which they steadily advanced. +</P> + +<P> +But now the American guns opened up with a roar that shook the ground. +The guns were served with the precision that has made American gunnery +the envy of the world, and great gaps were torn in the dense masses of +the enemy troops. But the lanes filled up instantly, and with hardly a +moment of faltering the advance continued. +</P> + +<P> +As the troops drew nearer, it could be seen that all the men were clad +in brand-new uniforms as though for a festive occasion. +</P> + +<P> +"Getting ready to celebrate in advance," murmured Bart. "They must +feel pretty sure of themselves." +</P> + +<P> +"Just Prussian bluff," growled Tom. "They think it will brace up +Fritz, and that we'll think it's all over but the shouting and lighting +out for home." +</P> + +<P> +"They'll have to take those uniforms to the tailors when we get through +with them," muttered Billy, as he took a tighter grasp on the stock of +his rifle. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll do well enough for shrouds," added Frank grimly. +</P> + +<P> +The advancing troops were now not more than a hundred yards away, and +though their losses had been severe there were so many left that it was +evident it would come to a hand-to-hand fight. The enemy cannon had +torn big rents in the barbed wire entanglements that stretched before +the American position so that it would be possible to get through. +</P> + +<P> +Now the American machine guns began sputtering, and their shrill treble +blended with the deep bass of the heavier field guns. A moment more, +and from the rifles of the American infantry a withering blast of flame +sprang out and the enemy went down in heaps. +</P> + +<P> +There were signs of confusion in the German ranks and the American +commander gave the signal to charge. +</P> + +<P> +Out from their shallow trenches leaped the Army Boys, the light of +battle in their eyes, and fell like an avalanche upon the advancing +hosts. +</P> + +<P> +In an instant there was a welter of fearful fighting. The force of the +enemy had been largely spent by their march over that field of death, +while the Americans were fresh and their vigor unimpaired. +</P> + +<P> +For a brief space the Germans were pressed back, but they had +concentrated their forces on that section of the line so that they +outnumbered the Americans by two or three to one, and little by little, +by sheer weight, they pressed their opponents back. And behind those +immediately engaged, fresh forces could be seen emerging from the woods +and coming to the help of their comrades. +</P> + +<P> +But Americans never show to such advantage as when they are fighting +against odds, and the battle line swayed back and forth, first one and +then the other side seeming to have a temporary advantage. +</P> + +<P> +Frank and his comrades were in the very thick of the fight, shooting, +stabbing, using now the bayonet and again the butts of their rifles as +the occasion demanded. There was a red mist before their eyes and +their blood was pounding in their veins and drumming in their ears from +their tremendous exertions. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly but surely, the fierce determination of the Americans began to +tell. The solid enemy front was broken up into groups, and the gaps +grew wider and wider as their men were pushed back further and further +over the ground that lay between the lines. In the center the +Americans were winning. +</P> + +<P> +But suddenly a new danger threatened. A fresh body of German troops +had worked its way to a position where it could attack the American +right flank, which was but thinly held because for the time being the +bulk of the forces were engaged in pressing the advantage gained at the +center. If the enemy could turn that flank and throw it back in +confusion on the main body, it might lead to serious disaster. +</P> + +<P> +At the point where Frank and his comrades were fighting, there was a +nest of machine guns that commanded the space over which the new enemy +forces were bearing down on the threatened flank. Several of the gun +crews had fallen, and the guns were temporarily unserved. +</P> + +<P> +There was no time to wait for orders. Another minute and the guns +would be in the enemy's hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Quick, Bart! Come along, Billy and Tom!" shouted Frank, as he rushed +toward the guns. +</P> + +<P> +His chums were on his heels in an instant. Quick as a flash, the guns +were aimed, and streams of bullets cut the front ranks of the attacking +force to ribbons. Volley after volley followed, until the guns were so +hot that the hands of the young soldiers were blistered. +</P> + +<P> +But the hardest part of their work was done, for now fresh guns had +been brought into position and the flank was strengthened beyond the +power of the enemy to break. Frank's quick thought and instant action +had averted what might have been a calamity that would have decided the +fortune of the day. +</P> + +<P> +"Good work, old man!" panted Bart, when in a momentary lull he could +gain breath enough to speak. +</P> + +<P> +"Yours as well as mine!" gasped Frank, as he dashed the perspiration +from his forehead. "If you fellows hadn't been right on the job, I +couldn't have done anything worth while." +</P> + +<P> +Regular crews had now been assigned to take their places, and resuming +their positions in the ranks the young soldiers plunged once more into +the hand-to-hand work at which they were masters. +</P> + +<P> +The issue was no longer in doubt. The scale had turned against the +Germans and they were retreating. But they went back stubbornly, +giving ground only inch by inch, and in certain scattered groups the +fighting was as furious as ever. +</P> + +<P> +As far as might be, they kept together, but as the swirl of the battle +tore them apart, Tom and Billy were lost sight of by Bart and Frank, +who were laying about them right and left among the enemy. +</P> + +<P> +A sharp exclamation from Bart caused Frank to turn his eyes toward him +for a second. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurt, Bart?" he queried anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Bullet ridged my shoulder," responded Bart. "Doesn't amount to +anything, though. Look out, Frank!" he yelled, his voice rising almost +to a scream. Frank turned to see two burly Germans bearing down upon +him with fixed bayonets. +</P> + +<P> +Bart sought to engage one of them, but was caught up in a mass of +combatants and Frank was left to meet the onset alone. +</P> + +<P> +Quick as a cat, he sidestepped one of them, and putting out his foot +tripped him as he plunged past. He went down with a crash, and his +rifle flew from his hands. +</P> + +<P> +The remaining German made a savage lunge, but Frank deftly caught the +blade upon his own, and the next instant they were engaged in a deadly +bayonet duel. +</P> + +<P> +It was fierce but also brief. A thrust, a parry, and Frank drove his +weapon through the shoulder of his opponent. The latter reeled and +fell. Frank strove to pull out his weapon, but it stuck fast, and just +then a pair of sinewy hands fastened on his throat and he looked into +the reddened eyes of the antagonist whom he had tripped. +</P> + +<P> +With a quick wrench Frank tore himself away, and the next instant he +had grappled with his opponent and they swayed back and forth, each +putting forth every ounce of his strength in the effort to master the +other. +</P> + +<P> +Panting, straining, gasping, neither one of them saw that the struggle +had brought them to the edge of a deep shell crater. A moment more and +they fell with a crash to the bottom of the hole. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A PERILOUS JOURNEY +</H3> + +<P> +The shock was a heavy one. For an instant both combatants were +stunned. The flying arms and legs straightened out and lay quiet. +Then Frank staggered painfully up to his hands and knees. +</P> + +<P> +Luckily he had fallen on top, and the breath had been knocked out of +his opponent's body. But even as Frank looked down upon him, his foe +showed signs of reviving. His eyes opened, and a glare of rage came in +them as they rested on Frank. +</P> + +<P> +He put his hand to his belt, but Frank was the quicker and in an +instant his knife was out and pointed at the German's throat. +</P> + +<P> +"Say 'Kamerad,'" he commanded. +</P> + +<P> +The German hesitated, but a tiny prick of the knife decided him. +</P> + +<P> +"Kamerad," he growled sullenly. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," said Frank, "but just to make sure that you won't stick +your knife into me when I'm not looking, I guess I'll take care of it. +No, you needn't take the trouble of handing it to me," he continued, as +he saw a vicious expression in his captive's eyes. "You just keep your +hands stretched above your head and I'll find your knife myself. And +don't let those hands come down until I tell you, or something awkward +is likely to happen." +</P> + +<P> +If the prisoner did not understand all that was said to him, there was +enough in Frank's gestures to indicate his meaning, and the hands went +up and stayed up, while Frank searched his prisoner and removed his +knife, which he put in his own belt. Then he bound the fellow's hands. +</P> + +<P> +The attack had been made late in the afternoon, and dusk had fallen +while the fight was still going on. Now it was quite dark, and Frank +rose to his feet, intending to clamber out of the shell hole, taking +his prisoner with him. +</P> + +<P> +But what was his consternation, on lifting his head to the level rim of +the crater, to hear about him commands shouted in hoarse guttural +accents. The sounds of battle had died down and it was evident that +the fight for that day was over. And that part of the field had been +left in German hands! +</P> + +<P> +Reinforcements coming up in the nick of time had halted a retreat that +was threatening to become a rout. The battle would probably be resumed +on the morrow, but for the present both forces were resting on their +arms. +</P> + +<P> +The tables were turned with a vengeance. A moment before he had been +holding a prisoner and getting ready to take him into the American +lines. Now he was himself in the enemy lines, liable at any moment to +be discovered and dragged out roughly, to be questioned by German +captors. +</P> + +<P> +All this passed through Frank's mind in a twinkling. But then another +thought came to him. He must silence his prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +The thought came not a moment too soon, for as Frank dropped down +beside him a shout arose from the German's lips. He too had heard and +understood the sounds about him. +</P> + +<P> +In an instant Frank had thrust his handkerchief into the prisoner's +mouth. The man squirmed and struggled, but his bound hands made him +powerless, and Frank soon made a gag that, while allowing the man a +chance to breathe comfortably, would keep him silent. +</P> + +<P> +Then he settled back and tried to think. And his thoughts were not +pleasant ones. +</P> + +<P> +He had had a brief taste of German imprisonment, and he was not anxious +to repeat the experience. Yet nothing seemed more probable. Little +short of a miracle would prevent his capture if he stayed there much +longer. In the morning, discovery would be certain. He must escape +that night, if at all. But how could he make his way through that +swarm of enemies? +</P> + +<P> +And while he is cudgeling his brain to find an answer to the question, +it may be well, for the sake of those who have not read the preceding +volumes of this series, to tell briefly who Frank and his chums were +and what they had done up to the time this story opens. +</P> + +<P> +Frank Sheldon had been born and brought up in the town of Camport, a +thriving American city of about twenty-five thousand people. His +father was American but his mother was French. Mr. Sheldon had met and +married his wife in her native province of Auvergne, where her parents +owned considerable property. They had died since their daughter's +marriage, and in the natural course of things she would have inherited +the estate. But legal difficulties had developed in regard to the +will, and Frank's parents were contemplating a trip to France to +straighten matters out, when the war broke out and made it impossible. +Mr. Sheldon had died shortly afterward, leaving but a slender income +for his widow. Frank had become her chief support. She was a +charming, lovable woman, and she and her son were very fond of each +other. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had secured a good position with the firm of Moore & Thomas, a +prosperous hardware house in Camport, and his prospects for the future +were bright when the war broke out. But he was intensely patriotic, +and wanted to volunteer as soon as it became certain that America would +enter the conflict. For a time he held back on account of his mother, +but an insult to the flag by a German, whom Frank promptly knocked down +and compelled to apologize, decided his mother to put no obstacles in +the way of his enlisting. +</P> + +<P> +But Frank was not the only ardent patriot in the employ of Moore & +Thomas. Almost all of the force wanted to go, including even Reddy the +office boy, who although too young, was full of ardor for Uncle Sam. +Chief among the volunteers were Bart Raymond, Frank's special chum and +a fine type of young American, and Tom Bradford, loyal to the core. +Poor Tom, however, was rejected on account of his teeth, but was +afterward accepted in the draft, and by a stroke of luck rejoined Frank +and Bart at Camp Boone, where they had been sent for training. Another +friend of all three was Billy Waldon, who had been a member of the +Thirty-seventh regiment before the boys had joined it. The four were +the closest kind of friends and stuck by each other through thick and +thin. +</P> + +<P> +There had been one notable exception to the loyalty of the office +force. This was Nick Rabig, a surly, bullying sort of fellow, who had +been foreman of the shipping department. He was a special enemy of +Frank, whom he cordially hated, and the two had been more than once at +the point of blows. Rabig was of German descent, although born in this +country, and before the war began he had been loud in his praise of +Germany and in "knocks" at America. His chagrin may be imagined when +he found himself caught in the draft net and sent to Camp Boone with +the rest of the Camport contingent. +</P> + +<P> +How the Army Boys were trained to be soldiers both at home and later in +France; their adventures with submarines on the way over; how Rabig got +what he deserved at the hands of Frank; what adventures they met with +and how they showed the stuff they were made of when they came in +conflict with the Huns—all this and more is told in the first volume +of this series, entitled: "Army Boys in France; Or, From Training Camp +to Trenches." +</P> + +<P> +From the time they reached the trenches the Army Boys were in hourly +peril of their lives. They took part in many night raids in No Man's +Land and brought back prisoners. Frank met a Colonel Pavet whose life +he saved under heavy fire and learned from the French officer +encouraging news about his mother's property. The four friends had a +thrilling experience when they were chased by Uhlan cavalry, plunged +into a river from a broken bridge only to find when they reached the +other side that the bank was held by German troops. How an airplane +rescued them from German captivity is only one of stirring incidents +narrated in the second volume of the series, entitled: "Army Boys at +the Front; Or, Hand-to-Hand Fights with the Enemy." +</P> + +<P> +Frank had been in many tight places since he had been in France. In +fact, danger had been so constant that he had come to expect it. To +have a feeling of perfect comfort and security would hardly have seemed +natural. But now he freely owned to himself as he sat crouching low in +the shell hole that his liberty if not his life was scarcely worth a +moment's purchase. +</P> + +<P> +Something of what was passing in his mind must have been evident to the +German who shared the hole with him. Frank could not see his face +clearly but he could hear the man shaking as if with inward laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Laugh ahead, Heinie," remarked Frank, though he knew the man could +probably not understand him. "I'd do the same if the tables were +turned. It'll be a mighty good joke to tell your cronies at mess +tomorrow how the Yankee <I>schweinhund</I> thought he had you and then got +nabbed himself. But they haven't got me yet. Those laugh best who +laugh last, and perhaps I've got a laugh coming to me." +</P> + +<P> +But just then the laugh seemed a good ways off. At any instant some +one of the many passing to and fro might stumble into the hole and the +game would be up. Or a flare from a star-shell might reveal him +crouching beside his prisoner. His prisoner! What irony there was in +the word under those circumstances. +</P> + +<P> +Yet not all irony, for at the moment the thought passed through his +mind, another thought told him how he might exercise the power that the +fortune of war had given him over the German and by so doing effect his +escape. +</P> + +<P> +It was certain that in his American uniform he could not get through +the Germans who surrounded him. His only chance would be to make a +dash, and although he was a swift runner the bullets that would be sent +after him would be swifter. +</P> + +<P> +<I>But in a German uniform</I>— +</P> + +<P> +And here was one in the hole right beside him! +</P> + +<P> +The plan came to him like a flash of light and he started at once to +put it into execution. But just then a sober second thought made him +pause. +</P> + +<P> +If he were captured wearing his own uniform it would be just as an +ordinary prisoner, entitled to be treated as such by the laws of war. +</P> + +<P> +But if they took him wearing a German uniform he would be regarded as a +spy and would be shot or hanged offhand, perhaps even without the form +of a court-martial. +</P> + +<P> +He weighed the question carefully, for he knew that life or death might +result from the way he answered it. +</P> + +<P> +To help him decide, he raised his head with infinite caution to the rim +of the shell hole and looked about him. In the faint light that came +from lanterns disposed at various places he could see men moving here +and there and catch the murmur of conversation where some of them were +sitting in groups. +</P> + +<P> +Occasionally a man would rise from one of these gatherings and move +away, apparently without attracting notice or arousing question. Why +could he not do the same? +</P> + +<P> +Of course there was the chance of a word being addressed to him and he +could not answer without revealing his ignorance of German. But +perhaps he could pretend not to hear or respond with a grunt that would +pass muster. +</P> + +<P> +One thing was certain. If it were done at all it must be done at once +while there were many about. If he waited until things were quiet his +solitary figure would be sure to attract attention. +</P> + +<P> +His choice was made. Between the certainty of capture and the chance +of being shot he would take the chance. If worse came to worst he had +his knife and his revolver and he would sell his life dearly. +</P> + +<P> +He knelt down close by his captive and began to strip off his clothes. +The man was inclined to resist, but a sharp prick of Frank's knife told +him that his captor was in no mind to stand any nonsense and he lay +quiet. It was hard work because the man was heavy and the quarters +were cramped. The coat had to be cut off in places because Frank did +not dare to untie his prisoner's hands. But at last the clothes were +off, and Frank slipped them on over his own. +</P> + +<P> +It was with a shudder of repulsion that he saw himself clad in the +detested uniform that stood for all that was hateful and brutal in +warfare. It made him feel soiled. But he comforted himself with the +thought that the clothes were only external and that good United States +khaki lay between that abhorred uniform and his skin. +</P> + +<P> +He saw that the gag was still securely in position and that his +captive's bonds had not relaxed. Then as a last reminder he laid the +back of his knife on the prisoner's neck and felt him shiver beneath +the cold steel. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess he'll make no attempt to give me away," he said to himself. +"He knows that he'll be all right in the morning anyway." +</P> + +<P> +Slowly and with the infinite precaution that had been taught him in his +scout training, Frank lifted himself out of the hole and lay flat on +the ground near the edge. There he waited until he was sure that he +had attracted no attention. +</P> + +<P> +Then having carefully taken his bearings and fixed upon the direction +of the American lines, he yawned, stretched and rising slowly to his +feet strolled carelessly toward the outskirts of the camp. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AMONG THE MISSING +</H3> + +<P> +Frank's heart was beating like a triphammer and his nerves were at a +fearful tension. The next five minutes would probably determine +whether he was to live or die. +</P> + +<P> +But he kept himself well in hand and to all appearances he was only a +tired German soldier going to his bunk. +</P> + +<P> +As far as he could without attracting attention, he kept carefully away +from the low fires around which some of the Germans were sitting. But +at one point he was forced to pass within the zone of light, and one of +a group threw a laughing remark at him, occasioned probably by the cuts +in his coat which he had been compelled to make when he had stripped +his prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Asel!</I>" Frank flung back at him and passed on, thankful that he at +least knew the German term for jackass. +</P> + +<P> +Nearer and nearer he drew to the confines of the camp. Here the great +danger lay, for he knew that it would be closely guarded after the +day's fighting. +</P> + +<P> +If he were challenged what should he say? To the sentinel's "<I>Wer +da?</I>" he could answer "<I>Freund</I>." But when he was told to advance and +give the countersign what would be his answer? +</P> + +<P> +He had it ready. But it would not suit the Germans. +</P> + +<P> +At the point that he had selected for his attempt, there was an opening +in the wire that had been hastily strung to guard against a possible +night attack by the American forces. +</P> + +<P> +Up and down in front of this a stalwart sentry was pacing. He stopped +and looked sharply at Frank, as the latter approached. When he was ten +feet distant the sentry presented his bayonet and called: +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Halt</I>! <I>Wer da</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Ein freund</I>," responded Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Losung</I>," demanded the sentinel, asking for the countersign. +</P> + +<P> +"America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full in the sentry's +face. +</P> + +<P> +The heavy butt of the weapon landed plumb in the middle of the German's +forehead. He had opened his mouth to shout, but no sound came forth. +The rifle fell from his hands and he went down like a log. +</P> + +<P> +With a leap Frank got through the gap in the wire and started running +like a deer toward the American lines. +</P> + +<P> +There were startled shouts behind him, hoarse commands, a rushing of +feet and a crackling volley of shots. The bullets whizzed and zipped +close to him and he felt a sharp sting as one of them grazed the lower +part of his left arm. Once he stumbled and fell headlong, but he +scrambled hastily to his feet and ran on. +</P> + +<P> +But now a new peril was added. Behind him a star-shell shot up, +followed by another and another, together with strings of "blazing +onions," until the broken field over which he was making his way became +almost as bright as day. In that greenish radiance his flying figure +stood out sharply, and the firing which had been wild now became more +accurate. At the same time, a look behind him showed that a troop of +men had been hastily organized and was rushing after him. +</P> + +<P> +This, however, gave him little concern. A bullet might catch him, but +these heavy Germans, never! +</P> + +<P> +But just as he was comforting himself with this thought he tripped and +went down with a shock that jarred every bit of breath out of his body. +</P> + +<P> +He struggled to get up but could not move. His lungs labored as though +they would burst. His legs refused to obey his will. He felt as if he +were in the clutches of a nightmare. +</P> + +<P> +And all the time he could hear the pounding of his pursuers' feet +drawing closer and closer. Would he never be able to breathe again? +</P> + +<P> +Little by little, during seconds that seemed ages, his breath came back +to him, in short gasps at first but gradually becoming longer, until at +last he rose weakly to his feet. +</P> + +<P> +He started out again, slowly at first, but, as his wind came back to +him, gathering speed at every stride. But now his pursuers were +perilously near. Those precious seconds lost perhaps had been fatal. +</P> + +<P> +His fingers gripped the handle of his knife. He would not be taken. +Capture in that uniform meant certain death. No German should gloat +over his execution. If brought to bay he would die fighting then and +there, using his knife so savagely that his enemies would have to shoot +him to save themselves. +</P> + +<P> +Commands to halt came from behind him accompanied by bullets, but he +only ran the swifter. +</P> + +<P> +But just then a tumult rose from another quarter. The lines in front +of him seemed to awake. Lights flashed here and there, a mass of +figures detached themselves from the gloom, and in the light of a +star-shell Frank saw a detachment of American troops coming on the run! +</P> + +<P> +His pursuers saw them too and the chase slackened. There was a hurried +gathering for consultation, a volley of shots, and then the Germans +beat a hasty retreat, hotly pursued by a band of the Americans while +another group of them rushed up and surrounded Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it's a Hun!" exclaimed one of them disgustedly, as his eyes fell +on the uniform. "Only a deserter, and we thought they were chasing one +of our own men." +</P> + +<P> +"That's one on us," remarked another. "The rest of the boys will have +the laugh on us for sure." +</P> + +<P> +"Do I look like a Heinie?" demanded Frank with a grin. "I can lick the +fellow that calls me one." +</P> + +<P> +A shout of amazement rose from the crowd as they gathered close to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Sheldon! Sheldon! Old scout! Bully boy!" +</P> + +<P> +They mauled and pounded him until he was sore, for he was the idol of +the regiment. There was a rush, and Bart and Billy had their arms +around him and fairly hugged the breath out of him. +</P> + +<P> +"Frank! Frank!" they exclaimed delightedly. "We thought you were +gone. The last we saw of you, you were fighting like a tiger, but then +the enemy reinforcements came and we were swept away from you. We +didn't know whether you were dead or a prisoner. Thank God you're +neither one nor the other." +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty close squeak," smiled Frank happily. "But a bit of luck, and +these two legs of mine carried me through, and I'm worth a dozen dead +men yet. But I'm hungry as a wolf, and if you fellows don't feed me up +you'll have me dead on your hands." +</P> + +<P> +"Trust us," laughed Bart. "You can have the whole shooting match. The +whole mess will go hungry if necessary to fill you up. Come along now +and tell us the story." +</P> + +<P> +It was a happy crowd that bore Frank back in triumph to his old +quarters. There the rest of the boys flocked about him in welcome and +jubilee. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a word, fellows," protested Frank laughingly, "until I get these +rags off of me. It's the first time I ever wore a German uniform and I +hope it will be the last. I feel as if I needed to be fumigated before +I'm fit to talk to decent fellows again." +</P> + +<P> +It was a long time before the hubbub quieted down, and he had to tell +his story again and again before the other soldiers left him alone with +his own particular chums. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's Tom?" asked Frank. "Our bunch doesn't seem complete without +him. On special duty somewhere, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +Bart and Billy looked at each other with misery in their eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Frank in quick alarm, as he intercepted the +glance. "Great Scott!" he added, springing to his feet. "You don't +mean to say that anything's happened to him?" +</P> + +<P> +Bart shook his head soberly. +</P> + +<P> +"We don't know," he answered. "The last any of the boys saw of him he +was hacking right and left in a crowd of the boches. But he didn't +come back with the rest of us." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean to say he's dead?" cried Frank. "You're not stalling +to let me down easy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not that," protested Billy quickly. "Honor bright, Frank. The burial +parties haven't come across him at last reports, and he hasn't been +picked up as wounded. That's all we know. The chances are that he's +been taken prisoner." +</P> + +<P> +"Prisoner!" repeated Frank in blank despair. "Tom a prisoner of the +Huns! Heaven help him!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CAPTURED OR DEAD? +</H3> + +<P> +There was very little sleep for the three Army Boys that night, in +spite of the exhausting labors of the day. They rolled and tossed +restlessly in their bunks, tortured by conjectures as to the fate of +their missing comrade. +</P> + +<P> +Good old Tom! He had been so close to all of them, loyal to his +heart's core, brave as a lion, ready to stand by them to his last +breath. He had been beside them in many a tight scrape and had always +held up his end. It seemed as though part of themselves had been torn +from them. +</P> + +<P> +Still, while there was life there was hope, and they drew some comfort +from the fact that he had not yet been found among the dead. If he +were a prisoner he might escape. They had all been in a German prison +camp before and had gotten away. Perhaps Tom might have the same luck +again. +</P> + +<P> +They fell asleep at last, but the thought clung to them and assumed all +sorts of fantastic attitudes in their dreams so that they awoke tired +and depressed. +</P> + +<P> +But there was little time on that morning to indulge in private griefs. +The fight was on, and shortly after dawn the battle was resumed. +</P> + +<P> +All the forenoon it raged with great ferocity. But American grit and +steadfastness never wavered and the enemy was forced to retire with +heavy loss. Not only had they failed to drive the Americans from their +positions, but they had been driven back and forced to surrender a +large portion of their own, including the place where Frank had +crouched in the shell hole the night before. +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after noon there came a lull while the Americans reorganized +the captured positions. Infantry actions ceased, though the big guns, +like belligerent mastiffs, still kept up their growling at each other. +</P> + +<P> +"Hot work," remarked Frank, as, after their work was done, the three +friends found themselves together in the shade of a great tree. +</P> + +<P> +"A corking scrap," agreed Bart, as he sprawled at his ease with his +hands under his head. +</P> + +<P> +"The Heinies certainly put up a stiff fight," observed Billy, as he +tied up his little finger from which blood was trickling. +</P> + +<P> +"They felt so sure that they were going to make mincemeat out of us +that it was hard to wake out of their dream," chuckled Frank. "I +wonder if they're still kidding themselves in Berlin that the Yankees +can't fight." +</P> + +<P> +"In Berlin perhaps but not here," returned Bart. "They've had too much +evidence to the contrary." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if this is really the beginning of the big drive that the +Huns have been boasting about?" hazarded Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"I hardly think so," replied Frank. "There's no doubt that that's +coming before long, but the fighting yesterday and today was probably +to pinch us out of the salient we're holding. That would straighten +out their line and then they'd be all ready for the big push. When +that comes there will be some doings." +</P> + +<P> +"The longer they wait the harder the job will be," said Billy. "They +say that our boys are coming over so fast that they're fairly blocking +the roads." +</P> + +<P> +"They can't come too many or too fast," replied Bart. "And they'll +sure be some busy bees after they get here." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we're not worrying," observed Billy. "We're getting along +pretty well, thank you. By the way, Frank," he went on with a grin, +"are you feeling any different on this ground today than you felt last +night?" +</P> + +<P> +"Bet your life," laughed Frank. "It's just about here that I was +calling a Heinie a jackass. And at that same minute I was thinking +that my life wasn't worth a plugged nickel." +</P> + +<P> +"Wonder how the fellow made out that you left in the shell hole," +chuckled Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he was all right," replied Frank. "I shouldn't wonder if he was +rather chilly during the night, but no doubt they hauled him out in the +morning." +</P> + +<P> +"He got off lucky, though," put in Bart. "It's the sentry who got the +hot end of the poker. I wonder what he thought when he heard that +watchword." +</P> + +<P> +"He didn't have much time to think," guessed Billy, "and to tell the +truth, I don't think he's done much thinking since. That revolver must +have hit him a fearful crack." +</P> + +<P> +"It's safe to say that it gave him a headache anyway," remarked Bart +drily. +</P> + +<P> +"Speaking of the revolver," said Frank, rising to his feet, "I'm going +to take a look for it. It was just over near that tree that I plugged +the sentry and it's probably there yet." +</P> + +<P> +He searched industriously among the welter of debris and after a few +minutes arose with a shout. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's it is," he said, as he held up his recovered treasure, which +had his initials scratched upon the butt. "Same old trusty and as good +as ever. It's saved my life many a time through the muzzle, but last +night was the first time it saved it through the butt." +</P> + +<P> +He fondled the weapon lovingly for a moment, carefully cleaned and +reloaded it, and thrust it in his belt. +</P> + +<P> +Just then a French colonel passed by, accompanied by two orderlies. +The French had been holding a section of the line at the right of the +Americans and their uniform was a familiar sight, so that the boys only +gave the group a passing glance. But Frank's eyes lighted with +pleasure when the colonel detached himself from the others and came +over with extended hand. +</P> + +<P> +Frank wrung the hand heartily. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Colonel Pavet!" he exclaimed. "This is a great pleasure! I +didn't know that you were in this locality." +</P> + +<P> +"My regiment is only two miles from here," replied the colonel, his +face beaming. "I need not say how glad I always am to see the brave +young soldier who saved my life." +</P> + +<P> +"What I did any one else would have done," responded Frank lightly. +</P> + +<P> +"But no one else did," laughed the colonel. "And from what I hear from +your commander you've been doing similar things ever since. I just +heard of your daring escape last night. It was gallantly done, <I>mon +ami</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"Luck was with me," replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"It usually is in such exploits," was the visitor's reply. "You know +the old saying that 'fortune favors the brave.' But I'll spare your +blushes and come down to something that will probably interest you +more. Did you get that letter from Andre, my brother, about your +mother's property?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, no, I didn't," answered Frank. "When was it written?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's strange," said the colonel, a puzzled look coming over his +face. "I received a letter from Andre day before yesterday and he said +that he had written to you by the same mail." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you know the mail is rather irregular just now," replied Frank. +"No doubt it will get to me before long. Perhaps your brother told you +something of what was in the letter he wrote to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Not in detail. He just mentioned that he was very anxious to get hold +of a former butler in your grandfather's family who is now in the +ranks. They had his testimony in part before he was called into +service, but he had not been cross-examined. Andre seems to feel sure +that he can extract information from him that will aid your mother to +come into possession of the estate. Andre's judgment is good, and as +you know, he is one of the leading lawyers of Paris." +</P> + +<P> +"He is too good, and you also, to take all this trouble in our behalf," +said Frank warmly. "My mother and I can never thank you enough." +</P> + +<P> +"The debt will be always on our side," responded the colonel with a +wave of the hand. "By the way, how is your mother? I hope she is +well." +</P> + +<P> +"She was well when I last heard from her," replied Frank, "and +happy—that is as happy as she can be while we are separated from each +other." +</P> + +<P> +"She is a true daughter of France," said the colonel, "and she should +be happy to have so brave a son. Please remember me to her when you +write. <I>Au revoir</I>," and with a friendly smile he passed on. +</P> + +<P> +"Still hobnobbing with the swells, I see," remarked Billy, as Frank +rejoined his chums. +</P> + +<P> +"He was telling me of a letter that his brother had written me about my +mother's property," explained Frank. "Queer that it hasn't reached me. +Did any of you fellows get any mail yesterday?" +</P> + +<P> +"I got a couple of letters," replied Billy. "Tom handed them to me +just before we went into action yesterday morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Come to think of it, Tom was asking for you at the same time," said +Bart. "He'd brought down the mail for the bunch. He said he had a +letter for you. But you weren't around at the time and he stuck it +into his pocket. Then the boches came swinging at us, and in the +excitement I suppose he forgot all about it. Likely enough he has it +with him now—that is if the Huns have let him keep it." +</P> + +<P> +"That must be the explanation," said Frank. "Well, all I can do is +write to the colonel's brother and ask him to send me a duplicate of +the letter. Poor Tom! I'd give all the letters in the world to have +him safe with us just now." +</P> + +<P> +"Same here," said Billy and Bart in chorus. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess the Huns have got him," said Frank gloomily. "He isn't among +the dead or wounded as far as we've been able to find. But I'll bet +they thought they had hold of a wildcat when they nabbed him." +</P> + +<P> +"Trust Tom for that," said Bart. "He was a terror when he had his +blood up. He must have got knocked on the head, or they wouldn't have +taken him alive." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he'd have been luckier if he had been killed," said Billy +sadly. "From all I hear there are plenty of prisoners in German camps +who would welcome death." +</P> + +<P> +"It makes me grit my teeth to think of the humane way we treat the men +we capture, and then compare it with the way the Huns treat our +soldiers," said Frank bitterly. "Look at the German prisoners we saw +working on the roads that time we went away on furlough. Plenty of +food, kind treatment, good beds. Why, lots of those fellows are living +better than they ever did in their own country. They're getting fat +with good living." +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing like that in German prison camps," growled Bart. "Horrible +food, mouldy crusts, rotten meat, and not enough of that to keep body +and soul together. In a few months the men are little more than +skeletons. They work them sixteen or eighteen hours a day in all kinds +of weather. They set dogs on them and prod them with bayonets. Did +you read of the forty they tortured to death by swinging them by their +bound arms for hours at a time in freezing weather?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's no mistake to call the Germans Huns," snapped Billy, clenching +his fists. +</P> + +<P> +"No," agreed Frank, "but it's rough on the Huns." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +NICK RABIG TURNS UP +</H3> + +<P> +"Guess who's here," said Billy a few mornings later, as he came up to +Bart and Frank. "Give you three guesses." +</P> + +<P> +"That's generous," remarked Frank. "Well, I'll bite. Who is it? The +Kaiser?" +</P> + +<P> +"Come off." +</P> + +<P> +"The Crown Prince?" +</P> + +<P> +"Quit your kidding." +</P> + +<P> +"I know," said Bart. "Hindenburg." +</P> + +<P> +"Blathering boobs, both of you," pronounced Billy. "But with your +limited intellects one ought to be patient. I'll give you one more +chance. Think of the fellow you like the least in all the world." +</P> + +<P> +"Nick Rabig!" the others exclaimed in one breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Right," grinned Billy. "I knew that would get you. Nick seems to be +as popular with you as poison ivy at a church picnic." +</P> + +<P> +"What cat dragged it in?" groaned Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Our unlucky day," growled Frank. "I knew something would happen when +I picked up the wrong shoe this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"But how did he get back?" asked Bart, his curiosity overcoming his +repugnance. +</P> + +<P> +"Came in on his own feet," replied Billy. "Escaped, so he says, after +performing prodigies of valor. To hear Nick talk you'd think he'd +wiped out half the German army." +</P> + +<P> +His comrades laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose we ought to kill the fatted calf," said Frank sarcastically. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's the calf?" asked Bart. "Unless we take Billy here," he added +as an afterthought. +</P> + +<P> +He dodged the pass that Billy made at him, and just then Fred Anderson, +another young soldier, strolled up. +</P> + +<P> +"Heard the news?" he inquired. +</P> + +<P> +"About Nick Rabig? Yes," replied Frank. "Billy's just been telling us +about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Bad news travels fast," growled Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Nick doesn't seem to cut much ice with you fellows," commented Fred. +"I never thought much of him myself, but you seem to have it in for him +especially. I suppose it's because he tried to play that dirty trick +on Frank in the boxing bout." +</P> + +<P> +"No, it isn't that," replied Frank. "I got satisfaction for that then +and there, and I don't hold grudges. It's something altogether outside +of personal matters. Have you heard any details about how Nick made +his escape?" +</P> + +<P> +"Only a bit here and there," answered Fred. "I suppose it will all +come out later on. But it seems that he has a lot of information about +the German plans and he's now at headquarters being questioned by the +officers." +</P> + +<P> +Frank turned the conversation into other channels, because although he +had the gravest reasons for believing Rabig to be a traitor, he did not +want to do the fellow an injustice or voice his suspicions until he was +able to confirm them by absolute proof. +</P> + +<P> +Fred passed on after a few minutes and the boys looked at each other. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you hear what Fred said about Nick's 'important information'?" +asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Important misinformation," growled Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Bunk," declared Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, Nick has an advantage in understanding German," said Frank +cautiously, "and a loyal fellow in his situation might have picked up +something that would be of advantage to our people, though it isn't +likely, for the Germans guard their secrets pretty well." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the use of talking?" burst out Bart. "We fellows are all onto +Rabig. We know at this minute that he'd like nothing better than to +see the United States licked by Germany. Don't we know that he let +that German prisoner escape? Don't you know that he was talking in the +woods at night with that German spy that you shot? I tell you +straight, Frank, that if Rabig escaped it was because the Germans let +him escape. If he has information, it is because the Germans filled +him up with just the kind of information they wanted our officers to +believe." +</P> + +<P> +"I think Bart's right," remarked Billy. "It'll be the best day this +regiment ever saw when Rabig's stood up before a firing squad." +</P> + +<P> +"In my heart I believe the same," assented Frank. "But the tantalizing +thing is that we haven't a bit of legal proof. Rabig had that cut on +his hand to explain the escape of the prisoner. He seemed to be +sleeping in his bunk that night I got back from the woods. So far he +has an alibi for everything. We can't prove that he let himself be +captured. We can't prove that the Germans let him escape. As for the +information he claims to have, our suspicions are based only on what we +know of the man's character." +</P> + +<P> +"That legal stuff doesn't make a hit with me," growled Bart. "Some day +I'll break loose and take it out of him myself. My fingers itch every +time I see him. I'd hoped I'd never have to see him again." +</P> + +<P> +"You're doomed to be disappointed, then," grinned Billy, "for here he +comes now." +</P> + +<P> +They looked in the direction he indicated and saw Rabig coming along +the company street. +</P> + +<P> +His step was swaggering and he looked immensely satisfied with himself. +</P> + +<P> +Bart's fist clenched. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing doing, Bart," Frank counseled in a low tone. "Hold your +horses. I know just how you feel. I had to lick him once and maybe +you'll have your turn. But not now. I want to find out whether he +knows anything about Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," said Bart, "but it comes hard." +</P> + +<P> +Nick saw them standing there, and for a fraction of a second seemed to +be of two minds about keeping on. He hated them all cordially and he +had no doubt of the feeling with which they regarded him. But his +hesitation was only momentary, and he came on with just a little +additional swagger in his gait. +</P> + +<P> +He would have passed without stopping but Frank spoke to him pleasantly +enough. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Nick!" he said. "See you've got back." +</P> + +<P> +"That's plain enough to see," responded Nick surlily. +</P> + +<P> +"Papa's little sunshine," murmured Billy under his breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Huns seem to have fed you pretty well," remarked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Rabig only grunted and looked at Frank suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you see anything of Tom Bradford over there?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +A look of surprise came into Rabig's little eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"No," he answered. "Was he captured?" +</P> + +<P> +"We're afraid so," answered Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't see him," declared Rabig. "Perhaps he's killed," he added, +almost smacking his lips with satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +They longed to kick him, but restrained themselves, and Rabig passed on. +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't he a sweet specimen?" asked Bart in disgust, as he looked at +Rabig's receding figure. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you see how his eyes lighted up when he heard that Tom was gone?" +put in Billy. "The only thing that would give him more satisfaction +would be to have the same thing happen to Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess he hates us all alike," said Frank. "Down in his heart he +knows that we believe him to be a traitor. His only comfort is that we +haven't been able to catch him with the goods. But that will come in +time. A little more rope and he can be depended on to hang himself. +But that can wait. What I'm more interested in is that he didn't have +any news of Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he was lying," suggested Bart. "He may have seen Tom over +there, but wouldn't give us the satisfaction of telling us." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't think it was that," commented Billy. "I was watching him +closely while Frank was talking to him, and I could see that he was +really surprised as well as pleased to learn that Tom was gone." +</P> + +<P> +"But even if he didn't see him, that doesn't prove that Tom isn't +there," suggested Bart. "He may have been captured by some other +division. Besides, to tell the truth, I don't believe that Rabig was +in a prison camp at all. Did you notice how fat and well fed he +looked? I'll bet that he's been living high on the best the Huns could +give him." +</P> + +<P> +"He didn't look like most escaped prisoners for a fact," assented +Frank. "We'll let his failure to see Tom go for what it's worth. But +there's one thing that's been growing in my mind right along. We're +sure that Tom isn't dead, for the burial parties cleared up the field +and didn't find him. We know too that he isn't on the hospital list. +I got a squint at that no later than yesterday, and Tom's name isn't +there. That seems to cut out everything except capture by the Huns, +doesn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"What else is there?" asked Bart gloomily. +</P> + +<P> +"Just one thing," replied Frank, "and that is that Tom has got away +from the Huns but hasn't yet got back to us. I know what that boy is. +He isn't the kind to settle down and tell himself that he's a prisoner +and that's all there is to it. There isn't a bone in his head, and +he's been busy every minute thinking up some plan to get away. You +know what the boches are doing now. They're getting so short of men +that they're using prisoners right behind the lines in cutting brush +and hauling guns and that sort of thing. Of course it's dead against +all the rules of war, but a little thing like that doesn't bother the +Germans. Now if that's going on there are lots of chances to escape +that the prisoners wouldn't have if they were all huddled together in a +prison camp under the rifles of their guards. Get me? Picture Tom out +in the thick woods going meekly ahead doing as he is told without +making a break for freedom. Not on your life! Some way or other he'll +slip off, and some fine day you'll see the old scout come walking in +and asking us if breakfast's ready." +</P> + +<P> +"It sounds good," said Bart unconvinced, "but I'm afraid it's a dream." +</P> + +<P> +"All guess work," chimed in Billy. "We don't know anything." +</P> + +<P> +"No," admitted Frank, "but we know Tom." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE COMING DRIVE +</H3> + +<P> +"That big German drive seems to have slipped a cog somewhere," Bart +remarked to his comrades, a few days later, as they were resting after +a hard morning's work at organizing the position that their division +was holding. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose the Crown Prince is making up a new time-table," grinned +Billy. "He seems to have a passion for that. He ought to have been a +railroad man." +</P> + +<P> +"The trouble is that they always go wrong," laughed Frank. "I'll bet +he's cross-eyed." +</P> + +<P> +"Yet the Heinies fall for them every time," said Billy. "I suppose +they figure that just by the law of chance one of them will have to be +right some time." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought that the drive had started the other morning, when the +Germans came down like wolves on a fold," said Bart. "But it seems +that things were quiet on other parts of the line, so that this must +have been just a local operation." +</P> + +<P> +"Local operation!" snorted Billy. "In other days it would have been +counted a big battle. Why, if Waterloo were pulled off now do you know +how the papers would describe it? They'd say that there was +'considerable activity on a section of the line over near Hougomont +Farm yesterday, where certain units under Napoleon and Wellington came +in contact. The artillery fire was fairly strong, and there were +clashes between a few infantry regiments and the French were repulsed. +Apart from this there is nothing to report.'" +</P> + +<P> +The boys laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"Everything's topsy-turvy nowadays," said Frank. "It used to be armies +that did the fighting. Now it's whole nations. But look at that scrap +going on overhead. Its a dandy." +</P> + +<P> +They looked in the direction he indicated and their pulses quickened, +for they themselves had once been engaged in a battle in the sky, and +an aerial combat had a personal interest to them. +</P> + +<P> +Far up in the sky, which just then was as clear as crystal, a duel was +in progress between two planes. It was evident at a glance that both +of the rival aviators were masters of their profession. They circled +deftly about each other like giant falcons, jockeying for position, +each trying to get the weather gauge on the other where he could rake +his opponent with his machine gun without exposing himself to his +enemy's fire in return. +</P> + +<P> +Swooping, climbing, diving, the planes pursued their deadly purpose, +while exclamations of admiration came from the lips of the fascinated +onlookers as some specially daring manoeuvre promised to give the +advantage first to one and then to the other of the antagonists. +</P> + +<P> +"Classy work!" exclaimed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"They're both dandies," declared Billy. "It's a toss up as to which +will win." +</P> + +<P> +"They're so far up that it's hard to tell which is which," said Bart, +"but I've got a nickel that says the Hun will be downed." +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott," cried Frank. "One of them was hit that time. See it +swerve." +</P> + +<P> +"And look at the smoke!" Billy shouted. "It's on fire! A bullet must +have hit the petrol tank." +</P> + +<P> +A burst of smoke and flame shot out from the doomed plane, and it began +to fall, fire streaming out in its wake like the tail of a meteor. +Down it came like a plummet. +</P> + +<P> +"It's coming right in our lines!" exclaimed Bart. "Scatter, fellows, +or it will be right on top of us!" +</P> + +<P> +The wrecked plane had fallen about two hundred feet, when a figure shot +from the burning mass, whirling over and over as it descended. The +aviator, knowing that his only choice lay between being burned or +crushed, had chosen the less painful form of death. +</P> + +<P> +The body fell some distance off, but the plane itself came down within +a few rods of the boys. It was blazing so fiercely that they could not +approach very close to it, but they could easily detect the marking +which indicated that it was a French plane. +</P> + +<P> +The Army Boys looked at each other regretfully. +</P> + +<P> +"Score one for the Huns," remarked Frank. "You'd have lost your +nickel, Bart." +</P> + +<P> +"It's too bad," said Billy, as he straightened up and shook, his fist +at the victorious plane. +</P> + +<P> +But to the boys' amazement, the conqueror, instead of flying off toward +his own lines, was coming down toward them in long sweeping spirals. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it looks as if he were going to land here!" exclaimed Billy in +wonder. +</P> + +<P> +"If he does, we'll have the satisfaction of taking him prisoner +anyway," observed Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"It must be that his own plane is injured and he has to descend," +suggested Frank. +</P> + +<P> +But there was no sign of injury to the descending plane and it seemed +to be in perfect control. Swiftly and steadily it came down, and a cry +of astonishment broke from the boys as they saw that it bore American +markings. +</P> + +<P> +"How's that?" exclaimed Frank. "There's been a fearful mistake +somewhere. This fellow has downed a French plane thinking that it was +German." +</P> + +<P> +"He'll be court-martialed for that or I miss my guess," said Bart with +a frown. +</P> + +<P> +"It's bad enough to have the Huns after us without trying to kill our +own people," growled Billy. +</P> + +<P> +There was a level place nearby that made an ideal place for a landing, +and the American machine came down there with scarcely a jar. +</P> + +<P> +The boys rushed toward it with reproaches on their lips, but their +wrath was lost in astonishment when they recognized, in the aviator who +stepped forth, Dick Lever, one of the most daring of the American +"aces" and a warm personal friend of theirs. +</P> + +<P> +The reproaches died when they saw him, for only a little while before +he had saved them from a German prison by swooping down with his +machine and carrying them off from their captors. It was with mixed +feelings that they greeted him, as he came gaily forward, a smile upon +his handsome bronzed face. But Dick seemed to feel a certain stiffness +in their welcome that was unusual. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, fellows," he greeted. "What's the grouch?" +</P> + +<P> +"No grouch at all, Dick," answered Frank. "We owe you too much for +that. We're only sorry that you happened to make a mistake and down a +French plane thinking it was German." +</P> + +<P> +Dick's eyes twinkled. +</P> + +<P> +"Come out of your trance," he chuckled. "I don't make that kind of +mistakes." +</P> + +<P> +For answer Frank led the way to the wrecked and partly burned plane and +pointed out the markings. +</P> + +<P> +But despite the evidence, Dick still seemed unabashed and his chuckle +broke into a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"That's one on you fellows," he snorted. "Those markings are pure +camouflage. Just another cute little German trick that went wrong. +That fellow set out to take photographs over our lines and he didn't +want to be disturbed, so he painted out his own markings, and put the +French in their place. If you'll come a little closer you can see the +Hun marks under their coat of white." +</P> + +<P> +The boys did so and, now that their attention had been called to it, +they could readily see the tracings that had been almost obliterated. +</P> + +<P> +"That's evidence enough," remarked Dick, "but to make assurance doubly +sure we'll go over to where the aviator fell and you'll see that he was +a German all right." +</P> + +<P> +The body had been decently covered up before the boys reached there, +but the clothing and the effects found proved beyond a doubt that the +aviator had been one of their foes. +</P> + +<P> +"Take it all back, Dick," said Frank. "You knew what you were about. +And I'm glad that you came out of the scrap safe and sound. But it +certainly was some scrap while it lasted." +</P> + +<P> +"It sure was," replied Dick. "That fellow was as skilful and plucky as +they make them. He kept my hands full, and there was one time when he +came within an ace of raking me. But luck was with me. Poor fellow! +I'm sorry for him, but I'd have been still more sorry if it had been +myself." +</P> + +<P> +"What beats me is the way you tumbled to him," puzzled Billy. "You +surely couldn't have read the German markings under their coat of +paint. How did you know he was a German?" +</P> + +<P> +Dick smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"Simple enough," he answered. "We Allied aviators have a secret system +of signals, something like Freemasonry. When we come near another +plane that seems to be one of our own, we make a certain dip of our +plane. That's like asking for the countersign. If the other fellow's +all right he makes a certain signal in return. If he doesn't do it the +first time, we try again, because there's always a chance that he +hasn't noticed our signal, or is too busy in handling his plane to give +the reply. But if after two or three times we don't get the +countersign, we know the fellow's a Hun and we open up on him." +</P> + +<P> +"Good stuff!" approved Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what happened this morning," continued Dick. "This fellow came +sailing along as calm and cheeky as you please, and was having a bully +time taking pictures of our positions. At least I suppose that is what +he was doing, as he evidently wasn't out looking for fight. I thought +it wouldn't do any harm to take a look at him, although I saw the +machine had French markings. I gave the signal, but of course he +couldn't give the countersign. I repeated it three times without +getting an answer, and then I pitched into him. That makes the +thirteenth that I've brought down." +</P> + +<P> +"Thirteen was an unlucky number for him, all right," remarked Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you fellows getting along?" asked Dick, stretching himself out +on the ground for a brief resting spell. "I notice that you've been +right up to your neck in fighting lately." +</P> + +<P> +"Its been pretty hot along this sector," Frank admitted, "though I +suppose it's nothing to what it will be after the big German drive gets +started. That is if it ever does start. I sometimes think they've +given up the idea." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't kid yourself," replied the aviator grimly. "It's coming, all +right. If you fellows had been up in the air with me you wouldn't have +any doubt about it. The roads back of the German lines are just black +with troops. It's like an endless swarm of ants. The trains move +along in endless procession and they're packed. Big guns, too, till +you can't count them. It seems as if all Germany was on the move. +It's the old invasion of the Huns over again." +</P> + +<P> +"Where do they get them all, I wonder," remarked Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"That's easy," replied Frank bitterly. "They're coming from the +Russian front. The breakdown of Russia means a cool million at the +very least added to the German troops on the western front." +</P> + +<P> +"That accounts for most of them," agreed Dick. "Then in addition +Germany's combing out her empire to put every available man into +service. She's enslaving the Belgians to work in her factories so that +German workmen can be sent into the ranks. She's calling up mere boys +who ought to be at their schoolbooks. I tell you, boys, Germany's +desperate. She's beginning to realize what a fool she was to bring +America into the war, and she's going to try to get a decision before +we get a big army over here." +</P> + +<P> +"She'll have to get busy mighty soon, then," said Bart, "for Uncle +Sam's boys are coming into France by the hundreds of thousands. And +those hundreds of thousands will be millions before long." +</P> + +<P> +"Right you are," agreed Dick. "The jig's up with Germany and she's the +only one that doesn't see it. It's fun to see the way she tries to +belittle America to her own people. Almost every week she has to +change the story. At first she said that America wouldn't fight at +all. We were a nation of money grabbers. Then even if we wanted to +fight the U-boats would keep us from getting over; Then even if we got +over, our troops would be green and run like hares as soon as they +caught sight of the veteran Prussian regiments." +</P> + +<P> +The boys looked at each other with a grin. +</P> + +<P> +"We've run, all right," chuckled Billy, "but we've run toward them +instead of away from them." +</P> + +<P> +"They thought our marines would run too," laughed Frank, "but do you +see what they're calling them now? <I>Teufelhunden</I>. They're +devil-hounds, all right, and the dachshund yelps when he sees them +coming." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think the Germans will aim for when they do begin their +drive?" queried Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"The Allied commanders would give a good deal to know that," smiled +Dick. "Of course the thing the Huns want to do above everything else +is to separate and crush the Allied armies. Everything would be easy +after that. But if they can't do that, they'll probably make a break +for Paris. They figure that if they once got that in their hands the +French would be ready to sue for peace. Or they may try to take the +Channel Ports, where they'd be in good position to take a hack at +England. The only thing that's certain is that the drive is coming and +when it does come it's going to be the biggest fight in the history of +the world." +</P> + +<P> +"Let Heinie do his worst," said Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," agreed Frank. "And no matter what he does, he'll have to reckon +with Uncle Sam." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS +</H3> + +<P> +The last thing that Tom Bradford remembered in the fight that separated +him from his comrades was the sight of Frank in a bayonet duel with two +Germans. He was trying desperately to get to his friend's side and +help him in the unequal combat, when a great blackness seemed to sweep +down upon him and he knew nothing more. +</P> + +<P> +When he came to consciousness, he felt himself dragged roughly to his +feet and thrust into a group of other prisoners who were being sent to +the rear under guard of a squad of German soldiers. He reeled and +would have fallen had he not been supported by some of his other +companions in misfortune. Then the line was set in motion and he +stumbled along dazedly, abused verbally by his guards and prodded with +bayonets if he lagged or faltered. +</P> + +<P> +Gradually his head stopped whirling and his brain grew clearer. His +face felt wet and sticky, and putting his hand to it he drew his +fingers away covered with blood. +</P> + +<P> +He felt his head and found a ragged gash running almost the length of +the scalp. It must have bled freely, judging from the weakness he felt +and the way his hair was matted and his face smeared. But the blood +had congealed now and stopped flowing. He figured from the character +of the wound that it had been made by a glancing blow from a rifle. +</P> + +<P> +It was fully dark when the gloomy procession halted at a big barn where +the prisoners were counted and passed in to stay for the night. +</P> + +<P> +A little later some food was passed in to the prisoners, but Tom had no +appetite and even if he had been hungry it would have been hard to +stomach the piece of dry bread and watery soup that was given him as +his portion. So he gave it to others, and sat over in a corner +immersed in the gloomy thoughts that came trooping in upon him. +</P> + +<P> +He was a prisoner. And what he had heard of Hun methods, to say +nothing of a former brief experience, had left him under no delusion as +to what that meant. +</P> + +<P> +What were his comrades Frank, Bart and Billy doing now? Had they come +safely through the fight? He was glad at any rate that they were not +with him now. Better dead on the field of battle, he thought bitterly, +than to be in the hands of the Huns. +</P> + +<P> +But Tom was too young and his vitality too great to give himself up +long to despair. He was a prisoner, but what of it? He had been a +prisoner before and escaped. To be sure, it was too much to expect to +escape by way of the sky as he had before. Lightning seldom strikes +twice in the same place. But there might be other ways—there should +be other ways. While breath remained in his body he would never cease +his efforts to escape. And sustained and inspired by this resolve, he +at last fell asleep. +</P> + +<P> +When he awoke in the morning, his strength had in large measure +returned to him. His head was still a little giddy but his appetite +was returning. Still he looked askance at the meagre and unpalatable +breakfast brought in by the guards. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be too squeamish, kid," a fellow prisoner advised him, as he saw +the look on the young soldier's face. "Take what's given you, even if +it isn't fit for Christians. You'll get weak soon enough. Keep strong +as long as you can." +</P> + +<P> +There was sound sense in this even with the woeful prophecy and Tom, +though with many inward protests, followed the well-meant advice. +</P> + +<P> +Bad as it was, the food did him good, and he was feeling in fairly good +condition when, a little later, he was summoned before a German +lieutenant to be examined. +</P> + +<P> +That worthy was seated before a table spread with papers, and as Tom +entered or rather was pushed into his presence he compressed his +beetling black brows and turned upon the prisoner with the face of a +thundercloud. +</P> + +<P> +But if he expected Tom to wilt before his frowning glance he was +disappointed. There was no trace of swagger or bravado when Tom faced +his inquisitor. But there was self-respect and quiet resolution that +refused to quail before anyone to whom fate for the moment had given +the upper hand. +</P> + +<P> +The officer spoke English in a stiff and precise way so that an +interpreter was dispensed with, and the examination proceeded. +</P> + +<P> +"What is your name?" the lieutenant asked. +</P> + +<P> +Tom told him. +</P> + +<P> +"Your nationality?" +</P> + +<P> +"American." +</P> + +<P> +The officer snorted. +</P> + +<P> +"There is no such thing as American," he said contemptuously. "You are +just a jumble of different races." +</P> + +<P> +Tom said nothing. +</P> + +<P> +"What is your regiment?" the officer continued. +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you hear me?" repeated the lieutenant impatiently. "What is your +regiment?" +</P> + +<P> +"I cannot tell," answered Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"You mean you will not?" +</P> + +<P> +"I refuse to tell." +</P> + +<P> +"Refuse," exclaimed the officer, growing red in the face. "That is not +a safe word to say to me." +</P> + +<P> +Tom kept quiet. +</P> + +<P> +The officer after a moment of inward debate shifted to another line. +</P> + +<P> +"What are your commanders' plans, as far as you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"To beat the Germans," returned Tom promptly. +</P> + +<P> +The officer's face became apoplectic. +</P> + +<P> +"Yankee pig!" he roared. "You know that is not what I meant. Tell me +if you know anything of their tactics, whether they intend to attack or +stand on the defensive." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know," replied Tom truthfully. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you plenty of ammunition?" +</P> + +<P> +"More than we can use," replied Tom promptly, glad to tell what could +do no harm and would only increase the chagrin of his enemy. +</P> + +<P> +"How many troops have the Americans got in France?" +</P> + +<P> +"A good many hundreds of thousands," answered Tom, "and they're coming +over at the rate of two hundred thousand a month." +</P> + +<P> +"Yankee lies," sneered the officer. "You are very ready to give me +more information than I ask for when it will suit your purpose." +</P> + +<P> +Tom kept discreetly silent, but he chuckled inwardly at the discomfort +shown by his enemy. +</P> + +<P> +The officer pondered a moment, and evidently decided that there was not +much to be got out of this young American who faced him so undauntedly. +Perhaps other prisoners would prove more amenable. But his dignity had +been too much ruffled to let Tom get off without punishment. +</P> + +<P> +"You think that you have baffled me," he said, "but you will find that +it is not wise to try to thwart the will of a German officer. We have +ways to break such spirits as yours." +</P> + +<P> +He called to the guard, who had been standing stolidly at the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Take him out in the woods and put him to work where the enemy's shell +fire is heaviest," he commanded. "It doesn't matter what happens to +him. If his own people kill him so much the better. It will only be +one less Yankee pig for us to feed." +</P> + +<P> +The guard seized Tom and thrust him roughly out of the door. Then he +took him back to the barn and a whispered conversation ensued, with +many black glances shot at Tom. +</P> + +<P> +A short time afterward he was placed with some others in the custody of +a squad of soldiers, and taken into the woods close behind the German +lines. Of course this was a flagrant breach of all the laws of war. +But there was no use in protesting. That would only arouse the +amusement of the German guards. +</P> + +<P> +As a matter of fact, when Tom came to think it over, he did not want to +protest. His captors could have taken no course that would have suited +him better. At first his heart had sunk, for he realized that the +officer's purpose was to sign his death warrant. The chances of being +killed by the American shells was very great. And then the significant +word of the lieutenant that it didn't matter what happened to him, was +a hint to the guards that they could murder him if they liked, and +there would be no questions asked. +</P> + +<P> +But after all, to be in the open was infinitely better than to be +eating his heart out in a squalid prison camp. His health stood less +chance of being undermined. As to the shells, he had grown so used to +that form of danger that it hardly disturbed him at all. +</P> + +<P> +But the one thing that stood out above all others was that in the woods +he would have a chance of escape, while in the camp he would have +practically none at all. His limbs would have to be free in order to +do the work demanded of him. And he was willing to match his keen +American wits against the heavy and slow-thinking guards who might +stand watch over him. +</P> + +<P> +He soon reached the section where he was to work, and was set to +felling trees to make corduroy roads over which guns and supplies could +be brought up from the enemy's rear to the advanced lines. +</P> + +<P> +He had never done that kind of work, and at first the tremendous +efforts demanded of him amounted to sheer physical torture. He was +hounded on unceasingly under the jibes and threats of his brutal +guards. Not half enough food was supplied, and he was forced to work +for sixteen and eighteen hours on a stretch. +</P> + +<P> +But he had great reserves of youth and vitality to draw on, and he kept +on doggedly, his brain alert, his eyes wide open, his heart courageous, +looking for his opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +On the third night his opportunity came. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FRYING-PAN TO FIRE +</H3> + +<P> +The third day of Tom's captivity had been more trying than the two that +preceded it. +</P> + +<P> +A new piece of woodland had been ordered to be cleared and, as there +was a scarcity of labor, Tom had been taxed to even a greater degree +than usual. By the time night came, he was feeling utterly exhausted +and ready to drop. +</P> + +<P> +But dusk brought him little relief, for he was told that he must keep +on by lantern light until ten o'clock, before he would be permitted to +stop. +</P> + +<P> +His troubles were aggravated by the fact that this afternoon a change +of guards had brought him under the control of an especially brutal one +who made his life a burden by abuse. +</P> + +<P> +His guard had ordered him into a thick part of the woods where the high +underbrush cut them off from the sight of other working parties a +hundred yards away. Here the German had seated himself comfortably on +a fallen tree while he watched his prisoner toil, occasionally hurling +a threat or epithet at him. +</P> + +<P> +The guard's watch was out of order, and he had borrowed a small clock +from the mess room in order to know when the time came to report with +his prisoner at quarters. He had placed the clock in the light of the +lantern and kept looking at it frequently and yawning. It was plain +that he would welcome the hour that released him from his monotonous +duty. +</P> + +<P> +The night was warm and the guard's gun was heavy. He stood it against +the tree, but within instant reach, and unbuckled his belt. +</P> + +<P> +In working around the tree, Tom's foot as though by accident knocked +against the clock and it fell over on its face. The guard thundered a +curse against his awkwardness, and stooped down to pick it up. +</P> + +<P> +Quick as thought Tom picked up the heavy lantern and brought it +crashing down on the German's head. The next instant his hands were on +the German's throat. +</P> + +<P> +The struggle was brief, for the German at his best would have been no +match for the young American. Tom had soon choked him into +unconsciousness, and when he felt the man become limp beneath him he +relaxed his hold. +</P> + +<P> +He tied the German's hands with his belt and gagged him securely. The +lantern had gone out with the blow and he did not dare to relight it. +Darkness was now his best friend. +</P> + +<P> +His eyes fell on the clock. It had done him good service, but now was +of no further use to him. But a second thought made him pick it up and +put it in his blouse. +</P> + +<P> +He had no compass, but the clock would do in a pinch. His woodcraft +had taught him how the hands of a clock could find for him the cardinal +points. More than once his watch in more peaceful times had done him a +similar service. +</P> + +<P> +The first thing necessary was to put as wide a distance as possible +between himself and the place where he now was. Afterwards he could +figure out how to regain his own lines. By ten o'clock at latest his +attack on the guard would be discovered. He must be miles away before +then, or his life would not be worth a cent. +</P> + +<P> +His impulse was to take the German's gun, but he discarded the thought +at once. His only salvation lay in hiding. The gun would count for +nothing among the innumerable foes that surrounded him. It was heavy +and cumbrous, and would only retard his progress through the woods. He +must travel light if he would travel fast. +</P> + +<P> +He gathered up some fragments of food left from the lunch that the +guard had been munching and tucked them in his pocket. Then like a +shadow he slipped away through the woods. +</P> + +<P> +From what he had seen and bits of information that he had picked up +from other prisoners, some of whom were Frenchmen and knew the country +well, Tom had a pretty good idea of the lay of the land. He knew that +the country was rolling, with here and there a range of hills that rose +almost to the dignity of mountains. Here there ought to be plenty of +hiding places where he could stay while he planned a way to get across +the lines. +</P> + +<P> +Of course his route would be within the German lines for miles. But +the inhabitants were in sympathy with the Allied cause, prisoners in +almost as great a degree as he himself had been, and he might find +among them aid and comfort, though such assistance if discovered would +be sure to be visited with hard punishment by the German oppressors. +</P> + +<P> +The way was full of difficulties and almost every step would be +attended by danger. But for the present at least he was free. Free! +The word had never appealed to him so strongly before. He drew in +great draughts of the mountain air. They seemed in a way to cleanse +his lungs from the prison taint. +</P> + +<P> +For what seemed to him hours he never slackened his pace. Many times +he stumbled in the darkness and his body was full of bruises, but in +the joy of his recovered freedom, he scarcely felt the pain. On he +went and on until he felt certain he had placed a safe distance between +himself and the scene of his recent captivity. +</P> + +<P> +To be sure, the German command had other things to rely on than mere +physical pursuit. There were the long arms of the telegraph and +telephone, through which every division on the sector might be warned +to be on the lookout for him. But it was wholly unlikely that this +would be done. On the eve of the great drive, the authorities were too +busy to expend their energies on the recapture of an escaped prisoner. +Even if he should fall into the hands of another body of his enemies, +it was unlikely that they would know anything of his recent exploit. +</P> + +<P> +So with body tired after his strenuous exertions, but with his mind as +much at rest as it could be under the circumstances, Tom threw himself +down at last to take a brief rest under the shadow of a giant beech. +</P> + +<P> +The sun streaming through the branches woke him a little later. For a +moment he did not know where he was and lay trying to get his thoughts +in order. Then it all came back to him with a rush and he sprang to +his feet and looked about him. +</P> + +<P> +There was nothing in sight to alarm him. The place seemed to be wild +and unvisited. A squirrel sat in the boughs over his head chattering +his surprise and perhaps his displeasure at the sight of the intruder. +A chipmunk slipped along a grassy ridge and vanished in the +undergrowth. Birds sang their welcome to a new day. Everything about +him spoke of peace and serenity. It seemed as though there were no +such thing as war in the world. +</P> + +<P> +Yet even while this thought lingered with him there came a discordant +note in the booming of a distant gun. But it seemed far off and though +other guns soon swelled the menacing chorus there seemed to be no +immediate cause for alarm. +</P> + +<P> +A little way off from where he had slept, a small brook wound its way +through the sedge grass. Tom welcomed it with a grin, for he had not +had a bath since he had been captured. +</P> + +<P> +In a moment he had undressed and plunged into the brook. The water was +scarcely deeper than his waist, but its coolness was like balm to Tom's +bruised and heated body. When he resumed his clothing he felt +infinitely strengthened and refreshed. +</P> + +<P> +The young soldier worked his way into a dense thicket as a measure of +precaution, before he ate the remnants of food that he had carried away +with him the night before. It was a meager breakfast and he could have +eaten four times as much if he had had it. But even crumbs were +grateful to him in his famished condition. +</P> + +<P> +He had just finished when an ominous sound fell on his ears. Voices +mingled with the tread of feet and the clank of weapons. He looked +through the bushes and saw a squad of soldiers wearing helmets coming +over a little rise of ground beyond where he lay concealed. +</P> + +<P> +He counted them as they came into view. There were at least forty +Germans going along in loose marching order. They might have been a +patrol out for scout duty or, what was more likely, a foraging party. +</P> + +<P> +He had scarcely established their numbers when on the other side of the +thicket and not more than fifty feet away another squad of Germans came +into view. They apparently belonged to the same party, but had +separated somewhat from the others, probably for more ease in marching. +</P> + +<P> +They seemed to have come from some distance for they were warm and +perspiring. The sight of the brook was refreshing, and after a brief +conference between the lieutenant in command and a sergeant, the order +was given to break ranks, and the men threw themselves down in +sprawling attitudes for a rest under the trees. +</P> + +<P> +Tom's heart was in his mouth. What kind of a trick was fate playing on +him? Was this to be the end of his heartbreaking struggle, his wild +flight through the woods? Was he to get just a tantalizing glimpse of +liberty to have it immediately snatched from him? At that moment he +tasted the bitterness of death. +</P> + +<P> +How lucky it was, though, that he had sought refuge in that thicket +before he commenced his breakfast. There was still a chance. The men +were tired and would not be likely to wander about. They were only too +glad of a chance to rest. +</P> + +<P> +He burrowed deeper and deeper into the recesses of the thicket. He lay +as close to the ground as possible. What would he have given for the +friendly shelter of a trench! +</P> + +<P> +The men conversed lazily together while the officer sat some distance +apart. At times the Germans' eyes rested carelessly on Tom's shelter, +but without any sign of suspicion. +</P> + +<P> +At last the order came to resume the march, and Tom drew an immense +sigh of relief. A few minutes more and they would be gone. +</P> + +<P> +The men had formed in loose marching order and the lieutenant lifted +his hand to give the signal. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly a loud ringing came from the center of the thicket, whirring, +rattling, clanging. +</P> + +<P> +<I>The time-piece Tom was carrying was an alarm clock!</I> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE CONFESSION +</H3> + +<P> +To poor Tom that ringing was the crack of doom. +</P> + +<P> +The world seemed to end for him then and there. The first surprise had +paralyzed him. Then he rolled upon the betraying clock, tried to crush +it, strangle it, press it into the earth. But it kept on remorselessly +until the alarm ran down. +</P> + +<P> +The Germans had been almost as startled at first as Tom himself. But +they hesitated only for a moment. There could be no mistaking where +that insistent buzzing was coming from. There was a rush for the +thicket, and the next moment Tom was hauled out and stood upon his feet +among his captors. +</P> + +<P> +It took only a glance to tell them that Tom was an American. His face +as well as his uniform betrayed that fact. Amid a hubbub of excited +exclamations he was taken before their leader. +</P> + +<P> +But this time the officer was not able to talk English and there was no +interpreter at hand, so that Tom for the present was spared the ordeal +of questioning. +</P> + +<P> +The fateful clock was passed around among the men with jest and +laughter. It was a good joke to them, but Tom was in no mood to see +the humor of the situation. To him it meant that all his strivings had +come to naught. +</P> + +<P> +Why had he not noticed that the clock was of the alarm variety and that +the alarm had been set? He promised that he would never forgive +himself for that. +</P> + +<P> +A number of men were counted off to take Tom to the local prison camp, +while the rest of the party went on with their expedition. +</P> + +<P> +The journey was long, but it was not attended by the rough treatment +that would ordinarily have been meted out to the prisoner. The men +were glad, for one thing, that they were relieved from going on the +special duty for which the party had been formed. Then, too, Tom's +misadventure had given them a hearty laugh, and laughs were something +to be prized in their arduous life. +</P> + +<P> +After reaching the camp, Tom was taken before an officer for +examination. But the officer was busy and preoccupied, and the +questioning was largely a matter of form. Tom was vague or dense as +the case demanded, and the impatient officer curtly ordered him to be +thrust in with the other prisoners and promptly proceeded to forget him. +</P> + +<P> +Tom passed through several stages of emotion when he was left to +himself. First he moped, and then he raged. Then, as the comical side +of the situation forced itself even upon his misery, he laughed. +</P> + +<P> +A proverb says that "the man is not wholly lost who can laugh at his +own misfortunes." Tom laughed and immediately felt better. His +natural buoyancy reasserted itself. But he had imbibed a prejudice +against alarm clocks that promised to last for the rest of his life. +</P> + +<P> +The sector was a quiet one and Tom was not sent out to work under shell +fire. For a few days he was left unmolested to the tedium of prison +life, and he began with renewed zest to formulate plans for his escape. +</P> + +<P> +He had a chance also to become more or less acquainted with his +fellow-prisoners. There were not many and Tom reflected with +satisfaction that the Americans held more German prisoners than the +Huns had captured of his own countrymen. +</P> + +<P> +There was a sprinkling of nationalities. There were a few American and +British, but the majority were French and Belgians. +</P> + +<P> +About the only French prisoner that Tom grew to know intimately was one +who could speak English fairly well. This he explained was due to the +fact that the man in whose employ he had been as a butler had a +daughter who had married an American, and English had been much spoken +in the household. +</P> + +<P> +"What part of France do you come from?" asked Tom one day, when they +were chatting together. +</P> + +<P> +"From Auvergne," answered the Frenchman, whose name was Martel. "Ah," +he continued wistfully, "what would I not give to see the gardens and +vineyards of Auvergne again! But I never will." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure you will," said Tom cheerily. "Brace up, Martel. You won't stay +in this old hole forever." +</P> + +<P> +Martel shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm doomed," he said. "I was in the first stage of consumption when I +came here, and the disease is gripping me more tightly every day. +Perhaps it's a judgment on me." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by that?" asked Tom, but Martel did not reply except +by a shrug of the shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +"Speaking of Auvergne," remarked Tom after a pause, "reminds me that I +have a special chum whose mother came from that province. She married +an American, too." +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Vrai</I>?" exclaimed Martel with quickened interest. "What was her +name, <I>mon ami</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"Blest if I remember," answered Tom. "I've heard it, too, but I don't +recall it. But I'll tell you how I can find out," he went on, +rummaging in his pockets. "I've got a letter somewhere that was sent +to my chum. I got it from the headquarters post-office the day I was +captured and forgot to give it to him. The Huns tore the envelope off +when they saw me, but when they saw that it was of no importance to +them they tossed it back. I've kept it carefully ever since because +it's from some lawyer fellow in Paris telling him about his mother's +property, and I hope some time to be able to hand it to him. It's +simply a business letter with nothing private or personal in it. Here +it is," and Tom produced from his pocket a crumpled letter without an +envelope. "Let's see, the name of Frank's mother is Delatour—why, +what's the matter, Martel?" he added anxiously, as he saw the Frenchman +turn white and start back at the mention of the name. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing," answered Martel, controlling himself with difficulty. "A +little weakness—I'm not very strong, you know." +</P> + +<P> +The conversation turned then in other channels, and Tom soon forgot it +in his absorption of his one idea of escape. +</P> + +<P> +A week had passed when a sudden hemorrhage that attacked Martel brought +the prison doctor to his side. He shook his head after an examination. +There was no hope. It was a matter of days only, perhaps of hours. He +was heartless and perfunctory. What did it matter? The sufferer was +only a prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +A little while after, Martel called Tom to him. +</P> + +<P> +"I told you, <I>mon ami</I>, that it would not be long," he said with the +ghost of a smile. "And I also told you that perhaps it was a judgment +on me. Do you remember?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, yes," answered Tom reluctantly. "But perhaps you'd better not +excite yourself talking about it. I guess we've all done things we're +sorry for afterwards." +</P> + +<P> +"But I committed a crime," said Martel. "I perjured myself. And I did +it for gain." +</P> + +<P> +"There, there," soothed Tom, but Martel continued: +</P> + +<P> +"No, I must speak. <I>Le bon Dieu</I> has sent you to me. Listen, <I>mon +brave</I>, I was in the household of Monsieur Delatour. I had seen +Mademoiselle Lucie grow up from childhood. She was charming. But she +married and passed largely out of our life. Monsieur Delatour grew +old. He had made his will leaving the property chiefly to his +daughter. But there was a nephew, a spendthrift—what you call in +English the black sheep—and after Monsieur Delatour died this <I>mauvais +sujet</I> offered me money to swear that there was a later will. The +object? To tie up the estate, to delay the settlement, to force a +compromise with the daughter. I took the money. I perjured myself. +There was no later will. The property belongs to Mademoiselle +Lucie—pardon, Madame Sheldon." +</P> + +<P> +He fell back exhausted on his pillow. Tom was shocked, but he was also +greatly excited at the prospect of the wrong that had been done to +Frank's mother being righted. At Martel's request the confession was +reduced to writing with many details added, and then a number of the +prisoners signed their names as witnesses. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was not sure how far the confession would stand in law, but he felt +reasonably certain that it would be regarded as good evidence and he +was jubilant at the chance that had made him of such great service to +his chum, Frank. +</P> + +<P> +The confession was made none too soon, for that same night Martel died. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Frank, old scout," said Tom to himself the next day, as he +carefully read and re-read the important document, "that alarm clock +played me a lowdown trick, but it's sure been a good friend of yours, +all provided I can get this confession to you!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A MIDNIGHT SWIM +</H3> + +<P> +"A pretty tight place we're in," remarked Bart to Frank as the Army +Boys stood side by side behind a barricade of logs where they had just +repelled a German attack that had surged up close before it fell back +in confusion. +</P> + +<P> +"Tight is right," grunted Bart, as he reloaded his rifle which was +getting hot from firing. +</P> + +<P> +"We ought to be used to tight places by this time," put in Billy, +stopping long enough to wipe the perspiration from his face. "It seems +that when our division has a specially tough job to do they always call +upon the old Thirty-seventh to do it." +</P> + +<P> +There was no exaggeration in describing the position the soldiers were +holding as a tight place. While the great drive had not yet begun, the +enemy was carrying on a nibbling process in the attempt to improve his +position before the start of the big offensive. +</P> + +<P> +There was a piece of woodland surmounting a broad plateau that had +considerable strategic importance. Its possession would enable the +Germans to straighten their lines and permit their guns to dominate the +valley beyond. They had made several attacks previously which had been +driven back; but on the morning in question the assaults had been +particularly ferocious and determined. It was evident that the Germans +had received orders to carry it at all costs, and they had thrown their +forces ahead again and again regardless of their heavy losses in men. +</P> + +<P> +Their attacks on the direct front had remained without result, but they +had been able to gain some advantages on the side that separated the +detachment in the woods from their main divisions. It was necessary +that American reinforcements should be sent at once, for the +comparatively small force that held the position was rapidly thinning +out, owing to the terrific shell fire of the enemy's guns. +</P> + +<P> +Several couriers had been sent to notify the main command of the +perilous position in which the defenders were placed, but these had +evidently been killed or captured, and at last Major Blake, the officer +in command, had to use his last resort. +</P> + +<P> +There was a cage of carrier pigeons that the detachment had brought +with them, beautiful, soft-eyed creatures that had been thoroughly +trained. It seemed a pity that things so gentle should have to serve +the harsh purposes of war. But human lives were at stake, and one of +the birds was quickly selected, and a message tied on it securely. +Then it was thrown up in the air. It circled about for a moment to get +its direction, and then straight as an arrow to its mark made for +division headquarters. +</P> + +<P> +A cheer rose from the men as they watched the feathered messenger, but +this quickly changed to a groan when the bird was seen to falter and +then plunge downward. An enemy shot had winged or killed it. +</P> + +<P> +Two more were sent and met with the same fate. The need was growing +fearfully urgent, for the enemy had been reinforced and the attacks +were growing in intensity. Unless help came very soon the position +would be overwhelmed. +</P> + +<P> +Frank and his comrades were fighting like tigers, their faces covered +with grime and sweat. The last time the enemy came on they had reached +the breastworks and had been beaten back with savage bayonet fighting +and clubbed rifles. But they still kept coming as though their numbers +were endless. +</P> + +<P> +"The boys had better hurry up if they want to find any of us alive," +muttered Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll probably find us dead," grunted Bart, "but they'll find, too, +that we've taken a lot of the Huns with us." +</P> + +<P> +"There goes the fourth bird," said Frank. "Perhaps he'll have better +luck." +</P> + +<P> +Through the tempest of shot and shell the bird winged its way unhurt, +and with new hope the desperate defenders buckled down to their work. +They knew their comrades would not leave them in the lurch. +</P> + +<P> +Two more attacks came on, but the gray-clad waves broke down before the +gallant defense. And then, above the roar of battle, came a rousing +American cheer, and into the woods came plunging rank after rank of +fresh troops to relieve their hard-pressed comrades. +</P> + +<P> +They rapidly fell into position, and the next time the Germans came for +what they believed would be their crowning success they had the +surprise of their lives. A withering rifle fire ploughed their ranks, +and then the American boys leaped over the barricade and chased the +enemy back to his own lines. The position was saved, and the hardy +fighters who had held it so gallantly looked at each other and wondered +that they were alive. +</P> + +<P> +"The narrowest shave we ever had!" gasped Billy as, utterly exhausted, +he threw himself at full length on the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"It was nip and tuck," panted Bart. "I know now how the besieged +British at Lucknow felt when they heard the bagpipes playing: 'The +Campbells are coming.'" +</P> + +<P> +"We pulled through all right," said Frank, "and don't forget, boys, +that we owe it to the birds." +</P> + +<P> +Two days later the position of the divisions was shifted and the Army +Boys found themselves on the banks of a small river that forms the +dividing line between the hostile armies. +</P> + +<P> +The squad to which Frank and his comrades were assigned under the +command of Corporal Wilson, who had now fully recovered from his +wounds, was stationed at a point where the river was about a hundred +and fifty yards wide. Desultory firing was carried on, but the sector +at the time was comparatively quiet, as both armies were engrossed in +their preparations for the great battle that was impending. It was the +lull before the storm, and the boys improved it to the utmost. Their +duties were light compared to what they had been, and they rapidly +recuperated from the great strain under which they had been for some +weeks past. +</P> + +<P> +"If only Tom were here now," remarked Frank for perhaps the hundredth +time, for their missing comrade was always in the thoughts of the other +Army Boys. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor old scout!" mourned Bart. "I wonder where he is now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Working his heart out in some German camp, I suppose," said Billy +savagely. +</P> + +<P> +"You see, Frank, your hunch hasn't worked out as you thought it would," +said Bart. "You felt sure that Tom would be with us again before this." +</P> + +<P> +"I know," admitted Frank. "My time-table has gone wrong, but I haven't +given up hope. Tom is only human and he can't work miracles. He may +have been so placed that it simply wasn't possible to make a break. +But one thing you can gamble on, and that is that he hasn't given up +trying. And when a man has that spirit his chance is sure to come." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I had your optimism," said Bart gloomily. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at those skunks on the other side of the river," interrupted +Billy. +</P> + +<P> +He pointed to a group of German soldiers who were making insulting +gestures and holding up huge placards with coarse inscriptions on them. +</P> + +<P> +"Cheap skates," replied Frank. "You notice they're not quite so gay +when we get to close quarters with them." +</P> + +<P> +"They get my goat," said Billy with irritation. "I'd like to cram +those placards down their throats." +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty big mouthful," laughed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll get them yet," said Billy vengefully. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the use of saying 'yet,'" suggested Frank. "Why not say 'now'?" +</P> + +<P> +They looked at him curiously. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" queried Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Got anything up your sleeve?" asked Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"An idea just came to me," replied Frank. "I don't know whether it's +any good, but perhaps it's worth chewing over." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's have it," demanded Billy eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Frank slowly, "I figure that there must be about twenty +Germans in that detachment just opposite us. What would be the matter +with a few of us going over there some dark night and cleaning up the +bunch?" +</P> + +<P> +A delighted shout met the suggestion. +</P> + +<P> +"Bully!" exclaimed Bart. +</P> + +<P> +But though the approval was enthusiastic, practical difficulties soon +presented themselves. +</P> + +<P> +"How are we to get across?" asked Bart dubiously. +</P> + +<P> +"We haven't any boat on this side that's big enough," said Billy. "In +fact, I don't think we have any at all." +</P> + +<P> +"That's an easy one," answered Frank. "Do you see that big lobster of +a boat on the other side? That looks as though it would carry almost a +dozen anyway. We won't need any more than that to nab the Huns, +because we'll have the advantage of the surprise if our plans go +through all right." +</P> + +<P> +"But how are we going to get the boat?" asked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Swim over for it," replied Frank. "I'll attend to that. Give me a +dark night and it's all I ask." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's see what the corporal has to say about it," suggested Bart. +</P> + +<P> +The corporal listened with interest. It was a plan after his own heart. +</P> + +<P> +"You young roosters are always looking for fight," he grinned. "I'll +put it up to the captain and see what he says." +</P> + +<P> +The assent of the captain was readily obtained as he knew the value of +such exploits in keeping the spirits of the men up to high fighting +pitch. +</P> + +<P> +The night following there would be no moon until late, and it was fixed +on for carrying out the raid. Frank was to swim across the river and +get the boat. On the American side Wilson with eight men would be in +waiting. They would embark and try to reach the other side without +detection. Quick thinking and Yankee grit could be depended on to do +the rest. +</P> + +<P> +The night came, black as pitch. Frank slid into the water as +noiselessly as a fish and struck out for the other side. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +GALLANT WORK +</H3> + +<P> +The water had a chill in it that struck to Frank's marrow, but the +reaction soon came and he proceeded swiftly, making as little noise as +possible, and keeping body and head low in the water. He was a +powerful swimmer, and the distance was as nothing to him. But the +greatest caution had to be exercised lest he be discovered by a sentry +whose shot would alarm his comrades and put an end to the projected +raid. +</P> + +<P> +But fortune favored him and he soon reached the boat, which seemed to +be large enough, with some crowding, to carry the American party. It +swung with its stern toward the shore, to which it was held by a rope +that was passed about a cleat. +</P> + +<P> +Frank clung for a moment to the bow and listened intently. He could +hear no breathing nor any other sound that indicated that any one was +on board. The Germans had evidently not dreamed of any such exploit as +that on which Frank was bent. +</P> + +<P> +But that a watch was kept on the shore was evident, for Frank could +hear the measured step of a sentinel some distance away. The steps +receded as he listened, and he gathered that the patrol was an extended +one. Now was his time, while the sentry was at the further limit of +his beat. +</P> + +<P> +Swiftly he climbed on board, slipped the rope from its cleat, and with +a push of an oar against the bank sent the boat some distance out into +the stream. He did not dare to row for he feared that the oars grating +in the rowlocks might betray him. But he made a paddle of one of the +oars, dipping it in alternately on opposite sides of the bow, paddle +fashion, and before long reached his party, by whom he was received +with intense though subdued jubilation. +</P> + +<P> +In whispers Frank explained to Wilson what he had observed and action +was agreed on accordingly. The party, ten in all, bestowed themselves +as best as they might in their narrow quarters and the boat started on +its perilous expedition. +</P> + +<P> +A paddle was employed as before, and the journey was necessarily slow, +for the boat sank in the water almost to the gunwales. But they +reached the other side at last, and Frank, slipping into the water, +waded to the bank, where he fastened the boat securely. +</P> + +<P> +Whether they would ever step into that boat again was known to none of +the party that slipped like shadows up the grassy bank. They were +outnumbered two to one, or more, and their success depended mainly on +surprise. The slightest slip in their plans would bring the expedition +to grief. +</P> + +<P> +They lay flat on the bank and listened. There was no sound except the +tread of the sentry's feet coming nearer. It was unlikely that the +absence of the boat had been discovered. Still, it might have been, +and the dead silence might portend an ambush by the enemy. +</P> + +<P> +This was a chance, however, that they had to take. But the first thing +to do was to dispose of the sentry. +</P> + +<P> +The path along which he seemed to be coming was bordered with a small +and uncared-for hedge. +</P> + +<P> +In a hurried whisper Wilson gave his commands. +</P> + +<P> +"You, Sheldon and Raymond, creep ahead and lie on opposite sides of the +ledge. When the sentry comes along, close on him at the same time. +Keep him from making a noise if you can. The one thing is to be quick." +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Bart glided along and took up positions opposite each other. +</P> + +<P> +"You grab his gun, Bart, and I'll make for his throat," whispered Frank. +</P> + +<P> +The sentry came on unsuspectingly. Lithe as panthers the boys leaped +upon him, Bart grasping the gun, while Frank's sinewy hands fastened on +his throat. +</P> + +<P> +There was a muffled exclamation and a short sharp struggle. Then the +sentry lay on the ground unconscious, while Frank and Bart hastily +improvised a gag, and bound the man's hands and feet. +</P> + +<P> +"Good work," commended the corporal, as Frank and Bart rejoined their +comrades. "That was the most ticklish part. The rest ought to be +easy." +</P> + +<P> +But he was mistaken, for just then the door of a dugout in a small +trench opened, and two men came out with lanterns. It was evidently +the corporal of the guard who had come out with a private to relieve +the sentry. +</P> + +<P> +There was an exclamation of surprise and alarm, and as the light of the +lanterns revealed the group of dark figures at the head of the trench, +the men started to leap back into the dugout. But a rifle cracked and +one of them fell. The other, however, got inside and slammed and +barred the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Rush them, men!" shouted the corporal, and charged, at their head, +toward the dugout. +</P> + +<P> +Two or three of them launched themselves against the door, but it held. +</P> + +<P> +"Splinter it with your gun butts!" yelled the corporal, and a series of +heavy blows thundered against the barrier. +</P> + +<P> +Some of the planks started to give, but before the door had completely +yielded, it was thrown open from within and the Germans rushed out, +firing as they came. +</P> + +<P> +They were met by a return volley, and two of them fell. But the others +charged fiercely, and in an instant the two forces were engaged in a +terrible hand-to-hand battle. +</P> + +<P> +In the narrow confines of the trench there was no chance for shooting +after the first volley. It was a matter of fists and knives and in +this the Germans proved, as they had many times before, that they were +no match for the sinewy young Americans who with a yell went at them +like wild-cats. +</P> + +<P> +Sullenly they retreated and their leader held up his hands and shouted +"<I>Kamerad!</I>" +</P> + +<P> +His followers did the same. The fight was over. None of the Americans +had been killed though one was slightly and another severely wounded. +Three of the Germans would never fight again and two others stood +supported by their comrades. +</P> + +<P> +Two of the Americans stood at the door of the dugout and searched the +Germans for arms as they came through. Others stood at the head of the +trench and herded the prisoners together for transportation to the +other side. +</P> + +<P> +The German corporal looked about him as he and his men stood guarded by +Americans with loaded rifles, and his chagrin was evident as he +realized that he had been captured by so small a force. +</P> + +<P> +"Are these all the men you have?" he asked in passable English of +Wilson. +</P> + +<P> +"They were enough, weren't they?" answered Wilson with a grin that +reflected itself on the faces of his comrades. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Donnerwetter!</I>" growled the German. "You would never have taken us +if we had known!" +</P> + +<P> +"We don't tell all we know," answered Wilson with a grin. +</P> + +<P> +The prisoners were ferried across in groups of half a dozen at a time, +but not before Billy had had the satisfaction of gathering up the +insulting placards that had aroused his ire and tearing them up before +the Germans' faces. +</P> + +<P> +"Feel better now?" laughed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Lots," replied Billy. "I couldn't exactly make them swallow them, but +they must have felt almost as bad to see so much German Kultur going to +waste." +</P> + +<P> +The party was greeted with exuberant delight on their return, and +received the special thanks of the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"It was a big risk," he smiled, "but risks have a way of going through +when they are carried out by the boys I'm lucky enough to command." +</P> + +<P> +"You forget, Captain," smiled the lieutenant who stood nearby, "that +there are no American soldiers in France." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," laughed the captain. "The U-boats stopped us from coming +over, didn't they?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT +</H3> + +<P> +A scouting party was being made up a few days later, and the Army Boys +were glad that they were included in it. In the region where they were +stationed the woods were thick, and there was a sort of "twilight zone" +that afforded excellent opportunities for individual fighting. The +lines were rather loosely kept, and it was no uncommon occurrence to +have raiding parties slip across, have a brush with their opponents, +and retire with what forage or prisoners they might be lucky enough to +take. +</P> + +<P> +There had been a good deal of "sniping" that, while it only caused +occasional losses, was a source of harassment and irritation, and +Frank's squad had orders to "get" as many of these sharpshooters as +possible. +</P> + +<P> +A little way from the camp there was a deep gorge. Along its top were +many huge trees whose branches reached far out over the precipice. +They drew so close together that their branches in many cases were +interwoven. +</P> + +<P> +The squad was moving along without any attempt to keep formation in +such rough country, when there was the crack of a rifle and a bullet +zipped close by Frank's ear. +</P> + +<P> +He started back. +</P> + +<P> +"Did it get you, Frank?" called out Bart in alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Frank, "but it came closer than I care to think about." +</P> + +<P> +At the corporal's command they took shelter behind trees, from which +they scanned the locality in the direction from which the shot had come. +</P> + +<P> +There was no trace of any concealed marksman, search the coverts as +they would. But that he was there, and that he was an enemy to be +dreaded, was shown a moment later when a bullet ridged the fingers of +the hand that Billy had incautiously exposed. +</P> + +<P> +With an exclamation, Billy put his bleeding fingers to his mouth. The +injury was slight and Bart bound his hand up for him, using extreme +care to keep behind the trees. +</P> + +<P> +"We have to hand it to that fellow," remarked the corporal. "He +certainly knows how to shoot." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd hand him something if I only knew where he was," growled Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"I know where he is," said Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you?" asked the corporal eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Where?" +</P> + +<P> +"In the tallest of that clump of trees on the edge of the gorge," +replied Frank. "I caught a glimpse of his rifle barrel the last time +he fired." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll give him a volley," decided the corporal, and a moment later, at +his command, the rifles rang out. +</P> + +<P> +Several times this was repeated in the hope that one of the bullets +would find its mark. But the tree trunk was enormously thick and +bullets imbedded themselves in it without injury to the marksman, +snugly sheltered on the further side. +</P> + +<P> +If they could have surrounded the tree and shot from different sides +there would have been no trouble in bagging their quarry. But the tree +had been cunningly chosen for the reason that the further side hung +over the precipice and could only be attacked from the side where the +party now were. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's keen eyes had been sizing up the situation and he now had a +proposal to make. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I see a way to dislodge him if you'll let me try it, +Corporal," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked Wilson. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll notice that the branches of those trees are mixed in with each +other," replied Frank. "If you can keep him busy with your shooting, +so that he won't be thinking of anything else, I think I can make a +detour and climb up one of those other trees on the side away from him. +I could carry my rifle strapped on my back. Then I might work my way +along the branches and perhaps catch sight of him." +</P> + +<P> +"It's worth trying," decided the corporal. "Go ahead, Sheldon, but be +mighty careful." +</P> + +<P> +Frank slipped away in the shelter of the trees, described a +semi-circle, reached the third tree from the one where the German was +stationed, and commenced to climb. +</P> + +<P> +It was hard work, for the tree was thick and he could not get a good +grip on it with his arms. But he persisted until he reached the first +limb and drew himself up on it. Then he examined his rifle carefully +and with the utmost caution began to work his way among the branches. +</P> + +<P> +Some of these were so thick as to be themselves almost like tree +trunks, and he had no apprehension on the score of his weight. He +passed to the next tree, and then to the next. There he paused, +parting the branches carefully. +</P> + +<P> +He knew that his comrades were keeping their part of the bargain, for +the thud of bullets against the tree that sheltered the enemy was +almost continuous. +</P> + +<P> +For several minutes Frank looked for his enemy. Then his search was +rewarded, and through an open space he found himself looking squarely +into the eyes of the man who, a few minutes before, had tried to send a +bullet through his brain. +</P> + +<P> +The man saw him at the same instant. Like a flash he leveled his rifle +and fired. +</P> + +<P> +For such a hurried aim the shot was good. Frank felt the whistle of +the bullet as it almost grazed him. But it was not good enough. +</P> + +<P> +The next instant Frank's rifle spoke. The man flung out his arms, +toppled over and fell with a crash into the gorge that the tree +overhung. The rifle clanged after him. There would be no more sniping +by that particular marksman from that particular tree. +</P> + +<P> +There was a shout from the squad who had witnessed the duel, and as +Frank slid down the tree he was greeted with acclamations. +</P> + +<P> +"A nervy thing, Sheldon," commended Wilson. +</P> + +<P> +"He almost got me, though," returned Frank. "It was a case of touch +and go." +</P> + +<P> +"He was a brave man," was the tribute of the corporal, "though that +particular kind of work has always seemed to me something like murder. +He shot his victims without giving them a chance. His work on land was +that of the U-boats on the sea—a species of assassination." +</P> + +<P> +The squad went on with special caution and with a close watch on the +trees. But noon came without further adventure and they got out their +rations and prepared to enjoy them at the foot of a spreading maple. +</P> + +<P> +They were perhaps half way through the meal, which they had seasoned +with jokes and laughter, when there was a rustling in the bushes near +at hand. Instantly they leaped to their feet and reached for their +rifles. +</P> + +<P> +"Who goes there?" demanded the corporal. +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Answer or we shoot!" cried Wilson. +</P> + +<P> +The bushes parted and a young peasant girl stepped forth. +</P> + +<P> +She was a pretty girl of about eighteen. Her face bore the marks of +tears, her hair was dishevelled, and she was in a state of extreme +agitation. She began to talk feverishly and with many gestures. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Sheldon," said the corporal, "you speak French. See if you can +understand what the girl is saying." +</P> + +<P> +Frank stepped forward. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Que voulez-vous, Mademoiselle?</I>" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +The relief of the girl when she heard her own language was evident. +</P> + +<P> +"These are English soldiers, Monsieur?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said Frank, "they are Americans." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, <I>les braves Americains</I>!" she exclaimed. "How glad I am! I know +you will help me." +</P> + +<P> +"Be sure of that," replied Frank. "But tell me now just what has +happened." +</P> + +<P> +"The boches," she answered. "They are at our house." +</P> + +<P> +"How many are there?" asked Frank with quickened interest. +</P> + +<P> +"About thirty," she replied. Then as she saw Frank glance at the ten +who made up his party, she went on: "But you can capture them, I am +sure. They are drugged." +</P> + +<P> +"Drugged?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. They came to our house early this morning. They upset +everything. They smashed the furniture. They tied my father and +brother in chairs. They said they were going to burn the house when +they got ready to go away." +</P> + +<P> +"But how were they drugged?" +</P> + +<P> +"They made me get them all the food and wine there was in the house. I +did so. I put some laudanum in the wine. They ate and drank. Then +they got sleepy. They dropped off one by one. Then I ran out to find +help. I find you. Heaven is good." +</P> + +<P> +Frank consulted the corporal as the others crowded around in great +excitement. +</P> + +<P> +The corporal meditated. +</P> + +<P> +"It may be a trap," he said cautiously. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think so," replied Frank. "Look at the girl. She's no +actress. I think she's telling the truth." +</P> + +<P> +"But even if they were drugged, they may have recovered from the +effects by this time," pondered the corporal. +</P> + +<P> +Then he made up his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll take a chance," he decided. "Ask the girl how far the house is +from here." +</P> + +<P> +"About a mile," the girl answered to Frank's query. "And there is one +other thing," she added. "They have a prisoner with them. He is young +and he has a uniform like yours, only it is torn and soiled. They +threw him on the floor in a room upstairs. He was tied with ropes." +</P> + +<P> +"What does he look like?" asked Frank. "Tell me as well as you can." +</P> + +<P> +She described the prisoner amid the growing excitement of the Army Boys. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom, for a thousand dollars!" cried Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"It must be!" echoed Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure as guns!" chimed in Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know him, then?" asked the girl, who had been looking at them +wonderingly. "Oh, then hurry! For they are going to hang him. They +put a rope over the tree near the well and said they would hang him +when they got through eating and drinking." +</P> + +<P> +Hang Tom! If there had been any hesitation before, there was none now. +The chums would have run every step of the way if the corporal had not +restrained them. As it was they covered the mile in double-quick time. +</P> + +<P> +As they came to where the farm bordered on the woods and caught sight +of the house, their eyes turned with dread toward the well. An +exclamation of heartfelt relief broke from them. The rope was there as +the girl had said, but no hideous burden dangled from it. +</P> + +<P> +No one was in sight, and a death-like silence brooded over the place. +They waited in the shelter of the trees. Perhaps the enemy had +recovered and was waiting for them with a force three times their own. +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes passed. Then the corporal gave an order. +</P> + +<P> +"Fix bayonets! We're going to rush the house." +</P> + +<P> +There was a sharp click. +</P> + +<P> +"Charge!" +</P> + +<P> +With a cheer they rushed across the brief space that separated them +from the house and up to the open door. +</P> + +<P> +The corporal looked in. +</P> + +<P> +"Put up your guns, boys," he said quietly. "We've got them." +</P> + +<P> +The others crowded after him into the long low-ceiled room. The enemy +had been delivered into their hands. There, sprawled over the floor in +all sorts of ungainly attitudes among the smashed furniture, were the +invaders in various stages of stupor. Some of them opened their eyes +at the sudden interruption and stared hard at the newcomers. The +lieutenant himself sat at the table on which his head had fallen +forward. +</P> + +<P> +But the Army Boys did not tarry long. A word of permission from the +corporal and they bounded up the narrow stairs and burst into the room +where the girl had said Tom had been left. +</P> + +<P> +The room was empty! +</P> + +<P> +They searched and called frantically. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom! Tom! Where are you? Come out! It's friends, Frank, Billy, +Bart!" +</P> + +<P> +They looked in every cranny and corner of the house upstairs and then +down. Then they rushed out to the barn. Then with fear at their +hearts they sounded the well. +</P> + +<P> +All was to no purpose. Tom—if it had really been Tom—might have +vanished into thin air for any trace they found of him. +</P> + +<P> +Where had he gone? What had become of him? Or, worst of all, what had +the enemy done to him? +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer, and at last they rejoined their comrades in the +hope that questioning of the German lieutenant or some of his men might +tell them what they wanted to know. +</P> + +<P> +The first precaution that the corporal had taken was to disarm and bind +his prisoners. Then the farmer and his son were released. They were +wild with rage at the treatment they had undergone and the wanton havoc +wrought in their home. If the choice had been left to them they would +have killed every prisoner on the spot. +</P> + +<P> +At the corporal's command water was brought from the well and buckets +of it were dashed over the Germans. There was sputtering and yelling, +but the soldier boys enjoyed it hugely, and they worked with a hearty +good will. +</P> + +<P> +It was a drastic remedy for sleepiness but it worked, and before long +the Germans, looking like so many drowned rats, had come out of their +stupor and began to realize their situation. The privates were +sheepish, but the lieutenant went almost crazy with anger when he +realized how he had been trapped. His eyes looked venom at the girl, +who laughed at him triumphantly. His rage was increased by his +consciousness of the pitiable figure he presented. His smart uniform +was dripping, his hair was matted over his face and even his ferocious +mustache had lost its Kaiser-like curl. Even one of his own men +ventured to snicker at him, and the look the officer turned on him was +not good to see. +</P> + +<P> +The corporal began to question him, but the lieutenant looked at him in +disdain. +</P> + +<P> +"A German officer does not answer the questions of a corporal," he +sneered. +</P> + +<P> +"Just as you like," retorted Wilson coolly. "Perhaps you'd like to +have me leave you here with the owner of the house and his son. I +think they'd like nothing better than to have five minutes alone with +you. Perhaps even one minute would be enough." +</P> + +<P> +The lieutenant took one glance at the glowering faces of the farmer and +his son and wilted instantly. +</P> + +<P> +"I will answer your questions," he said, shortly. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A DEEPENING MYSTERY +</H3> + +<P> +"He came off his perch mighty quick," remarked Bart to Frank in a +whisper. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't wonder," replied Frank. "He'd be a pretty poor insurance risk +if these people could get a whack at him." +</P> + +<P> +The corporal asked a few formal questions as to the lieutenant's +regiment and division, which were answered sullenly though promptly. +But these had little interest just then, and their asking was really a +matter for headquarters. They were simply the prelude to other +questions in which the company were much more deeply concerned. +</P> + +<P> +"You had a prisoner here?" asked the corporal. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is he now?" +</P> + +<P> +"He was placed upstairs." +</P> + +<P> +"He is not there now. What have you done with him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing." +</P> + +<P> +"What were you going to do with him?" +</P> + +<P> +The officer moved uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"Take him back to my quarters," he finally answered. +</P> + +<P> +"Why did you have that rope put over the tree by the well?" +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer, but the officer grew red in the face. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you hear the question?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was to frighten him," the lieutenant finally blurted out. "Anyway +he was a spy and deserved to be hung. He had come into our lines in +disguise." +</P> + +<P> +The corporal motioned to Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Ask the girl again if she is sure the prisoner had on an American +uniform," he directed. +</P> + +<P> +Frank did so. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Oui, oui,</I>" she affirmed emphatically. +</P> + +<P> +To make sure, Frank repeated the question to the farmer and his son and +received the same answer. +</P> + +<P> +He reported to the corporal. +</P> + +<P> +"These people all say that the prisoner was not in disguise, +Lieutenant," said Wilson. "Do you still wish to insist that he was?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"That is enough," replied the corporal with quiet scorn. "Line up the +prisoners, men," he commanded. +</P> + +<P> +This was quickly done, and the homeward march commenced, but not until +another search had been made for the missing captive of the Germans. +</P> + +<P> +It had the same result as the previous one and the boys were full of +questionings and forebodings as they marched back guarding their +prisoners. But there were some elements of comfort in their perplexity. +</P> + +<P> +In the first place, they had saved some American soldier, whether Tom +or another, from a horrible death. Then, too, they had in their power +the brute who had planned that death. It was not impossible, too, +that, under further questioning of the lieutenant and his men at +headquarters, more might be learned of what they wanted so badly to +know. +</P> + +<P> +Another subject of congratulation also was that the prisoner, if he had +escaped, was not far from the American lines. He might find his way in +at any time. +</P> + +<P> +But there was one thing that bothered Frank considerably, and he +mentioned it that night when he found himself alone with Bart and Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you remember the minute at the edge of the wood when the corporal +gave the order to fix bayonets?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing," replied Bart. "What about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just this," replied Frank. "At that minute I caught sight of a man +running away from the farmhouse into the woods on the other side. I +got the picture of him in my mind, but I didn't have time to think +about it just then, for we were making a rush for the house. Then +other things crowded it out of my mind altogether. But it came back to +me on the way home this afternoon." +</P> + +<P> +"What did the man look like and how was he dressed?" asked Billy +eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"He had on an American uniform," replied Frank slowly, as he tried to +make the picture clear in his own mind. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it was Tom!" cried Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"No, it wasn't," said Frank positively. "The uniform was smart and +newer than ours. Tom's must be in tatters and you remember the girl +said it was. Then, too, I'd know Tom's gait among a thousand just as +you would. No, it wasn't Tom, worse luck." +</P> + +<P> +"Who was it, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think it was Nick Rabig," replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Nick Rabig!" the others cried together. +</P> + +<P> +"Mind, I only say I think," repeated Frank, looking around to see that +no outsider was within hearing. "I wouldn't be willing to swear to it. +But the motions were Nick's—you know he runs like a cart horse—and +you know that Nick has been togged out in a new uniform since he came +back from that queer captivity of his among the Huns." +</P> + +<P> +"Nick Rabig there," mused Bart perplexedly, as he began to pace up and +down. "What on earth could he have been doing there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Say," put in Billy with agitation, "could he have done anything to +Tom? Suppose he went there, no matter for what purpose; suppose he +found that German crowd dead to the world; suppose he found Tom +upstairs bound and helpless. You know how Nick hated him." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep cool, old man," counseled Frank, though there was a trace of +anxiety in his own voice. "No, I don't think anything of that kind has +happened. If it had we'd have found some traces of it. I think we can +leave that out of our calculations." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm only too glad to," said Billy. "But what was Nick's reason for +being around that farmhouse anyway?" +</P> + +<P> +"What have always been Nick's reasons for being where there are +Germans, or where he expects there will be Germans?" said Bart. +"Suppose—just suppose—that Nick knew—had a tip, let us say—that a +certain German lieutenant on a certain day would be in a certain place, +ready to receive and pay for any information about the American forces +that Nick had been able to gather. Do you get me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I get you, all right," answered Frank, "and from what we know of Nick +we've got a right to think so. Well, he didn't sell anything today +anyway. He didn't find the German lieutenant in any condition to talk +business." +</P> + +<P> +The bugle blew for "taps" just then, and the conversation came to an +end. And the two days that followed were so crowded with events that +their own personal interests were thrust into the background. +</P> + +<P> +For the great drive was coming, the drive for which they had been +looking for months, looking not with fear but with eager anticipation, +their ardent young hearts aflame with the desire to fight to the death +the enemies of civilization. +</P> + +<P> +The weather had favored the enemy in his preparations. Usually at that +time of the year the ground was soft and not fit for military +operations on a grand scale. But the ground this year had dried out +unusually early and was suitable for the bringing forward of men and +guns. +</P> + +<P> +There were all sorts of rumors afloat as to what the enemy had in +store. There were said to be monster guns that could throw shells more +than seventy miles. There were new and diabolical inventions in the +way of gas that were to cause unspeakable agonies to their victims. +There was talk of gigantic mirrors that would act as burning-glasses +and blind the opposing troops. +</P> + +<P> +Some of these things proved to be true. Others were mere lies, +designed to sap the morale of the Allied armies and civil populations +before the fight began. +</P> + +<P> +"Heinie's the biggest boob that ever happened," grinned Billy, when the +boys were discussing the coming conflict. "He acts as if the Allies +were a lot of children. He thinks that all he has to do is to dress up +a bugaboo and we'll all roll over and play dead." +</P> + +<P> +"He'll get something into that thick head of his after a while," +predicted Frank. "It will have to be jabbed in, but there are a lot of +us ready to do the jabbing." +</P> + +<P> +"Let him bring on his bag of tricks," scoffed Bart. "When all's said +and done, it's going to be man-stuff that will decide this war. And +there's where we've got him on the hip. Man to man we're better stuff +than the Huns. We know it and they know it. They can't stand before +our bayonets." +</P> + +<P> +"Right you are, old scout!" said Frank, enthusiastically, giving him a +resounding slap on the back. "Let them bring on their old drive as +soon as they like. They can begin the drive. We'll end it. And we'll +end it in the streets of Berlin!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE STORM OF WAR +</H3> + +<P> +"Listen to that music," said Frank to his comrades the next morning, as +a furious cannonade opened up that made the ground shake and filled the +air with flying missiles of death. +</P> + +<P> +"Too many bass notes in it to be real good music," remarked Billy with +a grim. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe it's the overture just before the rising of the curtain," +suggested Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it is," agreed Frank. "The Hun has got to start his drive +some time, and this would be just the kind of morning for it. See how +heavy that mist lies on the ground? We couldn't see the Germans at a +distance of fifty yards." +</P> + +<P> +"It's mighty thick for a fact," observed Bart. "But I guess our +advanced posts are on the job. They'll give us warning in plenty of +time." +</P> + +<P> +"Not that we need much warning as far as I can see," said Billy. +"We've been ready for a long time to fight at the drop of a hat. I'll +bet the Hun doesn't carry a foot of our line." +</P> + +<P> +"That's where you're wrong, Billy, old scout," warned Bart. "It stands +to reason that he'll get away with something at first. You take any +one man, no matter how strong he is, and if ten fellows rush him all at +once they're bound to drive him back at the start. The Huns have got +the advantage of knowing where they're going to strike. We don't know +and so we have to spread our forces out so as to be ready to meet him +at any point. Then, too, the man who comes rushing in has the +advantage of the fellow who's standing still because he's got momentum. +That's why generals would rather fight on the offensive than on the +defensive. They're able to pick the time and place and the other +fellow has to follow his lead." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see why the Allies can't take the offensive," grumbled Billy. +"It gets my goat to let the Huns hit first." +</P> + +<P> +"It does mine too," admitted Frank, "and if it hadn't been for Russia +quitting, we'd be looking now at the coattails of the Kaiser's generals +as they scooted back to Berlin. But that's a bit of hard luck that we +can't help. Russia's back-down has taken ten million soldiers from the +Allies' strength. But America will make that all up in time and then +you'll see us doing the chasing." +</P> + +<P> +"It can't come too soon to suit me," said Billy. "I only wish Uncle +Sam had started sooner to get ready." +</P> + +<P> +"So do I," replied Frank. "But there's no use crying over spilt milk. +We're getting ahead now with leaps and bounds. I was talking to Will +Stone the other day, and he'd just got back from a flying trip to one +of the French seaports. He says it simply knocked him stiff to see the +transports coming in loaded to the guards with American troops. And he +says the roads are fairly choked with doughboys moving this way. +They're coming like a swarm of locusts. And there's millions more +where they came from. Oh, Uncle Sam is awake now, all right, and don't +you forget it! And when he once gets started there's nothing on earth +can stop him." +</P> + +<P> +"Right you are!" said Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"We've won every war we've ever been in and it's got to be a habit," +grinned Billy. +</P> + +<P> +The old Thirty-seventh was stationed on the second line, or what is +called in military terms, "the line of resistance." In modern +fighting, when a heavy attack is expected the defending army is usually +arranged in three lines. The first is the advanced line, and this is +hardly expected to be held very long. Its chief aim is to hold back +the enemy for a while and weaken him as far as possible. Not many +troops are employed on this line nor many big guns. The chief reliance +is on rifle fire and machine guns, which are so placed as to deliver a +withering cross-fire and cut up the enemy divisions. +</P> + +<P> +By the time the first line is driven back the defending army knows +where the enemy has chosen to strike and is ready for him on the second +line or "line of resistance." Here the battle is on in all its fury. +If here again the enemy advances, there is still a third line of +"battle positions." This is practically the last entrenched position +that the defenders have. If they are driven back from this into the +open country beyond, it becomes a serious thing for the retreating +army, as many of their big guns will have been lost, and their forces +are apt to be more or less disorganized, while the enemy is flushed +with the victory he has so far gained. +</P> + +<P> +The cannonade kept on with increasing fury all through the early +morning. +</P> + +<P> +"Heinie must have plenty of ammunition," remarked Frank. "He's +spending it freely." +</P> + +<P> +"It beats anything we've been up against since we came to the front," +observed Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"It seems to be coming nearer and nearer all the time," said Bart. "I +guess this is going to be our busy day." +</P> + +<P> +There was intense activity all through the lines. Orderlies galloped +from place to place with orders. Big motor cars rumbled up, loaded +with troops who were hastily placed in position. The big guns of the +Allied forces had opened up and were sending back shell for shell over +the enemy lines. +</P> + +<P> +For over two hours the artillery kept up the Titanic duel. The fog was +lifting, though still heavy in some of the low-lying sections. The +Thirty-seventh was resting easily on its arms, ready for whatever might +happen. +</P> + +<P> +"We may not see so much fighting after all," remarked Billy, after a +while. "The fellows in front seem to be holding pretty well. Perhaps +they'll throw the Huns back right from the start." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't kid yourself," replied Frank grimly. "That first line is almost +sure to go. It's expected to. It's only a forlorn hope anyway. We'll +get our stomachs full of fighting before the day is over." +</P> + +<P> +Even while he spoke there were signs of confusion up in front. Groups +of men came in sight evidently retreating. Machine gun crews, bringing +their weapons with them, were hurriedly setting them up in new +positions. There would be a few discharges and then they would be +forced to retreat still further. They were fighting splendidly, and +putting up a dogged resistance, yielding ground only foot by foot, but +to the experienced eyes of the boys there was no mistaking the signs. +The enemy had broken through the first line positions. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's nothing more than we knew would happen," remarked Frank, as +his frame tingled with the excitement of the coming fight which he knew +would soon be upon him. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," agreed Bart. "But what gets me is that the line was +broken so quickly. I thought it would be afternoon at least before the +Huns got as far as this." +</P> + +<P> +The lines opened up to let the newcomers through so that they could go +to the rear and re-form. +</P> + +<P> +"How about it?" Frank asked of a machine gunner whom he knew, as the +man limped by him, supported by a comrade. "We didn't expect to see +you fellows so soon." +</P> + +<P> +"It was the mist," was the reply. "The Huns got within thirty yards +before we tumbled to it. We did the best we could but they just +swamped our position before we could get our cross-fire going. Even at +that we mowed them down in heaps with our rifle fire, but they kept on +coming. For every dead man there were twenty live ones to take his +place. We put up a stiff fight, but there were too many of them. It +seemed like millions. They're coming now like a house afire and you +boys want to brace." +</P> + +<P> +"We're braced already," muttered Billy through his clenched teeth, as +he gripped his rifle until it seemed as though his fingers must leave +their imprint on the stock. +</P> + +<P> +There was a short period of waiting, more trying by far than any actual +fighting. +</P> + +<P> +Then the storm broke! +</P> + +<P> +In front of them rank after rank of gray-clad troops came in sight, +stretching back as far as the eye could see. The mist had wholly +vanished now and the boys could see their enemy. It seemed as though +the machine gunner had not exaggerated when he said that there were +millions. They were like the waves of the sea. +</P> + +<P> +But the stout hearts of the American boys never quailed. Time and +again they had met these men or their fellows and driven them back at +the point of the bayonet. They had outfought and outgamed them. They +had sent them flying before them. They had seen their backs. +</P> + +<P> +The blood of heroes and of patriots ran in the veins of the defenders. +Their ancestors had fought at Bunker Hill, at Palo Alto, at Gettysburg. +Above them floated the Stars and Stripes, an unstained flag, a glorious +flag, a flag that had never been smirched by defeat. +</P> + +<P> +Their eyes blazed and their muscles stiffened. +</P> + +<P> +Then like an avalanche the enemy struck! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FURRY RESCUERS +</H3> + +<P> +The satisfaction that Tom felt at having in his pocket the confession +of Martel helped to make his imprisonment much more bearable in the +week that followed. His heart warmed at the thought of the delight +Frank would feel in clearing up the matter that had long laid heavy +upon his mother's mind. +</P> + +<P> +For the conviction never left him that some time he was going to put +that confession in his friend's hand. He had escaped before from +German captivity, not once but twice. What he had done then he would +do again. And every minute of his waking hours found that active brain +of his working hard at the problem. +</P> + +<P> +He confessed to himself that the solution would not be easy. The +guards were many and were changed frequently. The windows of the old +barracks where he slept were fortified with steel bars, and the open +camp where the prisoners were employed in outside work was surrounded +with wires through which a strong electric current ran. To touch them +would mean instant death, and they were so close together that it would +be impossible to squeeze through without touching. +</P> + +<P> +He fell to studying the routine of the various conveyances that were +constantly arriving and departing. Some of them brought bales of +goods, others barrels. The latter were especially common. They were +in a part of the country that abounded in vineyards, and great +hogsheads of wine were being constantly brought in to supply the +demands of the division stationed there. +</P> + +<P> +They did not stay full long. The German officers were notoriously +heavy drinkers, and there were days when there were great drayloads of +empty hogsheads ready to be taken away to be refilled. +</P> + +<P> +Tom developed a great interest in these hogsheads. The work of loading +them on the drays was performed by prisoners, and he managed to be in +the vicinity as often as possible to help. He was stronger than most +of the prisoners and he worked with such good will at loading the bulky +hogsheads that little by little it became a habit with the guards to +assign him to this work whenever it was to be done. +</P> + +<P> +A day came when the rain poured down in torrents. Tom had waited and +prayed for just such a day. The air was full of fog and a cloud of +steam rose from the horses' backs. Everything in the prison yard was +dim and gray and spectral. The guards were enveloped in heavy +raincoats and the flaps of oilskin on their caps fell halfway over +their faces. +</P> + +<P> +Tom had managed to get on one of the trucks and was tugging at one of +the hogsheads to make room for others further back. Other prisoners +were lifting on the last hogsheads. Tom leaned over one of the +hogsheads and suddenly let himself go into it headfirst. It was all +over in a flash. +</P> + +<P> +There was an awful moment of suspense. Had anyone seen him? He +listened intently. No shout was raised. Nothing happened out of the +usual. +</P> + +<P> +The driver climbed up to his seat and the horses started. There was a +momentary delay as the gates were opened to let him pass. Then the +horses started on a jog trot and the truck was bumping its way over an +uneven country road. A thrill of exultation shot through Tom, +crouching at the bottom of the hogshead. He had made the first step on +the road to freedom. +</P> + +<P> +He was still in the most imminent danger. At any moment he might hear +the clattering of horsemen in pursuit. And he knew the kind of +treatment he would get if he were recaptured. +</P> + +<P> +How to get out of the hogshead without detection was another problem. +But this worried him least of all. He felt sure that the driver would +stop at the first tavern he came across to refresh himself. Then he +would make his break. +</P> + +<P> +His faith was justified, for before long the truck came to a halt and +the driver got down. The weather had driven all the tavern idlers +indoors and the streets of the little hamlet were deserted. Like an +eel, Tom squirmed over the edge of the hogshead, dropped into the +roadway on the side of the truck away from the tavern, and, with +assumed carelessness, went on down the road. +</P> + +<P> +A few rods brought him into the open country. He had not the least +idea where he was. In the gloom he could not tell which was north or +south or east or west. But for the moment he was free. +</P> + +<P> +He made his way across some fields in the direction of a dark fringe of +woods. There he would find shelter for the present. It would be a +poor kind of shelter, but just then Tom asked nothing better. The day +would bring counsel. +</P> + +<P> +For some days past he had been stowing away fragments from his scanty +meals in his pockets. They were only dry and mouldy crusts, but they +would at least sustain life. +</P> + +<P> +Up in the streaming woods he hollowed out a place under a fallen tree. +He was drenched to the skin, but he was so exhausted with the strain he +had undergone that no bodily discomfort could prevent his falling +asleep. +</P> + +<P> +When he awoke the rain had ceased and the sun was striking through the +branches of the trees. With the morning came new courage. He would +yet win through. +</P> + +<P> +He studied the sun and got a general idea of the direction in which he +must go. He knew that the American lines lay to the south and west. +He could hear the distant thunder of the guns. +</P> + +<P> +All that day he traveled in the friendly shadow of the woods. He did +not dare to approach a cottage or go to any of the peasants he could +see working in the fields. Some of them, he felt sure, would befriend +him, but at any moment he might come in contact with one of the +oppressors who held the land in their grip. He would take no chances. +</P> + +<P> +His food was almost gone now although he had husbanded it with the +greatest care. But he tightened his belt and kept on. +</P> + +<P> +On the morning of the second day he was crossing a small brook and was +just stepping up on the other side when a wet stone rolled beneath his +foot and threw him headlong. His head struck a jagged stump and he lay +there stunned. +</P> + +<P> +When he regained consciousness, he found himself looking into the face +of a German officer who was amusing himself by kicking the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"Awake, are you, Yankee pig?" the officer greeted him. "It's time. I +had half a mind to give you a bayonet thrust and put you to sleep +forever. You needn't tell me how you came here. I know. You're the +schweinhund that escaped two days ago. Here," he called to some of his +men, "tie this fellow and throw him over a horse. We'll settle his +case later on." +</P> + +<P> +The command was promptly obeyed and poor Tom found himself once more in +the grasp of his foes. And from this captivity there seemed little +promise of escape. The deadly purpose of the brute who held him in his +power had been plainly written on his face. +</P> + +<P> +After what seemed an endless journey, the party reached a farmhouse. +The detachment took possession of the place and an orgy of pillage and +destruction ensued. Tom was taken to an upper room and thrown roughly +on the floor. Here he lay bound hand and foot. He could hear cries of +terror and smashing of furniture going on below. +</P> + +<P> +He had no companion but his own thoughts, except when some of the +drunken roysterers invaded his room to remind him of the rope that hung +over the tree near the well and to drive home the information with +kicks of their heavy boots. +</P> + +<P> +His thoughts were black and bitter. This, then, was the end. He was +to be hung to furnish an occasion of laughter to a horde of drunken +brutes. Well, there would be no whine from him. He would show them +how an American could die. +</P> + +<P> +His attention was attracted by a pattering of tiny feet. He looked in +the direction from which the sound came. +</P> + +<P> +A rat had emerged from a hole in the corner and was busy nibbling a +lump of cheese that had been dropped by one of the soldiers who had +just left. The nibbling ceased as Tom turned his head and the rat +scurried back to the corner. There he stayed, his bright eyes looking +longingly at the cheese. +</P> + +<P> +A thought shot through Tom's mind that set him tingling from head to +foot. Was it possible? Of course it was only a forlorn hope. But he +would try it. He would be no worse off if it failed. +</P> + +<P> +He rolled himself over to the cheese and rubbed the rope that tied his +hand in the soft substance until it was thoroughly smeared with it. +Then he lay on his side with his hands outstretched and pretended to +sleep. +</P> + +<P> +Through his nearly closed lids he watched the rat. For some minutes it +stayed motionless. Tom never moved a muscle. Then the rat crept +stealthily forward, and, with many half retreats, at last started in to +nibble at the rope to get the cheese. Soon another rat came and then +another. +</P> + +<P> +Tom conquered the sense of repulsion that their close proximity +inspired in him. His life depended on his self-control. The least +movement might send them scurrying back to their holes. And out in the +yard there was that rope that hung from the tree near the well! +</P> + +<P> +So he nerved himself and his reward came at last. He could feel the +tension of the rope yielding as one strand after another was torn by +the tiny teeth of his unknowing rescuers. +</P> + +<P> +Finally they ceased and sat up on their haunches washing their faces, +and the need for inaction had passed. With a mighty effort Tom +strained at the rope and it snapped. +</P> + +<P> +He could have shouted with exultation. He waved his arms in the air +and the frightened rats vanished. He rubbed his hands and arms until +the circulation came back. It was an easy matter then to untie the +rope that bound his feet. +</P> + +<P> +The noise on the floor beneath had ceased, He stole to the window and +looked out. No one was stirring in the space around the house. He +shuddered as he saw the dangling rope on the tree near the well. +</P> + +<P> +There was the sound of a stealthy step below. Tom drew his head from +the window. Standing in the shadow of the frame he could see a young +girl emerge and run swiftly away. +</P> + +<P> +Where were the others? Consulting perhaps as to how they could get the +most enjoyment from the spectacle of his hanging. +</P> + +<P> +There was only one way of exit that promised safety. He must escape by +the window. +</P> + +<P> +He measured with his eye the distance from the ground. It seemed to be +about eighteen feet. He himself was six feet high. That would leave a +clear drop of twelve feet. He could probably make it without injury. +At any rate he had no choice. +</P> + +<P> +He let himself down gently with his hands and dropped. The shock +brought him to his knees, but he arose unhurt. +</P> + +<P> +The next moment he was racing for the woods with the speed of the wind. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CLOSING THE GAP +</H3> + +<P> +A sheet of flames leaped from the American rifles. A blasting torrent +of death poured from the machine guns. The heavy field artillery, that +had the range to a dot, tore gaping holes in the serried German ranks. +Great lanes opened up in the advancing hosts. The target was broad and +there was no need to take aim, for every bullet was bound to find a +mark. +</P> + +<P> +The enemy ranks faltered before that terrific fire and fell back, +leaving hundreds of dead and wounded on the open space in front of the +lines, while hundreds more were strewn along the barbed wire +entanglements. +</P> + +<P> +But the German commanders were prodigal of the lives of their men, and +after a brief time for re-forming, the divisions came on again, only to +be hurled back again with still more fearful losses. A third attempt +met with a similar result. The Americans were standing like a rock. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess Fritz is getting more than he bargained for," grinned Billy, as +the Germans were forming for another attack. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," agreed Frank, "but he'll try again. He'll stand a whole lot of +beating." +</P> + +<P> +For several hours the fight continued with a bitterness that had not +been paralleled before in the whole course of the war. Again and again +the enemy attacked, only to be beaten back before the stonewall defense. +</P> + +<P> +But the Americans were not satisfied with merely defending their +position. About two hours after noon they organized a counterattack. +With splendid vim and ardor, and in a dashing charge, they smashed the +division confronting them, driving them back in confusion and bringing +hundreds of prisoners back with them to the trenches. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess that will hold them for a while," crowed Billy, as they rested +for a few minutes after their return. +</P> + +<P> +"We certainly slashed them good and plenty," exulted Frank, as he +washed up a scratched shoulder that had been struck by a splinter of +shrapnel. +</P> + +<P> +"If the rest of the line is holding as well as our fellows, the drive +will be ended almost as soon as it began," remarked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"And Heinie was going to walk all over us, was he?" grinned Billy. +"He's got another guess coming." +</P> + +<P> +But their amazement was great a few minutes later when the order came +for the regiment to fall back. +</P> + +<P> +"Fall back!" howled Billy when he heard the order. "What is this, a +joke?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why should we fall back, when we've just licked the tar out of the +Heinies?" growled Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Orders are orders," said Frank briefly. "I suppose our commanders +know what they're doing. But it certainly is tough luck." +</P> + +<P> +Their officers no doubt felt an equal chagrin, but the need was +imperative. The Germans had struck along a front of fifty miles. At +many points they had encountered a resistance as fierce and determined +as that put up by the old Thirty-seventh and its companion regiments of +the same division. +</P> + +<P> +But at others they had been more successful. They had introduced a new +kind of tactics that had never been used before on the western front, +although it had been employed successfully in Russia. These were the +so-called Von Hutier tactics whereby, when a division was used up, +instead of falling back it simply opened up and let a fresh division +pass through and take up the burden. +</P> + +<P> +The old plan had been to clear up everything as one went along. The +idea of the new tactics was to press swiftly ahead even if they left +behind them machine-gun nests and strong enemy positions. These could +be cleaned up later one by one, while in front the swift advance was +intended to demoralize the opposing army and throw it out of formation +by the very speed of the progress. +</P> + +<P> +The plan, like every other, had its weak points. It involved a very +heavy loss of men because of the masses in which they moved forward, +and it also exposed its flank by penetrating too rapidly into the host +lines before the artillery could be brought up for support. But if +successful, it was almost sure to break the enemy's line and throw it +into confusion. +</P> + +<P> +Later on the Allies were to learn how they might most easily frustrate +these tactics. But at the start of the great drive the plan met with +considerable success because of its novelty. +</P> + +<P> +It was this that had brought the command to retreat. The British +forces on the right wing of the Allied armies had been forced to give +way. The line had not been broken, but it had been badly bent. The +British retreated doggedly, fighting with the splendid heroism that was +in accordance with their traditions, and at no time did the retreat +become a rout. But in order to keep the line straight the American +forces too were ordered to fall back, even though they had been +successful on their section of the line. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a shame!" growled Billy, as the retirement began. "It makes me +sore to have those Heinies think they've got us going." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll come back," said Frank cheerfully. "It's a good general that +knows when to retreat as well as to advance. We're only going to get +space enough to crouch for a spring." +</P> + +<P> +The division withdrew in good order, keeping up a rear-guard action +that kept the enemy at a respectful distance. When night fell the +Americans had reached the position assigned to them, and the backward +movement was halted. The troops entrenched, and with the Allied line +straightened out once more, faced the foe that it had decisively +defeated earlier in the day. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing to do till tomorrow," exclaimed Frank as he threw himself on +the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't fool yourself that way," said Corporal Wilson, who had just come +up and heard the remark. "Unless I lose my guess you've got something +to do tonight. Didn't you tell me the other day that you understood +how to handle a motorcycle?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, yes," said Frank. "I've ridden one a good deal. I won a race on +Camport Fair Grounds a couple of years ago." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you're just the man the general wants to see," replied Wilson. +"He sent a message to the colonel asking for the services of a man who +was cool and plucky, and who could also ride a motorcycle. I don't +know of any one else who can fill the bill better than you." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll be glad to do whatever's wanted of me," replied Frank, and with a +word of farewell to his comrades he accompanied the corporal to +headquarters. +</P> + +<P> +Here he was ushered into the presence of a group of officers who were +poring over a large map spread out upon a table. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this the young man you were telling me about, Colonel?" asked the +general, a tall, powerfully built man, looking sharply at Frank from +beneath a pair of bushy eyebrows. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, General," replied the colonel. "Captain Baker vouches for his +coolness and courage and his quick thinking in an emergency. And I'm +told he understands all about motorcycles." +</P> + +<P> +"Just the man," commented the general. "I want you," he continued, +addressing Frank, "to carry a message for me to the British commander +on our right. Our division has lost touch with him and the field +telephone is not working. Probably it has been cut by the enemy. The +message is most important and I want you to make all the speed you can. +Go and get ready now and report to your captain, who will hand you the +papers. He will have a machine ready for you. That is all." +</P> + +<P> +Frank hurried back and made his preparations, which were brief. While +he worked he told his eager companions of the errand with which he had +been entrusted. +</P> + +<P> +"Wish I were going with you," remarked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Same here," said Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"That would be dandy," agreed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +He shook hands with them and hurried away to the captain's quarters, +where he found that officer waiting for him with the papers. +</P> + +<P> +"There's no answer," he said, as he handed them over. "When you've +delivered the papers your work is done. Good luck." +</P> + +<P> +Frank thrust the papers in his pocket after receiving full directions +as to his route. The motorcycle was standing at the door. It was a +powerful machine of the latest make and everything about it suggested +strength and speed. He noticed that there was a saddle in the rear and +a thought came to him. +</P> + +<P> +"I see that this machine will carry double," he said. "Would you mind +if I took a companion with me? The machine will carry two as swiftly +as it will one. Then, too, if one of us were hurt or shot the other +one could still go on with the message." +</P> + +<P> +"An excellent idea," said the captain after pondering a moment. "Get +him, but make haste." +</P> + +<P> +Frank rushed back to his chums. +</P> + +<P> +"Which one of you wants to go with me?" he asked breathlessly. +</P> + +<P> +"I do," they yelled in chorus. +</P> + +<P> +"Sorry," laughed Frank, "but there's only room for one. Toss a coin." +</P> + +<P> +The luck favored Bart, much to Billy's disappointment. In a jiffy +Frank and Bart had bidden Billy good-by, jumped to their places, and +with a leap the powerful machine darted off. +</P> + +<P> +The night was clear, and as soon as they were away from the camp Frank +had no trouble in finding the road that he had been ordered to take. +It was a good one in ordinary times, but now it had been torn by shells +from the German guns in many places and care had to be taken to avoid a +spill. The shaded light threw its rays a considerable distance ahead, +but they were going at a speed that did not leave them much time to +avoid obstacles even after they were detected. +</P> + +<P> +The road swung around in a wide semi-circle and led through a number of +French villages. These the Army Boys found in great confusion. The +approach of the Huns was a terrible threat to the towns that might fall +into German hands. What the enemy had done in the occupied parts of +France and Belgium had given warning of what any other places they +might capture would have to expect. +</P> + +<P> +Wagons were being hastily piled with household belongings, men were +shouting, children were crying, and the whole scene was desolate and +pitiful beyond description. +</P> + +<P> +The roads were so congested at these places that rapid progress was +impossible. They had to thread their way among the crowd of vehicles, +and in some cases were compelled to resort to the fields. But they +made up for this on other stretches, and were congratulating themselves +that on the whole they were making pretty good time when suddenly they +were startled by a number of rifle shots and bullets whizzed by +uncomfortably close. +</P> + +<P> +"It's the Huns!" cried Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't know they'd got as close as this!" exclaimed Bart. "More +gas, Frank! Quick!" +</P> + +<P> +There were hoarse commands to halt, and another volley followed the +first. At the same time a number of dark figures threw themselves in +the road, shouting and waving their hands. +</P> + +<P> +Frank leaned forward, threw on all speed, and the machine responded +with a leap that almost unseated the riders. The crowd in front +scattered as the machine rushed at them, but one of them was not quick +enough and was hurled twenty feet away. +</P> + +<P> +More shots followed the daring riders, but they were now beyond range. +For another mile they kept up the killing pace and then Frank slowed up +a little. +</P> + +<P> +"Ran right into their arms that time," he ejaculated. +</P> + +<P> +"We were mighty lucky to come through with a whole skin," replied Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"More than the machine has done, I'm afraid," remarked Frank. "I can +tell by the way she runs that there's something wrong with the tires." +</P> + +<P> +He looked behind, and seeing no signs of pursuit, he stopped the +motorcycle and dismounted. +</P> + +<P> +Something had indeed happened to the tires. Both the front and rear +ones had been punctured by bullets. The air had gone out of them. +</P> + +<P> +"Hard luck," exclaimed Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind," returned Frank. "We'll ride her flat as long as we can +and if worse comes to worse we'll ride her on the rims. We've got to +get that message to the general no matter what happens." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll get it there if we have to travel on our hands and knees," +affirmed Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"It won't come to that, I hope," laughed his companion, as he bound the +flat tires fast with straps. Then he settled himself again in his seat +and started the machine. +</P> + +<P> +It went along more slowly now, and their troubles were increased by the +fact that their route had carried them into a main road that was filled +with motor lorries—huge trucks loaded with men and supplies that +rushed on with the speed almost of an express train. +</P> + +<P> +The lorries had the right of way, and individual riders had to look out +for themselves. Sometimes they came down two abreast, filling the +whole width of the road, and in such cases the boys had to dismount and +draw to the side of the road until they had passed. If their machine +had been in condition, they might have kept ahead by sheer speed, but +in its present crippled state they would have been run down. And to be +run down by one of those Juggernauts would have meant instant death. +</P> + +<P> +On one such occasion they were hugging the fence, with their machine +standing between them and the road. A lorry came thundering by, but +just as it was nearly opposite, it swerved and struck the machine. It +was torn from Frank's hand and hurled in front of the lorry which ran +over and completely wrecked it. +</P> + +<P> +The lorry tore on, leaving the two chums looking at each other in +consternation. +</P> + +<P> +"That's worse by long odds than the German bullets," exclaimed Frank. +"I guess we'll have to do the hands and knees stunt you were talking +about a little while ago." +</P> + +<P> +"We must be pretty near to the English general's headquarters now +anyway, aren't we?" asked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +Frank consulted his route by the aid of a flashlight that he carried +with him. +</P> + +<P> +"About two miles," he announced. "Put on some speed now, Bart. We'll +run most of the way and jog-trot the rest." +</P> + +<P> +They let no grass grow under their feet, and fifteen minutes later they +had reached the general's headquarters and were ushered into his +presence. He seemed to be greatly agitated and was talking with great +emphasis to a group of officers who surrounded him. +</P> + +<P> +He took the papers that the boys had brought and read them over +hurriedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Very good," he announced briefly. "There is no answer. Were your +orders to go back to your regiment to-night?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir," replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"In that case my orderly will find quarters for you," replied the +general, and he gave directions to an officer who took them in charge +and saw them safely bestowed for the night. +</P> + +<P> +"That was some wild ride?" grinned Frank, as they were getting ready +for sleep. +</P> + +<P> +"It sure was," laughed Bart, "especially that part where the German +bullets were zipping all around us. Wait till we tell Billy about it. +He'll be green with envy." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we carried out our orders anyway," said Frank. "I'm glad that +we'll be able to tell the captain so tomorrow morning." +</P> + +<P> +But they did not report to their captain the next morning, nor for +several following mornings, for when they woke they found that a +condition had developed that was full of peril to the Allied cause. +</P> + +<P> +The German plan had been to strike at the junction point of the Allied +armies. If they could separate them there would be a chance to turn +upon one of them and crush it with overwhelming forces and then at +their leisure destroy the other. +</P> + +<P> +In this they had come very near succeeding. A threatening gap had +developed between two of the most important armies that were holding +that portion of the front. The armies had lost touch with each other +and the gap had gradually widened until at one place the armies were +eight miles apart. +</P> + +<P> +The only helpful thing about the situation was that the Germans +themselves did not know of the gap until it was too late to take +advantage of it. The very speed with which they had pushed forward had +thrown their forces into confusion. Brigades and regiments had become +badly mixed and it took some time to straighten matters out. +</P> + +<P> +But if the Germans did not know how matters stood, the Allied +commanders knew it only too well. It was this that explained the +agitation that the boys had noticed in the general the night before. +He had been called upon to close the gap. Upon his shoulders rested +for the time the salvation of the Allied cause. +</P> + +<P> +If he had had sufficient forces at his command, the problem would have +been comparatively simple, provided he had been given time to solve it. +But he had neither time nor men. He had only fifty cavalrymen. He +lacked guns and ammunition. The hard-pressed armies at the right and +left were battling desperately against the on-rushing German hordes and +could spare him little. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks as if he had to make bricks without straw," said Frank to Bart +the next morning, when the state of things had been explained by the +orderly who had taken them in charge. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a case of must," said Bart, "and from the squint I had at the +general last night he's the one who can do the job if it can be done at +all." +</P> + +<P> +"Will you stay and help?" asked the orderly. "Every man will help. +The general's picked up three hundred American engineers working on a +road nearby. Every one of them has thrown down his pick and shouldered +a rifle." +</P> + +<P> +"Bully for the engineers!" cried Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Will you stay?" asked the orderly. "Of course you can return to your +own command if you want to." +</P> + +<P> +"Will we stay?" exclaimed Frank. "Give me a gun. I know my captain +would be willing." +</P> + +<P> +"You can't drive us away," Bart almost shouted. +</P> + +<P> +It was a scratch army that the general finally got together. Some of +his men had never handled a gun before. Some were drivers, some were +telegraph linemen, some were cooks. But he made the most of what he +had. He himself was here, there and everywhere, having trees felled to +obstruct the roads, planting machine guns in strategic places, digging +shallow trenches, resting neither by day or night. +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Bart worked like beavers. They were placed in charge of +machine-gun crews, and their deadly weapons kept spitting fire until +they were almost too hot to handle. Again and again they beat back +German detachments. They fought like fiends. They never expected to +come out of that fight alive. The odds seemed too tremendous. +</P> + +<P> +"It's like Custer's last charge," panted Frank. "There wasn't one of +his troopers left alive. But I'll bet that not one of them was sorry +he was there." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm glad that motorcycle carried double," replied Bart. "I'd have +been cheated out of a lot of lovely fighting if it hadn't." +</P> + +<P> +They fought desperately, savagely, their bodies tired to the breaking +point, but their courage never failing. And at last they won out. The +armies rejoined each other. The gap was closed. And Frank and Bart +rejoiced beyond measure that they had been able to do their part in the +closing. +</P> + +<P> +"Some fellows have all the luck," remarked Billy, when they had +rejoined their regiment two days later, and were telling him all about +it. "Now if that coin we flipped had only come down heads instead of +tails——" +</P> + +<P> +"Stop your grouching," laughed Frank. "You'll have all the fighting +that's good for you by the time we've driven the boches over the Rhine." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE MINED BRIDGE +</H3> + +<P> +For several days the drive continued. At first it had been quite as +successful for the Germans as they could have hoped. Their initial +surprise had carried them a long way into French territory, and this +had involved the capture of a considerable number of men and guns. +</P> + +<P> +But they had fallen far short of their ambitious aims. They had not +rolled up the Allied armies. They had not reached Paris. They had not +captured the Channel ports. +</P> + +<P> +The Allied armies had stretched like an elastic band, but had not +broken. They knew now what the enemy's plans were and they were +rapidly taking measures to check them. +</P> + +<P> +The Germans had had a great advantage in being under a single command. +There was no clash of plans and opinions. If they wanted to transfer a +part of their forces from one point to another they could do so. +</P> + +<P> +With the Allies it had been different. There had been a French army, a +British army, an Italian army, a Belgian army, a Russian army and +latest of all an American army. They had tried to work together in +harmony and in the main had done so. But the British naturally wanted +above all to prevent the German armies from reaching the coast where +they could threaten England. The French were especially anxious to +prevent Paris being captured. Either side was reluctant to weaken its +own army by sending reinforcements to the other. +</P> + +<P> +But the German success in the first days of the drive changed all this. +The Allies got together and appointed General Foch as the supreme +commander of all the Allied forces. He had done brilliant work in +driving the Germans back from the Marne in the early days of the war, +when they had approached close to Paris. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you heard the news?" asked Frank of his chums the day after the +appointment had been made. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got just one man that's going to boss the job of driving back +the Huns," answered Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Bart gave a whoop of delight and Billy threw his hat in the air. +</P> + +<P> +"Best news I've heard yet," crowed Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"That's as good as a battle lost for the Huns," exclaimed Bart. "The +only wonder is that it wasn't done before. Who's the man they've +chosen?" +</P> + +<P> +"General Foch," was the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Better and better," pronounced Bart. "That man's a born fighter. He +licked the Germans at the Marne, and he can do it again." +</P> + +<P> +"What I like about him," commented Billy, "is that he's a hard hitter. +He isn't satisfied to stand on the defensive. He likes to hand the +other fellow a good one right at the start of the fight." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what," agreed Frank. "He hits out right from the shoulder. Of +course he'll have to wait a little while yet until he sizes up his +forces and sees what he has to fight with. But you can bet it won't be +long before he has the boches on the run." +</P> + +<P> +In the days that followed, the advantage of the appointment became +clear. The armies worked together as they never had before. The khaki +of the British mingled with the cornflower blue of the French. +Reserves were sent where they were most needed, no matter what army +they were drawn from. And, fighting side by side, each nation was +filled with a generous rivalry and sought bravely to outdo the other in +deeds of valor. +</P> + +<P> +The old Thirty-seventh had been in the thick of the fighting and had +covered itself with glory. It had taught the Germans that there were +Americans in France, and that they were fighters to be dreaded. +</P> + +<P> +The course of the fighting had taken Frank and his comrades in the +vicinity of the farmhouse where they had rounded up the German +lieutenant and his squad. But it was a very different place now from +what it had been when they had first seen it. Shells had torn away +part of the roof, and the attic lay open to the sky. But the farmer +and his family still stayed there although in daily peril of their +lives. They lived and slept in the cellar, which was the only place +that afforded them a chance of safety. +</P> + +<P> +One day when only an artillery duel was going on and the infantry was +getting a rest that it sorely needed, the Army Boys went over to the +house. The girl saw them coming and recognized them at once. She came +out to meet them with a smile on her face. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Les braves Americains!</I>" she exclaimed. "You have not then been +killed by those dreadful Germans." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't we look pretty lively for dead men?" asked Frank jokingly. +</P> + +<P> +"And that lieutenant?" she inquired. "Oh, I hope you have hanged him." +</P> + +<P> +"No," said Frank, "but he's a prisoner." +</P> + +<P> +"It is not enough," she said with a shudder of repulsion. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you heard anything of the young soldier that the lieutenant was +going to hang?" asked Frank eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"No," she answered. "But stay," she added, "I have something here that +you may want to see." +</P> + +<P> +She darted back in the house and quickly returned with a very-much +crumpled card in her hand. +</P> + +<P> +"It is a <I>carte postale</I>," she explained. "We found it in the yard +some days after you had been here. It had been trampled in the mud by +the horses' feet and the writing had been scraped or blotted out. +Perhaps it belonged to the young man. It may have fallen from his +pocket. I do not know." +</P> + +<P> +Frank took it eagerly from her hand, while his comrades gathered around +him. +</P> + +<P> +The card was almost illegible, but it could be seen that it was a +United States postal. There was not a single word upon it that could +be made out in its entirety, but up in the corner where the postmark +had been they could see by straining their eyes the letters C and M. +</P> + +<P> +"That's Camport, I'm willing to bet!" exclaimed Bart excitedly. +</P> + +<P> +"And here's something else," put in Billy pointing to where the address +would naturally be looked for. "See those letters d-f-o-r——" +</P> + +<P> +"It's dollars to doughnuts that that stands for 'Bradford,'" Frank +shouted. "A card from Camport to Tom Bradford. Boys, we didn't guess +wrong that day. That was Tom that that brute of a lieutenant was going +to hang!" +</P> + +<P> +They were tingling with excitement and delight. To be sure, they did +not know what had become of their friend. But he had escaped from this +house. He was perhaps within a few miles of them. He was, at any +rate, not eating his heart out in a distant prison camp. +</P> + +<P> +Then to Frank came the thought of Rabig. Perhaps Tom hadn't escaped. +Perhaps Rabig had added murder to the crime of treason of which they +were sure he was guilty. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure that you haven't found anything else that would help us +in finding our friend?" he asked of the girl, whose face was beaming at +the pleasure she had been able to give to her deliverers. +</P> + +<P> +"No," she answered. "There is nothing else. I am sorry." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's take a look around the house again, fellows," suggested Frank. +"We may have overlooked something the other day. It's only a chance, +but let's take it." +</P> + +<P> +They made a careful circuit of the house, but nothing rewarded the +search until Frank, with an exclamation, picked up some pieces of rope +that had been lying in the grass not far from the window from which the +prisoner had dropped. +</P> + +<P> +"Are these yours?" he asked of the girl who had accompanied them and +had been as ardent in the search as themselves. +</P> + +<P> +She examined them. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not think so," she declared. "I do not remember seeing any rope +like that around the house." +</P> + +<P> +They scrutinized the pieces carefully. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at these frayed edges," said Frank, laying them together. "You +see that these two pieces were part of one rope." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what that means," put in Billy. "The girl says that Tom +was bound with ropes. That cut or broken one was the one that was used +to tie his hands. In some way he cut that. He didn't have a knife or +the cut would be cleaner. Perhaps he sawed the rope against a piece of +glass that he might have managed to get near." +</P> + +<P> +"Good guess," commended Bart. "And this long rope was the one that was +used to tie his feet. Tom didn't need to cut that for his hands were +free then and he could untie it." +</P> + +<P> +"Good old scout!" exclaimed Frank in tribute to his absent chum. +"Trust that stout heart of his to keep up the fight to the last minute. +Think of the old boy sawing away at the rope when he didn't know what +minute he'd be taken out and hanged." +</P> + +<P> +"He's all wool and a yard wide," agreed Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"The real goods," said Billy. "But what were the ropes doing out here +in the grass?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I suppose he hated them so that he chucked them as far away as he +could," suggested Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said Frank, measuring the window with his eye. "I'll tell you +how I think it was. Tom knew, of course, that he couldn't get out of +the house by the downstairs way without being nabbed. He didn't know, +of course, that the bunch of Huns weren't in condition to nab anybody. +So the window was the only way left to him. He took the ropes to the +window with the idea of splicing them and climbing down by them. But +that would have taken time, and when he saw that the window wasn't very +high up he made up his mind to drop. The ropes were in his hand and he +simply threw them out of the window as the easiest way of getting rid +of them." +</P> + +<P> +"That sounds reasonable," said Billy. "But, oh boy! if poor Tom had +only known that all he had to do was to walk downstairs and bag the +whole blooming bunch!" +</P> + +<P> +"I wish he had," said Frank mournfully. +</P> + +<P> +"If he had, that lieutenant wouldn't have got off so easily as he did," +declared Bart. "Do you know what would have happened? Of course the +first thing Tom would have done would have been to untie the farmer and +his son. Can you picture, then, what would have happened to that +lieutenant and probably to his men, too? The United States wouldn't +have been put to any expense for feeding them." +</P> + +<P> +"That rope by the well would probably have been put to work," agreed +Frank. "But poor Tom didn't know and there's no use of our +speculating." +</P> + +<P> +Encouraged by the information they had gained, they looked still +further. But nothing more was found, and they at last said good-by to +the girl and made their way back to their quarters with their hearts +lighter than they had been for days. In a sense they had got in touch +with their missing comrade, had seemed near to him, and their hopes +were high that before long they would have him with them again. +</P> + +<P> +"It's disposed of one thing that was worrying me anyway," remarked +Frank. "We know that Rabig had nothing to do with making away with +Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Bart, "that's one thing the fellow can't be charged with. +But I'm still mighty curious to know what he was hanging around that +farmhouse for." +</P> + +<P> +"It sure was a mighty strange coincidence that he should be there at +the time the Germans were," declared Billy. "But Rabig is the only one +who knows why and you can bet that he won't tell." +</P> + +<P> +The comparative lull that had occurred in the fighting was only +temporary, and the next day the drive was resumed in all its fury. +</P> + +<P> +This time the use of gas was greater than it had been at any previous +time in the battle. And the Germans had made still greater strides in +this diabolical contrivance which they were the first to inflict upon +an outraged world. +</P> + +<P> +At first the gas had been light and volatile. It caused terrible +suffering to those caught by it, but it did not hover long over any +given place and a gust of wind was sufficient to drive it away. +</P> + +<P> +But that was not vile enough to satisfy the infernal ingenuity of the +foes of humanity. Now they were using gas that settled on the ground +so that nothing but a gale would drive it away, and that lasted for +hours and even for days. And then there was mustard gas, that +penetrated everywhere through the clothing, through the skin, and that +burned and ate up the living tissues like so much vitriol. +</P> + +<P> +But the Allies were on the alert and soon found a way to avert or +modify the worst consequences of the various kinds of gases. And they +were forced to fight fire with fire simply in self-defence. It was a +question of kill or be killed, and they were left no alternative. They +asked nothing better than to fight as knightly and honorable nations +always have fought and always will fight when they are left free to +choose their weapons. +</P> + +<P> +But whatever the methods used by the Germans, whether gas or guns or +men, they were finding increasing difficulty in keeping up the momentum +of their drive. Sheer force of numbers had sufficed at first to carry +them forward, but now the Allies with American help coming over the sea +at the rate of two hundred thousand men a month—and the finest kind of +men at that—were gradually getting on even terms. +</P> + +<P> +"I see the Germans had a good day yesterday," remarked Frank, as he and +his comrades were at mess. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't notice it," said Bart, looking at his friend in surprise. +"We drove them back and gained ground from them." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't mean here," exclaimed Frank. "I mean in Paris." +</P> + +<P> +Billy almost choked in surprise and alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean to say they've got to Paris?" he sputtered. +</P> + +<P> +"Not by a jugful," laughed Frank. "But they're sending shells into it." +</P> + +<P> +"Then they must be pretty close to it," said Bart in some apprehension. +</P> + +<P> +"The gun they're shooting with is seventy miles away from the city," +replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Quit your kidding," commanded Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you get that stuff?" asked Bart incredulously. +</P> + +<P> +"Cross my heart and hope to die," said Frank seriously. "Honestly, +fellows, they've got a gun that shoots a shell seventy miles or more. +The shell weighs two hundred pounds. It rises twenty miles in the air, +and it takes three minutes on the trip to Paris." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that straight goods?" asked Billy suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"It sure is," Frank assured him. "I was reading about it in a Paris +paper I got hold of this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"What was it you were saying about yesterday being a good day for the +Germans," asked Bart, when he had digested the facts. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, one of the shells hit a church where they were having a service +and killed seventy-five people, mostly women and children," answered +Frank. "Don't you imagine the Germans call that a good day? Can't you +see them grinning and rubbing their hands? It's as good as bombing a +hospital or an orphan asylum. The Kaiser felt so good about that he +sent a special message of congratulation to the manager of the Krupp +works, where the gun was made. Oh, yes, it was a good day!" +</P> + +<P> +"The swine!" exclaimed Bart furiously, while Billy's fist clinched. +</P> + +<P> +"Let's get busy," cried Frank, springing to his feet. "I can't wait to +get at those barbarians. I hope there's lots of bayonet work today. I +never felt in better trim for it." +</P> + +<P> +They fought that day as they had never fought before, for they had +never felt so strongly that the world would never be a decent place to +live in until their barbarous enemies were humbled to the dust. +</P> + +<P> +The next day the old Thirty-seventh was ordered to take up its position +at a bridgehead that it was of the utmost importance should be strongly +held. The enemy attacks were converging there, and it was evident that +they were planning to cross the river in force. The country behind the +American troops was flat and difficult to defend, and if the enemy +should make good his crossing the consequences to the Allied cause +might prove serious. +</P> + +<P> +The enemy advance had reached the further side of the river, which at +that point was about two hundred yards in width. A fierce artillery +duel was kept up between the hostile forces. A wooden bridge with +stone arches afforded the only means of crossing, and this was swept by +such a fierce shell fire from the Allied guns that it did not seem as +though anything could live on it for a moment. +</P> + +<P> +As an additional precaution the bridge had been secretly mined by the +Allied engineers. Electric wires ran to the concealed charges. +</P> + +<P> +A pressure of a button—and the bridge would be reduced to atoms. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A DESPERATE VENTURE +</H3> + +<P> +"The Huns will get a surprise party if they try to cross that bridge," +remarked Billy with a grin, as the boys were talking over the present +situation. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see why we don't blow it up right away," said Bart. "Then the +Germans would have to rely on pontoons and what we would do to them +would be a crime." +</P> + +<P> +"Our officers know what they're about," objected Frank. "We might want +that bridge to go across on ourselves if things take the right turn. +So it's just as well to have it handy. If there's any blowing up to +do, we can do it later just as well as now. And it's just as well to +have it go skyward when it's crowded with Germans as when it's empty. +Get me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I get you, all right," replied Bart. "But suppose something should go +wrong when the time came to blow it up?" +</P> + +<P> +"That would be something else again," laughed Frank. "But I guess +there isn't much danger Of that. Just one little pressure of a +button—and—zowie!" +</P> + +<P> +Just then Frank caught sight of his friend, Colonel Pavet, coming +toward him and went forward to meet the French officer. +</P> + +<P> +The colonel's greeting was a very cordial one. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm glad to see that you've come safely so far through this fierce +fighting," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Fierce is the right word," answered Frank smilingly. +</P> + +<P> +"I was at Verdun," went on the colonel, "and I thought at the time that +nothing could be more ferocious than the fighting there. But this has +been much worse." +</P> + +<P> +"We've got a pretty stiff proposition right now in holding this +bridge," observed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed you have," agreed the colonel, "and it is a compliment to the +American forces that the defense of such an important position has been +entrusted to them. Oh, you Americans! Where would we have been +without your aid? And your fighting qualities! You grow men on your +side of the ocean, Monsieur Sheldon." +</P> + +<P> +"The superb fighting of the French has been an inspiration to us," +replied Frank warmly. +</P> + +<P> +"To come to personal matters," went on the colonel, "I have heard more +in detail from my brother Andre about your mother's property. He has +traced the butler—Martel is his name—in the official records, and has +found that he was taken prisoner in an attack several months ago. He +was very anxious to cross-examine him on some testimony he had given +previously. It seems that Martel had testified that he had witnessed +the execution of a later will than that in which the property was left +to your mother. You can easily see how unfortunate that might be if it +could be proved. Andre has a suspicion that cross-examination might +show Martel's testimony to be false." +</P> + +<P> +"It is too bad that the man is a prisoner," said Frank anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"There is more to be told," went on the colonel gravely. "I myself +have put investigations on foot through the Swiss Red Cross. They were +able to find out from German prison records that Martel died recently." +</P> + +<P> +Frank started back visibly perturbed. +</P> + +<P> +"Died!" he echoed. "Then his statement about the will stands +uncontradicted." +</P> + +<P> +"As far as he is concerned, yes," replied the colonel soberly. "I am +bitterly disappointed, and I know that Andre will be, too, for he has +made a very strong point of disproving that special testimony. But we +will not remit our efforts in the least, <I>mon ami</I>. Be assured of +that. I will let you know when I have any further news," and with a +friendly wave of the hand the colonel passed on. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Frank?" asked Billy as he went slowly back to his +friends. "You look as jolly as a crutch." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm no hypocrite, then," answered Frank soberly, "for that's exactly +how I feel." +</P> + +<P> +He told his chums of what the colonel had said, and they were sincere +in their expressions of sympathy. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care a button about it for myself," explained Frank, "but I +hate to have to tell my mother about it. She has little enough to make +her happy nowadays, and I know how badly she will feel about this." +</P> + +<P> +All that day the artillery kept up a ceaseless fire and the Germans did +not venture on the bridge. But great activity was observed among them, +and Dick Lever, who was leader of the aviation detachment that was +operating in that sector, brought the news that evening that they were +preparing pontoons and other small boats with which they would probably +attempt a crossing at points that were not so well guarded. +</P> + +<P> +"Your officers over here want to keep their eyes peeled," he remarked +to the Army Boys after he had just made his report at division +headquarters. "Those Heinies have made up their minds to get across +this river by hook or crook. They figure that with the open country +behind you they'll have a good chance to throw you back if they can +only get a footing on this side." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you worry about our officers," replied Frank with a conviction +that had been deepened by the skilful leadership the American troops +had had so far in the drive. "It'll be as hard to find them napping as +it is to catch a weasel asleep." +</P> + +<P> +"I know they're good stuff," agreed Dick, "but we're all human, you +know." +</P> + +<P> +"All except the boches," grunted Billy. "They're inhuman." +</P> + +<P> +"We've had plenty of proofs of that," laughed Dick. "They like to +think they're superhuman, but we're teaching them differently." +</P> + +<P> +"Seen anything of Will Stone lately?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Ran across him about a week ago," replied Dick. "He's fighting about +ten miles north of here, where the country's suitable for tank work. +He's doing some great fighting, too." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't need to be told that," replied Frank. "That fellow would +rather fight than eat." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, so long, fellows," said Dick, as he rose to his feet. "Keep a +sharp eye on those boches across the river." +</P> + +<P> +"Trust us," replied Frank. "They'll never get over here." +</P> + +<P> +The aviator's warning had been heeded by the officers, and detachments +were stationed at places along the river above and below the main +bridge. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly one morning, a whole fleet of boats, large and small, shot out +at the same instant from the enemy side of the river. They were loaded +with men and machine guns, and the evident plan was to get a footing on +the American side which could be held until reinforcements could be +hurried over and make the footing secure. +</P> + +<P> +At the same time a tremendous gunfire strove to protect the crossing +and clear the banks at the points where the boats were planning to land. +</P> + +<P> +Before the American guns could get the range on the rapidly moving +targets, the boats were halfway across the river, and the rowers were +pulling like mad. One boat after another was struck and the occupants +thrown into the river. But the Germans had allowed for the loss of +some of the boats, and were perfectly resigned to lose them, provided a +certain percentage of all could effect a crossing. +</P> + +<P> +"Let them get here," muttered Frank, who, with Bart and Billy, was +among the force which had been assigned to that point where the passage +was being attempted. "They'll never get back again." +</P> + +<P> +The surviving boats drew closer to the shore. The men on the boats +were using their machine guns, and the banks were swept by a rain of +bullets. More of the boats went down under the return fire, but a full +dozen of them finally struck the shore. The crews jumped out in the +shallow water and commenced to wade ashore. +</P> + +<P> +But they were doomed men. With a yell the American boys swept down +upon them. Frank and his comrades rushed into the water, and there was +a battle that must have resembled those of the old Vikings. Back and +forth the combatants struggled, shooting, hacking, swinging their gun +butts. Some of them, locked in a death grip, went down together in the +water that was taking on a reddish tinge. Others floated away on the +stream. Others of the enemy, seeing that the fight was going against +them, leaped back into the boats and strove desperately to push out +into the river. But Frank leaped at the bow of one boat and held it, +while Bart and Billy with their comrades did the same to others. +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes the fight was over. It had been a hot one while it +lasted. Several of the Americans had been killed and quite a number +wounded, but their loss had been largely exceeded by that of the enemy. +Not a boat got back, and all who had not been killed remained as +prisoners in American hands. +</P> + +<P> +While the action was in progress, another fleet of equal size had +started out. This had been designed to reinforce the first party if it +had succeeded in gaining a footing. But the utter collapse of the +first effort had taught the enemy that the bank was too strongly held +and they stopped in midstream and rowed back. +</P> + +<P> +"Even a Heinie can see through a milestone when there's a hole in it," +commented Billy, as he watched the enemy retreating. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a pity they don't keep on," said Bart. "I'm just getting my +blood up." +</P> + +<P> +"First bit of marine fighting we've done yet," laughed Frank. "We can +say now that we belong to both branches of the service." +</P> + +<P> +"All we need now is a fight in the air to make the thing complete," +said Bart, "and we came pretty near to that, too, when we were with +Dick that time in his bombing machine." +</P> + +<P> +With their boat plan thwarted, the German commanders now centered all +their attention on the bridge. One or two surprise attacks at night +were detected and driven back, but the enemy did not give up. +</P> + +<P> +At dusk on the day following the fight in the stream they made the +great attack. True to their tactics, they apparently took no account +of the lives of their men. The taking of the bridge was bound to +result in tremendous slaughter. Every foot of it was swept by the +American guns. But the enemy leaders had determined that the bridge +must be taken, no matter how high a price they paid for the taking. It +was easier for the leaders to reach this conclusion since it was the +men who would pay the price rather than themselves. +</P> + +<P> +A tremendous artillery fire paved the way for the operation. Then, +just as twilight was gathering, a strong body of enemy troops, marching +in heavy columns, attempted to storm the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +Beyond the first ranks could be seen other columns standing in reserve. +The great climax was approaching. The German command at that point had +determined to stake everything on one throw. +</P> + +<P> +On they came to the death awaiting them. The American artillery and +machine guns swept the bridge with a withering fire. The front ranks +melted away like mist. +</P> + +<P> +But their places were filled with others and still others, despite the +frightful slaughter. The American machine guns got too hot to handle +from their unceasing fire. +</P> + +<P> +And still the German horde kept crowding forward as though their +reserves were inexhaustible. It was known that they had been heavily +reinforced of late and that they largely outnumbered the American +troops opposed to them. Over the dead bodies of their comrades which +strewed the bridge they were creeping nearer, urged by the irresistible +pressure from behind. Considering the disparity of forces, it was +sound tactics to destroy the bridge before the foremost ranks could get +a footing on the side where their overwhelming numbers would begin to +tell. +</P> + +<P> +The American commander gave the order to blow up the bridge. But when +the button was pressed that should have sent the electric current into +the powder mine there was no response. +</P> + +<P> +Several times the pressure was repeated and still no explosion +followed. A hasty consultation ensued between the leaders who were +standing close by the place where the Army Boys were fighting. +</P> + +<P> +"The electric wires must have been cut by the enemy's fire," Frank +heard one of them say. +</P> + +<P> +Cut! Then all the elaborate plans for blowing up the bridge had come +to naught. And that apparently inexhaustible gray force was getting +nearer and nearer! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE JAWS OF DEATH +</H3> + +<P> +"There's just one possible chance," said Frank's colonel. +</P> + +<P> +"What is that?" asked the general in command. +</P> + +<P> +"An explosive bullet sent into the mine might explode it," replied the +colonel. "But it would have to be fired from a boat. We can't do it +from here." +</P> + +<P> +"It would be certain death to whoever tried it," replied the general, +looking at the shell-swept stream. +</P> + +<P> +"Not certain, perhaps, but probable," said the colonel. "It's the only +chance, though, to explode the mine. It can only be reached from +underneath." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll try it," said the general with decision. "But I won't assign +any one to it. It's a matter for volunteers." +</P> + +<P> +When the call came for volunteers, Frank sprang forward and saluted. +Bart and Billy followed close behind him. +</P> + +<P> +The officer's eye swept the three and rested on Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"You volunteer?" he asked. "You know the danger?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," they responded. +</P> + +<P> +A gleam of pride and admiration came in the general's eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well," he said. "I'm proud to be your commander." +</P> + +<P> +Orders were hurriedly given, explosive bullets were furnished; and a +few minutes later a small boat carrying the three Army Boys shot out +from the shore. +</P> + +<P> +The dusk had thickened now, and Bart and Billy, who were rowing, hugged +the bridge as closely as they could, so as to profit by its shadow. +</P> + +<P> +None of this bombardment had been directed at them as yet, because +their little boat had not been seen. But when they were forced to move +a little way from the shadow of the bridge, so that Frank could get the +proper angle from which to fire, they were detected, and a perfect +tempest of fire opened up not only from the batteries on the further +shore, but from the soldiers who were on the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +Frank knew exactly where the powder charges had been located. His +rifle was loaded and he had sufficient confidence in his marksmanship +to believe that only one shot would be needed. +</P> + +<P> +All he dreaded was that a bullet might strike him before he had done +his work. After that it did not so much matter. He knew that he had +taken his life in his hand and he had already counted it as lost. +</P> + +<P> +Bart and Billy were rowing like fiends. At last they reached the point +that Frank had indicated. He peered through the dusk and could see the +outlines of the mine. +</P> + +<P> +The bridge now was black with Germans. They had covered two-thirds of +the distance over it, and they were packed so closely, crowding on each +other's heels, that the rails of the bridge bulged outward with the +pressure. +</P> + +<P> +Frank raised his rifle to his shoulder, took steady aim and fired. +</P> + +<P> +There was a hideous roar, and then the shattered timbers of the bridge +went hurtling toward the sky. Hundreds of bodies were mingled with the +debris, and the water surged up in great waves as the mass fell back +into the river. +</P> + +<P> +Where the bridge had been there was a yawning gap of two hundred feet. +At either end there was a remnant of the bridge still standing, and on +these the survivors were rushing frenziedly toward the land before the +remaining timbers should give way. +</P> + +<P> +Those Germans who were left on the American side, severed from the help +of their comrades, were surrounded and disarmed as soon as they reached +the shore. The attempt at capture had ended in a terrible disaster to +the German forces. +</P> + +<P> +The instant Frank fired. Billy and Bart plunged their oars in the +water and started rowing with all their might away from the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +But despite their efforts they could not get out of the danger zone in +time. A heavy piece of timber struck the side of the boat, crushing it +in and throwing the occupants into the water. +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Billy came to the surface a moment later and shook the water +from their eyes. They looked about for Bart, but he was not to be seen. +</P> + +<P> +Instantly Frank dived, searching frantically for his chum. His arm +came in contact with someone's hair. He grasped it and drew the body +to the surface. +</P> + +<P> +It was Bart, but he was unconscious. The timber that had smashed the +boat had caught him a glancing blow on the head and stunned him. +</P> + +<P> +Frank held his comrade's face above the water and shouted to Billy, who +also had been searching and had just come up. He swam to Frank's side +and helped him in bearing up Bart. +</P> + +<P> +They found a floating plank, over which they placed Bart's arms and +then with Frank holding on to Bart's body and Billy guiding the plank +they struck out for the nearer shore. +</P> + +<P> +They had been nearer the American than the German side when the +explosion took place. But the current was bearing strongly toward the +German side and they had been carried some distance by it while they +were taking care of Bart. The consequence was that, while they thought +that the nearer bank was that held by their own troops, it was the +German side towards which they were moving with their unconscious +burden. +</P> + +<P> +They were within a few feet of the shore at some distance below where +the bridge had stood, when Frank's quick ear heard the sound of voices +speaking in German. At first he thought it was probably some of the +prisoners whom the American troops had captured. But a moment later he +recognized a dilapidated fishing pier that he had often gazed at from +his own side of the river, and the truth burst upon him. +</P> + +<P> +They were on the wrong side of the river! If Bart had been in the same +condition as Billy and himself, their situation, though dangerous, +would not have been desperate. They were all strong swimmers and +although fearfully tired from their exertions would have been able to +swim across to comrades and safety. +</P> + +<P> +But it was another matter with Bart unconscious. Frank did not know +what had caused his friend's injury. Perhaps he had been shot. At +this very moment, for all Frank knew, his chum might be bleeding to +death. Above all things he wanted to find dry land, where he could +examine his chum and render him first aid if necessary. +</P> + +<P> +He communicated with Billy in whispers. +</P> + +<P> +"We've gone and done it, old scout," he whispered. "We're on the +German side." +</P> + +<P> +"That's good news—I don't think," returned Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Let's swim in under this old pier," suggested Frank, "We'll be out of +sight then and we may strike a bit of beach up toward the head of it." +</P> + +<P> +They followed the suggestion and were relieved to find that there was a +little stretch of dry sand beyond the water line. They took Bart from +the plank and bore him out on the sand. Here they rubbed his wrists +and tried as far as they could in the darkness to ascertain the extent +of his injuries. Frank did not dare to use his flashlight for fear of +betraying their presence to the enemy. +</P> + +<P> +To their immense relief Bart soon showed signs of returning animation. +He opened his eyes and was about to speak, when Frank put his hand +gently on his lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't speak, old man," he whispered. "You're all right. It's Frank +speaking. Billy's here. Just whisper to me and tell where you're +hurt. But be careful, for the Germans are all around us." +</P> + +<P> +"Guess I'm not hurt much," whispered Bart. "Got a clip on the head +when that beam struck the boat." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure you didn't get a bullet?" asked Frank anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think so," replied Bart. "Head's dizzy from that crack, but I +feel all right everywhere else." +</P> + +<P> +"Bully!" said Frank. "Now you just lie there till you get your +strength back, and then we'll figure out what's to be done." +</P> + +<P> +It was a hard problem, and it became none the easier a few minutes +later when a boat came along under oars and was tied up at the end of +the pier. It was a big boat and similar to those in which the Germans +had made their unsuccessful attempt to cross the river a few days +before. +</P> + +<P> +It had evidently been out in the river picking up the wounded who had +been thrown into the stream by the explosion. The rickety planks +creaked as the soldiers carried the wounded survivors over the pier to +the bank beyond. It would have been an exceedingly bad time for the +Army Boys to be discovered and they crowded back as far as they could +to escape detection. +</P> + +<P> +The Germans were in a terrible rage over the body blow that had been +dealt them in the destruction of the bridge. Apart from the heavy +losses in men their entire plan of campaign would have to be +reconstructed. +</P> + +<P> +"That one bullet of yours was a mighty effective one, Frank," whispered +Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"It was classy shooting," said Bart. "From a rocking boat with shells +bursting all around and so much depending on it, there'd have been lots +of excuse for missing." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe the old Thirty-seventh isn't feeling good over the way the thing +went through," chuckled Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"And maybe we won't get the glad hand when we get over there," murmured +Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got to get there first," whispered Frank, "and we've got a +mighty slim chance of doing that as long as this boat stays here." +</P> + +<P> +Every instant was fraught with peril. They had no weapons and even if +they had they would have stood no chance against the throng of enemies +surrounding them. Their only hope of safety lay in not being +discovered. +</P> + +<P> +But at last, to their great relief, the German rowers resumed their +places at the oars and the boat pulled out into the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank heaven, they're gone at last!" breathed Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you feel equal to the swim over, Bart?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing," replied Bart. "My head's dizzy yet, but with you and +Billy to give me a hand, if necessary, I'll get through all right." +</P> + +<P> +As silently as so many otters they slipped into the water and struck +out for the other side. +</P> + +<P> +The current was strong and the work was arduous, especially with the +care they had to exercise lest any splash should be heard by the enemy. +There was also the chance that one of the boats that were abroad might +come in their direction. But aided by the pitch darkness that +prevailed, they made the trip in safety and Bart had no need of calling +on the aid of his comrades. +</P> + +<P> +As they drew near the other side a sentry hailed them. +</P> + +<P> +"Halt!" he cried. "Who goes there?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's Fred Anderson," murmured Billy, as he recognized the voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Friends!" called Frank. "Hello, Fred. It's Raymond, Waldon and +Sheldon." +</P> + +<P> +There was a shout of delight, and Fred, accompanied by several other +sentries, came running to the water's edge. +</P> + +<P> +"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Fred, as eager hands pulled the Army Boys +up on the bank. "So you pulled through after all. The whole regiment +had given you up. Say, if they'd known you were coming every mother's +son of them would have been down here to meet you and they'd have +brought the band with them. Come along now, but I warn you in advance +that all the fellows will shake your hands off." +</P> + +<P> +They still had their hands when their mates got through with them, but +Fred had not over-estimated the royal welcome that awaited them. They +had always been prime favorites with the boys of the old +Thirty-seventh, and that afternoon's exploit made them more popular +than ever. Their officers, too, were jubilant at their return. +</P> + +<P> +They were taken to headquarters, where the general thanked them and +shook hands with each in turn. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't need any report from you," he smiled. "I heard that when the +bridge went up. It was a brave deed, most gallantly done. I thank you +in the name of the army. Your names will be cited to-morrow in the +orders of the day and I shall personally bring the matter to the +attention of General Pershing." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A TRAITOR UNMASKED +</H3> + +<P> +When Tom Bradford found himself racing toward the woods, the only +thought in his mind was to put as great a distance as possible between +himself and his would-be executioners. +</P> + +<P> +At every step he expected to hear a shout raised and see a crowd of +pursuers rush from the house like a pack of wolves after their prey. +</P> + +<P> +The thought lent wings to his feet and he covered the distance in +record time. And not until he was safe in the shelter of the friendly +trees did he pause to draw breath and cast a glance toward the house. +</P> + +<P> +If his escape had been noticed, there was absolutely no sign of it. +The landscape lay in serene and smiling beauty. Not a trace of life +was to be seen about the house. It seemed scarcely possible that so +much tragedy and so much peace could exist side by side. +</P> + +<P> +But he had no time for musing, and after a moment's glance he turned +and burrowed deeper into the woods. There alone for the moment lay +safety. In those leafy coverts he could lie concealed, while he took +breath and thought out the situation. +</P> + +<P> +He had no idea of where the American lines lay. Bound hand and foot as +he had been during that terrible journey, and tortured by the thoughts +that had assailed him, he had taken little note of the way he was +traveling. And even if he had, he could not have told with certainty +what was the dividing line between the hostile armies. +</P> + +<P> +All that he could do was to exercise the utmost caution, get as deeply +into the recesses of the wood as he could, and let his future course be +guided by circumstances. In a battle area that was so full of soldiers +it would not be long before he would catch sight of some of them. The +great thing was to see them before they saw him. If they wore German +helmets he would keep his distance. If, on the contrary, he should see +the old familiar khaki uniform of his American comrades, his troubles +would be over. +</P> + +<P> +But if the most important thing was concealment, another problem almost +as important was the question of food. He had had only the scantiest +kind of nourishment since his escape from the prison yard. The last +crumb had been eaten that morning. He had no weapon of any kind with +which to shoot squirrels or rabbits or birds. And he did not dare to +approach a cottage for fear that he might again be placed in the power +of his enemies. +</P> + +<P> +But he was not yet starving, though exceedingly hungry, and he kept on +in the woods, intent upon putting as many miles behind him as possible +before he stopped for rest. +</P> + +<P> +Far up in the wooded hills he came in sight of a little cabin. It was +a dilapidated little shack that perhaps had been used by hunting +parties in happier days. It seemed to be entirely deserted, but he was +wary and lay in the bushes for an hour or more, watching it closely for +any sign of life. Only when he felt perfectly sure that there was no +one about, did he creep up to the door and look in. +</P> + +<P> +He drew a sigh of relief when he saw that it was indeed uninhabited. +Not only that, but there was no evidence that any one had visited it of +late. There was no sign of a path and the bushes had grown up close to +the door. One of the hinges of the door had rusted away and the door +sagged heavily upon the other. +</P> + +<P> +There was absolutely nothing in the hut except a rough board table and +a three-legged stool. Tom searched about eagerly in the hope that he +might find some food left by its last occupants. He was not +particular, and even mouldy crusts would have been eagerly welcomed. +But even in this he was doomed to be disappointed. +</P> + +<P> +Still it was something to be under a roof. Human beings once had been +there, and the fact seemed to bring him in contact with his kind. And +even this rough shelter was better than being compelled to sleep in the +woods. If he had only had something to still the terrible gnawing at +his stomach he would have been content—at least as far as he could be +contented while a fugitive, with his life and liberty in constant +danger. +</P> + +<P> +After he had rested a while he went outside, with the double purpose of +watching for enemies and trying to find something to eat. He fashioned +a club from a stout branch and made several attempts to get a squirrel +or a bird by hurling it at them. But the weapon was too clumsy and +they were too quick, and this forlorn hope came to nothing. So that +when night at last dropped down upon him he was more hungry than ever +and had to go to sleep supperless. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning he was more fortunate, for he came upon a stream that +abounded in fish. He improvised a hook and line and landed several +fair-sized ones. He had some matches in an oilskin pouch, and he made +a little fire in a deep depression, so as to hide the smoke, and +roasted fish over it. He had no salt, but never had a meal tasted more +delicious in his life. +</P> + +<P> +Now a burden was lifted from his mind. At least he would not starve. +Fish, no doubt, would grow wearisome as a diet if it were varied with +nothing else. But at least it would sustain life and give him strength +for the tasks that lay before him. +</P> + +<P> +He listened for the booming of the guns and tried to figure out from +the sound just where the contending armies were facing each other. +Sometimes they grew louder and fiercer, and at other times seemed to +recede, as the tide of battle ebbed and flowed. But there was rarely +any lull in the ominous thunder, and Tom knew that the fiercest kind of +fighting was going on. He thought of Frank and Bart and Billy, who he +felt sure were in the very thick of it, and he grew desperate at the +thought that he was not at their side, facing the same dangers, and, as +he hoped, sharing in the same victories. +</P> + +<P> +Gradually he worked his way down the mountain, taking the utmost care +to avoid detection, until he felt sure from the increasing din that he +was not far from one or the other of the hostile armies. But it was of +the utmost importance to him to know whether he was within the German +or the American lines. +</P> + +<P> +The question was solved for him when, some days later, he caught sight +of a file of German soldiers passing through a ravine a little way +below him. These were followed by others. He sought shelter instantly +upon catching his first glimpse of them, but the bushes were thin at +that point, and a huge tree seemed to offer a more secure refuge. He +climbed it quickly, and, peering through the leaves, tried to figure +out the situation. Rank after rank passed, and seemed to be taking up +a position with the view of making an attack. Batteries were drawn up, +and their guns pointed in a direction away from where Tom was hiding. +This was a valuable, but at the same time a painful, bit of +information, because it showed Tom that he was behind the German lines +instead of in front of them. If he had been in front, it would be +simply a matter of making his way in all haste to where the American +armies lay. Now he knew that in order to reach his own lines he would +have to cross through the German positions. And without weapons this +could only be a forlorn hope. Even had he been armed it would have +been a desperate chance. +</P> + +<P> +He was pondering this fact with a sinking of the heart, when suddenly +he saw approaching a man in American uniform. What could it mean? The +man was not a prisoner, or he would have been under guard. Yet what +other explanation was there for the appearance of the uniform in the +midst of the Germans, who swarmed all about? +</P> + +<P> +The man came nearer, until he paused beneath the tree. He looked about +as though expecting to see some one. Then he glanced at the watch on +his wrist, and uttered an exclamation of impatience. It was evident +that he had made an appointment, and that the other party to the tryst +was slow in coming. +</P> + +<P> +The day was warm, and the upward climb through the woods had been +arduous. The man took his hat from his head and wiped his forehead +with his handkerchief. As he did so, Tom caught his first glimpse of +the newcomer's face, and his heart gave a leap of surprise as well as +repulsion when he recognized Nick Rabig. +</P> + +<P> +The last news that Tom had had of Rabig was that he had been taken +prisoner in the preceding Fall. He had not known, of course, of Nick's +alleged escape from German captivity, and of his return to the American +lines, but his quick mind readily reached the correct conclusion. He +had always distrusted Rabig and had felt sure that the fellow was at +heart a traitor. He was morally certain that the German corporal, whom +Nick had been assigned to guard, had escaped with Rabig's connivance, +and he remembered what Frank had told him about hearing Rabig's voice +in the woods the night the German spy was shot. But Rabig's cunning, +or perhaps his luck, had prevented his treachery being proved. +</P> + +<P> +Whatever errand had brought Rabig to this spot, Tom felt sure that it +boded no good to the American cause, and even in the precarious +position in which he found himself he rejoiced at the thought that he +might be instrumental in unmasking a traitor. +</P> + +<P> +While these thoughts were passing through his mind, a German officer +approached from another direction. He saw Rabig, and hastened toward +him. He greeted Nick coldly, and with an air that scarcely concealed +the contempt he felt for the man whose services he was using. +</P> + +<P> +An animated colloquy began at once. But unluckily for Tom it was in +German. He hated the language, but just then he would have given +anything if he could have understood what was passing between the two +men. +</P> + +<P> +The conversation continued for some time. Rabig handed over some +papers which the German officer carefully looked over, using a pencil +to follow some lines that seemed to be the tracing of a map or plan. +Then he folded them up and put them carefully in his pocket, and after +a few more sentences had been exchanged Tom heard the clink of money +and saw Rabig tuck something away in his belt. Then the officer stood +up and with a curt nod went away toward the bottom of the hill. +</P> + +<P> +For some minutes more Rabig remained sitting at the foot of the tree. +Then he took money from his belt and counted it carefully. Tom +couldn't help wondering whether it consisted of thirty pieces of silver! +</P> + +<P> +In Tom's mind a plan was rapidly forming. He looked through the trees +in every direction. No one was in sight. From the slope below came +the hum of the camp, but no helmets were visible. +</P> + +<P> +If Rabig had come through the German lines he had done so by means of a +pass. That pass would take him back just as it had brought him +through. He must have it in his pocket now. +</P> + +<P> +Tom measured the distance between himself and the figure sitting +beneath him. Then with the litheness of a panther he dropped plump on +Rabig's shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +The shock was terrific and knocked the breath from the traitor's body. +He rolled over and over. Tom himself was thrown forward on his hands +and knees, but the next moment he had risen and his hands fastened like +a vise around Rabig's throat. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CROSSING THE LINE +</H3> + +<P> +Nick Rabig was a young man of powerful build, and under ordinary +conditions Tom would have had his work cut out for him. But the +surprise and the shock had taken all the fight out of the traitor, and +Tom's sinewy hands never relaxed until Rabig's face was purple and he +lay limp and gasping. Then Tom improvised a gag and thrust it into the +rascal's mouth and rapidly bound his hands and feet. +</P> + +<P> +When he had the miscreant helpless, Tom rose panting to his feet and +looked about him. There was no sign that the struggle had attracted +attention. Rabig himself had had no time to utter a cry for help. +</P> + +<P> +The renegade had revived sufficiently now to understand what had +happened, and his face was a study of conflicting emotions. Rage and +hate and fear showed in his features. He recognized Tom, and he knew +that his treachery stood discovered. He knew that with the evidence +against him he was doomed to stand before a firing squad if he should +be taken into the American lines. +</P> + +<P> +Tom looked at him as one might look at a leper. +</P> + +<P> +"You low-down traitor!" he said bitterly. "You vile scoundrel! I've +caught you at last and caught you dead to rights. You're the most +contemptible thing that breathes. You're a disgrace to your uniform. +You ought to be wearing a wooden overcoat and you will when Uncle Sam +lays his hands on you. I ought to kill you myself this minute." +</P> + +<P> +His hand clenched the pistol which he had taken from Rabig's pocket, +and a look of craven fear came into the traitor's eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't be afraid," said Tom scornfully. "I'm not going to do it. +Perhaps you'll suffer more if I let you live than if I killed you. +You're a marked and branded man. You're a man without a country. The +very men you've sold yourself to look upon you as a yellow dog. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, Rabig, listen to me," Tom went on with deadly earnestness. "I'm +going to strip you of the uniform you've disgraced. I'll have to untie +your hands for a minute to get the coat over your arms, but I've got +the drop on you and if you make the slightest move except to do what I +tell you to you're a dead man." +</P> + +<P> +Rabig was too cowed to do anything but obey, and in a few minutes Tom +had stripped him of coat and trousers and put them on himself. He +re-bound Rabig's hands tightly. Then he went through the pockets of +the coat. +</P> + +<P> +As he had expected he found the pass that had admitted Rabig to the +German lines. Opposite the word "<I>Losung</I>," which Tom knew meant +"countersign," was scribbled the word "Potsdam." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess this thing that brought you over will take me back," Tom +remarked. "Now, Rabig, I'm going to leave you here with your German +friends. They'll pick you up after a while, though I don't care +whether they do or not. I'm going back to the boys of the old +Thirty-seventh and tell them just what has happened to Nick Rabig, the +traitor. So long, Benedict Arnold." +</P> + +<P> +With a parting glance of contempt Tom left the traitor and went down +the hill with a confidence that he was very far from feeling. +</P> + +<P> +He had the pass and the countersign, but he was not sure that these +would be sufficient. Perhaps an officer would be called by the sentry +to make sure that everything was all right. Perhaps the sentry at the +point where he should try to pass the line might be the same one who +had let Rabig through, and he might notice the difference in personal +appearance. Any one of a dozen things might happen to arouse suspicion. +</P> + +<P> +Luckily it was growing dark and Tom had pulled Rabig's hat well down +over his face, yet not so far as to make it appear that he was trying +to evade scrutiny. He walked on briskly to a point where a sentry on +duty before an opening in the wire fence was standing. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Halt! Wer da?</I>" hailed the sentry. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Ein Freund</I>," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Losung.</I>" +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Potsdam.</I>" +</P> + +<P> +At the same time Tom carelessly extended the pass which the sentry +glanced at and returned to him with a curt gesture, in which Tom +thought he saw contempt. But it meant that he was free to pass, and he +did so with an air of indifference. +</P> + +<P> +His heart was beating so fast that it seemed as if he would suffocate. +At every step he feared to hear a shout behind him that would tell him +that the ruse was discovered. But the fortune that had frowned upon +him so many times of late this time was friendly. Behind him were the +usual camp noises and nothing more. +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes he had gotten out of sight of the lines and was in the +woods at a point where the trees grew thickly and only a half-beaten +trail led through the underbrush. Then he quickened his pace and soon +found himself running. +</P> + +<P> +If he were pursued, he had fully made up his mind what he would do. He +would never again see the inside of a German prison. He had the +revolver and he would fight to the last breath. He might go down, +probably would, considering the odds that there would be against him, +but he would die fighting, and would take one or more of his enemies +with him. +</P> + +<P> +He was racing along now at top speed and he only slackened his gait +when he knew that he had put miles behind him. By that time it had +grown wholly dark, and in the woods it was as black as pitch. He was +safe for that night at least. His enemies could not have seen him if +they had been within ten feet of him. +</P> + +<P> +And the darkness brought with it a word of warning. While in one sense +it was a protection, on the other it had in it an element of danger. +He could no longer know the direction in which he was traveling. He +knew the danger there was of traveling in a circle. If he kept on he +might swing around in the direction of the German lines. And it would +be a sorry ending to his flight to have it finish at the very point +from which he had started. +</P> + +<P> +He made up his mind that he would curl himself up in some thicket and +snatch a few hours of sleep. At the first glimmer of dawn he would +resume his journey. Then he could see, no doubt, the American lines, +from which he knew he could not be very far away. The big guns, too, +that had now settled down to their nightly muttering, would be in full +cry at dawn, and sound as well as sight would help him. +</P> + +<P> +He found a heavy clump of bushes into which he crawled. He had no fear +of oversleeping. He knew that his burdened mind would keep watch while +his body slept, and that he would surely wake at the first streak of +dawn. +</P> + +<P> +</P> + +<P> +Some distance ahead of where the old Thirty-seventh was posted on the +far-flung battle line, the Army Boys were on sentry duty. It was the +turn of Corporal Wilson's squad to perform this irksome task, and they +were glad that it was nearly over and that soon they would be relieved. +</P> + +<P> +Their beats adjoined each other and there were times when they met and +could exchange a few words to break the monotony of the long grind. +</P> + +<P> +"This sentry stuff doesn't make a hit with me," grumbled Bart. "I'm +getting blisters on my feet from walking." +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you expect to get them, on your head?" laughed Frank. "Cheer +up, old man. The sun will be up in a few minutes and then the relief +will be along." +</P> + +<P> +"It can't come too soon," chimed in Billy. "Gee, but I'm hungry! This +early morning air does sure give you an appetite." +</P> + +<P> +"If only something would happen," complained Bart. "It's the deadly +monotony of the thing that gets my goat. Now if a Hun patrol should +come along and stir things up, it would be worth while." +</P> + +<P> +A sharp exclamation came from Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out, fellows!" he warned. "I saw those bushes moving over on the +slope of that hill just now and there isn't a bit of wind." +</P> + +<P> +In an instant they had their rifles ready. +</P> + +<P> +The bushes parted and a figure stepped forth into the open. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it's one of our fellows!" said Bart, as he saw the American +uniform. +</P> + +<P> +"Been out on scout duty, I suppose," remarked Billy. +</P> + +<P> +Frank said nothing. His keen eyes noted the newcomer and his heart +began to thump strangely. +</P> + +<P> +As the soldier came nearer he took off his hat and waved it at them. +</P> + +<P> +A yell of delight broke from the startled group. +</P> + +<P> +"It's Tom! It's Tom! It's Tom!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A JOYOUS REUNION +</H3> + +<P> +Shouting like so many maniacs, they rushed toward him. At the same +instant Tom, too, began to run, and in a moment they had their arms +around him, and were hugging him, pounding him, mauling him, +exclaiming, questioning, laughing, rejoicing, all in one breath. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was back with them again, good old Tom, their chum, their comrade, +Tom, over whose fate they had spent so many sleepless hours, Tom, for +whom any one of them would have risked his life, Tom who they knew was +captured, and who they feared might be dead. +</P> + +<P> +There he was, the same old Tom, with face and body thin, with hair +unkempt and matted, with traces showing everywhere of the anxiety and +suffering he had undergone, and yet with the same indomitable spirit +that neither captivity nor threatened death had broken, and the same +smile upon his lips and twinkle in his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Easy, easy there, fellows," he protested laughing. "Let me come up +for air. And before anything else, lead me to some grub. I haven't +eaten for so long that there's only a vacuum where my stomach ought to +be." +</P> + +<P> +"You bet we'll lead you to it," cried Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"An anaconda will have nothing on you when we get through filling you +up," promised Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"What did I tell you, fellows," cried Frank delightedly. "Didn't I say +the old boy'd be coming in some morning and asking us if breakfast was +ready?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom was giving Frank the long-lost letter he had been carrying when +Corporal Wilson came up with the relief and their greeting was almost +as boisterous and hilarious as that of his own particular chums had +been, for Tom was a universal favorite in the regiment, and they had +all mourned his loss. +</P> + +<P> +They would have overwhelmed him with questions, but Frank interposed. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing doing, fellows," he said. "This boy isn't going to say +another word until we've taken him to mess and filled him up till he +can't move. After that there'll be plenty of time for a talk and we'll +keep him talking till the cows come home." +</P> + +<P> +It was a rejoicing crowd that took Tom back to the main body of the +regiment, where he almost had his hands wrung from him. They piled his +plate and filled his coffee cup again and again and watched him while +he ate like a famished wolf. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom's running true to form," joked Frank, as they saw the food vanish +before his onslaught. +</P> + +<P> +"Whatever else the Huns took away from him, they left him his +appetite," chuckled Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Left it?" grinned Tom, as he attacked another helping. "They added to +it. I never knew what hunger was before. Bring on anything you've +got, and I'll tackle it. All except fish. I'm ashamed now to look a +fish in the face." +</P> + +<P> +It was a long time before he had had enough. Then with a look of +seraphic contentment on his face he sat back, loosened his belt a +notch, and sighed with perfect happiness. +</P> + +<P> +"Now fellows, fire away," he grinned, "and I'll tell you the sad story +of my life." +</P> + +<P> +They needed no second invitation, for they had been fairly bursting +with eagerness and curiosity. Questions rained on him thick and fast. +Their fists clenched when he told them of the cruelties to which he had +been subjected. They were loud in admiration of the way in which he +had met and overcome his difficulties. They roared with laughter when +he told them of the alarm clock, and Tom himself, to whom it had been +no joke at the time, laughed now as heartily as the rest. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's the way you got those ropes gnawed through when you were at +the farmhouse," exclaimed Frank, when Tom told them of the aid that had +come to him from the rats. "We figured out everything else but that. +We thought that you must have frayed them against a piece of glass." +</P> + +<P> +"I used to hate rats," said Tom, "but I don't now. I'll never have a +trap set in any house of mine as long as I live." +</P> + +<P> +"If you'd only known how safe it would have been to walk downstairs +that day!" mourned Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Wouldn't it have been bully?" agreed Tom. "Think of the satisfaction +it would have been to have had the bulge on that lieutenant who was +going to hang me. I wouldn't have done a thing to him!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we got him anyway and that's one comfort," remarked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"To think that you were legging it away from the house just as we were +coming toward it," said Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"It was the toughest kind of luck," admitted Tom. "Yet perhaps it was +all for the best, for then I might not have had the chance to get the +best of Rabig." +</P> + +<P> +"Rabig?" exclaimed Frank, for the traitor had not yet been mentioned in +Tom's narrative. +</P> + +<P> +"What about him?" questioned Billy eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold your horses," grinned Tom. "I'll get to him in good time. If it +hadn't been for Rabig I wouldn't be here. I owe that much to the +skunk, anyway." +</P> + +<P> +It was hard for them to wait, but they were fully rewarded when Tom +described the way in which he had trapped and stripped the renegade, +and left him lying in the woods. +</P> + +<P> +"Bully boy!" exclaimed Frank. "That was the very best day's work you +ever did." +</P> + +<P> +"Got the goods on him at last," exulted Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"The only man in the old Thirty-seventh that has played the yellow +dog," commented Billy. "The regiment's well rid of him. He'll never +dare to show his face again." +</P> + +<P> +"He can fight for Germany now," said Frank, "and if he does, I only +hope that some day I'll run across him in the fighting." +</P> + +<P> +"You won't if he sees you first," grinned Billy. "He doesn't want any +of your game." +</P> + +<P> +Tom had left one thing till the last. +</P> + +<P> +"By the way, Frank," he remarked casually, "I ran across a fellow in +the German prison camp who came from Auvergne, the same province where +you've told me your mother lived when she was a girl. He said he knew +her family well." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that so?" asked Frank with quick interest. "What was his name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Martel," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Why that's the name of the butler who used to be in my mother's +family!" cried Frank. "Colonel Pavet was telling me that he had been +captured, and had died in prison. I was hoping that he was mistaken in +that, for the colonel said he had information that might help my mother +to get her property." +</P> + +<P> +"The colonel is right about the man's dying," replied Tom, "for I was +with him when he died." +</P> + +<P> +"It's too bad," said Frank dejectedly. +</P> + +<P> +"I shouldn't wonder if he did not know something," said Tom, "for he +seemed to have something on his mind. He told me one time that his +imprisonment and sickness happened as a judgment on him." +</P> + +<P> +"If we could only have had his testimony before he died," mourned Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I got it," declared Tom triumphantly. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT +</H3> + +<P> +Frank sprang to his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Just this," replied Tom, taking the confession from his pocket. "He +told me the whole story and there it is in black and white, names of +witnesses and all." +</P> + +<P> +Frank read the confession with growing excitement, while his comrades +clustered closely around him. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom, old scout!" Frank exclaimed, as the whole significance of the +confession dawned upon him, "you've done me a service that I'll never +forget. Now we can see our way clear, and my mother will come into her +rights." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm mighty glad, old boy," replied Tom with a happy smile. "I've held +on to that paper through thick and thin, because I knew what it would +mean to you and your mother. But now," he went on, "I've been +answering the questions of all this bunch and turn about is fair play. +Tell me how our boys are doing. How is the big drive going on? Have +we stopped the Germans yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"They're slowing up," said Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"We're whipping them," declared Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't quite say that," objected Frank. "We haven't whipped them +yet except in spots. Of course we're going to lick them. The whole +world knows that now except the Germans themselves, and I shouldn't +wonder if they were beginning to believe it in their hearts. But +they'll stand a whole lot of beating yet, and we don't want to kid +ourselves that it's going to be an easy job. But we're holding them +back, and pretty soon we'll be driving them back." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll bet the old Thirty-seventh has been doing its full share," said +Tom proudly. +</P> + +<P> +"You bet it has," crowed Billy. "Tom, old man, you've missed some +lovely fighting." +</P> + +<P> +"You fellows have had all the luck," refilled Tom wistfully. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't grouch, Tom," laughed Frank. "There's plenty of it yet to come. +And I'll bet you'll fight harder than ever now, when you think of all +you've been through. You've got a personal score to settle with the +Huns now, as well as to get in licks for Uncle Sam." +</P> + +<P> +"You're right there," replied Tom, as his eyes blazed. "I can't wait +to get at them. My fingers fairly itch to get hold of a rifle." +</P> + +<P> +"But you ought to have a little rest and get your strength back before +you get in the ranks again," suggested Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"None of that rest stuff for me," declared Tom. "When you boys get in +I'm going to be right alongside of you." +</P> + +<P> +His wish was not to be gratified that day, however, for there was a +lull in the fighting just then while the hostile armies manoeuvred for +position. But the pause was only temporary, and the next day the storm +broke in all its fury. +</P> + +<P> +Of course Tom had to make a report at headquarters. There his story, +especially as it related to Nick Rabig, was listened to with much +interest. +</P> + +<P> +When the fighting began again it was not trench work. That was already +in the past. Of course the armies took advantage of whatever shelter +was offered them, and there were times when shallow trenches were dug +with feverish haste. But these were only to be used for minutes or for +hours, not for weeks and months at a time. The great battle had become +one of open warfare, and it ebbed and flowed over miles of meadow and +woodland, of hill and valley. +</P> + +<P> +It was just the style of fighting that suited the American troops. +They wanted action, action every minute. They wanted to see their +enemies, to get at grips with them, to pit their brawn and muscle, +their wit and courage against the best the enemy could bring forth. It +was the way their ancestors had fought, man to man, bayonet to bayonet, +where sheer pluck and power would give the victory to the men who +possessed them in largest measure. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll be in it up to our necks in a few minutes now," muttered Bart, +as they waited for the order to charge. +</P> + +<P> +"It's going to be hot work," remarked Billy. "They've got a pile of +men in that division over there, and they've been putting up a stiff +fight so far this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"They're in for a trimming," declared Frank. "Just wait till the old +Thirty-seventh goes at them on the double quick." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't the orders come?" grumbled Tom. +</P> + +<P> +They came at last and, with a rousing cheer, the regiment rushed +forward. The enemy's guns opened up at them, and a deadly barrage +sought to check the wild fury of their charge. Men went down as shot +and shell tore through them, but the others never faltered. The old +Thirty-seventh was out to win that morning, and a bad time was in store +for whoever stood in the way of its headlong rush. +</P> + +<P> +In the front ranks the Army Boys fought shoulder to shoulder, and when +the regiment struck the enemy line, they plunged forward with the +bayonet. There was a furious melée as they ploughed their way through. +</P> + +<P> +So impetuous was their dash that it carried them too fast and too far. +They found themselves fighting with a group of their comrades against a +fresh body of enemy troops who had just been thrown in in a fierce +counterattack. For the moment they were greatly outnumbered and as the +enemy closed around the little band it seemed as though they were +doomed to be cut off from the support of their comrades. +</P> + +<P> +They must cut their way through and rejoin the main body. And not a +moment must be lost, for the ring surrounding them was constantly being +augmented by fresh reinforcements. +</P> + +<P> +A shot tore Frank's rifle out of his hands. He looked around and saw +an axe that had been left there by some one of an engineer corps. +</P> + +<P> +He stooped and picked it up. He swung it high above his head. In his +powerful hands it was a fearful weapon, and the enemy detachment hi +front of him faltered and drew back. +</P> + +<P> +With a shout of "Lusitania!" Frank leaped forward, his eyes flashing +with the fury of the fight, his axe hewing right and left. Foot by +foot he cut his way through the crowded ranks. +</P> + +<P> +Then suddenly a great blackness came down upon him and he knew nothing +more. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WOUNDS AND TORTURE +</H3> + +<P> +When long hours afterward Frank came to himself, he lay for a time +wondering where he was and what had happened to him. +</P> + +<P> +His brain was not clear, and he had the greatest difficulty in +concentrating his thoughts. Little by little he pieced events +together. He remembered the charge made by his regiment, the pocket in +which he had found himself when he had gone too far in advance of his +comrades, the axe with which he had started to cut his way through the +ring of enemies that surrounded him. There his memory stopped. +</P> + +<P> +He must have been wounded. He raised his head painfully and looked +himself over. He did not seem to be bleeding. He put his hand to his +head. There was a cut there and a great lump that was as big as a +robin's egg. The movement set his brain whirling, and he fell back +dizzy and confused. +</P> + +<P> +How thirsty he was! His mouth felt as though it were stuffed with +cotton. His veins felt as if fire instead of blood was in them. His +tongue seemed to be double its normal size. He would have given all he +possessed for one sip of cool water. +</P> + +<P> +He seemed to be alone. There were bushes all about him. He remembered +that he had been fighting on the edge of a wood where there was a great +deal of underbrush. This no doubt accounted for his being alone. Out +in the meadow beyond there were lying a number of dead and wounded, as +he could see by peering through the bushes. There were some dead men +in the bushes, too, but no wounded. It would have been a comfort at +that moment to have had some wounded companions to whom he might speak, +whom he might help, or by whom he might be helped. He felt as though +he were the only living man in a world of the dead. +</P> + +<P> +He tried to rise, but a horrible pain shot through his right leg as he +bore his weight upon it, and it crumpled under him. He wondered if it +were broken. He felt of it carefully. No bone seemed to be broken as +far as he could tell, but the ankle was swelled to almost double its +normal size. He must have strained or twisted it. The mere touch gave +him agony and he was forced to desist. +</P> + +<P> +His fever increased and he was afraid that he was getting delirious. +Some way or other he must get back to his own lines before his senses +left him. He got up on his hands and feet and began to crawl in what +he thought was the right direction. +</P> + +<P> +He had no idea of time. Things seemed dark around him, but he was not +sure whether this was due to the sky being overcast or to the approach +of twilight. Perhaps it was neither. It might be only that his eyes +were dimmed by the fever that was raging in him. +</P> + +<P> +His wounded leg dragged behind him as he slowly worked along and every +moment was torture. Sometimes it caught in a bush, and the resulting +wrench almost caused him to swoon. But he kept on doggedly. +</P> + +<P> +He passed many dead men, and painfully worked his way around to avoid +touching them. One of them, he noticed, had a sack full of hand +grenades. But the stiffening hand of the owner would never hurl +another of those messengers of death. +</P> + +<P> +On and on Frank toiled. His head felt so light that it seemed to be +detached from his shoulders. He caught himself talking aloud, speaking +the names of Bart and Billy and Tom. Where were they? What were they +doing? Why were they not there with him? +</P> + +<P> +And what had happened to the regiment? Had it been driven back? He +remembered the heavy reinforcements that the enemy had thrown into the +fight. Perhaps the old Thirty-seventh was getting ready for another +attack. But the effort to think was too painful and Frank gave it up. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly he heard the sound of voices a little way in front of him, and +a thrill of joy shot through him. He was paid at that moment for all +his suffering. How lucky that he had steeled himself to the task of +crawling back to his comrades! Soon he would be with the boys again. +They would give him water. They would bind up his leg. His head would +stop aching. The hours of torture would be over. +</P> + +<P> +He was about to shout to them, when through a thick clump of bushes he +saw the helmets of German soldiers. They were working feverishly to +get some machine guns in position. It was evident that they were +expecting an attack. +</P> + +<P> +In that moment of terrible disappointment Frank tasted the bitterness +of death. All that agony had been endured only to bring him into the +hands of the Huns! +</P> + +<P> +But this revulsion of feeling lasted only for an instant. The sight of +his enemies had cleared his brain and awakened his indomitable fighting +instinct. The Huns were working like mad at the machine-gun nest. +That meant that the old Thirty-seventh was coming back! He must help +them. These guns, cunningly placed, would do terrible execution if +they were allowed to work their will. +</P> + +<P> +But what could he do unaided and alone? He was wounded and weaponless. +</P> + +<P> +Like a flash the thought came to him of the dead man whose sack was +full of hand grenades. +</P> + +<P> +His body quailed at the thought of the journey back to where the man +lay. But his spirit mastered the flesh. +</P> + +<P> +With his dragging leg one quivering pain, he crawled back. It seemed +ages before he got there, but at last he had secured three of the +grenades and started back for the machine-gun nest. +</P> + +<P> +He had no more than time. Behind him, he heard the well-known cheer of +his regiment. The boys were coming! +</P> + +<P> +The gun crews heard it, too, and they gathered about their weapons, +whose deadly muzzles pointed in the direction from which the rush was +coming. +</P> + +<P> +Supporting himself on one hand and knee, Frank hurled his grenades over +the top of the bush in quick succession. They fell right in the midst +of the startled Germans. There was a terrific explosion and the guns +and crews were torn to pieces. Another instant and the old +Thirty-seventh came smashing its way to victory. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +DRIVEN BACK +</H3> + +<P> +Two weeks later and Frank had left the hospital and was back again with +the Army Boys. The injury to his head was found to be not serious, and +the leg although badly wrenched and strained had no bone broken. It +yielded rapidly to treatment, and Frank's splendid strength and +vitality aided greatly in his cure. +</P> + +<P> +There was immense jubilation among the Army Boys when their idolized +comrade resumed his place in the ranks. +</P> + +<P> +"You can't keep a squirrel on the ground," exulted Tom, as he gave his +friend a tremendous thump on the back. +</P> + +<P> +"Or Frank Sheldon away from the firing line," grinned Bart, looking at +his friend admiringly. +</P> + +<P> +"You didn't think I was going to stay in that dinky hospital when there +was so much doing, did you?" laughed Frank. "Say, fellows, if my leg +had been broken instead of just sprained, I'd have died of a broken +heart. I've got to get busy now and get even with the boches for that +crack on the head they gave me. It's a good thing it's solid ivory, or +it would have been split for fair." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't need to worry about paying the Germans back," chuckled +Billy. "You paid them in advance. You don't owe them a thing. Say, +what George Washington did to the cherry tree with his little hatchet +wasn't a circumstance to what you did to the Huns with that axe of +yours. The axe is your weapon, Frank. A rifle doesn't run one, two, +three, compared with it." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll admit that the axe work was good as a curtain raiser," remarked +Tom. "But the real show was when those machine guns and their crews +were blown to pieces. That made the work of the regiment easy." +</P> + +<P> +"It was classy work," agreed Will Stone, who came along just then and +heard what they were talking about. +</P> + +<P> +"How are the tanks?" asked Frank of the newcomer. "I suppose old Jumbo +is just spoiling for a fight." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess he is," replied Stone, with a touch of affection in his voice +for the monster tank that he commanded, "and from all I hear he's going +to get lots of it." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess we all are," said Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"All little pals together," hummed Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"And it's going to be a different kind of fighting," went on Stone. +"The tide is turning at last. The Hun has been doing the driving. Now +he's going to be driven." +</P> + +<P> +"Glory hallelujah!" cried Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think that General Foch is going to take the offensive?" asked +Bart eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks that way," replied Stone. "Of course, I'm not in the secrets +of the High Command, and only General Foch himself knows when and where +he's going to strike. But by the way they're massing tanks here I +think it will be soon. They're gathering them by the hundreds in the +woods, so that the movement can't be seen by enemy aviators. When the +blow comes it will be a heavy one. And do you notice the way the +American divisions are being brought together here? That means that +they'll take a big part in the offensive. Foch has been watching what +our boys have been doing, and he's going to put us in the front ranks." +</P> + +<P> +"Better and better," chortled Billy. "That boy's got good judgment. +He's a born fighter himself and he knows fighters when he sees them." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you boys keep right on your toes," said Stone, as he prepared to +leave them, "and I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that within three days +you'll see the Heinies on the run." +</P> + +<P> +Two days passed and nothing special happened. Then at dawn on the +third day, Foch struck like a thunderbolt! +</P> + +<P> +He had gathered his forces. He had chosen the place. He had bided his +time. +</P> + +<P> +The German forces were taken utterly by surprise. Their General Staff +was caught napping. They had underestimated their enemy's daring and +resources. Their flank was exposed, and it crumpled up under the +terrific and unexpected blow. +</P> + +<P> +Thousands of prisoners and hundreds of guns were taken on the first +day, and the success was continued for many days thereafter. The +Allies were elated and the Germans correspondingly depressed. Their +boasted drive had been held back, and now they themselves were the +pursued, with the Allies, flushed with victory, close upon their heels. +</P> + +<P> +The Army Boys were in their element, and they fought with a dash and +spirit that they had never surpassed. Other volumes of this series +will tell of the thrilling exploits, with the tanks and otherwise, by +which they upheld the honor and glory of the Stars and Stripes. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Frank one evening, after a day crowded with splendid +fighting, "we've put a dent in the Kaiser's helmet." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," grinned Bart, as he wiped his glowing face. "Considering that +we're green troops that were going to run like sheep before the +Prussian Guards, we haven't done so badly." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess the folks at home aren't kicking," remarked Tom. "They told +us to come over here and clean up, and so far we've been obeying +orders." +</P> + +<P> +"We've held back the German drive," put in Billy, "but that's just the +beginning. Now we've got to tackle another job. We've got to drive +the Hun out of France——" +</P> + +<P> +"And out of Belgium," added Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"And back to the Rhine," chimed in Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Get it right, you boobs," laughed Frank. "Straight back to Berlin!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 21671-h.txt or 21671-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/6/7/21671</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Army Boys on the Firing Line + or, Holding Back the German Drive + + +Author: Homer Randall + + + +Release Date: June 3, 2007 [eBook #21671] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 21671-h.htm or 21671-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671/21671-h/21671-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671/21671-h.zip) + + + + + +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE + +Or + +Holding Back the German Drive + +by + +HOMER RANDALL + +Author of "Army Boys in France," "Army Boys in the French Trenches," +etc. + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full +in the sentry's face.] + + + +The World Syndicate Publishing Co. +Cleveland, O. ------ New York, N. Y. + +Copyright, 1919, by +George Sully & Company + + + + +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + I FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS + II A PERILOUS JOURNEY + III AMONG THE MISSING + IV CAPTURED OR DEAD? + V NICK RABIG TURNS UP + VI THE COMING DRIVE + VII IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS + VIII FRYING-PAN TO FIRE + IX THE CONFESSION + X A MIDNIGHT SWIM + XI GALLANT WORK + XII THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT + XIII A DEEPENING MYSTERY + XIV THE STORM OF WAR + XV FURRY RESCUERS + XVI CLOSING THE GAP + XVII THE MINED BRIDGE + XVIII A DESPERATE VENTURE + XIX THE JAWS OF DEATH + XX A TRAITOR UNMASKED + XXI CROSSING THE LINE + XXII A JOYOUS REUNION + XXIII CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT + XXIV WOUNDS AND TORTURE + XXV DRIVEN BACK + + + + +ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE + + +CHAPTER I + +FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS + +"The Huns are coming!" exclaimed Frank Sheldon, as from the American +front line his keen, gray eyes searched a broad belt of woodland three +hundred yards away. + +"Bad habit they have," drawled his special chum and comrade, Bart +Raymond, running his finger along the edge of his bayonet. "We'll have +to try to cure them of it." + +"I think they're getting over it to some extent," remarked Tom +Bradford, who stood at Frank's left. "The last time they tried to rush +us they went back in a bigger hurry than they came. What we did to +them was a shame!" + +"They certainly left a lot of dead men hanging on our wires," put in +Billy Waldon. "But there are plenty of them ready to take their +places, and the Kaiser's willing to fight to the last man, though you +notice he keeps his own precious skin out of the line of fire." + +"I think Frank's getting us on a string," chaffed Tom, when some +minutes had passed in grim waiting. "I don't see any Heinies. Trot +out your Huns, Frank, and let's have a look at them." + +"You'll see them soon enough," retorted Frank. "I saw the flash of +bayonets in that fringe of woods and I'm sure they're massing." + +"Do you remember that little thrilly feeling that used to go up and +down our spines when we were green at the war game?" grinned Bart. "I +feel it now to some extent, but nothing to what I did at first." + +"That's because we've tackled the boches and taken their measure," +commented Frank. "We know now that man for man when conditions are +equal we can lick them. The world had been so fed up with stories +about Prussian discipline that it seemed as though the Germans must be +supermen. But a bullet or a bayonet can get them just like any one +else, and when it comes to close quarters, the American eagle can pick +the pin feathers out of any Prussian bird." + +"It isn't but what they're brave enough," remarked Bart. "When they're +fighting in heavy masses they're a tough proposition. But they've got +to feel somebody else's shoulder against theirs to be at their best. +Turn a hundred of them loose in a ten-acre lot against the same number +of Americans, where each man had to pick out his own opponent, and see +what would happen to them." + +"They wouldn't be in it," agreed Tom with conviction. "Put a Heinie in +a strange position where he has to think quickly without an officer to +help him, and he's up in the air. Take his map away from him and he's +lost." + +"Even when you talk of his mass fighting being so good, perhaps you're +giving him too much credit," said Billy grudgingly. "He goes into +battle with his officer's revolver trained on him, and he knows that if +he flinches he'll be shot. He's got a chance if he goes ahead and no +chance at all if he doesn't. And you remember at the battle of the +Somme how the gun crews were chained to their cannon so that they +couldn't run away. You'll notice that we don't use chains or revolvers +for that purpose in the American army." + +"I heard Captain Baker tell the colonel the other day that what he +needed was a brake instead of a spur in handling his bunch of +doughboys," chuckled Tom. + +"Quit your chinning," commanded Frank suddenly. "Here they come! Now +will you boobs tell me that my eyesight's no good?" + +"You win," agreed Bart, as a sharp word of command came down the line. +"They're coming for fair!" + +From the thick woods beyond, a huge force of enemy troops were coming, +marching shoulder to shoulder as stiffly and precisely as though they +were on parade or were passing in review before the Kaiser himself. + +Their artillery, which had been keeping up a steady fire, now redoubled +in volume, and a protecting barrage was laid down, in the shelter of +which they steadily advanced. + +But now the American guns opened up with a roar that shook the ground. +The guns were served with the precision that has made American gunnery +the envy of the world, and great gaps were torn in the dense masses of +the enemy troops. But the lanes filled up instantly, and with hardly a +moment of faltering the advance continued. + +As the troops drew nearer, it could be seen that all the men were clad +in brand-new uniforms as though for a festive occasion. + +"Getting ready to celebrate in advance," murmured Bart. "They must +feel pretty sure of themselves." + +"Just Prussian bluff," growled Tom. "They think it will brace up +Fritz, and that we'll think it's all over but the shouting and lighting +out for home." + +"They'll have to take those uniforms to the tailors when we get through +with them," muttered Billy, as he took a tighter grasp on the stock of +his rifle. + +"They'll do well enough for shrouds," added Frank grimly. + +The advancing troops were now not more than a hundred yards away, and +though their losses had been severe there were so many left that it was +evident it would come to a hand-to-hand fight. The enemy cannon had +torn big rents in the barbed wire entanglements that stretched before +the American position so that it would be possible to get through. + +Now the American machine guns began sputtering, and their shrill treble +blended with the deep bass of the heavier field guns. A moment more, +and from the rifles of the American infantry a withering blast of flame +sprang out and the enemy went down in heaps. + +There were signs of confusion in the German ranks and the American +commander gave the signal to charge. + +Out from their shallow trenches leaped the Army Boys, the light of +battle in their eyes, and fell like an avalanche upon the advancing +hosts. + +In an instant there was a welter of fearful fighting. The force of the +enemy had been largely spent by their march over that field of death, +while the Americans were fresh and their vigor unimpaired. + +For a brief space the Germans were pressed back, but they had +concentrated their forces on that section of the line so that they +outnumbered the Americans by two or three to one, and little by little, +by sheer weight, they pressed their opponents back. And behind those +immediately engaged, fresh forces could be seen emerging from the woods +and coming to the help of their comrades. + +But Americans never show to such advantage as when they are fighting +against odds, and the battle line swayed back and forth, first one and +then the other side seeming to have a temporary advantage. + +Frank and his comrades were in the very thick of the fight, shooting, +stabbing, using now the bayonet and again the butts of their rifles as +the occasion demanded. There was a red mist before their eyes and +their blood was pounding in their veins and drumming in their ears from +their tremendous exertions. + +Slowly but surely, the fierce determination of the Americans began to +tell. The solid enemy front was broken up into groups, and the gaps +grew wider and wider as their men were pushed back further and further +over the ground that lay between the lines. In the center the +Americans were winning. + +But suddenly a new danger threatened. A fresh body of German troops +had worked its way to a position where it could attack the American +right flank, which was but thinly held because for the time being the +bulk of the forces were engaged in pressing the advantage gained at the +center. If the enemy could turn that flank and throw it back in +confusion on the main body, it might lead to serious disaster. + +At the point where Frank and his comrades were fighting, there was a +nest of machine guns that commanded the space over which the new enemy +forces were bearing down on the threatened flank. Several of the gun +crews had fallen, and the guns were temporarily unserved. + +There was no time to wait for orders. Another minute and the guns +would be in the enemy's hands. + +"Quick, Bart! Come along, Billy and Tom!" shouted Frank, as he rushed +toward the guns. + +His chums were on his heels in an instant. Quick as a flash, the guns +were aimed, and streams of bullets cut the front ranks of the attacking +force to ribbons. Volley after volley followed, until the guns were so +hot that the hands of the young soldiers were blistered. + +But the hardest part of their work was done, for now fresh guns had +been brought into position and the flank was strengthened beyond the +power of the enemy to break. Frank's quick thought and instant action +had averted what might have been a calamity that would have decided the +fortune of the day. + +"Good work, old man!" panted Bart, when in a momentary lull he could +gain breath enough to speak. + +"Yours as well as mine!" gasped Frank, as he dashed the perspiration +from his forehead. "If you fellows hadn't been right on the job, I +couldn't have done anything worth while." + +Regular crews had now been assigned to take their places, and resuming +their positions in the ranks the young soldiers plunged once more into +the hand-to-hand work at which they were masters. + +The issue was no longer in doubt. The scale had turned against the +Germans and they were retreating. But they went back stubbornly, +giving ground only inch by inch, and in certain scattered groups the +fighting was as furious as ever. + +As far as might be, they kept together, but as the swirl of the battle +tore them apart, Tom and Billy were lost sight of by Bart and Frank, +who were laying about them right and left among the enemy. + +A sharp exclamation from Bart caused Frank to turn his eyes toward him +for a second. + +"Hurt, Bart?" he queried anxiously. + +"Bullet ridged my shoulder," responded Bart. "Doesn't amount to +anything, though. Look out, Frank!" he yelled, his voice rising almost +to a scream. Frank turned to see two burly Germans bearing down upon +him with fixed bayonets. + +Bart sought to engage one of them, but was caught up in a mass of +combatants and Frank was left to meet the onset alone. + +Quick as a cat, he sidestepped one of them, and putting out his foot +tripped him as he plunged past. He went down with a crash, and his +rifle flew from his hands. + +The remaining German made a savage lunge, but Frank deftly caught the +blade upon his own, and the next instant they were engaged in a deadly +bayonet duel. + +It was fierce but also brief. A thrust, a parry, and Frank drove his +weapon through the shoulder of his opponent. The latter reeled and +fell. Frank strove to pull out his weapon, but it stuck fast, and just +then a pair of sinewy hands fastened on his throat and he looked into +the reddened eyes of the antagonist whom he had tripped. + +With a quick wrench Frank tore himself away, and the next instant he +had grappled with his opponent and they swayed back and forth, each +putting forth every ounce of his strength in the effort to master the +other. + +Panting, straining, gasping, neither one of them saw that the struggle +had brought them to the edge of a deep shell crater. A moment more and +they fell with a crash to the bottom of the hole. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A PERILOUS JOURNEY + +The shock was a heavy one. For an instant both combatants were +stunned. The flying arms and legs straightened out and lay quiet. +Then Frank staggered painfully up to his hands and knees. + +Luckily he had fallen on top, and the breath had been knocked out of +his opponent's body. But even as Frank looked down upon him, his foe +showed signs of reviving. His eyes opened, and a glare of rage came in +them as they rested on Frank. + +He put his hand to his belt, but Frank was the quicker and in an +instant his knife was out and pointed at the German's throat. + +"Say 'Kamerad,'" he commanded. + +The German hesitated, but a tiny prick of the knife decided him. + +"Kamerad," he growled sullenly. + +"That's right," said Frank, "but just to make sure that you won't stick +your knife into me when I'm not looking, I guess I'll take care of it. +No, you needn't take the trouble of handing it to me," he continued, as +he saw a vicious expression in his captive's eyes. "You just keep your +hands stretched above your head and I'll find your knife myself. And +don't let those hands come down until I tell you, or something awkward +is likely to happen." + +If the prisoner did not understand all that was said to him, there was +enough in Frank's gestures to indicate his meaning, and the hands went +up and stayed up, while Frank searched his prisoner and removed his +knife, which he put in his own belt. Then he bound the fellow's hands. + +The attack had been made late in the afternoon, and dusk had fallen +while the fight was still going on. Now it was quite dark, and Frank +rose to his feet, intending to clamber out of the shell hole, taking +his prisoner with him. + +But what was his consternation, on lifting his head to the level rim of +the crater, to hear about him commands shouted in hoarse guttural +accents. The sounds of battle had died down and it was evident that +the fight for that day was over. And that part of the field had been +left in German hands! + +Reinforcements coming up in the nick of time had halted a retreat that +was threatening to become a rout. The battle would probably be resumed +on the morrow, but for the present both forces were resting on their +arms. + +The tables were turned with a vengeance. A moment before he had been +holding a prisoner and getting ready to take him into the American +lines. Now he was himself in the enemy lines, liable at any moment to +be discovered and dragged out roughly, to be questioned by German +captors. + +All this passed through Frank's mind in a twinkling. But then another +thought came to him. He must silence his prisoner. + +The thought came not a moment too soon, for as Frank dropped down +beside him a shout arose from the German's lips. He too had heard and +understood the sounds about him. + +In an instant Frank had thrust his handkerchief into the prisoner's +mouth. The man squirmed and struggled, but his bound hands made him +powerless, and Frank soon made a gag that, while allowing the man a +chance to breathe comfortably, would keep him silent. + +Then he settled back and tried to think. And his thoughts were not +pleasant ones. + +He had had a brief taste of German imprisonment, and he was not anxious +to repeat the experience. Yet nothing seemed more probable. Little +short of a miracle would prevent his capture if he stayed there much +longer. In the morning, discovery would be certain. He must escape +that night, if at all. But how could he make his way through that +swarm of enemies? + +And while he is cudgeling his brain to find an answer to the question, +it may be well, for the sake of those who have not read the preceding +volumes of this series, to tell briefly who Frank and his chums were +and what they had done up to the time this story opens. + +Frank Sheldon had been born and brought up in the town of Camport, a +thriving American city of about twenty-five thousand people. His +father was American but his mother was French. Mr. Sheldon had met and +married his wife in her native province of Auvergne, where her parents +owned considerable property. They had died since their daughter's +marriage, and in the natural course of things she would have inherited +the estate. But legal difficulties had developed in regard to the +will, and Frank's parents were contemplating a trip to France to +straighten matters out, when the war broke out and made it impossible. +Mr. Sheldon had died shortly afterward, leaving but a slender income +for his widow. Frank had become her chief support. She was a +charming, lovable woman, and she and her son were very fond of each +other. + +Frank had secured a good position with the firm of Moore & Thomas, a +prosperous hardware house in Camport, and his prospects for the future +were bright when the war broke out. But he was intensely patriotic, +and wanted to volunteer as soon as it became certain that America would +enter the conflict. For a time he held back on account of his mother, +but an insult to the flag by a German, whom Frank promptly knocked down +and compelled to apologize, decided his mother to put no obstacles in +the way of his enlisting. + +But Frank was not the only ardent patriot in the employ of Moore & +Thomas. Almost all of the force wanted to go, including even Reddy the +office boy, who although too young, was full of ardor for Uncle Sam. +Chief among the volunteers were Bart Raymond, Frank's special chum and +a fine type of young American, and Tom Bradford, loyal to the core. +Poor Tom, however, was rejected on account of his teeth, but was +afterward accepted in the draft, and by a stroke of luck rejoined Frank +and Bart at Camp Boone, where they had been sent for training. Another +friend of all three was Billy Waldon, who had been a member of the +Thirty-seventh regiment before the boys had joined it. The four were +the closest kind of friends and stuck by each other through thick and +thin. + +There had been one notable exception to the loyalty of the office +force. This was Nick Rabig, a surly, bullying sort of fellow, who had +been foreman of the shipping department. He was a special enemy of +Frank, whom he cordially hated, and the two had been more than once at +the point of blows. Rabig was of German descent, although born in this +country, and before the war began he had been loud in his praise of +Germany and in "knocks" at America. His chagrin may be imagined when +he found himself caught in the draft net and sent to Camp Boone with +the rest of the Camport contingent. + +How the Army Boys were trained to be soldiers both at home and later in +France; their adventures with submarines on the way over; how Rabig got +what he deserved at the hands of Frank; what adventures they met with +and how they showed the stuff they were made of when they came in +conflict with the Huns--all this and more is told in the first volume +of this series, entitled: "Army Boys in France; Or, From Training Camp +to Trenches." + +From the time they reached the trenches the Army Boys were in hourly +peril of their lives. They took part in many night raids in No Man's +Land and brought back prisoners. Frank met a Colonel Pavet whose life +he saved under heavy fire and learned from the French officer +encouraging news about his mother's property. The four friends had a +thrilling experience when they were chased by Uhlan cavalry, plunged +into a river from a broken bridge only to find when they reached the +other side that the bank was held by German troops. How an airplane +rescued them from German captivity is only one of stirring incidents +narrated in the second volume of the series, entitled: "Army Boys at +the Front; Or, Hand-to-Hand Fights with the Enemy." + +Frank had been in many tight places since he had been in France. In +fact, danger had been so constant that he had come to expect it. To +have a feeling of perfect comfort and security would hardly have seemed +natural. But now he freely owned to himself as he sat crouching low in +the shell hole that his liberty if not his life was scarcely worth a +moment's purchase. + +Something of what was passing in his mind must have been evident to the +German who shared the hole with him. Frank could not see his face +clearly but he could hear the man shaking as if with inward laughter. + +"Laugh ahead, Heinie," remarked Frank, though he knew the man could +probably not understand him. "I'd do the same if the tables were +turned. It'll be a mighty good joke to tell your cronies at mess +tomorrow how the Yankee _schweinhund_ thought he had you and then got +nabbed himself. But they haven't got me yet. Those laugh best who +laugh last, and perhaps I've got a laugh coming to me." + +But just then the laugh seemed a good ways off. At any instant some +one of the many passing to and fro might stumble into the hole and the +game would be up. Or a flare from a star-shell might reveal him +crouching beside his prisoner. His prisoner! What irony there was in +the word under those circumstances. + +Yet not all irony, for at the moment the thought passed through his +mind, another thought told him how he might exercise the power that the +fortune of war had given him over the German and by so doing effect his +escape. + +It was certain that in his American uniform he could not get through +the Germans who surrounded him. His only chance would be to make a +dash, and although he was a swift runner the bullets that would be sent +after him would be swifter. + +_But in a German uniform_-- + +And here was one in the hole right beside him! + +The plan came to him like a flash of light and he started at once to +put it into execution. But just then a sober second thought made him +pause. + +If he were captured wearing his own uniform it would be just as an +ordinary prisoner, entitled to be treated as such by the laws of war. + +But if they took him wearing a German uniform he would be regarded as a +spy and would be shot or hanged offhand, perhaps even without the form +of a court-martial. + +He weighed the question carefully, for he knew that life or death might +result from the way he answered it. + +To help him decide, he raised his head with infinite caution to the rim +of the shell hole and looked about him. In the faint light that came +from lanterns disposed at various places he could see men moving here +and there and catch the murmur of conversation where some of them were +sitting in groups. + +Occasionally a man would rise from one of these gatherings and move +away, apparently without attracting notice or arousing question. Why +could he not do the same? + +Of course there was the chance of a word being addressed to him and he +could not answer without revealing his ignorance of German. But +perhaps he could pretend not to hear or respond with a grunt that would +pass muster. + +One thing was certain. If it were done at all it must be done at once +while there were many about. If he waited until things were quiet his +solitary figure would be sure to attract attention. + +His choice was made. Between the certainty of capture and the chance +of being shot he would take the chance. If worse came to worst he had +his knife and his revolver and he would sell his life dearly. + +He knelt down close by his captive and began to strip off his clothes. +The man was inclined to resist, but a sharp prick of Frank's knife told +him that his captor was in no mind to stand any nonsense and he lay +quiet. It was hard work because the man was heavy and the quarters +were cramped. The coat had to be cut off in places because Frank did +not dare to untie his prisoner's hands. But at last the clothes were +off, and Frank slipped them on over his own. + +It was with a shudder of repulsion that he saw himself clad in the +detested uniform that stood for all that was hateful and brutal in +warfare. It made him feel soiled. But he comforted himself with the +thought that the clothes were only external and that good United States +khaki lay between that abhorred uniform and his skin. + +He saw that the gag was still securely in position and that his +captive's bonds had not relaxed. Then as a last reminder he laid the +back of his knife on the prisoner's neck and felt him shiver beneath +the cold steel. + +"I guess he'll make no attempt to give me away," he said to himself. +"He knows that he'll be all right in the morning anyway." + +Slowly and with the infinite precaution that had been taught him in his +scout training, Frank lifted himself out of the hole and lay flat on +the ground near the edge. There he waited until he was sure that he +had attracted no attention. + +Then having carefully taken his bearings and fixed upon the direction +of the American lines, he yawned, stretched and rising slowly to his +feet strolled carelessly toward the outskirts of the camp. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AMONG THE MISSING + +Frank's heart was beating like a triphammer and his nerves were at a +fearful tension. The next five minutes would probably determine +whether he was to live or die. + +But he kept himself well in hand and to all appearances he was only a +tired German soldier going to his bunk. + +As far as he could without attracting attention, he kept carefully away +from the low fires around which some of the Germans were sitting. But +at one point he was forced to pass within the zone of light, and one of +a group threw a laughing remark at him, occasioned probably by the cuts +in his coat which he had been compelled to make when he had stripped +his prisoner. + +"_Asel!_" Frank flung back at him and passed on, thankful that he at +least knew the German term for jackass. + +Nearer and nearer he drew to the confines of the camp. Here the great +danger lay, for he knew that it would be closely guarded after the +day's fighting. + +If he were challenged what should he say? To the sentinel's "_Wer +da?_" he could answer "_Freund_." But when he was told to advance and +give the countersign what would be his answer? + +He had it ready. But it would not suit the Germans. + +At the point that he had selected for his attempt, there was an opening +in the wire that had been hastily strung to guard against a possible +night attack by the American forces. + +Up and down in front of this a stalwart sentry was pacing. He stopped +and looked sharply at Frank, as the latter approached. When he was ten +feet distant the sentry presented his bayonet and called: + +"_Halt_! _Wer da_?" + +"_Ein freund_," responded Frank. + +"_Losung_," demanded the sentinel, asking for the countersign. + +"America!" answered Frank, and hurled his revolver full in the sentry's +face. + +The heavy butt of the weapon landed plumb in the middle of the German's +forehead. He had opened his mouth to shout, but no sound came forth. +The rifle fell from his hands and he went down like a log. + +With a leap Frank got through the gap in the wire and started running +like a deer toward the American lines. + +There were startled shouts behind him, hoarse commands, a rushing of +feet and a crackling volley of shots. The bullets whizzed and zipped +close to him and he felt a sharp sting as one of them grazed the lower +part of his left arm. Once he stumbled and fell headlong, but he +scrambled hastily to his feet and ran on. + +But now a new peril was added. Behind him a star-shell shot up, +followed by another and another, together with strings of "blazing +onions," until the broken field over which he was making his way became +almost as bright as day. In that greenish radiance his flying figure +stood out sharply, and the firing which had been wild now became more +accurate. At the same time, a look behind him showed that a troop of +men had been hastily organized and was rushing after him. + +This, however, gave him little concern. A bullet might catch him, but +these heavy Germans, never! + +But just as he was comforting himself with this thought he tripped and +went down with a shock that jarred every bit of breath out of his body. + +He struggled to get up but could not move. His lungs labored as though +they would burst. His legs refused to obey his will. He felt as if he +were in the clutches of a nightmare. + +And all the time he could hear the pounding of his pursuers' feet +drawing closer and closer. Would he never be able to breathe again? + +Little by little, during seconds that seemed ages, his breath came back +to him, in short gasps at first but gradually becoming longer, until at +last he rose weakly to his feet. + +He started out again, slowly at first, but, as his wind came back to +him, gathering speed at every stride. But now his pursuers were +perilously near. Those precious seconds lost perhaps had been fatal. + +His fingers gripped the handle of his knife. He would not be taken. +Capture in that uniform meant certain death. No German should gloat +over his execution. If brought to bay he would die fighting then and +there, using his knife so savagely that his enemies would have to shoot +him to save themselves. + +Commands to halt came from behind him accompanied by bullets, but he +only ran the swifter. + +But just then a tumult rose from another quarter. The lines in front +of him seemed to awake. Lights flashed here and there, a mass of +figures detached themselves from the gloom, and in the light of a +star-shell Frank saw a detachment of American troops coming on the run! + +His pursuers saw them too and the chase slackened. There was a hurried +gathering for consultation, a volley of shots, and then the Germans +beat a hasty retreat, hotly pursued by a band of the Americans while +another group of them rushed up and surrounded Frank. + +"Why, it's a Hun!" exclaimed one of them disgustedly, as his eyes fell +on the uniform. "Only a deserter, and we thought they were chasing one +of our own men." + +"That's one on us," remarked another. "The rest of the boys will have +the laugh on us for sure." + +"Do I look like a Heinie?" demanded Frank with a grin. "I can lick the +fellow that calls me one." + +A shout of amazement rose from the crowd as they gathered close to him. + +"Sheldon! Sheldon! Old scout! Bully boy!" + +They mauled and pounded him until he was sore, for he was the idol of +the regiment. There was a rush, and Bart and Billy had their arms +around him and fairly hugged the breath out of him. + +"Frank! Frank!" they exclaimed delightedly. "We thought you were +gone. The last we saw of you, you were fighting like a tiger, but then +the enemy reinforcements came and we were swept away from you. We +didn't know whether you were dead or a prisoner. Thank God you're +neither one nor the other." + +"Pretty close squeak," smiled Frank happily. "But a bit of luck, and +these two legs of mine carried me through, and I'm worth a dozen dead +men yet. But I'm hungry as a wolf, and if you fellows don't feed me up +you'll have me dead on your hands." + +"Trust us," laughed Bart. "You can have the whole shooting match. The +whole mess will go hungry if necessary to fill you up. Come along now +and tell us the story." + +It was a happy crowd that bore Frank back in triumph to his old +quarters. There the rest of the boys flocked about him in welcome and +jubilee. + +"Not a word, fellows," protested Frank laughingly, "until I get these +rags off of me. It's the first time I ever wore a German uniform and I +hope it will be the last. I feel as if I needed to be fumigated before +I'm fit to talk to decent fellows again." + +It was a long time before the hubbub quieted down, and he had to tell +his story again and again before the other soldiers left him alone with +his own particular chums. + +"Where's Tom?" asked Frank. "Our bunch doesn't seem complete without +him. On special duty somewhere, I suppose?" + +Bart and Billy looked at each other with misery in their eyes. + +"What's the matter?" asked Frank in quick alarm, as he intercepted the +glance. "Great Scott!" he added, springing to his feet. "You don't +mean to say that anything's happened to him?" + +Bart shook his head soberly. + +"We don't know," he answered. "The last any of the boys saw of him he +was hacking right and left in a crowd of the boches. But he didn't +come back with the rest of us." + +"You don't mean to say he's dead?" cried Frank. "You're not stalling +to let me down easy?" + +"Not that," protested Billy quickly. "Honor bright, Frank. The burial +parties haven't come across him at last reports, and he hasn't been +picked up as wounded. That's all we know. The chances are that he's +been taken prisoner." + +"Prisoner!" repeated Frank in blank despair. "Tom a prisoner of the +Huns! Heaven help him!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +CAPTURED OR DEAD? + +There was very little sleep for the three Army Boys that night, in +spite of the exhausting labors of the day. They rolled and tossed +restlessly in their bunks, tortured by conjectures as to the fate of +their missing comrade. + +Good old Tom! He had been so close to all of them, loyal to his +heart's core, brave as a lion, ready to stand by them to his last +breath. He had been beside them in many a tight scrape and had always +held up his end. It seemed as though part of themselves had been torn +from them. + +Still, while there was life there was hope, and they drew some comfort +from the fact that he had not yet been found among the dead. If he +were a prisoner he might escape. They had all been in a German prison +camp before and had gotten away. Perhaps Tom might have the same luck +again. + +They fell asleep at last, but the thought clung to them and assumed all +sorts of fantastic attitudes in their dreams so that they awoke tired +and depressed. + +But there was little time on that morning to indulge in private griefs. +The fight was on, and shortly after dawn the battle was resumed. + +All the forenoon it raged with great ferocity. But American grit and +steadfastness never wavered and the enemy was forced to retire with +heavy loss. Not only had they failed to drive the Americans from their +positions, but they had been driven back and forced to surrender a +large portion of their own, including the place where Frank had +crouched in the shell hole the night before. + +Shortly after noon there came a lull while the Americans reorganized +the captured positions. Infantry actions ceased, though the big guns, +like belligerent mastiffs, still kept up their growling at each other. + +"Hot work," remarked Frank, as, after their work was done, the three +friends found themselves together in the shade of a great tree. + +"A corking scrap," agreed Bart, as he sprawled at his ease with his +hands under his head. + +"The Heinies certainly put up a stiff fight," observed Billy, as he +tied up his little finger from which blood was trickling. + +"They felt so sure that they were going to make mincemeat out of us +that it was hard to wake out of their dream," chuckled Frank. "I +wonder if they're still kidding themselves in Berlin that the Yankees +can't fight." + +"In Berlin perhaps but not here," returned Bart. "They've had too much +evidence to the contrary." + +"I wonder if this is really the beginning of the big drive that the +Huns have been boasting about?" hazarded Billy. + +"I hardly think so," replied Frank. "There's no doubt that that's +coming before long, but the fighting yesterday and today was probably +to pinch us out of the salient we're holding. That would straighten +out their line and then they'd be all ready for the big push. When +that comes there will be some doings." + +"The longer they wait the harder the job will be," said Billy. "They +say that our boys are coming over so fast that they're fairly blocking +the roads." + +"They can't come too many or too fast," replied Bart. "And they'll +sure be some busy bees after they get here." + +"Well, we're not worrying," observed Billy. "We're getting along +pretty well, thank you. By the way, Frank," he went on with a grin, +"are you feeling any different on this ground today than you felt last +night?" + +"Bet your life," laughed Frank. "It's just about here that I was +calling a Heinie a jackass. And at that same minute I was thinking +that my life wasn't worth a plugged nickel." + +"Wonder how the fellow made out that you left in the shell hole," +chuckled Billy. + +"Oh, he was all right," replied Frank. "I shouldn't wonder if he was +rather chilly during the night, but no doubt they hauled him out in the +morning." + +"He got off lucky, though," put in Bart. "It's the sentry who got the +hot end of the poker. I wonder what he thought when he heard that +watchword." + +"He didn't have much time to think," guessed Billy, "and to tell the +truth, I don't think he's done much thinking since. That revolver must +have hit him a fearful crack." + +"It's safe to say that it gave him a headache anyway," remarked Bart +drily. + +"Speaking of the revolver," said Frank, rising to his feet, "I'm going +to take a look for it. It was just over near that tree that I plugged +the sentry and it's probably there yet." + +He searched industriously among the welter of debris and after a few +minutes arose with a shout. + +"Here's it is," he said, as he held up his recovered treasure, which +had his initials scratched upon the butt. "Same old trusty and as good +as ever. It's saved my life many a time through the muzzle, but last +night was the first time it saved it through the butt." + +He fondled the weapon lovingly for a moment, carefully cleaned and +reloaded it, and thrust it in his belt. + +Just then a French colonel passed by, accompanied by two orderlies. +The French had been holding a section of the line at the right of the +Americans and their uniform was a familiar sight, so that the boys only +gave the group a passing glance. But Frank's eyes lighted with +pleasure when the colonel detached himself from the others and came +over with extended hand. + +Frank wrung the hand heartily. + +"Why, Colonel Pavet!" he exclaimed. "This is a great pleasure! I +didn't know that you were in this locality." + +"My regiment is only two miles from here," replied the colonel, his +face beaming. "I need not say how glad I always am to see the brave +young soldier who saved my life." + +"What I did any one else would have done," responded Frank lightly. + +"But no one else did," laughed the colonel. "And from what I hear from +your commander you've been doing similar things ever since. I just +heard of your daring escape last night. It was gallantly done, _mon +ami_." + +"Luck was with me," replied Frank. + +"It usually is in such exploits," was the visitor's reply. "You know +the old saying that 'fortune favors the brave.' But I'll spare your +blushes and come down to something that will probably interest you +more. Did you get that letter from Andre, my brother, about your +mother's property?" + +"Why, no, I didn't," answered Frank. "When was it written?" + +"That's strange," said the colonel, a puzzled look coming over his +face. "I received a letter from Andre day before yesterday and he said +that he had written to you by the same mail." + +"Well, you know the mail is rather irregular just now," replied Frank. +"No doubt it will get to me before long. Perhaps your brother told you +something of what was in the letter he wrote to me." + +"Not in detail. He just mentioned that he was very anxious to get hold +of a former butler in your grandfather's family who is now in the +ranks. They had his testimony in part before he was called into +service, but he had not been cross-examined. Andre seems to feel sure +that he can extract information from him that will aid your mother to +come into possession of the estate. Andre's judgment is good, and as +you know, he is one of the leading lawyers of Paris." + +"He is too good, and you also, to take all this trouble in our behalf," +said Frank warmly. "My mother and I can never thank you enough." + +"The debt will be always on our side," responded the colonel with a +wave of the hand. "By the way, how is your mother? I hope she is +well." + +"She was well when I last heard from her," replied Frank, "and +happy--that is as happy as she can be while we are separated from each +other." + +"She is a true daughter of France," said the colonel, "and she should +be happy to have so brave a son. Please remember me to her when you +write. _Au revoir_," and with a friendly smile he passed on. + +"Still hobnobbing with the swells, I see," remarked Billy, as Frank +rejoined his chums. + +"He was telling me of a letter that his brother had written me about my +mother's property," explained Frank. "Queer that it hasn't reached me. +Did any of you fellows get any mail yesterday?" + +"I got a couple of letters," replied Billy. "Tom handed them to me +just before we went into action yesterday morning." + +"Come to think of it, Tom was asking for you at the same time," said +Bart. "He'd brought down the mail for the bunch. He said he had a +letter for you. But you weren't around at the time and he stuck it +into his pocket. Then the boches came swinging at us, and in the +excitement I suppose he forgot all about it. Likely enough he has it +with him now--that is if the Huns have let him keep it." + +"That must be the explanation," said Frank. "Well, all I can do is +write to the colonel's brother and ask him to send me a duplicate of +the letter. Poor Tom! I'd give all the letters in the world to have +him safe with us just now." + +"Same here," said Billy and Bart in chorus. + +"I guess the Huns have got him," said Frank gloomily. "He isn't among +the dead or wounded as far as we've been able to find. But I'll bet +they thought they had hold of a wildcat when they nabbed him." + +"Trust Tom for that," said Bart. "He was a terror when he had his +blood up. He must have got knocked on the head, or they wouldn't have +taken him alive." + +"Perhaps he'd have been luckier if he had been killed," said Billy +sadly. "From all I hear there are plenty of prisoners in German camps +who would welcome death." + +"It makes me grit my teeth to think of the humane way we treat the men +we capture, and then compare it with the way the Huns treat our +soldiers," said Frank bitterly. "Look at the German prisoners we saw +working on the roads that time we went away on furlough. Plenty of +food, kind treatment, good beds. Why, lots of those fellows are living +better than they ever did in their own country. They're getting fat +with good living." + +"Nothing like that in German prison camps," growled Bart. "Horrible +food, mouldy crusts, rotten meat, and not enough of that to keep body +and soul together. In a few months the men are little more than +skeletons. They work them sixteen or eighteen hours a day in all kinds +of weather. They set dogs on them and prod them with bayonets. Did +you read of the forty they tortured to death by swinging them by their +bound arms for hours at a time in freezing weather?" + +"It's no mistake to call the Germans Huns," snapped Billy, clenching +his fists. + +"No," agreed Frank, "but it's rough on the Huns." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +NICK RABIG TURNS UP + +"Guess who's here," said Billy a few mornings later, as he came up to +Bart and Frank. "Give you three guesses." + +"That's generous," remarked Frank. "Well, I'll bite. Who is it? The +Kaiser?" + +"Come off." + +"The Crown Prince?" + +"Quit your kidding." + +"I know," said Bart. "Hindenburg." + +"Blathering boobs, both of you," pronounced Billy. "But with your +limited intellects one ought to be patient. I'll give you one more +chance. Think of the fellow you like the least in all the world." + +"Nick Rabig!" the others exclaimed in one breath. + +"Right," grinned Billy. "I knew that would get you. Nick seems to be +as popular with you as poison ivy at a church picnic." + +"What cat dragged it in?" groaned Bart. + +"Our unlucky day," growled Frank. "I knew something would happen when +I picked up the wrong shoe this morning." + +"But how did he get back?" asked Bart, his curiosity overcoming his +repugnance. + +"Came in on his own feet," replied Billy. "Escaped, so he says, after +performing prodigies of valor. To hear Nick talk you'd think he'd +wiped out half the German army." + +His comrades laughed. + +"I suppose we ought to kill the fatted calf," said Frank sarcastically. + +"Where's the calf?" asked Bart. "Unless we take Billy here," he added +as an afterthought. + +He dodged the pass that Billy made at him, and just then Fred Anderson, +another young soldier, strolled up. + +"Heard the news?" he inquired. + +"About Nick Rabig? Yes," replied Frank. "Billy's just been telling us +about it." + +"Bad news travels fast," growled Bart. + +"Nick doesn't seem to cut much ice with you fellows," commented Fred. +"I never thought much of him myself, but you seem to have it in for him +especially. I suppose it's because he tried to play that dirty trick +on Frank in the boxing bout." + +"No, it isn't that," replied Frank. "I got satisfaction for that then +and there, and I don't hold grudges. It's something altogether outside +of personal matters. Have you heard any details about how Nick made +his escape?" + +"Only a bit here and there," answered Fred. "I suppose it will all +come out later on. But it seems that he has a lot of information about +the German plans and he's now at headquarters being questioned by the +officers." + +Frank turned the conversation into other channels, because although he +had the gravest reasons for believing Rabig to be a traitor, he did not +want to do the fellow an injustice or voice his suspicions until he was +able to confirm them by absolute proof. + +Fred passed on after a few minutes and the boys looked at each other. + +"Did you hear what Fred said about Nick's 'important information'?" +asked Frank. + +"Important misinformation," growled Bart. + +"Bunk," declared Billy. + +"Of course, Nick has an advantage in understanding German," said Frank +cautiously, "and a loyal fellow in his situation might have picked up +something that would be of advantage to our people, though it isn't +likely, for the Germans guard their secrets pretty well." + +"What's the use of talking?" burst out Bart. "We fellows are all onto +Rabig. We know at this minute that he'd like nothing better than to +see the United States licked by Germany. Don't we know that he let +that German prisoner escape? Don't you know that he was talking in the +woods at night with that German spy that you shot? I tell you +straight, Frank, that if Rabig escaped it was because the Germans let +him escape. If he has information, it is because the Germans filled +him up with just the kind of information they wanted our officers to +believe." + +"I think Bart's right," remarked Billy. "It'll be the best day this +regiment ever saw when Rabig's stood up before a firing squad." + +"In my heart I believe the same," assented Frank. "But the tantalizing +thing is that we haven't a bit of legal proof. Rabig had that cut on +his hand to explain the escape of the prisoner. He seemed to be +sleeping in his bunk that night I got back from the woods. So far he +has an alibi for everything. We can't prove that he let himself be +captured. We can't prove that the Germans let him escape. As for the +information he claims to have, our suspicions are based only on what we +know of the man's character." + +"That legal stuff doesn't make a hit with me," growled Bart. "Some day +I'll break loose and take it out of him myself. My fingers itch every +time I see him. I'd hoped I'd never have to see him again." + +"You're doomed to be disappointed, then," grinned Billy, "for here he +comes now." + +They looked in the direction he indicated and saw Rabig coming along +the company street. + +His step was swaggering and he looked immensely satisfied with himself. + +Bart's fist clenched. + +"Nothing doing, Bart," Frank counseled in a low tone. "Hold your +horses. I know just how you feel. I had to lick him once and maybe +you'll have your turn. But not now. I want to find out whether he +knows anything about Tom." + +"All right," said Bart, "but it comes hard." + +Nick saw them standing there, and for a fraction of a second seemed to +be of two minds about keeping on. He hated them all cordially and he +had no doubt of the feeling with which they regarded him. But his +hesitation was only momentary, and he came on with just a little +additional swagger in his gait. + +He would have passed without stopping but Frank spoke to him pleasantly +enough. + +"Hello, Nick!" he said. "See you've got back." + +"That's plain enough to see," responded Nick surlily. + +"Papa's little sunshine," murmured Billy under his breath. + +"Huns seem to have fed you pretty well," remarked Frank. + +Rabig only grunted and looked at Frank suspiciously. + +"Did you see anything of Tom Bradford over there?" asked Frank. + +A look of surprise came into Rabig's little eyes. + +"No," he answered. "Was he captured?" + +"We're afraid so," answered Frank. + +"I didn't see him," declared Rabig. "Perhaps he's killed," he added, +almost smacking his lips with satisfaction. + +They longed to kick him, but restrained themselves, and Rabig passed on. + +"Isn't he a sweet specimen?" asked Bart in disgust, as he looked at +Rabig's receding figure. + +"Did you see how his eyes lighted up when he heard that Tom was gone?" +put in Billy. "The only thing that would give him more satisfaction +would be to have the same thing happen to Frank." + +"I guess he hates us all alike," said Frank. "Down in his heart he +knows that we believe him to be a traitor. His only comfort is that we +haven't been able to catch him with the goods. But that will come in +time. A little more rope and he can be depended on to hang himself. +But that can wait. What I'm more interested in is that he didn't have +any news of Tom." + +"Perhaps he was lying," suggested Bart. "He may have seen Tom over +there, but wouldn't give us the satisfaction of telling us." + +"No, I don't think it was that," commented Billy. "I was watching him +closely while Frank was talking to him, and I could see that he was +really surprised as well as pleased to learn that Tom was gone." + +"But even if he didn't see him, that doesn't prove that Tom isn't +there," suggested Bart. "He may have been captured by some other +division. Besides, to tell the truth, I don't believe that Rabig was +in a prison camp at all. Did you notice how fat and well fed he +looked? I'll bet that he's been living high on the best the Huns could +give him." + +"He didn't look like most escaped prisoners for a fact," assented +Frank. "We'll let his failure to see Tom go for what it's worth. But +there's one thing that's been growing in my mind right along. We're +sure that Tom isn't dead, for the burial parties cleared up the field +and didn't find him. We know too that he isn't on the hospital list. +I got a squint at that no later than yesterday, and Tom's name isn't +there. That seems to cut out everything except capture by the Huns, +doesn't it?" + +"What else is there?" asked Bart gloomily. + +"Just one thing," replied Frank, "and that is that Tom has got away +from the Huns but hasn't yet got back to us. I know what that boy is. +He isn't the kind to settle down and tell himself that he's a prisoner +and that's all there is to it. There isn't a bone in his head, and +he's been busy every minute thinking up some plan to get away. You +know what the boches are doing now. They're getting so short of men +that they're using prisoners right behind the lines in cutting brush +and hauling guns and that sort of thing. Of course it's dead against +all the rules of war, but a little thing like that doesn't bother the +Germans. Now if that's going on there are lots of chances to escape +that the prisoners wouldn't have if they were all huddled together in a +prison camp under the rifles of their guards. Get me? Picture Tom out +in the thick woods going meekly ahead doing as he is told without +making a break for freedom. Not on your life! Some way or other he'll +slip off, and some fine day you'll see the old scout come walking in +and asking us if breakfast's ready." + +"It sounds good," said Bart unconvinced, "but I'm afraid it's a dream." + +"All guess work," chimed in Billy. "We don't know anything." + +"No," admitted Frank, "but we know Tom." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE COMING DRIVE + +"That big German drive seems to have slipped a cog somewhere," Bart +remarked to his comrades, a few days later, as they were resting after +a hard morning's work at organizing the position that their division +was holding. + +"I suppose the Crown Prince is making up a new time-table," grinned +Billy. "He seems to have a passion for that. He ought to have been a +railroad man." + +"The trouble is that they always go wrong," laughed Frank. "I'll bet +he's cross-eyed." + +"Yet the Heinies fall for them every time," said Billy. "I suppose +they figure that just by the law of chance one of them will have to be +right some time." + +"I thought that the drive had started the other morning, when the +Germans came down like wolves on a fold," said Bart. "But it seems +that things were quiet on other parts of the line, so that this must +have been just a local operation." + +"Local operation!" snorted Billy. "In other days it would have been +counted a big battle. Why, if Waterloo were pulled off now do you know +how the papers would describe it? They'd say that there was +'considerable activity on a section of the line over near Hougomont +Farm yesterday, where certain units under Napoleon and Wellington came +in contact. The artillery fire was fairly strong, and there were +clashes between a few infantry regiments and the French were repulsed. +Apart from this there is nothing to report.'" + +The boys laughed. + +"Everything's topsy-turvy nowadays," said Frank. "It used to be armies +that did the fighting. Now it's whole nations. But look at that scrap +going on overhead. Its a dandy." + +They looked in the direction he indicated and their pulses quickened, +for they themselves had once been engaged in a battle in the sky, and +an aerial combat had a personal interest to them. + +Far up in the sky, which just then was as clear as crystal, a duel was +in progress between two planes. It was evident at a glance that both +of the rival aviators were masters of their profession. They circled +deftly about each other like giant falcons, jockeying for position, +each trying to get the weather gauge on the other where he could rake +his opponent with his machine gun without exposing himself to his +enemy's fire in return. + +Swooping, climbing, diving, the planes pursued their deadly purpose, +while exclamations of admiration came from the lips of the fascinated +onlookers as some specially daring manoeuvre promised to give the +advantage first to one and then to the other of the antagonists. + +"Classy work!" exclaimed Frank. + +"They're both dandies," declared Billy. "It's a toss up as to which +will win." + +"They're so far up that it's hard to tell which is which," said Bart, +"but I've got a nickel that says the Hun will be downed." + +"Great Scott," cried Frank. "One of them was hit that time. See it +swerve." + +"And look at the smoke!" Billy shouted. "It's on fire! A bullet must +have hit the petrol tank." + +A burst of smoke and flame shot out from the doomed plane, and it began +to fall, fire streaming out in its wake like the tail of a meteor. +Down it came like a plummet. + +"It's coming right in our lines!" exclaimed Bart. "Scatter, fellows, +or it will be right on top of us!" + +The wrecked plane had fallen about two hundred feet, when a figure shot +from the burning mass, whirling over and over as it descended. The +aviator, knowing that his only choice lay between being burned or +crushed, had chosen the less painful form of death. + +The body fell some distance off, but the plane itself came down within +a few rods of the boys. It was blazing so fiercely that they could not +approach very close to it, but they could easily detect the marking +which indicated that it was a French plane. + +The Army Boys looked at each other regretfully. + +"Score one for the Huns," remarked Frank. "You'd have lost your +nickel, Bart." + +"It's too bad," said Billy, as he straightened up and shook, his fist +at the victorious plane. + +But to the boys' amazement, the conqueror, instead of flying off toward +his own lines, was coming down toward them in long sweeping spirals. + +"Why, it looks as if he were going to land here!" exclaimed Billy in +wonder. + +"If he does, we'll have the satisfaction of taking him prisoner +anyway," observed Bart. + +"It must be that his own plane is injured and he has to descend," +suggested Frank. + +But there was no sign of injury to the descending plane and it seemed +to be in perfect control. Swiftly and steadily it came down, and a cry +of astonishment broke from the boys as they saw that it bore American +markings. + +"How's that?" exclaimed Frank. "There's been a fearful mistake +somewhere. This fellow has downed a French plane thinking that it was +German." + +"He'll be court-martialed for that or I miss my guess," said Bart with +a frown. + +"It's bad enough to have the Huns after us without trying to kill our +own people," growled Billy. + +There was a level place nearby that made an ideal place for a landing, +and the American machine came down there with scarcely a jar. + +The boys rushed toward it with reproaches on their lips, but their +wrath was lost in astonishment when they recognized, in the aviator who +stepped forth, Dick Lever, one of the most daring of the American +"aces" and a warm personal friend of theirs. + +The reproaches died when they saw him, for only a little while before +he had saved them from a German prison by swooping down with his +machine and carrying them off from their captors. It was with mixed +feelings that they greeted him, as he came gaily forward, a smile upon +his handsome bronzed face. But Dick seemed to feel a certain stiffness +in their welcome that was unusual. + +"Hello, fellows," he greeted. "What's the grouch?" + +"No grouch at all, Dick," answered Frank. "We owe you too much for +that. We're only sorry that you happened to make a mistake and down a +French plane thinking it was German." + +Dick's eyes twinkled. + +"Come out of your trance," he chuckled. "I don't make that kind of +mistakes." + +For answer Frank led the way to the wrecked and partly burned plane and +pointed out the markings. + +But despite the evidence, Dick still seemed unabashed and his chuckle +broke into a laugh. + +"That's one on you fellows," he snorted. "Those markings are pure +camouflage. Just another cute little German trick that went wrong. +That fellow set out to take photographs over our lines and he didn't +want to be disturbed, so he painted out his own markings, and put the +French in their place. If you'll come a little closer you can see the +Hun marks under their coat of white." + +The boys did so and, now that their attention had been called to it, +they could readily see the tracings that had been almost obliterated. + +"That's evidence enough," remarked Dick, "but to make assurance doubly +sure we'll go over to where the aviator fell and you'll see that he was +a German all right." + +The body had been decently covered up before the boys reached there, +but the clothing and the effects found proved beyond a doubt that the +aviator had been one of their foes. + +"Take it all back, Dick," said Frank. "You knew what you were about. +And I'm glad that you came out of the scrap safe and sound. But it +certainly was some scrap while it lasted." + +"It sure was," replied Dick. "That fellow was as skilful and plucky as +they make them. He kept my hands full, and there was one time when he +came within an ace of raking me. But luck was with me. Poor fellow! +I'm sorry for him, but I'd have been still more sorry if it had been +myself." + +"What beats me is the way you tumbled to him," puzzled Billy. "You +surely couldn't have read the German markings under their coat of +paint. How did you know he was a German?" + +Dick smiled. + +"Simple enough," he answered. "We Allied aviators have a secret system +of signals, something like Freemasonry. When we come near another +plane that seems to be one of our own, we make a certain dip of our +plane. That's like asking for the countersign. If the other fellow's +all right he makes a certain signal in return. If he doesn't do it the +first time, we try again, because there's always a chance that he +hasn't noticed our signal, or is too busy in handling his plane to give +the reply. But if after two or three times we don't get the +countersign, we know the fellow's a Hun and we open up on him." + +"Good stuff!" approved Billy. + +"That's what happened this morning," continued Dick. "This fellow came +sailing along as calm and cheeky as you please, and was having a bully +time taking pictures of our positions. At least I suppose that is what +he was doing, as he evidently wasn't out looking for fight. I thought +it wouldn't do any harm to take a look at him, although I saw the +machine had French markings. I gave the signal, but of course he +couldn't give the countersign. I repeated it three times without +getting an answer, and then I pitched into him. That makes the +thirteenth that I've brought down." + +"Thirteen was an unlucky number for him, all right," remarked Billy. + +"How are you fellows getting along?" asked Dick, stretching himself out +on the ground for a brief resting spell. "I notice that you've been +right up to your neck in fighting lately." + +"Its been pretty hot along this sector," Frank admitted, "though I +suppose it's nothing to what it will be after the big German drive gets +started. That is if it ever does start. I sometimes think they've +given up the idea." + +"Don't kid yourself," replied the aviator grimly. "It's coming, all +right. If you fellows had been up in the air with me you wouldn't have +any doubt about it. The roads back of the German lines are just black +with troops. It's like an endless swarm of ants. The trains move +along in endless procession and they're packed. Big guns, too, till +you can't count them. It seems as if all Germany was on the move. +It's the old invasion of the Huns over again." + +"Where do they get them all, I wonder," remarked Billy. + +"That's easy," replied Frank bitterly. "They're coming from the +Russian front. The breakdown of Russia means a cool million at the +very least added to the German troops on the western front." + +"That accounts for most of them," agreed Dick. "Then in addition +Germany's combing out her empire to put every available man into +service. She's enslaving the Belgians to work in her factories so that +German workmen can be sent into the ranks. She's calling up mere boys +who ought to be at their schoolbooks. I tell you, boys, Germany's +desperate. She's beginning to realize what a fool she was to bring +America into the war, and she's going to try to get a decision before +we get a big army over here." + +"She'll have to get busy mighty soon, then," said Bart, "for Uncle +Sam's boys are coming into France by the hundreds of thousands. And +those hundreds of thousands will be millions before long." + +"Right you are," agreed Dick. "The jig's up with Germany and she's the +only one that doesn't see it. It's fun to see the way she tries to +belittle America to her own people. Almost every week she has to +change the story. At first she said that America wouldn't fight at +all. We were a nation of money grabbers. Then even if we wanted to +fight the U-boats would keep us from getting over; Then even if we got +over, our troops would be green and run like hares as soon as they +caught sight of the veteran Prussian regiments." + +The boys looked at each other with a grin. + +"We've run, all right," chuckled Billy, "but we've run toward them +instead of away from them." + +"They thought our marines would run too," laughed Frank, "but do you +see what they're calling them now? _Teufelhunden_. They're +devil-hounds, all right, and the dachshund yelps when he sees them +coming." + +"What do you think the Germans will aim for when they do begin their +drive?" queried Bart. + +"The Allied commanders would give a good deal to know that," smiled +Dick. "Of course the thing the Huns want to do above everything else +is to separate and crush the Allied armies. Everything would be easy +after that. But if they can't do that, they'll probably make a break +for Paris. They figure that if they once got that in their hands the +French would be ready to sue for peace. Or they may try to take the +Channel Ports, where they'd be in good position to take a hack at +England. The only thing that's certain is that the drive is coming and +when it does come it's going to be the biggest fight in the history of +the world." + +"Let Heinie do his worst," said Bart. + +"Yes," agreed Frank. "And no matter what he does, he'll have to reckon +with Uncle Sam." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNS + +The last thing that Tom Bradford remembered in the fight that separated +him from his comrades was the sight of Frank in a bayonet duel with two +Germans. He was trying desperately to get to his friend's side and +help him in the unequal combat, when a great blackness seemed to sweep +down upon him and he knew nothing more. + +When he came to consciousness, he felt himself dragged roughly to his +feet and thrust into a group of other prisoners who were being sent to +the rear under guard of a squad of German soldiers. He reeled and +would have fallen had he not been supported by some of his other +companions in misfortune. Then the line was set in motion and he +stumbled along dazedly, abused verbally by his guards and prodded with +bayonets if he lagged or faltered. + +Gradually his head stopped whirling and his brain grew clearer. His +face felt wet and sticky, and putting his hand to it he drew his +fingers away covered with blood. + +He felt his head and found a ragged gash running almost the length of +the scalp. It must have bled freely, judging from the weakness he felt +and the way his hair was matted and his face smeared. But the blood +had congealed now and stopped flowing. He figured from the character +of the wound that it had been made by a glancing blow from a rifle. + +It was fully dark when the gloomy procession halted at a big barn where +the prisoners were counted and passed in to stay for the night. + +A little later some food was passed in to the prisoners, but Tom had no +appetite and even if he had been hungry it would have been hard to +stomach the piece of dry bread and watery soup that was given him as +his portion. So he gave it to others, and sat over in a corner +immersed in the gloomy thoughts that came trooping in upon him. + +He was a prisoner. And what he had heard of Hun methods, to say +nothing of a former brief experience, had left him under no delusion as +to what that meant. + +What were his comrades Frank, Bart and Billy doing now? Had they come +safely through the fight? He was glad at any rate that they were not +with him now. Better dead on the field of battle, he thought bitterly, +than to be in the hands of the Huns. + +But Tom was too young and his vitality too great to give himself up +long to despair. He was a prisoner, but what of it? He had been a +prisoner before and escaped. To be sure, it was too much to expect to +escape by way of the sky as he had before. Lightning seldom strikes +twice in the same place. But there might be other ways--there should +be other ways. While breath remained in his body he would never cease +his efforts to escape. And sustained and inspired by this resolve, he +at last fell asleep. + +When he awoke in the morning, his strength had in large measure +returned to him. His head was still a little giddy but his appetite +was returning. Still he looked askance at the meagre and unpalatable +breakfast brought in by the guards. + +"Don't be too squeamish, kid," a fellow prisoner advised him, as he saw +the look on the young soldier's face. "Take what's given you, even if +it isn't fit for Christians. You'll get weak soon enough. Keep strong +as long as you can." + +There was sound sense in this even with the woeful prophecy and Tom, +though with many inward protests, followed the well-meant advice. + +Bad as it was, the food did him good, and he was feeling in fairly good +condition when, a little later, he was summoned before a German +lieutenant to be examined. + +That worthy was seated before a table spread with papers, and as Tom +entered or rather was pushed into his presence he compressed his +beetling black brows and turned upon the prisoner with the face of a +thundercloud. + +But if he expected Tom to wilt before his frowning glance he was +disappointed. There was no trace of swagger or bravado when Tom faced +his inquisitor. But there was self-respect and quiet resolution that +refused to quail before anyone to whom fate for the moment had given +the upper hand. + +The officer spoke English in a stiff and precise way so that an +interpreter was dispensed with, and the examination proceeded. + +"What is your name?" the lieutenant asked. + +Tom told him. + +"Your nationality?" + +"American." + +The officer snorted. + +"There is no such thing as American," he said contemptuously. "You are +just a jumble of different races." + +Tom said nothing. + +"What is your regiment?" the officer continued. + +There was no answer. + +"Did you hear me?" repeated the lieutenant impatiently. "What is your +regiment?" + +"I cannot tell," answered Tom. + +"You mean you will not?" + +"I refuse to tell." + +"Refuse," exclaimed the officer, growing red in the face. "That is not +a safe word to say to me." + +Tom kept quiet. + +The officer after a moment of inward debate shifted to another line. + +"What are your commanders' plans, as far as you know?" + +"To beat the Germans," returned Tom promptly. + +The officer's face became apoplectic. + +"Yankee pig!" he roared. "You know that is not what I meant. Tell me +if you know anything of their tactics, whether they intend to attack or +stand on the defensive." + +"I don't know," replied Tom truthfully. + +"Have you plenty of ammunition?" + +"More than we can use," replied Tom promptly, glad to tell what could +do no harm and would only increase the chagrin of his enemy. + +"How many troops have the Americans got in France?" + +"A good many hundreds of thousands," answered Tom, "and they're coming +over at the rate of two hundred thousand a month." + +"Yankee lies," sneered the officer. "You are very ready to give me +more information than I ask for when it will suit your purpose." + +Tom kept discreetly silent, but he chuckled inwardly at the discomfort +shown by his enemy. + +The officer pondered a moment, and evidently decided that there was not +much to be got out of this young American who faced him so undauntedly. +Perhaps other prisoners would prove more amenable. But his dignity had +been too much ruffled to let Tom get off without punishment. + +"You think that you have baffled me," he said, "but you will find that +it is not wise to try to thwart the will of a German officer. We have +ways to break such spirits as yours." + +He called to the guard, who had been standing stolidly at the door. + +"Take him out in the woods and put him to work where the enemy's shell +fire is heaviest," he commanded. "It doesn't matter what happens to +him. If his own people kill him so much the better. It will only be +one less Yankee pig for us to feed." + +The guard seized Tom and thrust him roughly out of the door. Then he +took him back to the barn and a whispered conversation ensued, with +many black glances shot at Tom. + +A short time afterward he was placed with some others in the custody of +a squad of soldiers, and taken into the woods close behind the German +lines. Of course this was a flagrant breach of all the laws of war. +But there was no use in protesting. That would only arouse the +amusement of the German guards. + +As a matter of fact, when Tom came to think it over, he did not want to +protest. His captors could have taken no course that would have suited +him better. At first his heart had sunk, for he realized that the +officer's purpose was to sign his death warrant. The chances of being +killed by the American shells was very great. And then the significant +word of the lieutenant that it didn't matter what happened to him, was +a hint to the guards that they could murder him if they liked, and +there would be no questions asked. + +But after all, to be in the open was infinitely better than to be +eating his heart out in a squalid prison camp. His health stood less +chance of being undermined. As to the shells, he had grown so used to +that form of danger that it hardly disturbed him at all. + +But the one thing that stood out above all others was that in the woods +he would have a chance of escape, while in the camp he would have +practically none at all. His limbs would have to be free in order to +do the work demanded of him. And he was willing to match his keen +American wits against the heavy and slow-thinking guards who might +stand watch over him. + +He soon reached the section where he was to work, and was set to +felling trees to make corduroy roads over which guns and supplies could +be brought up from the enemy's rear to the advanced lines. + +He had never done that kind of work, and at first the tremendous +efforts demanded of him amounted to sheer physical torture. He was +hounded on unceasingly under the jibes and threats of his brutal +guards. Not half enough food was supplied, and he was forced to work +for sixteen and eighteen hours on a stretch. + +But he had great reserves of youth and vitality to draw on, and he kept +on doggedly, his brain alert, his eyes wide open, his heart courageous, +looking for his opportunity. + +On the third night his opportunity came. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FRYING-PAN TO FIRE + +The third day of Tom's captivity had been more trying than the two that +preceded it. + +A new piece of woodland had been ordered to be cleared and, as there +was a scarcity of labor, Tom had been taxed to even a greater degree +than usual. By the time night came, he was feeling utterly exhausted +and ready to drop. + +But dusk brought him little relief, for he was told that he must keep +on by lantern light until ten o'clock, before he would be permitted to +stop. + +His troubles were aggravated by the fact that this afternoon a change +of guards had brought him under the control of an especially brutal one +who made his life a burden by abuse. + +His guard had ordered him into a thick part of the woods where the high +underbrush cut them off from the sight of other working parties a +hundred yards away. Here the German had seated himself comfortably on +a fallen tree while he watched his prisoner toil, occasionally hurling +a threat or epithet at him. + +The guard's watch was out of order, and he had borrowed a small clock +from the mess room in order to know when the time came to report with +his prisoner at quarters. He had placed the clock in the light of the +lantern and kept looking at it frequently and yawning. It was plain +that he would welcome the hour that released him from his monotonous +duty. + +The night was warm and the guard's gun was heavy. He stood it against +the tree, but within instant reach, and unbuckled his belt. + +In working around the tree, Tom's foot as though by accident knocked +against the clock and it fell over on its face. The guard thundered a +curse against his awkwardness, and stooped down to pick it up. + +Quick as thought Tom picked up the heavy lantern and brought it +crashing down on the German's head. The next instant his hands were on +the German's throat. + +The struggle was brief, for the German at his best would have been no +match for the young American. Tom had soon choked him into +unconsciousness, and when he felt the man become limp beneath him he +relaxed his hold. + +He tied the German's hands with his belt and gagged him securely. The +lantern had gone out with the blow and he did not dare to relight it. +Darkness was now his best friend. + +His eyes fell on the clock. It had done him good service, but now was +of no further use to him. But a second thought made him pick it up and +put it in his blouse. + +He had no compass, but the clock would do in a pinch. His woodcraft +had taught him how the hands of a clock could find for him the cardinal +points. More than once his watch in more peaceful times had done him a +similar service. + +The first thing necessary was to put as wide a distance as possible +between himself and the place where he now was. Afterwards he could +figure out how to regain his own lines. By ten o'clock at latest his +attack on the guard would be discovered. He must be miles away before +then, or his life would not be worth a cent. + +His impulse was to take the German's gun, but he discarded the thought +at once. His only salvation lay in hiding. The gun would count for +nothing among the innumerable foes that surrounded him. It was heavy +and cumbrous, and would only retard his progress through the woods. He +must travel light if he would travel fast. + +He gathered up some fragments of food left from the lunch that the +guard had been munching and tucked them in his pocket. Then like a +shadow he slipped away through the woods. + +From what he had seen and bits of information that he had picked up +from other prisoners, some of whom were Frenchmen and knew the country +well, Tom had a pretty good idea of the lay of the land. He knew that +the country was rolling, with here and there a range of hills that rose +almost to the dignity of mountains. Here there ought to be plenty of +hiding places where he could stay while he planned a way to get across +the lines. + +Of course his route would be within the German lines for miles. But +the inhabitants were in sympathy with the Allied cause, prisoners in +almost as great a degree as he himself had been, and he might find +among them aid and comfort, though such assistance if discovered would +be sure to be visited with hard punishment by the German oppressors. + +The way was full of difficulties and almost every step would be +attended by danger. But for the present at least he was free. Free! +The word had never appealed to him so strongly before. He drew in +great draughts of the mountain air. They seemed in a way to cleanse +his lungs from the prison taint. + +For what seemed to him hours he never slackened his pace. Many times +he stumbled in the darkness and his body was full of bruises, but in +the joy of his recovered freedom, he scarcely felt the pain. On he +went and on until he felt certain he had placed a safe distance between +himself and the scene of his recent captivity. + +To be sure, the German command had other things to rely on than mere +physical pursuit. There were the long arms of the telegraph and +telephone, through which every division on the sector might be warned +to be on the lookout for him. But it was wholly unlikely that this +would be done. On the eve of the great drive, the authorities were too +busy to expend their energies on the recapture of an escaped prisoner. +Even if he should fall into the hands of another body of his enemies, +it was unlikely that they would know anything of his recent exploit. + +So with body tired after his strenuous exertions, but with his mind as +much at rest as it could be under the circumstances, Tom threw himself +down at last to take a brief rest under the shadow of a giant beech. + +The sun streaming through the branches woke him a little later. For a +moment he did not know where he was and lay trying to get his thoughts +in order. Then it all came back to him with a rush and he sprang to +his feet and looked about him. + +There was nothing in sight to alarm him. The place seemed to be wild +and unvisited. A squirrel sat in the boughs over his head chattering +his surprise and perhaps his displeasure at the sight of the intruder. +A chipmunk slipped along a grassy ridge and vanished in the +undergrowth. Birds sang their welcome to a new day. Everything about +him spoke of peace and serenity. It seemed as though there were no +such thing as war in the world. + +Yet even while this thought lingered with him there came a discordant +note in the booming of a distant gun. But it seemed far off and though +other guns soon swelled the menacing chorus there seemed to be no +immediate cause for alarm. + +A little way off from where he had slept, a small brook wound its way +through the sedge grass. Tom welcomed it with a grin, for he had not +had a bath since he had been captured. + +In a moment he had undressed and plunged into the brook. The water was +scarcely deeper than his waist, but its coolness was like balm to Tom's +bruised and heated body. When he resumed his clothing he felt +infinitely strengthened and refreshed. + +The young soldier worked his way into a dense thicket as a measure of +precaution, before he ate the remnants of food that he had carried away +with him the night before. It was a meager breakfast and he could have +eaten four times as much if he had had it. But even crumbs were +grateful to him in his famished condition. + +He had just finished when an ominous sound fell on his ears. Voices +mingled with the tread of feet and the clank of weapons. He looked +through the bushes and saw a squad of soldiers wearing helmets coming +over a little rise of ground beyond where he lay concealed. + +He counted them as they came into view. There were at least forty +Germans going along in loose marching order. They might have been a +patrol out for scout duty or, what was more likely, a foraging party. + +He had scarcely established their numbers when on the other side of the +thicket and not more than fifty feet away another squad of Germans came +into view. They apparently belonged to the same party, but had +separated somewhat from the others, probably for more ease in marching. + +They seemed to have come from some distance for they were warm and +perspiring. The sight of the brook was refreshing, and after a brief +conference between the lieutenant in command and a sergeant, the order +was given to break ranks, and the men threw themselves down in +sprawling attitudes for a rest under the trees. + +Tom's heart was in his mouth. What kind of a trick was fate playing on +him? Was this to be the end of his heartbreaking struggle, his wild +flight through the woods? Was he to get just a tantalizing glimpse of +liberty to have it immediately snatched from him? At that moment he +tasted the bitterness of death. + +How lucky it was, though, that he had sought refuge in that thicket +before he commenced his breakfast. There was still a chance. The men +were tired and would not be likely to wander about. They were only too +glad of a chance to rest. + +He burrowed deeper and deeper into the recesses of the thicket. He lay +as close to the ground as possible. What would he have given for the +friendly shelter of a trench! + +The men conversed lazily together while the officer sat some distance +apart. At times the Germans' eyes rested carelessly on Tom's shelter, +but without any sign of suspicion. + +At last the order came to resume the march, and Tom drew an immense +sigh of relief. A few minutes more and they would be gone. + +The men had formed in loose marching order and the lieutenant lifted +his hand to give the signal. + +Suddenly a loud ringing came from the center of the thicket, whirring, +rattling, clanging. + +_The time-piece Tom was carrying was an alarm clock!_ + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CONFESSION + +To poor Tom that ringing was the crack of doom. + +The world seemed to end for him then and there. The first surprise had +paralyzed him. Then he rolled upon the betraying clock, tried to crush +it, strangle it, press it into the earth. But it kept on remorselessly +until the alarm ran down. + +The Germans had been almost as startled at first as Tom himself. But +they hesitated only for a moment. There could be no mistaking where +that insistent buzzing was coming from. There was a rush for the +thicket, and the next moment Tom was hauled out and stood upon his feet +among his captors. + +It took only a glance to tell them that Tom was an American. His face +as well as his uniform betrayed that fact. Amid a hubbub of excited +exclamations he was taken before their leader. + +But this time the officer was not able to talk English and there was no +interpreter at hand, so that Tom for the present was spared the ordeal +of questioning. + +The fateful clock was passed around among the men with jest and +laughter. It was a good joke to them, but Tom was in no mood to see +the humor of the situation. To him it meant that all his strivings had +come to naught. + +Why had he not noticed that the clock was of the alarm variety and that +the alarm had been set? He promised that he would never forgive +himself for that. + +A number of men were counted off to take Tom to the local prison camp, +while the rest of the party went on with their expedition. + +The journey was long, but it was not attended by the rough treatment +that would ordinarily have been meted out to the prisoner. The men +were glad, for one thing, that they were relieved from going on the +special duty for which the party had been formed. Then, too, Tom's +misadventure had given them a hearty laugh, and laughs were something +to be prized in their arduous life. + +After reaching the camp, Tom was taken before an officer for +examination. But the officer was busy and preoccupied, and the +questioning was largely a matter of form. Tom was vague or dense as +the case demanded, and the impatient officer curtly ordered him to be +thrust in with the other prisoners and promptly proceeded to forget him. + +Tom passed through several stages of emotion when he was left to +himself. First he moped, and then he raged. Then, as the comical side +of the situation forced itself even upon his misery, he laughed. + +A proverb says that "the man is not wholly lost who can laugh at his +own misfortunes." Tom laughed and immediately felt better. His +natural buoyancy reasserted itself. But he had imbibed a prejudice +against alarm clocks that promised to last for the rest of his life. + +The sector was a quiet one and Tom was not sent out to work under shell +fire. For a few days he was left unmolested to the tedium of prison +life, and he began with renewed zest to formulate plans for his escape. + +He had a chance also to become more or less acquainted with his +fellow-prisoners. There were not many and Tom reflected with +satisfaction that the Americans held more German prisoners than the +Huns had captured of his own countrymen. + +There was a sprinkling of nationalities. There were a few American and +British, but the majority were French and Belgians. + +About the only French prisoner that Tom grew to know intimately was one +who could speak English fairly well. This he explained was due to the +fact that the man in whose employ he had been as a butler had a +daughter who had married an American, and English had been much spoken +in the household. + +"What part of France do you come from?" asked Tom one day, when they +were chatting together. + +"From Auvergne," answered the Frenchman, whose name was Martel. "Ah," +he continued wistfully, "what would I not give to see the gardens and +vineyards of Auvergne again! But I never will." + +"Sure you will," said Tom cheerily. "Brace up, Martel. You won't stay +in this old hole forever." + +Martel shook his head. + +"I'm doomed," he said. "I was in the first stage of consumption when I +came here, and the disease is gripping me more tightly every day. +Perhaps it's a judgment on me." + +"What do you mean by that?" asked Tom, but Martel did not reply except +by a shrug of the shoulders. + +"Speaking of Auvergne," remarked Tom after a pause, "reminds me that I +have a special chum whose mother came from that province. She married +an American, too." + +"_Vrai_?" exclaimed Martel with quickened interest. "What was her +name, _mon ami_?" + +"Blest if I remember," answered Tom. "I've heard it, too, but I don't +recall it. But I'll tell you how I can find out," he went on, +rummaging in his pockets. "I've got a letter somewhere that was sent +to my chum. I got it from the headquarters post-office the day I was +captured and forgot to give it to him. The Huns tore the envelope off +when they saw me, but when they saw that it was of no importance to +them they tossed it back. I've kept it carefully ever since because +it's from some lawyer fellow in Paris telling him about his mother's +property, and I hope some time to be able to hand it to him. It's +simply a business letter with nothing private or personal in it. Here +it is," and Tom produced from his pocket a crumpled letter without an +envelope. "Let's see, the name of Frank's mother is Delatour--why, +what's the matter, Martel?" he added anxiously, as he saw the Frenchman +turn white and start back at the mention of the name. + +"Nothing," answered Martel, controlling himself with difficulty. "A +little weakness--I'm not very strong, you know." + +The conversation turned then in other channels, and Tom soon forgot it +in his absorption of his one idea of escape. + +A week had passed when a sudden hemorrhage that attacked Martel brought +the prison doctor to his side. He shook his head after an examination. +There was no hope. It was a matter of days only, perhaps of hours. He +was heartless and perfunctory. What did it matter? The sufferer was +only a prisoner. + +A little while after, Martel called Tom to him. + +"I told you, _mon ami_, that it would not be long," he said with the +ghost of a smile. "And I also told you that perhaps it was a judgment +on me. Do you remember?" + +"Why, yes," answered Tom reluctantly. "But perhaps you'd better not +excite yourself talking about it. I guess we've all done things we're +sorry for afterwards." + +"But I committed a crime," said Martel. "I perjured myself. And I did +it for gain." + +"There, there," soothed Tom, but Martel continued: + +"No, I must speak. _Le bon Dieu_ has sent you to me. Listen, _mon +brave_, I was in the household of Monsieur Delatour. I had seen +Mademoiselle Lucie grow up from childhood. She was charming. But she +married and passed largely out of our life. Monsieur Delatour grew +old. He had made his will leaving the property chiefly to his +daughter. But there was a nephew, a spendthrift--what you call in +English the black sheep--and after Monsieur Delatour died this _mauvais +sujet_ offered me money to swear that there was a later will. The +object? To tie up the estate, to delay the settlement, to force a +compromise with the daughter. I took the money. I perjured myself. +There was no later will. The property belongs to Mademoiselle +Lucie--pardon, Madame Sheldon." + +He fell back exhausted on his pillow. Tom was shocked, but he was also +greatly excited at the prospect of the wrong that had been done to +Frank's mother being righted. At Martel's request the confession was +reduced to writing with many details added, and then a number of the +prisoners signed their names as witnesses. + +Tom was not sure how far the confession would stand in law, but he felt +reasonably certain that it would be regarded as good evidence and he +was jubilant at the chance that had made him of such great service to +his chum, Frank. + +The confession was made none too soon, for that same night Martel died. + +"Well, Frank, old scout," said Tom to himself the next day, as he +carefully read and re-read the important document, "that alarm clock +played me a lowdown trick, but it's sure been a good friend of yours, +all provided I can get this confession to you!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A MIDNIGHT SWIM + +"A pretty tight place we're in," remarked Bart to Frank as the Army +Boys stood side by side behind a barricade of logs where they had just +repelled a German attack that had surged up close before it fell back +in confusion. + +"Tight is right," grunted Bart, as he reloaded his rifle which was +getting hot from firing. + +"We ought to be used to tight places by this time," put in Billy, +stopping long enough to wipe the perspiration from his face. "It seems +that when our division has a specially tough job to do they always call +upon the old Thirty-seventh to do it." + +There was no exaggeration in describing the position the soldiers were +holding as a tight place. While the great drive had not yet begun, the +enemy was carrying on a nibbling process in the attempt to improve his +position before the start of the big offensive. + +There was a piece of woodland surmounting a broad plateau that had +considerable strategic importance. Its possession would enable the +Germans to straighten their lines and permit their guns to dominate the +valley beyond. They had made several attacks previously which had been +driven back; but on the morning in question the assaults had been +particularly ferocious and determined. It was evident that the Germans +had received orders to carry it at all costs, and they had thrown their +forces ahead again and again regardless of their heavy losses in men. + +Their attacks on the direct front had remained without result, but they +had been able to gain some advantages on the side that separated the +detachment in the woods from their main divisions. It was necessary +that American reinforcements should be sent at once, for the +comparatively small force that held the position was rapidly thinning +out, owing to the terrific shell fire of the enemy's guns. + +Several couriers had been sent to notify the main command of the +perilous position in which the defenders were placed, but these had +evidently been killed or captured, and at last Major Blake, the officer +in command, had to use his last resort. + +There was a cage of carrier pigeons that the detachment had brought +with them, beautiful, soft-eyed creatures that had been thoroughly +trained. It seemed a pity that things so gentle should have to serve +the harsh purposes of war. But human lives were at stake, and one of +the birds was quickly selected, and a message tied on it securely. +Then it was thrown up in the air. It circled about for a moment to get +its direction, and then straight as an arrow to its mark made for +division headquarters. + +A cheer rose from the men as they watched the feathered messenger, but +this quickly changed to a groan when the bird was seen to falter and +then plunge downward. An enemy shot had winged or killed it. + +Two more were sent and met with the same fate. The need was growing +fearfully urgent, for the enemy had been reinforced and the attacks +were growing in intensity. Unless help came very soon the position +would be overwhelmed. + +Frank and his comrades were fighting like tigers, their faces covered +with grime and sweat. The last time the enemy came on they had reached +the breastworks and had been beaten back with savage bayonet fighting +and clubbed rifles. But they still kept coming as though their numbers +were endless. + +"The boys had better hurry up if they want to find any of us alive," +muttered Billy. + +"They'll probably find us dead," grunted Bart, "but they'll find, too, +that we've taken a lot of the Huns with us." + +"There goes the fourth bird," said Frank. "Perhaps he'll have better +luck." + +Through the tempest of shot and shell the bird winged its way unhurt, +and with new hope the desperate defenders buckled down to their work. +They knew their comrades would not leave them in the lurch. + +Two more attacks came on, but the gray-clad waves broke down before the +gallant defense. And then, above the roar of battle, came a rousing +American cheer, and into the woods came plunging rank after rank of +fresh troops to relieve their hard-pressed comrades. + +They rapidly fell into position, and the next time the Germans came for +what they believed would be their crowning success they had the +surprise of their lives. A withering rifle fire ploughed their ranks, +and then the American boys leaped over the barricade and chased the +enemy back to his own lines. The position was saved, and the hardy +fighters who had held it so gallantly looked at each other and wondered +that they were alive. + +"The narrowest shave we ever had!" gasped Billy as, utterly exhausted, +he threw himself at full length on the ground. + +"It was nip and tuck," panted Bart. "I know now how the besieged +British at Lucknow felt when they heard the bagpipes playing: 'The +Campbells are coming.'" + +"We pulled through all right," said Frank, "and don't forget, boys, +that we owe it to the birds." + +Two days later the position of the divisions was shifted and the Army +Boys found themselves on the banks of a small river that forms the +dividing line between the hostile armies. + +The squad to which Frank and his comrades were assigned under the +command of Corporal Wilson, who had now fully recovered from his +wounds, was stationed at a point where the river was about a hundred +and fifty yards wide. Desultory firing was carried on, but the sector +at the time was comparatively quiet, as both armies were engrossed in +their preparations for the great battle that was impending. It was the +lull before the storm, and the boys improved it to the utmost. Their +duties were light compared to what they had been, and they rapidly +recuperated from the great strain under which they had been for some +weeks past. + +"If only Tom were here now," remarked Frank for perhaps the hundredth +time, for their missing comrade was always in the thoughts of the other +Army Boys. + +"Poor old scout!" mourned Bart. "I wonder where he is now?" + +"Working his heart out in some German camp, I suppose," said Billy +savagely. + +"You see, Frank, your hunch hasn't worked out as you thought it would," +said Bart. "You felt sure that Tom would be with us again before this." + +"I know," admitted Frank. "My time-table has gone wrong, but I haven't +given up hope. Tom is only human and he can't work miracles. He may +have been so placed that it simply wasn't possible to make a break. +But one thing you can gamble on, and that is that he hasn't given up +trying. And when a man has that spirit his chance is sure to come." + +"I wish I had your optimism," said Bart gloomily. + +"Look at those skunks on the other side of the river," interrupted +Billy. + +He pointed to a group of German soldiers who were making insulting +gestures and holding up huge placards with coarse inscriptions on them. + +"Cheap skates," replied Frank. "You notice they're not quite so gay +when we get to close quarters with them." + +"They get my goat," said Billy with irritation. "I'd like to cram +those placards down their throats." + +"Pretty big mouthful," laughed Frank. + +"We'll get them yet," said Billy vengefully. + +"What's the use of saying 'yet,'" suggested Frank. "Why not say 'now'?" + +They looked at him curiously. + +"What do you mean?" queried Bart. + +"Got anything up your sleeve?" asked Billy. + +"An idea just came to me," replied Frank. "I don't know whether it's +any good, but perhaps it's worth chewing over." + +"Let's have it," demanded Billy eagerly. + +"Well," said Frank slowly, "I figure that there must be about twenty +Germans in that detachment just opposite us. What would be the matter +with a few of us going over there some dark night and cleaning up the +bunch?" + +A delighted shout met the suggestion. + +"Bully!" exclaimed Bart. + +But though the approval was enthusiastic, practical difficulties soon +presented themselves. + +"How are we to get across?" asked Bart dubiously. + +"We haven't any boat on this side that's big enough," said Billy. "In +fact, I don't think we have any at all." + +"That's an easy one," answered Frank. "Do you see that big lobster of +a boat on the other side? That looks as though it would carry almost a +dozen anyway. We won't need any more than that to nab the Huns, +because we'll have the advantage of the surprise if our plans go +through all right." + +"But how are we going to get the boat?" asked Bart. + +"Swim over for it," replied Frank. "I'll attend to that. Give me a +dark night and it's all I ask." + +"Let's see what the corporal has to say about it," suggested Bart. + +The corporal listened with interest. It was a plan after his own heart. + +"You young roosters are always looking for fight," he grinned. "I'll +put it up to the captain and see what he says." + +The assent of the captain was readily obtained as he knew the value of +such exploits in keeping the spirits of the men up to high fighting +pitch. + +The night following there would be no moon until late, and it was fixed +on for carrying out the raid. Frank was to swim across the river and +get the boat. On the American side Wilson with eight men would be in +waiting. They would embark and try to reach the other side without +detection. Quick thinking and Yankee grit could be depended on to do +the rest. + +The night came, black as pitch. Frank slid into the water as +noiselessly as a fish and struck out for the other side. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GALLANT WORK + +The water had a chill in it that struck to Frank's marrow, but the +reaction soon came and he proceeded swiftly, making as little noise as +possible, and keeping body and head low in the water. He was a +powerful swimmer, and the distance was as nothing to him. But the +greatest caution had to be exercised lest he be discovered by a sentry +whose shot would alarm his comrades and put an end to the projected +raid. + +But fortune favored him and he soon reached the boat, which seemed to +be large enough, with some crowding, to carry the American party. It +swung with its stern toward the shore, to which it was held by a rope +that was passed about a cleat. + +Frank clung for a moment to the bow and listened intently. He could +hear no breathing nor any other sound that indicated that any one was +on board. The Germans had evidently not dreamed of any such exploit as +that on which Frank was bent. + +But that a watch was kept on the shore was evident, for Frank could +hear the measured step of a sentinel some distance away. The steps +receded as he listened, and he gathered that the patrol was an extended +one. Now was his time, while the sentry was at the further limit of +his beat. + +Swiftly he climbed on board, slipped the rope from its cleat, and with +a push of an oar against the bank sent the boat some distance out into +the stream. He did not dare to row for he feared that the oars grating +in the rowlocks might betray him. But he made a paddle of one of the +oars, dipping it in alternately on opposite sides of the bow, paddle +fashion, and before long reached his party, by whom he was received +with intense though subdued jubilation. + +In whispers Frank explained to Wilson what he had observed and action +was agreed on accordingly. The party, ten in all, bestowed themselves +as best as they might in their narrow quarters and the boat started on +its perilous expedition. + +A paddle was employed as before, and the journey was necessarily slow, +for the boat sank in the water almost to the gunwales. But they +reached the other side at last, and Frank, slipping into the water, +waded to the bank, where he fastened the boat securely. + +Whether they would ever step into that boat again was known to none of +the party that slipped like shadows up the grassy bank. They were +outnumbered two to one, or more, and their success depended mainly on +surprise. The slightest slip in their plans would bring the expedition +to grief. + +They lay flat on the bank and listened. There was no sound except the +tread of the sentry's feet coming nearer. It was unlikely that the +absence of the boat had been discovered. Still, it might have been, +and the dead silence might portend an ambush by the enemy. + +This was a chance, however, that they had to take. But the first thing +to do was to dispose of the sentry. + +The path along which he seemed to be coming was bordered with a small +and uncared-for hedge. + +In a hurried whisper Wilson gave his commands. + +"You, Sheldon and Raymond, creep ahead and lie on opposite sides of the +ledge. When the sentry comes along, close on him at the same time. +Keep him from making a noise if you can. The one thing is to be quick." + +Frank and Bart glided along and took up positions opposite each other. + +"You grab his gun, Bart, and I'll make for his throat," whispered Frank. + +The sentry came on unsuspectingly. Lithe as panthers the boys leaped +upon him, Bart grasping the gun, while Frank's sinewy hands fastened on +his throat. + +There was a muffled exclamation and a short sharp struggle. Then the +sentry lay on the ground unconscious, while Frank and Bart hastily +improvised a gag, and bound the man's hands and feet. + +"Good work," commended the corporal, as Frank and Bart rejoined their +comrades. "That was the most ticklish part. The rest ought to be +easy." + +But he was mistaken, for just then the door of a dugout in a small +trench opened, and two men came out with lanterns. It was evidently +the corporal of the guard who had come out with a private to relieve +the sentry. + +There was an exclamation of surprise and alarm, and as the light of the +lanterns revealed the group of dark figures at the head of the trench, +the men started to leap back into the dugout. But a rifle cracked and +one of them fell. The other, however, got inside and slammed and +barred the door. + +"Rush them, men!" shouted the corporal, and charged, at their head, +toward the dugout. + +Two or three of them launched themselves against the door, but it held. + +"Splinter it with your gun butts!" yelled the corporal, and a series of +heavy blows thundered against the barrier. + +Some of the planks started to give, but before the door had completely +yielded, it was thrown open from within and the Germans rushed out, +firing as they came. + +They were met by a return volley, and two of them fell. But the others +charged fiercely, and in an instant the two forces were engaged in a +terrible hand-to-hand battle. + +In the narrow confines of the trench there was no chance for shooting +after the first volley. It was a matter of fists and knives and in +this the Germans proved, as they had many times before, that they were +no match for the sinewy young Americans who with a yell went at them +like wild-cats. + +Sullenly they retreated and their leader held up his hands and shouted +"_Kamerad!_" + +His followers did the same. The fight was over. None of the Americans +had been killed though one was slightly and another severely wounded. +Three of the Germans would never fight again and two others stood +supported by their comrades. + +Two of the Americans stood at the door of the dugout and searched the +Germans for arms as they came through. Others stood at the head of the +trench and herded the prisoners together for transportation to the +other side. + +The German corporal looked about him as he and his men stood guarded by +Americans with loaded rifles, and his chagrin was evident as he +realized that he had been captured by so small a force. + +"Are these all the men you have?" he asked in passable English of +Wilson. + +"They were enough, weren't they?" answered Wilson with a grin that +reflected itself on the faces of his comrades. + +"_Donnerwetter!_" growled the German. "You would never have taken us +if we had known!" + +"We don't tell all we know," answered Wilson with a grin. + +The prisoners were ferried across in groups of half a dozen at a time, +but not before Billy had had the satisfaction of gathering up the +insulting placards that had aroused his ire and tearing them up before +the Germans' faces. + +"Feel better now?" laughed Frank. + +"Lots," replied Billy. "I couldn't exactly make them swallow them, but +they must have felt almost as bad to see so much German Kultur going to +waste." + +The party was greeted with exuberant delight on their return, and +received the special thanks of the captain. + +"It was a big risk," he smiled, "but risks have a way of going through +when they are carried out by the boys I'm lucky enough to command." + +"You forget, Captain," smiled the lieutenant who stood nearby, "that +there are no American soldiers in France." + +"That's so," laughed the captain. "The U-boats stopped us from coming +over, didn't they?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE DRUGGED DETACHMENT + +A scouting party was being made up a few days later, and the Army Boys +were glad that they were included in it. In the region where they were +stationed the woods were thick, and there was a sort of "twilight zone" +that afforded excellent opportunities for individual fighting. The +lines were rather loosely kept, and it was no uncommon occurrence to +have raiding parties slip across, have a brush with their opponents, +and retire with what forage or prisoners they might be lucky enough to +take. + +There had been a good deal of "sniping" that, while it only caused +occasional losses, was a source of harassment and irritation, and +Frank's squad had orders to "get" as many of these sharpshooters as +possible. + +A little way from the camp there was a deep gorge. Along its top were +many huge trees whose branches reached far out over the precipice. +They drew so close together that their branches in many cases were +interwoven. + +The squad was moving along without any attempt to keep formation in +such rough country, when there was the crack of a rifle and a bullet +zipped close by Frank's ear. + +He started back. + +"Did it get you, Frank?" called out Bart in alarm. + +"No," replied Frank, "but it came closer than I care to think about." + +At the corporal's command they took shelter behind trees, from which +they scanned the locality in the direction from which the shot had come. + +There was no trace of any concealed marksman, search the coverts as +they would. But that he was there, and that he was an enemy to be +dreaded, was shown a moment later when a bullet ridged the fingers of +the hand that Billy had incautiously exposed. + +With an exclamation, Billy put his bleeding fingers to his mouth. The +injury was slight and Bart bound his hand up for him, using extreme +care to keep behind the trees. + +"We have to hand it to that fellow," remarked the corporal. "He +certainly knows how to shoot." + +"I'd hand him something if I only knew where he was," growled Billy. + +"I know where he is," said Frank. + +"Do you?" asked the corporal eagerly. + +"Where?" + +"In the tallest of that clump of trees on the edge of the gorge," +replied Frank. "I caught a glimpse of his rifle barrel the last time +he fired." + +"We'll give him a volley," decided the corporal, and a moment later, at +his command, the rifles rang out. + +Several times this was repeated in the hope that one of the bullets +would find its mark. But the tree trunk was enormously thick and +bullets imbedded themselves in it without injury to the marksman, +snugly sheltered on the further side. + +If they could have surrounded the tree and shot from different sides +there would have been no trouble in bagging their quarry. But the tree +had been cunningly chosen for the reason that the further side hung +over the precipice and could only be attacked from the side where the +party now were. + +Frank's keen eyes had been sizing up the situation and he now had a +proposal to make. + +"I think I see a way to dislodge him if you'll let me try it, +Corporal," he said. + +"What is it?" asked Wilson. + +"You'll notice that the branches of those trees are mixed in with each +other," replied Frank. "If you can keep him busy with your shooting, +so that he won't be thinking of anything else, I think I can make a +detour and climb up one of those other trees on the side away from him. +I could carry my rifle strapped on my back. Then I might work my way +along the branches and perhaps catch sight of him." + +"It's worth trying," decided the corporal. "Go ahead, Sheldon, but be +mighty careful." + +Frank slipped away in the shelter of the trees, described a +semi-circle, reached the third tree from the one where the German was +stationed, and commenced to climb. + +It was hard work, for the tree was thick and he could not get a good +grip on it with his arms. But he persisted until he reached the first +limb and drew himself up on it. Then he examined his rifle carefully +and with the utmost caution began to work his way among the branches. + +Some of these were so thick as to be themselves almost like tree +trunks, and he had no apprehension on the score of his weight. He +passed to the next tree, and then to the next. There he paused, +parting the branches carefully. + +He knew that his comrades were keeping their part of the bargain, for +the thud of bullets against the tree that sheltered the enemy was +almost continuous. + +For several minutes Frank looked for his enemy. Then his search was +rewarded, and through an open space he found himself looking squarely +into the eyes of the man who, a few minutes before, had tried to send a +bullet through his brain. + +The man saw him at the same instant. Like a flash he leveled his rifle +and fired. + +For such a hurried aim the shot was good. Frank felt the whistle of +the bullet as it almost grazed him. But it was not good enough. + +The next instant Frank's rifle spoke. The man flung out his arms, +toppled over and fell with a crash into the gorge that the tree +overhung. The rifle clanged after him. There would be no more sniping +by that particular marksman from that particular tree. + +There was a shout from the squad who had witnessed the duel, and as +Frank slid down the tree he was greeted with acclamations. + +"A nervy thing, Sheldon," commended Wilson. + +"He almost got me, though," returned Frank. "It was a case of touch +and go." + +"He was a brave man," was the tribute of the corporal, "though that +particular kind of work has always seemed to me something like murder. +He shot his victims without giving them a chance. His work on land was +that of the U-boats on the sea--a species of assassination." + +The squad went on with special caution and with a close watch on the +trees. But noon came without further adventure and they got out their +rations and prepared to enjoy them at the foot of a spreading maple. + +They were perhaps half way through the meal, which they had seasoned +with jokes and laughter, when there was a rustling in the bushes near +at hand. Instantly they leaped to their feet and reached for their +rifles. + +"Who goes there?" demanded the corporal. + +There was no answer. + +"Answer or we shoot!" cried Wilson. + +The bushes parted and a young peasant girl stepped forth. + +She was a pretty girl of about eighteen. Her face bore the marks of +tears, her hair was dishevelled, and she was in a state of extreme +agitation. She began to talk feverishly and with many gestures. + +"Here, Sheldon," said the corporal, "you speak French. See if you can +understand what the girl is saying." + +Frank stepped forward. + +"_Que voulez-vous, Mademoiselle?_" he asked. + +The relief of the girl when she heard her own language was evident. + +"These are English soldiers, Monsieur?" she asked. + +"No," said Frank, "they are Americans." + +"Oh, _les braves Americains_!" she exclaimed. "How glad I am! I know +you will help me." + +"Be sure of that," replied Frank. "But tell me now just what has +happened." + +"The boches," she answered. "They are at our house." + +"How many are there?" asked Frank with quickened interest. + +"About thirty," she replied. Then as she saw Frank glance at the ten +who made up his party, she went on: "But you can capture them, I am +sure. They are drugged." + +"Drugged?" + +"Yes. They came to our house early this morning. They upset +everything. They smashed the furniture. They tied my father and +brother in chairs. They said they were going to burn the house when +they got ready to go away." + +"But how were they drugged?" + +"They made me get them all the food and wine there was in the house. I +did so. I put some laudanum in the wine. They ate and drank. Then +they got sleepy. They dropped off one by one. Then I ran out to find +help. I find you. Heaven is good." + +Frank consulted the corporal as the others crowded around in great +excitement. + +The corporal meditated. + +"It may be a trap," he said cautiously. + +"I don't think so," replied Frank. "Look at the girl. She's no +actress. I think she's telling the truth." + +"But even if they were drugged, they may have recovered from the +effects by this time," pondered the corporal. + +Then he made up his mind. + +"We'll take a chance," he decided. "Ask the girl how far the house is +from here." + +"About a mile," the girl answered to Frank's query. "And there is one +other thing," she added. "They have a prisoner with them. He is young +and he has a uniform like yours, only it is torn and soiled. They +threw him on the floor in a room upstairs. He was tied with ropes." + +"What does he look like?" asked Frank. "Tell me as well as you can." + +She described the prisoner amid the growing excitement of the Army Boys. + +"Tom, for a thousand dollars!" cried Frank. + +"It must be!" echoed Bart. + +"Sure as guns!" chimed in Billy. + +"Do you know him, then?" asked the girl, who had been looking at them +wonderingly. "Oh, then hurry! For they are going to hang him. They +put a rope over the tree near the well and said they would hang him +when they got through eating and drinking." + +Hang Tom! If there had been any hesitation before, there was none now. +The chums would have run every step of the way if the corporal had not +restrained them. As it was they covered the mile in double-quick time. + +As they came to where the farm bordered on the woods and caught sight +of the house, their eyes turned with dread toward the well. An +exclamation of heartfelt relief broke from them. The rope was there as +the girl had said, but no hideous burden dangled from it. + +No one was in sight, and a death-like silence brooded over the place. +They waited in the shelter of the trees. Perhaps the enemy had +recovered and was waiting for them with a force three times their own. + +Five minutes passed. Then the corporal gave an order. + +"Fix bayonets! We're going to rush the house." + +There was a sharp click. + +"Charge!" + +With a cheer they rushed across the brief space that separated them +from the house and up to the open door. + +The corporal looked in. + +"Put up your guns, boys," he said quietly. "We've got them." + +The others crowded after him into the long low-ceiled room. The enemy +had been delivered into their hands. There, sprawled over the floor in +all sorts of ungainly attitudes among the smashed furniture, were the +invaders in various stages of stupor. Some of them opened their eyes +at the sudden interruption and stared hard at the newcomers. The +lieutenant himself sat at the table on which his head had fallen +forward. + +But the Army Boys did not tarry long. A word of permission from the +corporal and they bounded up the narrow stairs and burst into the room +where the girl had said Tom had been left. + +The room was empty! + +They searched and called frantically. + +"Tom! Tom! Where are you? Come out! It's friends, Frank, Billy, +Bart!" + +They looked in every cranny and corner of the house upstairs and then +down. Then they rushed out to the barn. Then with fear at their +hearts they sounded the well. + +All was to no purpose. Tom--if it had really been Tom--might have +vanished into thin air for any trace they found of him. + +Where had he gone? What had become of him? Or, worst of all, what had +the enemy done to him? + +There was no answer, and at last they rejoined their comrades in the +hope that questioning of the German lieutenant or some of his men might +tell them what they wanted to know. + +The first precaution that the corporal had taken was to disarm and bind +his prisoners. Then the farmer and his son were released. They were +wild with rage at the treatment they had undergone and the wanton havoc +wrought in their home. If the choice had been left to them they would +have killed every prisoner on the spot. + +At the corporal's command water was brought from the well and buckets +of it were dashed over the Germans. There was sputtering and yelling, +but the soldier boys enjoyed it hugely, and they worked with a hearty +good will. + +It was a drastic remedy for sleepiness but it worked, and before long +the Germans, looking like so many drowned rats, had come out of their +stupor and began to realize their situation. The privates were +sheepish, but the lieutenant went almost crazy with anger when he +realized how he had been trapped. His eyes looked venom at the girl, +who laughed at him triumphantly. His rage was increased by his +consciousness of the pitiable figure he presented. His smart uniform +was dripping, his hair was matted over his face and even his ferocious +mustache had lost its Kaiser-like curl. Even one of his own men +ventured to snicker at him, and the look the officer turned on him was +not good to see. + +The corporal began to question him, but the lieutenant looked at him in +disdain. + +"A German officer does not answer the questions of a corporal," he +sneered. + +"Just as you like," retorted Wilson coolly. "Perhaps you'd like to +have me leave you here with the owner of the house and his son. I +think they'd like nothing better than to have five minutes alone with +you. Perhaps even one minute would be enough." + +The lieutenant took one glance at the glowering faces of the farmer and +his son and wilted instantly. + +"I will answer your questions," he said, shortly. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A DEEPENING MYSTERY + +"He came off his perch mighty quick," remarked Bart to Frank in a +whisper. + +"I don't wonder," replied Frank. "He'd be a pretty poor insurance risk +if these people could get a whack at him." + +The corporal asked a few formal questions as to the lieutenant's +regiment and division, which were answered sullenly though promptly. +But these had little interest just then, and their asking was really a +matter for headquarters. They were simply the prelude to other +questions in which the company were much more deeply concerned. + +"You had a prisoner here?" asked the corporal. + +"Yes." + +"Where is he now?" + +"He was placed upstairs." + +"He is not there now. What have you done with him?" + +"Nothing." + +"What were you going to do with him?" + +The officer moved uneasily. + +"Take him back to my quarters," he finally answered. + +"Why did you have that rope put over the tree by the well?" + +There was no answer, but the officer grew red in the face. + +"Did you hear the question?" + +"It was to frighten him," the lieutenant finally blurted out. "Anyway +he was a spy and deserved to be hung. He had come into our lines in +disguise." + +The corporal motioned to Frank. + +"Ask the girl again if she is sure the prisoner had on an American +uniform," he directed. + +Frank did so. + +"_Oui, oui,_" she affirmed emphatically. + +To make sure, Frank repeated the question to the farmer and his son and +received the same answer. + +He reported to the corporal. + +"These people all say that the prisoner was not in disguise, +Lieutenant," said Wilson. "Do you still wish to insist that he was?" + +"Yes." + +"That is enough," replied the corporal with quiet scorn. "Line up the +prisoners, men," he commanded. + +This was quickly done, and the homeward march commenced, but not until +another search had been made for the missing captive of the Germans. + +It had the same result as the previous one and the boys were full of +questionings and forebodings as they marched back guarding their +prisoners. But there were some elements of comfort in their perplexity. + +In the first place, they had saved some American soldier, whether Tom +or another, from a horrible death. Then, too, they had in their power +the brute who had planned that death. It was not impossible, too, +that, under further questioning of the lieutenant and his men at +headquarters, more might be learned of what they wanted so badly to +know. + +Another subject of congratulation also was that the prisoner, if he had +escaped, was not far from the American lines. He might find his way in +at any time. + +But there was one thing that bothered Frank considerably, and he +mentioned it that night when he found himself alone with Bart and Billy. + +"Do you remember the minute at the edge of the wood when the corporal +gave the order to fix bayonets?" he asked. + +"Sure thing," replied Bart. "What about it?" + +"Just this," replied Frank. "At that minute I caught sight of a man +running away from the farmhouse into the woods on the other side. I +got the picture of him in my mind, but I didn't have time to think +about it just then, for we were making a rush for the house. Then +other things crowded it out of my mind altogether. But it came back to +me on the way home this afternoon." + +"What did the man look like and how was he dressed?" asked Billy +eagerly. + +"He had on an American uniform," replied Frank slowly, as he tried to +make the picture clear in his own mind. + +"Perhaps it was Tom!" cried Bart. + +"No, it wasn't," said Frank positively. "The uniform was smart and +newer than ours. Tom's must be in tatters and you remember the girl +said it was. Then, too, I'd know Tom's gait among a thousand just as +you would. No, it wasn't Tom, worse luck." + +"Who was it, then?" + +"I think it was Nick Rabig," replied Frank. + +"Nick Rabig!" the others cried together. + +"Mind, I only say I think," repeated Frank, looking around to see that +no outsider was within hearing. "I wouldn't be willing to swear to it. +But the motions were Nick's--you know he runs like a cart horse--and +you know that Nick has been togged out in a new uniform since he came +back from that queer captivity of his among the Huns." + +"Nick Rabig there," mused Bart perplexedly, as he began to pace up and +down. "What on earth could he have been doing there?" + +"Say," put in Billy with agitation, "could he have done anything to +Tom? Suppose he went there, no matter for what purpose; suppose he +found that German crowd dead to the world; suppose he found Tom +upstairs bound and helpless. You know how Nick hated him." + +"Keep cool, old man," counseled Frank, though there was a trace of +anxiety in his own voice. "No, I don't think anything of that kind has +happened. If it had we'd have found some traces of it. I think we can +leave that out of our calculations." + +"I'm only too glad to," said Billy. "But what was Nick's reason for +being around that farmhouse anyway?" + +"What have always been Nick's reasons for being where there are +Germans, or where he expects there will be Germans?" said Bart. +"Suppose--just suppose--that Nick knew--had a tip, let us say--that a +certain German lieutenant on a certain day would be in a certain place, +ready to receive and pay for any information about the American forces +that Nick had been able to gather. Do you get me?" + +"I get you, all right," answered Frank, "and from what we know of Nick +we've got a right to think so. Well, he didn't sell anything today +anyway. He didn't find the German lieutenant in any condition to talk +business." + +The bugle blew for "taps" just then, and the conversation came to an +end. And the two days that followed were so crowded with events that +their own personal interests were thrust into the background. + +For the great drive was coming, the drive for which they had been +looking for months, looking not with fear but with eager anticipation, +their ardent young hearts aflame with the desire to fight to the death +the enemies of civilization. + +The weather had favored the enemy in his preparations. Usually at that +time of the year the ground was soft and not fit for military +operations on a grand scale. But the ground this year had dried out +unusually early and was suitable for the bringing forward of men and +guns. + +There were all sorts of rumors afloat as to what the enemy had in +store. There were said to be monster guns that could throw shells more +than seventy miles. There were new and diabolical inventions in the +way of gas that were to cause unspeakable agonies to their victims. +There was talk of gigantic mirrors that would act as burning-glasses +and blind the opposing troops. + +Some of these things proved to be true. Others were mere lies, +designed to sap the morale of the Allied armies and civil populations +before the fight began. + +"Heinie's the biggest boob that ever happened," grinned Billy, when the +boys were discussing the coming conflict. "He acts as if the Allies +were a lot of children. He thinks that all he has to do is to dress up +a bugaboo and we'll all roll over and play dead." + +"He'll get something into that thick head of his after a while," +predicted Frank. "It will have to be jabbed in, but there are a lot of +us ready to do the jabbing." + +"Let him bring on his bag of tricks," scoffed Bart. "When all's said +and done, it's going to be man-stuff that will decide this war. And +there's where we've got him on the hip. Man to man we're better stuff +than the Huns. We know it and they know it. They can't stand before +our bayonets." + +"Right you are, old scout!" said Frank, enthusiastically, giving him a +resounding slap on the back. "Let them bring on their old drive as +soon as they like. They can begin the drive. We'll end it. And we'll +end it in the streets of Berlin!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE STORM OF WAR + +"Listen to that music," said Frank to his comrades the next morning, as +a furious cannonade opened up that made the ground shake and filled the +air with flying missiles of death. + +"Too many bass notes in it to be real good music," remarked Billy with +a grim. + +"Maybe it's the overture just before the rising of the curtain," +suggested Bart. + +"Perhaps it is," agreed Frank. "The Hun has got to start his drive +some time, and this would be just the kind of morning for it. See how +heavy that mist lies on the ground? We couldn't see the Germans at a +distance of fifty yards." + +"It's mighty thick for a fact," observed Bart. "But I guess our +advanced posts are on the job. They'll give us warning in plenty of +time." + +"Not that we need much warning as far as I can see," said Billy. +"We've been ready for a long time to fight at the drop of a hat. I'll +bet the Hun doesn't carry a foot of our line." + +"That's where you're wrong, Billy, old scout," warned Bart. "It stands +to reason that he'll get away with something at first. You take any +one man, no matter how strong he is, and if ten fellows rush him all at +once they're bound to drive him back at the start. The Huns have got +the advantage of knowing where they're going to strike. We don't know +and so we have to spread our forces out so as to be ready to meet him +at any point. Then, too, the man who comes rushing in has the +advantage of the fellow who's standing still because he's got momentum. +That's why generals would rather fight on the offensive than on the +defensive. They're able to pick the time and place and the other +fellow has to follow his lead." + +"I don't see why the Allies can't take the offensive," grumbled Billy. +"It gets my goat to let the Huns hit first." + +"It does mine too," admitted Frank, "and if it hadn't been for Russia +quitting, we'd be looking now at the coattails of the Kaiser's generals +as they scooted back to Berlin. But that's a bit of hard luck that we +can't help. Russia's back-down has taken ten million soldiers from the +Allies' strength. But America will make that all up in time and then +you'll see us doing the chasing." + +"It can't come too soon to suit me," said Billy. "I only wish Uncle +Sam had started sooner to get ready." + +"So do I," replied Frank. "But there's no use crying over spilt milk. +We're getting ahead now with leaps and bounds. I was talking to Will +Stone the other day, and he'd just got back from a flying trip to one +of the French seaports. He says it simply knocked him stiff to see the +transports coming in loaded to the guards with American troops. And he +says the roads are fairly choked with doughboys moving this way. +They're coming like a swarm of locusts. And there's millions more +where they came from. Oh, Uncle Sam is awake now, all right, and don't +you forget it! And when he once gets started there's nothing on earth +can stop him." + +"Right you are!" said Bart. + +"We've won every war we've ever been in and it's got to be a habit," +grinned Billy. + +The old Thirty-seventh was stationed on the second line, or what is +called in military terms, "the line of resistance." In modern +fighting, when a heavy attack is expected the defending army is usually +arranged in three lines. The first is the advanced line, and this is +hardly expected to be held very long. Its chief aim is to hold back +the enemy for a while and weaken him as far as possible. Not many +troops are employed on this line nor many big guns. The chief reliance +is on rifle fire and machine guns, which are so placed as to deliver a +withering cross-fire and cut up the enemy divisions. + +By the time the first line is driven back the defending army knows +where the enemy has chosen to strike and is ready for him on the second +line or "line of resistance." Here the battle is on in all its fury. +If here again the enemy advances, there is still a third line of +"battle positions." This is practically the last entrenched position +that the defenders have. If they are driven back from this into the +open country beyond, it becomes a serious thing for the retreating +army, as many of their big guns will have been lost, and their forces +are apt to be more or less disorganized, while the enemy is flushed +with the victory he has so far gained. + +The cannonade kept on with increasing fury all through the early +morning. + +"Heinie must have plenty of ammunition," remarked Frank. "He's +spending it freely." + +"It beats anything we've been up against since we came to the front," +observed Billy. + +"It seems to be coming nearer and nearer all the time," said Bart. "I +guess this is going to be our busy day." + +There was intense activity all through the lines. Orderlies galloped +from place to place with orders. Big motor cars rumbled up, loaded +with troops who were hastily placed in position. The big guns of the +Allied forces had opened up and were sending back shell for shell over +the enemy lines. + +For over two hours the artillery kept up the Titanic duel. The fog was +lifting, though still heavy in some of the low-lying sections. The +Thirty-seventh was resting easily on its arms, ready for whatever might +happen. + +"We may not see so much fighting after all," remarked Billy, after a +while. "The fellows in front seem to be holding pretty well. Perhaps +they'll throw the Huns back right from the start." + +"Don't kid yourself," replied Frank grimly. "That first line is almost +sure to go. It's expected to. It's only a forlorn hope anyway. We'll +get our stomachs full of fighting before the day is over." + +Even while he spoke there were signs of confusion up in front. Groups +of men came in sight evidently retreating. Machine gun crews, bringing +their weapons with them, were hurriedly setting them up in new +positions. There would be a few discharges and then they would be +forced to retreat still further. They were fighting splendidly, and +putting up a dogged resistance, yielding ground only foot by foot, but +to the experienced eyes of the boys there was no mistaking the signs. +The enemy had broken through the first line positions. + +"Well, it's nothing more than we knew would happen," remarked Frank, as +his frame tingled with the excitement of the coming fight which he knew +would soon be upon him. + +"That's so," agreed Bart. "But what gets me is that the line was +broken so quickly. I thought it would be afternoon at least before the +Huns got as far as this." + +The lines opened up to let the newcomers through so that they could go +to the rear and re-form. + +"How about it?" Frank asked of a machine gunner whom he knew, as the +man limped by him, supported by a comrade. "We didn't expect to see +you fellows so soon." + +"It was the mist," was the reply. "The Huns got within thirty yards +before we tumbled to it. We did the best we could but they just +swamped our position before we could get our cross-fire going. Even at +that we mowed them down in heaps with our rifle fire, but they kept on +coming. For every dead man there were twenty live ones to take his +place. We put up a stiff fight, but there were too many of them. It +seemed like millions. They're coming now like a house afire and you +boys want to brace." + +"We're braced already," muttered Billy through his clenched teeth, as +he gripped his rifle until it seemed as though his fingers must leave +their imprint on the stock. + +There was a short period of waiting, more trying by far than any actual +fighting. + +Then the storm broke! + +In front of them rank after rank of gray-clad troops came in sight, +stretching back as far as the eye could see. The mist had wholly +vanished now and the boys could see their enemy. It seemed as though +the machine gunner had not exaggerated when he said that there were +millions. They were like the waves of the sea. + +But the stout hearts of the American boys never quailed. Time and +again they had met these men or their fellows and driven them back at +the point of the bayonet. They had outfought and outgamed them. They +had sent them flying before them. They had seen their backs. + +The blood of heroes and of patriots ran in the veins of the defenders. +Their ancestors had fought at Bunker Hill, at Palo Alto, at Gettysburg. +Above them floated the Stars and Stripes, an unstained flag, a glorious +flag, a flag that had never been smirched by defeat. + +Their eyes blazed and their muscles stiffened. + +Then like an avalanche the enemy struck! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +FURRY RESCUERS + +The satisfaction that Tom felt at having in his pocket the confession +of Martel helped to make his imprisonment much more bearable in the +week that followed. His heart warmed at the thought of the delight +Frank would feel in clearing up the matter that had long laid heavy +upon his mother's mind. + +For the conviction never left him that some time he was going to put +that confession in his friend's hand. He had escaped before from +German captivity, not once but twice. What he had done then he would +do again. And every minute of his waking hours found that active brain +of his working hard at the problem. + +He confessed to himself that the solution would not be easy. The +guards were many and were changed frequently. The windows of the old +barracks where he slept were fortified with steel bars, and the open +camp where the prisoners were employed in outside work was surrounded +with wires through which a strong electric current ran. To touch them +would mean instant death, and they were so close together that it would +be impossible to squeeze through without touching. + +He fell to studying the routine of the various conveyances that were +constantly arriving and departing. Some of them brought bales of +goods, others barrels. The latter were especially common. They were +in a part of the country that abounded in vineyards, and great +hogsheads of wine were being constantly brought in to supply the +demands of the division stationed there. + +They did not stay full long. The German officers were notoriously +heavy drinkers, and there were days when there were great drayloads of +empty hogsheads ready to be taken away to be refilled. + +Tom developed a great interest in these hogsheads. The work of loading +them on the drays was performed by prisoners, and he managed to be in +the vicinity as often as possible to help. He was stronger than most +of the prisoners and he worked with such good will at loading the bulky +hogsheads that little by little it became a habit with the guards to +assign him to this work whenever it was to be done. + +A day came when the rain poured down in torrents. Tom had waited and +prayed for just such a day. The air was full of fog and a cloud of +steam rose from the horses' backs. Everything in the prison yard was +dim and gray and spectral. The guards were enveloped in heavy +raincoats and the flaps of oilskin on their caps fell halfway over +their faces. + +Tom had managed to get on one of the trucks and was tugging at one of +the hogsheads to make room for others further back. Other prisoners +were lifting on the last hogsheads. Tom leaned over one of the +hogsheads and suddenly let himself go into it headfirst. It was all +over in a flash. + +There was an awful moment of suspense. Had anyone seen him? He +listened intently. No shout was raised. Nothing happened out of the +usual. + +The driver climbed up to his seat and the horses started. There was a +momentary delay as the gates were opened to let him pass. Then the +horses started on a jog trot and the truck was bumping its way over an +uneven country road. A thrill of exultation shot through Tom, +crouching at the bottom of the hogshead. He had made the first step on +the road to freedom. + +He was still in the most imminent danger. At any moment he might hear +the clattering of horsemen in pursuit. And he knew the kind of +treatment he would get if he were recaptured. + +How to get out of the hogshead without detection was another problem. +But this worried him least of all. He felt sure that the driver would +stop at the first tavern he came across to refresh himself. Then he +would make his break. + +His faith was justified, for before long the truck came to a halt and +the driver got down. The weather had driven all the tavern idlers +indoors and the streets of the little hamlet were deserted. Like an +eel, Tom squirmed over the edge of the hogshead, dropped into the +roadway on the side of the truck away from the tavern, and, with +assumed carelessness, went on down the road. + +A few rods brought him into the open country. He had not the least +idea where he was. In the gloom he could not tell which was north or +south or east or west. But for the moment he was free. + +He made his way across some fields in the direction of a dark fringe of +woods. There he would find shelter for the present. It would be a +poor kind of shelter, but just then Tom asked nothing better. The day +would bring counsel. + +For some days past he had been stowing away fragments from his scanty +meals in his pockets. They were only dry and mouldy crusts, but they +would at least sustain life. + +Up in the streaming woods he hollowed out a place under a fallen tree. +He was drenched to the skin, but he was so exhausted with the strain he +had undergone that no bodily discomfort could prevent his falling +asleep. + +When he awoke the rain had ceased and the sun was striking through the +branches of the trees. With the morning came new courage. He would +yet win through. + +He studied the sun and got a general idea of the direction in which he +must go. He knew that the American lines lay to the south and west. +He could hear the distant thunder of the guns. + +All that day he traveled in the friendly shadow of the woods. He did +not dare to approach a cottage or go to any of the peasants he could +see working in the fields. Some of them, he felt sure, would befriend +him, but at any moment he might come in contact with one of the +oppressors who held the land in their grip. He would take no chances. + +His food was almost gone now although he had husbanded it with the +greatest care. But he tightened his belt and kept on. + +On the morning of the second day he was crossing a small brook and was +just stepping up on the other side when a wet stone rolled beneath his +foot and threw him headlong. His head struck a jagged stump and he lay +there stunned. + +When he regained consciousness, he found himself looking into the face +of a German officer who was amusing himself by kicking the youth. + +"Awake, are you, Yankee pig?" the officer greeted him. "It's time. I +had half a mind to give you a bayonet thrust and put you to sleep +forever. You needn't tell me how you came here. I know. You're the +schweinhund that escaped two days ago. Here," he called to some of his +men, "tie this fellow and throw him over a horse. We'll settle his +case later on." + +The command was promptly obeyed and poor Tom found himself once more in +the grasp of his foes. And from this captivity there seemed little +promise of escape. The deadly purpose of the brute who held him in his +power had been plainly written on his face. + +After what seemed an endless journey, the party reached a farmhouse. +The detachment took possession of the place and an orgy of pillage and +destruction ensued. Tom was taken to an upper room and thrown roughly +on the floor. Here he lay bound hand and foot. He could hear cries of +terror and smashing of furniture going on below. + +He had no companion but his own thoughts, except when some of the +drunken roysterers invaded his room to remind him of the rope that hung +over the tree near the well and to drive home the information with +kicks of their heavy boots. + +His thoughts were black and bitter. This, then, was the end. He was +to be hung to furnish an occasion of laughter to a horde of drunken +brutes. Well, there would be no whine from him. He would show them +how an American could die. + +His attention was attracted by a pattering of tiny feet. He looked in +the direction from which the sound came. + +A rat had emerged from a hole in the corner and was busy nibbling a +lump of cheese that had been dropped by one of the soldiers who had +just left. The nibbling ceased as Tom turned his head and the rat +scurried back to the corner. There he stayed, his bright eyes looking +longingly at the cheese. + +A thought shot through Tom's mind that set him tingling from head to +foot. Was it possible? Of course it was only a forlorn hope. But he +would try it. He would be no worse off if it failed. + +He rolled himself over to the cheese and rubbed the rope that tied his +hand in the soft substance until it was thoroughly smeared with it. +Then he lay on his side with his hands outstretched and pretended to +sleep. + +Through his nearly closed lids he watched the rat. For some minutes it +stayed motionless. Tom never moved a muscle. Then the rat crept +stealthily forward, and, with many half retreats, at last started in to +nibble at the rope to get the cheese. Soon another rat came and then +another. + +Tom conquered the sense of repulsion that their close proximity +inspired in him. His life depended on his self-control. The least +movement might send them scurrying back to their holes. And out in the +yard there was that rope that hung from the tree near the well! + +So he nerved himself and his reward came at last. He could feel the +tension of the rope yielding as one strand after another was torn by +the tiny teeth of his unknowing rescuers. + +Finally they ceased and sat up on their haunches washing their faces, +and the need for inaction had passed. With a mighty effort Tom +strained at the rope and it snapped. + +He could have shouted with exultation. He waved his arms in the air +and the frightened rats vanished. He rubbed his hands and arms until +the circulation came back. It was an easy matter then to untie the +rope that bound his feet. + +The noise on the floor beneath had ceased, He stole to the window and +looked out. No one was stirring in the space around the house. He +shuddered as he saw the dangling rope on the tree near the well. + +There was the sound of a stealthy step below. Tom drew his head from +the window. Standing in the shadow of the frame he could see a young +girl emerge and run swiftly away. + +Where were the others? Consulting perhaps as to how they could get the +most enjoyment from the spectacle of his hanging. + +There was only one way of exit that promised safety. He must escape by +the window. + +He measured with his eye the distance from the ground. It seemed to be +about eighteen feet. He himself was six feet high. That would leave a +clear drop of twelve feet. He could probably make it without injury. +At any rate he had no choice. + +He let himself down gently with his hands and dropped. The shock +brought him to his knees, but he arose unhurt. + +The next moment he was racing for the woods with the speed of the wind. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +CLOSING THE GAP + +A sheet of flames leaped from the American rifles. A blasting torrent +of death poured from the machine guns. The heavy field artillery, that +had the range to a dot, tore gaping holes in the serried German ranks. +Great lanes opened up in the advancing hosts. The target was broad and +there was no need to take aim, for every bullet was bound to find a +mark. + +The enemy ranks faltered before that terrific fire and fell back, +leaving hundreds of dead and wounded on the open space in front of the +lines, while hundreds more were strewn along the barbed wire +entanglements. + +But the German commanders were prodigal of the lives of their men, and +after a brief time for re-forming, the divisions came on again, only to +be hurled back again with still more fearful losses. A third attempt +met with a similar result. The Americans were standing like a rock. + +"Guess Fritz is getting more than he bargained for," grinned Billy, as +the Germans were forming for another attack. + +"Yes," agreed Frank, "but he'll try again. He'll stand a whole lot of +beating." + +For several hours the fight continued with a bitterness that had not +been paralleled before in the whole course of the war. Again and again +the enemy attacked, only to be beaten back before the stonewall defense. + +But the Americans were not satisfied with merely defending their +position. About two hours after noon they organized a counterattack. +With splendid vim and ardor, and in a dashing charge, they smashed the +division confronting them, driving them back in confusion and bringing +hundreds of prisoners back with them to the trenches. + +"I guess that will hold them for a while," crowed Billy, as they rested +for a few minutes after their return. + +"We certainly slashed them good and plenty," exulted Frank, as he +washed up a scratched shoulder that had been struck by a splinter of +shrapnel. + +"If the rest of the line is holding as well as our fellows, the drive +will be ended almost as soon as it began," remarked Bart. + +"And Heinie was going to walk all over us, was he?" grinned Billy. +"He's got another guess coming." + +But their amazement was great a few minutes later when the order came +for the regiment to fall back. + +"Fall back!" howled Billy when he heard the order. "What is this, a +joke?" + +"Why should we fall back, when we've just licked the tar out of the +Heinies?" growled Bart. + +"Orders are orders," said Frank briefly. "I suppose our commanders +know what they're doing. But it certainly is tough luck." + +Their officers no doubt felt an equal chagrin, but the need was +imperative. The Germans had struck along a front of fifty miles. At +many points they had encountered a resistance as fierce and determined +as that put up by the old Thirty-seventh and its companion regiments of +the same division. + +But at others they had been more successful. They had introduced a new +kind of tactics that had never been used before on the western front, +although it had been employed successfully in Russia. These were the +so-called Von Hutier tactics whereby, when a division was used up, +instead of falling back it simply opened up and let a fresh division +pass through and take up the burden. + +The old plan had been to clear up everything as one went along. The +idea of the new tactics was to press swiftly ahead even if they left +behind them machine-gun nests and strong enemy positions. These could +be cleaned up later one by one, while in front the swift advance was +intended to demoralize the opposing army and throw it out of formation +by the very speed of the progress. + +The plan, like every other, had its weak points. It involved a very +heavy loss of men because of the masses in which they moved forward, +and it also exposed its flank by penetrating too rapidly into the host +lines before the artillery could be brought up for support. But if +successful, it was almost sure to break the enemy's line and throw it +into confusion. + +Later on the Allies were to learn how they might most easily frustrate +these tactics. But at the start of the great drive the plan met with +considerable success because of its novelty. + +It was this that had brought the command to retreat. The British +forces on the right wing of the Allied armies had been forced to give +way. The line had not been broken, but it had been badly bent. The +British retreated doggedly, fighting with the splendid heroism that was +in accordance with their traditions, and at no time did the retreat +become a rout. But in order to keep the line straight the American +forces too were ordered to fall back, even though they had been +successful on their section of the line. + +"It's a shame!" growled Billy, as the retirement began. "It makes me +sore to have those Heinies think they've got us going." + +"We'll come back," said Frank cheerfully. "It's a good general that +knows when to retreat as well as to advance. We're only going to get +space enough to crouch for a spring." + +The division withdrew in good order, keeping up a rear-guard action +that kept the enemy at a respectful distance. When night fell the +Americans had reached the position assigned to them, and the backward +movement was halted. The troops entrenched, and with the Allied line +straightened out once more, faced the foe that it had decisively +defeated earlier in the day. + +"Nothing to do till tomorrow," exclaimed Frank as he threw himself on +the ground. + +"Don't fool yourself that way," said Corporal Wilson, who had just come +up and heard the remark. "Unless I lose my guess you've got something +to do tonight. Didn't you tell me the other day that you understood +how to handle a motorcycle?" + +"Why, yes," said Frank. "I've ridden one a good deal. I won a race on +Camport Fair Grounds a couple of years ago." + +"Then you're just the man the general wants to see," replied Wilson. +"He sent a message to the colonel asking for the services of a man who +was cool and plucky, and who could also ride a motorcycle. I don't +know of any one else who can fill the bill better than you." + +"I'll be glad to do whatever's wanted of me," replied Frank, and with a +word of farewell to his comrades he accompanied the corporal to +headquarters. + +Here he was ushered into the presence of a group of officers who were +poring over a large map spread out upon a table. + +"Is this the young man you were telling me about, Colonel?" asked the +general, a tall, powerfully built man, looking sharply at Frank from +beneath a pair of bushy eyebrows. + +"Yes, General," replied the colonel. "Captain Baker vouches for his +coolness and courage and his quick thinking in an emergency. And I'm +told he understands all about motorcycles." + +"Just the man," commented the general. "I want you," he continued, +addressing Frank, "to carry a message for me to the British commander +on our right. Our division has lost touch with him and the field +telephone is not working. Probably it has been cut by the enemy. The +message is most important and I want you to make all the speed you can. +Go and get ready now and report to your captain, who will hand you the +papers. He will have a machine ready for you. That is all." + +Frank hurried back and made his preparations, which were brief. While +he worked he told his eager companions of the errand with which he had +been entrusted. + +"Wish I were going with you," remarked Bart. + +"Same here," said Billy. + +"That would be dandy," agreed Frank. + +He shook hands with them and hurried away to the captain's quarters, +where he found that officer waiting for him with the papers. + +"There's no answer," he said, as he handed them over. "When you've +delivered the papers your work is done. Good luck." + +Frank thrust the papers in his pocket after receiving full directions +as to his route. The motorcycle was standing at the door. It was a +powerful machine of the latest make and everything about it suggested +strength and speed. He noticed that there was a saddle in the rear and +a thought came to him. + +"I see that this machine will carry double," he said. "Would you mind +if I took a companion with me? The machine will carry two as swiftly +as it will one. Then, too, if one of us were hurt or shot the other +one could still go on with the message." + +"An excellent idea," said the captain after pondering a moment. "Get +him, but make haste." + +Frank rushed back to his chums. + +"Which one of you wants to go with me?" he asked breathlessly. + +"I do," they yelled in chorus. + +"Sorry," laughed Frank, "but there's only room for one. Toss a coin." + +The luck favored Bart, much to Billy's disappointment. In a jiffy +Frank and Bart had bidden Billy good-by, jumped to their places, and +with a leap the powerful machine darted off. + +The night was clear, and as soon as they were away from the camp Frank +had no trouble in finding the road that he had been ordered to take. +It was a good one in ordinary times, but now it had been torn by shells +from the German guns in many places and care had to be taken to avoid a +spill. The shaded light threw its rays a considerable distance ahead, +but they were going at a speed that did not leave them much time to +avoid obstacles even after they were detected. + +The road swung around in a wide semi-circle and led through a number of +French villages. These the Army Boys found in great confusion. The +approach of the Huns was a terrible threat to the towns that might fall +into German hands. What the enemy had done in the occupied parts of +France and Belgium had given warning of what any other places they +might capture would have to expect. + +Wagons were being hastily piled with household belongings, men were +shouting, children were crying, and the whole scene was desolate and +pitiful beyond description. + +The roads were so congested at these places that rapid progress was +impossible. They had to thread their way among the crowd of vehicles, +and in some cases were compelled to resort to the fields. But they +made up for this on other stretches, and were congratulating themselves +that on the whole they were making pretty good time when suddenly they +were startled by a number of rifle shots and bullets whizzed by +uncomfortably close. + +"It's the Huns!" cried Frank. + +"I didn't know they'd got as close as this!" exclaimed Bart. "More +gas, Frank! Quick!" + +There were hoarse commands to halt, and another volley followed the +first. At the same time a number of dark figures threw themselves in +the road, shouting and waving their hands. + +Frank leaned forward, threw on all speed, and the machine responded +with a leap that almost unseated the riders. The crowd in front +scattered as the machine rushed at them, but one of them was not quick +enough and was hurled twenty feet away. + +More shots followed the daring riders, but they were now beyond range. +For another mile they kept up the killing pace and then Frank slowed up +a little. + +"Ran right into their arms that time," he ejaculated. + +"We were mighty lucky to come through with a whole skin," replied Bart. + +"More than the machine has done, I'm afraid," remarked Frank. "I can +tell by the way she runs that there's something wrong with the tires." + +He looked behind, and seeing no signs of pursuit, he stopped the +motorcycle and dismounted. + +Something had indeed happened to the tires. Both the front and rear +ones had been punctured by bullets. The air had gone out of them. + +"Hard luck," exclaimed Bart. + +"Never mind," returned Frank. "We'll ride her flat as long as we can +and if worse comes to worse we'll ride her on the rims. We've got to +get that message to the general no matter what happens." + +"We'll get it there if we have to travel on our hands and knees," +affirmed Bart. + +"It won't come to that, I hope," laughed his companion, as he bound the +flat tires fast with straps. Then he settled himself again in his seat +and started the machine. + +It went along more slowly now, and their troubles were increased by the +fact that their route had carried them into a main road that was filled +with motor lorries--huge trucks loaded with men and supplies that +rushed on with the speed almost of an express train. + +The lorries had the right of way, and individual riders had to look out +for themselves. Sometimes they came down two abreast, filling the +whole width of the road, and in such cases the boys had to dismount and +draw to the side of the road until they had passed. If their machine +had been in condition, they might have kept ahead by sheer speed, but +in its present crippled state they would have been run down. And to be +run down by one of those Juggernauts would have meant instant death. + +On one such occasion they were hugging the fence, with their machine +standing between them and the road. A lorry came thundering by, but +just as it was nearly opposite, it swerved and struck the machine. It +was torn from Frank's hand and hurled in front of the lorry which ran +over and completely wrecked it. + +The lorry tore on, leaving the two chums looking at each other in +consternation. + +"That's worse by long odds than the German bullets," exclaimed Frank. +"I guess we'll have to do the hands and knees stunt you were talking +about a little while ago." + +"We must be pretty near to the English general's headquarters now +anyway, aren't we?" asked Bart. + +Frank consulted his route by the aid of a flashlight that he carried +with him. + +"About two miles," he announced. "Put on some speed now, Bart. We'll +run most of the way and jog-trot the rest." + +They let no grass grow under their feet, and fifteen minutes later they +had reached the general's headquarters and were ushered into his +presence. He seemed to be greatly agitated and was talking with great +emphasis to a group of officers who surrounded him. + +He took the papers that the boys had brought and read them over +hurriedly. + +"Very good," he announced briefly. "There is no answer. Were your +orders to go back to your regiment to-night?" + +"No, sir," replied Frank. + +"In that case my orderly will find quarters for you," replied the +general, and he gave directions to an officer who took them in charge +and saw them safely bestowed for the night. + +"That was some wild ride?" grinned Frank, as they were getting ready +for sleep. + +"It sure was," laughed Bart, "especially that part where the German +bullets were zipping all around us. Wait till we tell Billy about it. +He'll be green with envy." + +"Well, we carried out our orders anyway," said Frank. "I'm glad that +we'll be able to tell the captain so tomorrow morning." + +But they did not report to their captain the next morning, nor for +several following mornings, for when they woke they found that a +condition had developed that was full of peril to the Allied cause. + +The German plan had been to strike at the junction point of the Allied +armies. If they could separate them there would be a chance to turn +upon one of them and crush it with overwhelming forces and then at +their leisure destroy the other. + +In this they had come very near succeeding. A threatening gap had +developed between two of the most important armies that were holding +that portion of the front. The armies had lost touch with each other +and the gap had gradually widened until at one place the armies were +eight miles apart. + +The only helpful thing about the situation was that the Germans +themselves did not know of the gap until it was too late to take +advantage of it. The very speed with which they had pushed forward had +thrown their forces into confusion. Brigades and regiments had become +badly mixed and it took some time to straighten matters out. + +But if the Germans did not know how matters stood, the Allied +commanders knew it only too well. It was this that explained the +agitation that the boys had noticed in the general the night before. +He had been called upon to close the gap. Upon his shoulders rested +for the time the salvation of the Allied cause. + +If he had had sufficient forces at his command, the problem would have +been comparatively simple, provided he had been given time to solve it. +But he had neither time nor men. He had only fifty cavalrymen. He +lacked guns and ammunition. The hard-pressed armies at the right and +left were battling desperately against the on-rushing German hordes and +could spare him little. + +"Looks as if he had to make bricks without straw," said Frank to Bart +the next morning, when the state of things had been explained by the +orderly who had taken them in charge. + +"It's a case of must," said Bart, "and from the squint I had at the +general last night he's the one who can do the job if it can be done at +all." + +"Will you stay and help?" asked the orderly. "Every man will help. +The general's picked up three hundred American engineers working on a +road nearby. Every one of them has thrown down his pick and shouldered +a rifle." + +"Bully for the engineers!" cried Frank. + +"Will you stay?" asked the orderly. "Of course you can return to your +own command if you want to." + +"Will we stay?" exclaimed Frank. "Give me a gun. I know my captain +would be willing." + +"You can't drive us away," Bart almost shouted. + +It was a scratch army that the general finally got together. Some of +his men had never handled a gun before. Some were drivers, some were +telegraph linemen, some were cooks. But he made the most of what he +had. He himself was here, there and everywhere, having trees felled to +obstruct the roads, planting machine guns in strategic places, digging +shallow trenches, resting neither by day or night. + +Frank and Bart worked like beavers. They were placed in charge of +machine-gun crews, and their deadly weapons kept spitting fire until +they were almost too hot to handle. Again and again they beat back +German detachments. They fought like fiends. They never expected to +come out of that fight alive. The odds seemed too tremendous. + +"It's like Custer's last charge," panted Frank. "There wasn't one of +his troopers left alive. But I'll bet that not one of them was sorry +he was there." + +"I'm glad that motorcycle carried double," replied Bart. "I'd have +been cheated out of a lot of lovely fighting if it hadn't." + +They fought desperately, savagely, their bodies tired to the breaking +point, but their courage never failing. And at last they won out. The +armies rejoined each other. The gap was closed. And Frank and Bart +rejoiced beyond measure that they had been able to do their part in the +closing. + +"Some fellows have all the luck," remarked Billy, when they had +rejoined their regiment two days later, and were telling him all about +it. "Now if that coin we flipped had only come down heads instead of +tails----" + +"Stop your grouching," laughed Frank. "You'll have all the fighting +that's good for you by the time we've driven the boches over the Rhine." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE MINED BRIDGE + +For several days the drive continued. At first it had been quite as +successful for the Germans as they could have hoped. Their initial +surprise had carried them a long way into French territory, and this +had involved the capture of a considerable number of men and guns. + +But they had fallen far short of their ambitious aims. They had not +rolled up the Allied armies. They had not reached Paris. They had not +captured the Channel ports. + +The Allied armies had stretched like an elastic band, but had not +broken. They knew now what the enemy's plans were and they were +rapidly taking measures to check them. + +The Germans had had a great advantage in being under a single command. +There was no clash of plans and opinions. If they wanted to transfer a +part of their forces from one point to another they could do so. + +With the Allies it had been different. There had been a French army, a +British army, an Italian army, a Belgian army, a Russian army and +latest of all an American army. They had tried to work together in +harmony and in the main had done so. But the British naturally wanted +above all to prevent the German armies from reaching the coast where +they could threaten England. The French were especially anxious to +prevent Paris being captured. Either side was reluctant to weaken its +own army by sending reinforcements to the other. + +But the German success in the first days of the drive changed all this. +The Allies got together and appointed General Foch as the supreme +commander of all the Allied forces. He had done brilliant work in +driving the Germans back from the Marne in the early days of the war, +when they had approached close to Paris. + +"Have you heard the news?" asked Frank of his chums the day after the +appointment had been made. + +"No," said Bart. + +"What is it?" asked Billy. + +"We've got just one man that's going to boss the job of driving back +the Huns," answered Frank. + +Bart gave a whoop of delight and Billy threw his hat in the air. + +"Best news I've heard yet," crowed Billy. + +"That's as good as a battle lost for the Huns," exclaimed Bart. "The +only wonder is that it wasn't done before. Who's the man they've +chosen?" + +"General Foch," was the answer. + +"Better and better," pronounced Bart. "That man's a born fighter. He +licked the Germans at the Marne, and he can do it again." + +"What I like about him," commented Billy, "is that he's a hard hitter. +He isn't satisfied to stand on the defensive. He likes to hand the +other fellow a good one right at the start of the fight." + +"That's what," agreed Frank. "He hits out right from the shoulder. Of +course he'll have to wait a little while yet until he sizes up his +forces and sees what he has to fight with. But you can bet it won't be +long before he has the boches on the run." + +In the days that followed, the advantage of the appointment became +clear. The armies worked together as they never had before. The khaki +of the British mingled with the cornflower blue of the French. +Reserves were sent where they were most needed, no matter what army +they were drawn from. And, fighting side by side, each nation was +filled with a generous rivalry and sought bravely to outdo the other in +deeds of valor. + +The old Thirty-seventh had been in the thick of the fighting and had +covered itself with glory. It had taught the Germans that there were +Americans in France, and that they were fighters to be dreaded. + +The course of the fighting had taken Frank and his comrades in the +vicinity of the farmhouse where they had rounded up the German +lieutenant and his squad. But it was a very different place now from +what it had been when they had first seen it. Shells had torn away +part of the roof, and the attic lay open to the sky. But the farmer +and his family still stayed there although in daily peril of their +lives. They lived and slept in the cellar, which was the only place +that afforded them a chance of safety. + +One day when only an artillery duel was going on and the infantry was +getting a rest that it sorely needed, the Army Boys went over to the +house. The girl saw them coming and recognized them at once. She came +out to meet them with a smile on her face. + +"_Les braves Americains!_" she exclaimed. "You have not then been +killed by those dreadful Germans." + +"Don't we look pretty lively for dead men?" asked Frank jokingly. + +"And that lieutenant?" she inquired. "Oh, I hope you have hanged him." + +"No," said Frank, "but he's a prisoner." + +"It is not enough," she said with a shudder of repulsion. + +"Have you heard anything of the young soldier that the lieutenant was +going to hang?" asked Frank eagerly. + +"No," she answered. "But stay," she added, "I have something here that +you may want to see." + +She darted back in the house and quickly returned with a very-much +crumpled card in her hand. + +"It is a _carte postale_," she explained. "We found it in the yard +some days after you had been here. It had been trampled in the mud by +the horses' feet and the writing had been scraped or blotted out. +Perhaps it belonged to the young man. It may have fallen from his +pocket. I do not know." + +Frank took it eagerly from her hand, while his comrades gathered around +him. + +The card was almost illegible, but it could be seen that it was a +United States postal. There was not a single word upon it that could +be made out in its entirety, but up in the corner where the postmark +had been they could see by straining their eyes the letters C and M. + +"That's Camport, I'm willing to bet!" exclaimed Bart excitedly. + +"And here's something else," put in Billy pointing to where the address +would naturally be looked for. "See those letters d-f-o-r----" + +"It's dollars to doughnuts that that stands for 'Bradford,'" Frank +shouted. "A card from Camport to Tom Bradford. Boys, we didn't guess +wrong that day. That was Tom that that brute of a lieutenant was going +to hang!" + +They were tingling with excitement and delight. To be sure, they did +not know what had become of their friend. But he had escaped from this +house. He was perhaps within a few miles of them. He was, at any +rate, not eating his heart out in a distant prison camp. + +Then to Frank came the thought of Rabig. Perhaps Tom hadn't escaped. +Perhaps Rabig had added murder to the crime of treason of which they +were sure he was guilty. + +"Are you sure that you haven't found anything else that would help us +in finding our friend?" he asked of the girl, whose face was beaming at +the pleasure she had been able to give to her deliverers. + +"No," she answered. "There is nothing else. I am sorry." + +"Let's take a look around the house again, fellows," suggested Frank. +"We may have overlooked something the other day. It's only a chance, +but let's take it." + +They made a careful circuit of the house, but nothing rewarded the +search until Frank, with an exclamation, picked up some pieces of rope +that had been lying in the grass not far from the window from which the +prisoner had dropped. + +"Are these yours?" he asked of the girl who had accompanied them and +had been as ardent in the search as themselves. + +She examined them. + +"I do not think so," she declared. "I do not remember seeing any rope +like that around the house." + +They scrutinized the pieces carefully. + +"Look at these frayed edges," said Frank, laying them together. "You +see that these two pieces were part of one rope." + +"I'll tell you what that means," put in Billy. "The girl says that Tom +was bound with ropes. That cut or broken one was the one that was used +to tie his hands. In some way he cut that. He didn't have a knife or +the cut would be cleaner. Perhaps he sawed the rope against a piece of +glass that he might have managed to get near." + +"Good guess," commended Bart. "And this long rope was the one that was +used to tie his feet. Tom didn't need to cut that for his hands were +free then and he could untie it." + +"Good old scout!" exclaimed Frank in tribute to his absent chum. +"Trust that stout heart of his to keep up the fight to the last minute. +Think of the old boy sawing away at the rope when he didn't know what +minute he'd be taken out and hanged." + +"He's all wool and a yard wide," agreed Bart. + +"The real goods," said Billy. "But what were the ropes doing out here +in the grass?" + +"Oh, I suppose he hated them so that he chucked them as far away as he +could," suggested Bart. + +"No," said Frank, measuring the window with his eye. "I'll tell you +how I think it was. Tom knew, of course, that he couldn't get out of +the house by the downstairs way without being nabbed. He didn't know, +of course, that the bunch of Huns weren't in condition to nab anybody. +So the window was the only way left to him. He took the ropes to the +window with the idea of splicing them and climbing down by them. But +that would have taken time, and when he saw that the window wasn't very +high up he made up his mind to drop. The ropes were in his hand and he +simply threw them out of the window as the easiest way of getting rid +of them." + +"That sounds reasonable," said Billy. "But, oh boy! if poor Tom had +only known that all he had to do was to walk downstairs and bag the +whole blooming bunch!" + +"I wish he had," said Frank mournfully. + +"If he had, that lieutenant wouldn't have got off so easily as he did," +declared Bart. "Do you know what would have happened? Of course the +first thing Tom would have done would have been to untie the farmer and +his son. Can you picture, then, what would have happened to that +lieutenant and probably to his men, too? The United States wouldn't +have been put to any expense for feeding them." + +"That rope by the well would probably have been put to work," agreed +Frank. "But poor Tom didn't know and there's no use of our +speculating." + +Encouraged by the information they had gained, they looked still +further. But nothing more was found, and they at last said good-by to +the girl and made their way back to their quarters with their hearts +lighter than they had been for days. In a sense they had got in touch +with their missing comrade, had seemed near to him, and their hopes +were high that before long they would have him with them again. + +"It's disposed of one thing that was worrying me anyway," remarked +Frank. "We know that Rabig had nothing to do with making away with +Tom." + +"Yes," said Bart, "that's one thing the fellow can't be charged with. +But I'm still mighty curious to know what he was hanging around that +farmhouse for." + +"It sure was a mighty strange coincidence that he should be there at +the time the Germans were," declared Billy. "But Rabig is the only one +who knows why and you can bet that he won't tell." + +The comparative lull that had occurred in the fighting was only +temporary, and the next day the drive was resumed in all its fury. + +This time the use of gas was greater than it had been at any previous +time in the battle. And the Germans had made still greater strides in +this diabolical contrivance which they were the first to inflict upon +an outraged world. + +At first the gas had been light and volatile. It caused terrible +suffering to those caught by it, but it did not hover long over any +given place and a gust of wind was sufficient to drive it away. + +But that was not vile enough to satisfy the infernal ingenuity of the +foes of humanity. Now they were using gas that settled on the ground +so that nothing but a gale would drive it away, and that lasted for +hours and even for days. And then there was mustard gas, that +penetrated everywhere through the clothing, through the skin, and that +burned and ate up the living tissues like so much vitriol. + +But the Allies were on the alert and soon found a way to avert or +modify the worst consequences of the various kinds of gases. And they +were forced to fight fire with fire simply in self-defence. It was a +question of kill or be killed, and they were left no alternative. They +asked nothing better than to fight as knightly and honorable nations +always have fought and always will fight when they are left free to +choose their weapons. + +But whatever the methods used by the Germans, whether gas or guns or +men, they were finding increasing difficulty in keeping up the momentum +of their drive. Sheer force of numbers had sufficed at first to carry +them forward, but now the Allies with American help coming over the sea +at the rate of two hundred thousand men a month--and the finest kind of +men at that--were gradually getting on even terms. + +"I see the Germans had a good day yesterday," remarked Frank, as he and +his comrades were at mess. + +"I didn't notice it," said Bart, looking at his friend in surprise. +"We drove them back and gained ground from them." + +"Oh, I don't mean here," exclaimed Frank. "I mean in Paris." + +Billy almost choked in surprise and alarm. + +"You don't mean to say they've got to Paris?" he sputtered. + +"Not by a jugful," laughed Frank. "But they're sending shells into it." + +"Then they must be pretty close to it," said Bart in some apprehension. + +"The gun they're shooting with is seventy miles away from the city," +replied Frank. + +"Quit your kidding," commanded Billy. + +"Where do you get that stuff?" asked Bart incredulously. + +"Cross my heart and hope to die," said Frank seriously. "Honestly, +fellows, they've got a gun that shoots a shell seventy miles or more. +The shell weighs two hundred pounds. It rises twenty miles in the air, +and it takes three minutes on the trip to Paris." + +"Is that straight goods?" asked Billy suspiciously. + +"It sure is," Frank assured him. "I was reading about it in a Paris +paper I got hold of this morning." + +"What was it you were saying about yesterday being a good day for the +Germans," asked Bart, when he had digested the facts. + +"Oh, one of the shells hit a church where they were having a service +and killed seventy-five people, mostly women and children," answered +Frank. "Don't you imagine the Germans call that a good day? Can't you +see them grinning and rubbing their hands? It's as good as bombing a +hospital or an orphan asylum. The Kaiser felt so good about that he +sent a special message of congratulation to the manager of the Krupp +works, where the gun was made. Oh, yes, it was a good day!" + +"The swine!" exclaimed Bart furiously, while Billy's fist clinched. + +"Let's get busy," cried Frank, springing to his feet. "I can't wait to +get at those barbarians. I hope there's lots of bayonet work today. I +never felt in better trim for it." + +They fought that day as they had never fought before, for they had +never felt so strongly that the world would never be a decent place to +live in until their barbarous enemies were humbled to the dust. + +The next day the old Thirty-seventh was ordered to take up its position +at a bridgehead that it was of the utmost importance should be strongly +held. The enemy attacks were converging there, and it was evident that +they were planning to cross the river in force. The country behind the +American troops was flat and difficult to defend, and if the enemy +should make good his crossing the consequences to the Allied cause +might prove serious. + +The enemy advance had reached the further side of the river, which at +that point was about two hundred yards in width. A fierce artillery +duel was kept up between the hostile forces. A wooden bridge with +stone arches afforded the only means of crossing, and this was swept by +such a fierce shell fire from the Allied guns that it did not seem as +though anything could live on it for a moment. + +As an additional precaution the bridge had been secretly mined by the +Allied engineers. Electric wires ran to the concealed charges. + +A pressure of a button--and the bridge would be reduced to atoms. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A DESPERATE VENTURE + +"The Huns will get a surprise party if they try to cross that bridge," +remarked Billy with a grin, as the boys were talking over the present +situation. + +"I don't see why we don't blow it up right away," said Bart. "Then the +Germans would have to rely on pontoons and what we would do to them +would be a crime." + +"Our officers know what they're about," objected Frank. "We might want +that bridge to go across on ourselves if things take the right turn. +So it's just as well to have it handy. If there's any blowing up to +do, we can do it later just as well as now. And it's just as well to +have it go skyward when it's crowded with Germans as when it's empty. +Get me?" + +"I get you, all right," replied Bart. "But suppose something should go +wrong when the time came to blow it up?" + +"That would be something else again," laughed Frank. "But I guess +there isn't much danger Of that. Just one little pressure of a +button--and--zowie!" + +Just then Frank caught sight of his friend, Colonel Pavet, coming +toward him and went forward to meet the French officer. + +The colonel's greeting was a very cordial one. + +"I'm glad to see that you've come safely so far through this fierce +fighting," he said. + +"Fierce is the right word," answered Frank smilingly. + +"I was at Verdun," went on the colonel, "and I thought at the time that +nothing could be more ferocious than the fighting there. But this has +been much worse." + +"We've got a pretty stiff proposition right now in holding this +bridge," observed Frank. + +"Indeed you have," agreed the colonel, "and it is a compliment to the +American forces that the defense of such an important position has been +entrusted to them. Oh, you Americans! Where would we have been +without your aid? And your fighting qualities! You grow men on your +side of the ocean, Monsieur Sheldon." + +"The superb fighting of the French has been an inspiration to us," +replied Frank warmly. + +"To come to personal matters," went on the colonel, "I have heard more +in detail from my brother Andre about your mother's property. He has +traced the butler--Martel is his name--in the official records, and has +found that he was taken prisoner in an attack several months ago. He +was very anxious to cross-examine him on some testimony he had given +previously. It seems that Martel had testified that he had witnessed +the execution of a later will than that in which the property was left +to your mother. You can easily see how unfortunate that might be if it +could be proved. Andre has a suspicion that cross-examination might +show Martel's testimony to be false." + +"It is too bad that the man is a prisoner," said Frank anxiously. + +"There is more to be told," went on the colonel gravely. "I myself +have put investigations on foot through the Swiss Red Cross. They were +able to find out from German prison records that Martel died recently." + +Frank started back visibly perturbed. + +"Died!" he echoed. "Then his statement about the will stands +uncontradicted." + +"As far as he is concerned, yes," replied the colonel soberly. "I am +bitterly disappointed, and I know that Andre will be, too, for he has +made a very strong point of disproving that special testimony. But we +will not remit our efforts in the least, _mon ami_. Be assured of +that. I will let you know when I have any further news," and with a +friendly wave of the hand the colonel passed on. + +"What's the matter, Frank?" asked Billy as he went slowly back to his +friends. "You look as jolly as a crutch." + +"I'm no hypocrite, then," answered Frank soberly, "for that's exactly +how I feel." + +He told his chums of what the colonel had said, and they were sincere +in their expressions of sympathy. + +"I don't care a button about it for myself," explained Frank, "but I +hate to have to tell my mother about it. She has little enough to make +her happy nowadays, and I know how badly she will feel about this." + +All that day the artillery kept up a ceaseless fire and the Germans did +not venture on the bridge. But great activity was observed among them, +and Dick Lever, who was leader of the aviation detachment that was +operating in that sector, brought the news that evening that they were +preparing pontoons and other small boats with which they would probably +attempt a crossing at points that were not so well guarded. + +"Your officers over here want to keep their eyes peeled," he remarked +to the Army Boys after he had just made his report at division +headquarters. "Those Heinies have made up their minds to get across +this river by hook or crook. They figure that with the open country +behind you they'll have a good chance to throw you back if they can +only get a footing on this side." + +"Don't you worry about our officers," replied Frank with a conviction +that had been deepened by the skilful leadership the American troops +had had so far in the drive. "It'll be as hard to find them napping as +it is to catch a weasel asleep." + +"I know they're good stuff," agreed Dick, "but we're all human, you +know." + +"All except the boches," grunted Billy. "They're inhuman." + +"We've had plenty of proofs of that," laughed Dick. "They like to +think they're superhuman, but we're teaching them differently." + +"Seen anything of Will Stone lately?" asked Frank. + +"Ran across him about a week ago," replied Dick. "He's fighting about +ten miles north of here, where the country's suitable for tank work. +He's doing some great fighting, too." + +"I don't need to be told that," replied Frank. "That fellow would +rather fight than eat." + +"Well, so long, fellows," said Dick, as he rose to his feet. "Keep a +sharp eye on those boches across the river." + +"Trust us," replied Frank. "They'll never get over here." + +The aviator's warning had been heeded by the officers, and detachments +were stationed at places along the river above and below the main +bridge. + +Suddenly one morning, a whole fleet of boats, large and small, shot out +at the same instant from the enemy side of the river. They were loaded +with men and machine guns, and the evident plan was to get a footing on +the American side which could be held until reinforcements could be +hurried over and make the footing secure. + +At the same time a tremendous gunfire strove to protect the crossing +and clear the banks at the points where the boats were planning to land. + +Before the American guns could get the range on the rapidly moving +targets, the boats were halfway across the river, and the rowers were +pulling like mad. One boat after another was struck and the occupants +thrown into the river. But the Germans had allowed for the loss of +some of the boats, and were perfectly resigned to lose them, provided a +certain percentage of all could effect a crossing. + +"Let them get here," muttered Frank, who, with Bart and Billy, was +among the force which had been assigned to that point where the passage +was being attempted. "They'll never get back again." + +The surviving boats drew closer to the shore. The men on the boats +were using their machine guns, and the banks were swept by a rain of +bullets. More of the boats went down under the return fire, but a full +dozen of them finally struck the shore. The crews jumped out in the +shallow water and commenced to wade ashore. + +But they were doomed men. With a yell the American boys swept down +upon them. Frank and his comrades rushed into the water, and there was +a battle that must have resembled those of the old Vikings. Back and +forth the combatants struggled, shooting, hacking, swinging their gun +butts. Some of them, locked in a death grip, went down together in the +water that was taking on a reddish tinge. Others floated away on the +stream. Others of the enemy, seeing that the fight was going against +them, leaped back into the boats and strove desperately to push out +into the river. But Frank leaped at the bow of one boat and held it, +while Bart and Billy with their comrades did the same to others. + +In a few minutes the fight was over. It had been a hot one while it +lasted. Several of the Americans had been killed and quite a number +wounded, but their loss had been largely exceeded by that of the enemy. +Not a boat got back, and all who had not been killed remained as +prisoners in American hands. + +While the action was in progress, another fleet of equal size had +started out. This had been designed to reinforce the first party if it +had succeeded in gaining a footing. But the utter collapse of the +first effort had taught the enemy that the bank was too strongly held +and they stopped in midstream and rowed back. + +"Even a Heinie can see through a milestone when there's a hole in it," +commented Billy, as he watched the enemy retreating. + +"It's a pity they don't keep on," said Bart. "I'm just getting my +blood up." + +"First bit of marine fighting we've done yet," laughed Frank. "We can +say now that we belong to both branches of the service." + +"All we need now is a fight in the air to make the thing complete," +said Bart, "and we came pretty near to that, too, when we were with +Dick that time in his bombing machine." + +With their boat plan thwarted, the German commanders now centered all +their attention on the bridge. One or two surprise attacks at night +were detected and driven back, but the enemy did not give up. + +At dusk on the day following the fight in the stream they made the +great attack. True to their tactics, they apparently took no account +of the lives of their men. The taking of the bridge was bound to +result in tremendous slaughter. Every foot of it was swept by the +American guns. But the enemy leaders had determined that the bridge +must be taken, no matter how high a price they paid for the taking. It +was easier for the leaders to reach this conclusion since it was the +men who would pay the price rather than themselves. + +A tremendous artillery fire paved the way for the operation. Then, +just as twilight was gathering, a strong body of enemy troops, marching +in heavy columns, attempted to storm the bridge. + +Beyond the first ranks could be seen other columns standing in reserve. +The great climax was approaching. The German command at that point had +determined to stake everything on one throw. + +On they came to the death awaiting them. The American artillery and +machine guns swept the bridge with a withering fire. The front ranks +melted away like mist. + +But their places were filled with others and still others, despite the +frightful slaughter. The American machine guns got too hot to handle +from their unceasing fire. + +And still the German horde kept crowding forward as though their +reserves were inexhaustible. It was known that they had been heavily +reinforced of late and that they largely outnumbered the American +troops opposed to them. Over the dead bodies of their comrades which +strewed the bridge they were creeping nearer, urged by the irresistible +pressure from behind. Considering the disparity of forces, it was +sound tactics to destroy the bridge before the foremost ranks could get +a footing on the side where their overwhelming numbers would begin to +tell. + +The American commander gave the order to blow up the bridge. But when +the button was pressed that should have sent the electric current into +the powder mine there was no response. + +Several times the pressure was repeated and still no explosion +followed. A hasty consultation ensued between the leaders who were +standing close by the place where the Army Boys were fighting. + +"The electric wires must have been cut by the enemy's fire," Frank +heard one of them say. + +Cut! Then all the elaborate plans for blowing up the bridge had come +to naught. And that apparently inexhaustible gray force was getting +nearer and nearer! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE JAWS OF DEATH + +"There's just one possible chance," said Frank's colonel. + +"What is that?" asked the general in command. + +"An explosive bullet sent into the mine might explode it," replied the +colonel. "But it would have to be fired from a boat. We can't do it +from here." + +"It would be certain death to whoever tried it," replied the general, +looking at the shell-swept stream. + +"Not certain, perhaps, but probable," said the colonel. "It's the only +chance, though, to explode the mine. It can only be reached from +underneath." + +"We'll try it," said the general with decision. "But I won't assign +any one to it. It's a matter for volunteers." + +When the call came for volunteers, Frank sprang forward and saluted. +Bart and Billy followed close behind him. + +The officer's eye swept the three and rested on Frank. + +"You volunteer?" he asked. "You know the danger?" + +"Yes, sir," they responded. + +A gleam of pride and admiration came in the general's eyes. + +"Very well," he said. "I'm proud to be your commander." + +Orders were hurriedly given, explosive bullets were furnished; and a +few minutes later a small boat carrying the three Army Boys shot out +from the shore. + +The dusk had thickened now, and Bart and Billy, who were rowing, hugged +the bridge as closely as they could, so as to profit by its shadow. + +None of this bombardment had been directed at them as yet, because +their little boat had not been seen. But when they were forced to move +a little way from the shadow of the bridge, so that Frank could get the +proper angle from which to fire, they were detected, and a perfect +tempest of fire opened up not only from the batteries on the further +shore, but from the soldiers who were on the bridge. + +Frank knew exactly where the powder charges had been located. His +rifle was loaded and he had sufficient confidence in his marksmanship +to believe that only one shot would be needed. + +All he dreaded was that a bullet might strike him before he had done +his work. After that it did not so much matter. He knew that he had +taken his life in his hand and he had already counted it as lost. + +Bart and Billy were rowing like fiends. At last they reached the point +that Frank had indicated. He peered through the dusk and could see the +outlines of the mine. + +The bridge now was black with Germans. They had covered two-thirds of +the distance over it, and they were packed so closely, crowding on each +other's heels, that the rails of the bridge bulged outward with the +pressure. + +Frank raised his rifle to his shoulder, took steady aim and fired. + +There was a hideous roar, and then the shattered timbers of the bridge +went hurtling toward the sky. Hundreds of bodies were mingled with the +debris, and the water surged up in great waves as the mass fell back +into the river. + +Where the bridge had been there was a yawning gap of two hundred feet. +At either end there was a remnant of the bridge still standing, and on +these the survivors were rushing frenziedly toward the land before the +remaining timbers should give way. + +Those Germans who were left on the American side, severed from the help +of their comrades, were surrounded and disarmed as soon as they reached +the shore. The attempt at capture had ended in a terrible disaster to +the German forces. + +The instant Frank fired. Billy and Bart plunged their oars in the +water and started rowing with all their might away from the bridge. + +But despite their efforts they could not get out of the danger zone in +time. A heavy piece of timber struck the side of the boat, crushing it +in and throwing the occupants into the water. + +Frank and Billy came to the surface a moment later and shook the water +from their eyes. They looked about for Bart, but he was not to be seen. + +Instantly Frank dived, searching frantically for his chum. His arm +came in contact with someone's hair. He grasped it and drew the body +to the surface. + +It was Bart, but he was unconscious. The timber that had smashed the +boat had caught him a glancing blow on the head and stunned him. + +Frank held his comrade's face above the water and shouted to Billy, who +also had been searching and had just come up. He swam to Frank's side +and helped him in bearing up Bart. + +They found a floating plank, over which they placed Bart's arms and +then with Frank holding on to Bart's body and Billy guiding the plank +they struck out for the nearer shore. + +They had been nearer the American than the German side when the +explosion took place. But the current was bearing strongly toward the +German side and they had been carried some distance by it while they +were taking care of Bart. The consequence was that, while they thought +that the nearer bank was that held by their own troops, it was the +German side towards which they were moving with their unconscious +burden. + +They were within a few feet of the shore at some distance below where +the bridge had stood, when Frank's quick ear heard the sound of voices +speaking in German. At first he thought it was probably some of the +prisoners whom the American troops had captured. But a moment later he +recognized a dilapidated fishing pier that he had often gazed at from +his own side of the river, and the truth burst upon him. + +They were on the wrong side of the river! If Bart had been in the same +condition as Billy and himself, their situation, though dangerous, +would not have been desperate. They were all strong swimmers and +although fearfully tired from their exertions would have been able to +swim across to comrades and safety. + +But it was another matter with Bart unconscious. Frank did not know +what had caused his friend's injury. Perhaps he had been shot. At +this very moment, for all Frank knew, his chum might be bleeding to +death. Above all things he wanted to find dry land, where he could +examine his chum and render him first aid if necessary. + +He communicated with Billy in whispers. + +"We've gone and done it, old scout," he whispered. "We're on the +German side." + +"That's good news--I don't think," returned Billy. + +"Let's swim in under this old pier," suggested Frank, "We'll be out of +sight then and we may strike a bit of beach up toward the head of it." + +They followed the suggestion and were relieved to find that there was a +little stretch of dry sand beyond the water line. They took Bart from +the plank and bore him out on the sand. Here they rubbed his wrists +and tried as far as they could in the darkness to ascertain the extent +of his injuries. Frank did not dare to use his flashlight for fear of +betraying their presence to the enemy. + +To their immense relief Bart soon showed signs of returning animation. +He opened his eyes and was about to speak, when Frank put his hand +gently on his lips. + +"Don't speak, old man," he whispered. "You're all right. It's Frank +speaking. Billy's here. Just whisper to me and tell where you're +hurt. But be careful, for the Germans are all around us." + +"Guess I'm not hurt much," whispered Bart. "Got a clip on the head +when that beam struck the boat." + +"Sure you didn't get a bullet?" asked Frank anxiously. + +"I don't think so," replied Bart. "Head's dizzy from that crack, but I +feel all right everywhere else." + +"Bully!" said Frank. "Now you just lie there till you get your +strength back, and then we'll figure out what's to be done." + +It was a hard problem, and it became none the easier a few minutes +later when a boat came along under oars and was tied up at the end of +the pier. It was a big boat and similar to those in which the Germans +had made their unsuccessful attempt to cross the river a few days +before. + +It had evidently been out in the river picking up the wounded who had +been thrown into the stream by the explosion. The rickety planks +creaked as the soldiers carried the wounded survivors over the pier to +the bank beyond. It would have been an exceedingly bad time for the +Army Boys to be discovered and they crowded back as far as they could +to escape detection. + +The Germans were in a terrible rage over the body blow that had been +dealt them in the destruction of the bridge. Apart from the heavy +losses in men their entire plan of campaign would have to be +reconstructed. + +"That one bullet of yours was a mighty effective one, Frank," whispered +Billy. + +"It was classy shooting," said Bart. "From a rocking boat with shells +bursting all around and so much depending on it, there'd have been lots +of excuse for missing." + +"Maybe the old Thirty-seventh isn't feeling good over the way the thing +went through," chuckled Billy. + +"And maybe we won't get the glad hand when we get over there," murmured +Bart. + +"We've got to get there first," whispered Frank, "and we've got a +mighty slim chance of doing that as long as this boat stays here." + +Every instant was fraught with peril. They had no weapons and even if +they had they would have stood no chance against the throng of enemies +surrounding them. Their only hope of safety lay in not being +discovered. + +But at last, to their great relief, the German rowers resumed their +places at the oars and the boat pulled out into the darkness. + +"Thank heaven, they're gone at last!" breathed Billy. + +"Do you feel equal to the swim over, Bart?" asked Frank. + +"Sure thing," replied Bart. "My head's dizzy yet, but with you and +Billy to give me a hand, if necessary, I'll get through all right." + +As silently as so many otters they slipped into the water and struck +out for the other side. + +The current was strong and the work was arduous, especially with the +care they had to exercise lest any splash should be heard by the enemy. +There was also the chance that one of the boats that were abroad might +come in their direction. But aided by the pitch darkness that +prevailed, they made the trip in safety and Bart had no need of calling +on the aid of his comrades. + +As they drew near the other side a sentry hailed them. + +"Halt!" he cried. "Who goes there?" + +"That's Fred Anderson," murmured Billy, as he recognized the voice. + +"Friends!" called Frank. "Hello, Fred. It's Raymond, Waldon and +Sheldon." + +There was a shout of delight, and Fred, accompanied by several other +sentries, came running to the water's edge. + +"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Fred, as eager hands pulled the Army Boys +up on the bank. "So you pulled through after all. The whole regiment +had given you up. Say, if they'd known you were coming every mother's +son of them would have been down here to meet you and they'd have +brought the band with them. Come along now, but I warn you in advance +that all the fellows will shake your hands off." + +They still had their hands when their mates got through with them, but +Fred had not over-estimated the royal welcome that awaited them. They +had always been prime favorites with the boys of the old +Thirty-seventh, and that afternoon's exploit made them more popular +than ever. Their officers, too, were jubilant at their return. + +They were taken to headquarters, where the general thanked them and +shook hands with each in turn. + +"I don't need any report from you," he smiled. "I heard that when the +bridge went up. It was a brave deed, most gallantly done. I thank you +in the name of the army. Your names will be cited to-morrow in the +orders of the day and I shall personally bring the matter to the +attention of General Pershing." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A TRAITOR UNMASKED + +When Tom Bradford found himself racing toward the woods, the only +thought in his mind was to put as great a distance as possible between +himself and his would-be executioners. + +At every step he expected to hear a shout raised and see a crowd of +pursuers rush from the house like a pack of wolves after their prey. + +The thought lent wings to his feet and he covered the distance in +record time. And not until he was safe in the shelter of the friendly +trees did he pause to draw breath and cast a glance toward the house. + +If his escape had been noticed, there was absolutely no sign of it. +The landscape lay in serene and smiling beauty. Not a trace of life +was to be seen about the house. It seemed scarcely possible that so +much tragedy and so much peace could exist side by side. + +But he had no time for musing, and after a moment's glance he turned +and burrowed deeper into the woods. There alone for the moment lay +safety. In those leafy coverts he could lie concealed, while he took +breath and thought out the situation. + +He had no idea of where the American lines lay. Bound hand and foot as +he had been during that terrible journey, and tortured by the thoughts +that had assailed him, he had taken little note of the way he was +traveling. And even if he had, he could not have told with certainty +what was the dividing line between the hostile armies. + +All that he could do was to exercise the utmost caution, get as deeply +into the recesses of the wood as he could, and let his future course be +guided by circumstances. In a battle area that was so full of soldiers +it would not be long before he would catch sight of some of them. The +great thing was to see them before they saw him. If they wore German +helmets he would keep his distance. If, on the contrary, he should see +the old familiar khaki uniform of his American comrades, his troubles +would be over. + +But if the most important thing was concealment, another problem almost +as important was the question of food. He had had only the scantiest +kind of nourishment since his escape from the prison yard. The last +crumb had been eaten that morning. He had no weapon of any kind with +which to shoot squirrels or rabbits or birds. And he did not dare to +approach a cottage for fear that he might again be placed in the power +of his enemies. + +But he was not yet starving, though exceedingly hungry, and he kept on +in the woods, intent upon putting as many miles behind him as possible +before he stopped for rest. + +Far up in the wooded hills he came in sight of a little cabin. It was +a dilapidated little shack that perhaps had been used by hunting +parties in happier days. It seemed to be entirely deserted, but he was +wary and lay in the bushes for an hour or more, watching it closely for +any sign of life. Only when he felt perfectly sure that there was no +one about, did he creep up to the door and look in. + +He drew a sigh of relief when he saw that it was indeed uninhabited. +Not only that, but there was no evidence that any one had visited it of +late. There was no sign of a path and the bushes had grown up close to +the door. One of the hinges of the door had rusted away and the door +sagged heavily upon the other. + +There was absolutely nothing in the hut except a rough board table and +a three-legged stool. Tom searched about eagerly in the hope that he +might find some food left by its last occupants. He was not +particular, and even mouldy crusts would have been eagerly welcomed. +But even in this he was doomed to be disappointed. + +Still it was something to be under a roof. Human beings once had been +there, and the fact seemed to bring him in contact with his kind. And +even this rough shelter was better than being compelled to sleep in the +woods. If he had only had something to still the terrible gnawing at +his stomach he would have been content--at least as far as he could be +contented while a fugitive, with his life and liberty in constant +danger. + +After he had rested a while he went outside, with the double purpose of +watching for enemies and trying to find something to eat. He fashioned +a club from a stout branch and made several attempts to get a squirrel +or a bird by hurling it at them. But the weapon was too clumsy and +they were too quick, and this forlorn hope came to nothing. So that +when night at last dropped down upon him he was more hungry than ever +and had to go to sleep supperless. + +The next morning he was more fortunate, for he came upon a stream that +abounded in fish. He improvised a hook and line and landed several +fair-sized ones. He had some matches in an oilskin pouch, and he made +a little fire in a deep depression, so as to hide the smoke, and +roasted fish over it. He had no salt, but never had a meal tasted more +delicious in his life. + +Now a burden was lifted from his mind. At least he would not starve. +Fish, no doubt, would grow wearisome as a diet if it were varied with +nothing else. But at least it would sustain life and give him strength +for the tasks that lay before him. + +He listened for the booming of the guns and tried to figure out from +the sound just where the contending armies were facing each other. +Sometimes they grew louder and fiercer, and at other times seemed to +recede, as the tide of battle ebbed and flowed. But there was rarely +any lull in the ominous thunder, and Tom knew that the fiercest kind of +fighting was going on. He thought of Frank and Bart and Billy, who he +felt sure were in the very thick of it, and he grew desperate at the +thought that he was not at their side, facing the same dangers, and, as +he hoped, sharing in the same victories. + +Gradually he worked his way down the mountain, taking the utmost care +to avoid detection, until he felt sure from the increasing din that he +was not far from one or the other of the hostile armies. But it was of +the utmost importance to him to know whether he was within the German +or the American lines. + +The question was solved for him when, some days later, he caught sight +of a file of German soldiers passing through a ravine a little way +below him. These were followed by others. He sought shelter instantly +upon catching his first glimpse of them, but the bushes were thin at +that point, and a huge tree seemed to offer a more secure refuge. He +climbed it quickly, and, peering through the leaves, tried to figure +out the situation. Rank after rank passed, and seemed to be taking up +a position with the view of making an attack. Batteries were drawn up, +and their guns pointed in a direction away from where Tom was hiding. +This was a valuable, but at the same time a painful, bit of +information, because it showed Tom that he was behind the German lines +instead of in front of them. If he had been in front, it would be +simply a matter of making his way in all haste to where the American +armies lay. Now he knew that in order to reach his own lines he would +have to cross through the German positions. And without weapons this +could only be a forlorn hope. Even had he been armed it would have +been a desperate chance. + +He was pondering this fact with a sinking of the heart, when suddenly +he saw approaching a man in American uniform. What could it mean? The +man was not a prisoner, or he would have been under guard. Yet what +other explanation was there for the appearance of the uniform in the +midst of the Germans, who swarmed all about? + +The man came nearer, until he paused beneath the tree. He looked about +as though expecting to see some one. Then he glanced at the watch on +his wrist, and uttered an exclamation of impatience. It was evident +that he had made an appointment, and that the other party to the tryst +was slow in coming. + +The day was warm, and the upward climb through the woods had been +arduous. The man took his hat from his head and wiped his forehead +with his handkerchief. As he did so, Tom caught his first glimpse of +the newcomer's face, and his heart gave a leap of surprise as well as +repulsion when he recognized Nick Rabig. + +The last news that Tom had had of Rabig was that he had been taken +prisoner in the preceding Fall. He had not known, of course, of Nick's +alleged escape from German captivity, and of his return to the American +lines, but his quick mind readily reached the correct conclusion. He +had always distrusted Rabig and had felt sure that the fellow was at +heart a traitor. He was morally certain that the German corporal, whom +Nick had been assigned to guard, had escaped with Rabig's connivance, +and he remembered what Frank had told him about hearing Rabig's voice +in the woods the night the German spy was shot. But Rabig's cunning, +or perhaps his luck, had prevented his treachery being proved. + +Whatever errand had brought Rabig to this spot, Tom felt sure that it +boded no good to the American cause, and even in the precarious +position in which he found himself he rejoiced at the thought that he +might be instrumental in unmasking a traitor. + +While these thoughts were passing through his mind, a German officer +approached from another direction. He saw Rabig, and hastened toward +him. He greeted Nick coldly, and with an air that scarcely concealed +the contempt he felt for the man whose services he was using. + +An animated colloquy began at once. But unluckily for Tom it was in +German. He hated the language, but just then he would have given +anything if he could have understood what was passing between the two +men. + +The conversation continued for some time. Rabig handed over some +papers which the German officer carefully looked over, using a pencil +to follow some lines that seemed to be the tracing of a map or plan. +Then he folded them up and put them carefully in his pocket, and after +a few more sentences had been exchanged Tom heard the clink of money +and saw Rabig tuck something away in his belt. Then the officer stood +up and with a curt nod went away toward the bottom of the hill. + +For some minutes more Rabig remained sitting at the foot of the tree. +Then he took money from his belt and counted it carefully. Tom +couldn't help wondering whether it consisted of thirty pieces of silver! + +In Tom's mind a plan was rapidly forming. He looked through the trees +in every direction. No one was in sight. From the slope below came +the hum of the camp, but no helmets were visible. + +If Rabig had come through the German lines he had done so by means of a +pass. That pass would take him back just as it had brought him +through. He must have it in his pocket now. + +Tom measured the distance between himself and the figure sitting +beneath him. Then with the litheness of a panther he dropped plump on +Rabig's shoulders. + +The shock was terrific and knocked the breath from the traitor's body. +He rolled over and over. Tom himself was thrown forward on his hands +and knees, but the next moment he had risen and his hands fastened like +a vise around Rabig's throat. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CROSSING THE LINE + +Nick Rabig was a young man of powerful build, and under ordinary +conditions Tom would have had his work cut out for him. But the +surprise and the shock had taken all the fight out of the traitor, and +Tom's sinewy hands never relaxed until Rabig's face was purple and he +lay limp and gasping. Then Tom improvised a gag and thrust it into the +rascal's mouth and rapidly bound his hands and feet. + +When he had the miscreant helpless, Tom rose panting to his feet and +looked about him. There was no sign that the struggle had attracted +attention. Rabig himself had had no time to utter a cry for help. + +The renegade had revived sufficiently now to understand what had +happened, and his face was a study of conflicting emotions. Rage and +hate and fear showed in his features. He recognized Tom, and he knew +that his treachery stood discovered. He knew that with the evidence +against him he was doomed to stand before a firing squad if he should +be taken into the American lines. + +Tom looked at him as one might look at a leper. + +"You low-down traitor!" he said bitterly. "You vile scoundrel! I've +caught you at last and caught you dead to rights. You're the most +contemptible thing that breathes. You're a disgrace to your uniform. +You ought to be wearing a wooden overcoat and you will when Uncle Sam +lays his hands on you. I ought to kill you myself this minute." + +His hand clenched the pistol which he had taken from Rabig's pocket, +and a look of craven fear came into the traitor's eyes. + +"Oh, don't be afraid," said Tom scornfully. "I'm not going to do it. +Perhaps you'll suffer more if I let you live than if I killed you. +You're a marked and branded man. You're a man without a country. The +very men you've sold yourself to look upon you as a yellow dog. + +"Now, Rabig, listen to me," Tom went on with deadly earnestness. "I'm +going to strip you of the uniform you've disgraced. I'll have to untie +your hands for a minute to get the coat over your arms, but I've got +the drop on you and if you make the slightest move except to do what I +tell you to you're a dead man." + +Rabig was too cowed to do anything but obey, and in a few minutes Tom +had stripped him of coat and trousers and put them on himself. He +re-bound Rabig's hands tightly. Then he went through the pockets of +the coat. + +As he had expected he found the pass that had admitted Rabig to the +German lines. Opposite the word "_Losung_," which Tom knew meant +"countersign," was scribbled the word "Potsdam." + +"I guess this thing that brought you over will take me back," Tom +remarked. "Now, Rabig, I'm going to leave you here with your German +friends. They'll pick you up after a while, though I don't care +whether they do or not. I'm going back to the boys of the old +Thirty-seventh and tell them just what has happened to Nick Rabig, the +traitor. So long, Benedict Arnold." + +With a parting glance of contempt Tom left the traitor and went down +the hill with a confidence that he was very far from feeling. + +He had the pass and the countersign, but he was not sure that these +would be sufficient. Perhaps an officer would be called by the sentry +to make sure that everything was all right. Perhaps the sentry at the +point where he should try to pass the line might be the same one who +had let Rabig through, and he might notice the difference in personal +appearance. Any one of a dozen things might happen to arouse suspicion. + +Luckily it was growing dark and Tom had pulled Rabig's hat well down +over his face, yet not so far as to make it appear that he was trying +to evade scrutiny. He walked on briskly to a point where a sentry on +duty before an opening in the wire fence was standing. + +"_Halt! Wer da?_" hailed the sentry. + +"_Ein Freund_," replied Tom. + +"_Losung._" + +"_Potsdam._" + +At the same time Tom carelessly extended the pass which the sentry +glanced at and returned to him with a curt gesture, in which Tom +thought he saw contempt. But it meant that he was free to pass, and he +did so with an air of indifference. + +His heart was beating so fast that it seemed as if he would suffocate. +At every step he feared to hear a shout behind him that would tell him +that the ruse was discovered. But the fortune that had frowned upon +him so many times of late this time was friendly. Behind him were the +usual camp noises and nothing more. + +In a few minutes he had gotten out of sight of the lines and was in the +woods at a point where the trees grew thickly and only a half-beaten +trail led through the underbrush. Then he quickened his pace and soon +found himself running. + +If he were pursued, he had fully made up his mind what he would do. He +would never again see the inside of a German prison. He had the +revolver and he would fight to the last breath. He might go down, +probably would, considering the odds that there would be against him, +but he would die fighting, and would take one or more of his enemies +with him. + +He was racing along now at top speed and he only slackened his gait +when he knew that he had put miles behind him. By that time it had +grown wholly dark, and in the woods it was as black as pitch. He was +safe for that night at least. His enemies could not have seen him if +they had been within ten feet of him. + +And the darkness brought with it a word of warning. While in one sense +it was a protection, on the other it had in it an element of danger. +He could no longer know the direction in which he was traveling. He +knew the danger there was of traveling in a circle. If he kept on he +might swing around in the direction of the German lines. And it would +be a sorry ending to his flight to have it finish at the very point +from which he had started. + +He made up his mind that he would curl himself up in some thicket and +snatch a few hours of sleep. At the first glimmer of dawn he would +resume his journey. Then he could see, no doubt, the American lines, +from which he knew he could not be very far away. The big guns, too, +that had now settled down to their nightly muttering, would be in full +cry at dawn, and sound as well as sight would help him. + +He found a heavy clump of bushes into which he crawled. He had no fear +of oversleeping. He knew that his burdened mind would keep watch while +his body slept, and that he would surely wake at the first streak of +dawn. + + +Some distance ahead of where the old Thirty-seventh was posted on the +far-flung battle line, the Army Boys were on sentry duty. It was the +turn of Corporal Wilson's squad to perform this irksome task, and they +were glad that it was nearly over and that soon they would be relieved. + +Their beats adjoined each other and there were times when they met and +could exchange a few words to break the monotony of the long grind. + +"This sentry stuff doesn't make a hit with me," grumbled Bart. "I'm +getting blisters on my feet from walking." + +"Where do you expect to get them, on your head?" laughed Frank. "Cheer +up, old man. The sun will be up in a few minutes and then the relief +will be along." + +"It can't come too soon," chimed in Billy. "Gee, but I'm hungry! This +early morning air does sure give you an appetite." + +"If only something would happen," complained Bart. "It's the deadly +monotony of the thing that gets my goat. Now if a Hun patrol should +come along and stir things up, it would be worth while." + +A sharp exclamation came from Frank. + +"Look out, fellows!" he warned. "I saw those bushes moving over on the +slope of that hill just now and there isn't a bit of wind." + +In an instant they had their rifles ready. + +The bushes parted and a figure stepped forth into the open. + +"Why, it's one of our fellows!" said Bart, as he saw the American +uniform. + +"Been out on scout duty, I suppose," remarked Billy. + +Frank said nothing. His keen eyes noted the newcomer and his heart +began to thump strangely. + +As the soldier came nearer he took off his hat and waved it at them. + +A yell of delight broke from the startled group. + +"It's Tom! It's Tom! It's Tom!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A JOYOUS REUNION + +Shouting like so many maniacs, they rushed toward him. At the same +instant Tom, too, began to run, and in a moment they had their arms +around him, and were hugging him, pounding him, mauling him, +exclaiming, questioning, laughing, rejoicing, all in one breath. + +Tom was back with them again, good old Tom, their chum, their comrade, +Tom, over whose fate they had spent so many sleepless hours, Tom, for +whom any one of them would have risked his life, Tom who they knew was +captured, and who they feared might be dead. + +There he was, the same old Tom, with face and body thin, with hair +unkempt and matted, with traces showing everywhere of the anxiety and +suffering he had undergone, and yet with the same indomitable spirit +that neither captivity nor threatened death had broken, and the same +smile upon his lips and twinkle in his eyes. + +"Easy, easy there, fellows," he protested laughing. "Let me come up +for air. And before anything else, lead me to some grub. I haven't +eaten for so long that there's only a vacuum where my stomach ought to +be." + +"You bet we'll lead you to it," cried Bart. + +"An anaconda will have nothing on you when we get through filling you +up," promised Billy. + +"What did I tell you, fellows," cried Frank delightedly. "Didn't I say +the old boy'd be coming in some morning and asking us if breakfast was +ready?" + +Tom was giving Frank the long-lost letter he had been carrying when +Corporal Wilson came up with the relief and their greeting was almost +as boisterous and hilarious as that of his own particular chums had +been, for Tom was a universal favorite in the regiment, and they had +all mourned his loss. + +They would have overwhelmed him with questions, but Frank interposed. + +"Nothing doing, fellows," he said. "This boy isn't going to say +another word until we've taken him to mess and filled him up till he +can't move. After that there'll be plenty of time for a talk and we'll +keep him talking till the cows come home." + +It was a rejoicing crowd that took Tom back to the main body of the +regiment, where he almost had his hands wrung from him. They piled his +plate and filled his coffee cup again and again and watched him while +he ate like a famished wolf. + +"Tom's running true to form," joked Frank, as they saw the food vanish +before his onslaught. + +"Whatever else the Huns took away from him, they left him his +appetite," chuckled Billy. + +"Left it?" grinned Tom, as he attacked another helping. "They added to +it. I never knew what hunger was before. Bring on anything you've +got, and I'll tackle it. All except fish. I'm ashamed now to look a +fish in the face." + +It was a long time before he had had enough. Then with a look of +seraphic contentment on his face he sat back, loosened his belt a +notch, and sighed with perfect happiness. + +"Now fellows, fire away," he grinned, "and I'll tell you the sad story +of my life." + +They needed no second invitation, for they had been fairly bursting +with eagerness and curiosity. Questions rained on him thick and fast. +Their fists clenched when he told them of the cruelties to which he had +been subjected. They were loud in admiration of the way in which he +had met and overcome his difficulties. They roared with laughter when +he told them of the alarm clock, and Tom himself, to whom it had been +no joke at the time, laughed now as heartily as the rest. + +"So that's the way you got those ropes gnawed through when you were at +the farmhouse," exclaimed Frank, when Tom told them of the aid that had +come to him from the rats. "We figured out everything else but that. +We thought that you must have frayed them against a piece of glass." + +"I used to hate rats," said Tom, "but I don't now. I'll never have a +trap set in any house of mine as long as I live." + +"If you'd only known how safe it would have been to walk downstairs +that day!" mourned Frank. + +"Wouldn't it have been bully?" agreed Tom. "Think of the satisfaction +it would have been to have had the bulge on that lieutenant who was +going to hang me. I wouldn't have done a thing to him!" + +"Well, we got him anyway and that's one comfort," remarked Bart. + +"To think that you were legging it away from the house just as we were +coming toward it," said Billy. + +"It was the toughest kind of luck," admitted Tom. "Yet perhaps it was +all for the best, for then I might not have had the chance to get the +best of Rabig." + +"Rabig?" exclaimed Frank, for the traitor had not yet been mentioned in +Tom's narrative. + +"What about him?" questioned Billy eagerly. + +"Hold your horses," grinned Tom. "I'll get to him in good time. If it +hadn't been for Rabig I wouldn't be here. I owe that much to the +skunk, anyway." + +It was hard for them to wait, but they were fully rewarded when Tom +described the way in which he had trapped and stripped the renegade, +and left him lying in the woods. + +"Bully boy!" exclaimed Frank. "That was the very best day's work you +ever did." + +"Got the goods on him at last," exulted Bart. + +"The only man in the old Thirty-seventh that has played the yellow +dog," commented Billy. "The regiment's well rid of him. He'll never +dare to show his face again." + +"He can fight for Germany now," said Frank, "and if he does, I only +hope that some day I'll run across him in the fighting." + +"You won't if he sees you first," grinned Billy. "He doesn't want any +of your game." + +Tom had left one thing till the last. + +"By the way, Frank," he remarked casually, "I ran across a fellow in +the German prison camp who came from Auvergne, the same province where +you've told me your mother lived when she was a girl. He said he knew +her family well." + +"Is that so?" asked Frank with quick interest. "What was his name?" + +"Martel," replied Tom. + +"Why that's the name of the butler who used to be in my mother's +family!" cried Frank. "Colonel Pavet was telling me that he had been +captured, and had died in prison. I was hoping that he was mistaken in +that, for the colonel said he had information that might help my mother +to get her property." + +"The colonel is right about the man's dying," replied Tom, "for I was +with him when he died." + +"It's too bad," said Frank dejectedly. + +"I shouldn't wonder if he did not know something," said Tom, "for he +seemed to have something on his mind. He told me one time that his +imprisonment and sickness happened as a judgment on him." + +"If we could only have had his testimony before he died," mourned Frank. + +"I got it," declared Tom triumphantly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT + +Frank sprang to his feet. + +"What do you mean?" he cried. + +"Just this," replied Tom, taking the confession from his pocket. "He +told me the whole story and there it is in black and white, names of +witnesses and all." + +Frank read the confession with growing excitement, while his comrades +clustered closely around him. + +"Tom, old scout!" Frank exclaimed, as the whole significance of the +confession dawned upon him, "you've done me a service that I'll never +forget. Now we can see our way clear, and my mother will come into her +rights." + +"I'm mighty glad, old boy," replied Tom with a happy smile. "I've held +on to that paper through thick and thin, because I knew what it would +mean to you and your mother. But now," he went on, "I've been +answering the questions of all this bunch and turn about is fair play. +Tell me how our boys are doing. How is the big drive going on? Have +we stopped the Germans yet?" + +"They're slowing up," said Bart. + +"We're whipping them," declared Billy. + +"I wouldn't quite say that," objected Frank. "We haven't whipped them +yet except in spots. Of course we're going to lick them. The whole +world knows that now except the Germans themselves, and I shouldn't +wonder if they were beginning to believe it in their hearts. But +they'll stand a whole lot of beating yet, and we don't want to kid +ourselves that it's going to be an easy job. But we're holding them +back, and pretty soon we'll be driving them back." + +"I'll bet the old Thirty-seventh has been doing its full share," said +Tom proudly. + +"You bet it has," crowed Billy. "Tom, old man, you've missed some +lovely fighting." + +"You fellows have had all the luck," refilled Tom wistfully. + +"Don't grouch, Tom," laughed Frank. "There's plenty of it yet to come. +And I'll bet you'll fight harder than ever now, when you think of all +you've been through. You've got a personal score to settle with the +Huns now, as well as to get in licks for Uncle Sam." + +"You're right there," replied Tom, as his eyes blazed. "I can't wait +to get at them. My fingers fairly itch to get hold of a rifle." + +"But you ought to have a little rest and get your strength back before +you get in the ranks again," suggested Bart. + +"None of that rest stuff for me," declared Tom. "When you boys get in +I'm going to be right alongside of you." + +His wish was not to be gratified that day, however, for there was a +lull in the fighting just then while the hostile armies manoeuvred for +position. But the pause was only temporary, and the next day the storm +broke in all its fury. + +Of course Tom had to make a report at headquarters. There his story, +especially as it related to Nick Rabig, was listened to with much +interest. + +When the fighting began again it was not trench work. That was already +in the past. Of course the armies took advantage of whatever shelter +was offered them, and there were times when shallow trenches were dug +with feverish haste. But these were only to be used for minutes or for +hours, not for weeks and months at a time. The great battle had become +one of open warfare, and it ebbed and flowed over miles of meadow and +woodland, of hill and valley. + +It was just the style of fighting that suited the American troops. +They wanted action, action every minute. They wanted to see their +enemies, to get at grips with them, to pit their brawn and muscle, +their wit and courage against the best the enemy could bring forth. It +was the way their ancestors had fought, man to man, bayonet to bayonet, +where sheer pluck and power would give the victory to the men who +possessed them in largest measure. + +"We'll be in it up to our necks in a few minutes now," muttered Bart, +as they waited for the order to charge. + +"It's going to be hot work," remarked Billy. "They've got a pile of +men in that division over there, and they've been putting up a stiff +fight so far this morning." + +"They're in for a trimming," declared Frank. "Just wait till the old +Thirty-seventh goes at them on the double quick." + +"Why don't the orders come?" grumbled Tom. + +They came at last and, with a rousing cheer, the regiment rushed +forward. The enemy's guns opened up at them, and a deadly barrage +sought to check the wild fury of their charge. Men went down as shot +and shell tore through them, but the others never faltered. The old +Thirty-seventh was out to win that morning, and a bad time was in store +for whoever stood in the way of its headlong rush. + +In the front ranks the Army Boys fought shoulder to shoulder, and when +the regiment struck the enemy line, they plunged forward with the +bayonet. There was a furious melee as they ploughed their way through. + +So impetuous was their dash that it carried them too fast and too far. +They found themselves fighting with a group of their comrades against a +fresh body of enemy troops who had just been thrown in in a fierce +counterattack. For the moment they were greatly outnumbered and as the +enemy closed around the little band it seemed as though they were +doomed to be cut off from the support of their comrades. + +They must cut their way through and rejoin the main body. And not a +moment must be lost, for the ring surrounding them was constantly being +augmented by fresh reinforcements. + +A shot tore Frank's rifle out of his hands. He looked around and saw +an axe that had been left there by some one of an engineer corps. + +He stooped and picked it up. He swung it high above his head. In his +powerful hands it was a fearful weapon, and the enemy detachment hi +front of him faltered and drew back. + +With a shout of "Lusitania!" Frank leaped forward, his eyes flashing +with the fury of the fight, his axe hewing right and left. Foot by +foot he cut his way through the crowded ranks. + +Then suddenly a great blackness came down upon him and he knew nothing +more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WOUNDS AND TORTURE + +When long hours afterward Frank came to himself, he lay for a time +wondering where he was and what had happened to him. + +His brain was not clear, and he had the greatest difficulty in +concentrating his thoughts. Little by little he pieced events +together. He remembered the charge made by his regiment, the pocket in +which he had found himself when he had gone too far in advance of his +comrades, the axe with which he had started to cut his way through the +ring of enemies that surrounded him. There his memory stopped. + +He must have been wounded. He raised his head painfully and looked +himself over. He did not seem to be bleeding. He put his hand to his +head. There was a cut there and a great lump that was as big as a +robin's egg. The movement set his brain whirling, and he fell back +dizzy and confused. + +How thirsty he was! His mouth felt as though it were stuffed with +cotton. His veins felt as if fire instead of blood was in them. His +tongue seemed to be double its normal size. He would have given all he +possessed for one sip of cool water. + +He seemed to be alone. There were bushes all about him. He remembered +that he had been fighting on the edge of a wood where there was a great +deal of underbrush. This no doubt accounted for his being alone. Out +in the meadow beyond there were lying a number of dead and wounded, as +he could see by peering through the bushes. There were some dead men +in the bushes, too, but no wounded. It would have been a comfort at +that moment to have had some wounded companions to whom he might speak, +whom he might help, or by whom he might be helped. He felt as though +he were the only living man in a world of the dead. + +He tried to rise, but a horrible pain shot through his right leg as he +bore his weight upon it, and it crumpled under him. He wondered if it +were broken. He felt of it carefully. No bone seemed to be broken as +far as he could tell, but the ankle was swelled to almost double its +normal size. He must have strained or twisted it. The mere touch gave +him agony and he was forced to desist. + +His fever increased and he was afraid that he was getting delirious. +Some way or other he must get back to his own lines before his senses +left him. He got up on his hands and feet and began to crawl in what +he thought was the right direction. + +He had no idea of time. Things seemed dark around him, but he was not +sure whether this was due to the sky being overcast or to the approach +of twilight. Perhaps it was neither. It might be only that his eyes +were dimmed by the fever that was raging in him. + +His wounded leg dragged behind him as he slowly worked along and every +moment was torture. Sometimes it caught in a bush, and the resulting +wrench almost caused him to swoon. But he kept on doggedly. + +He passed many dead men, and painfully worked his way around to avoid +touching them. One of them, he noticed, had a sack full of hand +grenades. But the stiffening hand of the owner would never hurl +another of those messengers of death. + +On and on Frank toiled. His head felt so light that it seemed to be +detached from his shoulders. He caught himself talking aloud, speaking +the names of Bart and Billy and Tom. Where were they? What were they +doing? Why were they not there with him? + +And what had happened to the regiment? Had it been driven back? He +remembered the heavy reinforcements that the enemy had thrown into the +fight. Perhaps the old Thirty-seventh was getting ready for another +attack. But the effort to think was too painful and Frank gave it up. + +Suddenly he heard the sound of voices a little way in front of him, and +a thrill of joy shot through him. He was paid at that moment for all +his suffering. How lucky that he had steeled himself to the task of +crawling back to his comrades! Soon he would be with the boys again. +They would give him water. They would bind up his leg. His head would +stop aching. The hours of torture would be over. + +He was about to shout to them, when through a thick clump of bushes he +saw the helmets of German soldiers. They were working feverishly to +get some machine guns in position. It was evident that they were +expecting an attack. + +In that moment of terrible disappointment Frank tasted the bitterness +of death. All that agony had been endured only to bring him into the +hands of the Huns! + +But this revulsion of feeling lasted only for an instant. The sight of +his enemies had cleared his brain and awakened his indomitable fighting +instinct. The Huns were working like mad at the machine-gun nest. +That meant that the old Thirty-seventh was coming back! He must help +them. These guns, cunningly placed, would do terrible execution if +they were allowed to work their will. + +But what could he do unaided and alone? He was wounded and weaponless. + +Like a flash the thought came to him of the dead man whose sack was +full of hand grenades. + +His body quailed at the thought of the journey back to where the man +lay. But his spirit mastered the flesh. + +With his dragging leg one quivering pain, he crawled back. It seemed +ages before he got there, but at last he had secured three of the +grenades and started back for the machine-gun nest. + +He had no more than time. Behind him, he heard the well-known cheer of +his regiment. The boys were coming! + +The gun crews heard it, too, and they gathered about their weapons, +whose deadly muzzles pointed in the direction from which the rush was +coming. + +Supporting himself on one hand and knee, Frank hurled his grenades over +the top of the bush in quick succession. They fell right in the midst +of the startled Germans. There was a terrific explosion and the guns +and crews were torn to pieces. Another instant and the old +Thirty-seventh came smashing its way to victory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +DRIVEN BACK + +Two weeks later and Frank had left the hospital and was back again with +the Army Boys. The injury to his head was found to be not serious, and +the leg although badly wrenched and strained had no bone broken. It +yielded rapidly to treatment, and Frank's splendid strength and +vitality aided greatly in his cure. + +There was immense jubilation among the Army Boys when their idolized +comrade resumed his place in the ranks. + +"You can't keep a squirrel on the ground," exulted Tom, as he gave his +friend a tremendous thump on the back. + +"Or Frank Sheldon away from the firing line," grinned Bart, looking at +his friend admiringly. + +"You didn't think I was going to stay in that dinky hospital when there +was so much doing, did you?" laughed Frank. "Say, fellows, if my leg +had been broken instead of just sprained, I'd have died of a broken +heart. I've got to get busy now and get even with the boches for that +crack on the head they gave me. It's a good thing it's solid ivory, or +it would have been split for fair." + +"You don't need to worry about paying the Germans back," chuckled +Billy. "You paid them in advance. You don't owe them a thing. Say, +what George Washington did to the cherry tree with his little hatchet +wasn't a circumstance to what you did to the Huns with that axe of +yours. The axe is your weapon, Frank. A rifle doesn't run one, two, +three, compared with it." + +"I'll admit that the axe work was good as a curtain raiser," remarked +Tom. "But the real show was when those machine guns and their crews +were blown to pieces. That made the work of the regiment easy." + +"It was classy work," agreed Will Stone, who came along just then and +heard what they were talking about. + +"How are the tanks?" asked Frank of the newcomer. "I suppose old Jumbo +is just spoiling for a fight." + +"I guess he is," replied Stone, with a touch of affection in his voice +for the monster tank that he commanded, "and from all I hear he's going +to get lots of it." + +"I guess we all are," said Bart. + +"All little pals together," hummed Billy. + +"And it's going to be a different kind of fighting," went on Stone. +"The tide is turning at last. The Hun has been doing the driving. Now +he's going to be driven." + +"Glory hallelujah!" cried Billy. + +"Do you think that General Foch is going to take the offensive?" asked +Bart eagerly. + +"It looks that way," replied Stone. "Of course, I'm not in the secrets +of the High Command, and only General Foch himself knows when and where +he's going to strike. But by the way they're massing tanks here I +think it will be soon. They're gathering them by the hundreds in the +woods, so that the movement can't be seen by enemy aviators. When the +blow comes it will be a heavy one. And do you notice the way the +American divisions are being brought together here? That means that +they'll take a big part in the offensive. Foch has been watching what +our boys have been doing, and he's going to put us in the front ranks." + +"Better and better," chortled Billy. "That boy's got good judgment. +He's a born fighter himself and he knows fighters when he sees them." + +"Well, you boys keep right on your toes," said Stone, as he prepared to +leave them, "and I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that within three days +you'll see the Heinies on the run." + +Two days passed and nothing special happened. Then at dawn on the +third day, Foch struck like a thunderbolt! + +He had gathered his forces. He had chosen the place. He had bided his +time. + +The German forces were taken utterly by surprise. Their General Staff +was caught napping. They had underestimated their enemy's daring and +resources. Their flank was exposed, and it crumpled up under the +terrific and unexpected blow. + +Thousands of prisoners and hundreds of guns were taken on the first +day, and the success was continued for many days thereafter. The +Allies were elated and the Germans correspondingly depressed. Their +boasted drive had been held back, and now they themselves were the +pursued, with the Allies, flushed with victory, close upon their heels. + +The Army Boys were in their element, and they fought with a dash and +spirit that they had never surpassed. Other volumes of this series +will tell of the thrilling exploits, with the tanks and otherwise, by +which they upheld the honor and glory of the Stars and Stripes. + +"Well," said Frank one evening, after a day crowded with splendid +fighting, "we've put a dent in the Kaiser's helmet." + +"Yes," grinned Bart, as he wiped his glowing face. "Considering that +we're green troops that were going to run like sheep before the +Prussian Guards, we haven't done so badly." + +"I guess the folks at home aren't kicking," remarked Tom. "They told +us to come over here and clean up, and so far we've been obeying +orders." + +"We've held back the German drive," put in Billy, "but that's just the +beginning. Now we've got to tackle another job. We've got to drive +the Hun out of France----" + +"And out of Belgium," added Tom. + +"And back to the Rhine," chimed in Bart. + +"Get it right, you boobs," laughed Frank. "Straight back to Berlin!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE*** + + +******* This file should be named 21671.txt or 21671.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/7/21671 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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