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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service, by
+James R. Driscoll
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service
+
+
+Author: James R. Driscoll
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 15, 2007  [eBook #22079]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO
+SERVICE***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 22079-h.htm or 22079-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/7/22079/22079-h/22079-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/7/22079/22079-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO SERVICE
+
+by
+
+LIEUTENANT JAMES R. DRISCOLL
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "At Least Ten Thousand of Them," He Announced.]
+
+
+
+The John C. Winston Company
+Philadelphia
+
+Copyright, 1918, by
+John C. Winston Company
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                                      PAGE
+
+I.     "FOR UNCLE SAM"                                          9
+II.    INTO THE SERVICE--A SPY                                 21
+III.   UNEXPECTED ACTION                                       34
+IV.    FAREWELL, UNITED STATES                                 43
+V.     THE FIGHT IN THE WIRELESS ROOM                          54
+VI.    THE MYSTERY OF THE IRON CROSS                           67
+VII.   THE TIMELY RESCUE                                       77
+VIII.  THE DEATH OF THE SPY                                    88
+IX.    THE PERISCOPE AT DAWN                                  101
+X.     FRANCE AT LAST                                         110
+XI.    TAPPING THE ENEMY'S WIRE                               118
+XII.   THE S O S WITH PISTOL SHOTS                            131
+XIII.  THE CAVE OF DEATH                                      140
+XIV.   DESPERATE MEASURES                                     153
+XV.    THE SURPRISE ATTACK--PROMOTION                         164
+XVI.   A TIGHT PLACE                                          176
+XVII.  THE LIEUTENANT'S INVENTION                             191
+XVIII. SLIM GOODWIN A PRISONER                                200
+XIX.   TURNING THE TABLES                                     211
+XX.    THE GREAT NEWS                                         221
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"At Least Ten Thousand of Them," He Announced        Frontispiece
+
+                                                             PAGE
+
+There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling
+about the Room                                                 66
+
+They had Accidentally Discovered an Enemy
+Wire and had Tapped It                                        130
+
+Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through                   168
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+"FOR UNCLE SAM"
+
+
+"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their----"
+
+It was that old practice sentence of typists, which is as old as are
+typewriting machines, and Joe Harned, seated before the told-style,
+noisy, but still capable machine in Philip Burton's telegraph office,
+had rattled it off twenty-five times and was on his twenty-sixth when
+suddenly, very suddenly, his mind began to work.
+
+Or rather it might be said that an idea, the _big idea_, danced
+unceremoniously into his brain, and, beginning to take definite and
+concrete form, chased a score of other smaller ideas through all the
+thought-channels of his handsome, boyish, well-rounded head.
+
+He came to a full stop and gazed steadily at the upturned paper in the
+typewriter in front of him. Twenty-fives times he had written that
+sentence, and twenty-five times with mechanical precision and true
+adherence to time-honored custom he had finished it by tapping off the
+word "party."
+
+It was a formula of words which some genius had devised for the
+fingering practice it gave one on the keyboard, and Joe Harned had
+written it hundreds of times before, just as thousands of others had
+done, without giving a thought to its meaning, or the significance that
+the substitution of a single word would give it.
+
+He read it again, and as if it were the result of an uncontrollable
+impulse, his fingers began the rapid tap-tap-tap. And this time he
+substituted the new word that the _big idea_ had suddenly thrust into
+his mind.
+
+Joe gave the roller a twirl, the paper rolled out, dropped to the floor,
+and he grasped for it eagerly.
+
+Even Joe was surprised. He hadn't realized that in his enthusiastic
+haste he had pushed down the key marked "caps."
+
+In bold, outstanding letters near the bottom of the sheet was an
+historic sentence, and Joe Harned--Harned, of Brighton Academy--had
+devised it.
+
+"NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY!"
+
+Joe gazed at it again for a moment, and then let his eyes travel across
+the little office to where red-headed, freckle-faced, big-hearted and
+impetuous Jerry Macklin was rapping away at another typewriter, and, two
+feet away from Jerry, "Slim" Goodwin, "one-hundred-and-seventy pounds in
+his stockinged feet, and five-feet-four in his gym suit," was working
+the telegraph key with a pudgy hand.
+
+"Jerry!" he called. "Oh, Slim! Come over here a moment, both of you. I
+want to show you something."
+
+Jerry immediately ceased typewriting, but Slim was reluctant to release
+the telegraph key. However, as Joe began folding the paper in such a way
+that only the last sentence showed, their aroused curiosity brought both
+of them to his side.
+
+"Read that," said Joe, trying to suppress the quiver in his voice, and
+holding the paper up before them. "Read it carefully."
+
+One lad on either side of him, they hung over Joe's shoulder and
+followed his bidding.
+
+"Right!" shouted Jerry, as he came to the last word. "Joe, you're a
+wizard, and what you've written there is the truth."
+
+"Ain't it--I mean isn't it?" added the delicate Slim Goodwin, and,
+partly to hide his grammatical error, but mostly to express his
+enthusiasm, he gave Joe a one-hundred-and-seventy-pound whack on the
+back that sent him sliding out of the chair and half way under the
+typewriter table.
+
+"Say!" Joe remonstrated. But just then Philip Burton, telegraph operator
+and genial good friend of all three of the lads, bustled into the room,
+a sheaf of yellow telegrams in his hand.
+
+"What's all the excitement?" he asked, striding toward the typewriter
+just left by Jerry.
+
+"Why," explained Slim, "Joe's just done something that means something."
+
+"Impossible," said Mr. Burton, turning toward them with one of those
+irresistible smiles which long ago had made him the boys' confidant.
+
+"If you don't believe it, read this," commanded Jerry, thrusting the
+paper before the telegrapher's eyes.
+
+Mr. Burton read it through and then turned to the three boys again.
+"Well?" he asked.
+
+"It means what it says," explained Jerry. "Now is the time for all good
+men to come to the aid of their country."
+
+"And we're 'good men,' ain't--aren't we?" demanded Slim, drawing in his
+stomach and throwing out his chest as he straightened up to his full
+five-feet-four-inches "in his gym suit."
+
+"None better anywhere," said Mr. Burton in a tone that showed he meant
+it. "But just how do you contemplate going to the aid of your country?"
+
+It was Joe's turn to say something, and he did. "By enlisting," he
+announced, briefly but firmly.
+
+"Yes," agreed Slim, "that's it, by enlisting."
+
+"Uh-huh," said Jerry, nodding his head vigorously and watching Mr.
+Burton's face for evidence of the effect of their decision.
+
+"And when did you determine upon that?" the telegrapher asked, with
+increasing interest.
+
+"Well," said Slim, his face now painfully red from his efforts to keep
+chest out and stomach in, "it was finally decided upon just now,
+although we have talked about the thing in a general way many times."
+
+"You really mean to enlist--all three of you?" Mr. Burton demanded.
+
+"Yes, sir," they chorused, "all three."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed the man who had been their friend and helper. "Fine!
+I'm proud of you," and he proceeded to shake hands heartily with each in
+turn.
+
+"Have you decided upon the branch of the service you intend to enter?"
+he then asked.
+
+Joe looked at Jerry, Jerry looked at Slim, and Slim cast a helpless
+glance back at Joe.
+
+"I see you haven't," said Mr. Burton hastily, "and I'm glad of it. Now
+how about the Signal Corps?"
+
+"What do men in the Signal Corps do?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Do they fight?" demanded Slim.
+
+"Yes," Mr. Burton replied, "they do some fighting on their own account,
+and often in tough places and against discouraging odds. But they do
+even more than that. Without their assistance no general would dare lay
+plans for a battle. The Signal Corps keeps the commanders posted, not
+only as to the whereabouts and disposition of his own troops, but also
+of those of the enemy. The Signal Corps is the telephone, the telegraph,
+the wireless, and often the aviation section as well, of the American
+army, and often of the American navy, too."
+
+"Isn't that great?" exclaimed the breathless Slim, as Mr. Burton went
+over to the ticker to answer the code call for his station.
+
+During the ten minutes that he was engaged in receiving and sending
+messages, the boys perfected plans for notifying their relatives of
+their intention. Had their attention not been so entirely taken by the
+subject under discussion they would have seen Herbert Wallace--another
+and very unpopular student at Brighton--pass by the office window, stop
+for a moment to stare at them, and then step away quickly in the
+direction of the door, near which they were standing.
+
+"Well, what's the verdict?" asked Mr. Burton, having finished his
+duties.
+
+"The Signal Corps is our choice," said Joe, speaking for all, "but how
+do we go about getting into it?"
+
+"I think I can arrange that," Mr. Burton informed them. "You boys have
+been studying telegraphy under me for more than six months, and I'm
+willing to certify that each of you can now handle an instrument. In
+addition to that, you are able to take down messages on the typewriter
+as they come over the wire. Yes, sir," Mr. Burton finished, "I think
+your Uncle Sam will be mighty glad to get three such lads as you, and I
+know the recruiting agent to put the thing through."
+
+So it was arranged that the three lads should return to the dormitory,
+write the letters which were to procure them the desired permission to
+enlist, and then inform the headmaster of their intentions.
+
+Joe and Jerry, who had roomed together throughout their entire three
+years at Brighton, already were well on with their epistles of
+explanation when Slim, whose room was seven doors down the corridor,
+dragged himself in, looking more downcast than any boy in Brighton ever
+had seen him look before.
+
+"No use," he informed his two friends, a choke in his voice. "They won't
+have me. I'm overweight."
+
+"Oh, now, Slim, what are you worrying about that for? I don't believe
+any such thing," counseled Joe.
+
+"It's true, though," affirmed Slim. "That's the worst part of it; I saw
+it in the book. I'm toting around about twenty pounds more than the
+government wants, and I'd have to stand on tiptoe in high-heel shoes to
+meet the requirement in height."
+
+Poor Slim! He showed his disappointment in every look and every action.
+
+"What kind of a book did you see it in?" asked Jerry, in a tone almost
+as sad as Slim's.
+
+"In the manual," Slim groaned. "Herb Wallace showed it to me."
+
+"That settles it," exclaimed Joe. "If Herb Wallace had a hand in it
+anywhere there's something wrong. I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows.
+We'll go and ask the headmaster."
+
+Now the headmaster of Brighton had once been a boy himself. He could be
+stern, even cruelly severe, when occasion demanded, but he was kind of
+heart and broad of understanding.
+
+Before him the three lads laid their case, as before the final tribunal.
+
+"H'm," said he, when all the details had been related and the
+all-important information asked. "You say Herbert Wallace showed you
+this in a manual?"
+
+Slim solemnly affirmed that that was the case.
+
+The headmaster pushed a button on the side of his desk and in a few
+seconds his secretary, a big, bluff fellow, appeared.
+
+"Bring Herbert Wallace here at once," said the headmaster. And in five
+more minutes, while the headmaster was shrewdly questioning the three
+lads as to the seriousness of their determination to enlist, the
+secretary returned, accompanied by young Wallace, flushed and
+shamefaced.
+
+"Well, Wallace," said the principal of Brighton, "I hear you've been
+studying up on military subjects. Intending to get into the fight?"
+
+Herbert Wallace hung his head and muttered an unintelligible reply.
+
+"Now look here, Wallace," spoke the headmaster sternly, "where did you
+get the military manual from which you gave Goodwin the information that
+he could not pass the examination for the army?"
+
+"I--I got it from the library, sir."
+
+"Got it without permission, too, didn't you?" pursued the headmaster.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Wallace, in confusion.
+
+"And didn't know that it was out of date, and that the requirements were
+completely changed after the United States entered this war, eh?"
+
+"No, sir," answered Wallace, on the verge of a breakdown.
+
+"I'll decide upon your punishment later," announced the headmaster.
+"See me here at four o'clock. Meanwhile, Wallace, be careful where you
+get information, and be careful how you dispense it."
+
+And Herbert Wallace, utterly humiliated, was glad to flee from the room.
+
+"I don't think," said the headmaster, "that any of you will have
+difficulty passing the examinations. I dislike to see you go, but you
+speak the truth when you say that your country does need you, and I pay
+a great tribute of respect to you for the patriotism and courage with
+which you step forth to shoulder your obligations. Others already have
+gone from Brighton. Still others will go in the future. God bless all of
+you, and may you return safe and sound to reap the full benefits of the
+democracy for which you are going to fight."
+
+The suspicion of tears dimmed the kindly eyes of the headmaster, and
+each boy choked up as he bade him good-by.
+
+But, after all, this was no time for sadness. Young gladiators were
+going forth to the fray. And so we will skip over the farewells the
+following day, in which the parents of each lad, with many a heartache
+but never a word of discouragement, bade the boys Godspeed in the
+service of their country.
+
+The three lads, together with fifteen others, formed a detachment of the
+recently enlisted who were to go to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for
+further assignment. Just before the train pulled out a students' parade
+that seemed to include every boy in Brighton marched to the station to
+see them off.
+
+One of the lads carried a large transparency on which was printed:
+
+               "THEY BRIGHTEN THE FAME OF BRIGHTON"
+
+And just as the train pulled out, and there was great cheering and
+waving of hats and handkerchiefs, Joe, Jerry and Slim, leaning from
+adjoining windows, sang out in chorus:
+
+"For Uncle Sam."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+INTO THE SERVICE--A SPY
+
+
+A brilliant October morning was just breaking when a final bump of the
+train ended the none too musical snoring of Slim Goodwin and he came to
+a sitting posture, his first yawn almost instantly to give way to an
+exclamation of surprise.
+
+It was strange scenery he was gazing upon, and for the moment he had
+forgotten where he was. The grinning faces of Joe and Jerry, whom he had
+awakened half an hour before with his sawmill sleeping serenade, brought
+him to a realization of his surroundings.
+
+"Where are we?" he asked, now fully awake.
+
+"I imagine it's Philadelphia," answered Joe, "although I've never been
+there."
+
+"Well, let's climb out and see," was a suggestion from Jerry which found
+ready response in the other two; and a moment later, while half the
+passengers were still asleep, they were investigating the mysteries of
+Washington Avenue, near Broad Street, in the Quaker City.
+
+Strings of freight cars were stretched out on the sidings, and either
+side of the railroad yard was flanked by large manufacturing buildings,
+which already were showing preliminary signs of industrial activity.
+
+"You are enlisted men, sirs?" queried a deep voice just behind them, and
+all three turned, somewhat startled to find they were not alone.
+
+They faced a young giant of a fellow, who wore the khaki uniform of
+Uncle Sam, with a sergeant's stripes upon his sleeve. He was unable
+wholly to suppress a smile as Slim came to a difficult and not entirely
+regulation salute.
+
+"We are," answered Joe. "We just stepped off that train to get a breath
+of fresh air and to learn where we were."
+
+"No harm done," the sergeant responded in a friendly tone. "You are in
+Philadelphia, and the only restriction upon you now is that you are not
+to stroll too far away. We leave here in a short while for the navy
+yard, where mess will be served."
+
+"Mess? That's breakfast, ain't--isn't it?" asked Slim anxiously.
+
+"Yes," the sergeant replied, "and a good one, too."
+
+Each boy touched his cap respectfully as the non-commissioned officer
+turned to return to the train.
+
+"Hope we have sausage," said Jerry in an undertone; "but I'm hungry
+enough to eat anything they give me."
+
+"Same with me," Slim added in melancholy tones; "but I guess I'll have
+to diet some until I'm sure, certain, and solidified in the service."
+
+At that instant the shrill blast of a whistle brought their attention
+back to the train, where the sergeant was signaling them to return.
+Three automobiles had arrived, and into these our three friends and the
+other fifteen recently enlisted men climbed, for the trip to League
+Island, where is located one of the Nation's largest and most important
+navy yards.
+
+Down wide, asphalted Broad Street the party sped, past solid rows of
+handsome dwellings, and then across the stretch of beautiful park that
+was once a mosquito-ridden marshland, and to the gates of the navy yard.
+
+Here the detachment of marines on guard gave the boys their first close
+association with the spirit of war. As they swung through the gates a
+virtual wonderland of the machinery of sea battles greeted their
+eyes--powerful battleships, lithe and speedy cruisers, spider-like
+destroyers, tremendous colliers capable of carrying thousands of tons of
+coal to the fleets at sea, and in the distance a transport, waiting to
+take on its human freight of Uncle Sam's fighters for foreign
+battlefields.
+
+On the parade ground several companies of marines were going through
+maneuvers, while on every ship bluejackets were engaged in various
+tasks, and activities were in full sway in the many large manufacturing
+buildings at the lower end of the yard, near the waterfront.
+
+It was a scene to inspire the lads with a full appreciation of the great
+military and naval service of which they were to become a part, and in
+their patriotic enthusiasm they forgot even their healthy young
+appetites.
+
+Mess was in one of the big barracks, where they mingled with hundreds of
+others, some of whom were raw rookies like themselves, others of longer
+experience, and some of previous service in Haiti and elsewhere.
+
+The big sergeant, whose name they learned was Martin, brought the
+entire eighteen together immediately after the meal, and they joined a
+score of others who had arrived a few days before. All were then marched
+to another building, where their instructions began, and they were
+informed that before night they would be uniformed.
+
+This was welcome information, indeed. To get into the uniform of Uncle
+Sam! Every young man in the group breathed a little deeper and drew
+himself up a little straighter at the thought.
+
+We will not trace Joe, Jerry and Slim through their initial instruction,
+for it had lasted less than an hour, when an orderly hastily entered the
+room, saluted the officer who was acting as instructor, and then talked
+to him for a moment in an undertone.
+
+The officer's countenance underwent a curious change. Finally he turned
+toward the youths before him.
+
+"Are there any men here who are already telegraphers?" he asked.
+
+Instantly Joe, Jerry, and two others arose, while Slim tried to, but had
+great difficulty getting himself out of the small, school-child's sort
+of desk at which he was seated. Finally he managed it by sliding out
+sidewise, the way he had entered, instead of attempting a direct upward
+rise.
+
+"How many of you can use the international code?" the officer continued.
+
+Thanks to good old Burton, Joe, Jerry and Slim were as familiar with
+that as they were with the Morse American code. The other two men
+resumed their seats. Sergeant Martin had entered the room. Apparently he
+was not at all displeased to find the three polite young men whom he had
+addressed earlier in the day, now able to show greater capabilities than
+the other men in the detachment.
+
+"You are excused from further instruction here at this time," the
+officer announced to the trio. "You will accompany Sergeant Martin for
+further orders."
+
+And they hurried from the room with the non-com., who they instinctively
+knew was their friend.
+
+What was this new experience that lay before them? They were not long in
+learning, and the information almost carried them beyond the restraints
+of good discipline and to the indulgence in three ripping good cheers.
+
+Sergeant Martin could be a hard taskmaster when it was necessary to be
+so, but, like the headmaster of Brighton, he did not believe in needless
+red tape, nor did he delude himself that the stripes upon his sleeve
+made him a better man--except in official authority--than the one who
+wore none at all. He realized the curiosity that must be consuming the
+three lads, and he was not averse to satisfying it.
+
+"Selected for service aboard a transport bound for Europe," he announced
+briefly.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Joe, not entirely able to control the happiness
+in his voice, while Slim's excess stomach almost entirely disappeared in
+the abnormal expansion of his chest. Jerry could find no other dignified
+way of expressing his great pleasure than by quietly poking Slim under
+the ribs, to the entire undoing of that young man's military attitude.
+
+"Do we go at once, sir?" inquired Joe deferentially.
+
+"Probably to-morrow evening," said Sergeant Martin, as they arrived at
+the building housing the captain and staff in charge of men of the
+Signal Corps then stationed at the navy yard.
+
+It was the busiest office the three boys had ever seen. Typewriters
+were clicking, telegraph instruments were at work, orderlies were
+hurrying about, and every man in the place was engrossed in his own
+particular task.
+
+Sergeant Martin guided them to an inner office. Here they confronted an
+austere gentleman whose uniform denoted that he was a captain, and whose
+whole bearing bespoke military service.
+
+The three boys were dumbfounded to learn that he already had their names
+on a card before him. They were getting a new idea of the efficiency of
+Uncle Sam's service.
+
+The captain made numerous notes as he questioned them about their
+experience, general knowledge, and extent of their education. He eyed
+Slim shrewdly as he inquired whether they thought they might be subject
+to seasickness.
+
+"Young men," he said abruptly, "this country is engaged in the greatest
+war in all history. Considering your youth and present lack of
+experience, yours is to be a part of great responsibility. You look like
+capable and courageous young Americans, and I believe you are. I have
+confidence that you will bear your share of the burdens of war with
+credit to yourselves and glory to your country. With one other man of
+more experience, you will be placed in charge of the wireless and other
+signal apparatus aboard the transport _Everett_, leaving within
+thirty-six hours. Sergeant Martin will now aid you in procuring your
+uniforms."
+
+The three boys came to full military salute, the captain returned it,
+they swung upon their heels like seasoned soldiers and departed behind
+their friend, the young giant of a sergeant.
+
+An hour later, fully uniformed, they were taken to the _Everett_ and
+down into the wonders of the transport's wireless room, where they were
+introduced to Second Lieutenant Gerald Mackinson, who was to be their
+superior officer on the perilous trip.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson was a square-jawed young fellow with keen eyes,
+bushy hair and a good breadth of shoulders. He had been an electrical
+engineer prior to entering the service, and had gained his promotion
+three months before strictly upon his merit and knowledge, which were
+the qualities he demanded in others. He already had been "across" three
+times, and he knew the many problems and dangers that would confront
+them.
+
+Satisfied by his questioning that the three young men who were to
+accompany him "had the stuff in them," Lieutenant Mackinson then began
+instructing them in the elementaries of the radio.
+
+It seemed, though, that that day was destined to be one of
+interruptions, but not, however, of the sort to be of disadvantage to
+the three boys from Brighton. For, just as the sudden ending of their
+instructions in class in the morning had led to their assignment to a
+transport, to start overseas within thirty-six hours, so the call now
+which required Lieutenant Mackinson's presence elsewhere, indirectly led
+to a new and thrilling experience for the lads.
+
+"I am ordered to report to aid in the repairs to the wireless of another
+vessel," said the lieutenant, after perusing the order that a private
+had brought to him. "It will require until late to-night to finish.
+Inasmuch as this is probably the last night that you lads will spend on
+land for some time, you might as well see a little of the city, if you
+care to, but be sure that you are within the gates of the yard before
+ten o'clock."
+
+He then gave each of the boys a pass, and told them to be aboard the
+_Everett_ not later than half-past ten o'clock, and departed for the
+special work to which he had been called.
+
+"Wouldn't you like to be a lieutenant, though?" exclaimed Joe
+enthusiastically. "Just imagine being called from ship to ship to help
+them out of their difficulties."
+
+And, discussing their aspirations and what the future held for them, the
+three young men from Brighton went to mess, afterward brushed their
+brand-new uniforms of the last possible speck of dust, and left the navy
+yard for a stroll through the southern section of the city founded by
+William Penn.
+
+How far they walked none of them knew. They had turned many corners, and
+their conversation had covered a wide field--always, however, turning
+upon some military subject--when a church clock tolled out nine times.
+
+"I think we had better return," said Slim, who was beginning to tire
+under the long day's strain and excitement.
+
+"Yes," agreed Jerry, "but which way do we go?"
+
+They were, in truth, lost. Uniformed as they were, they were ashamed to
+ask directions, and finally agreed that Joe was right in indicating that
+they should walk straight southward.
+
+Twelve blocks southward they walked, and the damp, marshy atmosphere
+assured them that they were nearing the river, but their only hope now,
+as they plodded across desolate and deserted dumps, and even invaded a
+truck patch or two, was that they would strike a road that led around to
+the navy yard entrance.
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed Jerry in a hoarse whisper, grasping a boy on
+either side of him by the arm. "Did you hear?"
+
+"I thought I heard something," averred Slim, also lowering his voice.
+"What did it sound like to you?"
+
+"We are almost upon the river bank," said Joe. "It was someone rowing,
+but it sounded to me as though they were using muffled oars."
+
+While the boys stopped to listen, the rowing began again, very slowly,
+very cautiously, and then there was a muffled splash.
+
+At the same instant a great flashlight to the south began playing first
+upon the sky, and then, in a slow arc, down the river and then inland
+toward themselves.
+
+Although they did not come quite within its radius, the boat they had
+heard was between them and the light! It was a row boat, evidently
+heavily laden, for it rode low in the water, and it was occupied by one
+man, who was crouching in the bottom as though to avoid discovery!
+
+Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the searchlight was obscured, and
+the blackness of the night was more intense by contrast.
+
+"That light was at the navy yard," said Joe, beginning to peel off his
+coat. "Jerry, you're a fast runner. By heading straight in the way I'm
+looking you ought to be able to get to the yard in ten minutes. Do it as
+quickly as you can. Slim will stay here."
+
+By this time Joe had stripped off his shirt and preparing to unlace his
+shoes.
+
+"And you," blurted Jerry and Slim, almost at the same instant, but still
+in guarded tones, "what are you going to do?"
+
+"I'm as safe as a duck in the water, and almost as noiseless," responded
+Joe calmly. "I'm going to swim out and see what is going on. That man
+out there is a spy!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+UNEXPECTED ACTION
+
+
+If red-headed, freckle-faced Jerry Macklin, star sprinter of Brighton,
+ever ran in his life he ran that night. Down across the uneven,
+hill-dotted dumps he tore at a speed that would have put his school
+records to shame. Three times he fell, but each time on the instant he
+was up and off again, without even a thought as to whether or not he had
+injured himself.
+
+And all the time he kept repeating in his mind, "There's a spy out there
+planning dangerous things for the navy yard and the United States. Joe's
+in the icy water watching him, and I must get help as fast as I can."
+
+It was good, too, that he did put forth the last ounce of his strength.
+Sergeant Martin was just passing through the navy yard gate as Jerry
+arrived, his uniform covered with loose ashes and dirt, and his hands
+bleeding from stone cuts received in his falls.
+
+To Sergeant Martin, between gasps, Jerry managed to blurt out enough to
+make the other understand. Within two more minutes Sergeant Martin had
+imparted the vital information to the captain of the company of marines
+charged with guarding the navy yard for that particular night. The
+captain sent two aides scurrying, one to his major, the other to the
+office of the navy yard commandant.
+
+Twenty marines, fully armed, were hurried aboard a launch that
+constantly was kept under steam for just such an emergency, and, with
+Jerry directing, the boat swung out to Joe's aid.
+
+Rapidly as Jerry had traveled the distance between the spot where Slim
+waited and the navy yard itself, it seemed like ages to Joe, out there
+in the icy water, a quarter of a mile from shore.
+
+At first the tense excitement of the manhunt had made him unmindful of
+the low temperature, and he swam with strong, even, silent strokes that
+sent his lithe body gliding through the current noiselessly; but when he
+had come within forty feet of the rowboat its lone occupant had turned
+suddenly, as though scenting danger, and Joe, after waiting for a few
+seconds to see what might happen, considered the absolute silence an
+omen of danger and had dived under water, staying there as long as he
+could, and coming to the surface at an entirely different point from the
+boat.
+
+After that the cold got to the very heart of him. His muscles grew numb,
+he felt his strength waning, and he had to bring the whole force of his
+will to bear to keep from turning back to shore.
+
+But just as Jerry had maintained his courage and strength by keeping
+constantly in mind Joe's plight, so Joe stuck to his terrible task,
+suffering the most severe punishment, by an unwavering confidence in
+Jerry's ability to get assistance in the shortest possible time.
+
+He could see and hear that the man in the boat was working hastily, even
+laboriously; and every few seconds there was the smothered splash of
+something heavy being dropped carefully overboard.
+
+And then, at the most inopportune moment, just when Joe was head and
+shoulders out of the water, not more than twenty feet away from the
+boat, the searchlight was thrown full upon him.
+
+He dived; but not before the other man saw him. Joe, swimming ten feet
+under water, and as hard as he could with the current down stream, knew
+that he had been discovered, for he heard the quick rap-rap of the oars,
+the sound dying away as the little craft sped toward shore.
+
+When he did come to the surface it was with the certain feeling that the
+fatal searchlight had been played upon the scene two minutes too early,
+and just in time to prevent the capture red-handed of a very
+questionable character, undoubtedly carrying out some plot for an enemy
+government.
+
+For as distinctly as he could hear the oars thrashing the water toward
+shore, he could discern the steady but subdued puffing of a steam launch
+racing up the river.
+
+Joe was now on the point of exhaustion. He was flapping the water
+desperately, but he was making no progress, and he was having the
+greatest difficulty keeping himself afloat. He tried to cry out, and
+this final effort took his last bit of strength.
+
+The steam launch was then perhaps thirty feet away, but Jerry's words,
+"Right about here," floated to him as from the opposite side of the
+river. The boat's searchlight that was then suddenly thrown on blinded
+him; he lost all account of things, and had the vague feeling of
+sailing across great spaces on fleecy white clouds.
+
+When he regained partial consciousness Sergeant Martin was in the water
+with him, and trying to raise his body over the side of the launch; then
+he relapsed again, for what seemed to him hours, but what was actually
+only about two minutes, and was awakened to his real senses by the
+shouts of Slim, on shore.
+
+"Slim's got him," Jerry almost shouted. "Hurry, captain, right off this
+way to the shore. Slim must have him. Listen to Slim's bellow."
+
+And if there wasn't a first-class ruction in progress just upon the spot
+from which Slim's vocal signals were emanating, then Slim's voice was
+deceptive, indeed.
+
+As a matter of fact, there was the finest sort of a fracas afoot.
+
+Slim, on shore, had been a silent and anxious witness to the sudden
+turning on of the navy yard searchlight, and to all that it exposed--the
+boat, the man at work in it, Joe in the water, and his discovery by the
+boat's occupant.
+
+And then, as the light was extinguished, and the whole affair was
+engulfed in darkness, Slim heard the rapid beating of the oars upon the
+water, and the rower heading toward shore--and Slim.
+
+Unable to see the craft approaching, he traced its course by sound, and
+when the man stepped ashore Slim was only a few yards away. Discerning a
+shadow just ahead of him, the youth threw himself at it with his whole
+weight, only to grunt his pain and disgust as he came into violent
+contact with the trunk of a dead tree.
+
+The sound, however, startled the enemy into an exclamation which
+revealed his whereabouts, and a moment later the two were locked
+together and rolling over the ground, Slim with a desperate grip upon
+the stranger's throat, and the latter landing blow after blow upon
+Slim's stomach.
+
+It was during this mêlée that Slim spied the searchlight of the launch
+and let out his first call. After that most of his "bellows" were
+involuntary and but punctuated the rapid-fire attack with which the
+other man was landing his blows just above Slim's waist-line, or where
+his waist-line should have been.
+
+As the launch headed toward shore, its searchlight trained over the bow,
+the man of the rowboat resorted to more desperate tactics. With a
+tremendous jerk he managed to free his throat from Slim's grasp. An
+instant later he gave the youth's neck a twist which almost broke it.
+Then he landed a vicious kick which put poor Slim out of business.
+
+Just as the marines from the launch were climbing ashore the fellow sped
+off into the denseness of the night; and as his footsteps died away all
+present trace of him was gone. A dozen of them searched for an hour, but
+without result, and further investigation along that line had to be
+abandoned until the following day.
+
+Meanwhile, however, all three lads were hurried back to the navy yard
+for fresh clothing and other repairs; having received which, together
+with hot coffee from the cook at the barracks mess, they were permitted,
+at their own earnest solicitation, to return to the scene with four
+marines who were to be stationed along that section of the shore for the
+balance of the night.
+
+What they saw upon their arrival astounded them. Three additional
+launches had arrived upon the scene, and the commandant of the navy yard
+was himself directing matters.
+
+He had in his hand a slight rope that ran down into the water, and close
+beside it was a hose line attached to an apparatus in the boat. The boys
+knew at once that a diver was at work down on the river bed.
+
+From the side of another launch anchored parallel with the first, and
+fifteen feet distant, four husky bluejackets were waiting expectantly to
+divide their strength on two stout ropes that were being attached to
+something down in the water. The third launch played its flashlight upon
+the work, while the fourth steamed about, doing patrol duty.
+
+Even as the boys watched, the commandant gave a signal and the sailors
+began hauling upward on the two heavy ropes. In a moment an oblong box,
+about two feet long, a foot wide and of the same depth, came dripping
+from the water. As it was brought to the boat's side two other men
+grasped it carefully and placed it in the bottom of the launch. Then the
+ropes, which were attached to a guide line, were hauled down into the
+river again.
+
+"What does it mean?" Joe asked of Sergeant Martin, who had changed his
+clothes and arrived back ahead of them.
+
+"What does it mean?" repeated the big sergeant. "It means that you
+three young men are due for several credits and early recognition, or
+I'm much mistaken. The man you discovered has not yet been caught, but
+he cannot escape for long. And when he is captured it will be a long
+time before he is free again.
+
+"You lads have frustrated a dangerous plot by an enemy government. The
+river bottom seems to be paved with those cases. They've taken out a
+dozen already. One of them was opened, and, just as expected, it proved
+to be a water-tight container for smokeless powder!
+
+"The government that had those boxes hidden there undoubtedly was
+scheming to have plenty of ammunition ready for use if it ever managed
+to land its men on American soil.
+
+"But you boys appeared here just in time to blow up the whole plot. You
+have been in your first real action in the service of your country, and
+you have come off with flying colors."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FAREWELL, UNITED STATES
+
+
+When the boys arose the following morning, each somewhat stiff and sore
+from the experiences of the night before, it was with a feeling of happy
+anticipation that made their physical discomforts seem like trivial
+things.
+
+For before nightfall the twin screws of the large transport _Everett_
+would begin to churn the waters of the Delaware, her bow would be
+pointed down stream, and the great voyage of adventure would be started.
+
+But in the meantime there was much for the lads to learn. Up to the
+present every moment had been occupied to the exclusion of such
+instructions as were absolutely necessary to know, in order that they
+might give the best service to their country.
+
+And so they responded early to a summons from the superior officer in
+charge of men in the Signal Corps at that station. By him they were
+informed of the serious mission upon which they were bound, and of the
+responsibilities that would fall upon them should the transport, by any
+mishap, become separated from its armed convoy.
+
+No message picked up at sea or elsewhere, he told them, was to be
+repeated to anyone but the superior officer to whom it was directed; and
+any calls for another vessel or station were to be ignored by them, even
+if their aerial should pick the words up.
+
+They were told of the fine loyalty demanded of men in their branch of
+the service, and given some idea of the sacrifices they might be called
+upon to make.
+
+"The success of this war," said Major Briggs, "depends upon the courage
+and ability with which each man in it performs the immediate task before
+him. Whether the whole world shall fall under the iron hand of a
+merciless tyranny, or the peoples of the various nations may govern
+themselves in the freedom of democracy, now depends largely upon the men
+of the United States. We must regard the responsibilities thrust upon us
+as a glorious opportunity to serve all of mankind."
+
+Thrilled with the nature of the great work ahead of them, Joe, Jerry and
+Slim hurried down the long length of the navy yard to where the
+_Everett_ lay moored to her slip, the center of much activity.
+
+Steam already was up, as they could see from the thick black clouds of
+smoke that curled upward from her smokestack. Big cranes, operated by
+powerful winches on the vessel and on shore, were hoisting cases of
+various sizes and shapes upon the lower decks and into the hold. A small
+army of men helped complete the loading of the ship, and one group was
+experiencing considerable difficulty in trying to persuade unwilling
+mules to board the transport for Europe.
+
+The boys hurdled over piles of food and ammunition, wended their way
+through scores of stacks of ordnance, and finally over a gang-plank to
+the vessel. There they saluted and reported to the officer of the day,
+who directed them to go at once to the wireless room.
+
+As they entered there Lieutenant Mackinson was busily engaged in "tuning
+up" his instruments. He stopped when he saw them and reached into an
+inner pocket, from which he produced three large oblong envelopes. One
+was addressed to each lad, and as they accepted them they saw that each
+was closed to prying eyes by the official seal of Uncle Sam.
+
+Swept by various emotions, the boys stood there gazing first at the
+envelopes and then at Lieutenant Mackinson.
+
+"Well," said the lieutenant at last, with an amused smile, "do you want
+me to retire while you read your communications?"
+
+"Oh, no, not at all, sir," Joe hastened to say, and as if to prove the
+statement all three envelopes were ripped open and the single sheet of
+paper in each drawn forth.
+
+Especially addressed to each lad, the letters were identical and read:
+
+     "I hereby convey to you my heartiest congratulations upon the
+     efficient and heroic manner in which you and your two friends
+     discovered and frustrated a plot to conceal enemy ammunition in the
+     vicinity of this naval base. You all displayed true American
+     courage; and I wish you every success for the future."
+
+The letters were signed by the commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
+
+"Look at that," said Slim, pushing his letter at Lieutenant Mackinson,
+utterly forgetful of the fact that the other man was his superior
+officer. "Ain't--isn't that fine, though? For the commandant to mention
+it that way, I mean."
+
+"Yes," admitted Lieutenant Mackinson, "but he wouldn't have mentioned
+it that way if you hadn't deserved it."
+
+"I'm not going to lose that letter," announced Jerry.
+
+"Nor I," added Joe, "although we only did what any other fellows would
+have done under the same circumstances."
+
+"Well," said Lieutenant Mackinson, "it showed that you were to be
+depended upon in an emergency, and emergencies are likely to crop up at
+any time in our work, so let's get down to business."
+
+He immediately began explaining the apparatus of the wireless room--how
+messages were sent and received; the power of the batteries and their
+auxiliaries; the switch-board regulating voltage; the automatic
+recording apparatus--in fact, every detail connected with the intricate
+mechanism of an up-to-date wireless.
+
+"There was a time," explained Lieutenant Mackinson, "when the sending of
+a message almost deafened the sender. It was like being in the midst of
+a machine-gun assault. But recent improvements have eliminated that. You
+may see for yourselves."
+
+And the lieutenant tapped off the _Everett's_ own signal call with
+little more sound than is made by the sending of a message with the
+ordinary telegraph instrument.
+
+"We have a sending and receiving radius of from five hundred to eight
+hundred miles," Lieutenant Mackinson continued. "Of course, it doesn't
+compare with the great wireless station at Radio, Virginia, one of the
+largest in the world, where one tower is six hundred feet high and the
+other four hundred and fifty feet in height, and each charged with two
+hundred thousand volts, giving a radius of three thousand miles; but it
+is sufficiently powerful for practically every purpose required at sea."
+
+"Wasn't Marconi a wonderful man?" said Jerry in true admiration.
+
+"Yes, he was; no doubt of that, and he still may contribute much to the
+science, for he is not old yet," the young lieutenant answered. "But
+still, full credit must be given where credit is due, and in that
+respect it must be acknowledged that Marconi only assembled and
+perfected to practicable purposes the discoveries and inventions made
+before his time.
+
+"Radio-telegraphy might be briefly traced in the names of Faraday,
+Maxwell, Hertz--the discoverer of the Hertzian rays--Righi, Lodge and
+Marconi. All of them contributed something to the evolvement of the
+present highly efficient and dependable wireless. Marconi should, and
+does, receive great credit; but the others, the pioneers, the real
+discoverers, should not be forgotten or overlooked."
+
+The lieutenant's words threw a new light on the history of the wireless
+for the boys from Brighton, and they were anxious that the officer
+should tell them more; but at that moment Lieutenant Mackinson caught
+the faint recording of a distant wireless call for another station, far
+down the Atlantic coast.
+
+"Here," he said hastily, turning to Joe, who was nearest him, "see if
+you can catch this message."
+
+He slipped the receiving apparatus over Joe's head, and tightened up the
+ear-pieces, then pushed toward him a pad and pencil.
+
+Into Joe's ears came the faint but distinct sounds of a distant call:
+
+-. ...  -. ...  -. ...
+
+"N S," Joe jotted down on the sheet before him.
+
+"A ship at sea calling Newport News," Lieutenant Mackinson informed the
+other two, who waited impatiently for Joe to begin recording the
+message.
+
+Newport News acknowledged the call, and then the vessel's wireless
+continued:
+
+.--- .- ... .--. . .-.
+
+And Joe, transcribing, wrote: "JASPER." Following this came:
+
+-.. . - .- .. .-..
+
+The other boys looked on in chagrin, while Lieutenant Mackinson's
+countenance took on an amused smile, as Joe wrote down the word
+"DETAIL," and then nothing else but the initials "N. N.," which ended
+the message.
+
+"Don't make sense," announced Slim in a discouraged voice. "You must
+have missed part of it."
+
+"No, I didn't," Joe replied, looking anxiously toward the lieutenant.
+
+"I guess he got it all," the young officer assured them, at the same
+time unlocking a little closet and taking a leather-bound book from an
+upper shelf. "Let's see."
+
+He turned to the J's and ran his finger down the page until he came to
+the word "JASPER."
+
+"That means 'We have coaled,'" he said, writing the words out on the
+pad.
+
+"Oh, it's in code," said Slim apologetically; "I didn't know that."
+
+"DETAIL," the lieutenant announced, finding that word. "'Understand and
+am following sealed orders'. That's the _North Dakota_. She has coaled
+at sea and is now starting upon some mission known only to her commander
+and the naval authorities."
+
+Almost as he finished speaking the _Everett_ gave a lurch, her whistle
+was tooted two or three times, the engines started turning, and the big
+boat began to vibrate under the pressure.
+
+There was a shout from the thousand or more who had crowded to the
+river's edge, responded to by the fifteen hundred khaki-clad young men
+who were lined up at every point of vantage along the vessel's side.
+
+"And we're off, too," shouted Lieutenant Mackinson.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the three boys from Brighton in the same breath, as they
+double-quicked it behind the lieutenant to the upper deck.
+
+The scene was one to inspire the most miserable slacker. Somewhere in
+the upper part of the yard a band was playing Sousa's "Stars and Stripes
+Forever." From the windows of the ordnance and other buildings at the
+lower end of the yard workmen hung forth, waving hats and handkerchiefs,
+and joining in the shouted well-wishes of those along the shore. The
+crews of every fighting craft in that part of the river sang out
+friendly advice to those aboard the transport, and two miles down the
+channel could be discerned the smoke from the stacks of the armed
+convoys that were to give the _Everett_ safe passage to her destination.
+
+Among those at the water's edge the boys could discern the big form of
+Sergeant Martin, and even as distance welded them in an
+indistinguishable mass, they could still see him, towering above the
+others, his hat describing wide circles through the air.
+
+"So long, fellows; we'll meet you over there," shouted the men of the
+last vessel they passed.
+
+As though by prearrangement the fifteen hundred men on the _Everett_
+began singing, "I'm Going Over," sang it to the end of the first verse,
+then stopped, and from a point well down the river could hear those they
+had passed taking up the second stanza.
+
+Hours later, out upon the ocean, the dim lights ashore fading one by
+one, the fighters for Uncle Sam gave one last, long, lingering look at
+their native land. And Jerry, voicing the spirit of all, cried out:
+
+"Farewell, United States."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE FIGHT IN THE WIRELESS ROOM
+
+
+"Oh my; oh, my!" wailed Slim weakly, his head hanging over the side of
+his bunk. "I never felt worse in all my life. I never felt half so
+sick."
+
+"Never mind," urged Joe, soothingly, "you'll soon be feeling better
+now."
+
+"Yes, _he_ will," moaned Jerry, miserably, from the opposite bunk; "_he_
+will, but I won't."
+
+The wind howled, the big ship gave a forward and downward lurch, and
+Jerry would have slid from his bunk but for the quick action of Joe.
+
+"I think I'm going to die. I wish I would," gasped the red-headed boy
+when he was again laid out at full length. "I had the measles and the
+mumps at the same time once, but I never felt like this. Why don't they
+steer this old boat through the waves, instead of trying to jump her
+over them?"
+
+"There's a heavy sea running," explained Joe; "that's what makes the
+_Everett_ ride so roughly."
+
+"Wish I was back at Brighton," Slim groaned dismally.
+
+Two hardy youths strolling along the deck, who hadn't been touched by
+the epidemic of seasickness, stopped to peer in at the porthole. They
+had mischief in their eyes, and as they caught sight of Slim's
+humorously pathetic countenance, one of them muttered in a low but
+distinct voice: "How'd you like to have some fried sausage, and some
+plum pudding, and some----"
+
+"Shut up!" bawled out Jerry with what strength he had left.
+
+With a loud laugh the two withdrew their heads and disappeared.
+
+At that moment the ship's physician, accompanied by Lieutenant
+Mackinson, arrived to give what further comfort he could to the seasick
+lads.
+
+"It is clearing," the lieutenant told them, while the doctor measured
+out a powder for each boy. "The wind has died down and the sea is
+becoming calm."
+
+"Oh, yes," the physician added, "in an hour or so you will be feeling
+better than you did before. Seasickness has a tonic effect, but it's
+rather a bitter dose."
+
+"Sure is," said Slim weakly.
+
+Nevertheless, it was just about an hour later that Jerry, feeling his
+nausea leave him almost as suddenly as it had appeared, raised himself
+on one elbow and looked across at his companion in misery.
+
+"How do you feel, Slim?" he inquired.
+
+"Almost human again," the stout lad replied.
+
+"Going to get up?"
+
+"Guess I can in a few minutes."
+
+"I'm going to try it now," said Jerry. "Seems as if the pilot of this
+ferry had learned to steer her a whole lot better than he did earlier in
+the day."
+
+"Yep," agreed Slim, sliding from his bunk. "Certainly was tough, wasn't
+it?"
+
+"I feel sort of weak in the legs yet," said Jerry, by way of answer.
+"Let's go up on deck and get some fresh air."
+
+"Stomach feels as empty as a vacant house; how's yours?" Slim inquired.
+
+"Nothing in it but the lining, and I guess most of that's pried loose.
+We've got to wait more than two hours for mess, too."
+
+"How about some fried sausage, and some plum pudding, and some----"
+
+Jerry laughed for the first time that day. "That fellow certainly did
+make me mad," he admitted.
+
+"Yeh, he made you mad," said Slim in a remorseful tone, "but he made me
+sick."
+
+On deck a hundred or more vigorous young men were exercising their
+muscles in various forms of athletic sport. Here a group crowded around
+a contest in broad jumping, eagerly echoing the distances made, and
+there the men of another throng loudly applauded their favorites in a
+stiff boxing bout, while on another part of the deck a pair of
+one-hundred-and-eighty-pound huskies were struggling in a friendly
+wrestling match.
+
+A bright sun shone upon a sparkling sea, and the air was just crisp
+enough to be invigorating. At that moment Joe came up to inquire how his
+two chums felt.
+
+"Fine," declared Jerry.
+
+"Like a two-year-old," added Slim. "That doctor was telling the truth. I
+believe I never felt better in my life," and he began flapping his arms
+up and down like a rooster flails the air with its wings.
+
+"A fat man's race three times around the ship!" a youth yelled, spying
+Slim's activities.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the crowd. "Get them started."
+
+The jumpers, the wrestlers, and the boxers immediately suspended their
+respective contests to enjoy the innovation.
+
+Slim was trying to back away, protesting that he "couldn't run for a
+cent," when a familiar, smiling countenance intruded itself in the
+circle of good-natured faces with the suggestion: "Well, how about a
+plum pudding, then?"
+
+Slim and Jerry at once recognized him as the youth who had similarly
+suggested a plum pudding, also sausage, at a most inopportune time.
+
+"Have you got one?" Slim demanded, his spirit aroused.
+
+"Sure have," announced the other, "and I'll make it the stake."
+
+Another shout went up as a second group pushed before Slim another youth
+who, so far as size, shape and avoirdupois was concerned, might have
+been his twin brother. They looked at each other and both burst into a
+hearty laugh.
+
+"Hello, Skinny," said the stranger.
+
+"Howdy, Delicate?" Slim came back at him, quick as a flash. "Want to
+race?"
+
+"Don't particularly want to race," responded the other lad, "but I'm
+awfully fond of plum pudding."
+
+"And sausage?"
+
+"Is there going to be a sausage in it, too?" asked the stranger,
+evidencing increasing interest.
+
+"Only yourself," Slim announced, laughing and jumping back quickly to
+avoid any belligerency his joke might inspire in the other.
+
+But he took the joke as good-naturedly as he did the howls of delight
+from the crowd, and the two peeled off their coats and discarded their
+hats as a couple of youths marked off the starting and finishing line,
+while others "cleared the deck for action."
+
+"This will be the tape," said a tall lean fellow, as he tied one end of
+a string to the rail, at a point just above the starting line. "After
+you have passed here the second time we'll stretch this out, and the
+first one to touch it will be the winner."
+
+"Right," said the fat boys together, leaning over in true sprinter
+fashion so far as their stomachs would permit them to stoop.
+
+One of the one-hundred-and-eighty-pound wrestlers winked to his comrades
+and hurried down into the lower part of the ship on some mysterious
+errand.
+
+"One, two, three--Go!" shouted the self-constituted referee.
+
+And Slim and Delicate went! True, neither of them got what sportsmen
+would call "a flying start," but they got away, nevertheless, and with
+all the grace and speed of--two loaded hay wagons.
+
+"Whoopee!" yelled one in the crowd. "Look at 'em go! You can't see 'em
+for dust!"
+
+"Two dollars on the knock-kneed guy," shouted another.
+
+Slim turned his head for the fraction of a second to learn whether this
+insult had been directed at him, and his opponent gained a lead of a
+foot.
+
+"Go it, you deerhounds," shrilled an Irish tenor in the crowd. "Work
+your feet, not your arms."
+
+"The elephant leads; come on, you whale!" shouted another.
+
+By this time the runners had made the curve at the bow of the boat and
+were coming up the starboard side, toward the stern.
+
+On the nearest armed convoy an officer was taking in the contest through
+a pair of marine glasses, and apparently enjoying it immensely.
+
+"Hooray! Hooray!" yelled the crowd of onlookers as Slim spurted and the
+pair rounded the stern and came down to the tape at the end of their
+first lap, neck and neck. Both were puffing like porpoises.
+
+"Hey, Sausage, you've got a flat tire," cried a youth as they passed.
+
+And from another: "Your engine's knocking, Skinny. Reduce your spark."
+
+So the good-natured raillery continued while the two fat boys drove
+doggedly on, now at considerably reduced speed, but still side by side,
+each determined to capture that plum pudding.
+
+They had passed the tape a second time, snorting louder and in shorter
+gasps than before, and with the biting repartee still assailing their
+ears, when the man who had disappeared into the hold of the ship came
+into sight again, carrying a large can.
+
+"Quick!" he warned those about him. "Right here--before they see."
+
+And he proceeded to divulge the contents of the can as a heavy grease,
+almost the color of the deck, which he began to smear heavily thereon
+over the entire surface that the runners would have to cover, from a
+distance fifteen feet away from the tape.
+
+"They're on their way," whispered a voice, and the crowd parted to give
+the two the proper space in which to finish the race. There was an air
+of great expectancy among the onlookers.
+
+The lads were still struggling along neck and neck, but Slim's leg work
+was so timed as to make him the first to strike the grease. He slid,
+tried to regain his balance, skidded into his competitor, who also was
+floundering for a foothold, and then, progressing to a spot where the
+grease was thicker, both feet went out from under him and he went down,
+kicking Delicate's foundations from under him, also.
+
+The crowd yelled with laughter, and the breath went out of poor Slim
+with a terrible snort, as Delicate came down squarely upon Slim's
+stomach. And thus, the most ludicrous sight imaginable, they went
+sliding under the tape.
+
+"All bets are off," shouted the other man who had been boxing; "they
+broke before the finish."
+
+Side by side, too breathless to articulate, the two fat youths lay there
+gasping for breath, while those gathered about them made mock gestures
+of "first aid to the injured." Nobody had been hurt, however, and the
+victims of the prank took it in the way it had been intended.
+
+Delicate, whose real name was Remington Bowman, proved to be as good a
+sportsman as Slim, and they went down the deck arm in arm when the mess
+call was sounded. And it was evidence of the good fellowship of the
+owner of the plum pudding that he did share it with both of them
+directly after the meal was over.
+
+"You fellows earned it," he said. And they agreed that they had.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+That evening it was Joe's turn to do watch in the wireless room with
+Lieutenant Mackinson until eleven o'clock, at about which time the young
+officer retired to his bunk just off the operating room, and Slim came
+on, to work until three a. m., when he was relieved by Jerry, who stayed
+until seven o'clock, at which time the lieutenant again assumed charge
+until relieved by Joe.
+
+It was a standing order, however--at least until the younger men became
+more experienced with the wireless--that Lieutenant Mackinson
+immediately should be apprised of the sending or receiving of any
+messages.
+
+This first evening out the lieutenant complained of a headache, and,
+acquiescing in Joe's urging, had gone upon deck to get the air. Perhaps
+fifteen minutes had elapsed when Joe thought he heard someone prowling
+about stealthily in the battery room.
+
+His first thought was that the lieutenant had returned to make certain
+that everything was all right, but a moment's consideration convinced
+him otherwise.
+
+Whoever was in the adjoining room was making every effort to keep his
+presence there from becoming known!
+
+It gave Joe a queer sort of feeling. What should he do? To seek the
+lieutenant and bring him back might require several minutes. Meanwhile
+the intruder might accomplish his object--whatever it was--and
+disappear.
+
+He decided to act upon his own initiative. Tiptoeing across the room, he
+turned off the electric switch, which threw the wireless room into utter
+darkness except for the meagre moonlight filtering through an open
+porthole.
+
+Then, just as silently, he re-crossed the room to the door leading to
+the battery room; slowly and without a sound he turned the knob and
+opened the door to a sufficient width to permit him to peer in. That
+room also was in darkness, with only one porthole open.
+
+Cautiously the intruder seemed to be feeling about for something
+connected with the batteries.
+
+Listening intently for a moment, to get the exact location of the other
+man, Joe flung open the door and made a flying leap in the other's
+direction. The man was leaning over, and Joe landed squarely upon his
+back.
+
+With a muffled exclamation of surprise the man jerked himself forward
+and Joe went hurtling over his head, his arms, however, still clasped
+tightly about the other man's neck.
+
+Joe knew in an instant that he was in combat with a man larger and more
+powerful than himself, but his own youth and suppleness were in his
+favor.
+
+Throwing all his strength into the movement, he twisted about and at the
+same time jumped, so that he managed to wrap his legs about the other
+man's waist. With another lithe movement he was again upon his back and
+reaching for his antagonist's throat, at the same time squeezing with
+all the strength of his powerful young limbs upon the other's ribs.
+
+Back and forth across the narrow confines of the little room they
+staggered, now one having a temporary advantage, and again the other.
+Just as Joe was managing to fasten his fingers in at the throat, and the
+other was hammering terrible elbow blows into his stomach, the bigger
+man stumbled. As he fell he turned, and his full weight came down upon
+the lad, almost crushing him.
+
+Joe was not done for yet, however. With the strength of desperation he
+held on to the other fellow's shirt. He felt something hard and metallic
+under it, and in a new grasp included that in his fist.
+
+Again the struggle began. Unable to break Joe's grip, the intruder tried
+to sink his teeth into the lad's wrist. Failing in this, he gave an
+evidence of his strength by rising, dragging Joe upward with him.
+
+There was an instant of terrible whirling about the room, and then the
+man landed a smashing blow on Joe's jaw. Still gripping the man's shirt,
+and the unknown metallic thing beneath it, the lad reeled. The shirt
+ripped, there was another sharp snap, and the boy fell backward, dazed.
+
+He heard the man run swiftly, almost noiselessly toward the stern of the
+ship; brilliant and many-colored lights flashed before his eyes--and he
+knew no more.
+
+[Illustration: There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling about the Room.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE MYSTERY OF THE IRON CROSS
+
+
+When Joe came back to consciousness it was with his head pounding
+terribly, and Lieutenant Mackinson bending over him, swathing his face
+with a cool wet cloth, while Jerry and Slim, whom the lieutenant had
+wakened, were standing nearby, one holding a basin of water, the other a
+bottle containing a liniment or lotion.
+
+"You've been done up pretty badly," said Lieutenant Mackinson, as Joe
+went through the painful motion of moving his head from left to right,
+letting his gaze take in the now lighted wireless room.
+
+"Yes," he answered with an effort. "Nothing serious, though, I guess."
+And then, full recollection coming to him, "Did he get away?"
+
+"Who?" asked the lieutenant quickly. "Who was it beat you up so?"
+
+"I don't know," Joe answered. "I discovered him in the battery room. We
+fought in the dark."
+
+With the aid of the others he raised himself to a sitting posture, then
+stood up and walked rather unsteadily across the room, took a long quaff
+of cold water and dropped heavily into Lieutenant Mackinson's Morris
+chair.
+
+At the same time he gazed for the first time at what he had been holding
+tightly clutched in his right hand ever since the knockout blow had been
+delivered. The other three also were staring at it in open amazement.
+
+"What is it?" asked Joe, as the lieutenant crossed the room and took the
+thing from him for a closer examination.
+
+"What is it?" Lieutenant Mackinson repeated. "Why, lad, this is the
+German iron cross! Tell us what happened here."
+
+With the young officer seated before him, and his two pals standing at
+either side of his chair, Joe, quietly, quickly and as carefully as he
+could, gave them every detail of the occurrence, from the moment he had
+first heard sounds in the battery room, to the time that the other man
+ran away and he lapsed into unconsciousness.
+
+While Joe was relating his story the lieutenant examined and re-examined
+the iron cross, the bit of broken chain still attached to it, and the
+piece of brown woolen army shirt which the lad had torn away with it.
+As the latter finished, the young officer hurried into the battery room,
+accompanied by Slim, to make a survey there.
+
+In ten minutes he returned, his face pale, his jaws clenched.
+
+"There must not be a word of this to anyone," he warned them. "I am
+going to report to the captain at once. Someone has been tampering with
+the batteries, and he had with him a portable wireless which he
+evidently intended to attach."
+
+"You're the original little discoverer, all right," said Slim in open
+admiration, addressing Joe as the lieutenant hurried from the room. "And
+you certainly were game, to take the beating you did."
+
+"Yes, he punished me some," Joe admitted. "But I got in a little work on
+him, too. The only trouble is that I'm afraid I didn't blacken an eye,
+or break a jaw, or otherwise do any damage that might be apparent and so
+lead to the fellow's discovery."
+
+"The nerve of it, though!" broke in Jerry.
+
+"A German spy, doubtless masquerading as an American soldier, and right
+here on a United States transport loaded with fifteen hundred soldiers
+and tons of guns and ammunition."
+
+"Yes," said Joe contemplatively, "that's the very serious part of it
+all--the fifteen hundred soldiers and tons of guns and ammunition."
+
+"Sh-h-h-h!"
+
+Slim, who was standing nearest the door, had heard footsteps. A moment
+later the lieutenant reappeared, accompanied by the captain of the
+_Everett_.
+
+When the boys had been presented, the captain abruptly requested Joe to
+repeat every detail he had told Lieutenant Mackinson. As he did so the
+captain gazed compassionately upon his injuries.
+
+"And where is the instrument that you discovered?" he asked of the
+lieutenant when Joe had concluded.
+
+The young officer stepped into the battery room, returning with a small,
+but evidently powerful, portable wireless transmitter and receiver.
+
+"H'm," exclaimed the captain, examining it carefully. "Of German make."
+
+"Exactly, sir," replied Lieutenant Mackinson, "and evidently quite
+new--probably never used more than once or twice before."
+
+"This is very serious business," said the captain impressively. And
+then, addressing Joe: "Did you get a look at the other man? Would you
+know him if you ever saw him again?"
+
+"No, sir, I did not even get a glimpse of him. But I thought, sir, that
+perhaps----"
+
+"Yes," encouraged the captain in a kindly tone. "Go on with your
+suggestion."
+
+"I thought, sir," Joe continued, "that if we could find a man aboard
+with his shirt torn in such a way that this piece would fit, and
+especially if he had the other end of this chain in his possession, then
+it might be pretty definitely assumed that he was the man who was in the
+battery room."
+
+"The chain--perhaps," said the captain slowly, "although that seems
+doubtful. As to the shirt, no."
+
+And, unbuttoning his jacket, he produced from beneath it a torn and
+crumpled brown woolen shirt.
+
+"We found this about twenty feet from here as we were on our way," he
+continued. "It resembles, but it is not, a regulation army shirt. It is
+of the same texture and color, but it differs in minor details easily
+discernible. It is my opinion that the man who wore this shirt bought it
+and wore it for this very purpose, so that, if necessary, he might
+discard it and still have the one which came to him through the
+Quartermaster's Department. We evidently have to deal with a very crafty
+enemy, and one as bold as he is unscrupulous.
+
+"Lieutenant, what do you make of his manipulations in the battery room?"
+
+"There is no doubt in my mind, sir," Lieutenant Mackinson answered,
+"that he was about to connect up this instrument and then hide it for
+future use where it could not easily be seen."
+
+"I believe you are right," said the captain. "And then what use did he
+intend to make of it?"
+
+"Evidently his intention was not a loyal or friendly one," the junior
+officer continued. "It would seem to me that his probable purpose was to
+divulge to German submarines our whereabouts when we came within their
+zone."
+
+Apparently the commander of the ship agreed with him, for he made no
+immediate answer. For several moments he remained in meditative silence,
+his brow wrinkled, as though he was turning the whole thing over and
+over in his mind.
+
+"From the very fact that he wore such a garment," the captain said at
+last, "it would seem that this man is among the regularly enlisted men
+on this ship. However, that is by no means certain. There is this
+certainty, however: If he would go to such desperate lengths once, there
+is every possibility that he will do so again--only more cautiously than
+before, for now he knows that his presence on board is known.
+
+"The most rigid investigation must be started at once, and for that,
+Lieutenant, I will require your assistance. Leave these young men in
+charge of the wireless room, unless something unusual or in the nature
+of an emergency occurs.
+
+"As for you gentlemen," he continued, turning toward the three boys from
+Brighton, "you are commanded not to mention a single word about this
+whole occurrence to another soul. If any one should question you, with a
+seeming knowledge of what happened here to-night, report the matter to
+me at once."
+
+"Yes, sir," the three boys responded, saluting, and the captain
+departed, motioning Lieutenant Mackinson to accompany him.
+
+By this time Joe was stiff and sore in every joint. Jerry and Slim
+insisted that he retire immediately, and helped him off with his
+clothing.
+
+Nor was there any objection from Jerry, whose turn in the wireless room
+was to begin then and last until one o'clock in the morning, when Slim
+suggested that he would stay on with him, "just to talk things over."
+
+"All right," said Jerry, "and then I'll stay on during your shift, until
+Joe relieves us in the morning. We can get a good sleep to-morrow,
+anyway."
+
+And so the long night began. The dull song of the engines, far, far
+below, became like the monotonous droning of giant bees, and the wash of
+the salt water against the side of the ship was a constantly recurring
+swash-h-h--swish--swash-h-h--swish as the vessel plowed on and on
+through the darkness, toward the submarine zone and Europe and the
+battlefields and the trenches and the men--millions of them--of the
+Allied armies.
+
+It was near midnight, and the boys had fallen silent, Jerry with the
+wireless headpiece over his ears, Slim standing near the porthole,
+gazing out at the lone swaying light that indicated the position and the
+progress of the cruiser convoy on the port side.
+
+Suddenly Slim whirled around, his face pale, his muscles tense, and with
+a motion to Jerry signaled silence. As the latter removed the gear from
+his head, Slim tiptoed across the room to him. Placing his lips close to
+Jerry's ears he said: "I thought I heard someone in the battery room.
+Listen!"
+
+There was no doubt of it this time. Both boys heard the sound. It was of
+someone softly feeling about, as though in doubt as to his exact
+position.
+
+"Quick!" hissed Slim into Jerry's ear. "You get the captain and
+lieutenant; I'll wait here."
+
+And as Jerry disappeared through the room in which Joe was sleeping, so
+as not to give suspicion to the man in the battery room, Slim slid into
+Jerry's chair and centered every faculty upon listening to the almost
+inaudible movements in the next chamber.
+
+He could tell instinctively that the man was feeling about the walls
+with his hands. And not unnaturally, recalling Joe's experience only a
+few hours before, it gave Slim a creepy sort of feeling.
+
+Then all sound ceased. Try as hard as he would, he could not hear a
+thing. He rose from the chair and went closer to the intervening door.
+All was silent!
+
+A few seconds later the captain and lieutenant, accompanied by Jerry,
+came hurrying into the room. Without an instant's delay the captain
+turned the knob and they entered the battery room, switching on the
+light at the same time.
+
+Apparently not a thing had been touched, but the outer door was ajar.
+The lieutenant jumped to it and peered out, but no one was to be seen.
+He closed and locked the door and began an inspection of the batteries.
+
+"Everything seems to be all right," he said finally; and then, his eyes
+traveling to the table, he stopped short.
+
+"The wireless instrument," he gasped. "It's gone!"
+
+"Where was it left?" the captain demanded sharply.
+
+"On that table there," Lieutenant Mackinson answered. "I placed it there
+myself, as you probably will remember, just before we went out
+together."
+
+"I remember," the captain admitted.
+
+"That spy has been back," the junior officer continued. "Back in this
+very room after his instrument, and he intends to use it yet if he
+can!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE TIMELY RESCUE
+
+
+It was no pleasant thought to contemplate the presence of a bold, even
+desperate, agent of an enemy government, on board an American transport
+carrying approximately two thousand souls.
+
+That he was capable of going any lengths, if necessary, already had been
+proved; and the evidence of his evil genius might come in horrible form
+at any instant.
+
+Nevertheless, neither the excitement nor the potential danger of the
+situation was sufficient to prevent Jerry and Slim from taking a full
+eight hours of much-needed sleep, while Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe and
+three other officers whom the captain had taken into his confidence in
+the matter, followed out every possible clue in pursuit of a solution of
+the baffling mystery.
+
+The record of every enlisted man and officer on the vessel had been most
+carefully probed, without building up enough suspicion to warrant the
+singling out of any individual as the probable offender.
+
+Likewise an investigation of the members of the crew had failed to
+develop anything tangible, even directly suspicious. It was a case of
+watch everybody, take every precaution, and be prepared for anything.
+Only nine men on the vessel, however, including the spy himself, knew
+anything about it, and the rest were in utter ignorance of the treachery
+that might be directed against them at any time.
+
+Refreshed by their sleep, Jerry and Slim arose about four o'clock that
+afternoon. Joe, who had rested easily throughout the later excitement of
+the preceding night, was still in the midst of the investigation and was
+not then to be found. Jerry had some letters to write, so Slim went to
+the upper deck alone.
+
+Seeing no one that he knew, and his mind weighted anyway with the
+menacing mystery of the strange happenings of the night before, he sat
+down on a coil of rope, just in the lee of the forward smokestack, to
+think the whole matter over for the twentieth time.
+
+He was thus absorbed when something, at first vague and indefinite, then
+clearer and clearer until it was unmistakable, began to impress itself
+upon his mind. Like the awakening call that comes to a man in a sound
+sleep--seemingly as a far-off whisper that gradually gathers volume and
+strength until finally the sleeper awakes with a start to find someone
+standing directly over him, loudly and insistently calling his name--so
+Slim came to a realization of the strange series of sounds that were
+being repeated within a few feet of him.
+
+Could it possibly be only the crackling of the steam-pipe that ran along
+the smokestack to the whistle--a crackling merely from the pressure
+within? For a moment Slim thought an over-wrought imagination was
+playing tricks upon him. But he rose hastily and crossed the short
+intervening distance.
+
+Clearly and distinctly it came to him then. Someone in another part of
+the vessel was rapping desperately upon that pipe! And in the long and
+short dashes of the international code that someone was repeating a
+single word--"Help! Help! Help!"
+
+In another instant, using the heavy end of his jackknife as a crude
+transmitter, Slim was tapping off the reply:
+
+"Who are you--and where?"
+
+"Lieutenant Mackinson," the message began to come back. "Locked in
+closet off engine room. Can't make self heard. Can you help?"
+
+"This is Slim," the youth rapped back upon the pipe. "Caught your
+message on deck. Am coming with help at once."
+
+And he dashed down the deck toward the captain's quarters, almost
+bowling over the captain's aide as he hurtled into the sanctum of the
+ship's commander unannounced.
+
+"Well?" the captain demanded sternly. "Why all the haste?"
+
+"Lieutenant Mackinson," Slim blurted out; "he's locked in a closet down
+near the engine room."
+
+"Locked in a closet!" the captain repeated incredulously. "How do you
+know?"
+
+"He gave a telegraphic call for help on the steam-pipe which runs
+through there and connects with the whistle," the lad explained. "I was
+on deck and heard it. I talked with him over the pipe."
+
+"There is no time to lose, then. Come with me." And the captain himself
+hurriedly led the way down through the lower depths of the ship, where
+it became hotter and more oppressive with every step they took.
+
+They had taken a route by which they escaped the attention of anyone
+else on the ship.
+
+"It should be right about here somewhere," the captain announced, as
+they approached a particularly dark passage. For a few steps they felt
+their way along, and then stopped to listen.
+
+There was nothing but the dull and constant hum of the engines and the
+almost insufferable heat.
+
+"The other side," said the captain in a lowered voice, as they failed to
+find any trace of the imprisoned lieutenant where they were.
+
+They were crossing a short gallery when Slim abruptly signaled a halt.
+
+"I thought I heard something," he said. "It sounded like another call."
+
+They stood silent a moment, and then, faint and indistinct, apparently
+from somewhere several feet ahead of them, they both heard repeated that
+which had made Slim stop. As the letters were tapped off upon the pipe
+the lad repeated them for the information of the captain.
+
+"S-M-O-T-H-E-R-I-N-G."
+
+"Smothering!" echoed the commander of the ship. "Great Scott! I believe
+I know now where he is. This way," and he started down the passageway
+toward a narrow stairs leading to a still lower chamber in the vessel.
+
+Three turns--two to the right and one to the left--and the captain
+stopped again to listen. Seemingly from within the wall, right at their
+elbows, there came a feeble knock. The officer whipped out a pocket
+flashlight. They were directly in front of a heavy wooden door. It was
+locked.
+
+"Run get a cold chisel or a heavy screwdriver and hammer," the captain
+ordered, and Slim hastened away, to return two minutes later with all
+three tools.
+
+"Stand back as far as you can from the door," said the captain, placing
+his lips close to the keyhole. But there was no response from within.
+
+Realizing now that Lieutenant Mackinson must have lost consciousness,
+and that moments might mean life or death to him, the captain worked
+with feverish haste. He drove the heavy chisel into the crack between
+the door and the jam, and then, standing off to get a wider swing with
+the hammer, struck it sidewise.
+
+A panel of the door cracked and loosened. Two more attempts and the
+panel fell in strips to the floor. Thus given something for a grip-hold,
+the captain, who was a massive man, took hold with both hands, put his
+right foot against the wall, and, with one tremendous tug, into which
+he threw the whole weight of his body, brought the entire door from its
+hinges.
+
+The captain went staggering backward from the force of his effort and
+the weight of the door.
+
+The unconscious form of Lieutenant Mackinson tumbled out upon the floor.
+His face was almost blue from suffocation.
+
+The captain sounded three short, sharp blasts upon a whistle which he
+had taken from his pocket, and two oilers came running to the spot.
+
+"Help us carry this man to fresh air immediately," he ordered. "He has
+been overcome."
+
+With one of the oilers carrying the lieutenant by the feet, and the
+other man and Slim at either shoulder, the unconscious young officer was
+carried up flight after flight of steps until, the captain leading the
+way, they arrived at the promenade deck.
+
+A seaman was dispatched for the ship's surgeon, who arrived a few
+minutes later to find the first-aid efforts of the four men just
+bringing Lieutenant Mackinson back to consciousness.
+
+As the physician forced some aromatic spirits of ammonia between his
+lips the lieutenant opened his eyes and gazed about vaguely.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked weakly; but before anyone could answer he
+had relapsed again, and there was another wait of several minutes.
+
+But this time the lieutenant's mind was clearing.
+
+"Somebody shoved me--in that closet," he gasped, "and then--slammed
+and--locked--the door."
+
+He recognized the captain and the doctor. As his eyes closed again he
+added, in an almost inaudible whisper: "I was getting too close on
+somebody's trail."
+
+The captain looked at the ship's doctor significantly and dismissed the
+two oilers with instructions to return to their duties.
+
+"Found him locked in a small compartment down near the auxiliary engine
+room," the commander said briefly. "Hotter than blazes, and no air
+whatever where he was. He made his whereabouts known by tapping a
+message on a steam-pipe."
+
+"H'm," said the doctor, whose youthful appearance might not give a
+stranger a proper measure of his long and varied experience. "Nearly
+suffocated, too. He couldn't have lasted there much longer. His heart
+action is pretty weak even yet. Better have him removed to his bed, and
+kept there for the rest of the day, at least."
+
+At that moment Jerry came hurrying down the deck. He was visibly
+excited, but, unlike Slim, he did not forget that not only must a
+soldier never permit his feelings to run away with him, but that he must
+be equally mindful of respect for superiors.
+
+And so, even as two men carried Lieutenant Mackinson away, he remained
+standing at salute, waiting for the captain to recognize him with a
+return of the salute.
+
+"And now what?" asked the captain.
+
+Jerry stepped forward, with difficulty repressing his excitement.
+
+"I stepped out of the wireless room for only a few moments," he said.
+"When I returned I found this lying upon the table."
+
+He opened his left hand. In it lay a piece of light chain, both ends
+broken.
+
+"Beside it," he continued, "was this note."
+
+From his pocket he extracted a piece of paper, the edges of which were
+roughly torn. He handed it to the captain, who read aloud:
+
+     "Let this be a warning that no further interference will be of
+     avail."
+
+The captain looked from the note to the chain. There was no further word
+on the paper, and no signature.
+
+"I believe, sir," said Jerry, "that this is the rest of the chain which
+was attached to the iron cross torn from the man caught in the battery
+room."
+
+The senior officer of the vessel took from his pocket the cross, with
+its two bits of chain still dangling from it. He placed the ends to the
+chain which Jerry had found in the wireless room.
+
+"You are right," he said simply. And there could be no doubt about it.
+
+The captain's face clearly showed the worry on his mind. The ship's
+physician, who had been told all about the affair, immediately after
+Joe's discovery of, and battle with, the mysterious stranger, appeared
+equally anxious.
+
+"A man is discovered at night in the battery room of the wireless
+department of this ship, clearly upon an unfriendly mission," said the
+captain, half to himself and half for the benefit of the others, summing
+up the evidence thus far known to them. "He gives battle to the man who
+discovers him, and finally succeeds in knocking that man out and
+escaping. But he leaves behind him a portable wireless instrument, and
+a German iron cross, with two bits of the chain attached.
+
+"A few hours later that same night he returns to the battery room and
+succeeds in recovering the portable instrument.
+
+"To-day Lieutenant Mackinson, while pursuing an investigation of the
+affair, is shoved into a closet and only escapes death from suffocation
+by making himself heard as he telegraphs for help over a steam-pipe.
+
+"It must have been while we were rescuing the lieutenant that the same
+man again enters the wireless room and leaves there this chain, which
+had been attached to the iron cross, and also this note of warning.
+
+"The impudent effrontery and the cunning treachery of this man
+constitute him a menace to every other person aboard this ship. We are
+not safe while he is free.
+
+"This German spy must and shall be found."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE DEATH OF THE SPY
+
+
+The inability of Lieutenant Mackinson to add a single word of further
+information to what he had said as he regained consciousness on the
+promenade deck increased the mystery.
+
+The young lieutenant, it seemed, had been following a trail which he
+believed was leading him closer and closer to the object of the hunt,
+and it was in forging the links of this chain of circumstantial evidence
+that the young officer was led into the lower depths of the ship.
+
+"From a sailor who did not know why I was inquiring," he told the
+captain, "I learned that on the night the unknown man invaded the
+battery room this sailor had seen another member of the crew, presumably
+from the engine or boiler room, throw aside something as he hurried
+along the passageway leading from the wireless room. He was in his
+undershirt.
+
+"The sailor said he was about to investigate when he saw us come along,
+and you stooped to pick up whatever it was that had been thrown away.
+
+"While I was talking to him another member of the crew, evidently also
+from the boiler or engine room, brushed by us. He had disappeared when
+the sailor said to me, 'I think that was the fellow--the one that just
+went by.' Not wanting to arouse his suspicions, I ended the conversation
+with a casual remark, and then strolled away until I was out of the
+sailor's sight, and then hurried as fast as I could toward the engine
+room.
+
+"I do not know that part of the ship well, and it was very dark down
+there. I was groping my way along when I thought I heard steps just
+ahead of me. I stopped to listen, and when the sound was not repeated I
+proceeded onward.
+
+"All of a sudden I was grasped by the neck and one arm from behind, and
+thrown into that closet. Before I could utter a word I was a prisoner
+behind a locked door. I called several times, and, receiving no
+response, realized that I must be some distance from anyone else and
+that the noises of the engines completely drowned out my voice.
+
+"Every moment it became more stifling in there, and I had no doubt that
+I had walked directly into a death-trap. It was then I began signaling
+on the steam-pipe. I guess it was a mighty lucky thing for me that Slim
+Goodwin strolled out on deck just at the time he did."
+
+And that was all that Lieutenant Mackinson could tell. The mysterious
+stranger remained what he had been from the first--a desperate and
+dangerous and unknown spy, lurking somewhere upon the American transport
+_Everett_ with the evident intention of making the ship's position known
+to German U-boats when the _Everett_ and her convoy of cruisers and
+destroyers entered the danger zone.
+
+Then it was, with the lieutenant temporarily disabled as a result of his
+experience, that the three boys from Brighton, who seemed somehow to
+have been selected by Fate as the despoilers of all the spy's plans, put
+their heads together to devise a scheme of capture.
+
+"We've got more than one good reason for wanting to get this fellow,"
+Slim reminded the others with considerable warmth, during the course of
+their deliberations. "First and foremost, of course, is our plain duty
+to our country, to which he is an enemy and a traitor.
+
+"But, in addition to that, there is that knockout that he handed to Joe,
+and the midnight scare he gave Jerry and me, and finally his effort to
+kill Lieutenant Mackinson by slow suffocation, not to mention the nerve
+of the fellow in coming back the way he has."
+
+"Yes," added Jerry, "we owe him a lot, and it is up to us to figure out
+how we can square the debt."
+
+"Well," said Joe, "I think I've got a plan that will work; but we've got
+to remember that we are dealing with a very shrewd man."
+
+"Well, what's your suggestion?" Slim demanded.
+
+"That we divide our forces," answered Joe solemnly, "lie in wait and try
+to ambush the foe."
+
+"Right!" cried Jerry. "Joe, you'll be a general before this war's over."
+
+"Along what lines do we disperse our forces, General?" asked Slim.
+
+"Along what lines would His Royal Stoutness suggest?" demanded Jerry.
+
+"Oh, you don't have to keep reminding me that I'm a trifle heavy," Slim
+replied in a peevish tone.
+
+"A trifle heavy! Get that, will you," echoed Jerry with a gale of
+laughter. "A trifle heavy! Oh, my!"
+
+"You'll find out if I sit on you," Slim threatened, in a belligerent
+tone.
+
+"Come now," said Joe, "this isn't making any progress toward capturing
+the spy."
+
+"No," Jerry responded, "and that's our first duty, even if it is a
+trifle heavy."
+
+"I've warned you," Slim snapped out.
+
+"Quit it now," ordered Joe. "Let's get down to serious business."
+
+"All right," agreed Jerry. "Shake, Slim, just to show there's no hard
+feelings."
+
+"Won't do it," Slim muttered.
+
+"Oh, yes, you will," counseled Joe. "Shake hands, the two of you."
+
+Slim's good nature overcame his feigned reluctance, but as Jerry grasped
+his hand he gave Jerry a jerk that nearly took him off his feet.
+
+"Now we're square," said Slim, as Jerry rubbed his nearly dislocated
+shoulder.
+
+"Well, that pull _was_ a trifle heavy," muttered Jerry, determined to
+have the last word.
+
+"Now my plan is this," said Joe, facing the other two seriously. "The
+nearer we come to the zone of the German submarines, the more this man
+will try to arrange to notify them of our presence, and to do that he
+will have to use the wireless somehow. It seems likely that he would
+make his effort at night, because then it is easier for him to escape
+detection.
+
+"Now if we let Lieutenant Mackinson sleep during the day we could so
+divide up the work as for all of us to get some sleep, and then all
+could do watch at night.
+
+"The lieutenant could be in the wireless room, and one of us in the
+battery room, while the other two did duty outside. If one of us should
+hide under that stairway at the upper end of the passage, and the other
+in that alcove at the other end, no one could reach the wireless or
+battery rooms without our seeing.
+
+"It would be tiresome and monotonous work, all right, but it might
+accomplish the result."
+
+"I'm willing," said Jerry, "but you and I will have to do the outside
+work. Slim's a trifle heavy to get into either one of those hiding
+places."
+
+"Well, I'll cover the battery room," said Slim, ignoring Jerry's
+remark.
+
+"Let's see Lieutenant Mackinson, then," suggested Joe, and they went to
+find the young officer who was convalescing from his encounter with the
+spy. When he had approved the plan they got the O. K. of the captain.
+
+And so it was, four hours later, with the lieutenant in the wireless
+room, and Slim in the battery room adjoining, and Joe and Jerry stowed
+away in the hiding places selected, their long night vigil began.
+
+Hour after hour dragged itself by without a development, the intense
+silence broken only by the sounds of the engines and the wash of the sea
+against the ship. To the three boys, unable to see or talk to each
+other, and Joe and Jerry scarcely daring to move, the minutes lagged
+like hours, and the hours like dull, black, endless nights.
+
+Dawn came, and with it new activities in all parts of the vessel, but
+without a reward for their watch, and as the two lads crawled from their
+places of concealment at either end of the passage, to join Slim and
+Lieutenant Mackinson, there were mutual feelings of disappointment, but
+none of weakened determination.
+
+"What luck?" asked the captain, coming in at that moment.
+
+"None, sir, at all," the lieutenant responded.
+
+"Very well, then, try it again to-night," the commander ordered. "But in
+the meantime all of you get some sleep. You may get better results
+to-night, for by then we will be coming to the outer fringe of the
+submarine zone. I will arrange for another man to stay in the wireless
+room during to-day, and if an emergency arises he will call you."
+
+So the four young men went to bed for some much-needed rest and sleep,
+and when they awakened it was almost time for mess--directly after which
+they were to take up their night watch again.
+
+"I hardly think we will be troubled with U-boats to-night," the captain
+told them, "for it is perfectly clear and there will be a full moon. The
+sea is calm and we readily could discern a periscope a long distance
+away."
+
+Truly it was a beautiful night. And it was in this alluring quiet of
+seemingly absolute peace that one of the tragedies of war soon was to be
+enacted.
+
+The Brighton boys and their friend and superior officer, the lieutenant,
+had been in their appointed places hardly more than an hour when Joe
+and Jerry at the same instant caught the sounds of some sort of scuffle
+on the deck above.
+
+It came nearer and clearer until finally, as it reached a point near to
+the top of the stairway under which Joe was concealed, the latter could
+discern the fog-horn voice of the first assistant engineer.
+
+"G'wan with ye, now," he commanded, breathing heavily, as though from
+some violent physical exertion. "G'wan with ye, I say, or ye'll be
+findin' it mighty unhealthy fer ye. It's meself that'll be moppin' up
+the deck with ye if ye try to get gay once more."
+
+The first assistant engineer was a mighty mountain of a man, but his
+voice broke off as the commotion started again. Certainly he must have a
+rough customer to deal with, thought Jerry, if he, with all his great
+physical strength, could not entirely quell him.
+
+"Ye will, will ye?" hissed the voice of the engineer again. "Thry to
+bite me, eh?" and there was the terrible smash of a fist, and the
+unmistakable sound of a man falling upon the deck. "Ye dirty hound, I've
+a mind to boot ye into the sea."
+
+And then there were other voices. Jerry heard the captain demanding an
+explanation, and the ship's doctor spoke.
+
+"I found him tamperin' with the wires near the dynamos," the first
+assistant engineer was saying. "I niver liked his looks annyway, if
+ye'll pardon me, sir, fer sayin' it. And whin I asked him what he was
+about, he thried to git away. I grabbed him, and he showed fight. I
+guess I give 'im all he wanted, though, that last time."
+
+"So?" said the captain, in a voice so stern it made Joe wince. "And what
+does this fellow do aboard the ship?"
+
+"He's a third-class machinist, sir," the engineer replied. "But if ye'll
+excuse a word from me, sir, I think he's a first-class crook."
+
+"Yes, and I believe he's worse than that," the captain added; and then,
+in a voice which seemed to shake the vessel: "Stand up!"
+
+There was a strained silence for a moment. Then--
+
+"Get Lieutenant Mackinson and those boys," the captain continued, and
+the ship's surgeon started down the stairway to find that Joe and Jerry
+already were summoning Slim and the lieutenant.
+
+"It looks as though we'd caught the man," the doctor whispered.
+
+As the four reached the deck where the captured man stood between the
+first assistant engineer and the captain, who had by this time taken out
+his revolver, there was a gasp of astonishment from Joe, followed by a
+louder "Holy smoke!" from Slim.
+
+"Do you recognize this man?" the captain asked in a sharp tone.
+
+"I should say I do, sir," Joe responded. "_He is the man who was
+planting ammunition in the waters near the navy yard that night before
+we sailed_!"
+
+"The very same one, sir!" Slim exclaimed, with equal positiveness.
+
+The ship's surgeon, who had followed the others upon deck, stepped
+closer for a better inspection of this enemy. At the same instant the
+prisoner, striking out with both hands, knocked the captain's revolver
+hand into the air, and thrust the engineer from him. Before anyone could
+interfere he was dashing down the deck toward the stern.
+
+Just as he took a wild, headlong leap over the rail the captain fired.
+While the captain, through a speaking tube, was instructing the man in
+the pilot house to signal below "Reverse engines," the others rushed to
+the stern of the ship.
+
+Far behind them in the foamy trail left on the moonlit water by the
+vessel they saw what seemed to be the head of a man bobbing up and
+down--and then it entirely disappeared. The ship was turned, and that
+portion of the sea searched, but without avail.
+
+"Gone," said the captain in tones of very evident relief. "Well, it was
+death for him, one way or another, and he took his choice."
+
+As the captain and surgeon moved away from the stern rail of the
+_Everett_, the three lads and the lieutenant still stood there, gazing
+far out to sea.
+
+"The man who made me nearly freeze to death in the water," spoke Joe, as
+though thinking aloud.
+
+"And pummeled my stomach until it was sore for three days," echoed Slim,
+in sad reminiscence.
+
+"And made me run a mile in nothing, flat," added Jerry.
+
+"And fought me to a knockout finish later," mused Joe.
+
+"And nearly smothered me to death," spoke the lieutenant.
+
+"And was finally corralled by an Irish engineer!" said Slim.
+
+"Gone," concluded Jerry, "and no one here will mourn his departure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE PERISCOPE AT DAWN
+
+
+That night the boys had ample evidence that they were inside the
+submarine zone, where anything might happen at any minute. Not a light
+was permitted on any of the ships, and they traveled along in the most
+peculiar fashion and over the most irregular course, never going at more
+than half speed and not more than a mile or so without a complete change
+of direction.
+
+For no apparent reason whatever the engines would slow down and entirely
+stop, and in that position they would remain for ten, fifteen, twenty
+minutes or even half an hour, and then start up again on another tack.
+
+"I believe we've become separated from our convoy," said Slim, who had
+been upon deck, and now entered the wireless room where Joe and Jerry
+were watching Lieutenant Mackinson make some readjustments of the
+wireless mechanism. "The pilot doesn't seem to know the course. Say,
+wouldn't it be great sport if we should be lost from the others? But I
+wonder why the captain does not wireless them?"
+
+"No need," Lieutenant Mackinson assured him, "for we are not lost, nor
+are we separated from them. Every vessel in this fleet is simply
+carrying out a program secretly arranged long in advance, and which was
+in the nature of a sealed order which the various captains did not open
+until this morning.
+
+"I dare say that our convoy is as near us now as at any time during the
+voyage, and that it is maintaining the same position at all times, going
+through the exact maneuvers that the _Everett_ is performing."
+
+"It is to fool the submarines?" asked Joe.
+
+"Exactly," the lieutenant replied. "Our government is taking every
+precaution, and no unnecessary risks. You see, there is no way of
+keeping absolutely secret the departure of our transports. Nor is there
+any assurance that the information does not go directly to the German
+authorities, and from them to the commanders of the submarines. Our
+actions are designed to prevent them from estimating our course or
+position.
+
+"It was their knowledge of that fact, and their determination to learn
+our whereabouts in another way, which doubtless led to that spy being
+aboard this transport. I feel----"
+
+Suddenly the lieutenant ceased speaking, and all four, as of one accord,
+sprang toward the radio instruments.
+
+"Listen!" Lieutenant Mackinson commanded, as he jammed the headpiece
+over his ears.
+
+"SOS"--the most tragic of all the calls of the sea, was coming to them
+as a frantic appeal sent out through the air to any and all who might
+hear and respond.
+
+"SOS," the lieutenant wrote down hurriedly as the message came through
+space. And then:
+
+     "American--_Memphis_--submarine pursuing--53-1/2 lat.--17 W.
+     lon.--running fifteen knots three points south of west."
+
+The entire message was repeated, and then there was silence--the dense
+and seemingly impenetrable silence that had existed before.
+
+Came the nearer and more powerful crackle of the radio.
+
+"One of our destroyers is replying," Lieutenant Mackinson announced, and
+one by one he jotted down the words:
+
+     "Continue same direction. U. S. destroyer be with you in about two
+     hours."
+
+"Understand you," the return message came back a moment later.
+"Submarine still on stern. Has fired two shots, but both missed."
+
+It was a thrilling moment for the boys from Brighton. Out there in the
+blackness of the night an American fighting craft was separating itself
+from the rest of the fleet to run full speed to the assistance of a
+helpless merchantman, and, if possible, to do battle with the enemy
+U-boat.
+
+For an hour and a half they sat there, speculating as to the possible
+outcome.
+
+"I'd give a month's pay to be aboard that destroyer," exclaimed Jerry
+enviously. "That's the sort of excitement I like. Just imagine coming up
+to that merchantman just in time to save her from destruction, and then
+having a regular battle with the submarine, and finally watching her
+sink, with a shell hole torn in her side!"
+
+"Yes," added Slim, "and imagine being aboard that merchantman, with a
+shell hole torn in her side before the destroyer arrives!"
+
+"It's pretty cold swimming on a night like this," said Joe. "I've tried
+it, and I know."
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson, still seated before the wireless instrument,
+signaled them for quiet again. Another message was coming through space.
+It was in code, but was one that was easy for the lieutenant to
+translate, for he had heard it before.
+
+     "Submarine disappeared. Returning to fleet. Convoying _Memphis_."
+
+"Go on deck, keep your eyes busy off the port bow, and you may see
+something interesting," the lieutenant told them.
+
+Following the suggestion they went above and had stood there for perhaps
+fifteen or twenty minutes when suddenly the lookout in the crow's nest
+sang out: "Destroyer approaching, two points off the port bow."
+
+Almost at the same instant there loomed out of the dense darkness a
+faint light, apparently miles away. For a moment they would see it, and
+then it would be gone, only to reappear again, another time to be
+extinguished. But obviously all the time it was coming nearer.
+
+They noted, too, that a similar process was being enacted by the cruiser
+in the lead.
+
+"What does it mean?" asked Slim.
+
+"The destroyer is just using another sort of wireless," Joe explained.
+"She is blinking her identity to the fleet, and the cruiser out there is
+signaling recognition."
+
+The next time the destroyer signaled she was almost abreast of them, but
+about two miles away to the north. Her message then could be read by all
+the boys. The words it spelled out, however, were a complete riddle:
+
+     "Love--sky--sand--curtain--run."
+
+It was not for several hours that they learned that the captain of the
+destroyer had flashed a message that he would convoy the _Memphis_
+several miles further westward, and then rejoin the others, and that the
+fleet commander, in flashing back "bundle," had given his O. K., with an
+admonition for speed.
+
+There being no further necessity for the spy watch which had been
+maintained on the previous night, the boys drew lots to determine which
+one should do duty until morning in the wireless room, and it fell to
+Joe.
+
+But the first faint gray streaks were hardly painting the eastern sky
+when Jerry and Slim, unable to sleep longer, came out upon deck to take
+for themselves a general survey of the danger zone.
+
+"What's that?" cried Slim suddenly, staring off over the stern of the
+_Everett_.
+
+"Smoke!" echoed Jerry, excitedly.
+
+"Yes, smoke from the stack of the destroyer," said Joe, who had come up
+behind them without being heard. "We just got her signal a moment ago."
+
+"How far do you suppose she is away?" asked Slim.
+
+They were speculating upon the distance between the two vessels, when
+Slim, speechless for the moment, pointed to what seemed to be little
+more than a dark speck on the water about a mile astern and to the west
+of them--for at that time their zig-zag course pointed them almost due
+north.
+
+"Submarine approaching astern!" sang out the man in the crow's nest.
+
+It was as though the startling message had been megaphoned to every man
+aboard the _Everett_. At the same time the cruiser of the fleet began
+maneuvering herself between where the periscope showed the submarine to
+be and the transport itself.
+
+Almost simultaneously the U-boat came to the surface and one of the big
+guns on the cruiser belched forth a shell that apparently fell a short
+distance the other side of the submarine. The U-boat itself let loose a
+shot, and with such accuracy that only the sudden maneuver of the
+transport at that instant saved it from being hit.
+
+By this time the decks of the _Everett_ were crowded with the khaki-clad
+soldiers of Uncle Sam whom the Germans were trying to prevent from
+getting into the trenches by sending them to the bottom of the Atlantic.
+
+The cruiser had headed straight for the U-boat, while the destroyer was
+coming up behind it with even greater speed.
+
+For some reason that never will be known the commander of the submarine
+had ignored the destroyer entirely, although it was difficult to imagine
+that he had not seen it. The general supposition later aboard the
+_Everett_ was that something had happened to his batteries and he was
+unable to submerge.
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted hundreds of men on the _Everett_ in unison as the
+torpedo-boat destroyer opened fire.
+
+And the aim of her gunners was deadly! for just as the U-boat began to
+submerge, one of the big projectiles from the destroyer hit her squarely
+amidships. There was a terrific explosion, the stern of the undersea
+craft was lifted upward, clear of the water, she stuck her nose into
+the briny deep, and without another second's delay, dove to the bottom,
+a wreck.
+
+As the tremendous pressure of the water crushed in her air tanks, great
+bubbles rose to the surface and broke, causing rippling waves to roll
+outward in increasingly large circles. Then a flood of oil came to the
+surface of the sea, and the final evidence of the tragedy was
+obliterated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FRANCE AT LAST
+
+
+From that moment the watch on each vessel in the fleet was redoubled,
+and there was constant speculation, especially among the soldiers, as to
+whether another submarine would be sighted, and, if so, under what
+circumstances.
+
+They had now abandoned the zig-zagging course and were taking a direct
+route around the north of Ireland and toward the North Channel.
+
+On the following morning two additional destroyers bore down upon them
+from opposite points off the bow almost simultaneously, and as they came
+both code-telegraphed their identity. With these extra convoys it seemed
+indeed unlikely that a submarine would get near them, or, if it did,
+would attempt to do other than make its own safe escape.
+
+Fair Head, at the northeast corner of Ireland, gave them their first
+sight of land since they had left the shores of America; and for many of
+them this first glimpse of Erin's Isle brought with it the sentimental
+thrill of seeing the country where their parents had been born and spent
+their youth--for there was many a lad of Irish ancestry aboard the
+_Everett_.
+
+Rounding Fair Head without mishap or contact with a submarine, the
+danger from that source was practically over. The convoy was reduced to
+a cruiser and destroyer, and thus they laid a southeasterly course to
+what your old-time sailor would have described as "a piping breeze."
+
+They flanked the Isle of Man off its westward coast, and thence sped
+directly across the Irish Sea and into the harbor of Liverpool.
+
+Their arrival was unannounced. It was only one of many, and a thing to
+which the people of that and other cities of England and France had
+become quite accustomed. Nevertheless they welcomed the hosts of Uncle
+Sam in the warmest manner, and in every possible way showed the deep
+sense of appreciation and feeling of increased safety with which they
+viewed the arrival of more and more thousands of American troops in
+their land, on their way to the trenches of France to help conquer the
+common enemy.
+
+But there was not much time to be spent in Liverpool. Indeed, they had
+scarcely become accustomed to feeling their feet on solid ground again
+before the order to march was given, and they left the river front to go
+to the railroad station.
+
+There they received a plain but substantial meal, were inspected and
+admired by their British cousins, and then boarded the long troop train
+that already awaited them.
+
+"Take your seats, Yankees!" shouted the bearded conductor jovially, and
+the boys piled in.
+
+The details of that ride through England the boys from Brighton never
+will forget, although it was a long and tiring trip from Liverpool all
+the way to Dover, on the channel which separates England from the
+mainland of Europe.
+
+They crossed fair fields and beautiful streams that reminded them of
+their own native land, and came within view of giant ancient forests.
+They passed through cities and towns and again came out into the open
+country.
+
+Occasionally there were stops, when the soldiers were allowed to leave
+the train "to give their legs a stretch." At such times they were
+greeted affectionately on all sides by the men and women of England.
+
+"Hi say, Slim, old top," Jerry imitated good-naturedly as they boarded
+the train again after one of these delays. "Hi say, did you 'ear that
+'andsome little Hinglisher out there say as 'ow 'ealthy you looked?"
+
+"Did 'e?" asked Slim, grinning.
+
+"'E did," answered Jerry. And then, winking to Joe. "But 'e added, old
+top, that 'e thought you looked a trifle 'eavy."
+
+Only the sudden jolt of the starting train saved Jerry from the wallop
+that Slim directed at him; and had it landed, Jerry doubtless would have
+found it "a trifle 'eavy," also.
+
+There was a general laugh from the others in the car, for all three of
+the boys from Brighton had become immensely popular with their
+companions in arms, all of whom by this time had become well accustomed
+to this sort of gentle fun between the red-headed Jerry and "the
+'ealthy, 'eavy lad" called Slim.
+
+When they had been riding for another hour they came upon one of those
+vast English concentration camps where thousands of young Britons were
+being trained and equipped for war.
+
+As the train slowly, very slowly, passed around the outer edge of this
+camp, England saluted America, and America saluted England through
+their fearless young warriors. The young Britons shouted, waved flags,
+threw their hats into the air and sang. And the Americans, hanging from
+the car windows, and crowded out upon the platforms and steps, returned
+the demonstration with something for good measure.
+
+From this point forward the journey constantly was punctuated by scenes
+and incidents significant of war. Here was an ambulance and Red Cross
+unit mobilizing for removal to the very heart of smoke and battle and
+bloodshed; there stood a row of houses whose battered roofs and
+tottering walls testified to a ruthless aerial night raid of the
+Germans.
+
+It fired the blood of the Americans as they were reminded that these
+meagre evidences of Boche barbarity were as nothing compared to the
+deliberate and vicious ruin wrought in Belgium and northern France.
+
+Dover at last--the channel port which marked the beginning of the last
+lap of their journey to France! The boys hardly could wait until the
+train came to a stop, to get a glimpse of the water, across which lay
+the scene of the bloodiest war in all history--a war in which they were
+to take an important part.
+
+"They say this channel is awfully choppy," said Slim apprehensively, as
+they left the car. "Do you think, Jerry, that we're likely to get
+seasick again?"
+
+"Don't know," responded Jerry, also somewhat dubiously, "but there's one
+consolation about it--it's only a short trip."
+
+Never had the three boys from Brighton anticipated such co-ordinated
+efficiency in the workings of a war machine. They had expected long
+delays, frequent disappointments and protracted periods of training
+before they should reach the front-line trenches.
+
+Instead, they experienced consistent progress, many pleasant surprises
+and few disappointments; and now, upon reaching Dover, they soon learned
+that if it was at all possible they would board a transport that same
+night for the French side of the channel.
+
+From the train they were marched to a great cantonment on the edge of
+the city. The procession there was like a triumphant march, with throngs
+lined along the streets to cheer them as they passed.
+
+For more than a year before, enemy propaganda in the United States had
+constantly preached that England was weary of the war. This did not look
+like it. The very atmosphere breathed the spirit of "carry on," of
+renewed determination to fight to a finish.
+
+Amid such a spirit the Brighton boys reached the cantonment and after a
+hasty roll-call sat down to what they one and all pronounced a "fine
+feed."
+
+They rested for several hours and then were again ordered to fall in.
+The march was begun to the docks, where three steamers to be used as
+transports were being loaded with provisions and ammunition.
+
+Together with other American troops which had been awaiting their
+arrival, they went aboard the transports, but it was not till long after
+midnight that they were under way.
+
+Not a light was permitted on board. Not even the officers were allowed
+to strike a match or to smoke. No unnecessary noises were permitted, and
+the whole proceeding spoke of the secrecy of war work and the danger of
+revealing their plans or their whereabouts to any prowling enemy.
+
+With the dawn, scores of the men were on deck, including Joe, Jerry and
+Slim--and they were well within sight of land. Preparations already
+were being made for their landing, and a great excitement prevailed on
+each of the ships. Their long-held hopes were coming to fruition.
+
+France at last!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+TAPPING THE ENEMY'S WIRE
+
+
+The following morning all of those who had arrived on the transports
+were established in a concentration camp, but it was merely for the
+purpose of inspection of men and equipment, and was not to be for long.
+It was that same day that the three boys from Brighton were for the
+first time assigned to a regular unit of the Signal Corps.
+
+Also, with a real thrill, they learned that they were almost immediately
+to see war service, for American troops were already in the trenches.
+
+It was a happy circumstance for the three lads that they had had such
+close association with Lieutenant Mackinson, for, without question, he
+already had gained an enviable reputation, and when he was ordered to
+emergency service, and told he might choose the five men who were to be
+under his direction, his three assistants on the trip across were the
+first ones named.
+
+The other two were Tom Rawle, a fellow proportioned like their first
+friend in the service, Sergeant Martin, and a wiry, energetic,
+quick-speaking youth named Frank Hoskins.
+
+"We have a long trip before us," Lieutenant Mackinson informed them,
+"and we leave here on a special train in two hours. In a short time we
+will be in the thick of it."
+
+It was joyous information for the five, and they set about their few
+preparations with a zest only experienced by boys knowing they have
+important work to do, and feeling capable of doing it well.
+
+"How long have you been over?" Joe asked of Tom Rawle.
+
+"Got here two weeks ago," the big fellow answered. "But I haven't had
+any real service yet. I was assigned once to Cambrai, but before I
+reached there a big drive was under way, the Germans were being pushed
+back, and the detachment to which I had been assigned was so far forward
+that my orders were changed and I was sent back here."
+
+"Did you get within sound of the big guns?" asked Slim excitedly.
+
+"I should say so," answered Tom Rawle. "And so will you within a few
+hours. Isn't that so, Hoskins?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank, "and when you do you'll get a new idea of the
+fighting qualities of the French and Americans, going shoulder to
+shoulder against the Boches."
+
+"Hoskins knows," explained Rawle, "for he got nearer than I did."
+
+"Only for a short time," Frank corrected modestly, "but they called it
+my 'baptism of fire.' I was out one night with an advance party. We were
+nearly ambushed, and had to beat a quick retreat."
+
+"Well, tell them all about it," demanded Tom Rawle, impatient at Frank's
+unwillingness to talk much about himself.
+
+"Oh, they fired on us from a distance of about a hundred yards," the
+other lad admitted, "and it was a surprise party for fair, I can tell
+you. When bullets begin singing around your head for the first time, and
+especially when they come without any warning from the enemy, or any
+expectation on your part, it does give you rather a peculiar sort of
+feeling.
+
+"They got one of the fellows in our party with a bullet in the arm, then
+we all dropped on our stomachs and wriggled our way back into our own
+lines without any further damage. But we did some rapid wriggling, you
+can bet. There wasn't any time wasted by any of us, and inasmuch as we
+were apparently outnumbered, we did not fire back, for fear of giving
+them an exact range of our whereabouts.
+
+"After that I was sent back along the rear lines on an inspection trip
+which brought me all the way to this point, where I was held for the
+formation of this unit."
+
+"Say, that must be thrilling--to be a member of an advance party like
+that," said Jerry, his enthusiasm as fiery as his hair. "I wonder if
+we'll get any work like that?"
+
+"You sure will," responded Rawle, "and plenty of it. You needn't worry
+on that score."
+
+At that moment Lieutenant Mackinson arrived to inquire if all their
+preparations had been made, and if they were ready to board the special.
+
+"All ready," they answered, and the lieutenant led the way to the train.
+
+They found several others already aboard, who were to make at least a
+part of the trip with them. There were half a dozen men who had been
+slightly wounded in the trenches, and now, completely well, were
+returning to their regiments. Also, there was a wire company of the
+Signal Corps, which was going to join another American unit.
+
+For the first three or four hours of the trip the lads, even including
+Hoskins and Rawle, found the returning young veterans the center of all
+interest, and from them they heard many serious and amusing stories,
+many true tales of the attack and retreat, of shot and shell and
+shrapnel and the hand grenade and the poisonous gas bombs thrown by the
+Boches.
+
+And then, one by one, the soldiers of Uncle Sam dropped off into long
+and restful slumber--slumber that was to fit them for hard and difficult
+duties ahead.
+
+"This is where we get off," finally announced Lieutenant Mackinson,
+shaking the lads into wakefulness. "We leave the train here and travel
+the balance of the distance by automobile."
+
+Never had the boys seen such a powerful looking car as that to which an
+orderly led them. Without the waste of a moment they climbed
+in--Lieutenant Mackinson, our three friends, young Hoskins and the
+towering Rawle. In another instant they were speeding across the country
+with the break of dawn.
+
+But their trip now was far different from the one they had had across
+England. Where, in that country, they had seen big concentration camps,
+and men preparing for war, with an occasional evidence of war's effects
+in a building wrecked by a night air raid, here, in the eastern part of
+France, they came upon actual war in all its fateful progress, with
+whole towns demolished, forests and orchards blotted out--stark ruin
+written over the face of the earth.
+
+With a clear right-of-way, their high-power machine swept past
+ammunition and food trains--long strings of powerful motor trucks
+driving toward the scene of action. They came upon towns and villages in
+that area known as "behind the lines," where French, American, Belgian
+and British soldiers were recuperating after hard days and nights in the
+front-line trenches.
+
+By this time they were well within sound of the heavy guns, and their
+driver told them that the artillery duel then going on had been in
+progress for forty-eight hours at least.
+
+"Sometimes it lasts for a week or more, you know," he said, "in
+preparation for a great infantry advance. But I understand that this
+time they expect to go forward before the end of to-day."
+
+"Which, means," added Lieutenant Mackinson, "that we probably will get a
+chance to get right into the thick of it."
+
+On and on they went, and nearer and nearer to the scene of actual battle
+they came. They passed the third-line trenches, and now, in places, they
+seemed to be in a straight line with some of the concealed artillery
+that was pounding away at the enemy in terrible detonations that shook
+and rocked the ground every minute.
+
+At the second-line trenches their orders called for a halt. They did not
+have to be told that there was "something doing." The road, so far as
+the eye could reach backward over the route they had traveled, was a
+constantly moving line of motor trucks, coming forward with men and
+shells, while out ahead of them, tremendous and menacing, big tanks--the
+biggest things the boys ever had seen propelled on wheels or
+tractors--were pursuing their uneven course toward the front, in
+preparation for a new kind of assault.
+
+"They look like miniature battleships on land, don't they?" exclaimed
+Slim.
+
+The others agreed that it was about the best description that could be
+given of these massive fighting machines, equipped with guns and men,
+that could travel with their own power practically anywhere, across
+shell holes, over trenches, through barbed wire--the most human piece of
+war mechanism that had yet made its appearance on the battlefield.
+
+Summons to a long-delayed meal gave a welcome interruption to their
+guesses as to just what their first duties would be, and they had
+scarcely finished their substantial rations of food when an orderly
+informed Lieutenant Mackinson that he was to report at once to the field
+headquarters.
+
+"Await me here," he said to the five men under his immediate command. "I
+probably will be only a short time."
+
+And, indeed, it seemed to them that he had hardly time to reach the
+headquarters when he was seen returning hurriedly. He gave some hasty
+instructions to the chauffeur, and the latter immediately began a quick
+examination of his engine and tires, which promised another early move.
+
+"We go forward as far as we can by automobile again," the lieutenant
+informed them, "and after dark to-night we are to establish an outlying
+communication from the farthest skirmish points to headquarters."
+
+Almost as he finished the sentence, they were started, but now their
+progress frequently was impeded, and occasionally a shell broke so close
+to them as to jar the machine from its course.
+
+None of the men in the rear seats of that car were cowards, but, aside
+from Hoskins, it was their first experience under actual fire, and they
+marveled at the coolness of the driver, who seemed not to mind at all
+the dangerous quarters they were in.
+
+When they climbed out of the machine, half an hour later, Joe remarked
+upon it in tones of open admiration.
+
+"It's nothing," the youthful chauffeur replied. "You'll get used to it,
+too."
+
+As he turned the automobile and started backward, Slim suddenly
+remembered that they hadn't even heard his name.
+
+"Don't know it," said Hoskins, "but he was wounded twice in the
+trenches, I heard while we were waiting for the lieutenant. That's why
+he's driving a car now. He has seen enough service to know that
+nervousness doesn't help."
+
+They had been directed to the quarters of Major Jones, in charge of the
+Signal Corps men in that section, and it was with considerable surprise
+that the boys learned, upon arriving there, that they were to accompany
+the lieutenant into the superior officer's presence for instructions.
+
+He was a man, they found, about forty years old, already grizzled and
+hardened by his field experience. And he knew how to convey orders and
+transact business without a moment's delay.
+
+"You are to follow the red-ink lines on this map," he told Lieutenant
+Mackinson, as they all leaned over his desk to follow the tracing of his
+pencil, with which he showed them the course they were to take.
+
+"When you have reached this point"--indicating a heavy spot about midway
+of the map--"you will seek a suitable location from which to establish
+communications. You will determine whether it can be done by wireless.
+As soon as you can do so, report what progress you have made. Use every
+caution, for you will be in the country occupied by the enemy. You
+should leave here about seven o'clock this evening. It is now six."
+
+Fifteen minutes later they had examined their arms and equipped
+themselves with a full supply of small-arms ammunition, portable
+wireless instrument and antennæ, and three rations each of eating
+chocolate.
+
+The latter article is dispensed to every soldier in the American armies
+just prior to an engagement in which he may become separated from his
+unit or companions, and, if wounded, might otherwise starve to death.
+
+The remaining three-quarters of an hour they spent in close study of the
+map that Major Jones had given them, and promptly at seven o'clock they
+started upon the dangerous mission.
+
+With nightfall the big cannonading had noticeably shut down, but to the
+south of them artillery firing still could be heard distinctly. It was a
+black night and they proceeded with the greatest caution.
+
+They did not dare use the flashlights that each of them carried, and
+frequently all of them would have to drop suddenly flat upon the ground
+as a big rocket went up from either side, lighting the whole section for
+trace of skirmishing parties.
+
+In this way they went forward, yard by yard, until they reached a thick
+clump of trees. There, after listening intently for several minutes
+without hearing a dangerous sound, they spread out their coats,
+tent-like, while Lieutenant Mackinson, with gingerly flashes of his
+light, examined the map again, to make certain of their location.
+
+They had hardly progressed a hundred feet further when the unlucky Slim
+tripped and went sprawling on the ground with a pained but suppressed
+grunt.
+
+"Sh-h-h-h!" warned Lieutenant Mackinson in a whisper, while Tom Rawle,
+quietly chuckling at the fat lad's misfortune, aided him to his feet.
+
+"Down flat!" said Mackinson again, as he discerned several shadows
+moving across a space a considerable distance to the north of them.
+
+For fully ten minutes, which seemed like an hour, they lay there, not
+daring to move. They watched the enemy scouting party get a like scare,
+and then, after what seemed to be a whispered consultation, turn back to
+the German lines.
+
+"What did you fall over?" the lieutenant finally asked of Slim, in a
+scarcely audible tone.
+
+"I just found it," replied Slim. "It's a wire. Here, let me have your
+hand." And he guided the lieutenant's fingers to that which had been the
+cause of his downfall.
+
+"Copper!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "Hoskins, let me have that kit."
+
+And without the aid of a light he extracted from the leather case which
+Hoskins gave him a very small telegraph instrument. The instant it was
+attached to the wire the receiver began to tick irregularly.
+
+Neither Rawle nor Hoskins understood German, but to the others they were
+words easy to translate.
+
+They had accidentally struck an enemy wire and had tapped it! That part
+of the message which they had intercepted read:
+
+     "--lead enemy to believe whole attack centered from your
+     position, but main assault will be a flank move around Hill 20"
+
+At that instant a fusillade of bullets cut the ground all about them,
+and the six men suddenly realized that they were under a pitiless and
+well-directed machine-gun fire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE S O S WITH PISTOL SHOTS
+
+
+To move from the position they were in was impossible. All that they
+could do, imprisoned there as they were within a steel and leaden wall
+of rapidly falling machine-gun bullets, was to hope that the gunners
+would not change their aim, even by the fraction of a point, and that
+neither side would send up a torch rocket to divulge their exact
+whereabouts and bring sudden death or mortal injury to them all.
+
+They knew now that they had been discovered by the enemy scouting party
+which they had observed a short time before--as they thought, without
+the others knowing of their presence there in "No Man's Land."
+
+They also realized now, when it was too late, that the Germans had
+returned to their own lines, after that brief consultation, in order to
+procure the machine-gun with which to wipe them out.
+
+And through it all they dared not return the fire, could not even utter
+a word to each other without fear of giving the enemy a closer range
+upon them.
+
+It was a terrible three minutes for that isolated little group of
+Americans, for bullets were striking all around them, the nearest not
+more than ten feet away, and there was every possibility that another
+detachment might be flanking them, to cut them off later in their
+retreat, in case the machine-gun did not effectively do its deadly work.
+
+There was but one desperate course open to them, and that Lieutenant
+Mackinson ordered at the instant the firing ceased.
+
+"Run!" he ordered, in a shrill whisper. "Run straight toward our own
+lines for about a quarter of a mile and then detour to the south."
+
+And off they started, each with all the speed he had in him. The renewal
+of the machine-gun fire compelled them to take a zig-zag course, however,
+and in this way for the first five minutes they all kept together.
+
+Then Tom Rawle, who, with the lieutenant, had been a little in the lead,
+gradually dropped back until he was abreast of Joe and Jerry, who were
+running together, and then behind them, reaching Frank Hoskins and Slim,
+who were bringing up a loudly puffing rear.
+
+Finally, as they began to pass him, too, and his lagging pace became
+noticeable, he urged them ahead and told them not to mind him.
+
+"I got one of those bullets in the hip," Rawle told them, to the
+surprise of all, for up to that moment he hadn't uttered a sound. "It
+cuts down my speed, but it's nothing serious, I guess. You keep right on
+and I'll follow as rapidly as I can."
+
+"I'm almost winded myself," said Slim. "I'll stick with Tom; you fellows
+keep right on. We'll join you in a few minutes after you stop. Joe, I'll
+give that 'whip-poor-will' call if we can't locate you. At any rate, we
+know our way back to the American lines."
+
+"Not so loud," warned Lieutenant Mackinson, as he slowed down. "I guess
+you are right," he continued. "You stay along with Rawle, but the two of
+you try to follow as quickly as possible, so that we can get Tom back to
+the lines for medical attention. It is necessary that I have the others
+with me, though, for we must not only accomplish our mission, but also
+give the commander that intercepted German message."
+
+And so the little group parted, there in the blackness of night
+"somewhere in France," the lieutenant, Hoskins, Joe and Jerry to forge
+ahead as rapidly as they could in a detour that would again take them
+back into the enemy territory, but in another place, while Slim and the
+wounded Rawle came along at a slower pace.
+
+The latter had been wounded more seriously than he knew, though, and he
+had not gone more than three hundred yards further before the loss of
+blood had so weakened him that he had to stop running and hobble along
+in a painful, limping gait, leaning heavily upon Slim's shoulder.
+
+"Guess I'll have to quit," he said, a little later on. "Can't go much
+further." And even as he spoke he sank to the ground.
+
+While Tom Rawle assured him that it "wasn't much of a wound," Slim, who
+was doing the best he could to stop the flow of blood with his
+handkerchief, knew that it was a bad injury, indeed, unless it was given
+early attention.
+
+"I'll try to get one of the others to return," he said, "and then we can
+send to our lines for a stretcher to get you in."
+
+"Nonsense," said Rawle, "I can walk; I'll show you."
+
+But it was a pitiful effort, and unsuccessful, and Tom himself had to
+admit that he "guessed he was out of business" for a little while.
+
+Thereupon Slim puckered up his lips and imitated the low but
+far-carrying call of the whip-poor-will--the call that he and Joe and
+Jerry had used so much to summon each other at Brighton.
+
+He remained silent for a moment listening, but there was no answer
+except the distant rumble of the heavy artillery fire. He repeated the
+call several times. Here and there to the north of them occasional
+rockets went up from either line, but their brief light divulged nothing
+in the way of encouragement.
+
+"It's not doing you any good to sit here without attention," said Slim
+at last. "Here is your revolver right alongside you. I will be back
+within half an hour. I am going to scout around for help."
+
+"But don't take any chances for me," Tom Rawle warned him. "I guess I
+could crawl back to camp, at that."
+
+"No, you couldn't," Slim declared, "and mind you don't try it. I'll be
+back for you in a very short time."
+
+He disappeared in the direction that the rest of the party had taken,
+leaving Rawle there to await his return. Half an hour later he managed
+to find the spot again, but without the aid he had gone to get. Not a
+trace of the others had he been able to find.
+
+But that was not the worst of it. Tom Rawle, helpless for all his big
+body and physical strength, lay stretched out upon the ground
+unconscious, a pool of blood by his side!
+
+Slim put his water flask to the wounded man's lips and tried to rouse
+him, but without avail.
+
+"_Whip-poor-will-l-l_," whistled Slim. "_Whip-poor-will-l-l._" But the
+sound was lost somewhere in the denseness of the night, and there was
+not even an echo for response.
+
+Slim was growing desperate. At any time they might be discovered by an
+enemy scouting party, and then they would either be bullets' victims or
+prisoners of war. Yet he knew that he could not hope to carry Tom Rawle
+back to the American lines. Rawle's dead weight would have been a
+difficult burden for a man of twice Slim's strength, and he knew it.
+
+What should he do? Unnecessary delay might cost the other man's life.
+Already his wound had caused him to lose consciousness.
+
+As he turned the thing over in his mind there came faintly, ever so
+faintly, to him from far, far to the south, as though but a breath of
+wind, the familiar "_Whip-poor-will_."
+
+"_Whip-poor-will-l-l_," shrilled back Slim.
+
+He waited, but there was no answer. It was as though a whip-poor-will
+itself was mocking his plight.
+
+"_Whip-poor-will-l-l_," Slim whistled again, and thrice, but each time
+there was nothing but the grim silence for reply.
+
+"Tom," he whispered into Rawle's ear, gently shaking the wounded man.
+"Tom, can you get up? I'll help you back. We can make it somehow
+together."
+
+But here again only the weak breathing of his comrade testified to their
+plight.
+
+"Better to take the one chance that's left us," muttered Slim to
+himself, as he pulled Rawle's revolver from under him, to make sure that
+it was fully loaded. "Yes," he continued, "it's better to risk discovery
+than this fellow's life."
+
+He took his own automatic from its holster and carefully examined it
+also.
+
+Then, with a revolver in either hand, pointing them into the air and
+with fourteen shots at his disposal, he began firing.
+
+Bang-Bang-Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang-Bang-Bang!
+
+The shots rang out on the night air like a series of interrupted
+explosions. But to the trained ears of the other men of the
+party--Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, Jerry and Frank Hoskins--two miles
+away, they carried their call for help.
+
+It was the S O S of the international code, but in a new sort of
+wireless--by pistol shots!
+
+Trembling for the results that his desperate action might bring upon
+them, Slim waited, bending now and then over the unconscious form of Tom
+Rawle.
+
+But in fifteen more minutes his inventive genius was rewarded. From a
+considerable distance, but each time more distinctly, now came the
+repeated call of "_Whip-poor-will_," and in less time than it seemed
+possible that they could make it, the other group had returned.
+
+In low commands the lieutenant then directed affairs, and in exactly the
+way that he had been carried out of the hold of the _Everett_ on the
+verge of suffocation, so they carried poor Tom Rawle back to their own
+lines.
+
+And when he had been placed upon a cot in the first emergency hospital,
+Lieutenant Mackinson hurried off to make his report, in the honor of
+which all shared.
+
+For not only had they found a location from which to wireless
+advance-line communications to field headquarters, but they had also
+intercepted a message, knowledge of which resulted in a quick change of
+plans by which the Americans were able to beat the enemy at his own game
+on the morrow.
+
+"Rawle was suffering more from loss of blood than from any seriousness
+of the injury itself," the surgeon told them when they asked there of
+their friend's condition, on their way to their own quarters. "He will
+be around all right again in a week's time."
+
+And so, much desperate work accomplished on their first night within the
+firing lines, the lads threw themselves upon their cots to dream of
+spies and captured Germans and injured soldiers and calls for help by
+new methods in wireless.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE CAVE OF DEATH
+
+
+It is one of the fortunes, or misfortunes, of war that a position gained
+one day, even at great human sacrifice, may be of no real or practical
+value whatever the next. So it was with the advance post of
+communication located by Lieutenant Mackinson and his party under such
+dangerous conditions during the night before.
+
+The information which they had gained through tapping the enemy's wire
+enabled the American and French troops, operating together, to prevent
+the German trick from being carried into effect. More than that, it
+enabled them to turn the knowledge of those plans to such good advantage
+that the allied brigades swept forward in terrible force against the
+weakest points in the enemy line. They pushed the whole Boche front back
+for more than a mile--at the very point where it had been considered
+strongest!
+
+As a consequence, the point of communication which the lieutenant and
+his aides had established with so much difficulty was now well within
+the territory held by the American and French fighters. The requirements
+for a further advance now made it necessary to have another outpost
+point of communication as near to the enemy trenches as the first one
+was before the day's battle put the Allies a mile further forward.
+
+And so, except for Tom Rawle, who was resting easy from his hip wound,
+the same party started out at the same tune for the same purpose on this
+second night, but with a very much sharpened realization of the
+obstacles they had to overcome and the chances they faced of being
+wounded or captured.
+
+"We take an entirely different direction," Lieutenant Mackinson told
+them, as he looked up from the map he had been studying. "We go to the
+north and east and as close to the observation trenches as possible."
+
+Now the danger of this can readily be seen from considering what an
+observation trench is. The front-line trenches of the opposing armies,
+of course, run in two practically parallel lines. But an observation
+trench runs almost at right angles with the front-line trenches, and
+directly toward the enemy trench, so far as it is possible to extend
+it. The extreme ends of these observation trenches are known as
+"listening posts," and often they are so close to the enemy lines that
+the men in the opposing army can be heard talking.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson and his aides, Joe, Jerry, Slim and Frank Hoskins,
+were to get their signaling location as near to an enemy listening post
+as possible! In other words, they were to court discovery in an effort
+to get just a few feet nearer the enemy than they otherwise would.
+
+They went along much as they had on the preceding night, except, had
+there been light enough, it might have been noticed that Slim, in his
+walking, pushed his feet forward cautiously, and then in stepping lifted
+them high from the ground.
+
+But as luck would have it they had not gone more than two hundred yards
+when a bullet whizzed within two feet of Jerry's head, followed by a
+shower of missiles that were directed entirely too close to them for
+comfort.
+
+Instantly they dropped flat on the ground. In the distance ahead of them
+they could see three shadows stealthily crawling along toward them.
+
+"Pick your men!" Lieutenant Mackinson ordered, in a whisper. "Fire!"
+
+Their automatics let out a fusillade of bullets. Two of the shadows
+jumped slightly into the air, and then rolled over. The third man rose
+and started to run toward the enemy line. Frank Hoskins took deliberate
+aim and fired. The man dropped and lay still.
+
+"Looks as though we got them," said Lieutenant Mackinson, "but they may
+be only pretending. Do not move for a few minutes."
+
+While they were thus waiting, the enemy trenches sent up a glaring
+rocket. It fell shorthand failed to reveal them, but it plainly showed
+three German soldiers lying prone upon the ground, all of them
+apparently instantly killed.
+
+"That's the part of it I don't like," muttered Slim with a shudder. "It
+isn't so bad when you are firing into a whole company or regiment and
+see men fall. At least, it doesn't seem so bad, for you don't know just
+which ones you hit and which ones some one else bowled over. But in this
+individual close-range stuff it leaves a nasty feeling."
+
+"You are right," whispered Frank Hoskins, "but you'd better not talk
+any more about it now or some Boche may try the same close-range stuff
+on us."
+
+Warned to silence by the lieutenant, they continued to creep along, only
+a foot or so at a time, stopping every few minutes to listen intently to
+see if their presence had been discovered.
+
+On the night before they had been upon fairly level ground, but this
+night they were in a section that was all hills and hummocks and
+hollows. They would creep cautiously up the side of one mound, not
+knowing but that on the other side lay a group of Germans, perhaps out
+upon a similar mission.
+
+For no one can tell what may happen in No Man's Land--that section
+belonging to neither side, before and between the front-line trenches of
+the opposing armies.
+
+"With that star as my guide, I am certain that we have not turned from
+the proper direction," Lieutenant Mackinson whispered, as they came to a
+halt in a secluded spot that seemed as safe from attack as from
+observation. "We have passed the fifth hill. Fifteen more minutes should
+bring us to the place which Major Jones indicated on the map. It is a
+sort of natural trench. If we reach it all right we are to string a
+wire from there to our first observation trench to the northwest of it.
+I believe that the same place has been used for the same purpose before,
+during the long time that all this has been contested ground. An outpost
+there can observe and report every activity of the enemy in daylight,
+without himself being seen."
+
+They began again to creep forward, now flat upon their stomachs, and
+only raising themselves from the ground a little way, but at infrequent
+intervals, in order to make sure of their position and that they were
+not being watched.
+
+"Listen!" hissed Frank Hoskins, who was a little to the left of where
+the others were snaking their way along.
+
+They all stopped moving, almost stopped breathing.
+
+"What was it?" Lieutenant Mackinson barely breathed, after several
+minutes of silence.
+
+Hoskins crawled nearer before he spoke.
+
+"How near are we, Lieutenant?" he asked:
+
+"I should say about a hundred yards."
+
+"Look straight ahead of us when the next rocket goes up," Hoskins
+suggested.
+
+They had not long to wait for one of the great sky torches to come
+sailing over the side of the German trench, but from a considerable
+distance ahead of them.
+
+"Did you notice anything?" Hoskins asked.
+
+"I didn't," whispered the lieutenant. "Did you?"
+
+"I thought I saw half a dozen men," said Joe.
+
+"We'll wait, then, and see," said Lieutenant Mackinson.
+
+In a moment another rocket went up, this time from the American-French
+side, and it clearly showed what Joe and Frank both had seen.
+
+Six, perhaps seven or eight, men were crawling along, headed toward
+them.
+
+"They are making for the same place," said Jerry.
+
+"Exactly," replied the lieutenant. "It means that we have got to fight
+for it. We will have some advantage if we can beat them to the
+protection of the base of that hummock."
+
+As rapidly as possible they started forward. Lying out flat, they would
+draw their feet upward and toward them, rising slightly and going
+forward upon their arms. This action, which put them ahead a few inches
+every time, they repeated times without number. But it was slow progress
+at best, and made slower by the interruptions of the rockets.
+
+"We are almost there," Lieutenant Mackinson whispered, "but I think we
+have been discovered. Lie flat and don't make a move. By keeping my head
+in the position I have it I can watch that other group. If we have been
+seen it means a running fight to the mouth of that trench or cave."
+
+Another rocket cut a glaring path across the sky. Again it was from the
+American-French side and illumined the black shadows strewn along the
+ground like little clumps of low-growing bushes.
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed the lieutenant suddenly, and then, in the same breath:
+"Up and at 'em, boys!"
+
+Before the others had an opportunity to realize what had happened,
+Mackinson was dashing at top speed toward the indicated trench or cave,
+firing as he went.
+
+As they followed suit, but more careful in their shooting, for fear of
+hitting him, they realized that the men in the enemy group were doing
+the same thing--running as fast as they could for the same position.
+
+"Drop!" ordered the lieutenant, and they did so, but it was as if he had
+issued the order for both sides, for the others were not a second later
+in seeking the security of the ground.
+
+"Either side may begin playing machine-guns on us at any moment," the
+young officer whispered, between gasps for breath. "Forward as quickly
+as possible, and continue firing."
+
+How they ever escaped the enemy bullets as long as they did none of them
+ever knew, but the men of the other side were just as doggedly
+determined, and no less courageous, even if three of their number
+already lay stretched out motionless and useless upon the ground.
+
+And so the battle waged, until both groups were no more than fifty feet
+away from the mouth of the natural trench. Each moment brought them
+closer together, with the even more vigorous popping of their guns, for
+by now it was virtually a hand-to-hand battle.
+
+Only four men now remained upon the side of the Germans, and, so far as
+numbers were concerned, the Americans seemed to have the advantage by
+one. But the score was evened an instant later, when one of the Boches
+"winged" Frank Hoskins, and his right arm fell useless at his side.
+
+But Lieutenant Mackinson squared accounts for Hoskins by putting another
+German completely out of commission. A prompt return compliment knocked
+Jerry's revolver out of his hand. At this juncture Slim played a heroic
+part by laying low another German.
+
+Seeing themselves now outnumbered almost two to one--for apparently they
+did not know that they had injured Hoskins--the two remaining Boches
+took one final, despairing survey of the situation, then turned and
+started on a dead run for their own lines.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson leveled his revolver at them, held it in that
+position for a moment, and then--perhaps it was an accident--seemed to
+elevate it slightly in the air and fired. Certainly neither German was
+hurt by the bullet, although it did seem to add a little to their haste.
+
+"The position is ours," announced the lieutenant exultantly, and then,
+suddenly remembering that Frank Hoskins had been hit and that Jerry had
+dropped his gun, he inquired: "Hurt badly, Frank? And how about you,
+Jerry?"
+
+"Nothing but a scratch," said Frank. "Took me right on the 'crazy bone'
+and made me jump for a minute, but it's hardly bleeding now."
+
+"Only hit my gun," announced Jerry, "and I recovered that."
+
+There was no time for further conversation. The Germans had reached
+their own lines, and a machine-gun was being trained upon the Americans.
+They rushed headlong to the north side of the little mound, and into the
+opening of a natural cave.
+
+The earthwork made them as solidly entrenched as though they were behind
+their own lines, and only heavy shells could dislodge them. But they had
+work to do, and the nature of it required that they do it quickly.
+
+The entrance faced almost directly north and into No Man's Land, so that
+the light of an electric flash, such as they all carried, hardly could
+attract the attention of either side.
+
+"Joe," said the lieutenant, sizing up the situation, "it is not safe to
+leave the enemy unwatched for a single second. I think it would be well
+for you to stay on duty outside, while the rest of us rig up the
+instrument and begin to unspool the wire. Hoskins, you're hurt, so you
+stay here with Joe. But both of you be mighty careful not to expose
+yourselves where you'll stop a German bullet."
+
+With Lieutenant Mackinson leading, Jerry just behind him and Slim
+bringing up the rear, they crossed the five feet of narrow passageway
+back into the natural dungeon.
+
+The lieutenant switched on his light. Involuntarily and with a startled
+gesture he stepped back.
+
+"Jumping Jupiter!" exclaimed Jerry, "what's that?"
+
+Slim, peering ahead of the other two, ejaculated something between a
+shriek and a groan.
+
+Strewn about the ground of that cave, in every conceivable position of
+misery and torture, were the bodies of half a dozen dead men, all
+Germans.
+
+The lieutenant's hand that held the light trembled slightly as he stared
+at the ghastly scene before him, but he was grit and courage right
+through to the heart.
+
+"This is bad business," he said, "but we are under orders and we must go
+through with it. We cannot move the bodies out to-night."
+
+He stepped further into the dark hole, and the other two lads followed.
+
+Suddenly from behind them there was a grumbling, roaring crash, pierced
+by a cry of warning from Joe, outside.
+
+The three whirled around, and for a moment no one could utter a word.
+
+The mouth of the dungeon had completely caved in!
+
+"Trapped!" gasped Jerry, who was the first to find his voice.
+
+Even the lieutenant seemed dazed.
+
+"Trapped," echoed Slim, "in the cave of death."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+DESPERATE MEASURES
+
+
+Never did three young men face a more terrible or more horribly gruesome
+situation. Here they were, locked in a natural dungeon behind a wall of
+dirt and rock probably four or five feet thick. Not only that, but the
+cave already contained the bodies of six men whose fixed and glassy eyes
+stared at them as though in mockery and warning, and the already foul
+air was becoming more stifling every moment.
+
+In a dull way they realized that they probably could not survive more
+than two or three maddening hours in that death chamber.
+
+"It may not be so bad as it seems," said Lieutenant Mackinson in a voice
+that seemed unnatural in that vault. "Perhaps it was only a slight
+cave-in."
+
+He flashed his light about the hole. It was difficult to tell where the
+opening had been.
+
+"Joe and Frank Hoskins!" cried Jerry, a new terror in his voice. "I
+heard Joe shriek!"
+
+Slim, catching his meaning, snatched a rifle from beside one of the
+bodies, and with the butt of it began pounding frantically upon the side
+of the cave where the entrance had been.
+
+There was no answering knock.
+
+"Joe," shouted Jerry in a frenzied tone. "Joe! Can you hear me?"
+
+No answer came, either from Joe or Frank.
+
+"Pinned under tons of that stuff," gasped Slim, the words trembling upon
+his lips and a tear trickling down his cheek.
+
+"I do not think so," the lieutenant assured them. "Both Joe and Frank
+were upon the outside when we entered."
+
+"But they would try to get us out," said Jerry. "If they were out there
+they would give us some sort of signal that they were trying to help
+us."
+
+"We might not be able to hear them," answered the lieutenant, even
+against his own judgment. "But look at it this way. Even though they
+never were inside here, they had a fair idea of what the place was like.
+They knew from that that we needed help, and needed it quickly. If one
+went alone, and anything happened to him on the way, the other might
+wait here indefinitely, not knowing whether he had got assistance or
+not. By going together they took the safest course."
+
+And Lieutenant Mackinson's reasoning was correct. That was exactly the
+way Joe and Frank had figured it out, and, the latter forgetting all
+about his own wound, they had started as fast as they could for the
+American front.
+
+"Keep cool, conserve your energy, and I feel certain everything will be
+all right," the lieutenant told the two friends with whom, in such a
+short time, he already had gone through so many harrowing experiences.
+
+At that very same moment, a quarter of a mile away, Joe brought his
+companion to a halt, took out his flashlight, and, facing the American
+line, began making and breaking the connection in a way to give a number
+of short, even flashes.
+
+Presently a light appeared, was extinguished and appeared again, at the
+edge of the American-French lines.
+
+Joe had resorted to another sort of wireless--the "blinker"--and, not
+knowing the call signal for the station he was nearest, had given the
+prescribed call in such a case, a series of short flashes, or dots. The
+station had acknowledged, and he began sending his message out of the
+little battery in his hand:
+
+"Americans. Three of party caught in cave-in. Need help."
+
+And the answer was flashed back in the same code:
+
+"Approach. Keep light on. Countersign."
+
+Following these instructions, with Joe in the lead with the flashlight
+held out in front of him, they dashed on to the trenches. They gasped
+out the countersign, and were escorted by a sentry to the quarters of
+the officer of that particular section.
+
+In a few words they told him what had happened.
+
+Without an instant's delay the latter, a colonel of artillery, reached
+for his telephone.
+
+"Ask Captain Hallowell to come here immediately," he said, and severed
+the connection.
+
+He seemed already to have decided upon some sort of a plan, and his
+decisive manner gave the two lads a feeling of confidence in him. He
+reached into a drawer of his desk and drew out a large map. He ran his
+fingers across it and then came to a stop at a little black dot which
+appeared just in the angle of two converging red lines.
+
+"Is that it?" he asked, turning to Jerry and Frank.
+
+They examined the map carefully for a moment and then told him that it
+was.
+
+Just then Captain Hallowell entered. His boots were spattered with mud,
+his face was grimy, and his eyes were bloodshot, indicating that he had
+been for many hours without sleep.
+
+"Captain," said the colonel bluntly, "these young men are of the Signal
+Corps, as you you can see. They were detailed to-night to establish an
+outpost wire communication to Hill No. 8. You know it?"
+
+"Very well, sir," the captain replied, his interest increasing.
+
+"Well," continued the colonel, "they got there all right. But the other
+three in the party had hardly entered that hole when the entrance caved
+in."
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated the captain. "I know that cavern. They can't
+last there long."
+
+"Exactly," affirmed the colonel. "What is your suggestion?"
+
+For a full moment Captain Hallowell was silent. "There is only one way,"
+he said finally, "and that is a dangerous way. Blast them out."
+
+"Blast them out?" repeated the colonel, but apparently without surprise.
+"How?"
+
+"It would take too long to dig them out," Captain Hallowell answered.
+"And, besides, that could hardly be done without some sort of light, and
+that would attract enemy fire. There is but one chance, and that is to
+blast them out with one of our big guns!"
+
+"Can you do it?" the colonel demanded again, in his blunt, insistent
+way.
+
+"I will do my utmost to save them, sir," Captain Hallowell replied.
+
+"Very well, then," answered his superior officer. "If you feel certain
+that is the only way, go ahead. Personally, knowing the place as I do, I
+see no other method myself. Have you the range?"
+
+"I did have, sir," said Captain Hallowell, "but in such a delicate
+matter as this it would be necessary to be absolutely accurate. We have
+been firing practically all day, and the position of the guns changes
+slightly, of course. I would want to find a new and exact range."
+
+He had noticed Frank's limp arm, and he turned to Joe.
+
+"Take this flashlight," he ordered. "It is more powerful than yours. Get
+back there as quickly as you can, and follow to the letter these
+directions: Keep between us and that hill until you get to it. Stay on
+this side of the hill and crawl around toward the entrance until you get
+to a point where you can place this light, facing us, two feet above the
+ground and one foot in from the outer surface extremity. Leave it there
+until you see three quick successive rockets go straight up in the air
+from here. After that I will give you three minutes in which to get back
+to a place of safety. I'll put that flashlight out of business, and I
+think I can liberate your friends."
+
+"Is your injury a serious one?" the colonel demanded of Frank.
+
+"Very slight, sir. Only a flesh wound," Frank responded eagerly.
+
+"Then take this light," the colonel ordered, "and follow him at a
+distance of a hundred yards. If anything should happen to your friend,
+you follow the directions you have just heard."
+
+"Yes, sir," the lads responded in unison, and, with a hasty salute, were
+off.
+
+Three times did Joe drop to the ground, as a shadow seemed to move
+somewhere out in the distance before him. But each time he was up and
+off again almost upon the instant, thinking of his own safety only as
+that of his three friends depended upon it.
+
+And what of those inside?
+
+Even the courageous Lieutenant Mackinson was beginning to show the
+anxiety he felt, while Jerry and Slim, despite their bravest efforts,
+gave way to occasional expressions of the horror of the thing.
+
+They had pounded upon the walls until they had been overcome with
+despair, and then they had set to work digging with the only instruments
+at hand--the bayonets on the German rifles.
+
+But soon they realized that this, too, was as hopeless as the pounding,
+for it further exhausted the energy which the foul air was rapidly
+sapping, without making any apparent opening in the thick earthen wall
+that surrounded them.
+
+"Well," said Slim at last, gulping back his nausea, and smiling almost
+in his old time way, "I'm as anxious as anybody to keep up hope to the
+last. But if this is to be our end, I guess we can face it as Americans
+should."
+
+"Bravo!" exclaimed Lieutenant Mackinson, "I always knew that each one of
+you fellows had the right sort of stuff in you."
+
+And Jerry, too, slapped him affectionately on the back.
+
+"Slim," he said, smiling over at his chum, and ready for his pun, even
+under such circumstances, "my head is feeling a 'trifle heavy,' but I'm
+game to stand up to the last."
+
+Thus they sat down to wait--for just what, they did not know--while at
+that very moment, four feet away from them on the other side of the
+wall, faithful Joe was setting up the flashlight exactly according to
+directions.
+
+For a few seconds he waited, and then, three times in quick succession,
+a rocket went into the air from just behind the American lines.
+
+Over there Captain Hallowell himself found the range, submitted it to
+his most expert gunner, who verified it, and then they waited for the
+three minutes to elapse, during which Joe was to seek a place of safety.
+
+It was in that interval, too, that Fate intervened for those within the
+cave, for they were sitting with their backs to the very point against
+which the shell was to be directed.
+
+"We need all our strength," Lieutenant Mackinson was saying. "So long as
+possible we want to remain in full possession of our senses. The air is
+purer near the floor. I think it would be better to lie down."
+
+And following his suggestion and example, the other two stretched
+themselves out in the middle of the cavern.
+
+Within the American lines, at that point where a regiment of heavy
+artillery was stationed, Captain Hallowell raised his hand in signal to
+his gunner. Out on the parapet of the front trench an anxious colonel
+was standing, regardless of all danger, a pair of powerful glasses to
+his eyes. His vision was focused upon a little light far out in No Man's
+Land.
+
+Two hundred feet away from that light Joe and Frank Hoskins lay prone
+upon the ground, silent, impatient, fearful, hoping.
+
+With a quick motion the artillery captain swung his outstretched arm
+downward. There was a roar, a flash, and a great shell tore through the
+air. Out in No Man's Land there was a second explosion as the shell hit,
+and the target--a flashlight--was blown to atoms.
+
+Over in the German trenches a sentinel chuckled at the thought of
+another wasted American shell, but out of the hole that that shell had
+torn three pale, haggard, and exhausted youths were crawling to safety
+and God's fresh air. And across No Man's Land dashed two pals to greet
+them.
+
+American determination and American marksmanship had saved three
+American lives. The German sentinel might have his laugh if he liked.
+
+It was hours later before the three who had been imprisoned learned how
+their rescue had been effected; but they got an inkling of it as they
+came within four hundred yards of the American-French front.
+
+"What are you doing?" Lieutenant Mackinson had asked, as Joe brought the
+party to a stop.
+
+"Just a moment and you will see," Joe had responded.
+
+And, first in wonder and then with a dawning understanding, the other
+three read off his flashed message:
+
+"Signal Corps men, and whole party safe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE SURPRISE ATTACK--PROMOTION
+
+
+During the week that followed, the lads were confined almost entirely to
+regular routine work, with nothing particularly exciting. Frank Hoskins'
+elbow wound healed quickly, without any serious results; and Tom Rawle,
+who had been under treatment at the field hospital, was able to get
+about the camp, although still pale and weak, and limping considerably
+from his injury.
+
+But on the eighth day a veritable fury launched itself upon that section
+of the American-French front, in the shape of seemingly endless brigades
+of Boches that were hurled "over the top" of their own breastworks,
+across No Man's Land, and upon the first-line trenches of the Allies.
+
+For several days the American and French aviators had been reporting
+heavy German formations in that region, evidently with the design of a
+terrific assault, but the allied commanders had not expected it so
+soon, and in truth they were not fully prepared for it.
+
+It was a surprise attack in every sense of the word, with all the
+terrible carnage that such a battle brings.
+
+Shortly before midnight of the preceding night a terrible bombardment
+had been directed against the American-French trenches, and their hidden
+artillery to the rear of them. This was kept up for about seven hours,
+and the duel of heavy guns shook the earth like a quake and was
+deafening.
+
+Then, just as dawn was breaking, the infantry onslaught, participated in
+at some points by detachments of cavalry, began.
+
+For three hours the Americans and the French fought stubbornly and with
+every ounce of strength and determination. Whole regiments and even
+brigades were wiped out on both sides, but the Boches, who had prepared
+every detail of the assault for weeks, were readier than their opponents
+and filled the gaps in their lines more quickly.
+
+By noon it became apparent that the sacrifice of lives was becoming too
+great to warrant the Allies trying to hold their first-line trenches
+much longer, and that they must give them up, at least until they could
+re-mobilize their forces for a counter-attack.
+
+The order was therefore given for those in the rear, including food and
+ammunition trains, field hospitals, etc., to fall back, in order to make
+way for the strategic retreat of those on the front when the moment for
+that retreat came.
+
+Everything moved like clockwork, and with the greatest possible speed.
+And throughout it all men on both sides were shooting, shouting,
+shrieking, fighting, falling, while others, trapped in their dug-outs,
+either surrendered or fought desperately on until they fell wounded or
+lifeless before superior numbers.
+
+Half a mile in the air, apparently over a point midway between what had
+been the first-line trenches of the opposing armies, a stationary
+balloon showed where Jerry and an observation officer were doing duty on
+that fateful day. Jerry was operating a telephone that ran directly to
+division headquarters, and hardly a moment passed when he was not
+repeating some observation of the other man in the basket with him, or
+relaying to him a query from the commander below.
+
+Every detail of that tremendous battle Jerry knew. His own occasional
+glimpses over the side informed him of the temporary reverses his own
+army was suffering, while the remarks of the officer told him where the
+Germans were meeting their bitterest repulses, where they were drawing
+up their heaviest forces of reserves, what quick changes were being made
+in their general line of formation, and how far back their forces seemed
+to extend.
+
+Slim Goodwin, busy as he was with the wireless at headquarters, found
+time for occasional glances upward at that balloon, to make sure that
+thus far his friend was still safe.
+
+And even in the thick of machine-gun fire and shrapnel, where Lieutenant
+Mackinson, Joe, Frank Hoskins and two or three others were laying a new
+line of communication, the wavering, swaying target was watched from
+time to time, and speculations made as to how long it could remain
+without being punctured by a bullet, thus forcing its two occupants to
+resort to their parachutes to make a landing.
+
+It was now well into the afternoon. The Germans had swept into the
+places vacated by the Americans and French, and still the battle raged.
+It was now that Slim began to wait anxiously for the new development,
+which his familiarity with the secret orders issued made him know was
+coming.
+
+And finally it did come, and in a way that staggered the Boches.
+
+The Americans and French had retreated to a general line which permitted
+a quick re-mobilization to the best advantage. There their front-line
+ranks held firm, while the new formation was being effected behind them.
+It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when this was complete.
+
+Then, in concerted action, the lines opened at alternate points, and
+pairs, dozens, scores of the huge armored tanks rolled through, their
+big guns already blazing shells into the ranks of the disconcerted
+enemy.
+
+Nothing could halt them. They climbed trench parapets, descended into
+gullies, came out upon level land, and over their whole path swept
+destruction to the Germans.
+
+Unable either to resist or to stop the progress of the tanks, which were
+followed by whole divisions of infantry, the Boches were forced to
+retreat and not only abandon every foot of the ground they had gained,
+but to sacrifice a part of their own first line as well.
+
+[Illustration: Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through.]
+
+It was one of the greatest and at the same time one of the most sudden
+reprisals of the war up to that time, and the victory that had been
+snatched from defeat was cheered by thousands of Americans and Frenchmen
+as they again took possession of their own trenches, or pushed onward
+across No Man's Land to occupy those which the Germans were now
+abandoning.
+
+The sun was setting, and soon, in great measure, at least, hostilities
+would be suspended for the night.
+
+Their work completed, Lieutenant Mackinson and his men were on their way
+back to make their report when they met Slim, who had been relieved for
+the night at headquarters.
+
+"What time did Jerry come down?" Joe asked, after they had passed
+remarks about the various thrills of the day.
+
+"Don't know," Slim answered, "but I saw them there at four o'clock, and
+they weren't there when I looked again, about half an hour later, so you
+can judge pretty well for yourself."
+
+"Guess he had a pretty good bird's-eye view of the whole thing," said
+Joe, as they passed on, to meet again before mess.
+
+Except for spasmodic outbursts here and there, the trench duel had
+almost entirely subsided, and the heavy roar of the artillery also was
+punctuated with longer pauses. Whatever the morrow might bring, the
+night promised to be fairly quiet, while each side took account of stock
+and made necessary repairs, or altered their plans to meet the new
+situation.
+
+Our young friends were busy with wash basin, soap and water, taking off
+the grime in preparation for the evening meal and wondering where Jerry
+was keeping himself all the while, when suddenly a very strange thing
+happened beyond the enemy's line.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson was the first to discover it and call the attention
+of the others.
+
+A Taube, one of the smaller, lighter, and more easily handled
+aeroplanes, and used in great numbers by the Germans, shot into the air
+at great speed from behind the Boche entrenchments. In its upward course
+its path was a dizzy spiral, and, if one on the ground might judge, its
+pilot seemed to be seeking a particular air channel. At least that was
+the way it looked.
+
+Then, from almost the same point from which it had come into view, half
+a dozen other planes rose into the air, following in the path of the
+first, and also flying at top speed. Up to then there was nothing so
+very strange about the whole procedure. It simply indicated that those
+manning the American and French anti-aircraft guns, and the aviators of
+those two armies, should get ready to repel an enemy air raid.
+
+But the queer thing occurred when every one of the pursuing planes
+opened up their machine-guns almost simultaneously upon the first. And
+even this might have been considered a well-designed hoax, were it not
+for the unmistakable evidence that the first aeroplane, the Taube, had
+been hit.
+
+Still going at maximum speed, and now on a straight line toward the
+American side, without seeking a further height, the Taube several times
+wavered, and, a moment later, almost turned over.
+
+But the pilot righted her, and even as the pursuers began gaining, and
+still kept up an incessant fire, he pointed her nose downward toward the
+American lines.
+
+Four American planes sailed off and upward to meet the oncoming German
+air armada. But from the ground it could be seen that the man in the
+observer's place in the Taube was making desperate signals.
+
+The American planes maneuvered in such a way as to encircle the Taube,
+and yet at close enough range to examine her without particular menace
+to themselves. There were several seconds of criss-crossing and rising
+and descending, and then as a unit the American planes left the Taube
+and started after the German craft, which had hesitated, as though
+uncertain what further course to follow.
+
+Several volleys of shots were exchanged, and the other German planes
+turned back toward their own lines. The Taube continued on its wavering,
+crippled, downward course toward the allied lines.
+
+"Looks as though a couple of our men had been reconnoitering the German
+lines in one of their own make of machines," said Lieutenant Mackinson,
+as the Taube came within a hundred yards of the ground and righted
+herself for a landing.
+
+There was a general rush toward it as it hit the ground. Of its own
+momentum it rolled to within a two minutes' run of where the lieutenant
+and the others had been standing. In another instant it was entirely
+surrounded by a crowd of curious American soldiers.
+
+But if they were surprised at seeing seated therein two men in the
+uniforms of the United States army, their feelings hardly compared with
+those of Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, Slim and Frank Hoskins, as they
+recognized, stepping out of the Taube, Jerry and the observation officer
+with whom he had occupied the stationary balloon practically all of that
+day.
+
+"Who are you?" "What happened?" "Where have you been?" and a score of
+similar questions were fired at them by the other soldiers as Jerry
+shook hands with his friends, and the officer smilingly made away to
+file his report.
+
+"Well, to put it briefly," Jerry said, in answer to the general demands
+for information, "we were anchored off there most of the day in an
+observation balloon. Late in the afternoon a shell cut our cable, and
+almost before we knew it we had been carried behind the German lines.
+
+"The fight was still commanding the attention of almost everyone, and
+after descending a little by permitting some of the gas to escape, we
+jumped over the side of the basket and came down on our parachutes. I
+landed in a deserted barnyard, and the officer hit the earth only a
+short distance away.
+
+"While we were hiding there, debating just what we should do, along
+comes a Taube, and its pilot decides to make a landing almost at that
+same place. Well, the officer being a pretty good pilot, we decided to
+have that machine. We got it, and I guess that pilot's head aches yet
+where I plumped him with the butt of my gun when he wasn't expecting
+anything of the kind.
+
+"But some other German aviators saw the affair, apparently recognized
+our uniforms, and hardly gave us time to make a decent start.
+
+"Say," Jerry concluded, "they certainly did pebble us with machine-gun
+bullets! I saw two bounce off the propeller, and one broke a wire on the
+left wing, making us flap around rather uncertainly for a few minutes.
+It was a great race, though, and we considered our greatest danger lay
+in landing on this side. We knew it would be recognized for a German
+plane, and we were afraid we'd be fired on before we could make our
+identity known."
+
+Led by the lieutenant and Jerry, the party tramped back to where,
+shortly, mess was to be served.
+
+"That air certainly does give a fellow an appetite," said Jerry, as he
+splashed more of the clear cold water over his face.
+
+An orderly stepped up to Lieutenant Mackinson and handed him a large,
+officially stamped envelope. As he tore it open and read the brief note
+within, a pleased smile spread over his face. From the same envelope he
+extracted three smaller ones. He handed one to each of the lads who had
+accompanied him over on the _Everett_, according to the way they were
+addressed.
+
+Opening them, the boys could hardly suppress their jubilation. Stripped
+of their official verbiage, the letters informed the young men that each
+of them was made a corporal, Joe for valorous service in saving the
+lives of "three Americans entombed in a cave; Slim for heroism and
+presence of mind in saving and bringing back to the lines an American
+soldier," and Jerry "for coolness and courage, and for the information
+gathered behind the enemy's lines."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A TIGHT PLACE
+
+
+Major Jones was paying his compliments in a very brusque, business-like,
+but kindly way. Before him, standing at attention, Lieutenant Mackinson
+and Corporals Joe Harned, Jerry Macklin and Slim Goodwin were awaiting
+important orders.
+
+"The manner in which all of you have performed your duties in the past
+has won you the esteem and confidence of your commanding officers,"
+Major Jones said.
+
+"Your striking services not only have led to promotion, but to another
+important trust, upon which much may depend. Through the mountains to
+the east of us a company of engineers is cutting a rough road. They work
+under great handicaps and frequently are harassed by enemy detachments.
+But they are making progress.
+
+"This road is being cut for the purpose of permitting the passage of a
+wireless tractor, of which you men are to be in charge. Through a part
+of that section an old telegraph line still remains, but it does not
+connect in a direction to meet our requirements.
+
+"Reports received this morning indicate that by night the engineers will
+have put the road through to a selected point where you will have the
+least difficulty in concealing your tractor and its aerials. From your
+position there you will keep constant vigil, for you will be able to
+inform us long in advance of any effort of the Boches to come through
+that way.
+
+"The road winds about the mountain side, and in some places is quite
+steep. But the ground is now hard and the motor will make the pull.
+Good-by, and good luck to you."
+
+An hour later, with Frank Hoskins, who was an experienced driver, at the
+wheel, they started for their destination in one of the big,
+high-powered trucks which not only carry a complete wireless equipment
+but also provide enough space for sleeping quarters for half a dozen
+men.
+
+As a matter of fact, these trucks are so designed that, if it is
+necessary, they can carry a crew of ten men, while by means of a special
+clutch and gear the engine is made to drive an alternator for generating
+the necessary electrical energy which, under the most adverse
+atmospheric conditions, will give a sending and receiving range of at
+least one hundred miles. In ideal weather the radius increases to as
+much as two hundred and fifty miles.
+
+A powerful mechanism which in its operation resembles the opening of a
+giant pair of shears, raises the mast and umbrella-shaped antenna, and
+the average time in getting the apparatus ready for service is only
+about eight minutes.
+
+The entire tractor, including crew, weighs close to five tons, and it
+can be easily imagined that its operation on a steep and treacherous
+mountain road was far from easy and anything but entirely safe.
+
+With them the lads carried sufficient rations to last them five days, it
+being understood that their larder would be replenished at the necessary
+intervals.
+
+They also took with them a radio pack-set, which is another wireless
+apparatus that can be carried about with little difficulty. This they
+had in the event of any unexpected emergency. The entire pack-set could
+be carried about in a suitcase, and after it was set up its current was
+generated by turning a crank by hand. Its range, under ordinary
+atmospheric conditions, was about twenty-five miles.
+
+The first few miles of their journey were accomplished with little
+difficulty, but as they struck the uneven, newly-made road, their
+troubles began to increase. At times the jolts were so severe that it
+seemed they would shake the electrical apparatus loose from the tractor,
+while some of the inclines were so steep that, after attempting and
+failing to make them once, they had to go backward and then try again,
+with increased speed.
+
+It was bitterly cold, and while Frank and whoever at the time sat beside
+him on the front seat kept reasonably warm, being directly behind the
+hard-working motor, the others frequently got out, to run along for a
+quarter or half a mile to limber up their stiffened joints and get their
+blood in circulation again.
+
+One of their greatest difficulties came when, more than three-fourths
+the distance to their destination, and at one of the narrowest points
+along the road, they met the large truck bearing back toward camp the
+company of engineers.
+
+The wireless tractor was chugging along under a heavy strain, but the
+other truck was coming down the steep grade under the compression of its
+engine, to accelerate the use of the brakes. And with the little warning
+they had, the two drivers brought their big machines to a stop less than
+ten feet apart.
+
+It was impossible for the truck containing the engineers to back up. And
+the first widening in the road over which the wireless men had come was
+fully a quarter of a mile behind. There was no other course than for
+Frank to reverse, and, with a man on either side of the tractor in the
+rear, directing every slight turn of the wheel, to go back to that
+point.
+
+Once the engine stalled, making the stability of the whole weight of the
+heavy tractor depend upon the brakes. Frank grabbed the emergency, and
+jammed it on with all his strength, but not before the machine had
+gained a momentum which made it a question for a few thrilling seconds
+whether or not the brakes would grip and hold it.
+
+As they finally rounded the turn which gave them the brief space of
+wider road, and the engineers' truck passed by, the men waving each
+other a cheery farewell, the boys from Brighton gave a sigh of relief.
+
+When they reached what they decided should be their destination, almost
+at the end of the road and in a dense bit of wooded section which would
+obscure them from enemy observers, they brought their tractor to a stop.
+With pick and shovel they began building an earthen oven, in which they
+might cook their food, and from which they might keep reasonably
+comfortable, without being seen.
+
+A light snow began to fall, and, mess over, the lads decided to retire
+for the night. Before doing so, however, they set up the mast and
+aerials and made the connection to the storage battery. It was agreed
+that they should sit up in two-hour shifts, to be ready to receive any
+message that possibly might come, but it was arranged that the other
+four should divide this duty, allowing Frank, who had driven the truck
+over the entire trip, a full night's sleep.
+
+So the night passed, with the lads taking turns at the lonely vigil. The
+snow continued, the wind increased almost to a gale, and the temperature
+dropped still lower.
+
+Fully eight inches of snow lay upon the ground when gray daylight came
+and Slim, the last man on watch, awakened the others. The storm was
+diminishing, but still they could see only a few yards distant from the
+tractor.
+
+"Guess I'll warm up chopping some wood," said Joe, as he took an axe and
+left the others still dressing.
+
+In half an hour he had brought in enough to cook the breakfast and last
+half the day, and while Slim acted as cook, Jerry started out to fell
+more saplings.
+
+Before noon the clouds broke, the sun came out, and its reflection from
+the pure white glistening snow was almost blinding.
+
+"A snowball fight," suggested Jerry, and the others took up the idea as
+a boon to dispel the monotony of their isolation.
+
+With the lieutenant "umpiring" from the little wireless room of the
+tractor, Joe and Frank "stood" Jerry and Slim, and from a distance of a
+hundred feet apart the battle began.
+
+One of Frank's well-aimed missiles caught Slim squarely in the mouth,
+just as he was calling out some challenging remark, and from the window
+of his post Lieutenant Mackinson laughingly shouted: "Strike one!"
+
+Slim, spitting and blowing out the icy pastry, gathered all his
+strength to hurl a ball back at Frank. But he "wound up," as baseball
+pitchers call that curving swinging of the arm just before the ball is
+thrown, with such vigor that he lost his balance. His feet went up into
+the air and he came down ker-plunk! but the snowball left his hand with
+what proved to be unerring aim.
+
+Joe, letting out a howl of laughter at Slim's accident, caught the
+tightly packed wad of snow right in the ear. He turned his back to the
+"enemy," and, leaning forward, began pounding the other side of his head
+to dislodge the snow.
+
+Of a sudden he straightened up, uttering an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Lieutenant!" he shouted. "Look here!"
+
+The lieutenant jumped out of the tractor, and the others followed him on
+the run to where Joe and Frank were gazing off down into the opposite
+valley.
+
+Two, perhaps three, miles away, a winding, twisting line of black
+against the snow was pushing its way laboriously around the mountain
+base.
+
+"Germans!" exclaimed Lieutenant Mackinson. "Wait until I get my field
+glasses, but do not stand where they might see you with theirs."
+
+From positions within the clump of trees the lads watched the line
+spread out and slowly but surely forge its way ahead. The lieutenant
+returned with his glasses.
+
+"At least ten thousand of them," he announced at last, after gazing down
+at them for fully a minute. "And nobody knows how many more behind. We
+must notify the camp at once."
+
+He ran back to the tractor, followed by all but Jerry, who remained to
+observe the enemy's further movements.
+
+In two or three minutes the wireless operator at headquarters signaled
+back for them to go on with the message.
+
+"About ten thousand enemy troops proceeding through eight inches snow,
+bound northwest around eastern base of mountain," Lieutenant Mackinson's
+message ran. "Am observing and will report progress. Any orders?"
+
+In another five minutes the wireless clicked back: "Are any of enemy
+flanking mountain on south?"
+
+Jerry, who at that moment entered the tractor, informed them that the
+Germans had divided into two diverging lines, apparently for that very
+purpose.
+
+There was a considerable pause after this was flashed to headquarters.
+Meanwhile Jerry had gone back to his post of observation, accompanied by
+Frank and Slim.
+
+"How many big guns?" was the next query from the commanding officer of
+the American forces in the sector.
+
+Joe rushed out to where the other three were standing, and from them
+returned with the information that already they had counted seven headed
+toward the north, and five being hauled toward a place where they might
+round the southern base of the mountain.
+
+This news was sent through space to the American army; and the lads who
+were the silent witnesses to what the enemy had intended and fully
+expected should be a secret movement, waited in silence for further
+developments.
+
+"Can you get back over the same road with tractor?" was the next message
+that came, and Lieutenant Mackinson called for the more expert judgment
+of Frank Hoskins before answering.
+
+"We can try it," said Frank in a rather doubtful tone, "but it's risky
+business. It will be as much as we can do to follow the road, and we
+can't hope to see the ruts and bumps. The worst part of it is, though,
+that the tractor is so heavy it may not hold the road. However, we can
+try."
+
+The lieutenant repeated the gist of this to headquarters, and the
+message came back: "Better try."
+
+But by the time this decision was reached the fire in the earthen oven
+had almost entirely died out, and the engine of the tractor, which had
+been drawn up to it, had become so cold that they had to build another
+fire, to get hot water to put into the radiator, before they could get
+it started.
+
+And then the perilous journey began.
+
+With Frank at the wheel, and running the engine only in low gear, as
+compression against gaining speed, the lieutenant and Joe trotted ahead,
+one on either side of the road, to indicate the course of the crude
+highway.
+
+Jerry and Slim, inside the big truck, were doing their best to hold
+things in place as they rocked and jolted over the deep ruts and
+gullies.
+
+It must have been this series of terrible jars that finally splashed
+grease and oil in on the brake bands. Whatever the cause, it suddenly
+became apparent at one of the steepest and sharpest turns in the whole
+route that the brakes were not holding.
+
+"Look out!" Frank shouted to Joe and the lieutenant ahead, as he
+realized the truck was getting beyond his control. "Better jump!" he
+advised Jerry and Slim, standing just behind him.
+
+As Lieutenant Mackinson and Joe ran to either side of the road, the
+tractor slid by them at increasing speed. Slim and Jerry, following
+Frank's bidding, leaped from the rear and landed unharmed in a
+snow-bank.
+
+"Run her into the side of the mountain," shouted Lieutenant Mackinson,
+and that was exactly what Frank was doing. It was the only possible way
+of saving the tractor from gathering more and more momentum, and,
+finally beyond all control, leaving the road and hurtling down the steep
+slope.
+
+With all his strength Frank swung the wheel so as to turn the right side
+of the car at an angle up the mountain wall that flanked the road. In
+this position the machine was still traveling along with great force
+when it struck a thick abutting ledge of rock.
+
+There was a sudden jolt, a sharp crack, and Frank was hurtled forward
+head first into the snow.
+
+When they had brushed him off and made certain that he was uninjured,
+except for an awful jarring up, they began an examination of the
+machine.
+
+The right front wheel had been crushed to splinters, the axle was bent,
+and the machine was wedged so far under a split edge of the granite as
+to be, for the time at least, totally useless.
+
+"Better go back to where we were first," Lieutenant Mackinson said at
+last. "We'll take the pack-set with us, and we can probably advise
+headquarters of our predicament with that, and also inform them of the
+progress of the enemy movement."
+
+Wearily they turned about, each man loaded down with the necessities
+that they had to take with them from the wrecked tractor. It was nearing
+night when they reached the apex of the mountain again, and their first
+desire was to see whether the Germans had entirely passed around the
+mountain.
+
+So far as they could see they had!
+
+But the Boches had done more than that. Their heavy guns were being sent
+around either side of the base of the mountain, each quota being part of
+a good-sized army. But they were sending another strong detachment up
+and over the mountain itself!
+
+And the first section of it was less than a mile below, spreading out in
+such a way that while a part of it would come over the top, other parts
+would go around either side, and they would be fan-like in shape,
+forming a virtual comb in the search for any enemies who might be
+lurking there.
+
+"The pack-set!" ordered the lieutenant. In a very short time it was set
+up, and Jerry was grinding the crank to generate power while the officer
+flashed out the headquarters call.
+
+In a moment a message began to come: "J-X. J-X. J-X. J-X."
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson nervously began tapping the key again, but the only
+reply was the insistent call for J-X, which was the code call for
+themselves.
+
+"No use," said the young officer at last. "We can catch them, with their
+stronger range, but we haven't radius enough to send to them."
+
+"Those troops cannot reach here until after dark," said Slim.
+
+"No," Lieutenant Mackinson acknowledged, "but they are in such numbers
+that we could not hope to keep our identity or presence hidden, and
+they are getting around the mountain quicker than we could get down and
+beyond their line."
+
+"It looks as though we were hemmed in," said Frank Hoskins in an even
+tone.
+
+"Yes," agreed Jerry, "and in a tight place."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE LIEUTENANT'S INVENTION
+
+
+While the others speculated upon various means of escape, and in turn
+found every one of their suggestions useless, Lieutenant Mackinson had
+remained silent and in deep thought. Finally, his countenance showing
+that he had arrived at a conclusion, he turned to the others.
+
+"Come with me," he said simply, "it is the only way."
+
+"Where are you going?" Joe asked quickly.
+
+"Back to the tractor," the lieutenant replied. "Hurry! We still have
+time, but none to waste."
+
+"But we can't repair the tractor," Frank argued.
+
+"No, we can't," Lieutenant Mackinson admitted, "but we may do something
+even better than that."
+
+"What?" queried all the lads at once.
+
+"Come with me and we'll see what can be done."
+
+And without granting them any further information then, Lieutenant
+Mackinson swung his share of the burdens to his shoulder and started
+down the rough mountain road, the others following, and likewise bearing
+the various necessities which, only a short time before, they had
+labored so industriously to carry up the mountain.
+
+As they neared the point where they had left the wrecked machine the
+young officer turned to Joe, who was nearest to him.
+
+"Do you remember," he asked, "seeing that wire of the old telegraph line
+just about a hundred yards below where we ran the truck into the wall?"
+
+"I saw it," Joe admitted, "but I didn't pay any further attention to
+it."
+
+The others had come up within hearing distance.
+
+"Well," the lieutenant responded, "if you had traced its course you
+would have seen that it is swung from this mountain to the one directly
+to the south, just at the point where the valley between narrows down to
+little more than a deep ravine."
+
+"But it doesn't run into our lines," Frank objected again.
+
+"That's true," Lieutenant Mackinson admitted again, "but it may serve
+our purposes just the same."
+
+"How?" Slim asked entreatingly. "Tell us what your plan is, Lieutenant."
+
+"No," replied the young officer in teasing tones, "I don't want to raise
+your hopes until I determine whether it can be accomplished."
+
+And he plodded on toward the tractor, refusing to answer another
+question. Indeed, it is doubtful if he heard them, for he was busy with
+some important mental calculations--problems that required his
+engineering knowledge and ability, and that had directly to do with the
+personal safety of every man in the party.
+
+"What tools have we here?" he asked of Frank Hoskins, as they arrived at
+the wrecked wireless tractor.
+
+Frank opened up a tool chest that showed a great variety of implements
+in almost every size and shape.
+
+"Good," said the lieutenant, as he looked up from where he was rummaging
+in another part of the car. "Here, Jerry," he commanded, "let me have
+that mallet and cold chisel and then help me rip a couple of these
+boards off the floor."
+
+He had laid aside a large pulley wheel, several nuts and bolts and some
+heavy copper wire. With the aid of the mystified Jerry he tore two
+stout boards up from the floor of the tractor.
+
+"Now we've got to work rapidly, fellows," he said, "for it will soon be
+dark, and we don't want to attract attention to ourselves by making a
+light.
+
+"Here is what I am going to try to do: That wire is strung really from
+mountain to mountain, running down a slight grade from where it is
+fastened here to where it is tied up over there. I don't know how strong
+it is, or how securely it is fastened at the other end, but I'm going to
+find out.
+
+"You've all seen those trolley-like boxes that run on wires in
+department stores, with which the clerk sends your money to the
+cashier's desk, and the cashier returns the change? Well, I'm going to
+construct something on the same principle, only I want to make it strong
+enough to carry my weight.
+
+"If I can do that, and the wire holds, the incline is sufficient to
+carry a passenger to the other mountain without any propelling power.
+I'll try it first, and carry with me one end of this reel of copper
+wire. If I get over all right I'll attach the wire to the little oar and
+you fellows can haul it back for the next passenger, and so on until all
+of us are over."
+
+Slim looked dubious. "How thick is that wire?" he demanded anxiously.
+
+"You know Slim's a trifle heavy," Jerry reminded the lieutenant.
+
+"Well," said Slim in a serious tone, "I'd rather fall into the hands of
+the Germans, and have some chance for my life, than spatter myself all
+over the bottom of that ravine."
+
+While this conversation was going on, Lieutenant Mackinson was boring a
+hole about two inches in from each of the four comers of one of the
+planks taken from the floor of the truck.
+
+"This ought to do for a seat," he said, as he began running pieces of
+the heavy copper wire, of equal length, through each of the holes.
+
+He then laid this part of the work aside for a moment and began filing
+off one end of the riveted axle that held the pulley wheel in its frame.
+When he had knocked this axle out he tried one of the bolts and found
+that it fitted almost exactly, and that the wheel ran freely upon it.
+
+"Have to have that wheel off to put the thing on the telegraph wire," he
+explained, as he began securely fastening the copper wires into the
+bottom of the pulley frame.
+
+Completed, the thing looked for all the world like a miniature trapeze
+seat.
+
+"Now," he said, slipping a wrench into his pocket, and buckling on his
+legs a pair of spurs such as all linemen use to climb a smooth pole,
+"I'm going to take this up that telegraph pole with me and fasten this
+thing on the wire. Then it's 'All aboard for the opposite mountain.'
+
+"If I get over all right I'll give one flash of my light. If I
+don't--well, don't try the wire route."
+
+Without wasting another second he dug one spur into the pole and started
+climbing upward, dragging his improvised car with him, together with the
+loose end of the reel of copper wire.
+
+By this time it was pitch dark, and they could feel, rather than see,
+that he was tightening the bolt which hung the apparatus on the wire.
+The lads had placed a heavy stick through the reel, and two of them held
+either end of it.
+
+"Let it run free," the lieutenant told them. "And don't forget the
+signal. I'm ready. Good-by!"
+
+There was a sudden jerk on the reel and the wire began to unwind
+quickly. It literally spun round on the stout stick which they were
+holding. They just got a glimpse of the courageous lieutenant sailing
+off through space, a thousand feet above the bottom of the ravine.
+
+The unwinding wire gave an added spurt, and then, pressure being
+released from it, it began to slow down.
+
+"He's either on the other side, or lost the wire," said Slim, his
+nervousness showing in his voice.
+
+Every eye was glued to the opposite mountain.
+
+"Look!" almost shouted Jerry. "He's safe!"
+
+Sure enough, the light had flashed out once in the blackness of the
+night, and then as suddenly disappeared.
+
+The boys began hauling in on the copper wire, winding it again on the
+reel.
+
+"Who's next?" asked Frank, as the last of the cable was being re-wound.
+
+"Eenie, meenie, minie, mo," Jerry began to count out, when Joe suddenly
+interrupted.
+
+By ten feet of heavy twine Lieutenant Mackinson had tied the spurs to
+the car so that they would dangle within reach of the lads on the
+ground. Attached to them was a note, which read:
+
+     "Easy landing on soft slope. Let Slim come next before wire is
+     weakened, because he is the heaviest. All can make it safely."
+
+And so Slim, not entirely assured, and breathing somewhat heavily as he
+contemplated the distance he had to fall if the telegraph wire should
+break, was the next to climb a-straddle the crude "air-line" trolley, on
+its second trip to the opposite mountain.
+
+In a few moments the light flashed out again and then disappeared, while
+Joe, Jerry and Frank hauled in on the cable to which the car was
+attached.
+
+By mutual agreement it was arranged that Frank should be the next to go
+over, after which they would send the portable wireless, followed by
+Jerry, and finally Joe.
+
+Lads of less courage never would have attempted such a perilous escape,
+but they made it without a single mishap. It was not until Joe, the last
+of the party, was just coming to a stop in the outstretched arms of his
+friends, that the Germans below, and on what was now the opposite
+mountain, seemed to sense something going on--or perhaps had seen the
+mysterious blinking of the flashlight--and let go a distant and futile
+volley of shots.
+
+"No use, Boche," called the lieutenant mockingly, "we're out of your
+range. And now, having escaped you, we'll see what we can do to harass
+you."
+
+Saying which he began opening up the pack-set wireless, while two of the
+others set up the umbrella antenna.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson began tapping off the headquarters call. It might
+have been the slightly nearer position they were in, or, so far as they
+knew, headquarters might have moved meanwhile, but in a very short time
+the operator there was responding.
+
+The young officer gave an accurate account of the operations of the
+Germans, and particularly of their artillery. Headquarters thanked them,
+told them to stay until morning where they were, and then ask for
+further orders.
+
+In less than half an hour the boom of heavy guns from the westward told
+them that they had given their information in time.
+
+American artillery was dropping a rain of shells into the cuts in the
+mountain through which the Germans had to emerge with their guns to do
+any damage! Their whole plan, so carefully carried out, had been
+defeated!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+SLIM GOODWIN A PRISONER
+
+
+"If I had a good rifle I could 'pot' half a dozen of them from here,"
+said Jerry the following morning as he and the rest, standing back among
+the trees of the mountain in which they had sought safety, watched two
+long, converging lines of German soldiers marching back in the direction
+whence they had come on the preceding day.
+
+"And we owe them that much for that nice, nifty little night trapeze act
+we had to do through space on their account," added Slim.
+
+"Not to mention the wrecked tractor," put in Frank.
+
+"Well," spoke Lieutenant Mackinson, calling them to the business of the
+day, "I guess we can make a report to headquarters now--and a good one,
+too."
+
+With which he opened up the wireless and began repeating the call
+letters.
+
+When headquarters had responded, the lieutenant gave them the glad
+tidings of the Boche retreat. That done, he proceeded to give the
+details of the wrecking of the tractor and of their escape to the second
+mountain.
+
+"Ought to be aviators," the operator at headquarters came back at him on
+his own account, and then added: "Wait for orders."
+
+These came a few minutes later.
+
+"Divide as follows: Lieutenant and two men return here; other two go
+forward at safe distance with portable, and report to-night."
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson read them the message.
+
+"Well," he asked, "which two are to accompany me back, and which two are
+to stay on the heels of the Boches?"
+
+"I've got a scent like a deerhound," averred Slim.
+
+"And I was born to be a scout," declared Jerry.
+
+"You two spoke first," announced the lieutenant pleasantly, "so I guess
+that shall be your end of it, if that's what you want."
+
+"Fine!" exclaimed Jerry and Slim in unison.
+
+"Anyway," added the lieutenant, "I guess there'll be enough serious work
+for the rest of us when we get back. For instance," winking at the
+others, "there's that smashed tractor, Frank, that you will have to
+explain."
+
+"Not so long as you were in charge of the party," Hoskins retorted
+quickly. And Lieutenant Mackinson, unable to determine whether the
+remark was a facetious evasion of responsibility or an indirect
+compliment to himself, on the ground that no act of his would be
+questioned, pursued his bantering no further.
+
+"I guess," he said, "that Joe, Frank and I had better start back at
+once. You two will have to wait here some time before you can begin
+trailing that army. I'm sorry we can't stay with you, but I feel that we
+ought to report back as soon as possible."
+
+And so the three of them began the preparations for their return, while
+Jerry and Slim watched and studied the movements of the regiments they
+were to follow.
+
+"They seem to be pretty well tired out," said Slim at last. "Guess they
+didn't have any sleep at all last night."
+
+"We're going to find it pretty heavy tramping through that snow, too,"
+Jerry answered. "And with the wireless and rations we'll be carrying a
+hefty weight."
+
+"Well, boys; we're off," announced Lieutenant Mackinson, and the
+separating parties shook hands all around. "Take care of yourselves," he
+admonished, "and we'll look for you back by to-morrow."
+
+The officer, Joe and Frank started off on their long tramp back to camp,
+and Jerry and Slim watched them until they were out of sight.
+
+"That looks like the last regiment of the Germans going over the
+opposite hill there, too," said Jerry, as they turned to observe the
+enemy army. "We can start in a short while."
+
+And in half an hour, Jerry carrying the heavy pack-set and Slim toting
+the equally weighty rations and incidentals, they set off on the Boches'
+trail.
+
+Out in the open, and especially in the mountains, distances are
+deceptive. Jerry and Slim learned this when they had been traveling for
+two hours, and the point where they had seen the last German disappear
+over a hilltop seemed as far away as when they started.
+
+"Ever travel along in a train at night watching the moon, and notice how
+it seemed to move right along with you?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Lots of times," answered Slim, as he puffed along, "Why?"
+
+"Well, that's the way that hill seems to be traveling along, always
+keeping the same distance ahead of us."
+
+"I've heard of armies 'taking' a fort, or a city, or a trench," said
+Slim. "Do you suppose those Germans are 'taking' that young mountain
+along with them?"
+
+"Seems so to me," said Jerry, coming to a halt to shift the heavy
+pack-set to the other hand.
+
+As a matter of fact, early evening--a cold, biting winter evening--was
+settling about them when they finally climbed to the crest of that hill
+to cautiously "see what they could see."
+
+Far beyond the slope ahead of them, in the dim dusk, they could discern
+a mass of men, evidently halted for the night.
+
+"That's their rear guard," announced Jerry, with the field glasses to
+his eyes. "I can even make out their sentries."
+
+Slim took a look and agreed. "Hadn't we better report?" he asked.
+
+"I think we ought to make this bunch of trees here our position, and
+then scout ahead a little first," said Jerry.
+
+"All right," Slim agreed. "Which one of us shall go?"
+
+"Let's toss."
+
+They did, and it fell to the lad who had claimed to have the scent of a
+deerhound to go out and reconnoitre, while the "natural-born scout"
+remained behind.
+
+Divesting himself of all his burdens but his revolver and ammunition
+belt, Slim started off. Leaving Jerry to arrange their effects, he gave
+that young man a real shock when he silently returned five minutes later
+unheard by Jerry, and, standing only half a dozen feet behind him,
+blurted out:
+
+"Forgot my field glasses."
+
+Jerry whirled around as though he had been shot. "Why don't you sneak up
+and try to frighten a fellow to death?" he demanded.
+
+"Sorry," Slim apologized. "Thought you heard me coming."
+
+"I believe you did it on purpose," Jerry growled, as the other youth
+again started off.
+
+"I'll send in my card first next time," was Slim's parting remark.
+
+"Well, be sure to make yourself known," retorted Jerry, "or I might
+mistake you for a Boche and send in a bullet."
+
+Slim's laugh floated back and he disappeared down a ravine through which
+he was making for a higher point of observation further on.
+
+Ten minutes elapsed and there was no sign of Slim. When a quarter of an
+hour had passed Jerry began to get worried. Had his friend perhaps
+fallen and injured himself? Had he lost his way? A dozen fears came into
+Jerry's mind, and at the end of another five minutes he decided that it
+was time to take some measure to learn the whereabouts of Slim.
+
+Softly, but with great carrying force, he gave the well-known
+"Whip-poor-will."
+
+The answer was the same that Slim himself had received that night in No
+Man's Land when the wounded and unconscious Rawle lay bleeding beside
+him--nothing but absolute silence.
+
+A great dread that he could not have defined gripped Jerry's heart.
+Something had happened to Slim; there was no doubt about that. What was
+it? Injury? Death? Capture?
+
+Again Jerry gave their mutual Brighton signal: "Whip-poor-will."
+
+"He can't be entirely out of hearing," he argued. "There's some reason
+why he doesn't answer." It was fast growing dark. Sliding the pack-set
+and their other paraphernalia into a little gully which he easily could
+identify later, but where it would be entirely hidden from the view of
+anyone else who might chance upon the scene, Jerry set out in search of
+his friend.
+
+It was a difficult task that he set himself, for he knew no more than
+the general direction that Slim had taken. But remembering that his chum
+had started off down the ravine, and that his purpose was to reach a
+higher hill a quarter of a mile away, Jerry took that route, too.
+
+Two or three times as he stumbled along he snatched out his pocket
+searchlight and was about to use it, when some sixth sense, plus the
+mystery of Slim's absence, prevailed upon him to take his chances in the
+darkness.
+
+Coming out of the ravine, he turned to the left and, by a steep incline,
+reached a ledge that seemed to be a natural pathway to one of the higher
+peaks.
+
+Suddenly the heart within him seemed to stop beating.
+
+Somewhere ahead of him, but seemingly upon a lower level of ground, men
+were talking! And they were talking in German!
+
+As though a bullet had struck him, Jerry dropped forward upon the
+ground. Grasping the outstretched roots of a tree, he pulled himself up
+within its heavy black shadow. There, scarcely daring to breathe for
+fear of attracting attention, he lay and listened.
+
+He thanked Brighton then for his understanding of the German language.
+
+Slim Goodwin was a prisoner, and those men--how many there were of them
+he could not tell--were questioning him! Slim was pretending not to
+understand.
+
+Jerry's brain worked rapidly. There was no use of his returning to the
+wireless and attempting to summon help that way, for even if aid was
+sent it would be hours before it could arrive, and, presuming that the
+rescuers could find the spot, there was every likelihood that the
+Germans would have departed with their prisoner before that time. No,
+assuredly, if Slim was to be rescued, he, Jerry, must do it. But how?
+
+As he lay there thinking, he heard the one who seemed to be the officer
+in charge order another man to build a fire. As it crackled and began to
+blaze up, the reflection of the flame gave Jerry their exact location.
+Also it formed a curtain of light against which it would have been easy
+for him to have seen any Boche sentinel or outpost, had there been one
+between him and them.
+
+Assuring himself that there was not, he crept cautiously forward, foot
+by foot, until he was at the edge of the shelf of rock and could gaze
+almost directly down upon them. The fire gave good illumination. There
+was a young German lieutenant and four of his men. A short distance
+away, in the shelter of some trees, five horses were tethered.
+
+Slim finally had consented to talk--if what he was doing could be called
+talking. And in what was purposely the most miserably broken German
+imaginable, he was telling them that he got separated from his unit
+several days ago (which was true), and that he had been wandering about
+that part of the country for the last couple of days (which also was
+true), and that he did not know where he was (which likewise was the
+truth).
+
+While this was going on Jerry had scribbled upon a piece of paper: "Am
+near. Look lively if they sleep." This he wrapped around a small stone.
+For a moment all the Germans turned toward the fire, where one of the
+men was preparing supper. In that instant Jerry tossed the message
+straight at Slim's feet.
+
+Slim gave a little start, recovered himself immediately, stooped over,
+and, pretending to wash his hands in the snow, unwrapped and hastily
+read the note, and then trampled it into the ground. When one of the
+Germans turned suddenly, he was innocently drying his hands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+TURNING THE TABLES
+
+
+To Jerry, lying there half frozen, stiff in every joint and scarcely
+daring to move for fear of making some sound that might not only divulge
+his presence and result in his own capture, but also prevent the escape
+of Slim, it seemed that never did it take men so long to eat a meal.
+
+And as they ate, his own appetite became ravenous. The cruelest
+punishment of all was to lie there half starved and hear them vulgarly
+smacking their lips over the warmed-up remains of a chicken undoubtedly
+filched from a countryside barnyard.
+
+But at last, after what seemed to Jerry to have been hours of feasting,
+they did finish. With a derisive laugh the German lieutenant gathered
+all the bones from every other tin plate and shoved them, with mock
+courtesy, toward Slim.
+
+The latter was biding his time, and, his courage increased by knowledge
+that his friend was close by, refused to get angry. He merely waved the
+plate aside.
+
+Their stomachs filled, the Germans almost immediately began to think
+about sleep. In truth, they all looked as though they had been up all of
+the night before, as probably they had. One of them, a mere youth
+certainly not yet out of his teens and the youngest in the party,
+yawned. The lieutenant saw it, and in a fit of apparently unreasonable
+anger said, in his native tongue:
+
+"So! You want to serve notice that you desire to sleep? Very well, you
+shall do sentinel duty--and all night. And mind that you do not sleep!"
+
+A pitiful look came over the boy's face, but without a word he saluted
+and departed to the circle of outer shadows to take up his long and
+tedious vigil.
+
+Jerry felt genuinely sorry for him, but he sincerely hoped that the
+officer would not change his mind or relent. He knew the youth could not
+possibly stay awake the whole night through.
+
+Half an hour later the other four Germans were conducting a spirited
+rivalry in snoring, and Slim, also, to all appearances, was fast asleep.
+
+Not daring to move, Jerry kept his eyes constantly upon the young
+sentry. Frequently he yawned. Once or twice he stopped uncertainly
+before a stump and seemed about to sit down, then started on again
+around his monotonous beat. But his step was wavering, his eyes were
+heavy, and Jerry knew it was only a question of time--a comparatively
+short time--when nature would conquer, and the sentinel, too, would
+sleep.
+
+Had he been able to bring himself to it, he could have shot the sentry
+and killed the others as they slept, before they could even have reached
+for their weapons. But he could not do that.
+
+Better the other way, he told himself, even though it carried a greater
+risk.
+
+And finally his own vigil was rewarded. The sentinel placed two or three
+more pieces of wood upon the fire, stood for a few moments within its
+genial warmth, looked dully at the others so soundly sleeping, and then
+crossed to the stump and sat down.
+
+His rifle was on the ground beside him. His elbows rested upon his
+knees, and his chin in his hands. Presently his lids drooped and closed.
+His head, and then his whole body, sagged forward. He wakened with a
+start and changed his place to another tree more within the shadows.
+There he was able to lean back in a more comfortable position, and soon
+his heavy, even breathing assured Jerry that nature had, indeed, won.
+
+Softly, without so much as a sound, he rose to his hands and knees. He
+tossed a pebble, which hit Slim upon the hand. The latter turned his
+head ever so slightly and gazed fixedly in Jerry's direction. Finally
+his decided wink indicated that he had made out the form of his friend.
+
+Still upon all fours, and feeling every inch of the way, Jerry retraced
+his steps over the ledge. Quietly he slid down to the lower level and
+took a wide circle about the little camp, finally closing in near to
+where the sleeping sentry sat. Deftly and silently he pulled the
+latter's gun from where it lay beside him. This he carried over to near
+where the horses were corralled. Slim now was watching his every move,
+but awaited Jerry's signal before he stirred.
+
+Jerry then returned, and, so gently that the sentry never made a
+movement, lifted his loaded revolver from its holster. With this he
+tiptoed to Slim, placed the weapon in his hand and with a gesture bade
+him rise.
+
+They were now masters of the situation, but Jerry did not want to take
+any chances. Two of the Germans were lying in such a position that he
+could get their revolvers, also. They did not carry rifles. This he
+accomplished after having stationed Slim in the shadows at such a point
+of vantage that he could cover all of the Boches, should they awaken.
+
+One of the additional guns he gave to Slim; the other he kept himself.
+Thus doubly armed, they stepped over to the sleeping sentry, and while
+Slim pointed his two guns at the others, to prevent any hostilities upon
+their part, should they rouse, Jerry shook and awakened the bewildered
+sentry.
+
+As he faced the two revolvers, and the changed situation suddenly dawned
+upon him, the young German's expression was pathetic. Apparently he was
+too stunned to speak a word. Jerry motioned him to take a position just
+behind the sleepers, which he did.
+
+With Slim standing beside him, and their four revolvers pointed
+menacingly at the Germans, Jerry kicked the lieutenant upon the sole of
+his boot. The latter roused angrily and was about to give vent to his
+feelings when he looked into the barrels of the automatics. His
+exclamation was one of complete chagrin.
+
+Slim stepped over and extracted his revolver, which he dropped into his
+own pocket. By the same process the other armed Boche was awakened, and
+in the same way he was disarmed. Then, with his foot, Jerry jabbed the
+remaining two back to consciousness.
+
+"You are our prisoners," Jerry informed them, in their own language.
+"One hostile move from any one of you and you will be shot."
+
+Forming them into pairs, and purposely leaving the sentinel as the
+single one of the party and in the lead, Jerry ordered them to walk
+toward where the horses were tethered.
+
+He made two of the men put saddles and bridles upon the animals, and
+then compelled them to mount as they were paired--the lieutenant and one
+of his men upon one of the horses, two others upon another, the sentry
+alone upon another, but carrying a good supply of rations--while Slim
+and he each had an animal to carry themselves, the wireless and other
+paraphernalia when they should pick that up.
+
+Thus, with hardly a dozen words having been spoken, they came through
+the ravine and at forced speed struck out across the level ground
+toward the mountain from which Jerry and Slim had come that morning.
+
+"You!" the lieutenant hissed between his teeth at the sentinel as they
+came side by side. "What were you doing when this second American
+arrived? Asleep, eh?"
+
+"I came up behind him. He never had a chance, for I did not make a
+sound," Jerry interposed in German, before the young Boche could make
+even an involuntary admission.
+
+As they approached the base of the mountain where they had parted from
+Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, and Frank early that day, the moon reached
+its zenith, and its beams, reflected upon the white ground, made the
+night almost as light as day.
+
+Two hours later they were upon the identical spot from which they had
+wirelessed headquarters in the morning. It was midnight now as two of
+the Germans, working under Jerry's orders while Slim kept a weather eye
+on the others, set up the pack-set.
+
+Jerry worked the key half a dozen times and then got an almost immediate
+response. The first query after he had identified himself was:
+
+"This is Joe; where are you?"
+
+"Just got back to where we left you this morning," Jerry ticked off into
+the air. "Bringing in a German lieutenant and four of his men as
+prisoners. Should arrive by daylight, as we have horses."
+
+"Great," was Joe's radio response. "Have letter from Brighton and fine
+news. Will make your report."
+
+And the pack-set was put back in its compact case, and, paired off as
+before, the journey was resumed.
+
+"Say," said Jerry, as they urged their horses down the side of the
+mountain leading to fairly level ground all the way into camp, "I'm
+hungry enough to eat dog meat, but I guess we can hold out now until we
+reach our lines."
+
+"Yes, I suppose so," Slim answered. "But how'd you like to have some
+sausage, and some plum pudding, and----"
+
+"Don't," pleaded Jerry. "The idea is too much. My stomach is accusing me
+of gross carelessness now."
+
+"Wonder what's in that letter from Brighton, and who wrote it?" said
+Sum, glad to change the subject and forget his own hunger.
+
+"Can't imagine, but my own curiosity has been as to whether the fine
+news Joe mentioned comes from there or refers to something at
+headquarters."
+
+And so, sore, tired and hungry, but happy withal, they continued on. The
+moon waned and set, and tradition proved itself--it became darkest just
+before dawn.
+
+"Wait!" said Jerry, just at this stage of the journey, and he jumped
+from his horse to recover something that he had seen the German
+lieutenant drop.
+
+It proved to be a packet of papers, bearing the official German army
+seal.
+
+"Ah-ha!" Jerry cried, riding up to the officer and thrusting the
+documents out before him. "So you thought to get rid of them, eh? Well,
+we'll just take these along to headquarters, too. They may contain
+something of interest to our commanders. Yes?"
+
+The lieutenant gave an ugly, menacing grunt, but refused to say a word.
+
+Daylight came, and with it a clear view of the American lines. A quarter
+of an hour later they saw two horsemen coming toward them. Slim examined
+them carefully with his glasses.
+
+"The lieutenant and Frank," he announced. "Guess Joe's still on duty."
+
+And Joe was. He was just relaying to the commander of the American
+forces in France orders forwarded from London, and they were of the
+greatest import to the three boys from Brighton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE GREAT NEWS
+
+
+"Well, Sergeants, how are you?" Lieutenant Mackinson greeted them, as he
+and Frank came galloping up and swerved their horses around.
+
+"Corporals, you mean, Lieutenant," Jerry corrected.
+
+"No, I thought I meant sergeants," the lieutenant repeated. "In fact,
+I'm quite sure I did."
+
+"What do you mean?" Slim demanded eagerly, for the moment forgetting all
+about their prisoners of war.
+
+"Just what I said--sergeants," said Lieutenant Mackinson, smiling.
+
+"Have we--Do you--" Jerry stopped to begin all over again, and the young
+officer interrupted him.
+
+"I suppose it's a little like telling secrets out of school," he said,
+"but then, after all, it isn't any secret, for the news was out
+yesterday afternoon. A lot of promotions were announced. Frank's been
+made a corporal, and you boys--Joe, too--advanced to sergeant."
+
+It was fully a minute before either lad could express himself, and the
+lieutenant and Corporal Hoskins took a full measure of enjoyment out of
+their apparent happy gratification.
+
+"Lieutenant--" Slim began.
+
+"Captain, if you please," Mr. Mackinson corrected amiably. "You see, I
+was in the list, too."
+
+Slim and Jerry simultaneously brought their horses to a halt while they
+came to a full military salute.
+
+As they approached Major Jones' headquarters with their prisoners,
+Captain Mackinson turned another way and Corporal Hoskins dropped back.
+
+Briefly, and without undue emphasis upon their own hardships or courage
+or common sense, they gave the details of their activities since they
+had left, and of the capture of Slim and the subsequent taking of his
+captors.
+
+"You have done well, exceptionally well," the major responded. "In
+consequence whereof it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you
+have been advanced to the rank of sergeant. In that respect I might
+remind you that the next step is to a commission, and that merit and
+courage will take a man to any command in the United States army. It is
+the only standard of advancement, and there is no other instrument of
+preferment. I am happy to know that you young men have started so well.
+You two, and the friend who also was advanced to sergeant with you, have
+brilliant futures before you."
+
+They were saluting, preliminary to departure, when the major added:
+
+"You will report to General Young, division commander, at ten o'clock."
+
+A little bewildered by the salutes of those privates who knew of their
+promotions, even though they did not yet wear upon their sleeves the two
+stripes indicating their advance to corporals, Jerry and Slim hurried
+toward the wash spigots, preliminary to an assault upon the mess tent.
+
+There they met Joe, who had just come off duty as night wireless
+operator at headquarters. They shook hands, and then Slim demanded to
+know about that letter from Brighton.
+
+"It was from our old friend, the telegrapher, Philip Burton," said Joe,
+"and it was written about three weeks ago."
+
+"That's pretty quick delivery," said Slim. "What did he have to say?"
+
+"Well, it seems they've had reports there of some of our experiences
+coming over, and Mr. Burton says some of the finest things."
+
+"Good old Burton!" mused Jerry. "He always did credit us with being a
+lot better and brighter and more capable than we really were."
+
+"Yes, and we owe him a lot," added Slim, "for he was really responsible
+in the first place for our getting here. If it hadn't been for what he
+taught us about telegraphy we'd never be sergeants now."
+
+"That's right," said Joe. "Fellows, Mr. Burton's getting pretty well
+along now. He'll be an old man before very long. I wish we three could
+do something to really show him our appreciation of what he's been to
+us."
+
+"We will," Jerry said. "We will. Let's make a promise to each other on
+that."
+
+And with this good resolution made, they started for the mess tent.
+
+The first fifteen minutes they gave over unstintedly to appeasing
+healthy and long-deferred appetites, and then Slim suddenly remembered
+Major Jones' final instructions.
+
+"Wonder what we have to report at General Young's headquarters at ten
+o'clock for?" he queried. "I'm nearly dead for sleep myself."
+
+"So am I," said Jerry.
+
+Both of them caught Joe's averted smile.
+
+"What's it for, do you know?" Jerry demanded.
+
+"Well, fellows, I think I do," Joe answered. "But I only learned it over
+the wireless--and that's information gained in a professional way, you
+know, and therefore secret. So don't ask me to tell you. In another hour
+we'll go over. You know I've been summoned, too."
+
+"No!" ejaculated Jerry. "Well, that's fine. But you'll be going over to
+learn something that you already know, while we'll be getting some real
+news, whatever it is."
+
+"That's right," said Joe. "And maybe it will be real news."
+
+Jerry and Slim both spent the intervening hour on their cots, and when
+Joe came to awaken them he found them snoring most unmusically.
+
+"What do you think?" he demanded, as soon as they were wide enough awake
+to realize what he was saying. "That German lieutenant that you brought
+in had papers on him that showed the whole plan of the German campaign
+in this sector for a month ahead. You boys made a great capture."
+
+At exactly ten o'clock they presented themselves to General Young's
+orderly, and a moment later were ushered into the presence of the
+supreme commander of that section of the American front.
+
+"Young men," the general began bluntly, without other formalities, "you
+have signally distinguished yourselves for judgment, foresight, and
+courage from the moment of your enlistment, it might be said. I have
+before me your records, beginning from the time of your discovery of the
+spy at work in the waters near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
+
+"Congress has just passed a bill, and the President has signed it,
+providing for the higher military education of certain worthy young men
+in the army and navy, entirely at the expense of the government.
+Fortunately for the military service, these selections have been
+entirely removed from the realm of politics and are left to the
+commanders in the army and navy.
+
+"At this school, which in many respects is similar to the Military
+Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, young men will
+be thoroughly instructed in the specialized branches of military
+science.
+
+"I am offering you three young men such appointments. I am doing so
+solely upon your records and upon my own confidence that you will make
+good to the country that offers you this opportunity. Will you accept?"
+
+If someone had suddenly set off a bomb under the three boys from
+Brighton they hardly could have been more surprised.
+
+"I don't know how to thank you," Joe stammered.
+
+"I'll do my utmost to prove worth it," promised Jerry.
+
+"It shall be my highest ambition," said Slim.
+
+"Good!" said General Young, rising and shaking each lad by the hand. "I
+was confident that you would accept, and here are the appointments
+already made out."
+
+He gave to each lad a large envelope, stamped with the army seal.
+
+"Transportation has been arranged for you to leave here to-night,"
+General Young concluded. "You will sail from England for the United
+States day after to-morrow. I wish you every success. I would be very
+glad to hear from you occasionally, and to know of the progress you are
+making. Good-by!"
+
+It would be difficult to describe the ecstacies of delight in which Joe,
+Jerry and Slim left the quarters of General Young to impart the
+knowledge of their great good fortune to Captain Mackinson.
+
+That warm friend listened to them until he could not keep his
+countenance straight any longer.
+
+"I forgot to tell you," he said, "that I am to go back there, also, as
+an instructor."
+
+"Isn't that luck!" exclaimed Slim, expressing the sentiment of the other
+two. "That just about makes it perfect."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+So we leave the boys from Brighton--Joe and Jerry and Slim--leave them
+upon the threshold of the broader careers which merit has won them, and
+bid them carry always with them our very best wishes in their
+aspirations which we know ever will be onward and upward.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Critics uniformly agree that parents can safely place in the hands of
+boys and girls any book written by Edward S. Ellis
+
+The "FLYING BOYS" Series
+
+By EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of the Renowned "Deerfoot" Books, and 100 other famous volumes
+for young people
+
+During his trip abroad last summer, Mr. Ellis became intensely
+interested in aeroplane and airship flying in France, and this new
+series from his pen is the visible result of what he would call a
+"vacation." He has made a study of the science and art of aeronautics,
+and these books will give boys just the information they want about this
+marvelous triumph of man.
+
+First Volume: THE FLYING BOYS IN THE SKY
+Second Volume: THE FLYING BOYS TO THE RESCUE
+
+The stories are timely and full of interest and stirring events.
+Handsomely illustrated and with appropriate cover design.
+
+Price..........Per volume, 75 cents. Postpaid.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+This series will appeal to up-to-date American Girls. The subsequent
+volumes will carry the Ranch Girls through numerous ups and downs
+of fortune and adventures in America and Europe
+
+THE "RANCH GIRLS" SERIES IS A NEW LINE OF BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+THE RANCH GIRLS AT RAINBOW LODGE
+
+By MARGARET VANDERCOOK
+
+This first volume of the new RANCH GIRLS SERIES, will stir up the envy
+of all girl readers to a life of healthy exercise and honest
+helpfulness. The Ranch Girls undertake the management of a large ranch
+in a western state, and after many difficulties make it pay and give
+them a good living. They are jolly, healthy, attractive girls, who have
+the best kind of a time, and the young readers will enjoy the book as
+much as any of them. The first volume of the Ranch Girls Series will be
+followed by other titles carrying the Ranch Girls through numerous ups
+and downs of fortune and adventures in America and Europe. Attractive
+cover design. Excellent paper. Illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth.....Price, Per volume, 75 cents. Postpaid
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+A PENNANT-WINNER IN BOYS' BOOKS!
+
+Hugh S. Fullerton's Great Books
+
+The Jimmy Kirkland Series of Baseball Stories
+
+By HUGH S. FULLERTON
+
+America's Greatest Baseball Writer. Author of "Touching Second," Etc.
+
+Combining his literary skill with his unsurpassed knowledge of baseball
+from every angle--especially from a boy's angle--Mr. Fullerton has
+written a new seres of baseball stories for boys, which will be seized
+with devouring interest by every youthful admirer of the game. While the
+narrative is predominant in these books, Mr. Fullerton has encompassed a
+large amount of practical baseball instruction for boys; and, what is of
+greater value, he has shown the importance of manliness, sportsmanship
+and clean living to any boy who desires to excel in baseball or any
+other sport. These books are bound to sell wherever they are seen by
+boys or parents. Handsomely illustrated and bound. 12mo. Cloth. New and
+original cover design.
+
+JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE SHASTA BOYS' TEAM
+JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE CASCADE COLLEGE TEAM
+JIMMY KIRKLAND AND A PLOT FOR A PENNANT
+
+Sold Singly or in Boxed Sets
+
+Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The Big Series of Boys' Books for 1918
+
+THE BRIGHTON BOYS SERIES
+
+By Lieutenant James R. Driscoll
+
+An entirely new series of Boys' Books which have their setting in the
+Great War and deal with patriotism, heroism and adventure that should
+make a strong appeal to American boys. The volumes average 250 pages and
+contain four illustrations each.
+
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the TRENCHES
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the SUBMARINE FLEET
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the FLYING CORPS
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the RADIO SERVICE
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the BATTLE FLEET
+
+12mo. Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The American Boy Series
+
+By Edward S. Ellis
+
+Books of stirring interest that are founded upon and written around
+facts in American History and American romantic achievement.
+
+Each of the Series have Special Cover Designs
+
+ALAMO SERIES
+
+The Three Arrows
+Remember the Alamo
+
+OVERLAND SERIES
+
+Alden, the Pony Express Rider Alden Among the Indians
+
+BOY PATROL SERIES
+
+Boy Patrol on Guard
+Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire
+
+COLONIAL SERIES
+
+An American King
+The Cromwell of Virginia
+The Last Emperor of the Old Dominion
+
+LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot
+Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern Waters
+
+ARIZONA SERIES
+
+Off the Reservation
+Trailing Geronimo
+The Round Up
+
+FLYING BOYS SERIES
+
+The Flying Boys in the Sky
+The Flying Boys to the Rescue
+
+CATAMOUNT CAMP SERIES
+
+Captain of the Camp
+Catamount Camp
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+Price per volume, 45 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE NORTH POLE SERIES
+
+By Prof. Edwin J. Houston
+
+Dr. Houston has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of
+physical and scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for
+them in a way that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories
+the most accurate scientific information will be absorbed.
+
+HANDSOMELY BOUND
+
+The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English Cloth and are
+attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold separately or
+in sets, boxed.
+
+THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE
+THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE
+CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE
+
+3 Titles
+Price per volume, $1.00
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Harry Castlemon's Books for Boys
+
+NEW POPULAR EDITION
+
+This series comprises thirty titles of the best stories ever written by
+Harry Castlemon. But few of these titles have ever been published in
+low-priced editions, many of them are copyright titles which will not be
+found in any other publisher's list. We now offer them in this new
+low-priced edition. The books are printed on an excellent quality of
+paper, and have an entirely new and handsome cover design, with new
+style colored inlay on front cover, and stamped in ink. 12mo. Cloth. 30
+titles.
+
+Buried Treasure
+Carl, the Trailer
+Floating Treasure, The
+Frank, the Young Naturalist
+Frank Among the Rancheros
+Frank Before Vicksburg
+Frank in the Mountains
+Frank in the Woods
+Frank on a Gunboat
+Frank on Don Carlos' Rancho
+Frank on the Lower Mississippi
+Frank on the Prairie
+Haunted Mine, The
+Houseboat Boys, The
+Mail Carrier
+Marcy, The Refugee
+Missing Pocketbook, The
+Mystery of the Lost River Canyon, The
+Oscar in Africa
+Rebellion in Dixie
+Rod and Gun Club
+Rodney, the Overseer
+Rodney, the Partisan
+Steel Horse
+Ten-Ton Cutter, The
+Tom Newcomb
+Two Ways of Becoming a Hunter
+White Beaver, The
+
+THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS
+POPULAR AUTHOR
+
+Price per volume, .75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Universally APPROVED BOOKS for Boys
+
+A collection of books by well known authors that have been generally
+approved by competent critics and library committees as safe books for
+young people.
+
+WORLD FAMOUS BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+JACK HAZARD SERIES
+By J. T. Trowbridge
+Price $1.25 per volume
+
+Jack Hazard and His Fortunes
+A Chance for Himself
+Doing His Best
+Fast Friends
+The Young Surveyor
+Lawrence's Adventures
+
+FRANK NELSON SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Snowed Up
+Frank in the Forecastle
+The Boy Traders
+
+SPORTSMAN CLUB SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+The Sportsman Club in the Saddle
+The Sportsman Club Afloat
+The Sportsman Club Among the Trappers
+
+ROUGHING IT SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+George in Camp
+George at the Fort
+George at the Wheel
+
+ROD AND GUN CLUB SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Don Gordon's Shooting Box
+Red and Gun Club
+The Young Wild Fowler
+
+DEERFOOT SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Hunters of the Ozark
+Camp in the Mountains
+The Last War Trail
+
+NEW DEERFOOT SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Deerfoot in the Forest
+Deerfoot in the Mountains
+Deerfoot on the Prairie
+
+BOY PIONEER SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Ned in the Blockhouse
+Ned on the River
+Ned in the Woods
+
+LOG CABIN SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Lost Trail
+Camp Fire and Wigwam
+Footprints in the Forest
+
+RAGGED DICK SERIES
+By Horatio Alger
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Ragged Dick
+Fame and Fortune
+Mark, the Match Boy
+Rough and Ready
+Ben, the Luggage Boy
+Rufus and Rose
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS'
+
+Pioneer Series of Books for Boys
+
+Edward S. Ellis has been constantly growing in favor as an author of
+Boys' Books, and he now has admirers in all parts of the world. His
+stories are largely founded on history, and portray stirring adventures
+of daring American boys on the prairies, mountains, forest and stream.
+
+We are now enabled to offer this series of low-priced books, which have
+until recently been published only in editions at double the price. They
+are all copyright titles, and will not be found in any other publisher's
+list. The books are printed on an excellent quality of paper, and have
+an entirely new and appropriate cover design. 12mo. Cloth 30 Titles.
+
+Across Texas
+Brave Tom
+Cabin in the Clearin
+Dorsey, the Young Adventurer
+Fighting Phil
+Four Boys
+Great Cattle Trail
+Honest Ned
+Hunt of the White Elephant
+Iron Heart
+Lena Wingo, the Mohawk
+Lost in the Forbidden Land
+Lucky Ned
+Mountain Star
+On the Trail of the Moose
+Plucky Dick
+Queen of the Clouds
+Righting the Wrong
+River and Jungle
+River Fugitives
+Secret of Coffin Island
+Shod with Silence
+Teddy and Towser
+Through Forest and Fire
+Two Boys in Wyoming
+Unlucky Tib
+Upside Down
+Up the Forked River
+Wilderness Fugitives
+Wyoming
+
+THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS
+POPULAR AUTHOR
+
+Price per volume, .75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Two New Books by Dr. Winfield Scott Hall
+
+Dr. Hall's "SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE" is recognized as the only work of the kind
+written by an accepted authority and more satisfactorily covers the
+important subject completely than any other book. Appeals have been made
+to him to prepare books that treated the subject separately from the
+standpoint of the boy or girl by those who prefer placing books in the
+hands of young people treating the side of the question that concerns
+them individually. These new books have been prepared to meet this
+demand.
+
+Youth and its Problems
+THE SEX LIFE OF A MAN
+By WINFIELD SCOTT HALL, PH.D., M.D.
+
+Member Medical Faculty, Northwestern University, Fellow American Academy
+of Medicine, Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science.
+
+To the _youth_ who hopes for vigorous _aggressive young manhood_; to the
+young man who aspires to virile _adult manhood_ this volume is
+dedicated.
+
+Cloth--12mo. 248 pages. Price $1.00 Net
+
+Girlhood and its Problems
+THE SEX LIFE OF WOMAN
+By WINFIELD SCOTT HALL, PH.D., M.D.
+
+in co-operation with
+JEANETTE WINTER HALL
+
+Author of Primer on Physiology, etc.
+
+That the _young woman_ may find here an answer to her _unexpressed
+questions_ is the purpose of this book.
+
+Cloth--12mo. 210 pages. Price $1.00 Net
+
+In the preparation of these two books the object of the author is to
+make it evident to readers that wholesome information clearly and simply
+imparted is a very great help to boys and girls, guiding them unerringly
+along the path of right living, which leads to that goal which all hope
+to reach--SUCCESS and HAPPINESS.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The Big Series of Boys' Books for 1918
+
+THE BRIGHTON BOYS SERIES
+
+By Lieutenant James R. Driscoll
+
+An entirely new series of Boys' Books which have their setting in the
+Great War and deal with patriotism, heroism and adventure that should
+make a strong appeal to American boys. The volumes average 250 pages and
+contain four illustrations each.
+
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the TRENCHES
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the SUBMARINE FLEET
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the FLYING CORPS
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the RADIO SERVICE
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the BATTLE FLEET
+
+12mo. Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Eclipse Series of the Lowest Price Alger Books
+
+This low-priced series of books comprises the most popular stories ever
+written by Horatio Alger, Jr. As compared with other low-priced editions
+it will be found that the books in this series are better printed, on
+better paper, and better bound than similar books in any competing line.
+Each volume is handsomely and durably bound in cloth with new style
+colored-inlay, assorted designs, and stamped in three colors of ink. New
+and attractive colored jackets. 12mo. Cloth. 40 Titles.
+
+Adrift in the City
+Andy Grant's Pluck
+Ben's Nugget
+Bob Burton
+Bound to Rise
+Boy's Fortune, A
+Chester Rand
+Digging for Gold
+Do and Dare
+Facing the World
+Frank and Fearless
+Frank Hunter's Peril
+Frank's Campaign
+Helping Himself
+Herbert Carter's Legacy
+In a New World
+Jack's Ward
+Jed, the Poorhouse Boy
+Lester's Luck
+Luck and Pluck
+Luke Walton
+Only an Irish Boy
+Paul Prescott's Charge
+Paul, the Peddler
+Phil, the Fiddler
+Ragged Dick
+Rupert's Ambition
+Shifting for Himself
+Sink or Swim
+Strong and Steady
+Struggling Upward
+Tattered Tom
+Telegraph Boy, The
+Victor Vane
+Wait and Hope
+Walter Sherwood's Probation
+Young Bank Messenger, The
+Young Circus Rider
+Young Miner, The
+Young Salesman, The
+
+Price per volume, .60 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Winston's De Luxe Series of Juvenile Classics
+
+This series has been made with a view to cultivating in youthful readers
+a love for the beautiful and best in books. In contents, in
+illustrations and in binding, these books satisfy every requirement, and
+will afford a degree of permanent pleasure far beyond the possibilities
+of ordinary juvenile books. Size of each volume when closed, 7-1/4 x
+9-1/2 inches. Rich cloth binding, stamped in gold, with beautiful
+colored inlay.
+
+Myths and Legends Of All Nations
+
+By LOGAN MARSHALL
+
+A book to win the heart of every child. Famous stories from Greek
+mythology and the legendary literature of Germany, England, Spain,
+Iceland, Scandinavia, Denmark, France, Russia, Bohemia, Servia, Italy
+and Poland--stories in which children, and men and women, too, have
+delighted through the centuries. They are told in simple, graphic style
+and each one is illustrated with a beautiful color plate. The work has
+considerable educational value, since an understanding of the many
+stories here set forth is necessary to our own literature and
+civilization. 24 full-page color plates. 320 pages.
+
+Tales From Shakespeare By CHARLES and MARY LAMB
+
+A superb edition of these famous tales has been prepared in similar
+style to "Fairy Tales of All Nations." Each of the twenty tales is
+illustrated with a magnificent color plate by a celebrated artist. It is
+one of the finest books ever published for children, telling them in
+simple language, which is as nearly like that of Shakespeare as
+possible, the stories of the great plays. The subjects for the
+illustrations were posed in costumes of the nation and time in which
+each story is set and are unrivaled in rich color, lively drawing and
+dramatic interest. 320 pages. 20 full-page color plates.
+
+Fairy Tales Of All Nations
+By LOGAN MARSHALL
+
+The most beautiful book of fairy tales ever published. Thirty superb
+colored plates are the most prominent feature of this new, copyrighted
+book. These plates are absolutely new and portray the times and customs
+of the subjects they illustrate. The subjects were posed in costumes of
+the nation and time in which each story is set, and are unrivaled in
+rich color, lively drawing and dramatic interest. The text is original
+and interesting in that the famous fairy tales are taken from the
+folklore and literature of a dozen principal countries, thus giving the
+book its name. Many old favorites and numerous interesting stories from
+far away lands, which most children have never heard, are brought
+together in this charming book. 8vo. 314 pages.
+
+Rhymes Of Happy Childhood
+By MRS. ANDREW ROSS FILLEBROWN
+
+A handsome holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with
+nearly 100 color plates and drawings in black and red. Verses that sing
+the irrepressible joy of children in their home and play life, many that
+touch the heart closely with their mother love, and some not without
+pathos, have been made into a very handsome volume. Gilt top, uncut
+leaves.
+
+Price per volume, $2.00
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+NEW EDITION OF ALGER'S GREATEST SET OF BOOKS
+
+THE FAMOUS RAGGED DICK SERIES
+
+New Type-Set Plates Made in 1910
+
+In response to a demand for a popular-priced edition of this series of
+books--the most famous set ever written by Horatio Alger, Jr.--this
+edition has been prepared.
+
+Each volume is set in large, new type, printed on an excellent quality
+of paper, and bound in uniform style, having an entirely new and
+appropriate cover design, with heavy gold stamp.
+
+As is well known, the books in this series are copyrighted, and
+consequently none of them will be found in any other publisher's list.
+
+RAGGED DICK SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 6 vols.
+
+RAGGED DICK
+FAME AND FORTUNE
+MARK, THE MATCH BOY
+ROUGH AND READY
+BEN, THE LUGGAGE BOY
+RUFUS AND ROSE
+
+Each set is packed in a handsome box
+
+12mo. Cloth
+Sold only in sets     Price per set, $6.00. Postpaid
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+RECOMMENDED BY REAR ADMIRAL MELVILLE, WHO COMMANDED THREE EXPEDITIONS TO
+THE ARCTIC REGIONS
+
+THE NEW POPULAR SCIENCE SERIES
+By Prof. Edwin J. Houston
+
+THE NORTH POLE SERIES. By Prof. Edwin J. Houston. This is an entirely
+new series, which opens a new field in Juvenile Literature. Dr. Houston
+has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of physical and
+scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for them in a way
+that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories the most
+accurate scientific information will be absorbed.
+
+THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE
+THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE
+CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE
+
+Handsomely bound. The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English
+Cloth, and are attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold
+separately or in sets, boxed.
+
+Price $1.00 per volume. Postpaid
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+GREAT PICTURES
+AS
+MORAL TEACHERS
+
+By HENRY E. JACKSON
+
+A Recognition of the Value of Pictures in Teaching
+
+The author has selected twenty of the world's great pictures and
+sculptures and interpreted the meaning which the artist intended to
+convey.
+
+People are awakening more and more to the value of works of art in
+teaching. They are regaining a truer perspective and saner judgment
+in regard to them. That pictures are of great value in teaching
+certain forms of knowledge is not now questioned; on the contrary,
+it is approved and practiced. In view of this, the need arises for
+careful selection and education of the popular taste. The present
+work is intended to meet this need. The author has chosen his
+subjects with great care and adopted as his interpretation the
+consensus of opinion among great critics.
+
+The subject is treated in a manner to interest not only students of
+religious history and movements, but those viewing it from a purely
+artistic standpoint. The work contains twenty fine half-tone engravings
+made from authorized photographs of the original paintings and
+sculptures.
+
+Price $1.50
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Philadelphia, Pa.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+WINSTON'S POPULAR FICTION
+
+Comprising twenty-four books published at $1.25 and $1.50 per volume,
+and until recently sold only in the original editions. Now offered for
+the first time in popular priced editions. All are bound in extra cloth
+with appropriate cover designs, and standard 12mo. in size.
+
+24 Titles  Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+BABCOCK (WILLIAM HENRY)--Kent Fort Manor. A romance in the
+nineteenth century on the Isle of Kent near Baltimore, where in the
+earlier days Puritans, Jesuits, Indians and Sea Rovers came and
+went. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+BARTON (GEORGE)--Adventures of the World's Greatest Detectives. The
+most famous cases of the great Sleuths of England, America, France,
+Russia, realistically told, with biographical sketches of each
+detective. Fully illustrated. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+BLANKMAN (EDGAR G.)--Deacon Babbitt. A story of Northern New York
+State, pronounced by some critics superior to "David Harum." 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+CLARK (CHARLES HEBER)--(Max Adeler)--The Quakeress. A charming
+story which has had great success in the original edition, and
+listed among the six best selling novels. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Captain Bluitt, A Tale of Old Turley. Humorous fiction in this
+well-known author's happiest style. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Out of the Hurly Burly, or Life in an Odd Corner. A delightfully
+entertaining piece of humor, with numerous illustrations, including
+the original work by A. B. Frost, and other illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+--In Happy Hollow. The amusing story of how A. J. Pelican boomed
+the little town of Happy Hollow. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+EDWARDS (LOUISE BETTS)--The Tu Tze's Tower. One of the best novels
+of Chinese and Tibetan Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+GERARD (DOROTHEA)--Sawdust, A Polish Romance. The scene of this
+readable tale the Carpathian Timberlands in Poland. The author is a
+favorite English writer. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+GIBBS (GEORGE)--In Search of Mademoiselle. The struggle between the
+Spanish and French Colonists in Florida furnish an interesting
+historical background for this stirring story. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+GOLDSMITH (MILTON)--A Victim of Conscience. A mental struggle
+between Judaism and Christianity of a Jew who thinks he is guilty
+of a crime, makes a dramatic plot. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+ILIOWIZI (HENRY)--The Archierey of Samara. A semi-historic romance
+of Russian Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+ILIOWIZI (HENRY) --In the Pale. Stories and Legends of Jews in
+Russia. Containing "Czar Nicholas I and Sir Moses Montefiore," "The
+Czar in Rothschild's Castle," and "The Legend of the Ten Lost
+Tribes," and other tales. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+MOORE (JOHN TROTWOOD)--The Bishop of Cottontown. One of the best
+selling novels published in recent years and now for the first time
+sold at a popular price. An absorbing story of Southern life in a
+Cotton Mill town, intense with passion, pathos and humor. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+--A Summer Hymnal. A Tennessee romance. One of the prettiest love
+stories ever written. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Ole Mistis, and other Songs and Stories from Tennessee. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+NORRIS (W. E.)--An Embarrasing Orphan. The orphaned daughter of a
+wealthy African mine owner, causes her staid English Guardian no
+end of anxiety. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+PEMBERTON (MAX)--The Show Girl. A new novel, by the author of many
+popular stories, describing the adventures of a young art student
+in Paris and elsewhere. It is thought to be the most entertaining
+book written by this author. 12mo. Cloth, Illustrated 75 cents
+
+PENDLETON (LOUIS)--A Forest Drama. A Tale of the Canadian wilds of
+unusual strength. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+PETERSON (HENRY)--Dulcibel. A Tale of Old Salem in the Witchcraft
+days, with a charming love story: historically an informing book.
+12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Pemberton, or One Hundred Years Ago. Washington, Andre, Arnold
+and other prominent figures of the Revolution take part in the
+story, which is probably the best historical romance of
+Philadelphia. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+STODDARD (ELIZABETH)--(Mrs. Richard Henry Stoddard).--Two Men.
+"Jason began life in Crest with ten dollars, two suits of cloths,
+several shirts, two books, a pin cushion and the temperance
+lecture." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Temple House. A powerful story of life in a little seaport
+town--romantic and often impassioned. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--The Morgesons. This was the first of Mrs. Stoddard's Novels, and
+Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to the author:--"As genuine and life-like
+as anything that pen and ink can do." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+NOTABLE NOVELS AND GIFT BOOKS OF VERSE
+By John Trotwood Moore
+
+JACK BALLINGTON, FORESTER
+
+The story concerns the fortunes of Jack Ballington, who, on account of
+his apparent lack of fighting qualities, seems to be in danger of losing
+his material heritage and the girl he loves, but in the stirring crisis
+he measures up to the traditions of his forefathers.`````````````````
+
+     "Will captivate by its humor, set all the heart strings to
+     vibrating by its pathos, flood one's being in the great surge of
+     patriotism ... a story that vastly enriches American
+     fiction."--_Albany Times-Union._
+
+12mo. Cloth. 341 pages
+
+Price $1.20 Net. Postage 13 cents
+
+THE BISHOP OF COTTONTOWN
+A Story Of The Tennessee Valley
+
+Love, pathos and real humor run through the book In delightful measure.
+Over all is shed the light of the "Old Bishop," endearing himself to
+every reader by his gentleness, his strength and his uncynical knowledge
+of the world which he finds so good to live in. 31 editions have already
+been sold.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 606 pages
+Price $1.50 Postpaid
+
+UNCLE WASH: HIS STORIES
+
+A book of stories centering about the character of "Uncle Wash," which
+even in the brief time since its publication has achieved a large and
+notable success among all classes of readers. Many editions have already
+been sold.
+
+     "One of the few great books."--_Rochester Union and Advertiser._
+     "A mine of humor and pathos."--_Omaha World-Herald._
+
+12mo. Cloth. 329 pages
+Price $1.50 Postpaid
+
+A SUMMER HYMNAL
+A Romance Of Tennessee
+
+The story of Edward Ballington and his love affairs with two delightful
+girls in charming contrast, forms the plot of this captivating love
+story, On the threads of this narrative is woven the story of a blind
+man who meets the catastrophe of sudden darkness in a spirit of bravery,
+sweetness and resignation which commands the love and respect of every
+reader.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 332 paces
+Price $1.25 Postpaid
+
+SONGS AND STORIES FROM TENNESSEE
+
+In truth. Mr. Moore, in this collection of songs and stories of Dixie
+Land, has created a work that will live long in the traditions of the
+South and longer in the hearts of his readers. One has only to read "Ole
+Mistis," the first story in this collection, to feel the power of Mr.
+Moore's genius. It is at once the finest story of a horse race ever
+written, a powerful love story and most touchingly pathetic narrative of
+the faith and devotion of a little slave.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 358 pages
+Price $1.25 Postpaid
+
+THE OLD COTTON GIN
+
+The "Old Cotton Gin" breathes the passionate patriotism of the South,
+her dearest sentiments, her pathos and regrets, her splendid progress
+and her triumphant future. This poem is a popular favorite throughout
+the South, and has been adopted officially in some states. The author is
+one of her truest sons. All the pages of the book are decorated with
+original drawings, including seven exceedingly fine full-page
+illustrations.
+
+Bound in Imported Silk Cloth. Size 6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches
+Price $1.00 Net. Postage 10 cents
+
+ALL OF THE ABOVE BOOKS ARE HANDSOMELY ILLUSTRATED BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+MISCELLANEOUS JUVENILE BOOKS
+
+BANGS (JOHN KENDRICK)--Andiron Tales. The story of a Little
+Boy's Dream--his wonderful adventures in the Clouds--written in
+Mr. Bangs' happiest vein, and handsomely illustrated with colored
+drawings by Dwiggins. Octavo. Cloth   $1.25
+
+--Molly and the Unwiseman. A Humorous Story for Children.
+12mo. Cloth   $1.25
+
+BUTTERWORTH (HEZEKIAH)--A Heroine of the Wilderness.
+A Girl's Book telling the romance of the mother of Lincoln. 12mo.
+Cloth        $1.00
+
+DIMMICK (RUTH CROSBY)--The Bogie Man. The story in verse
+of a little boy who met the Bogie Man, and had many surprising
+adventures with him; and found him not such a bad fellow after
+all. 34 Drawings. 72 pages. Octavo. Boards with colored
+cover      $0.65
+
+FILLEBROWN (R. H. M.)--Rhymes of Happy Childhood. A handsome
+holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with
+color plates, and drawings in black and red. Colored inlay, gilt
+top. New Edition 1911. Flat 8vo. Cloth $2.00
+
+HOFFMAN (DR. HENRY)--Slovenly Peter. Original Edition. This
+celebrated work has amused children probably more than any other
+juvenile book. It contains the quaint hand colored pictures, and is
+printed on extra quality of paper and durably bound. Quarto.
+Cloth        $1.00
+
+HUGHES (THOMAS)--Tom Brown's School-days at Rugby. New
+edition with 22 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth     $1.00
+
+LAMB (CHARLES AND MARY)--Tales from Shakespeare. Edited
+with an introduction by The Rev. Alfred Ainger, M.A. New
+Edition with 20 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth $1.00
+
+MOTHER'S PRIMER. Printed from large clear type, contains alphabet
+and edifying and entertaining stories for children. 12mo.
+Paper covers   Per dozen $0.50
+
+TANNENFORST (URSULA)--Heroines of a School-Room. A
+sequel to The Thistles of Mount Cedar. An interesting story of
+interesting girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth   $1.25
+--The Thistles of Mount Cedar. A story of a Girls' Fraternity.
+A well-told story for Girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth  $1.25
+
+TAYLOR (JANE)--Original Poems for Infant Minds. 16mo.
+Cloth   $1.00
+
+WOOD (REV. J. G.)--Popular Natural History. The most popular
+book on Birds, Beasts and Reptiles ever written. Fully illustrated.
+8vo. Cloth    $1.00
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+CHARLES ASBURY STEPHENS
+
+This author wrote his "Camping Out Series" at the very height of his
+mental and physical powers.
+
+     "We do not wonder at the popularity of these books; there is a
+     freshness and variety about them, and am enthusiasm in the
+     description of sport and adventure, which even the older folk can
+     hardly fail to share."--_Worcester Spy._
+
+     "The author of the Camping Out Series is entitled to rank as
+     decidedly at the head of what may be called boys'
+     literature."--_Buffalo Courier._
+
+CAMPING OUT SERIES
+By C. A. Stephens
+
+All books in this series are 12mo., with eight full-page illustrations.
+Cloth, extra, 75 cents.
+
+Camping Out. As Recorded by "Kit."
+
+     "This book is bright, breezy, wholesome, instructive, and stands
+     above the ordinary boys' books of the day by a whole head and
+     shoulders."--_The Christian Register_, Boston.
+
+Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew." As
+Recorded by "Wash."
+
+     "The perils of the voyagers, the narrow escapes, their strange
+     expedients, and the fun and jollity when danger had passed, will
+     make boys even unconscious of hunger."--_New Bedford Mercury._
+
+Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. As Recorded by
+"Wade."
+
+     "It is difficult to believe that Wade and Raed and Kit and Wash
+     were not live boys, sailing up Hudson Straits, and reigning
+     temporarily over an Esquimaux tribe."--_The Independent_, New York.
+
+Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."
+
+     "Of _first quality_ as a boys' book, and fit to take its place
+     beside the best."--_Richmond Enquirer._
+
+Fox Hunting. As Recorded by "Raed."
+
+     "The most spirited and entertaining book that has as yet appeared.
+     It overflows with incident, and is characterized by dash and
+     brilliancy throughout."--_Boston Gazette._
+
+ On the Amazon; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler." As Recorded by "Wash."
+
+     "Gives vivid pictures of Brazilian adventure and
+     scenery."--_Buffalo Courier._
+
+Sent Postpaid on Receipt of Price
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO
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+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service, by James R. Driscoll</title>
+  <style type="text/css">
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service, by
+James R. Driscoll</h1>
+<pre>
+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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service</p>
+<p>Author: James R. Driscoll</p>
+<p>Release Date: July 15, 2007  [eBook #22079]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO SERVICE***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style='width:300px'>
+<a name="illus-001" id="illus-001"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-1.jpg" alt="&#34;At Least Ten Thousand of Them,&#34; He Announced." title=""  /><br />
+<span class="caption">&#34;At Least Ten Thousand of Them,&#34; He Announced.</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<table style="margin: auto; border: black 1px solid; width: 400px;" summary=""><tr><td>
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 200%; margin-top:30px;">The BRIGHTON BOYS in</p>
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 220%; margin-bottom:50px;">THE RADIO SERVICE</p>
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 120%; ">BY</p>
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 140%; margin-bottom:100px;">LIEUTENANT JAMES R. DRISCOLL</p>
+<hr style='width:15%' />
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 80%; margin-bottom:20px; margin-top:20px;">ILLUSTRATED</p>
+<hr style='width:15%' />
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 100%; margin-top:100px;">THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY</p>
+<p class="titlepage" style="font-size: 80%; margin-bottom:30px;">PHILADELPHIA</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Copyright, 1918, by<br />
+<span class="smcap"><i>John C. Winston Company</i></span></p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<h2 class="toc"><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>Contents</h2>
+<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">
+<col style="width:15%;" />
+<col style="width:5%;"  />
+<col style="width:70%;" />
+<col style="width:10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">I</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">"For Uncle Sam"</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#For_Uncle_Sam_69">9</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">II</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Into the Service&mdash;A Spy</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#Into_the_Service_A_Spy_365">21</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">III</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Unexpected Action</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#Unexpected_Action_669">34</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">IV</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Farewell, United States</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#Farewell_United_States_869">43</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">V</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Fight in the Wireless Room</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Fight_in_the_Wireless_Room_1116">54</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">VI</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Mystery of the Iron Cross</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Mystery_of_the_Iron_Cross_1461">67</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">VII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Timely Rescue</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Timely_Rescue_1711">77</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">VIII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Death of the Spy</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Death_of_the_Spy_1984">88</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">IX</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Periscope at Dawn</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Periscope_at_Dawn_2284">101</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">X</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">France at Last</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#France_at_Last_2495">110</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XI</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Tapping the Enemy's Wire</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#Tapping_the_Enemys_Wire_2667">118</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The S O S With Pistol Shots</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_S_O_S_With_Pistol_Shots_2969">131</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XIII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Cave of Death</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Cave_of_Death_3186">140</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XIV</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">DESPERATE MEASURES</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#DESPERATE_MEASURES_3483">153</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XV</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Surprise Attack&mdash;Promotion</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Surprise_Attack_Promotion_3757">164</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XVI</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Tight Place</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_Tight_Place_4031">176</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XVII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Lieutenant's Invention</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Lieutenants_Invention_4378">191</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XVIII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Slim Goodwin a Prisoner</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#Slim_Goodwin_a_Prisoner_4612">200</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XIX</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Turning the Tables</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#Turning_the_Tables_4872">211</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XX</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Great News</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#The_Great_News_5091">221</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<h2 class="loi"><a name="Illustrations" id="Illustrations"></a>Illustrations</h2>
+<table border="0"  width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">
+<col style="width:80%;" />
+<col style="width:20%;" />
+<tr><td align="left">&#34;At Least Ten Thousand of Them,&#34; He Announced.</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-001">Frontispiece</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling about the Room.</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-002">66</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-003">168</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<h1>The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service</h1>
+
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_9" id="page_9" title="9"></a>
+<a name="For_Uncle_Sam_69" id="For_Uncle_Sam_69"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>"For Uncle Sam"</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>It was that old practice sentence of typists, which is as old as are
+typewriting machines, and Joe Harned, seated before the told-style,
+noisy, but still capable machine in Philip Burton's telegraph office,
+had rattled it off twenty-five times and was on his twenty-sixth when
+suddenly, very suddenly, his mind began to work.</p>
+
+<p>Or rather it might be said that an idea, the <i>big idea</i>, danced
+unceremoniously into his brain, and, beginning to take definite and
+concrete form, chased a score of other smaller ideas through all the
+thought-channels of his handsome, boyish, well-rounded head.</p>
+
+<p>He came to a full stop and gazed steadily<a class="pagenum" name="page_10" id="page_10" title="10"></a> at the upturned paper in the
+typewriter in front of him. Twenty-fives times he had written that
+sentence, and twenty-five times with mechanical precision and true
+adherence to time-honored custom he had finished it by tapping off the
+word "party."</p>
+
+<p>It was a formula of words which some genius had devised for the
+fingering practice it gave one on the keyboard, and Joe Harned had
+written it hundreds of times before, just as thousands of others had
+done, without giving a thought to its meaning, or the significance that
+the substitution of a single word would give it.</p>
+
+<p>He read it again, and as if it were the result of an uncontrollable
+impulse, his fingers began the rapid tap-tap-tap. And this time he
+substituted the new word that the <i>big idea</i> had suddenly thrust into
+his mind.</p>
+
+<p>Joe gave the roller a twirl, the paper rolled out, dropped to the floor,
+and he grasped for it eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Even Joe was surprised. He hadn't realized that in his enthusiastic
+haste he had pushed down the key marked "caps."</p>
+
+<p>In bold, outstanding letters near the bottom of the sheet was an
+historic sentence, and Joe Harned&mdash;Harned, of Brighton Academy&mdash;had
+devised it.<a class="pagenum" name="page_11" id="page_11" title="11"></a></p>
+
+<p class='blockquot'>
+"NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO<br />
+COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY!"<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Joe gazed at it again for a moment, and then let his eyes travel across
+the little office to where red-headed, freckle-faced, big-hearted and
+impetuous Jerry Macklin was rapping away at another typewriter, and, two
+feet away from Jerry, "Slim" Goodwin, "one-hundred-and-seventy pounds in
+his stockinged feet, and five-feet-four in his gym suit," was working
+the telegraph key with a pudgy hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Jerry!" he called. "Oh, Slim! Come over here a moment, both of you. I
+want to show you something."</p>
+
+<p>Jerry immediately ceased typewriting, but Slim was reluctant to release
+the telegraph key. However, as Joe began folding the paper in such a way
+that only the last sentence showed, their aroused curiosity brought both
+of them to his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Read that," said Joe, trying to suppress the quiver in his voice, and
+holding the paper up before them. "Read it carefully."</p>
+
+<p>One lad on either side of him, they hung over Joe's shoulder and
+followed his bidding.</p>
+
+<p>"Right!" shouted Jerry, as he came to the last word. "Joe, you're a
+wizard, and what you've written there is the truth."<a class="pagenum" name="page_12" id="page_12" title="12"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Ain't it&mdash;I mean isn't it?" added the delicate Slim Goodwin, and,
+partly to hide his grammatical error, but mostly to express his
+enthusiasm, he gave Joe a one-hundred-and-seventy-pound whack on the
+back that sent him sliding out of the chair and half way under the
+typewriter table.</p>
+
+<p>"Say!" Joe remonstrated. But just then Philip Burton, telegraph operator
+and genial good friend of all three of the lads, bustled into the room,
+a sheaf of yellow telegrams in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"What's all the excitement?" he asked, striding toward the typewriter
+just left by Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," explained Slim, "Joe's just done something that means something."</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible," said Mr. Burton, turning toward them with one of those
+irresistible smiles which long ago had made him the boys' confidant.</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't believe it, read this," commanded Jerry, thrusting the
+paper before the telegrapher's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Burton read it through and then turned to the three boys again.
+"Well?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"It means what it says," explained Jerry. "Now is the time for all good
+men to come to the aid of their country."<a class="pagenum" name="page_13" id="page_13" title="13"></a></p>
+
+<p>"And we're 'good men,' ain't&mdash;aren't we?" demanded Slim, drawing in his
+stomach and throwing out his chest as he straightened up to his full
+five-feet-four-inches "in his gym suit."</p>
+
+<p>"None better anywhere," said Mr. Burton in a tone that showed he meant
+it. "But just how do you contemplate going to the aid of your country?"</p>
+
+<p>It was Joe's turn to say something, and he did. "By enlisting," he
+announced, briefly but firmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," agreed Slim, "that's it, by enlisting."</p>
+
+<p>"Uh-huh," said Jerry, nodding his head vigorously and watching Mr.
+Burton's face for evidence of the effect of their decision.</p>
+
+<p>"And when did you determine upon that?" the telegrapher asked, with
+increasing interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Slim, his face now painfully red from his efforts to keep
+chest out and stomach in, "it was finally decided upon just now,
+although we have talked about the thing in a general way many times."</p>
+
+<p>"You really mean to enlist&mdash;all three of you?" Mr. Burton demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," they chorused, "all three."<a class="pagenum" name="page_14" id="page_14" title="14"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Good!" exclaimed the man who had been their friend and helper. "Fine!
+I'm proud of you," and he proceeded to shake hands heartily with each in
+turn.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you decided upon the branch of the service you intend to enter?"
+he then asked.</p>
+
+<p>Joe looked at Jerry, Jerry looked at Slim, and Slim cast a helpless
+glance back at Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"I see you haven't," said Mr. Burton hastily, "and I'm glad of it. Now
+how about the Signal Corps?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do men in the Signal Corps do?" asked Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Do they fight?" demanded Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Mr. Burton replied, "they do some fighting on their own account,
+and often in tough places and against discouraging odds. But they do
+even more than that. Without their assistance no general would dare lay
+plans for a battle. The Signal Corps keeps the commanders posted, not
+only as to the whereabouts and disposition of his own troops, but also
+of those of the enemy. The Signal Corps is the telephone, the telegraph,
+the wireless, and often the aviation section as well, of the American
+army, and often of the American navy, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't that great?" exclaimed the breathless<a class="pagenum" name="page_15" id="page_15" title="15"></a> Slim, as Mr. Burton went
+over to the ticker to answer the code call for his station.</p>
+
+<p>During the ten minutes that he was engaged in receiving and sending
+messages, the boys perfected plans for notifying their relatives of
+their intention. Had their attention not been so entirely taken by the
+subject under discussion they would have seen Herbert Wallace&mdash;another
+and very unpopular student at Brighton&mdash;pass by the office window, stop
+for a moment to stare at them, and then step away quickly in the
+direction of the door, near which they were standing.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's the verdict?" asked Mr. Burton, having finished his
+duties.</p>
+
+<p>"The Signal Corps is our choice," said Joe, speaking for all, "but how
+do we go about getting into it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I can arrange that," Mr. Burton informed them. "You boys have
+been studying telegraphy under me for more than six months, and I'm
+willing to certify that each of you can now handle an instrument. In
+addition to that, you are able to take down messages on the typewriter
+as they come over the wire. Yes, sir," Mr. Burton finished, "I think
+your Uncle Sam will be<a class="pagenum" name="page_16" id="page_16" title="16"></a> mighty glad to get three such lads as you, and I
+know the recruiting agent to put the thing through."</p>
+
+<p>So it was arranged that the three lads should return to the dormitory,
+write the letters which were to procure them the desired permission to
+enlist, and then inform the headmaster of their intentions.</p>
+
+<p>Joe and Jerry, who had roomed together throughout their entire three
+years at Brighton, already were well on with their epistles of
+explanation when Slim, whose room was seven doors down the corridor,
+dragged himself in, looking more downcast than any boy in Brighton ever
+had seen him look before.</p>
+
+<p>"No use," he informed his two friends, a choke in his voice. "They won't
+have me. I'm overweight."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, now, Slim, what are you worrying about that for? I don't believe
+any such thing," counseled Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"It's true, though," affirmed Slim. "That's the worst part of it; I saw
+it in the book. I'm toting around about twenty pounds more than the
+government wants, and I'd have to stand on tiptoe in high-heel shoes to
+meet the requirement in height."<a class="pagenum" name="page_17" id="page_17" title="17"></a></p>
+
+<p>Poor Slim! He showed his disappointment in every look and every action.</p>
+
+<p>"What kind of a book did you see it in?" asked Jerry, in a tone almost
+as sad as Slim's.</p>
+
+<p>"In the manual," Slim groaned. "Herb Wallace showed it to me."</p>
+
+<p>"That settles it," exclaimed Joe. "If Herb Wallace had a hand in it
+anywhere there's something wrong. I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows.
+We'll go and ask the headmaster."</p>
+
+<p>Now the headmaster of Brighton had once been a boy himself. He could be
+stern, even cruelly severe, when occasion demanded, but he was kind of
+heart and broad of understanding.</p>
+
+<p>Before him the three lads laid their case, as before the final tribunal.</p>
+
+<p>"H'm," said he, when all the details had been related and the
+all-important information asked. "You say Herbert Wallace showed you
+this in a manual?"</p>
+
+<p>Slim solemnly affirmed that that was the case.</p>
+
+<p>The headmaster pushed a button on the side of his desk and in a few
+seconds his secretary, a big, bluff fellow, appeared.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring Herbert Wallace here at once,"<a class="pagenum" name="page_18" id="page_18" title="18"></a> said the headmaster. And in five
+more minutes, while the headmaster was shrewdly questioning the three
+lads as to the seriousness of their determination to enlist, the
+secretary returned, accompanied by young Wallace, flushed and
+shamefaced.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Wallace," said the principal of Brighton, "I hear you've been
+studying up on military subjects. Intending to get into the fight?"</p>
+
+<p>Herbert Wallace hung his head and muttered an unintelligible reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Now look here, Wallace," spoke the headmaster sternly, "where did you
+get the military manual from which you gave Goodwin the information that
+he could not pass the examination for the army?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I got it from the library, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Got it without permission, too, didn't you?" pursued the headmaster.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," said Wallace, in confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"And didn't know that it was out of date, and that the requirements were
+completely changed after the United States entered this war, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," answered Wallace, on the verge of a breakdown.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll decide upon your punishment later,"<a class="pagenum" name="page_19" id="page_19" title="19"></a> announced the headmaster.
+"See me here at four o'clock. Meanwhile, Wallace, be careful where you
+get information, and be careful how you dispense it."</p>
+
+<p>And Herbert Wallace, utterly humiliated, was glad to flee from the room.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think," said the headmaster, "that any of you will have
+difficulty passing the examinations. I dislike to see you go, but you
+speak the truth when you say that your country does need you, and I pay
+a great tribute of respect to you for the patriotism and courage with
+which you step forth to shoulder your obligations. Others already have
+gone from Brighton. Still others will go in the future. God bless all of
+you, and may you return safe and sound to reap the full benefits of the
+democracy for which you are going to fight."</p>
+
+<p>The suspicion of tears dimmed the kindly eyes of the headmaster, and
+each boy choked up as he bade him good-by.</p>
+
+<p>But, after all, this was no time for sadness. Young gladiators were
+going forth to the fray. And so we will skip over the farewells the
+following day, in which the parents of each lad, with many a heartache
+but never a word of discouragement, bade the boys Godspeed in the
+service of their country.<a class="pagenum" name="page_20" id="page_20" title="20"></a></p>
+
+<p>The three lads, together with fifteen others, formed a detachment of the
+recently enlisted who were to go to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for
+further assignment. Just before the train pulled out a students' parade
+that seemed to include every boy in Brighton marched to the station to
+see them off.</p>
+
+<p>One of the lads carried a large transparency on which was printed:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">They Brighten the Fame of Brighton</span>"</p></div>
+
+<p>And just as the train pulled out, and there was great cheering and
+waving of hats and handkerchiefs, Joe, Jerry and Slim, leaning from
+adjoining windows, sang out in chorus:</p>
+
+<p>"For Uncle Sam."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_21" id="page_21" title="21"></a>
+<a name="Into_the_Service_A_Spy_365" id="Into_the_Service_A_Spy_365"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>Into the Service&mdash;A Spy</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>A brilliant October morning was just breaking when a final bump of the
+train ended the none too musical snoring of Slim Goodwin and he came to
+a sitting posture, his first yawn almost instantly to give way to an
+exclamation of surprise.</p>
+
+<p>It was strange scenery he was gazing upon, and for the moment he had
+forgotten where he was. The grinning faces of Joe and Jerry, whom he had
+awakened half an hour before with his sawmill sleeping serenade, brought
+him to a realization of his surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are we?" he asked, now fully awake.</p>
+
+<p>"I imagine it's Philadelphia," answered Joe, "although I've never been
+there."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's climb out and see," was a suggestion from Jerry which found
+ready response in the other two; and a moment later, while half the
+passengers were still asleep, they were investigating the mysteries<a class="pagenum" name="page_22" id="page_22" title="22"></a> of
+Washington Avenue, near Broad Street, in the Quaker City.</p>
+
+<p>Strings of freight cars were stretched out on the sidings, and either
+side of the railroad yard was flanked by large manufacturing buildings,
+which already were showing preliminary signs of industrial activity.</p>
+
+<p>"You are enlisted men, sirs?" queried a deep voice just behind them, and
+all three turned, somewhat startled to find they were not alone.</p>
+
+<p>They faced a young giant of a fellow, who wore the khaki uniform of
+Uncle Sam, with a sergeant's stripes upon his sleeve. He was unable
+wholly to suppress a smile as Slim came to a difficult and not entirely
+regulation salute.</p>
+
+<p>"We are," answered Joe. "We just stepped off that train to get a breath
+of fresh air and to learn where we were."</p>
+
+<p>"No harm done," the sergeant responded in a friendly tone. "You are in
+Philadelphia, and the only restriction upon you now is that you are not
+to stroll too far away. We leave here in a short while for the navy
+yard, where mess will be served."</p>
+
+<p>"Mess? That's breakfast, ain't&mdash;isn't it?" asked Slim anxiously.<a class="pagenum" name="page_23" id="page_23" title="23"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," the sergeant replied, "and a good one, too."</p>
+
+<p>Each boy touched his cap respectfully as the non-commissioned officer
+turned to return to the train.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope we have sausage," said Jerry in an undertone; "but I'm hungry
+enough to eat anything they give me."</p>
+
+<p>"Same with me," Slim added in melancholy tones; "but I guess I'll have
+to diet some until I'm sure, certain, and solidified in the service."</p>
+
+<p>At that instant the shrill blast of a whistle brought their attention
+back to the train, where the sergeant was signaling them to return.
+Three automobiles had arrived, and into these our three friends and the
+other fifteen recently enlisted men climbed, for the trip to League
+Island, where is located one of the Nation's largest and most important
+navy yards.</p>
+
+<p>Down wide, asphalted Broad Street the party sped, past solid rows of
+handsome dwellings, and then across the stretch of beautiful park that
+was once a mosquito-ridden marshland, and to the gates of the navy yard.</p>
+
+<p>Here the detachment of marines on guard<a class="pagenum" name="page_24" id="page_24" title="24"></a> gave the boys their first close
+association with the spirit of war. As they swung through the gates a
+virtual wonderland of the machinery of sea battles greeted their
+eyes&mdash;powerful battleships, lithe and speedy cruisers, spider-like
+destroyers, tremendous colliers capable of carrying thousands of tons of
+coal to the fleets at sea, and in the distance a transport, waiting to
+take on its human freight of Uncle Sam's fighters for foreign
+battlefields.</p>
+
+<p>On the parade ground several companies of marines were going through
+maneuvers, while on every ship bluejackets were engaged in various
+tasks, and activities were in full sway in the many large manufacturing
+buildings at the lower end of the yard, near the waterfront.</p>
+
+<p>It was a scene to inspire the lads with a full appreciation of the great
+military and naval service of which they were to become a part, and in
+their patriotic enthusiasm they forgot even their healthy young
+appetites.</p>
+
+<p>Mess was in one of the big barracks, where they mingled with hundreds of
+others, some of whom were raw rookies like themselves, others of longer
+experience, and some of previous service in Haiti and elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>The big sergeant, whose name they learned<a class="pagenum" name="page_25" id="page_25" title="25"></a> was Martin, brought the
+entire eighteen together immediately after the meal, and they joined a
+score of others who had arrived a few days before. All were then marched
+to another building, where their instructions began, and they were
+informed that before night they would be uniformed.</p>
+
+<p>This was welcome information, indeed. To get into the uniform of Uncle
+Sam! Every young man in the group breathed a little deeper and drew
+himself up a little straighter at the thought.</p>
+
+<p>We will not trace Joe, Jerry and Slim through their initial instruction,
+for it had lasted less than an hour, when an orderly hastily entered the
+room, saluted the officer who was acting as instructor, and then talked
+to him for a moment in an undertone.</p>
+
+<p>The officer's countenance underwent a curious change. Finally he turned
+toward the youths before him.</p>
+
+<p>"Are there any men here who are already telegraphers?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Joe, Jerry, and two others arose, while Slim tried to, but had
+great difficulty getting himself out of the small, school-child's sort
+of desk at which he was seated. Finally he managed it by sliding out
+sidewise, the<a class="pagenum" name="page_26" id="page_26" title="26"></a> way he had entered, instead of attempting a direct upward
+rise.</p>
+
+<p>"How many of you can use the international code?" the officer continued.</p>
+
+<p>Thanks to good old Burton, Joe, Jerry and Slim were as familiar with
+that as they were with the Morse American code. The other two men
+resumed their seats. Sergeant Martin had entered the room. Apparently he
+was not at all displeased to find the three polite young men whom he had
+addressed earlier in the day, now able to show greater capabilities than
+the other men in the detachment.</p>
+
+<p>"You are excused from further instruction here at this time," the
+officer announced to the trio. "You will accompany Sergeant Martin for
+further orders."</p>
+
+<p>And they hurried from the room with the non-com., who they instinctively
+knew was their friend.</p>
+
+<p>What was this new experience that lay before them? They were not long in
+learning, and the information almost carried them beyond the restraints
+of good discipline and to the indulgence in three ripping good cheers.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Martin could be a hard taskmaster<a class="pagenum" name="page_27" id="page_27" title="27"></a> when it was necessary to be
+so, but, like the headmaster of Brighton, he did not believe in needless
+red tape, nor did he delude himself that the stripes upon his sleeve
+made him a better man&mdash;except in official authority&mdash;than the one who
+wore none at all. He realized the curiosity that must be consuming the
+three lads, and he was not averse to satisfying it.</p>
+
+<p>"Selected for service aboard a transport bound for Europe," he announced
+briefly.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," said Joe, not entirely able to control the happiness
+in his voice, while Slim's excess stomach almost entirely disappeared in
+the abnormal expansion of his chest. Jerry could find no other dignified
+way of expressing his great pleasure than by quietly poking Slim under
+the ribs, to the entire undoing of that young man's military attitude.</p>
+
+<p>"Do we go at once, sir?" inquired Joe deferentially.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably to-morrow evening," said Sergeant Martin, as they arrived at
+the building housing the captain and staff in charge of men of the
+Signal Corps then stationed at the navy yard.</p>
+
+<p>It was the busiest office the three boys had<a class="pagenum" name="page_28" id="page_28" title="28"></a> ever seen. Typewriters
+were clicking, telegraph instruments were at work, orderlies were
+hurrying about, and every man in the place was engrossed in his own
+particular task.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Martin guided them to an inner office. Here they confronted an
+austere gentleman whose uniform denoted that he was a captain, and whose
+whole bearing bespoke military service.</p>
+
+<p>The three boys were dumbfounded to learn that he already had their names
+on a card before him. They were getting a new idea of the efficiency of
+Uncle Sam's service.</p>
+
+<p>The captain made numerous notes as he questioned them about their
+experience, general knowledge, and extent of their education. He eyed
+Slim shrewdly as he inquired whether they thought they might be subject
+to seasickness.</p>
+
+<p>"Young men," he said abruptly, "this country is engaged in the greatest
+war in all history. Considering your youth and present lack of
+experience, yours is to be a part of great responsibility. You look like
+capable and courageous young Americans, and I believe you are. I have
+confidence that you will bear your share of the burdens of war<a class="pagenum" name="page_29" id="page_29" title="29"></a> with
+credit to yourselves and glory to your country. With one other man of
+more experience, you will be placed in charge of the wireless and other
+signal apparatus aboard the transport <i>Everett</i>, leaving within
+thirty-six hours. Sergeant Martin will now aid you in procuring your
+uniforms."</p>
+
+<p>The three boys came to full military salute, the captain returned it,
+they swung upon their heels like seasoned soldiers and departed behind
+their friend, the young giant of a sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later, fully uniformed, they were taken to the <i>Everett</i> and
+down into the wonders of the transport's wireless room, where they were
+introduced to Second Lieutenant Gerald Mackinson, who was to be their
+superior officer on the perilous trip.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson was a square-jawed young fellow with keen eyes,
+bushy hair and a good breadth of shoulders. He had been an electrical
+engineer prior to entering the service, and had gained his promotion
+three months before strictly upon his merit and knowledge, which were
+the qualities he demanded in others. He already had been "across" three
+times, and he knew the many problems and dangers that would confront
+them.<a class="pagenum" name="page_30" id="page_30" title="30"></a></p>
+
+<p>Satisfied by his questioning that the three young men who were to
+accompany him "had the stuff in them," Lieutenant Mackinson then began
+instructing them in the elementaries of the radio.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed, though, that that day was destined to be one of
+interruptions, but not, however, of the sort to be of disadvantage to
+the three boys from Brighton. For, just as the sudden ending of their
+instructions in class in the morning had led to their assignment to a
+transport, to start overseas within thirty-six hours, so the call now
+which required Lieutenant Mackinson's presence elsewhere, indirectly led
+to a new and thrilling experience for the lads.</p>
+
+<p>"I am ordered to report to aid in the repairs to the wireless of another
+vessel," said the lieutenant, after perusing the order that a private
+had brought to him. "It will require until late to-night to finish.
+Inasmuch as this is probably the last night that you lads will spend on
+land for some time, you might as well see a little of the city, if you
+care to, but be sure that you are within the gates of the yard before
+ten o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>He then gave each of the boys a pass, and told them to be aboard the
+<i>Everett</i> not later<a class="pagenum" name="page_31" id="page_31" title="31"></a> than half-past ten o'clock, and departed for the
+special work to which he had been called.</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't you like to be a lieutenant, though?" exclaimed Joe
+enthusiastically. "Just imagine being called from ship to ship to help
+them out of their difficulties."</p>
+
+<p>And, discussing their aspirations and what the future held for them, the
+three young men from Brighton went to mess, afterward brushed their
+brand-new uniforms of the last possible speck of dust, and left the navy
+yard for a stroll through the southern section of the city founded by
+William Penn.</p>
+
+<p>How far they walked none of them knew. They had turned many corners, and
+their conversation had covered a wide field&mdash;always, however, turning
+upon some military subject&mdash;when a church clock tolled out nine times.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we had better return," said Slim, who was beginning to tire
+under the long day's strain and excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," agreed Jerry, "but which way do we go?"</p>
+
+<p>They were, in truth, lost. Uniformed as they were, they were ashamed to
+ask directions, and finally agreed that Joe was right in indicating that
+they should walk straight southward.<a class="pagenum" name="page_32" id="page_32" title="32"></a></p>
+
+<p>Twelve blocks southward they walked, and the damp, marshy atmosphere
+assured them that they were nearing the river, but their only hope now,
+as they plodded across desolate and deserted dumps, and even invaded a
+truck patch or two, was that they would strike a road that led around to
+the navy yard entrance.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" exclaimed Jerry in a hoarse whisper, grasping a boy on
+either side of him by the arm. "Did you hear?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I heard something," averred Slim, also lowering his voice.
+"What did it sound like to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"We are almost upon the river bank," said Joe. "It was someone rowing,
+but it sounded to me as though they were using muffled oars."</p>
+
+<p>While the boys stopped to listen, the rowing began again, very slowly,
+very cautiously, and then there was a muffled splash.</p>
+
+<p>At the same instant a great flashlight to the south began playing first
+upon the sky, and then, in a slow arc, down the river and then inland
+toward themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Although they did not come quite within its radius, the boat they had
+heard was between them and the light! It was a row<a class="pagenum" name="page_33" id="page_33" title="33"></a> boat, evidently
+heavily laden, for it rode low in the water, and it was occupied by one
+man, who was crouching in the bottom as though to avoid discovery!</p>
+
+<p>Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the searchlight was obscured, and
+the blackness of the night was more intense by contrast.</p>
+
+<p>"That light was at the navy yard," said Joe, beginning to peel off his
+coat. "Jerry, you're a fast runner. By heading straight in the way I'm
+looking you ought to be able to get to the yard in ten minutes. Do it as
+quickly as you can. Slim will stay here."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Joe had stripped off his shirt and preparing to unlace his
+shoes.</p>
+
+<p>"And you," blurted Jerry and Slim, almost at the same instant, but still
+in guarded tones, "what are you going to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm as safe as a duck in the water, and almost as noiseless," responded
+Joe calmly. "I'm going to swim out and see what is going on. That man
+out there is a spy!"</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_34" id="page_34" title="34"></a>
+<a name="Unexpected_Action_669" id="Unexpected_Action_669"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>Unexpected Action</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>If red-headed, freckle-faced Jerry Macklin, star sprinter of Brighton,
+ever ran in his life he ran that night. Down across the uneven,
+hill-dotted dumps he tore at a speed that would have put his school
+records to shame. Three times he fell, but each time on the instant he
+was up and off again, without even a thought as to whether or not he had
+injured himself.</p>
+
+<p>And all the time he kept repeating in his mind, "There's a spy out there
+planning dangerous things for the navy yard and the United States. Joe's
+in the icy water watching him, and I must get help as fast as I can."</p>
+
+<p>It was good, too, that he did put forth the last ounce of his strength.
+Sergeant Martin was just passing through the navy yard gate as Jerry
+arrived, his uniform covered with loose ashes and dirt, and his hands
+bleeding from stone cuts received in his falls.</p>
+
+<p>To Sergeant Martin, between gasps, Jerry managed to blurt out enough to
+make the<a class="pagenum" name="page_35" id="page_35" title="35"></a> other understand. Within two more minutes Sergeant Martin had
+imparted the vital information to the captain of the company of marines
+charged with guarding the navy yard for that particular night. The
+captain sent two aides scurrying, one to his major, the other to the
+office of the navy yard commandant.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty marines, fully armed, were hurried aboard a launch that
+constantly was kept under steam for just such an emergency, and, with
+Jerry directing, the boat swung out to Joe's aid.</p>
+
+<p>Rapidly as Jerry had traveled the distance between the spot where Slim
+waited and the navy yard itself, it seemed like ages to Joe, out there
+in the icy water, a quarter of a mile from shore.</p>
+
+<p>At first the tense excitement of the manhunt had made him unmindful of
+the low temperature, and he swam with strong, even, silent strokes that
+sent his lithe body gliding through the current noiselessly; but when he
+had come within forty feet of the rowboat its lone occupant had turned
+suddenly, as though scenting danger, and Joe, after waiting for a few
+seconds to see what might happen, considered the absolute silence an
+omen of<a class="pagenum" name="page_36" id="page_36" title="36"></a> danger and had dived under water, staying there as long as he
+could, and coming to the surface at an entirely different point from the
+boat.</p>
+
+<p>After that the cold got to the very heart of him. His muscles grew numb,
+he felt his strength waning, and he had to bring the whole force of his
+will to bear to keep from turning back to shore.</p>
+
+<p>But just as Jerry had maintained his courage and strength by keeping
+constantly in mind Joe's plight, so Joe stuck to his terrible task,
+suffering the most severe punishment, by an unwavering confidence in
+Jerry's ability to get assistance in the shortest possible time.</p>
+
+<p>He could see and hear that the man in the boat was working hastily, even
+laboriously; and every few seconds there was the smothered splash of
+something heavy being dropped carefully overboard.</p>
+
+<p>And then, at the most inopportune moment, just when Joe was head and
+shoulders out of the water, not more than twenty feet away from the
+boat, the searchlight was thrown full upon him.</p>
+
+<p>He dived; but not before the other man saw him. Joe, swimming ten feet
+under<a class="pagenum" name="page_37" id="page_37" title="37"></a> water, and as hard as he could with the current down stream, knew
+that he had been discovered, for he heard the quick rap-rap of the oars,
+the sound dying away as the little craft sped toward shore.</p>
+
+<p>When he did come to the surface it was with the certain feeling that the
+fatal searchlight had been played upon the scene two minutes too early,
+and just in time to prevent the capture red-handed of a very
+questionable character, undoubtedly carrying out some plot for an enemy
+government.</p>
+
+<p>For as distinctly as he could hear the oars thrashing the water toward
+shore, he could discern the steady but subdued puffing of a steam launch
+racing up the river.</p>
+
+<p>Joe was now on the point of exhaustion. He was flapping the water
+desperately, but he was making no progress, and he was having the
+greatest difficulty keeping himself afloat. He tried to cry out, and
+this final effort took his last bit of strength.</p>
+
+<p>The steam launch was then perhaps thirty feet away, but Jerry's words,
+"Right about here," floated to him as from the opposite side of the
+river. The boat's searchlight that was then suddenly thrown on blinded
+him; he lost all account of things, and had<a class="pagenum" name="page_38" id="page_38" title="38"></a> the vague feeling of
+sailing across great spaces on fleecy white clouds.</p>
+
+<p>When he regained partial consciousness Sergeant Martin was in the water
+with him, and trying to raise his body over the side of the launch; then
+he relapsed again, for what seemed to him hours, but what was actually
+only about two minutes, and was awakened to his real senses by the
+shouts of Slim, on shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Slim's got him," Jerry almost shouted. "Hurry, captain, right off this
+way to the shore. Slim must have him. Listen to Slim's bellow."</p>
+
+<p>And if there wasn't a first-class ruction in progress just upon the spot
+from which Slim's vocal signals were emanating, then Slim's voice was
+deceptive, indeed.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, there was the finest sort of a fracas afoot.</p>
+
+<p>Slim, on shore, had been a silent and anxious witness to the sudden
+turning on of the navy yard searchlight, and to all that it exposed&mdash;the
+boat, the man at work in it, Joe in the water, and his discovery by the
+boat's occupant.</p>
+
+<p>And then, as the light was extinguished, and the whole affair was
+engulfed in darkness,<a class="pagenum" name="page_39" id="page_39" title="39"></a> Slim heard the rapid beating of the oars upon the
+water, and the rower heading toward shore&mdash;and Slim.</p>
+
+<p>Unable to see the craft approaching, he traced its course by sound, and
+when the man stepped ashore Slim was only a few yards away. Discerning a
+shadow just ahead of him, the youth threw himself at it with his whole
+weight, only to grunt his pain and disgust as he came into violent
+contact with the trunk of a dead tree.</p>
+
+<p>The sound, however, startled the enemy into an exclamation which
+revealed his whereabouts, and a moment later the two were locked
+together and rolling over the ground, Slim with a desperate grip upon
+the stranger's throat, and the latter landing blow after blow upon
+Slim's stomach.</p>
+
+<p>It was during this m&ecirc;l&eacute;e that Slim spied the searchlight of the launch
+and let out his first call. After that most of his "bellows" were
+involuntary and but punctuated the rapid-fire attack with which the
+other man was landing his blows just above Slim's waist-line, or where
+his waist-line should have been.</p>
+
+<p>As the launch headed toward shore, its searchlight trained over the bow,
+the man of<a class="pagenum" name="page_40" id="page_40" title="40"></a> the rowboat resorted to more desperate tactics. With a
+tremendous jerk he managed to free his throat from Slim's grasp. An
+instant later he gave the youth's neck a twist which almost broke it.
+Then he landed a vicious kick which put poor Slim out of business.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the marines from the launch were climbing ashore the fellow sped
+off into the denseness of the night; and as his footsteps died away all
+present trace of him was gone. A dozen of them searched for an hour, but
+without result, and further investigation along that line had to be
+abandoned until the following day.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, however, all three lads were hurried back to the navy yard
+for fresh clothing and other repairs; having received which, together
+with hot coffee from the cook at the barracks mess, they were permitted,
+at their own earnest solicitation, to return to the scene with four
+marines who were to be stationed along that section of the shore for the
+balance of the night.</p>
+
+<p>What they saw upon their arrival astounded them. Three additional
+launches had arrived upon the scene, and the commandant of the navy yard
+was himself directing matters.<a class="pagenum" name="page_41" id="page_41" title="41"></a></p>
+
+<p>He had in his hand a slight rope that ran down into the water, and close
+beside it was a hose line attached to an apparatus in the boat. The boys
+knew at once that a diver was at work down on the river bed.</p>
+
+<p>From the side of another launch anchored parallel with the first, and
+fifteen feet distant, four husky bluejackets were waiting expectantly to
+divide their strength on two stout ropes that were being attached to
+something down in the water. The third launch played its flashlight upon
+the work, while the fourth steamed about, doing patrol duty.</p>
+
+<p>Even as the boys watched, the commandant gave a signal and the sailors
+began hauling upward on the two heavy ropes. In a moment an oblong box,
+about two feet long, a foot wide and of the same depth, came dripping
+from the water. As it was brought to the boat's side two other men
+grasped it carefully and placed it in the bottom of the launch. Then the
+ropes, which were attached to a guide line, were hauled down into the
+river again.</p>
+
+<p>"What does it mean?" Joe asked of Sergeant Martin, who had changed his
+clothes and arrived back ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>"What does it mean?" repeated the big<a class="pagenum" name="page_42" id="page_42" title="42"></a> sergeant. "It means that you
+three young men are due for several credits and early recognition, or
+I'm much mistaken. The man you discovered has not yet been caught, but
+he cannot escape for long. And when he is captured it will be a long
+time before he is free again.</p>
+
+<p>"You lads have frustrated a dangerous plot by an enemy government. The
+river bottom seems to be paved with those cases. They've taken out a
+dozen already. One of them was opened, and, just as expected, it proved
+to be a water-tight container for smokeless powder!</p>
+
+<p>"The government that had those boxes hidden there undoubtedly was
+scheming to have plenty of ammunition ready for use if it ever managed
+to land its men on American soil.</p>
+
+<p>"But you boys appeared here just in time to blow up the whole plot. You
+have been in your first real action in the service of your country, and
+you have come off with flying colors."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_43" id="page_43" title="43"></a>
+<a name="Farewell_United_States_869" id="Farewell_United_States_869"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>Farewell, United States</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When the boys arose the following morning, each somewhat stiff and sore
+from the experiences of the night before, it was with a feeling of happy
+anticipation that made their physical discomforts seem like trivial
+things.</p>
+
+<p>For before nightfall the twin screws of the large transport <i>Everett</i>
+would begin to churn the waters of the Delaware, her bow would be
+pointed down stream, and the great voyage of adventure would be started.</p>
+
+<p>But in the meantime there was much for the lads to learn. Up to the
+present every moment had been occupied to the exclusion of such
+instructions as were absolutely necessary to know, in order that they
+might give the best service to their country.</p>
+
+<p>And so they responded early to a summons from the superior officer in
+charge of men in the Signal Corps at that station. By him they were
+informed of the serious mission upon which they were bound, and of the<a class="pagenum" name="page_44" id="page_44" title="44"></a>
+responsibilities that would fall upon them should the transport, by any
+mishap, become separated from its armed convoy.</p>
+
+<p>No message picked up at sea or elsewhere, he told them, was to be
+repeated to anyone but the superior officer to whom it was directed; and
+any calls for another vessel or station were to be ignored by them, even
+if their aerial should pick the words up.</p>
+
+<p>They were told of the fine loyalty demanded of men in their branch of
+the service, and given some idea of the sacrifices they might be called
+upon to make.</p>
+
+<p>"The success of this war," said Major Briggs, "depends upon the courage
+and ability with which each man in it performs the immediate task before
+him. Whether the whole world shall fall under the iron hand of a
+merciless tyranny, or the peoples of the various nations may govern
+themselves in the freedom of democracy, now depends largely upon the men
+of the United States. We must regard the responsibilities thrust upon us
+as a glorious opportunity to serve all of mankind."</p>
+
+<p>Thrilled with the nature of the great work ahead of them, Joe, Jerry and
+Slim hurried down the long length of the navy yard to<a class="pagenum" name="page_45" id="page_45" title="45"></a> where the
+<i>Everett</i> lay moored to her slip, the center of much activity.</p>
+
+<p>Steam already was up, as they could see from the thick black clouds of
+smoke that curled upward from her smokestack. Big cranes, operated by
+powerful winches on the vessel and on shore, were hoisting cases of
+various sizes and shapes upon the lower decks and into the hold. A small
+army of men helped complete the loading of the ship, and one group was
+experiencing considerable difficulty in trying to persuade unwilling
+mules to board the transport for Europe.</p>
+
+<p>The boys hurdled over piles of food and ammunition, wended their way
+through scores of stacks of ordnance, and finally over a gang-plank to
+the vessel. There they saluted and reported to the officer of the day,
+who directed them to go at once to the wireless room.</p>
+
+<p>As they entered there Lieutenant Mackinson was busily engaged in "tuning
+up" his instruments. He stopped when he saw them and reached into an
+inner pocket, from which he produced three large oblong envelopes. One
+was addressed to each lad, and as they accepted them they saw that each
+was closed to prying eyes by the official seal of Uncle Sam.<a class="pagenum" name="page_46" id="page_46" title="46"></a></p>
+
+<p>Swept by various emotions, the boys stood there gazing first at the
+envelopes and then at Lieutenant Mackinson.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the lieutenant at last, with an amused smile, "do you want
+me to retire while you read your communications?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, not at all, sir," Joe hastened to say, and as if to prove the
+statement all three envelopes were ripped open and the single sheet of
+paper in each drawn forth.</p>
+
+<p>Especially addressed to each lad, the letters were identical and read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"I hereby convey to you my heartiest congratulations upon the
+efficient and heroic manner in which you and your two friends
+discovered and frustrated a plot to conceal enemy ammunition in the
+vicinity of this naval base. You all displayed true American
+courage; and I wish you every success for the future."</p></div>
+
+<p>The letters were signed by the commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at that," said Slim, pushing his letter at Lieutenant Mackinson,
+utterly forgetful of the fact that the other man was his superior
+officer. "Ain't&mdash;isn't that fine, though? For the commandant to mention
+it that way, I mean."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," admitted Lieutenant Mackinson,<a class="pagenum" name="page_47" id="page_47" title="47"></a> "but he wouldn't have mentioned
+it that way if you hadn't deserved it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to lose that letter," announced Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," added Joe, "although we only did what any other fellows would
+have done under the same circumstances."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Lieutenant Mackinson, "it showed that you were to be
+depended upon in an emergency, and emergencies are likely to crop up at
+any time in our work, so let's get down to business."</p>
+
+<p>He immediately began explaining the apparatus of the wireless room&mdash;how
+messages were sent and received; the power of the batteries and their
+auxiliaries; the switch-board regulating voltage; the automatic
+recording apparatus&mdash;in fact, every detail connected with the intricate
+mechanism of an up-to-date wireless.</p>
+
+<p>"There was a time," explained Lieutenant Mackinson, "when the sending of
+a message almost deafened the sender. It was like being in the midst of
+a machine-gun assault. But recent improvements have eliminated that. You
+may see for yourselves."</p>
+
+<p>And the lieutenant tapped off the <i>Everett's</i> own signal call with
+little more sound than is<a class="pagenum" name="page_48" id="page_48" title="48"></a> made by the sending of a message with the
+ordinary telegraph instrument.</p>
+
+<p>"We have a sending and receiving radius of from five hundred to eight
+hundred miles," Lieutenant Mackinson continued. "Of course, it doesn't
+compare with the great wireless station at Radio, Virginia, one of the
+largest in the world, where one tower is six hundred feet high and the
+other four hundred and fifty feet in height, and each charged with two
+hundred thousand volts, giving a radius of three thousand miles; but it
+is sufficiently powerful for practically every purpose required at sea."</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't Marconi a wonderful man?" said Jerry in true admiration.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he was; no doubt of that, and he still may contribute much to the
+science, for he is not old yet," the young lieutenant answered. "But
+still, full credit must be given where credit is due, and in that
+respect it must be acknowledged that Marconi only assembled and
+perfected to practicable purposes the discoveries and inventions made
+before his time.</p>
+
+<p>"Radio-telegraphy might be briefly traced in the names of Faraday,
+Maxwell, Hertz&mdash;the discoverer of the Hertzian rays&mdash;Righi,<a class="pagenum" name="page_49" id="page_49" title="49"></a> Lodge and
+Marconi. All of them contributed something to the evolvement of the
+present highly efficient and dependable wireless. Marconi should, and
+does, receive great credit; but the others, the pioneers, the real
+discoverers, should not be forgotten or overlooked."</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant's words threw a new light on the history of the wireless
+for the boys from Brighton, and they were anxious that the officer
+should tell them more; but at that moment Lieutenant Mackinson caught
+the faint recording of a distant wireless call for another station, far
+down the Atlantic coast.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," he said hastily, turning to Joe, who was nearest him, "see if
+you can catch this message."</p>
+
+<p>He slipped the receiving apparatus over Joe's head, and tightened up the
+ear-pieces, then pushed toward him a pad and pencil.</p>
+
+<p>Into Joe's ears came the faint but distinct sounds of a distant call:</p>
+
+<p style='font-size:larger'>-&middot; &middot;&middot;&middot; -&middot; &middot;&middot;&middot; -&middot; &middot;&middot;&middot;</p>
+
+<p>"N S," Joe jotted down on the sheet before him.</p>
+
+<p>"A ship at sea calling Newport News," Lieutenant Mackinson informed the
+other<a class="pagenum" name="page_50" id="page_50" title="50"></a> two, who waited impatiently for Joe to begin recording the
+message.</p>
+
+<p>Newport News acknowledged the call, and then the vessel's wireless
+continued:</p>
+
+<p style='font-size:larger'>&middot;--- &middot;- &middot;&middot;&middot; &middot;--&middot; &middot; &middot;-&middot;</p>
+
+<p>And Joe, transcribing, wrote: "JASPER." Following this came:</p>
+
+<p style='font-size:larger'>-&middot;&middot; &middot; - &middot;- &middot;&middot; &middot;-&middot;&middot;</p>
+
+<p>The other boys looked on in chagrin, while Lieutenant Mackinson's
+countenance took on an amused smile, as Joe wrote down the word
+"DETAIL," and then nothing else but the initials "N. N.," which ended
+the message.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't make sense," announced Slim in a discouraged voice. "You must
+have missed part of it."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I didn't," Joe replied, looking anxiously toward the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he got it all," the young officer assured them, at the same
+time unlocking a little closet and taking a leather-bound book from an
+upper shelf. "Let's see."</p>
+
+<p>He turned to the J's and ran his finger down the page until he came to
+the word "JASPER."</p>
+
+<p>"That means 'We have coaled,'" he said, writing the words out on the
+pad.<a class="pagenum" name="page_51" id="page_51" title="51"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's in code," said Slim apologetically; "I didn't know that."</p>
+
+<p>"DETAIL," the lieutenant announced, finding that word. "'Understand and
+am following sealed orders'. That's the <i>North Dakota</i>. She has coaled
+at sea and is now starting upon some mission known only to her commander
+and the naval authorities."</p>
+
+<p>Almost as he finished speaking the <i>Everett</i> gave a lurch, her whistle
+was tooted two or three times, the engines started turning, and the big
+boat began to vibrate under the pressure.</p>
+
+<p>There was a shout from the thousand or more who had crowded to the
+river's edge, responded to by the fifteen hundred khaki-clad young men
+who were lined up at every point of vantage along the vessel's side.</p>
+
+<p>"And we're off, too," shouted Lieutenant Mackinson.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" cried the three boys from Brighton in the same breath, as they
+double-quicked it behind the lieutenant to the upper deck.</p>
+
+<p>The scene was one to inspire the most miserable slacker. Somewhere in
+the upper part of the yard a band was playing Sousa's "Stars and Stripes
+Forever." From the<a class="pagenum" name="page_52" id="page_52" title="52"></a> windows of the ordnance and other buildings at the
+lower end of the yard workmen hung forth, waving hats and handkerchiefs,
+and joining in the shouted well-wishes of those along the shore. The
+crews of every fighting craft in that part of the river sang out
+friendly advice to those aboard the transport, and two miles down the
+channel could be discerned the smoke from the stacks of the armed
+convoys that were to give the <i>Everett</i> safe passage to her destination.</p>
+
+<p>Among those at the water's edge the boys could discern the big form of
+Sergeant Martin, and even as distance welded them in an
+indistinguishable mass, they could still see him, towering above the
+others, his hat describing wide circles through the air.</p>
+
+<p>"So long, fellows; we'll meet you over there," shouted the men of the
+last vessel they passed.</p>
+
+<p>As though by prearrangement the fifteen hundred men on the <i>Everett</i>
+began singing, "I'm Going Over," sang it to the end of the first verse,
+then stopped, and from a point well down the river could hear those they
+had passed taking up the second stanza.</p>
+
+<p>Hours later, out upon the ocean, the dim lights ashore fading one by
+one, the fighters<a class="pagenum" name="page_53" id="page_53" title="53"></a> for Uncle Sam gave one last, long, lingering look at
+their native land. And Jerry, voicing the spirit of all, cried out:</p>
+
+<p>"Farewell, United States."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_54" id="page_54" title="54"></a>
+<a name="The_Fight_in_the_Wireless_Room_1116" id="The_Fight_in_the_Wireless_Room_1116"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>The Fight in the Wireless Room</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh my; oh, my!" wailed Slim weakly, his head hanging over the side of
+his bunk. "I never felt worse in all my life. I never felt half so
+sick."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind," urged Joe, soothingly, "you'll soon be feeling better
+now."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, <i>he</i> will," moaned Jerry, miserably, from the opposite bunk; "<i>he</i>
+will, but I won't."</p>
+
+<p>The wind howled, the big ship gave a forward and downward lurch, and
+Jerry would have slid from his bunk but for the quick action of Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'm going to die. I wish I would," gasped the red-headed boy
+when he was again laid out at full length. "I had the measles and the
+mumps at the same time once, but I never felt like this. Why don't they
+steer this old boat through the waves, instead of trying to jump her
+over them?"</p>
+
+<p>"There's a heavy sea running," explained Joe; "that's what makes the
+<i>Everett</i> ride so roughly."<a class="pagenum" name="page_55" id="page_55" title="55"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Wish I was back at Brighton," Slim groaned dismally.</p>
+
+<p>Two hardy youths strolling along the deck, who hadn't been touched by
+the epidemic of seasickness, stopped to peer in at the porthole. They
+had mischief in their eyes, and as they caught sight of Slim's
+humorously pathetic countenance, one of them muttered in a low but
+distinct voice: "How'd you like to have some fried sausage, and some
+plum pudding, and some&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up!" bawled out Jerry with what strength he had left.</p>
+
+<p>With a loud laugh the two withdrew their heads and disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the ship's physician, accompanied by Lieutenant
+Mackinson, arrived to give what further comfort he could to the seasick
+lads.</p>
+
+<p>"It is clearing," the lieutenant told them, while the doctor measured
+out a powder for each boy. "The wind has died down and the sea is
+becoming calm."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," the physician added, "in an hour or so you will be feeling
+better than you did before. Seasickness has a tonic effect, but it's
+rather a bitter dose."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure is," said Slim weakly.<a class="pagenum" name="page_56" id="page_56" title="56"></a></p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, it was just about an hour later that Jerry, feeling his
+nausea leave him almost as suddenly as it had appeared, raised himself
+on one elbow and looked across at his companion in misery.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you feel, Slim?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Almost human again," the stout lad replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Going to get up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Guess I can in a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to try it now," said Jerry. "Seems as if the pilot of this
+ferry had learned to steer her a whole lot better than he did earlier in
+the day."</p>
+
+<p>"Yep," agreed Slim, sliding from his bunk. "Certainly was tough, wasn't
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I feel sort of weak in the legs yet," said Jerry, by way of answer.
+"Let's go up on deck and get some fresh air."</p>
+
+<p>"Stomach feels as empty as a vacant house; how's yours?" Slim inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing in it but the lining, and I guess most of that's pried loose.
+We've got to wait more than two hours for mess, too."</p>
+
+<p>"How about some fried sausage, and some plum pudding, and some&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Jerry laughed for the first time that day. "That fellow certainly did
+make me mad," he admitted.<a class="pagenum" name="page_57" id="page_57" title="57"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Yeh, he made you mad," said Slim in a remorseful tone, "but he made me
+sick."</p>
+
+<p>On deck a hundred or more vigorous young men were exercising their
+muscles in various forms of athletic sport. Here a group crowded around
+a contest in broad jumping, eagerly echoing the distances made, and
+there the men of another throng loudly applauded their favorites in a
+stiff boxing bout, while on another part of the deck a pair of
+one-hundred-and-eighty-pound huskies were struggling in a friendly
+wrestling match.</p>
+
+<p>A bright sun shone upon a sparkling sea, and the air was just crisp
+enough to be invigorating. At that moment Joe came up to inquire how his
+two chums felt.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine," declared Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Like a two-year-old," added Slim. "That doctor was telling the truth. I
+believe I never felt better in my life," and he began flapping his arms
+up and down like a rooster flails the air with its wings.</p>
+
+<p>"A fat man's race three times around the ship!" a youth yelled, spying
+Slim's activities.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" cried the crowd. "Get them started."</p>
+
+<p>The jumpers, the wrestlers, and the boxers immediately suspended their
+respective contests to enjoy the innovation.<a class="pagenum" name="page_58" id="page_58" title="58"></a></p>
+
+<p>Slim was trying to back away, protesting that he "couldn't run for a
+cent," when a familiar, smiling countenance intruded itself in the
+circle of good-natured faces with the suggestion: "Well, how about a
+plum pudding, then?"</p>
+
+<p>Slim and Jerry at once recognized him as the youth who had similarly
+suggested a plum pudding, also sausage, at a most inopportune time.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you got one?" Slim demanded, his spirit aroused.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure have," announced the other, "and I'll make it the stake."</p>
+
+<p>Another shout went up as a second group pushed before Slim another youth
+who, so far as size, shape and avoirdupois was concerned, might have
+been his twin brother. They looked at each other and both burst into a
+hearty laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Skinny," said the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>"Howdy, Delicate?" Slim came back at him, quick as a flash. "Want to
+race?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't particularly want to race," responded the other lad, "but I'm
+awfully fond of plum pudding."</p>
+
+<p>"And sausage?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is there going to be a sausage in it, too?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_59" id="page_59" title="59"></a> asked the stranger,
+evidencing increasing interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Only yourself," Slim announced, laughing and jumping back quickly to
+avoid any belligerency his joke might inspire in the other.</p>
+
+<p>But he took the joke as good-naturedly as he did the howls of delight
+from the crowd, and the two peeled off their coats and discarded their
+hats as a couple of youths marked off the starting and finishing line,
+while others "cleared the deck for action."</p>
+
+<p>"This will be the tape," said a tall lean fellow, as he tied one end of
+a string to the rail, at a point just above the starting line. "After
+you have passed here the second time we'll stretch this out, and the
+first one to touch it will be the winner."</p>
+
+<p>"Right," said the fat boys together, leaning over in true sprinter
+fashion so far as their stomachs would permit them to stoop.</p>
+
+<p>One of the one-hundred-and-eighty-pound wrestlers winked to his comrades
+and hurried down into the lower part of the ship on some mysterious
+errand.</p>
+
+<p>"One, two, three&mdash;Go!" shouted the self-constituted referee.</p>
+
+<p>And Slim and Delicate went! True, neither<a class="pagenum" name="page_60" id="page_60" title="60"></a> of them got what sportsmen
+would call "a flying start," but they got away, nevertheless, and with
+all the grace and speed of&mdash;two loaded hay wagons.</p>
+
+<p>"Whoopee!" yelled one in the crowd. "Look at 'em go! You can't see 'em
+for dust!"</p>
+
+<p>"Two dollars on the knock-kneed guy," shouted another.</p>
+
+<p>Slim turned his head for the fraction of a second to learn whether this
+insult had been directed at him, and his opponent gained a lead of a
+foot.</p>
+
+<p>"Go it, you deerhounds," shrilled an Irish tenor in the crowd. "Work
+your feet, not your arms."</p>
+
+<p>"The elephant leads; come on, you whale!" shouted another.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the runners had made the curve at the bow of the boat and
+were coming up the starboard side, toward the stern.</p>
+
+<p>On the nearest armed convoy an officer was taking in the contest through
+a pair of marine glasses, and apparently enjoying it immensely.</p>
+
+<p>"Hooray! Hooray!" yelled the crowd of onlookers as Slim spurted and the
+pair rounded the stern and came down to the tape<a class="pagenum" name="page_61" id="page_61" title="61"></a> at the end of their
+first lap, neck and neck. Both were puffing like porpoises.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, Sausage, you've got a flat tire," cried a youth as they passed.</p>
+
+<p>And from another: "Your engine's knocking, Skinny. Reduce your spark."</p>
+
+<p>So the good-natured raillery continued while the two fat boys drove
+doggedly on, now at considerably reduced speed, but still side by side,
+each determined to capture that plum pudding.</p>
+
+<p>They had passed the tape a second time, snorting louder and in shorter
+gasps than before, and with the biting repartee still assailing their
+ears, when the man who had disappeared into the hold of the ship came
+into sight again, carrying a large can.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick!" he warned those about him. "Right here&mdash;before they see."</p>
+
+<p>And he proceeded to divulge the contents of the can as a heavy grease,
+almost the color of the deck, which he began to smear heavily thereon
+over the entire surface that the runners would have to cover, from a
+distance fifteen feet away from the tape.</p>
+
+<p>"They're on their way," whispered a voice, and the crowd parted to give
+the two the proper space in which to finish the race.<a class="pagenum" name="page_62" id="page_62" title="62"></a> There was an air
+of great expectancy among the onlookers.</p>
+
+<p>The lads were still struggling along neck and neck, but Slim's leg work
+was so timed as to make him the first to strike the grease. He slid,
+tried to regain his balance, skidded into his competitor, who also was
+floundering for a foothold, and then, progressing to a spot where the
+grease was thicker, both feet went out from under him and he went down,
+kicking Delicate's foundations from under him, also.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd yelled with laughter, and the breath went out of poor Slim
+with a terrible snort, as Delicate came down squarely upon Slim's
+stomach. And thus, the most ludicrous sight imaginable, they went
+sliding under the tape.</p>
+
+<p>"All bets are off," shouted the other man who had been boxing; "they
+broke before the finish."</p>
+
+<p>Side by side, too breathless to articulate, the two fat youths lay there
+gasping for breath, while those gathered about them made mock gestures
+of "first aid to the injured." Nobody had been hurt, however, and the
+victims of the prank took it in the way it had been intended.<a class="pagenum" name="page_63" id="page_63" title="63"></a></p>
+
+<p>Delicate, whose real name was Remington Bowman, proved to be as good a
+sportsman as Slim, and they went down the deck arm in arm when the mess
+call was sounded. And it was evidence of the good fellowship of the
+owner of the plum pudding that he did share it with both of them
+directly after the meal was over.</p>
+
+<p>"You fellows earned it," he said. And they agreed that they had.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>That evening it was Joe's turn to do watch in the wireless room with
+Lieutenant Mackinson until eleven o'clock, at about which time the young
+officer retired to his bunk just off the operating room, and Slim came
+on, to work until three a. m., when he was relieved by Jerry, who stayed
+until seven o'clock, at which time the lieutenant again assumed charge
+until relieved by Joe.</p>
+
+<p>It was a standing order, however&mdash;at least until the younger men became
+more experienced with the wireless&mdash;that Lieutenant Mackinson
+immediately should be apprised of the sending or receiving of any
+messages.</p>
+
+<p>This first evening out the lieutenant complained of a headache, and,
+acquiescing in Joe's urging, had gone upon deck to get the<a class="pagenum" name="page_64" id="page_64" title="64"></a> air. Perhaps
+fifteen minutes had elapsed when Joe thought he heard someone prowling
+about stealthily in the battery room.</p>
+
+<p>His first thought was that the lieutenant had returned to make certain
+that everything was all right, but a moment's consideration convinced
+him otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>Whoever was in the adjoining room was making every effort to keep his
+presence there from becoming known!</p>
+
+<p>It gave Joe a queer sort of feeling. What should he do? To seek the
+lieutenant and bring him back might require several minutes. Meanwhile
+the intruder might accomplish his object&mdash;whatever it was&mdash;and
+disappear.</p>
+
+<p>He decided to act upon his own initiative. Tiptoeing across the room, he
+turned off the electric switch, which threw the wireless room into utter
+darkness except for the meagre moonlight filtering through an open
+porthole.</p>
+
+<p>Then, just as silently, he re-crossed the room to the door leading to
+the battery room; slowly and without a sound he turned the knob and
+opened the door to a sufficient width to permit him to peer in. That
+room also was in darkness, with only one porthole open.</p>
+
+<p>Cautiously the intruder seemed to be feeling<a class="pagenum" name="page_65" id="page_65" title="65"></a> about for something
+connected with the batteries.</p>
+
+<p>Listening intently for a moment, to get the exact location of the other
+man, Joe flung open the door and made a flying leap in the other's
+direction. The man was leaning over, and Joe landed squarely upon his
+back.</p>
+
+<p>With a muffled exclamation of surprise the man jerked himself forward
+and Joe went hurtling over his head, his arms, however, still clasped
+tightly about the other man's neck.</p>
+
+<p>Joe knew in an instant that he was in combat with a man larger and more
+powerful than himself, but his own youth and suppleness were in his
+favor.</p>
+
+<p>Throwing all his strength into the movement, he twisted about and at the
+same time jumped, so that he managed to wrap his legs about the other
+man's waist. With another lithe movement he was again upon his back and
+reaching for his antagonist's throat, at the same time squeezing with
+all the strength of his powerful young limbs upon the other's ribs.</p>
+
+<p>Back and forth across the narrow confines of the little room they
+staggered, now one having a temporary advantage, and again<a class="pagenum" name="page_66" id="page_66" title="66"></a> the other.
+Just as Joe was managing to fasten his fingers in at the throat, and the
+other was hammering terrible elbow blows into his stomach, the bigger
+man stumbled. As he fell he turned, and his full weight came down upon
+the lad, almost crushing him.</p>
+
+<p>Joe was not done for yet, however. With the strength of desperation he
+held on to the other fellow's shirt. He felt something hard and metallic
+under it, and in a new grasp included that in his fist.</p>
+
+<p>Again the struggle began. Unable to break Joe's grip, the intruder tried
+to sink his teeth into the lad's wrist. Failing in this, he gave an
+evidence of his strength by rising, dragging Joe upward with him.</p>
+
+<p>There was an instant of terrible whirling about the room, and then the
+man landed a smashing blow on Joe's jaw. Still gripping the man's shirt,
+and the unknown metallic thing beneath it, the lad reeled. The shirt
+ripped, there was another sharp snap, and the boy fell backward, dazed.</p>
+
+<p>He heard the man run swiftly, almost noiselessly toward the stern of the
+ship; brilliant and many-colored lights flashed before his eyes&mdash;and he
+knew no more.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style='width:400px'>
+<a name="illus-002" id="illus-002"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-3.jpg" alt="There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling about the Room." title=""  /><br />
+<span class="caption">There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling about the Room.</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_67" id="page_67" title="67"></a>
+<a name="The_Mystery_of_the_Iron_Cross_1461" id="The_Mystery_of_the_Iron_Cross_1461"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>The Mystery of the Iron Cross</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When Joe came back to consciousness it was with his head pounding
+terribly, and Lieutenant Mackinson bending over him, swathing his face
+with a cool wet cloth, while Jerry and Slim, whom the lieutenant had
+wakened, were standing nearby, one holding a basin of water, the other a
+bottle containing a liniment or lotion.</p>
+
+<p>"You've been done up pretty badly," said Lieutenant Mackinson, as Joe
+went through the painful motion of moving his head from left to right,
+letting his gaze take in the now lighted wireless room.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he answered with an effort. "Nothing serious, though, I guess."
+And then, full recollection coming to him, "Did he get away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who?" asked the lieutenant quickly. "Who was it beat you up so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," Joe answered. "I discovered him in the battery room. We
+fought in the dark."<a class="pagenum" name="page_68" id="page_68" title="68"></a></p>
+
+<p>With the aid of the others he raised himself to a sitting posture, then
+stood up and walked rather unsteadily across the room, took a long quaff
+of cold water and dropped heavily into Lieutenant Mackinson's Morris
+chair.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time he gazed for the first time at what he had been holding
+tightly clutched in his right hand ever since the knockout blow had been
+delivered. The other three also were staring at it in open amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Joe, as the lieutenant crossed the room and took the
+thing from him for a closer examination.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" Lieutenant Mackinson repeated. "Why, lad, this is the
+German iron cross! Tell us what happened here."</p>
+
+<p>With the young officer seated before him, and his two pals standing at
+either side of his chair, Joe, quietly, quickly and as carefully as he
+could, gave them every detail of the occurrence, from the moment he had
+first heard sounds in the battery room, to the time that the other man
+ran away and he lapsed into unconsciousness.</p>
+
+<p>While Joe was relating his story the lieutenant examined and re-examined
+the iron cross, the bit of broken chain still attached to it, and the
+piece of brown woolen army<a class="pagenum" name="page_69" id="page_69" title="69"></a> shirt which the lad had torn away with it.
+As the latter finished, the young officer hurried into the battery room,
+accompanied by Slim, to make a survey there.</p>
+
+<p>In ten minutes he returned, his face pale, his jaws clenched.</p>
+
+<p>"There must not be a word of this to anyone," he warned them. "I am
+going to report to the captain at once. Someone has been tampering with
+the batteries, and he had with him a portable wireless which he
+evidently intended to attach."</p>
+
+<p>"You're the original little discoverer, all right," said Slim in open
+admiration, addressing Joe as the lieutenant hurried from the room. "And
+you certainly were game, to take the beating you did."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he punished me some," Joe admitted. "But I got in a little work on
+him, too. The only trouble is that I'm afraid I didn't blacken an eye,
+or break a jaw, or otherwise do any damage that might be apparent and so
+lead to the fellow's discovery."</p>
+
+<p>"The nerve of it, though!" broke in Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"A German spy, doubtless masquerading as an American soldier, and right
+here on a United States transport loaded with fifteen hundred soldiers
+and tons of guns and ammunition."<a class="pagenum" name="page_70" id="page_70" title="70"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Joe contemplatively, "that's the very serious part of it
+all&mdash;the fifteen hundred soldiers and tons of guns and ammunition."</p>
+
+<p>"Sh-h-h-h!"</p>
+
+<p>Slim, who was standing nearest the door, had heard footsteps. A moment
+later the lieutenant reappeared, accompanied by the captain of the
+<i>Everett</i>.</p>
+
+<p>When the boys had been presented, the captain abruptly requested Joe to
+repeat every detail he had told Lieutenant Mackinson. As he did so the
+captain gazed compassionately upon his injuries.</p>
+
+<p>"And where is the instrument that you discovered?" he asked of the
+lieutenant when Joe had concluded.</p>
+
+<p>The young officer stepped into the battery room, returning with a small,
+but evidently powerful, portable wireless transmitter and receiver.</p>
+
+<p>"H'm," exclaimed the captain, examining it carefully. "Of German make."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly, sir," replied Lieutenant Mackinson, "and evidently quite
+new&mdash;probably never used more than once or twice before."</p>
+
+<p>"This is very serious business," said the captain impressively. And
+then, addressing<a class="pagenum" name="page_71" id="page_71" title="71"></a> Joe: "Did you get a look at the other man? Would you
+know him if you ever saw him again?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, I did not even get a glimpse of him. But I thought, sir, that
+perhaps&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," encouraged the captain in a kindly tone. "Go on with your
+suggestion."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought, sir," Joe continued, "that if we could find a man aboard
+with his shirt torn in such a way that this piece would fit, and
+especially if he had the other end of this chain in his possession, then
+it might be pretty definitely assumed that he was the man who was in the
+battery room."</p>
+
+<p>"The chain&mdash;perhaps," said the captain slowly, "although that seems
+doubtful. As to the shirt, no."</p>
+
+<p>And, unbuttoning his jacket, he produced from beneath it a torn and
+crumpled brown woolen shirt.</p>
+
+<p>"We found this about twenty feet from here as we were on our way," he
+continued. "It resembles, but it is not, a regulation army shirt. It is
+of the same texture and color, but it differs in minor details easily
+discernible. It is my opinion that the man who wore this shirt bought it
+and wore it for this very purpose, so that, if necessary, he might
+discard<a class="pagenum" name="page_72" id="page_72" title="72"></a> it and still have the one which came to him through the
+Quartermaster's Department. We evidently have to deal with a very crafty
+enemy, and one as bold as he is unscrupulous.</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant, what do you make of his manipulations in the battery room?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is no doubt in my mind, sir," Lieutenant Mackinson answered,
+"that he was about to connect up this instrument and then hide it for
+future use where it could not easily be seen."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you are right," said the captain. "And then what use did he
+intend to make of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Evidently his intention was not a loyal or friendly one," the junior
+officer continued. "It would seem to me that his probable purpose was to
+divulge to German submarines our whereabouts when we came within their
+zone."</p>
+
+<p>Apparently the commander of the ship agreed with him, for he made no
+immediate answer. For several moments he remained in meditative silence,
+his brow wrinkled, as though he was turning the whole thing over and
+over in his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"From the very fact that he wore such a garment," the captain said at
+last, "it would<a class="pagenum" name="page_73" id="page_73" title="73"></a> seem that this man is among the regularly enlisted men
+on this ship. However, that is by no means certain. There is this
+certainty, however: If he would go to such desperate lengths once, there
+is every possibility that he will do so again&mdash;only more cautiously than
+before, for now he knows that his presence on board is known.</p>
+
+<p>"The most rigid investigation must be started at once, and for that,
+Lieutenant, I will require your assistance. Leave these young men in
+charge of the wireless room, unless something unusual or in the nature
+of an emergency occurs.</p>
+
+<p>"As for you gentlemen," he continued, turning toward the three boys from
+Brighton, "you are commanded not to mention a single word about this
+whole occurrence to another soul. If any one should question you, with a
+seeming knowledge of what happened here to-night, report the matter to
+me at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," the three boys responded, saluting, and the captain
+departed, motioning Lieutenant Mackinson to accompany him.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Joe was stiff and sore in every joint. Jerry and Slim
+insisted that he retire immediately, and helped him off with his
+clothing.<a class="pagenum" name="page_74" id="page_74" title="74"></a></p>
+
+<p>Nor was there any objection from Jerry, whose turn in the wireless room
+was to begin then and last until one o'clock in the morning, when Slim
+suggested that he would stay on with him, "just to talk things over."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Jerry, "and then I'll stay on during your shift, until
+Joe relieves us in the morning. We can get a good sleep to-morrow,
+anyway."</p>
+
+<p>And so the long night began. The dull song of the engines, far, far
+below, became like the monotonous droning of giant bees, and the wash of
+the salt water against the side of the ship was a constantly recurring
+<i>swash-h-h</i>&mdash;<i>swish</i>&mdash;<i>swash-h-h</i>&mdash;<i>swish</i> as the vessel plowed on and
+on through the darkness, toward the submarine zone and Europe and the
+battlefields and the trenches and the men&mdash;millions of them&mdash;of the
+Allied armies.</p>
+
+<p>It was near midnight, and the boys had fallen silent, Jerry with the
+wireless headpiece over his ears, Slim standing near the porthole,
+gazing out at the lone swaying light that indicated the position and the
+progress of the cruiser convoy on the port side.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Slim whirled around, his face pale, his muscles tense, and with
+a motion to Jerry signaled silence. As the latter removed<a class="pagenum" name="page_75" id="page_75" title="75"></a> the gear from
+his head, Slim tiptoed across the room to him. Placing his lips close to
+Jerry's ears he said: "I thought I heard someone in the battery room.
+Listen!"</p>
+
+<p>There was no doubt of it this time. Both boys heard the sound. It was of
+someone softly feeling about, as though in doubt as to his exact
+position.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick!" hissed Slim into Jerry's ear. "You get the captain and
+lieutenant; I'll wait here."</p>
+
+<p>And as Jerry disappeared through the room in which Joe was sleeping, so
+as not to give suspicion to the man in the battery room, Slim slid into
+Jerry's chair and centered every faculty upon listening to the almost
+inaudible movements in the next chamber.</p>
+
+<p>He could tell instinctively that the man was feeling about the walls
+with his hands. And not unnaturally, recalling Joe's experience only a
+few hours before, it gave Slim a creepy sort of feeling.</p>
+
+<p>Then all sound ceased. Try as hard as he would, he could not hear a
+thing. He rose from the chair and went closer to the intervening door.
+All was silent!</p>
+
+<p>A few seconds later the captain and lieutenant, accompanied by Jerry,
+came hurrying<a class="pagenum" name="page_76" id="page_76" title="76"></a> into the room. Without an instant's delay the captain
+turned the knob and they entered the battery room, switching on the
+light at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>Apparently not a thing had been touched, but the outer door was ajar.
+The lieutenant jumped to it and peered out, but no one was to be seen.
+He closed and locked the door and began an inspection of the batteries.</p>
+
+<p>"Everything seems to be all right," he said finally; and then, his eyes
+traveling to the table, he stopped short.</p>
+
+<p>"The wireless instrument," he gasped. "It's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"Where was it left?" the captain demanded sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"On that table there," Lieutenant Mackinson answered. "I placed it there
+myself, as you probably will remember, just before we went out
+together."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember," the captain admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"That spy has been back," the junior officer continued. "Back in this
+very room after his instrument, and he intends to use it yet if he
+can!"</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_77" id="page_77" title="77"></a>
+<a name="The_Timely_Rescue_1711" id="The_Timely_Rescue_1711"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>The Timely Rescue</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was no pleasant thought to contemplate the presence of a bold, even
+desperate, agent of an enemy government, on board an American transport
+carrying approximately two thousand souls.</p>
+
+<p>That he was capable of going any lengths, if necessary, already had been
+proved; and the evidence of his evil genius might come in horrible form
+at any instant.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, neither the excitement nor the potential danger of the
+situation was sufficient to prevent Jerry and Slim from taking a full
+eight hours of much-needed sleep, while Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe and
+three other officers whom the captain had taken into his confidence in
+the matter, followed out every possible clue in pursuit of a solution of
+the baffling mystery.</p>
+
+<p>The record of every enlisted man and officer on the vessel had been most
+carefully probed, without building up enough suspicion to warrant the
+singling out of any individual as the probable offender.<a class="pagenum" name="page_78" id="page_78" title="78"></a></p>
+
+<p>Likewise an investigation of the members of the crew had failed to
+develop anything tangible, even directly suspicious. It was a case of
+watch everybody, take every precaution, and be prepared for anything.
+Only nine men on the vessel, however, including the spy himself, knew
+anything about it, and the rest were in utter ignorance of the treachery
+that might be directed against them at any time.</p>
+
+<p>Refreshed by their sleep, Jerry and Slim arose about four o'clock that
+afternoon. Joe, who had rested easily throughout the later excitement of
+the preceding night, was still in the midst of the investigation and was
+not then to be found. Jerry had some letters to write, so Slim went to
+the upper deck alone.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing no one that he knew, and his mind weighted anyway with the
+menacing mystery of the strange happenings of the night before, he sat
+down on a coil of rope, just in the lee of the forward smokestack, to
+think the whole matter over for the twentieth time.</p>
+
+<p>He was thus absorbed when something, at first vague and indefinite, then
+clearer and clearer until it was unmistakable, began to impress itself
+upon his mind. Like the awakening call that comes to a man in a sound<a class="pagenum" name="page_79" id="page_79" title="79"></a>
+sleep&mdash;seemingly as a far-off whisper that gradually gathers volume and
+strength until finally the sleeper awakes with a start to find someone
+standing directly over him, loudly and insistently calling his name&mdash;so
+Slim came to a realization of the strange series of sounds that were
+being repeated within a few feet of him.</p>
+
+<p>Could it possibly be only the crackling of the steam-pipe that ran along
+the smokestack to the whistle&mdash;a crackling merely from the pressure
+within? For a moment Slim thought an over-wrought imagination was
+playing tricks upon him. But he rose hastily and crossed the short
+intervening distance.</p>
+
+<p>Clearly and distinctly it came to him then. Someone in another part of
+the vessel was rapping desperately upon that pipe! And in the long and
+short dashes of the international code that someone was repeating a
+single word&mdash;"Help! Help! Help!"</p>
+
+<p>In another instant, using the heavy end of his jackknife as a crude
+transmitter, Slim was tapping off the reply:</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you&mdash;and where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Mackinson," the message began to come back. "Locked in
+closet off engine room. Can't make self heard. Can you help?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_80" id="page_80" title="80"></a></p>
+
+<p>"This is Slim," the youth rapped back upon the pipe. "Caught your
+message on deck. Am coming with help at once."</p>
+
+<p>And he dashed down the deck toward the captain's quarters, almost
+bowling over the captain's aide as he hurtled into the sanctum of the
+ship's commander unannounced.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" the captain demanded sternly. "Why all the haste?"</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Mackinson," Slim blurted out; "he's locked in a closet down
+near the engine room."</p>
+
+<p>"Locked in a closet!" the captain repeated incredulously. "How do you
+know?"</p>
+
+<p>"He gave a telegraphic call for help on the steam-pipe which runs
+through there and connects with the whistle," the lad explained. "I was
+on deck and heard it. I talked with him over the pipe."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no time to lose, then. Come with me." And the captain himself
+hurriedly led the way down through the lower depths of the ship, where
+it became hotter and more oppressive with every step they took.</p>
+
+<p>They had taken a route by which they escaped the attention of anyone
+else on the ship.</p>
+
+<p>"It should be right about here somewhere,"<a class="pagenum" name="page_81" id="page_81" title="81"></a> the captain announced, as
+they approached a particularly dark passage. For a few steps they felt
+their way along, and then stopped to listen.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing but the dull and constant hum of the engines and the
+almost insufferable heat.</p>
+
+<p>"The other side," said the captain in a lowered voice, as they failed to
+find any trace of the imprisoned lieutenant where they were.</p>
+
+<p>They were crossing a short gallery when Slim abruptly signaled a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I heard something," he said. "It sounded like another call."</p>
+
+<p>They stood silent a moment, and then, faint and indistinct, apparently
+from somewhere several feet ahead of them, they both heard repeated that
+which had made Slim stop. As the letters were tapped off upon the pipe
+the lad repeated them for the information of the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"S-M-O-T-H-E-R-I-N-G."</p>
+
+<p>"Smothering!" echoed the commander of the ship. "Great Scott! I believe
+I know now where he is. This way," and he started down the passageway
+toward a narrow stairs leading to a still lower chamber in the vessel.</p>
+
+<p>Three turns&mdash;two to the right and one to<a class="pagenum" name="page_82" id="page_82" title="82"></a> the left&mdash;and the captain
+stopped again to listen. Seemingly from within the wall, right at their
+elbows, there came a feeble knock. The officer whipped out a pocket
+flashlight. They were directly in front of a heavy wooden door. It was
+locked.</p>
+
+<p>"Run get a cold chisel or a heavy screwdriver and hammer," the captain
+ordered, and Slim hastened away, to return two minutes later with all
+three tools.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand back as far as you can from the door," said the captain, placing
+his lips close to the keyhole. But there was no response from within.</p>
+
+<p>Realizing now that Lieutenant Mackinson must have lost consciousness,
+and that moments might mean life or death to him, the captain worked
+with feverish haste. He drove the heavy chisel into the crack between
+the door and the jam, and then, standing off to get a wider swing with
+the hammer, struck it sidewise.</p>
+
+<p>A panel of the door cracked and loosened. Two more attempts and the
+panel fell in strips to the floor. Thus given something for a grip-hold,
+the captain, who was a massive man, took hold with both hands, put his
+right foot against the wall, and, with<a class="pagenum" name="page_83" id="page_83" title="83"></a> one tremendous tug, into which
+he threw the whole weight of his body, brought the entire door from its
+hinges.</p>
+
+<p>The captain went staggering backward from the force of his effort and
+the weight of the door.</p>
+
+<p>The unconscious form of Lieutenant Mackinson tumbled out upon the floor.
+His face was almost blue from suffocation.</p>
+
+<p>The captain sounded three short, sharp blasts upon a whistle which he
+had taken from his pocket, and two oilers came running to the spot.</p>
+
+<p>"Help us carry this man to fresh air immediately," he ordered. "He has
+been overcome."</p>
+
+<p>With one of the oilers carrying the lieutenant by the feet, and the
+other man and Slim at either shoulder, the unconscious young officer was
+carried up flight after flight of steps until, the captain leading the
+way, they arrived at the promenade deck.</p>
+
+<p>A seaman was dispatched for the ship's surgeon, who arrived a few
+minutes later to find the first-aid efforts of the four men just
+bringing Lieutenant Mackinson back to consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>As the physician forced some aromatic<a class="pagenum" name="page_84" id="page_84" title="84"></a> spirits of ammonia between his
+lips the lieutenant opened his eyes and gazed about vaguely.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" he asked weakly; but before anyone could answer he
+had relapsed again, and there was another wait of several minutes.</p>
+
+<p>But this time the lieutenant's mind was clearing.</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody shoved me&mdash;in that closet," he gasped, "and then&mdash;slammed
+and&mdash;locked&mdash;the door."</p>
+
+<p>He recognized the captain and the doctor. As his eyes closed again he
+added, in an almost inaudible whisper: "I was getting too close on
+somebody's trail."</p>
+
+<p>The captain looked at the ship's doctor significantly and dismissed the
+two oilers with instructions to return to their duties.</p>
+
+<p>"Found him locked in a small compartment down near the auxiliary engine
+room," the commander said briefly. "Hotter than blazes, and no air
+whatever where he was. He made his whereabouts known by tapping a
+message on a steam-pipe."</p>
+
+<p>"H'm," said the doctor, whose youthful appearance might not give a
+stranger a proper measure of his long and varied experience.<a class="pagenum" name="page_85" id="page_85" title="85"></a> "Nearly
+suffocated, too. He couldn't have lasted there much longer. His heart
+action is pretty weak even yet. Better have him removed to his bed, and
+kept there for the rest of the day, at least."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Jerry came hurrying down the deck. He was visibly
+excited, but, unlike Slim, he did not forget that not only must a
+soldier never permit his feelings to run away with him, but that he must
+be equally mindful of respect for superiors.</p>
+
+<p>And so, even as two men carried Lieutenant Mackinson away, he remained
+standing at salute, waiting for the captain to recognize him with a
+return of the salute.</p>
+
+<p>"And now what?" asked the captain.</p>
+
+<p>Jerry stepped forward, with difficulty repressing his excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"I stepped out of the wireless room for only a few moments," he said.
+"When I returned I found this lying upon the table."</p>
+
+<p>He opened his left hand. In it lay a piece of light chain, both ends
+broken.</p>
+
+<p>"Beside it," he continued, "was this note."</p>
+
+<p>From his pocket he extracted a piece of paper, the edges of which were
+roughly torn. He handed it to the captain, who read aloud:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Let this be a warning that no further interference will be of
+avail."</p></div><p><a class="pagenum" name="page_86" id="page_86" title="86"></a></p>
+
+<p>The captain looked from the note to the chain. There was no further word
+on the paper, and no signature.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, sir," said Jerry, "that this is the rest of the chain which
+was attached to the iron cross torn from the man caught in the battery
+room."</p>
+
+<p>The senior officer of the vessel took from his pocket the cross, with
+its two bits of chain still dangling from it. He placed the ends to the
+chain which Jerry had found in the wireless room.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," he said simply. And there could be no doubt about it.</p>
+
+<p>The captain's face clearly showed the worry on his mind. The ship's
+physician, who had been told all about the affair, immediately after
+Joe's discovery of, and battle with, the mysterious stranger, appeared
+equally anxious.</p>
+
+<p>"A man is discovered at night in the battery room of the wireless
+department of this ship, clearly upon an unfriendly mission," said the
+captain, half to himself and half for the benefit of the others, summing
+up the evidence thus far known to them. "He gives battle to the man who
+discovers him, and finally succeeds in knocking that man out and
+escaping. But he leaves behind him a<a class="pagenum" name="page_87" id="page_87" title="87"></a> portable wireless instrument, and
+a German iron cross, with two bits of the chain attached.</p>
+
+<p>"A few hours later that same night he returns to the battery room and
+succeeds in recovering the portable instrument.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day Lieutenant Mackinson, while pursuing an investigation of the
+affair, is shoved into a closet and only escapes death from suffocation
+by making himself heard as he telegraphs for help over a steam-pipe.</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been while we were rescuing the lieutenant that the same
+man again enters the wireless room and leaves there this chain, which
+had been attached to the iron cross, and also this note of warning.</p>
+
+<p>"The impudent effrontery and the cunning treachery of this man
+constitute him a menace to every other person aboard this ship. We are
+not safe while he is free.</p>
+
+<p>"This German spy must and shall be found."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_88" id="page_88" title="88"></a>
+<a name="The_Death_of_the_Spy_1984" id="The_Death_of_the_Spy_1984"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>The Death of the Spy</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The inability of Lieutenant Mackinson to add a single word of further
+information to what he had said as he regained consciousness on the
+promenade deck increased the mystery.</p>
+
+<p>The young lieutenant, it seemed, had been following a trail which he
+believed was leading him closer and closer to the object of the hunt,
+and it was in forging the links of this chain of circumstantial evidence
+that the young officer was led into the lower depths of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>"From a sailor who did not know why I was inquiring," he told the
+captain, "I learned that on the night the unknown man invaded the
+battery room this sailor had seen another member of the crew, presumably
+from the engine or boiler room, throw aside something as he hurried
+along the passageway leading from the wireless room. He was in his
+undershirt.</p>
+
+<p>"The sailor said he was about to investigate<a class="pagenum" name="page_89" id="page_89" title="89"></a> when he saw us come along,
+and you stooped to pick up whatever it was that had been thrown away.</p>
+
+<p>"While I was talking to him another member of the crew, evidently also
+from the boiler or engine room, brushed by us. He had disappeared when
+the sailor said to me, 'I think that was the fellow&mdash;the one that just
+went by.' Not wanting to arouse his suspicions, I ended the conversation
+with a casual remark, and then strolled away until I was out of the
+sailor's sight, and then hurried as fast as I could toward the engine
+room.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know that part of the ship well, and it was very dark down
+there. I was groping my way along when I thought I heard steps just
+ahead of me. I stopped to listen, and when the sound was not repeated I
+proceeded onward.</p>
+
+<p>"All of a sudden I was grasped by the neck and one arm from behind, and
+thrown into that closet. Before I could utter a word I was a prisoner
+behind a locked door. I called several times, and, receiving no
+response, realized that I must be some distance from anyone else and
+that the noises of the engines completely drowned out my voice.<a class="pagenum" name="page_90" id="page_90" title="90"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Every moment it became more stifling in there, and I had no doubt that
+I had walked directly into a death-trap. It was then I began signaling
+on the steam-pipe. I guess it was a mighty lucky thing for me that Slim
+Goodwin strolled out on deck just at the time he did."</p>
+
+<p>And that was all that Lieutenant Mackinson could tell. The mysterious
+stranger remained what he had been from the first&mdash;a desperate and
+dangerous and unknown spy, lurking somewhere upon the American transport
+<i>Everett</i> with the evident intention of making the ship's position known
+to German U-boats when the <i>Everett</i> and her convoy of cruisers and
+destroyers entered the danger zone.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was, with the lieutenant temporarily disabled as a result of his
+experience, that the three boys from Brighton, who seemed somehow to
+have been selected by Fate as the despoilers of all the spy's plans, put
+their heads together to devise a scheme of capture.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got more than one good reason for wanting to get this fellow,"
+Slim reminded the others with considerable warmth, during the course of
+their deliberations. "First<a class="pagenum" name="page_91" id="page_91" title="91"></a> and foremost, of course, is our plain duty
+to our country, to which he is an enemy and a traitor.</p>
+
+<p>"But, in addition to that, there is that knockout that he handed to Joe,
+and the midnight scare he gave Jerry and me, and finally his effort to
+kill Lieutenant Mackinson by slow suffocation, not to mention the nerve
+of the fellow in coming back the way he has."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added Jerry, "we owe him a lot, and it is up to us to figure out
+how we can square the debt."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Joe, "I think I've got a plan that will work; but we've got
+to remember that we are dealing with a very shrewd man."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's your suggestion?" Slim demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"That we divide our forces," answered Joe solemnly, "lie in wait and try
+to ambush the foe."</p>
+
+<p>"Right!" cried Jerry. "Joe, you'll be a general before this war's over."</p>
+
+<p>"Along what lines do we disperse our forces, General?" asked Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"Along what lines would His Royal Stoutness suggest?" demanded Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you don't have to keep reminding me that I'm a trifle heavy," Slim
+replied in a peevish tone.<a class="pagenum" name="page_92" id="page_92" title="92"></a></p>
+
+<p>"A trifle heavy! Get that, will you," echoed Jerry with a gale of
+laughter. "A trifle heavy! Oh, my!"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find out if I sit on you," Slim threatened, in a belligerent
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Come now," said Joe, "this isn't making any progress toward capturing
+the spy."</p>
+
+<p>"No," Jerry responded, "and that's our first duty, even if it is a
+trifle heavy."</p>
+
+<p>"I've warned you," Slim snapped out.</p>
+
+<p>"Quit it now," ordered Joe. "Let's get down to serious business."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," agreed Jerry. "Shake, Slim, just to show there's no hard
+feelings."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't do it," Slim muttered.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, you will," counseled Joe. "Shake hands, the two of you."</p>
+
+<p>Slim's good nature overcame his feigned reluctance, but as Jerry grasped
+his hand he gave Jerry a jerk that nearly took him off his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we're square," said Slim, as Jerry rubbed his nearly dislocated
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that pull <i>was</i> a trifle heavy," muttered Jerry, determined to
+have the last word.</p>
+
+<p>"Now my plan is this," said Joe, facing the other two seriously. "The
+nearer we<a class="pagenum" name="page_93" id="page_93" title="93"></a> come to the zone of the German submarines, the more this man
+will try to arrange to notify them of our presence, and to do that he
+will have to use the wireless somehow. It seems likely that he would
+make his effort at night, because then it is easier for him to escape
+detection.</p>
+
+<p>"Now if we let Lieutenant Mackinson sleep during the day we could so
+divide up the work as for all of us to get some sleep, and then all
+could do watch at night.</p>
+
+<p>"The lieutenant could be in the wireless room, and one of us in the
+battery room, while the other two did duty outside. If one of us should
+hide under that stairway at the upper end of the passage, and the other
+in that alcove at the other end, no one could reach the wireless or
+battery rooms without our seeing.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be tiresome and monotonous work, all right, but it might
+accomplish the result."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing," said Jerry, "but you and I will have to do the outside
+work. Slim's a trifle heavy to get into either one of those hiding
+places."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll cover the battery room," said Slim, ignoring Jerry's
+remark.<a class="pagenum" name="page_94" id="page_94" title="94"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Let's see Lieutenant Mackinson, then," suggested Joe, and they went to
+find the young officer who was convalescing from his encounter with the
+spy. When he had approved the plan they got the O. K. of the captain.</p>
+
+<p>And so it was, four hours later, with the lieutenant in the wireless
+room, and Slim in the battery room adjoining, and Joe and Jerry stowed
+away in the hiding places selected, their long night vigil began.</p>
+
+<p>Hour after hour dragged itself by without a development, the intense
+silence broken only by the sounds of the engines and the wash of the sea
+against the ship. To the three boys, unable to see or talk to each
+other, and Joe and Jerry scarcely daring to move, the minutes lagged
+like hours, and the hours like dull, black, endless nights.</p>
+
+<p>Dawn came, and with it new activities in all parts of the vessel, but
+without a reward for their watch, and as the two lads crawled from their
+places of concealment at either end of the passage, to join Slim and
+Lieutenant Mackinson, there were mutual feelings of disappointment, but
+none of weakened determination.</p>
+
+<p>"What luck?" asked the captain, coming in at that moment.<a class="pagenum" name="page_95" id="page_95" title="95"></a></p>
+
+<p>"None, sir, at all," the lieutenant responded.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then, try it again to-night," the commander ordered. "But in
+the meantime all of you get some sleep. You may get better results
+to-night, for by then we will be coming to the outer fringe of the
+submarine zone. I will arrange for another man to stay in the wireless
+room during to-day, and if an emergency arises he will call you."</p>
+
+<p>So the four young men went to bed for some much-needed rest and sleep,
+and when they awakened it was almost time for mess&mdash;directly after which
+they were to take up their night watch again.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think we will be troubled with U-boats to-night," the captain
+told them, "for it is perfectly clear and there will be a full moon. The
+sea is calm and we readily could discern a periscope a long distance
+away."</p>
+
+<p>Truly it was a beautiful night. And it was in this alluring quiet of
+seemingly absolute peace that one of the tragedies of war soon was to be
+enacted.</p>
+
+<p>The Brighton boys and their friend and superior officer, the lieutenant,
+had been in<a class="pagenum" name="page_96" id="page_96" title="96"></a> their appointed places hardly more than an hour when Joe
+and Jerry at the same instant caught the sounds of some sort of scuffle
+on the deck above.</p>
+
+<p>It came nearer and clearer until finally, as it reached a point near to
+the top of the stairway under which Joe was concealed, the latter could
+discern the fog-horn voice of the first assistant engineer.</p>
+
+<p>"G'wan with ye, now," he commanded, breathing heavily, as though from
+some violent physical exertion. "G'wan with ye, I say, or ye'll be
+findin' it mighty unhealthy fer ye. It's meself that'll be moppin' up
+the deck with ye if ye try to get gay once more."</p>
+
+<p>The first assistant engineer was a mighty mountain of a man, but his
+voice broke off as the commotion started again. Certainly he must have a
+rough customer to deal with, thought Jerry, if he, with all his great
+physical strength, could not entirely quell him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ye will, will ye?" hissed the voice of the engineer again. "Thry to
+bite me, eh?" and there was the terrible smash of a fist, and the
+unmistakable sound of a man falling upon the deck. "Ye dirty hound, I've
+a mind to boot ye into the sea."</p>
+
+<p>And then there were other voices. Jerry<a class="pagenum" name="page_97" id="page_97" title="97"></a> heard the captain demanding an
+explanation, and the ship's doctor spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I found him tamperin' with the wires near the dynamos," the first
+assistant engineer was saying. "I niver liked his looks annyway, if
+ye'll pardon me, sir, fer sayin' it. And whin I asked him what he was
+about, he thried to git away. I grabbed him, and he showed fight. I
+guess I give 'im all he wanted, though, that last time."</p>
+
+<p>"So?" said the captain, in a voice so stern it made Joe wince. "And what
+does this fellow do aboard the ship?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's a third-class machinist, sir," the engineer replied. "But if ye'll
+excuse a word from me, sir, I think he's a first-class crook."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I believe he's worse than that," the captain added; and then,
+in a voice which seemed to shake the vessel: "Stand up!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a strained silence for a moment. Then&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Get Lieutenant Mackinson and those boys," the captain continued, and
+the ship's surgeon started down the stairway to find that Joe and Jerry
+already were summoning Slim and the lieutenant.<a class="pagenum" name="page_98" id="page_98" title="98"></a></p>
+
+<p>"It looks as though we'd caught the man," the doctor whispered.</p>
+
+<p>As the four reached the deck where the captured man stood between the
+first assistant engineer and the captain, who had by this time taken out
+his revolver, there was a gasp of astonishment from Joe, followed by a
+louder "Holy smoke!" from Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you recognize this man?" the captain asked in a sharp tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say I do, sir," Joe responded. "<i>He is the man who was
+planting ammunition in the waters near the navy yard that night before
+we sailed</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"The very same one, sir!" Slim exclaimed, with equal positiveness.</p>
+
+<p>The ship's surgeon, who had followed the others upon deck, stepped
+closer for a better inspection of this enemy. At the same instant the
+prisoner, striking out with both hands, knocked the captain's revolver
+hand into the air, and thrust the engineer from him. Before anyone could
+interfere he was dashing down the deck toward the stern.</p>
+
+<p>Just as he took a wild, headlong leap over the rail the captain fired.
+While the captain, through a speaking tube, was instructing the man in
+the pilot house to signal below<a class="pagenum" name="page_99" id="page_99" title="99"></a> "Reverse engines," the others rushed to
+the stern of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>Far behind them in the foamy trail left on the moonlit water by the
+vessel they saw what seemed to be the head of a man bobbing up and
+down&mdash;and then it entirely disappeared. The ship was turned, and that
+portion of the sea searched, but without avail.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone," said the captain in tones of very evident relief. "Well, it was
+death for him, one way or another, and he took his choice."</p>
+
+<p>As the captain and surgeon moved away from the stern rail of the
+<i>Everett</i>, the three lads and the lieutenant still stood there, gazing
+far out to sea.</p>
+
+<p>"The man who made me nearly freeze to death in the water," spoke Joe, as
+though thinking aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"And pummeled my stomach until it was sore for three days," echoed Slim,
+in sad reminiscence.</p>
+
+<p>"And made me run a mile in nothing, flat," added Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"And fought me to a knockout finish later," mused Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"And nearly smothered me to death," spoke the lieutenant.<a class="pagenum" name="page_100" id="page_100" title="100"></a></p>
+
+<p>"And was finally corralled by an Irish engineer!" said Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone," concluded Jerry, "and no one here will mourn his departure."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_101" id="page_101" title="101"></a>
+<a name="The_Periscope_at_Dawn_2284" id="The_Periscope_at_Dawn_2284"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>The Periscope at Dawn</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>That night the boys had ample evidence that they were inside the
+submarine zone, where anything might happen at any minute. Not a light
+was permitted on any of the ships, and they traveled along in the most
+peculiar fashion and over the most irregular course, never going at more
+than half speed and not more than a mile or so without a complete change
+of direction.</p>
+
+<p>For no apparent reason whatever the engines would slow down and entirely
+stop, and in that position they would remain for ten, fifteen, twenty
+minutes or even half an hour, and then start up again on another tack.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe we've become separated from our convoy," said Slim, who had
+been upon deck, and now entered the wireless room where Joe and Jerry
+were watching Lieutenant Mackinson make some readjustments of the
+wireless mechanism. "The pilot<a class="pagenum" name="page_102" id="page_102" title="102"></a> doesn't seem to know the course. Say,
+wouldn't it be great sport if we should be lost from the others? But I
+wonder why the captain does not wireless them?"</p>
+
+<p>"No need," Lieutenant Mackinson assured him, "for we are not lost, nor
+are we separated from them. Every vessel in this fleet is simply
+carrying out a program secretly arranged long in advance, and which was
+in the nature of a sealed order which the various captains did not open
+until this morning.</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say that our convoy is as near us now as at any time during the
+voyage, and that it is maintaining the same position at all times, going
+through the exact maneuvers that the <i>Everett</i> is performing."</p>
+
+<p>"It is to fool the submarines?" asked Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," the lieutenant replied. "Our government is taking every
+precaution, and no unnecessary risks. You see, there is no way of
+keeping absolutely secret the departure of our transports. Nor is there
+any assurance that the information does not go directly to the German
+authorities, and from them to the commanders of the submarines. Our
+actions are designed to prevent them from estimating our course or
+position.</p>
+
+<p>"It was their knowledge of that fact, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_103" id="page_103" title="103"></a> their determination to learn
+our whereabouts in another way, which doubtless led to that spy being
+aboard this transport. I feel&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the lieutenant ceased speaking, and all four, as of one accord,
+sprang toward the radio instruments.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" Lieutenant Mackinson commanded, as he jammed the headpiece
+over his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>SOS</i>"&mdash;the most tragic of all the calls of the sea, was coming to them
+as a frantic appeal sent out through the air to any and all who might
+hear and respond.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>SOS</i>," the lieutenant wrote down hurriedly as the message came through
+space. And then:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"American&mdash;<i>Memphis</i>&mdash;submarine pursuing&mdash;53&frac12; lat.&mdash;17 W.
+lon.&mdash;running fifteen knots three points south of west."</p></div>
+
+<p>The entire message was repeated, and then there was silence&mdash;the dense
+and seemingly impenetrable silence that had existed before.</p>
+
+<p>Came the nearer and more powerful crackle of the radio.</p>
+
+<p>"One of our destroyers is replying," Lieutenant Mackinson announced, and
+one by one he jotted down the words:<a class="pagenum" name="page_104" id="page_104" title="104"></a></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Continue same direction. U. S. destroyer be with you in about two
+hours."</p></div>
+
+<p>"Understand you," the return message came back a moment later.
+"Submarine still on stern. Has fired two shots, but both missed."</p>
+
+<p>It was a thrilling moment for the boys from Brighton. Out there in the
+blackness of the night an American fighting craft was separating itself
+from the rest of the fleet to run full speed to the assistance of a
+helpless merchantman, and, if possible, to do battle with the enemy
+U-boat.</p>
+
+<p>For an hour and a half they sat there, speculating as to the possible
+outcome.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd give a month's pay to be aboard that destroyer," exclaimed Jerry
+enviously. "That's the sort of excitement I like. Just imagine coming up
+to that merchantman just in time to save her from destruction, and then
+having a regular battle with the submarine, and finally watching her
+sink, with a shell hole torn in her side!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added Slim, "and imagine being aboard that merchantman, with a
+shell hole torn in her side before the destroyer arrives!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's pretty cold swimming on a night like this," said Joe. "I've tried
+it, and I know."<a class="pagenum" name="page_105" id="page_105" title="105"></a></p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson, still seated before the wireless instrument,
+signaled them for quiet again. Another message was coming through space.
+It was in code, but was one that was easy for the lieutenant to
+translate, for he had heard it before.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Submarine disappeared. Returning to fleet. Convoying <i>Memphis</i>."</p></div>
+
+<p>"Go on deck, keep your eyes busy off the port bow, and you may see
+something interesting," the lieutenant told them.</p>
+
+<p>Following the suggestion they went above and had stood there for perhaps
+fifteen or twenty minutes when suddenly the lookout in the crow's nest
+sang out: "Destroyer approaching, two points off the port bow."</p>
+
+<p>Almost at the same instant there loomed out of the dense darkness a
+faint light, apparently miles away. For a moment they would see it, and
+then it would be gone, only to reappear again, another time to be
+extinguished. But obviously all the time it was coming nearer.</p>
+
+<p>They noted, too, that a similar process was being enacted by the cruiser
+in the lead.</p>
+
+<p>"What does it mean?" asked Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"The destroyer is just using another sort<a class="pagenum" name="page_106" id="page_106" title="106"></a> of wireless," Joe explained.
+"She is blinking her identity to the fleet, and the cruiser out there is
+signaling recognition."</p>
+
+<p>The next time the destroyer signaled she was almost abreast of them, but
+about two miles away to the north. Her message then could be read by all
+the boys. The words it spelled out, however, were a complete riddle:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Love&mdash;sky&mdash;sand&mdash;curtain&mdash;run."</p></div>
+
+<p>It was not for several hours that they learned that the captain of the
+destroyer had flashed a message that he would convoy the <i>Memphis</i>
+several miles further westward, and then rejoin the others, and that the
+fleet commander, in flashing back "bundle," had given his O. K., with an
+admonition for speed.</p>
+
+<p>There being no further necessity for the spy watch which had been
+maintained on the previous night, the boys drew lots to determine which
+one should do duty until morning in the wireless room, and it fell to
+Joe.</p>
+
+<p>But the first faint gray streaks were hardly painting the eastern sky
+when Jerry and Slim, unable to sleep longer, came out upon deck to take
+for themselves a general survey of the danger zone.<a class="pagenum" name="page_107" id="page_107" title="107"></a></p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" cried Slim suddenly, staring off over the stern of the
+<i>Everett</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"Smoke!" echoed Jerry, excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, smoke from the stack of the destroyer," said Joe, who had come up
+behind them without being heard. "We just got her signal a moment ago."</p>
+
+<p>"How far do you suppose she is away?" asked Slim.</p>
+
+<p>They were speculating upon the distance between the two vessels, when
+Slim, speechless for the moment, pointed to what seemed to be little
+more than a dark speck on the water about a mile astern and to the west
+of them&mdash;for at that time their zig-zag course pointed them almost due
+north.</p>
+
+<p>"Submarine approaching astern!" sang out the man in the crow's nest.</p>
+
+<p>It was as though the startling message had been megaphoned to every man
+aboard the <i>Everett</i>. At the same time the cruiser of the fleet began
+maneuvering herself between where the periscope showed the submarine to
+be and the transport itself.</p>
+
+<p>Almost simultaneously the U-boat came to the surface and one of the big
+guns on the cruiser belched forth a shell that apparently fell a short
+distance the other side of the<a class="pagenum" name="page_108" id="page_108" title="108"></a> submarine. The U-boat itself let loose a
+shot, and with such accuracy that only the sudden maneuver of the
+transport at that instant saved it from being hit.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the decks of the <i>Everett</i> were crowded with the khaki-clad
+soldiers of Uncle Sam whom the Germans were trying to prevent from
+getting into the trenches by sending them to the bottom of the Atlantic.</p>
+
+<p>The cruiser had headed straight for the U-boat, while the destroyer was
+coming up behind it with even greater speed.</p>
+
+<p>For some reason that never will be known the commander of the submarine
+had ignored the destroyer entirely, although it was difficult to imagine
+that he had not seen it. The general supposition later aboard the
+<i>Everett</i> was that something had happened to his batteries and he was
+unable to submerge.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" shouted hundreds of men on the <i>Everett</i> in unison as the
+torpedo-boat destroyer opened fire.</p>
+
+<p>And the aim of her gunners was deadly! for just as the U-boat began to
+submerge, one of the big projectiles from the destroyer hit her squarely
+amidships. There was a terrific explosion, the stern of the undersea
+craft was lifted upward, clear of the water,<a class="pagenum" name="page_109" id="page_109" title="109"></a> she stuck her nose into
+the briny deep, and without another second's delay, dove to the bottom,
+a wreck.</p>
+
+<p>As the tremendous pressure of the water crushed in her air tanks, great
+bubbles rose to the surface and broke, causing rippling waves to roll
+outward in increasingly large circles. Then a flood of oil came to the
+surface of the sea, and the final evidence of the tragedy was
+obliterated.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_110" id="page_110" title="110"></a>
+<a name="France_at_Last_2495" id="France_at_Last_2495"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>France at Last</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>From that moment the watch on each vessel in the fleet was redoubled,
+and there was constant speculation, especially among the soldiers, as to
+whether another submarine would be sighted, and, if so, under what
+circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>They had now abandoned the zig-zagging course and were taking a direct
+route around the north of Ireland and toward the North Channel.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning two additional destroyers bore down upon them
+from opposite points off the bow almost simultaneously, and as they came
+both code-telegraphed their identity. With these extra convoys it seemed
+indeed unlikely that a submarine would get near them, or, if it did,
+would attempt to do other than make its own safe escape.</p>
+
+<p>Fair Head, at the northeast corner of Ireland, gave them their first
+sight of land since they had left the shores of America; and for many of
+them this first glimpse of<a class="pagenum" name="page_111" id="page_111" title="111"></a> Erin's Isle brought with it the sentimental
+thrill of seeing the country where their parents had been born and spent
+their youth&mdash;for there was many a lad of Irish ancestry aboard the
+<i>Everett</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Rounding Fair Head without mishap or contact with a submarine, the
+danger from that source was practically over. The convoy was reduced to
+a cruiser and destroyer, and thus they laid a southeasterly course to
+what your old-time sailor would have described as "a piping breeze."</p>
+
+<p>They flanked the Isle of Man off its westward coast, and thence sped
+directly across the Irish Sea and into the harbor of Liverpool.</p>
+
+<p>Their arrival was unannounced. It was only one of many, and a thing to
+which the people of that and other cities of England and France had
+become quite accustomed. Nevertheless they welcomed the hosts of Uncle
+Sam in the warmest manner, and in every possible way showed the deep
+sense of appreciation and feeling of increased safety with which they
+viewed the arrival of more and more thousands of American troops in
+their land, on their way to the trenches of France to help conquer the
+common enemy.</p>
+
+<p>But there was not much time to be spent in<a class="pagenum" name="page_112" id="page_112" title="112"></a> Liverpool. Indeed, they had
+scarcely become accustomed to feeling their feet on solid ground again
+before the order to march was given, and they left the river front to go
+to the railroad station.</p>
+
+<p>There they received a plain but substantial meal, were inspected and
+admired by their British cousins, and then boarded the long troop train
+that already awaited them.</p>
+
+<p>"Take your seats, Yankees!" shouted the bearded conductor jovially, and
+the boys piled in.</p>
+
+<p>The details of that ride through England the boys from Brighton never
+will forget, although it was a long and tiring trip from Liverpool all
+the way to Dover, on the channel which separates England from the
+mainland of Europe.</p>
+
+<p>They crossed fair fields and beautiful streams that reminded them of
+their own native land, and came within view of giant ancient forests.
+They passed through cities and towns and again came out into the open
+country.</p>
+
+<p>Occasionally there were stops, when the soldiers were allowed to leave
+the train "to give their legs a stretch." At such times they were
+greeted affectionately on all sides by the men and women of England.<a class="pagenum" name="page_113" id="page_113" title="113"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Hi say, Slim, old top," Jerry imitated good-naturedly as they boarded
+the train again after one of these delays. "Hi say, did you 'ear that
+'andsome little Hinglisher out there say as 'ow 'ealthy you looked?"</p>
+
+<p>"Did 'e?" asked Slim, grinning.</p>
+
+<p>"'E did," answered Jerry. And then, winking to Joe. "But 'e added, old
+top, that 'e thought you looked a trifle 'eavy."</p>
+
+<p>Only the sudden jolt of the starting train saved Jerry from the wallop
+that Slim directed at him; and had it landed, Jerry doubtless would have
+found it "a trifle 'eavy," also.</p>
+
+<p>There was a general laugh from the others in the car, for all three of
+the boys from Brighton had become immensely popular with their
+companions in arms, all of whom by this time had become well accustomed
+to this sort of gentle fun between the red-headed Jerry and "the
+'ealthy, 'eavy lad" called Slim.</p>
+
+<p>When they had been riding for another hour they came upon one of those
+vast English concentration camps where thousands of young Britons were
+being trained and equipped for war.</p>
+
+<p>As the train slowly, very slowly, passed around the outer edge of this
+camp, England<a class="pagenum" name="page_114" id="page_114" title="114"></a> saluted America, and America saluted England through
+their fearless young warriors. The young Britons shouted, waved flags,
+threw their hats into the air and sang. And the Americans, hanging from
+the car windows, and crowded out upon the platforms and steps, returned
+the demonstration with something for good measure.</p>
+
+<p>From this point forward the journey constantly was punctuated by scenes
+and incidents significant of war. Here was an ambulance and Red Cross
+unit mobilizing for removal to the very heart of smoke and battle and
+bloodshed; there stood a row of houses whose battered roofs and
+tottering walls testified to a ruthless aerial night raid of the
+Germans.</p>
+
+<p>It fired the blood of the Americans as they were reminded that these
+meagre evidences of Boche barbarity were as nothing compared to the
+deliberate and vicious ruin wrought in Belgium and northern France.</p>
+
+<p>Dover at last&mdash;the channel port which marked the beginning of the last
+lap of their journey to France! The boys hardly could wait until the
+train came to a stop, to get a glimpse of the water, across which lay
+the scene of the bloodiest war in all history&mdash;a<a class="pagenum" name="page_115" id="page_115" title="115"></a> war in which they were
+to take an important part.</p>
+
+<p>"They say this channel is awfully choppy," said Slim apprehensively, as
+they left the car. "Do you think, Jerry, that we're likely to get
+seasick again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't know," responded Jerry, also somewhat dubiously, "but there's one
+consolation about it&mdash;it's only a short trip."</p>
+
+<p>Never had the three boys from Brighton anticipated such co-ordinated
+efficiency in the workings of a war machine. They had expected long
+delays, frequent disappointments and protracted periods of training
+before they should reach the front-line trenches.</p>
+
+<p>Instead, they experienced consistent progress, many pleasant surprises
+and few disappointments; and now, upon reaching Dover, they soon learned
+that if it was at all possible they would board a transport that same
+night for the French side of the channel.</p>
+
+<p>From the train they were marched to a great cantonment on the edge of
+the city. The procession there was like a triumphant march, with throngs
+lined along the streets to cheer them as they passed.</p>
+
+<p>For more than a year before, enemy propaganda<a class="pagenum" name="page_116" id="page_116" title="116"></a> in the United States had
+constantly preached that England was weary of the war. This did not look
+like it. The very atmosphere breathed the spirit of "carry on," of
+renewed determination to fight to a finish.</p>
+
+<p>Amid such a spirit the Brighton boys reached the cantonment and after a
+hasty roll-call sat down to what they one and all pronounced a "fine
+feed."</p>
+
+<p>They rested for several hours and then were again ordered to fall in.
+The march was begun to the docks, where three steamers to be used as
+transports were being loaded with provisions and ammunition.</p>
+
+<p>Together with other American troops which had been awaiting their
+arrival, they went aboard the transports, but it was not till long after
+midnight that they were under way.</p>
+
+<p>Not a light was permitted on board. Not even the officers were allowed
+to strike a match or to smoke. No unnecessary noises were permitted, and
+the whole proceeding spoke of the secrecy of war work and the danger of
+revealing their plans or their whereabouts to any prowling enemy.</p>
+
+<p>With the dawn, scores of the men were on deck, including Joe, Jerry and
+Slim&mdash;and<a class="pagenum" name="page_117" id="page_117" title="117"></a> they were well within sight of land. Preparations already
+were being made for their landing, and a great excitement prevailed on
+each of the ships. Their long-held hopes were coming to fruition.</p>
+
+<p>France at last!</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_118" id="page_118" title="118"></a>
+<a name="Tapping_the_Enemys_Wire_2667" id="Tapping_the_Enemys_Wire_2667"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>Tapping the Enemy's Wire</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The following morning all of those who had arrived on the transports
+were established in a concentration camp, but it was merely for the
+purpose of inspection of men and equipment, and was not to be for long.
+It was that same day that the three boys from Brighton were for the
+first time assigned to a regular unit of the Signal Corps.</p>
+
+<p>Also, with a real thrill, they learned that they were almost immediately
+to see war service, for American troops were already in the trenches.</p>
+
+<p>It was a happy circumstance for the three lads that they had had such
+close association with Lieutenant Mackinson, for, without question, he
+already had gained an enviable reputation, and when he was ordered to
+emergency service, and told he might choose the five men who were to be
+under his direction, his three assistants on the trip across were the
+first ones named.</p>
+
+<p>The other two were Tom Rawle, a fellow<a class="pagenum" name="page_119" id="page_119" title="119"></a> proportioned like their first
+friend in the service, Sergeant Martin, and a wiry, energetic,
+quick-speaking youth named Frank Hoskins.</p>
+
+<p>"We have a long trip before us," Lieutenant Mackinson informed them,
+"and we leave here on a special train in two hours. In a short time we
+will be in the thick of it."</p>
+
+<p>It was joyous information for the five, and they set about their few
+preparations with a zest only experienced by boys knowing they have
+important work to do, and feeling capable of doing it well.</p>
+
+<p>"How long have you been over?" Joe asked of Tom Rawle.</p>
+
+<p>"Got here two weeks ago," the big fellow answered. "But I haven't had
+any real service yet. I was assigned once to Cambrai, but before I
+reached there a big drive was under way, the Germans were being pushed
+back, and the detachment to which I had been assigned was so far forward
+that my orders were changed and I was sent back here."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get within sound of the big guns?" asked Slim excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so," answered Tom Rawle. "And so will you within a few
+hours. Isn't that so, Hoskins?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_120" id="page_120" title="120"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Frank, "and when you do you'll get a new idea of the
+fighting qualities of the French and Americans, going shoulder to
+shoulder against the Boches."</p>
+
+<p>"Hoskins knows," explained Rawle, "for he got nearer than I did."</p>
+
+<p>"Only for a short time," Frank corrected modestly, "but they called it
+my 'baptism of fire.' I was out one night with an advance party. We were
+nearly ambushed, and had to beat a quick retreat."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, tell them all about it," demanded Tom Rawle, impatient at Frank's
+unwillingness to talk much about himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they fired on us from a distance of about a hundred yards," the
+other lad admitted, "and it was a surprise party for fair, I can tell
+you. When bullets begin singing around your head for the first time, and
+especially when they come without any warning from the enemy, or any
+expectation on your part, it does give you rather a peculiar sort of
+feeling.</p>
+
+<p>"They got one of the fellows in our party with a bullet in the arm, then
+we all dropped on our stomachs and wriggled our way back into our own
+lines without any further damage. But we did some rapid wriggling, you
+can bet.<a class="pagenum" name="page_121" id="page_121" title="121"></a> There wasn't any time wasted by any of us, and inasmuch as we
+were apparently outnumbered, we did not fire back, for fear of giving
+them an exact range of our whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>"After that I was sent back along the rear lines on an inspection trip
+which brought me all the way to this point, where I was held for the
+formation of this unit."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that must be thrilling&mdash;to be a member of an advance party like
+that," said Jerry, his enthusiasm as fiery as his hair. "I wonder if
+we'll get any work like that?"</p>
+
+<p>"You sure will," responded Rawle, "and plenty of it. You needn't worry
+on that score."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Lieutenant Mackinson arrived to inquire if all their
+preparations had been made, and if they were ready to board the special.</p>
+
+<p>"All ready," they answered, and the lieutenant led the way to the train.</p>
+
+<p>They found several others already aboard, who were to make at least a
+part of the trip with them. There were half a dozen men who had been
+slightly wounded in the trenches, and now, completely well, were
+returning to their regiments. Also, there was a wire company of the
+Signal Corps,<a class="pagenum" name="page_122" id="page_122" title="122"></a> which was going to join another American unit.</p>
+
+<p>For the first three or four hours of the trip the lads, even including
+Hoskins and Rawle, found the returning young veterans the center of all
+interest, and from them they heard many serious and amusing stories,
+many true tales of the attack and retreat, of shot and shell and
+shrapnel and the hand grenade and the poisonous gas bombs thrown by the
+Boches.</p>
+
+<p>And then, one by one, the soldiers of Uncle Sam dropped off into long
+and restful slumber&mdash;slumber that was to fit them for hard and difficult
+duties ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"This is where we get off," finally announced Lieutenant Mackinson,
+shaking the lads into wakefulness. "We leave the train here and travel
+the balance of the distance by automobile."</p>
+
+<p>Never had the boys seen such a powerful looking car as that to which an
+orderly led them. Without the waste of a moment they climbed
+in&mdash;Lieutenant Mackinson, our three friends, young Hoskins and the
+towering Rawle. In another instant they were speeding across the country
+with the break of dawn.</p>
+
+<p>But their trip now was far different from<a class="pagenum" name="page_123" id="page_123" title="123"></a> the one they had had across
+England. Where, in that country, they had seen big concentration camps,
+and men preparing for war, with an occasional evidence of war's effects
+in a building wrecked by a night air raid, here, in the eastern part of
+France, they came upon actual war in all its fateful progress, with
+whole towns demolished, forests and orchards blotted out&mdash;stark ruin
+written over the face of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>With a clear right-of-way, their high-power machine swept past
+ammunition and food trains&mdash;long strings of powerful motor trucks
+driving toward the scene of action. They came upon towns and villages in
+that area known as "behind the lines," where French, American, Belgian
+and British soldiers were recuperating after hard days and nights in the
+front-line trenches.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they were well within sound of the heavy guns, and their
+driver told them that the artillery duel then going on had been in
+progress for forty-eight hours at least.</p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes it lasts for a week or more, you know," he said, "in
+preparation for a great infantry advance. But I understand that this
+time they expect to go forward before the end of to-day."<a class="pagenum" name="page_124" id="page_124" title="124"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Which, means," added Lieutenant Mackinson, "that we probably will get a
+chance to get right into the thick of it."</p>
+
+<p>On and on they went, and nearer and nearer to the scene of actual battle
+they came. They passed the third-line trenches, and now, in places, they
+seemed to be in a straight line with some of the concealed artillery
+that was pounding away at the enemy in terrible detonations that shook
+and rocked the ground every minute.</p>
+
+<p>At the second-line trenches their orders called for a halt. They did not
+have to be told that there was "something doing." The road, so far as
+the eye could reach backward over the route they had traveled, was a
+constantly moving line of motor trucks, coming forward with men and
+shells, while out ahead of them, tremendous and menacing, big tanks&mdash;the
+biggest things the boys ever had seen propelled on wheels or
+tractors&mdash;were pursuing their uneven course toward the front, in
+preparation for a new kind of assault.</p>
+
+<p>"They look like miniature battleships on land, don't they?" exclaimed
+Slim.</p>
+
+<p>The others agreed that it was about the best description that could be
+given of these<a class="pagenum" name="page_125" id="page_125" title="125"></a> massive fighting machines, equipped with guns and men,
+that could travel with their own power practically anywhere, across
+shell holes, over trenches, through barbed wire&mdash;the most human piece of
+war mechanism that had yet made its appearance on the battlefield.</p>
+
+<p>Summons to a long-delayed meal gave a welcome interruption to their
+guesses as to just what their first duties would be, and they had
+scarcely finished their substantial rations of food when an orderly
+informed Lieutenant Mackinson that he was to report at once to the field
+headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>"Await me here," he said to the five men under his immediate command. "I
+probably will be only a short time."</p>
+
+<p>And, indeed, it seemed to them that he had hardly time to reach the
+headquarters when he was seen returning hurriedly. He gave some hasty
+instructions to the chauffeur, and the latter immediately began a quick
+examination of his engine and tires, which promised another early move.</p>
+
+<p>"We go forward as far as we can by automobile again," the lieutenant
+informed them, "and after dark to-night we are to establish an outlying
+communication from the farthest skirmish points to headquarters."<a class="pagenum" name="page_126" id="page_126" title="126"></a></p>
+
+<p>Almost as he finished the sentence, they were started, but now their
+progress frequently was impeded, and occasionally a shell broke so close
+to them as to jar the machine from its course.</p>
+
+<p>None of the men in the rear seats of that car were cowards, but, aside
+from Hoskins, it was their first experience under actual fire, and they
+marveled at the coolness of the driver, who seemed not to mind at all
+the dangerous quarters they were in.</p>
+
+<p>When they climbed out of the machine, half an hour later, Joe remarked
+upon it in tones of open admiration.</p>
+
+<p>"It's nothing," the youthful chauffeur replied. "You'll get used to it,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>As he turned the automobile and started backward, Slim suddenly
+remembered that they hadn't even heard his name.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't know it," said Hoskins, "but he was wounded twice in the
+trenches, I heard while we were waiting for the lieutenant. That's why
+he's driving a car now. He has seen enough service to know that
+nervousness doesn't help."</p>
+
+<p>They had been directed to the quarters of Major Jones, in charge of the
+Signal Corps men in that section, and it was with considerable<a class="pagenum" name="page_127" id="page_127" title="127"></a> surprise
+that the boys learned, upon arriving there, that they were to accompany
+the lieutenant into the superior officer's presence for instructions.</p>
+
+<p>He was a man, they found, about forty years old, already grizzled and
+hardened by his field experience. And he knew how to convey orders and
+transact business without a moment's delay.</p>
+
+<p>"You are to follow the red-ink lines on this map," he told Lieutenant
+Mackinson, as they all leaned over his desk to follow the tracing of his
+pencil, with which he showed them the course they were to take.</p>
+
+<p>"When you have reached this point"&mdash;indicating a heavy spot about midway
+of the map&mdash;"you will seek a suitable location from which to establish
+communications. You will determine whether it can be done by wireless.
+As soon as you can do so, report what progress you have made. Use every
+caution, for you will be in the country occupied by the enemy. You
+should leave here about seven o'clock this evening. It is now six."</p>
+
+<p>Fifteen minutes later they had examined their arms and equipped
+themselves with a full supply of small-arms ammunition,<a class="pagenum" name="page_128" id="page_128" title="128"></a> portable
+wireless instrument and antenn&aelig;, and three rations each of eating
+chocolate.</p>
+
+<p>The latter article is dispensed to every soldier in the American armies
+just prior to an engagement in which he may become separated from his
+unit or companions, and, if wounded, might otherwise starve to death.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining three-quarters of an hour they spent in close study of the
+map that Major Jones had given them, and promptly at seven o'clock they
+started upon the dangerous mission.</p>
+
+<p>With nightfall the big cannonading had noticeably shut down, but to the
+south of them artillery firing still could be heard distinctly. It was a
+black night and they proceeded with the greatest caution.</p>
+
+<p>They did not dare use the flashlights that each of them carried, and
+frequently all of them would have to drop suddenly flat upon the ground
+as a big rocket went up from either side, lighting the whole section for
+trace of skirmishing parties.</p>
+
+<p>In this way they went forward, yard by yard, until they reached a thick
+clump of trees. There, after listening intently for several minutes
+without hearing a dangerous sound, they spread out their coats,
+tent-like,<a class="pagenum" name="page_129" id="page_129" title="129"></a> while Lieutenant Mackinson, with gingerly flashes of his
+light, examined the map again, to make certain of their location.</p>
+
+<p>They had hardly progressed a hundred feet further when the unlucky Slim
+tripped and went sprawling on the ground with a pained but suppressed
+grunt.</p>
+
+<p>"Sh-h-h-h!" warned Lieutenant Mackinson in a whisper, while Tom Rawle,
+quietly chuckling at the fat lad's misfortune, aided him to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Down flat!" said Mackinson again, as he discerned several shadows
+moving across a space a considerable distance to the north of them.</p>
+
+<p>For fully ten minutes, which seemed like an hour, they lay there, not
+daring to move. They watched the enemy scouting party get a like scare,
+and then, after what seemed to be a whispered consultation, turn back to
+the German lines.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you fall over?" the lieutenant finally asked of Slim, in a
+scarcely audible tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I just found it," replied Slim. "It's a wire. Here, let me have your
+hand." And he guided the lieutenant's fingers to that which had been the
+cause of his downfall.<a class="pagenum" name="page_130" id="page_130" title="130"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Copper!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "Hoskins, let me have that kit."</p>
+
+<p>And without the aid of a light he extracted from the leather case which
+Hoskins gave him a very small telegraph instrument. The instant it was
+attached to the wire the receiver began to tick irregularly.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Rawle nor Hoskins understood German, but to the others they were
+words easy to translate.</p>
+
+<p>They had accidentally struck an enemy wire and had tapped it! That part
+of the message which they had intercepted read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"&mdash;lead enemy to believe whole attack centered from your
+position, but main assault will be a flank move around Hill 20"</p></div>
+
+<p>At that instant a fusillade of bullets cut the ground all about them,
+and the six men suddenly realized that they were under a pitiless and
+well-directed machine-gun fire.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_131" id="page_131" title="131"></a>
+<a name="The_S_O_S_With_Pistol_Shots_2969" id="The_S_O_S_With_Pistol_Shots_2969"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>The S O S With Pistol Shots</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>To move from the position they were in was impossible. All that they
+could do, imprisoned there as they were within a steel and leaden wall
+of rapidly falling machine-gun bullets, was to hope that the gunners
+would not change their aim, even by the fraction of a point, and that
+neither side would send up a torch rocket to divulge their exact
+whereabouts and bring sudden death or mortal injury to them all.</p>
+
+<p>They knew now that they had been discovered by the enemy scouting party
+which they had observed a short time before&mdash;as they thought, without
+the others knowing of their presence there in "No Man's Land."</p>
+
+<p>They also realized now, when it was too late, that the Germans had
+returned to their own lines, after that brief consultation, in order to
+procure the machine-gun with which to wipe them out.</p>
+
+<p>And through it all they dared not return the fire, could not even utter
+a word to each<a class="pagenum" name="page_132" id="page_132" title="132"></a> other without fear of giving the enemy a closer range
+upon them.</p>
+
+<p>It was a terrible three minutes for that isolated little group of
+Americans, for bullets were striking all around them, the nearest not
+more than ten feet away, and there was every possibility that another
+detachment might be flanking them, to cut them off later in their
+retreat, in case the machine-gun did not effectively do its deadly work.</p>
+
+<p>There was but one desperate course open to them, and that Lieutenant
+Mackinson ordered at the instant the firing ceased.</p>
+
+<p>"Run!" he ordered, in a shrill whisper. "Run straight toward our own
+lines for about a quarter of a mile and then detour to the south."</p>
+
+<p>And off they started, each with all the speed he had in him. The renewal
+of the machine-gun fire compelled them to take a zig-zag course, however,
+and in this way for the first five minutes they all kept together.</p>
+
+<p>Then Tom Rawle, who, with the lieutenant, had been a little in the lead,
+gradually dropped back until he was abreast of Joe and Jerry, who were
+running together, and then behind them, reaching Frank Hoskins and Slim,
+who were bringing up a loudly puffing rear.<a class="pagenum" name="page_133" id="page_133" title="133"></a></p>
+
+<p>Finally, as they began to pass him, too, and his lagging pace became
+noticeable, he urged them ahead and told them not to mind him.</p>
+
+<p>"I got one of those bullets in the hip," Rawle told them, to the
+surprise of all, for up to that moment he hadn't uttered a sound. "It
+cuts down my speed, but it's nothing serious, I guess. You keep right on
+and I'll follow as rapidly as I can."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm almost winded myself," said Slim. "I'll stick with Tom; you fellows
+keep right on. We'll join you in a few minutes after you stop. Joe, I'll
+give that 'whip-poor-will' call if we can't locate you. At any rate, we
+know our way back to the American lines."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so loud," warned Lieutenant Mackinson, as he slowed down. "I guess
+you are right," he continued. "You stay along with Rawle, but the two of
+you try to follow as quickly as possible, so that we can get Tom back to
+the lines for medical attention. It is necessary that I have the others
+with me, though, for we must not only accomplish our mission, but also
+give the commander that intercepted German message."</p>
+
+<p>And so the little group parted, there in the blackness of night
+"somewhere in France," the lieutenant, Hoskins, Joe and Jerry to<a class="pagenum" name="page_134" id="page_134" title="134"></a> forge
+ahead as rapidly as they could in a detour that would again take them
+back into the enemy territory, but in another place, while Slim and the
+wounded Rawle came along at a slower pace.</p>
+
+<p>The latter had been wounded more seriously than he knew, though, and he
+had not gone more than three hundred yards further before the loss of
+blood had so weakened him that he had to stop running and hobble along
+in a painful, limping gait, leaning heavily upon Slim's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Guess I'll have to quit," he said, a little later on. "Can't go much
+further." And even as he spoke he sank to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>While Tom Rawle assured him that it "wasn't much of a wound," Slim, who
+was doing the best he could to stop the flow of blood with his
+handkerchief, knew that it was a bad injury, indeed, unless it was given
+early attention.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll try to get one of the others to return," he said, "and then we can
+send to our lines for a stretcher to get you in."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," said Rawle, "I can walk; I'll show you."</p>
+
+<p>But it was a pitiful effort, and unsuccessful, and Tom himself had to
+admit that he<a class="pagenum" name="page_135" id="page_135" title="135"></a> "guessed he was out of business" for a little while.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon Slim puckered up his lips and imitated the low but
+far-carrying call of the whip-poor-will&mdash;the call that he and Joe and
+Jerry had used so much to summon each other at Brighton.</p>
+
+<p>He remained silent for a moment listening, but there was no answer
+except the distant rumble of the heavy artillery fire. He repeated the
+call several times. Here and there to the north of them occasional
+rockets went up from either line, but their brief light divulged nothing
+in the way of encouragement.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not doing you any good to sit here without attention," said Slim
+at last. "Here is your revolver right alongside you. I will be back
+within half an hour. I am going to scout around for help."</p>
+
+<p>"But don't take any chances for me," Tom Rawle warned him. "I guess I
+could crawl back to camp, at that."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you couldn't," Slim declared, "and mind you don't try it. I'll be
+back for you in a very short time."</p>
+
+<p>He disappeared in the direction that the rest of the party had taken,
+leaving Rawle there to await his return. Half an hour later<a class="pagenum" name="page_136" id="page_136" title="136"></a> he managed
+to find the spot again, but without the aid he had gone to get. Not a
+trace of the others had he been able to find.</p>
+
+<p>But that was not the worst of it. Tom Rawle, helpless for all his big
+body and physical strength, lay stretched out upon the ground
+unconscious, a pool of blood by his side!</p>
+
+<p>Slim put his water flask to the wounded man's lips and tried to rouse
+him, but without avail.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Whip-poor-will-l-l</i>," whistled Slim. "<i>Whip-poor-will-l-l.</i>" But the
+sound was lost somewhere in the denseness of the night, and there was
+not even an echo for response.</p>
+
+<p>Slim was growing desperate. At any time they might be discovered by an
+enemy scouting party, and then they would either be bullets' victims or
+prisoners of war. Yet he knew that he could not hope to carry Tom Rawle
+back to the American lines. Rawle's dead weight would have been a
+difficult burden for a man of twice Slim's strength, and he knew it.</p>
+
+<p>What should he do? Unnecessary delay might cost the other man's life.
+Already his wound had caused him to lose consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>As he turned the thing over in his mind<a class="pagenum" name="page_137" id="page_137" title="137"></a> there came faintly, ever so
+faintly, to him from far, far to the south, as though but a breath of
+wind, the familiar "<i>Whip-poor-will</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Whip-poor-will-l-l</i>," shrilled back Slim.</p>
+
+<p>He waited, but there was no answer. It was as though a whip-poor-will
+itself was mocking his plight.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Whip-poor-will-l-l</i>," Slim whistled again, and thrice, but each time
+there was nothing but the grim silence for reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom," he whispered into Rawle's ear, gently shaking the wounded man.
+"Tom, can you get up? I'll help you back. We can make it somehow
+together."</p>
+
+<p>But here again only the weak breathing of his comrade testified to their
+plight.</p>
+
+<p>"Better to take the one chance that's left us," muttered Slim to
+himself, as he pulled Rawle's revolver from under him, to make sure that
+it was fully loaded. "Yes," he continued, "it's better to risk discovery
+than this fellow's life."</p>
+
+<p>He took his own automatic from its holster and carefully examined it
+also.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with a revolver in either hand, pointing them into the air and
+with fourteen shots at his disposal, he began firing.</p>
+
+<p><i>Bang-Bang-Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang-Bang-Bang!</i><a class="pagenum" name="page_138" id="page_138" title="138"></a></p>
+
+<p>The shots rang out on the night air like a series of interrupted
+explosions. But to the trained ears of the other men of the
+party&mdash;Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, Jerry and Frank Hoskins&mdash;two miles
+away, they carried their call for help.</p>
+
+<p>It was the S O S of the international code, but in a new sort of
+wireless&mdash;by pistol shots!</p>
+
+<p>Trembling for the results that his desperate action might bring upon
+them, Slim waited, bending now and then over the unconscious form of Tom
+Rawle.</p>
+
+<p>But in fifteen more minutes his inventive genius was rewarded. From a
+considerable distance, but each time more distinctly, now came the
+repeated call of "<i>Whip-poor-will</i>," and in less time than it seemed
+possible that they could make it, the other group had returned.</p>
+
+<p>In low commands the lieutenant then directed affairs, and in exactly the
+way that he had been carried out of the hold of the <i>Everett</i> on the
+verge of suffocation, so they carried poor Tom Rawle back to their own
+lines.</p>
+
+<p>And when he had been placed upon a cot in the first emergency hospital,
+Lieutenant Mackinson hurried off to make his report, in the honor of
+which all shared.<a class="pagenum" name="page_139" id="page_139" title="139"></a></p>
+
+<p>For not only had they found a location from which to wireless
+advance-line communications to field headquarters, but they had also
+intercepted a message, knowledge of which resulted in a quick change of
+plans by which the Americans were able to beat the enemy at his own game
+on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>"Rawle was suffering more from loss of blood than from any seriousness
+of the injury itself," the surgeon told them when they asked there of
+their friend's condition, on their way to their own quarters. "He will
+be around all right again in a week's time."</p>
+
+<p>And so, much desperate work accomplished on their first night within the
+firing lines, the lads threw themselves upon their cots to dream of
+spies and captured Germans and injured soldiers and calls for help by
+new methods in wireless.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_140" id="page_140" title="140"></a>
+<a name="The_Cave_of_Death_3186" id="The_Cave_of_Death_3186"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>The Cave of Death</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It is one of the fortunes, or misfortunes, of war that a position gained
+one day, even at great human sacrifice, may be of no real or practical
+value whatever the next. So it was with the advance post of
+communication located by Lieutenant Mackinson and his party under such
+dangerous conditions during the night before.</p>
+
+<p>The information which they had gained through tapping the enemy's wire
+enabled the American and French troops, operating together, to prevent
+the German trick from being carried into effect. More than that, it
+enabled them to turn the knowledge of those plans to such good advantage
+that the allied brigades swept forward in terrible force against the
+weakest points in the enemy line. They pushed the whole Boche front back
+for more than a mile&mdash;at the very point where it had been considered
+strongest!</p>
+
+<p>As a consequence, the point of communication which the lieutenant and
+his aides had<a class="pagenum" name="page_141" id="page_141" title="141"></a> established with so much difficulty was now well within
+the territory held by the American and French fighters. The requirements
+for a further advance now made it necessary to have another outpost
+point of communication as near to the enemy trenches as the first one
+was before the day's battle put the Allies a mile further forward.</p>
+
+<p>And so, except for Tom Rawle, who was resting easy from his hip wound,
+the same party started out at the same tune for the same purpose on this
+second night, but with a very much sharpened realization of the
+obstacles they had to overcome and the chances they faced of being
+wounded or captured.</p>
+
+<p>"We take an entirely different direction," Lieutenant Mackinson told
+them, as he looked up from the map he had been studying. "We go to the
+north and east and as close to the observation trenches as possible."</p>
+
+<p>Now the danger of this can readily be seen from considering what an
+observation trench is. The front-line trenches of the opposing armies,
+of course, run in two practically parallel lines. But an observation
+trench runs almost at right angles with the front-line trenches, and
+directly toward the enemy<a class="pagenum" name="page_142" id="page_142" title="142"></a> trench, so far as it is possible to extend
+it. The extreme ends of these observation trenches are known as
+"listening posts," and often they are so close to the enemy lines that
+the men in the opposing army can be heard talking.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson and his aides, Joe, Jerry, Slim and Frank Hoskins,
+were to get their signaling location as near to an enemy listening post
+as possible! In other words, they were to court discovery in an effort
+to get just a few feet nearer the enemy than they otherwise would.</p>
+
+<p>They went along much as they had on the preceding night, except, had
+there been light enough, it might have been noticed that Slim, in his
+walking, pushed his feet forward cautiously, and then in stepping lifted
+them high from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>But as luck would have it they had not gone more than two hundred yards
+when a bullet whizzed within two feet of Jerry's head, followed by a
+shower of missiles that were directed entirely too close to them for
+comfort.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly they dropped flat on the ground. In the distance ahead of them
+they could see three shadows stealthily crawling along toward them.<a class="pagenum" name="page_143" id="page_143" title="143"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Pick your men!" Lieutenant Mackinson ordered, in a whisper. "Fire!"</p>
+
+<p>Their automatics let out a fusillade of bullets. Two of the shadows
+jumped slightly into the air, and then rolled over. The third man rose
+and started to run toward the enemy line. Frank Hoskins took deliberate
+aim and fired. The man dropped and lay still.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks as though we got them," said Lieutenant Mackinson, "but they may
+be only pretending. Do not move for a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>While they were thus waiting, the enemy trenches sent up a glaring
+rocket. It fell shorthand failed to reveal them, but it plainly showed
+three German soldiers lying prone upon the ground, all of them
+apparently instantly killed.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the part of it I don't like," muttered Slim with a shudder. "It
+isn't so bad when you are firing into a whole company or regiment and
+see men fall. At least, it doesn't seem so bad, for you don't know just
+which ones you hit and which ones some one else bowled over. But in this
+individual close-range stuff it leaves a nasty feeling."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," whispered Frank Hoskins,<a class="pagenum" name="page_144" id="page_144" title="144"></a> "but you'd better not talk
+any more about it now or some Boche may try the same close-range stuff
+on us."</p>
+
+<p>Warned to silence by the lieutenant, they continued to creep along, only
+a foot or so at a time, stopping every few minutes to listen intently to
+see if their presence had been discovered.</p>
+
+<p>On the night before they had been upon fairly level ground, but this
+night they were in a section that was all hills and hummocks and
+hollows. They would creep cautiously up the side of one mound, not
+knowing but that on the other side lay a group of Germans, perhaps out
+upon a similar mission.</p>
+
+<p>For no one can tell what may happen in No Man's Land&mdash;that section
+belonging to neither side, before and between the front-line trenches of
+the opposing armies.</p>
+
+<p>"With that star as my guide, I am certain that we have not turned from
+the proper direction," Lieutenant Mackinson whispered, as they came to a
+halt in a secluded spot that seemed as safe from attack as from
+observation. "We have passed the fifth hill. Fifteen more minutes should
+bring us to the place which Major Jones indicated on the map. It is a
+sort of natural trench. If we reach<a class="pagenum" name="page_145" id="page_145" title="145"></a> it all right we are to string a
+wire from there to our first observation trench to the northwest of it.
+I believe that the same place has been used for the same purpose before,
+during the long time that all this has been contested ground. An outpost
+there can observe and report every activity of the enemy in daylight,
+without himself being seen."</p>
+
+<p>They began again to creep forward, now flat upon their stomachs, and
+only raising themselves from the ground a little way, but at infrequent
+intervals, in order to make sure of their position and that they were
+not being watched.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" hissed Frank Hoskins, who was a little to the left of where
+the others were snaking their way along.</p>
+
+<p>They all stopped moving, almost stopped breathing.</p>
+
+<p>"What was it?" Lieutenant Mackinson barely breathed, after several
+minutes of silence.</p>
+
+<p>Hoskins crawled nearer before he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"How near are we, Lieutenant?" he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"I should say about a hundred yards."</p>
+
+<p>"Look straight ahead of us when the next rocket goes up," Hoskins
+suggested.<a class="pagenum" name="page_146" id="page_146" title="146"></a></p>
+
+<p>They had not long to wait for one of the great sky torches to come
+sailing over the side of the German trench, but from a considerable
+distance ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you notice anything?" Hoskins asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," whispered the lieutenant. "Did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I saw half a dozen men," said Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll wait, then, and see," said Lieutenant Mackinson.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment another rocket went up, this time from the American-French
+side, and it clearly showed what Joe and Frank both had seen.</p>
+
+<p>Six, perhaps seven or eight, men were crawling along, headed toward
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"They are making for the same place," said Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," replied the lieutenant. "It means that we have got to fight
+for it. We will have some advantage if we can beat them to the
+protection of the base of that hummock."</p>
+
+<p>As rapidly as possible they started forward. Lying out flat, they would
+draw their feet upward and toward them, rising slightly and going
+forward upon their arms. This<a class="pagenum" name="page_147" id="page_147" title="147"></a> action, which put them ahead a few inches
+every time, they repeated times without number. But it was slow progress
+at best, and made slower by the interruptions of the rockets.</p>
+
+<p>"We are almost there," Lieutenant Mackinson whispered, "but I think we
+have been discovered. Lie flat and don't make a move. By keeping my head
+in the position I have it I can watch that other group. If we have been
+seen it means a running fight to the mouth of that trench or cave."</p>
+
+<p>Another rocket cut a glaring path across the sky. Again it was from the
+American-French side and illumined the black shadows strewn along the
+ground like little clumps of low-growing bushes.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" exclaimed the lieutenant suddenly, and then, in the same breath:
+"Up and at 'em, boys!"</p>
+
+<p>Before the others had an opportunity to realize what had happened,
+Mackinson was dashing at top speed toward the indicated trench or cave,
+firing as he went.</p>
+
+<p>As they followed suit, but more careful in their shooting, for fear of
+hitting him, they realized that the men in the enemy group were doing
+the same thing&mdash;running as fast as they could for the same position.<a class="pagenum" name="page_148" id="page_148" title="148"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Drop!" ordered the lieutenant, and they did so, but it was as if he had
+issued the order for both sides, for the others were not a second later
+in seeking the security of the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Either side may begin playing machine-guns on us at any moment," the
+young officer whispered, between gasps for breath. "Forward as quickly
+as possible, and continue firing."</p>
+
+<p>How they ever escaped the enemy bullets as long as they did none of them
+ever knew, but the men of the other side were just as doggedly
+determined, and no less courageous, even if three of their number
+already lay stretched out motionless and useless upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>And so the battle waged, until both groups were no more than fifty feet
+away from the mouth of the natural trench. Each moment brought them
+closer together, with the even more vigorous popping of their guns, for
+by now it was virtually a hand-to-hand battle.</p>
+
+<p>Only four men now remained upon the side of the Germans, and, so far as
+numbers were concerned, the Americans seemed to have the advantage by
+one. But the score was evened an instant later, when one of the<a class="pagenum" name="page_149" id="page_149" title="149"></a> Boches
+"winged" Frank Hoskins, and his right arm fell useless at his side.</p>
+
+<p>But Lieutenant Mackinson squared accounts for Hoskins by putting another
+German completely out of commission. A prompt return compliment knocked
+Jerry's revolver out of his hand. At this juncture Slim played a heroic
+part by laying low another German.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing themselves now outnumbered almost two to one&mdash;for apparently they
+did not know that they had injured Hoskins&mdash;the two remaining Boches
+took one final, despairing survey of the situation, then turned and
+started on a dead run for their own lines.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson leveled his revolver at them, held it in that
+position for a moment, and then&mdash;perhaps it was an accident&mdash;seemed to
+elevate it slightly in the air and fired. Certainly neither German was
+hurt by the bullet, although it did seem to add a little to their haste.</p>
+
+<p>"The position is ours," announced the lieutenant exultantly, and then,
+suddenly remembering that Frank Hoskins had been hit and that Jerry had
+dropped his gun, he inquired: "Hurt badly, Frank? And how about you,
+Jerry?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_150" id="page_150" title="150"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Nothing but a scratch," said Frank. "Took me right on the 'crazy bone'
+and made me jump for a minute, but it's hardly bleeding now."</p>
+
+<p>"Only hit my gun," announced Jerry, "and I recovered that."</p>
+
+<p>There was no time for further conversation. The Germans had reached
+their own lines, and a machine-gun was being trained upon the Americans.
+They rushed headlong to the north side of the little mound, and into the
+opening of a natural cave.</p>
+
+<p>The earthwork made them as solidly entrenched as though they were behind
+their own lines, and only heavy shells could dislodge them. But they had
+work to do, and the nature of it required that they do it quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The entrance faced almost directly north and into No Man's Land, so that
+the light of an electric flash, such as they all carried, hardly could
+attract the attention of either side.</p>
+
+<p>"Joe," said the lieutenant, sizing up the situation, "it is not safe to
+leave the enemy unwatched for a single second. I think it would be well
+for you to stay on duty outside, while the rest of us rig up the
+instrument<a class="pagenum" name="page_151" id="page_151" title="151"></a> and begin to unspool the wire. Hoskins, you're hurt, so you
+stay here with Joe. But both of you be mighty careful not to expose
+yourselves where you'll stop a German bullet."</p>
+
+<p>With Lieutenant Mackinson leading, Jerry just behind him and Slim
+bringing up the rear, they crossed the five feet of narrow passageway
+back into the natural dungeon.</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant switched on his light. Involuntarily and with a startled
+gesture he stepped back.</p>
+
+<p>"Jumping Jupiter!" exclaimed Jerry, "what's that?"</p>
+
+<p>Slim, peering ahead of the other two, ejaculated something between a
+shriek and a groan.</p>
+
+<p>Strewn about the ground of that cave, in every conceivable position of
+misery and torture, were the bodies of half a dozen dead men, all
+Germans.</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant's hand that held the light trembled slightly as he stared
+at the ghastly scene before him, but he was grit and courage right
+through to the heart.</p>
+
+<p>"This is bad business," he said, "but we are under orders and we must go
+through with it. We cannot move the bodies out to-night."<a class="pagenum" name="page_152" id="page_152" title="152"></a></p>
+
+<p>He stepped further into the dark hole, and the other two lads followed.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly from behind them there was a grumbling, roaring crash, pierced
+by a cry of warning from Joe, outside.</p>
+
+<p>The three whirled around, and for a moment no one could utter a word.</p>
+
+<p>The mouth of the dungeon had completely caved in!</p>
+
+<p>"Trapped!" gasped Jerry, who was the first to find his voice.</p>
+
+<p>Even the lieutenant seemed dazed.</p>
+
+<p>"Trapped," echoed Slim, "in the cave of death."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_153" id="page_153" title="153"></a>
+<a name="DESPERATE_MEASURES_3483" id="DESPERATE_MEASURES_3483"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>DESPERATE MEASURES</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Never did three young men face a more terrible or more horribly gruesome
+situation. Here they were, locked in a natural dungeon behind a wall of
+dirt and rock probably four or five feet thick. Not only that, but the
+cave already contained the bodies of six men whose fixed and glassy eyes
+stared at them as though in mockery and warning, and the already foul
+air was becoming more stifling every moment.</p>
+
+<p>In a dull way they realized that they probably could not survive more
+than two or three maddening hours in that death chamber.</p>
+
+<p>"It may not be so bad as it seems," said Lieutenant Mackinson in a voice
+that seemed unnatural in that vault. "Perhaps it was only a slight
+cave-in."</p>
+
+<p>He flashed his light about the hole. It was difficult to tell where the
+opening had been.</p>
+
+<p>"Joe and Frank Hoskins!" cried Jerry, a new terror in his voice. "I
+heard Joe shriek!"</p>
+
+<p>Slim, catching his meaning, snatched a<a class="pagenum" name="page_154" id="page_154" title="154"></a> rifle from beside one of the
+bodies, and with the butt of it began pounding frantically upon the side
+of the cave where the entrance had been.</p>
+
+<p>There was no answering knock.</p>
+
+<p>"Joe," shouted Jerry in a frenzied tone. "Joe! Can you hear me?"</p>
+
+<p>No answer came, either from Joe or Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Pinned under tons of that stuff," gasped Slim, the words trembling upon
+his lips and a tear trickling down his cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think so," the lieutenant assured them. "Both Joe and Frank
+were upon the outside when we entered."</p>
+
+<p>"But they would try to get us out," said Jerry. "If they were out there
+they would give us some sort of signal that they were trying to help
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"We might not be able to hear them," answered the lieutenant, even
+against his own judgment. "But look at it this way. Even though they
+never were inside here, they had a fair idea of what the place was like.
+They knew from that that we needed help, and needed it quickly. If one
+went alone, and anything happened to him on the way, the other might
+wait here indefinitely, not knowing whether he had got assistance or<a class="pagenum" name="page_155" id="page_155" title="155"></a>
+not. By going together they took the safest course."</p>
+
+<p>And Lieutenant Mackinson's reasoning was correct. That was exactly the
+way Joe and Frank had figured it out, and, the latter forgetting all
+about his own wound, they had started as fast as they could for the
+American front.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep cool, conserve your energy, and I feel certain everything will be
+all right," the lieutenant told the two friends with whom, in such a
+short time, he already had gone through so many harrowing experiences.</p>
+
+<p>At that very same moment, a quarter of a mile away, Joe brought his
+companion to a halt, took out his flashlight, and, facing the American
+line, began making and breaking the connection in a way to give a number
+of short, even flashes.</p>
+
+<p>Presently a light appeared, was extinguished and appeared again, at the
+edge of the American-French lines.</p>
+
+<p>Joe had resorted to another sort of wireless&mdash;the "blinker"&mdash;and, not
+knowing the call signal for the station he was nearest, had given the
+prescribed call in such a case, a series of short flashes, or dots. The
+station had acknowledged, and he began sending his message out of the
+little battery in his hand:<a class="pagenum" name="page_156" id="page_156" title="156"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Americans. Three of party caught in cave-in. Need help."</p>
+
+<p>And the answer was flashed back in the same code:</p>
+
+<p>"Approach. Keep light on. Countersign."</p>
+
+<p>Following these instructions, with Joe in the lead with the flashlight
+held out in front of him, they dashed on to the trenches. They gasped
+out the countersign, and were escorted by a sentry to the quarters of
+the officer of that particular section.</p>
+
+<p>In a few words they told him what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>Without an instant's delay the latter, a colonel of artillery, reached
+for his telephone.</p>
+
+<p>"Ask Captain Hallowell to come here immediately," he said, and severed
+the connection.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed already to have decided upon some sort of a plan, and his
+decisive manner gave the two lads a feeling of confidence in him. He
+reached into a drawer of his desk and drew out a large map. He ran his
+fingers across it and then came to a stop at a little black dot which
+appeared just in the angle of two converging red lines.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that it?" he asked, turning to Jerry and Frank.<a class="pagenum" name="page_157" id="page_157" title="157"></a></p>
+
+<p>They examined the map carefully for a moment and then told him that it
+was.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Captain Hallowell entered. His boots were spattered with mud,
+his face was grimy, and his eyes were bloodshot, indicating that he had
+been for many hours without sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain," said the colonel bluntly, "these young men are of the Signal
+Corps, as you you can see. They were detailed to-night to establish an
+outpost wire communication to Hill No. 8. You know it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, sir," the captain replied, his interest increasing.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," continued the colonel, "they got there all right. But the other
+three in the party had hardly entered that hole when the entrance caved
+in."</p>
+
+<p>"Great Scott!" ejaculated the captain. "I know that cavern. They can't
+last there long."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," affirmed the colonel. "What is your suggestion?"</p>
+
+<p>For a full moment Captain Hallowell was silent. "There is only one way,"
+he said finally, "and that is a dangerous way. Blast them out."</p>
+
+<p>"Blast them out?" repeated the colonel, but apparently without surprise.
+"How?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_158" id="page_158" title="158"></a></p>
+
+<p>"It would take too long to dig them out," Captain Hallowell answered.
+"And, besides, that could hardly be done without some sort of light, and
+that would attract enemy fire. There is but one chance, and that is to
+blast them out with one of our big guns!"</p>
+
+<p>"Can you do it?" the colonel demanded again, in his blunt, insistent
+way.</p>
+
+<p>"I will do my utmost to save them, sir," Captain Hallowell replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then," answered his superior officer. "If you feel certain
+that is the only way, go ahead. Personally, knowing the place as I do, I
+see no other method myself. Have you the range?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did have, sir," said Captain Hallowell, "but in such a delicate
+matter as this it would be necessary to be absolutely accurate. We have
+been firing practically all day, and the position of the guns changes
+slightly, of course. I would want to find a new and exact range."</p>
+
+<p>He had noticed Frank's limp arm, and he turned to Joe.</p>
+
+<p>"Take this flashlight," he ordered. "It is more powerful than yours. Get
+back there as quickly as you can, and follow to the letter these
+directions: Keep between us<a class="pagenum" name="page_159" id="page_159" title="159"></a> and that hill until you get to it. Stay on
+this side of the hill and crawl around toward the entrance until you get
+to a point where you can place this light, facing us, two feet above the
+ground and one foot in from the outer surface extremity. Leave it there
+until you see three quick successive rockets go straight up in the air
+from here. After that I will give you three minutes in which to get back
+to a place of safety. I'll put that flashlight out of business, and I
+think I can liberate your friends."</p>
+
+<p>"Is your injury a serious one?" the colonel demanded of Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Very slight, sir. Only a flesh wound," Frank responded eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then take this light," the colonel ordered, "and follow him at a
+distance of a hundred yards. If anything should happen to your friend,
+you follow the directions you have just heard."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," the lads responded in unison, and, with a hasty salute, were
+off.</p>
+
+<p>Three times did Joe drop to the ground, as a shadow seemed to move
+somewhere out in the distance before him. But each time he was up and
+off again almost upon the instant, thinking of his own safety only as
+that of his three friends depended upon it.<a class="pagenum" name="page_160" id="page_160" title="160"></a></p>
+
+<p>And what of those inside?</p>
+
+<p>Even the courageous Lieutenant Mackinson was beginning to show the
+anxiety he felt, while Jerry and Slim, despite their bravest efforts,
+gave way to occasional expressions of the horror of the thing.</p>
+
+<p>They had pounded upon the walls until they had been overcome with
+despair, and then they had set to work digging with the only instruments
+at hand&mdash;the bayonets on the German rifles.</p>
+
+<p>But soon they realized that this, too, was as hopeless as the pounding,
+for it further exhausted the energy which the foul air was rapidly
+sapping, without making any apparent opening in the thick earthen wall
+that surrounded them.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Slim at last, gulping back his nausea, and smiling almost
+in his old time way, "I'm as anxious as anybody to keep up hope to the
+last. But if this is to be our end, I guess we can face it as Americans
+should."</p>
+
+<p>"Bravo!" exclaimed Lieutenant Mackinson, "I always knew that each one of
+you fellows had the right sort of stuff in you."</p>
+
+<p>And Jerry, too, slapped him affectionately on the back.<a class="pagenum" name="page_161" id="page_161" title="161"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Slim," he said, smiling over at his chum, and ready for his pun, even
+under such circumstances, "my head is feeling a 'trifle heavy,' but I'm
+game to stand up to the last."</p>
+
+<p>Thus they sat down to wait&mdash;for just what, they did not know&mdash;while at
+that very moment, four feet away from them on the other side of the
+wall, faithful Joe was setting up the flashlight exactly according to
+directions.</p>
+
+<p>For a few seconds he waited, and then, three times in quick succession,
+a rocket went into the air from just behind the American lines.</p>
+
+<p>Over there Captain Hallowell himself found the range, submitted it to
+his most expert gunner, who verified it, and then they waited for the
+three minutes to elapse, during which Joe was to seek a place of safety.</p>
+
+<p>It was in that interval, too, that Fate intervened for those within the
+cave, for they were sitting with their backs to the very point against
+which the shell was to be directed.</p>
+
+<p>"We need all our strength," Lieutenant Mackinson was saying. "So long as
+possible we want to remain in full possession of our<a class="pagenum" name="page_162" id="page_162" title="162"></a> senses. The air is
+purer near the floor. I think it would be better to lie down."</p>
+
+<p>And following his suggestion and example, the other two stretched
+themselves out in the middle of the cavern.</p>
+
+<p>Within the American lines, at that point where a regiment of heavy
+artillery was stationed, Captain Hallowell raised his hand in signal to
+his gunner. Out on the parapet of the front trench an anxious colonel
+was standing, regardless of all danger, a pair of powerful glasses to
+his eyes. His vision was focused upon a little light far out in No Man's
+Land.</p>
+
+<p>Two hundred feet away from that light Joe and Frank Hoskins lay prone
+upon the ground, silent, impatient, fearful, hoping.</p>
+
+<p>With a quick motion the artillery captain swung his outstretched arm
+downward. There was a roar, a flash, and a great shell tore through the
+air. Out in No Man's Land there was a second explosion as the shell hit,
+and the target&mdash;a flashlight&mdash;was blown to atoms.</p>
+
+<p>Over in the German trenches a sentinel chuckled at the thought of
+another wasted American shell, but out of the hole that that shell had
+torn three pale, haggard, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_163" id="page_163" title="163"></a> exhausted youths were crawling to safety
+and God's fresh air. And across No Man's Land dashed two pals to greet
+them.</p>
+
+<p>American determination and American marksmanship had saved three
+American lives. The German sentinel might have his laugh if he liked.</p>
+
+<p>It was hours later before the three who had been imprisoned learned how
+their rescue had been effected; but they got an inkling of it as they
+came within four hundred yards of the American-French front.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing?" Lieutenant Mackinson had asked, as Joe brought the
+party to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>"Just a moment and you will see," Joe had responded.</p>
+
+<p>And, first in wonder and then with a dawning understanding, the other
+three read off his flashed message:</p>
+
+<p>"Signal Corps men, and whole party safe."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_164" id="page_164" title="164"></a>
+<a name="The_Surprise_Attack_Promotion_3757" id="The_Surprise_Attack_Promotion_3757"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>The Surprise Attack&mdash;Promotion</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>During the week that followed, the lads were confined almost entirely to
+regular routine work, with nothing particularly exciting. Frank Hoskins'
+elbow wound healed quickly, without any serious results; and Tom Rawle,
+who had been under treatment at the field hospital, was able to get
+about the camp, although still pale and weak, and limping considerably
+from his injury.</p>
+
+<p>But on the eighth day a veritable fury launched itself upon that section
+of the American-French front, in the shape of seemingly endless brigades
+of Boches that were hurled "over the top" of their own breastworks,
+across No Man's Land, and upon the first-line trenches of the Allies.</p>
+
+<p>For several days the American and French aviators had been reporting
+heavy German formations in that region, evidently with the design of a
+terrific assault, but the allied commanders had not expected it so
+soon,<a class="pagenum" name="page_165" id="page_165" title="165"></a> and in truth they were not fully prepared for it.</p>
+
+<p>It was a surprise attack in every sense of the word, with all the
+terrible carnage that such a battle brings.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly before midnight of the preceding night a terrible bombardment
+had been directed against the American-French trenches, and their hidden
+artillery to the rear of them. This was kept up for about seven hours,
+and the duel of heavy guns shook the earth like a quake and was
+deafening.</p>
+
+<p>Then, just as dawn was breaking, the infantry onslaught, participated in
+at some points by detachments of cavalry, began.</p>
+
+<p>For three hours the Americans and the French fought stubbornly and with
+every ounce of strength and determination. Whole regiments and even
+brigades were wiped out on both sides, but the Boches, who had prepared
+every detail of the assault for weeks, were readier than their opponents
+and filled the gaps in their lines more quickly.</p>
+
+<p>By noon it became apparent that the sacrifice of lives was becoming too
+great to warrant the Allies trying to hold their first-line trenches
+much longer, and that they<a class="pagenum" name="page_166" id="page_166" title="166"></a> must give them up, at least until they could
+re-mobilize their forces for a counter-attack.</p>
+
+<p>The order was therefore given for those in the rear, including food and
+ammunition trains, field hospitals, etc., to fall back, in order to make
+way for the strategic retreat of those on the front when the moment for
+that retreat came.</p>
+
+<p>Everything moved like clockwork, and with the greatest possible speed.
+And throughout it all men on both sides were shooting, shouting,
+shrieking, fighting, falling, while others, trapped in their dug-outs,
+either surrendered or fought desperately on until they fell wounded or
+lifeless before superior numbers.</p>
+
+<p>Half a mile in the air, apparently over a point midway between what had
+been the first-line trenches of the opposing armies, a stationary
+balloon showed where Jerry and an observation officer were doing duty on
+that fateful day. Jerry was operating a telephone that ran directly to
+division headquarters, and hardly a moment passed when he was not
+repeating some observation of the other man in the basket with him, or
+relaying to him a query from the commander below.<a class="pagenum" name="page_167" id="page_167" title="167"></a></p>
+
+<p>Every detail of that tremendous battle Jerry knew. His own occasional
+glimpses over the side informed him of the temporary reverses his own
+army was suffering, while the remarks of the officer told him where the
+Germans were meeting their bitterest repulses, where they were drawing
+up their heaviest forces of reserves, what quick changes were being made
+in their general line of formation, and how far back their forces seemed
+to extend.</p>
+
+<p>Slim Goodwin, busy as he was with the wireless at headquarters, found
+time for occasional glances upward at that balloon, to make sure that
+thus far his friend was still safe.</p>
+
+<p>And even in the thick of machine-gun fire and shrapnel, where Lieutenant
+Mackinson, Joe, Frank Hoskins and two or three others were laying a new
+line of communication, the wavering, swaying target was watched from
+time to time, and speculations made as to how long it could remain
+without being punctured by a bullet, thus forcing its two occupants to
+resort to their parachutes to make a landing.</p>
+
+<p>It was now well into the afternoon. The Germans had swept into the
+places vacated<a class="pagenum" name="page_168" id="page_168" title="168"></a> by the Americans and French, and still the battle raged.
+It was now that Slim began to wait anxiously for the new development,
+which his familiarity with the secret orders issued made him know was
+coming.</p>
+
+<p>And finally it did come, and in a way that staggered the Boches.</p>
+
+<p>The Americans and French had retreated to a general line which permitted
+a quick re-mobilization to the best advantage. There their front-line
+ranks held firm, while the new formation was being effected behind them.
+It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when this was complete.</p>
+
+<p>Then, in concerted action, the lines opened at alternate points, and
+pairs, dozens, scores of the huge armored tanks rolled through, their
+big guns already blazing shells into the ranks of the disconcerted
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could halt them. They climbed trench parapets, descended into
+gullies, came out upon level land, and over their whole path swept
+destruction to the Germans.</p>
+
+<p>Unable either to resist or to stop the progress of the tanks, which were
+followed by whole divisions of infantry, the Boches were forced to
+retreat and not only abandon every foot of the ground they had gained,
+but to sacrifice a part of their own first line as well.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style='width:600px'>
+<a name="illus-003" id="illus-003"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-2.jpg" alt="Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through" title=""  /><br />
+<span class="caption">Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><a class="pagenum" name="page_169" id="page_169" title="169"></a>It
+    was one of the greatest and at the same time one of the most sudden
+reprisals of the war up to that time, and the victory that had been
+snatched from defeat was cheered by thousands of Americans and Frenchmen
+as they again took possession of their own trenches, or pushed onward
+across No Man's Land to occupy those which the Germans were now
+abandoning.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was setting, and soon, in great measure, at least, hostilities
+would be suspended for the night.</p>
+
+<p>Their work completed, Lieutenant Mackinson and his men were on their way
+back to make their report when they met Slim, who had been relieved for
+the night at headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>"What time did Jerry come down?" Joe asked, after they had passed
+remarks about the various thrills of the day.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't know," Slim answered, "but I saw them there at four o'clock, and
+they weren't there when I looked again, about half an hour later, so you
+can judge pretty well for yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Guess he had a pretty good bird's-eye view of the whole thing," said
+Joe, as they passed on, to meet again before mess.<a class="pagenum" name="page_170" id="page_170" title="170"></a></p>
+
+<p>Except for spasmodic outbursts here and there, the trench duel had
+almost entirely subsided, and the heavy roar of the artillery also was
+punctuated with longer pauses. Whatever the morrow might bring, the
+night promised to be fairly quiet, while each side took account of stock
+and made necessary repairs, or altered their plans to meet the new
+situation.</p>
+
+<p>Our young friends were busy with wash basin, soap and water, taking off
+the grime in preparation for the evening meal and wondering where Jerry
+was keeping himself all the while, when suddenly a very strange thing
+happened beyond the enemy's line.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson was the first to discover it and call the attention
+of the others.</p>
+
+<p>A Taube, one of the smaller, lighter, and more easily handled
+aeroplanes, and used in great numbers by the Germans, shot into the air
+at great speed from behind the Boche entrenchments. In its upward course
+its path was a dizzy spiral, and, if one on the ground might judge, its
+pilot seemed to be seeking a particular air channel. At least that was
+the way it looked.</p>
+
+<p>Then, from almost the same point from which it had come into view, half
+a dozen<a class="pagenum" name="page_171" id="page_171" title="171"></a> other planes rose into the air, following in the path of the
+first, and also flying at top speed. Up to then there was nothing so
+very strange about the whole procedure. It simply indicated that those
+manning the American and French anti-aircraft guns, and the aviators of
+those two armies, should get ready to repel an enemy air raid.</p>
+
+<p>But the queer thing occurred when every one of the pursuing planes
+opened up their machine-guns almost simultaneously upon the first. And
+even this might have been considered a well-designed hoax, were it not
+for the unmistakable evidence that the first aeroplane, the Taube, had
+been hit.</p>
+
+<p>Still going at maximum speed, and now on a straight line toward the
+American side, without seeking a further height, the Taube several times
+wavered, and, a moment later, almost turned over.</p>
+
+<p>But the pilot righted her, and even as the pursuers began gaining, and
+still kept up an incessant fire, he pointed her nose downward toward the
+American lines.</p>
+
+<p>Four American planes sailed off and upward to meet the oncoming German
+air armada. But from the ground it could be seen that the man in the
+observer's place in the Taube was making desperate signals.<a class="pagenum" name="page_172" id="page_172" title="172"></a></p>
+
+<p>The American planes maneuvered in such a way as to encircle the Taube,
+and yet at close enough range to examine her without particular menace
+to themselves. There were several seconds of criss-crossing and rising
+and descending, and then as a unit the American planes left the Taube
+and started after the German craft, which had hesitated, as though
+uncertain what further course to follow.</p>
+
+<p>Several volleys of shots were exchanged, and the other German planes
+turned back toward their own lines. The Taube continued on its wavering,
+crippled, downward course toward the allied lines.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks as though a couple of our men had been reconnoitering the German
+lines in one of their own make of machines," said Lieutenant Mackinson,
+as the Taube came within a hundred yards of the ground and righted
+herself for a landing.</p>
+
+<p>There was a general rush toward it as it hit the ground. Of its own
+momentum it rolled to within a two minutes' run of where the lieutenant
+and the others had been standing. In another instant it was entirely
+surrounded by a crowd of curious American soldiers.<a class="pagenum" name="page_173" id="page_173" title="173"></a></p>
+
+<p>But if they were surprised at seeing seated therein two men in the
+uniforms of the United States army, their feelings hardly compared with
+those of Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, Slim and Frank Hoskins, as they
+recognized, stepping out of the Taube, Jerry and the observation officer
+with whom he had occupied the stationary balloon practically all of that
+day.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" "What happened?" "Where have you been?" and a score of
+similar questions were fired at them by the other soldiers as Jerry
+shook hands with his friends, and the officer smilingly made away to
+file his report.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, to put it briefly," Jerry said, in answer to the general demands
+for information, "we were anchored off there most of the day in an
+observation balloon. Late in the afternoon a shell cut our cable, and
+almost before we knew it we had been carried behind the German lines.</p>
+
+<p>"The fight was still commanding the attention of almost everyone, and
+after descending a little by permitting some of the gas to escape, we
+jumped over the side of the basket and came down on our parachutes. I
+landed in a deserted barnyard, and the<a class="pagenum" name="page_174" id="page_174" title="174"></a> officer hit the earth only a
+short distance away.</p>
+
+<p>"While we were hiding there, debating just what we should do, along
+comes a Taube, and its pilot decides to make a landing almost at that
+same place. Well, the officer being a pretty good pilot, we decided to
+have that machine. We got it, and I guess that pilot's head aches yet
+where I plumped him with the butt of my gun when he wasn't expecting
+anything of the kind.</p>
+
+<p>"But some other German aviators saw the affair, apparently recognized
+our uniforms, and hardly gave us time to make a decent start.</p>
+
+<p>"Say," Jerry concluded, "they certainly did pebble us with machine-gun
+bullets! I saw two bounce off the propeller, and one broke a wire on the
+left wing, making us flap around rather uncertainly for a few minutes.
+It was a great race, though, and we considered our greatest danger lay
+in landing on this side. We knew it would be recognized for a German
+plane, and we were afraid we'd be fired on before we could make our
+identity known."</p>
+
+<p>Led by the lieutenant and Jerry, the party tramped back to where,
+shortly, mess was to be served.<a class="pagenum" name="page_175" id="page_175" title="175"></a></p>
+
+<p>"That air certainly does give a fellow an appetite," said Jerry, as he
+splashed more of the clear cold water over his face.</p>
+
+<p>An orderly stepped up to Lieutenant Mackinson and handed him a large,
+officially stamped envelope. As he tore it open and read the brief note
+within, a pleased smile spread over his face. From the same envelope he
+extracted three smaller ones. He handed one to each of the lads who had
+accompanied him over on the <i>Everett</i>, according to the way they were
+addressed.</p>
+
+<p>Opening them, the boys could hardly suppress their jubilation. Stripped
+of their official verbiage, the letters informed the young men that each
+of them was made a corporal, Joe for valorous service in saving the
+lives of "three Americans entombed in a cave; Slim for heroism and
+presence of mind in saving and bringing back to the lines an American
+soldier," and Jerry "for coolness and courage, and for the information
+gathered behind the enemy's lines."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_176" id="page_176" title="176"></a>
+<a name="A_Tight_Place_4031" id="A_Tight_Place_4031"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+<h3>A Tight Place</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Major Jones was paying his compliments in a very brusque, business-like,
+but kindly way. Before him, standing at attention, Lieutenant Mackinson
+and Corporals Joe Harned, Jerry Macklin and Slim Goodwin were awaiting
+important orders.</p>
+
+<p>"The manner in which all of you have performed your duties in the past
+has won you the esteem and confidence of your commanding officers,"
+Major Jones said.</p>
+
+<p>"Your striking services not only have led to promotion, but to another
+important trust, upon which much may depend. Through the mountains to
+the east of us a company of engineers is cutting a rough road. They work
+under great handicaps and frequently are harassed by enemy detachments.
+But they are making progress.</p>
+
+<p>"This road is being cut for the purpose of permitting the passage of a
+wireless tractor, of which you men are to be in charge.<a class="pagenum" name="page_177" id="page_177" title="177"></a> Through a part
+of that section an old telegraph line still remains, but it does not
+connect in a direction to meet our requirements.</p>
+
+<p>"Reports received this morning indicate that by night the engineers will
+have put the road through to a selected point where you will have the
+least difficulty in concealing your tractor and its aerials. From your
+position there you will keep constant vigil, for you will be able to
+inform us long in advance of any effort of the Boches to come through
+that way.</p>
+
+<p>"The road winds about the mountain side, and in some places is quite
+steep. But the ground is now hard and the motor will make the pull.
+Good-by, and good luck to you."</p>
+
+<p>An hour later, with Frank Hoskins, who was an experienced driver, at the
+wheel, they started for their destination in one of the big,
+high-powered trucks which not only carry a complete wireless equipment
+but also provide enough space for sleeping quarters for half a dozen
+men.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, these trucks are so designed that, if it is
+necessary, they can carry a crew of ten men, while by means of a special
+clutch and gear the engine is made to drive an alternator for generating
+the<a class="pagenum" name="page_178" id="page_178" title="178"></a> necessary electrical energy which, under the most adverse
+atmospheric conditions, will give a sending and receiving range of at
+least one hundred miles. In ideal weather the radius increases to as
+much as two hundred and fifty miles.</p>
+
+<p>A powerful mechanism which in its operation resembles the opening of a
+giant pair of shears, raises the mast and umbrella-shaped antenna, and
+the average time in getting the apparatus ready for service is only
+about eight minutes.</p>
+
+<p>The entire tractor, including crew, weighs close to five tons, and it
+can be easily imagined that its operation on a steep and treacherous
+mountain road was far from easy and anything but entirely safe.</p>
+
+<p>With them the lads carried sufficient rations to last them five days, it
+being understood that their larder would be replenished at the necessary
+intervals.</p>
+
+<p>They also took with them a radio pack-set, which is another wireless
+apparatus that can be carried about with little difficulty. This they
+had in the event of any unexpected emergency. The entire pack-set could
+be carried about in a suitcase, and after it was set up its current was
+generated by turning<a class="pagenum" name="page_179" id="page_179" title="179"></a> a crank by hand. Its range, under ordinary
+atmospheric conditions, was about twenty-five miles.</p>
+
+<p>The first few miles of their journey were accomplished with little
+difficulty, but as they struck the uneven, newly-made road, their
+troubles began to increase. At times the jolts were so severe that it
+seemed they would shake the electrical apparatus loose from the tractor,
+while some of the inclines were so steep that, after attempting and
+failing to make them once, they had to go backward and then try again,
+with increased speed.</p>
+
+<p>It was bitterly cold, and while Frank and whoever at the time sat beside
+him on the front seat kept reasonably warm, being directly behind the
+hard-working motor, the others frequently got out, to run along for a
+quarter or half a mile to limber up their stiffened joints and get their
+blood in circulation again.</p>
+
+<p>One of their greatest difficulties came when, more than three-fourths
+the distance to their destination, and at one of the narrowest points
+along the road, they met the large truck bearing back toward camp the
+company of engineers.<a class="pagenum" name="page_180" id="page_180" title="180"></a></p>
+
+<p>The wireless tractor was chugging along under a heavy strain, but the
+other truck was coming down the steep grade under the compression of its
+engine, to accelerate the use of the brakes. And with the little warning
+they had, the two drivers brought their big machines to a stop less than
+ten feet apart.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible for the truck containing the engineers to back up. And
+the first widening in the road over which the wireless men had come was
+fully a quarter of a mile behind. There was no other course than for
+Frank to reverse, and, with a man on either side of the tractor in the
+rear, directing every slight turn of the wheel, to go back to that
+point.</p>
+
+<p>Once the engine stalled, making the stability of the whole weight of the
+heavy tractor depend upon the brakes. Frank grabbed the emergency, and
+jammed it on with all his strength, but not before the machine had
+gained a momentum which made it a question for a few thrilling seconds
+whether or not the brakes would grip and hold it.</p>
+
+<p>As they finally rounded the turn which gave them the brief space of
+wider road, and the engineers' truck passed by, the men waving each
+other a cheery farewell, the boys from Brighton gave a sigh of relief.<a class="pagenum" name="page_181" id="page_181" title="181"></a></p>
+
+<p>When they reached what they decided should be their destination, almost
+at the end of the road and in a dense bit of wooded section which would
+obscure them from enemy observers, they brought their tractor to a stop.
+With pick and shovel they began building an earthen oven, in which they
+might cook their food, and from which they might keep reasonably
+comfortable, without being seen.</p>
+
+<p>A light snow began to fall, and, mess over, the lads decided to retire
+for the night. Before doing so, however, they set up the mast and
+aerials and made the connection to the storage battery. It was agreed
+that they should sit up in two-hour shifts, to be ready to receive any
+message that possibly might come, but it was arranged that the other
+four should divide this duty, allowing Frank, who had driven the truck
+over the entire trip, a full night's sleep.</p>
+
+<p>So the night passed, with the lads taking turns at the lonely vigil. The
+snow continued, the wind increased almost to a gale, and the temperature
+dropped still lower.</p>
+
+<p>Fully eight inches of snow lay upon the ground when gray daylight came
+and Slim, the last man on watch, awakened the others.<a class="pagenum" name="page_182" id="page_182" title="182"></a> The storm was
+diminishing, but still they could see only a few yards distant from the
+tractor.</p>
+
+<p>"Guess I'll warm up chopping some wood," said Joe, as he took an axe and
+left the others still dressing.</p>
+
+<p>In half an hour he had brought in enough to cook the breakfast and last
+half the day, and while Slim acted as cook, Jerry started out to fell
+more saplings.</p>
+
+<p>Before noon the clouds broke, the sun came out, and its reflection from
+the pure white glistening snow was almost blinding.</p>
+
+<p>"A snowball fight," suggested Jerry, and the others took up the idea as
+a boon to dispel the monotony of their isolation.</p>
+
+<p>With the lieutenant "umpiring" from the little wireless room of the
+tractor, Joe and Frank "stood" Jerry and Slim, and from a distance of a
+hundred feet apart the battle began.</p>
+
+<p>One of Frank's well-aimed missiles caught Slim squarely in the mouth,
+just as he was calling out some challenging remark, and from the window
+of his post Lieutenant Mackinson laughingly shouted: "Strike one!"</p>
+
+<p>Slim, spitting and blowing out the icy<a class="pagenum" name="page_183" id="page_183" title="183"></a> pastry, gathered all his
+strength to hurl a ball back at Frank. But he "wound up," as baseball
+pitchers call that curving swinging of the arm just before the ball is
+thrown, with such vigor that he lost his balance. His feet went up into
+the air and he came down ker-plunk! but the snowball left his hand with
+what proved to be unerring aim.</p>
+
+<p>Joe, letting out a howl of laughter at Slim's accident, caught the
+tightly packed wad of snow right in the ear. He turned his back to the
+"enemy," and, leaning forward, began pounding the other side of his head
+to dislodge the snow.</p>
+
+<p>Of a sudden he straightened up, uttering an exclamation of surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant!" he shouted. "Look here!"</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant jumped out of the tractor, and the others followed him on
+the run to where Joe and Frank were gazing off down into the opposite
+valley.</p>
+
+<p>Two, perhaps three, miles away, a winding, twisting line of black
+against the snow was pushing its way laboriously around the mountain
+base.</p>
+
+<p>"Germans!" exclaimed Lieutenant Mackinson. "Wait until I get my field
+glasses, but do not stand where they might see you with theirs."<a class="pagenum" name="page_184" id="page_184" title="184"></a></p>
+
+<p>From positions within the clump of trees the lads watched the line
+spread out and slowly but surely forge its way ahead. The lieutenant
+returned with his glasses.</p>
+
+<p>"At least ten thousand of them," he announced at last, after gazing down
+at them for fully a minute. "And nobody knows how many more behind. We
+must notify the camp at once."</p>
+
+<p>He ran back to the tractor, followed by all but Jerry, who remained to
+observe the enemy's further movements.</p>
+
+<p>In two or three minutes the wireless operator at headquarters signaled
+back for them to go on with the message.</p>
+
+<p>"About ten thousand enemy troops proceeding through eight inches snow,
+bound northwest around eastern base of mountain," Lieutenant Mackinson's
+message ran. "Am observing and will report progress. Any orders?"</p>
+
+<p>In another five minutes the wireless clicked back: "Are any of enemy
+flanking mountain on south?"</p>
+
+<p>Jerry, who at that moment entered the tractor, informed them that the
+Germans had divided into two diverging lines, apparently for that very
+purpose.<a class="pagenum" name="page_185" id="page_185" title="185"></a></p>
+
+<p>There was a considerable pause after this was flashed to headquarters.
+Meanwhile Jerry had gone back to his post of observation, accompanied by
+Frank and Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"How many big guns?" was the next query from the commanding officer of
+the American forces in the sector.</p>
+
+<p>Joe rushed out to where the other three were standing, and from them
+returned with the information that already they had counted seven headed
+toward the north, and five being hauled toward a place where they might
+round the southern base of the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>This news was sent through space to the American army; and the lads who
+were the silent witnesses to what the enemy had intended and fully
+expected should be a secret movement, waited in silence for further
+developments.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you get back over the same road with tractor?" was the next message
+that came, and Lieutenant Mackinson called for the more expert judgment
+of Frank Hoskins before answering.</p>
+
+<p>"We can try it," said Frank in a rather doubtful tone, "but it's risky
+business. It will be as much as we can do to follow the<a class="pagenum" name="page_186" id="page_186" title="186"></a> road, and we
+can't hope to see the ruts and bumps. The worst part of it is, though,
+that the tractor is so heavy it may not hold the road. However, we can
+try."</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant repeated the gist of this to headquarters, and the
+message came back: "Better try."</p>
+
+<p>But by the time this decision was reached the fire in the earthen oven
+had almost entirely died out, and the engine of the tractor, which had
+been drawn up to it, had become so cold that they had to build another
+fire, to get hot water to put into the radiator, before they could get
+it started.</p>
+
+<p>And then the perilous journey began.</p>
+
+<p>With Frank at the wheel, and running the engine only in low gear, as
+compression against gaining speed, the lieutenant and Joe trotted ahead,
+one on either side of the road, to indicate the course of the crude
+highway.</p>
+
+<p>Jerry and Slim, inside the big truck, were doing their best to hold
+things in place as they rocked and jolted over the deep ruts and
+gullies.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been this series of terrible jars that finally splashed
+grease and oil in on the brake bands. Whatever the cause, it<a class="pagenum" name="page_187" id="page_187" title="187"></a> suddenly
+became apparent at one of the steepest and sharpest turns in the whole
+route that the brakes were not holding.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out!" Frank shouted to Joe and the lieutenant ahead, as he
+realized the truck was getting beyond his control. "Better jump!" he
+advised Jerry and Slim, standing just behind him.</p>
+
+<p>As Lieutenant Mackinson and Joe ran to either side of the road, the
+tractor slid by them at increasing speed. Slim and Jerry, following
+Frank's bidding, leaped from the rear and landed unharmed in a
+snow-bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Run her into the side of the mountain," shouted Lieutenant Mackinson,
+and that was exactly what Frank was doing. It was the only possible way
+of saving the tractor from gathering more and more momentum, and,
+finally beyond all control, leaving the road and hurtling down the steep
+slope.</p>
+
+<p>With all his strength Frank swung the wheel so as to turn the right side
+of the car at an angle up the mountain wall that flanked the road. In
+this position the machine was still traveling along with great force
+when it struck a thick abutting ledge of rock.</p>
+
+<p>There was a sudden jolt, a sharp crack, and Frank was hurtled forward
+head first into the snow.<a class="pagenum" name="page_188" id="page_188" title="188"></a></p>
+
+<p>When they had brushed him off and made certain that he was uninjured,
+except for an awful jarring up, they began an examination of the
+machine.</p>
+
+<p>The right front wheel had been crushed to splinters, the axle was bent,
+and the machine was wedged so far under a split edge of the granite as
+to be, for the time at least, totally useless.</p>
+
+<p>"Better go back to where we were first," Lieutenant Mackinson said at
+last. "We'll take the pack-set with us, and we can probably advise
+headquarters of our predicament with that, and also inform them of the
+progress of the enemy movement."</p>
+
+<p>Wearily they turned about, each man loaded down with the necessities
+that they had to take with them from the wrecked tractor. It was nearing
+night when they reached the apex of the mountain again, and their first
+desire was to see whether the Germans had entirely passed around the
+mountain.</p>
+
+<p>So far as they could see they had!</p>
+
+<p>But the Boches had done more than that. Their heavy guns were being sent
+around either side of the base of the mountain, each quota being part of
+a good-sized army. But<a class="pagenum" name="page_189" id="page_189" title="189"></a> they were sending another strong detachment up
+and over the mountain itself!</p>
+
+<p>And the first section of it was less than a mile below, spreading out in
+such a way that while a part of it would come over the top, other parts
+would go around either side, and they would be fan-like in shape,
+forming a virtual comb in the search for any enemies who might be
+lurking there.</p>
+
+<p>"The pack-set!" ordered the lieutenant. In a very short time it was set
+up, and Jerry was grinding the crank to generate power while the officer
+flashed out the headquarters call.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment a message began to come: "J-X. J-X. J-X. J-X."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson nervously began tapping the key again, but the only
+reply was the insistent call for J-X, which was the code call for
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"No use," said the young officer at last. "We can catch them, with their
+stronger range, but we haven't radius enough to send to them."</p>
+
+<p>"Those troops cannot reach here until after dark," said Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"No," Lieutenant Mackinson acknowledged, "but they are in such numbers
+that<a class="pagenum" name="page_190" id="page_190" title="190"></a> we could not hope to keep our identity or presence hidden, and
+they are getting around the mountain quicker than we could get down and
+beyond their line."</p>
+
+<p>"It looks as though we were hemmed in," said Frank Hoskins in an even
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," agreed Jerry, "and in a tight place."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_191" id="page_191" title="191"></a>
+<a name="The_Lieutenants_Invention_4378" id="The_Lieutenants_Invention_4378"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+<h3>The Lieutenant's Invention</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>While the others speculated upon various means of escape, and in turn
+found every one of their suggestions useless, Lieutenant Mackinson had
+remained silent and in deep thought. Finally, his countenance showing
+that he had arrived at a conclusion, he turned to the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Come with me," he said simply, "it is the only way."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going?" Joe asked quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Back to the tractor," the lieutenant replied. "Hurry! We still have
+time, but none to waste."</p>
+
+<p>"But we can't repair the tractor," Frank argued.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we can't," Lieutenant Mackinson admitted, "but we may do something
+even better than that."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" queried all the lads at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Come with me and we'll see what can be done."</p>
+
+<p>And without granting them any further<a class="pagenum" name="page_192" id="page_192" title="192"></a> information then, Lieutenant
+Mackinson swung his share of the burdens to his shoulder and started
+down the rough mountain road, the others following, and likewise bearing
+the various necessities which, only a short time before, they had
+labored so industriously to carry up the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>As they neared the point where they had left the wrecked machine the
+young officer turned to Joe, who was nearest to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you remember," he asked, "seeing that wire of the old telegraph line
+just about a hundred yards below where we ran the truck into the wall?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw it," Joe admitted, "but I didn't pay any further attention to
+it."</p>
+
+<p>The others had come up within hearing distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," the lieutenant responded, "if you had traced its course you
+would have seen that it is swung from this mountain to the one directly
+to the south, just at the point where the valley between narrows down to
+little more than a deep ravine."</p>
+
+<p>"But it doesn't run into our lines," Frank objected again.</p>
+
+<p>"That's true," Lieutenant Mackinson admitted again, "but it may serve
+our purposes just the same."<a class="pagenum" name="page_193" id="page_193" title="193"></a></p>
+
+<p>"How?" Slim asked entreatingly. "Tell us what your plan is, Lieutenant."</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the young officer in teasing tones, "I don't want to raise
+your hopes until I determine whether it can be accomplished."</p>
+
+<p>And he plodded on toward the tractor, refusing to answer another
+question. Indeed, it is doubtful if he heard them, for he was busy with
+some important mental calculations&mdash;problems that required his
+engineering knowledge and ability, and that had directly to do with the
+personal safety of every man in the party.</p>
+
+<p>"What tools have we here?" he asked of Frank Hoskins, as they arrived at
+the wrecked wireless tractor.</p>
+
+<p>Frank opened up a tool chest that showed a great variety of implements
+in almost every size and shape.</p>
+
+<p>"Good," said the lieutenant, as he looked up from where he was rummaging
+in another part of the car. "Here, Jerry," he commanded, "let me have
+that mallet and cold chisel and then help me rip a couple of these
+boards off the floor."</p>
+
+<p>He had laid aside a large pulley wheel, several nuts and bolts and some
+heavy copper wire. With the aid of the mystified Jerry<a class="pagenum" name="page_194" id="page_194" title="194"></a> he tore two
+stout boards up from the floor of the tractor.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we've got to work rapidly, fellows," he said, "for it will soon be
+dark, and we don't want to attract attention to ourselves by making a
+light.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is what I am going to try to do: That wire is strung really from
+mountain to mountain, running down a slight grade from where it is
+fastened here to where it is tied up over there. I don't know how strong
+it is, or how securely it is fastened at the other end, but I'm going to
+find out.</p>
+
+<p>"You've all seen those trolley-like boxes that run on wires in
+department stores, with which the clerk sends your money to the
+cashier's desk, and the cashier returns the change? Well, I'm going to
+construct something on the same principle, only I want to make it strong
+enough to carry my weight.</p>
+
+<p>"If I can do that, and the wire holds, the incline is sufficient to
+carry a passenger to the other mountain without any propelling power.
+I'll try it first, and carry with me one end of this reel of copper
+wire. If I get over all right I'll attach the wire to the little oar and
+you fellows can haul it back for the next passenger, and so on until all
+of us are over."<a class="pagenum" name="page_195" id="page_195" title="195"></a></p>
+
+<p>Slim looked dubious. "How thick is that wire?" he demanded anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"You know Slim's a trifle heavy," Jerry reminded the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Slim in a serious tone, "I'd rather fall into the hands of
+the Germans, and have some chance for my life, than spatter myself all
+over the bottom of that ravine."</p>
+
+<p>While this conversation was going on, Lieutenant Mackinson was boring a
+hole about two inches in from each of the four comers of one of the
+planks taken from the floor of the truck.</p>
+
+<p>"This ought to do for a seat," he said, as he began running pieces of
+the heavy copper wire, of equal length, through each of the holes.</p>
+
+<p>He then laid this part of the work aside for a moment and began filing
+off one end of the riveted axle that held the pulley wheel in its frame.
+When he had knocked this axle out he tried one of the bolts and found
+that it fitted almost exactly, and that the wheel ran freely upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Have to have that wheel off to put the thing on the telegraph wire," he
+explained, as he began securely fastening the copper wires into the
+bottom of the pulley frame.<a class="pagenum" name="page_196" id="page_196" title="196"></a></p>
+
+<p>Completed, the thing looked for all the world like a miniature trapeze
+seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," he said, slipping a wrench into his pocket, and buckling on his
+legs a pair of spurs such as all linemen use to climb a smooth pole,
+"I'm going to take this up that telegraph pole with me and fasten this
+thing on the wire. Then it's 'All aboard for the opposite mountain.'</p>
+
+<p>"If I get over all right I'll give one flash of my light. If I
+don't&mdash;well, don't try the wire route."</p>
+
+<p>Without wasting another second he dug one spur into the pole and started
+climbing upward, dragging his improvised car with him, together with the
+loose end of the reel of copper wire.</p>
+
+<p>By this time it was pitch dark, and they could feel, rather than see,
+that he was tightening the bolt which hung the apparatus on the wire.
+The lads had placed a heavy stick through the reel, and two of them held
+either end of it.</p>
+
+<p>"Let it run free," the lieutenant told them. "And don't forget the
+signal. I'm ready. Good-by!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a sudden jerk on the reel and the wire began to unwind
+quickly. It literally<a class="pagenum" name="page_197" id="page_197" title="197"></a> spun round on the stout stick which they were
+holding. They just got a glimpse of the courageous lieutenant sailing
+off through space, a thousand feet above the bottom of the ravine.</p>
+
+<p>The unwinding wire gave an added spurt, and then, pressure being
+released from it, it began to slow down.</p>
+
+<p>"He's either on the other side, or lost the wire," said Slim, his
+nervousness showing in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>Every eye was glued to the opposite mountain.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" almost shouted Jerry. "He's safe!"</p>
+
+<p>Sure enough, the light had flashed out once in the blackness of the
+night, and then as suddenly disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The boys began hauling in on the copper wire, winding it again on the
+reel.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's next?" asked Frank, as the last of the cable was being re-wound.</p>
+
+<p>"Eenie, meenie, minie, mo," Jerry began to count out, when Joe suddenly
+interrupted.</p>
+
+<p>By ten feet of heavy twine Lieutenant Mackinson had tied the spurs to
+the car so that they would dangle within reach of the lads on the
+ground. Attached to them was a note, which read:<a class="pagenum" name="page_198" id="page_198" title="198"></a></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Easy landing on soft slope. Let Slim come next before wire is
+weakened, because he is the heaviest. All can make it safely."</p></div>
+
+<p>And so Slim, not entirely assured, and breathing somewhat heavily as he
+contemplated the distance he had to fall if the telegraph wire should
+break, was the next to climb a-straddle the crude "air-line" trolley, on
+its second trip to the opposite mountain.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments the light flashed out again and then disappeared, while
+Joe, Jerry and Frank hauled in on the cable to which the car was
+attached.</p>
+
+<p>By mutual agreement it was arranged that Frank should be the next to go
+over, after which they would send the portable wireless, followed by
+Jerry, and finally Joe.</p>
+
+<p>Lads of less courage never would have attempted such a perilous escape,
+but they made it without a single mishap. It was not until Joe, the last
+of the party, was just coming to a stop in the outstretched arms of his
+friends, that the Germans below, and on what was now the opposite
+mountain, seemed to sense something going on&mdash;or perhaps had seen the
+mysterious blinking of the flashlight&mdash;and let go a distant and futile
+volley of shots.<a class="pagenum" name="page_199" id="page_199" title="199"></a></p>
+
+<p>"No use, Boche," called the lieutenant mockingly, "we're out of your
+range. And now, having escaped you, we'll see what we can do to harass
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Saying which he began opening up the pack-set wireless, while two of the
+others set up the umbrella antenna.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson began tapping off the headquarters call. It might
+have been the slightly nearer position they were in, or, so far as they
+knew, headquarters might have moved meanwhile, but in a very short time
+the operator there was responding.</p>
+
+<p>The young officer gave an accurate account of the operations of the
+Germans, and particularly of their artillery. Headquarters thanked them,
+told them to stay until morning where they were, and then ask for
+further orders.</p>
+
+<p>In less than half an hour the boom of heavy guns from the westward told
+them that they had given their information in time.</p>
+
+<p>American artillery was dropping a rain of shells into the cuts in the
+mountain through which the Germans had to emerge with their guns to do
+any damage! Their whole plan, so carefully carried out, had been
+defeated!</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_200" id="page_200" title="200"></a>
+<a name="Slim_Goodwin_a_Prisoner_4612" id="Slim_Goodwin_a_Prisoner_4612"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+<h3>Slim Goodwin a Prisoner</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>"If I had a good rifle I could 'pot' half a dozen of them from here,"
+said Jerry the following morning as he and the rest, standing back among
+the trees of the mountain in which they had sought safety, watched two
+long, converging lines of German soldiers marching back in the direction
+whence they had come on the preceding day.</p>
+
+<p>"And we owe them that much for that nice, nifty little night trapeze act
+we had to do through space on their account," added Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"Not to mention the wrecked tractor," put in Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," spoke Lieutenant Mackinson, calling them to the business of the
+day, "I guess we can make a report to headquarters now&mdash;and a good one,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>With which he opened up the wireless and began repeating the call
+letters.</p>
+
+<p>When headquarters had responded, the lieutenant gave them the glad
+tidings of the Boche retreat. That done, he proceeded<a class="pagenum" name="page_201" id="page_201" title="201"></a> to give the
+details of the wrecking of the tractor and of their escape to the second
+mountain.</p>
+
+<p>"Ought to be aviators," the operator at headquarters came back at him on
+his own account, and then added: "Wait for orders."</p>
+
+<p>These came a few minutes later.</p>
+
+<p>"Divide as follows: Lieutenant and two men return here; other two go
+forward at safe distance with portable, and report to-night."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Mackinson read them the message.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he asked, "which two are to accompany me back, and which two are
+to stay on the heels of the Boches?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a scent like a deerhound," averred Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"And I was born to be a scout," declared Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"You two spoke first," announced the lieutenant pleasantly, "so I guess
+that shall be your end of it, if that's what you want."</p>
+
+<p>"Fine!" exclaimed Jerry and Slim in unison.</p>
+
+<p>"Anyway," added the lieutenant, "I guess there'll be enough serious work
+for the rest of us when we get back. For instance,"<a class="pagenum" name="page_202" id="page_202" title="202"></a> winking at the
+others, "there's that smashed tractor, Frank, that you will have to
+explain."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so long as you were in charge of the party," Hoskins retorted
+quickly. And Lieutenant Mackinson, unable to determine whether the
+remark was a facetious evasion of responsibility or an indirect
+compliment to himself, on the ground that no act of his would be
+questioned, pursued his bantering no further.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess," he said, "that Joe, Frank and I had better start back at
+once. You two will have to wait here some time before you can begin
+trailing that army. I'm sorry we can't stay with you, but I feel that we
+ought to report back as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>And so the three of them began the preparations for their return, while
+Jerry and Slim watched and studied the movements of the regiments they
+were to follow.</p>
+
+<p>"They seem to be pretty well tired out," said Slim at last. "Guess they
+didn't have any sleep at all last night."</p>
+
+<p>"We're going to find it pretty heavy tramping through that snow, too,"
+Jerry answered. "And with the wireless and rations we'll be carrying a
+hefty weight."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys; we're off," announced Lieutenant<a class="pagenum" name="page_203" id="page_203" title="203"></a> Mackinson, and the
+separating parties shook hands all around. "Take care of yourselves," he
+admonished, "and we'll look for you back by to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>The officer, Joe and Frank started off on their long tramp back to camp,
+and Jerry and Slim watched them until they were out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"That looks like the last regiment of the Germans going over the
+opposite hill there, too," said Jerry, as they turned to observe the
+enemy army. "We can start in a short while."</p>
+
+<p>And in half an hour, Jerry carrying the heavy pack-set and Slim toting
+the equally weighty rations and incidentals, they set off on the Boches'
+trail.</p>
+
+<p>Out in the open, and especially in the mountains, distances are
+deceptive. Jerry and Slim learned this when they had been traveling for
+two hours, and the point where they had seen the last German disappear
+over a hilltop seemed as far away as when they started.</p>
+
+<p>"Ever travel along in a train at night watching the moon, and notice how
+it seemed to move right along with you?" asked Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"Lots of times," answered Slim, as he puffed along, "Why?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_204" id="page_204" title="204"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's the way that hill seems to be traveling along, always
+keeping the same distance ahead of us."</p>
+
+<p>"I've heard of armies 'taking' a fort, or a city, or a trench," said
+Slim. "Do you suppose those Germans are 'taking' that young mountain
+along with them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Seems so to me," said Jerry, coming to a halt to shift the heavy
+pack-set to the other hand.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, early evening&mdash;a cold, biting winter evening&mdash;was
+settling about them when they finally climbed to the crest of that hill
+to cautiously "see what they could see."</p>
+
+<p>Far beyond the slope ahead of them, in the dim dusk, they could discern
+a mass of men, evidently halted for the night.</p>
+
+<p>"That's their rear guard," announced Jerry, with the field glasses to
+his eyes. "I can even make out their sentries."</p>
+
+<p>Slim took a look and agreed. "Hadn't we better report?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we ought to make this bunch of trees here our position, and
+then scout ahead a little first," said Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," Slim agreed. "Which one of us shall go?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_205" id="page_205" title="205"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Let's toss."</p>
+
+<p>They did, and it fell to the lad who had claimed to have the scent of a
+deerhound to go out and reconnoitre, while the "natural-born scout"
+remained behind.</p>
+
+<p>Divesting himself of all his burdens but his revolver and ammunition
+belt, Slim started off. Leaving Jerry to arrange their effects, he gave
+that young man a real shock when he silently returned five minutes later
+unheard by Jerry, and, standing only half a dozen feet behind him,
+blurted out:</p>
+
+<p>"Forgot my field glasses."</p>
+
+<p>Jerry whirled around as though he had been shot. "Why don't you sneak up
+and try to frighten a fellow to death?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry," Slim apologized. "Thought you heard me coming."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you did it on purpose," Jerry growled, as the other youth
+again started off.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll send in my card first next time," was Slim's parting remark.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, be sure to make yourself known," retorted Jerry, "or I might
+mistake you for a Boche and send in a bullet."</p>
+
+<p>Slim's laugh floated back and he disappeared down a ravine through which
+he was making for a higher point of observation further on.<a class="pagenum" name="page_206" id="page_206" title="206"></a></p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes elapsed and there was no sign of Slim. When a quarter of an
+hour had passed Jerry began to get worried. Had his friend perhaps
+fallen and injured himself? Had he lost his way? A dozen fears came into
+Jerry's mind, and at the end of another five minutes he decided that it
+was time to take some measure to learn the whereabouts of Slim.</p>
+
+<p>Softly, but with great carrying force, he gave the well-known
+"Whip-poor-will."</p>
+
+<p>The answer was the same that Slim himself had received that night in No
+Man's Land when the wounded and unconscious Rawle lay bleeding beside
+him&mdash;nothing but absolute silence.</p>
+
+<p>A great dread that he could not have defined gripped Jerry's heart.
+Something had happened to Slim; there was no doubt about that. What was
+it? Injury? Death? Capture?</p>
+
+<p>Again Jerry gave their mutual Brighton signal: "Whip-poor-will."</p>
+
+<p>"He can't be entirely out of hearing," he argued. "There's some reason
+why he doesn't answer." It was fast growing dark. Sliding the pack-set
+and their other paraphernalia into a little gully which he easily<a class="pagenum" name="page_207" id="page_207" title="207"></a> could
+identify later, but where it would be entirely hidden from the view of
+anyone else who might chance upon the scene, Jerry set out in search of
+his friend.</p>
+
+<p>It was a difficult task that he set himself, for he knew no more than
+the general direction that Slim had taken. But remembering that his chum
+had started off down the ravine, and that his purpose was to reach a
+higher hill a quarter of a mile away, Jerry took that route, too.</p>
+
+<p>Two or three times as he stumbled along he snatched out his pocket
+searchlight and was about to use it, when some sixth sense, plus the
+mystery of Slim's absence, prevailed upon him to take his chances in the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Coming out of the ravine, he turned to the left and, by a steep incline,
+reached a ledge that seemed to be a natural pathway to one of the higher
+peaks.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the heart within him seemed to stop beating.</p>
+
+<p>Somewhere ahead of him, but seemingly upon a lower level of ground, men
+were talking! And they were talking in German!</p>
+
+<p>As though a bullet had struck him, Jerry dropped forward upon the
+ground. Grasping the outstretched roots of a tree, he pulled<a class="pagenum" name="page_208" id="page_208" title="208"></a> himself up
+within its heavy black shadow. There, scarcely daring to breathe for
+fear of attracting attention, he lay and listened.</p>
+
+<p>He thanked Brighton then for his understanding of the German language.</p>
+
+<p>Slim Goodwin was a prisoner, and those men&mdash;how many there were of them
+he could not tell&mdash;were questioning him! Slim was pretending not to
+understand.</p>
+
+<p>Jerry's brain worked rapidly. There was no use of his returning to the
+wireless and attempting to summon help that way, for even if aid was
+sent it would be hours before it could arrive, and, presuming that the
+rescuers could find the spot, there was every likelihood that the
+Germans would have departed with their prisoner before that time. No,
+assuredly, if Slim was to be rescued, he, Jerry, must do it. But how?</p>
+
+<p>As he lay there thinking, he heard the one who seemed to be the officer
+in charge order another man to build a fire. As it crackled and began to
+blaze up, the reflection of the flame gave Jerry their exact location.
+Also it formed a curtain of light against which it would have been easy
+for him to have seen any Boche sentinel or outpost, had there been one
+between him and them.<a class="pagenum" name="page_209" id="page_209" title="209"></a></p>
+
+<p>Assuring himself that there was not, he crept cautiously forward, foot
+by foot, until he was at the edge of the shelf of rock and could gaze
+almost directly down upon them. The fire gave good illumination. There
+was a young German lieutenant and four of his men. A short distance
+away, in the shelter of some trees, five horses were tethered.</p>
+
+<p>Slim finally had consented to talk&mdash;if what he was doing could be called
+talking. And in what was purposely the most miserably broken German
+imaginable, he was telling them that he got separated from his unit
+several days ago (which was true), and that he had been wandering about
+that part of the country for the last couple of days (which also was
+true), and that he did not know where he was (which likewise was the
+truth).</p>
+
+<p>While this was going on Jerry had scribbled upon a piece of paper: "Am
+near. Look lively if they sleep." This he wrapped around a small stone.
+For a moment all the Germans turned toward the fire, where one of the
+men was preparing supper. In that instant Jerry tossed the message
+straight at Slim's feet.</p>
+
+<p>Slim gave a little start, recovered himself immediately, stooped over,
+and, pretending<a class="pagenum" name="page_210" id="page_210" title="210"></a> to wash his hands in the snow, unwrapped and hastily
+read the note, and then trampled it into the ground. When one of the
+Germans turned suddenly, he was innocently drying his hands.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_211" id="page_211" title="211"></a>
+<a name="Turning_the_Tables_4872" id="Turning_the_Tables_4872"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+<h3>Turning the Tables</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>To Jerry, lying there half frozen, stiff in every joint and scarcely
+daring to move for fear of making some sound that might not only divulge
+his presence and result in his own capture, but also prevent the escape
+of Slim, it seemed that never did it take men so long to eat a meal.</p>
+
+<p>And as they ate, his own appetite became ravenous. The cruelest
+punishment of all was to lie there half starved and hear them vulgarly
+smacking their lips over the warmed-up remains of a chicken undoubtedly
+filched from a countryside barnyard.</p>
+
+<p>But at last, after what seemed to Jerry to have been hours of feasting,
+they did finish. With a derisive laugh the German lieutenant gathered
+all the bones from every other tin plate and shoved them, with mock
+courtesy, toward Slim.</p>
+
+<p>The latter was biding his time, and, his courage increased by knowledge
+that his friend was close by, refused to get angry. He merely waved the
+plate aside.<a class="pagenum" name="page_212" id="page_212" title="212"></a></p>
+
+<p>Their stomachs filled, the Germans almost immediately began to think
+about sleep. In truth, they all looked as though they had been up all of
+the night before, as probably they had. One of them, a mere youth
+certainly not yet out of his teens and the youngest in the party,
+yawned. The lieutenant saw it, and in a fit of apparently unreasonable
+anger said, in his native tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"So! You want to serve notice that you desire to sleep? Very well, you
+shall do sentinel duty&mdash;and all night. And mind that you do not sleep!"</p>
+
+<p>A pitiful look came over the boy's face, but without a word he saluted
+and departed to the circle of outer shadows to take up his long and
+tedious vigil.</p>
+
+<p>Jerry felt genuinely sorry for him, but he sincerely hoped that the
+officer would not change his mind or relent. He knew the youth could not
+possibly stay awake the whole night through.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later the other four Germans were conducting a spirited
+rivalry in snoring, and Slim, also, to all appearances, was fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Not daring to move, Jerry kept his eyes constantly upon the young
+sentry. Frequently<a class="pagenum" name="page_213" id="page_213" title="213"></a> he yawned. Once or twice he stopped uncertainly
+before a stump and seemed about to sit down, then started on again
+around his monotonous beat. But his step was wavering, his eyes were
+heavy, and Jerry knew it was only a question of time&mdash;a comparatively
+short time&mdash;when nature would conquer, and the sentinel, too, would
+sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Had he been able to bring himself to it, he could have shot the sentry
+and killed the others as they slept, before they could even have reached
+for their weapons. But he could not do that.</p>
+
+<p>Better the other way, he told himself, even though it carried a greater
+risk.</p>
+
+<p>And finally his own vigil was rewarded. The sentinel placed two or three
+more pieces of wood upon the fire, stood for a few moments within its
+genial warmth, looked dully at the others so soundly sleeping, and then
+crossed to the stump and sat down.</p>
+
+<p>His rifle was on the ground beside him. His elbows rested upon his
+knees, and his chin in his hands. Presently his lids drooped and closed.
+His head, and then his whole body, sagged forward. He wakened with a
+start and changed his place to another tree more within the shadows.
+There he was<a class="pagenum" name="page_214" id="page_214" title="214"></a> able to lean back in a more comfortable position, and soon
+his heavy, even breathing assured Jerry that nature had, indeed, won.</p>
+
+<p>Softly, without so much as a sound, he rose to his hands and knees. He
+tossed a pebble, which hit Slim upon the hand. The latter turned his
+head ever so slightly and gazed fixedly in Jerry's direction. Finally
+his decided wink indicated that he had made out the form of his friend.</p>
+
+<p>Still upon all fours, and feeling every inch of the way, Jerry retraced
+his steps over the ledge. Quietly he slid down to the lower level and
+took a wide circle about the little camp, finally closing in near to
+where the sleeping sentry sat. Deftly and silently he pulled the
+latter's gun from where it lay beside him. This he carried over to near
+where the horses were corralled. Slim now was watching his every move,
+but awaited Jerry's signal before he stirred.</p>
+
+<p>Jerry then returned, and, so gently that the sentry never made a
+movement, lifted his loaded revolver from its holster. With this he
+tiptoed to Slim, placed the weapon in his hand and with a gesture bade
+him rise.</p>
+
+<p>They were now masters of the situation, but Jerry did not want to take
+any chances.<a class="pagenum" name="page_215" id="page_215" title="215"></a> Two of the Germans were lying in such a position that he
+could get their revolvers, also. They did not carry rifles. This he
+accomplished after having stationed Slim in the shadows at such a point
+of vantage that he could cover all of the Boches, should they awaken.</p>
+
+<p>One of the additional guns he gave to Slim; the other he kept himself.
+Thus doubly armed, they stepped over to the sleeping sentry, and while
+Slim pointed his two guns at the others, to prevent any hostilities upon
+their part, should they rouse, Jerry shook and awakened the bewildered
+sentry.</p>
+
+<p>As he faced the two revolvers, and the changed situation suddenly dawned
+upon him, the young German's expression was pathetic. Apparently he was
+too stunned to speak a word. Jerry motioned him to take a position just
+behind the sleepers, which he did.</p>
+
+<p>With Slim standing beside him, and their four revolvers pointed
+menacingly at the Germans, Jerry kicked the lieutenant upon the sole of
+his boot. The latter roused angrily and was about to give vent to his
+feelings when he looked into the barrels of the automatics. His
+exclamation was one of complete chagrin.<a class="pagenum" name="page_216" id="page_216" title="216"></a></p>
+
+<p>Slim stepped over and extracted his revolver, which he dropped into his
+own pocket. By the same process the other armed Boche was awakened, and
+in the same way he was disarmed. Then, with his foot, Jerry jabbed the
+remaining two back to consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>"You are our prisoners," Jerry informed them, in their own language.
+"One hostile move from any one of you and you will be shot."</p>
+
+<p>Forming them into pairs, and purposely leaving the sentinel as the
+single one of the party and in the lead, Jerry ordered them to walk
+toward where the horses were tethered.</p>
+
+<p>He made two of the men put saddles and bridles upon the animals, and
+then compelled them to mount as they were paired&mdash;the lieutenant and one
+of his men upon one of the horses, two others upon another, the sentry
+alone upon another, but carrying a good supply of rations&mdash;while Slim
+and he each had an animal to carry themselves, the wireless and other
+paraphernalia when they should pick that up.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, with hardly a dozen words having been spoken, they came through
+the ravine and at forced speed struck out across the<a class="pagenum" name="page_217" id="page_217" title="217"></a> level ground
+toward the mountain from which Jerry and Slim had come that morning.</p>
+
+<p>"You!" the lieutenant hissed between his teeth at the sentinel as they
+came side by side. "What were you doing when this second American
+arrived? Asleep, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I came up behind him. He never had a chance, for I did not make a
+sound," Jerry interposed in German, before the young Boche could make
+even an involuntary admission.</p>
+
+<p>As they approached the base of the mountain where they had parted from
+Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, and Frank early that day, the moon reached
+its zenith, and its beams, reflected upon the white ground, made the
+night almost as light as day.</p>
+
+<p>Two hours later they were upon the identical spot from which they had
+wirelessed headquarters in the morning. It was midnight now as two of
+the Germans, working under Jerry's orders while Slim kept a weather eye
+on the others, set up the pack-set.</p>
+
+<p>Jerry worked the key half a dozen times and then got an almost immediate
+response. The first query after he had identified himself was:</p>
+
+<p>"This is Joe; where are you?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_218" id="page_218" title="218"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Just got back to where we left you this morning," Jerry ticked off into
+the air. "Bringing in a German lieutenant and four of his men as
+prisoners. Should arrive by daylight, as we have horses."</p>
+
+<p>"Great," was Joe's radio response. "Have letter from Brighton and fine
+news. Will make your report."</p>
+
+<p>And the pack-set was put back in its compact case, and, paired off as
+before, the journey was resumed.</p>
+
+<p>"Say," said Jerry, as they urged their horses down the side of the
+mountain leading to fairly level ground all the way into camp, "I'm
+hungry enough to eat dog meat, but I guess we can hold out now until we
+reach our lines."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I suppose so," Slim answered. "But how'd you like to have some
+sausage, and some plum pudding, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't," pleaded Jerry. "The idea is too much. My stomach is accusing me
+of gross carelessness now."</p>
+
+<p>"Wonder what's in that letter from Brighton, and who wrote it?" said
+Sum, glad to change the subject and forget his own hunger.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't imagine, but my own curiosity<a class="pagenum" name="page_219" id="page_219" title="219"></a> has been as to whether the fine
+news Joe mentioned comes from there or refers to something at
+headquarters."</p>
+
+<p>And so, sore, tired and hungry, but happy withal, they continued on. The
+moon waned and set, and tradition proved itself&mdash;it became darkest just
+before dawn.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait!" said Jerry, just at this stage of the journey, and he jumped
+from his horse to recover something that he had seen the German
+lieutenant drop.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be a packet of papers, bearing the official German army
+seal.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah-ha!" Jerry cried, riding up to the officer and thrusting the
+documents out before him. "So you thought to get rid of them, eh? Well,
+we'll just take these along to headquarters, too. They may contain
+something of interest to our commanders. Yes?"</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant gave an ugly, menacing grunt, but refused to say a word.</p>
+
+<p>Daylight came, and with it a clear view of the American lines. A quarter
+of an hour later they saw two horsemen coming toward them. Slim examined
+them carefully with his glasses.</p>
+
+<p>"The lieutenant and Frank," he announced. "Guess Joe's still on duty."<a class="pagenum" name="page_220" id="page_220" title="220"></a></p>
+
+<p>And Joe was. He was just relaying to the commander of the American
+forces in France orders forwarded from London, and they were of the
+greatest import to the three boys from Brighton.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_221" id="page_221" title="221"></a>
+<a name="The_Great_News_5091" id="The_Great_News_5091"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+<h3>The Great News</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Well, Sergeants, how are you?" Lieutenant Mackinson greeted them, as he
+and Frank came galloping up and swerved their horses around.</p>
+
+<p>"Corporals, you mean, Lieutenant," Jerry corrected.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I thought I meant sergeants," the lieutenant repeated. "In fact,
+I'm quite sure I did."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" Slim demanded eagerly, for the moment forgetting all
+about their prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I said&mdash;sergeants," said Lieutenant Mackinson, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Have we&mdash;Do you&mdash;" Jerry stopped to begin all over again, and the young
+officer interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it's a little like telling secrets out of school," he said,
+"but then, after all, it isn't any secret, for the news was out
+yesterday afternoon. A lot of promotions were announced. Frank's been
+made a<a class="pagenum" name="page_222" id="page_222" title="222"></a> corporal, and you boys&mdash;Joe, too&mdash;advanced to sergeant."</p>
+
+<p>It was fully a minute before either lad could express himself, and the
+lieutenant and Corporal Hoskins took a full measure of enjoyment out of
+their apparent happy gratification.</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant&mdash;" Slim began.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain, if you please," Mr. Mackinson corrected amiably. "You see, I
+was in the list, too."</p>
+
+<p>Slim and Jerry simultaneously brought their horses to a halt while they
+came to a full military salute.</p>
+
+<p>As they approached Major Jones' headquarters with their prisoners,
+Captain Mackinson turned another way and Corporal Hoskins dropped back.</p>
+
+<p>Briefly, and without undue emphasis upon their own hardships or courage
+or common sense, they gave the details of their activities since they
+had left, and of the capture of Slim and the subsequent taking of his
+captors.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well, exceptionally well," the major responded. "In
+consequence whereof it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you
+have been advanced to the rank of sergeant. In that respect I might<a class="pagenum" name="page_223" id="page_223" title="223"></a>
+remind you that the next step is to a commission, and that merit and
+courage will take a man to any command in the United States army. It is
+the only standard of advancement, and there is no other instrument of
+preferment. I am happy to know that you young men have started so well.
+You two, and the friend who also was advanced to sergeant with you, have
+brilliant futures before you."</p>
+
+<p>They were saluting, preliminary to departure, when the major added:</p>
+
+<p>"You will report to General Young, division commander, at ten o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>A little bewildered by the salutes of those privates who knew of their
+promotions, even though they did not yet wear upon their sleeves the two
+stripes indicating their advance to corporals, Jerry and Slim hurried
+toward the wash spigots, preliminary to an assault upon the mess tent.</p>
+
+<p>There they met Joe, who had just come off duty as night wireless
+operator at headquarters. They shook hands, and then Slim demanded to
+know about that letter from Brighton.</p>
+
+<p>"It was from our old friend, the telegrapher, Philip Burton," said Joe,
+"and it was written about three weeks ago."<a class="pagenum" name="page_224" id="page_224" title="224"></a></p>
+
+<p>"That's pretty quick delivery," said Slim. "What did he have to say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it seems they've had reports there of some of our experiences
+coming over, and Mr. Burton says some of the finest things."</p>
+
+<p>"Good old Burton!" mused Jerry. "He always did credit us with being a
+lot better and brighter and more capable than we really were."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and we owe him a lot," added Slim, "for he was really responsible
+in the first place for our getting here. If it hadn't been for what he
+taught us about telegraphy we'd never be sergeants now."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," said Joe. "Fellows, Mr. Burton's getting pretty well
+along now. He'll be an old man before very long. I wish we three could
+do something to really show him our appreciation of what he's been to
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"We will," Jerry said. "We will. Let's make a promise to each other on
+that."</p>
+
+<p>And with this good resolution made, they started for the mess tent.</p>
+
+<p>The first fifteen minutes they gave over unstintedly to appeasing
+healthy and long-deferred appetites, and then Slim suddenly remembered
+Major Jones' final instructions.<a class="pagenum" name="page_225" id="page_225" title="225"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Wonder what we have to report at General Young's headquarters at ten
+o'clock for?" he queried. "I'm nearly dead for sleep myself."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," said Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>Both of them caught Joe's averted smile.</p>
+
+<p>"What's it for, do you know?" Jerry demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, fellows, I think I do," Joe answered. "But I only learned it over
+the wireless&mdash;and that's information gained in a professional way, you
+know, and therefore secret. So don't ask me to tell you. In another hour
+we'll go over. You know I've been summoned, too."</p>
+
+<p>"No!" ejaculated Jerry. "Well, that's fine. But you'll be going over to
+learn something that you already know, while we'll be getting some real
+news, whatever it is."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," said Joe. "And maybe it will be real news."</p>
+
+<p>Jerry and Slim both spent the intervening hour on their cots, and when
+Joe came to awaken them he found them snoring most unmusically.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think?" he demanded, as soon as they were wide enough awake
+to<a class="pagenum" name="page_226" id="page_226" title="226"></a> realize what he was saying. "That German lieutenant that you brought
+in had papers on him that showed the whole plan of the German campaign
+in this sector for a month ahead. You boys made a great capture."</p>
+
+<p>At exactly ten o'clock they presented themselves to General Young's
+orderly, and a moment later were ushered into the presence of the
+supreme commander of that section of the American front.</p>
+
+<p>"Young men," the general began bluntly, without other formalities, "you
+have signally distinguished yourselves for judgment, foresight, and
+courage from the moment of your enlistment, it might be said. I have
+before me your records, beginning from the time of your discovery of the
+spy at work in the waters near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.</p>
+
+<p>"Congress has just passed a bill, and the President has signed it,
+providing for the higher military education of certain worthy young men
+in the army and navy, entirely at the expense of the government.
+Fortunately for the military service, these selections have been
+entirely removed from the realm of politics and are left to the
+commanders in the army and navy.</p>
+
+<p>"At this school, which in many respects is<a class="pagenum" name="page_227" id="page_227" title="227"></a> similar to the Military
+Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, young men will
+be thoroughly instructed in the specialized branches of military
+science.</p>
+
+<p>"I am offering you three young men such appointments. I am doing so
+solely upon your records and upon my own confidence that you will make
+good to the country that offers you this opportunity. Will you accept?"</p>
+
+<p>If someone had suddenly set off a bomb under the three boys from
+Brighton they hardly could have been more surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how to thank you," Joe stammered.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do my utmost to prove worth it," promised Jerry.</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be my highest ambition," said Slim.</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" said General Young, rising and shaking each lad by the hand. "I
+was confident that you would accept, and here are the appointments
+already made out."</p>
+
+<p>He gave to each lad a large envelope, stamped with the army seal.</p>
+
+<p>"Transportation has been arranged for you to leave here to-night,"
+General Young concluded. "You will sail from England for<a class="pagenum" name="page_228" id="page_228" title="228"></a> the United
+States day after to-morrow. I wish you every success. I would be very
+glad to hear from you occasionally, and to know of the progress you are
+making. Good-by!"</p>
+
+<p>It would be difficult to describe the ecstacies of delight in which Joe,
+Jerry and Slim left the quarters of General Young to impart the
+knowledge of their great good fortune to Captain Mackinson.</p>
+
+<p>That warm friend listened to them until he could not keep his
+countenance straight any longer.</p>
+
+<p>"I forgot to tell you," he said, "that I am to go back there, also, as
+an instructor."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't that luck!" exclaimed Slim, expressing the sentiment of the other
+two. "That just about makes it perfect."</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>So we leave the boys from Brighton&mdash;Joe and Jerry and Slim&mdash;leave them
+upon the threshold of the broader careers which merit has won them, and
+bid them carry always with them our very best wishes in their
+aspirations which we know ever will be onward and upward.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:3em;'>THE END</p>
+
+<hr class='full' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Critics uniformly agree that parents can safely place in the hands of<br />
+boys and girls any book written by Edward S. Ellis</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>The "FLYING BOYS" Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>By EDWARD S. ELLIS</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Author of the Renowned "Deerfoot" Books, and 100<br />
+other famous volumes for young people</p>
+
+<p>During his trip abroad last summer, Mr. Ellis became intensely
+interested in aeroplane and airship flying in France, and this new
+series from his pen is the visible result of what he would call a
+"vacation." He has made a study of the science and art of aeronautics,
+and these books will give boys just the information they want about this
+marvelous triumph of man.</p>
+
+<p>
+First Volume: THE FLYING BOYS IN THE SKY<br />
+Second Volume: THE FLYING BOYS TO THE RESCUE<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>The stories are timely and full of interest and stirring events.
+Handsomely illustrated and with appropriate cover design.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Price<span style='letter-spacing:1em'>......</span>Per volume, 75 cents. Postpaid.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p>This series will appeal to up-to-date American Girls. The
+subsequent volumes will carry the Ranch Girls through numerous ups
+and downs of fortune and adventures in America and Europe</p>
+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
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+
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+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
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+
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+
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+<img src="images/adv02.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
+<p style='text-align:center'>12mo. Price per volume, 75 cents</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>The American Boy Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>By Edward S. Ellis</p>
+
+<p>Books of stirring interest that are founded upon and written around
+facts in American History and American romantic achievement.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:140%;'><b>Each of the Series have Special Cover Designs</b></p>
+
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+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv03.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
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+<p>Alden Among the Indians</p>
+</div>
+
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+<p><b>COLONIAL SERIES</b></p>
+<p>An American King</p>
+<p>The Cromwell of Virginia</p>
+<p>The Last Emperor of the Old Dominion</p>
+</div>
+
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+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px; clear:both;'>
+<img src="images/adv05.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+<p><b>LAUNCH BOYS SERIES</b></p>
+<p>Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot</p>
+<p>Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern Waters</p>
+<p><b>ARIZONA SERIES</b></p>
+<p>Off the Reservation</p>
+<p>Trailing Geronimo</p>
+<p>The Round Up</p>
+</div>
+
+<div style='clear:both'>
+<div class="figright" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv06.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+<p><b>FLYING BOYS SERIES</b></p>
+<p>The Flying Boys in the Sky</p>
+<p>The Flying Boys to the Rescue</p>
+<p><b>CATAMOUNT CAMP SERIES</b></p>
+<p>Captain of the Camp</p>
+<p>Catamount Camp</p>
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Price per volume, 45 cents</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>THE NORTH POLE SERIES</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>By Prof. Edwin J. Houston</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv07.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Dr. Houston has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of
+physical and scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for
+them in a way that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories
+the most accurate scientific information will be absorbed.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><b>HANDSOMELY BOUND</b></p>
+
+<p>The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English Cloth and are
+attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold separately or
+in sets, boxed.</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:5em'><b>THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE</b></p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:5em'><b>THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE</b></p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:5em'><b>CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>3 Titles</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Price per volume, $1.00</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>Harry Castlemon's Books for Boys</b></p>
+
+<p>NEW POPULAR EDITION</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv08.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>This series comprises thirty titles of the <b>best stories</b> ever written by
+<b>Harry Castlemon</b>. But few of these titles have ever been published in
+low-priced editions, many of them are copyright titles which will not be
+found in any other publisher's list. We now offer them in this <b>new
+low-priced edition</b>. The books are printed on an excellent quality of
+paper, and have an entirely new and handsome cover design, with new
+style colored inlay on front cover, and stamped in ink. 12mo. Cloth. 30
+titles.</p>
+
+<div style='font-weight:bold'>
+<table summary='booklist'>
+<tr><td>A Sailor in Spite of Himself</td><td>Mail Carrier</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Buried Treasure</td><td>Marcy, The Refugee</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Carl, the Trailer</td><td>Missing Pocketbook, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Floating Treasure, The</td><td>Mystery of the Lost River Canyon, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank, the Young Naturalist</td><td>Oscar in Africa</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank Among the Rancheros</td><td>Rebellion in Dixie</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank Before Vicksburg</td><td>Rod and Gun Club</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank in the Mountains</td><td>Rodney, the Overseer</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank in the Woods</td><td>Rodney, the Partisan</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank on a Gunboat</td><td>Steel Horse</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank on Don Carlos' Rancho</td><td>Ten-Ton Cutter, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank on the Lower Mississippi&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Tom Newcomb</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank on the Prairie</td><td>Two Ways of Becoming a Hunter</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Haunted Mine, The</td><td>White Beaver, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Houseboat Boys, The</td><td>Young Game Warden, The</td></tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF<br />
+THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS POPULAR AUTHOR</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Price per volume, .75 cents</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>Universally APPROVED BOOKS for Boys</b></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv09.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A collection of books by well known authors that have been generally
+approved by competent critics and library committees as safe books for
+young people.</p>
+
+<p><b>WORLD FAMOUS BOOKS FOR BOYS</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear: both; font-weight:bold'>JACK HAZARD SERIES<br />
+By J. T. TROWBRIDGE<br />
+Price $1.25 per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<table summary='booklist'>
+<tr><td>Jack Hazard and His Fortunes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Fast Friends</td></tr>
+<tr><td>A Chance for Himself</td><td>The Young Surveyor</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Doing His Best</td><td>Lawrence's Adventures</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>FRANK NELSON SERIES<br />
+By HARRY CASTLEMON<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+<p style='text-align:center'>Snowed Up<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Frank in the Forecastle<br />
+The Boy Traders</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>SPORTSMAN CLUB SERIES<br />
+By HARRY CASTLEMON<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>The Sportsman Club in the Saddle<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>The Sportsman Club Afloat<br />
+The Sportsman Club Among the Trappers</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>ROUGHING IT SERIES<br />
+By HARRY CASTLEMON<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>George in Camp<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>George at the Fort<br />
+George at the Wheel</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>ROD AND GUN CLUB SERIES<br />
+By HARRY CASTLEMON<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Don Gordon's Shooting Box<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Red and Gun Club<br />
+The Young Wild Fowler</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>DEERFOOT SERIES<br />
+By EDWARD S. ELLIS<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Hunters of the Ozark<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Camp in the Mountains<br />
+The Last War Trail</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>NEW DEERFOOT SERIES<br />
+By EDWARD S. ELLIS<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Deerfoot in the Forest<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Deerfoot in the Mountains<br />
+Deerfoot on the Prairie</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>BOY PIONEER SERIES<br />
+By EDWARD S. ELLIS<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Ned in the Blockhouse<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Ned on the River<br />
+Ned in the Woods</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>LOG CABIN SERIES<br />
+By EDWARD S. ELLIS<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Lost Trail<span style='letter-spacing:5em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Camp Fire and Wigwam<br />
+Footprints in the Forest</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; clear:both; font-weight:bold'>RAGGED DICK SERIES<br />
+By HORATIO ALGER<br />
+Price 75 cents per volume<br />
+</p>
+
+<table summary='booklist'>
+<tr><td>Ragged Dick</td><td>Rough and Ready</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Fame and Fortune</td><td>Ben, the Luggage Boy</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Mark, the Match Boy&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Rufus and Rose</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>EDWARD S. ELLIS'</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>Pioneer Series of Books for Boys</b></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv10.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Edward S. Ellis has been constantly growing in favor as an author of
+Boys' Books, and he now has admirers in all parts of the world. His
+stories are largely founded on history, and portray stirring adventures
+of daring American boys on the prairies, mountains, forest and stream.</p>
+
+<p>We are now enabled to offer this series of low-priced books, which have
+until recently been published only in editions at double the price. <b>They
+are all copyright titles, and will not be found in any other publisher's
+list.</b> The books are printed on an excellent quality of paper, and have
+an entirely new and appropriate cover design. 12mo. Cloth 30 Titles.</p>
+
+<table style='font-weight:bold' summary='booklist'>
+<tr><td>Across Texas</td><td>Plucky Dick</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Brave Tom</td><td>Queen of the Clouds</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Cabin in the Clearing</td><td>Righting the Wrong</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Dorsey, the Young Adventurer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>River and Jungle</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Fighting Phil</td><td>River Fugitives</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Four Boys</td><td>Secret of Coffin Island</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Great Cattle Trail</td><td>Shod with Silence</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Honest Ned</td><td>Teddy and Towser</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Hunt of the White Elephant</td><td>Through Forest and Fire</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Iron Heart</td><td>Two Boys in Wyoming</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Lena Wingo, the Mohawk</td><td>Unlucky Tib</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Lost in the Forbidden Land</td><td>Upside Down</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Lucky Ned</td><td>Up the Forked River</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Mountain Star</td><td>Wilderness Fugitives</td></tr>
+<tr><td>On the Trail of the Moose</td><td>Wyoming</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF<br />THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS
+POPULAR AUTHOR</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><b>Price per volume, .75 cents</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>Two New Books by Dr. Winfield Scott Hall</b></p>
+
+<p>Dr. Hall's "SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE" is recognized as the only work of the kind
+written by an accepted authority and more satisfactorily covers the
+important subject completely than any other book. Appeals have been made
+to him to prepare books that treated the subject separately from the
+standpoint of the boy or girl by those who prefer placing books in the
+hands of young people treating the side of the question that concerns
+them individually. These new books have been prepared to meet this
+demand.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>YOUTH AND ITS PROBLEMS</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:100%;'><i>THE SEX LIFE OF A MAN</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><span class="smcap">By WINFIELD SCOTT HALL, PH.D., M.D.</span></p>
+
+<p>Member Medical Faculty, Northwestern University, Fellow American Academy
+of Medicine, Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science.</p>
+
+<p>To the <i>youth</i> who hopes for vigorous <i>aggressive young manhood</i>; to the
+young man who aspires to virile <i>adult manhood</i> this volume is
+dedicated.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'><b>Cloth&mdash;12mo. 248 pages. Price $1.00 Net</b></p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>GIRLHOOD AND ITS PROBLEMS</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:100%;'><i>THE SEX LIFE OF WOMAN</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><span class="smcap">By WINFIELD SCOTT HALL, PH.D., M.D.</span></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>in co-operation with</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>JEANETTE WINTER HALL</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>Author of Primer on Physiology, etc.</p>
+
+<p>That the <i>young woman</i> may find here an answer to her <i>unexpressed
+questions</i> is the purpose of this book.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'><b>Cloth&mdash;12mo. 210 pages. Price $1.00 Net</b></p>
+
+<p>In the preparation of these two books the object of the author is to
+make it evident to readers that wholesome information clearly and simply
+imparted is a very great help to boys and girls, guiding them unerringly
+along the path of right living, which leads to that goal which all hope
+to reach&mdash;SUCCESS and HAPPINESS.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>The Big Series of Boys' Books for 1918</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>THE BRIGHTON BOYS SERIES</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>By Lieutenant James R. Driscoll</b></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv11.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>An entirely new series of Boys' Books which have their setting in the
+Great War and deal with patriotism, heroism and adventure that should
+make a strong appeal to American boys. The volumes average 250 pages and
+contain four illustrations each.</p>
+
+<p>
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the TRENCHES<br />
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the SUBMARINE FLEET<br />
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the FLYING CORPS<br />
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the RADIO SERVICE<br />
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the BATTLE FLEET<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>12mo. Price per volume, 75 cents</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>Eclipse Series of the Lowest<br />Price Alger Books</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv12.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>This low-priced series of books comprises the most popular stories ever
+written by <b>Horatio Alger, Jr.</b> As compared with other low-priced editions
+it will be found that the books in this series are better printed, on
+better paper, and better bound than similar books in any competing line.
+Each volume is handsomely and durably bound in cloth with new style
+colored-inlay, assorted designs, and stamped in three colors of ink. New
+and attractive colored jackets. 12mo. Cloth. 40 Titles.</p>
+
+<table style='font-weight:bold;' summary='booklist'>
+<tr><td>Adrift in the City</td><td>Luke Walton</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Andy Grant's Pluck</td><td>Only an Irish Boy</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Ben's Nugget</td><td>Paul Prescott's Charge</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Bob Burton</td><td>Paul, the Peddler</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Bound to Rise</td><td>Phil, the Fiddler</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Boy's Fortune, A</td><td>Ragged Dick</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chester Rand</td><td>Rupert's Ambition</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Digging for Gold</td><td>Shifting for Himself</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Do and Dare</td><td>Sink or Swim</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Facing the World</td><td>Strong and Steady</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank and Fearless</td><td>Struggling Upward</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank Hunter's Peril</td><td>Tattered Tom</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Frank's Campaign</td><td>Telegraph Boy, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Helping Himself</td><td>Victor Vane</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Herbert Carter's Legacy&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Wait and Hope</td></tr>
+<tr><td>In a New World</td><td>Walter Sherwood's Probation</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Jack's Ward</td><td>Young Bank Messenger, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Jed, the Poorhouse Boy</td><td>Young Circus Rider</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Lester's Luck</td><td>Young Miner, The</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Luck and Pluck</td><td>Young Salesman, The</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Price per volume, .60 cents</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>Winston's De Luxe Series of Juvenile Classics</p>
+
+<p>This series has been made with a view to cultivating in youthful readers
+a love for the beautiful and best in books. In contents, in
+illustrations and in binding, these books satisfy every requirement, and
+will afford a degree of permanent pleasure far beyond the possibilities
+of ordinary juvenile books. Size of each volume when closed, 7-1/4 x
+9-1/2 inches. Rich cloth binding, stamped in gold, with beautiful
+colored inlay.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><b>Myths and Legends Of All Nations</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'><b>By LOGAN MARSHALL</b></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv13.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A book to win the heart of every child. Famous stories from Greek
+mythology and the legendary literature of Germany, England, Spain,
+Iceland, Scandinavia, Denmark, France, Russia, Bohemia, Servia, Italy
+and Poland&mdash;stories in which children, and men and women, too, have
+delighted through the centuries. They are told in simple, graphic style
+and each one is illustrated with a beautiful color plate. The work has
+considerable educational value, since an understanding of the many
+stories here set forth is necessary to our own literature and
+civilization. 24 full-page color plates. 320 pages.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><b>Tales From Shakespeare</b></p>
+<p style='text-align:center'><b>By CHARLES and MARY LAMB</b></p>
+
+<div class="figright" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv14.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A superb edition of these famous tales has been prepared in similar
+style to "Fairy Tales of All Nations." Each of the twenty tales is
+illustrated with a magnificent color plate by a celebrated artist. It is
+one of the finest books ever published for children, telling them in
+simple language, which is as nearly like that of Shakespeare as
+possible, the stories of the great plays. The subjects for the
+illustrations were posed in costumes of the nation and time in which
+each story is set and are unrivaled in rich color, lively drawing and
+dramatic interest. 320 pages. 20 full-page color plates.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><b>Fairy Tales Of All Nations</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'><b>By LOGAN MARSHALL</b></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style='width:90px'>
+<img src="images/adv15.jpg" alt="" title=""  /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>The most beautiful book of fairy tales ever published. Thirty superb
+colored plates are the most prominent feature of this new, copyrighted
+book. These plates are absolutely new and portray the times and customs
+of the subjects they illustrate. The subjects were posed in costumes of
+the nation and time in which each story is set, and are unrivaled in
+rich color, lively drawing and dramatic interest. The text is original
+and interesting in that the famous fairy tales are taken from the
+folklore and literature of a dozen principal countries, thus giving the
+book its name. Many old favorites and numerous interesting stories from
+far away lands, which most children have never heard, are brought
+together in this charming book. 8vo. 314 pages.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><b>Rhymes Of Happy Childhood</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'><b>By MRS. ANDREW ROSS FILLEBROWN</b></p>
+
+<p>A handsome holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with
+nearly 100 color plates and drawings in black and red. Verses that sing
+the irrepressible joy of children in their home and play life, many that
+touch the heart closely with their mother love, and some not without
+pathos, have been made into a very handsome volume. Gilt top, uncut
+leaves.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>Price per volume, $2.00</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>NEW EDITION OF ALGER'S GREATEST SET OF BOOKS</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>
+<span style='font-size:130%'>&mdash;THE&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style='font-size:160%'>Famous Ragged Dick Series</span><br />
+<span style='font-size:80%'>NEW TYPE-SET PLATES MADE IN 1910</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>In response to a demand for a popular-priced edition of this series of
+books&mdash;the most famous set ever written by <b>Horatio Alger, Jr.</b>&mdash;this
+edition has been prepared.</p>
+
+<p>Each volume is set in large, new type, printed on an excellent quality
+of paper, and bound in uniform style, having an entirely new and
+appropriate cover design, with heavy gold stamp.</p>
+
+<p>As is well known, the books in this series are copyrighted, and
+consequently none of them will be found in any other publisher's list.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>RAGGED DICK SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 6 vols.</p>
+
+<table style='font-weight:bold' summary='booklist'>
+<tr><td>RAGGED DICK</td><td>ROUGH AND READY</td></tr>
+<tr><td>FAME AND FORTUNE</td><td>BEN, THE LUGGAGE BOY</td></tr>
+<tr><td>MARK, THE MATCH BOY&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>RUFUS AND ROSE</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Each set is packed in a handsome box</p>
+<p style='text-align:center'>12mo. Cloth</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Sold only in sets . . . . . Price per set, $6.00. Postpaid</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>RECOMMENDED BY REAR ADMIRAL MELVILLE, WHO<br />
+COMMANDED THREE EXPEDITIONS TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>
+<span style='font-size:130%'>THE</span><br />
+<span style='font-size:160%'>New Popular Science Series</span><br />
+<span style='font-size:80%'>BY PROF. EDWIN J. HOUSTON</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p><b>THE NORTH POLE SERIES.</b> By Prof. Edwin J. Houston. This is an entirely
+new series, which opens a new field in Juvenile Literature. Dr. Houston
+has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of physical and
+scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for them in a way
+that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories the most
+accurate scientific information will be absorbed.</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:5em; font-weight:bold;' >
+THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE<br />
+THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE<br />
+CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Handsomely bound. The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English
+Cloth, and are attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold
+separately or in sets, boxed.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>Price $1.00 per volume. Postpaid</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'><span style='font-size:180%'>GREAT PICTURES</span><br />
+<span style='font-size:120%'>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&nbsp;AS&nbsp;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style='font-size:180%'>MORAL TEACHERS</span></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:130%;'>By HENRY E. JACKSON</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p style='text-align:center'><b>A Recognition of the Value of Pictures in Teaching</b></p>
+
+<p>The author has selected twenty of the world's great pictures and
+sculptures and interpreted the meaning which the artist intended to
+convey.</p>
+
+<p>People are awakening more and more to the value of works of art in
+teaching. They are regaining a truer perspective and saner judgment
+in regard to them. That pictures are of great value in teaching
+certain forms of knowledge is not now questioned; on the contrary,
+it is approved and practiced. In view of this, the need arises for
+careful selection and education of the popular taste. The present
+work is intended to meet this need. The author has chosen his
+subjects with great care and adopted as his interpretation the
+consensus of opinion among great critics.</p></div>
+
+<p>The subject is treated in a manner to interest not only students of
+religious history and movements, but those viewing it from a purely
+artistic standpoint. The work contains twenty fine half-tone engravings
+made from authorized photographs of the original paintings and
+sculptures.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'><b>Price $1.50</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:160%'>The John C. Winston Co., Publishers</p>
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size: 110%'>PHILADELPHIA, PA.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>
+WINSTON'S<br />
+POPULAR FICTION<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Comprising twenty-four books published at $1.25 and $1.50 per volume,
+and until recently sold only in the original editions. Now offered for
+the first time in popular priced editions. All are bound in extra cloth
+with appropriate cover designs, and standard 12mo. in size.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+24 Titles  Price per volume, 75 cents
+</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>BABCOCK (WILLIAM HENRY)&mdash;Kent Fort Manor.</b> A romance in the
+nineteenth century on the Isle of Kent near Baltimore, where in the
+earlier days Puritans, Jesuits, Indians and Sea Rovers came and
+went. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>BARTON (GEORGE)&mdash;Adventures of the World's Greatest Detectives.</b> The
+most famous cases of the great Sleuths of England, America, France,
+Russia, realistically told, with biographical sketches of each
+detective. Fully illustrated. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>BLANKMAN (EDGAR G.)&mdash;Deacon Babbitt.</b> A story of Northern New York
+State, pronounced by some critics superior to "David Harum." 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>CLARK (CHARLES HEBER)&mdash;(Max Adeler)&mdash;The Quakeress.</b> A charming
+story which has had great success in the original edition, and
+listed among the six best selling novels. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>&mdash;Captain Bluitt, A Tale of Old Turley.</b> Humorous fiction in this
+well-known author's happiest style. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>&mdash;Out of the Hurly Burly, or Life in an Odd Corner.</b> A delightfully
+entertaining piece of humor, with numerous illustrations, including
+the original work by A. B. Frost, and other illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>&mdash;In Happy Hollow.</b> The amusing story of how A. J. Pelican boomed
+the little town of Happy Hollow. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>EDWARDS (LOUISE BETTS)&mdash;The Tu Tze's Tower.</b> One of the best novels
+of Chinese and Tibetan Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>GERARD (DOROTHEA)&mdash;Sawdust, A Polish Romance.</b> The scene of this
+readable tale the Carpathian Timberlands in Poland. The author is a
+favorite English writer. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>GIBBS (GEORGE)&mdash;In Search of Mademoiselle.</b> The struggle between the
+Spanish and French Colonists in Florida furnish an interesting
+historical background for this stirring story. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>GOLDSMITH (MILTON)&mdash;A Victim of Conscience.</b> A mental struggle
+between Judaism and Christianity of a Jew who thinks he is guilty
+of a crime, makes a dramatic plot. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>ILIOWIZI (HENRY)&mdash;The Archierey of Samara.</b> A semi-historic romance
+of Russian Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>WINSTON'S POPULAR FICTION</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>ILIOWIZI (HENRY)</b> <b>&mdash;In the Pale.</b> Stories and Legends of Jews in
+Russia. Containing "Czar Nicholas I and Sir Moses Montefiore," "The
+Czar in Rothschild's Castle," and "The Legend of the Ten Lost
+Tribes," and other tales. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>MOORE (JOHN TROTWOOD)&mdash;The Bishop of Cottontown.</b> One of the best
+selling novels published in recent years and now for the first time
+sold at a popular price. An absorbing story of Southern life in a
+Cotton Mill town, intense with passion, pathos and humor. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents</p>
+
+<p><b>&mdash;A Summer Hymnal.</b> A Tennessee romance. One of the prettiest love
+stories ever written. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p>
+
+<p><b>&mdash;Ole Mistis,</b> and other Songs and Stories from Tennessee. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>NORRIS (W. E.)&mdash;An Embarrasing Orphan.</b> The orphaned daughter of a
+wealthy African mine owner, causes her staid English Guardian no
+end of anxiety. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>PEMBERTON (MAX)&mdash;The Show Girl.</b> A new novel, by the author of many
+popular stories, describing the adventures of a young art student
+in Paris and elsewhere. It is thought to be the most entertaining
+book written by this author. 12mo. Cloth, Illustrated 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>PENDLETON (LOUIS)&mdash;A Forest Drama.</b> A Tale of the Canadian wilds of
+unusual strength. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>PETERSON (HENRY)&mdash;Dulcibel.</b> A Tale of Old Salem in the Witchcraft
+days, with a charming love story: historically an informing book.
+12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p>
+
+<p><b>&mdash;Pemberton, or One Hundred Years Ago.</b> Washington, Andre, Arnold
+and other prominent figures of the Revolution take part in the
+story, which is probably the best historical romance of
+Philadelphia. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><b>STODDARD (ELIZABETH)&mdash;(Mrs. Richard Henry Stoddard).&mdash;Two Men.</b>
+"Jason began life in Crest with ten dollars, two suits of cloths,
+several shirts, two books, a pin cushion and the temperance
+lecture." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p>
+
+<p><b>&mdash;Temple House.</b> A powerful story of life in a little seaport
+town&mdash;romantic and often impassioned. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p>
+
+<p><b>&mdash;The Morgesons.</b> This was the first of Mrs. Stoddard's Novels, and
+Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to the author:&mdash;"As genuine and life-like
+as anything that pen and ink can do." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents</p></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>
+NOTABLE NOVELS <i>and</i><br />
+GIFT BOOKS OF VERSE</p>
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>
+<i>BY</i> JOHN TROTWOOD MOORE<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:140%;'><b>JACK BALLINGTON, FORESTER</b></p>
+
+<p>The story concerns the fortunes of Jack Ballington, who, on account of
+his apparent lack of fighting qualities, seems to be in danger of losing
+his material heritage and the girl he loves, but in the stirring crisis
+he measures up to the traditions of his forefathers.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Will captivate by its humor, set all the heart strings to
+vibrating by its pathos, flood one's being in the great surge of
+patriotism ... a story that vastly enriches American
+fiction."&mdash;<i>Albany Times-Union.</i></p></div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+12mo. Cloth. 341 pages<br />
+<br />
+Price $1.20 Net. Postage 13 cents<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:140%;'><b>THE BISHOP OF COTTONTOWN</b></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>A STORY OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY</p>
+
+<p>Love, pathos and real humor run through the book In delightful measure.
+Over all is shed the light of the "Old Bishop," endearing himself to
+every reader by his gentleness, his strength and his uncynical knowledge
+of the world which he finds so good to live in. 31 editions have already
+been sold.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+12mo. Cloth. 606 pages<br />
+<br />
+Price $1.50 Postpaid<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:140%;'><b>UNCLE WASH: HIS STORIES</b></p>
+
+<p>A book of stories centering about the character of "Uncle Wash," which
+even in the brief time since its publication has achieved a large and
+notable success among all classes of readers. Many editions have already
+been sold.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the few great books."&mdash;<i>Rochester Union and Advertiser.</i></p>
+
+<p>"A mine of humor and pathos."&mdash;<i>Omaha World-Herald.</i></p></div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+12mo. Cloth. 329 pages<br />
+<br />
+Price $1.50 Postpaid<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:140%;'><b>A SUMMER HYMNAL</b></p>
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>A ROMANCE OF TENNESSEE</p>
+
+<p>The story of Edward Ballington and his love affairs with two delightful
+girls in charming contrast, forms the plot of this captivating love
+story, On the threads of this narrative is woven the story of a blind
+man who meets the catastrophe of sudden darkness in a spirit of bravery,
+sweetness and resignation which commands the love and respect of every
+reader.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+12mo. Cloth. 332 paces<br />
+<br />
+Price $1.25 Postpaid<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>SONGS AND STORIES FROM TENNESSEE</b></p>
+
+<p>In truth. Mr. Moore, in this collection of songs and stories of Dixie
+Land, has created a work that will live long in the traditions of the
+South and longer in the hearts of his readers. One has only to read "Ole
+Mistis," the first story in this collection, to feel the power of Mr.
+Moore's genius. It is at once the finest story of a horse race ever
+written, a powerful love story and most touchingly pathetic narrative of
+the faith and devotion of a little slave.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+12mo. Cloth. 358 pages<br />
+<br />
+Price $1.25 Postpaid<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'><b>THE OLD COTTON GIN</b></p>
+
+<p>The "Old Cotton Gin" breathes the passionate patriotism of the South,
+her dearest sentiments, her pathos and regrets, her splendid progress
+and her triumphant future. This poem is a popular favorite throughout
+the South, and has been adopted officially in some states. The author is
+one of her truest sons. All the pages of the book are decorated with
+original drawings, including seven exceedingly fine full-page
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>
+Bound in Imported Silk Cloth. Size 6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches<br />
+<br />
+Price $1.00 Net. Postage 10 cents<br />
+</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>
+ALL OF THE ABOVE BOOKS ARE HANDSOMELY<br />
+ILLUSTRATED BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:180%;'>
+MISCELLANEOUS<br />
+JUVENILE BOOKS</p>
+
+<p>BANGS (JOHN KENDRICK)&mdash;Andiron Tales. The story of a Little
+Boy's Dream&mdash;his wonderful adventures in the Clouds&mdash;written in
+Mr. Bangs' happiest vein, and handsomely illustrated with colored
+drawings by Dwiggins. Octavo. Cloth $1.25</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;Molly and the Unwiseman. A Humorous Story for Children.
+12mo. Cloth $1.25</p>
+
+<p>BUTTERWORTH (HEZEKIAH)&mdash;A Heroine of the Wilderness.
+A Girl's Book telling the romance of the mother of Lincoln. 12mo.
+Cloth $1.00</p>
+
+<p>DIMMICK (RUTH CROSBY)&mdash;The Bogie Man. The story in verse
+of a little boy who met the Bogie Man, and had many surprising
+adventures with him; and found him not such a bad fellow after
+all. 34 Drawings. 72 pages. Octavo. Boards with colored
+cover $0.65</p>
+
+<p>FILLEBROWN (R. H. M.)&mdash;Rhymes of Happy Childhood. A handsome
+holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with
+color plates, and drawings in black and red. Colored inlay, gilt
+top. New Edition 1911. Flat 8vo. Cloth $2.00</p>
+
+<p>HOFFMAN (DR. HENRY)&mdash;Slovenly Peter. Original Edition. This
+celebrated work has amused children probably more than any other
+juvenile book. It contains the quaint hand colored pictures, and is
+printed on extra quality of paper and durably bound. Quarto.
+Cloth $1.00</p>
+
+<p>HUGHES (THOMAS)&mdash;Tom Brown's School-days at Rugby. New
+edition with 22 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth $1.00</p>
+
+<p>LAMB (CHARLES AND MARY)&mdash;Tales from Shakespeare. Edited
+with an introduction by The Rev. Alfred Ainger, M.A. New
+Edition with 20 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth $1.00</p>
+
+<p>MOTHER'S PRIMER. Printed from large clear type, contains alphabet
+and edifying and entertaining stories for children. 12mo.
+Paper covers Per dozen $0.50</p>
+
+<p>TANNENFORST (URSULA)&mdash;Heroines of a School-Room. A
+sequel to The Thistles of Mount Cedar. An interesting story of
+interesting girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth   $1.25</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;The Thistles of Mount Cedar. A story of a Girls' Fraternity.
+A well-told story for Girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth  $1.25</p>
+
+<p>TAYLOR (JANE)&mdash;Original Poems for Infant Minds. 16mo.
+Cloth $1.00</p>
+
+<p>WOOD (REV. J. G.)&mdash;Popular Natural History. The most popular
+book on Birds, Beasts and Reptiles ever written. Fully illustrated.
+8vo. Cloth $1.00</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:140%;'>CHARLES ASBURY STEPHENS</p>
+
+<p>This author wrote his "Camping Out Series" at the very height of his
+mental and physical powers.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"We do not wonder at the popularity of these books; there is a
+freshness and variety about them, and am enthusiasm in the
+description of sport and adventure, which even the older folk can
+hardly fail to share."&mdash;<i>Worcester Spy.</i></p>
+
+<p>"The author of the Camping Out Series is entitled to rank as
+decidedly at the head of what may be called boys'
+literature."&mdash;<i>Buffalo Courier.</i></p></div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:120%;'>CAMPING OUT SERIES</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:100%;'>By C. A. STEPHENS</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>All books in this series are 12mo., with eight full-page illustrations.
+Cloth, extra, 75 cents.</p>
+
+<p><b>Camping Out.</b> As Recorded by "Kit."</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"This book is bright, breezy, wholesome, instructive, and stands
+above the ordinary boys' books of the day by a whole head and
+shoulders."&mdash;<i>The Christian Register</i>, Boston.</p></div>
+
+<p><b>Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew."</b> As
+Recorded by "Wash."</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"The perils of the voyagers, the narrow escapes, their strange
+expedients, and the fun and jollity when danger had passed, will
+make boys even unconscious of hunger."&mdash;<i>New Bedford Mercury.</i></p></div>
+
+<p><b>Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland</b>. As Recorded by
+"Wade."</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is difficult to believe that Wade and Raed and Kit and Wash
+were not live boys, sailing up Hudson Straits, and reigning
+temporarily over an Esquimaux tribe."&mdash;<i>The Independent</i>, New York.</p></div>
+
+<p><b>Lynx Hunting</b>. From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Of <i>first quality</i> as a boys' book, and fit to take its place
+beside the best."&mdash;<i>Richmond Enquirer.</i></p></div>
+
+<p><b>Fox Hunting</b>. As Recorded by "Raed."</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"The most spirited and entertaining book that has as yet appeared.
+It overflows with incident, and is characterized by dash and
+brilliancy throughout."&mdash;<i>Boston Gazette.</i></p></div>
+
+<p><b> On the Amazon; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler."</b> As Recorded by "Wash."</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Gives vivid pictures of Brazilian adventure and
+scenery."&mdash;<i>Buffalo Courier.</i></p></div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>Sent Postpaid on Receipt of Price</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'><span style="font-size:1.5em">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., <i>Publishers</i></span><br />
+WINSTON BUILDING<span style='letter-spacing:9em'>&nbsp;</span>PHILADELPHIA</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO SERVICE***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 22079-h.txt or 22079-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/7/22079">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/0/7/22079</a></p>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service, by
+James R. Driscoll
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service
+
+
+Author: James R. Driscoll
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 15, 2007  [eBook #22079]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO
+SERVICE***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 22079-h.htm or 22079-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/7/22079/22079-h/22079-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/7/22079/22079-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO SERVICE
+
+by
+
+LIEUTENANT JAMES R. DRISCOLL
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "At Least Ten Thousand of Them," He Announced.]
+
+
+
+The John C. Winston Company
+Philadelphia
+
+Copyright, 1918, by
+John C. Winston Company
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                                      PAGE
+
+I.     "FOR UNCLE SAM"                                          9
+II.    INTO THE SERVICE--A SPY                                 21
+III.   UNEXPECTED ACTION                                       34
+IV.    FAREWELL, UNITED STATES                                 43
+V.     THE FIGHT IN THE WIRELESS ROOM                          54
+VI.    THE MYSTERY OF THE IRON CROSS                           67
+VII.   THE TIMELY RESCUE                                       77
+VIII.  THE DEATH OF THE SPY                                    88
+IX.    THE PERISCOPE AT DAWN                                  101
+X.     FRANCE AT LAST                                         110
+XI.    TAPPING THE ENEMY'S WIRE                               118
+XII.   THE S O S WITH PISTOL SHOTS                            131
+XIII.  THE CAVE OF DEATH                                      140
+XIV.   DESPERATE MEASURES                                     153
+XV.    THE SURPRISE ATTACK--PROMOTION                         164
+XVI.   A TIGHT PLACE                                          176
+XVII.  THE LIEUTENANT'S INVENTION                             191
+XVIII. SLIM GOODWIN A PRISONER                                200
+XIX.   TURNING THE TABLES                                     211
+XX.    THE GREAT NEWS                                         221
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"At Least Ten Thousand of Them," He Announced        Frontispiece
+
+                                                             PAGE
+
+There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling
+about the Room                                                 66
+
+They had Accidentally Discovered an Enemy
+Wire and had Tapped It                                        130
+
+Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through                   168
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+"FOR UNCLE SAM"
+
+
+"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their----"
+
+It was that old practice sentence of typists, which is as old as are
+typewriting machines, and Joe Harned, seated before the told-style,
+noisy, but still capable machine in Philip Burton's telegraph office,
+had rattled it off twenty-five times and was on his twenty-sixth when
+suddenly, very suddenly, his mind began to work.
+
+Or rather it might be said that an idea, the _big idea_, danced
+unceremoniously into his brain, and, beginning to take definite and
+concrete form, chased a score of other smaller ideas through all the
+thought-channels of his handsome, boyish, well-rounded head.
+
+He came to a full stop and gazed steadily at the upturned paper in the
+typewriter in front of him. Twenty-fives times he had written that
+sentence, and twenty-five times with mechanical precision and true
+adherence to time-honored custom he had finished it by tapping off the
+word "party."
+
+It was a formula of words which some genius had devised for the
+fingering practice it gave one on the keyboard, and Joe Harned had
+written it hundreds of times before, just as thousands of others had
+done, without giving a thought to its meaning, or the significance that
+the substitution of a single word would give it.
+
+He read it again, and as if it were the result of an uncontrollable
+impulse, his fingers began the rapid tap-tap-tap. And this time he
+substituted the new word that the _big idea_ had suddenly thrust into
+his mind.
+
+Joe gave the roller a twirl, the paper rolled out, dropped to the floor,
+and he grasped for it eagerly.
+
+Even Joe was surprised. He hadn't realized that in his enthusiastic
+haste he had pushed down the key marked "caps."
+
+In bold, outstanding letters near the bottom of the sheet was an
+historic sentence, and Joe Harned--Harned, of Brighton Academy--had
+devised it.
+
+"NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY!"
+
+Joe gazed at it again for a moment, and then let his eyes travel across
+the little office to where red-headed, freckle-faced, big-hearted and
+impetuous Jerry Macklin was rapping away at another typewriter, and, two
+feet away from Jerry, "Slim" Goodwin, "one-hundred-and-seventy pounds in
+his stockinged feet, and five-feet-four in his gym suit," was working
+the telegraph key with a pudgy hand.
+
+"Jerry!" he called. "Oh, Slim! Come over here a moment, both of you. I
+want to show you something."
+
+Jerry immediately ceased typewriting, but Slim was reluctant to release
+the telegraph key. However, as Joe began folding the paper in such a way
+that only the last sentence showed, their aroused curiosity brought both
+of them to his side.
+
+"Read that," said Joe, trying to suppress the quiver in his voice, and
+holding the paper up before them. "Read it carefully."
+
+One lad on either side of him, they hung over Joe's shoulder and
+followed his bidding.
+
+"Right!" shouted Jerry, as he came to the last word. "Joe, you're a
+wizard, and what you've written there is the truth."
+
+"Ain't it--I mean isn't it?" added the delicate Slim Goodwin, and,
+partly to hide his grammatical error, but mostly to express his
+enthusiasm, he gave Joe a one-hundred-and-seventy-pound whack on the
+back that sent him sliding out of the chair and half way under the
+typewriter table.
+
+"Say!" Joe remonstrated. But just then Philip Burton, telegraph operator
+and genial good friend of all three of the lads, bustled into the room,
+a sheaf of yellow telegrams in his hand.
+
+"What's all the excitement?" he asked, striding toward the typewriter
+just left by Jerry.
+
+"Why," explained Slim, "Joe's just done something that means something."
+
+"Impossible," said Mr. Burton, turning toward them with one of those
+irresistible smiles which long ago had made him the boys' confidant.
+
+"If you don't believe it, read this," commanded Jerry, thrusting the
+paper before the telegrapher's eyes.
+
+Mr. Burton read it through and then turned to the three boys again.
+"Well?" he asked.
+
+"It means what it says," explained Jerry. "Now is the time for all good
+men to come to the aid of their country."
+
+"And we're 'good men,' ain't--aren't we?" demanded Slim, drawing in his
+stomach and throwing out his chest as he straightened up to his full
+five-feet-four-inches "in his gym suit."
+
+"None better anywhere," said Mr. Burton in a tone that showed he meant
+it. "But just how do you contemplate going to the aid of your country?"
+
+It was Joe's turn to say something, and he did. "By enlisting," he
+announced, briefly but firmly.
+
+"Yes," agreed Slim, "that's it, by enlisting."
+
+"Uh-huh," said Jerry, nodding his head vigorously and watching Mr.
+Burton's face for evidence of the effect of their decision.
+
+"And when did you determine upon that?" the telegrapher asked, with
+increasing interest.
+
+"Well," said Slim, his face now painfully red from his efforts to keep
+chest out and stomach in, "it was finally decided upon just now,
+although we have talked about the thing in a general way many times."
+
+"You really mean to enlist--all three of you?" Mr. Burton demanded.
+
+"Yes, sir," they chorused, "all three."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed the man who had been their friend and helper. "Fine!
+I'm proud of you," and he proceeded to shake hands heartily with each in
+turn.
+
+"Have you decided upon the branch of the service you intend to enter?"
+he then asked.
+
+Joe looked at Jerry, Jerry looked at Slim, and Slim cast a helpless
+glance back at Joe.
+
+"I see you haven't," said Mr. Burton hastily, "and I'm glad of it. Now
+how about the Signal Corps?"
+
+"What do men in the Signal Corps do?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Do they fight?" demanded Slim.
+
+"Yes," Mr. Burton replied, "they do some fighting on their own account,
+and often in tough places and against discouraging odds. But they do
+even more than that. Without their assistance no general would dare lay
+plans for a battle. The Signal Corps keeps the commanders posted, not
+only as to the whereabouts and disposition of his own troops, but also
+of those of the enemy. The Signal Corps is the telephone, the telegraph,
+the wireless, and often the aviation section as well, of the American
+army, and often of the American navy, too."
+
+"Isn't that great?" exclaimed the breathless Slim, as Mr. Burton went
+over to the ticker to answer the code call for his station.
+
+During the ten minutes that he was engaged in receiving and sending
+messages, the boys perfected plans for notifying their relatives of
+their intention. Had their attention not been so entirely taken by the
+subject under discussion they would have seen Herbert Wallace--another
+and very unpopular student at Brighton--pass by the office window, stop
+for a moment to stare at them, and then step away quickly in the
+direction of the door, near which they were standing.
+
+"Well, what's the verdict?" asked Mr. Burton, having finished his
+duties.
+
+"The Signal Corps is our choice," said Joe, speaking for all, "but how
+do we go about getting into it?"
+
+"I think I can arrange that," Mr. Burton informed them. "You boys have
+been studying telegraphy under me for more than six months, and I'm
+willing to certify that each of you can now handle an instrument. In
+addition to that, you are able to take down messages on the typewriter
+as they come over the wire. Yes, sir," Mr. Burton finished, "I think
+your Uncle Sam will be mighty glad to get three such lads as you, and I
+know the recruiting agent to put the thing through."
+
+So it was arranged that the three lads should return to the dormitory,
+write the letters which were to procure them the desired permission to
+enlist, and then inform the headmaster of their intentions.
+
+Joe and Jerry, who had roomed together throughout their entire three
+years at Brighton, already were well on with their epistles of
+explanation when Slim, whose room was seven doors down the corridor,
+dragged himself in, looking more downcast than any boy in Brighton ever
+had seen him look before.
+
+"No use," he informed his two friends, a choke in his voice. "They won't
+have me. I'm overweight."
+
+"Oh, now, Slim, what are you worrying about that for? I don't believe
+any such thing," counseled Joe.
+
+"It's true, though," affirmed Slim. "That's the worst part of it; I saw
+it in the book. I'm toting around about twenty pounds more than the
+government wants, and I'd have to stand on tiptoe in high-heel shoes to
+meet the requirement in height."
+
+Poor Slim! He showed his disappointment in every look and every action.
+
+"What kind of a book did you see it in?" asked Jerry, in a tone almost
+as sad as Slim's.
+
+"In the manual," Slim groaned. "Herb Wallace showed it to me."
+
+"That settles it," exclaimed Joe. "If Herb Wallace had a hand in it
+anywhere there's something wrong. I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows.
+We'll go and ask the headmaster."
+
+Now the headmaster of Brighton had once been a boy himself. He could be
+stern, even cruelly severe, when occasion demanded, but he was kind of
+heart and broad of understanding.
+
+Before him the three lads laid their case, as before the final tribunal.
+
+"H'm," said he, when all the details had been related and the
+all-important information asked. "You say Herbert Wallace showed you
+this in a manual?"
+
+Slim solemnly affirmed that that was the case.
+
+The headmaster pushed a button on the side of his desk and in a few
+seconds his secretary, a big, bluff fellow, appeared.
+
+"Bring Herbert Wallace here at once," said the headmaster. And in five
+more minutes, while the headmaster was shrewdly questioning the three
+lads as to the seriousness of their determination to enlist, the
+secretary returned, accompanied by young Wallace, flushed and
+shamefaced.
+
+"Well, Wallace," said the principal of Brighton, "I hear you've been
+studying up on military subjects. Intending to get into the fight?"
+
+Herbert Wallace hung his head and muttered an unintelligible reply.
+
+"Now look here, Wallace," spoke the headmaster sternly, "where did you
+get the military manual from which you gave Goodwin the information that
+he could not pass the examination for the army?"
+
+"I--I got it from the library, sir."
+
+"Got it without permission, too, didn't you?" pursued the headmaster.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Wallace, in confusion.
+
+"And didn't know that it was out of date, and that the requirements were
+completely changed after the United States entered this war, eh?"
+
+"No, sir," answered Wallace, on the verge of a breakdown.
+
+"I'll decide upon your punishment later," announced the headmaster.
+"See me here at four o'clock. Meanwhile, Wallace, be careful where you
+get information, and be careful how you dispense it."
+
+And Herbert Wallace, utterly humiliated, was glad to flee from the room.
+
+"I don't think," said the headmaster, "that any of you will have
+difficulty passing the examinations. I dislike to see you go, but you
+speak the truth when you say that your country does need you, and I pay
+a great tribute of respect to you for the patriotism and courage with
+which you step forth to shoulder your obligations. Others already have
+gone from Brighton. Still others will go in the future. God bless all of
+you, and may you return safe and sound to reap the full benefits of the
+democracy for which you are going to fight."
+
+The suspicion of tears dimmed the kindly eyes of the headmaster, and
+each boy choked up as he bade him good-by.
+
+But, after all, this was no time for sadness. Young gladiators were
+going forth to the fray. And so we will skip over the farewells the
+following day, in which the parents of each lad, with many a heartache
+but never a word of discouragement, bade the boys Godspeed in the
+service of their country.
+
+The three lads, together with fifteen others, formed a detachment of the
+recently enlisted who were to go to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for
+further assignment. Just before the train pulled out a students' parade
+that seemed to include every boy in Brighton marched to the station to
+see them off.
+
+One of the lads carried a large transparency on which was printed:
+
+               "THEY BRIGHTEN THE FAME OF BRIGHTON"
+
+And just as the train pulled out, and there was great cheering and
+waving of hats and handkerchiefs, Joe, Jerry and Slim, leaning from
+adjoining windows, sang out in chorus:
+
+"For Uncle Sam."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+INTO THE SERVICE--A SPY
+
+
+A brilliant October morning was just breaking when a final bump of the
+train ended the none too musical snoring of Slim Goodwin and he came to
+a sitting posture, his first yawn almost instantly to give way to an
+exclamation of surprise.
+
+It was strange scenery he was gazing upon, and for the moment he had
+forgotten where he was. The grinning faces of Joe and Jerry, whom he had
+awakened half an hour before with his sawmill sleeping serenade, brought
+him to a realization of his surroundings.
+
+"Where are we?" he asked, now fully awake.
+
+"I imagine it's Philadelphia," answered Joe, "although I've never been
+there."
+
+"Well, let's climb out and see," was a suggestion from Jerry which found
+ready response in the other two; and a moment later, while half the
+passengers were still asleep, they were investigating the mysteries of
+Washington Avenue, near Broad Street, in the Quaker City.
+
+Strings of freight cars were stretched out on the sidings, and either
+side of the railroad yard was flanked by large manufacturing buildings,
+which already were showing preliminary signs of industrial activity.
+
+"You are enlisted men, sirs?" queried a deep voice just behind them, and
+all three turned, somewhat startled to find they were not alone.
+
+They faced a young giant of a fellow, who wore the khaki uniform of
+Uncle Sam, with a sergeant's stripes upon his sleeve. He was unable
+wholly to suppress a smile as Slim came to a difficult and not entirely
+regulation salute.
+
+"We are," answered Joe. "We just stepped off that train to get a breath
+of fresh air and to learn where we were."
+
+"No harm done," the sergeant responded in a friendly tone. "You are in
+Philadelphia, and the only restriction upon you now is that you are not
+to stroll too far away. We leave here in a short while for the navy
+yard, where mess will be served."
+
+"Mess? That's breakfast, ain't--isn't it?" asked Slim anxiously.
+
+"Yes," the sergeant replied, "and a good one, too."
+
+Each boy touched his cap respectfully as the non-commissioned officer
+turned to return to the train.
+
+"Hope we have sausage," said Jerry in an undertone; "but I'm hungry
+enough to eat anything they give me."
+
+"Same with me," Slim added in melancholy tones; "but I guess I'll have
+to diet some until I'm sure, certain, and solidified in the service."
+
+At that instant the shrill blast of a whistle brought their attention
+back to the train, where the sergeant was signaling them to return.
+Three automobiles had arrived, and into these our three friends and the
+other fifteen recently enlisted men climbed, for the trip to League
+Island, where is located one of the Nation's largest and most important
+navy yards.
+
+Down wide, asphalted Broad Street the party sped, past solid rows of
+handsome dwellings, and then across the stretch of beautiful park that
+was once a mosquito-ridden marshland, and to the gates of the navy yard.
+
+Here the detachment of marines on guard gave the boys their first close
+association with the spirit of war. As they swung through the gates a
+virtual wonderland of the machinery of sea battles greeted their
+eyes--powerful battleships, lithe and speedy cruisers, spider-like
+destroyers, tremendous colliers capable of carrying thousands of tons of
+coal to the fleets at sea, and in the distance a transport, waiting to
+take on its human freight of Uncle Sam's fighters for foreign
+battlefields.
+
+On the parade ground several companies of marines were going through
+maneuvers, while on every ship bluejackets were engaged in various
+tasks, and activities were in full sway in the many large manufacturing
+buildings at the lower end of the yard, near the waterfront.
+
+It was a scene to inspire the lads with a full appreciation of the great
+military and naval service of which they were to become a part, and in
+their patriotic enthusiasm they forgot even their healthy young
+appetites.
+
+Mess was in one of the big barracks, where they mingled with hundreds of
+others, some of whom were raw rookies like themselves, others of longer
+experience, and some of previous service in Haiti and elsewhere.
+
+The big sergeant, whose name they learned was Martin, brought the
+entire eighteen together immediately after the meal, and they joined a
+score of others who had arrived a few days before. All were then marched
+to another building, where their instructions began, and they were
+informed that before night they would be uniformed.
+
+This was welcome information, indeed. To get into the uniform of Uncle
+Sam! Every young man in the group breathed a little deeper and drew
+himself up a little straighter at the thought.
+
+We will not trace Joe, Jerry and Slim through their initial instruction,
+for it had lasted less than an hour, when an orderly hastily entered the
+room, saluted the officer who was acting as instructor, and then talked
+to him for a moment in an undertone.
+
+The officer's countenance underwent a curious change. Finally he turned
+toward the youths before him.
+
+"Are there any men here who are already telegraphers?" he asked.
+
+Instantly Joe, Jerry, and two others arose, while Slim tried to, but had
+great difficulty getting himself out of the small, school-child's sort
+of desk at which he was seated. Finally he managed it by sliding out
+sidewise, the way he had entered, instead of attempting a direct upward
+rise.
+
+"How many of you can use the international code?" the officer continued.
+
+Thanks to good old Burton, Joe, Jerry and Slim were as familiar with
+that as they were with the Morse American code. The other two men
+resumed their seats. Sergeant Martin had entered the room. Apparently he
+was not at all displeased to find the three polite young men whom he had
+addressed earlier in the day, now able to show greater capabilities than
+the other men in the detachment.
+
+"You are excused from further instruction here at this time," the
+officer announced to the trio. "You will accompany Sergeant Martin for
+further orders."
+
+And they hurried from the room with the non-com., who they instinctively
+knew was their friend.
+
+What was this new experience that lay before them? They were not long in
+learning, and the information almost carried them beyond the restraints
+of good discipline and to the indulgence in three ripping good cheers.
+
+Sergeant Martin could be a hard taskmaster when it was necessary to be
+so, but, like the headmaster of Brighton, he did not believe in needless
+red tape, nor did he delude himself that the stripes upon his sleeve
+made him a better man--except in official authority--than the one who
+wore none at all. He realized the curiosity that must be consuming the
+three lads, and he was not averse to satisfying it.
+
+"Selected for service aboard a transport bound for Europe," he announced
+briefly.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Joe, not entirely able to control the happiness
+in his voice, while Slim's excess stomach almost entirely disappeared in
+the abnormal expansion of his chest. Jerry could find no other dignified
+way of expressing his great pleasure than by quietly poking Slim under
+the ribs, to the entire undoing of that young man's military attitude.
+
+"Do we go at once, sir?" inquired Joe deferentially.
+
+"Probably to-morrow evening," said Sergeant Martin, as they arrived at
+the building housing the captain and staff in charge of men of the
+Signal Corps then stationed at the navy yard.
+
+It was the busiest office the three boys had ever seen. Typewriters
+were clicking, telegraph instruments were at work, orderlies were
+hurrying about, and every man in the place was engrossed in his own
+particular task.
+
+Sergeant Martin guided them to an inner office. Here they confronted an
+austere gentleman whose uniform denoted that he was a captain, and whose
+whole bearing bespoke military service.
+
+The three boys were dumbfounded to learn that he already had their names
+on a card before him. They were getting a new idea of the efficiency of
+Uncle Sam's service.
+
+The captain made numerous notes as he questioned them about their
+experience, general knowledge, and extent of their education. He eyed
+Slim shrewdly as he inquired whether they thought they might be subject
+to seasickness.
+
+"Young men," he said abruptly, "this country is engaged in the greatest
+war in all history. Considering your youth and present lack of
+experience, yours is to be a part of great responsibility. You look like
+capable and courageous young Americans, and I believe you are. I have
+confidence that you will bear your share of the burdens of war with
+credit to yourselves and glory to your country. With one other man of
+more experience, you will be placed in charge of the wireless and other
+signal apparatus aboard the transport _Everett_, leaving within
+thirty-six hours. Sergeant Martin will now aid you in procuring your
+uniforms."
+
+The three boys came to full military salute, the captain returned it,
+they swung upon their heels like seasoned soldiers and departed behind
+their friend, the young giant of a sergeant.
+
+An hour later, fully uniformed, they were taken to the _Everett_ and
+down into the wonders of the transport's wireless room, where they were
+introduced to Second Lieutenant Gerald Mackinson, who was to be their
+superior officer on the perilous trip.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson was a square-jawed young fellow with keen eyes,
+bushy hair and a good breadth of shoulders. He had been an electrical
+engineer prior to entering the service, and had gained his promotion
+three months before strictly upon his merit and knowledge, which were
+the qualities he demanded in others. He already had been "across" three
+times, and he knew the many problems and dangers that would confront
+them.
+
+Satisfied by his questioning that the three young men who were to
+accompany him "had the stuff in them," Lieutenant Mackinson then began
+instructing them in the elementaries of the radio.
+
+It seemed, though, that that day was destined to be one of
+interruptions, but not, however, of the sort to be of disadvantage to
+the three boys from Brighton. For, just as the sudden ending of their
+instructions in class in the morning had led to their assignment to a
+transport, to start overseas within thirty-six hours, so the call now
+which required Lieutenant Mackinson's presence elsewhere, indirectly led
+to a new and thrilling experience for the lads.
+
+"I am ordered to report to aid in the repairs to the wireless of another
+vessel," said the lieutenant, after perusing the order that a private
+had brought to him. "It will require until late to-night to finish.
+Inasmuch as this is probably the last night that you lads will spend on
+land for some time, you might as well see a little of the city, if you
+care to, but be sure that you are within the gates of the yard before
+ten o'clock."
+
+He then gave each of the boys a pass, and told them to be aboard the
+_Everett_ not later than half-past ten o'clock, and departed for the
+special work to which he had been called.
+
+"Wouldn't you like to be a lieutenant, though?" exclaimed Joe
+enthusiastically. "Just imagine being called from ship to ship to help
+them out of their difficulties."
+
+And, discussing their aspirations and what the future held for them, the
+three young men from Brighton went to mess, afterward brushed their
+brand-new uniforms of the last possible speck of dust, and left the navy
+yard for a stroll through the southern section of the city founded by
+William Penn.
+
+How far they walked none of them knew. They had turned many corners, and
+their conversation had covered a wide field--always, however, turning
+upon some military subject--when a church clock tolled out nine times.
+
+"I think we had better return," said Slim, who was beginning to tire
+under the long day's strain and excitement.
+
+"Yes," agreed Jerry, "but which way do we go?"
+
+They were, in truth, lost. Uniformed as they were, they were ashamed to
+ask directions, and finally agreed that Joe was right in indicating that
+they should walk straight southward.
+
+Twelve blocks southward they walked, and the damp, marshy atmosphere
+assured them that they were nearing the river, but their only hope now,
+as they plodded across desolate and deserted dumps, and even invaded a
+truck patch or two, was that they would strike a road that led around to
+the navy yard entrance.
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed Jerry in a hoarse whisper, grasping a boy on
+either side of him by the arm. "Did you hear?"
+
+"I thought I heard something," averred Slim, also lowering his voice.
+"What did it sound like to you?"
+
+"We are almost upon the river bank," said Joe. "It was someone rowing,
+but it sounded to me as though they were using muffled oars."
+
+While the boys stopped to listen, the rowing began again, very slowly,
+very cautiously, and then there was a muffled splash.
+
+At the same instant a great flashlight to the south began playing first
+upon the sky, and then, in a slow arc, down the river and then inland
+toward themselves.
+
+Although they did not come quite within its radius, the boat they had
+heard was between them and the light! It was a row boat, evidently
+heavily laden, for it rode low in the water, and it was occupied by one
+man, who was crouching in the bottom as though to avoid discovery!
+
+Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the searchlight was obscured, and
+the blackness of the night was more intense by contrast.
+
+"That light was at the navy yard," said Joe, beginning to peel off his
+coat. "Jerry, you're a fast runner. By heading straight in the way I'm
+looking you ought to be able to get to the yard in ten minutes. Do it as
+quickly as you can. Slim will stay here."
+
+By this time Joe had stripped off his shirt and preparing to unlace his
+shoes.
+
+"And you," blurted Jerry and Slim, almost at the same instant, but still
+in guarded tones, "what are you going to do?"
+
+"I'm as safe as a duck in the water, and almost as noiseless," responded
+Joe calmly. "I'm going to swim out and see what is going on. That man
+out there is a spy!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+UNEXPECTED ACTION
+
+
+If red-headed, freckle-faced Jerry Macklin, star sprinter of Brighton,
+ever ran in his life he ran that night. Down across the uneven,
+hill-dotted dumps he tore at a speed that would have put his school
+records to shame. Three times he fell, but each time on the instant he
+was up and off again, without even a thought as to whether or not he had
+injured himself.
+
+And all the time he kept repeating in his mind, "There's a spy out there
+planning dangerous things for the navy yard and the United States. Joe's
+in the icy water watching him, and I must get help as fast as I can."
+
+It was good, too, that he did put forth the last ounce of his strength.
+Sergeant Martin was just passing through the navy yard gate as Jerry
+arrived, his uniform covered with loose ashes and dirt, and his hands
+bleeding from stone cuts received in his falls.
+
+To Sergeant Martin, between gasps, Jerry managed to blurt out enough to
+make the other understand. Within two more minutes Sergeant Martin had
+imparted the vital information to the captain of the company of marines
+charged with guarding the navy yard for that particular night. The
+captain sent two aides scurrying, one to his major, the other to the
+office of the navy yard commandant.
+
+Twenty marines, fully armed, were hurried aboard a launch that
+constantly was kept under steam for just such an emergency, and, with
+Jerry directing, the boat swung out to Joe's aid.
+
+Rapidly as Jerry had traveled the distance between the spot where Slim
+waited and the navy yard itself, it seemed like ages to Joe, out there
+in the icy water, a quarter of a mile from shore.
+
+At first the tense excitement of the manhunt had made him unmindful of
+the low temperature, and he swam with strong, even, silent strokes that
+sent his lithe body gliding through the current noiselessly; but when he
+had come within forty feet of the rowboat its lone occupant had turned
+suddenly, as though scenting danger, and Joe, after waiting for a few
+seconds to see what might happen, considered the absolute silence an
+omen of danger and had dived under water, staying there as long as he
+could, and coming to the surface at an entirely different point from the
+boat.
+
+After that the cold got to the very heart of him. His muscles grew numb,
+he felt his strength waning, and he had to bring the whole force of his
+will to bear to keep from turning back to shore.
+
+But just as Jerry had maintained his courage and strength by keeping
+constantly in mind Joe's plight, so Joe stuck to his terrible task,
+suffering the most severe punishment, by an unwavering confidence in
+Jerry's ability to get assistance in the shortest possible time.
+
+He could see and hear that the man in the boat was working hastily, even
+laboriously; and every few seconds there was the smothered splash of
+something heavy being dropped carefully overboard.
+
+And then, at the most inopportune moment, just when Joe was head and
+shoulders out of the water, not more than twenty feet away from the
+boat, the searchlight was thrown full upon him.
+
+He dived; but not before the other man saw him. Joe, swimming ten feet
+under water, and as hard as he could with the current down stream, knew
+that he had been discovered, for he heard the quick rap-rap of the oars,
+the sound dying away as the little craft sped toward shore.
+
+When he did come to the surface it was with the certain feeling that the
+fatal searchlight had been played upon the scene two minutes too early,
+and just in time to prevent the capture red-handed of a very
+questionable character, undoubtedly carrying out some plot for an enemy
+government.
+
+For as distinctly as he could hear the oars thrashing the water toward
+shore, he could discern the steady but subdued puffing of a steam launch
+racing up the river.
+
+Joe was now on the point of exhaustion. He was flapping the water
+desperately, but he was making no progress, and he was having the
+greatest difficulty keeping himself afloat. He tried to cry out, and
+this final effort took his last bit of strength.
+
+The steam launch was then perhaps thirty feet away, but Jerry's words,
+"Right about here," floated to him as from the opposite side of the
+river. The boat's searchlight that was then suddenly thrown on blinded
+him; he lost all account of things, and had the vague feeling of
+sailing across great spaces on fleecy white clouds.
+
+When he regained partial consciousness Sergeant Martin was in the water
+with him, and trying to raise his body over the side of the launch; then
+he relapsed again, for what seemed to him hours, but what was actually
+only about two minutes, and was awakened to his real senses by the
+shouts of Slim, on shore.
+
+"Slim's got him," Jerry almost shouted. "Hurry, captain, right off this
+way to the shore. Slim must have him. Listen to Slim's bellow."
+
+And if there wasn't a first-class ruction in progress just upon the spot
+from which Slim's vocal signals were emanating, then Slim's voice was
+deceptive, indeed.
+
+As a matter of fact, there was the finest sort of a fracas afoot.
+
+Slim, on shore, had been a silent and anxious witness to the sudden
+turning on of the navy yard searchlight, and to all that it exposed--the
+boat, the man at work in it, Joe in the water, and his discovery by the
+boat's occupant.
+
+And then, as the light was extinguished, and the whole affair was
+engulfed in darkness, Slim heard the rapid beating of the oars upon the
+water, and the rower heading toward shore--and Slim.
+
+Unable to see the craft approaching, he traced its course by sound, and
+when the man stepped ashore Slim was only a few yards away. Discerning a
+shadow just ahead of him, the youth threw himself at it with his whole
+weight, only to grunt his pain and disgust as he came into violent
+contact with the trunk of a dead tree.
+
+The sound, however, startled the enemy into an exclamation which
+revealed his whereabouts, and a moment later the two were locked
+together and rolling over the ground, Slim with a desperate grip upon
+the stranger's throat, and the latter landing blow after blow upon
+Slim's stomach.
+
+It was during this melee that Slim spied the searchlight of the launch
+and let out his first call. After that most of his "bellows" were
+involuntary and but punctuated the rapid-fire attack with which the
+other man was landing his blows just above Slim's waist-line, or where
+his waist-line should have been.
+
+As the launch headed toward shore, its searchlight trained over the bow,
+the man of the rowboat resorted to more desperate tactics. With a
+tremendous jerk he managed to free his throat from Slim's grasp. An
+instant later he gave the youth's neck a twist which almost broke it.
+Then he landed a vicious kick which put poor Slim out of business.
+
+Just as the marines from the launch were climbing ashore the fellow sped
+off into the denseness of the night; and as his footsteps died away all
+present trace of him was gone. A dozen of them searched for an hour, but
+without result, and further investigation along that line had to be
+abandoned until the following day.
+
+Meanwhile, however, all three lads were hurried back to the navy yard
+for fresh clothing and other repairs; having received which, together
+with hot coffee from the cook at the barracks mess, they were permitted,
+at their own earnest solicitation, to return to the scene with four
+marines who were to be stationed along that section of the shore for the
+balance of the night.
+
+What they saw upon their arrival astounded them. Three additional
+launches had arrived upon the scene, and the commandant of the navy yard
+was himself directing matters.
+
+He had in his hand a slight rope that ran down into the water, and close
+beside it was a hose line attached to an apparatus in the boat. The boys
+knew at once that a diver was at work down on the river bed.
+
+From the side of another launch anchored parallel with the first, and
+fifteen feet distant, four husky bluejackets were waiting expectantly to
+divide their strength on two stout ropes that were being attached to
+something down in the water. The third launch played its flashlight upon
+the work, while the fourth steamed about, doing patrol duty.
+
+Even as the boys watched, the commandant gave a signal and the sailors
+began hauling upward on the two heavy ropes. In a moment an oblong box,
+about two feet long, a foot wide and of the same depth, came dripping
+from the water. As it was brought to the boat's side two other men
+grasped it carefully and placed it in the bottom of the launch. Then the
+ropes, which were attached to a guide line, were hauled down into the
+river again.
+
+"What does it mean?" Joe asked of Sergeant Martin, who had changed his
+clothes and arrived back ahead of them.
+
+"What does it mean?" repeated the big sergeant. "It means that you
+three young men are due for several credits and early recognition, or
+I'm much mistaken. The man you discovered has not yet been caught, but
+he cannot escape for long. And when he is captured it will be a long
+time before he is free again.
+
+"You lads have frustrated a dangerous plot by an enemy government. The
+river bottom seems to be paved with those cases. They've taken out a
+dozen already. One of them was opened, and, just as expected, it proved
+to be a water-tight container for smokeless powder!
+
+"The government that had those boxes hidden there undoubtedly was
+scheming to have plenty of ammunition ready for use if it ever managed
+to land its men on American soil.
+
+"But you boys appeared here just in time to blow up the whole plot. You
+have been in your first real action in the service of your country, and
+you have come off with flying colors."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FAREWELL, UNITED STATES
+
+
+When the boys arose the following morning, each somewhat stiff and sore
+from the experiences of the night before, it was with a feeling of happy
+anticipation that made their physical discomforts seem like trivial
+things.
+
+For before nightfall the twin screws of the large transport _Everett_
+would begin to churn the waters of the Delaware, her bow would be
+pointed down stream, and the great voyage of adventure would be started.
+
+But in the meantime there was much for the lads to learn. Up to the
+present every moment had been occupied to the exclusion of such
+instructions as were absolutely necessary to know, in order that they
+might give the best service to their country.
+
+And so they responded early to a summons from the superior officer in
+charge of men in the Signal Corps at that station. By him they were
+informed of the serious mission upon which they were bound, and of the
+responsibilities that would fall upon them should the transport, by any
+mishap, become separated from its armed convoy.
+
+No message picked up at sea or elsewhere, he told them, was to be
+repeated to anyone but the superior officer to whom it was directed; and
+any calls for another vessel or station were to be ignored by them, even
+if their aerial should pick the words up.
+
+They were told of the fine loyalty demanded of men in their branch of
+the service, and given some idea of the sacrifices they might be called
+upon to make.
+
+"The success of this war," said Major Briggs, "depends upon the courage
+and ability with which each man in it performs the immediate task before
+him. Whether the whole world shall fall under the iron hand of a
+merciless tyranny, or the peoples of the various nations may govern
+themselves in the freedom of democracy, now depends largely upon the men
+of the United States. We must regard the responsibilities thrust upon us
+as a glorious opportunity to serve all of mankind."
+
+Thrilled with the nature of the great work ahead of them, Joe, Jerry and
+Slim hurried down the long length of the navy yard to where the
+_Everett_ lay moored to her slip, the center of much activity.
+
+Steam already was up, as they could see from the thick black clouds of
+smoke that curled upward from her smokestack. Big cranes, operated by
+powerful winches on the vessel and on shore, were hoisting cases of
+various sizes and shapes upon the lower decks and into the hold. A small
+army of men helped complete the loading of the ship, and one group was
+experiencing considerable difficulty in trying to persuade unwilling
+mules to board the transport for Europe.
+
+The boys hurdled over piles of food and ammunition, wended their way
+through scores of stacks of ordnance, and finally over a gang-plank to
+the vessel. There they saluted and reported to the officer of the day,
+who directed them to go at once to the wireless room.
+
+As they entered there Lieutenant Mackinson was busily engaged in "tuning
+up" his instruments. He stopped when he saw them and reached into an
+inner pocket, from which he produced three large oblong envelopes. One
+was addressed to each lad, and as they accepted them they saw that each
+was closed to prying eyes by the official seal of Uncle Sam.
+
+Swept by various emotions, the boys stood there gazing first at the
+envelopes and then at Lieutenant Mackinson.
+
+"Well," said the lieutenant at last, with an amused smile, "do you want
+me to retire while you read your communications?"
+
+"Oh, no, not at all, sir," Joe hastened to say, and as if to prove the
+statement all three envelopes were ripped open and the single sheet of
+paper in each drawn forth.
+
+Especially addressed to each lad, the letters were identical and read:
+
+     "I hereby convey to you my heartiest congratulations upon the
+     efficient and heroic manner in which you and your two friends
+     discovered and frustrated a plot to conceal enemy ammunition in the
+     vicinity of this naval base. You all displayed true American
+     courage; and I wish you every success for the future."
+
+The letters were signed by the commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
+
+"Look at that," said Slim, pushing his letter at Lieutenant Mackinson,
+utterly forgetful of the fact that the other man was his superior
+officer. "Ain't--isn't that fine, though? For the commandant to mention
+it that way, I mean."
+
+"Yes," admitted Lieutenant Mackinson, "but he wouldn't have mentioned
+it that way if you hadn't deserved it."
+
+"I'm not going to lose that letter," announced Jerry.
+
+"Nor I," added Joe, "although we only did what any other fellows would
+have done under the same circumstances."
+
+"Well," said Lieutenant Mackinson, "it showed that you were to be
+depended upon in an emergency, and emergencies are likely to crop up at
+any time in our work, so let's get down to business."
+
+He immediately began explaining the apparatus of the wireless room--how
+messages were sent and received; the power of the batteries and their
+auxiliaries; the switch-board regulating voltage; the automatic
+recording apparatus--in fact, every detail connected with the intricate
+mechanism of an up-to-date wireless.
+
+"There was a time," explained Lieutenant Mackinson, "when the sending of
+a message almost deafened the sender. It was like being in the midst of
+a machine-gun assault. But recent improvements have eliminated that. You
+may see for yourselves."
+
+And the lieutenant tapped off the _Everett's_ own signal call with
+little more sound than is made by the sending of a message with the
+ordinary telegraph instrument.
+
+"We have a sending and receiving radius of from five hundred to eight
+hundred miles," Lieutenant Mackinson continued. "Of course, it doesn't
+compare with the great wireless station at Radio, Virginia, one of the
+largest in the world, where one tower is six hundred feet high and the
+other four hundred and fifty feet in height, and each charged with two
+hundred thousand volts, giving a radius of three thousand miles; but it
+is sufficiently powerful for practically every purpose required at sea."
+
+"Wasn't Marconi a wonderful man?" said Jerry in true admiration.
+
+"Yes, he was; no doubt of that, and he still may contribute much to the
+science, for he is not old yet," the young lieutenant answered. "But
+still, full credit must be given where credit is due, and in that
+respect it must be acknowledged that Marconi only assembled and
+perfected to practicable purposes the discoveries and inventions made
+before his time.
+
+"Radio-telegraphy might be briefly traced in the names of Faraday,
+Maxwell, Hertz--the discoverer of the Hertzian rays--Righi, Lodge and
+Marconi. All of them contributed something to the evolvement of the
+present highly efficient and dependable wireless. Marconi should, and
+does, receive great credit; but the others, the pioneers, the real
+discoverers, should not be forgotten or overlooked."
+
+The lieutenant's words threw a new light on the history of the wireless
+for the boys from Brighton, and they were anxious that the officer
+should tell them more; but at that moment Lieutenant Mackinson caught
+the faint recording of a distant wireless call for another station, far
+down the Atlantic coast.
+
+"Here," he said hastily, turning to Joe, who was nearest him, "see if
+you can catch this message."
+
+He slipped the receiving apparatus over Joe's head, and tightened up the
+ear-pieces, then pushed toward him a pad and pencil.
+
+Into Joe's ears came the faint but distinct sounds of a distant call:
+
+-. ...  -. ...  -. ...
+
+"N S," Joe jotted down on the sheet before him.
+
+"A ship at sea calling Newport News," Lieutenant Mackinson informed the
+other two, who waited impatiently for Joe to begin recording the
+message.
+
+Newport News acknowledged the call, and then the vessel's wireless
+continued:
+
+.--- .- ... .--. . .-.
+
+And Joe, transcribing, wrote: "JASPER." Following this came:
+
+-.. . - .- .. .-..
+
+The other boys looked on in chagrin, while Lieutenant Mackinson's
+countenance took on an amused smile, as Joe wrote down the word
+"DETAIL," and then nothing else but the initials "N. N.," which ended
+the message.
+
+"Don't make sense," announced Slim in a discouraged voice. "You must
+have missed part of it."
+
+"No, I didn't," Joe replied, looking anxiously toward the lieutenant.
+
+"I guess he got it all," the young officer assured them, at the same
+time unlocking a little closet and taking a leather-bound book from an
+upper shelf. "Let's see."
+
+He turned to the J's and ran his finger down the page until he came to
+the word "JASPER."
+
+"That means 'We have coaled,'" he said, writing the words out on the
+pad.
+
+"Oh, it's in code," said Slim apologetically; "I didn't know that."
+
+"DETAIL," the lieutenant announced, finding that word. "'Understand and
+am following sealed orders'. That's the _North Dakota_. She has coaled
+at sea and is now starting upon some mission known only to her commander
+and the naval authorities."
+
+Almost as he finished speaking the _Everett_ gave a lurch, her whistle
+was tooted two or three times, the engines started turning, and the big
+boat began to vibrate under the pressure.
+
+There was a shout from the thousand or more who had crowded to the
+river's edge, responded to by the fifteen hundred khaki-clad young men
+who were lined up at every point of vantage along the vessel's side.
+
+"And we're off, too," shouted Lieutenant Mackinson.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the three boys from Brighton in the same breath, as they
+double-quicked it behind the lieutenant to the upper deck.
+
+The scene was one to inspire the most miserable slacker. Somewhere in
+the upper part of the yard a band was playing Sousa's "Stars and Stripes
+Forever." From the windows of the ordnance and other buildings at the
+lower end of the yard workmen hung forth, waving hats and handkerchiefs,
+and joining in the shouted well-wishes of those along the shore. The
+crews of every fighting craft in that part of the river sang out
+friendly advice to those aboard the transport, and two miles down the
+channel could be discerned the smoke from the stacks of the armed
+convoys that were to give the _Everett_ safe passage to her destination.
+
+Among those at the water's edge the boys could discern the big form of
+Sergeant Martin, and even as distance welded them in an
+indistinguishable mass, they could still see him, towering above the
+others, his hat describing wide circles through the air.
+
+"So long, fellows; we'll meet you over there," shouted the men of the
+last vessel they passed.
+
+As though by prearrangement the fifteen hundred men on the _Everett_
+began singing, "I'm Going Over," sang it to the end of the first verse,
+then stopped, and from a point well down the river could hear those they
+had passed taking up the second stanza.
+
+Hours later, out upon the ocean, the dim lights ashore fading one by
+one, the fighters for Uncle Sam gave one last, long, lingering look at
+their native land. And Jerry, voicing the spirit of all, cried out:
+
+"Farewell, United States."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE FIGHT IN THE WIRELESS ROOM
+
+
+"Oh my; oh, my!" wailed Slim weakly, his head hanging over the side of
+his bunk. "I never felt worse in all my life. I never felt half so
+sick."
+
+"Never mind," urged Joe, soothingly, "you'll soon be feeling better
+now."
+
+"Yes, _he_ will," moaned Jerry, miserably, from the opposite bunk; "_he_
+will, but I won't."
+
+The wind howled, the big ship gave a forward and downward lurch, and
+Jerry would have slid from his bunk but for the quick action of Joe.
+
+"I think I'm going to die. I wish I would," gasped the red-headed boy
+when he was again laid out at full length. "I had the measles and the
+mumps at the same time once, but I never felt like this. Why don't they
+steer this old boat through the waves, instead of trying to jump her
+over them?"
+
+"There's a heavy sea running," explained Joe; "that's what makes the
+_Everett_ ride so roughly."
+
+"Wish I was back at Brighton," Slim groaned dismally.
+
+Two hardy youths strolling along the deck, who hadn't been touched by
+the epidemic of seasickness, stopped to peer in at the porthole. They
+had mischief in their eyes, and as they caught sight of Slim's
+humorously pathetic countenance, one of them muttered in a low but
+distinct voice: "How'd you like to have some fried sausage, and some
+plum pudding, and some----"
+
+"Shut up!" bawled out Jerry with what strength he had left.
+
+With a loud laugh the two withdrew their heads and disappeared.
+
+At that moment the ship's physician, accompanied by Lieutenant
+Mackinson, arrived to give what further comfort he could to the seasick
+lads.
+
+"It is clearing," the lieutenant told them, while the doctor measured
+out a powder for each boy. "The wind has died down and the sea is
+becoming calm."
+
+"Oh, yes," the physician added, "in an hour or so you will be feeling
+better than you did before. Seasickness has a tonic effect, but it's
+rather a bitter dose."
+
+"Sure is," said Slim weakly.
+
+Nevertheless, it was just about an hour later that Jerry, feeling his
+nausea leave him almost as suddenly as it had appeared, raised himself
+on one elbow and looked across at his companion in misery.
+
+"How do you feel, Slim?" he inquired.
+
+"Almost human again," the stout lad replied.
+
+"Going to get up?"
+
+"Guess I can in a few minutes."
+
+"I'm going to try it now," said Jerry. "Seems as if the pilot of this
+ferry had learned to steer her a whole lot better than he did earlier in
+the day."
+
+"Yep," agreed Slim, sliding from his bunk. "Certainly was tough, wasn't
+it?"
+
+"I feel sort of weak in the legs yet," said Jerry, by way of answer.
+"Let's go up on deck and get some fresh air."
+
+"Stomach feels as empty as a vacant house; how's yours?" Slim inquired.
+
+"Nothing in it but the lining, and I guess most of that's pried loose.
+We've got to wait more than two hours for mess, too."
+
+"How about some fried sausage, and some plum pudding, and some----"
+
+Jerry laughed for the first time that day. "That fellow certainly did
+make me mad," he admitted.
+
+"Yeh, he made you mad," said Slim in a remorseful tone, "but he made me
+sick."
+
+On deck a hundred or more vigorous young men were exercising their
+muscles in various forms of athletic sport. Here a group crowded around
+a contest in broad jumping, eagerly echoing the distances made, and
+there the men of another throng loudly applauded their favorites in a
+stiff boxing bout, while on another part of the deck a pair of
+one-hundred-and-eighty-pound huskies were struggling in a friendly
+wrestling match.
+
+A bright sun shone upon a sparkling sea, and the air was just crisp
+enough to be invigorating. At that moment Joe came up to inquire how his
+two chums felt.
+
+"Fine," declared Jerry.
+
+"Like a two-year-old," added Slim. "That doctor was telling the truth. I
+believe I never felt better in my life," and he began flapping his arms
+up and down like a rooster flails the air with its wings.
+
+"A fat man's race three times around the ship!" a youth yelled, spying
+Slim's activities.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the crowd. "Get them started."
+
+The jumpers, the wrestlers, and the boxers immediately suspended their
+respective contests to enjoy the innovation.
+
+Slim was trying to back away, protesting that he "couldn't run for a
+cent," when a familiar, smiling countenance intruded itself in the
+circle of good-natured faces with the suggestion: "Well, how about a
+plum pudding, then?"
+
+Slim and Jerry at once recognized him as the youth who had similarly
+suggested a plum pudding, also sausage, at a most inopportune time.
+
+"Have you got one?" Slim demanded, his spirit aroused.
+
+"Sure have," announced the other, "and I'll make it the stake."
+
+Another shout went up as a second group pushed before Slim another youth
+who, so far as size, shape and avoirdupois was concerned, might have
+been his twin brother. They looked at each other and both burst into a
+hearty laugh.
+
+"Hello, Skinny," said the stranger.
+
+"Howdy, Delicate?" Slim came back at him, quick as a flash. "Want to
+race?"
+
+"Don't particularly want to race," responded the other lad, "but I'm
+awfully fond of plum pudding."
+
+"And sausage?"
+
+"Is there going to be a sausage in it, too?" asked the stranger,
+evidencing increasing interest.
+
+"Only yourself," Slim announced, laughing and jumping back quickly to
+avoid any belligerency his joke might inspire in the other.
+
+But he took the joke as good-naturedly as he did the howls of delight
+from the crowd, and the two peeled off their coats and discarded their
+hats as a couple of youths marked off the starting and finishing line,
+while others "cleared the deck for action."
+
+"This will be the tape," said a tall lean fellow, as he tied one end of
+a string to the rail, at a point just above the starting line. "After
+you have passed here the second time we'll stretch this out, and the
+first one to touch it will be the winner."
+
+"Right," said the fat boys together, leaning over in true sprinter
+fashion so far as their stomachs would permit them to stoop.
+
+One of the one-hundred-and-eighty-pound wrestlers winked to his comrades
+and hurried down into the lower part of the ship on some mysterious
+errand.
+
+"One, two, three--Go!" shouted the self-constituted referee.
+
+And Slim and Delicate went! True, neither of them got what sportsmen
+would call "a flying start," but they got away, nevertheless, and with
+all the grace and speed of--two loaded hay wagons.
+
+"Whoopee!" yelled one in the crowd. "Look at 'em go! You can't see 'em
+for dust!"
+
+"Two dollars on the knock-kneed guy," shouted another.
+
+Slim turned his head for the fraction of a second to learn whether this
+insult had been directed at him, and his opponent gained a lead of a
+foot.
+
+"Go it, you deerhounds," shrilled an Irish tenor in the crowd. "Work
+your feet, not your arms."
+
+"The elephant leads; come on, you whale!" shouted another.
+
+By this time the runners had made the curve at the bow of the boat and
+were coming up the starboard side, toward the stern.
+
+On the nearest armed convoy an officer was taking in the contest through
+a pair of marine glasses, and apparently enjoying it immensely.
+
+"Hooray! Hooray!" yelled the crowd of onlookers as Slim spurted and the
+pair rounded the stern and came down to the tape at the end of their
+first lap, neck and neck. Both were puffing like porpoises.
+
+"Hey, Sausage, you've got a flat tire," cried a youth as they passed.
+
+And from another: "Your engine's knocking, Skinny. Reduce your spark."
+
+So the good-natured raillery continued while the two fat boys drove
+doggedly on, now at considerably reduced speed, but still side by side,
+each determined to capture that plum pudding.
+
+They had passed the tape a second time, snorting louder and in shorter
+gasps than before, and with the biting repartee still assailing their
+ears, when the man who had disappeared into the hold of the ship came
+into sight again, carrying a large can.
+
+"Quick!" he warned those about him. "Right here--before they see."
+
+And he proceeded to divulge the contents of the can as a heavy grease,
+almost the color of the deck, which he began to smear heavily thereon
+over the entire surface that the runners would have to cover, from a
+distance fifteen feet away from the tape.
+
+"They're on their way," whispered a voice, and the crowd parted to give
+the two the proper space in which to finish the race. There was an air
+of great expectancy among the onlookers.
+
+The lads were still struggling along neck and neck, but Slim's leg work
+was so timed as to make him the first to strike the grease. He slid,
+tried to regain his balance, skidded into his competitor, who also was
+floundering for a foothold, and then, progressing to a spot where the
+grease was thicker, both feet went out from under him and he went down,
+kicking Delicate's foundations from under him, also.
+
+The crowd yelled with laughter, and the breath went out of poor Slim
+with a terrible snort, as Delicate came down squarely upon Slim's
+stomach. And thus, the most ludicrous sight imaginable, they went
+sliding under the tape.
+
+"All bets are off," shouted the other man who had been boxing; "they
+broke before the finish."
+
+Side by side, too breathless to articulate, the two fat youths lay there
+gasping for breath, while those gathered about them made mock gestures
+of "first aid to the injured." Nobody had been hurt, however, and the
+victims of the prank took it in the way it had been intended.
+
+Delicate, whose real name was Remington Bowman, proved to be as good a
+sportsman as Slim, and they went down the deck arm in arm when the mess
+call was sounded. And it was evidence of the good fellowship of the
+owner of the plum pudding that he did share it with both of them
+directly after the meal was over.
+
+"You fellows earned it," he said. And they agreed that they had.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+That evening it was Joe's turn to do watch in the wireless room with
+Lieutenant Mackinson until eleven o'clock, at about which time the young
+officer retired to his bunk just off the operating room, and Slim came
+on, to work until three a. m., when he was relieved by Jerry, who stayed
+until seven o'clock, at which time the lieutenant again assumed charge
+until relieved by Joe.
+
+It was a standing order, however--at least until the younger men became
+more experienced with the wireless--that Lieutenant Mackinson
+immediately should be apprised of the sending or receiving of any
+messages.
+
+This first evening out the lieutenant complained of a headache, and,
+acquiescing in Joe's urging, had gone upon deck to get the air. Perhaps
+fifteen minutes had elapsed when Joe thought he heard someone prowling
+about stealthily in the battery room.
+
+His first thought was that the lieutenant had returned to make certain
+that everything was all right, but a moment's consideration convinced
+him otherwise.
+
+Whoever was in the adjoining room was making every effort to keep his
+presence there from becoming known!
+
+It gave Joe a queer sort of feeling. What should he do? To seek the
+lieutenant and bring him back might require several minutes. Meanwhile
+the intruder might accomplish his object--whatever it was--and
+disappear.
+
+He decided to act upon his own initiative. Tiptoeing across the room, he
+turned off the electric switch, which threw the wireless room into utter
+darkness except for the meagre moonlight filtering through an open
+porthole.
+
+Then, just as silently, he re-crossed the room to the door leading to
+the battery room; slowly and without a sound he turned the knob and
+opened the door to a sufficient width to permit him to peer in. That
+room also was in darkness, with only one porthole open.
+
+Cautiously the intruder seemed to be feeling about for something
+connected with the batteries.
+
+Listening intently for a moment, to get the exact location of the other
+man, Joe flung open the door and made a flying leap in the other's
+direction. The man was leaning over, and Joe landed squarely upon his
+back.
+
+With a muffled exclamation of surprise the man jerked himself forward
+and Joe went hurtling over his head, his arms, however, still clasped
+tightly about the other man's neck.
+
+Joe knew in an instant that he was in combat with a man larger and more
+powerful than himself, but his own youth and suppleness were in his
+favor.
+
+Throwing all his strength into the movement, he twisted about and at the
+same time jumped, so that he managed to wrap his legs about the other
+man's waist. With another lithe movement he was again upon his back and
+reaching for his antagonist's throat, at the same time squeezing with
+all the strength of his powerful young limbs upon the other's ribs.
+
+Back and forth across the narrow confines of the little room they
+staggered, now one having a temporary advantage, and again the other.
+Just as Joe was managing to fasten his fingers in at the throat, and the
+other was hammering terrible elbow blows into his stomach, the bigger
+man stumbled. As he fell he turned, and his full weight came down upon
+the lad, almost crushing him.
+
+Joe was not done for yet, however. With the strength of desperation he
+held on to the other fellow's shirt. He felt something hard and metallic
+under it, and in a new grasp included that in his fist.
+
+Again the struggle began. Unable to break Joe's grip, the intruder tried
+to sink his teeth into the lad's wrist. Failing in this, he gave an
+evidence of his strength by rising, dragging Joe upward with him.
+
+There was an instant of terrible whirling about the room, and then the
+man landed a smashing blow on Joe's jaw. Still gripping the man's shirt,
+and the unknown metallic thing beneath it, the lad reeled. The shirt
+ripped, there was another sharp snap, and the boy fell backward, dazed.
+
+He heard the man run swiftly, almost noiselessly toward the stern of the
+ship; brilliant and many-colored lights flashed before his eyes--and he
+knew no more.
+
+[Illustration: There was an Instant of Terrible Whirling about the Room.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE MYSTERY OF THE IRON CROSS
+
+
+When Joe came back to consciousness it was with his head pounding
+terribly, and Lieutenant Mackinson bending over him, swathing his face
+with a cool wet cloth, while Jerry and Slim, whom the lieutenant had
+wakened, were standing nearby, one holding a basin of water, the other a
+bottle containing a liniment or lotion.
+
+"You've been done up pretty badly," said Lieutenant Mackinson, as Joe
+went through the painful motion of moving his head from left to right,
+letting his gaze take in the now lighted wireless room.
+
+"Yes," he answered with an effort. "Nothing serious, though, I guess."
+And then, full recollection coming to him, "Did he get away?"
+
+"Who?" asked the lieutenant quickly. "Who was it beat you up so?"
+
+"I don't know," Joe answered. "I discovered him in the battery room. We
+fought in the dark."
+
+With the aid of the others he raised himself to a sitting posture, then
+stood up and walked rather unsteadily across the room, took a long quaff
+of cold water and dropped heavily into Lieutenant Mackinson's Morris
+chair.
+
+At the same time he gazed for the first time at what he had been holding
+tightly clutched in his right hand ever since the knockout blow had been
+delivered. The other three also were staring at it in open amazement.
+
+"What is it?" asked Joe, as the lieutenant crossed the room and took the
+thing from him for a closer examination.
+
+"What is it?" Lieutenant Mackinson repeated. "Why, lad, this is the
+German iron cross! Tell us what happened here."
+
+With the young officer seated before him, and his two pals standing at
+either side of his chair, Joe, quietly, quickly and as carefully as he
+could, gave them every detail of the occurrence, from the moment he had
+first heard sounds in the battery room, to the time that the other man
+ran away and he lapsed into unconsciousness.
+
+While Joe was relating his story the lieutenant examined and re-examined
+the iron cross, the bit of broken chain still attached to it, and the
+piece of brown woolen army shirt which the lad had torn away with it.
+As the latter finished, the young officer hurried into the battery room,
+accompanied by Slim, to make a survey there.
+
+In ten minutes he returned, his face pale, his jaws clenched.
+
+"There must not be a word of this to anyone," he warned them. "I am
+going to report to the captain at once. Someone has been tampering with
+the batteries, and he had with him a portable wireless which he
+evidently intended to attach."
+
+"You're the original little discoverer, all right," said Slim in open
+admiration, addressing Joe as the lieutenant hurried from the room. "And
+you certainly were game, to take the beating you did."
+
+"Yes, he punished me some," Joe admitted. "But I got in a little work on
+him, too. The only trouble is that I'm afraid I didn't blacken an eye,
+or break a jaw, or otherwise do any damage that might be apparent and so
+lead to the fellow's discovery."
+
+"The nerve of it, though!" broke in Jerry.
+
+"A German spy, doubtless masquerading as an American soldier, and right
+here on a United States transport loaded with fifteen hundred soldiers
+and tons of guns and ammunition."
+
+"Yes," said Joe contemplatively, "that's the very serious part of it
+all--the fifteen hundred soldiers and tons of guns and ammunition."
+
+"Sh-h-h-h!"
+
+Slim, who was standing nearest the door, had heard footsteps. A moment
+later the lieutenant reappeared, accompanied by the captain of the
+_Everett_.
+
+When the boys had been presented, the captain abruptly requested Joe to
+repeat every detail he had told Lieutenant Mackinson. As he did so the
+captain gazed compassionately upon his injuries.
+
+"And where is the instrument that you discovered?" he asked of the
+lieutenant when Joe had concluded.
+
+The young officer stepped into the battery room, returning with a small,
+but evidently powerful, portable wireless transmitter and receiver.
+
+"H'm," exclaimed the captain, examining it carefully. "Of German make."
+
+"Exactly, sir," replied Lieutenant Mackinson, "and evidently quite
+new--probably never used more than once or twice before."
+
+"This is very serious business," said the captain impressively. And
+then, addressing Joe: "Did you get a look at the other man? Would you
+know him if you ever saw him again?"
+
+"No, sir, I did not even get a glimpse of him. But I thought, sir, that
+perhaps----"
+
+"Yes," encouraged the captain in a kindly tone. "Go on with your
+suggestion."
+
+"I thought, sir," Joe continued, "that if we could find a man aboard
+with his shirt torn in such a way that this piece would fit, and
+especially if he had the other end of this chain in his possession, then
+it might be pretty definitely assumed that he was the man who was in the
+battery room."
+
+"The chain--perhaps," said the captain slowly, "although that seems
+doubtful. As to the shirt, no."
+
+And, unbuttoning his jacket, he produced from beneath it a torn and
+crumpled brown woolen shirt.
+
+"We found this about twenty feet from here as we were on our way," he
+continued. "It resembles, but it is not, a regulation army shirt. It is
+of the same texture and color, but it differs in minor details easily
+discernible. It is my opinion that the man who wore this shirt bought it
+and wore it for this very purpose, so that, if necessary, he might
+discard it and still have the one which came to him through the
+Quartermaster's Department. We evidently have to deal with a very crafty
+enemy, and one as bold as he is unscrupulous.
+
+"Lieutenant, what do you make of his manipulations in the battery room?"
+
+"There is no doubt in my mind, sir," Lieutenant Mackinson answered,
+"that he was about to connect up this instrument and then hide it for
+future use where it could not easily be seen."
+
+"I believe you are right," said the captain. "And then what use did he
+intend to make of it?"
+
+"Evidently his intention was not a loyal or friendly one," the junior
+officer continued. "It would seem to me that his probable purpose was to
+divulge to German submarines our whereabouts when we came within their
+zone."
+
+Apparently the commander of the ship agreed with him, for he made no
+immediate answer. For several moments he remained in meditative silence,
+his brow wrinkled, as though he was turning the whole thing over and
+over in his mind.
+
+"From the very fact that he wore such a garment," the captain said at
+last, "it would seem that this man is among the regularly enlisted men
+on this ship. However, that is by no means certain. There is this
+certainty, however: If he would go to such desperate lengths once, there
+is every possibility that he will do so again--only more cautiously than
+before, for now he knows that his presence on board is known.
+
+"The most rigid investigation must be started at once, and for that,
+Lieutenant, I will require your assistance. Leave these young men in
+charge of the wireless room, unless something unusual or in the nature
+of an emergency occurs.
+
+"As for you gentlemen," he continued, turning toward the three boys from
+Brighton, "you are commanded not to mention a single word about this
+whole occurrence to another soul. If any one should question you, with a
+seeming knowledge of what happened here to-night, report the matter to
+me at once."
+
+"Yes, sir," the three boys responded, saluting, and the captain
+departed, motioning Lieutenant Mackinson to accompany him.
+
+By this time Joe was stiff and sore in every joint. Jerry and Slim
+insisted that he retire immediately, and helped him off with his
+clothing.
+
+Nor was there any objection from Jerry, whose turn in the wireless room
+was to begin then and last until one o'clock in the morning, when Slim
+suggested that he would stay on with him, "just to talk things over."
+
+"All right," said Jerry, "and then I'll stay on during your shift, until
+Joe relieves us in the morning. We can get a good sleep to-morrow,
+anyway."
+
+And so the long night began. The dull song of the engines, far, far
+below, became like the monotonous droning of giant bees, and the wash of
+the salt water against the side of the ship was a constantly recurring
+swash-h-h--swish--swash-h-h--swish as the vessel plowed on and on
+through the darkness, toward the submarine zone and Europe and the
+battlefields and the trenches and the men--millions of them--of the
+Allied armies.
+
+It was near midnight, and the boys had fallen silent, Jerry with the
+wireless headpiece over his ears, Slim standing near the porthole,
+gazing out at the lone swaying light that indicated the position and the
+progress of the cruiser convoy on the port side.
+
+Suddenly Slim whirled around, his face pale, his muscles tense, and with
+a motion to Jerry signaled silence. As the latter removed the gear from
+his head, Slim tiptoed across the room to him. Placing his lips close to
+Jerry's ears he said: "I thought I heard someone in the battery room.
+Listen!"
+
+There was no doubt of it this time. Both boys heard the sound. It was of
+someone softly feeling about, as though in doubt as to his exact
+position.
+
+"Quick!" hissed Slim into Jerry's ear. "You get the captain and
+lieutenant; I'll wait here."
+
+And as Jerry disappeared through the room in which Joe was sleeping, so
+as not to give suspicion to the man in the battery room, Slim slid into
+Jerry's chair and centered every faculty upon listening to the almost
+inaudible movements in the next chamber.
+
+He could tell instinctively that the man was feeling about the walls
+with his hands. And not unnaturally, recalling Joe's experience only a
+few hours before, it gave Slim a creepy sort of feeling.
+
+Then all sound ceased. Try as hard as he would, he could not hear a
+thing. He rose from the chair and went closer to the intervening door.
+All was silent!
+
+A few seconds later the captain and lieutenant, accompanied by Jerry,
+came hurrying into the room. Without an instant's delay the captain
+turned the knob and they entered the battery room, switching on the
+light at the same time.
+
+Apparently not a thing had been touched, but the outer door was ajar.
+The lieutenant jumped to it and peered out, but no one was to be seen.
+He closed and locked the door and began an inspection of the batteries.
+
+"Everything seems to be all right," he said finally; and then, his eyes
+traveling to the table, he stopped short.
+
+"The wireless instrument," he gasped. "It's gone!"
+
+"Where was it left?" the captain demanded sharply.
+
+"On that table there," Lieutenant Mackinson answered. "I placed it there
+myself, as you probably will remember, just before we went out
+together."
+
+"I remember," the captain admitted.
+
+"That spy has been back," the junior officer continued. "Back in this
+very room after his instrument, and he intends to use it yet if he
+can!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE TIMELY RESCUE
+
+
+It was no pleasant thought to contemplate the presence of a bold, even
+desperate, agent of an enemy government, on board an American transport
+carrying approximately two thousand souls.
+
+That he was capable of going any lengths, if necessary, already had been
+proved; and the evidence of his evil genius might come in horrible form
+at any instant.
+
+Nevertheless, neither the excitement nor the potential danger of the
+situation was sufficient to prevent Jerry and Slim from taking a full
+eight hours of much-needed sleep, while Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe and
+three other officers whom the captain had taken into his confidence in
+the matter, followed out every possible clue in pursuit of a solution of
+the baffling mystery.
+
+The record of every enlisted man and officer on the vessel had been most
+carefully probed, without building up enough suspicion to warrant the
+singling out of any individual as the probable offender.
+
+Likewise an investigation of the members of the crew had failed to
+develop anything tangible, even directly suspicious. It was a case of
+watch everybody, take every precaution, and be prepared for anything.
+Only nine men on the vessel, however, including the spy himself, knew
+anything about it, and the rest were in utter ignorance of the treachery
+that might be directed against them at any time.
+
+Refreshed by their sleep, Jerry and Slim arose about four o'clock that
+afternoon. Joe, who had rested easily throughout the later excitement of
+the preceding night, was still in the midst of the investigation and was
+not then to be found. Jerry had some letters to write, so Slim went to
+the upper deck alone.
+
+Seeing no one that he knew, and his mind weighted anyway with the
+menacing mystery of the strange happenings of the night before, he sat
+down on a coil of rope, just in the lee of the forward smokestack, to
+think the whole matter over for the twentieth time.
+
+He was thus absorbed when something, at first vague and indefinite, then
+clearer and clearer until it was unmistakable, began to impress itself
+upon his mind. Like the awakening call that comes to a man in a sound
+sleep--seemingly as a far-off whisper that gradually gathers volume and
+strength until finally the sleeper awakes with a start to find someone
+standing directly over him, loudly and insistently calling his name--so
+Slim came to a realization of the strange series of sounds that were
+being repeated within a few feet of him.
+
+Could it possibly be only the crackling of the steam-pipe that ran along
+the smokestack to the whistle--a crackling merely from the pressure
+within? For a moment Slim thought an over-wrought imagination was
+playing tricks upon him. But he rose hastily and crossed the short
+intervening distance.
+
+Clearly and distinctly it came to him then. Someone in another part of
+the vessel was rapping desperately upon that pipe! And in the long and
+short dashes of the international code that someone was repeating a
+single word--"Help! Help! Help!"
+
+In another instant, using the heavy end of his jackknife as a crude
+transmitter, Slim was tapping off the reply:
+
+"Who are you--and where?"
+
+"Lieutenant Mackinson," the message began to come back. "Locked in
+closet off engine room. Can't make self heard. Can you help?"
+
+"This is Slim," the youth rapped back upon the pipe. "Caught your
+message on deck. Am coming with help at once."
+
+And he dashed down the deck toward the captain's quarters, almost
+bowling over the captain's aide as he hurtled into the sanctum of the
+ship's commander unannounced.
+
+"Well?" the captain demanded sternly. "Why all the haste?"
+
+"Lieutenant Mackinson," Slim blurted out; "he's locked in a closet down
+near the engine room."
+
+"Locked in a closet!" the captain repeated incredulously. "How do you
+know?"
+
+"He gave a telegraphic call for help on the steam-pipe which runs
+through there and connects with the whistle," the lad explained. "I was
+on deck and heard it. I talked with him over the pipe."
+
+"There is no time to lose, then. Come with me." And the captain himself
+hurriedly led the way down through the lower depths of the ship, where
+it became hotter and more oppressive with every step they took.
+
+They had taken a route by which they escaped the attention of anyone
+else on the ship.
+
+"It should be right about here somewhere," the captain announced, as
+they approached a particularly dark passage. For a few steps they felt
+their way along, and then stopped to listen.
+
+There was nothing but the dull and constant hum of the engines and the
+almost insufferable heat.
+
+"The other side," said the captain in a lowered voice, as they failed to
+find any trace of the imprisoned lieutenant where they were.
+
+They were crossing a short gallery when Slim abruptly signaled a halt.
+
+"I thought I heard something," he said. "It sounded like another call."
+
+They stood silent a moment, and then, faint and indistinct, apparently
+from somewhere several feet ahead of them, they both heard repeated that
+which had made Slim stop. As the letters were tapped off upon the pipe
+the lad repeated them for the information of the captain.
+
+"S-M-O-T-H-E-R-I-N-G."
+
+"Smothering!" echoed the commander of the ship. "Great Scott! I believe
+I know now where he is. This way," and he started down the passageway
+toward a narrow stairs leading to a still lower chamber in the vessel.
+
+Three turns--two to the right and one to the left--and the captain
+stopped again to listen. Seemingly from within the wall, right at their
+elbows, there came a feeble knock. The officer whipped out a pocket
+flashlight. They were directly in front of a heavy wooden door. It was
+locked.
+
+"Run get a cold chisel or a heavy screwdriver and hammer," the captain
+ordered, and Slim hastened away, to return two minutes later with all
+three tools.
+
+"Stand back as far as you can from the door," said the captain, placing
+his lips close to the keyhole. But there was no response from within.
+
+Realizing now that Lieutenant Mackinson must have lost consciousness,
+and that moments might mean life or death to him, the captain worked
+with feverish haste. He drove the heavy chisel into the crack between
+the door and the jam, and then, standing off to get a wider swing with
+the hammer, struck it sidewise.
+
+A panel of the door cracked and loosened. Two more attempts and the
+panel fell in strips to the floor. Thus given something for a grip-hold,
+the captain, who was a massive man, took hold with both hands, put his
+right foot against the wall, and, with one tremendous tug, into which
+he threw the whole weight of his body, brought the entire door from its
+hinges.
+
+The captain went staggering backward from the force of his effort and
+the weight of the door.
+
+The unconscious form of Lieutenant Mackinson tumbled out upon the floor.
+His face was almost blue from suffocation.
+
+The captain sounded three short, sharp blasts upon a whistle which he
+had taken from his pocket, and two oilers came running to the spot.
+
+"Help us carry this man to fresh air immediately," he ordered. "He has
+been overcome."
+
+With one of the oilers carrying the lieutenant by the feet, and the
+other man and Slim at either shoulder, the unconscious young officer was
+carried up flight after flight of steps until, the captain leading the
+way, they arrived at the promenade deck.
+
+A seaman was dispatched for the ship's surgeon, who arrived a few
+minutes later to find the first-aid efforts of the four men just
+bringing Lieutenant Mackinson back to consciousness.
+
+As the physician forced some aromatic spirits of ammonia between his
+lips the lieutenant opened his eyes and gazed about vaguely.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked weakly; but before anyone could answer he
+had relapsed again, and there was another wait of several minutes.
+
+But this time the lieutenant's mind was clearing.
+
+"Somebody shoved me--in that closet," he gasped, "and then--slammed
+and--locked--the door."
+
+He recognized the captain and the doctor. As his eyes closed again he
+added, in an almost inaudible whisper: "I was getting too close on
+somebody's trail."
+
+The captain looked at the ship's doctor significantly and dismissed the
+two oilers with instructions to return to their duties.
+
+"Found him locked in a small compartment down near the auxiliary engine
+room," the commander said briefly. "Hotter than blazes, and no air
+whatever where he was. He made his whereabouts known by tapping a
+message on a steam-pipe."
+
+"H'm," said the doctor, whose youthful appearance might not give a
+stranger a proper measure of his long and varied experience. "Nearly
+suffocated, too. He couldn't have lasted there much longer. His heart
+action is pretty weak even yet. Better have him removed to his bed, and
+kept there for the rest of the day, at least."
+
+At that moment Jerry came hurrying down the deck. He was visibly
+excited, but, unlike Slim, he did not forget that not only must a
+soldier never permit his feelings to run away with him, but that he must
+be equally mindful of respect for superiors.
+
+And so, even as two men carried Lieutenant Mackinson away, he remained
+standing at salute, waiting for the captain to recognize him with a
+return of the salute.
+
+"And now what?" asked the captain.
+
+Jerry stepped forward, with difficulty repressing his excitement.
+
+"I stepped out of the wireless room for only a few moments," he said.
+"When I returned I found this lying upon the table."
+
+He opened his left hand. In it lay a piece of light chain, both ends
+broken.
+
+"Beside it," he continued, "was this note."
+
+From his pocket he extracted a piece of paper, the edges of which were
+roughly torn. He handed it to the captain, who read aloud:
+
+     "Let this be a warning that no further interference will be of
+     avail."
+
+The captain looked from the note to the chain. There was no further word
+on the paper, and no signature.
+
+"I believe, sir," said Jerry, "that this is the rest of the chain which
+was attached to the iron cross torn from the man caught in the battery
+room."
+
+The senior officer of the vessel took from his pocket the cross, with
+its two bits of chain still dangling from it. He placed the ends to the
+chain which Jerry had found in the wireless room.
+
+"You are right," he said simply. And there could be no doubt about it.
+
+The captain's face clearly showed the worry on his mind. The ship's
+physician, who had been told all about the affair, immediately after
+Joe's discovery of, and battle with, the mysterious stranger, appeared
+equally anxious.
+
+"A man is discovered at night in the battery room of the wireless
+department of this ship, clearly upon an unfriendly mission," said the
+captain, half to himself and half for the benefit of the others, summing
+up the evidence thus far known to them. "He gives battle to the man who
+discovers him, and finally succeeds in knocking that man out and
+escaping. But he leaves behind him a portable wireless instrument, and
+a German iron cross, with two bits of the chain attached.
+
+"A few hours later that same night he returns to the battery room and
+succeeds in recovering the portable instrument.
+
+"To-day Lieutenant Mackinson, while pursuing an investigation of the
+affair, is shoved into a closet and only escapes death from suffocation
+by making himself heard as he telegraphs for help over a steam-pipe.
+
+"It must have been while we were rescuing the lieutenant that the same
+man again enters the wireless room and leaves there this chain, which
+had been attached to the iron cross, and also this note of warning.
+
+"The impudent effrontery and the cunning treachery of this man
+constitute him a menace to every other person aboard this ship. We are
+not safe while he is free.
+
+"This German spy must and shall be found."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE DEATH OF THE SPY
+
+
+The inability of Lieutenant Mackinson to add a single word of further
+information to what he had said as he regained consciousness on the
+promenade deck increased the mystery.
+
+The young lieutenant, it seemed, had been following a trail which he
+believed was leading him closer and closer to the object of the hunt,
+and it was in forging the links of this chain of circumstantial evidence
+that the young officer was led into the lower depths of the ship.
+
+"From a sailor who did not know why I was inquiring," he told the
+captain, "I learned that on the night the unknown man invaded the
+battery room this sailor had seen another member of the crew, presumably
+from the engine or boiler room, throw aside something as he hurried
+along the passageway leading from the wireless room. He was in his
+undershirt.
+
+"The sailor said he was about to investigate when he saw us come along,
+and you stooped to pick up whatever it was that had been thrown away.
+
+"While I was talking to him another member of the crew, evidently also
+from the boiler or engine room, brushed by us. He had disappeared when
+the sailor said to me, 'I think that was the fellow--the one that just
+went by.' Not wanting to arouse his suspicions, I ended the conversation
+with a casual remark, and then strolled away until I was out of the
+sailor's sight, and then hurried as fast as I could toward the engine
+room.
+
+"I do not know that part of the ship well, and it was very dark down
+there. I was groping my way along when I thought I heard steps just
+ahead of me. I stopped to listen, and when the sound was not repeated I
+proceeded onward.
+
+"All of a sudden I was grasped by the neck and one arm from behind, and
+thrown into that closet. Before I could utter a word I was a prisoner
+behind a locked door. I called several times, and, receiving no
+response, realized that I must be some distance from anyone else and
+that the noises of the engines completely drowned out my voice.
+
+"Every moment it became more stifling in there, and I had no doubt that
+I had walked directly into a death-trap. It was then I began signaling
+on the steam-pipe. I guess it was a mighty lucky thing for me that Slim
+Goodwin strolled out on deck just at the time he did."
+
+And that was all that Lieutenant Mackinson could tell. The mysterious
+stranger remained what he had been from the first--a desperate and
+dangerous and unknown spy, lurking somewhere upon the American transport
+_Everett_ with the evident intention of making the ship's position known
+to German U-boats when the _Everett_ and her convoy of cruisers and
+destroyers entered the danger zone.
+
+Then it was, with the lieutenant temporarily disabled as a result of his
+experience, that the three boys from Brighton, who seemed somehow to
+have been selected by Fate as the despoilers of all the spy's plans, put
+their heads together to devise a scheme of capture.
+
+"We've got more than one good reason for wanting to get this fellow,"
+Slim reminded the others with considerable warmth, during the course of
+their deliberations. "First and foremost, of course, is our plain duty
+to our country, to which he is an enemy and a traitor.
+
+"But, in addition to that, there is that knockout that he handed to Joe,
+and the midnight scare he gave Jerry and me, and finally his effort to
+kill Lieutenant Mackinson by slow suffocation, not to mention the nerve
+of the fellow in coming back the way he has."
+
+"Yes," added Jerry, "we owe him a lot, and it is up to us to figure out
+how we can square the debt."
+
+"Well," said Joe, "I think I've got a plan that will work; but we've got
+to remember that we are dealing with a very shrewd man."
+
+"Well, what's your suggestion?" Slim demanded.
+
+"That we divide our forces," answered Joe solemnly, "lie in wait and try
+to ambush the foe."
+
+"Right!" cried Jerry. "Joe, you'll be a general before this war's over."
+
+"Along what lines do we disperse our forces, General?" asked Slim.
+
+"Along what lines would His Royal Stoutness suggest?" demanded Jerry.
+
+"Oh, you don't have to keep reminding me that I'm a trifle heavy," Slim
+replied in a peevish tone.
+
+"A trifle heavy! Get that, will you," echoed Jerry with a gale of
+laughter. "A trifle heavy! Oh, my!"
+
+"You'll find out if I sit on you," Slim threatened, in a belligerent
+tone.
+
+"Come now," said Joe, "this isn't making any progress toward capturing
+the spy."
+
+"No," Jerry responded, "and that's our first duty, even if it is a
+trifle heavy."
+
+"I've warned you," Slim snapped out.
+
+"Quit it now," ordered Joe. "Let's get down to serious business."
+
+"All right," agreed Jerry. "Shake, Slim, just to show there's no hard
+feelings."
+
+"Won't do it," Slim muttered.
+
+"Oh, yes, you will," counseled Joe. "Shake hands, the two of you."
+
+Slim's good nature overcame his feigned reluctance, but as Jerry grasped
+his hand he gave Jerry a jerk that nearly took him off his feet.
+
+"Now we're square," said Slim, as Jerry rubbed his nearly dislocated
+shoulder.
+
+"Well, that pull _was_ a trifle heavy," muttered Jerry, determined to
+have the last word.
+
+"Now my plan is this," said Joe, facing the other two seriously. "The
+nearer we come to the zone of the German submarines, the more this man
+will try to arrange to notify them of our presence, and to do that he
+will have to use the wireless somehow. It seems likely that he would
+make his effort at night, because then it is easier for him to escape
+detection.
+
+"Now if we let Lieutenant Mackinson sleep during the day we could so
+divide up the work as for all of us to get some sleep, and then all
+could do watch at night.
+
+"The lieutenant could be in the wireless room, and one of us in the
+battery room, while the other two did duty outside. If one of us should
+hide under that stairway at the upper end of the passage, and the other
+in that alcove at the other end, no one could reach the wireless or
+battery rooms without our seeing.
+
+"It would be tiresome and monotonous work, all right, but it might
+accomplish the result."
+
+"I'm willing," said Jerry, "but you and I will have to do the outside
+work. Slim's a trifle heavy to get into either one of those hiding
+places."
+
+"Well, I'll cover the battery room," said Slim, ignoring Jerry's
+remark.
+
+"Let's see Lieutenant Mackinson, then," suggested Joe, and they went to
+find the young officer who was convalescing from his encounter with the
+spy. When he had approved the plan they got the O. K. of the captain.
+
+And so it was, four hours later, with the lieutenant in the wireless
+room, and Slim in the battery room adjoining, and Joe and Jerry stowed
+away in the hiding places selected, their long night vigil began.
+
+Hour after hour dragged itself by without a development, the intense
+silence broken only by the sounds of the engines and the wash of the sea
+against the ship. To the three boys, unable to see or talk to each
+other, and Joe and Jerry scarcely daring to move, the minutes lagged
+like hours, and the hours like dull, black, endless nights.
+
+Dawn came, and with it new activities in all parts of the vessel, but
+without a reward for their watch, and as the two lads crawled from their
+places of concealment at either end of the passage, to join Slim and
+Lieutenant Mackinson, there were mutual feelings of disappointment, but
+none of weakened determination.
+
+"What luck?" asked the captain, coming in at that moment.
+
+"None, sir, at all," the lieutenant responded.
+
+"Very well, then, try it again to-night," the commander ordered. "But in
+the meantime all of you get some sleep. You may get better results
+to-night, for by then we will be coming to the outer fringe of the
+submarine zone. I will arrange for another man to stay in the wireless
+room during to-day, and if an emergency arises he will call you."
+
+So the four young men went to bed for some much-needed rest and sleep,
+and when they awakened it was almost time for mess--directly after which
+they were to take up their night watch again.
+
+"I hardly think we will be troubled with U-boats to-night," the captain
+told them, "for it is perfectly clear and there will be a full moon. The
+sea is calm and we readily could discern a periscope a long distance
+away."
+
+Truly it was a beautiful night. And it was in this alluring quiet of
+seemingly absolute peace that one of the tragedies of war soon was to be
+enacted.
+
+The Brighton boys and their friend and superior officer, the lieutenant,
+had been in their appointed places hardly more than an hour when Joe
+and Jerry at the same instant caught the sounds of some sort of scuffle
+on the deck above.
+
+It came nearer and clearer until finally, as it reached a point near to
+the top of the stairway under which Joe was concealed, the latter could
+discern the fog-horn voice of the first assistant engineer.
+
+"G'wan with ye, now," he commanded, breathing heavily, as though from
+some violent physical exertion. "G'wan with ye, I say, or ye'll be
+findin' it mighty unhealthy fer ye. It's meself that'll be moppin' up
+the deck with ye if ye try to get gay once more."
+
+The first assistant engineer was a mighty mountain of a man, but his
+voice broke off as the commotion started again. Certainly he must have a
+rough customer to deal with, thought Jerry, if he, with all his great
+physical strength, could not entirely quell him.
+
+"Ye will, will ye?" hissed the voice of the engineer again. "Thry to
+bite me, eh?" and there was the terrible smash of a fist, and the
+unmistakable sound of a man falling upon the deck. "Ye dirty hound, I've
+a mind to boot ye into the sea."
+
+And then there were other voices. Jerry heard the captain demanding an
+explanation, and the ship's doctor spoke.
+
+"I found him tamperin' with the wires near the dynamos," the first
+assistant engineer was saying. "I niver liked his looks annyway, if
+ye'll pardon me, sir, fer sayin' it. And whin I asked him what he was
+about, he thried to git away. I grabbed him, and he showed fight. I
+guess I give 'im all he wanted, though, that last time."
+
+"So?" said the captain, in a voice so stern it made Joe wince. "And what
+does this fellow do aboard the ship?"
+
+"He's a third-class machinist, sir," the engineer replied. "But if ye'll
+excuse a word from me, sir, I think he's a first-class crook."
+
+"Yes, and I believe he's worse than that," the captain added; and then,
+in a voice which seemed to shake the vessel: "Stand up!"
+
+There was a strained silence for a moment. Then--
+
+"Get Lieutenant Mackinson and those boys," the captain continued, and
+the ship's surgeon started down the stairway to find that Joe and Jerry
+already were summoning Slim and the lieutenant.
+
+"It looks as though we'd caught the man," the doctor whispered.
+
+As the four reached the deck where the captured man stood between the
+first assistant engineer and the captain, who had by this time taken out
+his revolver, there was a gasp of astonishment from Joe, followed by a
+louder "Holy smoke!" from Slim.
+
+"Do you recognize this man?" the captain asked in a sharp tone.
+
+"I should say I do, sir," Joe responded. "_He is the man who was
+planting ammunition in the waters near the navy yard that night before
+we sailed_!"
+
+"The very same one, sir!" Slim exclaimed, with equal positiveness.
+
+The ship's surgeon, who had followed the others upon deck, stepped
+closer for a better inspection of this enemy. At the same instant the
+prisoner, striking out with both hands, knocked the captain's revolver
+hand into the air, and thrust the engineer from him. Before anyone could
+interfere he was dashing down the deck toward the stern.
+
+Just as he took a wild, headlong leap over the rail the captain fired.
+While the captain, through a speaking tube, was instructing the man in
+the pilot house to signal below "Reverse engines," the others rushed to
+the stern of the ship.
+
+Far behind them in the foamy trail left on the moonlit water by the
+vessel they saw what seemed to be the head of a man bobbing up and
+down--and then it entirely disappeared. The ship was turned, and that
+portion of the sea searched, but without avail.
+
+"Gone," said the captain in tones of very evident relief. "Well, it was
+death for him, one way or another, and he took his choice."
+
+As the captain and surgeon moved away from the stern rail of the
+_Everett_, the three lads and the lieutenant still stood there, gazing
+far out to sea.
+
+"The man who made me nearly freeze to death in the water," spoke Joe, as
+though thinking aloud.
+
+"And pummeled my stomach until it was sore for three days," echoed Slim,
+in sad reminiscence.
+
+"And made me run a mile in nothing, flat," added Jerry.
+
+"And fought me to a knockout finish later," mused Joe.
+
+"And nearly smothered me to death," spoke the lieutenant.
+
+"And was finally corralled by an Irish engineer!" said Slim.
+
+"Gone," concluded Jerry, "and no one here will mourn his departure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE PERISCOPE AT DAWN
+
+
+That night the boys had ample evidence that they were inside the
+submarine zone, where anything might happen at any minute. Not a light
+was permitted on any of the ships, and they traveled along in the most
+peculiar fashion and over the most irregular course, never going at more
+than half speed and not more than a mile or so without a complete change
+of direction.
+
+For no apparent reason whatever the engines would slow down and entirely
+stop, and in that position they would remain for ten, fifteen, twenty
+minutes or even half an hour, and then start up again on another tack.
+
+"I believe we've become separated from our convoy," said Slim, who had
+been upon deck, and now entered the wireless room where Joe and Jerry
+were watching Lieutenant Mackinson make some readjustments of the
+wireless mechanism. "The pilot doesn't seem to know the course. Say,
+wouldn't it be great sport if we should be lost from the others? But I
+wonder why the captain does not wireless them?"
+
+"No need," Lieutenant Mackinson assured him, "for we are not lost, nor
+are we separated from them. Every vessel in this fleet is simply
+carrying out a program secretly arranged long in advance, and which was
+in the nature of a sealed order which the various captains did not open
+until this morning.
+
+"I dare say that our convoy is as near us now as at any time during the
+voyage, and that it is maintaining the same position at all times, going
+through the exact maneuvers that the _Everett_ is performing."
+
+"It is to fool the submarines?" asked Joe.
+
+"Exactly," the lieutenant replied. "Our government is taking every
+precaution, and no unnecessary risks. You see, there is no way of
+keeping absolutely secret the departure of our transports. Nor is there
+any assurance that the information does not go directly to the German
+authorities, and from them to the commanders of the submarines. Our
+actions are designed to prevent them from estimating our course or
+position.
+
+"It was their knowledge of that fact, and their determination to learn
+our whereabouts in another way, which doubtless led to that spy being
+aboard this transport. I feel----"
+
+Suddenly the lieutenant ceased speaking, and all four, as of one accord,
+sprang toward the radio instruments.
+
+"Listen!" Lieutenant Mackinson commanded, as he jammed the headpiece
+over his ears.
+
+"SOS"--the most tragic of all the calls of the sea, was coming to them
+as a frantic appeal sent out through the air to any and all who might
+hear and respond.
+
+"SOS," the lieutenant wrote down hurriedly as the message came through
+space. And then:
+
+     "American--_Memphis_--submarine pursuing--53-1/2 lat.--17 W.
+     lon.--running fifteen knots three points south of west."
+
+The entire message was repeated, and then there was silence--the dense
+and seemingly impenetrable silence that had existed before.
+
+Came the nearer and more powerful crackle of the radio.
+
+"One of our destroyers is replying," Lieutenant Mackinson announced, and
+one by one he jotted down the words:
+
+     "Continue same direction. U. S. destroyer be with you in about two
+     hours."
+
+"Understand you," the return message came back a moment later.
+"Submarine still on stern. Has fired two shots, but both missed."
+
+It was a thrilling moment for the boys from Brighton. Out there in the
+blackness of the night an American fighting craft was separating itself
+from the rest of the fleet to run full speed to the assistance of a
+helpless merchantman, and, if possible, to do battle with the enemy
+U-boat.
+
+For an hour and a half they sat there, speculating as to the possible
+outcome.
+
+"I'd give a month's pay to be aboard that destroyer," exclaimed Jerry
+enviously. "That's the sort of excitement I like. Just imagine coming up
+to that merchantman just in time to save her from destruction, and then
+having a regular battle with the submarine, and finally watching her
+sink, with a shell hole torn in her side!"
+
+"Yes," added Slim, "and imagine being aboard that merchantman, with a
+shell hole torn in her side before the destroyer arrives!"
+
+"It's pretty cold swimming on a night like this," said Joe. "I've tried
+it, and I know."
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson, still seated before the wireless instrument,
+signaled them for quiet again. Another message was coming through space.
+It was in code, but was one that was easy for the lieutenant to
+translate, for he had heard it before.
+
+     "Submarine disappeared. Returning to fleet. Convoying _Memphis_."
+
+"Go on deck, keep your eyes busy off the port bow, and you may see
+something interesting," the lieutenant told them.
+
+Following the suggestion they went above and had stood there for perhaps
+fifteen or twenty minutes when suddenly the lookout in the crow's nest
+sang out: "Destroyer approaching, two points off the port bow."
+
+Almost at the same instant there loomed out of the dense darkness a
+faint light, apparently miles away. For a moment they would see it, and
+then it would be gone, only to reappear again, another time to be
+extinguished. But obviously all the time it was coming nearer.
+
+They noted, too, that a similar process was being enacted by the cruiser
+in the lead.
+
+"What does it mean?" asked Slim.
+
+"The destroyer is just using another sort of wireless," Joe explained.
+"She is blinking her identity to the fleet, and the cruiser out there is
+signaling recognition."
+
+The next time the destroyer signaled she was almost abreast of them, but
+about two miles away to the north. Her message then could be read by all
+the boys. The words it spelled out, however, were a complete riddle:
+
+     "Love--sky--sand--curtain--run."
+
+It was not for several hours that they learned that the captain of the
+destroyer had flashed a message that he would convoy the _Memphis_
+several miles further westward, and then rejoin the others, and that the
+fleet commander, in flashing back "bundle," had given his O. K., with an
+admonition for speed.
+
+There being no further necessity for the spy watch which had been
+maintained on the previous night, the boys drew lots to determine which
+one should do duty until morning in the wireless room, and it fell to
+Joe.
+
+But the first faint gray streaks were hardly painting the eastern sky
+when Jerry and Slim, unable to sleep longer, came out upon deck to take
+for themselves a general survey of the danger zone.
+
+"What's that?" cried Slim suddenly, staring off over the stern of the
+_Everett_.
+
+"Smoke!" echoed Jerry, excitedly.
+
+"Yes, smoke from the stack of the destroyer," said Joe, who had come up
+behind them without being heard. "We just got her signal a moment ago."
+
+"How far do you suppose she is away?" asked Slim.
+
+They were speculating upon the distance between the two vessels, when
+Slim, speechless for the moment, pointed to what seemed to be little
+more than a dark speck on the water about a mile astern and to the west
+of them--for at that time their zig-zag course pointed them almost due
+north.
+
+"Submarine approaching astern!" sang out the man in the crow's nest.
+
+It was as though the startling message had been megaphoned to every man
+aboard the _Everett_. At the same time the cruiser of the fleet began
+maneuvering herself between where the periscope showed the submarine to
+be and the transport itself.
+
+Almost simultaneously the U-boat came to the surface and one of the big
+guns on the cruiser belched forth a shell that apparently fell a short
+distance the other side of the submarine. The U-boat itself let loose a
+shot, and with such accuracy that only the sudden maneuver of the
+transport at that instant saved it from being hit.
+
+By this time the decks of the _Everett_ were crowded with the khaki-clad
+soldiers of Uncle Sam whom the Germans were trying to prevent from
+getting into the trenches by sending them to the bottom of the Atlantic.
+
+The cruiser had headed straight for the U-boat, while the destroyer was
+coming up behind it with even greater speed.
+
+For some reason that never will be known the commander of the submarine
+had ignored the destroyer entirely, although it was difficult to imagine
+that he had not seen it. The general supposition later aboard the
+_Everett_ was that something had happened to his batteries and he was
+unable to submerge.
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted hundreds of men on the _Everett_ in unison as the
+torpedo-boat destroyer opened fire.
+
+And the aim of her gunners was deadly! for just as the U-boat began to
+submerge, one of the big projectiles from the destroyer hit her squarely
+amidships. There was a terrific explosion, the stern of the undersea
+craft was lifted upward, clear of the water, she stuck her nose into
+the briny deep, and without another second's delay, dove to the bottom,
+a wreck.
+
+As the tremendous pressure of the water crushed in her air tanks, great
+bubbles rose to the surface and broke, causing rippling waves to roll
+outward in increasingly large circles. Then a flood of oil came to the
+surface of the sea, and the final evidence of the tragedy was
+obliterated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FRANCE AT LAST
+
+
+From that moment the watch on each vessel in the fleet was redoubled,
+and there was constant speculation, especially among the soldiers, as to
+whether another submarine would be sighted, and, if so, under what
+circumstances.
+
+They had now abandoned the zig-zagging course and were taking a direct
+route around the north of Ireland and toward the North Channel.
+
+On the following morning two additional destroyers bore down upon them
+from opposite points off the bow almost simultaneously, and as they came
+both code-telegraphed their identity. With these extra convoys it seemed
+indeed unlikely that a submarine would get near them, or, if it did,
+would attempt to do other than make its own safe escape.
+
+Fair Head, at the northeast corner of Ireland, gave them their first
+sight of land since they had left the shores of America; and for many of
+them this first glimpse of Erin's Isle brought with it the sentimental
+thrill of seeing the country where their parents had been born and spent
+their youth--for there was many a lad of Irish ancestry aboard the
+_Everett_.
+
+Rounding Fair Head without mishap or contact with a submarine, the
+danger from that source was practically over. The convoy was reduced to
+a cruiser and destroyer, and thus they laid a southeasterly course to
+what your old-time sailor would have described as "a piping breeze."
+
+They flanked the Isle of Man off its westward coast, and thence sped
+directly across the Irish Sea and into the harbor of Liverpool.
+
+Their arrival was unannounced. It was only one of many, and a thing to
+which the people of that and other cities of England and France had
+become quite accustomed. Nevertheless they welcomed the hosts of Uncle
+Sam in the warmest manner, and in every possible way showed the deep
+sense of appreciation and feeling of increased safety with which they
+viewed the arrival of more and more thousands of American troops in
+their land, on their way to the trenches of France to help conquer the
+common enemy.
+
+But there was not much time to be spent in Liverpool. Indeed, they had
+scarcely become accustomed to feeling their feet on solid ground again
+before the order to march was given, and they left the river front to go
+to the railroad station.
+
+There they received a plain but substantial meal, were inspected and
+admired by their British cousins, and then boarded the long troop train
+that already awaited them.
+
+"Take your seats, Yankees!" shouted the bearded conductor jovially, and
+the boys piled in.
+
+The details of that ride through England the boys from Brighton never
+will forget, although it was a long and tiring trip from Liverpool all
+the way to Dover, on the channel which separates England from the
+mainland of Europe.
+
+They crossed fair fields and beautiful streams that reminded them of
+their own native land, and came within view of giant ancient forests.
+They passed through cities and towns and again came out into the open
+country.
+
+Occasionally there were stops, when the soldiers were allowed to leave
+the train "to give their legs a stretch." At such times they were
+greeted affectionately on all sides by the men and women of England.
+
+"Hi say, Slim, old top," Jerry imitated good-naturedly as they boarded
+the train again after one of these delays. "Hi say, did you 'ear that
+'andsome little Hinglisher out there say as 'ow 'ealthy you looked?"
+
+"Did 'e?" asked Slim, grinning.
+
+"'E did," answered Jerry. And then, winking to Joe. "But 'e added, old
+top, that 'e thought you looked a trifle 'eavy."
+
+Only the sudden jolt of the starting train saved Jerry from the wallop
+that Slim directed at him; and had it landed, Jerry doubtless would have
+found it "a trifle 'eavy," also.
+
+There was a general laugh from the others in the car, for all three of
+the boys from Brighton had become immensely popular with their
+companions in arms, all of whom by this time had become well accustomed
+to this sort of gentle fun between the red-headed Jerry and "the
+'ealthy, 'eavy lad" called Slim.
+
+When they had been riding for another hour they came upon one of those
+vast English concentration camps where thousands of young Britons were
+being trained and equipped for war.
+
+As the train slowly, very slowly, passed around the outer edge of this
+camp, England saluted America, and America saluted England through
+their fearless young warriors. The young Britons shouted, waved flags,
+threw their hats into the air and sang. And the Americans, hanging from
+the car windows, and crowded out upon the platforms and steps, returned
+the demonstration with something for good measure.
+
+From this point forward the journey constantly was punctuated by scenes
+and incidents significant of war. Here was an ambulance and Red Cross
+unit mobilizing for removal to the very heart of smoke and battle and
+bloodshed; there stood a row of houses whose battered roofs and
+tottering walls testified to a ruthless aerial night raid of the
+Germans.
+
+It fired the blood of the Americans as they were reminded that these
+meagre evidences of Boche barbarity were as nothing compared to the
+deliberate and vicious ruin wrought in Belgium and northern France.
+
+Dover at last--the channel port which marked the beginning of the last
+lap of their journey to France! The boys hardly could wait until the
+train came to a stop, to get a glimpse of the water, across which lay
+the scene of the bloodiest war in all history--a war in which they were
+to take an important part.
+
+"They say this channel is awfully choppy," said Slim apprehensively, as
+they left the car. "Do you think, Jerry, that we're likely to get
+seasick again?"
+
+"Don't know," responded Jerry, also somewhat dubiously, "but there's one
+consolation about it--it's only a short trip."
+
+Never had the three boys from Brighton anticipated such co-ordinated
+efficiency in the workings of a war machine. They had expected long
+delays, frequent disappointments and protracted periods of training
+before they should reach the front-line trenches.
+
+Instead, they experienced consistent progress, many pleasant surprises
+and few disappointments; and now, upon reaching Dover, they soon learned
+that if it was at all possible they would board a transport that same
+night for the French side of the channel.
+
+From the train they were marched to a great cantonment on the edge of
+the city. The procession there was like a triumphant march, with throngs
+lined along the streets to cheer them as they passed.
+
+For more than a year before, enemy propaganda in the United States had
+constantly preached that England was weary of the war. This did not look
+like it. The very atmosphere breathed the spirit of "carry on," of
+renewed determination to fight to a finish.
+
+Amid such a spirit the Brighton boys reached the cantonment and after a
+hasty roll-call sat down to what they one and all pronounced a "fine
+feed."
+
+They rested for several hours and then were again ordered to fall in.
+The march was begun to the docks, where three steamers to be used as
+transports were being loaded with provisions and ammunition.
+
+Together with other American troops which had been awaiting their
+arrival, they went aboard the transports, but it was not till long after
+midnight that they were under way.
+
+Not a light was permitted on board. Not even the officers were allowed
+to strike a match or to smoke. No unnecessary noises were permitted, and
+the whole proceeding spoke of the secrecy of war work and the danger of
+revealing their plans or their whereabouts to any prowling enemy.
+
+With the dawn, scores of the men were on deck, including Joe, Jerry and
+Slim--and they were well within sight of land. Preparations already
+were being made for their landing, and a great excitement prevailed on
+each of the ships. Their long-held hopes were coming to fruition.
+
+France at last!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+TAPPING THE ENEMY'S WIRE
+
+
+The following morning all of those who had arrived on the transports
+were established in a concentration camp, but it was merely for the
+purpose of inspection of men and equipment, and was not to be for long.
+It was that same day that the three boys from Brighton were for the
+first time assigned to a regular unit of the Signal Corps.
+
+Also, with a real thrill, they learned that they were almost immediately
+to see war service, for American troops were already in the trenches.
+
+It was a happy circumstance for the three lads that they had had such
+close association with Lieutenant Mackinson, for, without question, he
+already had gained an enviable reputation, and when he was ordered to
+emergency service, and told he might choose the five men who were to be
+under his direction, his three assistants on the trip across were the
+first ones named.
+
+The other two were Tom Rawle, a fellow proportioned like their first
+friend in the service, Sergeant Martin, and a wiry, energetic,
+quick-speaking youth named Frank Hoskins.
+
+"We have a long trip before us," Lieutenant Mackinson informed them,
+"and we leave here on a special train in two hours. In a short time we
+will be in the thick of it."
+
+It was joyous information for the five, and they set about their few
+preparations with a zest only experienced by boys knowing they have
+important work to do, and feeling capable of doing it well.
+
+"How long have you been over?" Joe asked of Tom Rawle.
+
+"Got here two weeks ago," the big fellow answered. "But I haven't had
+any real service yet. I was assigned once to Cambrai, but before I
+reached there a big drive was under way, the Germans were being pushed
+back, and the detachment to which I had been assigned was so far forward
+that my orders were changed and I was sent back here."
+
+"Did you get within sound of the big guns?" asked Slim excitedly.
+
+"I should say so," answered Tom Rawle. "And so will you within a few
+hours. Isn't that so, Hoskins?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank, "and when you do you'll get a new idea of the
+fighting qualities of the French and Americans, going shoulder to
+shoulder against the Boches."
+
+"Hoskins knows," explained Rawle, "for he got nearer than I did."
+
+"Only for a short time," Frank corrected modestly, "but they called it
+my 'baptism of fire.' I was out one night with an advance party. We were
+nearly ambushed, and had to beat a quick retreat."
+
+"Well, tell them all about it," demanded Tom Rawle, impatient at Frank's
+unwillingness to talk much about himself.
+
+"Oh, they fired on us from a distance of about a hundred yards," the
+other lad admitted, "and it was a surprise party for fair, I can tell
+you. When bullets begin singing around your head for the first time, and
+especially when they come without any warning from the enemy, or any
+expectation on your part, it does give you rather a peculiar sort of
+feeling.
+
+"They got one of the fellows in our party with a bullet in the arm, then
+we all dropped on our stomachs and wriggled our way back into our own
+lines without any further damage. But we did some rapid wriggling, you
+can bet. There wasn't any time wasted by any of us, and inasmuch as we
+were apparently outnumbered, we did not fire back, for fear of giving
+them an exact range of our whereabouts.
+
+"After that I was sent back along the rear lines on an inspection trip
+which brought me all the way to this point, where I was held for the
+formation of this unit."
+
+"Say, that must be thrilling--to be a member of an advance party like
+that," said Jerry, his enthusiasm as fiery as his hair. "I wonder if
+we'll get any work like that?"
+
+"You sure will," responded Rawle, "and plenty of it. You needn't worry
+on that score."
+
+At that moment Lieutenant Mackinson arrived to inquire if all their
+preparations had been made, and if they were ready to board the special.
+
+"All ready," they answered, and the lieutenant led the way to the train.
+
+They found several others already aboard, who were to make at least a
+part of the trip with them. There were half a dozen men who had been
+slightly wounded in the trenches, and now, completely well, were
+returning to their regiments. Also, there was a wire company of the
+Signal Corps, which was going to join another American unit.
+
+For the first three or four hours of the trip the lads, even including
+Hoskins and Rawle, found the returning young veterans the center of all
+interest, and from them they heard many serious and amusing stories,
+many true tales of the attack and retreat, of shot and shell and
+shrapnel and the hand grenade and the poisonous gas bombs thrown by the
+Boches.
+
+And then, one by one, the soldiers of Uncle Sam dropped off into long
+and restful slumber--slumber that was to fit them for hard and difficult
+duties ahead.
+
+"This is where we get off," finally announced Lieutenant Mackinson,
+shaking the lads into wakefulness. "We leave the train here and travel
+the balance of the distance by automobile."
+
+Never had the boys seen such a powerful looking car as that to which an
+orderly led them. Without the waste of a moment they climbed
+in--Lieutenant Mackinson, our three friends, young Hoskins and the
+towering Rawle. In another instant they were speeding across the country
+with the break of dawn.
+
+But their trip now was far different from the one they had had across
+England. Where, in that country, they had seen big concentration camps,
+and men preparing for war, with an occasional evidence of war's effects
+in a building wrecked by a night air raid, here, in the eastern part of
+France, they came upon actual war in all its fateful progress, with
+whole towns demolished, forests and orchards blotted out--stark ruin
+written over the face of the earth.
+
+With a clear right-of-way, their high-power machine swept past
+ammunition and food trains--long strings of powerful motor trucks
+driving toward the scene of action. They came upon towns and villages in
+that area known as "behind the lines," where French, American, Belgian
+and British soldiers were recuperating after hard days and nights in the
+front-line trenches.
+
+By this time they were well within sound of the heavy guns, and their
+driver told them that the artillery duel then going on had been in
+progress for forty-eight hours at least.
+
+"Sometimes it lasts for a week or more, you know," he said, "in
+preparation for a great infantry advance. But I understand that this
+time they expect to go forward before the end of to-day."
+
+"Which, means," added Lieutenant Mackinson, "that we probably will get a
+chance to get right into the thick of it."
+
+On and on they went, and nearer and nearer to the scene of actual battle
+they came. They passed the third-line trenches, and now, in places, they
+seemed to be in a straight line with some of the concealed artillery
+that was pounding away at the enemy in terrible detonations that shook
+and rocked the ground every minute.
+
+At the second-line trenches their orders called for a halt. They did not
+have to be told that there was "something doing." The road, so far as
+the eye could reach backward over the route they had traveled, was a
+constantly moving line of motor trucks, coming forward with men and
+shells, while out ahead of them, tremendous and menacing, big tanks--the
+biggest things the boys ever had seen propelled on wheels or
+tractors--were pursuing their uneven course toward the front, in
+preparation for a new kind of assault.
+
+"They look like miniature battleships on land, don't they?" exclaimed
+Slim.
+
+The others agreed that it was about the best description that could be
+given of these massive fighting machines, equipped with guns and men,
+that could travel with their own power practically anywhere, across
+shell holes, over trenches, through barbed wire--the most human piece of
+war mechanism that had yet made its appearance on the battlefield.
+
+Summons to a long-delayed meal gave a welcome interruption to their
+guesses as to just what their first duties would be, and they had
+scarcely finished their substantial rations of food when an orderly
+informed Lieutenant Mackinson that he was to report at once to the field
+headquarters.
+
+"Await me here," he said to the five men under his immediate command. "I
+probably will be only a short time."
+
+And, indeed, it seemed to them that he had hardly time to reach the
+headquarters when he was seen returning hurriedly. He gave some hasty
+instructions to the chauffeur, and the latter immediately began a quick
+examination of his engine and tires, which promised another early move.
+
+"We go forward as far as we can by automobile again," the lieutenant
+informed them, "and after dark to-night we are to establish an outlying
+communication from the farthest skirmish points to headquarters."
+
+Almost as he finished the sentence, they were started, but now their
+progress frequently was impeded, and occasionally a shell broke so close
+to them as to jar the machine from its course.
+
+None of the men in the rear seats of that car were cowards, but, aside
+from Hoskins, it was their first experience under actual fire, and they
+marveled at the coolness of the driver, who seemed not to mind at all
+the dangerous quarters they were in.
+
+When they climbed out of the machine, half an hour later, Joe remarked
+upon it in tones of open admiration.
+
+"It's nothing," the youthful chauffeur replied. "You'll get used to it,
+too."
+
+As he turned the automobile and started backward, Slim suddenly
+remembered that they hadn't even heard his name.
+
+"Don't know it," said Hoskins, "but he was wounded twice in the
+trenches, I heard while we were waiting for the lieutenant. That's why
+he's driving a car now. He has seen enough service to know that
+nervousness doesn't help."
+
+They had been directed to the quarters of Major Jones, in charge of the
+Signal Corps men in that section, and it was with considerable surprise
+that the boys learned, upon arriving there, that they were to accompany
+the lieutenant into the superior officer's presence for instructions.
+
+He was a man, they found, about forty years old, already grizzled and
+hardened by his field experience. And he knew how to convey orders and
+transact business without a moment's delay.
+
+"You are to follow the red-ink lines on this map," he told Lieutenant
+Mackinson, as they all leaned over his desk to follow the tracing of his
+pencil, with which he showed them the course they were to take.
+
+"When you have reached this point"--indicating a heavy spot about midway
+of the map--"you will seek a suitable location from which to establish
+communications. You will determine whether it can be done by wireless.
+As soon as you can do so, report what progress you have made. Use every
+caution, for you will be in the country occupied by the enemy. You
+should leave here about seven o'clock this evening. It is now six."
+
+Fifteen minutes later they had examined their arms and equipped
+themselves with a full supply of small-arms ammunition, portable
+wireless instrument and antennae, and three rations each of eating
+chocolate.
+
+The latter article is dispensed to every soldier in the American armies
+just prior to an engagement in which he may become separated from his
+unit or companions, and, if wounded, might otherwise starve to death.
+
+The remaining three-quarters of an hour they spent in close study of the
+map that Major Jones had given them, and promptly at seven o'clock they
+started upon the dangerous mission.
+
+With nightfall the big cannonading had noticeably shut down, but to the
+south of them artillery firing still could be heard distinctly. It was a
+black night and they proceeded with the greatest caution.
+
+They did not dare use the flashlights that each of them carried, and
+frequently all of them would have to drop suddenly flat upon the ground
+as a big rocket went up from either side, lighting the whole section for
+trace of skirmishing parties.
+
+In this way they went forward, yard by yard, until they reached a thick
+clump of trees. There, after listening intently for several minutes
+without hearing a dangerous sound, they spread out their coats,
+tent-like, while Lieutenant Mackinson, with gingerly flashes of his
+light, examined the map again, to make certain of their location.
+
+They had hardly progressed a hundred feet further when the unlucky Slim
+tripped and went sprawling on the ground with a pained but suppressed
+grunt.
+
+"Sh-h-h-h!" warned Lieutenant Mackinson in a whisper, while Tom Rawle,
+quietly chuckling at the fat lad's misfortune, aided him to his feet.
+
+"Down flat!" said Mackinson again, as he discerned several shadows
+moving across a space a considerable distance to the north of them.
+
+For fully ten minutes, which seemed like an hour, they lay there, not
+daring to move. They watched the enemy scouting party get a like scare,
+and then, after what seemed to be a whispered consultation, turn back to
+the German lines.
+
+"What did you fall over?" the lieutenant finally asked of Slim, in a
+scarcely audible tone.
+
+"I just found it," replied Slim. "It's a wire. Here, let me have your
+hand." And he guided the lieutenant's fingers to that which had been the
+cause of his downfall.
+
+"Copper!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "Hoskins, let me have that kit."
+
+And without the aid of a light he extracted from the leather case which
+Hoskins gave him a very small telegraph instrument. The instant it was
+attached to the wire the receiver began to tick irregularly.
+
+Neither Rawle nor Hoskins understood German, but to the others they were
+words easy to translate.
+
+They had accidentally struck an enemy wire and had tapped it! That part
+of the message which they had intercepted read:
+
+     "--lead enemy to believe whole attack centered from your
+     position, but main assault will be a flank move around Hill 20"
+
+At that instant a fusillade of bullets cut the ground all about them,
+and the six men suddenly realized that they were under a pitiless and
+well-directed machine-gun fire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE S O S WITH PISTOL SHOTS
+
+
+To move from the position they were in was impossible. All that they
+could do, imprisoned there as they were within a steel and leaden wall
+of rapidly falling machine-gun bullets, was to hope that the gunners
+would not change their aim, even by the fraction of a point, and that
+neither side would send up a torch rocket to divulge their exact
+whereabouts and bring sudden death or mortal injury to them all.
+
+They knew now that they had been discovered by the enemy scouting party
+which they had observed a short time before--as they thought, without
+the others knowing of their presence there in "No Man's Land."
+
+They also realized now, when it was too late, that the Germans had
+returned to their own lines, after that brief consultation, in order to
+procure the machine-gun with which to wipe them out.
+
+And through it all they dared not return the fire, could not even utter
+a word to each other without fear of giving the enemy a closer range
+upon them.
+
+It was a terrible three minutes for that isolated little group of
+Americans, for bullets were striking all around them, the nearest not
+more than ten feet away, and there was every possibility that another
+detachment might be flanking them, to cut them off later in their
+retreat, in case the machine-gun did not effectively do its deadly work.
+
+There was but one desperate course open to them, and that Lieutenant
+Mackinson ordered at the instant the firing ceased.
+
+"Run!" he ordered, in a shrill whisper. "Run straight toward our own
+lines for about a quarter of a mile and then detour to the south."
+
+And off they started, each with all the speed he had in him. The renewal
+of the machine-gun fire compelled them to take a zig-zag course, however,
+and in this way for the first five minutes they all kept together.
+
+Then Tom Rawle, who, with the lieutenant, had been a little in the lead,
+gradually dropped back until he was abreast of Joe and Jerry, who were
+running together, and then behind them, reaching Frank Hoskins and Slim,
+who were bringing up a loudly puffing rear.
+
+Finally, as they began to pass him, too, and his lagging pace became
+noticeable, he urged them ahead and told them not to mind him.
+
+"I got one of those bullets in the hip," Rawle told them, to the
+surprise of all, for up to that moment he hadn't uttered a sound. "It
+cuts down my speed, but it's nothing serious, I guess. You keep right on
+and I'll follow as rapidly as I can."
+
+"I'm almost winded myself," said Slim. "I'll stick with Tom; you fellows
+keep right on. We'll join you in a few minutes after you stop. Joe, I'll
+give that 'whip-poor-will' call if we can't locate you. At any rate, we
+know our way back to the American lines."
+
+"Not so loud," warned Lieutenant Mackinson, as he slowed down. "I guess
+you are right," he continued. "You stay along with Rawle, but the two of
+you try to follow as quickly as possible, so that we can get Tom back to
+the lines for medical attention. It is necessary that I have the others
+with me, though, for we must not only accomplish our mission, but also
+give the commander that intercepted German message."
+
+And so the little group parted, there in the blackness of night
+"somewhere in France," the lieutenant, Hoskins, Joe and Jerry to forge
+ahead as rapidly as they could in a detour that would again take them
+back into the enemy territory, but in another place, while Slim and the
+wounded Rawle came along at a slower pace.
+
+The latter had been wounded more seriously than he knew, though, and he
+had not gone more than three hundred yards further before the loss of
+blood had so weakened him that he had to stop running and hobble along
+in a painful, limping gait, leaning heavily upon Slim's shoulder.
+
+"Guess I'll have to quit," he said, a little later on. "Can't go much
+further." And even as he spoke he sank to the ground.
+
+While Tom Rawle assured him that it "wasn't much of a wound," Slim, who
+was doing the best he could to stop the flow of blood with his
+handkerchief, knew that it was a bad injury, indeed, unless it was given
+early attention.
+
+"I'll try to get one of the others to return," he said, "and then we can
+send to our lines for a stretcher to get you in."
+
+"Nonsense," said Rawle, "I can walk; I'll show you."
+
+But it was a pitiful effort, and unsuccessful, and Tom himself had to
+admit that he "guessed he was out of business" for a little while.
+
+Thereupon Slim puckered up his lips and imitated the low but
+far-carrying call of the whip-poor-will--the call that he and Joe and
+Jerry had used so much to summon each other at Brighton.
+
+He remained silent for a moment listening, but there was no answer
+except the distant rumble of the heavy artillery fire. He repeated the
+call several times. Here and there to the north of them occasional
+rockets went up from either line, but their brief light divulged nothing
+in the way of encouragement.
+
+"It's not doing you any good to sit here without attention," said Slim
+at last. "Here is your revolver right alongside you. I will be back
+within half an hour. I am going to scout around for help."
+
+"But don't take any chances for me," Tom Rawle warned him. "I guess I
+could crawl back to camp, at that."
+
+"No, you couldn't," Slim declared, "and mind you don't try it. I'll be
+back for you in a very short time."
+
+He disappeared in the direction that the rest of the party had taken,
+leaving Rawle there to await his return. Half an hour later he managed
+to find the spot again, but without the aid he had gone to get. Not a
+trace of the others had he been able to find.
+
+But that was not the worst of it. Tom Rawle, helpless for all his big
+body and physical strength, lay stretched out upon the ground
+unconscious, a pool of blood by his side!
+
+Slim put his water flask to the wounded man's lips and tried to rouse
+him, but without avail.
+
+"_Whip-poor-will-l-l_," whistled Slim. "_Whip-poor-will-l-l._" But the
+sound was lost somewhere in the denseness of the night, and there was
+not even an echo for response.
+
+Slim was growing desperate. At any time they might be discovered by an
+enemy scouting party, and then they would either be bullets' victims or
+prisoners of war. Yet he knew that he could not hope to carry Tom Rawle
+back to the American lines. Rawle's dead weight would have been a
+difficult burden for a man of twice Slim's strength, and he knew it.
+
+What should he do? Unnecessary delay might cost the other man's life.
+Already his wound had caused him to lose consciousness.
+
+As he turned the thing over in his mind there came faintly, ever so
+faintly, to him from far, far to the south, as though but a breath of
+wind, the familiar "_Whip-poor-will_."
+
+"_Whip-poor-will-l-l_," shrilled back Slim.
+
+He waited, but there was no answer. It was as though a whip-poor-will
+itself was mocking his plight.
+
+"_Whip-poor-will-l-l_," Slim whistled again, and thrice, but each time
+there was nothing but the grim silence for reply.
+
+"Tom," he whispered into Rawle's ear, gently shaking the wounded man.
+"Tom, can you get up? I'll help you back. We can make it somehow
+together."
+
+But here again only the weak breathing of his comrade testified to their
+plight.
+
+"Better to take the one chance that's left us," muttered Slim to
+himself, as he pulled Rawle's revolver from under him, to make sure that
+it was fully loaded. "Yes," he continued, "it's better to risk discovery
+than this fellow's life."
+
+He took his own automatic from its holster and carefully examined it
+also.
+
+Then, with a revolver in either hand, pointing them into the air and
+with fourteen shots at his disposal, he began firing.
+
+Bang-Bang-Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang-Bang-Bang!
+
+The shots rang out on the night air like a series of interrupted
+explosions. But to the trained ears of the other men of the
+party--Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, Jerry and Frank Hoskins--two miles
+away, they carried their call for help.
+
+It was the S O S of the international code, but in a new sort of
+wireless--by pistol shots!
+
+Trembling for the results that his desperate action might bring upon
+them, Slim waited, bending now and then over the unconscious form of Tom
+Rawle.
+
+But in fifteen more minutes his inventive genius was rewarded. From a
+considerable distance, but each time more distinctly, now came the
+repeated call of "_Whip-poor-will_," and in less time than it seemed
+possible that they could make it, the other group had returned.
+
+In low commands the lieutenant then directed affairs, and in exactly the
+way that he had been carried out of the hold of the _Everett_ on the
+verge of suffocation, so they carried poor Tom Rawle back to their own
+lines.
+
+And when he had been placed upon a cot in the first emergency hospital,
+Lieutenant Mackinson hurried off to make his report, in the honor of
+which all shared.
+
+For not only had they found a location from which to wireless
+advance-line communications to field headquarters, but they had also
+intercepted a message, knowledge of which resulted in a quick change of
+plans by which the Americans were able to beat the enemy at his own game
+on the morrow.
+
+"Rawle was suffering more from loss of blood than from any seriousness
+of the injury itself," the surgeon told them when they asked there of
+their friend's condition, on their way to their own quarters. "He will
+be around all right again in a week's time."
+
+And so, much desperate work accomplished on their first night within the
+firing lines, the lads threw themselves upon their cots to dream of
+spies and captured Germans and injured soldiers and calls for help by
+new methods in wireless.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE CAVE OF DEATH
+
+
+It is one of the fortunes, or misfortunes, of war that a position gained
+one day, even at great human sacrifice, may be of no real or practical
+value whatever the next. So it was with the advance post of
+communication located by Lieutenant Mackinson and his party under such
+dangerous conditions during the night before.
+
+The information which they had gained through tapping the enemy's wire
+enabled the American and French troops, operating together, to prevent
+the German trick from being carried into effect. More than that, it
+enabled them to turn the knowledge of those plans to such good advantage
+that the allied brigades swept forward in terrible force against the
+weakest points in the enemy line. They pushed the whole Boche front back
+for more than a mile--at the very point where it had been considered
+strongest!
+
+As a consequence, the point of communication which the lieutenant and
+his aides had established with so much difficulty was now well within
+the territory held by the American and French fighters. The requirements
+for a further advance now made it necessary to have another outpost
+point of communication as near to the enemy trenches as the first one
+was before the day's battle put the Allies a mile further forward.
+
+And so, except for Tom Rawle, who was resting easy from his hip wound,
+the same party started out at the same tune for the same purpose on this
+second night, but with a very much sharpened realization of the
+obstacles they had to overcome and the chances they faced of being
+wounded or captured.
+
+"We take an entirely different direction," Lieutenant Mackinson told
+them, as he looked up from the map he had been studying. "We go to the
+north and east and as close to the observation trenches as possible."
+
+Now the danger of this can readily be seen from considering what an
+observation trench is. The front-line trenches of the opposing armies,
+of course, run in two practically parallel lines. But an observation
+trench runs almost at right angles with the front-line trenches, and
+directly toward the enemy trench, so far as it is possible to extend
+it. The extreme ends of these observation trenches are known as
+"listening posts," and often they are so close to the enemy lines that
+the men in the opposing army can be heard talking.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson and his aides, Joe, Jerry, Slim and Frank Hoskins,
+were to get their signaling location as near to an enemy listening post
+as possible! In other words, they were to court discovery in an effort
+to get just a few feet nearer the enemy than they otherwise would.
+
+They went along much as they had on the preceding night, except, had
+there been light enough, it might have been noticed that Slim, in his
+walking, pushed his feet forward cautiously, and then in stepping lifted
+them high from the ground.
+
+But as luck would have it they had not gone more than two hundred yards
+when a bullet whizzed within two feet of Jerry's head, followed by a
+shower of missiles that were directed entirely too close to them for
+comfort.
+
+Instantly they dropped flat on the ground. In the distance ahead of them
+they could see three shadows stealthily crawling along toward them.
+
+"Pick your men!" Lieutenant Mackinson ordered, in a whisper. "Fire!"
+
+Their automatics let out a fusillade of bullets. Two of the shadows
+jumped slightly into the air, and then rolled over. The third man rose
+and started to run toward the enemy line. Frank Hoskins took deliberate
+aim and fired. The man dropped and lay still.
+
+"Looks as though we got them," said Lieutenant Mackinson, "but they may
+be only pretending. Do not move for a few minutes."
+
+While they were thus waiting, the enemy trenches sent up a glaring
+rocket. It fell shorthand failed to reveal them, but it plainly showed
+three German soldiers lying prone upon the ground, all of them
+apparently instantly killed.
+
+"That's the part of it I don't like," muttered Slim with a shudder. "It
+isn't so bad when you are firing into a whole company or regiment and
+see men fall. At least, it doesn't seem so bad, for you don't know just
+which ones you hit and which ones some one else bowled over. But in this
+individual close-range stuff it leaves a nasty feeling."
+
+"You are right," whispered Frank Hoskins, "but you'd better not talk
+any more about it now or some Boche may try the same close-range stuff
+on us."
+
+Warned to silence by the lieutenant, they continued to creep along, only
+a foot or so at a time, stopping every few minutes to listen intently to
+see if their presence had been discovered.
+
+On the night before they had been upon fairly level ground, but this
+night they were in a section that was all hills and hummocks and
+hollows. They would creep cautiously up the side of one mound, not
+knowing but that on the other side lay a group of Germans, perhaps out
+upon a similar mission.
+
+For no one can tell what may happen in No Man's Land--that section
+belonging to neither side, before and between the front-line trenches of
+the opposing armies.
+
+"With that star as my guide, I am certain that we have not turned from
+the proper direction," Lieutenant Mackinson whispered, as they came to a
+halt in a secluded spot that seemed as safe from attack as from
+observation. "We have passed the fifth hill. Fifteen more minutes should
+bring us to the place which Major Jones indicated on the map. It is a
+sort of natural trench. If we reach it all right we are to string a
+wire from there to our first observation trench to the northwest of it.
+I believe that the same place has been used for the same purpose before,
+during the long time that all this has been contested ground. An outpost
+there can observe and report every activity of the enemy in daylight,
+without himself being seen."
+
+They began again to creep forward, now flat upon their stomachs, and
+only raising themselves from the ground a little way, but at infrequent
+intervals, in order to make sure of their position and that they were
+not being watched.
+
+"Listen!" hissed Frank Hoskins, who was a little to the left of where
+the others were snaking their way along.
+
+They all stopped moving, almost stopped breathing.
+
+"What was it?" Lieutenant Mackinson barely breathed, after several
+minutes of silence.
+
+Hoskins crawled nearer before he spoke.
+
+"How near are we, Lieutenant?" he asked:
+
+"I should say about a hundred yards."
+
+"Look straight ahead of us when the next rocket goes up," Hoskins
+suggested.
+
+They had not long to wait for one of the great sky torches to come
+sailing over the side of the German trench, but from a considerable
+distance ahead of them.
+
+"Did you notice anything?" Hoskins asked.
+
+"I didn't," whispered the lieutenant. "Did you?"
+
+"I thought I saw half a dozen men," said Joe.
+
+"We'll wait, then, and see," said Lieutenant Mackinson.
+
+In a moment another rocket went up, this time from the American-French
+side, and it clearly showed what Joe and Frank both had seen.
+
+Six, perhaps seven or eight, men were crawling along, headed toward
+them.
+
+"They are making for the same place," said Jerry.
+
+"Exactly," replied the lieutenant. "It means that we have got to fight
+for it. We will have some advantage if we can beat them to the
+protection of the base of that hummock."
+
+As rapidly as possible they started forward. Lying out flat, they would
+draw their feet upward and toward them, rising slightly and going
+forward upon their arms. This action, which put them ahead a few inches
+every time, they repeated times without number. But it was slow progress
+at best, and made slower by the interruptions of the rockets.
+
+"We are almost there," Lieutenant Mackinson whispered, "but I think we
+have been discovered. Lie flat and don't make a move. By keeping my head
+in the position I have it I can watch that other group. If we have been
+seen it means a running fight to the mouth of that trench or cave."
+
+Another rocket cut a glaring path across the sky. Again it was from the
+American-French side and illumined the black shadows strewn along the
+ground like little clumps of low-growing bushes.
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed the lieutenant suddenly, and then, in the same breath:
+"Up and at 'em, boys!"
+
+Before the others had an opportunity to realize what had happened,
+Mackinson was dashing at top speed toward the indicated trench or cave,
+firing as he went.
+
+As they followed suit, but more careful in their shooting, for fear of
+hitting him, they realized that the men in the enemy group were doing
+the same thing--running as fast as they could for the same position.
+
+"Drop!" ordered the lieutenant, and they did so, but it was as if he had
+issued the order for both sides, for the others were not a second later
+in seeking the security of the ground.
+
+"Either side may begin playing machine-guns on us at any moment," the
+young officer whispered, between gasps for breath. "Forward as quickly
+as possible, and continue firing."
+
+How they ever escaped the enemy bullets as long as they did none of them
+ever knew, but the men of the other side were just as doggedly
+determined, and no less courageous, even if three of their number
+already lay stretched out motionless and useless upon the ground.
+
+And so the battle waged, until both groups were no more than fifty feet
+away from the mouth of the natural trench. Each moment brought them
+closer together, with the even more vigorous popping of their guns, for
+by now it was virtually a hand-to-hand battle.
+
+Only four men now remained upon the side of the Germans, and, so far as
+numbers were concerned, the Americans seemed to have the advantage by
+one. But the score was evened an instant later, when one of the Boches
+"winged" Frank Hoskins, and his right arm fell useless at his side.
+
+But Lieutenant Mackinson squared accounts for Hoskins by putting another
+German completely out of commission. A prompt return compliment knocked
+Jerry's revolver out of his hand. At this juncture Slim played a heroic
+part by laying low another German.
+
+Seeing themselves now outnumbered almost two to one--for apparently they
+did not know that they had injured Hoskins--the two remaining Boches
+took one final, despairing survey of the situation, then turned and
+started on a dead run for their own lines.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson leveled his revolver at them, held it in that
+position for a moment, and then--perhaps it was an accident--seemed to
+elevate it slightly in the air and fired. Certainly neither German was
+hurt by the bullet, although it did seem to add a little to their haste.
+
+"The position is ours," announced the lieutenant exultantly, and then,
+suddenly remembering that Frank Hoskins had been hit and that Jerry had
+dropped his gun, he inquired: "Hurt badly, Frank? And how about you,
+Jerry?"
+
+"Nothing but a scratch," said Frank. "Took me right on the 'crazy bone'
+and made me jump for a minute, but it's hardly bleeding now."
+
+"Only hit my gun," announced Jerry, "and I recovered that."
+
+There was no time for further conversation. The Germans had reached
+their own lines, and a machine-gun was being trained upon the Americans.
+They rushed headlong to the north side of the little mound, and into the
+opening of a natural cave.
+
+The earthwork made them as solidly entrenched as though they were behind
+their own lines, and only heavy shells could dislodge them. But they had
+work to do, and the nature of it required that they do it quickly.
+
+The entrance faced almost directly north and into No Man's Land, so that
+the light of an electric flash, such as they all carried, hardly could
+attract the attention of either side.
+
+"Joe," said the lieutenant, sizing up the situation, "it is not safe to
+leave the enemy unwatched for a single second. I think it would be well
+for you to stay on duty outside, while the rest of us rig up the
+instrument and begin to unspool the wire. Hoskins, you're hurt, so you
+stay here with Joe. But both of you be mighty careful not to expose
+yourselves where you'll stop a German bullet."
+
+With Lieutenant Mackinson leading, Jerry just behind him and Slim
+bringing up the rear, they crossed the five feet of narrow passageway
+back into the natural dungeon.
+
+The lieutenant switched on his light. Involuntarily and with a startled
+gesture he stepped back.
+
+"Jumping Jupiter!" exclaimed Jerry, "what's that?"
+
+Slim, peering ahead of the other two, ejaculated something between a
+shriek and a groan.
+
+Strewn about the ground of that cave, in every conceivable position of
+misery and torture, were the bodies of half a dozen dead men, all
+Germans.
+
+The lieutenant's hand that held the light trembled slightly as he stared
+at the ghastly scene before him, but he was grit and courage right
+through to the heart.
+
+"This is bad business," he said, "but we are under orders and we must go
+through with it. We cannot move the bodies out to-night."
+
+He stepped further into the dark hole, and the other two lads followed.
+
+Suddenly from behind them there was a grumbling, roaring crash, pierced
+by a cry of warning from Joe, outside.
+
+The three whirled around, and for a moment no one could utter a word.
+
+The mouth of the dungeon had completely caved in!
+
+"Trapped!" gasped Jerry, who was the first to find his voice.
+
+Even the lieutenant seemed dazed.
+
+"Trapped," echoed Slim, "in the cave of death."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+DESPERATE MEASURES
+
+
+Never did three young men face a more terrible or more horribly gruesome
+situation. Here they were, locked in a natural dungeon behind a wall of
+dirt and rock probably four or five feet thick. Not only that, but the
+cave already contained the bodies of six men whose fixed and glassy eyes
+stared at them as though in mockery and warning, and the already foul
+air was becoming more stifling every moment.
+
+In a dull way they realized that they probably could not survive more
+than two or three maddening hours in that death chamber.
+
+"It may not be so bad as it seems," said Lieutenant Mackinson in a voice
+that seemed unnatural in that vault. "Perhaps it was only a slight
+cave-in."
+
+He flashed his light about the hole. It was difficult to tell where the
+opening had been.
+
+"Joe and Frank Hoskins!" cried Jerry, a new terror in his voice. "I
+heard Joe shriek!"
+
+Slim, catching his meaning, snatched a rifle from beside one of the
+bodies, and with the butt of it began pounding frantically upon the side
+of the cave where the entrance had been.
+
+There was no answering knock.
+
+"Joe," shouted Jerry in a frenzied tone. "Joe! Can you hear me?"
+
+No answer came, either from Joe or Frank.
+
+"Pinned under tons of that stuff," gasped Slim, the words trembling upon
+his lips and a tear trickling down his cheek.
+
+"I do not think so," the lieutenant assured them. "Both Joe and Frank
+were upon the outside when we entered."
+
+"But they would try to get us out," said Jerry. "If they were out there
+they would give us some sort of signal that they were trying to help
+us."
+
+"We might not be able to hear them," answered the lieutenant, even
+against his own judgment. "But look at it this way. Even though they
+never were inside here, they had a fair idea of what the place was like.
+They knew from that that we needed help, and needed it quickly. If one
+went alone, and anything happened to him on the way, the other might
+wait here indefinitely, not knowing whether he had got assistance or
+not. By going together they took the safest course."
+
+And Lieutenant Mackinson's reasoning was correct. That was exactly the
+way Joe and Frank had figured it out, and, the latter forgetting all
+about his own wound, they had started as fast as they could for the
+American front.
+
+"Keep cool, conserve your energy, and I feel certain everything will be
+all right," the lieutenant told the two friends with whom, in such a
+short time, he already had gone through so many harrowing experiences.
+
+At that very same moment, a quarter of a mile away, Joe brought his
+companion to a halt, took out his flashlight, and, facing the American
+line, began making and breaking the connection in a way to give a number
+of short, even flashes.
+
+Presently a light appeared, was extinguished and appeared again, at the
+edge of the American-French lines.
+
+Joe had resorted to another sort of wireless--the "blinker"--and, not
+knowing the call signal for the station he was nearest, had given the
+prescribed call in such a case, a series of short flashes, or dots. The
+station had acknowledged, and he began sending his message out of the
+little battery in his hand:
+
+"Americans. Three of party caught in cave-in. Need help."
+
+And the answer was flashed back in the same code:
+
+"Approach. Keep light on. Countersign."
+
+Following these instructions, with Joe in the lead with the flashlight
+held out in front of him, they dashed on to the trenches. They gasped
+out the countersign, and were escorted by a sentry to the quarters of
+the officer of that particular section.
+
+In a few words they told him what had happened.
+
+Without an instant's delay the latter, a colonel of artillery, reached
+for his telephone.
+
+"Ask Captain Hallowell to come here immediately," he said, and severed
+the connection.
+
+He seemed already to have decided upon some sort of a plan, and his
+decisive manner gave the two lads a feeling of confidence in him. He
+reached into a drawer of his desk and drew out a large map. He ran his
+fingers across it and then came to a stop at a little black dot which
+appeared just in the angle of two converging red lines.
+
+"Is that it?" he asked, turning to Jerry and Frank.
+
+They examined the map carefully for a moment and then told him that it
+was.
+
+Just then Captain Hallowell entered. His boots were spattered with mud,
+his face was grimy, and his eyes were bloodshot, indicating that he had
+been for many hours without sleep.
+
+"Captain," said the colonel bluntly, "these young men are of the Signal
+Corps, as you you can see. They were detailed to-night to establish an
+outpost wire communication to Hill No. 8. You know it?"
+
+"Very well, sir," the captain replied, his interest increasing.
+
+"Well," continued the colonel, "they got there all right. But the other
+three in the party had hardly entered that hole when the entrance caved
+in."
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated the captain. "I know that cavern. They can't
+last there long."
+
+"Exactly," affirmed the colonel. "What is your suggestion?"
+
+For a full moment Captain Hallowell was silent. "There is only one way,"
+he said finally, "and that is a dangerous way. Blast them out."
+
+"Blast them out?" repeated the colonel, but apparently without surprise.
+"How?"
+
+"It would take too long to dig them out," Captain Hallowell answered.
+"And, besides, that could hardly be done without some sort of light, and
+that would attract enemy fire. There is but one chance, and that is to
+blast them out with one of our big guns!"
+
+"Can you do it?" the colonel demanded again, in his blunt, insistent
+way.
+
+"I will do my utmost to save them, sir," Captain Hallowell replied.
+
+"Very well, then," answered his superior officer. "If you feel certain
+that is the only way, go ahead. Personally, knowing the place as I do, I
+see no other method myself. Have you the range?"
+
+"I did have, sir," said Captain Hallowell, "but in such a delicate
+matter as this it would be necessary to be absolutely accurate. We have
+been firing practically all day, and the position of the guns changes
+slightly, of course. I would want to find a new and exact range."
+
+He had noticed Frank's limp arm, and he turned to Joe.
+
+"Take this flashlight," he ordered. "It is more powerful than yours. Get
+back there as quickly as you can, and follow to the letter these
+directions: Keep between us and that hill until you get to it. Stay on
+this side of the hill and crawl around toward the entrance until you get
+to a point where you can place this light, facing us, two feet above the
+ground and one foot in from the outer surface extremity. Leave it there
+until you see three quick successive rockets go straight up in the air
+from here. After that I will give you three minutes in which to get back
+to a place of safety. I'll put that flashlight out of business, and I
+think I can liberate your friends."
+
+"Is your injury a serious one?" the colonel demanded of Frank.
+
+"Very slight, sir. Only a flesh wound," Frank responded eagerly.
+
+"Then take this light," the colonel ordered, "and follow him at a
+distance of a hundred yards. If anything should happen to your friend,
+you follow the directions you have just heard."
+
+"Yes, sir," the lads responded in unison, and, with a hasty salute, were
+off.
+
+Three times did Joe drop to the ground, as a shadow seemed to move
+somewhere out in the distance before him. But each time he was up and
+off again almost upon the instant, thinking of his own safety only as
+that of his three friends depended upon it.
+
+And what of those inside?
+
+Even the courageous Lieutenant Mackinson was beginning to show the
+anxiety he felt, while Jerry and Slim, despite their bravest efforts,
+gave way to occasional expressions of the horror of the thing.
+
+They had pounded upon the walls until they had been overcome with
+despair, and then they had set to work digging with the only instruments
+at hand--the bayonets on the German rifles.
+
+But soon they realized that this, too, was as hopeless as the pounding,
+for it further exhausted the energy which the foul air was rapidly
+sapping, without making any apparent opening in the thick earthen wall
+that surrounded them.
+
+"Well," said Slim at last, gulping back his nausea, and smiling almost
+in his old time way, "I'm as anxious as anybody to keep up hope to the
+last. But if this is to be our end, I guess we can face it as Americans
+should."
+
+"Bravo!" exclaimed Lieutenant Mackinson, "I always knew that each one of
+you fellows had the right sort of stuff in you."
+
+And Jerry, too, slapped him affectionately on the back.
+
+"Slim," he said, smiling over at his chum, and ready for his pun, even
+under such circumstances, "my head is feeling a 'trifle heavy,' but I'm
+game to stand up to the last."
+
+Thus they sat down to wait--for just what, they did not know--while at
+that very moment, four feet away from them on the other side of the
+wall, faithful Joe was setting up the flashlight exactly according to
+directions.
+
+For a few seconds he waited, and then, three times in quick succession,
+a rocket went into the air from just behind the American lines.
+
+Over there Captain Hallowell himself found the range, submitted it to
+his most expert gunner, who verified it, and then they waited for the
+three minutes to elapse, during which Joe was to seek a place of safety.
+
+It was in that interval, too, that Fate intervened for those within the
+cave, for they were sitting with their backs to the very point against
+which the shell was to be directed.
+
+"We need all our strength," Lieutenant Mackinson was saying. "So long as
+possible we want to remain in full possession of our senses. The air is
+purer near the floor. I think it would be better to lie down."
+
+And following his suggestion and example, the other two stretched
+themselves out in the middle of the cavern.
+
+Within the American lines, at that point where a regiment of heavy
+artillery was stationed, Captain Hallowell raised his hand in signal to
+his gunner. Out on the parapet of the front trench an anxious colonel
+was standing, regardless of all danger, a pair of powerful glasses to
+his eyes. His vision was focused upon a little light far out in No Man's
+Land.
+
+Two hundred feet away from that light Joe and Frank Hoskins lay prone
+upon the ground, silent, impatient, fearful, hoping.
+
+With a quick motion the artillery captain swung his outstretched arm
+downward. There was a roar, a flash, and a great shell tore through the
+air. Out in No Man's Land there was a second explosion as the shell hit,
+and the target--a flashlight--was blown to atoms.
+
+Over in the German trenches a sentinel chuckled at the thought of
+another wasted American shell, but out of the hole that that shell had
+torn three pale, haggard, and exhausted youths were crawling to safety
+and God's fresh air. And across No Man's Land dashed two pals to greet
+them.
+
+American determination and American marksmanship had saved three
+American lives. The German sentinel might have his laugh if he liked.
+
+It was hours later before the three who had been imprisoned learned how
+their rescue had been effected; but they got an inkling of it as they
+came within four hundred yards of the American-French front.
+
+"What are you doing?" Lieutenant Mackinson had asked, as Joe brought the
+party to a stop.
+
+"Just a moment and you will see," Joe had responded.
+
+And, first in wonder and then with a dawning understanding, the other
+three read off his flashed message:
+
+"Signal Corps men, and whole party safe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE SURPRISE ATTACK--PROMOTION
+
+
+During the week that followed, the lads were confined almost entirely to
+regular routine work, with nothing particularly exciting. Frank Hoskins'
+elbow wound healed quickly, without any serious results; and Tom Rawle,
+who had been under treatment at the field hospital, was able to get
+about the camp, although still pale and weak, and limping considerably
+from his injury.
+
+But on the eighth day a veritable fury launched itself upon that section
+of the American-French front, in the shape of seemingly endless brigades
+of Boches that were hurled "over the top" of their own breastworks,
+across No Man's Land, and upon the first-line trenches of the Allies.
+
+For several days the American and French aviators had been reporting
+heavy German formations in that region, evidently with the design of a
+terrific assault, but the allied commanders had not expected it so
+soon, and in truth they were not fully prepared for it.
+
+It was a surprise attack in every sense of the word, with all the
+terrible carnage that such a battle brings.
+
+Shortly before midnight of the preceding night a terrible bombardment
+had been directed against the American-French trenches, and their hidden
+artillery to the rear of them. This was kept up for about seven hours,
+and the duel of heavy guns shook the earth like a quake and was
+deafening.
+
+Then, just as dawn was breaking, the infantry onslaught, participated in
+at some points by detachments of cavalry, began.
+
+For three hours the Americans and the French fought stubbornly and with
+every ounce of strength and determination. Whole regiments and even
+brigades were wiped out on both sides, but the Boches, who had prepared
+every detail of the assault for weeks, were readier than their opponents
+and filled the gaps in their lines more quickly.
+
+By noon it became apparent that the sacrifice of lives was becoming too
+great to warrant the Allies trying to hold their first-line trenches
+much longer, and that they must give them up, at least until they could
+re-mobilize their forces for a counter-attack.
+
+The order was therefore given for those in the rear, including food and
+ammunition trains, field hospitals, etc., to fall back, in order to make
+way for the strategic retreat of those on the front when the moment for
+that retreat came.
+
+Everything moved like clockwork, and with the greatest possible speed.
+And throughout it all men on both sides were shooting, shouting,
+shrieking, fighting, falling, while others, trapped in their dug-outs,
+either surrendered or fought desperately on until they fell wounded or
+lifeless before superior numbers.
+
+Half a mile in the air, apparently over a point midway between what had
+been the first-line trenches of the opposing armies, a stationary
+balloon showed where Jerry and an observation officer were doing duty on
+that fateful day. Jerry was operating a telephone that ran directly to
+division headquarters, and hardly a moment passed when he was not
+repeating some observation of the other man in the basket with him, or
+relaying to him a query from the commander below.
+
+Every detail of that tremendous battle Jerry knew. His own occasional
+glimpses over the side informed him of the temporary reverses his own
+army was suffering, while the remarks of the officer told him where the
+Germans were meeting their bitterest repulses, where they were drawing
+up their heaviest forces of reserves, what quick changes were being made
+in their general line of formation, and how far back their forces seemed
+to extend.
+
+Slim Goodwin, busy as he was with the wireless at headquarters, found
+time for occasional glances upward at that balloon, to make sure that
+thus far his friend was still safe.
+
+And even in the thick of machine-gun fire and shrapnel, where Lieutenant
+Mackinson, Joe, Frank Hoskins and two or three others were laying a new
+line of communication, the wavering, swaying target was watched from
+time to time, and speculations made as to how long it could remain
+without being punctured by a bullet, thus forcing its two occupants to
+resort to their parachutes to make a landing.
+
+It was now well into the afternoon. The Germans had swept into the
+places vacated by the Americans and French, and still the battle raged.
+It was now that Slim began to wait anxiously for the new development,
+which his familiarity with the secret orders issued made him know was
+coming.
+
+And finally it did come, and in a way that staggered the Boches.
+
+The Americans and French had retreated to a general line which permitted
+a quick re-mobilization to the best advantage. There their front-line
+ranks held firm, while the new formation was being effected behind them.
+It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when this was complete.
+
+Then, in concerted action, the lines opened at alternate points, and
+pairs, dozens, scores of the huge armored tanks rolled through, their
+big guns already blazing shells into the ranks of the disconcerted
+enemy.
+
+Nothing could halt them. They climbed trench parapets, descended into
+gullies, came out upon level land, and over their whole path swept
+destruction to the Germans.
+
+Unable either to resist or to stop the progress of the tanks, which were
+followed by whole divisions of infantry, the Boches were forced to
+retreat and not only abandon every foot of the ground they had gained,
+but to sacrifice a part of their own first line as well.
+
+[Illustration: Scores of Huge Armored Tanks Rolled Through.]
+
+It was one of the greatest and at the same time one of the most sudden
+reprisals of the war up to that time, and the victory that had been
+snatched from defeat was cheered by thousands of Americans and Frenchmen
+as they again took possession of their own trenches, or pushed onward
+across No Man's Land to occupy those which the Germans were now
+abandoning.
+
+The sun was setting, and soon, in great measure, at least, hostilities
+would be suspended for the night.
+
+Their work completed, Lieutenant Mackinson and his men were on their way
+back to make their report when they met Slim, who had been relieved for
+the night at headquarters.
+
+"What time did Jerry come down?" Joe asked, after they had passed
+remarks about the various thrills of the day.
+
+"Don't know," Slim answered, "but I saw them there at four o'clock, and
+they weren't there when I looked again, about half an hour later, so you
+can judge pretty well for yourself."
+
+"Guess he had a pretty good bird's-eye view of the whole thing," said
+Joe, as they passed on, to meet again before mess.
+
+Except for spasmodic outbursts here and there, the trench duel had
+almost entirely subsided, and the heavy roar of the artillery also was
+punctuated with longer pauses. Whatever the morrow might bring, the
+night promised to be fairly quiet, while each side took account of stock
+and made necessary repairs, or altered their plans to meet the new
+situation.
+
+Our young friends were busy with wash basin, soap and water, taking off
+the grime in preparation for the evening meal and wondering where Jerry
+was keeping himself all the while, when suddenly a very strange thing
+happened beyond the enemy's line.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson was the first to discover it and call the attention
+of the others.
+
+A Taube, one of the smaller, lighter, and more easily handled
+aeroplanes, and used in great numbers by the Germans, shot into the air
+at great speed from behind the Boche entrenchments. In its upward course
+its path was a dizzy spiral, and, if one on the ground might judge, its
+pilot seemed to be seeking a particular air channel. At least that was
+the way it looked.
+
+Then, from almost the same point from which it had come into view, half
+a dozen other planes rose into the air, following in the path of the
+first, and also flying at top speed. Up to then there was nothing so
+very strange about the whole procedure. It simply indicated that those
+manning the American and French anti-aircraft guns, and the aviators of
+those two armies, should get ready to repel an enemy air raid.
+
+But the queer thing occurred when every one of the pursuing planes
+opened up their machine-guns almost simultaneously upon the first. And
+even this might have been considered a well-designed hoax, were it not
+for the unmistakable evidence that the first aeroplane, the Taube, had
+been hit.
+
+Still going at maximum speed, and now on a straight line toward the
+American side, without seeking a further height, the Taube several times
+wavered, and, a moment later, almost turned over.
+
+But the pilot righted her, and even as the pursuers began gaining, and
+still kept up an incessant fire, he pointed her nose downward toward the
+American lines.
+
+Four American planes sailed off and upward to meet the oncoming German
+air armada. But from the ground it could be seen that the man in the
+observer's place in the Taube was making desperate signals.
+
+The American planes maneuvered in such a way as to encircle the Taube,
+and yet at close enough range to examine her without particular menace
+to themselves. There were several seconds of criss-crossing and rising
+and descending, and then as a unit the American planes left the Taube
+and started after the German craft, which had hesitated, as though
+uncertain what further course to follow.
+
+Several volleys of shots were exchanged, and the other German planes
+turned back toward their own lines. The Taube continued on its wavering,
+crippled, downward course toward the allied lines.
+
+"Looks as though a couple of our men had been reconnoitering the German
+lines in one of their own make of machines," said Lieutenant Mackinson,
+as the Taube came within a hundred yards of the ground and righted
+herself for a landing.
+
+There was a general rush toward it as it hit the ground. Of its own
+momentum it rolled to within a two minutes' run of where the lieutenant
+and the others had been standing. In another instant it was entirely
+surrounded by a crowd of curious American soldiers.
+
+But if they were surprised at seeing seated therein two men in the
+uniforms of the United States army, their feelings hardly compared with
+those of Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, Slim and Frank Hoskins, as they
+recognized, stepping out of the Taube, Jerry and the observation officer
+with whom he had occupied the stationary balloon practically all of that
+day.
+
+"Who are you?" "What happened?" "Where have you been?" and a score of
+similar questions were fired at them by the other soldiers as Jerry
+shook hands with his friends, and the officer smilingly made away to
+file his report.
+
+"Well, to put it briefly," Jerry said, in answer to the general demands
+for information, "we were anchored off there most of the day in an
+observation balloon. Late in the afternoon a shell cut our cable, and
+almost before we knew it we had been carried behind the German lines.
+
+"The fight was still commanding the attention of almost everyone, and
+after descending a little by permitting some of the gas to escape, we
+jumped over the side of the basket and came down on our parachutes. I
+landed in a deserted barnyard, and the officer hit the earth only a
+short distance away.
+
+"While we were hiding there, debating just what we should do, along
+comes a Taube, and its pilot decides to make a landing almost at that
+same place. Well, the officer being a pretty good pilot, we decided to
+have that machine. We got it, and I guess that pilot's head aches yet
+where I plumped him with the butt of my gun when he wasn't expecting
+anything of the kind.
+
+"But some other German aviators saw the affair, apparently recognized
+our uniforms, and hardly gave us time to make a decent start.
+
+"Say," Jerry concluded, "they certainly did pebble us with machine-gun
+bullets! I saw two bounce off the propeller, and one broke a wire on the
+left wing, making us flap around rather uncertainly for a few minutes.
+It was a great race, though, and we considered our greatest danger lay
+in landing on this side. We knew it would be recognized for a German
+plane, and we were afraid we'd be fired on before we could make our
+identity known."
+
+Led by the lieutenant and Jerry, the party tramped back to where,
+shortly, mess was to be served.
+
+"That air certainly does give a fellow an appetite," said Jerry, as he
+splashed more of the clear cold water over his face.
+
+An orderly stepped up to Lieutenant Mackinson and handed him a large,
+officially stamped envelope. As he tore it open and read the brief note
+within, a pleased smile spread over his face. From the same envelope he
+extracted three smaller ones. He handed one to each of the lads who had
+accompanied him over on the _Everett_, according to the way they were
+addressed.
+
+Opening them, the boys could hardly suppress their jubilation. Stripped
+of their official verbiage, the letters informed the young men that each
+of them was made a corporal, Joe for valorous service in saving the
+lives of "three Americans entombed in a cave; Slim for heroism and
+presence of mind in saving and bringing back to the lines an American
+soldier," and Jerry "for coolness and courage, and for the information
+gathered behind the enemy's lines."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A TIGHT PLACE
+
+
+Major Jones was paying his compliments in a very brusque, business-like,
+but kindly way. Before him, standing at attention, Lieutenant Mackinson
+and Corporals Joe Harned, Jerry Macklin and Slim Goodwin were awaiting
+important orders.
+
+"The manner in which all of you have performed your duties in the past
+has won you the esteem and confidence of your commanding officers,"
+Major Jones said.
+
+"Your striking services not only have led to promotion, but to another
+important trust, upon which much may depend. Through the mountains to
+the east of us a company of engineers is cutting a rough road. They work
+under great handicaps and frequently are harassed by enemy detachments.
+But they are making progress.
+
+"This road is being cut for the purpose of permitting the passage of a
+wireless tractor, of which you men are to be in charge. Through a part
+of that section an old telegraph line still remains, but it does not
+connect in a direction to meet our requirements.
+
+"Reports received this morning indicate that by night the engineers will
+have put the road through to a selected point where you will have the
+least difficulty in concealing your tractor and its aerials. From your
+position there you will keep constant vigil, for you will be able to
+inform us long in advance of any effort of the Boches to come through
+that way.
+
+"The road winds about the mountain side, and in some places is quite
+steep. But the ground is now hard and the motor will make the pull.
+Good-by, and good luck to you."
+
+An hour later, with Frank Hoskins, who was an experienced driver, at the
+wheel, they started for their destination in one of the big,
+high-powered trucks which not only carry a complete wireless equipment
+but also provide enough space for sleeping quarters for half a dozen
+men.
+
+As a matter of fact, these trucks are so designed that, if it is
+necessary, they can carry a crew of ten men, while by means of a special
+clutch and gear the engine is made to drive an alternator for generating
+the necessary electrical energy which, under the most adverse
+atmospheric conditions, will give a sending and receiving range of at
+least one hundred miles. In ideal weather the radius increases to as
+much as two hundred and fifty miles.
+
+A powerful mechanism which in its operation resembles the opening of a
+giant pair of shears, raises the mast and umbrella-shaped antenna, and
+the average time in getting the apparatus ready for service is only
+about eight minutes.
+
+The entire tractor, including crew, weighs close to five tons, and it
+can be easily imagined that its operation on a steep and treacherous
+mountain road was far from easy and anything but entirely safe.
+
+With them the lads carried sufficient rations to last them five days, it
+being understood that their larder would be replenished at the necessary
+intervals.
+
+They also took with them a radio pack-set, which is another wireless
+apparatus that can be carried about with little difficulty. This they
+had in the event of any unexpected emergency. The entire pack-set could
+be carried about in a suitcase, and after it was set up its current was
+generated by turning a crank by hand. Its range, under ordinary
+atmospheric conditions, was about twenty-five miles.
+
+The first few miles of their journey were accomplished with little
+difficulty, but as they struck the uneven, newly-made road, their
+troubles began to increase. At times the jolts were so severe that it
+seemed they would shake the electrical apparatus loose from the tractor,
+while some of the inclines were so steep that, after attempting and
+failing to make them once, they had to go backward and then try again,
+with increased speed.
+
+It was bitterly cold, and while Frank and whoever at the time sat beside
+him on the front seat kept reasonably warm, being directly behind the
+hard-working motor, the others frequently got out, to run along for a
+quarter or half a mile to limber up their stiffened joints and get their
+blood in circulation again.
+
+One of their greatest difficulties came when, more than three-fourths
+the distance to their destination, and at one of the narrowest points
+along the road, they met the large truck bearing back toward camp the
+company of engineers.
+
+The wireless tractor was chugging along under a heavy strain, but the
+other truck was coming down the steep grade under the compression of its
+engine, to accelerate the use of the brakes. And with the little warning
+they had, the two drivers brought their big machines to a stop less than
+ten feet apart.
+
+It was impossible for the truck containing the engineers to back up. And
+the first widening in the road over which the wireless men had come was
+fully a quarter of a mile behind. There was no other course than for
+Frank to reverse, and, with a man on either side of the tractor in the
+rear, directing every slight turn of the wheel, to go back to that
+point.
+
+Once the engine stalled, making the stability of the whole weight of the
+heavy tractor depend upon the brakes. Frank grabbed the emergency, and
+jammed it on with all his strength, but not before the machine had
+gained a momentum which made it a question for a few thrilling seconds
+whether or not the brakes would grip and hold it.
+
+As they finally rounded the turn which gave them the brief space of
+wider road, and the engineers' truck passed by, the men waving each
+other a cheery farewell, the boys from Brighton gave a sigh of relief.
+
+When they reached what they decided should be their destination, almost
+at the end of the road and in a dense bit of wooded section which would
+obscure them from enemy observers, they brought their tractor to a stop.
+With pick and shovel they began building an earthen oven, in which they
+might cook their food, and from which they might keep reasonably
+comfortable, without being seen.
+
+A light snow began to fall, and, mess over, the lads decided to retire
+for the night. Before doing so, however, they set up the mast and
+aerials and made the connection to the storage battery. It was agreed
+that they should sit up in two-hour shifts, to be ready to receive any
+message that possibly might come, but it was arranged that the other
+four should divide this duty, allowing Frank, who had driven the truck
+over the entire trip, a full night's sleep.
+
+So the night passed, with the lads taking turns at the lonely vigil. The
+snow continued, the wind increased almost to a gale, and the temperature
+dropped still lower.
+
+Fully eight inches of snow lay upon the ground when gray daylight came
+and Slim, the last man on watch, awakened the others. The storm was
+diminishing, but still they could see only a few yards distant from the
+tractor.
+
+"Guess I'll warm up chopping some wood," said Joe, as he took an axe and
+left the others still dressing.
+
+In half an hour he had brought in enough to cook the breakfast and last
+half the day, and while Slim acted as cook, Jerry started out to fell
+more saplings.
+
+Before noon the clouds broke, the sun came out, and its reflection from
+the pure white glistening snow was almost blinding.
+
+"A snowball fight," suggested Jerry, and the others took up the idea as
+a boon to dispel the monotony of their isolation.
+
+With the lieutenant "umpiring" from the little wireless room of the
+tractor, Joe and Frank "stood" Jerry and Slim, and from a distance of a
+hundred feet apart the battle began.
+
+One of Frank's well-aimed missiles caught Slim squarely in the mouth,
+just as he was calling out some challenging remark, and from the window
+of his post Lieutenant Mackinson laughingly shouted: "Strike one!"
+
+Slim, spitting and blowing out the icy pastry, gathered all his
+strength to hurl a ball back at Frank. But he "wound up," as baseball
+pitchers call that curving swinging of the arm just before the ball is
+thrown, with such vigor that he lost his balance. His feet went up into
+the air and he came down ker-plunk! but the snowball left his hand with
+what proved to be unerring aim.
+
+Joe, letting out a howl of laughter at Slim's accident, caught the
+tightly packed wad of snow right in the ear. He turned his back to the
+"enemy," and, leaning forward, began pounding the other side of his head
+to dislodge the snow.
+
+Of a sudden he straightened up, uttering an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Lieutenant!" he shouted. "Look here!"
+
+The lieutenant jumped out of the tractor, and the others followed him on
+the run to where Joe and Frank were gazing off down into the opposite
+valley.
+
+Two, perhaps three, miles away, a winding, twisting line of black
+against the snow was pushing its way laboriously around the mountain
+base.
+
+"Germans!" exclaimed Lieutenant Mackinson. "Wait until I get my field
+glasses, but do not stand where they might see you with theirs."
+
+From positions within the clump of trees the lads watched the line
+spread out and slowly but surely forge its way ahead. The lieutenant
+returned with his glasses.
+
+"At least ten thousand of them," he announced at last, after gazing down
+at them for fully a minute. "And nobody knows how many more behind. We
+must notify the camp at once."
+
+He ran back to the tractor, followed by all but Jerry, who remained to
+observe the enemy's further movements.
+
+In two or three minutes the wireless operator at headquarters signaled
+back for them to go on with the message.
+
+"About ten thousand enemy troops proceeding through eight inches snow,
+bound northwest around eastern base of mountain," Lieutenant Mackinson's
+message ran. "Am observing and will report progress. Any orders?"
+
+In another five minutes the wireless clicked back: "Are any of enemy
+flanking mountain on south?"
+
+Jerry, who at that moment entered the tractor, informed them that the
+Germans had divided into two diverging lines, apparently for that very
+purpose.
+
+There was a considerable pause after this was flashed to headquarters.
+Meanwhile Jerry had gone back to his post of observation, accompanied by
+Frank and Slim.
+
+"How many big guns?" was the next query from the commanding officer of
+the American forces in the sector.
+
+Joe rushed out to where the other three were standing, and from them
+returned with the information that already they had counted seven headed
+toward the north, and five being hauled toward a place where they might
+round the southern base of the mountain.
+
+This news was sent through space to the American army; and the lads who
+were the silent witnesses to what the enemy had intended and fully
+expected should be a secret movement, waited in silence for further
+developments.
+
+"Can you get back over the same road with tractor?" was the next message
+that came, and Lieutenant Mackinson called for the more expert judgment
+of Frank Hoskins before answering.
+
+"We can try it," said Frank in a rather doubtful tone, "but it's risky
+business. It will be as much as we can do to follow the road, and we
+can't hope to see the ruts and bumps. The worst part of it is, though,
+that the tractor is so heavy it may not hold the road. However, we can
+try."
+
+The lieutenant repeated the gist of this to headquarters, and the
+message came back: "Better try."
+
+But by the time this decision was reached the fire in the earthen oven
+had almost entirely died out, and the engine of the tractor, which had
+been drawn up to it, had become so cold that they had to build another
+fire, to get hot water to put into the radiator, before they could get
+it started.
+
+And then the perilous journey began.
+
+With Frank at the wheel, and running the engine only in low gear, as
+compression against gaining speed, the lieutenant and Joe trotted ahead,
+one on either side of the road, to indicate the course of the crude
+highway.
+
+Jerry and Slim, inside the big truck, were doing their best to hold
+things in place as they rocked and jolted over the deep ruts and
+gullies.
+
+It must have been this series of terrible jars that finally splashed
+grease and oil in on the brake bands. Whatever the cause, it suddenly
+became apparent at one of the steepest and sharpest turns in the whole
+route that the brakes were not holding.
+
+"Look out!" Frank shouted to Joe and the lieutenant ahead, as he
+realized the truck was getting beyond his control. "Better jump!" he
+advised Jerry and Slim, standing just behind him.
+
+As Lieutenant Mackinson and Joe ran to either side of the road, the
+tractor slid by them at increasing speed. Slim and Jerry, following
+Frank's bidding, leaped from the rear and landed unharmed in a
+snow-bank.
+
+"Run her into the side of the mountain," shouted Lieutenant Mackinson,
+and that was exactly what Frank was doing. It was the only possible way
+of saving the tractor from gathering more and more momentum, and,
+finally beyond all control, leaving the road and hurtling down the steep
+slope.
+
+With all his strength Frank swung the wheel so as to turn the right side
+of the car at an angle up the mountain wall that flanked the road. In
+this position the machine was still traveling along with great force
+when it struck a thick abutting ledge of rock.
+
+There was a sudden jolt, a sharp crack, and Frank was hurtled forward
+head first into the snow.
+
+When they had brushed him off and made certain that he was uninjured,
+except for an awful jarring up, they began an examination of the
+machine.
+
+The right front wheel had been crushed to splinters, the axle was bent,
+and the machine was wedged so far under a split edge of the granite as
+to be, for the time at least, totally useless.
+
+"Better go back to where we were first," Lieutenant Mackinson said at
+last. "We'll take the pack-set with us, and we can probably advise
+headquarters of our predicament with that, and also inform them of the
+progress of the enemy movement."
+
+Wearily they turned about, each man loaded down with the necessities
+that they had to take with them from the wrecked tractor. It was nearing
+night when they reached the apex of the mountain again, and their first
+desire was to see whether the Germans had entirely passed around the
+mountain.
+
+So far as they could see they had!
+
+But the Boches had done more than that. Their heavy guns were being sent
+around either side of the base of the mountain, each quota being part of
+a good-sized army. But they were sending another strong detachment up
+and over the mountain itself!
+
+And the first section of it was less than a mile below, spreading out in
+such a way that while a part of it would come over the top, other parts
+would go around either side, and they would be fan-like in shape,
+forming a virtual comb in the search for any enemies who might be
+lurking there.
+
+"The pack-set!" ordered the lieutenant. In a very short time it was set
+up, and Jerry was grinding the crank to generate power while the officer
+flashed out the headquarters call.
+
+In a moment a message began to come: "J-X. J-X. J-X. J-X."
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson nervously began tapping the key again, but the only
+reply was the insistent call for J-X, which was the code call for
+themselves.
+
+"No use," said the young officer at last. "We can catch them, with their
+stronger range, but we haven't radius enough to send to them."
+
+"Those troops cannot reach here until after dark," said Slim.
+
+"No," Lieutenant Mackinson acknowledged, "but they are in such numbers
+that we could not hope to keep our identity or presence hidden, and
+they are getting around the mountain quicker than we could get down and
+beyond their line."
+
+"It looks as though we were hemmed in," said Frank Hoskins in an even
+tone.
+
+"Yes," agreed Jerry, "and in a tight place."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE LIEUTENANT'S INVENTION
+
+
+While the others speculated upon various means of escape, and in turn
+found every one of their suggestions useless, Lieutenant Mackinson had
+remained silent and in deep thought. Finally, his countenance showing
+that he had arrived at a conclusion, he turned to the others.
+
+"Come with me," he said simply, "it is the only way."
+
+"Where are you going?" Joe asked quickly.
+
+"Back to the tractor," the lieutenant replied. "Hurry! We still have
+time, but none to waste."
+
+"But we can't repair the tractor," Frank argued.
+
+"No, we can't," Lieutenant Mackinson admitted, "but we may do something
+even better than that."
+
+"What?" queried all the lads at once.
+
+"Come with me and we'll see what can be done."
+
+And without granting them any further information then, Lieutenant
+Mackinson swung his share of the burdens to his shoulder and started
+down the rough mountain road, the others following, and likewise bearing
+the various necessities which, only a short time before, they had
+labored so industriously to carry up the mountain.
+
+As they neared the point where they had left the wrecked machine the
+young officer turned to Joe, who was nearest to him.
+
+"Do you remember," he asked, "seeing that wire of the old telegraph line
+just about a hundred yards below where we ran the truck into the wall?"
+
+"I saw it," Joe admitted, "but I didn't pay any further attention to
+it."
+
+The others had come up within hearing distance.
+
+"Well," the lieutenant responded, "if you had traced its course you
+would have seen that it is swung from this mountain to the one directly
+to the south, just at the point where the valley between narrows down to
+little more than a deep ravine."
+
+"But it doesn't run into our lines," Frank objected again.
+
+"That's true," Lieutenant Mackinson admitted again, "but it may serve
+our purposes just the same."
+
+"How?" Slim asked entreatingly. "Tell us what your plan is, Lieutenant."
+
+"No," replied the young officer in teasing tones, "I don't want to raise
+your hopes until I determine whether it can be accomplished."
+
+And he plodded on toward the tractor, refusing to answer another
+question. Indeed, it is doubtful if he heard them, for he was busy with
+some important mental calculations--problems that required his
+engineering knowledge and ability, and that had directly to do with the
+personal safety of every man in the party.
+
+"What tools have we here?" he asked of Frank Hoskins, as they arrived at
+the wrecked wireless tractor.
+
+Frank opened up a tool chest that showed a great variety of implements
+in almost every size and shape.
+
+"Good," said the lieutenant, as he looked up from where he was rummaging
+in another part of the car. "Here, Jerry," he commanded, "let me have
+that mallet and cold chisel and then help me rip a couple of these
+boards off the floor."
+
+He had laid aside a large pulley wheel, several nuts and bolts and some
+heavy copper wire. With the aid of the mystified Jerry he tore two
+stout boards up from the floor of the tractor.
+
+"Now we've got to work rapidly, fellows," he said, "for it will soon be
+dark, and we don't want to attract attention to ourselves by making a
+light.
+
+"Here is what I am going to try to do: That wire is strung really from
+mountain to mountain, running down a slight grade from where it is
+fastened here to where it is tied up over there. I don't know how strong
+it is, or how securely it is fastened at the other end, but I'm going to
+find out.
+
+"You've all seen those trolley-like boxes that run on wires in
+department stores, with which the clerk sends your money to the
+cashier's desk, and the cashier returns the change? Well, I'm going to
+construct something on the same principle, only I want to make it strong
+enough to carry my weight.
+
+"If I can do that, and the wire holds, the incline is sufficient to
+carry a passenger to the other mountain without any propelling power.
+I'll try it first, and carry with me one end of this reel of copper
+wire. If I get over all right I'll attach the wire to the little oar and
+you fellows can haul it back for the next passenger, and so on until all
+of us are over."
+
+Slim looked dubious. "How thick is that wire?" he demanded anxiously.
+
+"You know Slim's a trifle heavy," Jerry reminded the lieutenant.
+
+"Well," said Slim in a serious tone, "I'd rather fall into the hands of
+the Germans, and have some chance for my life, than spatter myself all
+over the bottom of that ravine."
+
+While this conversation was going on, Lieutenant Mackinson was boring a
+hole about two inches in from each of the four comers of one of the
+planks taken from the floor of the truck.
+
+"This ought to do for a seat," he said, as he began running pieces of
+the heavy copper wire, of equal length, through each of the holes.
+
+He then laid this part of the work aside for a moment and began filing
+off one end of the riveted axle that held the pulley wheel in its frame.
+When he had knocked this axle out he tried one of the bolts and found
+that it fitted almost exactly, and that the wheel ran freely upon it.
+
+"Have to have that wheel off to put the thing on the telegraph wire," he
+explained, as he began securely fastening the copper wires into the
+bottom of the pulley frame.
+
+Completed, the thing looked for all the world like a miniature trapeze
+seat.
+
+"Now," he said, slipping a wrench into his pocket, and buckling on his
+legs a pair of spurs such as all linemen use to climb a smooth pole,
+"I'm going to take this up that telegraph pole with me and fasten this
+thing on the wire. Then it's 'All aboard for the opposite mountain.'
+
+"If I get over all right I'll give one flash of my light. If I
+don't--well, don't try the wire route."
+
+Without wasting another second he dug one spur into the pole and started
+climbing upward, dragging his improvised car with him, together with the
+loose end of the reel of copper wire.
+
+By this time it was pitch dark, and they could feel, rather than see,
+that he was tightening the bolt which hung the apparatus on the wire.
+The lads had placed a heavy stick through the reel, and two of them held
+either end of it.
+
+"Let it run free," the lieutenant told them. "And don't forget the
+signal. I'm ready. Good-by!"
+
+There was a sudden jerk on the reel and the wire began to unwind
+quickly. It literally spun round on the stout stick which they were
+holding. They just got a glimpse of the courageous lieutenant sailing
+off through space, a thousand feet above the bottom of the ravine.
+
+The unwinding wire gave an added spurt, and then, pressure being
+released from it, it began to slow down.
+
+"He's either on the other side, or lost the wire," said Slim, his
+nervousness showing in his voice.
+
+Every eye was glued to the opposite mountain.
+
+"Look!" almost shouted Jerry. "He's safe!"
+
+Sure enough, the light had flashed out once in the blackness of the
+night, and then as suddenly disappeared.
+
+The boys began hauling in on the copper wire, winding it again on the
+reel.
+
+"Who's next?" asked Frank, as the last of the cable was being re-wound.
+
+"Eenie, meenie, minie, mo," Jerry began to count out, when Joe suddenly
+interrupted.
+
+By ten feet of heavy twine Lieutenant Mackinson had tied the spurs to
+the car so that they would dangle within reach of the lads on the
+ground. Attached to them was a note, which read:
+
+     "Easy landing on soft slope. Let Slim come next before wire is
+     weakened, because he is the heaviest. All can make it safely."
+
+And so Slim, not entirely assured, and breathing somewhat heavily as he
+contemplated the distance he had to fall if the telegraph wire should
+break, was the next to climb a-straddle the crude "air-line" trolley, on
+its second trip to the opposite mountain.
+
+In a few moments the light flashed out again and then disappeared, while
+Joe, Jerry and Frank hauled in on the cable to which the car was
+attached.
+
+By mutual agreement it was arranged that Frank should be the next to go
+over, after which they would send the portable wireless, followed by
+Jerry, and finally Joe.
+
+Lads of less courage never would have attempted such a perilous escape,
+but they made it without a single mishap. It was not until Joe, the last
+of the party, was just coming to a stop in the outstretched arms of his
+friends, that the Germans below, and on what was now the opposite
+mountain, seemed to sense something going on--or perhaps had seen the
+mysterious blinking of the flashlight--and let go a distant and futile
+volley of shots.
+
+"No use, Boche," called the lieutenant mockingly, "we're out of your
+range. And now, having escaped you, we'll see what we can do to harass
+you."
+
+Saying which he began opening up the pack-set wireless, while two of the
+others set up the umbrella antenna.
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson began tapping off the headquarters call. It might
+have been the slightly nearer position they were in, or, so far as they
+knew, headquarters might have moved meanwhile, but in a very short time
+the operator there was responding.
+
+The young officer gave an accurate account of the operations of the
+Germans, and particularly of their artillery. Headquarters thanked them,
+told them to stay until morning where they were, and then ask for
+further orders.
+
+In less than half an hour the boom of heavy guns from the westward told
+them that they had given their information in time.
+
+American artillery was dropping a rain of shells into the cuts in the
+mountain through which the Germans had to emerge with their guns to do
+any damage! Their whole plan, so carefully carried out, had been
+defeated!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+SLIM GOODWIN A PRISONER
+
+
+"If I had a good rifle I could 'pot' half a dozen of them from here,"
+said Jerry the following morning as he and the rest, standing back among
+the trees of the mountain in which they had sought safety, watched two
+long, converging lines of German soldiers marching back in the direction
+whence they had come on the preceding day.
+
+"And we owe them that much for that nice, nifty little night trapeze act
+we had to do through space on their account," added Slim.
+
+"Not to mention the wrecked tractor," put in Frank.
+
+"Well," spoke Lieutenant Mackinson, calling them to the business of the
+day, "I guess we can make a report to headquarters now--and a good one,
+too."
+
+With which he opened up the wireless and began repeating the call
+letters.
+
+When headquarters had responded, the lieutenant gave them the glad
+tidings of the Boche retreat. That done, he proceeded to give the
+details of the wrecking of the tractor and of their escape to the second
+mountain.
+
+"Ought to be aviators," the operator at headquarters came back at him on
+his own account, and then added: "Wait for orders."
+
+These came a few minutes later.
+
+"Divide as follows: Lieutenant and two men return here; other two go
+forward at safe distance with portable, and report to-night."
+
+Lieutenant Mackinson read them the message.
+
+"Well," he asked, "which two are to accompany me back, and which two are
+to stay on the heels of the Boches?"
+
+"I've got a scent like a deerhound," averred Slim.
+
+"And I was born to be a scout," declared Jerry.
+
+"You two spoke first," announced the lieutenant pleasantly, "so I guess
+that shall be your end of it, if that's what you want."
+
+"Fine!" exclaimed Jerry and Slim in unison.
+
+"Anyway," added the lieutenant, "I guess there'll be enough serious work
+for the rest of us when we get back. For instance," winking at the
+others, "there's that smashed tractor, Frank, that you will have to
+explain."
+
+"Not so long as you were in charge of the party," Hoskins retorted
+quickly. And Lieutenant Mackinson, unable to determine whether the
+remark was a facetious evasion of responsibility or an indirect
+compliment to himself, on the ground that no act of his would be
+questioned, pursued his bantering no further.
+
+"I guess," he said, "that Joe, Frank and I had better start back at
+once. You two will have to wait here some time before you can begin
+trailing that army. I'm sorry we can't stay with you, but I feel that we
+ought to report back as soon as possible."
+
+And so the three of them began the preparations for their return, while
+Jerry and Slim watched and studied the movements of the regiments they
+were to follow.
+
+"They seem to be pretty well tired out," said Slim at last. "Guess they
+didn't have any sleep at all last night."
+
+"We're going to find it pretty heavy tramping through that snow, too,"
+Jerry answered. "And with the wireless and rations we'll be carrying a
+hefty weight."
+
+"Well, boys; we're off," announced Lieutenant Mackinson, and the
+separating parties shook hands all around. "Take care of yourselves," he
+admonished, "and we'll look for you back by to-morrow."
+
+The officer, Joe and Frank started off on their long tramp back to camp,
+and Jerry and Slim watched them until they were out of sight.
+
+"That looks like the last regiment of the Germans going over the
+opposite hill there, too," said Jerry, as they turned to observe the
+enemy army. "We can start in a short while."
+
+And in half an hour, Jerry carrying the heavy pack-set and Slim toting
+the equally weighty rations and incidentals, they set off on the Boches'
+trail.
+
+Out in the open, and especially in the mountains, distances are
+deceptive. Jerry and Slim learned this when they had been traveling for
+two hours, and the point where they had seen the last German disappear
+over a hilltop seemed as far away as when they started.
+
+"Ever travel along in a train at night watching the moon, and notice how
+it seemed to move right along with you?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Lots of times," answered Slim, as he puffed along, "Why?"
+
+"Well, that's the way that hill seems to be traveling along, always
+keeping the same distance ahead of us."
+
+"I've heard of armies 'taking' a fort, or a city, or a trench," said
+Slim. "Do you suppose those Germans are 'taking' that young mountain
+along with them?"
+
+"Seems so to me," said Jerry, coming to a halt to shift the heavy
+pack-set to the other hand.
+
+As a matter of fact, early evening--a cold, biting winter evening--was
+settling about them when they finally climbed to the crest of that hill
+to cautiously "see what they could see."
+
+Far beyond the slope ahead of them, in the dim dusk, they could discern
+a mass of men, evidently halted for the night.
+
+"That's their rear guard," announced Jerry, with the field glasses to
+his eyes. "I can even make out their sentries."
+
+Slim took a look and agreed. "Hadn't we better report?" he asked.
+
+"I think we ought to make this bunch of trees here our position, and
+then scout ahead a little first," said Jerry.
+
+"All right," Slim agreed. "Which one of us shall go?"
+
+"Let's toss."
+
+They did, and it fell to the lad who had claimed to have the scent of a
+deerhound to go out and reconnoitre, while the "natural-born scout"
+remained behind.
+
+Divesting himself of all his burdens but his revolver and ammunition
+belt, Slim started off. Leaving Jerry to arrange their effects, he gave
+that young man a real shock when he silently returned five minutes later
+unheard by Jerry, and, standing only half a dozen feet behind him,
+blurted out:
+
+"Forgot my field glasses."
+
+Jerry whirled around as though he had been shot. "Why don't you sneak up
+and try to frighten a fellow to death?" he demanded.
+
+"Sorry," Slim apologized. "Thought you heard me coming."
+
+"I believe you did it on purpose," Jerry growled, as the other youth
+again started off.
+
+"I'll send in my card first next time," was Slim's parting remark.
+
+"Well, be sure to make yourself known," retorted Jerry, "or I might
+mistake you for a Boche and send in a bullet."
+
+Slim's laugh floated back and he disappeared down a ravine through which
+he was making for a higher point of observation further on.
+
+Ten minutes elapsed and there was no sign of Slim. When a quarter of an
+hour had passed Jerry began to get worried. Had his friend perhaps
+fallen and injured himself? Had he lost his way? A dozen fears came into
+Jerry's mind, and at the end of another five minutes he decided that it
+was time to take some measure to learn the whereabouts of Slim.
+
+Softly, but with great carrying force, he gave the well-known
+"Whip-poor-will."
+
+The answer was the same that Slim himself had received that night in No
+Man's Land when the wounded and unconscious Rawle lay bleeding beside
+him--nothing but absolute silence.
+
+A great dread that he could not have defined gripped Jerry's heart.
+Something had happened to Slim; there was no doubt about that. What was
+it? Injury? Death? Capture?
+
+Again Jerry gave their mutual Brighton signal: "Whip-poor-will."
+
+"He can't be entirely out of hearing," he argued. "There's some reason
+why he doesn't answer." It was fast growing dark. Sliding the pack-set
+and their other paraphernalia into a little gully which he easily could
+identify later, but where it would be entirely hidden from the view of
+anyone else who might chance upon the scene, Jerry set out in search of
+his friend.
+
+It was a difficult task that he set himself, for he knew no more than
+the general direction that Slim had taken. But remembering that his chum
+had started off down the ravine, and that his purpose was to reach a
+higher hill a quarter of a mile away, Jerry took that route, too.
+
+Two or three times as he stumbled along he snatched out his pocket
+searchlight and was about to use it, when some sixth sense, plus the
+mystery of Slim's absence, prevailed upon him to take his chances in the
+darkness.
+
+Coming out of the ravine, he turned to the left and, by a steep incline,
+reached a ledge that seemed to be a natural pathway to one of the higher
+peaks.
+
+Suddenly the heart within him seemed to stop beating.
+
+Somewhere ahead of him, but seemingly upon a lower level of ground, men
+were talking! And they were talking in German!
+
+As though a bullet had struck him, Jerry dropped forward upon the
+ground. Grasping the outstretched roots of a tree, he pulled himself up
+within its heavy black shadow. There, scarcely daring to breathe for
+fear of attracting attention, he lay and listened.
+
+He thanked Brighton then for his understanding of the German language.
+
+Slim Goodwin was a prisoner, and those men--how many there were of them
+he could not tell--were questioning him! Slim was pretending not to
+understand.
+
+Jerry's brain worked rapidly. There was no use of his returning to the
+wireless and attempting to summon help that way, for even if aid was
+sent it would be hours before it could arrive, and, presuming that the
+rescuers could find the spot, there was every likelihood that the
+Germans would have departed with their prisoner before that time. No,
+assuredly, if Slim was to be rescued, he, Jerry, must do it. But how?
+
+As he lay there thinking, he heard the one who seemed to be the officer
+in charge order another man to build a fire. As it crackled and began to
+blaze up, the reflection of the flame gave Jerry their exact location.
+Also it formed a curtain of light against which it would have been easy
+for him to have seen any Boche sentinel or outpost, had there been one
+between him and them.
+
+Assuring himself that there was not, he crept cautiously forward, foot
+by foot, until he was at the edge of the shelf of rock and could gaze
+almost directly down upon them. The fire gave good illumination. There
+was a young German lieutenant and four of his men. A short distance
+away, in the shelter of some trees, five horses were tethered.
+
+Slim finally had consented to talk--if what he was doing could be called
+talking. And in what was purposely the most miserably broken German
+imaginable, he was telling them that he got separated from his unit
+several days ago (which was true), and that he had been wandering about
+that part of the country for the last couple of days (which also was
+true), and that he did not know where he was (which likewise was the
+truth).
+
+While this was going on Jerry had scribbled upon a piece of paper: "Am
+near. Look lively if they sleep." This he wrapped around a small stone.
+For a moment all the Germans turned toward the fire, where one of the
+men was preparing supper. In that instant Jerry tossed the message
+straight at Slim's feet.
+
+Slim gave a little start, recovered himself immediately, stooped over,
+and, pretending to wash his hands in the snow, unwrapped and hastily
+read the note, and then trampled it into the ground. When one of the
+Germans turned suddenly, he was innocently drying his hands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+TURNING THE TABLES
+
+
+To Jerry, lying there half frozen, stiff in every joint and scarcely
+daring to move for fear of making some sound that might not only divulge
+his presence and result in his own capture, but also prevent the escape
+of Slim, it seemed that never did it take men so long to eat a meal.
+
+And as they ate, his own appetite became ravenous. The cruelest
+punishment of all was to lie there half starved and hear them vulgarly
+smacking their lips over the warmed-up remains of a chicken undoubtedly
+filched from a countryside barnyard.
+
+But at last, after what seemed to Jerry to have been hours of feasting,
+they did finish. With a derisive laugh the German lieutenant gathered
+all the bones from every other tin plate and shoved them, with mock
+courtesy, toward Slim.
+
+The latter was biding his time, and, his courage increased by knowledge
+that his friend was close by, refused to get angry. He merely waved the
+plate aside.
+
+Their stomachs filled, the Germans almost immediately began to think
+about sleep. In truth, they all looked as though they had been up all of
+the night before, as probably they had. One of them, a mere youth
+certainly not yet out of his teens and the youngest in the party,
+yawned. The lieutenant saw it, and in a fit of apparently unreasonable
+anger said, in his native tongue:
+
+"So! You want to serve notice that you desire to sleep? Very well, you
+shall do sentinel duty--and all night. And mind that you do not sleep!"
+
+A pitiful look came over the boy's face, but without a word he saluted
+and departed to the circle of outer shadows to take up his long and
+tedious vigil.
+
+Jerry felt genuinely sorry for him, but he sincerely hoped that the
+officer would not change his mind or relent. He knew the youth could not
+possibly stay awake the whole night through.
+
+Half an hour later the other four Germans were conducting a spirited
+rivalry in snoring, and Slim, also, to all appearances, was fast asleep.
+
+Not daring to move, Jerry kept his eyes constantly upon the young
+sentry. Frequently he yawned. Once or twice he stopped uncertainly
+before a stump and seemed about to sit down, then started on again
+around his monotonous beat. But his step was wavering, his eyes were
+heavy, and Jerry knew it was only a question of time--a comparatively
+short time--when nature would conquer, and the sentinel, too, would
+sleep.
+
+Had he been able to bring himself to it, he could have shot the sentry
+and killed the others as they slept, before they could even have reached
+for their weapons. But he could not do that.
+
+Better the other way, he told himself, even though it carried a greater
+risk.
+
+And finally his own vigil was rewarded. The sentinel placed two or three
+more pieces of wood upon the fire, stood for a few moments within its
+genial warmth, looked dully at the others so soundly sleeping, and then
+crossed to the stump and sat down.
+
+His rifle was on the ground beside him. His elbows rested upon his
+knees, and his chin in his hands. Presently his lids drooped and closed.
+His head, and then his whole body, sagged forward. He wakened with a
+start and changed his place to another tree more within the shadows.
+There he was able to lean back in a more comfortable position, and soon
+his heavy, even breathing assured Jerry that nature had, indeed, won.
+
+Softly, without so much as a sound, he rose to his hands and knees. He
+tossed a pebble, which hit Slim upon the hand. The latter turned his
+head ever so slightly and gazed fixedly in Jerry's direction. Finally
+his decided wink indicated that he had made out the form of his friend.
+
+Still upon all fours, and feeling every inch of the way, Jerry retraced
+his steps over the ledge. Quietly he slid down to the lower level and
+took a wide circle about the little camp, finally closing in near to
+where the sleeping sentry sat. Deftly and silently he pulled the
+latter's gun from where it lay beside him. This he carried over to near
+where the horses were corralled. Slim now was watching his every move,
+but awaited Jerry's signal before he stirred.
+
+Jerry then returned, and, so gently that the sentry never made a
+movement, lifted his loaded revolver from its holster. With this he
+tiptoed to Slim, placed the weapon in his hand and with a gesture bade
+him rise.
+
+They were now masters of the situation, but Jerry did not want to take
+any chances. Two of the Germans were lying in such a position that he
+could get their revolvers, also. They did not carry rifles. This he
+accomplished after having stationed Slim in the shadows at such a point
+of vantage that he could cover all of the Boches, should they awaken.
+
+One of the additional guns he gave to Slim; the other he kept himself.
+Thus doubly armed, they stepped over to the sleeping sentry, and while
+Slim pointed his two guns at the others, to prevent any hostilities upon
+their part, should they rouse, Jerry shook and awakened the bewildered
+sentry.
+
+As he faced the two revolvers, and the changed situation suddenly dawned
+upon him, the young German's expression was pathetic. Apparently he was
+too stunned to speak a word. Jerry motioned him to take a position just
+behind the sleepers, which he did.
+
+With Slim standing beside him, and their four revolvers pointed
+menacingly at the Germans, Jerry kicked the lieutenant upon the sole of
+his boot. The latter roused angrily and was about to give vent to his
+feelings when he looked into the barrels of the automatics. His
+exclamation was one of complete chagrin.
+
+Slim stepped over and extracted his revolver, which he dropped into his
+own pocket. By the same process the other armed Boche was awakened, and
+in the same way he was disarmed. Then, with his foot, Jerry jabbed the
+remaining two back to consciousness.
+
+"You are our prisoners," Jerry informed them, in their own language.
+"One hostile move from any one of you and you will be shot."
+
+Forming them into pairs, and purposely leaving the sentinel as the
+single one of the party and in the lead, Jerry ordered them to walk
+toward where the horses were tethered.
+
+He made two of the men put saddles and bridles upon the animals, and
+then compelled them to mount as they were paired--the lieutenant and one
+of his men upon one of the horses, two others upon another, the sentry
+alone upon another, but carrying a good supply of rations--while Slim
+and he each had an animal to carry themselves, the wireless and other
+paraphernalia when they should pick that up.
+
+Thus, with hardly a dozen words having been spoken, they came through
+the ravine and at forced speed struck out across the level ground
+toward the mountain from which Jerry and Slim had come that morning.
+
+"You!" the lieutenant hissed between his teeth at the sentinel as they
+came side by side. "What were you doing when this second American
+arrived? Asleep, eh?"
+
+"I came up behind him. He never had a chance, for I did not make a
+sound," Jerry interposed in German, before the young Boche could make
+even an involuntary admission.
+
+As they approached the base of the mountain where they had parted from
+Lieutenant Mackinson, Joe, and Frank early that day, the moon reached
+its zenith, and its beams, reflected upon the white ground, made the
+night almost as light as day.
+
+Two hours later they were upon the identical spot from which they had
+wirelessed headquarters in the morning. It was midnight now as two of
+the Germans, working under Jerry's orders while Slim kept a weather eye
+on the others, set up the pack-set.
+
+Jerry worked the key half a dozen times and then got an almost immediate
+response. The first query after he had identified himself was:
+
+"This is Joe; where are you?"
+
+"Just got back to where we left you this morning," Jerry ticked off into
+the air. "Bringing in a German lieutenant and four of his men as
+prisoners. Should arrive by daylight, as we have horses."
+
+"Great," was Joe's radio response. "Have letter from Brighton and fine
+news. Will make your report."
+
+And the pack-set was put back in its compact case, and, paired off as
+before, the journey was resumed.
+
+"Say," said Jerry, as they urged their horses down the side of the
+mountain leading to fairly level ground all the way into camp, "I'm
+hungry enough to eat dog meat, but I guess we can hold out now until we
+reach our lines."
+
+"Yes, I suppose so," Slim answered. "But how'd you like to have some
+sausage, and some plum pudding, and----"
+
+"Don't," pleaded Jerry. "The idea is too much. My stomach is accusing me
+of gross carelessness now."
+
+"Wonder what's in that letter from Brighton, and who wrote it?" said
+Sum, glad to change the subject and forget his own hunger.
+
+"Can't imagine, but my own curiosity has been as to whether the fine
+news Joe mentioned comes from there or refers to something at
+headquarters."
+
+And so, sore, tired and hungry, but happy withal, they continued on. The
+moon waned and set, and tradition proved itself--it became darkest just
+before dawn.
+
+"Wait!" said Jerry, just at this stage of the journey, and he jumped
+from his horse to recover something that he had seen the German
+lieutenant drop.
+
+It proved to be a packet of papers, bearing the official German army
+seal.
+
+"Ah-ha!" Jerry cried, riding up to the officer and thrusting the
+documents out before him. "So you thought to get rid of them, eh? Well,
+we'll just take these along to headquarters, too. They may contain
+something of interest to our commanders. Yes?"
+
+The lieutenant gave an ugly, menacing grunt, but refused to say a word.
+
+Daylight came, and with it a clear view of the American lines. A quarter
+of an hour later they saw two horsemen coming toward them. Slim examined
+them carefully with his glasses.
+
+"The lieutenant and Frank," he announced. "Guess Joe's still on duty."
+
+And Joe was. He was just relaying to the commander of the American
+forces in France orders forwarded from London, and they were of the
+greatest import to the three boys from Brighton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE GREAT NEWS
+
+
+"Well, Sergeants, how are you?" Lieutenant Mackinson greeted them, as he
+and Frank came galloping up and swerved their horses around.
+
+"Corporals, you mean, Lieutenant," Jerry corrected.
+
+"No, I thought I meant sergeants," the lieutenant repeated. "In fact,
+I'm quite sure I did."
+
+"What do you mean?" Slim demanded eagerly, for the moment forgetting all
+about their prisoners of war.
+
+"Just what I said--sergeants," said Lieutenant Mackinson, smiling.
+
+"Have we--Do you--" Jerry stopped to begin all over again, and the young
+officer interrupted him.
+
+"I suppose it's a little like telling secrets out of school," he said,
+"but then, after all, it isn't any secret, for the news was out
+yesterday afternoon. A lot of promotions were announced. Frank's been
+made a corporal, and you boys--Joe, too--advanced to sergeant."
+
+It was fully a minute before either lad could express himself, and the
+lieutenant and Corporal Hoskins took a full measure of enjoyment out of
+their apparent happy gratification.
+
+"Lieutenant--" Slim began.
+
+"Captain, if you please," Mr. Mackinson corrected amiably. "You see, I
+was in the list, too."
+
+Slim and Jerry simultaneously brought their horses to a halt while they
+came to a full military salute.
+
+As they approached Major Jones' headquarters with their prisoners,
+Captain Mackinson turned another way and Corporal Hoskins dropped back.
+
+Briefly, and without undue emphasis upon their own hardships or courage
+or common sense, they gave the details of their activities since they
+had left, and of the capture of Slim and the subsequent taking of his
+captors.
+
+"You have done well, exceptionally well," the major responded. "In
+consequence whereof it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you
+have been advanced to the rank of sergeant. In that respect I might
+remind you that the next step is to a commission, and that merit and
+courage will take a man to any command in the United States army. It is
+the only standard of advancement, and there is no other instrument of
+preferment. I am happy to know that you young men have started so well.
+You two, and the friend who also was advanced to sergeant with you, have
+brilliant futures before you."
+
+They were saluting, preliminary to departure, when the major added:
+
+"You will report to General Young, division commander, at ten o'clock."
+
+A little bewildered by the salutes of those privates who knew of their
+promotions, even though they did not yet wear upon their sleeves the two
+stripes indicating their advance to corporals, Jerry and Slim hurried
+toward the wash spigots, preliminary to an assault upon the mess tent.
+
+There they met Joe, who had just come off duty as night wireless
+operator at headquarters. They shook hands, and then Slim demanded to
+know about that letter from Brighton.
+
+"It was from our old friend, the telegrapher, Philip Burton," said Joe,
+"and it was written about three weeks ago."
+
+"That's pretty quick delivery," said Slim. "What did he have to say?"
+
+"Well, it seems they've had reports there of some of our experiences
+coming over, and Mr. Burton says some of the finest things."
+
+"Good old Burton!" mused Jerry. "He always did credit us with being a
+lot better and brighter and more capable than we really were."
+
+"Yes, and we owe him a lot," added Slim, "for he was really responsible
+in the first place for our getting here. If it hadn't been for what he
+taught us about telegraphy we'd never be sergeants now."
+
+"That's right," said Joe. "Fellows, Mr. Burton's getting pretty well
+along now. He'll be an old man before very long. I wish we three could
+do something to really show him our appreciation of what he's been to
+us."
+
+"We will," Jerry said. "We will. Let's make a promise to each other on
+that."
+
+And with this good resolution made, they started for the mess tent.
+
+The first fifteen minutes they gave over unstintedly to appeasing
+healthy and long-deferred appetites, and then Slim suddenly remembered
+Major Jones' final instructions.
+
+"Wonder what we have to report at General Young's headquarters at ten
+o'clock for?" he queried. "I'm nearly dead for sleep myself."
+
+"So am I," said Jerry.
+
+Both of them caught Joe's averted smile.
+
+"What's it for, do you know?" Jerry demanded.
+
+"Well, fellows, I think I do," Joe answered. "But I only learned it over
+the wireless--and that's information gained in a professional way, you
+know, and therefore secret. So don't ask me to tell you. In another hour
+we'll go over. You know I've been summoned, too."
+
+"No!" ejaculated Jerry. "Well, that's fine. But you'll be going over to
+learn something that you already know, while we'll be getting some real
+news, whatever it is."
+
+"That's right," said Joe. "And maybe it will be real news."
+
+Jerry and Slim both spent the intervening hour on their cots, and when
+Joe came to awaken them he found them snoring most unmusically.
+
+"What do you think?" he demanded, as soon as they were wide enough awake
+to realize what he was saying. "That German lieutenant that you brought
+in had papers on him that showed the whole plan of the German campaign
+in this sector for a month ahead. You boys made a great capture."
+
+At exactly ten o'clock they presented themselves to General Young's
+orderly, and a moment later were ushered into the presence of the
+supreme commander of that section of the American front.
+
+"Young men," the general began bluntly, without other formalities, "you
+have signally distinguished yourselves for judgment, foresight, and
+courage from the moment of your enlistment, it might be said. I have
+before me your records, beginning from the time of your discovery of the
+spy at work in the waters near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
+
+"Congress has just passed a bill, and the President has signed it,
+providing for the higher military education of certain worthy young men
+in the army and navy, entirely at the expense of the government.
+Fortunately for the military service, these selections have been
+entirely removed from the realm of politics and are left to the
+commanders in the army and navy.
+
+"At this school, which in many respects is similar to the Military
+Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, young men will
+be thoroughly instructed in the specialized branches of military
+science.
+
+"I am offering you three young men such appointments. I am doing so
+solely upon your records and upon my own confidence that you will make
+good to the country that offers you this opportunity. Will you accept?"
+
+If someone had suddenly set off a bomb under the three boys from
+Brighton they hardly could have been more surprised.
+
+"I don't know how to thank you," Joe stammered.
+
+"I'll do my utmost to prove worth it," promised Jerry.
+
+"It shall be my highest ambition," said Slim.
+
+"Good!" said General Young, rising and shaking each lad by the hand. "I
+was confident that you would accept, and here are the appointments
+already made out."
+
+He gave to each lad a large envelope, stamped with the army seal.
+
+"Transportation has been arranged for you to leave here to-night,"
+General Young concluded. "You will sail from England for the United
+States day after to-morrow. I wish you every success. I would be very
+glad to hear from you occasionally, and to know of the progress you are
+making. Good-by!"
+
+It would be difficult to describe the ecstacies of delight in which Joe,
+Jerry and Slim left the quarters of General Young to impart the
+knowledge of their great good fortune to Captain Mackinson.
+
+That warm friend listened to them until he could not keep his
+countenance straight any longer.
+
+"I forgot to tell you," he said, "that I am to go back there, also, as
+an instructor."
+
+"Isn't that luck!" exclaimed Slim, expressing the sentiment of the other
+two. "That just about makes it perfect."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+So we leave the boys from Brighton--Joe and Jerry and Slim--leave them
+upon the threshold of the broader careers which merit has won them, and
+bid them carry always with them our very best wishes in their
+aspirations which we know ever will be onward and upward.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Critics uniformly agree that parents can safely place in the hands of
+boys and girls any book written by Edward S. Ellis
+
+The "FLYING BOYS" Series
+
+By EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of the Renowned "Deerfoot" Books, and 100 other famous volumes
+for young people
+
+During his trip abroad last summer, Mr. Ellis became intensely
+interested in aeroplane and airship flying in France, and this new
+series from his pen is the visible result of what he would call a
+"vacation." He has made a study of the science and art of aeronautics,
+and these books will give boys just the information they want about this
+marvelous triumph of man.
+
+First Volume: THE FLYING BOYS IN THE SKY
+Second Volume: THE FLYING BOYS TO THE RESCUE
+
+The stories are timely and full of interest and stirring events.
+Handsomely illustrated and with appropriate cover design.
+
+Price..........Per volume, 75 cents. Postpaid.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+This series will appeal to up-to-date American Girls. The subsequent
+volumes will carry the Ranch Girls through numerous ups and downs
+of fortune and adventures in America and Europe
+
+THE "RANCH GIRLS" SERIES IS A NEW LINE OF BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+THE RANCH GIRLS AT RAINBOW LODGE
+
+By MARGARET VANDERCOOK
+
+This first volume of the new RANCH GIRLS SERIES, will stir up the envy
+of all girl readers to a life of healthy exercise and honest
+helpfulness. The Ranch Girls undertake the management of a large ranch
+in a western state, and after many difficulties make it pay and give
+them a good living. They are jolly, healthy, attractive girls, who have
+the best kind of a time, and the young readers will enjoy the book as
+much as any of them. The first volume of the Ranch Girls Series will be
+followed by other titles carrying the Ranch Girls through numerous ups
+and downs of fortune and adventures in America and Europe. Attractive
+cover design. Excellent paper. Illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth.....Price, Per volume, 75 cents. Postpaid
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+A PENNANT-WINNER IN BOYS' BOOKS!
+
+Hugh S. Fullerton's Great Books
+
+The Jimmy Kirkland Series of Baseball Stories
+
+By HUGH S. FULLERTON
+
+America's Greatest Baseball Writer. Author of "Touching Second," Etc.
+
+Combining his literary skill with his unsurpassed knowledge of baseball
+from every angle--especially from a boy's angle--Mr. Fullerton has
+written a new seres of baseball stories for boys, which will be seized
+with devouring interest by every youthful admirer of the game. While the
+narrative is predominant in these books, Mr. Fullerton has encompassed a
+large amount of practical baseball instruction for boys; and, what is of
+greater value, he has shown the importance of manliness, sportsmanship
+and clean living to any boy who desires to excel in baseball or any
+other sport. These books are bound to sell wherever they are seen by
+boys or parents. Handsomely illustrated and bound. 12mo. Cloth. New and
+original cover design.
+
+JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE SHASTA BOYS' TEAM
+JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE CASCADE COLLEGE TEAM
+JIMMY KIRKLAND AND A PLOT FOR A PENNANT
+
+Sold Singly or in Boxed Sets
+
+Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The Big Series of Boys' Books for 1918
+
+THE BRIGHTON BOYS SERIES
+
+By Lieutenant James R. Driscoll
+
+An entirely new series of Boys' Books which have their setting in the
+Great War and deal with patriotism, heroism and adventure that should
+make a strong appeal to American boys. The volumes average 250 pages and
+contain four illustrations each.
+
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the TRENCHES
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the SUBMARINE FLEET
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the FLYING CORPS
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the RADIO SERVICE
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the BATTLE FLEET
+
+12mo. Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The American Boy Series
+
+By Edward S. Ellis
+
+Books of stirring interest that are founded upon and written around
+facts in American History and American romantic achievement.
+
+Each of the Series have Special Cover Designs
+
+ALAMO SERIES
+
+The Three Arrows
+Remember the Alamo
+
+OVERLAND SERIES
+
+Alden, the Pony Express Rider Alden Among the Indians
+
+BOY PATROL SERIES
+
+Boy Patrol on Guard
+Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire
+
+COLONIAL SERIES
+
+An American King
+The Cromwell of Virginia
+The Last Emperor of the Old Dominion
+
+LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot
+Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern Waters
+
+ARIZONA SERIES
+
+Off the Reservation
+Trailing Geronimo
+The Round Up
+
+FLYING BOYS SERIES
+
+The Flying Boys in the Sky
+The Flying Boys to the Rescue
+
+CATAMOUNT CAMP SERIES
+
+Captain of the Camp
+Catamount Camp
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+Price per volume, 45 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE NORTH POLE SERIES
+
+By Prof. Edwin J. Houston
+
+Dr. Houston has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of
+physical and scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for
+them in a way that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories
+the most accurate scientific information will be absorbed.
+
+HANDSOMELY BOUND
+
+The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English Cloth and are
+attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold separately or
+in sets, boxed.
+
+THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE
+THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE
+CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE
+
+3 Titles
+Price per volume, $1.00
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Harry Castlemon's Books for Boys
+
+NEW POPULAR EDITION
+
+This series comprises thirty titles of the best stories ever written by
+Harry Castlemon. But few of these titles have ever been published in
+low-priced editions, many of them are copyright titles which will not be
+found in any other publisher's list. We now offer them in this new
+low-priced edition. The books are printed on an excellent quality of
+paper, and have an entirely new and handsome cover design, with new
+style colored inlay on front cover, and stamped in ink. 12mo. Cloth. 30
+titles.
+
+Buried Treasure
+Carl, the Trailer
+Floating Treasure, The
+Frank, the Young Naturalist
+Frank Among the Rancheros
+Frank Before Vicksburg
+Frank in the Mountains
+Frank in the Woods
+Frank on a Gunboat
+Frank on Don Carlos' Rancho
+Frank on the Lower Mississippi
+Frank on the Prairie
+Haunted Mine, The
+Houseboat Boys, The
+Mail Carrier
+Marcy, The Refugee
+Missing Pocketbook, The
+Mystery of the Lost River Canyon, The
+Oscar in Africa
+Rebellion in Dixie
+Rod and Gun Club
+Rodney, the Overseer
+Rodney, the Partisan
+Steel Horse
+Ten-Ton Cutter, The
+Tom Newcomb
+Two Ways of Becoming a Hunter
+White Beaver, The
+
+THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS
+POPULAR AUTHOR
+
+Price per volume, .75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Universally APPROVED BOOKS for Boys
+
+A collection of books by well known authors that have been generally
+approved by competent critics and library committees as safe books for
+young people.
+
+WORLD FAMOUS BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+JACK HAZARD SERIES
+By J. T. Trowbridge
+Price $1.25 per volume
+
+Jack Hazard and His Fortunes
+A Chance for Himself
+Doing His Best
+Fast Friends
+The Young Surveyor
+Lawrence's Adventures
+
+FRANK NELSON SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Snowed Up
+Frank in the Forecastle
+The Boy Traders
+
+SPORTSMAN CLUB SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+The Sportsman Club in the Saddle
+The Sportsman Club Afloat
+The Sportsman Club Among the Trappers
+
+ROUGHING IT SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+George in Camp
+George at the Fort
+George at the Wheel
+
+ROD AND GUN CLUB SERIES
+By Harry Castlemon
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Don Gordon's Shooting Box
+Red and Gun Club
+The Young Wild Fowler
+
+DEERFOOT SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Hunters of the Ozark
+Camp in the Mountains
+The Last War Trail
+
+NEW DEERFOOT SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Deerfoot in the Forest
+Deerfoot in the Mountains
+Deerfoot on the Prairie
+
+BOY PIONEER SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Ned in the Blockhouse
+Ned on the River
+Ned in the Woods
+
+LOG CABIN SERIES
+By Edward S. Ellis
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Lost Trail
+Camp Fire and Wigwam
+Footprints in the Forest
+
+RAGGED DICK SERIES
+By Horatio Alger
+Price 75 cents per volume
+
+Ragged Dick
+Fame and Fortune
+Mark, the Match Boy
+Rough and Ready
+Ben, the Luggage Boy
+Rufus and Rose
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS'
+
+Pioneer Series of Books for Boys
+
+Edward S. Ellis has been constantly growing in favor as an author of
+Boys' Books, and he now has admirers in all parts of the world. His
+stories are largely founded on history, and portray stirring adventures
+of daring American boys on the prairies, mountains, forest and stream.
+
+We are now enabled to offer this series of low-priced books, which have
+until recently been published only in editions at double the price. They
+are all copyright titles, and will not be found in any other publisher's
+list. The books are printed on an excellent quality of paper, and have
+an entirely new and appropriate cover design. 12mo. Cloth 30 Titles.
+
+Across Texas
+Brave Tom
+Cabin in the Clearin
+Dorsey, the Young Adventurer
+Fighting Phil
+Four Boys
+Great Cattle Trail
+Honest Ned
+Hunt of the White Elephant
+Iron Heart
+Lena Wingo, the Mohawk
+Lost in the Forbidden Land
+Lucky Ned
+Mountain Star
+On the Trail of the Moose
+Plucky Dick
+Queen of the Clouds
+Righting the Wrong
+River and Jungle
+River Fugitives
+Secret of Coffin Island
+Shod with Silence
+Teddy and Towser
+Through Forest and Fire
+Two Boys in Wyoming
+Unlucky Tib
+Upside Down
+Up the Forked River
+Wilderness Fugitives
+Wyoming
+
+THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS
+POPULAR AUTHOR
+
+Price per volume, .75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Two New Books by Dr. Winfield Scott Hall
+
+Dr. Hall's "SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE" is recognized as the only work of the kind
+written by an accepted authority and more satisfactorily covers the
+important subject completely than any other book. Appeals have been made
+to him to prepare books that treated the subject separately from the
+standpoint of the boy or girl by those who prefer placing books in the
+hands of young people treating the side of the question that concerns
+them individually. These new books have been prepared to meet this
+demand.
+
+Youth and its Problems
+THE SEX LIFE OF A MAN
+By WINFIELD SCOTT HALL, PH.D., M.D.
+
+Member Medical Faculty, Northwestern University, Fellow American Academy
+of Medicine, Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science.
+
+To the _youth_ who hopes for vigorous _aggressive young manhood_; to the
+young man who aspires to virile _adult manhood_ this volume is
+dedicated.
+
+Cloth--12mo. 248 pages. Price $1.00 Net
+
+Girlhood and its Problems
+THE SEX LIFE OF WOMAN
+By WINFIELD SCOTT HALL, PH.D., M.D.
+
+in co-operation with
+JEANETTE WINTER HALL
+
+Author of Primer on Physiology, etc.
+
+That the _young woman_ may find here an answer to her _unexpressed
+questions_ is the purpose of this book.
+
+Cloth--12mo. 210 pages. Price $1.00 Net
+
+In the preparation of these two books the object of the author is to
+make it evident to readers that wholesome information clearly and simply
+imparted is a very great help to boys and girls, guiding them unerringly
+along the path of right living, which leads to that goal which all hope
+to reach--SUCCESS and HAPPINESS.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The Big Series of Boys' Books for 1918
+
+THE BRIGHTON BOYS SERIES
+
+By Lieutenant James R. Driscoll
+
+An entirely new series of Boys' Books which have their setting in the
+Great War and deal with patriotism, heroism and adventure that should
+make a strong appeal to American boys. The volumes average 250 pages and
+contain four illustrations each.
+
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the TRENCHES
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the SUBMARINE FLEET
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the FLYING CORPS
+The BRIGHTON BOYS in the RADIO SERVICE
+The BRIGHTON BOYS with the BATTLE FLEET
+
+12mo. Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Eclipse Series of the Lowest Price Alger Books
+
+This low-priced series of books comprises the most popular stories ever
+written by Horatio Alger, Jr. As compared with other low-priced editions
+it will be found that the books in this series are better printed, on
+better paper, and better bound than similar books in any competing line.
+Each volume is handsomely and durably bound in cloth with new style
+colored-inlay, assorted designs, and stamped in three colors of ink. New
+and attractive colored jackets. 12mo. Cloth. 40 Titles.
+
+Adrift in the City
+Andy Grant's Pluck
+Ben's Nugget
+Bob Burton
+Bound to Rise
+Boy's Fortune, A
+Chester Rand
+Digging for Gold
+Do and Dare
+Facing the World
+Frank and Fearless
+Frank Hunter's Peril
+Frank's Campaign
+Helping Himself
+Herbert Carter's Legacy
+In a New World
+Jack's Ward
+Jed, the Poorhouse Boy
+Lester's Luck
+Luck and Pluck
+Luke Walton
+Only an Irish Boy
+Paul Prescott's Charge
+Paul, the Peddler
+Phil, the Fiddler
+Ragged Dick
+Rupert's Ambition
+Shifting for Himself
+Sink or Swim
+Strong and Steady
+Struggling Upward
+Tattered Tom
+Telegraph Boy, The
+Victor Vane
+Wait and Hope
+Walter Sherwood's Probation
+Young Bank Messenger, The
+Young Circus Rider
+Young Miner, The
+Young Salesman, The
+
+Price per volume, .60 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Winston's De Luxe Series of Juvenile Classics
+
+This series has been made with a view to cultivating in youthful readers
+a love for the beautiful and best in books. In contents, in
+illustrations and in binding, these books satisfy every requirement, and
+will afford a degree of permanent pleasure far beyond the possibilities
+of ordinary juvenile books. Size of each volume when closed, 7-1/4 x
+9-1/2 inches. Rich cloth binding, stamped in gold, with beautiful
+colored inlay.
+
+Myths and Legends Of All Nations
+
+By LOGAN MARSHALL
+
+A book to win the heart of every child. Famous stories from Greek
+mythology and the legendary literature of Germany, England, Spain,
+Iceland, Scandinavia, Denmark, France, Russia, Bohemia, Servia, Italy
+and Poland--stories in which children, and men and women, too, have
+delighted through the centuries. They are told in simple, graphic style
+and each one is illustrated with a beautiful color plate. The work has
+considerable educational value, since an understanding of the many
+stories here set forth is necessary to our own literature and
+civilization. 24 full-page color plates. 320 pages.
+
+Tales From Shakespeare By CHARLES and MARY LAMB
+
+A superb edition of these famous tales has been prepared in similar
+style to "Fairy Tales of All Nations." Each of the twenty tales is
+illustrated with a magnificent color plate by a celebrated artist. It is
+one of the finest books ever published for children, telling them in
+simple language, which is as nearly like that of Shakespeare as
+possible, the stories of the great plays. The subjects for the
+illustrations were posed in costumes of the nation and time in which
+each story is set and are unrivaled in rich color, lively drawing and
+dramatic interest. 320 pages. 20 full-page color plates.
+
+Fairy Tales Of All Nations
+By LOGAN MARSHALL
+
+The most beautiful book of fairy tales ever published. Thirty superb
+colored plates are the most prominent feature of this new, copyrighted
+book. These plates are absolutely new and portray the times and customs
+of the subjects they illustrate. The subjects were posed in costumes of
+the nation and time in which each story is set, and are unrivaled in
+rich color, lively drawing and dramatic interest. The text is original
+and interesting in that the famous fairy tales are taken from the
+folklore and literature of a dozen principal countries, thus giving the
+book its name. Many old favorites and numerous interesting stories from
+far away lands, which most children have never heard, are brought
+together in this charming book. 8vo. 314 pages.
+
+Rhymes Of Happy Childhood
+By MRS. ANDREW ROSS FILLEBROWN
+
+A handsome holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with
+nearly 100 color plates and drawings in black and red. Verses that sing
+the irrepressible joy of children in their home and play life, many that
+touch the heart closely with their mother love, and some not without
+pathos, have been made into a very handsome volume. Gilt top, uncut
+leaves.
+
+Price per volume, $2.00
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+NEW EDITION OF ALGER'S GREATEST SET OF BOOKS
+
+THE FAMOUS RAGGED DICK SERIES
+
+New Type-Set Plates Made in 1910
+
+In response to a demand for a popular-priced edition of this series of
+books--the most famous set ever written by Horatio Alger, Jr.--this
+edition has been prepared.
+
+Each volume is set in large, new type, printed on an excellent quality
+of paper, and bound in uniform style, having an entirely new and
+appropriate cover design, with heavy gold stamp.
+
+As is well known, the books in this series are copyrighted, and
+consequently none of them will be found in any other publisher's list.
+
+RAGGED DICK SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 6 vols.
+
+RAGGED DICK
+FAME AND FORTUNE
+MARK, THE MATCH BOY
+ROUGH AND READY
+BEN, THE LUGGAGE BOY
+RUFUS AND ROSE
+
+Each set is packed in a handsome box
+
+12mo. Cloth
+Sold only in sets     Price per set, $6.00. Postpaid
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+RECOMMENDED BY REAR ADMIRAL MELVILLE, WHO COMMANDED THREE EXPEDITIONS TO
+THE ARCTIC REGIONS
+
+THE NEW POPULAR SCIENCE SERIES
+By Prof. Edwin J. Houston
+
+THE NORTH POLE SERIES. By Prof. Edwin J. Houston. This is an entirely
+new series, which opens a new field in Juvenile Literature. Dr. Houston
+has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of physical and
+scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for them in a way
+that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories the most
+accurate scientific information will be absorbed.
+
+THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE
+THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE
+CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE
+
+Handsomely bound. The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English
+Cloth, and are attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold
+separately or in sets, boxed.
+
+Price $1.00 per volume. Postpaid
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+GREAT PICTURES
+AS
+MORAL TEACHERS
+
+By HENRY E. JACKSON
+
+A Recognition of the Value of Pictures in Teaching
+
+The author has selected twenty of the world's great pictures and
+sculptures and interpreted the meaning which the artist intended to
+convey.
+
+People are awakening more and more to the value of works of art in
+teaching. They are regaining a truer perspective and saner judgment
+in regard to them. That pictures are of great value in teaching
+certain forms of knowledge is not now questioned; on the contrary,
+it is approved and practiced. In view of this, the need arises for
+careful selection and education of the popular taste. The present
+work is intended to meet this need. The author has chosen his
+subjects with great care and adopted as his interpretation the
+consensus of opinion among great critics.
+
+The subject is treated in a manner to interest not only students of
+religious history and movements, but those viewing it from a purely
+artistic standpoint. The work contains twenty fine half-tone engravings
+made from authorized photographs of the original paintings and
+sculptures.
+
+Price $1.50
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Philadelphia, Pa.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+WINSTON'S POPULAR FICTION
+
+Comprising twenty-four books published at $1.25 and $1.50 per volume,
+and until recently sold only in the original editions. Now offered for
+the first time in popular priced editions. All are bound in extra cloth
+with appropriate cover designs, and standard 12mo. in size.
+
+24 Titles  Price per volume, 75 cents
+
+BABCOCK (WILLIAM HENRY)--Kent Fort Manor. A romance in the
+nineteenth century on the Isle of Kent near Baltimore, where in the
+earlier days Puritans, Jesuits, Indians and Sea Rovers came and
+went. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+BARTON (GEORGE)--Adventures of the World's Greatest Detectives. The
+most famous cases of the great Sleuths of England, America, France,
+Russia, realistically told, with biographical sketches of each
+detective. Fully illustrated. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+BLANKMAN (EDGAR G.)--Deacon Babbitt. A story of Northern New York
+State, pronounced by some critics superior to "David Harum." 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+CLARK (CHARLES HEBER)--(Max Adeler)--The Quakeress. A charming
+story which has had great success in the original edition, and
+listed among the six best selling novels. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Captain Bluitt, A Tale of Old Turley. Humorous fiction in this
+well-known author's happiest style. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Out of the Hurly Burly, or Life in an Odd Corner. A delightfully
+entertaining piece of humor, with numerous illustrations, including
+the original work by A. B. Frost, and other illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+--In Happy Hollow. The amusing story of how A. J. Pelican boomed
+the little town of Happy Hollow. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+EDWARDS (LOUISE BETTS)--The Tu Tze's Tower. One of the best novels
+of Chinese and Tibetan Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+GERARD (DOROTHEA)--Sawdust, A Polish Romance. The scene of this
+readable tale the Carpathian Timberlands in Poland. The author is a
+favorite English writer. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+GIBBS (GEORGE)--In Search of Mademoiselle. The struggle between the
+Spanish and French Colonists in Florida furnish an interesting
+historical background for this stirring story. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+GOLDSMITH (MILTON)--A Victim of Conscience. A mental struggle
+between Judaism and Christianity of a Jew who thinks he is guilty
+of a crime, makes a dramatic plot. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+ILIOWIZI (HENRY)--The Archierey of Samara. A semi-historic romance
+of Russian Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+ILIOWIZI (HENRY) --In the Pale. Stories and Legends of Jews in
+Russia. Containing "Czar Nicholas I and Sir Moses Montefiore," "The
+Czar in Rothschild's Castle," and "The Legend of the Ten Lost
+Tribes," and other tales. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+MOORE (JOHN TROTWOOD)--The Bishop of Cottontown. One of the best
+selling novels published in recent years and now for the first time
+sold at a popular price. An absorbing story of Southern life in a
+Cotton Mill town, intense with passion, pathos and humor. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+--A Summer Hymnal. A Tennessee romance. One of the prettiest love
+stories ever written. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Ole Mistis, and other Songs and Stories from Tennessee. 12mo.
+Cloth 75 cents
+
+NORRIS (W. E.)--An Embarrasing Orphan. The orphaned daughter of a
+wealthy African mine owner, causes her staid English Guardian no
+end of anxiety. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+PEMBERTON (MAX)--The Show Girl. A new novel, by the author of many
+popular stories, describing the adventures of a young art student
+in Paris and elsewhere. It is thought to be the most entertaining
+book written by this author. 12mo. Cloth, Illustrated 75 cents
+
+PENDLETON (LOUIS)--A Forest Drama. A Tale of the Canadian wilds of
+unusual strength. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+PETERSON (HENRY)--Dulcibel. A Tale of Old Salem in the Witchcraft
+days, with a charming love story: historically an informing book.
+12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Pemberton, or One Hundred Years Ago. Washington, Andre, Arnold
+and other prominent figures of the Revolution take part in the
+story, which is probably the best historical romance of
+Philadelphia. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+STODDARD (ELIZABETH)--(Mrs. Richard Henry Stoddard).--Two Men.
+"Jason began life in Crest with ten dollars, two suits of cloths,
+several shirts, two books, a pin cushion and the temperance
+lecture." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--Temple House. A powerful story of life in a little seaport
+town--romantic and often impassioned. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+--The Morgesons. This was the first of Mrs. Stoddard's Novels, and
+Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to the author:--"As genuine and life-like
+as anything that pen and ink can do." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+NOTABLE NOVELS AND GIFT BOOKS OF VERSE
+By John Trotwood Moore
+
+JACK BALLINGTON, FORESTER
+
+The story concerns the fortunes of Jack Ballington, who, on account of
+his apparent lack of fighting qualities, seems to be in danger of losing
+his material heritage and the girl he loves, but in the stirring crisis
+he measures up to the traditions of his forefathers.`````````````````
+
+     "Will captivate by its humor, set all the heart strings to
+     vibrating by its pathos, flood one's being in the great surge of
+     patriotism ... a story that vastly enriches American
+     fiction."--_Albany Times-Union._
+
+12mo. Cloth. 341 pages
+
+Price $1.20 Net. Postage 13 cents
+
+THE BISHOP OF COTTONTOWN
+A Story Of The Tennessee Valley
+
+Love, pathos and real humor run through the book In delightful measure.
+Over all is shed the light of the "Old Bishop," endearing himself to
+every reader by his gentleness, his strength and his uncynical knowledge
+of the world which he finds so good to live in. 31 editions have already
+been sold.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 606 pages
+Price $1.50 Postpaid
+
+UNCLE WASH: HIS STORIES
+
+A book of stories centering about the character of "Uncle Wash," which
+even in the brief time since its publication has achieved a large and
+notable success among all classes of readers. Many editions have already
+been sold.
+
+     "One of the few great books."--_Rochester Union and Advertiser._
+     "A mine of humor and pathos."--_Omaha World-Herald._
+
+12mo. Cloth. 329 pages
+Price $1.50 Postpaid
+
+A SUMMER HYMNAL
+A Romance Of Tennessee
+
+The story of Edward Ballington and his love affairs with two delightful
+girls in charming contrast, forms the plot of this captivating love
+story, On the threads of this narrative is woven the story of a blind
+man who meets the catastrophe of sudden darkness in a spirit of bravery,
+sweetness and resignation which commands the love and respect of every
+reader.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 332 paces
+Price $1.25 Postpaid
+
+SONGS AND STORIES FROM TENNESSEE
+
+In truth. Mr. Moore, in this collection of songs and stories of Dixie
+Land, has created a work that will live long in the traditions of the
+South and longer in the hearts of his readers. One has only to read "Ole
+Mistis," the first story in this collection, to feel the power of Mr.
+Moore's genius. It is at once the finest story of a horse race ever
+written, a powerful love story and most touchingly pathetic narrative of
+the faith and devotion of a little slave.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 358 pages
+Price $1.25 Postpaid
+
+THE OLD COTTON GIN
+
+The "Old Cotton Gin" breathes the passionate patriotism of the South,
+her dearest sentiments, her pathos and regrets, her splendid progress
+and her triumphant future. This poem is a popular favorite throughout
+the South, and has been adopted officially in some states. The author is
+one of her truest sons. All the pages of the book are decorated with
+original drawings, including seven exceedingly fine full-page
+illustrations.
+
+Bound in Imported Silk Cloth. Size 6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches
+Price $1.00 Net. Postage 10 cents
+
+ALL OF THE ABOVE BOOKS ARE HANDSOMELY ILLUSTRATED BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+MISCELLANEOUS JUVENILE BOOKS
+
+BANGS (JOHN KENDRICK)--Andiron Tales. The story of a Little
+Boy's Dream--his wonderful adventures in the Clouds--written in
+Mr. Bangs' happiest vein, and handsomely illustrated with colored
+drawings by Dwiggins. Octavo. Cloth   $1.25
+
+--Molly and the Unwiseman. A Humorous Story for Children.
+12mo. Cloth   $1.25
+
+BUTTERWORTH (HEZEKIAH)--A Heroine of the Wilderness.
+A Girl's Book telling the romance of the mother of Lincoln. 12mo.
+Cloth        $1.00
+
+DIMMICK (RUTH CROSBY)--The Bogie Man. The story in verse
+of a little boy who met the Bogie Man, and had many surprising
+adventures with him; and found him not such a bad fellow after
+all. 34 Drawings. 72 pages. Octavo. Boards with colored
+cover      $0.65
+
+FILLEBROWN (R. H. M.)--Rhymes of Happy Childhood. A handsome
+holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with
+color plates, and drawings in black and red. Colored inlay, gilt
+top. New Edition 1911. Flat 8vo. Cloth $2.00
+
+HOFFMAN (DR. HENRY)--Slovenly Peter. Original Edition. This
+celebrated work has amused children probably more than any other
+juvenile book. It contains the quaint hand colored pictures, and is
+printed on extra quality of paper and durably bound. Quarto.
+Cloth        $1.00
+
+HUGHES (THOMAS)--Tom Brown's School-days at Rugby. New
+edition with 22 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth     $1.00
+
+LAMB (CHARLES AND MARY)--Tales from Shakespeare. Edited
+with an introduction by The Rev. Alfred Ainger, M.A. New
+Edition with 20 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth $1.00
+
+MOTHER'S PRIMER. Printed from large clear type, contains alphabet
+and edifying and entertaining stories for children. 12mo.
+Paper covers   Per dozen $0.50
+
+TANNENFORST (URSULA)--Heroines of a School-Room. A
+sequel to The Thistles of Mount Cedar. An interesting story of
+interesting girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth   $1.25
+--The Thistles of Mount Cedar. A story of a Girls' Fraternity.
+A well-told story for Girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth  $1.25
+
+TAYLOR (JANE)--Original Poems for Infant Minds. 16mo.
+Cloth   $1.00
+
+WOOD (REV. J. G.)--Popular Natural History. The most popular
+book on Birds, Beasts and Reptiles ever written. Fully illustrated.
+8vo. Cloth    $1.00
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+CHARLES ASBURY STEPHENS
+
+This author wrote his "Camping Out Series" at the very height of his
+mental and physical powers.
+
+     "We do not wonder at the popularity of these books; there is a
+     freshness and variety about them, and am enthusiasm in the
+     description of sport and adventure, which even the older folk can
+     hardly fail to share."--_Worcester Spy._
+
+     "The author of the Camping Out Series is entitled to rank as
+     decidedly at the head of what may be called boys'
+     literature."--_Buffalo Courier._
+
+CAMPING OUT SERIES
+By C. A. Stephens
+
+All books in this series are 12mo., with eight full-page illustrations.
+Cloth, extra, 75 cents.
+
+Camping Out. As Recorded by "Kit."
+
+     "This book is bright, breezy, wholesome, instructive, and stands
+     above the ordinary boys' books of the day by a whole head and
+     shoulders."--_The Christian Register_, Boston.
+
+Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew." As
+Recorded by "Wash."
+
+     "The perils of the voyagers, the narrow escapes, their strange
+     expedients, and the fun and jollity when danger had passed, will
+     make boys even unconscious of hunger."--_New Bedford Mercury._
+
+Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. As Recorded by
+"Wade."
+
+     "It is difficult to believe that Wade and Raed and Kit and Wash
+     were not live boys, sailing up Hudson Straits, and reigning
+     temporarily over an Esquimaux tribe."--_The Independent_, New York.
+
+Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."
+
+     "Of _first quality_ as a boys' book, and fit to take its place
+     beside the best."--_Richmond Enquirer._
+
+Fox Hunting. As Recorded by "Raed."
+
+     "The most spirited and entertaining book that has as yet appeared.
+     It overflows with incident, and is characterized by dash and
+     brilliancy throughout."--_Boston Gazette._
+
+ On the Amazon; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler." As Recorded by "Wash."
+
+     "Gives vivid pictures of Brazilian adventure and
+     scenery."--_Buffalo Courier._
+
+Sent Postpaid on Receipt of Price
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PUBLISHERS
+Winston Building--Philadelphia
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGHTON BOYS IN THE RADIO
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