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diff --git a/42191-0.txt b/42191-0.txt index 715afcd..7f0c1f0 100644 --- a/42191-0.txt +++ b/42191-0.txt @@ -1,35 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube, by Louis Arundel - -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: Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube - or, Four Chums Abroad - -Author: Louis Arundel - -Release Date: February 25, 2013 [EBook #42191] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42191 *** [Illustration: They passed many famous old castles] @@ -6205,359 +6174,4 @@ THE END. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube - or, Four Chums Abroad - -Author: Louis Arundel - -Release Date: February 25, 2013 [EBook #42191] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - -[Illustration: They passed many famous old castles] - - - - - MOTOR BOAT BOYS - DOWN THE DANUBE - - OR - - Four Chums Abroad - - BY - LOUIS ARUNDEL - - - [Illustration] - - MADE IN U. S. A. - - - M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY - CHICAGO NEW YORK - - - - - Copyright, 1915 - M. A. DONOHUE & CO. - CHICAGO - - - Made in U. S. A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. FOUR CHUMS ABROAD 7 - II. THE NEWS OF WAR AT BUDAPEST 18 - III. TAKING CHANCES 30 - IV. UNDER SUSPICION 43 - V. SIGNS OF COMING TROUBLE 56 - VI. THE CAMP ON THE RIVER BANK 68 - VII. WHEN THE STORM CAME 80 - VIII. THE SPORT OF THE ELEMENTS 93 - IX. THE HUNGARIAN MOB 105 - X. CLEVERLY DONE 118 - XI. UNDER FIRE ON THE RIVER 130 - XII. NEARING THE SCENE OF WAR 142 - XIII. THE BOY FROM SERBIA 155 - XIV. FRIENDS IN TIME OF NEED 164 - XV. THE BOOMING OF BIG GUNS 175 - XVI. UNDER COVER OF NIGHT 182 - XVII. AMIDST BURSTING SHELLS 194 - XVIII. THE SMASHING OF THE PONTOON BRIDGE 206 - XIX. THE AFTERMATH OF BATTLE 218 - XX. A RESCUE BY THE WAY 227 - XXI. A HALF-WAY STOP 241 - XXII. CONSTANTINOPLE AT LAST--CONCLUSION 250 - - - - -The Motorboat Boys Down the Danube - - - - -CHAPTER I - -FOUR CHUMS ABROAD - - -"So this is the famous Budapest, is it, the twin cities of the blue -Danube we've been hearing so much about?" - -"Huh! doesn't strike me as so very much of a wonderful place. When you -come to think of it, little old New York and Brooklyn can beat it all -hollow so far as bustle and business go; even Chicago would run it a hot -race." - -"Now that's just like you, George Rollins, always ready to find fault, -and throw cold water on everything. No wonder they've called you -'Doubting George' this long time back. There's always a flaw somewhere, -you believe, and so you look for it right along." - -"Between you and me, Buster, I don't think he ever will be cured of that -nasty habit. Why can't he see the bright side of things once in a while, -and be an optimist, like our chum and commodore, Jack Stormways?" - -"Oh, you ought to know by this time, Josh, a leopard can't change its -spots. I reckon our friend George here has spasms of reform once in just -so often; but his weakness is ground in, and his resolves collapse, so -he goes back to his old ways again." - -"You don't say, Buster? Kindly take pity on my ignorance and tell me -what there is so wonderful about this old Hungarian capital perched on -the banks of the Danube and joined by bridges? I'm willing to have the -scales taken from my eyes." - -"Oh, well, first there's the river itself, not dirty water like most of -our streams over in the States, but clear, and almost the color of the -blue sky overhead." - -"Sounds fine, Buster. Good for you; go ahead and open his blind eyes -some more. It was always George's way to have his nose down over the -engine of his Wireless motorboat, and never see a blessed thing around -him. Hit him again for his mother, Buster." - -"Then look at the clear atmosphere; the picturesque buildings hanging -over the river banks; the queer shaped boats running back and forth; the -remarkable costumes of these Magyars; and last, but far from least, that -glorious August sunset painting the little clouds in the west crimson -and green and gold. I tell you it's a scream of a place, if you've got -any eyes in your head." - -"Buster, you're a wonder at word painting, though I reckon you cribbed -some of that stuff from the guide book. What do you say to it now, old -If and But and Maybe?" - -"Why, it looks good enough, I own up, fellows, but chances are all this -is only on the surface. Scratch the veneer off when you go ashore -to-morrow, and prowl around, and you'll find Budapest just as rotten at -the core as Chicago." - -"Don't waste any more words on the growler, Buster. There's such a thing -as casting pearls before swine, you know--not saying that our chum here -is really and truly a _hog_; but all the same he grunts like one. Let's -talk about our own affairs." - -"Wonder if Jack will fetch a sheaf of letters back from the postoffice? -And say, I'm just a little mite anxious to learn how that spat between -Serbia and Austria is going to turn out." - -"All of us are, Buster, and have been ever since we read how the Grand -Duke who was the latest heir to the Austrian throne after Francis Joseph -was murdered with his wife by some Serbian hothead conspirators." - -"Oh, as far as that goes, Josh, I figure that the game little bantam -will have to take water and back down, after all this strutting around, -just to show that Serbians have pluck." - -"Don't be too sure of that, fellows," put in George; "you mustn't forget -that Russia, yes, and France, too, are back of Serbia. There may be -something more come out of this rattling of sabres in their scabbards -than only a tempest in a teapot." - -"Then it would be Russia and France against the two Teuton States," -remarked the boy answering to the suggestive name of Buster; "and -knowing how the Kaiser has been getting his country ready for a scrap -this long while, I'd bet on them to turn the trick." - -George, despite his failings, seemed to have read up on the matter and -be pretty well posted on facts. - -"But there's always a big chance it wouldn't stop there," he announced, -with an air of importance; "other countries would sooner or later be -drawn into the scramble, because everybody believes there's going to be -an Armageddon or great world war before the era of peace finally comes -along." - -"Just what do you mean?" demanded Josh. - -"There's Great Britain, for instance; she's bound to France in some way, -and may have to shy her castor into the ring. Then her ally in the East, -Japan, may choose to knock out Germany's holding in China, just to -oblige. Besides, Italy must show her hand, and for one I can't believe -she'll stand for her old enemy, Austria. And last, but not least, -there's Turkey, hand in glove with Germany, besides all those scrappy -little Balkan States, from Greece to Bulgaria and Rumania, who will -fight just as they think their interests lie." - -"Whee! but it would be a grand smash-up if all that comes off!" -ejaculated Buster. "I'd sure hate to pay the bills. It'd take me some -time to get enough of the long green together I sure reckon." - -"Seems to me it's high time for Jack to be showing up," ventured Josh. -"I hope he hasn't run up against any trouble, being unable to speak even -ten words of German, while the Magyar tongue is a sealed book to him." - -"I hinted to Jack that perhaps I'd better be the one to go," said -George, modestly, "because I know German fairly well; but he only -laughed, and said there were lots of ways of communicating with a -Hungarian as long as both parties had their hands to use and could wink -and nod." - -"Oh, well, while we're waiting for him here on our old powerboat that we -chartered," said Buster, with a resigned air, "I'm going to take time -to make out a list of groceries we want to lay in while we're at the -capital. Goodness knows if we'll have a half-way decent chance to buy -anything worth eating again before we strike the Serbian border, and -then push on through Rumania to the Black Sea." - -George and Josh also sought comfortable seats where they could lounge -and watch in a lazy fashion the bustling scene around them; for there -were dozens of quaint sights to be seen if one only used his eyes. - -While the three lads are thus employed, awaiting the coming of their -comrade who had gone to get their mail at the general postoffice, a few -words of explanation concerning them may not come amiss. - -These four boys belonged to a motorboat club over in the Middle West, -their home being on the upper Mississippi River. There were two other -members, who had not made the trip abroad, by name Herb Dickson and -Jimmy Brannagan, the latter a ward of Jack Stormways' father. - -Buster, of course, had another name, which was Nicholas Longfellow. -Nature had in a way played a sad joke on the boy, for, while a Longfellow -by family relation, he was also pudgy and fat, always wheezing when -exerting himself, but as jolly as could be, full of good nature, and -willing to go to any trouble to help a friend, yes, or even an enemy. - -Josh Purdue had a strain of the Yankee in him, for he was as sharp as a -steel trap, though perfectly honest. As an all-round comrade Josh could -not very well be excelled. - -George Rollins was a good-enough chap too, though he complained at -times, and was so inclined to want to be shown that his friends had -dubbed him "Old Missouri" and "Doubting George." - -These six boys had gone through a good many lively times together, -as they possessed three motorboats of different models, called the -Wireless, a cracky craft built for racing, and which gave George, the -skipper, much trouble; the Tramp, which Jack commanded; and the beamy -Comfort, run by Herb Dickson. - -It would be utterly impossible for us to undertake to mention a tithe -of their interesting and thrilling escapades while cruising in these -boats. If the reader who has made their acquaintance for the first time -in this volume desires to know more about these happenings, he is -referred to the six earlier books in the Motorboat Boys' Series, all -of which can be easily procured. - -As to just how the interesting quartette of wide-awake American boys -came to be running down the historical Danube River in the late summer -of nineteen-fourteen, that can be easily explained. - -Some of their parents were well-to-do, and as school would not begin -this year until some time in October or November, it was at first -suggested in a spirit of fun, and then debated as an actual possibility, -that they coax their folks to let them go abroad for a season. - -Needless to say that as the lads had considerable money in the treasury, -thanks to their having been instrumental in capturing some bold bank -robbers who had run away with the funds of an institution, they were -finally able to gain their folks' consent. - -Then came the question of what they would like to do most of all. By -this time they had come to be such cruisers that they could not bear the -thought of following in the footsteps of the general run of European -tourists. Any one could read all about the cities in the magazine -accounts, as well as the many books of foreign travel. - -It was Jack who made a startling proposition that caught the fancy of -the other three from the first. - -He had lately been reading an account of a canoe trip made by an English -gentleman all the way down the Danube from its source in Germany not far -from the Rhine, through Austria-Hungary, along the Serbian border, and -then through Rumania until he finally reached the Black Sea, and brought -up at Constantinople. - -The account was so vividly written up that it appealed strongly to Jack, -and his proposition was that they make their way to some place further -down the beautiful river than his starting point, charter some kind of a -motorboat, and continue the voyage. They could thus get to the Turkish -capital in good time after a most interesting trip, take a steamer to -London, and come home in that way. - -Well, the more they talked it over the stronger grew the inclination to -enjoy a water voyage through a most interesting country, the praises of -which they had seen sung in many an account they managed to unearth at -the library. - -Eventually this was just what the daring quartette had done. They -were lucky enough to get hold of a pretty fair powerboat that would -accommodate four sleepers with some crowding. This they had fitted up to -suit themselves, for long experience in camping out had made them wise -in many particulars. And, Buster considered this the most important part -of the whole business, they had found a little kerosene blue-flame stove -something like those they owned at home, upon which many of their future -meals were likely to be cooked. - -The party had only been a short time on the way when they brought up at -the Hungarian capital, where it was planned to spend a couple of days -prying around; for they had reason to believe they would run across no -large city save Belgrade in Serbia until they crossed the Black Sea and -came to Constantinople. - -As often happens, the best laid plans often go astray, and, looking back -to former scenes, the four chums could pick out several other instances -when this had happened to them. - -Buster had just finished his long list of eatables, in which he jotted -down everything that appealed to his voracious appetite, when Josh was -heard saying he had glimpsed Jack coming. All of them therefore jumped -up to greet the bearer of the mailbag, being greatly interested in news -from the home folks. - -"Something has happened, as sure as you live!" exclaimed Josh as the -fourth member of the little party drew closer; "look at Jack's face, -will you? He couldn't be more solemn if he had been told he was going to -be hung to-morrow." - -"No bad news from across the sea, I hope, Jack?" faltered Buster. - -Jack Stormways, who was a resolute looking young fellow, a born leader -among boys, shook his head and allowed a faint smile to steal across his -sober countenance. - -"I'm glad to say it isn't that, fellows," he told them; "but all -Budapest is in a frightful uproar just now, and it's a question if our -lovely voyage doesn't come to a sudden end right here." - -"Great Cæsar's ghost! What's happened now, Jack?" cried Josh, looking -alarmed. - -"Only this, and you can guess what it means in Europe," Jack announced. -"Germany declared war on Russia last night, and her army is said to be -already marching into neutral Belgium to strike France in the back, and -take Paris!" - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE NEWS OF WAR AT BUDAPEST - - -When Jack made this astounding statement the other three stared at him -as though they could hardly believe he was not joking. But then Jack -seldom attempted to play a practical prank; besides, they could see that -he was seriously disposed, and evidently grappling with one of the -largest propositions that had ever faced him. - -"Then it means a world war has begun, does it?" gasped Buster presently, -when he could catch his breath again. - -"That's what it's bound to result in," Jack told him. "The cry of 'wolf' -has been heard for the last time, and now the beast has come!" - -"But will Great Britain and all the other nations jump in?" demanded -George. - -"Not jump in, but find themselves dragged in, in spite of their horror -of war. This thing has been hanging fire a long while, but every little -while there would be signs of what lay under the surface. Lots of people -predicted it was bound to come sooner or later, and that the destinies -of every world power would have to be settled once and for all by the -sword." - -"Then all other wars will be baby play beside this one," Josh declared, -"with the wonderful modern arms they've got. Millions of men must be -killed before the end comes, and old Europe will never know herself, -such great changes in border lines are bound to take place." - -"But what of us?" asked George. - -"That's what we've got to decide right away," Jack announced. "We live -thousands of miles away from the scene of hostilities, and our neutral -country may not be pulled into the whirlpool; but here we are in -Austria-Hungary that is now in a state of war with Serbia, Montenegro, -Russia and France, with other countries to hear from. What ought we do -about it?" - -"Let's tell the Kaiser we won't stand for any of this funny business," -Buster went on to say, pretending to look very important, though there -was a quizzical gleam in his eyes at the same time; "let him know he's -got to sheathe that sword of his in double-quick time, or America will -get mad." - -"Much the Kaiser would care for a dozen Americas," jeered George. -"Germany armed can defy the whole world, and as for our great big -country, we're only a second China, don't you know--plenty of people, -much talk, but able to do next door to nothing." - -"I say it would be a beastly shame if we had to quit now before hardly -getting started," asserted Josh, indignantly. - -"Go on, the rest of you, for I want to hear everybody's opinion," urged -Jack. - -"But if the whole of Austria is on a war footing, what chance would we -have to continue our lovely voyage?" George wanted to know. "As like as -not we'd be arrested, because they'd call us spies trying to find a way -to invade the country through the back door." - -"One for keeping on, and another against it, which is a stand-off," -remarked Jack; "how about you, Buster?" - -"Gee whilikens! I hardly know where I'm at," muttered the fat chum, -rubbing the tip of his nose in bewilderment; "fact is I'm about ready to -do whatever the rest of you say." - -"In other words, you're on the fence, I take it," sneered George; "if -there's anything I dislike it's to run across a _jellyfish_, something -that has no opinions of its own. There, that's one for you fellows -calling me swine. But how about you, Jack? We ought to know what you -think about it all." - -"That's right," agreed Josh eagerly, for he could see that their future -movements were likely to be controlled by whatever Jack said, since with -a tie his vote would be the deciding factor. - -"I'll be frank with you fellows," Jack continued soberly. "We've gone to -a whole lot of trouble and expense to get started on this cruise, and I -hate like everything to give it up." - -"Hear! hear!" came from Josh, with a tinge of growing triumph in his -voice. - -"When I think of all that we'd have to go through with to get back to -London the way we came I feel like saying we ought to try and keep right -on down the river. The greatest danger to us would come from approaching -the fighting region around Northern France and Belgium." - -Even George seemed to be hanging on Jack's words as though, after all, -his ideas of prudence might be undergoing a change. - -"We could go ashore right away," Jack continued, "and buy what stuff we -need, for I see Bumpus is holding a list in his hand, and we know him -well enough to feel sure he's omitted nothing worth while having." - -"That settles it, then," burst out Josh. "You hear, George, you're -outvoted three to one. We go on our way, snapping our fingers under the -nose of every Magyar who feels like questioning our right to cruise -down the beautiful blue Danube." - -"Oh, well, move we make it unanimous then," snapped George, which proved -that, after all, his objections could only have been skin-deep, and were -offered more in a spirit of contrariness than seriously. - -"Here are letters for every one," remarked Jack; "but if you take my -advice you'll keep them until after we've had supper. There's a whole -lot to be done before night settles down." - -"Jack, you've been ashore, and mebbe now you happened to notice a good -grocery store where we could pick up what we need in the line of grub," -and as he asked this Buster waved his formidable list before him. - -"It happens that I did just that same thing, and, better still, the -place is only a short distance away from here. From the glance I took at -it I reckon we could get about everything we want, provided we're -willing to take them in the Hungarian style of putting up the packages." - -"Oh," decided Buster, "so far as that goes, a rose by any other name -would smell just as sweet. I'd be willing to forget the trade names of -the oatmeal, hominy, and such things I'm used to seeing, if the contents -of the packages turned out to be as good." - -"All right, Buster," continued the other, "suppose we start out right -away and do our shopping. I suppose if we buy for cash they'll send the -things around here to this boat builder's wharf where we had permission -to tie up during our stay here." - -Everybody looked pleased. It was as if a dreadful load had been suddenly -lifted from their hearts. They would never have been fully satisfied to -abandon their trip down the Danube on such short notice. In times to -come they would very likely call themselves silly to be frightened off -so easily by what might turn out to be only a shadow of coming trouble. - -Buster proved himself willing enough by scrambling ashore. In fact, when -the question of eating was concerned no one could ever accuse the fat -boy of shirking his duty; as Josh said, "When the dinner horn blew -Buster was always Johnny-on-the-spot," though truth to tell the said -Josh often ran a race with his comrade at table. - -"I don't suppose you'll be needing a German scholar along with you to do -the bargaining?" suggested George pompously. - -Buster chuckled at hearing that. - -"Don't you worry about us, George," he advised the other, "we can get -through all right. As long as I've got eyes and can _smell_ things I -reckon I'll be able to pick out what we want most. And money talks, -George, better than some people's German." - -"Oh, well, they say a prophet never is appreciated in his own country," -sighed George; "but all the same I'm going to practice up in my German, -because it may serve us well sooner or later. If you fellows get -pinched, send us word and I'll hurry around to the police station to -explain matters." - -"How kind you are, George; but I'm afraid after they heard your fine -German they'd put _you_ behind the bars for murdering the language." - -With that parting shot Buster hurried away, leaving Josh shaking his -sides with laughter, for they did love to get a crack at George, who was -always complaining and throwing cold water on every plan. - -Jack led the way, for, having been already over the ground, he could -serve in the capacity of pilot. - -"Listen, Buster," he said impressively as they walked along toward the -nearby street, "from now on we want to let everybody know that we're -American boys, and not English, you understand." - -"What's the idea, Jack? Up to now a lot of people have taken us for -English, and we've let it go at that without taking the bother to -explain, because there's always been a warm friendly feeling between -the Austrians and the English." - -"That's right, Buster, but if Great Britain gets into this big scrap you -can see that she'll be up against the soldiers of Austria-Hungary as -well as those of the Kaiser. So from now on stand up for your colors. -We're Americans every time, and don't you forget it." - -Buster evidently saw the point, for he promised to faithfully observe -the counsel of his mate, in whom he placed the utmost reliance. - -They soon reached the store which Jack had noticed. It was quite an -extensive establishment, and there could be little doubt but that -everything needful on Buster's list might be procured there. If some of -the items chanced to be lacking, their place could be filled with others -equally attractive, Jack felt sure. - -By great good luck the proprietor could speak and read English. This -made it very easy for the purchasers. He also promised to have the goods -delivered inside of an hour, and said he knew the boatyard well. - -When Jack went to pay for their purchases he had only English money. He -thought the merchant looked at him a little more closely, and considered -that this was a very good opportunity to prove their nationality. So he -took out a letter he had just received, which bore the home postmark -across in America. This he showed, as well as one Buster also produced, -as proof of his assertion that they were Americans, and not English. - -"Nothing like getting your hand in," he told Buster later on when they -were making their way back to where the boat was tied up. - -"And come to think of it," added the other with sudden vehemence, "I -believe I've got a little silk edition of Old Glory stowed away somewhere -in my bundle. I just chucked the same in, thinking we might want to -fasten it to our boat; but up to this minute it's slipped my mind. How'd -it do to make use of it, Jack?" - -"Splendid idea," commented the other. - -"As long as that waves in the breeze nobody can mistake our nationality; -even if George keeps on trying to talk that silly German of his. He -makes such a mess of it that some of these people may think we're spies -out to learn all about the fortifications of the lower Danube." - -Upon their arrival at the boat the others questioned them concerning the -success of their undertaking. Josh also wanted to know if they had -managed to pick up any further news concerning the great struggle that -had begun. - -"We went after grub," Buster told him severely, "and that being the -case, you needn't expect that we would waste our precious time jabbering -about a silly old war, would you? If you do you've got another guess -coming. And say, we got everything on my list, would you believe it, or -something that was just as good." - -"Huh! I can see why you're grinning so happily, Buster," sneered George; -"you're contemplating many a fine feed ahead." - -"We're all in the same boat, George," sang out Buster blithely; "and -when the tocsin calls us to supper I notice that as a rule you're never -hanging far in the rear. Considering the difference in our heft, I take -it I've got a bird's appetite compared with you and Josh here--pound for -pound." - -"Well, it's getting twilight, so suppose we start in with that same -supper," Jack ventured to say. "For one I'm willing to admit that an -afternoon humming down the river has given me a ferocious appetite; and -I'm not ashamed to declare it, either." - -Buster needed no second invitation. Time had been when the fat boy -hardly knew how to cook a rasher of bacon properly; but his love of -eating had inspired him to pick up fresh knowledge, with the result that -he now stood in a class by himself. - -Perhaps Josh and George, wishing to shirk much of their share of the -culinary operations, flattered Buster more than was really necessary. -They imposed upon his good nature in this way outrageously; but since -the stout youth seemed to really enjoy handling the saucepans and -skillet, Jack interposed no objections. - -Supper was soon ready, though they had to light the lanterns before -they could sit down at the little adjustable table, which, when not -in use, could be slung up against the wall of the cabin and the space -it occupied utilized as sleeping quarters for one of the crew. - -After that they sat around talking in low tones and covering a wide -range of subjects as usual in their conversation, from the folks at -home, numerous former escapades that came to mind, to the terrible -conflict that apparently promised to engulf the whole of Europe in its -thrall. - -Then a vehicle came into the boatyard and the stores were taken aboard. -When they had been stowed away in temporary places Jack declared that he -meant to open his letter from home and enjoy the contents. - -Of course, this reminded the others that they too had news from those -dear ones now so far away, and for a long time the four sat there, lost -in contemplation of distant scenes brought close to them by those -envelopes and their contents. - -Later on they lay down to secure what sleep was possible. As a rule, -after the first night afloat all of them had little difficulty about -sleeping; but it seemed that on this occasion they turned and tossed -considerably more than usual before settling down. Perchance it was the -thrilling news they had heard that afternoon that made them so restless; -or it may have been a premonition of coming difficulties that kept them -awake; but morning came and found them far from refreshed. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -TAKING CHANCES - - -"Better take a little turn ashore, Josh and George, while I'm getting -breakfast ready," advised Buster; "you'd hate to say you'd passed -through Budapest without even setting foot in the city." - -"If you go, be careful not to get lost," added Jack, looking as though -almost tempted to veto the arrangement; but George proudly declared he -felt sure of being able to find his way about. - -"Don't be more than half an hour at the most, fellows," sang out -Buster after the couple, and they waved their hands at him as if they -understood. - -About the time breakfast was ready Jack went ashore to look for the -absent ones, but there was as yet no sign of them. In fact, the two who -were left aboard had more than half finished their meal and were -becoming really worried when the others made their appearance. - -George looked a trifle chagrined, while Josh was chuckling to himself. - -"What's the joke? Tell us, Josh," demanded Buster. - -"Oh, yes, hurry up and give him the full particulars," sneered George, -looking daggers at his companion. - -"Why, you see, George here tried some of his German on a gendarme we -happened to meet," explained Josh between gurgles. "Say, you ought to -have seen how surprised that cop looked. I'm afraid George got his nouns -twisted and called him some sort of bad name. Anyhow, he was for taking -us to the lock-up; but I managed to soothe him down some by showing him -my letters with the American postmarks on them, and letting a silver -coin slip into his hand. But he shook his head and looked as if he could -eat poor George. All the way back George has been racking his brain -trying to understand what it was he really called that uniformed -gendarme. I rather think it stood for pig." - -"Well, let that rest, will you, Josh?" growled George. "What I'm most -interested in just now is pig of another kind, for I see Buster has -fried some bacon for us. Mistakes will happen in the best regulated -families, they say, and I own up I'm afraid I did get my nouns slightly -mixed." - -"Slightly!" echoed Josh, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Well, if the -boys could only have seen how that big cop scowled at you they'd have -had a fit." - -As Josh was also hungry, he wasted no more time in explanations, and so -the incident was forgotten for the present. Later on it would doubtless -give Josh occasion for considerable additional merriment and be the -cause for more or less acrimonious conversation between the pair. - -While they were eating Jack proceeded to settle with the owner of the -boatyard for the accommodations, for a bargain had been struck with -him. People over in old Europe are not apt to do things without a -consideration, especially when tourists are concerned. - -By the time George and Josh had finished their morning meal everything -was in order for making a start. - -"It's pretty tough to be running away like this without having a chance -to see what sort of movies they have over here in Budapest," complained -George, who was known to be a steady attendant at the little theatre in -his home town, where all manner of dramas, as well as world-wide views, -were nightly screened. - -"So far as that goes," Josh told him, "they're pretty much all alike -here and at home. Chances are you'd see some cowboy pictures of the -wild and woolly West; for they do say those are the ones they like best -abroad. They know all about Buffalo Bill over here. You know we saw an -Austrian edition of some highly colored story about his imaginary -exploits hanging up when we passed that book stall." - -Working the boat free from all entanglements, they were soon afloat once -more on the river. The motor had started working as though it meant to -do good service. Jack himself as a rule took charge of the machinery, -not but that George knew all about such things, but he had a decided -failing, which was to "monkey" with things even when they were running -satisfactorily, and thus bring about sudden stoppages through his -experiments. - -"Look at the beautiful bridge we're going to pass under," sang out -Buster presently. "It makes me think of one we saw in London." - -"There's a bunch of Austrian officers walking across," said Josh, "and -see how one of them is pointing to us now." - -"Bet you they're suspicious of us right away, and mean to order us to go -back," said George disconsolately. - -"Rats!" scoffed Buster. "Don't you see they're only admiring our little -flag?--that's all. I've got the same fastened in the stern, where it -can show well. I only wish it was five times as big, that's all. But it -stands for what we are--true-blooded Americans, every one of us." - -The officers even leaned over the parapet of the bridge to stare at the -boat as it passed under. When the boys looked back a minute or so later -they saw that the uniformed Hungarians had hurriedly crossed over and -were now gazing after them. - -"Shows how seldom Old Glory is ever seen in these parts," said Josh, -"for they hardly know what to make of it. If I had my way, can you guess -what I'd do? Make the flag of the free so well known and respected that -everywhere people'd kowtow to the same and take off their hats." - -"Now they're hurrying off the bridge, seems like, as if they'd just -remembered an engagement somewhere," reported Buster. - -"I only hope they don't start any sort of trouble for us, that's all," -George went on to say, but, finding that no one seemed to be paying any -sort of attention to his grumbling, he stopped short, as his kind always -do. - -Jack held the wheel and guided the boat along through the numerous mazes -of moving river craft. He was a skillful pilot and could be depended on -to mind his business every time. Unlike George, Jack was plain and -practical, whereas the other never seemed satisfied with what he had, -but was always trying to better conditions, often to his own and others' -discomfort, as well as possible delay. - -By degrees they were now leaving the twin cities behind them, and the -river began to appear more open and free to travel. The boys, as usual, -were calling each other's attention to such features of the landscape -that attracted their admiration, or it might be some of the buildings -they passed. - -All of them were on the watch for special sights, and in this way the -time passed rapidly. The little motor was a very good one, and chugged -away faithfully as it had continued to do hour after hour ever since the -start, which was made far down the river below Vienna. - -They overtook other vessels frequently, since the Danube is navigable -for the greater part of its long course. Rising away over in Germany -near the border of Luxemburg, it winds its sinuous way through the -greater part of Germany and Austria-Hungary, strikes the Serbian border, -turns sharply to the east, and then touches Bulgarian territory, forms -the dividing line between Rumania and Bulgaria, then crosses the former -monarchy, and serves as a border between Rumania and Russia, to finally -empty into the Black Sea. - -It is by long odds the greatest river in Europe, and in all the world -there can be found no stream upon whose borders live so many different -nationalities. That was one reason Jack Stormways had yearned to cruise -down the Danube; and he was even now trying to get all the pleasure -possible out of the trip, though the clouds had arisen so early in the -venture. - -Budapest was now far in the rear, though they could see the smoke that -arose in a few localities, coming from certain factories producing -articles for which the Hungarian capital is famous. - -Josh happened to notice about this time that George seemed to be amusing -himself by shading his eyes with one hand and looking backward. - -"What now, old croaker?" he ventured to say. "Do you imagine you see a -patrol boat chasing after us hotfooted, with orders to bring us back and -throw us in a black dungeon, charged with being desperate spies?" - -"Laugh as much as you want to," retorted George stubbornly, "but all the -same there _is_ a boat hustling along after us." - -"You don't say!" gibed Josh, without bothering to turn his head to look. -"Well, since when have we taken out a mortgage on the Danube, please -tell me? I guess it's free cruising ground for anybody who can afford to -own a steam yacht, or even a common little dinky motorboat." - -"She certainly is coming hand over fist after us," asserted Buster. - -"Well, the river is sure wide enough for two, and when she comes up -we'll give her a chance to pass us by. Whew! but I'm sleepy, if you want -to know it," and Josh yawned and stretched, but still declined to bother -turning his head. - -A little while later George again made a remark. - -"Now that they're coming closer, I believe I can see several people in -uniforms aboard that swift little boat." - -Jack took a look on hearing this. - -"You're right there, George," he assented; "but then there's nothing to -hinder Magyar officers going on the river when they choose. In fact, I -imagine they pass plenty of their time that way when off duty." - -Josh could not hold out after that any longer, but condescended to -lazily turn and indifferently survey the approaching craft. - -"Oh, she's a dandy for speed, all right," he frankly admitted, "and -could make circles around our old tub if the skipper wanted. Yes, those -are soldiers on board, I'll admit, but how can you decide that they want -to overhaul us, I'd like to know?" - -"I'm only guessing when I say that," acknowledged George; "but now that -I look sharper it strikes me one of those officers is the tall chap -wearing the feather in his hat that we noticed on the bridge. How about -it, Jack?" - -"He looks like that man, but then there are probably scores in Budapest -who wear that same kind of hat, Alpine style. He's probably an officer -of the mountaineer corps, those fellows from the Carnic Alps who can do -such wonderful stunts in scaling dizzy heights." - -"Well, we must soon know if there's going to be any sort of a row," said -George, "because in ten minutes or less they'll overtake us." - -"There must be no row, remember, boys," advised Jack. "If we attempted -to resist arrest we'd soon be trapped, for they would send word -down-river way about us by telegraph or telephone, and officers would be -on the watch for us all along the route. Don't forget that." - -"Paste it in your hat, George," advised Josh, "for I reckon you're the -only one in the bunch liable to make trouble. If they want to take me -back and give me free lodging, I'll go as meek as Mary's little lamb. -But whatever you do, George, _please_ be careful how you fling that -German of yours around loose. If you called one of those fiery Hungarian -officers a _donkey_ by mistake I think he'd want to run you through the -ribs with his sword." - -"Huh! wait and see. That German you pretend to make so much fun about -may some day keep you from being hung or stood up against a blank wall. -Stranger things than that have happened, let me tell you, Josh Purdue." - -"They keep pushing us right along," announced Buster, beginning to feel -quite an interest in the affair by this time. - -"Get ready to give them the right of way, Jack," jeered Josh. "We -wouldn't want to act greedy, you know, and claim the whole river. And -when they whiz past look out you don't get splashed, Buster." - -"Goodness! I hope you don't mean to say they might swamp us away out -here in the middle of the river. But there, I know you're only being -true to your name, Josh. Who's afraid? You don't get me to worrying any -if I know it." - -"Look again and see what's happening!" suddenly snapped George, with a -ring of triumph in his voice. - -"They're waving to us, for a fact!" admitted Buster. "Now what d'ye -suppose that can be for, Jack?" - -"Just saluting our little flag, mebbe," suggested the unconverted Josh. - -"They are demanding that we pull up and wait for them, that's what!" -asserted George, with a superior air that he liked to assume on -occasions like this. - -"Is he right there, Jack?" asked Buster eagerly. - -"I think that's what is meant," assented the pilot and engineer of the -powerboat the boys had chartered. "They are suspicious of us, and mean -to have a look in before allowing us to proceed." - -"But why should anybody be suspicious of four honest-looking boys out -for a little fun?" demanded Josh. "We've met heaps of other people -before now, and they acted just as nice as you please. I don't -understand it." - -"Well, you must remember," admonished Jack, "that something _terrible_ -has happened since yesterday morning. Every military man in Germany and -Austria has been on needles and pins about this war business ever since -Serbia defied Francis Joseph and some of her adventurers murdered the -heir apparent to the Austrian throne. And now that war has broken out, -they are all eager to show their fidelity to their country." - -"But will you stop for them, Jack?" asked Josh. - -"It would be foolish not to," he was told, "because you can see it's -only a matter of ten minutes at most when they will have overhauled us. -It pays to be courteous, especially, I'm told, when dealing with the -military authorities over here. Besides, in war times they rule the -roost." - -"I guess they do all the time," muttered Josh; "but then you're right -about it, Jack. We must get ready to show them just who and what we are. -If they're sensible men they'll let us go on down the river as we've -planned." - -"And supposing they happen to be unreasonable men?" queried Buster. - -"Oh, some of the dungeons may be large enough to hold you, perhaps," -laughed George; "but I can see your finish on a diet of bread and water, -mostly water. You will waste away to a shadow before you get out, -Buster." - -The other only gave him a scornful look, as much as to say he was not -worrying any about that part of the game, for he knew he could rely on -Jack to pull them all through safely. - -So Jack shut off the power, and the clumsy but comfortable boat lay -wallowing on the surface of the river, awaiting the coming of the speedy -craft containing the Hungarian army officers. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -UNDER SUSPICION - - -Although every one tried to put the best face on the matter, afterwards -more than one of the boys frankly confessed that his heart was beating -furiously during that time when waiting for the speed boat to come up. - -They were in a strange land, it must be remembered, and the habits of -the Magyars were unfamiliar to them. More than this, war had just been -declared, which was sure to mean that Austria-Hungary would be at -handgrips with not only Serbia on the south, but great Russia as well. - -They gathered at the stern of the boat and awaited whatever fate had in -store for them. Josh was so much afraid even then that George might be -tempted to try his American German on the Hungarian officers that he -immediately made a suggestion. - -"Remember, now, everybody keep still but Jack. That's meant for you, -Buster, as well as George here. The rest of us are apt to get excited -and do our case more harm than good if we butt in." - -"I'm as mum as an oyster, Josh," said Buster readily. - -"How about you, George?" demanded the other sternly. - -"Oh, I'll promise all right," mumbled George, shaking his head; "but all -the same, I do it under protest. You don't know what you may be missing -when you put the muzzle on a fellow that way. But I'm used to being sat -on, and I guess I can stand for it again." - -Jack himself was pleased to hear Josh settle this. He had feared that -George, who could make himself more or less of a busybody when he chose, -might break in when the negotiations were well under way and possibly -spoil the whole business. - -But they would at least soon know the worst, for the other boat was -coming on at great speed and about to draw alongside. - -The man at the wheel knew his part of the business perfectly, for when -the craft came together the bump was hardly noticeable. - -There were just three of the Hungarian officers, all of them dressed -in their attractive uniforms, with little capes hanging from their -shoulders and their lower limbs encased in shiny boots with tassels. -Indeed, Buster just stared at them in sheer admiration, for he thought -he had never in all his life looked upon such handsome soldiers. - -Apparently the tall one must have been the superior of the trio, for he -took it upon himself to do the talking. - -All of them were looking curiously at the four lads. They evidently -hardly knew what to make of them, for, while outwardly Jack and his -chums had the appearance of harmless young chaps off for a holiday, -nevertheless in such dark times as now hung over the Fatherland it was -not well to be too easily deceived. Spies must be abroad, under many -disguises; and if so, why not playing the part of innocent tourists, was -no doubt the question uppermost in each of their minds. - -Then the tall officer said something. His voice was filled with authority -and his face frowning, but of course none of the boys could understand a -word he uttered, for the Magyar tongue was a sealed book to them. - -They could, of course, give a pretty good guess that he was asking who -they were and what they might be doing there. George sighed as though it -nearly broke his ardent heart to be deprived of this golden opportunity -to air some of his German. He had perhaps managed to remember certain -words that would serve to partly explain the situation; but a savage -nudge from Josh caused him to shut his teeth fiercely together and get a -fresh grip on himself. - -Then Jack tried an experiment. - -"We do not understand what you say, because none of us can speak the -language. We only know English. We would be glad to explain everything -if you could understand what we tell you." - -The tall man listened attentively and then immediately turned to his -comrades to say something to them. It was just as if he remarked, -"Didn't I tell you they must be English?" for Jack caught the concluding -word. - -Then, turning again to them, the officer went on: - -"Certainly we can speak English as well as is necessary. We have many -tourists in our country each summer. I myself have a number of very good -friends among the English, though when we meet again it may be as bitter -enemies." - -Jack saw that there need be no further trouble in explaining matters. He -felt decidedly relieved over the sudden change in the situation. Only -George frowned, for possibly he had been entertaining a forlorn hope -that in the end Jack might have to call on him to save the day, and now -he knew that chance was doomed. - -"I am glad you can understand what I want to tell you," Jack proceeded. -"In the first place, we are not English at all, but from America." - -Again the three Hungarians exchanged significant looks. Evidently they -did not know whether to believe the assertion or not. - -"We have great regard for America," the tall man went on to say, "for -many of our countrymen are there, making an honest living and helping to -support their kin on this side of the water. Of course, then, you can -show us your passports?" - -"Certainly, sir, and with pleasure," responded Jack. - -His words served as the signal to the others. Every fellow immediately -hastened to dive into his breast pocket and produce the necessary paper, -which was always kept in an especially safe place for fear of trouble in -case of its being lost. - -The officer took the sheaf of papers and proceeded to critically examine -the passports, as though looking for signs of fraud. Buster watched him -anxiously. He had heard that when war came upon a country all ordinary -protection for tourists is annulled, and even passports may not be -worth the paper they are written on. - -Greatly to Buster's relief he saw that the tall officer did not look at -them so ferociously after he had scanned the papers, which he now handed -back to Jack in a bunch. - -"They seem to be perfectly correct, so far as I can see," he proceeded -to say; "but perhaps you would not mind explaining what your object is -in coming down the Danube in this powerboat?" - -"I'll be only too glad to do that, sir," Jack announced, with one of his -winning smiles that always caused people to feel kindly toward him. -"Over in our own country we have three motorboats, with which six of us -in times past have made many exciting cruises along the great rivers, -and the coast as well." - -The officer nodded his head, while his face lighted up. Evidently he -could appreciate the love for adventure that induced these healthy -specimens of boyhood to want to be in the open air all they could. -Perhaps whenever he had the chance for an outing he might have been -found off in the mountains, hunting the wild boar, or it might be in -pursuit of the nimble chamois. - -"When we had a chance to come to Europe this summer," continued Jack, -"we decided that the thing we would like best of all would be a long -trip down the beautiful blue Danube. I had just been reading an account -of a cruise taken by an Englishman from near the source down to the -Black Sea. While we couldn't spare the time for all that, we could come -to Vienna, find where a suitable boat could be chartered half-way to -Budapest, and make our start there. And, sir, that is what we have done. -We are now just two days on the way." - -"I admire your courage, as well as your choice of the Danube for your -trip. Many a voyage have I taken on its waters when I was younger. But -how long have you been at Budapest, may I ask?" - -Jack knew that there was only one way to treat such a questioner, and -that was by being perfectly frank with him. - -"We only arrived late yesterday afternoon, to tell the truth, sir," he -admitted. - -"But how comes it you are leaving so early the next morning?" asked -the officer, with a little fresh suspicion in his manner. "We have a -most beautiful and renowned city here, and travelers usually find it -difficult to tear themselves away from it, even after a stay of days. -You seem to have been in a great hurry." - -"We own up that we are, sir," continued Jack. "You see, the first thing -I did on arriving was to hasten to the postoffice for our letters from -home. It was then that I realized the city was in a feverish state of -excitement. I suspected what must have happened, for we heard rumors -when above. I managed to learn that war had been declared by Germany on -Russia, which would mean for Austria-Hungary, too. And after we had -talked it all over we decided that it would be best for us not to waste -any time here, but hurry along our way." - -"Would you mind showing me those letters?" asked the officer. - -"With the greatest of pleasure, sir," Jack told him. "Boys, hand him the -last ones you received, please." - -The other took them as they were thrust out. He examined the postmarks -as if making sure of the dates, and also read each name in turn. Then he -deliberately opened that belonging to Jack and seemed to be glancing -over it, though the boy felt rather surprised to see him do this. - -Still, it was good to find the officer nodding his head as he gleaned -something of the contents. At least he could see it was genuine, and -that counted for a good deal. - -"I am quite satisfied now that you are just what you claim to -be--tourists, who have no connection with our enemies, or those who in -a short time we must look on as such. You are wondering, no doubt, why I -went so far as to pry into the contents of your letter from home, and I -believe an explanation is due. To tell the truth, we rested under the -belief that you were four desperate young Serbian youths, who were -said to be on their way up the Danube bound for Vienna, with the mad -intention of trying to assassinate our good kaiser, Francis Joseph, just -as the Austrian heir apparent to the throne was killed not long ago." - -Buster could not keep from giving a little gasp at hearing this. Really -never before, so far as he knew, had he been taken for a desperado. He -did not know whether to be ashamed or flattered. It would be something -with which to thrill those boy comrades at home, if ever they were lucky -enough to get safely back again. - -"That would be a serious charge against us, I am sure," said Jack; "but -it pleases us to know that you are now convinced we are not what you -thought. Seeing four strangers in a boat, and all young at that, of -course made you suspicious." - -"The fact that you were headed down-stream puzzled us considerably," -continued the officer, apparently willing to explain things in order to -prove that he and his comrades were only doing their duty; "but we -figured that something may have caused a change in plans, perhaps the -breaking out of war, and that the four desperate Serbians were on the -way back to their native land." - -"After all, we should not be sorry for what has happened," diplomatic -Jack went on to say, "since it has given us the pleasure of meeting -three such excellent gentlemen. I hope, though, there need be no -necessity for causing us to alter our plans, since our hearts are set -on finishing the voyage, and we will never have the opportunity for -visiting your great country again." - -Every one of them held his breath while waiting for the officer to make -a reply to this question. He looked around at the half circle of anxious -faces and smiled indulgently. No doubt just then he put himself in their -place and tried to realize how much it might mean to be simply let -alone. - -"I do not mean to demand that you turn back," he finally told Jack, "for -that would really be exceeding my authority; but I would feel that I had -not done my full duty if I did not warn you of the perils you will -likely encounter below here. By the time you reach the Serbian border it -is more than likely there will be desperate fighting going on between -Hungarians and Serbians, for they are ready to-day to fly at one -another's throat. You will find yourselves in great danger before you -can pass the Iron Gate and enter Rumania." - -Jack only smiled reassuringly at him. - -"Thank you many times, sir, for taking enough interest in us to give -that kind warning," he remarked warmly; "but we have passed through some -pretty lively adventures in the past and always managed to come out -safely. We will try and be careful how we act when the time comes; and -once past the Serbian border along the Danube we need fear little else." - -"Well, I admire your boldness, while at the same time I fear you may be -making a mistake. We will wish you a pleasant trip, and that you reach -your goal in safety. What are your plans after arriving at the sea, may -I ask?" - -"We have arranged to send the boat back to the owner at our expense," -explained Jack. "Then we will find some way of getting to Constantinople, -where we hope to remain a short time, looking around. From there we go to -Italy, and then back to London to sail for home about October fifteenth." - -"Ah! what wonderful things may happen in those ten weeks!" remarked the -officer, as though he might be trying to lift the veil that hid the -future. "History will be in the making, I fear, and all Europe be torn -up with the war clouds. But better so than the armed peace that has -existed so long. A storm is necessary once in so often to clear the -atmosphere which has become murky." - -He thrust out his hand to Jack, who gladly seized it. - -"May the best of luck follow you all the way, is the wish of myself and -my comrades here," the tall officer told them as in turn he pressed each -boy's hand, in which genial undertaking he was followed by the other -pair, who, although taking no part in all the talking, had been earnest -listeners. - -Then the speed boat backed away, made a sweeping turn, and was soon -heading up the Danube again. The boys waved their hats to the three -gaily dressed Hungarian soldiers seated in the other craft, and were in -turn saluted by the trio. - -After that Jack again started the engine, and they began moving with the -current at a lively rate. - -"Well, that was a new experience, now!" exclaimed Josh; "and we are -mighty lucky to have escaped being taken back to Budapest and shut up in -a dungeon." - -"Yes, it was easy, after all," grumbled George; "but who'd think -Hungarian officers would know English so well?" - -"And just to think of our being taken for a lot of desperate Serbian -youths sworn to get the aged and benevolent Emperor Francis Joseph! Ugh! -it'll give me a shiver every time I think of it. I never dreamed before -that I looked like a fellow who would take his life in his hand to do -such a terrible thing." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -SIGNS OF COMING TROUBLE - - -All day long the powerboat kept constantly moving down the reaches of -the Danube River. Many were the interesting sights the boys looked upon -from time to time. Nor did they see any particular signs of overhanging -trouble. War may have been declared by Austria-Hungary upon Serbia and -Russia, backing up the action of her ally, Germany, but the indications -of it were not immediately apparent. - -It was true that in several towns which they passed on that morning's -run they could see that groups were in the streets, and there seemed to -be many men in uniform hurrying this way or that. Once they also saw a -field battery of glistening guns disappearing up a steep road that led -to the south. - -"You can see what's in the wind, all right," Josh remarked, as they -watched a group of uniformed horsemen galloping along the river road as -though bound for some distant point of mobilization. "In a few days -after the call to the colors, as they say, has gone out for many -classes of reserves, the whole country will be swarming with men in -uniform." - -"I only wish we could hold over and see what goes on," grumbled George. -"It's a chance in a lifetime to be a looker-on in a foreign country, -with war breaking out; and I think it's a shame that we are going to -miss it." - -Jack took him to task for saying that. - -"We ought to thank our lucky stars, on the other hand, George," was the -way he put it, "that we have a chance to get out of Austria before every -exit is closed. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of tourists have the -time of their lives escaping, because, you see, every train will be -taken over by the Government for carrying soldiers, guns, ammunition, -horses, stores and such army necessities." - -"Yes," added Buster, "that's what I say, Jack. For one I want to tell -you I'm mighty thankful to be on board this old boat right now. I only -hope they won't want to commandeer it for carrying soldiers down to the -Serbian border." - -"Oh, they wouldn't want to bother with such a mosquito craft as this, I -should think," remarked Josh uneasily. - -"Our little flag seems to attract a heap of attention," Buster continued, -with a vein of pride in his voice, for that small edition of Old Glory -was his private possession, it may be remembered. - -"Where we landed at noon to see if we could buy some eggs and milk at -that farm house," Josh observed, "those peasant girls were examining it. -I rather think they must have somebody over in our country, for when I -said the word 'America' and pointed to the flag and then myself they -laughed and nodded their heads." - -"And don't forget to mention, please, George, that we got the eggs all -right," suggested Buster; "likewise a bumper mug of fresh milk apiece, -and some butter that didn't have a bit of salt in it, which I think -queer." - -"Oh, so far as that goes," explained Jack, "there's lots of that made -and sold over here. They call it sweet butter, and most people like it. -You'd get used to it in time." - -"Four dozen eggs, and whoppers at that," Buster went on to say, -gloatingly; "which I consider a splendid investment; and we didn't have -to pay half what they'd cost us in the States either. I'm going to have -a couple fried for my supper, and anybody else that likes them that way -can get what they want by giving the tip now." - -They continued to chatter in this manner as the afternoon wore away. It -had been decided that while there was a full moon that night they had -better not attempt navigating the river after the sun had set. None of -them knew what they might run up against; and besides, since war had -come, possibly there would be strict rules enforced prohibiting such a -thing during the night. None of them felt like taking chances. - -Buster, it seems, must have been thinking of some of his previous -exploits in the times that were gone, for later on he was seen to be -looking over some fishing tackle he produced from his pack. - -"Hey! what's in the wind now, Buster?" sang out Josh upon discovering -what the fat chum was doing. - -"Oh, nothing much," replied the other easily, "only it struck me that -there might be some kind of eatable fish in this same blue Danube, and -I'm looking over my lines. To-night, if I can find any fat grubs or -worms, I might set a line and see what happens. You know I've had more -or less success about grabbing big fish out of fresh and salt water." - -That seemed to make the others laugh, as though certain humorous -memories were refreshed. Buster joined them, for he was a jolly fellow -and could even enjoy a joke when it was on himself. - -"I mean to drop one of these lines over as we go along, so as to soak -the snell of the hook, for if it's too dry it might break," Buster -explained. - -"Well, here's wishing that you meet with good luck," said Josh, "because -I'd enjoy a supper of fresh fish pretty good." - -"Don't make up your mouth for it, then," warned George, "because you -never can tell about such things. Fish are what some people would call -notionate; they bite well one day and then given you the grand laugh the -next one." - -"About how far do you think we've come since leaving Budapest, Jack?" -Buster asked, not deigning to continue the discussion with George. - -"I should think something like fifty to sixty miles," was the reply. - -"Whew! as much as that?" whiffed George. - -"Well, this current must be all of four miles an hour, and the old boat -when going with it ought to average ten. Counting for our stops and all -that, we've certainly covered sixty miles if we have one." - -"I agree with you, Jack," said Josh; "George is only saying that to be -contrary." - -"Oh, I am, eh?" grinned George, who seemed to take especial delight in -stirring Josh up. - -"It's been a pretty good day for August, with the sun shining overhead -most of the time, and not so very hot at that," Buster continued. -"There's no sign of such a thing as a storm that I can see--great guns! -what in the mischief can that queer-looking thing be over yonder? Do -they have birds shaped like a fat cigar in the Danube country?" - -Of course, every one immediately twisted his head around to take a look, -and all sorts of exclamations announced that they were about as much -astonished as Buster. - -Low down toward the horizon they saw an object outlined against the sky -that was undoubtedly moving, for they could notice that it passed a -small cloud with considerable speed. Just as Buster had said, it looked -very much in the distance like a fat cigar, and was of a neutral tint, -not very easily distinguished against the heavens. - -"Why, that must be one of those German Zeppelins we've read so much -about!" exclaimed Jack, after taking a second look. - -"A war dirigible, you mean, don't you?" demanded Josh. - -"Nothing else," he was told. "I've seen pictures of them often, but -never thought I'd set eyes on one. Yes, it's a Zeppelin, all right, and -heading due south, too." - -"What d'ye mean by saying that last?" asked Josh. - -"Well, you remember what that officer said about the Serbians and -Austrians on the Danube down below, where it acts as a boundary line, -being ready to fight at the drop of the hat? Perhaps they're already -having it hot and heavy. Perhaps the word has been flashed over the -wires for one of the Zeppelins to come down and get busy there." - -"What would they use it for, Jack?" questioned Buster, as all of them -continued to watch the steady movement of the fast dirigible in the -west. - -"I believe the main thing for Zeppelins to do is to carry explosives and -drop bombs from a great height on forts and barracks occupied by the -enemy forces. But they can be also used for scouting and bringing back -information of value. That may be what they want this one down along the -Danube for." - -So fast was the dirigible going that in a quarter of an hour more it had -passed beyond the range of their vision. - -"Looks like things are going to happen right along over in old Europe -these days," remarked Josh. - -"Yes, but we'll know next to nothing about it all," George went on to -say; "for we can't buy a paper, and even if we did none of us could read -Magyar. This thing of knocking around in a foreign country may be all -very good when there's no war on, but there are times when you'd like to -be able to buy an extra and learn all that's happening." - -"There's a good landing by that tree yonder, Jack," remarked Josh. - -"But we're not quite ready to pull in yet a while," the commodore -announced. - -"What's the hurry, Josh?" asked Buster, again working at his long and -strong fish line. - -"Oh, I thought George wanted to get out and start right away back," -answered the other with a dry chuckle. "He'll never be happy until he -can have all the comforts of home, including the afternoon extra to -read." - -"Forget it!" snapped George. "I've always been able to take things as -they came as well as the next one, and I reckon I can stand what you -fellows do. Because I grumble a little once in a great while, that's no -sign I'm not having a good time. Some of my folks must have been -sailors, I guess, and it runs in the blood. Don't pay any attention -when you hear me complain." - -"We'll try not to, George," promised Josh blithely; "we'll have to -remember the source, and then forget it." - -"There, now, I've got the silly old line untangled," announced Buster; -"and I'll let the hook and sinker trail after us, just to make believe -I'm fishing. It'll do me a heap of good to feel the twirl as the hook -goes around with the swivel--sort of revive old memories like." - -He lay there by the broad stern of the boat amusing himself after his -fashion. Josh could not resist the temptation to warn him. - -"Better look out for yourself, Buster," he remarked seriously. "Some -hungry fish might snap at your bare hook and get caught. If you were -taken off your guard the next thing you knew you'd be overboard." - -"It wouldn't be the first time, either," mentioned George. - -"Aw, no danger of that happening," retorted Buster good-naturedly. "Even -over here in Austria-Hungary the fish have their eye-teeth cut, and -wouldn't be so green as to bite at a bare hook. If I had anything to -bait it with I'd watch my steps, you may be sure. But don't worry -yourself about me, either of you. I can take care of myself." - -No more was said just then with reference to the subject, something else -coming up to catch their attention. - -The afternoon was nearing its close, and Jack knew that before a great -while they must be on the lookout for a place to haul up for the night. -Whether they had better select a retired nook for their camp, as had -been their habit when cruising down home rivers, or land near some farm, -he had not yet decided. Of course, it would be unwise to stop over at -any town, since they might have more or less trouble getting away again -if the authorities chose to be exacting. - -"There goes a long train over there, heading south, too," remarked Josh, -pointing as he spoke. - -"Seems like nearly everything is going the same way we are, for a fact," -added George. - -"It strikes me it must be a troop train," Jack was saying, "for, while -I'm not dead sure, I think I can see men in uniform leaning from the -windows of the carriages, as they call the cars over here." - -"Well, what else could we expect?" Buster wanted to know. "If Austria -means to give little Serbia a licking she'll need a lot of her soldiers -down there, many more than she's got along the lower Danube now. Yes, -they're soldiers, all right, Jack. I can see them plainly in the -sunlight." - -"The plot is thickening," remarked George solemnly; "and right now I -wouldn't be surprised if the Germans were having a hot time over in -Belgium, if they've really started to cross the little kingdom. They say -those Belgians are fighters to the backbone, and will never stand by to -let the Kaiser cross their neutral country to strike at France." - -George was deeply interested in all that was going on. He took pride -in his knowledge of things connected with the aspirations of these -countries, big and little, of Europe, and especially of the turbulent -Balkan States. While George undoubtedly has his failings, as what boy -has not, as a rule he seemed well informed, and could argue on almost -any point. - -"A lot of those fine chaps will like as not never come back," said -Buster, as he gave the fish line another idle hitch around his wrist, -preparatory to winding it in; "they start out full of enthusiasm and -life, and are brought home again wrecks, fit for only the scrap heap." - -"Listen to Buster, will you?" chuckled Josh; "he's getting to be a -regular old philosopher these days." - -"Well, it always did hurt me more or less when it came to parting with -any one I cared for a heap," admitted the fat chum, trying to look -serious, though that was always a difficult task with him, because -nature had made his round features to bear the stamp of a jovial -disposition; "you may remember that it took me two whole days to recover -when we left home. I'm of a clinging nature, you see, and this thing of -severing the bonds goes against my grain." - -He had just said this when something happened that astounded the others. -Buster seemed to be dragged from the end of the moving powerboat as -though an octopus had suddenly flung one of its long tendrils up and -clasped him. - -The others heard Buster give one loud howl of fright, and then the sound -was swallowed up in a splash as he disappeared in the river. - -As Jack hastily stopped the engine and prepared to back up, he had a -glimpse of the stout chum struggling desperately in the water. If his -frantic actions counted for anything, it would seem as though Buster -must be engaged in a life-and-death struggle with some marine monster -that had pulled him from the after deck of the powerboat and into the -river. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE CAMP ON THE RIVER BANK - - -"Keep a-going, Buster; we're coming back for you!" shrilled Josh, not a -little alarmed on account of seeing such a tremendous splashing back -where the stout chum was struggling in the river. - -Being compelled to fight against the steady current, the boat could not -make such very rapid progress, especially when backing up. Still it -seemed as though Buster might be swimming toward them. He was using only -one hand, and churning the water like the paddle-wheel of a Mississippi -steamboat. - -"Whew!" they heard him say, after ejecting a stream of water from his -mouth, which he persisted in keeping open; "a sockdolager, I tell you! -Going to beat all the records this time. It must be a river horse, or a -boss sturgeon, boys. I want to save him, you bet!" - -Evidently, like a true fisherman, Buster's first, last and only thought -concerned the successful landing of the game he had struck. And -presently the boat had come so close to the submerged boy that Jack -stopped the engine lest the propeller do Buster some material damage. - -Two of them leaned over the stern and with great difficulty managed to -drag the water-soaked chum aboard. - -"Sit there in the stern until you drain, Buster," ordered Jack. "If we -took all that water aboard we'd be in danger of foundering." - -"What ails your left hand?" demanded Josh. - -"Why, don't you see," explained George, "the silly went and wound the -line about his wrist. Then when the fish took hold it was a case of -Buster going overboard or having his left arm pulled out of its socket. -No wonder he lets it hang down like that now. I bet you it hurts like -fun." - -"But say, the bally old fish has quit pulling like mad!" exclaimed -Buster, as though that circumstance troubled him much more than any -bodily pain he might be enduring. - -Josh leaned forward and took hold of the line. He even started to pull -it in after the manner of a skillful fisherman, while Buster eyed him -eagerly. - -"Tell me you feel him pulling yet, Josh, can't you?" he pleaded. "Don't -break my heart by saying he's gone! After all my fight I deserve to -land that monster." - -Josh chuckled. - -"I do feel something now, all right, Buster," he remarked. "Watch me -yank him alongside in a hurry. You never could handle such a monster -with one of your arms next to useless." - -So Josh worked away, possibly putting on more or less, as though he were -having the time of his life in trying to drag the captive alongside. -Every little while he pretended to lose a foot or so of line, whereupon -Buster would call out anxiously and beg him to keep a tight hold on the -glorious prize. - -"Talk to me about having fish for supper," the dripping sportsman cried -as he watched for the first glimpse of his catch; "why, we could feed a -whole village on such a dandy as this. And caught on a bare hook, too! -Ain't I the lucky one for keeps? What d'ye know about that?" - -"There he comes, Buster!" cried Josh, pantingly; "get ready now to help -me pull him up over the stern, all of you. My stars! but how he does -fight." - -In another moment Josh drew alongside a small but broad-nosed _log_, -which in floating with the current of the river had suddenly been -snagged by the bare hook. The impact, with the boat running as it was, -had been severe enough to drag the fisherman into the water, for the -stout line held, and he had foolishly wrapped one end of the same around -his left wrist. - -Jack and George shouted with mirth, and Josh excelled them both. Buster -looked down at the now tamed "fish," felt ruefully of his lame arm, and -then grinned. - -"You bit, all right, fellows!" he blandly told them; nor would he offer -any further explanation, so that to the end of the chapter none of them -really knew whether Buster had been playing a trick on them or not by -pretending to fight the object at the end of his line and showing such -tremendous solicitude while Josh was pulling in the same. - -"What am I going to do about drying off?" asked Buster a little later, -after he had succeeded in reeling in all his line without getting it -very much tangled--the log he allowed to float off on the current, -having no use for it, though Josh did ask him if he had never heard of -"planked fish." - -"You're draining right along," George told him; "and as the weather is -so nice and warm there's no danger of your taking cold, I guess." - -"When we get ashore," Jack explained, "we can start a fire, and that -will give you a chance to get dry. But I'm sorry about that arm, Buster. -It may give you some trouble, because the jerk must have been fierce." - -"Well, I should say it was," admitted the other, with a sigh. "I thought -my arm would come off sure. But then the excitement kept me up, you see. -And I knew right well you'd stop the boat and come back after me. But -Jack, later on I want you to rub my arm with that liniment you carry -with you. Chances are it'll be black and blue along the muscles. It -hurts like fun even now." - -Jack considered that the sooner this was done the better, so he turned -the wheel over to George, and bidding Buster bare his arm, proceeded to -give it a good rubbing with the liniment he knew to be fine for this -purpose. - -Buster was glad to find that as yet there were no signs of discoloration, -as he had feared. - -"It may last a few days," he cheerfully declared, "but that's the extent -of the damage. I consider that I came off better than I deserved. But -then, who'd think a bare hook would catch anything?" - -"Well, Buster," warned George, "be sure you don't fasten your fishline -to your leg, or around your neck. You never can tell what's going to -happen; and after you're drowned it's no time to be sorry." - -"I think we'd better go ashore below, where the trees come down to the -edge of the bank," suggested Jack just then, showing that all this while -he had been keeping a sharp lookout ahead. - -"It makes me think of places where we've pulled up over along the old -Mississippi," said Josh; "I wonder now do they have tramps over here, -who prowl around looking for a chance to steal what they can lay hands -on." - -"I don't believe they do," George told him; "for they regulate such -things a lot better than we do over the big water. Tramps are a luxury -here, while with us they flourish like the green bay tree; the woods are -full of them." - -Jack took the boat in closer to the shore. On seeing the proposed -landing place at closer quarters all of them seemed to be of the same -opinion. It looked like just the camping ground they were looking for. A -fire might be built for cooking purposes, and the district seemed lonely -enough to make it appear that they might not be disturbed during their -short stay of a single night. - -On the following morning they expected to be once more on the move down -the long and sinuous stream that covered hundreds of miles before -emptying its clear water into the Black Sea. - -As soon as the landing was effected Buster waddled clumsily ashore. - -"I hope somebody will have the kindness now to get that blaze started -right away," he was saying; "I'd do it myself, but I'm afraid all the -matches I had in my pocket must have been soaked, and they wouldn't -light easy." - -"I'll take care of the fire, and do the cooking tonight in the bargain -if you want me to, Buster," Josh told him. - -"That's kind of you, Josh, and I won't forget it in a hurry, either. -Fact is this arm of mine pains a little too much for me to sling the -pots and skillets around in my customary way. But fry me two eggs, -remember, Josh; I'd say three if nobody kicked up any sort of a row." - -"You shall have them, Buster," Josh told him; "because the chances are -we can pick up as many as we want as we go along." - -"But no fish for supper tonight, how's that?" George demanded, trying to -frown at Buster. - -"Oh, well, nobody really promised you any," the latter explained. "But -if there are any fat grubs in some of those rotten stumps around here -I'm meaning to have a line out with three hooks to-night, and mebbe, -George, you can indulge in fresh fish for breakfast. Will that do?" - -"Guess I'll have to make it; besides, ham and eggs suits my taste well -enough this time. I'll forgive you, Buster, only be careful not to get -our mouths watering for fish again when it's only a floating log you've -caught." - -Josh was already busy with the fire. He had long since graduated in -this department of woodcraft, and knew about all there was going in -connection with fires of every description. - -Then, too, he could cook in a way to make the mouths of his chums fairly -water. Josh had a way of browning things so cleverly that they were -unusually attractive, where so many boys more careless would frequently -burn whatever they had on the fire, and in a happy-go-lucky fashion dub -it "pot-luck." - -"One thing sure," said Jack, as they sat around waiting for the call to -supper, "we're a lucky set to have two such willing workers with the -pots and pans as Buster and Josh here." - -"That's right," declared George, agreeable for once; "it would be hard -to find their match, search where you will. What one lacks the other -makes up for, and the opposite way around too. And we want them to know -we appreciate their services, don't we, Jack?" - -"Come, now, no taffy, George," said Josh, though his eyes sparkled under -praise from such a source; "as they used to say in olden days, beware -the Greeks who come bearing gifts. And when _you_ get to praising -anything there must be a deep motive back of it." - -"There is," assented George frankly, "a very deep motive, for I'm hollow -all the way down to my heels, seems like. Sure the grub must be done by -now, Josh. That's a good fellow, ring the bell for us to gather round." - -Whenever these lads were sitting about the camp fire they always had -plenty of fun on tap. If "jabs" were given at times it was done with -such good-natured chaff that no one could get provoked. - -So they started to discuss the supper Josh had prepared. Meanwhile -Buster had managed to dry himself after a fashion by turning around near -the fire, presenting first one side and then another to the heat. He -likened himself to a roast fowl on the spit, and jokingly asked the -others how they would have him served. - -"After I'm all through eating my share of the excellent mess Josh here -has provided for us," Buster remarked, when his mouth chanced to be -empty, which was not often, by the way, "I know what I mean to do." - -"Oh, anybody can guess that the first shot out of the locker," George -asserted; "that is if they know what a fellow you are for remembering -things. Of course you mean to smash some of these rotten stumps, and -find out if they contain any grubs. Stumps are fine for holding the -same, I understand; at least over where we live; and I guess grubs are -grubs the world over." - -"Yes, that's what I'm aiming to do," Buster admitted. "Just because I -had the hard luck to be dragged overboard by a measly old log, don't -think I'm the one to be scared off. If there are any fish in this Danube -River, and they like bait such as I can offer them, we're bound to have -a mess for breakfast." - -"Hurrah! That's the ticket!" cried Josh; "if at first you don't succeed -try, try again. I plainly perceive that my honors as boss fisherman are -going to be put in peril if this thing keeps on. I'll sure have to get -out a line myself, and run you a race, Buster." - -"Wish you would," snapped the other, as though this just suited him. - -"You remember," continued Josh, "we had some pretty tall rivalry in that -line once or twice before. Never mind who came out first best; that's -ancient history, and pretty musty by now. You find enough worms and -I'll get a rig ready, Buster." - -George rubbed his hands as though the prospect looked pretty bright to -him. With two ardent anglers engaged in a warm contest to see who could -do the better in the way of making captures, those who loved fresh fish -might expect to be well taken care of. - -When the supper had been disposed of, and every one declared he felt -"full to the brim," Buster secured the little camp hatchet they had been -wise enough to fetch along with them, and which had been a useful -adjunct on many past outings. - -With this in hand he started to attack some of the old stumps that could -be seen scattered around. Josh felt considerable interest in his labors, -as from time to time he could be heard calling out, and asking what the -score was. - -"Got three dandies in that stump," Buster presently made answer, "and -here's a whole nest of bigger ones than the others. Say, we're fixed all -right, my friend, so far as plenty of attractive bait goes. I can see a -lovely time among the finny tribes when some of these fat boys get in -the drink. They'll actually fight among themselves for a chance to bite; -especially if you spit on your hook after impaling the grub." - -By the time he had placed a full dozen of the victims of his hunt in the -little can that had contained sardines at one time, Buster pronounced -himself ready to begin serious operations. - -Josh had in the meantime managed to get his line ready just as Buster -finished his work; George told him it looked suspiciously as though he -had been "soldiering," and meant to let his rival do all the work; but -gallant Buster, hearing all this talk, immediately came to the rescue. - -"And why shouldn't Josh take it easy, after going to all the trouble to -prepare that fine supper?" he demanded. "You've got a bad habit, George, -of looking a gift horse in the mouth, and the sooner you break yourself -of it the better. Now, come along Josh, and let's find a good place for -throwing our lines out into the river." - -"We're not going to be partial or play favorites," warned Jack, -laughingly; "may the best man win; but please don't try to give us any -more _planked shad_, Buster, you hear!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -WHEN THE STORM CAME - - -As Buster had taken a survey of the situation before darkness came -along, he knew of a promising point close at hand. Here they could toss -their lines out, and let the current drag them partly down-stream. - -It was not the kind of fishing that the boys preferred, because they -were accustomed to using jointed rods, and even casting artificial flies -with which to lure the frisky trout or the hard-pulling black bass to -their destruction. But as Buster wisely declared, "When you're fish -hungry you've just got to shut your eyes and get 'em any old way; -results are what count then, not methods." - -Presently Buster had a savage bite, and drew in a squirming victim. He -eyed this in the light of the rising moon and then remarked: - -"I don't know the species that fellow belongs to, but he looks good to -me, and all I hope is there are a lot of his uncles and his cousins and -his aunts hanging around, anxious for grub bait. Hello! Got one, have -you, Josh? Bully for you! Whew! He's a scrapper in the bargain, I tell -you. I hope he doesn't break loose, and give us the grand laugh!" - -Buster's interest was so taken up with what was going on near him that -he forgot his own line for the time being, until a quick summons at the -other end announced that one of the said finny relations seemed anxious -to follow the first victim to the shore. - -Then both boys were kept busy pulling in hand over hand. They succeeded -in landing both prizes, which fact made them very joyful. - -"Only needs one more to complete the first circle, though I think I'd -like two for my share, Josh, and so might all the rest. You see there's -a heap of waste when you come to take off the head and tail. Let's hurry -up and get 'em while the bitin's good. You never can tell when fish will -quit takin' hold." - -It was certainly less than half an hour after they first started off -when the two sportsmen came strolling back to the bright camp fire -dangling a pretty string of still lively fish between them on a little -pole. - -"Two apiece, and one left for luck!" announced Buster, triumphantly, as -the other fellows jumped to their feet with expressions of pleasure to -look the catch over. - -"They ought to be cleaned right away, and a little salt rubbed inside so -they'll keep nice and fresh over night," said Josh, "so let's get busy, -Buster." - -"But don't you think that ought to be our part of the business?" asked -George, although there was not very much animation in his manner, for -George hated to handle the job of cleaning fish, though when it came to -eating them no one ever knew him to make any objection. - -"Now that's kind of you, George, to offer to do the thing for us," -observed Buster, sweetly; "especially since we know how you detest the -job. Thank you, but as our hands are in, Josh and me can attend to them -all right." - -Josh, however, did not look overly well pleased when he heard Buster say -this. Truth to tell, he had already arranged it in his wicked heart that -George should be trapped into "doing something for his keep." - -"We'll let you off this time, George," he remarked, pointedly, "but the -very next batch of fish we haul in you can tackle the job." - -George only chuckled, and drew a sigh of relief. Perhaps he may have -said to himself that sometimes people count their chickens before they -are hatched, and that possibly there might never be another "batch;" -remembering the story of the small boy who while eating an apple, upon -being appealed to by an envious comrade to give him the core, told him -"there ain't a-goin' to be any core, Jimmy." - -In due time the fish were laid away in a safe place where no roving -animal was apt to discover and appropriate them. Buster might in his -happy-go-lucky fashion have been careless in this particular, but shrewd -Josh was far too smart to take unnecessary chances. - -"We don't know anything about the country around here," he told the -others. "They may have wild animals, and again p'raps there's nothing of -the kind to be feared. But it's best to lock the stable _before_ the -horse is stolen." - -So the fish were kept aboard the boat, although from time to time George -might have been observed to sniff the air suggestively as he prepared to -sleep, plainly indicating that he disliked the fishy smell. But then -George always was what Josh called "finicky" in his habits, and the -rest seemed to pay little or no attention to things that annoyed the -particular one. - -When morning came, without any untoward happening, Buster took particular -pains to cook that mess of fish to a beautiful brown color. He followed -the old and well known camp method of first throwing several slices of -fat salt pork into the skillet and rendering it down. Then when it was -boiling hot he placed as many of the fish as it would accommodate in the -pan, first rolling them in cracker dust. Turning them back and forth as -was necessary he finally had them looking so appetizing that the others -refused to wait a minute longer, but made a raid on the lot. - -The breakfast was a pronounced success. Even George was heard to say -that he did not care how soon it was repeated; which was quite reckless -on his part, since he had been given due warning as to his duties next -time. - -The sun was well up and shining brightly when they left the scene of -their camp. It promised to be a rather warm day, Josh predicted, after -taking a look around at the sky, and sizing up the breeze. Josh -pretended to be something of a weather sharp, though hardly calling -himself a prophet along those lines. - -"And," said he, as they started down the river again, "it wouldn't -surprise me a bit if we ran into a squall before we see that old sun go -down tonight." - -"Do you really mean that, Josh?" asked Buster. - -"All humbug," muttered George, disdainfully, as though he never pinned -any faith on "signs," and considered all weather predictions as founded -on mere guess work. - -Josh shrugged his shoulders as he went on to say: - -"Oh! very well, just wait and see if I know beans or not, that's all. -They have some pretty lively thunder storms along the Danube, I'm told, -and if that's so what better time than in August could you expect to run -across one? Course I may be mistaken, because I'm only a tenderfoot of a -weather sharp; but wait and see." - -"Oh! we will, Josh, we will," replied George, in his tantalizing way. - -The morning passed pleasantly enough, though as noon came on it might be -noticed that everybody showed signs of being hot. The sun certainly did -blaze down upon them, and it was even warmer inside the cabin of the -powerboat than outside, so it seemed useless trying to get any relief by -seeking the shade. - -They drew in at a place where there were trees, just to lie around for -possibly an hour under their shelter, while they ate a cold "snack." It -was too furiously hot to dream of building a fire and making a pot of -coffee. - -Then once again they embarked for another run down-stream. Jack figured -they had covered more distance that morning by five miles than on the -other day. This fact cheered them up immensely, and as they continued to -go with the current they took their customary interest in what was to be -seen along the eastern shore, where they would not have the bright rays -of the declining sun in their eyes. - -Many were the odd sights they beheld from time to time. First it was -this thing that attracted them, and hardly had their exclamations of -delight ceased than something else would be discovered further down that -chained their attention until they were close enough to make out its -character. - -One thing Jack called their attention to, and this was the fact that -they were meeting with more evidences of mobilization than ever, as they -proceeded further from the Hungarian capital. - -The news may have been belated in reaching many of these interior -hamlets and pretty little towns along the Danube; but it must have -arrived at last, and no end of excitement had followed. - -They saw scores and even hundreds of men in uniform, some marching in -squads as if hurrying to join the colors; others guarding bridges, or -other vulnerable structures, the latter doubtless being old men who -could not go to the front, though still possessing the military spirit, -and desirous of doing something for the country of his birth. - -Jack was delighted with this chance to see things he had often read -about but never really expected to set eyes on. - -"I used to believe that it was a terrible crime to have every young -fellow serve a couple of years in the army before he could go into -business, and then be reckoned as belonging to the reserves, but I'm -changing my mind some, let me tell you," was what he said later in the -afternoon. - -"How's that, Jack?" asked Buster. - -"Well," continued the other, obligingly, "in the first place it makes -for a love for their country when they know they represent a unit in her -defense. Then again it goes to make the young fellows amenable to -discipline, something millions of boys in our country are lacking in. It -teaches them to be frugal, and the life outdoors makes them a lot more -healthy." - -"Sounds good to me, Jack," assented Josh. - -"I know we've done a heap of talking over in America about the mad folly -of Germany in making every young man serve a term in the army, and -boasted that our boys needn't ever fear of being forced to join the -colors; but perhaps, fellows, after this world war is over, we'll be -doing the same thing. Preparedness is what is going to count for a -whole lot, let me tell you; and both Great Britain and the States will -learn a lesson before they're through." - -At the time of course Jack was only taking a vague peep into the future; -but events that have happened since then show he had a wise head on his -young shoulders. When these words are being penned camps are springing -up all over the States where business men can have a month's training in -military ways; and those who come back home admit that they have taken -on a new lease of life, such are the great benefits to be obtained in -that fashion. - -It must have been past the middle of the hot afternoon, when the boys -were lolling about, almost panting for breath, and taking things as easy -as possible, that a sudden sound startled them. - -"Thunder!" ejaculated Buster, as he popped up his head to look around. - -Black clouds were sweeping swiftly down back of them, and even as they -looked a flash of vivid lighting resembling a forked dagger shot toward -the earth, almost immediately succeeded by another deep-toned burst of -thunder. - -"What do you say to that, George?" demanded Josh, turning a triumphant -face on the other. - -"Oh! seems like you hit the mark with that guess," admitted the other, -"but then anybody might one out of three. Besides, we haven't got the -storm yet, have we? It may go around us." - -"No danger of that," declared Josh; "these summer storms nearly always -follow the channel of a river. I've known 'em to pour down pitchforks -for half an hour on the water and the other bank, and never a drop fall -on me. But we'll get all the rain you want to see right soon now." - -"I do hope it'll cool the air some then," complained Buster, who being -stouter than any of his chums, must have suffered more in proportion -from the heat. - -"What had we better do, Jack?" asked George, surveying the black clouds -uneasily. - -"It's too bad that we don't happen to see any cove where we could run in -and stay," replied the pilot; "so on the whole I think we'd better make -a turn and head into the storm that's coming down the river." - -"That sounds good to me!" declared Josh, instantly understanding the -benefit such a course would likely bring to them; "our cabin is partly -open in the rear, but well protected forward. We can use that tarpaulin -to cover the well back here, and after all the storm won't last long. -Swing her around, Jack, and edge in a bit closer to the shore while -you're about it. The river is pretty wide right here." - -It seemed three times as wide to Buster just then, as at any time -before; but of course this came from his suddenly awakened fears. - -"How deep do you think it can be out here, Josh?" he asked after another -fearful rolling crash of thunder had passed into rumblings in the -distance. - -"Oh! a mile or so," replied Josh, carelessly. - -"Whee! then all I hope is we don't get blown over on our beam-ends, and -have to swim for it," Buster was heard to say. - -They had just managed to get the boat headed up-stream when the squall -struck them with almost hurricane force. The water was lifted and flung -against the little boat with terrific violence. Indeed, the boys working -energetically could hardly manage to fasten the stout tarpaulin to the -hooks by which it was meant to be secured in an emergency like this, so -as to cover the open well at the stern. - -The rain began to come down in wild gusts, the wind howled around them, -the boat rose and fell frantically, and Jack had all he could do to keep -the plunging craft headed into the furious storm. - -It grew almost dark around them. Water found entrance despite the cover, -and the boys prepared to take a soaking. As they were not made of salt, -and had undergone many privations and discomforts during other days, -they uttered no complaint. Indeed, Buster was telling himself that it -would be all right if they only got through in safety; clothes could be -easily dried, but it was another thing to be wrecked out on a raging -river in a storm like this. - -The waves were mounting pretty high, so that with every plunge they -could tell that the propeller was fighting the air, as it was hoisted -above the resisting water. This was what alarmed Jack, for he knew the -danger attending such a sudden and constant change of speed. - -He tried the best he could to ease the strain each time they rose and -fell; but it was always with an anxious heart that he listened to hear -if the propeller still continued to do its duty after every mad plunge. - -Minutes had passed, just how long a time since the beginning of the -storm none of the boys could tell. Then all at once every one noticed -that they had ceased to progress steadily. The noise of the churning -propeller had also ceased. - -"We're turning broadside to the blow, Jack!" shouted Buster, although -that was hardly the case as yet, his fears magnifying the danger. - -"What happened, Jack?" roared Josh. - -"Engine's broken down, and we're at the mercy of the storm!" came the -staggering reply. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE SPORT OF THE ELEMENTS - - -"Just what I expected!" exclaimed George, when he heard what Jack had to -say. - -"Will the boat upset, do you think?" bellowed Buster, as he fancied he -could feel the craft already tilting dangerously, so that he "sidled" -across to the other side of the crowded little cabin. - -"Oh! I hardly think it'll be as bad as that," the commodore told him; -"but while we're about it we'd better fasten on these life preservers!" - -They had discovered half a dozen cork belts under one of the lockers, -and these Jack proceeded to hastily throw out. Every fellow was -immediately engaged in trying to buckle one about his person, well up -under the arms. - -The thunder bellowed at quick intervals, so that talking could only be -indulged in between these outbursts. It was almost dark inside the cabin -of the rocking boat, and of course the boys were all very much excited, -not knowing what was going to happen at the next minute. - -"Be sure to get it up under your arms, Buster," warned Jack, while he -worked. - -"Yes," added Josh, who could be sarcastic even when confronted by such -danger, "for if the old thing slips down any it'll keep your feet out, -and your head under water. Better put two more on you, Buster, because -you're a heavyweight, you know." - -Perhaps Josh was joking when he said this, but Buster took it all -solemnly enough. - -"Guess I will, if the rest of you don't need 'em!" he declared. "If -you're done fixin' yours Josh, _please_ lend me a hand. I don't seem -able to get the fastening the right way. Oh! we nearly went over that -time, didn't we?" - -"Keep still, Buster, and quit trying to balance the boat!" urged George; -"your weight won't matter a bean if she's bound to turn turtle; and you -nearly smashed my foot that time, you came down on it so hard. Talk to -me about a sportive elephant, it isn't in the same class with you when -you get excited." - -"Here, I'll try and fix you up, Buster, if only you keep quiet a spell," -Josh told him, and between the two mentors Buster resolved to bear up -and show a brave front. - -Jack was peeping out as if hoping to see some sign of the storm -breaking. The boat meanwhile was wallowing dreadfully, showing that by -degrees she must be turning sideways to the waves and the wind, the -latter still blowing "great guns." - -A vivid flash came just when Jack had the tarpaulin drawn aside, and -made Buster give a loud cry. - -"Oh, what a scorcher!" he exclaimed; "I thought I was struck at first." - -The speedy crash that followed drowned the rest of his words. - -"Any hope of its being over soon, Jack?" demanded Josh, as soon as he -could make himself heard. - -"Nothing doing that I could see," came the loud reply, for what with the -howl of the wind and the dash of the agitated waters against the boat it -was no easy matter to make oneself heard. "All black around. You can't -see twenty feet away for the rain and the gloom." - -"Jack, do you happen to know whether there's any rapids or falls along -the Danube?" asked George presently. - -"I'm not so sure about it," replied the other; "seems to me I did hear -some talk about rapids or falls or something, though it may have been -about the river away up above Vienna." - -Buster at that found himself possessed with a new cause for alarm. He -pictured Niagara Falls, and the powerboat plunging over the beetling -brink, with four boys he knew full well fastened in its interior, -helpless victims. Then as the mood changed he could see Whirlpool Rapids -below the falls, through which no ordinary boat had been known to pass -safely, but always emerged in splinters, after buffeting the half-hidden -sharp-pointed rocks, and urged on by the frightful current. - -"Listen! I thought I heard a distant roaring sound just then that might -be the falls, fellows!" Buster broke out with. - -Although the others all suspected that it was only the result of a -lively imagination that caused him to say this, at the same time they -could not help straining their hearing to ascertain whether there could -be any truth in it. - -"You fooled yourself that time, Buster," announced George finally, and -with a vein of positive relief in his voice; "it must have been the rain -coming down like a cloud-burst, or else the wind tearing through some -trees ashore." - -The action of the boat continued to cause more or less anxiety. -Frequently when the wind struck savagely on the counter of the wallowing -craft it would careen over so far that even Jack feared a catastrophe -was impending. - -Everything conspired to cause alarm--the darkness, the heavy crash of -thunder, the blinding flashes of lightning that stabbed the gloom so -suddenly, and the possibility of the boat turning turtle. - -In the midst of this Jack was seen to be crawling out of the cover. - -"What are you going to do?" shouted Josh. - -"All of us have forgotten that we've got an anchor forward," Jack told -him; "I'm going to drop it over. It may take hold; and anyway it's bound -to keep our head into the storm by dragging!" - -"Let me help you, Jack!" added Josh with his usual impulsiveness. - -"You may come along, but no one else," he was told. - -Of course, that was aimed primarily at Buster, for Jack could not forget -how clumsy the fat chum always proved himself to be; and the chances -were that he would manage to fall overboard did he attempt to crawl -along the slippery sloping deck. - -Once outside and Josh realized what a difficult thing it was going to be -to get forward to where the anchor might be found. The little boat -rolled and tossed like a chip on the angry seas. Josh felt almost dizzy -with the motion, but he shut his teeth grimly together and resolved to -stick it out to the end. If Jack could stand it surely he should be able -to do the same. Besides, he would sooner die almost than let George see -him show the white feather. - -"Get a good hold before you move each time," called Jack in his ear; -"and better grab me if you find yourself going!" - -That was just like Jack's generous nature; he thought nothing of the -added risk he was assuming when he gave Josh this advice. - -Josh would never be apt to forget that exciting experience as long as -he lived. Except when the lightning came it was as impossible to see -anything as though they were in the midst of a dark night; and even -then all they could detect was what seemed to be a wall of gray fog -enveloping them on every side, with the white-capped waves leaping and -tossing like hungry wolves around them. - -Of course, both boys were immediately drenched, but of this they thought -nothing. Both had their coats off at the time, on account of the -afternoon heat, which turned out to be a lucky thing for them, since -their movements were apt to be less fettered and confined in consequence. - -Foot by foot they made their way forward. Jack's advice to always retain -one grip until the other hand could take hold of something ahead saved -Josh more than once from being thrown overboard. A little recklessness -would have cost him dear in a case like that. - -Finally Jack seemed to have gained his end, for he was bending down over -the anchor when a flash of lightning enabled the other boy to see him -again. Josh, determined to have a hand in casting the mudhook overboard, -hastened to join him. - -"The end of the cable is fast all right, is it, Jack?" he shouted, as -together they took hold of the rusty iron anchor. - -"Yes. I made sure of that before we started, and tested the cable in the -bargain," he was instantly assured. - -It was a good thing some one had been so careful, for Josh himself had -evidently not given the matter a single thought. - -"Look out not to get a leg tangled in the rope, Josh!" shouted Jack. - -"I will, all right!" the other replied, knowing that in such an event he -would be dragged overboard like a flash. - -So the anchor was let go. - -There was no result until the whole of the cable had been paid out. Jack -waited anxiously to see what followed, though he knew fairly well it -would steady the drifting boat and turn the bow into the storm again. - -Both of them felt the sudden jerk that announced the expected event. - -"She's turning right away, Jack!" bellowed Josh, trying to make himself -heard above the heavy boom of the thunder's growl. - -There could be no doubt on that score, for already the motions of the -runaway motorboat seemed to be much less violent. Jack believed his -scheme was going to be a success, and it pleased him to know that his -wetting would not have been taken for nothing. - -They lingered no longer, but started back toward the stern. It was not -quite so difficult now to creep along the slippery deck, holding on to -the cabin roof, and finally reaching the open well in the stern. A head -was in sight, showing that one of the anxious chums could not rest easy -until he learned what the result of the venture had been. - -"You must have done it, fellows!" exclaimed Buster, for it was no other -than the stout boy who had thrust his head out like a tortoise, "because -she rides so much easier now. I knew Jack'd manage it if anybody could." - -Drenched as they were, the two boys had to drop down under the -tarpaulin. After all, that was a minor matter, since by their bold -action they had warded off what might have turned out to be a grave -disaster. - -"Let her blow and thunder all she wants to now," said Josh triumphantly; -"we've got the anchor trailing from the bow, and that's going to keep -her nose in the wind. I've read how a vessel nearly going down in a -hurricane has been saved by making a storm anchor out of hatches, or -anything else that will float, and towing the same behind to keep the -ship steady. That's what _we_ did, you see." - -Josh was more than glad now he had insisted on accompanying the -commodore in attempting to carry out his hazardous undertaking. It -would give him an opportunity to swell with importance whenever the -deed was mentioned, and to use the magical word "we" in speaking of -the adventure. What boy is there who does not like to feel that he -personally partook of the danger when brave things were undertaken and -accomplished? - -After that they settled down to wait. The storm must surely come to an -end before a great while, and as they were now moving at less than -one-half the mad pace they had been going before that drag had been -instituted, it seemed perfectly safe even to Buster. - -"All I hope for now is that we don't run afoul of some half-sunken rock, -or it may be a snag!" Josh was heard to say. - -"We do know there are snags floating along, because you remember I -struck one only yesterday," ventured Buster, referring, of course, to -the log which, by catching his trailing fish hook, had dragged him -overboard. - -"Not much danger of that," Jack assured them; "they keep a pretty clear -channel over here, it seems, even if we haven't met steamboats on the -river like you would on the Mississippi. Given another ten minutes or so -and I think we'll see the break in the storm we expect. It can hardly -last much longer now." - -"Must have done some damage ashore, too, boys?" suggested George. - -"So long as it hasn't killed off all the chickens, so we can't get any -more eggs, that doesn't really concern us, I s'pose," said Buster, not -meaning to be unfeeling in the least, but just then that seemed to be in -the nature of a calamity in his mind. - -Slowly the time passed, but the boys were soon delighted to discover -that there was actually a slackening up of the elements that had -combined to make such a furious discord. The thunder became less -boisterous, the wind lulled perceptibly, and even the waves had lost -much of their force. - -Jack, taking an observation, made an important discovery, and followed -it with an announcement that gave his comrades considerable pleasure. - -"There's a break in the storm clouds over there in the west, boys, and I -guess we've got to the end of this trouble!" - -"With no damage done except a wetting for two of us," added Josh, trying -to act as though that counted for next to nothing, considering the -benefits that had probably sprung from the work of Jack and himself. - -"Why, it seems to me the rain has let up, too, Jack!" exclaimed Buster, -forcing his head through the opening in the tarpaulin cover of the well. - -"In a few minutes more we can get rid of this old thing and breathe free -once more," Jack told him. - -"Well, I'm sure I'll be mighty glad," said Buster, "because I'm nearly -stewed as it is, with the heat below here; and that breeze feels mighty -good to me. It won't be near as warm after this storm, that's sure." - -"Like as not, Buster," advised Josh, shivering a little because of his -wet condition, "we'll all be frozen stiff before an hour goes by. Queer -things happen over in this Danube country, I'm told." - -"Rats! You can't scare me, Josh," Buster immediately informed him; -"course, since you're all wet through and through _you_ might freeze, -but not a healthy specimen like me. This time we'll have to make a fire -for you other fellows, if we can find enough dry wood to burn, that is." - -Jack's prediction was soon fulfilled. The break in the storm clouds grew -rapidly in magnitude until quite a large sized patch of blue sky became -visible. They soon had the tarpaulin dragged on top of the cabin roof to -dry out; and when the sun appeared the pair who had been drenched took -positive delight in sprawling there and letting the warm rays start -drying their garments on them. - -"Well, seems like we got through that scrape O. K.," ventured Buster; -"but we're not yet out of the woods by a big lot. We've got a broken -engine on our hands, and no means of fixing the same, even if we knew -how to do it. What's to be done now, Commodore Jack?" - -Somehow the others always thought to give Jack his full title when -relying on him to get them out of a scrape. But Jack let this significant -fact pass, for he knew these three chums from the ground up, and could -not hold a single thing against any one of them. And, as usual, he had a -remedy ready for every disease. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE HUNGARIAN MOB - - -"There's only one thing we can do," Jack told them, "which is to work -the boat along closer to the western shore. Before long, unless my map -of the river is all wrong, we ought to strike a town by the name of -Mohaca, a railroad place situated on a sharp bend of the Danube, and -there must be some one in that town who can do the necessary repairs to -our engine, if we hold over half a day." - -The others admitted that the plan proposed by their leader sounded good -to them. And accordingly they set to work first of all to get the -trailing anchor aboard, so that their progress would be delayed no -longer. - -Buster was much relieved. Besides, it was Josh who was saturated to the -skin now, and when one means to be cheerful it counts for considerable -"whose ox is gored," as Buster liked to put it. - -Still he felt sorry when he saw Josh shivering, for the air had become -suddenly quite cool after the passing of the storm, and insisted on -wrapping a blanket about the slim boy. - -All of them kept watch for signs of the town below. The afternoon was -wearing on very fast now, and they hoped to arrive before sunset. It -might be a difficult matter to find the machinist they wanted if they -reached the town on the bank of the Danube after darkness had set in. - -"I reckon it's at that bend below there," said Jack; "if you look sharp -you can see the sun glinting from what looks to me like a church -steeple, with a cross on the same." - -"You hit it that time, Jack," asserted Josh, "because that's just what -it is. For one I'll be glad to get where we can have a fire and dry -out." - -They were compelled to work pretty hard in order to get the boat over -close to the shore where the town stood. The current seemed to run in a -contrary direction, and did its best to frustrate their efforts. - -Jack, however, remembering many other times when they had been aboard -motorboats that acted queerly, or else broke down, had seen to it that -there was a push-pole lashed to the side of the craft. The river at this -point proved to be comparatively shallow, so that it was easily possible -to reach bottom. - -By changing hands, and each one having a turn, they kept where they -wanted to go, and in this way made the town. - -It did not differ from other places they had been seeing along the -Danube, and after the storm it looked rather subdued. In the morning -they would find the customary amount of life in the place, together with -the usual display of soldiers' uniforms, Jack did not doubt in the -least. - -As they were passing slowly along in search of some place where they -might hope to have their broken-down engine repaired on the following -day, as well as a harbor of refuge for the coming night, loud cheers -drew their attention to the railroad which ran close to the river bank. - -"It's only another train-load of troops going to the front!" announced -Josh, as they saw numerous heads thrust from the windows of the -carriages, together with wildly waving hands. - -"They think it's a picnic to start with," said George, "but before long -they'll sing a different tune, I guess; that is, those who live through -the first battle. In these days of quick-firing guns and the terrible -shells, the chances a fellow has of coming back home are mighty small. -No soldiering for me if I know myself." - -"Oh, that's all hot air you're giving us, George," scoffed Josh. "You -know mighty well that if our country was in danger, and you were old -enough, you'd enlist right away. So would we all of us, as well as Herb -and Andy at home. You've got your faults, George, as all of us have, but -being a coward isn't one of them by a long shot." - -George did not make any reply to this speech, but smiled as though he -felt rather pleased to know even Josh had such a good opinion of his -fighting abilities. - -The long train with its shouting crowds passed from sight. Evidently -these troops were headed for the Servian border, and expected to see -warm service there, fighting against the brave little country that had -long since won its independence from the Turks. - -"I think I see what we're wanting to find," remarked Jack presently. - -"It's the usual boatyard you find in nearly all river towns," added -Josh; "and we ought to be able to make arrangements for having our -engine looked over and repaired in the morning." - -"Make your minds easy on that score," advised George, calmly enough; -"for even if we don't run across a machinist who can do the job, trust -me to tackle it." - -"What! you?" ejaculated Buster. - -"Why not?" demanded George, as though aggrieved that any one should for -a moment question his ability in that line. "Haven't I taken the engine -of my Wireless to pieces many a time and put it together again?" - -"That's right, you have," spoke up Josh, "because you never could let -well enough alone, but must be monkeying around your engine all the -time. That's why Jack insisted in the beginning of this voyage that you -were to be a passenger and let him act as pilot and engineer." - -"But the engine's broken down, isn't it?" demanded George. - -"Sure it has," Josh admitted, "but that was a sheer accident, and you -didn't have a thing to do with it." - -"There's no reason to believe we'll get left about finding a machinist -here," Jack remarked, to calm the troubled waters. "I think that sign -tells us as much. But we'll soon know." - -They managed to push the boat inside the enclosure. Here they found a -number of river craft of various types, and Jack noticed that among them -were several launches, from which fact he judged that the man did all -kinds of general repairing. - -A short time later they landed and found the owner of the shop. He could -understand English, fortunately enough, so they were able to make a -bargain with him. Doubtless he must have charged them an exorbitant -price, for upon their accepting his terms he showed them unusual -courtesy, even telling them to push the boat inside his house, where he -could get to work at the engine in the morning. - -He also informed the boys that if they chose to sleep aboard they were -at perfect liberty to do so. Should it storm again they would have the -benefit of a roof over their heads; and they could cook their supper at -the fire he would leave in the forge. - -Buster immediately declared it would be a jolly thing all around. - -"You know we do feel more or less cramped aboard our boat," he went on -to remark, with considerable eagerness. "And if you say the word, why, -I'll take my blanket and camp out here on the floor. There are plenty of -chips to make a soft bed, even if they don't smell as sweet as hemlock -browse such as we have at home." - -"And another thing," added Josh, "Jack and myself can get nice and dry -at the fire here in the forge. I think the man must have noticed that -we'd been soaked." - -"Yes, and he soaked us some more in the bargain," complained George, -"according to the price we agreed to pay him for the easy job of mending -a broken engine. See, you might have saved all that money if you'd had -enough confidence in me to let me run the job." - -"Perhaps!" said Josh dryly, and there was such a world of meaning in -that one word as pronounced by him that George immediately fell silent, -not caring to bring about another verbal controversy. - -The owner of the boatyard and shop was certainly very kind in allowing -those who were perfect strangers to him to remain over night there. He -must have seen by looking at the faces of the four boys that they were -worthy of trust. It was not everybody whom he would grant such a favor -to, and Jack told his chums they had reason to feel quite proud of the -fact. - -It was by this time getting quite dark. The man had lighted a lamp for -them, which served to dispel the gloom in the shop's interior. Josh was -already using the bellows in order to blow the dying fire into new life. -When the heat became noticeable he and Jack proceeded to warm up. By -degrees they found that this steaming process dried their clothes -admirably. Buster could tell them how efficient it had been in his own -case, only that Buster was now impatient for them to get through, so he -could have the red bed of coals for the purpose of cooking supper. - -At the time the proprietor of the boatyard went away Jack had stepped -outside the door with him. As he expected, he found that the shop faced -on a street running close to the river itself. - -As they had laid in plenty of provisions at Budapest, there was really -no necessity for any of them to wander around the town. If the boys -exhibited any curiosity in that respect, Jack meant to dampen their zeal -by telling them there might be some danger of strangers being eyed with -suspicion in these exciting days, and that it would be safest to stay at -the shop. - -Besides, there could be no telling just when the repairs would be -finished, for, after all, the damage was apt to be slight; and in this -event they would want to be on the move with as little delay as -possible. - -Bumpus was soon in his glory. It had indeed been a long while since they -had enjoyed the privilege of preparing a meal over such a fine fire as -the blacksmith forge afforded them. Besides, the glowing coals seemed so -much nicer than ordinary smoking wood; as Bumpus said, it saved the -cook's back considerable, in that he did not have to bend down so much. - -They found something that answered for a table, and by the light of the -lamp so kindly loaned by the owner they ate their supper. No matter what -it consisted of, for there is no time to go into particulars--at least -it had a "homey" taste to it, and brought back to their minds numerous -other meals which had accompanied their various cruises down American -rivers, through the Great Lakes, and among the islands of the Florida -coast. - -It seemed very quiet down by the river. If the town itself was booming -with the spirit of war, the boys heard very little of it while they sat -around chatting, after partaking of the meal Bumpus provided. - -Once George sauntered over to the door that led to the street and looked -out, but he did not venture forth. When he came back Josh, of course, -wanted to know what he had heard. - -"Oh, nothing much," the other replied with a yawn. "There's considerable -noise up above, and perhaps some soldiers are getting ready to go away. -You know they make an awful lot of fuss over here when the boys are off -for the war." - -"So far as that goes, they do it everywhere," remarked Jack. "I remember -plainly hearing my folks telling all that happened in our town in -ninety-eight, when the war with Spain broke out. Of course, all of us -were kids then, babies in fact, and we knew nothing about it; but I take -it there were lots of exciting things happening day after day, as trains -passed through. One country doesn't differ a great deal from another, -when you come to take notice." - -"I hope you took pains to put up that stout bar again, George, after you -shut the double doors?" remarked Bumpus. "Not that I expect we'll be -troubled with unwelcome visitors in the shape of thieves while we're -roosting here, but you know it's a heap nicer to know everything's -lovely and the goose hangs high." - -"Oh, don't borrow any trouble about that bar, Buster," George assured -him. "Sure I put it back, just like I found it. I reckon the owner uses -it when he's working in here behind closed doors and doesn't want to be -disturbed. You know he locked the small door before going away. It's all -right, Buster, so let your dear timid soul rest in peace." - -"Oh, not that I'm afraid," asserted the other indignantly; "honest, -George, I only mentioned the matter as a simple precaution. Jack here -might have done the same, given a little more time. You ought to know me -better than that, George." - -The boat lay tied up in the basin inside the shed. Back of it was a -water gate, which had also been closed and fastened by the owner before -departing. Surrounded as they were by all the tools of a boat repairer's -trade, the boys felt as though they were in strange company. Possibly -some of these same tools were built along different lines from what they -might have found in the same sort of an establishment in the States. - -For quite some time the four chums sat there and talked over various -things of interest. Of course, these as a general rule had some -connection with their own fortunes. Many questions were asked and -answered, by one or another, as the case might be, although as a rule it -was Jack to whom most of them were addressed. The whole scheme of a -cruise down the Danube had originated with Jack, and for this reason, as -well as others, the remaining three boys looked to him to find answers -to the many puzzling enigmas that faced them. - -Jack was fully qualified to assume this task, and it was seldom they -were ever able to "stump" him with a twister. - -So the time passed on, and, judging from the repeated way in which some -of the motorboat boys were yawning without even putting up a hand to -hide the gap, it became evident that they could not remain awake much -longer. - -Indeed, Jack himself felt pretty drowsy, and was just about to propose -that the meeting adjourn _sine die_, so that each could prepare his cot -for the night, just as he saw fit, when something occurred to interfere -with this peaceful scheme. - -"Listen! Seems to me that hollerin's coming closer to us," exclaimed -Josh. - -"Sure it is," added George, which was pretty conclusive evidence -pointing that way, because as a rule he would have questioned it before -giving in. - -"There's a crowd coming," said Jack quietly. - -"More like an angry mob, it sounds to me," muttered Josh. - -"Say, you don't think for a minute, do you," cried Buster, "that they -know about us being hidden in this coop, and mean to interview the -bunch, perhaps shoot us for Servian spies?" - -"Oh, hardly as bad as that," Jack went on to say, seeking to calm the -excited Buster; "they may pass by and never bother us at all. Perhaps -some soldiers are going along to a place of meeting, where they expect -to entrain for the front." - -"Anyway, we'll soon know the worst," declared Josh, "because they're -nearly up to the shop by now." - -The shouts outside had an angry and insistent ring about them that Jack -did not like. Then came a series of heavy and imperative knocks on the -closed shop doors! - - - - -CHAPTER X - -CLEVERLY DONE - - -"My stars! it's us they're after, fellows!" Buster was heard to gurgle, -when the knocks ceased as suddenly as they had begun. - -No one had to be told that, for they all knew it just as well as Buster. -George turned an anxious look on Josh; and then, perhaps unconsciously -placing their hopes on their leader, both of them wheeled to face Jack. - -"I knew we'd be sorry if ever we tried stopping over at one of these -ratty little towns," muttered George. - -"But there they start to knocking again!" exclaimed Josh. "If we don't -do something, and pretty quick at that, they'll start to pulling this -shanty down over our heads, even if it is made of stones." - -Jack had to think fast. He knew Josh spoke the truth, and that so far as -offering resistance went they were practically helpless against the mob. -He could easily imagine how in some manner suspicion had been excited -against the four young strangers stopping over night at the river town. -One word would lead to another in these exciting times, until all sorts -of extravagant surmises must result; and finally some bold spirit must -have suggested that they proceed to the boathouse and drag the unknown -parties out, to question, perhaps hang them. - -So far as trying to escape was concerned, it seemed equally hopeless. -Besides the double door there was also the small one, which the -proprietor had securely locked before leaving them. Both led to the -street. - -To be sure, there were the water gates, but to leave in that way must -necessitate abandoning their motorboat, something the boys would be loth -to do. Further than this, there was no small boat handy, even if they -could manage to get it out on the river without being noticed and -pursued. - -As to attempting to swim off, that was impossible, since they could not -make any headway with their clothes on, and leaving these behind was not -to be considered for a minute. - -So Jack quickly decided that the only thing left for them was to throw -open the double doors and trust to their customary good luck to make -friends with the clamorous mob without. - -"I'm going to open up, fellows," he told the others. "You keep back of -me, and say nothing unless I ask you to speak. Leave it all to me to -manage." - -"You just bet we will, Jack," assented Josh. - -"I should say yes," Buster hastily added. - -"It's a risky thing to do, Jack," remarked George, "but seems that we -haven't got much of a choice. We're between the devil and the deep sea. -Go ahead, then, and let's see how our luck holds good." - -Jack waited no longer. Indeed, it would have been dangerous to have held -the clamorous crowd in waiting much longer, for their pounding on the -door had assumed a more threatening phase, several having taken it upon -themselves to pick up heavy stones, with which they started to beat the -woodwork furiously, while all manner of loud cries arose. - -Suddenly the double doors were swung wide open. The outcries ceased as -if by magic. Jack, looking out, saw that fully fifty people stood in the -moonlit street. Most of them were men and boys, though a sprinkling of -women could also be seen. - -They were typical Hungarians, just such people as one would expect to -meet in a river town along the lower Danube. Some were flourishing what -appeared to be clubs, and the whole aspect of the mob looked -threatening indeed. - -It required considerable nerve to calmly face this crowd, but Jack -actually smiled, and waved his hand in friendly greeting, while Buster -held his breath in very awe, and the other two trembled a little between -excitement and alarm. - -One burly man in the front of the mob called out harshly. Jack could not -for a certainty know what he said, but it was easy to guess he must be -demanding who they were, where they came from, and what they were doing -in this part of the country in these perilous times. - -So Jack, waving his hand to entreat silence, called out: - -"Is there any one here who can talk English!" - -Somehow his question created considerable surprise. Evidently the crowd -had suspected that they were Serbians or natives of Montenegro, both of -which states at the time were antagonistic to Austria-Hungary. - -Several voices were heard announcing that they could understand and -speak the English language. Jack swept his eyes around to see who these -persons were, and, discovering that one of them stood in the front rank -of the crowd, he pointed at the man as he went on to say: - -"Please push your way up here. We will tell you everything you want to -know, and you can explain to your friends." - -The man did so, looking very important. Perhaps that was the first time -in all his life that he had been called upon to act in such a capacity -as interpreter, and he felt as though placed upon a pedestal. - -"Now, if you will please give me a chance, all of you," continued Jack, -"I will with the greatest pleasure tell everything. In the first place, -we are not, as you think, English boys, but Americans. Of course, you -know about America, for we have many thousands of good Hungarians over -there working with us, who send millions on millions of dollars back -home every year for the old folks. Tell them what I have just said, will -you?" - -The man had listened intently. He collected his wits, and then, turning -around so as to face the rest, commenced speaking. At the same time he -made good use of both hands, in the Hungarian fashion, to emphasize his -points. - -Some few of the more unruly made remarks among themselves as he -proceeded, but on the whole the crowd listened intently. It was already -apparent to Jack that he had gone about the business in the right way, -and had succeeded in making a good impression. - -He had read recently in a paper, whether it were true or not, that the -tens of thousands of Hungarians in the United States, men in the mines -and working on public improvements, and girls in service, sent back home -during the course of a year as much as a hundred and fifty million -dollars. Even if a third of that amount came across the sea it could be -understood that the people of the dual monarchy must have a very tender -spot in their hearts for _America_, where so many of their compatriots -were making big wages and happy. - -"Keep it moving, Jack," whispered Josh. "I tell you they're already on -the run. Lay it on thick, and don't spare the adjectives. They like to -hear things praised up to the skies. And say something nice about old -Francis Joseph, because, you know, they worship him." - -"Cut it out, Josh," growled George; "leave Jack alone to run this game, -can't you?" - -The man had by now finished telling what Jack had said to him. He again -turned with a look of expectancy on his face, waiting for the second -"installment of the story," as Josh afterwards called it. - -"We are American boys," continued Jack, "who have come over here on a -vacation. In our own country we own three motorboats, with which we -often cruise up and down the Mississippi River and others. So, having -heard so much about your beautiful blue Danube, we made up our minds to -spend a month or six weeks voyaging down it. This boat does not belong -to us. We hired it from a man in a town part-way between Vienna and -Budapest. We can show you the paper both parties signed proving how we -paid a certain sum in advance for the use of it until we reached the -Black Sea. Now tell them all that, please, while I get our American -passports ready to show you, as well as letters we have received from -our home while in Budapest." - -It took the interpreter a long time to translate all this. He struggled -heroically to master every detail, though Jack feared he might get mixed -more or less in his endeavor to find words to express the English -meaning. - -The crowd listened intently. - -It would have been amusing to watch their faces as seen in the bright -moonlight had the danger element been lacking. As it was, the boys were -still on the anxious seat, not knowing "which way the cat would jump." - -Jack was the exception, it may be said. He felt that his tactics and the -frank way he was taking the crowd into his confidence had already made -a favorable impression upon most of the men. They in turn would be apt -to suppress any of the more boisterous spirits who might feel like -getting out of bounds. - -Truth to tell, it was as much the manner of Jack Stormways as what he -said that worked this change in the feelings of the populace. No one of -intelligence could very well look upon his smiling face and believe ill -of him. - -By the time the man had managed to translate all that second batch -of explanations to his fellows Jack was ready for him again. He had -meanwhile collected from the other three their passports, properly vised -through the efforts of the American consul in Vienna, and also several -letters addressed to the general delivery at Budapest, with the American -stamps and postmarks to prove where they had come from. - -These papers he now handed to the man who could speak and read English. -Each one Jack opened and explained, after asking Josh to fetch the lamp -forward so that its light could be utilized. - -Meanwhile the crowd listened and pushed and gaped, some exchanging low -comments; but Buster was delighted to see that the threatening gestures -had stopped. From this he felt that Stormways' stock was rising fast -and would soon bull the market. - -It took a long time to go over the four passports with their seals, and -then read extracts from the letters. The man spoke several times, asking -questions, which proved that he meant to conduct his examination in a -thorough manner. Jack was in truth pleased to find that he had to deal -with so intelligent a party, for the travelers had really nothing to -conceal. - -He even mentioned about the three Hungarian officers who had overtaken -them some miles below Budapest, coming in a speed launch, and how they -had parted the best of friends after looking the boys over. - -Seeing that the crowd was becoming impatient, Jack cut his explanations -short and asked that the interpreter make his report to his friends. He -had taken the advice of shrewd Josh, and managed to speak highly of the -aged emperor; while this may have been done artfully as a stroke of -diplomacy, Jack really knew nothing but good of Francis Joseph, of whom -he had often read, so that he did not feel that he was attempting any -deception. - -Still holding the sheaf of passports, the man started to harangue the -crowd. He seemed to improve as he gained new confidence, and Jack saw -that he was something of a crude born orator, able to sway others by -the force of his will and words. - -Jack believed the best part of their luck lay in having picked on this -particular man. Another might have bungled things and made them worse -than they were originally. - -It took a very long time to explain about the papers, the letters and -everything else. Jack even heard the man mention the emperor's name, and -from this judged that he was repeating what the boy had said in order -to prove that the four strangers from America were favorable to the -Austrian side of the controversy. - -"He's got 'em whipped to a standstill, Jack," muttered Josh in the ear -of the other. "They'll do whatever he tells 'em, you mark me. I guess I -can read all the signs if I can't understand the lingo." - -Jack himself believed the same thing. He no longer felt his heart heavy -within him, with the prospect of having their fine cruise broken off and -themselves thrown into some prison, from which it would take all the -efforts of the American Ambassador to release them. - -Before the man who was speaking had finished there were desertions from -the mob, possibly some of those more ardent spirits who had hoped to -help hang a suspected Serbian spy and were grievously disappointed. - -When the speaker closed with what seemed to be a fervent peroration -there followed a general shout and much waving of hands. Jack caught -the one word America, and judged that the cheers were intended for his -native land, for surely many of these people had good reason to think of -the haven of the oppressed as a Paradise flowing with gold, milk and -honey. - -Then the mob began to disintegrate. A number who could speak English -came crowding around. They wished to shake hands with the four -stout-hearted lads who were not to be deterred from continuing their -hazardous voyage down the Danube by the mere fact that hostilities -had begun, and that there must be heavy firing between the Austrian -batteries and monitors and the hostile forces in Belgrade, the Serbian -capital, situated on the southern bank of the river. - -By degrees they went away, after giving this popular demonstration. -Somehow Buster changed his mind completely after seeing how those same -shouting men could turn into friends. He even remarked afterwards that -he thought the Hungarians were a warm-hearted race, and that he was -growing to like them immensely; though when he first saw the mob he -believed they were a lot of cutthroats eager for the lives of helpless -American boys. - -The interpreter was the last to go. Jack was seen to shake hands -heartily with him for the third time ere saying good-by. - -"I reckon now, Jack," remarked George, as they closed the double doors -once more, shutting out the bright moonlight, "you slipped a bill of -some kind in that fine fellow's hand the last time you said good-by to -him?" - -"Never mind about that, George," retorted the other; "if I did, that's -between the two of us, and nobody need know about it. It was worth ten -times as much just to see the way he swayed that crowd. From howling at -us they came to cheer us, and a good deal of the change was due to his -oratory." - -"As for me," piped up Buster, with a great sigh of relief, "I never will -forget this experience. There was a time at first when I thought of -having my head put on a pike and carried in a procession around town, -just like the mob used to do in the French Revolution; or, if it wasn't -that, I expected they'd get a rope and swing us all up, Wild Western -way. I tell you I'm shaking yet from being so anxious about you -fellows." - -Josh and George laughed at hearing this, and the whole of them went back -to their seats. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -UNDER FIRE ON THE RIVER - - -Later on the four boys made themselves as comfortable as the conditions -allowed, and tried to settle down for the night. Buster had carried out -his words, and managed to gather enough shavings to make a soft bed on -the floor, using his blanket to cover the same. Josh imitated his -example, but the others were satisfied to occupy their old places in the -boat. - -None of them slept soundly, and for good reasons. The recent excitement -made such an impression on their minds that they could not for a long -time stop thinking about the visit of the mob. - -Then again there was always the chance that some of the wilder spirits -might think they had been cheated out of some fun, and come back in the -small hours of the night to renew the trouble. - -Several times, when some sound was heard that at another time would -hardly have been noticed, one or more of the seeming sleepers would -raise his head to listen, proving that sleep had been remote at the -time. Buster in particular was uneasy, and even after he managed to get -asleep Josh declared he tossed about and muttered to himself at a fierce -rate. - -But, after all, their fears proved groundless. The townspeople had -accepted them at their face value, and did not mean to bother the -strangers again. No one came prowling around the boatshop during the -balance of the night; and with the arrival of dawn the boys were all up, -ready to cook breakfast and clear the shop so that the proprietor could -get busy. - -They had a simple meal, only coffee, boiled eggs and buttered toast; but -every one ate all he wished, so there was no complaints coming. - -Then came the owner of the boatyard and shop, who was greatly surprised -when he learned what had happened on the preceding night. He seemed -indignant at first, but calmed down when he heard how the mob had -changed from enemies into friends after finding that the boys were from -America. - -He told Jack that he could give a surmise as to what had prompted the -attack. Strangely enough, it concerned that story of the four desperate -young Serbians who, according to accounts, were said to have started for -Vienna with the avowed intention of depriving Austria-Hungary of their -beloved old emperor, just as some other wild spirits had murdered the -heir apparent and his wife. - -Apparently this story was believed by all who heard it. Those Serbians -were getting very bold of late, and nothing seemed to be beyond them. -They were also earning the mortal hatred of the Hungarians, Jack could -see. - -When the assistant worker arrived the two of them began to overhaul the -engine of the powerboat. George stood around every minute of the time -and watched, as well as asked innumerable questions. The others, -however, made him promise not to offer to render the least assistance. -They knew George's failings, and feared that if he once got to pottering -with that engine it was surely doomed. - -Apparently the man knew his business thoroughly. Jack, after seeing how -he went at matters, felt sure the trouble would soon be located and -remedied, when they might go on their way rejoicing. - -It was about ten o'clock when the engine was started up and responded -handsomely. Buster gave a whoop of delight, while Josh swung his hat -above his head, and the others also smiled in satisfaction. - -"Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high!" Josh announced, as he -jumped up and chinned himself against a handy rafter of the low shed. - -"We can all see that without your telling us, Josh," George chuckled. - -Of course, every one was in a fine humor now. Their stop had not proven -so serious after all, since they had only lost a few hours. As to the -sum asked by the machinist, that did not bother them at all, since there -was plenty more where that money came from. - -As there was now nothing to delay them, they said good-by to their -friend of the boatyard and were soon moving down the river again, -delighted at their good fortune. - -"Another odd experience, that's all," sang Josh, as they took their last -look back at the town on the point before turning another bend that -would hide it entirely from view. - -"But at one time, I tell you, it promised to be pretty serious," Buster -asserted. "We've got one asset, though, that never fails us." - -"What's that?" asked George. - -"The Stormways luck!" laughed the fat chum. "In fair weather and foul, -and through storm and stress it can always be depended on to bridge over -all difficulties and drag us out of every old mud-hole or swamp. If you -look back to our past career you'll find that what I'm telling you is -nothing but the honest truth. It's better to be born lucky than rich -any day." - -Jack only laughed at hearing this. He knew that luck alone is rather a -flimsy foundation to pin confidence on, and that there is something more -needed; but it was not for him to say as much. If his comrades believed -it all a matter of accident, they were welcome to the delusion. - -Somehow they enjoyed the sensation of freedom more than ever on this -day. Perhaps that came from the unpleasant experience of the preceding -night, when they found themselves in danger from the angry mob. - -It was not long before Josh broke out in song and amused himself for a -spell, entertaining his chums as well, for he had a pretty good voice. -When they were passing through a hilly region, with rather abrupt walls -on either shore, it was a peculiar experience that befell them. - -"Somebody's mocking you, Josh!" cried Buster indignantly, when they all -heard a voice distinctly repeat the last few words of the song Josh had -finished. - -Jack smiled to see the other three look hastily around, for he guessed -the secret immediately. - -"Try again, Josh, and see if he keeps it up," he went on to say, and -when once more the same mocking call came back to them Josh began to -grow quite "huffy." - -"Think yourself smart, don't you?" he shouted, shaking his fist toward -that point from whence it seemed the taunting voice hailed. - -"Smart, don't you!" came immediately back at him. - -Then Buster must have seen a great light, for he gave a loud laugh. - -"Say, don't feel like hitting him, Josh, because it's only an _echo_!" -he gurgled. - -"Don't you believe it!" snapped George. "No echo could ever repeat words -as plain as that." - -"Try it yourself and see, George," advised Jack, and, realizing that he -was in a poor minority, George did give a shout, only to have it sent -back with an abruptness and energy that startled him. - -The doubter was apparently convinced, though he kept saying that he -never would have believed it possible for an echo to repeat such things. -As they were speeding along with the current they quickly passed beyond -the magic range, and hence Buster received no answer when he shouted -lustily at the rocky hillside. - -As they had lost so much time that morning, it was decided not to make -any stop at noon. They could manage on some cold lunch, and wait until -night came along to do their cooking. - -They frequently saw other boats on the river. Many of these were clumsy -affairs and evidently owned by farmers, who were in the habit of getting -their produce to market in this way. Occasionally they passed a small -pleasure boat loaded with people, who, like most excursionists, waved -their hands and handkerchiefs at the four comely lads aboard the -chugging motorboat. - -Seeing Jack, who had temporarily handed the wheel over to George, -examining his little chart of the river, procured in Vienna, Josh came -and dropped down beside him. - -As usual, Josh bristled with interrogation points. He came of Yankee -ancestry and never could pick up enough information to satisfy himself. -There was always a yearning to "know" whenever Josh came around, and he -would go straight to the heart of the matter without any beating about -the bush. - -"Making pretty good time, eh, Jack?" he went on to say as a prelude. - -"Splendid, Josh, and I'm thinking that overhauling is going to pay us -fairly well in the end. It certainly has increased the speed capacity -of the boat by a mile an hour, according to my reckoning." - -"Bully for that!" ejaculated the other; "and provided we keep this same -pace up for five or six hours more, whereabouts do you think we might -stop over night?" - -Jack must have been doing a little figuring along those same lines -himself, for as Josh leaned over he put the point of his lead pencil -close to a cross he had made on the chart further along. - -"Providing all goes well, that's about where we ought to fetch up on -this day's run," he told Josh. - -"Looks like we might get to the Serbian border then by another night, -eh, Jack?" - -"That's possible, unless we have another accident, or get held up some -way or other. While we may figure as much as we please, it's never wise -to count your chickens, Josh, before the eggs are hatched. There's -always a big IF confronting us, because we're doing this thing under -peculiar conditions, you know." - -"By that I suppose you mean the plagued old war that had to break out -just when we got well started on our way?" complained Josh. - -From one subject he launched into another, until he had pumped Jack -dry--at least the other laughingly told him so as he scrambled to his -feet, after replacing his chart in his pocket, and went over to relieve -George. - -The long afternoon was wearing away, and so far everything seemed to be -going on all right. Buster called attention to this fact every little -while, as though it occupied a prominent place in his mind. - -He even allowed himself to remember that he had promised to try and -duplicate his fishing feat and supply the party with a change in -breakfast food. - -"Josh," he went on to say, "are you game to run another race this -evening with the balance of our grubs? They've kept alive all right, and -ought to be good for a mess of fine fish." - -"I'm your meal ticket," cheerily announced the other. "Count me in the -game if the chance opens up; and I hope we have as good luck as that -other time. But say, there's a queer looking boat away down the river -that I don't seem to be able to make head or tail of. Somebody take a -look and tell me what you think." - -At that there was a general craning of necks. Then Buster announced his -opinion. - -"Whatever she is, I think they're anchored in the stream, because I -can't see any movement at all." - -"But that looks like smoke coming from a stack of some sort," George -observed, as he cupped both hands in order to shield his eyes from the -bright sunlight, in this way securing better results. - -"Strikes me it's a cheese box on a raft of some sort," Josh gave as a -hazard. - -"Why, Josh, that was the name the Confederates gave the Monitor in our -civil war, you know," burst out Buster; "the single round turret was -built on a low deck just a little above the water, and I suppose it did -look like a cheese box, such as you can see in the grocery stores at -home." - -"Between you," said Jack just then, "you've guessed it." - -"Do you mean it's really and truly a monitor?" demanded George -skeptically. - -"I've understood that Austria had a number of these river gunboats down -here, and I think they all mount pretty big guns, as well as being -armored," Jack went on to say. - -"But what use would they be?" queried George. - -"Well, you must know that this eternal Balkan question is forever -bobbing up, and within a few years there have been two serious clashes -south of Austria. The first was between Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece -against Turkey. They knocked the Sultan's forces out and took a lot of -territory away, which they divided. Then Bulgaria got a notion she could -lick the other two and seize more territory; but the shoe was on the -other foot, because she had to cry for quarter, and lost a good portion -of land that had come to her from Turkey. Ever since there has been bad -blood between them all, Rumania also." - -"But how does Austria come in with their petty quarrels?" continued -George. - -"Do you remember the old fable of the lion and the bear fighting over -the game they had taken until they were exhausted, and then the sly fox -walking off with it? Well, Austria got hold of a monstrous slice of -territory in something the same way--Bosnia and Herzegovina. And there's -a big scheme afoot, I believe, for the Teuton allies to take Serbia and -unite the German-speaking countries with Turkey." - -"Oh, I remember reading that Germany had eyes for Persia and all that -rich Eastern country," admitted Josh. - -"Well, they are figuring on great things out that way," Jack continued. -"As for these river monitors, they are here to threaten little Serbia -with. You see, it's unfortunate that the capital, Belgrade, lies -just across from Austrian heights, and always in reach of hostile -batteries." - -"Shucks! that was foolish of the Serbians," said Josh disdainfully, -after the manner of one who knew it all. "Long ago they should have -moved their capital to Nisch, nearer the middle of the state. Then they -could defend it a heap better." - -As they approached closer to the singular craft anchored there near the -shore of the river the boys eyed it curiously. They could see many men -aboard, doubtless the crew. There was also an officer using a pair of -binoculars, for they could catch the gleam of the sunlight on the -glasses as he moved his hands. - -Without the slightest warning, when they were almost opposite the -anchored monitor, there came a puff of smoke and a reverberating boom. -The boys saw the water splash high in the air about twenty feet in front -of their little boat, showing that it had not been blank shot after all. - -Buster was at once in a panic. He really believed that in another moment -they might be the target for one of those big guns that could be seen -projecting from the movable turret aboard the monitor, and at that close -range the result must be the total annihilation of boat and passengers. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -NEARING THE SCENE OF WAR - - -"Pull up, Jack; that's a plain invitation to hold our horses!" shrilled -Josh, being the first one to find his voice. - -Jack already knew this. He shut off power and then started to reverse, -for the impetus of the craft, not to mention the swift current, was -carrying the boat forward at a good pace, and any sign of disobeying -that naval summons might cost them dear. - -"There, he's beckoning to us to run over alongside," said Josh. "Mebbe -we'll be given a chance now to see what one of these same river monitors -look like." - -"Huh! like as not we'll be given a chance to see what a musty old -dungeon under some Austrian fortress looks like!" - -Of course, it was George who made this last gloomy prediction; but then -the others were so accustomed to his ways that no one paid the least -attention to him. - -Jack was already heading the boat toward the anchored vessel. All of -them had a very good chance to observe what a monitor looked like as -they approached, and if they failed to accept their opportunity, that -was their fault. - -Coming up from below, they bumped against the armored side of the bulky -war vessel. Buster looked with something of awe at the gaping guns of -large caliber that projected from the turret close by. - -When Josh, coached by Jack, had tossed a rope to some of the waiting -crew of the monitor, they prepared to go aboard. Jack might have limited -the number to himself and perhaps Josh, but then he knew the others -would always be sorry they had not been given the privilege of saying -they had once been aboard a fighting warship while war was on; so he -allowed both George and Buster to trip after. - -It could be seen that the officer was plainly surprised when he saw them -at close quarters. Instead of the local boys whom he might have expected -to meet, he now realized that the tiny flag floating from the stern of -the motorboat stood for something. - -"Who are you, and where do you come from?" he asked in excellent -English, doubtless realizing that it was useless to ply them with -Magyar. - -"We are American boys, sir, as you can see from our flag," Jack told -him. "It is the only one we happen to have along with us." - -He thought that the captain looked very much interested, and that his -manner became immediately a shade more cordial, which proved that he -knew considerable about the country across the ocean. - -"But this is a strange place for four American boys to be taking a -cruise, you must admit," he told Jack. - -That gave the boy a chance to begin explanations. He went over the same -ground as before and told how as members of a motorboat club they had -planned to voyage down the Danube, and only learned of war breaking out -when on the way. - -When he mentioned the matter of passports the officer indicated that he -should like to see them, at which once more Jack called upon his chums -to produce their papers. - -"You will find them all correct, sir," he assured the other; "and -besides, here are some letters from home which we received from our -folks. They reached us in Budapest, you can see. I would like you to -glance over them so that you may know we are just what we claim to be." - -The officer seemed to be pretty well satisfied after he had examined the -passports. At the same time he looked at the boys in an amused fashion. - -"Which one of you is George Rollins?" he asked, somewhat to the -astonishment of that worthy, who did not know what might be in store for -him, honors or captivity. - -"That's my name, sir," he spoke up, and, to the further surprise of the -boys, the Austrian commander thrust out his hand. - -"I want to shake hands with you, George," he said. - -"Y-yes, sir," replied the other, still groping in the dark, and fearing -that he might be perilously near the edge of a precipice. - -"You wonder why I single you out from your companions," continued the -other, as George accepted his hand and received a cordial squeeze in -return. "I'll have to explain, I suppose. Did you ever hear your mother -speak of a cousin who had married an Austrian gentleman many years ago?" - -Then George found his tongue. - -"Oh, yes, I certainly have heard her speak of her cousin Lucy, and the -name of the gentleman she married was--let me see, Stanislaus!" - -As George burst out triumphantly with this declaration he found his hand -once more shaken and squeezed, while the commander of the monitor beamed -upon him. - -"Well, I am Captain Stanislaus, and my mother was that same Cousin Lucy -you have heard about. So you see, my boy, we are kin. I am very glad to -meet you, even under such singular conditions." - -George turned toward his companions. His face was one broad smile. He -doubtless had a pretty good sense of his own importance just then. - -"I want to introduce my three chums to you, Cousin Stanislaus," he went -on to say with an air of importance. "The one you have been talking with -is Jack Stormways, our leader; the stout one is Buster Longfellow, and -the other is Josh Purdue, all of them the finest fellows under the sun, -and my pards." - -The officer gravely shook hands with each of the boys in turn. He -seemed to be duly impressed with the recommendation given by his newly -discovered relative. - -"See, here is a letter from my mother, sir," continued George impulsively -and with a deep motive back of his actions. "Her name is Alice, and she -is first cousin to your mother. How pleased she will be to learn that I -ran across you in this remarkable way! And because we are related, as it -seems, I hope you will allow us to continue our voyage down the river, -for it would be a great disappointment all around if we had to give it up -now." - -Jack felt like clapping George on the back when he heard that naive -appeal. Evidently George believed in making use of his relatives. What -was the use of blood ties if favors could not be obtained through them? - -All of them waited anxiously to see what the commander of the monitor -might say. Ties of relationship might be all very well, but there was -such a thing as duty to the Government to be considered. Of course, he -knew very well that nothing was to be feared from these American boys, -who would not have any reason for carrying news to the hostile Serbians. -Hence it was really only a matter of their taking unnecessary risks in -trying to pass the disputed portions of the Danube where opposing -batteries might be bombarding each other. - -The officer looked from one to another. He saw only appealing glances -that undoubtedly must have made him weaken in his first resolve to order -the boys back and end their adventurous voyage then and there. - -"We are accustomed to looking out for ourselves, believe me, sir," Jack -thought fit to say just then, hoping to be able to influence the -commander, who seemed to be what Josh would call "on the fence." - -"All we expect to do," George went on to say, "is to slip past some -night when it happens to be cloudy, and, once by the Iron Gate, the way -is clear for us on to the mouth of the Danube. We have spent a heap of -money to have this trip, and it would break us all up if we had to -quit." - -The officer laughed at that. - -"Well," he went on to say, "I suppose, after all, it is none of my -business, and I could allow you to proceed without any risk that you -would carry important news of troop movements to the enemy beyond the -Danube. It is with regard to your mother, George, I am thinking most of -all." - -"Oh, don't you fear about her, sir!" cried the boy enthusiastically. -"She knows I've always been able to paddle my own canoe and find some -way to get out of every sort of scrape. Please say that you will wash -your hands of us and let us go about our business." - -"Very well, let it be just as you will have it, George. I do wash my -hands of the whole business. You see, I have been young myself not -very long back, and know what it means to a fellow to be terribly -disappointed. Only promise me on your word of honor that you will not -run any unnecessary risks in trying to pass Belgrade in the night time." - -Of course, George was only too glad to do this, and so they were allowed -to go aboard the motorboat again, parting from the Austrian commander -with mutual wishes for good luck. - -George was about the happiest fellow going during the next hour. He -seemed to be beaming with good nature. - -"Did you ever hear of such a remarkable thing happening in all your -life?" he demanded of Buster, whom he had cornered. "To think that, with -the whole of this big country of Austria-Hungary to choose from, we -should have picked out the Danube River for our cruise, and that just at -the same time my second cousin with his warship should be stationed down -here! Then again, remember how he fired a shot across our bows to bring -us to, and, seeing my name on my passport, realized that we were -actually blood relations!" - -"It was queer, for a fact," agreed Buster. - -"Queer, you call it, do you, Buster?" cried George. "Why, I think it the -most astonishing coincidence that ever happened. I'm sure none of us -have even run across its equal. And then, what's more, he let us proceed -just because I was his cousin twice removed. Don't forget that, Buster, -will you, some time when you and Josh feel like giving me a dig or two? -Oh, I'm of a little consequence once in a long time." - -"You're of a whole lot of consequence plenty of times, George," said -Josh just then, "and we all acknowledge the corn; but for goodness' -sake please give us a change of tune now. We've been hearing about -Cousin Stanislaus until even the swallows swinging past seem to be -chirping the name; and I expect the fish will give it to us, too, if we -catch any to-night." - -George looked a little hurt in his feelings at this thrust, but he -subsided all the same, going off by himself where he could ponder upon -the freaks of fortune that had thrown him in contact with this relative -at the other side of the world, so to speak. From time to time he would -smile as though his thoughts were pleasant ones; but none of the others -interrupted his meditations. - -The day drew near a close, and as they had really come up to Jack's -expectations it might be set down as possible that they would camp -somewhere close by the place marked with a cross on the chart. - -That would mean only one more day's journey before they must find -themselves in the vicinity of battle scenes, if, as they suspected, the -Austrians had started to bombard Belgrade and were being answered shot -for shot from their fortifications by the valiant Serbian gunners. - -They were fortunate enough to find a particularly good camp site. It was -in the midst of some trees that offered them all the comforts they -could wish for. At the same time they had no reason to believe they were -anywhere near a town, and the river in this spot looked quite lonely and -deserted; at least there was no other war monitor in sight, from the -deck of which their movements might be observed and deemed suspicious -enough to warrant a visit of investigation. - -As evening drew on they tied the boat securely and built a fire close -by. Buster, as usual, insisted on taking charge of the cooking, while -the rest lay around or gathered fuel for the fire. - -It was while moving about with this latter purpose in view that Jack -suddenly came upon a crouching figure in the brush. At his exclamation -the unknown party struggled to his feet. Jack had been alarmed at first, -not knowing but what there might be bandits in that vicinity. He quickly -saw, however, that he had a peaked looking and very hungry fairly well -grown boy to deal with. - -Not wishing to let the other see that he had been startled, Jack -immediately demanded to know who he was and why he was spying on them. -The other made motions to let Jack understand he could not speak -English. He then went on to say something in rapid tones, but it was -all Greek to Jack. - -However, from his appearance and the motions he made to his mouth, as -well as showing how empty his stomach was, it was easy to judge that it -was the smell of the cooking supper that had drawn him. - -"Stay with us, then, and share our meal," suggested Jack, mostly in -pantomime; and evidently his gestures must have had a convincing way of -their own, for the hungry boy immediately nodded his head, said -something in a fervent tone, and, to Jack's embarrassment, proceeded to -kiss his hand violently. - -"Hey, what's all this going on here?" asked Josh, just then coming on -the scene, no doubt attracted by the sound of a strange voice. - -"Here's a poor tramp of a boy who gives me to understand he's half dead -with hunger," Jack went on to explain; "and as we can't turn him away in -that condition, we'll have to let him stay to supper with us, I -suppose." - -Josh, of course, was exceedingly surprised. He looked the strange boy -over and saw that he undoubtedly had a hungry appearance. - -"Sure we'll share our supper with him, Jack," he hastened to say, being -one of those fellows who could never see any one suffer when he had a -chance to offer assistance; "who knows but what we may be entertaining -an angel unawares, like we read about. Tell him to come along up to the -fire right away." - -Buster and George were also somewhat astonished at this increase to -their number. Still the poor chap looked so woebegone that Buster -immediately saw to it that an extra portion of food was prepared. -George, too, did not have the heart to show his objecting nature. He -thought this to be a real case of necessity. - -The strange boy was fairly well grown, though slender. His face was dark -and he had a mass of heavy black hair. His eyes were dazzlingly bright, -and, although there was an uneasy look on his face, he could smile -cheerily when he saw that any of them were looking at him. - -Josh watched him from time to time, as though some notion had come into -that shrewd head of his. Supper was getting along nicely when Jack saw -Josh beckoning to him cautiously at a time the stranger happened to be -looking another way. - -Then Josh strolled off a short distance and seemed to be bending down, -as if looking at something that interested him. - -"What's in the wind?" asked Jack softly, as he joined the other. - -"I don't know exactly, to tell you the truth, but I'm uneasy over -something, and wanted to have a little chin with you," came the reply. - -"You're suspicious, that's what, Josh?" - -"Oh, well, I admit as much," replied the other. "You see, in these times -we've got to be careful. Instead of an angel we may be entertaining one -of the other kind." - -"Now get it out of your system, and tell me what you're thinking about," -demanded Jack. - -"First of all, he turns his head and looks every little while in a -certain direction. I've got a good notion the boy must have friends -hidden somewhere near by." - -"Yes, go on, Josh; what else?" - -"Then, if you come to think of it, he doesn't talk the same lingo as -these Hungarian Magyars we've met. I'm not dead sure about it, but I've -got a hunch he must be of another nationality. Well, what nation are we -closest to below here? What but Serbia? Are you following me, Jack?" - -"I am, so keep going," the other informed him. - -"You remember the story we were told by that polite Hungarian officer, -about the four desperate Serbian youths who had sworn to have the life -of the aged Austrian emperor--well, according to my notion, our guest is -one of the batch; and his three tough cronies are hidden close by, -waiting for some signal!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE BOY FROM SERBIA - - -Jack remained silent for a full minute after his companion had delivered -himself of this startling statement. He was evidently thinking it over. -Perhaps up to then Jack had not even suspected the tramp of being -anything more than he seemed, a well-grown lad who was far away from -home--and hungry. - -Presently Jack spoke again, and from his manner it became apparent that -he now shared in some degree the alarm that Josh seemed to be laboring -under. Really, the conditions were suspicious enough to demand an -investigation. They were next to unarmed, and if four desperate young -fellows raided their camp they would find it difficult indeed to keep -from losing everything they possessed, from boat to supplies. - -"I hate to think that such a thing can be possible, Josh," he said -slowly, "but, as you were remarking, the circumstances force us to be on -our guard. Before we start to eating supper, which must be nearly ready -now, I'll try and strike up a conversation with the fellow and learn -something about him." - -"But how on earth can you do that, Jack, when neither of you seem able -to understand one word of each other's tongue?" - -"Oh, leave that to me, Josh. There are ways, you know, even if I have to -come to paper and pencil and use the picture writing of the Indians. -What with signs and nods and looks we may get a fair understanding." - -"No harm trying, that's a fact," admitted Josh. "But I'll watch my -chance and put the others wise. Every one of us ought to have some sort -of club handy so as to protect the camp and the boat if there's going to -be a raid." - -Apparently the more Josh considered the subject the stronger became his -belief that he had hit the truth in making that guess. In his eyes the -dark face of the young stranger now began to assume a threatening -appearance, whereas before it had only seemed hungry and eager and -almost sad. - -Jack watched his opportunity and soon found a chance to drop down beside -the stranger. He saw that there was intelligence in the face of the -other. It could also be seen in his flashing eyes. If Jack had only been -able to understand and speak the other's language he felt sure he could -induce him to tell his story. - -He took out a pencil and a pad of paper and began to draw. As Jack was a -master hand at this sort of thing, he quickly produced a sketch that -represented four boys, all dressed alike, and in the costume which the -young stranger wore. - -This he held before the other, and then pointed to him as he nodded. -After looking at the drawing intently the boy shook his head. It was -evidently intended for a denial that he had three companions, but then -Jack could hardly have expected him to admit it openly. - -One thing sure, he did not seem to be alarmed, as though suspecting that -his secret had been discovered; only puzzled. - -As if governed by a sudden impulse, he motioned for the pencil and -paper, just as Jack expected he would do, and in his turn began to draw -something. When he handed the pad back it was seen that he had actually -made a pretty accurate map of the enlarged Serbia of to-day; doubtless -every schoolboy in that country was early taught to be able to do this, -on account of the great pride the Serbian people took in their recent -victories over Turkey and Bulgaria. - -He had even written in bold letters the magical word "Serbia" across -this map, as if determined to remove all doubt as to what it was meant -for. Such frankness made Jack begin to believe that the other could not -possibly be the desperate character Josh suspected; had he been, it -would only have seemed natural for him to deny his nationality lest he -be arrested and put in an Austrian dungeon. - -Jack went a step further, after the boy, first pointing to his map, -smote his own chest proudly and smiled, as if to proclaim that he -belonged in that country. By various gestures he tried to ask the other -what he was doing here in a hostile land. - -The other watched his every gesture and seemed to be reading even the -expression on Jack's face. It is surprising how much can be learned that -way. Whole conversations may be carried on by instinct and intelligence. -One who does not know a single word of Italian may be able to sense the -general meaning of many paragraphs in a newspaper war item by the -similarity of words. Try it, and you will see that this is really so. - -By slow and laborious degrees Jack began to pick up something of what -the other was trying to tell him. The further he proceeded the more -intense did the boy seem to become. Buster, glancing that way from time -to time, filled with curiosity, considered that they were using their -hands almost as cleverly as a couple of mutes did whom he had once -watched talking in the sign language. - -Of course, Josh had before then managed to whisper to each of the other -two what a "mare's nest" he believed he had unearthed, so that both -George and Buster had begun to look on the intruder in the light of a -dangerous fellow. George kept caressing a stout cudgel of which he had -become possessed, as though determined not to be caught entirely -defenseless in case of a sudden raid. - -"Do you suppose Jack's really finding out anything?" Buster whispered to -Josh when the other leaned down as if to ascertain how the supper was -coming on. - -"Sure he is," replied the other, "though chances are the cub's giving -him taffy just to keep him quiet." - -"But Jack seems to be interested a whole lot," objected Buster. - -"I think Jack means to join us presently, from the way he nodded to me -just then," Josh went on to say hastily, "so don't hurry on the supper -more than you can help. For all we know we may have to share it with -_four_ instead of one." - -It proved to be just as Josh had predicted, for presently Jack left the -side of the dark-faced young stranger and come over to the fire. - -"Well, how did you manage to get on with him?" asked Josh impetuously. - -"It grew easier as we went on," said Jack. "He knows just a little bit -of English, after all. When that failed he resorted to the paper and -pencil, or else made gestures. When I shook my head to tell him it was -all a mystery to me, he would try again in a different way, and we -always succeeded in getting there by one means or another." - -"Did he own up in the end, Jack?" asked Josh. - -"If you mean about being one of the four Serbian youths we thought he -might be, he denied it absolutely," came the reply. - -"H'm! What else could you expect, since their game had been knocked on -the head by the breaking out of the war and they found themselves being -hunted like rats in a hostile territory, afraid to ask for anything to -eat because they'd like as not be grabbed? No wonder he looks hungry, -say I." - -Jack looked at the other and shook his head. - -"This time you're away off, old fellow," he told Josh. "He didn't come -up into Austria-Hungary on an errand of blood, but one of mercy." - -"As how, Jack?" asked Buster, already deeply interested. - -"He has a little sister," the other went on to say. "She seems to be -just so high," and he held his hand about three feet from the ground, -"from which I'd judge she might be something like six or seven years -old." - -"A sister, eh?" George remarked skeptically. - -"Listen, fellows," continued Jack, "here's the story he told me as near -as I was able to make it out, for lots of times I had to just guess at -things; but it ran fairly smooth, after all. He lived in Belgrade, the -capital of Serbia. There was his mother, a widow with some means, and -one little sister. This girl, it seems, was blind and the pet of -everybody who knew her." - -"Gee! that sounds interesting," muttered Josh. - -"Some time ago the mother learned of a celebrated surgeon up in Budapest -who had performed wonderful cures with people afflicted just as the -little child was. It was determined to take the girl to him, and an -appointment was made; but just then the mother had the misfortune to -sprain her ankle and could not walk a step." - -"Tough luck," said Buster, "and I can see what the boy did. He looks -like he had the grit to carry anything like that out, sure he does." - -Apparently Buster was taking stock in Jack's story and changing his -opinion again with regard to the dark-faced young stranger. - -"Yes, there was nothing for it but that the boy go to Budapest with his -little sister and stay there while the operation went on. From what he -tells me he was in the Hungarian capital nearly a month. The surgeon -operated, and the thing turned out a splendid success. You ought to have -seen how his face lighted up when he told me in sign language that she -could see now just as well as any one." - -"Then why didn't he start home right away, knowing how anxious his -mother must be?" asked George incredulously. - -"First the surgeon would not allow it for a certain time after the -bandages were taken off. Then, as luck would have it, just when they -were about to start, a thief broke into their apartment and stole every -dollar, or whatever money the Serbians use." - -"Oh, how tough that was!" exclaimed Buster sympathetically. - -"A likely story, I call it," muttered George. - -"On top of it all the war broke out, and he knew that unless they -hurried off from Budapest the Hungarian authorities might arrest them. -So they sold a few of their things and get enough money together to -carry them part of the way to the Serbian border. Then they had to leave -the train and start to tramp the rest of the way. Neither of them have -had a bite this whole day. Seeing us land, he became desperate and -determined to appeal to us to help him, if we looked as if we were kind -people. Then I chanced to run across him. That's what he told me, as -near as I could make it out." - -Jack saw that while Buster and Josh were disposed to believe the young -stranger, George still hung back. - -"It makes a pretty interesting story, that's right," was what George -said, "but there's a fishy part to it. That little sister sounds like an -invention to get our sympathy. Where is she at, I'd like to know; let -him produce the kid, say I." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -FRIENDS IN TIME OF NEED - - -"That's so, Jack; unless he can produce the little sister we've got to -believe his fine yarn is all a fraud," Josh observed seriously. - -"Did you say as much to him, Jack?" questioned George. - -"I did," came the ready reply. - -"And what was his reply to that?" asked Buster. - -"I gathered from his gestures and actions," explained Jack, "that he -stood ready, yes, and anxious, to go into the woods near by and get his -sister, if only we gave him permission. So I thought I'd put it up to -the rest of you first." - -"Oh, tell him to go and fetch her along," sneered George. "If he really -has got a little sister, and she's hungry, why, I'd be willing to go on -half rations myself to help out. I may be suspicious of him, but there -isn't a stingy bone in my whole body." - -"We know that, George," Jack told him quickly, "and since you seem -willing I'll let the poor fellow know about it right away. You can see -how eagerly he's watching us now, because he understands what I'm -telling you." - -"Tell him supper's about ready, and that he ought to hurry," explained -Buster. - -Jack had another short interview with the young Serbian. Then the other -sprang hastily to his feet and ran off, looking back once or twice, and -smiling as he waved his hand toward Jack. - -"Good-by!" called out George derisively, and then, turning to the -others, he added: "Because I hardly expect to see him again, unless he -comes back with the other three. Chances are he knew we'd got on to his -game, and means to slip away now so he couldn't be nabbed by the -authorities." - -"Shame on you, George, you old unbeliever!" cried Buster. - -"Wait and see who's right," warned the other sturdily, for George always -clung to his belief until convinced that he was wrong, when he would -frankly confess his error of judgment. - -A minute, two of them, passed, and still the boy did not return. It -would really seem as though he had had time to go to where he left his -sister concealed at the time he crept toward the landing spot of the -cruising party in the motorboat, and come back again. - -George was grinning with that important air of his, which, being -interpreted, meant the usual "I told you so." - -Then Josh, whose sharp eyes had detected a moving figure in the -semi-gloom, exclaimed: - -"There they come over yonder, I do believe!" - -"Two or four?" questioned Buster. - -"It's all right, boys," Josh continued, for he was standing on a stump, -and in this position could see what was invisible to the others. - -"Then he's got his little sister along with him, has he?" asked Buster. - -"Sure thing," reported Josh, "and as for you, old croaker George, -it'd be doing the right thing for you to beg everybody's pardon, and -especially the boy's, for thinking such mean things about him." - -"Who was the first to guess that he must be one of that band of desperate -Serbian youths, tell me?" demanded George. "I was wrong, I'll admit, but -an ounce of prevention is always better than a whole pound of cure." - -With that he threw away the club which he had been gripping, as though -in company with it went all his suspicions. - -Presently the Serbian boy came into camp, holding by the hand a pretty -dark-eyed little maid of about seven. The boys were immediately smitten -with her charms, and no longer wondered that her brother had so openly -boasted she was the prettiest little girl in all Belgrade. - -Apparently that noted surgeon had done a splendid job, for never had -they looked into brighter and more roguish eyes than she possessed. If -they had been dulled by cataracts, as Jack suspected was the case, then -the curtains had been skillfully removed. - -Buster immediately announced that supper was all ready, and would be -spoiled by any further waiting; so they sat down, places being prepared -for the guests of honor. - -While they ate the boys kept up a conversation among themselves. Jack -from time to time would hold communication with the Serbian youth, whose -appetite proved the truth of his assertion that no food had passed his -lips during the whole of the preceding day. - -Later on Buster amused himself trying to talk with the little girl and -teach her a few words in English. Jack and Josh and George got their -heads together, being desirous of settling on what they ought to do with -regard to the pair cast adrift in a strange and hostile land. - -"They can stay with us all night, anyway, and have breakfast in the -morning," suggested Josh. - -"And we could make up a little purse among us," added the now penitent -George, "enough to carry them across the border and into their own -country." - -"That's fine of you to mention that, George," Jack told him, "but you -are forgetting something. Serbia is at war with Austria, and so you see -no trains can be running to the border that would allow a Serbian young -fellow to pass. If he ever gets across the river to Belgrade it must be -with our help." - -"You've got a plan fixed, I guess, Jack?" - -"I've been thinking it over, and wanted to hear what your ideas might be -before I mentioned it," the other explained. "But, now that you ask me, -I'll tell you what I'd like to do. We can find room for them aboard the -boat when we start in the morning. Unless we are overhauled on the way -there'd be little danger on account of our having Serbians with us, a -boy and a child at that." - -"I agree with you there, Jack," said George, now evidently seeking to -make all amends possible for having allowed himself to believe the -stranger a desperate character, when in truth he was only a kind and -protecting big brother. - -"Ditto here," added Josh glibly, as though he were a parrot. - -"We will have to tie up by the time another night comes along," -continued Jack, "and if it's cloudy we can hope to try and pass the -hostile batteries by keeping in the middle of the river and just -floating with the current, never showing a single light. But before that -we might make a landing on the Serbian side and put the brother and -sister ashore." - -Josh and George exchanged looks, nodding their heads as if in approval. - -"Now, I call that a good scheme, if you want to know it," declared the -former. - -"And as Buster is always ready to agree to anything Jack says," George -remarked, "I move we call it unanimous." - -The readiness of his chums to fall in with his proposition, of course, -pleased Jack. He always made it a point to invite the fullest discussion -when offering any plan of campaign, because it was better that all of -them should feel that they had a hand in engineering matters. - -So it was settled, later on Buster being told the arrangements. As -George had prophesied, the fat boy had not the slightest objection to -make; indeed, he was enthusiastic over the idea of helping the little -Serbian girl get back home to her anxious mother. - -Arrangements for sleeping were soon effected. As their guests had no -blankets, George and Buster insisted on loaning them one each. They -said they could go without easily enough; though Jack finally induced -George to share his covers, while Josh compelled the fat chum to crawl -under with him. - -The night passed without anything occurring to disturb them. Everybody -slept after a fashion, though doubtless the boys were not as comfortable -as though each possessed his own blanket. - -It made them feel that they were suffering in a good cause, however, -when they saw how happy both the boy and his sister seemed in the -morning. The dark clouds that had of late been hanging over their heads -had apparently taken flight, and with the rising sun they smiled, and -seemed contented with having found such good friends. - -After breakfast they started down the river again. It might prove to be -the last day of peace for them for some time, since Jack figured that -by another sunset they would very likely have reached the scene of -hostilities, when danger might be lying in wait for them at every turn. - -Of course, all of them were more or less concerned about the prospect of -being held up again by some Austrian river war vessel. The presence of -Serbians aboard the motorboat would look suspicious in those trying -days, and might get the boys into trouble. Nevertheless, not one of -them so much as hinted at any desire to be rid of their guests. - -The little girl was so winsome that she had captured all their hearts by -storm, and they could not do too much for her. - -As the afternoon began to pass Jack looked earnestly ahead many times. -He wondered what awaited them in that mysterious region whence they were -headed. All sorts of strange things might crop up to confront them as -they proceeded on their dangerous course; still, no one even gave the -idea of turning back a thought. - -He had managed to let the Serbian boy know what they meant to do about -getting his sister and himself on his native soil. How those black eyes -snapped as the plan was unfolded to him! Jack fancied he could see -unshed tears there also, showing how their generosity must have affected -the other. He could not express his gratitude by repeating that one word -"thank" again, but he did display it by almost fiercely seizing Jack's -hand and actually kissing it, an act that made the American boy feel -exceedingly queer, because he was not accustomed to such things. - -They kept, as a rule, closer to the right bank of the river, for that -would in time prove to be the one on which the Serbian capital was -located. Besides, Jack believed it would answer their purposes better in -case circumstances forced them to make a hurried landing, so that their -passengers might conceal themselves in the brush. - -The sun was hot again, and as the afternoon began to wear along they -found that the breeze created by their own swift passage was the only -invigorating thing to be met with. - -"But it's beginning to cloud up, you can see," Josh remarked, when -Buster complained that he was melting away with the heat; "and once the -old sun gets out of sight it'll be a whole lot more comfy." - -"I've been watching those clouds," remarked Jack, "and they please me a -whole lot, because we must have a cloudy night if we're ever going to -run past the batteries on both sides of the river." - -"Whew! that sounds as if we might be away back in the civil war, trying -to pass Memphis on a gunboat, with the Confeds whanging away at us to -beat the band. But, of course, you don't expect to have any real trouble -getting by, do you, Jack?" - -"So far as I can see, there's no reason why we should meet up with any," -the skipper informed him. - -"And once we're well by Belgrade the worst will be over," cheerily -observed Josh. "You see, the railroad runs down through Serbia from the -capital, and any invasion must, of course, follow the Morava River, -because Serbia is a mountainous country, and there are passes through -which troops have to go if ever they hope to reach Nisch down near the -middle of the nation." - -"Seems like you've been reading up on Serbia, Josh," ventured George. - -"I have, all about the last war between the Balkan States," Josh -admitted. "And let me tell you right here, if the Austrians and the -Germans ever try to invade that little country of born fighters they'll -find they've bitten off more than they can chew. The Serbians know every -foot of ground, and can lay in ambush on the heights, dropping rocks -down on the enemy, and using all sorts of quick-firing guns to cut them -down in windrows." - -"If only all these Balkan countries were agreed on a single policy," -said Jack, "they could snap their fingers at the Teuton alliance, for no -force could ever be brought to bear against them that would smash their -defenses. But petty jealousies keep them apart, and may be their undoing -in the end." - -The sun vanished about this time, the clouds having risen far enough to -cover his blazing face. - -"That feels a heap better," announced the panting Buster; "and it looks -like we mightn't glimpse old Sol again to-day. For one I'm glad. -Sunshine is all very well in winter time, but when it's hot summer I -prefer the shade." - -The others laughed at his odd way of putting it, for Buster often -expressed himself in a peculiar fashion. Josh said he "mixed his -metaphors," though Buster was never able to get him to explain what he -meant by saying that. - -Just then something came stealing to their ears that caused the boys to -exchange meaning glances. It was a distant grumbling that died away -almost as soon as it reached them, a sort of complaining, reverberating -boom that brought a thrill with it. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE BOOMING OF BIG GUNS - - -"Another storm coming, worse luck!" grumbled George. - -"Going to spoil all our fine plans in the bargain," added Josh; "for if -it turns out to be anything as bad as that other whooper, excuse me from -wanting to be out on the river in the middle of the night." - -"Listen again!" said Jack, with a meaning in his manner. - -"There she goes, and I must say it's kind of queer thunder, after all," -Buster advanced; "each growl is separate and distinct, and not like -anything I ever heard before." - -"Sure enough," continued Josh; and then, as though a sudden light had -dawned upon him, he turned to Jack to add: "Say, you don't imagine now, -do you, that can be the booming of big guns we are listening to?" - -Jack nodded his head in the affirmative. - -"It must be," he said positively. - -"Sounds just like blasts," continued Josh, "up in the quarry near our -town, when they let the same off by electricity at noon, when the men -are all out of the workings. Boom! boom! boom! boom! Let me tell you -they must be making things hum over there now, with all that firing -going on." - -"What do you suppose they're doing, Jack?" asked George. - -"For one thing sending shells into Belgrade," came the reply. - -"Look, the Serbian boy has caught on as well as the rest of us," said -Josh, "and it frets him a whole lot, too, you can see by his face. Now -he's talking with the little sister, and pointing, as if he might be -explaining what that sound means." - -"Well, can you blame him for feeling that way?" burst out Buster; "when -you must remember that their mother is somewhere in Belgrade, and with -those shells bursting in the city they may get home only to find that -they have been left orphans. I guess war is all that General Sherman -said it was." - -"Oh, shucks! We haven't seen hardly anything of its horrors yet. Wait -till you read what is happening in Belgium about this time, and then -it'll be time to talk," George told him. - -"But why didn't we hear the cannonading before?" asked Buster; "it -seemed to hit us all of a sudden." - -"Because there was a shift of the wind," explained Jack. "You know it -was on our right before, and since then has changed, so that now it -seems to be coming straight from the south." - -As they kept on down the river the sounds, reaching their ears every -once in so often, increased gradually in volume. - -Every time the suggestive sound came to their ears it could be seen that -the two young Serbians would start and listen eagerly. Undoubtedly their -thoughts must be centered on the home they had left in Belgrade, and -they were wondering if the latest shell could have dropped anywhere near -that dearly loved spot. - -"Honest, now," said Josh presently, "after that last shot I could hear a -second fainter crash, which I take it may have been the shell exploding -in or over the city." - -"It may have been a Serbian gun, after all," George asserted, "and if -so, then the shoe was on the other foot, and the shell burst in the -fortifications on the Austrian side of the Danube, perhaps scattering -guns and soldiers around as if they were so many logs." - -"That's what our friend here is hoping deep down in his heart, you can -be sure," Jack mentioned, with a glance toward the boy passenger. - -"Look away down yonder and tell me if that isn't one of those monitors -like my cousin Captain Stanislaus commands," said George just then. - -Josh tested his eagle eye and admitted that, while the surface of the -river was misty, which fact made seeing difficult, he believed the other -was right, and that the object they were looking at did resemble a -"cheese-box on a raft" in marine architecture. - -"Then we can't be so very far above Belgrade," Jack concluded. - -"You mean the monitor may have been doing some of that shelling, do -you?" questioned Buster. - -"I don't know about that, for none of us have seen any sign of firing -aboard the boat; but she's evidently anchored there to take part in -protecting the Austrian troops that will soon be attempting to cross to -hostile territory. So we must expect to haul in somewhere along here and -wait for night to settle down." - -"It would be too risky to try and pass the monitor, I reckon you mean?" -George asked. - -"You remember how we were brought up with a round turn the other time," -he was reminded; "and if we refused to obey the summons to come -alongside a second shot would sink us like a stone." - -"Whee! if one of those big shells ever struck this chip of a boat there -wouldn't be enough of her left for firewood," asserted Josh. "So I say -just as you do, Jack; we mustn't be too brash and take chances. We can't -expect to fight the whole Austrian navy on the Danube. The word for us -is diplomacy, remember that. We've got to play the Napoleon style of -strategy if we hope to win out in this game." - -Jack allowed the boat to continue on her course for some little time -longer. He did not mean to take unnecessary chances, but at the same -time the further they were down the river before night set in the -better, since it would shorten the time they expected to be in the -danger zone. - -He kept a wary eye on the anchored monitor, for all of them could by -this time plainly see that it was one of those strange looking vessels, -believed by Austria to be just suited to the waters of the Danube for -offense and defense. - -When not employed in this fashion Jack was watching the near-by shore -for a favorable landing spot. They could proceed to make a fire and act -as though fully intending to spend the night there. If by accident they -had visitors from the monitor early in the evening they could arrange it -so that nothing suspicious would be seen. - -The firing had now ceased for the time being, as though enough had been -accomplished on either side for the day. - -It was not long before they found themselves up against the bank. Jack -had picked out a good landing place, for there were trees in plenty, -under which they could make themselves comfortable. - -"Do you think they have noticed us across there on board the monitor?" -Buster asked, as they stepped ashore. - -"It would be strange if they hadn't," Josh told him. "Of course, they -can see all that goes on up and down the river, and we were in plain -sight. Jack, did you expect they might have a pair of field glasses -leveled on us, and was that why you had the brother and sister keep -inside the cabin lately?" - -"Well," replied the skipper, "I saw something flash over there while the -sun was shining through that rift in the clouds, and I got the idea they -might be using their binoculars. You see, if they should send over to -interview us, and the two Serbians were absent from the camp, as we mean -they shall be, what could we say if asked about them? That was why I -wanted them to keep out of sight, while the four of us remained in full -view." - -Josh did not say anything further, but the look of admiration he gave -Jack told what his thoughts were. In his mind the other could not be -equalled when it came to covering the whole ground and laying out -extensive plans, for Jack seemed to be able to grasp everything. - -"We must keep a watch out on the river and try to be on our guard," -continued the leader. "If they send a boat over here to investigate, we -ought to know about it before the men have a chance to land and spy on -our camp." - -The boat was tied up, and Buster had already taken ashore all he needed -for the evening meal; while Josh was making a fire in the midst of some -stones he had collected in a sort of cairn. - -The day had ended in a dismal fashion for one starting out so bravely -with blue skies and plenty of warm sunshine. Out over the water the haze -was thickening, so that when George gave place to Josh later on it was -next door to impossible to tell where the Austrian monitor was anchored. - -"I've lined it up with this stone here and that tree out on the little -point," George explained; "the boat lies almost directly with the two, -so if you happen to see any light over there you'll know what it means, -Josh," he told the other, as he gave up his post. - -"As long as you could see the monitor, were there any signs of a boat -leaving?" he asked; but George shook his head and told him he had seen -nothing suspicious. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -UNDER COVER OF NIGHT - - -Some time later, when George again relieved Josh at the outlook post, -the latter came strolling up to the little fire to get his supper, of -which he was in need, for Josh had a pretty healthy appetite that seldom -went back on him. - -"One thing sure," he remarked, as he sat himself down and prepared to -have Buster wait on him, "when you told me, Jack, to build this fire so -it couldn't be easily seen from out on the river, you knew what you were -talking about." - -"Well," remarked the commodore simply, "my idea at the time was to avoid -having the light noticed too easily by any one who happened to be on the -water. Yes, and I hoped to keep the people on that monitor a mile and -more away from wanting to pay us a visit too early in the night." - -"It might break up our plans all right if they did come," agreed Josh, -lifting his tincup to his lips and proceeding to let some of the fine -coffee pass down his throat as a "bracer" or opening of ceremonies. - -"As long as you stayed out there at the point, did you see or hear -anything suspicious, Josh?" Buster wanted to know, when he handed the -platter, heaped up with good things, to the late-comer. - -"Never a sign all the time I stood sentry," came the reply, though Josh -had a little difficulty in talking and eating at the same time. "But -please let me take the edge off my ferocious appetite before you throw -any more questions at me, fellows. I'll be in a more angelic humor then, -mebbe." - -"Angelic--that's pretty rich for you, Josh," gurgled Buster; but, having -enough sympathy for a hungry chum to know how Josh felt, he maintained a -discreet silence after that. - -Jack walked over to the near-by shore. He wanted to find out for himself -how matters seemed to be going. - -"Hello! That you, Jack?" said a voice suddenly, when he found himself -close to the brim of the river. - -It had become so dark by this time, the moon not having as yet arisen -behind the clouds, that seeing was next to impossible. George, however, -had heard footsteps somewhere close by, and guessed who was coming. - -"Yes, where are you, George? Oh, I see you, now that you move. That's -the boat just beyond you, too. Everything lovely with you?" - -"I heard something across the river that sounded as if it might be a -boat being lowered that struck against the side of the monitor. Then -there were voices, too. You know how queer sounds come across a mile or -more of water, Jack?" - -"Yes, of course I do. But if it was a boat being lowered we'll have to -change our plans somewhat," Jack continued. - -"By that you mean get away from here sooner?" queried the vidette. - -"Just what I do, George." - -"Suppose now it was a boat being put in the water that I heard, though I -may have been mistaken; how long would it take them to row over here, do -you think?" George asked next. - -"That depends on how hard they handled the oars," said Jack. "It could -hardly be less than half an hour at the best, I should say. You see, the -monitor lies down-stream from here, so they'd have to first of all work -against the strong current before crossing." - -"Yes, and then again it might be they'd try to keep us from hearing them -coming all they could, Jack, which would mean they couldn't put all -their strength into the work." - -"You've got the right idea, George; so we can have something like half -an hour to get away in. It may turn out to be a false alarm after all, -but we can't afford to take any chances." - -"That's so," agreed the other briskly, for a wonder, never dreaming of -offering any objection. "The sooner we're abroad on the river the -better. Then again, before the old moon comes up behind the clouds, -we'll have it pitch dark. That ought to help us a lot about slipping -past without getting caught." - -"Stay here, and keep on listening, George." - -"Are you going back to get the rest of the crowd, Jack?" - -"Yes. As soon as Josh has finished his supper we had better go aboard -again and shove off," he was informed. - -"But say, tell me how you expect to work it, please Jack, before you -go." - -"If you mean the boat, that's a simple thing," the skipper told him. -"You know we've got a strong push-pole that's a pretty good length? -Well, I took soundings as we came in toward the shore, and found that -the river is fairly shallow around here. With that pole we can push out -into the stream quite a little distance. Then we'll just lie low and let -her float on the current." - -"Well, now, I sort of expected that would be the programme," said -George; "and I certainly agree with you there. Silence is our best asset -in a game like this. We'd feel pretty cheap and small after getting well -started if all of a sudden some one called out of the darkness: -'Tag--you're it!'" - -George, finding Jack had slipped away meanwhile, and that he was merely -talking to empty space, drew the line at wasting his breath in this -manner, and relapsed into silence. - -When Jack got back to the little fire he found that, short though the -time had been, Josh had made rapid headway with his supper. The pannikin -was already more than half empty, and that must be his third cup of -coffee Buster was pouring out for him. - -Everybody looked up as Jack came into camp. - -"You'll have just five minutes more, Josh, to finish your supper," was -the first thing the other said as he joined them. - -Josh looked surprised. - -"What! so soon?" he exclaimed, and then started in to devour his food -ravenously, as though determined to make the best of the limited time. - -Buster laughed softly. - -"Josh, you make me think of that old, old fellow who had his gravestone -cut, and kept it in the house for about thirty years. The neighbors were -wild with curiosity to know what he had put on the same, leaving a blank -for the date of his departure. After he was buried every one flocked to -the cemetery to read it. And this was what they found chiseled in the -stone: 'I expected this--but not so soon!'" - -Josh did not make any reply. He was indeed too busy to even laugh just -then, for in his mind the seconds were trooping past, and it went -against his grain to waste good food. - -When three minutes had passed he was ready. Meanwhile Jack had glanced -around to make sure they left nothing behind them in the shape of a -blanket or cooking utensil, none of which he felt they could spare. - -"There, I'm all ready for business!" announced Josh, climbing to his -feet, for he was really too full of supper to move with his accustomed -agility. - -"Everybody get hold of something, then," said Jack, "and we'll head for -the boat. I'll scatter the fire last of all. That's the true hunter way, -you know, never to leave a fire burning behind, because a wind may come -up and scatter the red ashes among the dead leaves. Many a forest fire -has sprung from just that folly. But in our case we've got another -reason for wanting to kill the blaze; it may keep some people guessing -to know what's become of us." - -Presently all this had been accomplished, and they were heading, Indian -file, toward the river bank. Josh led the way, laden down with things. -Then came the Serbian boy, and his little sister, who clung to -him through it all; after them Buster stumbled with his customary -awkwardness, while Jack brought up the rear to make sure that no one -strayed from the line. - -They soon arrived at the edge of the bank, where George joined them. -Buster, as he looked anxiously out at the bank of gloom marking the -river, felt a strange sensation taking possession of him. It was not -fear, though possibly the feeling could be likened to awe. - -"Makes me think of the smugglers landing on the coast of England, and -trying to evade the revenue officers with their casks of spirits," he -whispered to Josh. - -Somehow, although as yet Jack had said nothing on that score, even -Buster seemed to realize that there was great need for caution, which -was why he lowered his voice in the way he did. - -The next thing was to get aboard the boat. Jack saw to it first of all -that the brother and sister were safe, and then urged Buster to follow -suit. - -"Josh, I'm going to appoint you to the honor task," he went on to say -softly. - -"Good for you, Jack," came the low reply; "just tell me what I'm to do?" - -"George will go aboard with me, for we want to get the push-pole handy. -When I give a whistle, unfasten the cable and shove her off, climbing -over the side yourself the best way you can. Get that, Josh?" - -"Just my style, boss," he heard the other say as he started toward the -tree to which the strong rope was attached. - -Jack had examined his chart many times lately, so that he knew just -where they must be on the river. The Danube takes a sharp turn toward -the east at Belgrade, and here the Save River empties into the larger -stream. On the same shore that the little party had chosen for their -landing lies the Austrian town of Semlin; and here on the heights strong -fortifications have long menaced the Serbian capital, as well as other -batteries further along the Danube. - -It would be impossible for them to land above Belgrade in order to let -their passengers go ashore, so on this account it was necessary that -they take the two with them while running the batteries. - -Jack had regretted this, because he did not like the idea of that -innocent child sharing their danger; still, so far as he could see, -there was nothing else to be done. The Serb begged him not to think of -abandoning them while on hostile territory. He had explained by gestures -and pictures that his father had been a general in the Serbian army, and -on account of the hatred borne for his family by the Hungarians he felt -sure something terrible would happen if they fell into the hands of the -enemy and their identity were discovered. - -When Jack had everything in readiness for their hasty departure he gave -the low whistle for which Josh on shore was impatiently waiting. They -could hear him pulling the cable from around the tree trunk; then it -came aboard, and Josh started pushing the boat off. - -This required no great effort, for the water was sufficient to float -such a small craft comfortably. Having managed to get the boat started, -Josh clambered aboard and, being a nimble fellow, even though far from -himself after that hearty supper, he contrived to accomplish this -without any particular noise. - -"We're off!" said George softly, but with considerable satisfaction, as -he felt the motorboat moving under the impetus Jack was giving to the -push-pole. - -"Bully!" echoed Buster, though at the time he probably hardly knew -whether he could call himself satisfied or not; for he realized that -they were taking more or less desperate chances in trying to slip down -the river when two hostile armies were spread along the opposite banks -watching for any sign of a surprise and doubtless ready to start a hot -fire at the first indication of a crossing being attempted. - -This was especially true of the Serbians, for they knew that an invasion -of their territory was planned by the Austrian army, backed by heavy -artillery. - -Jack continued to handle that pole with more or less ability. It was no -new task for him. Any one who goes much upon the water in motorboats -learns the value of a good pole, especially when the cruise leads -through swampy sections, where it is no uncommon thing to be mired and -need other help than that afforded by the unreliable engine. - -The current began to make itself felt almost immediately they were off. -It was Jack's intention to keep on using his pole until he could no -longer touch bottom. When that time arrived they would have to let the -boat drift with the current, under the belief that it was apt to stay -fairly well out in the river. - -"Listen, everybody," said Jack about this time; "from now on silence is -going to be the golden rule aboard this craft. Don't say a single word -unless you have to, and then whisper it. That applies to every one." - -The night was fairly quiet about this time, at least there was no firing -from the batteries on the banks of the Danube, though thousands upon -thousands of armed men kept watch there, ready to lock arms in a fierce -battle when the time came. - -Long had this feeling of bitter enmity lain deep down in the hearts of -Austrian and Serb. The dual monarchy had for many years looked upon the -smaller kingdom as a tempting morsel that some day she hoped to engulf -into her capacious maw, just as had been done in the case of Bosnia and -other countries now forming parts of the Austrian patchwork of many -tongues and many people, all under the rule of Francis Joseph. And now -at last war had actually broken out, so that the scores of many years -would all have a chance of being settled before peace came again to -distracted Europe. - -Deeper grew the water, so that Jack was beginning to find some difficulty -in reaching bottom. This meant that presently there would be no further -need of the push-pole, for they would have gotten out far enough to let -the stream carry them along. - -It was about this time that sounds came stealing over the water, -causing fresh alarm. All of them could make out the distinct creak of -oars in rowlocks, being worked with a steady rhythm that told of -experienced hands in the unseen boat. - -Then the next thing they heard was a low muttered word of command, which -came from exactly the same quarter as the other noise. - -A boat was passing toward the shore they had recently left. It must have -come from over the river, and, as the monitor lay in that quarter, -evidently those who had been sent out to investigate the status of the -motorboat party had seen fit to pull straight across first, intending to -follow the trend of the shore up to the camp. - -Jack had reason to believe they would pass down before the hostile boat -drew close enough for any one to make them out; nevertheless, his heart -seemed to cease beating for the moment, such was the intense anxiety -that seized upon him. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -AMIDST BURSTING SHELLS - - -Jack did not even dare attempt to draw the push-pole up out of the -water, lest he manage in some fashion to strike it against the side of -the boat, and in this way draw the attention of the enemy. - -Everything depended on luck--and the current of the river. If this -latter proved strong enough to draw the motorboat far enough away, so -that its outlines could not be distinguished by those in the rowboat, -all might yet be well. Certainly if hearty wishes could accomplish -anything this end was likely to be achieved, for every one aboard was -hoping it would come to pass. - -Jack soon began to breathe easier. He felt sure the boat would pass back -of them, and at a sufficient distance to avoid discovery, unless -something unexpected came about to betray their presence. A sneeze just -then would have ruined everything; and Buster felt a cold chill pass -over him when he had such an inclination. He managed to ward the desire -off by rubbing both sides of his nose violently, just as he had been -taught to do by his mother when in church. - -So the sounds died out, and they now heard nothing save the gurgle of -the water or the sighing of the summer breeze among the treetops on -shore. - -Far away across the river he caught sight of a light. It was low down -and close to the water, so Jack could easily guess it marked the spot -where the Austrian monitor lay anchored. - -Upon making another trial with the pole Jack found it possible to still -touch bottom. As it was his desire to keep on pressing out as far as -they could go, so as to approach near the middle of the river, he -continued to exert himself. Every yard gained counted for just so much, -and now was the time to do it. Later on the opportunity would have -passed, and it might be too late. - -When they arrived at the point where the Save joined forces with the -Danube it was expected that the influence of this new flow of water -would add to the swiftness of their passage. - -Jack knew that it would be an hour of greatest anxiety while they -remained in the region dominated by those big guns. At any minute they -might be discovered by some unlucky accident, such as the moon coming -out from her concealment, or the breeze rising so as to carry away the -gathering fog. - -He had everything ready so that the engine could be started up instantly -should they have reason to believe they were seen from the Austrian -shore. As a last resort he was intending to make for the Serbian bank, -in hopes of finding shelter there. At least, if captured by the Serbs, -they would be treated decently, once the identity of their passengers -had been learned. - -The minutes crept slowly past. - -All they could do was to sit there and turn their heads to look eagerly -first this way and then that. - -Feeling a tug at his sleeve, Jack turned toward Josh, who was closest to -him. - -"Look yonder; there are lights, Jack!" whispered the other in his ear. - -Jack guessed that this must be Belgrade, though at the time the Serbian -capital, being the subject of bombardment, lay almost in darkness, so -that the vigilant foe across the river might not have the range. - -Somehow it interested Jack deeply to see those few meager lights where -at other times the sky might have blazed with the electric glow, for -Belgrade was always a little Paris of the Balkans. It seemed to speak of -the terrible results that must follow in the train of a brutal war, -civilization giving way to barbarity. - -And there off to the right must be the Save River, flowing from far up -in the region between the Croatian and the Bosnian provinces of Austria. - -Back of this stream he knew there were heavy fortifications dominating -the distant Serbian capital. It would seem that Austria had taken -particular pains to threaten her fiery little neighbor on the south, -possibly in hopes of some day stirring up another hornets' nest in the -Balkans, through which she might attain her selfish ends and annex new -territory. - -As their course did not lie in that direction Jack bothered himself not -at all in connection with the Save batteries. He was, however, deeply -interested in the ones he knew were located upon the lower heights. What -peril they must face would spring from this source. - -It was perhaps only natural that just then Jack should suddenly remember -what had been said about searchlights. He wondered whether any were in -use in this section of the fighting zone. Germans, French and British -would certainly have carried such necessary appliances with them, but it -was uncertain whether the Serbs or the Austrians had seen fit to install -them here. - -Now they seemed to be sweeping around the bend in the river. Jack could -feel a new motion to the boat, which he believed must come from the -addition of the Save waters to those of the Danube. - -He watched both shores alternately. It was almost impossible to make out -anything except where some height was dimly outlined against the clouded -sky line. Then he turned his eyes aloft. The moon had risen, for in the -east it was light compared to the west, though nothing of her silvery -disc could be discovered. - -Would the clouds continue to befriend the fugitives of the Danube -through the dangerous passage of the batteries? If there came a break -above even for a brief interval it might spell ruin for their hopes. And -so Jack hoped most fervently that the clouds would prove merciful and -keep on shutting off that light which, coming at an unfortunate moment, -might mean their betrayal. - -Without the slightest warning there came a sudden fearful sound. At the -same instant they saw a vivid flash far back on the Austrian heights. -Seconds followed, marked by the accelerated pulsations of their hearts. -Then followed a crash and a flash over the place where the boys knew the -capital lay in darkness and gloom. - -The bombardment of Belgrade had begun again. Some plan of campaign was -being followed out that had to do with either the utter destruction of -the city or else the rout of its defenders, so that a hostile army could -make the crossing in safety, something they did not dare attempt as long -as the Serbs remained in their trenches awaiting their coming. - -The mere fact of its being night made no difference. Long ago the -Austrians had undoubtedly platted everything out and secured the range -for their big guns on the heights back of the river. They could fire -just as accurately in utter darkness as in broad daylight, for the -shells were hurled with mathematical precision, each one being timed to -explode at a certain second. - -As if that first shot were looked upon as a defiance, several Serb guns -took up the challenge. It was inspiring to see the shells burst like -giant skyrockets far up on the heights. Evidently others besides the -Austrians had occupied their spare time in getting distances all down to -a fine point, for the Serbian gunners managed to drop their projectiles -in given places, where they threatened to smash some of the tremendous -war engines of the enemy. - -The boys knew that it was much too late for them to think of turning -back now. In fact, such a thing was utterly impossible, much as they -might have wished it. All they could do was to keep on floating down the -river, trusting in their customary good luck to escape harm. - -They could hear strange noises as the reverberations died out, which -Jack knew must be made by the whizzing shells far above them. It gave -him a thrill to realize the fact that he and his three chums were thus -brought into the very whirlwind of war, with deadly engines of -destruction busy on all sides of them. - -Even the anchored monitor several miles up the river joined in the -music, for that partly muffled roar seemed to come from the direction -they knew her to be in. - -The two passengers had remained perfectly silent all this while, though -their faces kept turned toward the spot where they knew the darkened -city must lie. It was easy for Jack to imagine what their thoughts must -be at such a time as this. No one could say how long this bombardment -had been going on, or what sort of damage the terrible shells exploding -may have done among the numerous fine buildings of the Serbian capital. - -By now it might be lying a mass of ruins for aught they knew; and -somewhere in the midst their mother had been living the last they heard -from her. Yes, Jack could easily appreciate what agonies of mind the -couple must be enduring as they crouched there in each other's arms, and -with throbbing hearts listened to the hoarse crash of the opposing guns, -the one friendly and the other freighted with hatred and animosity. - -There was, of course, no danger to the party on the motorboat from the -shells that were passing so high overhead, describing a parabola in -their flight, something after the manner of a rainbow. Jack's fears were -along other lines. - -If, as he suspected, this night bombardment on the part of the Austrian -batteries was meant to occupy the attention of their foes while a force -of troops was being ferried over the river or a temporary bridge made of -pontoons and planks thrown across, it would mean that sooner or later -the fugitives must be brought up with a round turn and find themselves -caught in a trap. - -One shell burst prematurely, and almost overhead, giving them a severe -shock, for the sound was deafening. All of them involuntarily dropped -down and held their breath in suspense. Then they heard missiles -striking the water all around with an angry hiss, some of them terribly -close. - -"Nothing doing!" muttered Josh, when the fusillade had stopped and it -became evident that they had escaped being struck. - -"It was a narrow escape, all the same," said Jack, with deep gratitude -in his voice, though at the same time he remembered to keep his tones -low. - -All of them were fervently hoping there would be no more short fuses -with the shells that were screaming overhead. It was bad enough to be -passing underneath such a rain of fire without incurring the added peril -of being unintentionally struck. - -Back and forth the duel continued. The Serbian gunners were evidently -bent on giving as good as they received. They also hoped, no doubt, to -make things so warm up there on the heights that the Austrians would -cease firing in order to save their guns from being dismounted. - -Every yard counted for the fugitives. Hope grew stronger in the heart of -Buster as they continued to glide along on the bosom of the river and -nothing happened to disturb this feeling of increasing confidence. He -really began to believe, perhaps for the first time, that they were -going, after all, to float beyond the dangerous zone and find safety -below. - -As he afterwards declared, Buster lived years during that period of -suspense. It seemed to him that minutes must be hours, for each one was -fraught with such unlimited possibilities of evil that such things as -seconds were not to be reckoned with at all. - -The friendly clouds still held the moon from coming forth to betray -them, and it was undoubtedly true that they were passing the worst of -the line of bombardment. Given just a certain amount of time and they -could count themselves safe from that source of danger. - -There remained the possibility of coming upon the Austrian forces below -starting to bridge the river or cross on boats. - -Jack believed that it was not wise for a white man to shout until he was -fully out of the woods. While the prospect certainly looked hopeful, he -would not allow himself to believe the danger was over until many more -miles had been passed. - -Between Belgrade and the Iron Gate, which latter is situated at the -junction of Austria, Serbia and Rumania, there is a stretch of river -nearly a hundred miles in extent. Here the Danube makes another sharp -turn amidst wonderful scenery, and for a long distance forms the -boundary between Serbia and Rumania. - -Jack realized full well that they could not count themselves free from -peril until they saw the shore of Rumania on their left. He hardly knew -whether it would be wise for them to try and make progress during -daylight, for they might be picked up at any time by Austrian soldiers -afloat on the river, or made the target of concealed guns ashore, under -the impression that the motorboat must belong to Serbs. - -Josh, being an ardent chap and easily influenced by outer appearances, -actually believed everything was going the right way, and that they had -escaped from the jaws of another dilemma. Only for Jack's caution he -would very likely have been inclined to voice his delight in some -boisterous way; but he did not dare give his feelings full sway. - -So far the current had done all they could have asked. It had swept the -boat onward persistently, and without any sound to betray them. Before -now, doubtless, those men from the anchored monitor must have found -where they had built their little cooking fire and learned that the -mysterious motorboat had vanished, either down the river or back again -whence it came. Jack was not bothering himself in the least about the -things that were gone. The wheel of the mill would never turn again with -the water that was past, according to his notion. - -He kept looking ahead all the time. Something was bothering him, -undoubtedly, for Josh discovered that the skipper had his hand up to -his ear, as though trying to add to his powers of hearing. - -"What is it, Jack?" he whispered. - -"I saw lights below, moving lights, and something is going on, I'm -afraid," Jack told him. "The sound of the guns deadens everything. I -believe it is being kept up on purpose to hide something else. See, you -can catch the lights I spoke about now." - -"Say, I thought I caught something like hammering just then, Jack," said -the other in fresh excitement. "Do you think the Austrians can be trying -to get some of their troops across the river under cover of the darkness -and fog?" - -"I've been afraid we'd find that was the meaning of all the firing," -Jack answered. "The Austrians don't dare try it in broad daylight, but -hope to push enough men over to-night to hold a bridge-head, and then -follow with their field artillery." - -"But what would they try to do, cross on boats, Jack?" - -"If that was hammering we really heard," came the reply, "then it means -they are trying to spread a pontoon bridge across the Danube. Long -before dawn they could land thousands of men with many guns on the -Serbian side of the river." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE SMASHING OF THE PONTOON BRIDGE - - -"It must be a bridge they're building," said Josh presently, "because -just then I saw a light move along, as if held by some one who was -running." - -Sounds began to reach them at the same time, which were very significant. -On the whole Jack realized that there could no longer be the slightest -doubt about the fact that the Austrians were pushing out a pontoon bridge -with all the haste they could throw into the undertaking. - -Already they seemed to be much more than half-way across the river, -having, no doubt, selected a place where it was not unusually wide. And -what were the Serbs doing all this while? Had they been caught napping, -so that when the dawn broke the enemy would have secured a firm footing -on the southern bank of the disputed river and could move the balance of -his forces across at his leisure? - -It looked that way, though Jack doubted it very much. From what he had -read and heard of the people of the smaller kingdom he believed they -were too smart not to see through the device of the enemy. He rather -fancied they were in force somewhere in the darkness shrouding the -southern bank, and that just when the Austrians were congratulating -themselves on having met with splendid success something was scheduled -to happen calculated to give the invaders a surprise. - -Jack realized that it was folly for them to continue down the river. If -the pontoon bridge had already reached a point three-quarters of the way -across, the workers on it would quickly discover the oncoming motorboat. -Indeed, the chances were the craft must bump up against one of the -pontoons and could get no further. - -This would be bad enough, but Jack fancied there was something ten times -more dreadful awaiting them if they reached the swaying structure. -Should the waiting Serbs conclude the time had come to put an end to -this bridge building, a hurricane of shot and shell would be hurled -across the scanty water separating them from the shore, and few there -would be who could escape the rain of missiles. - -That was no place for neutrals, Jack decided. The only thing that -remained for them to do was to make speedily for the shore. To -accomplish this desired end it would be necessary for them to start up -the engine at once, though Jack meant to keep the muffler in place and -cut out all the noise he could, not wishing to draw attention to that -quarter. - -That was where the benefit of preparedness came in handy. It took him -but three seconds to accomplish what he wanted to do. Following the -cranking there came a series of explosions that were not very loud, and -immediately the boat started off at a lively clip. - -Every one waited with more or less nervousness to see if anything -happened, but not a shot was fired. Those at work on the swinging bridge -were in too feverish a condition of making haste to bother about a few -spluttering sounds like that; while the concealed Serbs, if there were -really any such near by, did not want to disclose the fact of their -presence in the vicinity by doing anything prematurely. - -Jack immediately swung the boat around and headed up-stream again. He -fancied they were a little too close to the pontoon bridge-builders for -safety if anything did happen, as he fully expected would be the case. - -When he had gone a short distance he headed for the southern shore, -meaning to come to the land and stay there until something was decided, -one way or the other. - -"Slow up, Jack!" exclaimed Josh, who was shading his eyes with his hand, -though more from habit than because he thought it aided him in seeing. -"We're close to the bank now." - -Cutting off the power, Jack allowed the boat to glide forward. George -had taken up the push-pole, and with this he proceeded to help things -along. So they presently came into shallow water and ran aground close -to the shore, which stood out above them against the gray sky, there -being something of a small bluff. - -So far everything had worked well. Jack felt they had reason to be more -than satisfied with the progress made. Here they could remain in secret -and await coming events. If the bridge were finished, and the Austrians -commenced passing over, the boys would have to make some new plans -looking to the future. Everything depended on the next half hour. - -The furious hammering up on the distant heights across the river still -continued, and Serbian guns answered every shot, so that it might not -appear they were either lacking in ammunition or courage. - -There was a stir in the middle of the boat. Jack could easily guess that -the two passengers were aware of the fact that they could easily spring -over the side and find their feet pressing their native soil. Now was -the time for them to go ashore. They could either flee to the interior -or else risk everything in entering the capital after the bombardment -had ceased once more, in search of the mother, who had been last heard -from there. - -The boy gripped each one of them by the hand. What he said they could -not understand, though it was easy to guess the meaning of his warm -words of thanks. They had each one of them to kiss the little girl, for -Josh boldly started it and no one wished to be left out. - -After that the Serbian lad jumped over the side, standing in water up to -his ankles, and lifted his sister to dry ground. The four motorboat -chums saw them no more, but they would always remember the incident with -pleasure. - -After the two had gone Jack breathed more easily. He felt that he could -face the future, no matter what it had in store for them, with a better -spirit, now that the pretty little girl had been removed from danger in -their company. Besides, it must always be a source of satisfaction to -himself and mates to remember that they had been enabled to prove of -more or less assistance to those who were in deep trouble, with no way -out of the difficulty save by the help of the American lads. - -"I wonder now if the Serbs are asleep at the switch while all this thing -is going on below here?" George said, after a little more time had -passed, and they could hear the working human beavers on the pontoon -bridge more plainly than ever. - -"Don't you believe it," Josh told him. "Look up and see what a splendid -ambush this little bluff would make. Well, take my word for it, down -below there Serbs are crouching in bunches, waiting with their machine -guns until just when it seems the bridge is going to be joined with the -shore. Then you'll hear something drop!" - -"My stars!" muttered Buster, "I wouldn't want to be one of those poor -fellows at work with those pontoons, not for all the gold in King -Solomon's mine I wouldn't. They won't have a ghost of a show, I'm -afraid." - -"But we're far enough away from the place not to be in danger--how about -that, Jack?" George went on to say in a cautious tone. - -"Only a random shot could come this way, if the Austrians on the other -shore start things going. I don't believe they will, because they'll be -afraid of hitting their own men." - -"This is exciting, all right," ventured Josh. - -"Well, better all keep still again," Jack remarked; "we might attract -some attention, you know, and that's the last thing we want to do right -now. If the bridge is destroyed we can wait a while until things cool -off, and then try our luck again, dropping down with the current." - -They kept as well behind the side of the boat as possible, acting on -Jack's advice, though the thin shell could hardly serve as a means of -protection in case a projectile of any sort came that way. - -Once more the minutes dragged fearfully, though their suspense was -hardly of the same personal nature as before. It seemed to Buster that -there was a mine to be exploded out there on the river, and that those -soldiers who were working feverishly to complete the bridge must be -directly over it. Any second now they might expect to hear a dreadful -crash, and catch the shouts of those who were in range of the firing, as -well as the rending of the boats under the rain of missiles. - -Nearer still the Austrian bridge builders were coming. They had been -well trained in their business, those army engineers, and worked -methodically, even while laboring under a tremendous strain both of body -and mind. - -Jack, chancing to come in contact with Buster, found the other shivering -as if he had the ague. He knew that it was due to agitation consequent -upon excitement. Doubtless the beads of perspiration were rolling down -Buster's cheeks at the same time, even though the night air was rather -chilly now instead of being warm. - -Jack was glad he had been wise enough to come back up the river some -little distance before reaching land. If the Austrian batteries turned -some of their guns on that shore later, the boys would stand less chance -of being hit when the mighty shells exploded along the bluff. - -"Oh! I wish it was all over with!" groaned Josh, upon whom the dreadful -suspense was telling terribly. - -Hardly had he said this than the very atmosphere about them seemed to be -rent with a tremendous explosion. A gun had been fired not far away, for -the fire blazed forth from the little bluff almost over their heads. -There was heard a dreadful rending of planks and boats, accompanied by -shouts and shrieks. - -This was the opening gun. - -Almost immediately there leaped from the shore below the boys what -looked like a long zigzag line of fire. Accompanying it came the -discordant grinding of numerous machine guns, sending a constant stream -of missiles out there upon the swaying pontoon bridge. - -The darkness was for the time being dispelled, and the boys saw with -staring eyes such a vivid picture as comes seldom in the lives of any -one not a soldier. It fascinated even while appalling them by its -horrible reality. - -The constant flashing of the rapid-fire guns dazzled their eyes, but at -the same time they could see the strange low bridge built upon the -aligned pontoons. It had been hastily but fairly well constructed, -considering that the workmen had to handle their tools in almost utter -darkness. Instinct and long practice had to take the place of eyesight. - -They were swarming like bees all over the structure even then, some -carrying planks and others hurrying back for new burdens. Just on the -down-river side the boys could catch glimpses of many who seemed to be -pushing other pontoons out, by holding on to the part of the bridge -already finished. These they expected to use in filling the remaining -gap between the present terminus of the bridge and the intended -anchorage on the bank. - -Alas! they were never given the opportunity to carry out their well-laid -plans. That hurricane of lead and iron was sweeping everything before -it. Men were going down by dozens; some plunged from the bridge into the -river, seeking to take the chances of being drowned to the certainty of -death in that hailstorm of deadly messengers. - -Every conceivable manner of outcry could be heard. Men shrieked, and -shouted, and probably swore in their own language. They were sprawled -out all over the shuddering bridge, some crawling, others perfectly -still. It seemed to be a regular shambles the wide-awake Serbs had made -of that promising pontoon bridge. Instead of being "asleep at the -switch," as one of the boys had hinted, it seemed that they had set a -sly trap, and simply bided their time, waiting until the enemy had -almost completed his work before setting out to demolish it. - -Again the boys heard that larger gun somewhere close by give tongue. As -they continued to stare as though spellbound they saw that this time the -gunner had planned to smash the bridge half-way across. True had been -his aim, for the missile cut a passage completely through the pontoons, -leaving a gap some four feet or more wide there. - -Josh gave vent to a cry; he could no longer suppress the emotion that -seemed to be overpowering him. Unless he did something, or said -something, he would begin to believe it must all be a horrible -nightmare. - -"Look, oh! look!" was what he exclaimed shrilly, forgetting all need of -caution, for the guns were still grinding forth with that weird strain -that, once heard, could never be forgotten; "they've smashed the bridge -over there with that shell! This half of it is beginning to break up and -float away with the current. It's all going to pieces, I tell you!" - -They could see that Josh had not overestimated the terrible damage that -had been wrought by that cleverly aimed shell. Deprived of its supports, -the near end of the line of pontoons had already yielded to the drag of -the current and was beginning to pass down-stream. As it went it also -commenced to break into smaller sections. Here a boat sank, having been -pierced by some of the numerous bits of flying metal. Again others broke -away and floated off by themselves, often with dead or living freight. - -The whole surface of the water seemed to be dotted with innumerable -fragments of what only three minutes before had been a splendid specimen -of engineering skill. The Serbs had waited until just the right time to -strike their blow. They had made it felt, too, for the Austrian losses -must have been terribly severe. More than that even, the injury to the -_morale_ of the dual kingdom's troops must have counted for a whole lot, -while renewed confidence would be the portion of the defenders of the -southern bank. - -It was almost like a strange dream to some of the boys. Buster, who had -gazed at the wonderful spectacle with distended eyes, might have been -noticed to pinch himself violently on the leg, as though hardly able to -believe that he was really awake and looking at such a picture of war's -horrors. - -The firing had mostly stopped by now, only that big gun sent another -shell over, and succeeded in cutting another third of the pontoons -loose, to be carried down-stream in a state approaching chaos. - -Once again did darkness fall like a merciful curtain upon the scene. The -boys were glad to have its horrors shut out from their sight. Never so -long as they lived would they be likely to forget that smashing of the -pontoon bridge. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE AFTERMATH OF BATTLE - - -"Was it real, and did we see that bridge knocked into flinders?" asked -Buster, when the terrific racket had in the main died out and it was -possible for them to exchange comments or ask each others' advice. - -"As genuine as anything that ever crossed our path," replied Josh. "Ugh! -wasn't it fierce, though, to see those poor Austrians crawling like ants -all over the old thing when it began to break up? Some of them were -badly wounded, too. I tell you, we'll be seeing that sight many a time -when we wake up from a bad dream." - -"But what are we going to do now, fellows?" George wanted to know. - -"The way is clear again," suggested Josh, helplessly. - -"And will be right along to-night, unless those Austrian engineers try -to shove out another lot of their pontoons, to be smashed into kindling -wood," George said. - -"There they begin firing again!" exclaimed Buster, in a fresh tremor; -"oh! I wonder what's in the wind now." - -"It's all from over the river on the Austrian side, you notice," Jack -remarked, after the crash of a shell had been heard not a sixth of a -mile below them and apparently close to the bluff that marked the -river's edge. - -"They're as mad as hops over the smart way the Serbs knocked their -bridge down, seems like," suggested Buster. - -"That's where your head's level, Buster!" exclaimed Josh; "if they can't -have the game go their own way they won't play in the Serbs' back-yard. -So now they're meaning to shell the river bank over here." - -"What for?" asked the fat chum wonderingly. "They can't see a single one -of the Serbs' batteries, or even a man for that matter." - -"But they've located the different spots where that hot fire came from, -and are hoping to get a few of the enemy guns with their big shells," -continued Josh, who could always be depended on to do the explaining -when he grasped a subject himself. - -"Well, then, I do hope they won't drop a shell over this way and give us -a bad scare," said Buster. - -"That's a fact; that gun by which the bridge was cut to pieces did get -in its work from near by here!" added George uneasily. - -"I heard men talking and horses whinnying between the bursts of firing," -said Jack; "so I reckon they cleared out just as soon as their work was -done. That's the case, too, all along the line, the batteries and their -supporting columns falling back to new positions so as to avoid the -bombardment they know mighty well is going to come." - -Sitting there in the boat, they watched the fitful flashes of fire on -the ridge far back from the river. It was much more thrilling than any -storm they had ever seen; and then would come the crash as each enormous -shell exploded on the southern side of the hotly contested stream that -served as the border between the hostile countries. - -Once there was a frightful detonation not far away from where the boys -huddled aboard the little motorboat. The Austrian gunners had commenced -to send missiles toward the spot from which the Serb gun had barked. -Doubtless a terrible hole had been knocked in the bluff, a cavity that -looked like a crater resulting from the explosion. - -Every one of them had felt the shock attending the bursting of the high -explosive shell, though luckily none of the fragments chanced to -scatter in their direction. - -"Oh! that was an awful crack!" groaned Buster, as though his heart might -have tried to jump into his throat and partly choke him. "I do hope they -won't give us an encore. A hundred feet further this way and our name -would have been Dennis." - -"Huh!" grumbled George, "better say it would be Mud, because we'd have -gone into the river with tons of the earth here." - -"Listen! The Serbs are replying now!" said Jack. - -"And that gun sounded exactly like the one that knocked the bridge to -bits," added Josh. - -"Let's hope, then, the fellows across on the hills there recognize its -bark!" George exclaimed with considerable fervor, "and realize that it -isn't around this region any longer. Then they won't bother wasting any -more of their ammunition in bombarding this place." - -Apparently this was just what happened, for that shell was not followed -by others, much to the relief of the boys. Buster in his heart even -forgave the Austrians all they had done to nearly frighten him to death -because of their forbearance now. - -"No use wasting your good stuff any more, Mr. Austrian General," he -announced, "because the bully little Serbs have been too smart for you. -They shot their bolt and then changed partners, just like you might do -in dancing the Lancers. So call it off and settle down again." - -The firing still kept up, however. - -"They've got oceans of ammunition up there," remarked George, "and have -been just aching to expend some of it, which is why they keep on -whanging away when they haven't any more chance to hit anything than -you'd meet with in finding a needle in a haystack." - -"But they won't try to keep it up all night long, I hope?" Buster -observed. - -"Not much danger of that," Jack told him, knowing the other was -fretting. - -"I wonder if the boy and his kid sister will manage to get into -Belgrade, and also find their mother alive?" Josh went on to say, -showing that even in the midst of all that horrible confusion he could -let his thoughts stray to the pair whom they had so generously assisted -in their great trouble. - -"We'll hope so, anyway," George added, for he, too, had been greatly -drawn to the winsome little lassie with the bright eyes, now able to see -as well as any one. - -"I can see lights moving across the river and low down," announced the -keen-eyed Josh just then, and his words gave Buster a thrill. - -"My stars! I wonder if those stubborn Austrians are meaning to tackle -the job again and try a second bridge? They may have a new lot of -pontoons, you know, and want to use them. Some people never can take a -hint, it seems, and that one from the Serbs was as strong as anything -could be. 'No trespass' was the sign they nailed to that bridge when -they scattered it over the water." - -"'Keep off the grass,' you'd better say, Buster," corrected Josh -whimsically. - -"I hardly think they're reckless enough to make another attempt at this -place to-night," Jack told them. "When they get ready to try again it -will be in a locality further removed from Belgrade. They can always -hope to catch the Serbs off their guard, you know." - -"But then what are those lights moving around over there for?" demanded -Buster. - -"You can see others further down the river in the bargain," Josh -explained. "In my humble opinion they're looking up their wounded, and -trying to pick up any who managed to swim ashore below." - -"You notice that the Serbs are not interfering with them at all," Jack -continued, "which goes to show they believe just as Josh here said, and -that it's the Red Cross corps working along the river bank." - -"I guess the Serbs feel satisfied with what they've done to-night," -was George's comment. "Not only have they smashed the bridge of the -Austrians, but must have killed and wounded hundreds of the enemy. All -this with little loss to themselves. It's going to make them feel their -oats, let me tell you." - -"Still Austria is so powerful that sooner or later a force three times -as big as the Serbian army can be thrown across the Danube to invade the -country. When it does come to that, though," added Josh, "I give you my -word for it, they'll fight like tigers." - -"You notice that the firing is dying down again, don't you?" asked Jack. - -Only an occasional shot still sounded. When it did come the deep -grumbling echoes rumbled back and forth between the opposing heights -until they died away in softer cadence in the distance. - -"How will we go from here, Jack?" questioned George. "Will it be safe to -start up the engine while we're so close by?" - -"I was studying that very thing, George," replied the other, "and had -about made up my mind that it would be much better for us to repeat what -we did before." - -"That means push out with the pole, and let the boat float on the -current, eh, Jack?" - -"After we get a mile or two further down the river we can think of using -a little power and increasing our speed. But this is dangerous ground, -you know," was what the skipper went on to say. - -Buster knew that the time was coming, and very soon now, when they would -again be on the move. He was glad of it, and yet at the same time viewed -the approaching change of base with fresh anxiety. So many perils seemed -to yawn in front of them, and all with ominous aspect. - -He stared out upon the darkened river, though, of course, it was little -he could see. Still, to Buster just then it was peopled with enemies of -every type, men in boats moving around seeking trouble, and ready to -strike hard at the first sign of opposition. - -Buster found himself between the two horns of a dilemma; he wanted to -get away from there, and at the same time hated to incur fresh perils. -As generally happened with him, in the end he decided to put himself -entirely in the hands of his three mates and let them settle the matter -as they thought fit. - -Which was possibly the best thing Buster could have done. - -By the time another ten minutes had crept past Jack began to bestir -himself. - -"Is it time?" asked Buster dubiously. - -"The firing seems to have stopped entirely," he was told, "and if that's -the case, the sooner we're out of here the better." - -Of course, there would be Serb sentries posted all along the river bank, -unseen in the darkness, but ever vigilant to detect and report anything -suspicious that might take place. On the other hand, some of the -Austrians might have put out in boats stationed below on purpose, -meaning to search for wounded men among the floating fragments of the -pontoon bridge. - -Once Jack put some of his strength into his work and they could feel the -boat gliding away from the shoal water where they had been lying quietly -for such a length of time. - -Buster drew a long breath, and tried to pierce the gloom by which they -were surrounded. If there was anything he hated it was that sense of -impending evil, with not the slightest chance to ward it off. Still he -got a grip on himself, and determined that if the others could stand it -he must do the same. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -A RESCUE BY THE WAY - - -As soon as they were out a short distance from the shore the ever-present -current took hold of the boat, and they found that they were beginning to -move down the river. - -Jack worked hard at his task. He knew it would be to their advantage to -get as far away from the bank as possible before passing the places -where the Serbs had lain in ambush. There would be less danger of their -presence on the water being discovered in that case. - -Josh hovered near by. Unable to resist the temptation, he finally took -hold of the pole while Jack was pushing, and "leaned on it" in a way to -render considerable assistance. - -Everything seemed to be working in a satisfactory manner so far as -making good progress went. If it kept up for a few minutes more Jack -believed they would have achieved their end. - -A single shot coming from further down the river on the northern bank -gave him some little cause for uneasiness lest the fierce bombardment -break out again. It proved to be a false alarm, since nothing followed, -the Serbs never even taking the trouble to respond to the invitation. -They had taken up new positions, and apparently were averse to letting -the enemy "feel them out." - -Now they must have reached the place where the swaying bridge made of -heavy planks laid upon successive pontoon boats had a short while before -been in the process of completion. - -It gave the boys a queer sensation to remember this. Over the spot which -they were now passing had swept that hurricane of missiles, mowing down -the engineers engaged in bridge building as though they might be wheat -falling before the reaper. - -All was clear now, not a sign of the recent dreadful engagement being -visible. Further down the river doubtless there would be met with -fragments of the wrecked bridge. Jack knew that later on they would have -to keep on the lookout for all such obstacles to a safe passage; but -there would be little or no danger up to the time they started the -engine and increased their pace. - -About that time, when all of them felt exceedingly nervous over the -possibility of being fired upon, possibly Buster may not have been the -only one of the little party who called himself a fool for having -accepted this risk. - -It was too late now for vain regrets, however; they had made their beds -and must lie in them. - -"Well, we're past that awful place, anyway," whispered Buster presently; -and no doubt, while the others did not echo his words, they felt just -about as the stout chum did. - -"Do you know," Josh was saying cautiously, "the way that bridge went to -pieces made me think of a house of cards when you blow at it." - -"Please don't talk any more just now," asked Jack; "we're still too -close to the bank, and you might be heard." - -"Correct!" said Josh, which in his vernacular was as much as asking Jack -to excuse his break. - -After they had floated along for some time, and Jack figured that they -must by then have covered all of two miles, he decided it would be safe -to start the engine. Of course, this could not be done without more or -less popping and similar noise, try the best he was able; but Jack -figured that the Serbs would not open fire for several good and -sufficient reasons. - -In the first place, they knew they had nothing to fear from one small -launch, no matter if it were an enemy craft. Then again, as the Austrian -Red Cross was undoubtedly searching for victims of that fusillade, there -was a chance that this might be one of their units pursuing a mission -of mercy. - -Accordingly Jack started things up. - -The engine responded readily to treatment, much to the satisfaction of -Buster, who had been entertaining serious fears. The motor had proved -tricky on one other occasion, he remembered, and on this account he -wondered what they would ever do should it go back on them again. - -They were now in the war zone, and it would hardly be possible to get -repairs made and secure permission to continue down the Danube on their -cruise. - -Of course, Jack did not think to put on a full head of power; that would -hardly have been wise while they were apt to come upon floating remnants -of the bridge at any time. - -"Josh, you can help me now if you want to," he presently told the other. - -"Give your orders, then, Commodore." - -"Crawl up forward, and keep as close a watch on the water as you can," -Jack told him. "I mean directly in front of us, because it might get us -in trouble if we ran smack into one of those pontoons out here in the -middle of the river." - -"I get your meaning, all right," responded Josh, starting to carry the -plan out. "I'll call myself the lookout man, and signal you to back her -in case I see any sign of trouble ahead." - -"Give a sharp whistle, and I'll know what that means," the skipper told -him. - -So Josh crept past Jack and sprawled there in the extreme bow. He -possessed good eyesight, and was likely to discover any floating object -long before they were in danger of striking the same. - -Buster, too, strained his eyes in order to try and supplement the good -work; but George contented himself with lolling there in a comfortable -position. What was the use, he doubtless figured, of everybody getting -excited? If later on Josh wanted some one to "spell" him George would be -quite willing to assume the responsibility; but he did not mean to wear -out his eyes when not on duty. And no doubt George was quite right. - -Things were going on so well that every one felt much encouraged. Buster -was even trying to figure on what sort of speed they were making, and -where they would arrive if able to keep on at this pace all through that -night. - -"Jack said it was about a hundred miles down to the Iron Gate," he told -himself, "where the river makes a turn and starts to divide Serbia from -Rumania. Wonder if we could make half of that between now and morning, -and what would we do through the day? I must ask Jack first chance I -get if he thinks it would be safe for us to keep on down the river by -daylight, with soldiers guarding every mile of the banks and ordering us -to come ashore and explain who we are." - -Just then Buster gave a sudden start, for Josh had whistled sharply. -Jack instantly cut off the power and then started to reverse the engine -so that their headway might be reduced to next to nothing. - -"Steady, Jack; we're going to come alongside a pontoon that seems to be -partly filled with water!" said Josh in a stage whisper. - -He leaned still further over the bow, as though bent upon reaching out -to fend off from the object that was floating like a derelict upon the -bosom of the great river. - -"I've got it all right, fellows," Josh continued saying; "and would you -believe it, there's a wounded man in the same! Guess he'd have gone down -in less'n ten minutes only for our coming along." - -"What's that you say, Josh?" asked Buster eagerly, "a wounded man! How -do you know but what he's dead?" - -"Because he's sitting up here," came the prompt reply. - -Jack knew what that meant. They could not leave a poor fellow badly -injured to go down with the leaking pontoon. - -"We've got to get him aboard here, that's flat!" said George, as though -voicing what was passing through the mind of each of his chums just -then. - -Jack left the wheel and, passing along the side of the boat, leaned -over. Yes, there was a man in the sinking pontoon. He did not appear -to know whether they would turn out to be friends or foes; but his -situation was desperate, and upon seeing several heads appear in view -he commenced saying something in a weak voice. - -"That's Magyar, of course," remarked George; "but the trouble is none of -us can translate a word of the same. However, that doesn't make any -difference. Shall we help him over the side, Jack?" - -"Three of us can do the business, easy enough," responded the other. - -When the Austrian engineer realized that they meant him to leave his -wretched float and clamber into the motorboat, he lost no time in -starting to obey; though his actions quickly told them he must be very -weak, either through loss of blood or from the shock of his wound. - -Once he was deposited in the cabin, Jack sent Josh again to the lookout, -and himself started the engine. The man had sunk upon the cushioned -seat as though quite content to take things as he found them. He heard -these unknown parties speaking in what he must have known was English, -and was no doubt much astonished. Just the main thing with him was being -rescued from the fate that had been threatening him with a watery grave. - -"Jack, he's pretty badly hurt, I reckon," suggested George soon -afterward. - -"Well, something ought to be done for him, that's certain," the skipper -started to say. "Do you think you could manage it, George? I don't want -to give up the wheel, and Josh is really needed forward there." - -George did not hesitate long. He guessed that it might be anything but a -pleasant task, but then George had learned long ago not to shrink -because things were not always delightful. - -"I'm willing to do the best I can, Jack," he said quickly. - -"I knew you would, George, and there's not one of us can dress a wound -better than you, once you set your mind to the job. Get Buster to help -you, George." - -"Sure I will," spoke up the stout chum, "though I'm not clever at -handling sick people, and always shiver at sight of blood. But you'll -need some kind of light to work by, won't you, George?" - -"Wait," said Jack. "You remember I've got that little vest pocket -electric torch. I've been saving it because I'm afraid the battery will -soon run out. But this is just the time to make use of it." - -He thereupon handed Buster the article in question, a small nickeled -affair not over three inches in length. When the button was pressed -there came a shaft of light that was fairly strong. - -"Just the ticket, Jack," announced George, who was removing his coat -with a business-like air that quite tickled Buster, who thought George -already seemed to take on a professional look. - -They could now see that the man taken from the sinking pontoon was a -young Austrian soldier. He had no marks on his uniform to prove him -anything save a private, but that made no difference to the boys. They -had seen how those engineering corps men had taken their lives in their -hands in order to bridge the Danube so that the artillery might be -transported across to the other bank, and had also watched them going -down by scores when that furious fire burst out from the hidden Serbian -trenches. On this account they must honor him as a brave man. - -He knew what George was about to do. Perhaps, after all, taking off his -coat was the sign that made his intentions clear to one who could not -understand English very well. - -Buster shut his teeth hard when the light focussed on the man showed -that one of his arms was bloody. Still he did not quail, for Buster -could do a thing once he put his mind to it. - -George set to work. The Austrian soldier understood that he was to -help as well as he could, and between them they managed to get the -water-soaked coat off. Then the sleeve of his shirt was carefully rolled -up, disclosing the wound. - -It was enough to make one with a stouter heart than Buster shudder, for -the cut was severe, and had bled a great deal. From his pack George took -some linen bandages, without which his mother would not have let him -leave home. He had other appliances in the bargain, among which was -surgeon's adhesive plaster, with which to keep the ends of bandages in -place. - -First of all George proceeded to wash the wound, Buster getting him some -water from the river in a tin basin they carried. After that he applied -the soothing salve that was intended to purify and take away some of the -pain that would be sure to follow on the morrow. - -Jack glanced in every little while, and saw that George was getting on -splendidly, having tied a tourniquet above the wound in order to stop -the bleeding. He was now engaged in winding a bandage tightly around the -arm in a most professional way. - -The man appeared to be very grateful. He said something once in a while, -but as none of them could understand a word of Magyar they had to guess -at its meaning. Actions speak louder than mere words, however, so they -knew that the patient appreciated their efforts in his behalf, and that -he was trying to tell them as much. - -Finally, to the great relief of Buster, the job was done, and the man -had his coat on again, though that left sleeve hung empty at his side. - -"And I want to say, George," remarked Buster, as he shut off the light -and handed the little pocket torch back to the owner, "that you did the -job up as neat as wax. If ever I have the misfortune to get jabbed by a -bullet I want to engage you as the chief surgeon right now. I'd feel -myself in good hands, all right." - -Of course, this pleased George very much. It was not so very often that -he did anything to call for such fulsome praise; but he knew Buster -meant every word he uttered, because Buster was candid and sincere. - -"I'm beginning to wonder what will strike us next," George went on to -say. "We are sure neutral in this world war, because one day we hold -out a helping hand to a couple of young Serbs in trouble, and right -afterwards pick a wounded Austrian out of a sinking pontoon and look -after his hurts." - -"Well, that's the way it goes," asserted Buster, with a philosophical -air. "You never can tell what will happen, and especially when there's a -silly old war on. We may run across others who are clinging to fragments -of that bridge until we gather up a boatload." - -"Then there'd be nothing else for us to do but run over to the Austrian -side of the river and land the whole bunch," George told him. - -Josh meanwhile had kept a good lookout. Several times he sighted other -pontoons and floating planks, but as they did not happen to be in the -direct way of the motorboat he had not given the warning whistle to -cause Jack to stop. - -He had watched in every case to ascertain whether there happened to be -occupants to these boats, but discovered none. If men had floated away -on them when the Serbian gun smashed the bridge, they must either have -made their way to the shore and been taken off by search parties or else -gone down into the depths. - -By degrees, however, these reminders of the dreadful tragedy became -fewer and fewer until Josh failed to discover any more of them. From -this he decided that, owing to the increased momentum attained for the -motorboat by the use of its engine, they had by this time distanced all -drifting snags. Still he clung to his post until another ten minutes had -elapsed, when he came back to where Jack sat. - -"We've got beyond all the floaters, Jack," he remarked, "and anyway my -eyes begin to feel the strain. So I thought I'd just drop in and find -out what your plan of campaign might be." - -"Do you mean for to-night?" asked the pilot at the wheel. - -"Sure thing, Jack. We're moving right now at a healthy pace, but how -long do you mean to keep the same up, I'd like to know?" - -Jack took a look aloft. He found that the same conditions prevailed -there, with the heavens covered with clouds so that the moon was -entirely shrouded from view. - -"If things continued like that up there," he assured Josh, "I'd feel -like keeping on the move the whole night long. We'll have to hide -somewhere in the daytime so as to keep from getting into trouble; and -perhaps to-morrow night we can cover the balance of the distance -separating us from the Iron Gate." - -"But how will you be able to stand it?" demanded Josh, indignantly. - -"Oh, I can make up for lost sleep to-morrow, you know; there'll be -really nothing else to do the whole day long but sleep. And if I find -myself getting too dopey for any use, why, I can call on George or you -to take hold. It's all right, Josh, and please don't waste any pity on -me. I'm only too glad to be able to cover half that hundred miles before -dawn comes on." - -Josh knew better than to dispute Jack when his mind was made up. -Besides, that arrangement just suited his own ideas. - -George had been listening to this talk, also Buster. - -"I don't call it fair for you to take all the burden on your shoulders, -Jack," expostulated the former; "especially when the rest of us are -willing to do our part." - -"Oh, so far as that goes, George," he was told, "you're all under -orders, you know; but if I get tired I promise to call on you for -help." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A HALF-WAY STOP - - -Time passed, and the motorboat continued to swing along with the current -hour after hour. Jack did not attempt to make great speed. There was no -necessity, and such a move would be doubly dangerous, on account of -possible snags, and also discovery from the shore. - -In spite of their resolve to stay awake, Buster and Josh and George -seemed to be enjoying a pretty healthy nap. The wounded stranger also -lay very quiet. Jack hoped he was not in too great pain. - -It was a long, dreary spell of duty for the boy at the wheel. When -finally George did manage to awaken and, sitting up, asked Jack if he -meant to let him take a turn, he was considerably astonished to hear the -other say: - -"I hardly think it would be worth while for me to lie down just now, -George, because, you see, the night is nearly gone, and any minute we -may have to be turning in to the shore to look for a cove where we can -stay during the day." - -Both of them watched closely for an opening. If the Danube was anything -like the rivers they were accustomed to in their home land an occasional -little bayou was likely to occur, an indentation in the shore line where -possibly some creek emptied its waters into the greater stream. - -If only they could find some such a friendly harbor it was Jack's idea -to push the motorboat in and remain secreted during the entire day. He -had an idea that the region they were now passing through was rather -wild and not settled very thickly, which fact was apt to please them -considerably. - -Josh happened to wake up about this time and wanted to know what was -going on. When he was told that morning was not far distant he could -hardly believe it until Jack asked him to notice where the moon had -gotten far over in the west, for it was possible to locate the heavenly -luminary behind the clouds. - -"All right, then," he remarked, after George had informed him what they -were bent on doing, "there's your little crook in the shore just ahead -of us." - -"You've certainly got the eyes of a cat, Josh," George told him; -"because it is what we're looking for, as sure as anything." - -Jack was already making use of the setting-pole to urge the motorboat -toward the shore. As the current proved very mild close in, he did not -have much difficulty in doing this. - -They managed to enter the cove, for such it proved to be. As far as they -could see in the wretched light it was surrounded by thickets and lush -grass. - -"Just the sort of place we wanted to run across," remarked George; "and -the celebrated Stormways luck still holds good, it seems." - -They soon had the boat fast to the bank. It was then that Buster sat up -and commenced yawning at a terrific rate. - -"Here, what's going on out there?" he asked cautiously. "Have we got -fast on a sandbar? Do you want any help pushing off?" - -When he crawled out from the cabin he stared around him as though he -could not understand it. - -"What! gone ashore so soon, after all, Jack?" he remarked reproachfully. - -"So soon?" echoed Josh. "Why, do you know it's nearly morning, boy? All -of us just slept like logs and let Jack do the work. I feel like kicking -myself, that's what." - -"Let me do it for you then, Josh?" asked Buster. "It'll help wake me up -good and plenty, you know." - -"Thank you, but I'm capable of doing my own kicking most of the time. -But Jack, now that we've landed, you get in under the shelter and make -yourself comfortable right away. We'll wake you up later on when we've -got breakfast ready." - -"That's right, sure we will," added Buster vehemently, though he looked -disappointed because Josh placed such little confidence in him. - -"Of course, I needn't ask you fellows to look out for our passenger," -remarked Jack. "He seemed to sleep a part of the time, though I heard -him groaning once or twice, poor chap. Be sure to cook enough breakfast -for an extra boarder when you're about it, Buster." - -With that Jack consented to lie down. He was asleep before five minutes -went by, being fairly well exhausted. When they aroused him two hours -later it was long since full day. The clouds, too, were breaking -overhead, promising fair weather, a fact that pleased them all very -much. - -Breakfast was ready, and the odors gave promise of an appetizing meal. -Jack discovered that George had looked again at the arm of the injured -Austrian, though not removing the bandage, as everything seemed to be -getting along nicely. The man appeared to be rather cheerful. He could -say a few words of English, and managed to understand that they were -American boys to whom he found himself indebted perhaps for his very -life, certainly for the many comforts he was now enjoying. - -After they had partaken of breakfast and satisfied their keen appetites, -the boys sat around and talked in low tones. Josh, while Buster was -getting the meal, had gone ashore and roamed around a little. He -reported that so far as he could see the place was quite lonely. - -"I discovered the house of a Serb peasant," he explained. "There are -only an old man and woman home, as their boys have been called to the -colors to fight. They seem to be well disposed and can speak some -English. I told them who we were and what we were doing on the river. I -also took pains to speak of the Serbian boy and girl we helped get -through the lower part of Austria and landed near Belgrade. They say we -are all of fifty miles away from the capital now." - -"I figured we must have covered something like that last night," said -Jack confidently; "and another similar turn would take us to where we -would have no need of feeling worried. I was thinking that perhaps we -might influence this couple to take our patient off our hands and keep -him until he can get across the river again. A couple of dollars would -be something worth while to them, you know." - -"We'll try it, anyhow," ventured Josh. "Another thing, fellows; I -bargained with them to have a chicken killed and dressed for our dinner. -If we do have to hold over here, there's no reason why we should go on -half rations." - -As the morning advanced they began to hear the far distant sound of -heavy firing again. This, of course, held their attention more or less, -for they had come to take a personal interest in the warfare between the -would-be invaders and the gallant Serbs, who stood ready to defend their -shore from attack. - -Not feeling just like lying down again, Jack accompanied Josh over to -the humble cabin home of the old peasants. They managed to talk with -them, partly through the sign language, by means of which so much can be -exchanged between two people neither of whom can speak the other's -tongue. - -Jack found that the old people were not at all bitter toward Austrians -as citizens, their resentment being only for those in high places, who -they believed desired the ultimate annexation of all Serbia in order to -link the Teutonic races with Turkey and the East, where Germany believed -the star of destiny was drawing her, with the rich booty of India in -her eye. - -They readily agreed to care for the wounded engineer corps man until -such time as he could get across the river again to his own country. -Later in the day the boys brought the Austrian to the cabin and saw him -installed there. George had made a stout sling for his wounded arm, and -on the whole the man felt that these young Americans had treated him -splendidly. - -So they had again "cleared the decks," as Josh put it. First the Serb -brother and sister, and next the injured bridge-builder who had been -swept away in that hurricane of fire when the concealed Serbs smashed -the pontoon structure. - -All they meant to wait for now was the coming of night. They could eat -an early dinner, for Buster had that fowl all cut up and ready for the -frying pan. With the coming of darkness after the gloaming they meant to -start forth, take the middle of the river, and make as fast time as the -conditions warranted. - -All of them were glad to see the sun sinking toward the western hills. -During the afternoon there had been no vigorous firing in the distance, -though once in a while they would catch a faint boom. It was just as -though the contestants wanted each other to know they were still -watchfully waiting. - -No doubt the Austrians would have other plans to try and carry out. -Because the first pontoon bridge had been wrecked was no reason they -would not exert themselves to effect a crossing. History tells us that -in the end they did succeed in transporting an army to Serbia, and for -some time pressed the men of the valiant old King Peter back along the -valley of the Morava; but once among the hills and wilder country so -suited to their style of fighting, the Serbs, with the old king at their -head, struck heavy blows that brought consternation upon their enemies. -In the end the Austrians were compelled to begin a retreat that savored -almost of a rout, so that for months afterwards not a single invader -remained on Serbian territory. - -Buster had supper ready on time, and it was a royal feast. He had gone -ashore to where the obliging Josh had built a splendid cooking fire, and -here Buster had an opportunity to spread himself. - -By the time supper had been finished and everything cleaned up it was -beginning to actually grow dark. Jack was keeping track of the time, and -also of the attendant conditions. - -"We ought to leave here in ten minutes or so," he said. "The moon, being -some past the full, isn't to be looked for until about nine o'clock or -later to-night. That's going to give us an hour and more of darkness to -make our first run. After that we'll have to take Hobson's choice." - -"The moon is going to shine bright enough," observed Josh; "but as the -river is getting pretty wide down here, and we can keep to the middle, -it's small chance of our being seen from ashore. Besides, there are few -soldiers around this part of the country, the old man said." - -When the ten minutes mentioned by Jack had passed the word was given, -and once more the motorboat began descending the dark waters of the -Danube. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -CONSTANTINOPLE AT LAST--CONCLUSION - - -That was another night of constant watchfulness. Some one would have to -be on duty every minute of the time they were in motion, to handle the -wheel and keep the motorboat as near the middle of the big river as -possible. - -The moon shone brightly at times, and again hid her face behind friendly -clouds. But they were at a good distance from either shore, and objects -even in the full of the moon are never distinct. A peculiar little haze, -too, hung over the water, making things seem very romantic, and helping -Jack and his chums wonderfully. - -Jack changed his plan of campaign on this second night. He decided to -sit out the first hour or two and then resign in favor of George, who in -turn might be followed by Josh, though the last mentioned was not as -much of a skipper as the occasion called for. - -The worst of the danger Jack believed was past. It lay in that quarter -where the Austrians had expected to force a passage of the Danube by -means of a pontoon bridge, over which, their heavy guns could be taken. -There would undoubtedly be more or less peril all along the border, for -not a mile but would have its watchers, eager to report any activity on -the other side. Still Jack hoped to pass almost unnoticed, if fortune -were kind. - -This programme then was carried out, George being put in charge of the -wheel about ten o'clock, with orders to call the skipper if anything -suspicious came to pass. This might consist of any one of a dozen -different things; and George felt that his honor was at stake when he -took command of the expedition, so it could easily be understood he was -wide awake. - -Just two hours afterwards Jack sat up. He had been sound asleep all that -time, and, considerably to the surprise of the wheelsman, awoke at the -very time he said he would. - -They sat and chatted in low tones for a long time. Nothing happened to -alarm them, and the boat kept constantly descending the widening Danube. -At times the shores came closer together as the country assumed a -wilder aspect, with mountains bordering the romantic looking stream. -Occasionally they could see dim lights on one side or the other, which -would indicate that they were passing some village or town. - -It was well toward morning when Jack awoke the others. Long before -this George, who had been yawning tremendously, decided that it was -unnecessary for him to try and sit Jack out. If the skipper were bent on -keeping the wheel constantly, what was the need of any one else losing -their full quota of sleep? And so George had lain down again, though -protesting to the last that he didn't think it quite fair. - -When Jack awoke them it was with a word of caution. - -"We've got to the Iron Gate, fellows," was what he told them, "and I -thought you would be sorry if you didn't have a chance to see for -yourselves. Besides, there's more or less danger for us in the next half -hour, so I concluded you ought to be on deck. No talking now, please, -but watchful waiting." - -They sat there and counted the minutes as the boat passed between what -seemed like high bluffs. George could easily understand now why the -place was called the Iron Gate. Bulgaria's nearest border lay only -thirty miles away, but the intervening country was so rocky and wild -that an army would have a frightful time trying to force its way across -the strip, especially when such valiant fighters as the Serbians manned -the heights. - -Nothing happened, however, and later on Jack calmly announced that they -had made the turn in safety upon which so much depended. - -Instead of Austria, they now had Rumania on their left, and as that -country was at peace with Serbia, there was little occasion for -believing the shores would be manned by troops or batteries. - -Jack consented to go and lie down as the faint streaks of coming dawn -began to appear in the east. He had been under a heavy strain, although -his manner was so cheerful that one would never suspect it; and he -certainly needed a good long rest. - -They did not wake him up for breakfast, acting on his orders. This -frugal meal Buster prepared while they were going at full speed down the -constantly widening river. - -So the morning passed. At noon Jack made his appearance and announced -that he felt like a new man again. George, who had been skipper for the -time being, refused to resign his post of honor until dinner time had -come and gone. Tired of being on board, they found a good retired place -and went ashore to prepare this meal, as well as "loaf" for an hour or -two in the heat of the day. - -Long before night came on they had left turbulent Serbia far behind and -found themselves running between Bulgaria and Rumania. - -Two days later found them at the bustling Bulgarian river city of -Rustchuk, and here they rested for fully twenty-four hours, laying in a -few more stores and trying to learn something of the great events that -were happening in other parts of Europe. - -It was here they heard that the Belgians had stood like a stone wall in -front of the Kaiser's legions, ten times their strength, delaying the -advance for days at terrible cost to themselves, so that possibly the -German hosts might find their long arranged plan for taking Paris nipped -in the bud. - -The boys also learned of other great events, beginning with the news -that Great Britain was now at war with the Teuton allies, together with -word of a Russian advance into East Prussia. - -All these things interested them intensely. Being right there on the -ground, and having lately actually been in the whirlpool of the war, -they could understand and appreciate the tremendous nature of the -world-wide struggle much better than any of their friends, who were -separated from the theatre of conflict by thousands of miles and could -read of battles without a thrill. - -The voyage was resumed after a time spent in the Bulgarian city, and -presently they found themselves headed almost due north, such are the -vagaries of the wonderful blue Danube in its long journey from the -northern border of Switzerland all the way to the Black Sea. - -They were now in Rumania proper, and four days later arrived at the -important city of Galatz. Here they expected to say good-by to the -motorboat that had served them so well on their long and eventful trip. -Arrangements had been made for turning the same over to a certain -dealer, who was instructed to repay Jack the amount of security the boys -had been compelled to put up against possible loss of the chartered -craft. - -Two days later they took passage on a small steamer that was bound for -Constantinople. They made the passage of the lower Danube by daylight, -so it was possible for them to see every phase of the wonderful river -before it was wedded to the famous Black Sea. - -It took them the better part of a week to reach their port, for the -steamer was what might be called a coasting trader, stopping at numerous -towns on the Bulgarian and Rumanian shores for half a day at a time. - -Nevertheless the boys enjoyed it immensely, though one night a little -storm did come along and give Buster quite a scare. Fortunately, it died -down before any damage had been done, though showing them how savage a -sea could arise in short order in this inland body of water. - -Finally they reached the entrance to the Bosphorus, and found themselves -passing along a narrow stretch of water that filled them with delight. -It was bordered with green groves, white buildings of rich Turks, -occasional fortresses, and in places arose the domes of magnificent -mosques, with their accompanying minarets, where at certain hours the -_meuzzen's_ loud call to prayer could be heard, summoning the faithful -Mahometans to worship. - -Then came Constantinople, where they meant to spend several days before -starting for London _via_ Italy. - -Here they had the time of their lives, prying into all sorts of strange -places, and seeing just how the red-fezzed Turks lived. All of them -enjoyed it to the full, and no doubt laid up a treasure of recollections -that would haunt them the balance of their lives. - -Buster was wild to see the inside of a mosque the first thing, and -managed to accomplish it with his mates, though all of them had to -remove their shoes and put on ridiculous red slippers without heels, -for the sacred interior of the temple would be profaned if shoes were -worn. - -Josh had gotten it in his head that he would love to see what a harem -looked like, and came near getting into serious difficulty in pursuing -this fad; but he never reached his goal, and had to give it up. - -All the same, the boys looked upon a myriad of strange sights, such as -they had read about in books like the Arabian Nights, but never really -expected to see with their own eyes. - -Jack noticed that there were a great many Germans in Constantinople, and -he expressed the opinion that sooner or later he believed Turkey would -align herself with the Teuton powers against her old-time friends -and backers, Great Britain and France. His prediction was later on -fulfilled, as events proved, and eventually Turkey took the mad plunge -into war at the behest of her master, Germany, to submit her last -slender grip on European territory to the test of the sword. - -Here in the wonderful city on the Golden Horn we will say good-by to the -four Motorboat Boys. They fully expected to start for Italy in two days, -and were now only filling in the time waiting for a certain steamship -to arrive that would convey them through the Sea of Marmora, along the -historical Dardanelles into the Ægean Sea, and finally to Naples, where -they could at their pleasure sail for London and home. - -No doubt our adventurous young friends, whose fortunes we have followed -with so much pleasure in this and previous volumes, are bound to meet -with further stirring experiences, which in due time we shall hope to -lay before the reader. Until that time arrives we shall have to drop the -curtain and write the words - -THE END. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - - --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). - - --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - --The name of the Irish lad, known alternatively as Jimmy and Andy, - has been retained as in the original. - - --The name of the fat lad, known alternatively as Nick/Buster and - Bumpus, has been retained as in the original. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube, by Louis Arundel - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - -***** This file should be named 42191-8.txt or 42191-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/1/9/42191/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube - or, Four Chums Abroad - -Author: Louis Arundel - -Release Date: February 25, 2013 [EBook #42191] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42191 ***</div> <div class="figcenter" style="width: 493px;"> <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="493" height="600" alt="cover" title="cover" /> @@ -8934,381 +8895,6 @@ words</p> Bumpus, has been retained as in the original.</p> </div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube, by Louis Arundel - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - -***** This file should be named 42191-h.htm or 42191-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/1/9/42191/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube - or, Four Chums Abroad - -Author: Louis Arundel - -Release Date: February 25, 2013 [EBook #42191] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - -[Illustration: They passed many famous old castles] - - - - - MOTOR BOAT BOYS - DOWN THE DANUBE - - OR - - Four Chums Abroad - - BY - LOUIS ARUNDEL - - - [Illustration] - - MADE IN U. S. A. - - - M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY - CHICAGO NEW YORK - - - - - Copyright, 1915 - M. A. DONOHUE & CO. - CHICAGO - - - Made in U. S. A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. FOUR CHUMS ABROAD 7 - II. THE NEWS OF WAR AT BUDAPEST 18 - III. TAKING CHANCES 30 - IV. UNDER SUSPICION 43 - V. SIGNS OF COMING TROUBLE 56 - VI. THE CAMP ON THE RIVER BANK 68 - VII. WHEN THE STORM CAME 80 - VIII. THE SPORT OF THE ELEMENTS 93 - IX. THE HUNGARIAN MOB 105 - X. CLEVERLY DONE 118 - XI. UNDER FIRE ON THE RIVER 130 - XII. NEARING THE SCENE OF WAR 142 - XIII. THE BOY FROM SERBIA 155 - XIV. FRIENDS IN TIME OF NEED 164 - XV. THE BOOMING OF BIG GUNS 175 - XVI. UNDER COVER OF NIGHT 182 - XVII. AMIDST BURSTING SHELLS 194 - XVIII. THE SMASHING OF THE PONTOON BRIDGE 206 - XIX. THE AFTERMATH OF BATTLE 218 - XX. A RESCUE BY THE WAY 227 - XXI. A HALF-WAY STOP 241 - XXII. CONSTANTINOPLE AT LAST--CONCLUSION 250 - - - - -The Motorboat Boys Down the Danube - - - - -CHAPTER I - -FOUR CHUMS ABROAD - - -"So this is the famous Budapest, is it, the twin cities of the blue -Danube we've been hearing so much about?" - -"Huh! doesn't strike me as so very much of a wonderful place. When you -come to think of it, little old New York and Brooklyn can beat it all -hollow so far as bustle and business go; even Chicago would run it a hot -race." - -"Now that's just like you, George Rollins, always ready to find fault, -and throw cold water on everything. No wonder they've called you -'Doubting George' this long time back. There's always a flaw somewhere, -you believe, and so you look for it right along." - -"Between you and me, Buster, I don't think he ever will be cured of that -nasty habit. Why can't he see the bright side of things once in a while, -and be an optimist, like our chum and commodore, Jack Stormways?" - -"Oh, you ought to know by this time, Josh, a leopard can't change its -spots. I reckon our friend George here has spasms of reform once in just -so often; but his weakness is ground in, and his resolves collapse, so -he goes back to his old ways again." - -"You don't say, Buster? Kindly take pity on my ignorance and tell me -what there is so wonderful about this old Hungarian capital perched on -the banks of the Danube and joined by bridges? I'm willing to have the -scales taken from my eyes." - -"Oh, well, first there's the river itself, not dirty water like most of -our streams over in the States, but clear, and almost the color of the -blue sky overhead." - -"Sounds fine, Buster. Good for you; go ahead and open his blind eyes -some more. It was always George's way to have his nose down over the -engine of his Wireless motorboat, and never see a blessed thing around -him. Hit him again for his mother, Buster." - -"Then look at the clear atmosphere; the picturesque buildings hanging -over the river banks; the queer shaped boats running back and forth; the -remarkable costumes of these Magyars; and last, but far from least, that -glorious August sunset painting the little clouds in the west crimson -and green and gold. I tell you it's a scream of a place, if you've got -any eyes in your head." - -"Buster, you're a wonder at word painting, though I reckon you cribbed -some of that stuff from the guide book. What do you say to it now, old -If and But and Maybe?" - -"Why, it looks good enough, I own up, fellows, but chances are all this -is only on the surface. Scratch the veneer off when you go ashore -to-morrow, and prowl around, and you'll find Budapest just as rotten at -the core as Chicago." - -"Don't waste any more words on the growler, Buster. There's such a thing -as casting pearls before swine, you know--not saying that our chum here -is really and truly a _hog_; but all the same he grunts like one. Let's -talk about our own affairs." - -"Wonder if Jack will fetch a sheaf of letters back from the postoffice? -And say, I'm just a little mite anxious to learn how that spat between -Serbia and Austria is going to turn out." - -"All of us are, Buster, and have been ever since we read how the Grand -Duke who was the latest heir to the Austrian throne after Francis Joseph -was murdered with his wife by some Serbian hothead conspirators." - -"Oh, as far as that goes, Josh, I figure that the game little bantam -will have to take water and back down, after all this strutting around, -just to show that Serbians have pluck." - -"Don't be too sure of that, fellows," put in George; "you mustn't forget -that Russia, yes, and France, too, are back of Serbia. There may be -something more come out of this rattling of sabres in their scabbards -than only a tempest in a teapot." - -"Then it would be Russia and France against the two Teuton States," -remarked the boy answering to the suggestive name of Buster; "and -knowing how the Kaiser has been getting his country ready for a scrap -this long while, I'd bet on them to turn the trick." - -George, despite his failings, seemed to have read up on the matter and -be pretty well posted on facts. - -"But there's always a big chance it wouldn't stop there," he announced, -with an air of importance; "other countries would sooner or later be -drawn into the scramble, because everybody believes there's going to be -an Armageddon or great world war before the era of peace finally comes -along." - -"Just what do you mean?" demanded Josh. - -"There's Great Britain, for instance; she's bound to France in some way, -and may have to shy her castor into the ring. Then her ally in the East, -Japan, may choose to knock out Germany's holding in China, just to -oblige. Besides, Italy must show her hand, and for one I can't believe -she'll stand for her old enemy, Austria. And last, but not least, -there's Turkey, hand in glove with Germany, besides all those scrappy -little Balkan States, from Greece to Bulgaria and Rumania, who will -fight just as they think their interests lie." - -"Whee! but it would be a grand smash-up if all that comes off!" -ejaculated Buster. "I'd sure hate to pay the bills. It'd take me some -time to get enough of the long green together I sure reckon." - -"Seems to me it's high time for Jack to be showing up," ventured Josh. -"I hope he hasn't run up against any trouble, being unable to speak even -ten words of German, while the Magyar tongue is a sealed book to him." - -"I hinted to Jack that perhaps I'd better be the one to go," said -George, modestly, "because I know German fairly well; but he only -laughed, and said there were lots of ways of communicating with a -Hungarian as long as both parties had their hands to use and could wink -and nod." - -"Oh, well, while we're waiting for him here on our old powerboat that we -chartered," said Buster, with a resigned air, "I'm going to take time -to make out a list of groceries we want to lay in while we're at the -capital. Goodness knows if we'll have a half-way decent chance to buy -anything worth eating again before we strike the Serbian border, and -then push on through Rumania to the Black Sea." - -George and Josh also sought comfortable seats where they could lounge -and watch in a lazy fashion the bustling scene around them; for there -were dozens of quaint sights to be seen if one only used his eyes. - -While the three lads are thus employed, awaiting the coming of their -comrade who had gone to get their mail at the general postoffice, a few -words of explanation concerning them may not come amiss. - -These four boys belonged to a motorboat club over in the Middle West, -their home being on the upper Mississippi River. There were two other -members, who had not made the trip abroad, by name Herb Dickson and -Jimmy Brannagan, the latter a ward of Jack Stormways' father. - -Buster, of course, had another name, which was Nicholas Longfellow. -Nature had in a way played a sad joke on the boy, for, while a Longfellow -by family relation, he was also pudgy and fat, always wheezing when -exerting himself, but as jolly as could be, full of good nature, and -willing to go to any trouble to help a friend, yes, or even an enemy. - -Josh Purdue had a strain of the Yankee in him, for he was as sharp as a -steel trap, though perfectly honest. As an all-round comrade Josh could -not very well be excelled. - -George Rollins was a good-enough chap too, though he complained at -times, and was so inclined to want to be shown that his friends had -dubbed him "Old Missouri" and "Doubting George." - -These six boys had gone through a good many lively times together, -as they possessed three motorboats of different models, called the -Wireless, a cracky craft built for racing, and which gave George, the -skipper, much trouble; the Tramp, which Jack commanded; and the beamy -Comfort, run by Herb Dickson. - -It would be utterly impossible for us to undertake to mention a tithe -of their interesting and thrilling escapades while cruising in these -boats. If the reader who has made their acquaintance for the first time -in this volume desires to know more about these happenings, he is -referred to the six earlier books in the Motorboat Boys' Series, all -of which can be easily procured. - -As to just how the interesting quartette of wide-awake American boys -came to be running down the historical Danube River in the late summer -of nineteen-fourteen, that can be easily explained. - -Some of their parents were well-to-do, and as school would not begin -this year until some time in October or November, it was at first -suggested in a spirit of fun, and then debated as an actual possibility, -that they coax their folks to let them go abroad for a season. - -Needless to say that as the lads had considerable money in the treasury, -thanks to their having been instrumental in capturing some bold bank -robbers who had run away with the funds of an institution, they were -finally able to gain their folks' consent. - -Then came the question of what they would like to do most of all. By -this time they had come to be such cruisers that they could not bear the -thought of following in the footsteps of the general run of European -tourists. Any one could read all about the cities in the magazine -accounts, as well as the many books of foreign travel. - -It was Jack who made a startling proposition that caught the fancy of -the other three from the first. - -He had lately been reading an account of a canoe trip made by an English -gentleman all the way down the Danube from its source in Germany not far -from the Rhine, through Austria-Hungary, along the Serbian border, and -then through Rumania until he finally reached the Black Sea, and brought -up at Constantinople. - -The account was so vividly written up that it appealed strongly to Jack, -and his proposition was that they make their way to some place further -down the beautiful river than his starting point, charter some kind of a -motorboat, and continue the voyage. They could thus get to the Turkish -capital in good time after a most interesting trip, take a steamer to -London, and come home in that way. - -Well, the more they talked it over the stronger grew the inclination to -enjoy a water voyage through a most interesting country, the praises of -which they had seen sung in many an account they managed to unearth at -the library. - -Eventually this was just what the daring quartette had done. They -were lucky enough to get hold of a pretty fair powerboat that would -accommodate four sleepers with some crowding. This they had fitted up to -suit themselves, for long experience in camping out had made them wise -in many particulars. And, Buster considered this the most important part -of the whole business, they had found a little kerosene blue-flame stove -something like those they owned at home, upon which many of their future -meals were likely to be cooked. - -The party had only been a short time on the way when they brought up at -the Hungarian capital, where it was planned to spend a couple of days -prying around; for they had reason to believe they would run across no -large city save Belgrade in Serbia until they crossed the Black Sea and -came to Constantinople. - -As often happens, the best laid plans often go astray, and, looking back -to former scenes, the four chums could pick out several other instances -when this had happened to them. - -Buster had just finished his long list of eatables, in which he jotted -down everything that appealed to his voracious appetite, when Josh was -heard saying he had glimpsed Jack coming. All of them therefore jumped -up to greet the bearer of the mailbag, being greatly interested in news -from the home folks. - -"Something has happened, as sure as you live!" exclaimed Josh as the -fourth member of the little party drew closer; "look at Jack's face, -will you? He couldn't be more solemn if he had been told he was going to -be hung to-morrow." - -"No bad news from across the sea, I hope, Jack?" faltered Buster. - -Jack Stormways, who was a resolute looking young fellow, a born leader -among boys, shook his head and allowed a faint smile to steal across his -sober countenance. - -"I'm glad to say it isn't that, fellows," he told them; "but all -Budapest is in a frightful uproar just now, and it's a question if our -lovely voyage doesn't come to a sudden end right here." - -"Great Caesar's ghost! What's happened now, Jack?" cried Josh, looking -alarmed. - -"Only this, and you can guess what it means in Europe," Jack announced. -"Germany declared war on Russia last night, and her army is said to be -already marching into neutral Belgium to strike France in the back, and -take Paris!" - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE NEWS OF WAR AT BUDAPEST - - -When Jack made this astounding statement the other three stared at him -as though they could hardly believe he was not joking. But then Jack -seldom attempted to play a practical prank; besides, they could see that -he was seriously disposed, and evidently grappling with one of the -largest propositions that had ever faced him. - -"Then it means a world war has begun, does it?" gasped Buster presently, -when he could catch his breath again. - -"That's what it's bound to result in," Jack told him. "The cry of 'wolf' -has been heard for the last time, and now the beast has come!" - -"But will Great Britain and all the other nations jump in?" demanded -George. - -"Not jump in, but find themselves dragged in, in spite of their horror -of war. This thing has been hanging fire a long while, but every little -while there would be signs of what lay under the surface. Lots of people -predicted it was bound to come sooner or later, and that the destinies -of every world power would have to be settled once and for all by the -sword." - -"Then all other wars will be baby play beside this one," Josh declared, -"with the wonderful modern arms they've got. Millions of men must be -killed before the end comes, and old Europe will never know herself, -such great changes in border lines are bound to take place." - -"But what of us?" asked George. - -"That's what we've got to decide right away," Jack announced. "We live -thousands of miles away from the scene of hostilities, and our neutral -country may not be pulled into the whirlpool; but here we are in -Austria-Hungary that is now in a state of war with Serbia, Montenegro, -Russia and France, with other countries to hear from. What ought we do -about it?" - -"Let's tell the Kaiser we won't stand for any of this funny business," -Buster went on to say, pretending to look very important, though there -was a quizzical gleam in his eyes at the same time; "let him know he's -got to sheathe that sword of his in double-quick time, or America will -get mad." - -"Much the Kaiser would care for a dozen Americas," jeered George. -"Germany armed can defy the whole world, and as for our great big -country, we're only a second China, don't you know--plenty of people, -much talk, but able to do next door to nothing." - -"I say it would be a beastly shame if we had to quit now before hardly -getting started," asserted Josh, indignantly. - -"Go on, the rest of you, for I want to hear everybody's opinion," urged -Jack. - -"But if the whole of Austria is on a war footing, what chance would we -have to continue our lovely voyage?" George wanted to know. "As like as -not we'd be arrested, because they'd call us spies trying to find a way -to invade the country through the back door." - -"One for keeping on, and another against it, which is a stand-off," -remarked Jack; "how about you, Buster?" - -"Gee whilikens! I hardly know where I'm at," muttered the fat chum, -rubbing the tip of his nose in bewilderment; "fact is I'm about ready to -do whatever the rest of you say." - -"In other words, you're on the fence, I take it," sneered George; "if -there's anything I dislike it's to run across a _jellyfish_, something -that has no opinions of its own. There, that's one for you fellows -calling me swine. But how about you, Jack? We ought to know what you -think about it all." - -"That's right," agreed Josh eagerly, for he could see that their future -movements were likely to be controlled by whatever Jack said, since with -a tie his vote would be the deciding factor. - -"I'll be frank with you fellows," Jack continued soberly. "We've gone to -a whole lot of trouble and expense to get started on this cruise, and I -hate like everything to give it up." - -"Hear! hear!" came from Josh, with a tinge of growing triumph in his -voice. - -"When I think of all that we'd have to go through with to get back to -London the way we came I feel like saying we ought to try and keep right -on down the river. The greatest danger to us would come from approaching -the fighting region around Northern France and Belgium." - -Even George seemed to be hanging on Jack's words as though, after all, -his ideas of prudence might be undergoing a change. - -"We could go ashore right away," Jack continued, "and buy what stuff we -need, for I see Bumpus is holding a list in his hand, and we know him -well enough to feel sure he's omitted nothing worth while having." - -"That settles it, then," burst out Josh. "You hear, George, you're -outvoted three to one. We go on our way, snapping our fingers under the -nose of every Magyar who feels like questioning our right to cruise -down the beautiful blue Danube." - -"Oh, well, move we make it unanimous then," snapped George, which proved -that, after all, his objections could only have been skin-deep, and were -offered more in a spirit of contrariness than seriously. - -"Here are letters for every one," remarked Jack; "but if you take my -advice you'll keep them until after we've had supper. There's a whole -lot to be done before night settles down." - -"Jack, you've been ashore, and mebbe now you happened to notice a good -grocery store where we could pick up what we need in the line of grub," -and as he asked this Buster waved his formidable list before him. - -"It happens that I did just that same thing, and, better still, the -place is only a short distance away from here. From the glance I took at -it I reckon we could get about everything we want, provided we're -willing to take them in the Hungarian style of putting up the packages." - -"Oh," decided Buster, "so far as that goes, a rose by any other name -would smell just as sweet. I'd be willing to forget the trade names of -the oatmeal, hominy, and such things I'm used to seeing, if the contents -of the packages turned out to be as good." - -"All right, Buster," continued the other, "suppose we start out right -away and do our shopping. I suppose if we buy for cash they'll send the -things around here to this boat builder's wharf where we had permission -to tie up during our stay here." - -Everybody looked pleased. It was as if a dreadful load had been suddenly -lifted from their hearts. They would never have been fully satisfied to -abandon their trip down the Danube on such short notice. In times to -come they would very likely call themselves silly to be frightened off -so easily by what might turn out to be only a shadow of coming trouble. - -Buster proved himself willing enough by scrambling ashore. In fact, when -the question of eating was concerned no one could ever accuse the fat -boy of shirking his duty; as Josh said, "When the dinner horn blew -Buster was always Johnny-on-the-spot," though truth to tell the said -Josh often ran a race with his comrade at table. - -"I don't suppose you'll be needing a German scholar along with you to do -the bargaining?" suggested George pompously. - -Buster chuckled at hearing that. - -"Don't you worry about us, George," he advised the other, "we can get -through all right. As long as I've got eyes and can _smell_ things I -reckon I'll be able to pick out what we want most. And money talks, -George, better than some people's German." - -"Oh, well, they say a prophet never is appreciated in his own country," -sighed George; "but all the same I'm going to practice up in my German, -because it may serve us well sooner or later. If you fellows get -pinched, send us word and I'll hurry around to the police station to -explain matters." - -"How kind you are, George; but I'm afraid after they heard your fine -German they'd put _you_ behind the bars for murdering the language." - -With that parting shot Buster hurried away, leaving Josh shaking his -sides with laughter, for they did love to get a crack at George, who was -always complaining and throwing cold water on every plan. - -Jack led the way, for, having been already over the ground, he could -serve in the capacity of pilot. - -"Listen, Buster," he said impressively as they walked along toward the -nearby street, "from now on we want to let everybody know that we're -American boys, and not English, you understand." - -"What's the idea, Jack? Up to now a lot of people have taken us for -English, and we've let it go at that without taking the bother to -explain, because there's always been a warm friendly feeling between -the Austrians and the English." - -"That's right, Buster, but if Great Britain gets into this big scrap you -can see that she'll be up against the soldiers of Austria-Hungary as -well as those of the Kaiser. So from now on stand up for your colors. -We're Americans every time, and don't you forget it." - -Buster evidently saw the point, for he promised to faithfully observe -the counsel of his mate, in whom he placed the utmost reliance. - -They soon reached the store which Jack had noticed. It was quite an -extensive establishment, and there could be little doubt but that -everything needful on Buster's list might be procured there. If some of -the items chanced to be lacking, their place could be filled with others -equally attractive, Jack felt sure. - -By great good luck the proprietor could speak and read English. This -made it very easy for the purchasers. He also promised to have the goods -delivered inside of an hour, and said he knew the boatyard well. - -When Jack went to pay for their purchases he had only English money. He -thought the merchant looked at him a little more closely, and considered -that this was a very good opportunity to prove their nationality. So he -took out a letter he had just received, which bore the home postmark -across in America. This he showed, as well as one Buster also produced, -as proof of his assertion that they were Americans, and not English. - -"Nothing like getting your hand in," he told Buster later on when they -were making their way back to where the boat was tied up. - -"And come to think of it," added the other with sudden vehemence, "I -believe I've got a little silk edition of Old Glory stowed away somewhere -in my bundle. I just chucked the same in, thinking we might want to -fasten it to our boat; but up to this minute it's slipped my mind. How'd -it do to make use of it, Jack?" - -"Splendid idea," commented the other. - -"As long as that waves in the breeze nobody can mistake our nationality; -even if George keeps on trying to talk that silly German of his. He -makes such a mess of it that some of these people may think we're spies -out to learn all about the fortifications of the lower Danube." - -Upon their arrival at the boat the others questioned them concerning the -success of their undertaking. Josh also wanted to know if they had -managed to pick up any further news concerning the great struggle that -had begun. - -"We went after grub," Buster told him severely, "and that being the -case, you needn't expect that we would waste our precious time jabbering -about a silly old war, would you? If you do you've got another guess -coming. And say, we got everything on my list, would you believe it, or -something that was just as good." - -"Huh! I can see why you're grinning so happily, Buster," sneered George; -"you're contemplating many a fine feed ahead." - -"We're all in the same boat, George," sang out Buster blithely; "and -when the tocsin calls us to supper I notice that as a rule you're never -hanging far in the rear. Considering the difference in our heft, I take -it I've got a bird's appetite compared with you and Josh here--pound for -pound." - -"Well, it's getting twilight, so suppose we start in with that same -supper," Jack ventured to say. "For one I'm willing to admit that an -afternoon humming down the river has given me a ferocious appetite; and -I'm not ashamed to declare it, either." - -Buster needed no second invitation. Time had been when the fat boy -hardly knew how to cook a rasher of bacon properly; but his love of -eating had inspired him to pick up fresh knowledge, with the result that -he now stood in a class by himself. - -Perhaps Josh and George, wishing to shirk much of their share of the -culinary operations, flattered Buster more than was really necessary. -They imposed upon his good nature in this way outrageously; but since -the stout youth seemed to really enjoy handling the saucepans and -skillet, Jack interposed no objections. - -Supper was soon ready, though they had to light the lanterns before -they could sit down at the little adjustable table, which, when not -in use, could be slung up against the wall of the cabin and the space -it occupied utilized as sleeping quarters for one of the crew. - -After that they sat around talking in low tones and covering a wide -range of subjects as usual in their conversation, from the folks at -home, numerous former escapades that came to mind, to the terrible -conflict that apparently promised to engulf the whole of Europe in its -thrall. - -Then a vehicle came into the boatyard and the stores were taken aboard. -When they had been stowed away in temporary places Jack declared that he -meant to open his letter from home and enjoy the contents. - -Of course, this reminded the others that they too had news from those -dear ones now so far away, and for a long time the four sat there, lost -in contemplation of distant scenes brought close to them by those -envelopes and their contents. - -Later on they lay down to secure what sleep was possible. As a rule, -after the first night afloat all of them had little difficulty about -sleeping; but it seemed that on this occasion they turned and tossed -considerably more than usual before settling down. Perchance it was the -thrilling news they had heard that afternoon that made them so restless; -or it may have been a premonition of coming difficulties that kept them -awake; but morning came and found them far from refreshed. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -TAKING CHANCES - - -"Better take a little turn ashore, Josh and George, while I'm getting -breakfast ready," advised Buster; "you'd hate to say you'd passed -through Budapest without even setting foot in the city." - -"If you go, be careful not to get lost," added Jack, looking as though -almost tempted to veto the arrangement; but George proudly declared he -felt sure of being able to find his way about. - -"Don't be more than half an hour at the most, fellows," sang out -Buster after the couple, and they waved their hands at him as if they -understood. - -About the time breakfast was ready Jack went ashore to look for the -absent ones, but there was as yet no sign of them. In fact, the two who -were left aboard had more than half finished their meal and were -becoming really worried when the others made their appearance. - -George looked a trifle chagrined, while Josh was chuckling to himself. - -"What's the joke? Tell us, Josh," demanded Buster. - -"Oh, yes, hurry up and give him the full particulars," sneered George, -looking daggers at his companion. - -"Why, you see, George here tried some of his German on a gendarme we -happened to meet," explained Josh between gurgles. "Say, you ought to -have seen how surprised that cop looked. I'm afraid George got his nouns -twisted and called him some sort of bad name. Anyhow, he was for taking -us to the lock-up; but I managed to soothe him down some by showing him -my letters with the American postmarks on them, and letting a silver -coin slip into his hand. But he shook his head and looked as if he could -eat poor George. All the way back George has been racking his brain -trying to understand what it was he really called that uniformed -gendarme. I rather think it stood for pig." - -"Well, let that rest, will you, Josh?" growled George. "What I'm most -interested in just now is pig of another kind, for I see Buster has -fried some bacon for us. Mistakes will happen in the best regulated -families, they say, and I own up I'm afraid I did get my nouns slightly -mixed." - -"Slightly!" echoed Josh, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Well, if the -boys could only have seen how that big cop scowled at you they'd have -had a fit." - -As Josh was also hungry, he wasted no more time in explanations, and so -the incident was forgotten for the present. Later on it would doubtless -give Josh occasion for considerable additional merriment and be the -cause for more or less acrimonious conversation between the pair. - -While they were eating Jack proceeded to settle with the owner of the -boatyard for the accommodations, for a bargain had been struck with -him. People over in old Europe are not apt to do things without a -consideration, especially when tourists are concerned. - -By the time George and Josh had finished their morning meal everything -was in order for making a start. - -"It's pretty tough to be running away like this without having a chance -to see what sort of movies they have over here in Budapest," complained -George, who was known to be a steady attendant at the little theatre in -his home town, where all manner of dramas, as well as world-wide views, -were nightly screened. - -"So far as that goes," Josh told him, "they're pretty much all alike -here and at home. Chances are you'd see some cowboy pictures of the -wild and woolly West; for they do say those are the ones they like best -abroad. They know all about Buffalo Bill over here. You know we saw an -Austrian edition of some highly colored story about his imaginary -exploits hanging up when we passed that book stall." - -Working the boat free from all entanglements, they were soon afloat once -more on the river. The motor had started working as though it meant to -do good service. Jack himself as a rule took charge of the machinery, -not but that George knew all about such things, but he had a decided -failing, which was to "monkey" with things even when they were running -satisfactorily, and thus bring about sudden stoppages through his -experiments. - -"Look at the beautiful bridge we're going to pass under," sang out -Buster presently. "It makes me think of one we saw in London." - -"There's a bunch of Austrian officers walking across," said Josh, "and -see how one of them is pointing to us now." - -"Bet you they're suspicious of us right away, and mean to order us to go -back," said George disconsolately. - -"Rats!" scoffed Buster. "Don't you see they're only admiring our little -flag?--that's all. I've got the same fastened in the stern, where it -can show well. I only wish it was five times as big, that's all. But it -stands for what we are--true-blooded Americans, every one of us." - -The officers even leaned over the parapet of the bridge to stare at the -boat as it passed under. When the boys looked back a minute or so later -they saw that the uniformed Hungarians had hurriedly crossed over and -were now gazing after them. - -"Shows how seldom Old Glory is ever seen in these parts," said Josh, -"for they hardly know what to make of it. If I had my way, can you guess -what I'd do? Make the flag of the free so well known and respected that -everywhere people'd kowtow to the same and take off their hats." - -"Now they're hurrying off the bridge, seems like, as if they'd just -remembered an engagement somewhere," reported Buster. - -"I only hope they don't start any sort of trouble for us, that's all," -George went on to say, but, finding that no one seemed to be paying any -sort of attention to his grumbling, he stopped short, as his kind always -do. - -Jack held the wheel and guided the boat along through the numerous mazes -of moving river craft. He was a skillful pilot and could be depended on -to mind his business every time. Unlike George, Jack was plain and -practical, whereas the other never seemed satisfied with what he had, -but was always trying to better conditions, often to his own and others' -discomfort, as well as possible delay. - -By degrees they were now leaving the twin cities behind them, and the -river began to appear more open and free to travel. The boys, as usual, -were calling each other's attention to such features of the landscape -that attracted their admiration, or it might be some of the buildings -they passed. - -All of them were on the watch for special sights, and in this way the -time passed rapidly. The little motor was a very good one, and chugged -away faithfully as it had continued to do hour after hour ever since the -start, which was made far down the river below Vienna. - -They overtook other vessels frequently, since the Danube is navigable -for the greater part of its long course. Rising away over in Germany -near the border of Luxemburg, it winds its sinuous way through the -greater part of Germany and Austria-Hungary, strikes the Serbian border, -turns sharply to the east, and then touches Bulgarian territory, forms -the dividing line between Rumania and Bulgaria, then crosses the former -monarchy, and serves as a border between Rumania and Russia, to finally -empty into the Black Sea. - -It is by long odds the greatest river in Europe, and in all the world -there can be found no stream upon whose borders live so many different -nationalities. That was one reason Jack Stormways had yearned to cruise -down the Danube; and he was even now trying to get all the pleasure -possible out of the trip, though the clouds had arisen so early in the -venture. - -Budapest was now far in the rear, though they could see the smoke that -arose in a few localities, coming from certain factories producing -articles for which the Hungarian capital is famous. - -Josh happened to notice about this time that George seemed to be amusing -himself by shading his eyes with one hand and looking backward. - -"What now, old croaker?" he ventured to say. "Do you imagine you see a -patrol boat chasing after us hotfooted, with orders to bring us back and -throw us in a black dungeon, charged with being desperate spies?" - -"Laugh as much as you want to," retorted George stubbornly, "but all the -same there _is_ a boat hustling along after us." - -"You don't say!" gibed Josh, without bothering to turn his head to look. -"Well, since when have we taken out a mortgage on the Danube, please -tell me? I guess it's free cruising ground for anybody who can afford to -own a steam yacht, or even a common little dinky motorboat." - -"She certainly is coming hand over fist after us," asserted Buster. - -"Well, the river is sure wide enough for two, and when she comes up -we'll give her a chance to pass us by. Whew! but I'm sleepy, if you want -to know it," and Josh yawned and stretched, but still declined to bother -turning his head. - -A little while later George again made a remark. - -"Now that they're coming closer, I believe I can see several people in -uniforms aboard that swift little boat." - -Jack took a look on hearing this. - -"You're right there, George," he assented; "but then there's nothing to -hinder Magyar officers going on the river when they choose. In fact, I -imagine they pass plenty of their time that way when off duty." - -Josh could not hold out after that any longer, but condescended to -lazily turn and indifferently survey the approaching craft. - -"Oh, she's a dandy for speed, all right," he frankly admitted, "and -could make circles around our old tub if the skipper wanted. Yes, those -are soldiers on board, I'll admit, but how can you decide that they want -to overhaul us, I'd like to know?" - -"I'm only guessing when I say that," acknowledged George; "but now that -I look sharper it strikes me one of those officers is the tall chap -wearing the feather in his hat that we noticed on the bridge. How about -it, Jack?" - -"He looks like that man, but then there are probably scores in Budapest -who wear that same kind of hat, Alpine style. He's probably an officer -of the mountaineer corps, those fellows from the Carnic Alps who can do -such wonderful stunts in scaling dizzy heights." - -"Well, we must soon know if there's going to be any sort of a row," said -George, "because in ten minutes or less they'll overtake us." - -"There must be no row, remember, boys," advised Jack. "If we attempted -to resist arrest we'd soon be trapped, for they would send word -down-river way about us by telegraph or telephone, and officers would be -on the watch for us all along the route. Don't forget that." - -"Paste it in your hat, George," advised Josh, "for I reckon you're the -only one in the bunch liable to make trouble. If they want to take me -back and give me free lodging, I'll go as meek as Mary's little lamb. -But whatever you do, George, _please_ be careful how you fling that -German of yours around loose. If you called one of those fiery Hungarian -officers a _donkey_ by mistake I think he'd want to run you through the -ribs with his sword." - -"Huh! wait and see. That German you pretend to make so much fun about -may some day keep you from being hung or stood up against a blank wall. -Stranger things than that have happened, let me tell you, Josh Purdue." - -"They keep pushing us right along," announced Buster, beginning to feel -quite an interest in the affair by this time. - -"Get ready to give them the right of way, Jack," jeered Josh. "We -wouldn't want to act greedy, you know, and claim the whole river. And -when they whiz past look out you don't get splashed, Buster." - -"Goodness! I hope you don't mean to say they might swamp us away out -here in the middle of the river. But there, I know you're only being -true to your name, Josh. Who's afraid? You don't get me to worrying any -if I know it." - -"Look again and see what's happening!" suddenly snapped George, with a -ring of triumph in his voice. - -"They're waving to us, for a fact!" admitted Buster. "Now what d'ye -suppose that can be for, Jack?" - -"Just saluting our little flag, mebbe," suggested the unconverted Josh. - -"They are demanding that we pull up and wait for them, that's what!" -asserted George, with a superior air that he liked to assume on -occasions like this. - -"Is he right there, Jack?" asked Buster eagerly. - -"I think that's what is meant," assented the pilot and engineer of the -powerboat the boys had chartered. "They are suspicious of us, and mean -to have a look in before allowing us to proceed." - -"But why should anybody be suspicious of four honest-looking boys out -for a little fun?" demanded Josh. "We've met heaps of other people -before now, and they acted just as nice as you please. I don't -understand it." - -"Well, you must remember," admonished Jack, "that something _terrible_ -has happened since yesterday morning. Every military man in Germany and -Austria has been on needles and pins about this war business ever since -Serbia defied Francis Joseph and some of her adventurers murdered the -heir apparent to the Austrian throne. And now that war has broken out, -they are all eager to show their fidelity to their country." - -"But will you stop for them, Jack?" asked Josh. - -"It would be foolish not to," he was told, "because you can see it's -only a matter of ten minutes at most when they will have overhauled us. -It pays to be courteous, especially, I'm told, when dealing with the -military authorities over here. Besides, in war times they rule the -roost." - -"I guess they do all the time," muttered Josh; "but then you're right -about it, Jack. We must get ready to show them just who and what we are. -If they're sensible men they'll let us go on down the river as we've -planned." - -"And supposing they happen to be unreasonable men?" queried Buster. - -"Oh, some of the dungeons may be large enough to hold you, perhaps," -laughed George; "but I can see your finish on a diet of bread and water, -mostly water. You will waste away to a shadow before you get out, -Buster." - -The other only gave him a scornful look, as much as to say he was not -worrying any about that part of the game, for he knew he could rely on -Jack to pull them all through safely. - -So Jack shut off the power, and the clumsy but comfortable boat lay -wallowing on the surface of the river, awaiting the coming of the speedy -craft containing the Hungarian army officers. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -UNDER SUSPICION - - -Although every one tried to put the best face on the matter, afterwards -more than one of the boys frankly confessed that his heart was beating -furiously during that time when waiting for the speed boat to come up. - -They were in a strange land, it must be remembered, and the habits of -the Magyars were unfamiliar to them. More than this, war had just been -declared, which was sure to mean that Austria-Hungary would be at -handgrips with not only Serbia on the south, but great Russia as well. - -They gathered at the stern of the boat and awaited whatever fate had in -store for them. Josh was so much afraid even then that George might be -tempted to try his American German on the Hungarian officers that he -immediately made a suggestion. - -"Remember, now, everybody keep still but Jack. That's meant for you, -Buster, as well as George here. The rest of us are apt to get excited -and do our case more harm than good if we butt in." - -"I'm as mum as an oyster, Josh," said Buster readily. - -"How about you, George?" demanded the other sternly. - -"Oh, I'll promise all right," mumbled George, shaking his head; "but all -the same, I do it under protest. You don't know what you may be missing -when you put the muzzle on a fellow that way. But I'm used to being sat -on, and I guess I can stand for it again." - -Jack himself was pleased to hear Josh settle this. He had feared that -George, who could make himself more or less of a busybody when he chose, -might break in when the negotiations were well under way and possibly -spoil the whole business. - -But they would at least soon know the worst, for the other boat was -coming on at great speed and about to draw alongside. - -The man at the wheel knew his part of the business perfectly, for when -the craft came together the bump was hardly noticeable. - -There were just three of the Hungarian officers, all of them dressed -in their attractive uniforms, with little capes hanging from their -shoulders and their lower limbs encased in shiny boots with tassels. -Indeed, Buster just stared at them in sheer admiration, for he thought -he had never in all his life looked upon such handsome soldiers. - -Apparently the tall one must have been the superior of the trio, for he -took it upon himself to do the talking. - -All of them were looking curiously at the four lads. They evidently -hardly knew what to make of them, for, while outwardly Jack and his -chums had the appearance of harmless young chaps off for a holiday, -nevertheless in such dark times as now hung over the Fatherland it was -not well to be too easily deceived. Spies must be abroad, under many -disguises; and if so, why not playing the part of innocent tourists, was -no doubt the question uppermost in each of their minds. - -Then the tall officer said something. His voice was filled with authority -and his face frowning, but of course none of the boys could understand a -word he uttered, for the Magyar tongue was a sealed book to them. - -They could, of course, give a pretty good guess that he was asking who -they were and what they might be doing there. George sighed as though it -nearly broke his ardent heart to be deprived of this golden opportunity -to air some of his German. He had perhaps managed to remember certain -words that would serve to partly explain the situation; but a savage -nudge from Josh caused him to shut his teeth fiercely together and get a -fresh grip on himself. - -Then Jack tried an experiment. - -"We do not understand what you say, because none of us can speak the -language. We only know English. We would be glad to explain everything -if you could understand what we tell you." - -The tall man listened attentively and then immediately turned to his -comrades to say something to them. It was just as if he remarked, -"Didn't I tell you they must be English?" for Jack caught the concluding -word. - -Then, turning again to them, the officer went on: - -"Certainly we can speak English as well as is necessary. We have many -tourists in our country each summer. I myself have a number of very good -friends among the English, though when we meet again it may be as bitter -enemies." - -Jack saw that there need be no further trouble in explaining matters. He -felt decidedly relieved over the sudden change in the situation. Only -George frowned, for possibly he had been entertaining a forlorn hope -that in the end Jack might have to call on him to save the day, and now -he knew that chance was doomed. - -"I am glad you can understand what I want to tell you," Jack proceeded. -"In the first place, we are not English at all, but from America." - -Again the three Hungarians exchanged significant looks. Evidently they -did not know whether to believe the assertion or not. - -"We have great regard for America," the tall man went on to say, "for -many of our countrymen are there, making an honest living and helping to -support their kin on this side of the water. Of course, then, you can -show us your passports?" - -"Certainly, sir, and with pleasure," responded Jack. - -His words served as the signal to the others. Every fellow immediately -hastened to dive into his breast pocket and produce the necessary paper, -which was always kept in an especially safe place for fear of trouble in -case of its being lost. - -The officer took the sheaf of papers and proceeded to critically examine -the passports, as though looking for signs of fraud. Buster watched him -anxiously. He had heard that when war came upon a country all ordinary -protection for tourists is annulled, and even passports may not be -worth the paper they are written on. - -Greatly to Buster's relief he saw that the tall officer did not look at -them so ferociously after he had scanned the papers, which he now handed -back to Jack in a bunch. - -"They seem to be perfectly correct, so far as I can see," he proceeded -to say; "but perhaps you would not mind explaining what your object is -in coming down the Danube in this powerboat?" - -"I'll be only too glad to do that, sir," Jack announced, with one of his -winning smiles that always caused people to feel kindly toward him. -"Over in our own country we have three motorboats, with which six of us -in times past have made many exciting cruises along the great rivers, -and the coast as well." - -The officer nodded his head, while his face lighted up. Evidently he -could appreciate the love for adventure that induced these healthy -specimens of boyhood to want to be in the open air all they could. -Perhaps whenever he had the chance for an outing he might have been -found off in the mountains, hunting the wild boar, or it might be in -pursuit of the nimble chamois. - -"When we had a chance to come to Europe this summer," continued Jack, -"we decided that the thing we would like best of all would be a long -trip down the beautiful blue Danube. I had just been reading an account -of a cruise taken by an Englishman from near the source down to the -Black Sea. While we couldn't spare the time for all that, we could come -to Vienna, find where a suitable boat could be chartered half-way to -Budapest, and make our start there. And, sir, that is what we have done. -We are now just two days on the way." - -"I admire your courage, as well as your choice of the Danube for your -trip. Many a voyage have I taken on its waters when I was younger. But -how long have you been at Budapest, may I ask?" - -Jack knew that there was only one way to treat such a questioner, and -that was by being perfectly frank with him. - -"We only arrived late yesterday afternoon, to tell the truth, sir," he -admitted. - -"But how comes it you are leaving so early the next morning?" asked -the officer, with a little fresh suspicion in his manner. "We have a -most beautiful and renowned city here, and travelers usually find it -difficult to tear themselves away from it, even after a stay of days. -You seem to have been in a great hurry." - -"We own up that we are, sir," continued Jack. "You see, the first thing -I did on arriving was to hasten to the postoffice for our letters from -home. It was then that I realized the city was in a feverish state of -excitement. I suspected what must have happened, for we heard rumors -when above. I managed to learn that war had been declared by Germany on -Russia, which would mean for Austria-Hungary, too. And after we had -talked it all over we decided that it would be best for us not to waste -any time here, but hurry along our way." - -"Would you mind showing me those letters?" asked the officer. - -"With the greatest of pleasure, sir," Jack told him. "Boys, hand him the -last ones you received, please." - -The other took them as they were thrust out. He examined the postmarks -as if making sure of the dates, and also read each name in turn. Then he -deliberately opened that belonging to Jack and seemed to be glancing -over it, though the boy felt rather surprised to see him do this. - -Still, it was good to find the officer nodding his head as he gleaned -something of the contents. At least he could see it was genuine, and -that counted for a good deal. - -"I am quite satisfied now that you are just what you claim to -be--tourists, who have no connection with our enemies, or those who in -a short time we must look on as such. You are wondering, no doubt, why I -went so far as to pry into the contents of your letter from home, and I -believe an explanation is due. To tell the truth, we rested under the -belief that you were four desperate young Serbian youths, who were -said to be on their way up the Danube bound for Vienna, with the mad -intention of trying to assassinate our good kaiser, Francis Joseph, just -as the Austrian heir apparent to the throne was killed not long ago." - -Buster could not keep from giving a little gasp at hearing this. Really -never before, so far as he knew, had he been taken for a desperado. He -did not know whether to be ashamed or flattered. It would be something -with which to thrill those boy comrades at home, if ever they were lucky -enough to get safely back again. - -"That would be a serious charge against us, I am sure," said Jack; "but -it pleases us to know that you are now convinced we are not what you -thought. Seeing four strangers in a boat, and all young at that, of -course made you suspicious." - -"The fact that you were headed down-stream puzzled us considerably," -continued the officer, apparently willing to explain things in order to -prove that he and his comrades were only doing their duty; "but we -figured that something may have caused a change in plans, perhaps the -breaking out of war, and that the four desperate Serbians were on the -way back to their native land." - -"After all, we should not be sorry for what has happened," diplomatic -Jack went on to say, "since it has given us the pleasure of meeting -three such excellent gentlemen. I hope, though, there need be no -necessity for causing us to alter our plans, since our hearts are set -on finishing the voyage, and we will never have the opportunity for -visiting your great country again." - -Every one of them held his breath while waiting for the officer to make -a reply to this question. He looked around at the half circle of anxious -faces and smiled indulgently. No doubt just then he put himself in their -place and tried to realize how much it might mean to be simply let -alone. - -"I do not mean to demand that you turn back," he finally told Jack, "for -that would really be exceeding my authority; but I would feel that I had -not done my full duty if I did not warn you of the perils you will -likely encounter below here. By the time you reach the Serbian border it -is more than likely there will be desperate fighting going on between -Hungarians and Serbians, for they are ready to-day to fly at one -another's throat. You will find yourselves in great danger before you -can pass the Iron Gate and enter Rumania." - -Jack only smiled reassuringly at him. - -"Thank you many times, sir, for taking enough interest in us to give -that kind warning," he remarked warmly; "but we have passed through some -pretty lively adventures in the past and always managed to come out -safely. We will try and be careful how we act when the time comes; and -once past the Serbian border along the Danube we need fear little else." - -"Well, I admire your boldness, while at the same time I fear you may be -making a mistake. We will wish you a pleasant trip, and that you reach -your goal in safety. What are your plans after arriving at the sea, may -I ask?" - -"We have arranged to send the boat back to the owner at our expense," -explained Jack. "Then we will find some way of getting to Constantinople, -where we hope to remain a short time, looking around. From there we go to -Italy, and then back to London to sail for home about October fifteenth." - -"Ah! what wonderful things may happen in those ten weeks!" remarked the -officer, as though he might be trying to lift the veil that hid the -future. "History will be in the making, I fear, and all Europe be torn -up with the war clouds. But better so than the armed peace that has -existed so long. A storm is necessary once in so often to clear the -atmosphere which has become murky." - -He thrust out his hand to Jack, who gladly seized it. - -"May the best of luck follow you all the way, is the wish of myself and -my comrades here," the tall officer told them as in turn he pressed each -boy's hand, in which genial undertaking he was followed by the other -pair, who, although taking no part in all the talking, had been earnest -listeners. - -Then the speed boat backed away, made a sweeping turn, and was soon -heading up the Danube again. The boys waved their hats to the three -gaily dressed Hungarian soldiers seated in the other craft, and were in -turn saluted by the trio. - -After that Jack again started the engine, and they began moving with the -current at a lively rate. - -"Well, that was a new experience, now!" exclaimed Josh; "and we are -mighty lucky to have escaped being taken back to Budapest and shut up in -a dungeon." - -"Yes, it was easy, after all," grumbled George; "but who'd think -Hungarian officers would know English so well?" - -"And just to think of our being taken for a lot of desperate Serbian -youths sworn to get the aged and benevolent Emperor Francis Joseph! Ugh! -it'll give me a shiver every time I think of it. I never dreamed before -that I looked like a fellow who would take his life in his hand to do -such a terrible thing." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -SIGNS OF COMING TROUBLE - - -All day long the powerboat kept constantly moving down the reaches of -the Danube River. Many were the interesting sights the boys looked upon -from time to time. Nor did they see any particular signs of overhanging -trouble. War may have been declared by Austria-Hungary upon Serbia and -Russia, backing up the action of her ally, Germany, but the indications -of it were not immediately apparent. - -It was true that in several towns which they passed on that morning's -run they could see that groups were in the streets, and there seemed to -be many men in uniform hurrying this way or that. Once they also saw a -field battery of glistening guns disappearing up a steep road that led -to the south. - -"You can see what's in the wind, all right," Josh remarked, as they -watched a group of uniformed horsemen galloping along the river road as -though bound for some distant point of mobilization. "In a few days -after the call to the colors, as they say, has gone out for many -classes of reserves, the whole country will be swarming with men in -uniform." - -"I only wish we could hold over and see what goes on," grumbled George. -"It's a chance in a lifetime to be a looker-on in a foreign country, -with war breaking out; and I think it's a shame that we are going to -miss it." - -Jack took him to task for saying that. - -"We ought to thank our lucky stars, on the other hand, George," was the -way he put it, "that we have a chance to get out of Austria before every -exit is closed. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of tourists have the -time of their lives escaping, because, you see, every train will be -taken over by the Government for carrying soldiers, guns, ammunition, -horses, stores and such army necessities." - -"Yes," added Buster, "that's what I say, Jack. For one I want to tell -you I'm mighty thankful to be on board this old boat right now. I only -hope they won't want to commandeer it for carrying soldiers down to the -Serbian border." - -"Oh, they wouldn't want to bother with such a mosquito craft as this, I -should think," remarked Josh uneasily. - -"Our little flag seems to attract a heap of attention," Buster continued, -with a vein of pride in his voice, for that small edition of Old Glory -was his private possession, it may be remembered. - -"Where we landed at noon to see if we could buy some eggs and milk at -that farm house," Josh observed, "those peasant girls were examining it. -I rather think they must have somebody over in our country, for when I -said the word 'America' and pointed to the flag and then myself they -laughed and nodded their heads." - -"And don't forget to mention, please, George, that we got the eggs all -right," suggested Buster; "likewise a bumper mug of fresh milk apiece, -and some butter that didn't have a bit of salt in it, which I think -queer." - -"Oh, so far as that goes," explained Jack, "there's lots of that made -and sold over here. They call it sweet butter, and most people like it. -You'd get used to it in time." - -"Four dozen eggs, and whoppers at that," Buster went on to say, -gloatingly; "which I consider a splendid investment; and we didn't have -to pay half what they'd cost us in the States either. I'm going to have -a couple fried for my supper, and anybody else that likes them that way -can get what they want by giving the tip now." - -They continued to chatter in this manner as the afternoon wore away. It -had been decided that while there was a full moon that night they had -better not attempt navigating the river after the sun had set. None of -them knew what they might run up against; and besides, since war had -come, possibly there would be strict rules enforced prohibiting such a -thing during the night. None of them felt like taking chances. - -Buster, it seems, must have been thinking of some of his previous -exploits in the times that were gone, for later on he was seen to be -looking over some fishing tackle he produced from his pack. - -"Hey! what's in the wind now, Buster?" sang out Josh upon discovering -what the fat chum was doing. - -"Oh, nothing much," replied the other easily, "only it struck me that -there might be some kind of eatable fish in this same blue Danube, and -I'm looking over my lines. To-night, if I can find any fat grubs or -worms, I might set a line and see what happens. You know I've had more -or less success about grabbing big fish out of fresh and salt water." - -That seemed to make the others laugh, as though certain humorous -memories were refreshed. Buster joined them, for he was a jolly fellow -and could even enjoy a joke when it was on himself. - -"I mean to drop one of these lines over as we go along, so as to soak -the snell of the hook, for if it's too dry it might break," Buster -explained. - -"Well, here's wishing that you meet with good luck," said Josh, "because -I'd enjoy a supper of fresh fish pretty good." - -"Don't make up your mouth for it, then," warned George, "because you -never can tell about such things. Fish are what some people would call -notionate; they bite well one day and then given you the grand laugh the -next one." - -"About how far do you think we've come since leaving Budapest, Jack?" -Buster asked, not deigning to continue the discussion with George. - -"I should think something like fifty to sixty miles," was the reply. - -"Whew! as much as that?" whiffed George. - -"Well, this current must be all of four miles an hour, and the old boat -when going with it ought to average ten. Counting for our stops and all -that, we've certainly covered sixty miles if we have one." - -"I agree with you, Jack," said Josh; "George is only saying that to be -contrary." - -"Oh, I am, eh?" grinned George, who seemed to take especial delight in -stirring Josh up. - -"It's been a pretty good day for August, with the sun shining overhead -most of the time, and not so very hot at that," Buster continued. -"There's no sign of such a thing as a storm that I can see--great guns! -what in the mischief can that queer-looking thing be over yonder? Do -they have birds shaped like a fat cigar in the Danube country?" - -Of course, every one immediately twisted his head around to take a look, -and all sorts of exclamations announced that they were about as much -astonished as Buster. - -Low down toward the horizon they saw an object outlined against the sky -that was undoubtedly moving, for they could notice that it passed a -small cloud with considerable speed. Just as Buster had said, it looked -very much in the distance like a fat cigar, and was of a neutral tint, -not very easily distinguished against the heavens. - -"Why, that must be one of those German Zeppelins we've read so much -about!" exclaimed Jack, after taking a second look. - -"A war dirigible, you mean, don't you?" demanded Josh. - -"Nothing else," he was told. "I've seen pictures of them often, but -never thought I'd set eyes on one. Yes, it's a Zeppelin, all right, and -heading due south, too." - -"What d'ye mean by saying that last?" asked Josh. - -"Well, you remember what that officer said about the Serbians and -Austrians on the Danube down below, where it acts as a boundary line, -being ready to fight at the drop of the hat? Perhaps they're already -having it hot and heavy. Perhaps the word has been flashed over the -wires for one of the Zeppelins to come down and get busy there." - -"What would they use it for, Jack?" questioned Buster, as all of them -continued to watch the steady movement of the fast dirigible in the -west. - -"I believe the main thing for Zeppelins to do is to carry explosives and -drop bombs from a great height on forts and barracks occupied by the -enemy forces. But they can be also used for scouting and bringing back -information of value. That may be what they want this one down along the -Danube for." - -So fast was the dirigible going that in a quarter of an hour more it had -passed beyond the range of their vision. - -"Looks like things are going to happen right along over in old Europe -these days," remarked Josh. - -"Yes, but we'll know next to nothing about it all," George went on to -say; "for we can't buy a paper, and even if we did none of us could read -Magyar. This thing of knocking around in a foreign country may be all -very good when there's no war on, but there are times when you'd like to -be able to buy an extra and learn all that's happening." - -"There's a good landing by that tree yonder, Jack," remarked Josh. - -"But we're not quite ready to pull in yet a while," the commodore -announced. - -"What's the hurry, Josh?" asked Buster, again working at his long and -strong fish line. - -"Oh, I thought George wanted to get out and start right away back," -answered the other with a dry chuckle. "He'll never be happy until he -can have all the comforts of home, including the afternoon extra to -read." - -"Forget it!" snapped George. "I've always been able to take things as -they came as well as the next one, and I reckon I can stand what you -fellows do. Because I grumble a little once in a great while, that's no -sign I'm not having a good time. Some of my folks must have been -sailors, I guess, and it runs in the blood. Don't pay any attention -when you hear me complain." - -"We'll try not to, George," promised Josh blithely; "we'll have to -remember the source, and then forget it." - -"There, now, I've got the silly old line untangled," announced Buster; -"and I'll let the hook and sinker trail after us, just to make believe -I'm fishing. It'll do me a heap of good to feel the twirl as the hook -goes around with the swivel--sort of revive old memories like." - -He lay there by the broad stern of the boat amusing himself after his -fashion. Josh could not resist the temptation to warn him. - -"Better look out for yourself, Buster," he remarked seriously. "Some -hungry fish might snap at your bare hook and get caught. If you were -taken off your guard the next thing you knew you'd be overboard." - -"It wouldn't be the first time, either," mentioned George. - -"Aw, no danger of that happening," retorted Buster good-naturedly. "Even -over here in Austria-Hungary the fish have their eye-teeth cut, and -wouldn't be so green as to bite at a bare hook. If I had anything to -bait it with I'd watch my steps, you may be sure. But don't worry -yourself about me, either of you. I can take care of myself." - -No more was said just then with reference to the subject, something else -coming up to catch their attention. - -The afternoon was nearing its close, and Jack knew that before a great -while they must be on the lookout for a place to haul up for the night. -Whether they had better select a retired nook for their camp, as had -been their habit when cruising down home rivers, or land near some farm, -he had not yet decided. Of course, it would be unwise to stop over at -any town, since they might have more or less trouble getting away again -if the authorities chose to be exacting. - -"There goes a long train over there, heading south, too," remarked Josh, -pointing as he spoke. - -"Seems like nearly everything is going the same way we are, for a fact," -added George. - -"It strikes me it must be a troop train," Jack was saying, "for, while -I'm not dead sure, I think I can see men in uniform leaning from the -windows of the carriages, as they call the cars over here." - -"Well, what else could we expect?" Buster wanted to know. "If Austria -means to give little Serbia a licking she'll need a lot of her soldiers -down there, many more than she's got along the lower Danube now. Yes, -they're soldiers, all right, Jack. I can see them plainly in the -sunlight." - -"The plot is thickening," remarked George solemnly; "and right now I -wouldn't be surprised if the Germans were having a hot time over in -Belgium, if they've really started to cross the little kingdom. They say -those Belgians are fighters to the backbone, and will never stand by to -let the Kaiser cross their neutral country to strike at France." - -George was deeply interested in all that was going on. He took pride -in his knowledge of things connected with the aspirations of these -countries, big and little, of Europe, and especially of the turbulent -Balkan States. While George undoubtedly has his failings, as what boy -has not, as a rule he seemed well informed, and could argue on almost -any point. - -"A lot of those fine chaps will like as not never come back," said -Buster, as he gave the fish line another idle hitch around his wrist, -preparatory to winding it in; "they start out full of enthusiasm and -life, and are brought home again wrecks, fit for only the scrap heap." - -"Listen to Buster, will you?" chuckled Josh; "he's getting to be a -regular old philosopher these days." - -"Well, it always did hurt me more or less when it came to parting with -any one I cared for a heap," admitted the fat chum, trying to look -serious, though that was always a difficult task with him, because -nature had made his round features to bear the stamp of a jovial -disposition; "you may remember that it took me two whole days to recover -when we left home. I'm of a clinging nature, you see, and this thing of -severing the bonds goes against my grain." - -He had just said this when something happened that astounded the others. -Buster seemed to be dragged from the end of the moving powerboat as -though an octopus had suddenly flung one of its long tendrils up and -clasped him. - -The others heard Buster give one loud howl of fright, and then the sound -was swallowed up in a splash as he disappeared in the river. - -As Jack hastily stopped the engine and prepared to back up, he had a -glimpse of the stout chum struggling desperately in the water. If his -frantic actions counted for anything, it would seem as though Buster -must be engaged in a life-and-death struggle with some marine monster -that had pulled him from the after deck of the powerboat and into the -river. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE CAMP ON THE RIVER BANK - - -"Keep a-going, Buster; we're coming back for you!" shrilled Josh, not a -little alarmed on account of seeing such a tremendous splashing back -where the stout chum was struggling in the river. - -Being compelled to fight against the steady current, the boat could not -make such very rapid progress, especially when backing up. Still it -seemed as though Buster might be swimming toward them. He was using only -one hand, and churning the water like the paddle-wheel of a Mississippi -steamboat. - -"Whew!" they heard him say, after ejecting a stream of water from his -mouth, which he persisted in keeping open; "a sockdolager, I tell you! -Going to beat all the records this time. It must be a river horse, or a -boss sturgeon, boys. I want to save him, you bet!" - -Evidently, like a true fisherman, Buster's first, last and only thought -concerned the successful landing of the game he had struck. And -presently the boat had come so close to the submerged boy that Jack -stopped the engine lest the propeller do Buster some material damage. - -Two of them leaned over the stern and with great difficulty managed to -drag the water-soaked chum aboard. - -"Sit there in the stern until you drain, Buster," ordered Jack. "If we -took all that water aboard we'd be in danger of foundering." - -"What ails your left hand?" demanded Josh. - -"Why, don't you see," explained George, "the silly went and wound the -line about his wrist. Then when the fish took hold it was a case of -Buster going overboard or having his left arm pulled out of its socket. -No wonder he lets it hang down like that now. I bet you it hurts like -fun." - -"But say, the bally old fish has quit pulling like mad!" exclaimed -Buster, as though that circumstance troubled him much more than any -bodily pain he might be enduring. - -Josh leaned forward and took hold of the line. He even started to pull -it in after the manner of a skillful fisherman, while Buster eyed him -eagerly. - -"Tell me you feel him pulling yet, Josh, can't you?" he pleaded. "Don't -break my heart by saying he's gone! After all my fight I deserve to -land that monster." - -Josh chuckled. - -"I do feel something now, all right, Buster," he remarked. "Watch me -yank him alongside in a hurry. You never could handle such a monster -with one of your arms next to useless." - -So Josh worked away, possibly putting on more or less, as though he were -having the time of his life in trying to drag the captive alongside. -Every little while he pretended to lose a foot or so of line, whereupon -Buster would call out anxiously and beg him to keep a tight hold on the -glorious prize. - -"Talk to me about having fish for supper," the dripping sportsman cried -as he watched for the first glimpse of his catch; "why, we could feed a -whole village on such a dandy as this. And caught on a bare hook, too! -Ain't I the lucky one for keeps? What d'ye know about that?" - -"There he comes, Buster!" cried Josh, pantingly; "get ready now to help -me pull him up over the stern, all of you. My stars! but how he does -fight." - -In another moment Josh drew alongside a small but broad-nosed _log_, -which in floating with the current of the river had suddenly been -snagged by the bare hook. The impact, with the boat running as it was, -had been severe enough to drag the fisherman into the water, for the -stout line held, and he had foolishly wrapped one end of the same around -his left wrist. - -Jack and George shouted with mirth, and Josh excelled them both. Buster -looked down at the now tamed "fish," felt ruefully of his lame arm, and -then grinned. - -"You bit, all right, fellows!" he blandly told them; nor would he offer -any further explanation, so that to the end of the chapter none of them -really knew whether Buster had been playing a trick on them or not by -pretending to fight the object at the end of his line and showing such -tremendous solicitude while Josh was pulling in the same. - -"What am I going to do about drying off?" asked Buster a little later, -after he had succeeded in reeling in all his line without getting it -very much tangled--the log he allowed to float off on the current, -having no use for it, though Josh did ask him if he had never heard of -"planked fish." - -"You're draining right along," George told him; "and as the weather is -so nice and warm there's no danger of your taking cold, I guess." - -"When we get ashore," Jack explained, "we can start a fire, and that -will give you a chance to get dry. But I'm sorry about that arm, Buster. -It may give you some trouble, because the jerk must have been fierce." - -"Well, I should say it was," admitted the other, with a sigh. "I thought -my arm would come off sure. But then the excitement kept me up, you see. -And I knew right well you'd stop the boat and come back after me. But -Jack, later on I want you to rub my arm with that liniment you carry -with you. Chances are it'll be black and blue along the muscles. It -hurts like fun even now." - -Jack considered that the sooner this was done the better, so he turned -the wheel over to George, and bidding Buster bare his arm, proceeded to -give it a good rubbing with the liniment he knew to be fine for this -purpose. - -Buster was glad to find that as yet there were no signs of discoloration, -as he had feared. - -"It may last a few days," he cheerfully declared, "but that's the extent -of the damage. I consider that I came off better than I deserved. But -then, who'd think a bare hook would catch anything?" - -"Well, Buster," warned George, "be sure you don't fasten your fishline -to your leg, or around your neck. You never can tell what's going to -happen; and after you're drowned it's no time to be sorry." - -"I think we'd better go ashore below, where the trees come down to the -edge of the bank," suggested Jack just then, showing that all this while -he had been keeping a sharp lookout ahead. - -"It makes me think of places where we've pulled up over along the old -Mississippi," said Josh; "I wonder now do they have tramps over here, -who prowl around looking for a chance to steal what they can lay hands -on." - -"I don't believe they do," George told him; "for they regulate such -things a lot better than we do over the big water. Tramps are a luxury -here, while with us they flourish like the green bay tree; the woods are -full of them." - -Jack took the boat in closer to the shore. On seeing the proposed -landing place at closer quarters all of them seemed to be of the same -opinion. It looked like just the camping ground they were looking for. A -fire might be built for cooking purposes, and the district seemed lonely -enough to make it appear that they might not be disturbed during their -short stay of a single night. - -On the following morning they expected to be once more on the move down -the long and sinuous stream that covered hundreds of miles before -emptying its clear water into the Black Sea. - -As soon as the landing was effected Buster waddled clumsily ashore. - -"I hope somebody will have the kindness now to get that blaze started -right away," he was saying; "I'd do it myself, but I'm afraid all the -matches I had in my pocket must have been soaked, and they wouldn't -light easy." - -"I'll take care of the fire, and do the cooking tonight in the bargain -if you want me to, Buster," Josh told him. - -"That's kind of you, Josh, and I won't forget it in a hurry, either. -Fact is this arm of mine pains a little too much for me to sling the -pots and skillets around in my customary way. But fry me two eggs, -remember, Josh; I'd say three if nobody kicked up any sort of a row." - -"You shall have them, Buster," Josh told him; "because the chances are -we can pick up as many as we want as we go along." - -"But no fish for supper tonight, how's that?" George demanded, trying to -frown at Buster. - -"Oh, well, nobody really promised you any," the latter explained. "But -if there are any fat grubs in some of those rotten stumps around here -I'm meaning to have a line out with three hooks to-night, and mebbe, -George, you can indulge in fresh fish for breakfast. Will that do?" - -"Guess I'll have to make it; besides, ham and eggs suits my taste well -enough this time. I'll forgive you, Buster, only be careful not to get -our mouths watering for fish again when it's only a floating log you've -caught." - -Josh was already busy with the fire. He had long since graduated in -this department of woodcraft, and knew about all there was going in -connection with fires of every description. - -Then, too, he could cook in a way to make the mouths of his chums fairly -water. Josh had a way of browning things so cleverly that they were -unusually attractive, where so many boys more careless would frequently -burn whatever they had on the fire, and in a happy-go-lucky fashion dub -it "pot-luck." - -"One thing sure," said Jack, as they sat around waiting for the call to -supper, "we're a lucky set to have two such willing workers with the -pots and pans as Buster and Josh here." - -"That's right," declared George, agreeable for once; "it would be hard -to find their match, search where you will. What one lacks the other -makes up for, and the opposite way around too. And we want them to know -we appreciate their services, don't we, Jack?" - -"Come, now, no taffy, George," said Josh, though his eyes sparkled under -praise from such a source; "as they used to say in olden days, beware -the Greeks who come bearing gifts. And when _you_ get to praising -anything there must be a deep motive back of it." - -"There is," assented George frankly, "a very deep motive, for I'm hollow -all the way down to my heels, seems like. Sure the grub must be done by -now, Josh. That's a good fellow, ring the bell for us to gather round." - -Whenever these lads were sitting about the camp fire they always had -plenty of fun on tap. If "jabs" were given at times it was done with -such good-natured chaff that no one could get provoked. - -So they started to discuss the supper Josh had prepared. Meanwhile -Buster had managed to dry himself after a fashion by turning around near -the fire, presenting first one side and then another to the heat. He -likened himself to a roast fowl on the spit, and jokingly asked the -others how they would have him served. - -"After I'm all through eating my share of the excellent mess Josh here -has provided for us," Buster remarked, when his mouth chanced to be -empty, which was not often, by the way, "I know what I mean to do." - -"Oh, anybody can guess that the first shot out of the locker," George -asserted; "that is if they know what a fellow you are for remembering -things. Of course you mean to smash some of these rotten stumps, and -find out if they contain any grubs. Stumps are fine for holding the -same, I understand; at least over where we live; and I guess grubs are -grubs the world over." - -"Yes, that's what I'm aiming to do," Buster admitted. "Just because I -had the hard luck to be dragged overboard by a measly old log, don't -think I'm the one to be scared off. If there are any fish in this Danube -River, and they like bait such as I can offer them, we're bound to have -a mess for breakfast." - -"Hurrah! That's the ticket!" cried Josh; "if at first you don't succeed -try, try again. I plainly perceive that my honors as boss fisherman are -going to be put in peril if this thing keeps on. I'll sure have to get -out a line myself, and run you a race, Buster." - -"Wish you would," snapped the other, as though this just suited him. - -"You remember," continued Josh, "we had some pretty tall rivalry in that -line once or twice before. Never mind who came out first best; that's -ancient history, and pretty musty by now. You find enough worms and -I'll get a rig ready, Buster." - -George rubbed his hands as though the prospect looked pretty bright to -him. With two ardent anglers engaged in a warm contest to see who could -do the better in the way of making captures, those who loved fresh fish -might expect to be well taken care of. - -When the supper had been disposed of, and every one declared he felt -"full to the brim," Buster secured the little camp hatchet they had been -wise enough to fetch along with them, and which had been a useful -adjunct on many past outings. - -With this in hand he started to attack some of the old stumps that could -be seen scattered around. Josh felt considerable interest in his labors, -as from time to time he could be heard calling out, and asking what the -score was. - -"Got three dandies in that stump," Buster presently made answer, "and -here's a whole nest of bigger ones than the others. Say, we're fixed all -right, my friend, so far as plenty of attractive bait goes. I can see a -lovely time among the finny tribes when some of these fat boys get in -the drink. They'll actually fight among themselves for a chance to bite; -especially if you spit on your hook after impaling the grub." - -By the time he had placed a full dozen of the victims of his hunt in the -little can that had contained sardines at one time, Buster pronounced -himself ready to begin serious operations. - -Josh had in the meantime managed to get his line ready just as Buster -finished his work; George told him it looked suspiciously as though he -had been "soldiering," and meant to let his rival do all the work; but -gallant Buster, hearing all this talk, immediately came to the rescue. - -"And why shouldn't Josh take it easy, after going to all the trouble to -prepare that fine supper?" he demanded. "You've got a bad habit, George, -of looking a gift horse in the mouth, and the sooner you break yourself -of it the better. Now, come along Josh, and let's find a good place for -throwing our lines out into the river." - -"We're not going to be partial or play favorites," warned Jack, -laughingly; "may the best man win; but please don't try to give us any -more _planked shad_, Buster, you hear!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -WHEN THE STORM CAME - - -As Buster had taken a survey of the situation before darkness came -along, he knew of a promising point close at hand. Here they could toss -their lines out, and let the current drag them partly down-stream. - -It was not the kind of fishing that the boys preferred, because they -were accustomed to using jointed rods, and even casting artificial flies -with which to lure the frisky trout or the hard-pulling black bass to -their destruction. But as Buster wisely declared, "When you're fish -hungry you've just got to shut your eyes and get 'em any old way; -results are what count then, not methods." - -Presently Buster had a savage bite, and drew in a squirming victim. He -eyed this in the light of the rising moon and then remarked: - -"I don't know the species that fellow belongs to, but he looks good to -me, and all I hope is there are a lot of his uncles and his cousins and -his aunts hanging around, anxious for grub bait. Hello! Got one, have -you, Josh? Bully for you! Whew! He's a scrapper in the bargain, I tell -you. I hope he doesn't break loose, and give us the grand laugh!" - -Buster's interest was so taken up with what was going on near him that -he forgot his own line for the time being, until a quick summons at the -other end announced that one of the said finny relations seemed anxious -to follow the first victim to the shore. - -Then both boys were kept busy pulling in hand over hand. They succeeded -in landing both prizes, which fact made them very joyful. - -"Only needs one more to complete the first circle, though I think I'd -like two for my share, Josh, and so might all the rest. You see there's -a heap of waste when you come to take off the head and tail. Let's hurry -up and get 'em while the bitin's good. You never can tell when fish will -quit takin' hold." - -It was certainly less than half an hour after they first started off -when the two sportsmen came strolling back to the bright camp fire -dangling a pretty string of still lively fish between them on a little -pole. - -"Two apiece, and one left for luck!" announced Buster, triumphantly, as -the other fellows jumped to their feet with expressions of pleasure to -look the catch over. - -"They ought to be cleaned right away, and a little salt rubbed inside so -they'll keep nice and fresh over night," said Josh, "so let's get busy, -Buster." - -"But don't you think that ought to be our part of the business?" asked -George, although there was not very much animation in his manner, for -George hated to handle the job of cleaning fish, though when it came to -eating them no one ever knew him to make any objection. - -"Now that's kind of you, George, to offer to do the thing for us," -observed Buster, sweetly; "especially since we know how you detest the -job. Thank you, but as our hands are in, Josh and me can attend to them -all right." - -Josh, however, did not look overly well pleased when he heard Buster say -this. Truth to tell, he had already arranged it in his wicked heart that -George should be trapped into "doing something for his keep." - -"We'll let you off this time, George," he remarked, pointedly, "but the -very next batch of fish we haul in you can tackle the job." - -George only chuckled, and drew a sigh of relief. Perhaps he may have -said to himself that sometimes people count their chickens before they -are hatched, and that possibly there might never be another "batch;" -remembering the story of the small boy who while eating an apple, upon -being appealed to by an envious comrade to give him the core, told him -"there ain't a-goin' to be any core, Jimmy." - -In due time the fish were laid away in a safe place where no roving -animal was apt to discover and appropriate them. Buster might in his -happy-go-lucky fashion have been careless in this particular, but shrewd -Josh was far too smart to take unnecessary chances. - -"We don't know anything about the country around here," he told the -others. "They may have wild animals, and again p'raps there's nothing of -the kind to be feared. But it's best to lock the stable _before_ the -horse is stolen." - -So the fish were kept aboard the boat, although from time to time George -might have been observed to sniff the air suggestively as he prepared to -sleep, plainly indicating that he disliked the fishy smell. But then -George always was what Josh called "finicky" in his habits, and the -rest seemed to pay little or no attention to things that annoyed the -particular one. - -When morning came, without any untoward happening, Buster took particular -pains to cook that mess of fish to a beautiful brown color. He followed -the old and well known camp method of first throwing several slices of -fat salt pork into the skillet and rendering it down. Then when it was -boiling hot he placed as many of the fish as it would accommodate in the -pan, first rolling them in cracker dust. Turning them back and forth as -was necessary he finally had them looking so appetizing that the others -refused to wait a minute longer, but made a raid on the lot. - -The breakfast was a pronounced success. Even George was heard to say -that he did not care how soon it was repeated; which was quite reckless -on his part, since he had been given due warning as to his duties next -time. - -The sun was well up and shining brightly when they left the scene of -their camp. It promised to be a rather warm day, Josh predicted, after -taking a look around at the sky, and sizing up the breeze. Josh -pretended to be something of a weather sharp, though hardly calling -himself a prophet along those lines. - -"And," said he, as they started down the river again, "it wouldn't -surprise me a bit if we ran into a squall before we see that old sun go -down tonight." - -"Do you really mean that, Josh?" asked Buster. - -"All humbug," muttered George, disdainfully, as though he never pinned -any faith on "signs," and considered all weather predictions as founded -on mere guess work. - -Josh shrugged his shoulders as he went on to say: - -"Oh! very well, just wait and see if I know beans or not, that's all. -They have some pretty lively thunder storms along the Danube, I'm told, -and if that's so what better time than in August could you expect to run -across one? Course I may be mistaken, because I'm only a tenderfoot of a -weather sharp; but wait and see." - -"Oh! we will, Josh, we will," replied George, in his tantalizing way. - -The morning passed pleasantly enough, though as noon came on it might be -noticed that everybody showed signs of being hot. The sun certainly did -blaze down upon them, and it was even warmer inside the cabin of the -powerboat than outside, so it seemed useless trying to get any relief by -seeking the shade. - -They drew in at a place where there were trees, just to lie around for -possibly an hour under their shelter, while they ate a cold "snack." It -was too furiously hot to dream of building a fire and making a pot of -coffee. - -Then once again they embarked for another run down-stream. Jack figured -they had covered more distance that morning by five miles than on the -other day. This fact cheered them up immensely, and as they continued to -go with the current they took their customary interest in what was to be -seen along the eastern shore, where they would not have the bright rays -of the declining sun in their eyes. - -Many were the odd sights they beheld from time to time. First it was -this thing that attracted them, and hardly had their exclamations of -delight ceased than something else would be discovered further down that -chained their attention until they were close enough to make out its -character. - -One thing Jack called their attention to, and this was the fact that -they were meeting with more evidences of mobilization than ever, as they -proceeded further from the Hungarian capital. - -The news may have been belated in reaching many of these interior -hamlets and pretty little towns along the Danube; but it must have -arrived at last, and no end of excitement had followed. - -They saw scores and even hundreds of men in uniform, some marching in -squads as if hurrying to join the colors; others guarding bridges, or -other vulnerable structures, the latter doubtless being old men who -could not go to the front, though still possessing the military spirit, -and desirous of doing something for the country of his birth. - -Jack was delighted with this chance to see things he had often read -about but never really expected to set eyes on. - -"I used to believe that it was a terrible crime to have every young -fellow serve a couple of years in the army before he could go into -business, and then be reckoned as belonging to the reserves, but I'm -changing my mind some, let me tell you," was what he said later in the -afternoon. - -"How's that, Jack?" asked Buster. - -"Well," continued the other, obligingly, "in the first place it makes -for a love for their country when they know they represent a unit in her -defense. Then again it goes to make the young fellows amenable to -discipline, something millions of boys in our country are lacking in. It -teaches them to be frugal, and the life outdoors makes them a lot more -healthy." - -"Sounds good to me, Jack," assented Josh. - -"I know we've done a heap of talking over in America about the mad folly -of Germany in making every young man serve a term in the army, and -boasted that our boys needn't ever fear of being forced to join the -colors; but perhaps, fellows, after this world war is over, we'll be -doing the same thing. Preparedness is what is going to count for a -whole lot, let me tell you; and both Great Britain and the States will -learn a lesson before they're through." - -At the time of course Jack was only taking a vague peep into the future; -but events that have happened since then show he had a wise head on his -young shoulders. When these words are being penned camps are springing -up all over the States where business men can have a month's training in -military ways; and those who come back home admit that they have taken -on a new lease of life, such are the great benefits to be obtained in -that fashion. - -It must have been past the middle of the hot afternoon, when the boys -were lolling about, almost panting for breath, and taking things as easy -as possible, that a sudden sound startled them. - -"Thunder!" ejaculated Buster, as he popped up his head to look around. - -Black clouds were sweeping swiftly down back of them, and even as they -looked a flash of vivid lighting resembling a forked dagger shot toward -the earth, almost immediately succeeded by another deep-toned burst of -thunder. - -"What do you say to that, George?" demanded Josh, turning a triumphant -face on the other. - -"Oh! seems like you hit the mark with that guess," admitted the other, -"but then anybody might one out of three. Besides, we haven't got the -storm yet, have we? It may go around us." - -"No danger of that," declared Josh; "these summer storms nearly always -follow the channel of a river. I've known 'em to pour down pitchforks -for half an hour on the water and the other bank, and never a drop fall -on me. But we'll get all the rain you want to see right soon now." - -"I do hope it'll cool the air some then," complained Buster, who being -stouter than any of his chums, must have suffered more in proportion -from the heat. - -"What had we better do, Jack?" asked George, surveying the black clouds -uneasily. - -"It's too bad that we don't happen to see any cove where we could run in -and stay," replied the pilot; "so on the whole I think we'd better make -a turn and head into the storm that's coming down the river." - -"That sounds good to me!" declared Josh, instantly understanding the -benefit such a course would likely bring to them; "our cabin is partly -open in the rear, but well protected forward. We can use that tarpaulin -to cover the well back here, and after all the storm won't last long. -Swing her around, Jack, and edge in a bit closer to the shore while -you're about it. The river is pretty wide right here." - -It seemed three times as wide to Buster just then, as at any time -before; but of course this came from his suddenly awakened fears. - -"How deep do you think it can be out here, Josh?" he asked after another -fearful rolling crash of thunder had passed into rumblings in the -distance. - -"Oh! a mile or so," replied Josh, carelessly. - -"Whee! then all I hope is we don't get blown over on our beam-ends, and -have to swim for it," Buster was heard to say. - -They had just managed to get the boat headed up-stream when the squall -struck them with almost hurricane force. The water was lifted and flung -against the little boat with terrific violence. Indeed, the boys working -energetically could hardly manage to fasten the stout tarpaulin to the -hooks by which it was meant to be secured in an emergency like this, so -as to cover the open well at the stern. - -The rain began to come down in wild gusts, the wind howled around them, -the boat rose and fell frantically, and Jack had all he could do to keep -the plunging craft headed into the furious storm. - -It grew almost dark around them. Water found entrance despite the cover, -and the boys prepared to take a soaking. As they were not made of salt, -and had undergone many privations and discomforts during other days, -they uttered no complaint. Indeed, Buster was telling himself that it -would be all right if they only got through in safety; clothes could be -easily dried, but it was another thing to be wrecked out on a raging -river in a storm like this. - -The waves were mounting pretty high, so that with every plunge they -could tell that the propeller was fighting the air, as it was hoisted -above the resisting water. This was what alarmed Jack, for he knew the -danger attending such a sudden and constant change of speed. - -He tried the best he could to ease the strain each time they rose and -fell; but it was always with an anxious heart that he listened to hear -if the propeller still continued to do its duty after every mad plunge. - -Minutes had passed, just how long a time since the beginning of the -storm none of the boys could tell. Then all at once every one noticed -that they had ceased to progress steadily. The noise of the churning -propeller had also ceased. - -"We're turning broadside to the blow, Jack!" shouted Buster, although -that was hardly the case as yet, his fears magnifying the danger. - -"What happened, Jack?" roared Josh. - -"Engine's broken down, and we're at the mercy of the storm!" came the -staggering reply. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE SPORT OF THE ELEMENTS - - -"Just what I expected!" exclaimed George, when he heard what Jack had to -say. - -"Will the boat upset, do you think?" bellowed Buster, as he fancied he -could feel the craft already tilting dangerously, so that he "sidled" -across to the other side of the crowded little cabin. - -"Oh! I hardly think it'll be as bad as that," the commodore told him; -"but while we're about it we'd better fasten on these life preservers!" - -They had discovered half a dozen cork belts under one of the lockers, -and these Jack proceeded to hastily throw out. Every fellow was -immediately engaged in trying to buckle one about his person, well up -under the arms. - -The thunder bellowed at quick intervals, so that talking could only be -indulged in between these outbursts. It was almost dark inside the cabin -of the rocking boat, and of course the boys were all very much excited, -not knowing what was going to happen at the next minute. - -"Be sure to get it up under your arms, Buster," warned Jack, while he -worked. - -"Yes," added Josh, who could be sarcastic even when confronted by such -danger, "for if the old thing slips down any it'll keep your feet out, -and your head under water. Better put two more on you, Buster, because -you're a heavyweight, you know." - -Perhaps Josh was joking when he said this, but Buster took it all -solemnly enough. - -"Guess I will, if the rest of you don't need 'em!" he declared. "If -you're done fixin' yours Josh, _please_ lend me a hand. I don't seem -able to get the fastening the right way. Oh! we nearly went over that -time, didn't we?" - -"Keep still, Buster, and quit trying to balance the boat!" urged George; -"your weight won't matter a bean if she's bound to turn turtle; and you -nearly smashed my foot that time, you came down on it so hard. Talk to -me about a sportive elephant, it isn't in the same class with you when -you get excited." - -"Here, I'll try and fix you up, Buster, if only you keep quiet a spell," -Josh told him, and between the two mentors Buster resolved to bear up -and show a brave front. - -Jack was peeping out as if hoping to see some sign of the storm -breaking. The boat meanwhile was wallowing dreadfully, showing that by -degrees she must be turning sideways to the waves and the wind, the -latter still blowing "great guns." - -A vivid flash came just when Jack had the tarpaulin drawn aside, and -made Buster give a loud cry. - -"Oh, what a scorcher!" he exclaimed; "I thought I was struck at first." - -The speedy crash that followed drowned the rest of his words. - -"Any hope of its being over soon, Jack?" demanded Josh, as soon as he -could make himself heard. - -"Nothing doing that I could see," came the loud reply, for what with the -howl of the wind and the dash of the agitated waters against the boat it -was no easy matter to make oneself heard. "All black around. You can't -see twenty feet away for the rain and the gloom." - -"Jack, do you happen to know whether there's any rapids or falls along -the Danube?" asked George presently. - -"I'm not so sure about it," replied the other; "seems to me I did hear -some talk about rapids or falls or something, though it may have been -about the river away up above Vienna." - -Buster at that found himself possessed with a new cause for alarm. He -pictured Niagara Falls, and the powerboat plunging over the beetling -brink, with four boys he knew full well fastened in its interior, -helpless victims. Then as the mood changed he could see Whirlpool Rapids -below the falls, through which no ordinary boat had been known to pass -safely, but always emerged in splinters, after buffeting the half-hidden -sharp-pointed rocks, and urged on by the frightful current. - -"Listen! I thought I heard a distant roaring sound just then that might -be the falls, fellows!" Buster broke out with. - -Although the others all suspected that it was only the result of a -lively imagination that caused him to say this, at the same time they -could not help straining their hearing to ascertain whether there could -be any truth in it. - -"You fooled yourself that time, Buster," announced George finally, and -with a vein of positive relief in his voice; "it must have been the rain -coming down like a cloud-burst, or else the wind tearing through some -trees ashore." - -The action of the boat continued to cause more or less anxiety. -Frequently when the wind struck savagely on the counter of the wallowing -craft it would careen over so far that even Jack feared a catastrophe -was impending. - -Everything conspired to cause alarm--the darkness, the heavy crash of -thunder, the blinding flashes of lightning that stabbed the gloom so -suddenly, and the possibility of the boat turning turtle. - -In the midst of this Jack was seen to be crawling out of the cover. - -"What are you going to do?" shouted Josh. - -"All of us have forgotten that we've got an anchor forward," Jack told -him; "I'm going to drop it over. It may take hold; and anyway it's bound -to keep our head into the storm by dragging!" - -"Let me help you, Jack!" added Josh with his usual impulsiveness. - -"You may come along, but no one else," he was told. - -Of course, that was aimed primarily at Buster, for Jack could not forget -how clumsy the fat chum always proved himself to be; and the chances -were that he would manage to fall overboard did he attempt to crawl -along the slippery sloping deck. - -Once outside and Josh realized what a difficult thing it was going to be -to get forward to where the anchor might be found. The little boat -rolled and tossed like a chip on the angry seas. Josh felt almost dizzy -with the motion, but he shut his teeth grimly together and resolved to -stick it out to the end. If Jack could stand it surely he should be able -to do the same. Besides, he would sooner die almost than let George see -him show the white feather. - -"Get a good hold before you move each time," called Jack in his ear; -"and better grab me if you find yourself going!" - -That was just like Jack's generous nature; he thought nothing of the -added risk he was assuming when he gave Josh this advice. - -Josh would never be apt to forget that exciting experience as long as -he lived. Except when the lightning came it was as impossible to see -anything as though they were in the midst of a dark night; and even -then all they could detect was what seemed to be a wall of gray fog -enveloping them on every side, with the white-capped waves leaping and -tossing like hungry wolves around them. - -Of course, both boys were immediately drenched, but of this they thought -nothing. Both had their coats off at the time, on account of the -afternoon heat, which turned out to be a lucky thing for them, since -their movements were apt to be less fettered and confined in consequence. - -Foot by foot they made their way forward. Jack's advice to always retain -one grip until the other hand could take hold of something ahead saved -Josh more than once from being thrown overboard. A little recklessness -would have cost him dear in a case like that. - -Finally Jack seemed to have gained his end, for he was bending down over -the anchor when a flash of lightning enabled the other boy to see him -again. Josh, determined to have a hand in casting the mudhook overboard, -hastened to join him. - -"The end of the cable is fast all right, is it, Jack?" he shouted, as -together they took hold of the rusty iron anchor. - -"Yes. I made sure of that before we started, and tested the cable in the -bargain," he was instantly assured. - -It was a good thing some one had been so careful, for Josh himself had -evidently not given the matter a single thought. - -"Look out not to get a leg tangled in the rope, Josh!" shouted Jack. - -"I will, all right!" the other replied, knowing that in such an event he -would be dragged overboard like a flash. - -So the anchor was let go. - -There was no result until the whole of the cable had been paid out. Jack -waited anxiously to see what followed, though he knew fairly well it -would steady the drifting boat and turn the bow into the storm again. - -Both of them felt the sudden jerk that announced the expected event. - -"She's turning right away, Jack!" bellowed Josh, trying to make himself -heard above the heavy boom of the thunder's growl. - -There could be no doubt on that score, for already the motions of the -runaway motorboat seemed to be much less violent. Jack believed his -scheme was going to be a success, and it pleased him to know that his -wetting would not have been taken for nothing. - -They lingered no longer, but started back toward the stern. It was not -quite so difficult now to creep along the slippery deck, holding on to -the cabin roof, and finally reaching the open well in the stern. A head -was in sight, showing that one of the anxious chums could not rest easy -until he learned what the result of the venture had been. - -"You must have done it, fellows!" exclaimed Buster, for it was no other -than the stout boy who had thrust his head out like a tortoise, "because -she rides so much easier now. I knew Jack'd manage it if anybody could." - -Drenched as they were, the two boys had to drop down under the -tarpaulin. After all, that was a minor matter, since by their bold -action they had warded off what might have turned out to be a grave -disaster. - -"Let her blow and thunder all she wants to now," said Josh triumphantly; -"we've got the anchor trailing from the bow, and that's going to keep -her nose in the wind. I've read how a vessel nearly going down in a -hurricane has been saved by making a storm anchor out of hatches, or -anything else that will float, and towing the same behind to keep the -ship steady. That's what _we_ did, you see." - -Josh was more than glad now he had insisted on accompanying the -commodore in attempting to carry out his hazardous undertaking. It -would give him an opportunity to swell with importance whenever the -deed was mentioned, and to use the magical word "we" in speaking of -the adventure. What boy is there who does not like to feel that he -personally partook of the danger when brave things were undertaken and -accomplished? - -After that they settled down to wait. The storm must surely come to an -end before a great while, and as they were now moving at less than -one-half the mad pace they had been going before that drag had been -instituted, it seemed perfectly safe even to Buster. - -"All I hope for now is that we don't run afoul of some half-sunken rock, -or it may be a snag!" Josh was heard to say. - -"We do know there are snags floating along, because you remember I -struck one only yesterday," ventured Buster, referring, of course, to -the log which, by catching his trailing fish hook, had dragged him -overboard. - -"Not much danger of that," Jack assured them; "they keep a pretty clear -channel over here, it seems, even if we haven't met steamboats on the -river like you would on the Mississippi. Given another ten minutes or so -and I think we'll see the break in the storm we expect. It can hardly -last much longer now." - -"Must have done some damage ashore, too, boys?" suggested George. - -"So long as it hasn't killed off all the chickens, so we can't get any -more eggs, that doesn't really concern us, I s'pose," said Buster, not -meaning to be unfeeling in the least, but just then that seemed to be in -the nature of a calamity in his mind. - -Slowly the time passed, but the boys were soon delighted to discover -that there was actually a slackening up of the elements that had -combined to make such a furious discord. The thunder became less -boisterous, the wind lulled perceptibly, and even the waves had lost -much of their force. - -Jack, taking an observation, made an important discovery, and followed -it with an announcement that gave his comrades considerable pleasure. - -"There's a break in the storm clouds over there in the west, boys, and I -guess we've got to the end of this trouble!" - -"With no damage done except a wetting for two of us," added Josh, trying -to act as though that counted for next to nothing, considering the -benefits that had probably sprung from the work of Jack and himself. - -"Why, it seems to me the rain has let up, too, Jack!" exclaimed Buster, -forcing his head through the opening in the tarpaulin cover of the well. - -"In a few minutes more we can get rid of this old thing and breathe free -once more," Jack told him. - -"Well, I'm sure I'll be mighty glad," said Buster, "because I'm nearly -stewed as it is, with the heat below here; and that breeze feels mighty -good to me. It won't be near as warm after this storm, that's sure." - -"Like as not, Buster," advised Josh, shivering a little because of his -wet condition, "we'll all be frozen stiff before an hour goes by. Queer -things happen over in this Danube country, I'm told." - -"Rats! You can't scare me, Josh," Buster immediately informed him; -"course, since you're all wet through and through _you_ might freeze, -but not a healthy specimen like me. This time we'll have to make a fire -for you other fellows, if we can find enough dry wood to burn, that is." - -Jack's prediction was soon fulfilled. The break in the storm clouds grew -rapidly in magnitude until quite a large sized patch of blue sky became -visible. They soon had the tarpaulin dragged on top of the cabin roof to -dry out; and when the sun appeared the pair who had been drenched took -positive delight in sprawling there and letting the warm rays start -drying their garments on them. - -"Well, seems like we got through that scrape O. K.," ventured Buster; -"but we're not yet out of the woods by a big lot. We've got a broken -engine on our hands, and no means of fixing the same, even if we knew -how to do it. What's to be done now, Commodore Jack?" - -Somehow the others always thought to give Jack his full title when -relying on him to get them out of a scrape. But Jack let this significant -fact pass, for he knew these three chums from the ground up, and could -not hold a single thing against any one of them. And, as usual, he had a -remedy ready for every disease. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE HUNGARIAN MOB - - -"There's only one thing we can do," Jack told them, "which is to work -the boat along closer to the western shore. Before long, unless my map -of the river is all wrong, we ought to strike a town by the name of -Mohaca, a railroad place situated on a sharp bend of the Danube, and -there must be some one in that town who can do the necessary repairs to -our engine, if we hold over half a day." - -The others admitted that the plan proposed by their leader sounded good -to them. And accordingly they set to work first of all to get the -trailing anchor aboard, so that their progress would be delayed no -longer. - -Buster was much relieved. Besides, it was Josh who was saturated to the -skin now, and when one means to be cheerful it counts for considerable -"whose ox is gored," as Buster liked to put it. - -Still he felt sorry when he saw Josh shivering, for the air had become -suddenly quite cool after the passing of the storm, and insisted on -wrapping a blanket about the slim boy. - -All of them kept watch for signs of the town below. The afternoon was -wearing on very fast now, and they hoped to arrive before sunset. It -might be a difficult matter to find the machinist they wanted if they -reached the town on the bank of the Danube after darkness had set in. - -"I reckon it's at that bend below there," said Jack; "if you look sharp -you can see the sun glinting from what looks to me like a church -steeple, with a cross on the same." - -"You hit it that time, Jack," asserted Josh, "because that's just what -it is. For one I'll be glad to get where we can have a fire and dry -out." - -They were compelled to work pretty hard in order to get the boat over -close to the shore where the town stood. The current seemed to run in a -contrary direction, and did its best to frustrate their efforts. - -Jack, however, remembering many other times when they had been aboard -motorboats that acted queerly, or else broke down, had seen to it that -there was a push-pole lashed to the side of the craft. The river at this -point proved to be comparatively shallow, so that it was easily possible -to reach bottom. - -By changing hands, and each one having a turn, they kept where they -wanted to go, and in this way made the town. - -It did not differ from other places they had been seeing along the -Danube, and after the storm it looked rather subdued. In the morning -they would find the customary amount of life in the place, together with -the usual display of soldiers' uniforms, Jack did not doubt in the -least. - -As they were passing slowly along in search of some place where they -might hope to have their broken-down engine repaired on the following -day, as well as a harbor of refuge for the coming night, loud cheers -drew their attention to the railroad which ran close to the river bank. - -"It's only another train-load of troops going to the front!" announced -Josh, as they saw numerous heads thrust from the windows of the -carriages, together with wildly waving hands. - -"They think it's a picnic to start with," said George, "but before long -they'll sing a different tune, I guess; that is, those who live through -the first battle. In these days of quick-firing guns and the terrible -shells, the chances a fellow has of coming back home are mighty small. -No soldiering for me if I know myself." - -"Oh, that's all hot air you're giving us, George," scoffed Josh. "You -know mighty well that if our country was in danger, and you were old -enough, you'd enlist right away. So would we all of us, as well as Herb -and Andy at home. You've got your faults, George, as all of us have, but -being a coward isn't one of them by a long shot." - -George did not make any reply to this speech, but smiled as though he -felt rather pleased to know even Josh had such a good opinion of his -fighting abilities. - -The long train with its shouting crowds passed from sight. Evidently -these troops were headed for the Servian border, and expected to see -warm service there, fighting against the brave little country that had -long since won its independence from the Turks. - -"I think I see what we're wanting to find," remarked Jack presently. - -"It's the usual boatyard you find in nearly all river towns," added -Josh; "and we ought to be able to make arrangements for having our -engine looked over and repaired in the morning." - -"Make your minds easy on that score," advised George, calmly enough; -"for even if we don't run across a machinist who can do the job, trust -me to tackle it." - -"What! you?" ejaculated Buster. - -"Why not?" demanded George, as though aggrieved that any one should for -a moment question his ability in that line. "Haven't I taken the engine -of my Wireless to pieces many a time and put it together again?" - -"That's right, you have," spoke up Josh, "because you never could let -well enough alone, but must be monkeying around your engine all the -time. That's why Jack insisted in the beginning of this voyage that you -were to be a passenger and let him act as pilot and engineer." - -"But the engine's broken down, isn't it?" demanded George. - -"Sure it has," Josh admitted, "but that was a sheer accident, and you -didn't have a thing to do with it." - -"There's no reason to believe we'll get left about finding a machinist -here," Jack remarked, to calm the troubled waters. "I think that sign -tells us as much. But we'll soon know." - -They managed to push the boat inside the enclosure. Here they found a -number of river craft of various types, and Jack noticed that among them -were several launches, from which fact he judged that the man did all -kinds of general repairing. - -A short time later they landed and found the owner of the shop. He could -understand English, fortunately enough, so they were able to make a -bargain with him. Doubtless he must have charged them an exorbitant -price, for upon their accepting his terms he showed them unusual -courtesy, even telling them to push the boat inside his house, where he -could get to work at the engine in the morning. - -He also informed the boys that if they chose to sleep aboard they were -at perfect liberty to do so. Should it storm again they would have the -benefit of a roof over their heads; and they could cook their supper at -the fire he would leave in the forge. - -Buster immediately declared it would be a jolly thing all around. - -"You know we do feel more or less cramped aboard our boat," he went on -to remark, with considerable eagerness. "And if you say the word, why, -I'll take my blanket and camp out here on the floor. There are plenty of -chips to make a soft bed, even if they don't smell as sweet as hemlock -browse such as we have at home." - -"And another thing," added Josh, "Jack and myself can get nice and dry -at the fire here in the forge. I think the man must have noticed that -we'd been soaked." - -"Yes, and he soaked us some more in the bargain," complained George, -"according to the price we agreed to pay him for the easy job of mending -a broken engine. See, you might have saved all that money if you'd had -enough confidence in me to let me run the job." - -"Perhaps!" said Josh dryly, and there was such a world of meaning in -that one word as pronounced by him that George immediately fell silent, -not caring to bring about another verbal controversy. - -The owner of the boatyard and shop was certainly very kind in allowing -those who were perfect strangers to him to remain over night there. He -must have seen by looking at the faces of the four boys that they were -worthy of trust. It was not everybody whom he would grant such a favor -to, and Jack told his chums they had reason to feel quite proud of the -fact. - -It was by this time getting quite dark. The man had lighted a lamp for -them, which served to dispel the gloom in the shop's interior. Josh was -already using the bellows in order to blow the dying fire into new life. -When the heat became noticeable he and Jack proceeded to warm up. By -degrees they found that this steaming process dried their clothes -admirably. Buster could tell them how efficient it had been in his own -case, only that Buster was now impatient for them to get through, so he -could have the red bed of coals for the purpose of cooking supper. - -At the time the proprietor of the boatyard went away Jack had stepped -outside the door with him. As he expected, he found that the shop faced -on a street running close to the river itself. - -As they had laid in plenty of provisions at Budapest, there was really -no necessity for any of them to wander around the town. If the boys -exhibited any curiosity in that respect, Jack meant to dampen their zeal -by telling them there might be some danger of strangers being eyed with -suspicion in these exciting days, and that it would be safest to stay at -the shop. - -Besides, there could be no telling just when the repairs would be -finished, for, after all, the damage was apt to be slight; and in this -event they would want to be on the move with as little delay as -possible. - -Bumpus was soon in his glory. It had indeed been a long while since they -had enjoyed the privilege of preparing a meal over such a fine fire as -the blacksmith forge afforded them. Besides, the glowing coals seemed so -much nicer than ordinary smoking wood; as Bumpus said, it saved the -cook's back considerable, in that he did not have to bend down so much. - -They found something that answered for a table, and by the light of the -lamp so kindly loaned by the owner they ate their supper. No matter what -it consisted of, for there is no time to go into particulars--at least -it had a "homey" taste to it, and brought back to their minds numerous -other meals which had accompanied their various cruises down American -rivers, through the Great Lakes, and among the islands of the Florida -coast. - -It seemed very quiet down by the river. If the town itself was booming -with the spirit of war, the boys heard very little of it while they sat -around chatting, after partaking of the meal Bumpus provided. - -Once George sauntered over to the door that led to the street and looked -out, but he did not venture forth. When he came back Josh, of course, -wanted to know what he had heard. - -"Oh, nothing much," the other replied with a yawn. "There's considerable -noise up above, and perhaps some soldiers are getting ready to go away. -You know they make an awful lot of fuss over here when the boys are off -for the war." - -"So far as that goes, they do it everywhere," remarked Jack. "I remember -plainly hearing my folks telling all that happened in our town in -ninety-eight, when the war with Spain broke out. Of course, all of us -were kids then, babies in fact, and we knew nothing about it; but I take -it there were lots of exciting things happening day after day, as trains -passed through. One country doesn't differ a great deal from another, -when you come to take notice." - -"I hope you took pains to put up that stout bar again, George, after you -shut the double doors?" remarked Bumpus. "Not that I expect we'll be -troubled with unwelcome visitors in the shape of thieves while we're -roosting here, but you know it's a heap nicer to know everything's -lovely and the goose hangs high." - -"Oh, don't borrow any trouble about that bar, Buster," George assured -him. "Sure I put it back, just like I found it. I reckon the owner uses -it when he's working in here behind closed doors and doesn't want to be -disturbed. You know he locked the small door before going away. It's all -right, Buster, so let your dear timid soul rest in peace." - -"Oh, not that I'm afraid," asserted the other indignantly; "honest, -George, I only mentioned the matter as a simple precaution. Jack here -might have done the same, given a little more time. You ought to know me -better than that, George." - -The boat lay tied up in the basin inside the shed. Back of it was a -water gate, which had also been closed and fastened by the owner before -departing. Surrounded as they were by all the tools of a boat repairer's -trade, the boys felt as though they were in strange company. Possibly -some of these same tools were built along different lines from what they -might have found in the same sort of an establishment in the States. - -For quite some time the four chums sat there and talked over various -things of interest. Of course, these as a general rule had some -connection with their own fortunes. Many questions were asked and -answered, by one or another, as the case might be, although as a rule it -was Jack to whom most of them were addressed. The whole scheme of a -cruise down the Danube had originated with Jack, and for this reason, as -well as others, the remaining three boys looked to him to find answers -to the many puzzling enigmas that faced them. - -Jack was fully qualified to assume this task, and it was seldom they -were ever able to "stump" him with a twister. - -So the time passed on, and, judging from the repeated way in which some -of the motorboat boys were yawning without even putting up a hand to -hide the gap, it became evident that they could not remain awake much -longer. - -Indeed, Jack himself felt pretty drowsy, and was just about to propose -that the meeting adjourn _sine die_, so that each could prepare his cot -for the night, just as he saw fit, when something occurred to interfere -with this peaceful scheme. - -"Listen! Seems to me that hollerin's coming closer to us," exclaimed -Josh. - -"Sure it is," added George, which was pretty conclusive evidence -pointing that way, because as a rule he would have questioned it before -giving in. - -"There's a crowd coming," said Jack quietly. - -"More like an angry mob, it sounds to me," muttered Josh. - -"Say, you don't think for a minute, do you," cried Buster, "that they -know about us being hidden in this coop, and mean to interview the -bunch, perhaps shoot us for Servian spies?" - -"Oh, hardly as bad as that," Jack went on to say, seeking to calm the -excited Buster; "they may pass by and never bother us at all. Perhaps -some soldiers are going along to a place of meeting, where they expect -to entrain for the front." - -"Anyway, we'll soon know the worst," declared Josh, "because they're -nearly up to the shop by now." - -The shouts outside had an angry and insistent ring about them that Jack -did not like. Then came a series of heavy and imperative knocks on the -closed shop doors! - - - - -CHAPTER X - -CLEVERLY DONE - - -"My stars! it's us they're after, fellows!" Buster was heard to gurgle, -when the knocks ceased as suddenly as they had begun. - -No one had to be told that, for they all knew it just as well as Buster. -George turned an anxious look on Josh; and then, perhaps unconsciously -placing their hopes on their leader, both of them wheeled to face Jack. - -"I knew we'd be sorry if ever we tried stopping over at one of these -ratty little towns," muttered George. - -"But there they start to knocking again!" exclaimed Josh. "If we don't -do something, and pretty quick at that, they'll start to pulling this -shanty down over our heads, even if it is made of stones." - -Jack had to think fast. He knew Josh spoke the truth, and that so far as -offering resistance went they were practically helpless against the mob. -He could easily imagine how in some manner suspicion had been excited -against the four young strangers stopping over night at the river town. -One word would lead to another in these exciting times, until all sorts -of extravagant surmises must result; and finally some bold spirit must -have suggested that they proceed to the boathouse and drag the unknown -parties out, to question, perhaps hang them. - -So far as trying to escape was concerned, it seemed equally hopeless. -Besides the double door there was also the small one, which the -proprietor had securely locked before leaving them. Both led to the -street. - -To be sure, there were the water gates, but to leave in that way must -necessitate abandoning their motorboat, something the boys would be loth -to do. Further than this, there was no small boat handy, even if they -could manage to get it out on the river without being noticed and -pursued. - -As to attempting to swim off, that was impossible, since they could not -make any headway with their clothes on, and leaving these behind was not -to be considered for a minute. - -So Jack quickly decided that the only thing left for them was to throw -open the double doors and trust to their customary good luck to make -friends with the clamorous mob without. - -"I'm going to open up, fellows," he told the others. "You keep back of -me, and say nothing unless I ask you to speak. Leave it all to me to -manage." - -"You just bet we will, Jack," assented Josh. - -"I should say yes," Buster hastily added. - -"It's a risky thing to do, Jack," remarked George, "but seems that we -haven't got much of a choice. We're between the devil and the deep sea. -Go ahead, then, and let's see how our luck holds good." - -Jack waited no longer. Indeed, it would have been dangerous to have held -the clamorous crowd in waiting much longer, for their pounding on the -door had assumed a more threatening phase, several having taken it upon -themselves to pick up heavy stones, with which they started to beat the -woodwork furiously, while all manner of loud cries arose. - -Suddenly the double doors were swung wide open. The outcries ceased as -if by magic. Jack, looking out, saw that fully fifty people stood in the -moonlit street. Most of them were men and boys, though a sprinkling of -women could also be seen. - -They were typical Hungarians, just such people as one would expect to -meet in a river town along the lower Danube. Some were flourishing what -appeared to be clubs, and the whole aspect of the mob looked -threatening indeed. - -It required considerable nerve to calmly face this crowd, but Jack -actually smiled, and waved his hand in friendly greeting, while Buster -held his breath in very awe, and the other two trembled a little between -excitement and alarm. - -One burly man in the front of the mob called out harshly. Jack could not -for a certainty know what he said, but it was easy to guess he must be -demanding who they were, where they came from, and what they were doing -in this part of the country in these perilous times. - -So Jack, waving his hand to entreat silence, called out: - -"Is there any one here who can talk English!" - -Somehow his question created considerable surprise. Evidently the crowd -had suspected that they were Serbians or natives of Montenegro, both of -which states at the time were antagonistic to Austria-Hungary. - -Several voices were heard announcing that they could understand and -speak the English language. Jack swept his eyes around to see who these -persons were, and, discovering that one of them stood in the front rank -of the crowd, he pointed at the man as he went on to say: - -"Please push your way up here. We will tell you everything you want to -know, and you can explain to your friends." - -The man did so, looking very important. Perhaps that was the first time -in all his life that he had been called upon to act in such a capacity -as interpreter, and he felt as though placed upon a pedestal. - -"Now, if you will please give me a chance, all of you," continued Jack, -"I will with the greatest pleasure tell everything. In the first place, -we are not, as you think, English boys, but Americans. Of course, you -know about America, for we have many thousands of good Hungarians over -there working with us, who send millions on millions of dollars back -home every year for the old folks. Tell them what I have just said, will -you?" - -The man had listened intently. He collected his wits, and then, turning -around so as to face the rest, commenced speaking. At the same time he -made good use of both hands, in the Hungarian fashion, to emphasize his -points. - -Some few of the more unruly made remarks among themselves as he -proceeded, but on the whole the crowd listened intently. It was already -apparent to Jack that he had gone about the business in the right way, -and had succeeded in making a good impression. - -He had read recently in a paper, whether it were true or not, that the -tens of thousands of Hungarians in the United States, men in the mines -and working on public improvements, and girls in service, sent back home -during the course of a year as much as a hundred and fifty million -dollars. Even if a third of that amount came across the sea it could be -understood that the people of the dual monarchy must have a very tender -spot in their hearts for _America_, where so many of their compatriots -were making big wages and happy. - -"Keep it moving, Jack," whispered Josh. "I tell you they're already on -the run. Lay it on thick, and don't spare the adjectives. They like to -hear things praised up to the skies. And say something nice about old -Francis Joseph, because, you know, they worship him." - -"Cut it out, Josh," growled George; "leave Jack alone to run this game, -can't you?" - -The man had by now finished telling what Jack had said to him. He again -turned with a look of expectancy on his face, waiting for the second -"installment of the story," as Josh afterwards called it. - -"We are American boys," continued Jack, "who have come over here on a -vacation. In our own country we own three motorboats, with which we -often cruise up and down the Mississippi River and others. So, having -heard so much about your beautiful blue Danube, we made up our minds to -spend a month or six weeks voyaging down it. This boat does not belong -to us. We hired it from a man in a town part-way between Vienna and -Budapest. We can show you the paper both parties signed proving how we -paid a certain sum in advance for the use of it until we reached the -Black Sea. Now tell them all that, please, while I get our American -passports ready to show you, as well as letters we have received from -our home while in Budapest." - -It took the interpreter a long time to translate all this. He struggled -heroically to master every detail, though Jack feared he might get mixed -more or less in his endeavor to find words to express the English -meaning. - -The crowd listened intently. - -It would have been amusing to watch their faces as seen in the bright -moonlight had the danger element been lacking. As it was, the boys were -still on the anxious seat, not knowing "which way the cat would jump." - -Jack was the exception, it may be said. He felt that his tactics and the -frank way he was taking the crowd into his confidence had already made -a favorable impression upon most of the men. They in turn would be apt -to suppress any of the more boisterous spirits who might feel like -getting out of bounds. - -Truth to tell, it was as much the manner of Jack Stormways as what he -said that worked this change in the feelings of the populace. No one of -intelligence could very well look upon his smiling face and believe ill -of him. - -By the time the man had managed to translate all that second batch -of explanations to his fellows Jack was ready for him again. He had -meanwhile collected from the other three their passports, properly vised -through the efforts of the American consul in Vienna, and also several -letters addressed to the general delivery at Budapest, with the American -stamps and postmarks to prove where they had come from. - -These papers he now handed to the man who could speak and read English. -Each one Jack opened and explained, after asking Josh to fetch the lamp -forward so that its light could be utilized. - -Meanwhile the crowd listened and pushed and gaped, some exchanging low -comments; but Buster was delighted to see that the threatening gestures -had stopped. From this he felt that Stormways' stock was rising fast -and would soon bull the market. - -It took a long time to go over the four passports with their seals, and -then read extracts from the letters. The man spoke several times, asking -questions, which proved that he meant to conduct his examination in a -thorough manner. Jack was in truth pleased to find that he had to deal -with so intelligent a party, for the travelers had really nothing to -conceal. - -He even mentioned about the three Hungarian officers who had overtaken -them some miles below Budapest, coming in a speed launch, and how they -had parted the best of friends after looking the boys over. - -Seeing that the crowd was becoming impatient, Jack cut his explanations -short and asked that the interpreter make his report to his friends. He -had taken the advice of shrewd Josh, and managed to speak highly of the -aged emperor; while this may have been done artfully as a stroke of -diplomacy, Jack really knew nothing but good of Francis Joseph, of whom -he had often read, so that he did not feel that he was attempting any -deception. - -Still holding the sheaf of passports, the man started to harangue the -crowd. He seemed to improve as he gained new confidence, and Jack saw -that he was something of a crude born orator, able to sway others by -the force of his will and words. - -Jack believed the best part of their luck lay in having picked on this -particular man. Another might have bungled things and made them worse -than they were originally. - -It took a very long time to explain about the papers, the letters and -everything else. Jack even heard the man mention the emperor's name, and -from this judged that he was repeating what the boy had said in order -to prove that the four strangers from America were favorable to the -Austrian side of the controversy. - -"He's got 'em whipped to a standstill, Jack," muttered Josh in the ear -of the other. "They'll do whatever he tells 'em, you mark me. I guess I -can read all the signs if I can't understand the lingo." - -Jack himself believed the same thing. He no longer felt his heart heavy -within him, with the prospect of having their fine cruise broken off and -themselves thrown into some prison, from which it would take all the -efforts of the American Ambassador to release them. - -Before the man who was speaking had finished there were desertions from -the mob, possibly some of those more ardent spirits who had hoped to -help hang a suspected Serbian spy and were grievously disappointed. - -When the speaker closed with what seemed to be a fervent peroration -there followed a general shout and much waving of hands. Jack caught -the one word America, and judged that the cheers were intended for his -native land, for surely many of these people had good reason to think of -the haven of the oppressed as a Paradise flowing with gold, milk and -honey. - -Then the mob began to disintegrate. A number who could speak English -came crowding around. They wished to shake hands with the four -stout-hearted lads who were not to be deterred from continuing their -hazardous voyage down the Danube by the mere fact that hostilities -had begun, and that there must be heavy firing between the Austrian -batteries and monitors and the hostile forces in Belgrade, the Serbian -capital, situated on the southern bank of the river. - -By degrees they went away, after giving this popular demonstration. -Somehow Buster changed his mind completely after seeing how those same -shouting men could turn into friends. He even remarked afterwards that -he thought the Hungarians were a warm-hearted race, and that he was -growing to like them immensely; though when he first saw the mob he -believed they were a lot of cutthroats eager for the lives of helpless -American boys. - -The interpreter was the last to go. Jack was seen to shake hands -heartily with him for the third time ere saying good-by. - -"I reckon now, Jack," remarked George, as they closed the double doors -once more, shutting out the bright moonlight, "you slipped a bill of -some kind in that fine fellow's hand the last time you said good-by to -him?" - -"Never mind about that, George," retorted the other; "if I did, that's -between the two of us, and nobody need know about it. It was worth ten -times as much just to see the way he swayed that crowd. From howling at -us they came to cheer us, and a good deal of the change was due to his -oratory." - -"As for me," piped up Buster, with a great sigh of relief, "I never will -forget this experience. There was a time at first when I thought of -having my head put on a pike and carried in a procession around town, -just like the mob used to do in the French Revolution; or, if it wasn't -that, I expected they'd get a rope and swing us all up, Wild Western -way. I tell you I'm shaking yet from being so anxious about you -fellows." - -Josh and George laughed at hearing this, and the whole of them went back -to their seats. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -UNDER FIRE ON THE RIVER - - -Later on the four boys made themselves as comfortable as the conditions -allowed, and tried to settle down for the night. Buster had carried out -his words, and managed to gather enough shavings to make a soft bed on -the floor, using his blanket to cover the same. Josh imitated his -example, but the others were satisfied to occupy their old places in the -boat. - -None of them slept soundly, and for good reasons. The recent excitement -made such an impression on their minds that they could not for a long -time stop thinking about the visit of the mob. - -Then again there was always the chance that some of the wilder spirits -might think they had been cheated out of some fun, and come back in the -small hours of the night to renew the trouble. - -Several times, when some sound was heard that at another time would -hardly have been noticed, one or more of the seeming sleepers would -raise his head to listen, proving that sleep had been remote at the -time. Buster in particular was uneasy, and even after he managed to get -asleep Josh declared he tossed about and muttered to himself at a fierce -rate. - -But, after all, their fears proved groundless. The townspeople had -accepted them at their face value, and did not mean to bother the -strangers again. No one came prowling around the boatshop during the -balance of the night; and with the arrival of dawn the boys were all up, -ready to cook breakfast and clear the shop so that the proprietor could -get busy. - -They had a simple meal, only coffee, boiled eggs and buttered toast; but -every one ate all he wished, so there was no complaints coming. - -Then came the owner of the boatyard and shop, who was greatly surprised -when he learned what had happened on the preceding night. He seemed -indignant at first, but calmed down when he heard how the mob had -changed from enemies into friends after finding that the boys were from -America. - -He told Jack that he could give a surmise as to what had prompted the -attack. Strangely enough, it concerned that story of the four desperate -young Serbians who, according to accounts, were said to have started for -Vienna with the avowed intention of depriving Austria-Hungary of their -beloved old emperor, just as some other wild spirits had murdered the -heir apparent and his wife. - -Apparently this story was believed by all who heard it. Those Serbians -were getting very bold of late, and nothing seemed to be beyond them. -They were also earning the mortal hatred of the Hungarians, Jack could -see. - -When the assistant worker arrived the two of them began to overhaul the -engine of the powerboat. George stood around every minute of the time -and watched, as well as asked innumerable questions. The others, -however, made him promise not to offer to render the least assistance. -They knew George's failings, and feared that if he once got to pottering -with that engine it was surely doomed. - -Apparently the man knew his business thoroughly. Jack, after seeing how -he went at matters, felt sure the trouble would soon be located and -remedied, when they might go on their way rejoicing. - -It was about ten o'clock when the engine was started up and responded -handsomely. Buster gave a whoop of delight, while Josh swung his hat -above his head, and the others also smiled in satisfaction. - -"Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high!" Josh announced, as he -jumped up and chinned himself against a handy rafter of the low shed. - -"We can all see that without your telling us, Josh," George chuckled. - -Of course, every one was in a fine humor now. Their stop had not proven -so serious after all, since they had only lost a few hours. As to the -sum asked by the machinist, that did not bother them at all, since there -was plenty more where that money came from. - -As there was now nothing to delay them, they said good-by to their -friend of the boatyard and were soon moving down the river again, -delighted at their good fortune. - -"Another odd experience, that's all," sang Josh, as they took their last -look back at the town on the point before turning another bend that -would hide it entirely from view. - -"But at one time, I tell you, it promised to be pretty serious," Buster -asserted. "We've got one asset, though, that never fails us." - -"What's that?" asked George. - -"The Stormways luck!" laughed the fat chum. "In fair weather and foul, -and through storm and stress it can always be depended on to bridge over -all difficulties and drag us out of every old mud-hole or swamp. If you -look back to our past career you'll find that what I'm telling you is -nothing but the honest truth. It's better to be born lucky than rich -any day." - -Jack only laughed at hearing this. He knew that luck alone is rather a -flimsy foundation to pin confidence on, and that there is something more -needed; but it was not for him to say as much. If his comrades believed -it all a matter of accident, they were welcome to the delusion. - -Somehow they enjoyed the sensation of freedom more than ever on this -day. Perhaps that came from the unpleasant experience of the preceding -night, when they found themselves in danger from the angry mob. - -It was not long before Josh broke out in song and amused himself for a -spell, entertaining his chums as well, for he had a pretty good voice. -When they were passing through a hilly region, with rather abrupt walls -on either shore, it was a peculiar experience that befell them. - -"Somebody's mocking you, Josh!" cried Buster indignantly, when they all -heard a voice distinctly repeat the last few words of the song Josh had -finished. - -Jack smiled to see the other three look hastily around, for he guessed -the secret immediately. - -"Try again, Josh, and see if he keeps it up," he went on to say, and -when once more the same mocking call came back to them Josh began to -grow quite "huffy." - -"Think yourself smart, don't you?" he shouted, shaking his fist toward -that point from whence it seemed the taunting voice hailed. - -"Smart, don't you!" came immediately back at him. - -Then Buster must have seen a great light, for he gave a loud laugh. - -"Say, don't feel like hitting him, Josh, because it's only an _echo_!" -he gurgled. - -"Don't you believe it!" snapped George. "No echo could ever repeat words -as plain as that." - -"Try it yourself and see, George," advised Jack, and, realizing that he -was in a poor minority, George did give a shout, only to have it sent -back with an abruptness and energy that startled him. - -The doubter was apparently convinced, though he kept saying that he -never would have believed it possible for an echo to repeat such things. -As they were speeding along with the current they quickly passed beyond -the magic range, and hence Buster received no answer when he shouted -lustily at the rocky hillside. - -As they had lost so much time that morning, it was decided not to make -any stop at noon. They could manage on some cold lunch, and wait until -night came along to do their cooking. - -They frequently saw other boats on the river. Many of these were clumsy -affairs and evidently owned by farmers, who were in the habit of getting -their produce to market in this way. Occasionally they passed a small -pleasure boat loaded with people, who, like most excursionists, waved -their hands and handkerchiefs at the four comely lads aboard the -chugging motorboat. - -Seeing Jack, who had temporarily handed the wheel over to George, -examining his little chart of the river, procured in Vienna, Josh came -and dropped down beside him. - -As usual, Josh bristled with interrogation points. He came of Yankee -ancestry and never could pick up enough information to satisfy himself. -There was always a yearning to "know" whenever Josh came around, and he -would go straight to the heart of the matter without any beating about -the bush. - -"Making pretty good time, eh, Jack?" he went on to say as a prelude. - -"Splendid, Josh, and I'm thinking that overhauling is going to pay us -fairly well in the end. It certainly has increased the speed capacity -of the boat by a mile an hour, according to my reckoning." - -"Bully for that!" ejaculated the other; "and provided we keep this same -pace up for five or six hours more, whereabouts do you think we might -stop over night?" - -Jack must have been doing a little figuring along those same lines -himself, for as Josh leaned over he put the point of his lead pencil -close to a cross he had made on the chart further along. - -"Providing all goes well, that's about where we ought to fetch up on -this day's run," he told Josh. - -"Looks like we might get to the Serbian border then by another night, -eh, Jack?" - -"That's possible, unless we have another accident, or get held up some -way or other. While we may figure as much as we please, it's never wise -to count your chickens, Josh, before the eggs are hatched. There's -always a big IF confronting us, because we're doing this thing under -peculiar conditions, you know." - -"By that I suppose you mean the plagued old war that had to break out -just when we got well started on our way?" complained Josh. - -From one subject he launched into another, until he had pumped Jack -dry--at least the other laughingly told him so as he scrambled to his -feet, after replacing his chart in his pocket, and went over to relieve -George. - -The long afternoon was wearing away, and so far everything seemed to be -going on all right. Buster called attention to this fact every little -while, as though it occupied a prominent place in his mind. - -He even allowed himself to remember that he had promised to try and -duplicate his fishing feat and supply the party with a change in -breakfast food. - -"Josh," he went on to say, "are you game to run another race this -evening with the balance of our grubs? They've kept alive all right, and -ought to be good for a mess of fine fish." - -"I'm your meal ticket," cheerily announced the other. "Count me in the -game if the chance opens up; and I hope we have as good luck as that -other time. But say, there's a queer looking boat away down the river -that I don't seem to be able to make head or tail of. Somebody take a -look and tell me what you think." - -At that there was a general craning of necks. Then Buster announced his -opinion. - -"Whatever she is, I think they're anchored in the stream, because I -can't see any movement at all." - -"But that looks like smoke coming from a stack of some sort," George -observed, as he cupped both hands in order to shield his eyes from the -bright sunlight, in this way securing better results. - -"Strikes me it's a cheese box on a raft of some sort," Josh gave as a -hazard. - -"Why, Josh, that was the name the Confederates gave the Monitor in our -civil war, you know," burst out Buster; "the single round turret was -built on a low deck just a little above the water, and I suppose it did -look like a cheese box, such as you can see in the grocery stores at -home." - -"Between you," said Jack just then, "you've guessed it." - -"Do you mean it's really and truly a monitor?" demanded George -skeptically. - -"I've understood that Austria had a number of these river gunboats down -here, and I think they all mount pretty big guns, as well as being -armored," Jack went on to say. - -"But what use would they be?" queried George. - -"Well, you must know that this eternal Balkan question is forever -bobbing up, and within a few years there have been two serious clashes -south of Austria. The first was between Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece -against Turkey. They knocked the Sultan's forces out and took a lot of -territory away, which they divided. Then Bulgaria got a notion she could -lick the other two and seize more territory; but the shoe was on the -other foot, because she had to cry for quarter, and lost a good portion -of land that had come to her from Turkey. Ever since there has been bad -blood between them all, Rumania also." - -"But how does Austria come in with their petty quarrels?" continued -George. - -"Do you remember the old fable of the lion and the bear fighting over -the game they had taken until they were exhausted, and then the sly fox -walking off with it? Well, Austria got hold of a monstrous slice of -territory in something the same way--Bosnia and Herzegovina. And there's -a big scheme afoot, I believe, for the Teuton allies to take Serbia and -unite the German-speaking countries with Turkey." - -"Oh, I remember reading that Germany had eyes for Persia and all that -rich Eastern country," admitted Josh. - -"Well, they are figuring on great things out that way," Jack continued. -"As for these river monitors, they are here to threaten little Serbia -with. You see, it's unfortunate that the capital, Belgrade, lies -just across from Austrian heights, and always in reach of hostile -batteries." - -"Shucks! that was foolish of the Serbians," said Josh disdainfully, -after the manner of one who knew it all. "Long ago they should have -moved their capital to Nisch, nearer the middle of the state. Then they -could defend it a heap better." - -As they approached closer to the singular craft anchored there near the -shore of the river the boys eyed it curiously. They could see many men -aboard, doubtless the crew. There was also an officer using a pair of -binoculars, for they could catch the gleam of the sunlight on the -glasses as he moved his hands. - -Without the slightest warning, when they were almost opposite the -anchored monitor, there came a puff of smoke and a reverberating boom. -The boys saw the water splash high in the air about twenty feet in front -of their little boat, showing that it had not been blank shot after all. - -Buster was at once in a panic. He really believed that in another moment -they might be the target for one of those big guns that could be seen -projecting from the movable turret aboard the monitor, and at that close -range the result must be the total annihilation of boat and passengers. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -NEARING THE SCENE OF WAR - - -"Pull up, Jack; that's a plain invitation to hold our horses!" shrilled -Josh, being the first one to find his voice. - -Jack already knew this. He shut off power and then started to reverse, -for the impetus of the craft, not to mention the swift current, was -carrying the boat forward at a good pace, and any sign of disobeying -that naval summons might cost them dear. - -"There, he's beckoning to us to run over alongside," said Josh. "Mebbe -we'll be given a chance now to see what one of these same river monitors -look like." - -"Huh! like as not we'll be given a chance to see what a musty old -dungeon under some Austrian fortress looks like!" - -Of course, it was George who made this last gloomy prediction; but then -the others were so accustomed to his ways that no one paid the least -attention to him. - -Jack was already heading the boat toward the anchored vessel. All of -them had a very good chance to observe what a monitor looked like as -they approached, and if they failed to accept their opportunity, that -was their fault. - -Coming up from below, they bumped against the armored side of the bulky -war vessel. Buster looked with something of awe at the gaping guns of -large caliber that projected from the turret close by. - -When Josh, coached by Jack, had tossed a rope to some of the waiting -crew of the monitor, they prepared to go aboard. Jack might have limited -the number to himself and perhaps Josh, but then he knew the others -would always be sorry they had not been given the privilege of saying -they had once been aboard a fighting warship while war was on; so he -allowed both George and Buster to trip after. - -It could be seen that the officer was plainly surprised when he saw them -at close quarters. Instead of the local boys whom he might have expected -to meet, he now realized that the tiny flag floating from the stern of -the motorboat stood for something. - -"Who are you, and where do you come from?" he asked in excellent -English, doubtless realizing that it was useless to ply them with -Magyar. - -"We are American boys, sir, as you can see from our flag," Jack told -him. "It is the only one we happen to have along with us." - -He thought that the captain looked very much interested, and that his -manner became immediately a shade more cordial, which proved that he -knew considerable about the country across the ocean. - -"But this is a strange place for four American boys to be taking a -cruise, you must admit," he told Jack. - -That gave the boy a chance to begin explanations. He went over the same -ground as before and told how as members of a motorboat club they had -planned to voyage down the Danube, and only learned of war breaking out -when on the way. - -When he mentioned the matter of passports the officer indicated that he -should like to see them, at which once more Jack called upon his chums -to produce their papers. - -"You will find them all correct, sir," he assured the other; "and -besides, here are some letters from home which we received from our -folks. They reached us in Budapest, you can see. I would like you to -glance over them so that you may know we are just what we claim to be." - -The officer seemed to be pretty well satisfied after he had examined the -passports. At the same time he looked at the boys in an amused fashion. - -"Which one of you is George Rollins?" he asked, somewhat to the -astonishment of that worthy, who did not know what might be in store for -him, honors or captivity. - -"That's my name, sir," he spoke up, and, to the further surprise of the -boys, the Austrian commander thrust out his hand. - -"I want to shake hands with you, George," he said. - -"Y-yes, sir," replied the other, still groping in the dark, and fearing -that he might be perilously near the edge of a precipice. - -"You wonder why I single you out from your companions," continued the -other, as George accepted his hand and received a cordial squeeze in -return. "I'll have to explain, I suppose. Did you ever hear your mother -speak of a cousin who had married an Austrian gentleman many years ago?" - -Then George found his tongue. - -"Oh, yes, I certainly have heard her speak of her cousin Lucy, and the -name of the gentleman she married was--let me see, Stanislaus!" - -As George burst out triumphantly with this declaration he found his hand -once more shaken and squeezed, while the commander of the monitor beamed -upon him. - -"Well, I am Captain Stanislaus, and my mother was that same Cousin Lucy -you have heard about. So you see, my boy, we are kin. I am very glad to -meet you, even under such singular conditions." - -George turned toward his companions. His face was one broad smile. He -doubtless had a pretty good sense of his own importance just then. - -"I want to introduce my three chums to you, Cousin Stanislaus," he went -on to say with an air of importance. "The one you have been talking with -is Jack Stormways, our leader; the stout one is Buster Longfellow, and -the other is Josh Purdue, all of them the finest fellows under the sun, -and my pards." - -The officer gravely shook hands with each of the boys in turn. He -seemed to be duly impressed with the recommendation given by his newly -discovered relative. - -"See, here is a letter from my mother, sir," continued George impulsively -and with a deep motive back of his actions. "Her name is Alice, and she -is first cousin to your mother. How pleased she will be to learn that I -ran across you in this remarkable way! And because we are related, as it -seems, I hope you will allow us to continue our voyage down the river, -for it would be a great disappointment all around if we had to give it up -now." - -Jack felt like clapping George on the back when he heard that naive -appeal. Evidently George believed in making use of his relatives. What -was the use of blood ties if favors could not be obtained through them? - -All of them waited anxiously to see what the commander of the monitor -might say. Ties of relationship might be all very well, but there was -such a thing as duty to the Government to be considered. Of course, he -knew very well that nothing was to be feared from these American boys, -who would not have any reason for carrying news to the hostile Serbians. -Hence it was really only a matter of their taking unnecessary risks in -trying to pass the disputed portions of the Danube where opposing -batteries might be bombarding each other. - -The officer looked from one to another. He saw only appealing glances -that undoubtedly must have made him weaken in his first resolve to order -the boys back and end their adventurous voyage then and there. - -"We are accustomed to looking out for ourselves, believe me, sir," Jack -thought fit to say just then, hoping to be able to influence the -commander, who seemed to be what Josh would call "on the fence." - -"All we expect to do," George went on to say, "is to slip past some -night when it happens to be cloudy, and, once by the Iron Gate, the way -is clear for us on to the mouth of the Danube. We have spent a heap of -money to have this trip, and it would break us all up if we had to -quit." - -The officer laughed at that. - -"Well," he went on to say, "I suppose, after all, it is none of my -business, and I could allow you to proceed without any risk that you -would carry important news of troop movements to the enemy beyond the -Danube. It is with regard to your mother, George, I am thinking most of -all." - -"Oh, don't you fear about her, sir!" cried the boy enthusiastically. -"She knows I've always been able to paddle my own canoe and find some -way to get out of every sort of scrape. Please say that you will wash -your hands of us and let us go about our business." - -"Very well, let it be just as you will have it, George. I do wash my -hands of the whole business. You see, I have been young myself not -very long back, and know what it means to a fellow to be terribly -disappointed. Only promise me on your word of honor that you will not -run any unnecessary risks in trying to pass Belgrade in the night time." - -Of course, George was only too glad to do this, and so they were allowed -to go aboard the motorboat again, parting from the Austrian commander -with mutual wishes for good luck. - -George was about the happiest fellow going during the next hour. He -seemed to be beaming with good nature. - -"Did you ever hear of such a remarkable thing happening in all your -life?" he demanded of Buster, whom he had cornered. "To think that, with -the whole of this big country of Austria-Hungary to choose from, we -should have picked out the Danube River for our cruise, and that just at -the same time my second cousin with his warship should be stationed down -here! Then again, remember how he fired a shot across our bows to bring -us to, and, seeing my name on my passport, realized that we were -actually blood relations!" - -"It was queer, for a fact," agreed Buster. - -"Queer, you call it, do you, Buster?" cried George. "Why, I think it the -most astonishing coincidence that ever happened. I'm sure none of us -have even run across its equal. And then, what's more, he let us proceed -just because I was his cousin twice removed. Don't forget that, Buster, -will you, some time when you and Josh feel like giving me a dig or two? -Oh, I'm of a little consequence once in a long time." - -"You're of a whole lot of consequence plenty of times, George," said -Josh just then, "and we all acknowledge the corn; but for goodness' -sake please give us a change of tune now. We've been hearing about -Cousin Stanislaus until even the swallows swinging past seem to be -chirping the name; and I expect the fish will give it to us, too, if we -catch any to-night." - -George looked a little hurt in his feelings at this thrust, but he -subsided all the same, going off by himself where he could ponder upon -the freaks of fortune that had thrown him in contact with this relative -at the other side of the world, so to speak. From time to time he would -smile as though his thoughts were pleasant ones; but none of the others -interrupted his meditations. - -The day drew near a close, and as they had really come up to Jack's -expectations it might be set down as possible that they would camp -somewhere close by the place marked with a cross on the chart. - -That would mean only one more day's journey before they must find -themselves in the vicinity of battle scenes, if, as they suspected, the -Austrians had started to bombard Belgrade and were being answered shot -for shot from their fortifications by the valiant Serbian gunners. - -They were fortunate enough to find a particularly good camp site. It was -in the midst of some trees that offered them all the comforts they -could wish for. At the same time they had no reason to believe they were -anywhere near a town, and the river in this spot looked quite lonely and -deserted; at least there was no other war monitor in sight, from the -deck of which their movements might be observed and deemed suspicious -enough to warrant a visit of investigation. - -As evening drew on they tied the boat securely and built a fire close -by. Buster, as usual, insisted on taking charge of the cooking, while -the rest lay around or gathered fuel for the fire. - -It was while moving about with this latter purpose in view that Jack -suddenly came upon a crouching figure in the brush. At his exclamation -the unknown party struggled to his feet. Jack had been alarmed at first, -not knowing but what there might be bandits in that vicinity. He quickly -saw, however, that he had a peaked looking and very hungry fairly well -grown boy to deal with. - -Not wishing to let the other see that he had been startled, Jack -immediately demanded to know who he was and why he was spying on them. -The other made motions to let Jack understand he could not speak -English. He then went on to say something in rapid tones, but it was -all Greek to Jack. - -However, from his appearance and the motions he made to his mouth, as -well as showing how empty his stomach was, it was easy to judge that it -was the smell of the cooking supper that had drawn him. - -"Stay with us, then, and share our meal," suggested Jack, mostly in -pantomime; and evidently his gestures must have had a convincing way of -their own, for the hungry boy immediately nodded his head, said -something in a fervent tone, and, to Jack's embarrassment, proceeded to -kiss his hand violently. - -"Hey, what's all this going on here?" asked Josh, just then coming on -the scene, no doubt attracted by the sound of a strange voice. - -"Here's a poor tramp of a boy who gives me to understand he's half dead -with hunger," Jack went on to explain; "and as we can't turn him away in -that condition, we'll have to let him stay to supper with us, I -suppose." - -Josh, of course, was exceedingly surprised. He looked the strange boy -over and saw that he undoubtedly had a hungry appearance. - -"Sure we'll share our supper with him, Jack," he hastened to say, being -one of those fellows who could never see any one suffer when he had a -chance to offer assistance; "who knows but what we may be entertaining -an angel unawares, like we read about. Tell him to come along up to the -fire right away." - -Buster and George were also somewhat astonished at this increase to -their number. Still the poor chap looked so woebegone that Buster -immediately saw to it that an extra portion of food was prepared. -George, too, did not have the heart to show his objecting nature. He -thought this to be a real case of necessity. - -The strange boy was fairly well grown, though slender. His face was dark -and he had a mass of heavy black hair. His eyes were dazzlingly bright, -and, although there was an uneasy look on his face, he could smile -cheerily when he saw that any of them were looking at him. - -Josh watched him from time to time, as though some notion had come into -that shrewd head of his. Supper was getting along nicely when Jack saw -Josh beckoning to him cautiously at a time the stranger happened to be -looking another way. - -Then Josh strolled off a short distance and seemed to be bending down, -as if looking at something that interested him. - -"What's in the wind?" asked Jack softly, as he joined the other. - -"I don't know exactly, to tell you the truth, but I'm uneasy over -something, and wanted to have a little chin with you," came the reply. - -"You're suspicious, that's what, Josh?" - -"Oh, well, I admit as much," replied the other. "You see, in these times -we've got to be careful. Instead of an angel we may be entertaining one -of the other kind." - -"Now get it out of your system, and tell me what you're thinking about," -demanded Jack. - -"First of all, he turns his head and looks every little while in a -certain direction. I've got a good notion the boy must have friends -hidden somewhere near by." - -"Yes, go on, Josh; what else?" - -"Then, if you come to think of it, he doesn't talk the same lingo as -these Hungarian Magyars we've met. I'm not dead sure about it, but I've -got a hunch he must be of another nationality. Well, what nation are we -closest to below here? What but Serbia? Are you following me, Jack?" - -"I am, so keep going," the other informed him. - -"You remember the story we were told by that polite Hungarian officer, -about the four desperate Serbian youths who had sworn to have the life -of the aged Austrian emperor--well, according to my notion, our guest is -one of the batch; and his three tough cronies are hidden close by, -waiting for some signal!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE BOY FROM SERBIA - - -Jack remained silent for a full minute after his companion had delivered -himself of this startling statement. He was evidently thinking it over. -Perhaps up to then Jack had not even suspected the tramp of being -anything more than he seemed, a well-grown lad who was far away from -home--and hungry. - -Presently Jack spoke again, and from his manner it became apparent that -he now shared in some degree the alarm that Josh seemed to be laboring -under. Really, the conditions were suspicious enough to demand an -investigation. They were next to unarmed, and if four desperate young -fellows raided their camp they would find it difficult indeed to keep -from losing everything they possessed, from boat to supplies. - -"I hate to think that such a thing can be possible, Josh," he said -slowly, "but, as you were remarking, the circumstances force us to be on -our guard. Before we start to eating supper, which must be nearly ready -now, I'll try and strike up a conversation with the fellow and learn -something about him." - -"But how on earth can you do that, Jack, when neither of you seem able -to understand one word of each other's tongue?" - -"Oh, leave that to me, Josh. There are ways, you know, even if I have to -come to paper and pencil and use the picture writing of the Indians. -What with signs and nods and looks we may get a fair understanding." - -"No harm trying, that's a fact," admitted Josh. "But I'll watch my -chance and put the others wise. Every one of us ought to have some sort -of club handy so as to protect the camp and the boat if there's going to -be a raid." - -Apparently the more Josh considered the subject the stronger became his -belief that he had hit the truth in making that guess. In his eyes the -dark face of the young stranger now began to assume a threatening -appearance, whereas before it had only seemed hungry and eager and -almost sad. - -Jack watched his opportunity and soon found a chance to drop down beside -the stranger. He saw that there was intelligence in the face of the -other. It could also be seen in his flashing eyes. If Jack had only been -able to understand and speak the other's language he felt sure he could -induce him to tell his story. - -He took out a pencil and a pad of paper and began to draw. As Jack was a -master hand at this sort of thing, he quickly produced a sketch that -represented four boys, all dressed alike, and in the costume which the -young stranger wore. - -This he held before the other, and then pointed to him as he nodded. -After looking at the drawing intently the boy shook his head. It was -evidently intended for a denial that he had three companions, but then -Jack could hardly have expected him to admit it openly. - -One thing sure, he did not seem to be alarmed, as though suspecting that -his secret had been discovered; only puzzled. - -As if governed by a sudden impulse, he motioned for the pencil and -paper, just as Jack expected he would do, and in his turn began to draw -something. When he handed the pad back it was seen that he had actually -made a pretty accurate map of the enlarged Serbia of to-day; doubtless -every schoolboy in that country was early taught to be able to do this, -on account of the great pride the Serbian people took in their recent -victories over Turkey and Bulgaria. - -He had even written in bold letters the magical word "Serbia" across -this map, as if determined to remove all doubt as to what it was meant -for. Such frankness made Jack begin to believe that the other could not -possibly be the desperate character Josh suspected; had he been, it -would only have seemed natural for him to deny his nationality lest he -be arrested and put in an Austrian dungeon. - -Jack went a step further, after the boy, first pointing to his map, -smote his own chest proudly and smiled, as if to proclaim that he -belonged in that country. By various gestures he tried to ask the other -what he was doing here in a hostile land. - -The other watched his every gesture and seemed to be reading even the -expression on Jack's face. It is surprising how much can be learned that -way. Whole conversations may be carried on by instinct and intelligence. -One who does not know a single word of Italian may be able to sense the -general meaning of many paragraphs in a newspaper war item by the -similarity of words. Try it, and you will see that this is really so. - -By slow and laborious degrees Jack began to pick up something of what -the other was trying to tell him. The further he proceeded the more -intense did the boy seem to become. Buster, glancing that way from time -to time, filled with curiosity, considered that they were using their -hands almost as cleverly as a couple of mutes did whom he had once -watched talking in the sign language. - -Of course, Josh had before then managed to whisper to each of the other -two what a "mare's nest" he believed he had unearthed, so that both -George and Buster had begun to look on the intruder in the light of a -dangerous fellow. George kept caressing a stout cudgel of which he had -become possessed, as though determined not to be caught entirely -defenseless in case of a sudden raid. - -"Do you suppose Jack's really finding out anything?" Buster whispered to -Josh when the other leaned down as if to ascertain how the supper was -coming on. - -"Sure he is," replied the other, "though chances are the cub's giving -him taffy just to keep him quiet." - -"But Jack seems to be interested a whole lot," objected Buster. - -"I think Jack means to join us presently, from the way he nodded to me -just then," Josh went on to say hastily, "so don't hurry on the supper -more than you can help. For all we know we may have to share it with -_four_ instead of one." - -It proved to be just as Josh had predicted, for presently Jack left the -side of the dark-faced young stranger and come over to the fire. - -"Well, how did you manage to get on with him?" asked Josh impetuously. - -"It grew easier as we went on," said Jack. "He knows just a little bit -of English, after all. When that failed he resorted to the paper and -pencil, or else made gestures. When I shook my head to tell him it was -all a mystery to me, he would try again in a different way, and we -always succeeded in getting there by one means or another." - -"Did he own up in the end, Jack?" asked Josh. - -"If you mean about being one of the four Serbian youths we thought he -might be, he denied it absolutely," came the reply. - -"H'm! What else could you expect, since their game had been knocked on -the head by the breaking out of the war and they found themselves being -hunted like rats in a hostile territory, afraid to ask for anything to -eat because they'd like as not be grabbed? No wonder he looks hungry, -say I." - -Jack looked at the other and shook his head. - -"This time you're away off, old fellow," he told Josh. "He didn't come -up into Austria-Hungary on an errand of blood, but one of mercy." - -"As how, Jack?" asked Buster, already deeply interested. - -"He has a little sister," the other went on to say. "She seems to be -just so high," and he held his hand about three feet from the ground, -"from which I'd judge she might be something like six or seven years -old." - -"A sister, eh?" George remarked skeptically. - -"Listen, fellows," continued Jack, "here's the story he told me as near -as I was able to make it out, for lots of times I had to just guess at -things; but it ran fairly smooth, after all. He lived in Belgrade, the -capital of Serbia. There was his mother, a widow with some means, and -one little sister. This girl, it seems, was blind and the pet of -everybody who knew her." - -"Gee! that sounds interesting," muttered Josh. - -"Some time ago the mother learned of a celebrated surgeon up in Budapest -who had performed wonderful cures with people afflicted just as the -little child was. It was determined to take the girl to him, and an -appointment was made; but just then the mother had the misfortune to -sprain her ankle and could not walk a step." - -"Tough luck," said Buster, "and I can see what the boy did. He looks -like he had the grit to carry anything like that out, sure he does." - -Apparently Buster was taking stock in Jack's story and changing his -opinion again with regard to the dark-faced young stranger. - -"Yes, there was nothing for it but that the boy go to Budapest with his -little sister and stay there while the operation went on. From what he -tells me he was in the Hungarian capital nearly a month. The surgeon -operated, and the thing turned out a splendid success. You ought to have -seen how his face lighted up when he told me in sign language that she -could see now just as well as any one." - -"Then why didn't he start home right away, knowing how anxious his -mother must be?" asked George incredulously. - -"First the surgeon would not allow it for a certain time after the -bandages were taken off. Then, as luck would have it, just when they -were about to start, a thief broke into their apartment and stole every -dollar, or whatever money the Serbians use." - -"Oh, how tough that was!" exclaimed Buster sympathetically. - -"A likely story, I call it," muttered George. - -"On top of it all the war broke out, and he knew that unless they -hurried off from Budapest the Hungarian authorities might arrest them. -So they sold a few of their things and get enough money together to -carry them part of the way to the Serbian border. Then they had to leave -the train and start to tramp the rest of the way. Neither of them have -had a bite this whole day. Seeing us land, he became desperate and -determined to appeal to us to help him, if we looked as if we were kind -people. Then I chanced to run across him. That's what he told me, as -near as I could make it out." - -Jack saw that while Buster and Josh were disposed to believe the young -stranger, George still hung back. - -"It makes a pretty interesting story, that's right," was what George -said, "but there's a fishy part to it. That little sister sounds like an -invention to get our sympathy. Where is she at, I'd like to know; let -him produce the kid, say I." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -FRIENDS IN TIME OF NEED - - -"That's so, Jack; unless he can produce the little sister we've got to -believe his fine yarn is all a fraud," Josh observed seriously. - -"Did you say as much to him, Jack?" questioned George. - -"I did," came the ready reply. - -"And what was his reply to that?" asked Buster. - -"I gathered from his gestures and actions," explained Jack, "that he -stood ready, yes, and anxious, to go into the woods near by and get his -sister, if only we gave him permission. So I thought I'd put it up to -the rest of you first." - -"Oh, tell him to go and fetch her along," sneered George. "If he really -has got a little sister, and she's hungry, why, I'd be willing to go on -half rations myself to help out. I may be suspicious of him, but there -isn't a stingy bone in my whole body." - -"We know that, George," Jack told him quickly, "and since you seem -willing I'll let the poor fellow know about it right away. You can see -how eagerly he's watching us now, because he understands what I'm -telling you." - -"Tell him supper's about ready, and that he ought to hurry," explained -Buster. - -Jack had another short interview with the young Serbian. Then the other -sprang hastily to his feet and ran off, looking back once or twice, and -smiling as he waved his hand toward Jack. - -"Good-by!" called out George derisively, and then, turning to the -others, he added: "Because I hardly expect to see him again, unless he -comes back with the other three. Chances are he knew we'd got on to his -game, and means to slip away now so he couldn't be nabbed by the -authorities." - -"Shame on you, George, you old unbeliever!" cried Buster. - -"Wait and see who's right," warned the other sturdily, for George always -clung to his belief until convinced that he was wrong, when he would -frankly confess his error of judgment. - -A minute, two of them, passed, and still the boy did not return. It -would really seem as though he had had time to go to where he left his -sister concealed at the time he crept toward the landing spot of the -cruising party in the motorboat, and come back again. - -George was grinning with that important air of his, which, being -interpreted, meant the usual "I told you so." - -Then Josh, whose sharp eyes had detected a moving figure in the -semi-gloom, exclaimed: - -"There they come over yonder, I do believe!" - -"Two or four?" questioned Buster. - -"It's all right, boys," Josh continued, for he was standing on a stump, -and in this position could see what was invisible to the others. - -"Then he's got his little sister along with him, has he?" asked Buster. - -"Sure thing," reported Josh, "and as for you, old croaker George, -it'd be doing the right thing for you to beg everybody's pardon, and -especially the boy's, for thinking such mean things about him." - -"Who was the first to guess that he must be one of that band of desperate -Serbian youths, tell me?" demanded George. "I was wrong, I'll admit, but -an ounce of prevention is always better than a whole pound of cure." - -With that he threw away the club which he had been gripping, as though -in company with it went all his suspicions. - -Presently the Serbian boy came into camp, holding by the hand a pretty -dark-eyed little maid of about seven. The boys were immediately smitten -with her charms, and no longer wondered that her brother had so openly -boasted she was the prettiest little girl in all Belgrade. - -Apparently that noted surgeon had done a splendid job, for never had -they looked into brighter and more roguish eyes than she possessed. If -they had been dulled by cataracts, as Jack suspected was the case, then -the curtains had been skillfully removed. - -Buster immediately announced that supper was all ready, and would be -spoiled by any further waiting; so they sat down, places being prepared -for the guests of honor. - -While they ate the boys kept up a conversation among themselves. Jack -from time to time would hold communication with the Serbian youth, whose -appetite proved the truth of his assertion that no food had passed his -lips during the whole of the preceding day. - -Later on Buster amused himself trying to talk with the little girl and -teach her a few words in English. Jack and Josh and George got their -heads together, being desirous of settling on what they ought to do with -regard to the pair cast adrift in a strange and hostile land. - -"They can stay with us all night, anyway, and have breakfast in the -morning," suggested Josh. - -"And we could make up a little purse among us," added the now penitent -George, "enough to carry them across the border and into their own -country." - -"That's fine of you to mention that, George," Jack told him, "but you -are forgetting something. Serbia is at war with Austria, and so you see -no trains can be running to the border that would allow a Serbian young -fellow to pass. If he ever gets across the river to Belgrade it must be -with our help." - -"You've got a plan fixed, I guess, Jack?" - -"I've been thinking it over, and wanted to hear what your ideas might be -before I mentioned it," the other explained. "But, now that you ask me, -I'll tell you what I'd like to do. We can find room for them aboard the -boat when we start in the morning. Unless we are overhauled on the way -there'd be little danger on account of our having Serbians with us, a -boy and a child at that." - -"I agree with you there, Jack," said George, now evidently seeking to -make all amends possible for having allowed himself to believe the -stranger a desperate character, when in truth he was only a kind and -protecting big brother. - -"Ditto here," added Josh glibly, as though he were a parrot. - -"We will have to tie up by the time another night comes along," -continued Jack, "and if it's cloudy we can hope to try and pass the -hostile batteries by keeping in the middle of the river and just -floating with the current, never showing a single light. But before that -we might make a landing on the Serbian side and put the brother and -sister ashore." - -Josh and George exchanged looks, nodding their heads as if in approval. - -"Now, I call that a good scheme, if you want to know it," declared the -former. - -"And as Buster is always ready to agree to anything Jack says," George -remarked, "I move we call it unanimous." - -The readiness of his chums to fall in with his proposition, of course, -pleased Jack. He always made it a point to invite the fullest discussion -when offering any plan of campaign, because it was better that all of -them should feel that they had a hand in engineering matters. - -So it was settled, later on Buster being told the arrangements. As -George had prophesied, the fat boy had not the slightest objection to -make; indeed, he was enthusiastic over the idea of helping the little -Serbian girl get back home to her anxious mother. - -Arrangements for sleeping were soon effected. As their guests had no -blankets, George and Buster insisted on loaning them one each. They -said they could go without easily enough; though Jack finally induced -George to share his covers, while Josh compelled the fat chum to crawl -under with him. - -The night passed without anything occurring to disturb them. Everybody -slept after a fashion, though doubtless the boys were not as comfortable -as though each possessed his own blanket. - -It made them feel that they were suffering in a good cause, however, -when they saw how happy both the boy and his sister seemed in the -morning. The dark clouds that had of late been hanging over their heads -had apparently taken flight, and with the rising sun they smiled, and -seemed contented with having found such good friends. - -After breakfast they started down the river again. It might prove to be -the last day of peace for them for some time, since Jack figured that -by another sunset they would very likely have reached the scene of -hostilities, when danger might be lying in wait for them at every turn. - -Of course, all of them were more or less concerned about the prospect of -being held up again by some Austrian river war vessel. The presence of -Serbians aboard the motorboat would look suspicious in those trying -days, and might get the boys into trouble. Nevertheless, not one of -them so much as hinted at any desire to be rid of their guests. - -The little girl was so winsome that she had captured all their hearts by -storm, and they could not do too much for her. - -As the afternoon began to pass Jack looked earnestly ahead many times. -He wondered what awaited them in that mysterious region whence they were -headed. All sorts of strange things might crop up to confront them as -they proceeded on their dangerous course; still, no one even gave the -idea of turning back a thought. - -He had managed to let the Serbian boy know what they meant to do about -getting his sister and himself on his native soil. How those black eyes -snapped as the plan was unfolded to him! Jack fancied he could see -unshed tears there also, showing how their generosity must have affected -the other. He could not express his gratitude by repeating that one word -"thank" again, but he did display it by almost fiercely seizing Jack's -hand and actually kissing it, an act that made the American boy feel -exceedingly queer, because he was not accustomed to such things. - -They kept, as a rule, closer to the right bank of the river, for that -would in time prove to be the one on which the Serbian capital was -located. Besides, Jack believed it would answer their purposes better in -case circumstances forced them to make a hurried landing, so that their -passengers might conceal themselves in the brush. - -The sun was hot again, and as the afternoon began to wear along they -found that the breeze created by their own swift passage was the only -invigorating thing to be met with. - -"But it's beginning to cloud up, you can see," Josh remarked, when -Buster complained that he was melting away with the heat; "and once the -old sun gets out of sight it'll be a whole lot more comfy." - -"I've been watching those clouds," remarked Jack, "and they please me a -whole lot, because we must have a cloudy night if we're ever going to -run past the batteries on both sides of the river." - -"Whew! that sounds as if we might be away back in the civil war, trying -to pass Memphis on a gunboat, with the Confeds whanging away at us to -beat the band. But, of course, you don't expect to have any real trouble -getting by, do you, Jack?" - -"So far as I can see, there's no reason why we should meet up with any," -the skipper informed him. - -"And once we're well by Belgrade the worst will be over," cheerily -observed Josh. "You see, the railroad runs down through Serbia from the -capital, and any invasion must, of course, follow the Morava River, -because Serbia is a mountainous country, and there are passes through -which troops have to go if ever they hope to reach Nisch down near the -middle of the nation." - -"Seems like you've been reading up on Serbia, Josh," ventured George. - -"I have, all about the last war between the Balkan States," Josh -admitted. "And let me tell you right here, if the Austrians and the -Germans ever try to invade that little country of born fighters they'll -find they've bitten off more than they can chew. The Serbians know every -foot of ground, and can lay in ambush on the heights, dropping rocks -down on the enemy, and using all sorts of quick-firing guns to cut them -down in windrows." - -"If only all these Balkan countries were agreed on a single policy," -said Jack, "they could snap their fingers at the Teuton alliance, for no -force could ever be brought to bear against them that would smash their -defenses. But petty jealousies keep them apart, and may be their undoing -in the end." - -The sun vanished about this time, the clouds having risen far enough to -cover his blazing face. - -"That feels a heap better," announced the panting Buster; "and it looks -like we mightn't glimpse old Sol again to-day. For one I'm glad. -Sunshine is all very well in winter time, but when it's hot summer I -prefer the shade." - -The others laughed at his odd way of putting it, for Buster often -expressed himself in a peculiar fashion. Josh said he "mixed his -metaphors," though Buster was never able to get him to explain what he -meant by saying that. - -Just then something came stealing to their ears that caused the boys to -exchange meaning glances. It was a distant grumbling that died away -almost as soon as it reached them, a sort of complaining, reverberating -boom that brought a thrill with it. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE BOOMING OF BIG GUNS - - -"Another storm coming, worse luck!" grumbled George. - -"Going to spoil all our fine plans in the bargain," added Josh; "for if -it turns out to be anything as bad as that other whooper, excuse me from -wanting to be out on the river in the middle of the night." - -"Listen again!" said Jack, with a meaning in his manner. - -"There she goes, and I must say it's kind of queer thunder, after all," -Buster advanced; "each growl is separate and distinct, and not like -anything I ever heard before." - -"Sure enough," continued Josh; and then, as though a sudden light had -dawned upon him, he turned to Jack to add: "Say, you don't imagine now, -do you, that can be the booming of big guns we are listening to?" - -Jack nodded his head in the affirmative. - -"It must be," he said positively. - -"Sounds just like blasts," continued Josh, "up in the quarry near our -town, when they let the same off by electricity at noon, when the men -are all out of the workings. Boom! boom! boom! boom! Let me tell you -they must be making things hum over there now, with all that firing -going on." - -"What do you suppose they're doing, Jack?" asked George. - -"For one thing sending shells into Belgrade," came the reply. - -"Look, the Serbian boy has caught on as well as the rest of us," said -Josh, "and it frets him a whole lot, too, you can see by his face. Now -he's talking with the little sister, and pointing, as if he might be -explaining what that sound means." - -"Well, can you blame him for feeling that way?" burst out Buster; "when -you must remember that their mother is somewhere in Belgrade, and with -those shells bursting in the city they may get home only to find that -they have been left orphans. I guess war is all that General Sherman -said it was." - -"Oh, shucks! We haven't seen hardly anything of its horrors yet. Wait -till you read what is happening in Belgium about this time, and then -it'll be time to talk," George told him. - -"But why didn't we hear the cannonading before?" asked Buster; "it -seemed to hit us all of a sudden." - -"Because there was a shift of the wind," explained Jack. "You know it -was on our right before, and since then has changed, so that now it -seems to be coming straight from the south." - -As they kept on down the river the sounds, reaching their ears every -once in so often, increased gradually in volume. - -Every time the suggestive sound came to their ears it could be seen that -the two young Serbians would start and listen eagerly. Undoubtedly their -thoughts must be centered on the home they had left in Belgrade, and -they were wondering if the latest shell could have dropped anywhere near -that dearly loved spot. - -"Honest, now," said Josh presently, "after that last shot I could hear a -second fainter crash, which I take it may have been the shell exploding -in or over the city." - -"It may have been a Serbian gun, after all," George asserted, "and if -so, then the shoe was on the other foot, and the shell burst in the -fortifications on the Austrian side of the Danube, perhaps scattering -guns and soldiers around as if they were so many logs." - -"That's what our friend here is hoping deep down in his heart, you can -be sure," Jack mentioned, with a glance toward the boy passenger. - -"Look away down yonder and tell me if that isn't one of those monitors -like my cousin Captain Stanislaus commands," said George just then. - -Josh tested his eagle eye and admitted that, while the surface of the -river was misty, which fact made seeing difficult, he believed the other -was right, and that the object they were looking at did resemble a -"cheese-box on a raft" in marine architecture. - -"Then we can't be so very far above Belgrade," Jack concluded. - -"You mean the monitor may have been doing some of that shelling, do -you?" questioned Buster. - -"I don't know about that, for none of us have seen any sign of firing -aboard the boat; but she's evidently anchored there to take part in -protecting the Austrian troops that will soon be attempting to cross to -hostile territory. So we must expect to haul in somewhere along here and -wait for night to settle down." - -"It would be too risky to try and pass the monitor, I reckon you mean?" -George asked. - -"You remember how we were brought up with a round turn the other time," -he was reminded; "and if we refused to obey the summons to come -alongside a second shot would sink us like a stone." - -"Whee! if one of those big shells ever struck this chip of a boat there -wouldn't be enough of her left for firewood," asserted Josh. "So I say -just as you do, Jack; we mustn't be too brash and take chances. We can't -expect to fight the whole Austrian navy on the Danube. The word for us -is diplomacy, remember that. We've got to play the Napoleon style of -strategy if we hope to win out in this game." - -Jack allowed the boat to continue on her course for some little time -longer. He did not mean to take unnecessary chances, but at the same -time the further they were down the river before night set in the -better, since it would shorten the time they expected to be in the -danger zone. - -He kept a wary eye on the anchored monitor, for all of them could by -this time plainly see that it was one of those strange looking vessels, -believed by Austria to be just suited to the waters of the Danube for -offense and defense. - -When not employed in this fashion Jack was watching the near-by shore -for a favorable landing spot. They could proceed to make a fire and act -as though fully intending to spend the night there. If by accident they -had visitors from the monitor early in the evening they could arrange it -so that nothing suspicious would be seen. - -The firing had now ceased for the time being, as though enough had been -accomplished on either side for the day. - -It was not long before they found themselves up against the bank. Jack -had picked out a good landing place, for there were trees in plenty, -under which they could make themselves comfortable. - -"Do you think they have noticed us across there on board the monitor?" -Buster asked, as they stepped ashore. - -"It would be strange if they hadn't," Josh told him. "Of course, they -can see all that goes on up and down the river, and we were in plain -sight. Jack, did you expect they might have a pair of field glasses -leveled on us, and was that why you had the brother and sister keep -inside the cabin lately?" - -"Well," replied the skipper, "I saw something flash over there while the -sun was shining through that rift in the clouds, and I got the idea they -might be using their binoculars. You see, if they should send over to -interview us, and the two Serbians were absent from the camp, as we mean -they shall be, what could we say if asked about them? That was why I -wanted them to keep out of sight, while the four of us remained in full -view." - -Josh did not say anything further, but the look of admiration he gave -Jack told what his thoughts were. In his mind the other could not be -equalled when it came to covering the whole ground and laying out -extensive plans, for Jack seemed to be able to grasp everything. - -"We must keep a watch out on the river and try to be on our guard," -continued the leader. "If they send a boat over here to investigate, we -ought to know about it before the men have a chance to land and spy on -our camp." - -The boat was tied up, and Buster had already taken ashore all he needed -for the evening meal; while Josh was making a fire in the midst of some -stones he had collected in a sort of cairn. - -The day had ended in a dismal fashion for one starting out so bravely -with blue skies and plenty of warm sunshine. Out over the water the haze -was thickening, so that when George gave place to Josh later on it was -next door to impossible to tell where the Austrian monitor was anchored. - -"I've lined it up with this stone here and that tree out on the little -point," George explained; "the boat lies almost directly with the two, -so if you happen to see any light over there you'll know what it means, -Josh," he told the other, as he gave up his post. - -"As long as you could see the monitor, were there any signs of a boat -leaving?" he asked; but George shook his head and told him he had seen -nothing suspicious. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -UNDER COVER OF NIGHT - - -Some time later, when George again relieved Josh at the outlook post, -the latter came strolling up to the little fire to get his supper, of -which he was in need, for Josh had a pretty healthy appetite that seldom -went back on him. - -"One thing sure," he remarked, as he sat himself down and prepared to -have Buster wait on him, "when you told me, Jack, to build this fire so -it couldn't be easily seen from out on the river, you knew what you were -talking about." - -"Well," remarked the commodore simply, "my idea at the time was to avoid -having the light noticed too easily by any one who happened to be on the -water. Yes, and I hoped to keep the people on that monitor a mile and -more away from wanting to pay us a visit too early in the night." - -"It might break up our plans all right if they did come," agreed Josh, -lifting his tincup to his lips and proceeding to let some of the fine -coffee pass down his throat as a "bracer" or opening of ceremonies. - -"As long as you stayed out there at the point, did you see or hear -anything suspicious, Josh?" Buster wanted to know, when he handed the -platter, heaped up with good things, to the late-comer. - -"Never a sign all the time I stood sentry," came the reply, though Josh -had a little difficulty in talking and eating at the same time. "But -please let me take the edge off my ferocious appetite before you throw -any more questions at me, fellows. I'll be in a more angelic humor then, -mebbe." - -"Angelic--that's pretty rich for you, Josh," gurgled Buster; but, having -enough sympathy for a hungry chum to know how Josh felt, he maintained a -discreet silence after that. - -Jack walked over to the near-by shore. He wanted to find out for himself -how matters seemed to be going. - -"Hello! That you, Jack?" said a voice suddenly, when he found himself -close to the brim of the river. - -It had become so dark by this time, the moon not having as yet arisen -behind the clouds, that seeing was next to impossible. George, however, -had heard footsteps somewhere close by, and guessed who was coming. - -"Yes, where are you, George? Oh, I see you, now that you move. That's -the boat just beyond you, too. Everything lovely with you?" - -"I heard something across the river that sounded as if it might be a -boat being lowered that struck against the side of the monitor. Then -there were voices, too. You know how queer sounds come across a mile or -more of water, Jack?" - -"Yes, of course I do. But if it was a boat being lowered we'll have to -change our plans somewhat," Jack continued. - -"By that you mean get away from here sooner?" queried the vidette. - -"Just what I do, George." - -"Suppose now it was a boat being put in the water that I heard, though I -may have been mistaken; how long would it take them to row over here, do -you think?" George asked next. - -"That depends on how hard they handled the oars," said Jack. "It could -hardly be less than half an hour at the best, I should say. You see, the -monitor lies down-stream from here, so they'd have to first of all work -against the strong current before crossing." - -"Yes, and then again it might be they'd try to keep us from hearing them -coming all they could, Jack, which would mean they couldn't put all -their strength into the work." - -"You've got the right idea, George; so we can have something like half -an hour to get away in. It may turn out to be a false alarm after all, -but we can't afford to take any chances." - -"That's so," agreed the other briskly, for a wonder, never dreaming of -offering any objection. "The sooner we're abroad on the river the -better. Then again, before the old moon comes up behind the clouds, -we'll have it pitch dark. That ought to help us a lot about slipping -past without getting caught." - -"Stay here, and keep on listening, George." - -"Are you going back to get the rest of the crowd, Jack?" - -"Yes. As soon as Josh has finished his supper we had better go aboard -again and shove off," he was informed. - -"But say, tell me how you expect to work it, please Jack, before you -go." - -"If you mean the boat, that's a simple thing," the skipper told him. -"You know we've got a strong push-pole that's a pretty good length? -Well, I took soundings as we came in toward the shore, and found that -the river is fairly shallow around here. With that pole we can push out -into the stream quite a little distance. Then we'll just lie low and let -her float on the current." - -"Well, now, I sort of expected that would be the programme," said -George; "and I certainly agree with you there. Silence is our best asset -in a game like this. We'd feel pretty cheap and small after getting well -started if all of a sudden some one called out of the darkness: -'Tag--you're it!'" - -George, finding Jack had slipped away meanwhile, and that he was merely -talking to empty space, drew the line at wasting his breath in this -manner, and relapsed into silence. - -When Jack got back to the little fire he found that, short though the -time had been, Josh had made rapid headway with his supper. The pannikin -was already more than half empty, and that must be his third cup of -coffee Buster was pouring out for him. - -Everybody looked up as Jack came into camp. - -"You'll have just five minutes more, Josh, to finish your supper," was -the first thing the other said as he joined them. - -Josh looked surprised. - -"What! so soon?" he exclaimed, and then started in to devour his food -ravenously, as though determined to make the best of the limited time. - -Buster laughed softly. - -"Josh, you make me think of that old, old fellow who had his gravestone -cut, and kept it in the house for about thirty years. The neighbors were -wild with curiosity to know what he had put on the same, leaving a blank -for the date of his departure. After he was buried every one flocked to -the cemetery to read it. And this was what they found chiseled in the -stone: 'I expected this--but not so soon!'" - -Josh did not make any reply. He was indeed too busy to even laugh just -then, for in his mind the seconds were trooping past, and it went -against his grain to waste good food. - -When three minutes had passed he was ready. Meanwhile Jack had glanced -around to make sure they left nothing behind them in the shape of a -blanket or cooking utensil, none of which he felt they could spare. - -"There, I'm all ready for business!" announced Josh, climbing to his -feet, for he was really too full of supper to move with his accustomed -agility. - -"Everybody get hold of something, then," said Jack, "and we'll head for -the boat. I'll scatter the fire last of all. That's the true hunter way, -you know, never to leave a fire burning behind, because a wind may come -up and scatter the red ashes among the dead leaves. Many a forest fire -has sprung from just that folly. But in our case we've got another -reason for wanting to kill the blaze; it may keep some people guessing -to know what's become of us." - -Presently all this had been accomplished, and they were heading, Indian -file, toward the river bank. Josh led the way, laden down with things. -Then came the Serbian boy, and his little sister, who clung to -him through it all; after them Buster stumbled with his customary -awkwardness, while Jack brought up the rear to make sure that no one -strayed from the line. - -They soon arrived at the edge of the bank, where George joined them. -Buster, as he looked anxiously out at the bank of gloom marking the -river, felt a strange sensation taking possession of him. It was not -fear, though possibly the feeling could be likened to awe. - -"Makes me think of the smugglers landing on the coast of England, and -trying to evade the revenue officers with their casks of spirits," he -whispered to Josh. - -Somehow, although as yet Jack had said nothing on that score, even -Buster seemed to realize that there was great need for caution, which -was why he lowered his voice in the way he did. - -The next thing was to get aboard the boat. Jack saw to it first of all -that the brother and sister were safe, and then urged Buster to follow -suit. - -"Josh, I'm going to appoint you to the honor task," he went on to say -softly. - -"Good for you, Jack," came the low reply; "just tell me what I'm to do?" - -"George will go aboard with me, for we want to get the push-pole handy. -When I give a whistle, unfasten the cable and shove her off, climbing -over the side yourself the best way you can. Get that, Josh?" - -"Just my style, boss," he heard the other say as he started toward the -tree to which the strong rope was attached. - -Jack had examined his chart many times lately, so that he knew just -where they must be on the river. The Danube takes a sharp turn toward -the east at Belgrade, and here the Save River empties into the larger -stream. On the same shore that the little party had chosen for their -landing lies the Austrian town of Semlin; and here on the heights strong -fortifications have long menaced the Serbian capital, as well as other -batteries further along the Danube. - -It would be impossible for them to land above Belgrade in order to let -their passengers go ashore, so on this account it was necessary that -they take the two with them while running the batteries. - -Jack had regretted this, because he did not like the idea of that -innocent child sharing their danger; still, so far as he could see, -there was nothing else to be done. The Serb begged him not to think of -abandoning them while on hostile territory. He had explained by gestures -and pictures that his father had been a general in the Serbian army, and -on account of the hatred borne for his family by the Hungarians he felt -sure something terrible would happen if they fell into the hands of the -enemy and their identity were discovered. - -When Jack had everything in readiness for their hasty departure he gave -the low whistle for which Josh on shore was impatiently waiting. They -could hear him pulling the cable from around the tree trunk; then it -came aboard, and Josh started pushing the boat off. - -This required no great effort, for the water was sufficient to float -such a small craft comfortably. Having managed to get the boat started, -Josh clambered aboard and, being a nimble fellow, even though far from -himself after that hearty supper, he contrived to accomplish this -without any particular noise. - -"We're off!" said George softly, but with considerable satisfaction, as -he felt the motorboat moving under the impetus Jack was giving to the -push-pole. - -"Bully!" echoed Buster, though at the time he probably hardly knew -whether he could call himself satisfied or not; for he realized that -they were taking more or less desperate chances in trying to slip down -the river when two hostile armies were spread along the opposite banks -watching for any sign of a surprise and doubtless ready to start a hot -fire at the first indication of a crossing being attempted. - -This was especially true of the Serbians, for they knew that an invasion -of their territory was planned by the Austrian army, backed by heavy -artillery. - -Jack continued to handle that pole with more or less ability. It was no -new task for him. Any one who goes much upon the water in motorboats -learns the value of a good pole, especially when the cruise leads -through swampy sections, where it is no uncommon thing to be mired and -need other help than that afforded by the unreliable engine. - -The current began to make itself felt almost immediately they were off. -It was Jack's intention to keep on using his pole until he could no -longer touch bottom. When that time arrived they would have to let the -boat drift with the current, under the belief that it was apt to stay -fairly well out in the river. - -"Listen, everybody," said Jack about this time; "from now on silence is -going to be the golden rule aboard this craft. Don't say a single word -unless you have to, and then whisper it. That applies to every one." - -The night was fairly quiet about this time, at least there was no firing -from the batteries on the banks of the Danube, though thousands upon -thousands of armed men kept watch there, ready to lock arms in a fierce -battle when the time came. - -Long had this feeling of bitter enmity lain deep down in the hearts of -Austrian and Serb. The dual monarchy had for many years looked upon the -smaller kingdom as a tempting morsel that some day she hoped to engulf -into her capacious maw, just as had been done in the case of Bosnia and -other countries now forming parts of the Austrian patchwork of many -tongues and many people, all under the rule of Francis Joseph. And now -at last war had actually broken out, so that the scores of many years -would all have a chance of being settled before peace came again to -distracted Europe. - -Deeper grew the water, so that Jack was beginning to find some difficulty -in reaching bottom. This meant that presently there would be no further -need of the push-pole, for they would have gotten out far enough to let -the stream carry them along. - -It was about this time that sounds came stealing over the water, -causing fresh alarm. All of them could make out the distinct creak of -oars in rowlocks, being worked with a steady rhythm that told of -experienced hands in the unseen boat. - -Then the next thing they heard was a low muttered word of command, which -came from exactly the same quarter as the other noise. - -A boat was passing toward the shore they had recently left. It must have -come from over the river, and, as the monitor lay in that quarter, -evidently those who had been sent out to investigate the status of the -motorboat party had seen fit to pull straight across first, intending to -follow the trend of the shore up to the camp. - -Jack had reason to believe they would pass down before the hostile boat -drew close enough for any one to make them out; nevertheless, his heart -seemed to cease beating for the moment, such was the intense anxiety -that seized upon him. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -AMIDST BURSTING SHELLS - - -Jack did not even dare attempt to draw the push-pole up out of the -water, lest he manage in some fashion to strike it against the side of -the boat, and in this way draw the attention of the enemy. - -Everything depended on luck--and the current of the river. If this -latter proved strong enough to draw the motorboat far enough away, so -that its outlines could not be distinguished by those in the rowboat, -all might yet be well. Certainly if hearty wishes could accomplish -anything this end was likely to be achieved, for every one aboard was -hoping it would come to pass. - -Jack soon began to breathe easier. He felt sure the boat would pass back -of them, and at a sufficient distance to avoid discovery, unless -something unexpected came about to betray their presence. A sneeze just -then would have ruined everything; and Buster felt a cold chill pass -over him when he had such an inclination. He managed to ward the desire -off by rubbing both sides of his nose violently, just as he had been -taught to do by his mother when in church. - -So the sounds died out, and they now heard nothing save the gurgle of -the water or the sighing of the summer breeze among the treetops on -shore. - -Far away across the river he caught sight of a light. It was low down -and close to the water, so Jack could easily guess it marked the spot -where the Austrian monitor lay anchored. - -Upon making another trial with the pole Jack found it possible to still -touch bottom. As it was his desire to keep on pressing out as far as -they could go, so as to approach near the middle of the river, he -continued to exert himself. Every yard gained counted for just so much, -and now was the time to do it. Later on the opportunity would have -passed, and it might be too late. - -When they arrived at the point where the Save joined forces with the -Danube it was expected that the influence of this new flow of water -would add to the swiftness of their passage. - -Jack knew that it would be an hour of greatest anxiety while they -remained in the region dominated by those big guns. At any minute they -might be discovered by some unlucky accident, such as the moon coming -out from her concealment, or the breeze rising so as to carry away the -gathering fog. - -He had everything ready so that the engine could be started up instantly -should they have reason to believe they were seen from the Austrian -shore. As a last resort he was intending to make for the Serbian bank, -in hopes of finding shelter there. At least, if captured by the Serbs, -they would be treated decently, once the identity of their passengers -had been learned. - -The minutes crept slowly past. - -All they could do was to sit there and turn their heads to look eagerly -first this way and then that. - -Feeling a tug at his sleeve, Jack turned toward Josh, who was closest to -him. - -"Look yonder; there are lights, Jack!" whispered the other in his ear. - -Jack guessed that this must be Belgrade, though at the time the Serbian -capital, being the subject of bombardment, lay almost in darkness, so -that the vigilant foe across the river might not have the range. - -Somehow it interested Jack deeply to see those few meager lights where -at other times the sky might have blazed with the electric glow, for -Belgrade was always a little Paris of the Balkans. It seemed to speak of -the terrible results that must follow in the train of a brutal war, -civilization giving way to barbarity. - -And there off to the right must be the Save River, flowing from far up -in the region between the Croatian and the Bosnian provinces of Austria. - -Back of this stream he knew there were heavy fortifications dominating -the distant Serbian capital. It would seem that Austria had taken -particular pains to threaten her fiery little neighbor on the south, -possibly in hopes of some day stirring up another hornets' nest in the -Balkans, through which she might attain her selfish ends and annex new -territory. - -As their course did not lie in that direction Jack bothered himself not -at all in connection with the Save batteries. He was, however, deeply -interested in the ones he knew were located upon the lower heights. What -peril they must face would spring from this source. - -It was perhaps only natural that just then Jack should suddenly remember -what had been said about searchlights. He wondered whether any were in -use in this section of the fighting zone. Germans, French and British -would certainly have carried such necessary appliances with them, but it -was uncertain whether the Serbs or the Austrians had seen fit to install -them here. - -Now they seemed to be sweeping around the bend in the river. Jack could -feel a new motion to the boat, which he believed must come from the -addition of the Save waters to those of the Danube. - -He watched both shores alternately. It was almost impossible to make out -anything except where some height was dimly outlined against the clouded -sky line. Then he turned his eyes aloft. The moon had risen, for in the -east it was light compared to the west, though nothing of her silvery -disc could be discovered. - -Would the clouds continue to befriend the fugitives of the Danube -through the dangerous passage of the batteries? If there came a break -above even for a brief interval it might spell ruin for their hopes. And -so Jack hoped most fervently that the clouds would prove merciful and -keep on shutting off that light which, coming at an unfortunate moment, -might mean their betrayal. - -Without the slightest warning there came a sudden fearful sound. At the -same instant they saw a vivid flash far back on the Austrian heights. -Seconds followed, marked by the accelerated pulsations of their hearts. -Then followed a crash and a flash over the place where the boys knew the -capital lay in darkness and gloom. - -The bombardment of Belgrade had begun again. Some plan of campaign was -being followed out that had to do with either the utter destruction of -the city or else the rout of its defenders, so that a hostile army could -make the crossing in safety, something they did not dare attempt as long -as the Serbs remained in their trenches awaiting their coming. - -The mere fact of its being night made no difference. Long ago the -Austrians had undoubtedly platted everything out and secured the range -for their big guns on the heights back of the river. They could fire -just as accurately in utter darkness as in broad daylight, for the -shells were hurled with mathematical precision, each one being timed to -explode at a certain second. - -As if that first shot were looked upon as a defiance, several Serb guns -took up the challenge. It was inspiring to see the shells burst like -giant skyrockets far up on the heights. Evidently others besides the -Austrians had occupied their spare time in getting distances all down to -a fine point, for the Serbian gunners managed to drop their projectiles -in given places, where they threatened to smash some of the tremendous -war engines of the enemy. - -The boys knew that it was much too late for them to think of turning -back now. In fact, such a thing was utterly impossible, much as they -might have wished it. All they could do was to keep on floating down the -river, trusting in their customary good luck to escape harm. - -They could hear strange noises as the reverberations died out, which -Jack knew must be made by the whizzing shells far above them. It gave -him a thrill to realize the fact that he and his three chums were thus -brought into the very whirlwind of war, with deadly engines of -destruction busy on all sides of them. - -Even the anchored monitor several miles up the river joined in the -music, for that partly muffled roar seemed to come from the direction -they knew her to be in. - -The two passengers had remained perfectly silent all this while, though -their faces kept turned toward the spot where they knew the darkened -city must lie. It was easy for Jack to imagine what their thoughts must -be at such a time as this. No one could say how long this bombardment -had been going on, or what sort of damage the terrible shells exploding -may have done among the numerous fine buildings of the Serbian capital. - -By now it might be lying a mass of ruins for aught they knew; and -somewhere in the midst their mother had been living the last they heard -from her. Yes, Jack could easily appreciate what agonies of mind the -couple must be enduring as they crouched there in each other's arms, and -with throbbing hearts listened to the hoarse crash of the opposing guns, -the one friendly and the other freighted with hatred and animosity. - -There was, of course, no danger to the party on the motorboat from the -shells that were passing so high overhead, describing a parabola in -their flight, something after the manner of a rainbow. Jack's fears were -along other lines. - -If, as he suspected, this night bombardment on the part of the Austrian -batteries was meant to occupy the attention of their foes while a force -of troops was being ferried over the river or a temporary bridge made of -pontoons and planks thrown across, it would mean that sooner or later -the fugitives must be brought up with a round turn and find themselves -caught in a trap. - -One shell burst prematurely, and almost overhead, giving them a severe -shock, for the sound was deafening. All of them involuntarily dropped -down and held their breath in suspense. Then they heard missiles -striking the water all around with an angry hiss, some of them terribly -close. - -"Nothing doing!" muttered Josh, when the fusillade had stopped and it -became evident that they had escaped being struck. - -"It was a narrow escape, all the same," said Jack, with deep gratitude -in his voice, though at the same time he remembered to keep his tones -low. - -All of them were fervently hoping there would be no more short fuses -with the shells that were screaming overhead. It was bad enough to be -passing underneath such a rain of fire without incurring the added peril -of being unintentionally struck. - -Back and forth the duel continued. The Serbian gunners were evidently -bent on giving as good as they received. They also hoped, no doubt, to -make things so warm up there on the heights that the Austrians would -cease firing in order to save their guns from being dismounted. - -Every yard counted for the fugitives. Hope grew stronger in the heart of -Buster as they continued to glide along on the bosom of the river and -nothing happened to disturb this feeling of increasing confidence. He -really began to believe, perhaps for the first time, that they were -going, after all, to float beyond the dangerous zone and find safety -below. - -As he afterwards declared, Buster lived years during that period of -suspense. It seemed to him that minutes must be hours, for each one was -fraught with such unlimited possibilities of evil that such things as -seconds were not to be reckoned with at all. - -The friendly clouds still held the moon from coming forth to betray -them, and it was undoubtedly true that they were passing the worst of -the line of bombardment. Given just a certain amount of time and they -could count themselves safe from that source of danger. - -There remained the possibility of coming upon the Austrian forces below -starting to bridge the river or cross on boats. - -Jack believed that it was not wise for a white man to shout until he was -fully out of the woods. While the prospect certainly looked hopeful, he -would not allow himself to believe the danger was over until many more -miles had been passed. - -Between Belgrade and the Iron Gate, which latter is situated at the -junction of Austria, Serbia and Rumania, there is a stretch of river -nearly a hundred miles in extent. Here the Danube makes another sharp -turn amidst wonderful scenery, and for a long distance forms the -boundary between Serbia and Rumania. - -Jack realized full well that they could not count themselves free from -peril until they saw the shore of Rumania on their left. He hardly knew -whether it would be wise for them to try and make progress during -daylight, for they might be picked up at any time by Austrian soldiers -afloat on the river, or made the target of concealed guns ashore, under -the impression that the motorboat must belong to Serbs. - -Josh, being an ardent chap and easily influenced by outer appearances, -actually believed everything was going the right way, and that they had -escaped from the jaws of another dilemma. Only for Jack's caution he -would very likely have been inclined to voice his delight in some -boisterous way; but he did not dare give his feelings full sway. - -So far the current had done all they could have asked. It had swept the -boat onward persistently, and without any sound to betray them. Before -now, doubtless, those men from the anchored monitor must have found -where they had built their little cooking fire and learned that the -mysterious motorboat had vanished, either down the river or back again -whence it came. Jack was not bothering himself in the least about the -things that were gone. The wheel of the mill would never turn again with -the water that was past, according to his notion. - -He kept looking ahead all the time. Something was bothering him, -undoubtedly, for Josh discovered that the skipper had his hand up to -his ear, as though trying to add to his powers of hearing. - -"What is it, Jack?" he whispered. - -"I saw lights below, moving lights, and something is going on, I'm -afraid," Jack told him. "The sound of the guns deadens everything. I -believe it is being kept up on purpose to hide something else. See, you -can catch the lights I spoke about now." - -"Say, I thought I caught something like hammering just then, Jack," said -the other in fresh excitement. "Do you think the Austrians can be trying -to get some of their troops across the river under cover of the darkness -and fog?" - -"I've been afraid we'd find that was the meaning of all the firing," -Jack answered. "The Austrians don't dare try it in broad daylight, but -hope to push enough men over to-night to hold a bridge-head, and then -follow with their field artillery." - -"But what would they try to do, cross on boats, Jack?" - -"If that was hammering we really heard," came the reply, "then it means -they are trying to spread a pontoon bridge across the Danube. Long -before dawn they could land thousands of men with many guns on the -Serbian side of the river." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE SMASHING OF THE PONTOON BRIDGE - - -"It must be a bridge they're building," said Josh presently, "because -just then I saw a light move along, as if held by some one who was -running." - -Sounds began to reach them at the same time, which were very significant. -On the whole Jack realized that there could no longer be the slightest -doubt about the fact that the Austrians were pushing out a pontoon bridge -with all the haste they could throw into the undertaking. - -Already they seemed to be much more than half-way across the river, -having, no doubt, selected a place where it was not unusually wide. And -what were the Serbs doing all this while? Had they been caught napping, -so that when the dawn broke the enemy would have secured a firm footing -on the southern bank of the disputed river and could move the balance of -his forces across at his leisure? - -It looked that way, though Jack doubted it very much. From what he had -read and heard of the people of the smaller kingdom he believed they -were too smart not to see through the device of the enemy. He rather -fancied they were in force somewhere in the darkness shrouding the -southern bank, and that just when the Austrians were congratulating -themselves on having met with splendid success something was scheduled -to happen calculated to give the invaders a surprise. - -Jack realized that it was folly for them to continue down the river. If -the pontoon bridge had already reached a point three-quarters of the way -across, the workers on it would quickly discover the oncoming motorboat. -Indeed, the chances were the craft must bump up against one of the -pontoons and could get no further. - -This would be bad enough, but Jack fancied there was something ten times -more dreadful awaiting them if they reached the swaying structure. -Should the waiting Serbs conclude the time had come to put an end to -this bridge building, a hurricane of shot and shell would be hurled -across the scanty water separating them from the shore, and few there -would be who could escape the rain of missiles. - -That was no place for neutrals, Jack decided. The only thing that -remained for them to do was to make speedily for the shore. To -accomplish this desired end it would be necessary for them to start up -the engine at once, though Jack meant to keep the muffler in place and -cut out all the noise he could, not wishing to draw attention to that -quarter. - -That was where the benefit of preparedness came in handy. It took him -but three seconds to accomplish what he wanted to do. Following the -cranking there came a series of explosions that were not very loud, and -immediately the boat started off at a lively clip. - -Every one waited with more or less nervousness to see if anything -happened, but not a shot was fired. Those at work on the swinging bridge -were in too feverish a condition of making haste to bother about a few -spluttering sounds like that; while the concealed Serbs, if there were -really any such near by, did not want to disclose the fact of their -presence in the vicinity by doing anything prematurely. - -Jack immediately swung the boat around and headed up-stream again. He -fancied they were a little too close to the pontoon bridge-builders for -safety if anything did happen, as he fully expected would be the case. - -When he had gone a short distance he headed for the southern shore, -meaning to come to the land and stay there until something was decided, -one way or the other. - -"Slow up, Jack!" exclaimed Josh, who was shading his eyes with his hand, -though more from habit than because he thought it aided him in seeing. -"We're close to the bank now." - -Cutting off the power, Jack allowed the boat to glide forward. George -had taken up the push-pole, and with this he proceeded to help things -along. So they presently came into shallow water and ran aground close -to the shore, which stood out above them against the gray sky, there -being something of a small bluff. - -So far everything had worked well. Jack felt they had reason to be more -than satisfied with the progress made. Here they could remain in secret -and await coming events. If the bridge were finished, and the Austrians -commenced passing over, the boys would have to make some new plans -looking to the future. Everything depended on the next half hour. - -The furious hammering up on the distant heights across the river still -continued, and Serbian guns answered every shot, so that it might not -appear they were either lacking in ammunition or courage. - -There was a stir in the middle of the boat. Jack could easily guess that -the two passengers were aware of the fact that they could easily spring -over the side and find their feet pressing their native soil. Now was -the time for them to go ashore. They could either flee to the interior -or else risk everything in entering the capital after the bombardment -had ceased once more, in search of the mother, who had been last heard -from there. - -The boy gripped each one of them by the hand. What he said they could -not understand, though it was easy to guess the meaning of his warm -words of thanks. They had each one of them to kiss the little girl, for -Josh boldly started it and no one wished to be left out. - -After that the Serbian lad jumped over the side, standing in water up to -his ankles, and lifted his sister to dry ground. The four motorboat -chums saw them no more, but they would always remember the incident with -pleasure. - -After the two had gone Jack breathed more easily. He felt that he could -face the future, no matter what it had in store for them, with a better -spirit, now that the pretty little girl had been removed from danger in -their company. Besides, it must always be a source of satisfaction to -himself and mates to remember that they had been enabled to prove of -more or less assistance to those who were in deep trouble, with no way -out of the difficulty save by the help of the American lads. - -"I wonder now if the Serbs are asleep at the switch while all this thing -is going on below here?" George said, after a little more time had -passed, and they could hear the working human beavers on the pontoon -bridge more plainly than ever. - -"Don't you believe it," Josh told him. "Look up and see what a splendid -ambush this little bluff would make. Well, take my word for it, down -below there Serbs are crouching in bunches, waiting with their machine -guns until just when it seems the bridge is going to be joined with the -shore. Then you'll hear something drop!" - -"My stars!" muttered Buster, "I wouldn't want to be one of those poor -fellows at work with those pontoons, not for all the gold in King -Solomon's mine I wouldn't. They won't have a ghost of a show, I'm -afraid." - -"But we're far enough away from the place not to be in danger--how about -that, Jack?" George went on to say in a cautious tone. - -"Only a random shot could come this way, if the Austrians on the other -shore start things going. I don't believe they will, because they'll be -afraid of hitting their own men." - -"This is exciting, all right," ventured Josh. - -"Well, better all keep still again," Jack remarked; "we might attract -some attention, you know, and that's the last thing we want to do right -now. If the bridge is destroyed we can wait a while until things cool -off, and then try our luck again, dropping down with the current." - -They kept as well behind the side of the boat as possible, acting on -Jack's advice, though the thin shell could hardly serve as a means of -protection in case a projectile of any sort came that way. - -Once more the minutes dragged fearfully, though their suspense was -hardly of the same personal nature as before. It seemed to Buster that -there was a mine to be exploded out there on the river, and that those -soldiers who were working feverishly to complete the bridge must be -directly over it. Any second now they might expect to hear a dreadful -crash, and catch the shouts of those who were in range of the firing, as -well as the rending of the boats under the rain of missiles. - -Nearer still the Austrian bridge builders were coming. They had been -well trained in their business, those army engineers, and worked -methodically, even while laboring under a tremendous strain both of body -and mind. - -Jack, chancing to come in contact with Buster, found the other shivering -as if he had the ague. He knew that it was due to agitation consequent -upon excitement. Doubtless the beads of perspiration were rolling down -Buster's cheeks at the same time, even though the night air was rather -chilly now instead of being warm. - -Jack was glad he had been wise enough to come back up the river some -little distance before reaching land. If the Austrian batteries turned -some of their guns on that shore later, the boys would stand less chance -of being hit when the mighty shells exploded along the bluff. - -"Oh! I wish it was all over with!" groaned Josh, upon whom the dreadful -suspense was telling terribly. - -Hardly had he said this than the very atmosphere about them seemed to be -rent with a tremendous explosion. A gun had been fired not far away, for -the fire blazed forth from the little bluff almost over their heads. -There was heard a dreadful rending of planks and boats, accompanied by -shouts and shrieks. - -This was the opening gun. - -Almost immediately there leaped from the shore below the boys what -looked like a long zigzag line of fire. Accompanying it came the -discordant grinding of numerous machine guns, sending a constant stream -of missiles out there upon the swaying pontoon bridge. - -The darkness was for the time being dispelled, and the boys saw with -staring eyes such a vivid picture as comes seldom in the lives of any -one not a soldier. It fascinated even while appalling them by its -horrible reality. - -The constant flashing of the rapid-fire guns dazzled their eyes, but at -the same time they could see the strange low bridge built upon the -aligned pontoons. It had been hastily but fairly well constructed, -considering that the workmen had to handle their tools in almost utter -darkness. Instinct and long practice had to take the place of eyesight. - -They were swarming like bees all over the structure even then, some -carrying planks and others hurrying back for new burdens. Just on the -down-river side the boys could catch glimpses of many who seemed to be -pushing other pontoons out, by holding on to the part of the bridge -already finished. These they expected to use in filling the remaining -gap between the present terminus of the bridge and the intended -anchorage on the bank. - -Alas! they were never given the opportunity to carry out their well-laid -plans. That hurricane of lead and iron was sweeping everything before -it. Men were going down by dozens; some plunged from the bridge into the -river, seeking to take the chances of being drowned to the certainty of -death in that hailstorm of deadly messengers. - -Every conceivable manner of outcry could be heard. Men shrieked, and -shouted, and probably swore in their own language. They were sprawled -out all over the shuddering bridge, some crawling, others perfectly -still. It seemed to be a regular shambles the wide-awake Serbs had made -of that promising pontoon bridge. Instead of being "asleep at the -switch," as one of the boys had hinted, it seemed that they had set a -sly trap, and simply bided their time, waiting until the enemy had -almost completed his work before setting out to demolish it. - -Again the boys heard that larger gun somewhere close by give tongue. As -they continued to stare as though spellbound they saw that this time the -gunner had planned to smash the bridge half-way across. True had been -his aim, for the missile cut a passage completely through the pontoons, -leaving a gap some four feet or more wide there. - -Josh gave vent to a cry; he could no longer suppress the emotion that -seemed to be overpowering him. Unless he did something, or said -something, he would begin to believe it must all be a horrible -nightmare. - -"Look, oh! look!" was what he exclaimed shrilly, forgetting all need of -caution, for the guns were still grinding forth with that weird strain -that, once heard, could never be forgotten; "they've smashed the bridge -over there with that shell! This half of it is beginning to break up and -float away with the current. It's all going to pieces, I tell you!" - -They could see that Josh had not overestimated the terrible damage that -had been wrought by that cleverly aimed shell. Deprived of its supports, -the near end of the line of pontoons had already yielded to the drag of -the current and was beginning to pass down-stream. As it went it also -commenced to break into smaller sections. Here a boat sank, having been -pierced by some of the numerous bits of flying metal. Again others broke -away and floated off by themselves, often with dead or living freight. - -The whole surface of the water seemed to be dotted with innumerable -fragments of what only three minutes before had been a splendid specimen -of engineering skill. The Serbs had waited until just the right time to -strike their blow. They had made it felt, too, for the Austrian losses -must have been terribly severe. More than that even, the injury to the -_morale_ of the dual kingdom's troops must have counted for a whole lot, -while renewed confidence would be the portion of the defenders of the -southern bank. - -It was almost like a strange dream to some of the boys. Buster, who had -gazed at the wonderful spectacle with distended eyes, might have been -noticed to pinch himself violently on the leg, as though hardly able to -believe that he was really awake and looking at such a picture of war's -horrors. - -The firing had mostly stopped by now, only that big gun sent another -shell over, and succeeded in cutting another third of the pontoons -loose, to be carried down-stream in a state approaching chaos. - -Once again did darkness fall like a merciful curtain upon the scene. The -boys were glad to have its horrors shut out from their sight. Never so -long as they lived would they be likely to forget that smashing of the -pontoon bridge. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE AFTERMATH OF BATTLE - - -"Was it real, and did we see that bridge knocked into flinders?" asked -Buster, when the terrific racket had in the main died out and it was -possible for them to exchange comments or ask each others' advice. - -"As genuine as anything that ever crossed our path," replied Josh. "Ugh! -wasn't it fierce, though, to see those poor Austrians crawling like ants -all over the old thing when it began to break up? Some of them were -badly wounded, too. I tell you, we'll be seeing that sight many a time -when we wake up from a bad dream." - -"But what are we going to do now, fellows?" George wanted to know. - -"The way is clear again," suggested Josh, helplessly. - -"And will be right along to-night, unless those Austrian engineers try -to shove out another lot of their pontoons, to be smashed into kindling -wood," George said. - -"There they begin firing again!" exclaimed Buster, in a fresh tremor; -"oh! I wonder what's in the wind now." - -"It's all from over the river on the Austrian side, you notice," Jack -remarked, after the crash of a shell had been heard not a sixth of a -mile below them and apparently close to the bluff that marked the -river's edge. - -"They're as mad as hops over the smart way the Serbs knocked their -bridge down, seems like," suggested Buster. - -"That's where your head's level, Buster!" exclaimed Josh; "if they can't -have the game go their own way they won't play in the Serbs' back-yard. -So now they're meaning to shell the river bank over here." - -"What for?" asked the fat chum wonderingly. "They can't see a single one -of the Serbs' batteries, or even a man for that matter." - -"But they've located the different spots where that hot fire came from, -and are hoping to get a few of the enemy guns with their big shells," -continued Josh, who could always be depended on to do the explaining -when he grasped a subject himself. - -"Well, then, I do hope they won't drop a shell over this way and give us -a bad scare," said Buster. - -"That's a fact; that gun by which the bridge was cut to pieces did get -in its work from near by here!" added George uneasily. - -"I heard men talking and horses whinnying between the bursts of firing," -said Jack; "so I reckon they cleared out just as soon as their work was -done. That's the case, too, all along the line, the batteries and their -supporting columns falling back to new positions so as to avoid the -bombardment they know mighty well is going to come." - -Sitting there in the boat, they watched the fitful flashes of fire on -the ridge far back from the river. It was much more thrilling than any -storm they had ever seen; and then would come the crash as each enormous -shell exploded on the southern side of the hotly contested stream that -served as the border between the hostile countries. - -Once there was a frightful detonation not far away from where the boys -huddled aboard the little motorboat. The Austrian gunners had commenced -to send missiles toward the spot from which the Serb gun had barked. -Doubtless a terrible hole had been knocked in the bluff, a cavity that -looked like a crater resulting from the explosion. - -Every one of them had felt the shock attending the bursting of the high -explosive shell, though luckily none of the fragments chanced to -scatter in their direction. - -"Oh! that was an awful crack!" groaned Buster, as though his heart might -have tried to jump into his throat and partly choke him. "I do hope they -won't give us an encore. A hundred feet further this way and our name -would have been Dennis." - -"Huh!" grumbled George, "better say it would be Mud, because we'd have -gone into the river with tons of the earth here." - -"Listen! The Serbs are replying now!" said Jack. - -"And that gun sounded exactly like the one that knocked the bridge to -bits," added Josh. - -"Let's hope, then, the fellows across on the hills there recognize its -bark!" George exclaimed with considerable fervor, "and realize that it -isn't around this region any longer. Then they won't bother wasting any -more of their ammunition in bombarding this place." - -Apparently this was just what happened, for that shell was not followed -by others, much to the relief of the boys. Buster in his heart even -forgave the Austrians all they had done to nearly frighten him to death -because of their forbearance now. - -"No use wasting your good stuff any more, Mr. Austrian General," he -announced, "because the bully little Serbs have been too smart for you. -They shot their bolt and then changed partners, just like you might do -in dancing the Lancers. So call it off and settle down again." - -The firing still kept up, however. - -"They've got oceans of ammunition up there," remarked George, "and have -been just aching to expend some of it, which is why they keep on -whanging away when they haven't any more chance to hit anything than -you'd meet with in finding a needle in a haystack." - -"But they won't try to keep it up all night long, I hope?" Buster -observed. - -"Not much danger of that," Jack told him, knowing the other was -fretting. - -"I wonder if the boy and his kid sister will manage to get into -Belgrade, and also find their mother alive?" Josh went on to say, -showing that even in the midst of all that horrible confusion he could -let his thoughts stray to the pair whom they had so generously assisted -in their great trouble. - -"We'll hope so, anyway," George added, for he, too, had been greatly -drawn to the winsome little lassie with the bright eyes, now able to see -as well as any one. - -"I can see lights moving across the river and low down," announced the -keen-eyed Josh just then, and his words gave Buster a thrill. - -"My stars! I wonder if those stubborn Austrians are meaning to tackle -the job again and try a second bridge? They may have a new lot of -pontoons, you know, and want to use them. Some people never can take a -hint, it seems, and that one from the Serbs was as strong as anything -could be. 'No trespass' was the sign they nailed to that bridge when -they scattered it over the water." - -"'Keep off the grass,' you'd better say, Buster," corrected Josh -whimsically. - -"I hardly think they're reckless enough to make another attempt at this -place to-night," Jack told them. "When they get ready to try again it -will be in a locality further removed from Belgrade. They can always -hope to catch the Serbs off their guard, you know." - -"But then what are those lights moving around over there for?" demanded -Buster. - -"You can see others further down the river in the bargain," Josh -explained. "In my humble opinion they're looking up their wounded, and -trying to pick up any who managed to swim ashore below." - -"You notice that the Serbs are not interfering with them at all," Jack -continued, "which goes to show they believe just as Josh here said, and -that it's the Red Cross corps working along the river bank." - -"I guess the Serbs feel satisfied with what they've done to-night," -was George's comment. "Not only have they smashed the bridge of the -Austrians, but must have killed and wounded hundreds of the enemy. All -this with little loss to themselves. It's going to make them feel their -oats, let me tell you." - -"Still Austria is so powerful that sooner or later a force three times -as big as the Serbian army can be thrown across the Danube to invade the -country. When it does come to that, though," added Josh, "I give you my -word for it, they'll fight like tigers." - -"You notice that the firing is dying down again, don't you?" asked Jack. - -Only an occasional shot still sounded. When it did come the deep -grumbling echoes rumbled back and forth between the opposing heights -until they died away in softer cadence in the distance. - -"How will we go from here, Jack?" questioned George. "Will it be safe to -start up the engine while we're so close by?" - -"I was studying that very thing, George," replied the other, "and had -about made up my mind that it would be much better for us to repeat what -we did before." - -"That means push out with the pole, and let the boat float on the -current, eh, Jack?" - -"After we get a mile or two further down the river we can think of using -a little power and increasing our speed. But this is dangerous ground, -you know," was what the skipper went on to say. - -Buster knew that the time was coming, and very soon now, when they would -again be on the move. He was glad of it, and yet at the same time viewed -the approaching change of base with fresh anxiety. So many perils seemed -to yawn in front of them, and all with ominous aspect. - -He stared out upon the darkened river, though, of course, it was little -he could see. Still, to Buster just then it was peopled with enemies of -every type, men in boats moving around seeking trouble, and ready to -strike hard at the first sign of opposition. - -Buster found himself between the two horns of a dilemma; he wanted to -get away from there, and at the same time hated to incur fresh perils. -As generally happened with him, in the end he decided to put himself -entirely in the hands of his three mates and let them settle the matter -as they thought fit. - -Which was possibly the best thing Buster could have done. - -By the time another ten minutes had crept past Jack began to bestir -himself. - -"Is it time?" asked Buster dubiously. - -"The firing seems to have stopped entirely," he was told, "and if that's -the case, the sooner we're out of here the better." - -Of course, there would be Serb sentries posted all along the river bank, -unseen in the darkness, but ever vigilant to detect and report anything -suspicious that might take place. On the other hand, some of the -Austrians might have put out in boats stationed below on purpose, -meaning to search for wounded men among the floating fragments of the -pontoon bridge. - -Once Jack put some of his strength into his work and they could feel the -boat gliding away from the shoal water where they had been lying quietly -for such a length of time. - -Buster drew a long breath, and tried to pierce the gloom by which they -were surrounded. If there was anything he hated it was that sense of -impending evil, with not the slightest chance to ward it off. Still he -got a grip on himself, and determined that if the others could stand it -he must do the same. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -A RESCUE BY THE WAY - - -As soon as they were out a short distance from the shore the ever-present -current took hold of the boat, and they found that they were beginning to -move down the river. - -Jack worked hard at his task. He knew it would be to their advantage to -get as far away from the bank as possible before passing the places -where the Serbs had lain in ambush. There would be less danger of their -presence on the water being discovered in that case. - -Josh hovered near by. Unable to resist the temptation, he finally took -hold of the pole while Jack was pushing, and "leaned on it" in a way to -render considerable assistance. - -Everything seemed to be working in a satisfactory manner so far as -making good progress went. If it kept up for a few minutes more Jack -believed they would have achieved their end. - -A single shot coming from further down the river on the northern bank -gave him some little cause for uneasiness lest the fierce bombardment -break out again. It proved to be a false alarm, since nothing followed, -the Serbs never even taking the trouble to respond to the invitation. -They had taken up new positions, and apparently were averse to letting -the enemy "feel them out." - -Now they must have reached the place where the swaying bridge made of -heavy planks laid upon successive pontoon boats had a short while before -been in the process of completion. - -It gave the boys a queer sensation to remember this. Over the spot which -they were now passing had swept that hurricane of missiles, mowing down -the engineers engaged in bridge building as though they might be wheat -falling before the reaper. - -All was clear now, not a sign of the recent dreadful engagement being -visible. Further down the river doubtless there would be met with -fragments of the wrecked bridge. Jack knew that later on they would have -to keep on the lookout for all such obstacles to a safe passage; but -there would be little or no danger up to the time they started the -engine and increased their pace. - -About that time, when all of them felt exceedingly nervous over the -possibility of being fired upon, possibly Buster may not have been the -only one of the little party who called himself a fool for having -accepted this risk. - -It was too late now for vain regrets, however; they had made their beds -and must lie in them. - -"Well, we're past that awful place, anyway," whispered Buster presently; -and no doubt, while the others did not echo his words, they felt just -about as the stout chum did. - -"Do you know," Josh was saying cautiously, "the way that bridge went to -pieces made me think of a house of cards when you blow at it." - -"Please don't talk any more just now," asked Jack; "we're still too -close to the bank, and you might be heard." - -"Correct!" said Josh, which in his vernacular was as much as asking Jack -to excuse his break. - -After they had floated along for some time, and Jack figured that they -must by then have covered all of two miles, he decided it would be safe -to start the engine. Of course, this could not be done without more or -less popping and similar noise, try the best he was able; but Jack -figured that the Serbs would not open fire for several good and -sufficient reasons. - -In the first place, they knew they had nothing to fear from one small -launch, no matter if it were an enemy craft. Then again, as the Austrian -Red Cross was undoubtedly searching for victims of that fusillade, there -was a chance that this might be one of their units pursuing a mission -of mercy. - -Accordingly Jack started things up. - -The engine responded readily to treatment, much to the satisfaction of -Buster, who had been entertaining serious fears. The motor had proved -tricky on one other occasion, he remembered, and on this account he -wondered what they would ever do should it go back on them again. - -They were now in the war zone, and it would hardly be possible to get -repairs made and secure permission to continue down the Danube on their -cruise. - -Of course, Jack did not think to put on a full head of power; that would -hardly have been wise while they were apt to come upon floating remnants -of the bridge at any time. - -"Josh, you can help me now if you want to," he presently told the other. - -"Give your orders, then, Commodore." - -"Crawl up forward, and keep as close a watch on the water as you can," -Jack told him. "I mean directly in front of us, because it might get us -in trouble if we ran smack into one of those pontoons out here in the -middle of the river." - -"I get your meaning, all right," responded Josh, starting to carry the -plan out. "I'll call myself the lookout man, and signal you to back her -in case I see any sign of trouble ahead." - -"Give a sharp whistle, and I'll know what that means," the skipper told -him. - -So Josh crept past Jack and sprawled there in the extreme bow. He -possessed good eyesight, and was likely to discover any floating object -long before they were in danger of striking the same. - -Buster, too, strained his eyes in order to try and supplement the good -work; but George contented himself with lolling there in a comfortable -position. What was the use, he doubtless figured, of everybody getting -excited? If later on Josh wanted some one to "spell" him George would be -quite willing to assume the responsibility; but he did not mean to wear -out his eyes when not on duty. And no doubt George was quite right. - -Things were going on so well that every one felt much encouraged. Buster -was even trying to figure on what sort of speed they were making, and -where they would arrive if able to keep on at this pace all through that -night. - -"Jack said it was about a hundred miles down to the Iron Gate," he told -himself, "where the river makes a turn and starts to divide Serbia from -Rumania. Wonder if we could make half of that between now and morning, -and what would we do through the day? I must ask Jack first chance I -get if he thinks it would be safe for us to keep on down the river by -daylight, with soldiers guarding every mile of the banks and ordering us -to come ashore and explain who we are." - -Just then Buster gave a sudden start, for Josh had whistled sharply. -Jack instantly cut off the power and then started to reverse the engine -so that their headway might be reduced to next to nothing. - -"Steady, Jack; we're going to come alongside a pontoon that seems to be -partly filled with water!" said Josh in a stage whisper. - -He leaned still further over the bow, as though bent upon reaching out -to fend off from the object that was floating like a derelict upon the -bosom of the great river. - -"I've got it all right, fellows," Josh continued saying; "and would you -believe it, there's a wounded man in the same! Guess he'd have gone down -in less'n ten minutes only for our coming along." - -"What's that you say, Josh?" asked Buster eagerly, "a wounded man! How -do you know but what he's dead?" - -"Because he's sitting up here," came the prompt reply. - -Jack knew what that meant. They could not leave a poor fellow badly -injured to go down with the leaking pontoon. - -"We've got to get him aboard here, that's flat!" said George, as though -voicing what was passing through the mind of each of his chums just -then. - -Jack left the wheel and, passing along the side of the boat, leaned -over. Yes, there was a man in the sinking pontoon. He did not appear -to know whether they would turn out to be friends or foes; but his -situation was desperate, and upon seeing several heads appear in view -he commenced saying something in a weak voice. - -"That's Magyar, of course," remarked George; "but the trouble is none of -us can translate a word of the same. However, that doesn't make any -difference. Shall we help him over the side, Jack?" - -"Three of us can do the business, easy enough," responded the other. - -When the Austrian engineer realized that they meant him to leave his -wretched float and clamber into the motorboat, he lost no time in -starting to obey; though his actions quickly told them he must be very -weak, either through loss of blood or from the shock of his wound. - -Once he was deposited in the cabin, Jack sent Josh again to the lookout, -and himself started the engine. The man had sunk upon the cushioned -seat as though quite content to take things as he found them. He heard -these unknown parties speaking in what he must have known was English, -and was no doubt much astonished. Just the main thing with him was being -rescued from the fate that had been threatening him with a watery grave. - -"Jack, he's pretty badly hurt, I reckon," suggested George soon -afterward. - -"Well, something ought to be done for him, that's certain," the skipper -started to say. "Do you think you could manage it, George? I don't want -to give up the wheel, and Josh is really needed forward there." - -George did not hesitate long. He guessed that it might be anything but a -pleasant task, but then George had learned long ago not to shrink -because things were not always delightful. - -"I'm willing to do the best I can, Jack," he said quickly. - -"I knew you would, George, and there's not one of us can dress a wound -better than you, once you set your mind to the job. Get Buster to help -you, George." - -"Sure I will," spoke up the stout chum, "though I'm not clever at -handling sick people, and always shiver at sight of blood. But you'll -need some kind of light to work by, won't you, George?" - -"Wait," said Jack. "You remember I've got that little vest pocket -electric torch. I've been saving it because I'm afraid the battery will -soon run out. But this is just the time to make use of it." - -He thereupon handed Buster the article in question, a small nickeled -affair not over three inches in length. When the button was pressed -there came a shaft of light that was fairly strong. - -"Just the ticket, Jack," announced George, who was removing his coat -with a business-like air that quite tickled Buster, who thought George -already seemed to take on a professional look. - -They could now see that the man taken from the sinking pontoon was a -young Austrian soldier. He had no marks on his uniform to prove him -anything save a private, but that made no difference to the boys. They -had seen how those engineering corps men had taken their lives in their -hands in order to bridge the Danube so that the artillery might be -transported across to the other bank, and had also watched them going -down by scores when that furious fire burst out from the hidden Serbian -trenches. On this account they must honor him as a brave man. - -He knew what George was about to do. Perhaps, after all, taking off his -coat was the sign that made his intentions clear to one who could not -understand English very well. - -Buster shut his teeth hard when the light focussed on the man showed -that one of his arms was bloody. Still he did not quail, for Buster -could do a thing once he put his mind to it. - -George set to work. The Austrian soldier understood that he was to -help as well as he could, and between them they managed to get the -water-soaked coat off. Then the sleeve of his shirt was carefully rolled -up, disclosing the wound. - -It was enough to make one with a stouter heart than Buster shudder, for -the cut was severe, and had bled a great deal. From his pack George took -some linen bandages, without which his mother would not have let him -leave home. He had other appliances in the bargain, among which was -surgeon's adhesive plaster, with which to keep the ends of bandages in -place. - -First of all George proceeded to wash the wound, Buster getting him some -water from the river in a tin basin they carried. After that he applied -the soothing salve that was intended to purify and take away some of the -pain that would be sure to follow on the morrow. - -Jack glanced in every little while, and saw that George was getting on -splendidly, having tied a tourniquet above the wound in order to stop -the bleeding. He was now engaged in winding a bandage tightly around the -arm in a most professional way. - -The man appeared to be very grateful. He said something once in a while, -but as none of them could understand a word of Magyar they had to guess -at its meaning. Actions speak louder than mere words, however, so they -knew that the patient appreciated their efforts in his behalf, and that -he was trying to tell them as much. - -Finally, to the great relief of Buster, the job was done, and the man -had his coat on again, though that left sleeve hung empty at his side. - -"And I want to say, George," remarked Buster, as he shut off the light -and handed the little pocket torch back to the owner, "that you did the -job up as neat as wax. If ever I have the misfortune to get jabbed by a -bullet I want to engage you as the chief surgeon right now. I'd feel -myself in good hands, all right." - -Of course, this pleased George very much. It was not so very often that -he did anything to call for such fulsome praise; but he knew Buster -meant every word he uttered, because Buster was candid and sincere. - -"I'm beginning to wonder what will strike us next," George went on to -say. "We are sure neutral in this world war, because one day we hold -out a helping hand to a couple of young Serbs in trouble, and right -afterwards pick a wounded Austrian out of a sinking pontoon and look -after his hurts." - -"Well, that's the way it goes," asserted Buster, with a philosophical -air. "You never can tell what will happen, and especially when there's a -silly old war on. We may run across others who are clinging to fragments -of that bridge until we gather up a boatload." - -"Then there'd be nothing else for us to do but run over to the Austrian -side of the river and land the whole bunch," George told him. - -Josh meanwhile had kept a good lookout. Several times he sighted other -pontoons and floating planks, but as they did not happen to be in the -direct way of the motorboat he had not given the warning whistle to -cause Jack to stop. - -He had watched in every case to ascertain whether there happened to be -occupants to these boats, but discovered none. If men had floated away -on them when the Serbian gun smashed the bridge, they must either have -made their way to the shore and been taken off by search parties or else -gone down into the depths. - -By degrees, however, these reminders of the dreadful tragedy became -fewer and fewer until Josh failed to discover any more of them. From -this he decided that, owing to the increased momentum attained for the -motorboat by the use of its engine, they had by this time distanced all -drifting snags. Still he clung to his post until another ten minutes had -elapsed, when he came back to where Jack sat. - -"We've got beyond all the floaters, Jack," he remarked, "and anyway my -eyes begin to feel the strain. So I thought I'd just drop in and find -out what your plan of campaign might be." - -"Do you mean for to-night?" asked the pilot at the wheel. - -"Sure thing, Jack. We're moving right now at a healthy pace, but how -long do you mean to keep the same up, I'd like to know?" - -Jack took a look aloft. He found that the same conditions prevailed -there, with the heavens covered with clouds so that the moon was -entirely shrouded from view. - -"If things continued like that up there," he assured Josh, "I'd feel -like keeping on the move the whole night long. We'll have to hide -somewhere in the daytime so as to keep from getting into trouble; and -perhaps to-morrow night we can cover the balance of the distance -separating us from the Iron Gate." - -"But how will you be able to stand it?" demanded Josh, indignantly. - -"Oh, I can make up for lost sleep to-morrow, you know; there'll be -really nothing else to do the whole day long but sleep. And if I find -myself getting too dopey for any use, why, I can call on George or you -to take hold. It's all right, Josh, and please don't waste any pity on -me. I'm only too glad to be able to cover half that hundred miles before -dawn comes on." - -Josh knew better than to dispute Jack when his mind was made up. -Besides, that arrangement just suited his own ideas. - -George had been listening to this talk, also Buster. - -"I don't call it fair for you to take all the burden on your shoulders, -Jack," expostulated the former; "especially when the rest of us are -willing to do our part." - -"Oh, so far as that goes, George," he was told, "you're all under -orders, you know; but if I get tired I promise to call on you for -help." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A HALF-WAY STOP - - -Time passed, and the motorboat continued to swing along with the current -hour after hour. Jack did not attempt to make great speed. There was no -necessity, and such a move would be doubly dangerous, on account of -possible snags, and also discovery from the shore. - -In spite of their resolve to stay awake, Buster and Josh and George -seemed to be enjoying a pretty healthy nap. The wounded stranger also -lay very quiet. Jack hoped he was not in too great pain. - -It was a long, dreary spell of duty for the boy at the wheel. When -finally George did manage to awaken and, sitting up, asked Jack if he -meant to let him take a turn, he was considerably astonished to hear the -other say: - -"I hardly think it would be worth while for me to lie down just now, -George, because, you see, the night is nearly gone, and any minute we -may have to be turning in to the shore to look for a cove where we can -stay during the day." - -Both of them watched closely for an opening. If the Danube was anything -like the rivers they were accustomed to in their home land an occasional -little bayou was likely to occur, an indentation in the shore line where -possibly some creek emptied its waters into the greater stream. - -If only they could find some such a friendly harbor it was Jack's idea -to push the motorboat in and remain secreted during the entire day. He -had an idea that the region they were now passing through was rather -wild and not settled very thickly, which fact was apt to please them -considerably. - -Josh happened to wake up about this time and wanted to know what was -going on. When he was told that morning was not far distant he could -hardly believe it until Jack asked him to notice where the moon had -gotten far over in the west, for it was possible to locate the heavenly -luminary behind the clouds. - -"All right, then," he remarked, after George had informed him what they -were bent on doing, "there's your little crook in the shore just ahead -of us." - -"You've certainly got the eyes of a cat, Josh," George told him; -"because it is what we're looking for, as sure as anything." - -Jack was already making use of the setting-pole to urge the motorboat -toward the shore. As the current proved very mild close in, he did not -have much difficulty in doing this. - -They managed to enter the cove, for such it proved to be. As far as they -could see in the wretched light it was surrounded by thickets and lush -grass. - -"Just the sort of place we wanted to run across," remarked George; "and -the celebrated Stormways luck still holds good, it seems." - -They soon had the boat fast to the bank. It was then that Buster sat up -and commenced yawning at a terrific rate. - -"Here, what's going on out there?" he asked cautiously. "Have we got -fast on a sandbar? Do you want any help pushing off?" - -When he crawled out from the cabin he stared around him as though he -could not understand it. - -"What! gone ashore so soon, after all, Jack?" he remarked reproachfully. - -"So soon?" echoed Josh. "Why, do you know it's nearly morning, boy? All -of us just slept like logs and let Jack do the work. I feel like kicking -myself, that's what." - -"Let me do it for you then, Josh?" asked Buster. "It'll help wake me up -good and plenty, you know." - -"Thank you, but I'm capable of doing my own kicking most of the time. -But Jack, now that we've landed, you get in under the shelter and make -yourself comfortable right away. We'll wake you up later on when we've -got breakfast ready." - -"That's right, sure we will," added Buster vehemently, though he looked -disappointed because Josh placed such little confidence in him. - -"Of course, I needn't ask you fellows to look out for our passenger," -remarked Jack. "He seemed to sleep a part of the time, though I heard -him groaning once or twice, poor chap. Be sure to cook enough breakfast -for an extra boarder when you're about it, Buster." - -With that Jack consented to lie down. He was asleep before five minutes -went by, being fairly well exhausted. When they aroused him two hours -later it was long since full day. The clouds, too, were breaking -overhead, promising fair weather, a fact that pleased them all very -much. - -Breakfast was ready, and the odors gave promise of an appetizing meal. -Jack discovered that George had looked again at the arm of the injured -Austrian, though not removing the bandage, as everything seemed to be -getting along nicely. The man appeared to be rather cheerful. He could -say a few words of English, and managed to understand that they were -American boys to whom he found himself indebted perhaps for his very -life, certainly for the many comforts he was now enjoying. - -After they had partaken of breakfast and satisfied their keen appetites, -the boys sat around and talked in low tones. Josh, while Buster was -getting the meal, had gone ashore and roamed around a little. He -reported that so far as he could see the place was quite lonely. - -"I discovered the house of a Serb peasant," he explained. "There are -only an old man and woman home, as their boys have been called to the -colors to fight. They seem to be well disposed and can speak some -English. I told them who we were and what we were doing on the river. I -also took pains to speak of the Serbian boy and girl we helped get -through the lower part of Austria and landed near Belgrade. They say we -are all of fifty miles away from the capital now." - -"I figured we must have covered something like that last night," said -Jack confidently; "and another similar turn would take us to where we -would have no need of feeling worried. I was thinking that perhaps we -might influence this couple to take our patient off our hands and keep -him until he can get across the river again. A couple of dollars would -be something worth while to them, you know." - -"We'll try it, anyhow," ventured Josh. "Another thing, fellows; I -bargained with them to have a chicken killed and dressed for our dinner. -If we do have to hold over here, there's no reason why we should go on -half rations." - -As the morning advanced they began to hear the far distant sound of -heavy firing again. This, of course, held their attention more or less, -for they had come to take a personal interest in the warfare between the -would-be invaders and the gallant Serbs, who stood ready to defend their -shore from attack. - -Not feeling just like lying down again, Jack accompanied Josh over to -the humble cabin home of the old peasants. They managed to talk with -them, partly through the sign language, by means of which so much can be -exchanged between two people neither of whom can speak the other's -tongue. - -Jack found that the old people were not at all bitter toward Austrians -as citizens, their resentment being only for those in high places, who -they believed desired the ultimate annexation of all Serbia in order to -link the Teutonic races with Turkey and the East, where Germany believed -the star of destiny was drawing her, with the rich booty of India in -her eye. - -They readily agreed to care for the wounded engineer corps man until -such time as he could get across the river again to his own country. -Later in the day the boys brought the Austrian to the cabin and saw him -installed there. George had made a stout sling for his wounded arm, and -on the whole the man felt that these young Americans had treated him -splendidly. - -So they had again "cleared the decks," as Josh put it. First the Serb -brother and sister, and next the injured bridge-builder who had been -swept away in that hurricane of fire when the concealed Serbs smashed -the pontoon structure. - -All they meant to wait for now was the coming of night. They could eat -an early dinner, for Buster had that fowl all cut up and ready for the -frying pan. With the coming of darkness after the gloaming they meant to -start forth, take the middle of the river, and make as fast time as the -conditions warranted. - -All of them were glad to see the sun sinking toward the western hills. -During the afternoon there had been no vigorous firing in the distance, -though once in a while they would catch a faint boom. It was just as -though the contestants wanted each other to know they were still -watchfully waiting. - -No doubt the Austrians would have other plans to try and carry out. -Because the first pontoon bridge had been wrecked was no reason they -would not exert themselves to effect a crossing. History tells us that -in the end they did succeed in transporting an army to Serbia, and for -some time pressed the men of the valiant old King Peter back along the -valley of the Morava; but once among the hills and wilder country so -suited to their style of fighting, the Serbs, with the old king at their -head, struck heavy blows that brought consternation upon their enemies. -In the end the Austrians were compelled to begin a retreat that savored -almost of a rout, so that for months afterwards not a single invader -remained on Serbian territory. - -Buster had supper ready on time, and it was a royal feast. He had gone -ashore to where the obliging Josh had built a splendid cooking fire, and -here Buster had an opportunity to spread himself. - -By the time supper had been finished and everything cleaned up it was -beginning to actually grow dark. Jack was keeping track of the time, and -also of the attendant conditions. - -"We ought to leave here in ten minutes or so," he said. "The moon, being -some past the full, isn't to be looked for until about nine o'clock or -later to-night. That's going to give us an hour and more of darkness to -make our first run. After that we'll have to take Hobson's choice." - -"The moon is going to shine bright enough," observed Josh; "but as the -river is getting pretty wide down here, and we can keep to the middle, -it's small chance of our being seen from ashore. Besides, there are few -soldiers around this part of the country, the old man said." - -When the ten minutes mentioned by Jack had passed the word was given, -and once more the motorboat began descending the dark waters of the -Danube. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -CONSTANTINOPLE AT LAST--CONCLUSION - - -That was another night of constant watchfulness. Some one would have to -be on duty every minute of the time they were in motion, to handle the -wheel and keep the motorboat as near the middle of the big river as -possible. - -The moon shone brightly at times, and again hid her face behind friendly -clouds. But they were at a good distance from either shore, and objects -even in the full of the moon are never distinct. A peculiar little haze, -too, hung over the water, making things seem very romantic, and helping -Jack and his chums wonderfully. - -Jack changed his plan of campaign on this second night. He decided to -sit out the first hour or two and then resign in favor of George, who in -turn might be followed by Josh, though the last mentioned was not as -much of a skipper as the occasion called for. - -The worst of the danger Jack believed was past. It lay in that quarter -where the Austrians had expected to force a passage of the Danube by -means of a pontoon bridge, over which, their heavy guns could be taken. -There would undoubtedly be more or less peril all along the border, for -not a mile but would have its watchers, eager to report any activity on -the other side. Still Jack hoped to pass almost unnoticed, if fortune -were kind. - -This programme then was carried out, George being put in charge of the -wheel about ten o'clock, with orders to call the skipper if anything -suspicious came to pass. This might consist of any one of a dozen -different things; and George felt that his honor was at stake when he -took command of the expedition, so it could easily be understood he was -wide awake. - -Just two hours afterwards Jack sat up. He had been sound asleep all that -time, and, considerably to the surprise of the wheelsman, awoke at the -very time he said he would. - -They sat and chatted in low tones for a long time. Nothing happened to -alarm them, and the boat kept constantly descending the widening Danube. -At times the shores came closer together as the country assumed a -wilder aspect, with mountains bordering the romantic looking stream. -Occasionally they could see dim lights on one side or the other, which -would indicate that they were passing some village or town. - -It was well toward morning when Jack awoke the others. Long before -this George, who had been yawning tremendously, decided that it was -unnecessary for him to try and sit Jack out. If the skipper were bent on -keeping the wheel constantly, what was the need of any one else losing -their full quota of sleep? And so George had lain down again, though -protesting to the last that he didn't think it quite fair. - -When Jack awoke them it was with a word of caution. - -"We've got to the Iron Gate, fellows," was what he told them, "and I -thought you would be sorry if you didn't have a chance to see for -yourselves. Besides, there's more or less danger for us in the next half -hour, so I concluded you ought to be on deck. No talking now, please, -but watchful waiting." - -They sat there and counted the minutes as the boat passed between what -seemed like high bluffs. George could easily understand now why the -place was called the Iron Gate. Bulgaria's nearest border lay only -thirty miles away, but the intervening country was so rocky and wild -that an army would have a frightful time trying to force its way across -the strip, especially when such valiant fighters as the Serbians manned -the heights. - -Nothing happened, however, and later on Jack calmly announced that they -had made the turn in safety upon which so much depended. - -Instead of Austria, they now had Rumania on their left, and as that -country was at peace with Serbia, there was little occasion for -believing the shores would be manned by troops or batteries. - -Jack consented to go and lie down as the faint streaks of coming dawn -began to appear in the east. He had been under a heavy strain, although -his manner was so cheerful that one would never suspect it; and he -certainly needed a good long rest. - -They did not wake him up for breakfast, acting on his orders. This -frugal meal Buster prepared while they were going at full speed down the -constantly widening river. - -So the morning passed. At noon Jack made his appearance and announced -that he felt like a new man again. George, who had been skipper for the -time being, refused to resign his post of honor until dinner time had -come and gone. Tired of being on board, they found a good retired place -and went ashore to prepare this meal, as well as "loaf" for an hour or -two in the heat of the day. - -Long before night came on they had left turbulent Serbia far behind and -found themselves running between Bulgaria and Rumania. - -Two days later found them at the bustling Bulgarian river city of -Rustchuk, and here they rested for fully twenty-four hours, laying in a -few more stores and trying to learn something of the great events that -were happening in other parts of Europe. - -It was here they heard that the Belgians had stood like a stone wall in -front of the Kaiser's legions, ten times their strength, delaying the -advance for days at terrible cost to themselves, so that possibly the -German hosts might find their long arranged plan for taking Paris nipped -in the bud. - -The boys also learned of other great events, beginning with the news -that Great Britain was now at war with the Teuton allies, together with -word of a Russian advance into East Prussia. - -All these things interested them intensely. Being right there on the -ground, and having lately actually been in the whirlpool of the war, -they could understand and appreciate the tremendous nature of the -world-wide struggle much better than any of their friends, who were -separated from the theatre of conflict by thousands of miles and could -read of battles without a thrill. - -The voyage was resumed after a time spent in the Bulgarian city, and -presently they found themselves headed almost due north, such are the -vagaries of the wonderful blue Danube in its long journey from the -northern border of Switzerland all the way to the Black Sea. - -They were now in Rumania proper, and four days later arrived at the -important city of Galatz. Here they expected to say good-by to the -motorboat that had served them so well on their long and eventful trip. -Arrangements had been made for turning the same over to a certain -dealer, who was instructed to repay Jack the amount of security the boys -had been compelled to put up against possible loss of the chartered -craft. - -Two days later they took passage on a small steamer that was bound for -Constantinople. They made the passage of the lower Danube by daylight, -so it was possible for them to see every phase of the wonderful river -before it was wedded to the famous Black Sea. - -It took them the better part of a week to reach their port, for the -steamer was what might be called a coasting trader, stopping at numerous -towns on the Bulgarian and Rumanian shores for half a day at a time. - -Nevertheless the boys enjoyed it immensely, though one night a little -storm did come along and give Buster quite a scare. Fortunately, it died -down before any damage had been done, though showing them how savage a -sea could arise in short order in this inland body of water. - -Finally they reached the entrance to the Bosphorus, and found themselves -passing along a narrow stretch of water that filled them with delight. -It was bordered with green groves, white buildings of rich Turks, -occasional fortresses, and in places arose the domes of magnificent -mosques, with their accompanying minarets, where at certain hours the -_meuzzen's_ loud call to prayer could be heard, summoning the faithful -Mahometans to worship. - -Then came Constantinople, where they meant to spend several days before -starting for London _via_ Italy. - -Here they had the time of their lives, prying into all sorts of strange -places, and seeing just how the red-fezzed Turks lived. All of them -enjoyed it to the full, and no doubt laid up a treasure of recollections -that would haunt them the balance of their lives. - -Buster was wild to see the inside of a mosque the first thing, and -managed to accomplish it with his mates, though all of them had to -remove their shoes and put on ridiculous red slippers without heels, -for the sacred interior of the temple would be profaned if shoes were -worn. - -Josh had gotten it in his head that he would love to see what a harem -looked like, and came near getting into serious difficulty in pursuing -this fad; but he never reached his goal, and had to give it up. - -All the same, the boys looked upon a myriad of strange sights, such as -they had read about in books like the Arabian Nights, but never really -expected to see with their own eyes. - -Jack noticed that there were a great many Germans in Constantinople, and -he expressed the opinion that sooner or later he believed Turkey would -align herself with the Teuton powers against her old-time friends -and backers, Great Britain and France. His prediction was later on -fulfilled, as events proved, and eventually Turkey took the mad plunge -into war at the behest of her master, Germany, to submit her last -slender grip on European territory to the test of the sword. - -Here in the wonderful city on the Golden Horn we will say good-by to the -four Motorboat Boys. They fully expected to start for Italy in two days, -and were now only filling in the time waiting for a certain steamship -to arrive that would convey them through the Sea of Marmora, along the -historical Dardanelles into the AEgean Sea, and finally to Naples, where -they could at their pleasure sail for London and home. - -No doubt our adventurous young friends, whose fortunes we have followed -with so much pleasure in this and previous volumes, are bound to meet -with further stirring experiences, which in due time we shall hope to -lay before the reader. Until that time arrives we shall have to drop the -curtain and write the words - -THE END. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - - --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). - - --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - --The name of the Irish lad, known alternatively as Jimmy and Andy, - has been retained as in the original. - - --The name of the fat lad, known alternatively as Nick/Buster and - Bumpus, has been retained as in the original. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube, by Louis Arundel - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS DOWN THE DANUBE *** - -***** This file should be named 42191.txt or 42191.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/1/9/42191/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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