THE BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS

 BY LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON

 AUTHOR OF "THE MOTOR CYCLE SERIES, " "THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL, " "THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE, " "THE BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP, " "THE BOY SCOUTS' MOUNTAIN CAMP, " "THE BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM, " "THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL, " "THE BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO, " ETC. 

 _ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES L. WRENN_

 NEW YORK HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS

 Copyright, 1915, BY HURST & COMPANY

[Illustration: The long roll of rifle firing in volleys, and the faintcheers of charging men. --_Page 178. _]

 CONTENTS

 CHAPTER PAGE

 I. ANTWERP, ON THE SCHELDT 5

 II. THE AERIAL MAP-MAKER 19

 III. LEAVING FOR THE FRONT 31

 IV. THE DAY OF THE BOY SCOUT 45

 V. UNDER THE BRIDGE 58

 VI. GETTING NEAR THE WAR ZONE 68

 VII. THE DESERTION OF ANTHONY 80

 VIII. WHEN THE UHLANS CAME 92

 IX. WITH FIRE AND SMOKE 102

 X. THE DUTY OF A SCOUT 112

 XI. MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS IN THE NIGHT 121

 XII. THE MEETING BETWEEN THE LINES 131

 XIII. CAUGHT IN THE ACT 140

 XIV. THE FIELD HOSPITAL 149

 XV. CHASING A JACK-O'-LANTERN 161

 XVI. THE BATTLE FOR THE TRENCHES 180

 XVII. THE BADGE OF COURAGE AND MERCY 190

 XVIII. AFTER THE FIGHTING WAS OVER 200

 XIX. AN IMPORTANT CLUE 210

 XX. THE CAMP FIRES OF AN ARMY 220

 XXI. THE HANGING BRIDGE 230

 XXII. SCOUT TACTICS 242

 XXIII. THE FROG HUNTERS 254

 XXIV. THE ARMORED CAR 266

 XXV. TURNING THE TABLES 278

 XXVI. FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE 290

 XXVII. CONCLUSION 302

The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields. 

CHAPTER I. 

ANTWERP, ON THE SCHELDT. 

"Oh! how glad I am that part of the trip is over, now we've crossed fromEngland to Antwerp without being wrecked!"

"You certainly did seem to have a bad time of it, Tubby, in the wash ofthe Channel!"

"Bad time did you say, Rob? It was a great deal worse than anything westruck on the voyage between New York and Liverpool, let me tell you. "

"But now we want to forget all our troubles of the past, Tubby. "

"I know what you mean by that, Merritt; it's just the same as telling methe worst is yet to come. "

"Well, I'm a little afraid myself that's going to turn out a fact. Herewe are, just landed in a strange country that is being overrun by anarmy of German invaders; and all of us are bound to push deeper anddeeper into the mire. "

"Hey, Merritt, you give me a shiver when you say that, don't you know?"

"I guess you must mean a quiver, Tubby; because whenever you laugh ortremble you make me think of a bowl full of jelly!"

"Now you're making sport of me because I'm so pudgy and fat. Just as ifI could help that; can I, Rob?"

"To be sure you couldn't, Tubby; and we wouldn't want you to be anythingbut what you are--the best natured scout in the whole Eagle Patrol, andI'm safe in saying you're the only fellow in the Long Island town ofHampton who hasn't an enemy. Everybody takes a fancy to a jolly rolypolylike you, Tubby. "

"What would we do without you?" Merritt added, with real feeling in hisvoice. 

"Well, but it strikes me you tried mighty hard to induce me not to joinyou two on this wonderful trip abroad, " complained the fat boyreproachfully. 

"There was a good reason for that, Tubby, " defended Merritt quickly. "Icould see that with all these Old World countries in a scrap, my job offinding that man who is wanted so badly by my grandfather might take meinto the fighting zone. Now Rob, as the leader of the Eagle Patrol, volunteered to stand by me, and I gladly accepted his assistance. Whenyou asked to go along I was afraid the hardships of the trip might betoo much for one of your peculiar build. That's all, I give you my wordfor it, Tubby. "

"My 'peculiar build, ' as you call it, Merritt, " chuckled the other, considerably mollified by the explanation offered, "has gotten me into apeck of trouble, I admit. But you never saw me show the white feather, did you?"

"Never, Tubby!" admitted the boy addressed, who was a rather thoughtfullooking young chap, of athletic build, though possibly not quite theequal of Rob Blake, the leader of the scout patrol to which all of thembelonged. "It was mighty good of you two to back me up when I'd decidedto take the risk alone. But unless that precious paper can be recovered, my grandfather, you know, stands to lose what he says is an enormousamount of money. "

"He's got plenty in reserve, I understand, Merritt, " observed Blake. "What a grand thing that turned out for your folks when GrandfatherMerritt, who had cut your dad out of his will many years ago after hemarried against his wishes, repented of his cruelty, and paid you anunexpected visit to get acquainted. Little did you think, when you stoodup for that old fellow who was being snowballed so unmercifully by abunch of village boys, that it was your own grandfather. "

"Yes, " added Tubby, "you know they say a good action is never thrownaway. That's why I'm always watching for my opportunities. Some day Ihope to win the admiration of a crank millionaire who should, of course, make me his heir. "

"Well, here we are landed in Antwerp, and with a lot of sights to gatherin before we set out in the direction of Brussels to find your man. Every minute counts, so let's get busy, and begin to wander around. "

"That's right, Rob, " said Merritt. "Suppose you lead the way. "

These boys, who were all dressed in the well-known khaki thatdistinguishes scouts in nearly every country of the world, had justlanded from a steamer that reached Antwerp from the shores of England. 

They had managed to get themselves and few belongings conveyed to a fairhotel by means of a vehicle drawn by a broken-down horse; all of thebest animals as well as such automobiles as were deemed worth takinghaving been commandeered by the Government for cavalry, field andartillery purposes. 

While Rob Blake and his two chums, Tubby Hopkins and Merritt Crawford, are thus starting out to secure their first view of the quaint Flanderscity, we may take occasion to glance back and see who they are and whatthey have done. 

Those who have had the pleasure of reading previous volumes of thisseries need no further introduction to the trio; but for the benefit ofany who are now making their acquaintance for the first time, a fewparagraphs may not come in amiss. 

There were other patrols in the Hampton Troop, but as the Eagles hadbeen first in the field, the members of this organization were lookedupon as the pioneers of the scout movement in that part of Long Island. 

Rob filled the post of patrol leader, and had, on one occasion, evenoccupied the position of assistant scout-master, being fully qualifiedfor the certificate he had received from Scout Headquarters in New YorkCity. 

Merritt, the second in command, filled the position of corporal. Tubbythus far seemed content to remain just a scout, though he had, by dintof hard labor managed to climb into the first grade rank. 

Until recently, Merritt's folks had been in just ordinary circumstances. His father was said to be the best wheelwright in the eastern end of theisland, and by constant labor kept his little family housed andclothed, and perhaps laid up a little for a rainy day. 

Merritt always knew there was some sort of a family skeleton around, andthat he had a severe old grandfather somewhere far away; but beyond thathe had never been able to probe. 

One day, near the end of the preceding winter, had come the singularlittle incident that wound up in a joyful reunion. Merritt, as one ofhis chums chanced to remark a little further back in this story, hadcome upon several village roughs engaged in battering a stranger intown, a little old gentleman who, carrying his grip and finding thehacks all away from the station, had evidently attempted to walk to thehotel. 

The cowardly assault aroused the indignation of Merritt, who was a manlyboy at all times. He remonstrated with the assailants, and when theycontinued to pelt the old man, he proceeded to attack them. Whether hecould have won out alone and unaided will always be an open question. Fortunately one of the town policemen chanced to come in sight, whichevent caused the three foes to vanish in hot haste. 

Then imagine the astonishment of Merritt when, after giving the oldgentleman his name at the other's urgent request, he found himself beinghugged by the stranger. He announced himself as Merritt's repentantgrandfather who, unable to keep up his bitter feud longer, had soughtthe forgiveness of his son. 

Just what came up later to start these three boys across the waterduring vacation time, when the Old World was commencing to rock andheave in the throes of the most terrible war ever known, will be madeclear as the story progresses. 

The first volume in the series, _The Boy Scouts of the Eagle Patrol_, was necessarily confined to the activities of the young organization;but Rob and his mates met and overcame many difficulties that are wellworth reading about. 

In the second volume, _The Boy Scouts on the Range_, were recounted aseries of strange adventures that befell some of the Eagles during avisit to the Far Southwest, where they took part in the wild life of acattle ranch. 

Through the pages of _The Boy Scouts and the Army Airship_ the readerwill find that Rob and his comrades always bore themselves manfully, nomatter the emergency; and that they scrupulously observed "scout law"under any and every occasion, as every true wearer of the khaki makes ita point to do. 

After this, followed an account of many remarkable happenings thatbefell the Eagles when under canvas. _The Boy Scouts' Mountain Camp_ hasdeservedly been reckoned one of the very best scout books ever publishedfor boys, and those who own a copy are likely to read it many times. 

Once more, chance allowed some of the leading characters in the HamptonTroop to come in touch with Government officers who were experimentingwith a wonderfully designed submarine. It happened that Rob and hisfriends were enabled to assist Uncle Sam's agents in defeating the plansof foreign spies who tried to steal the design of the new invention. Inthe pages of _The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam_ are recorded the adventuresthat accompanied their service, as well as mention of the rewardfollowing their victory. 

It was a happy chance that allowed some of the boys to pay a visit tothe then uncompleted Panama Canal. While in the Canal Zone they againdemonstrated that they were always wide-awake and devoted to the serviceof their country. Much useful information will also be found between thecovers of this volume, called _The Boy Scouts at the Panama Canal_. 

Once more, Rob and several of his close adherents were unexpectedlyallowed to take a trip. Andy Bowles, the bugler of the troop, had anuncle who owned a cattle ranch down in Chihuahua, in Mexico. He wassick, and unable to go down himself to dispose of the stock before thefighting forces of rebels and Federals drove the herds away. Accordingly, he sent his nephew and several of his chums to seek GeneralVilla, whom he had once befriended, and gain his assistance in sellingthe valuable stock. The wonderful things they saw, and the peculiaradventures that came their way, have all been described in the seventhvolume, just preceding this, under the title of _The Boy Scouts UnderFire in Mexico_. 

That, telling briefly some of the remarkable things that happened intheir career as Boy Scouts, will have to suffice to introduce Rob andhis two chums to the reader. 

Starting out from their hotel, the three American boys were soonengrossed in their pursuit of seeing some of the strange sights forwhich this old Flemish city on the Scheldt has always been famous. 

While they gazed, and made many amusing comments, Rob could not helpnoticing that, in turn, they attracted considerable attention. He couldgive a good guess as to the reason of this. 

At that time, with the vast German army spreading out over most ofBelgium, and also fighting its way to Paris, the good people of Antwerpwere constantly worried over the possibility of an attack. They had manyscares, though as yet the invaders, after taking Brussels, had notchosen to invest the big city near the sea. Later on, as we all know, the time came when their heavy artillery was turned on the forts ofAntwerp, and before the terrible fire from those colossal German guns, steel domes that had been called invulnerable were easily battered topulp. 

With the assault and fall of Antwerp we have nothing to do, at least atpresent; but possibly those Flemish people thought the Boy Scouts partof an English army coming to defend Antwerp. 

When Rob and his two chums landed from England, after crossing on asmall steamer, they found the city choked with fugitives and Belgiansoldiers. 

Pushing their way along the crowded sidewalks, the boys took in all thesights that were so new to their American eyes. Only Rob had a smallsmattering of French, while his companions could not speak a word of thelanguage. All of them were utterly ignorant of Flemish, current in halfthe homes of Belgium. 

The way in which the natives made use of sturdy-looking dogs, harnessedin small carts, and trained to do their duty in order to earn theirkeep, was perhaps the most interesting thing that held their attention. 

"Why, " remarked Merritt, "they use dogs for nearly everything. Dozensof milk peddlers have teams to drag their big brass cans around. Thenthere are the hucksters, like we have over in New York, only thesefellows peddle from carts drawn by dogs. We saw one poor, four-footedwretch roped to a treadmill, and doing the family churning; so I guessBelgium must make the dog traffic pay right well. "

"And think of dogs drawing a quick-firing gun, which we saw in thatstreet where the soldiers were getting ready to go to the front!"exclaimed Tubby. "I think that was the queerest sight ever. "

"I can plainly see, " Rob told them, "that while we're over here we arebound to keep our eyes wide open all the time because there are so manythings that strike us as being queer just because we've been used toother ways. These people would stare at many of the things we think arecommon. "

"What are you looking at now, Tubby?" asked Merritt, seeing that theboy, who had gained his name because after a fashion he resembled a tubof butter, was in the act of stretching his fat neck in order to seesomething that had attracted his attention. 

"Why, I was wondering what made all the people crook their necks likethat, and look up in the air. Is there a German Zeppelin heaving insight? I don't seem to glimpse any big dirigible up there; do you, fellows?"

"What's that moving along away up near the clouds?" demanded Merritt. 

"It must be an aėroplane, " said Tubby. "I just heard somebody say myname close by; but he pointed up at that flier. What could he havemeant, Rob?"

"I think I can tell you, " replied the other scout. "German aėroplanesare called Taubes, and it sounded like your name. They say that is anaėroplane spy up there!"

CHAPTER II. 

THE AERIAL MAP-MAKER. 

"He's flying pretty high, let me tell you, " said Tubby, straining hisneck in an endeavor to watch the evolutions of the far-distant objectsailing on the border of the cloud, and which looked so much like agreat bird with outstretched wings. 

"And all the while he is using his powerful field-glass to watch thingsgoing on below, " added Rob. "I wouldn't be surprised if those chaps makea rough map, as they go over a place, with the position of forts marked, and the disposition of troops. In this war they say aėroplanes anddirigibles are going to play great stunts. "

"Think of the nerve of that German aviator, sailing right over Antwerpin broad daylight!" Tubby declared. "It's a dare, all right, and Iwonder if any of these Belgian fliers will take him up. I really thinkI'd like to see a little scrap up in the air. We didn't have a chancefor anything of that sort since we were down in Mexico with Villa. "

"Well, " returned Merritt, "you may see more of that kind of businessover here than you want. These fliers don't go circling around just tospy on the enemy. In lots of cases they have another and more terriblemission. "

"Oh!" ejaculated the fat scout uneasily, "now you're thinking of thatvisit paid by a Zeppelin to Antwerp a short time back when it dropped abomb that smashed things to flinders. They say it was aimed at theking's palace. But you don't think now that fellow away up there in theclouds would bother dropping explosives on our heads, do you, Rob?"

Tubby always appealed to the patrol leader when bothered about anything. To hear him talk you would imagine that he considered Rob Blake awalking encyclopedia, and capable of answering any kind of question. 

"No, he's flying too high for that, " the other told him confidently. "You see, with the air currents, that we know something about ourselves, no one at that height could count on landing his explosive anywherenear the place he wanted it to go. Chances are that chap is only out ona spying trip. Aėroplane pilots are the scouts of the air these days, you understand. Nothing can be hidden from them. "

"I understand, " ventured Merritt, as they continued to watch thecircling of the lofty observer and map-maker, "that there can be nosurprises in this war, because the enemy always knows all about themassing of troops long before an attack can be delivered. An eagle or ahawk, hovering over shallow water, can see every bit of bottom when thesurface is still, and so he's able to pounce down on the fish he'sselected for dinner. These wonderful air-pilots will bring informationof every contemplated move on the part of the enemy. "

"Poor old Napoleon would be a back number in these days, " Tubby sighed, "because you remember his strongest card was to divide the enemy, andthen smash one army and then the other. They'd know all about his gamein time to block it. The romance of war has gone glimmering, I'mafraid. "

"Listen to all that shouting, " said Merritt. 

"Seems to be cheers, as well as these people can cheer, which is notlike the good old United States way, " Tubby commented. 

"You can see what it means, " remarked Rob. "There goes a Belgian biplaneup, to get after the bold German!"

"My stars!" gasped Tubby. "Now we _will_ see a circus! Think of tworival pilots maneuvering up there among the clouds, and trying to knockeach other out! Whew! But watch him boring up in spirals, would you?Does the German see him, do you think, and is he beginning to skip out?"

"Nothing like that has happened yet, as far as I can see, " admitted Rob. "There he starts around again, as if meaning to complete his map, nomatter if a dozen Belgian or English airmen come up after him. "

"It'll be a fight, then, see if it doesn't!" Tubby affirmed. 

"There goes a second aėroplane, and this time a monoplane, " Merritttold them, pointing as he spoke. "Unless I miss my guess, there's anEnglish aviator in that machine. It doesn't carry the little Belgianflag the other does, you notice. "

"Two against one, " muttered the deeply interested Tubby. "Better bemaking up your mind to turn tail and run, Mr. Deutschland. The odds areagainst you, and, if you should get tumbled out of your seat a milehigh, I'd hate to be under you when you strike the ground. "

"They seem to be maneuvering for position, " asserted Rob. "Yes, both arecircling around now, and going still higher all the time. Before longthe German will be hidden in that cloud bank, and that's what he'saiming to have happen. "

"I thought I saw something like a little puff of smoke just then!"declared Merritt, who had exceptionally good eyes, strong almost asthose of an eagle. 

"Then they must be bombarding each other!" Tubby ventured to say, evidently greatly thrilled by the spectacle that could never have beendreamed of a few generations back. 

"It's likely they are using their automatics, and trying to disable eachother, " admitted Rob, "though, between us, Merritt, I don't believe thetiny puff of smoke could be seen away down here, unless you had a strongglass. Of course, when moving as fast as they do, the chance of making ashot tell is next door to nix. "

"Anyhow, they're chasing the German aėroplane off, " Tubby declared. "That is the main object for the brave Belgians going up there. "

The boys had made up their minds while on the way across that asAmericans they must obey the President's appeal and be strictly neutral, if it were possible. They had many good friends who were of Germandescent, while others had English ancestors and near relatives. 

The one country with which they sympathized deeply was Belgium. Thestubborn and heroic way in which that seven millions of people haddefied seventy millions, and the gallant manner in which their littlearmy had tried to resist the invasion of their beloved country, hadaroused the admiration of every one of the scouts. 

As they stood there on that afternoon, and watched, they finally sawthe German Taube vanish in the clouds, with the leading Belgianaėroplane following suit. Whether the pursuer ever overtook the foreignair-scout or not, the boys never learned. 

"Well, that was a lively little tilt while it lasted, " remarked Merrittas, the entertainment being over, the crowds again commenced saunteringback and forth, with everybody talking volubly about the spectacle inthe heavens. 

Soldiers gave them a curious look in passing. Every stranger in Antwerpwas under more or less suspicion in those days, for it was becomingknown that the German secret service had for years maintained the mostwonderful system of spying in France, England and Belgium ever dreamedof. Antwerp had thousands of Teuton residents before the war, some ofthem leading merchants who owned splendid country places six or sevenmiles outside the city, where solid cement tennis courts afterward camein very handy as foundations for the immense German siege guns. 

"We'll see plenty more things that will give us a thrill to beat that, "Rob observed, pushing through the bustling, chattering crowds. 

"Yes, and I'm afraid times may come when danger will hang over ourheads, " Merritt pursued, with a touch of regret in his voice. "Thenyou'll both be sorry you didn't let me go off on this wild goose chase, as it may turn out to be, by myself. "

"What do you take us for, I want to know?" demanded Rob. "Haven't webeen through all sorts of tough times together in the past; and whyshouldn't we stand by our chum when he needs our help? What's a scoutgood for if he is ready to desert a comrade when the sky grows dark?That's just the time to show his true colors. "

"You're taking the very words out of my mouth when you say that, Rob!"asserted Tubby valiantly. "No matter what happens, we're bound by theties of old friendship. We'll sink or swim together, boys. And Merritt, please don't ever tell us again you're feeling sorry for letting us comealong. "

"If that man is to be found, we're going to corner him!" declared Rob, with his lips taking on the firm lines that marked them whenever he wasmaking up his mind to hammer away persistently, like Grant did beforeRichmond; "and when we go back to the other side, we hope to be carryingthat precious old paper your grandfather let get out of his possessionin such a queer way. "

"This seems like a pretty warm day to me, even for summer, " observedTubby irrelevantly. 

"Now, we can give a pretty good guess, Rob, " ventured Merritt smilingly, "that Tubby has a sly meaning back of that remark. "

"Yes, " added the patrol leader, "and the chances are three to one it hassomething to do with feeding. "

"You are champion guessers, both of you, " Tubby informed them, withoutseeming to be in the least ashamed of the confession. "I'm consumed by aviolent thirst right now; and I bet you the milk in that shiny brass canthat those two tired dogs have been dragging all over Antwerp thisafternoon will have a lump of ice in it. Anyway, I'm going to test it;come along and let me stand treat. "

Laughing at his earnestness, the others followed the fat scout acrossthe street, where the old woman with her dog team was apparentlyresting, and observing the remarkably interesting sights around her. 

Just then there were loud cheers that attracted the attention of thethree boys. 

"Something else coming along that's worth seeing, " Merritt announced. "Better curb that fierce thirst of yours for a minute or two, Tubby, while we watch what's passing. "

"Oh! well, I guess the milk won't sour while we're waiting, " admittedthe fat boy with a sigh of resignation, as he wheeled so as to face thestreet. 

"What do you call that, I wonder?" remarked Merritt, as he looked. "It'sgot the wheels of an automobile; but say, notice how the body of the carhas been built up with steel sides, will you? And as sure as you livethere's a quick firing Maxim mounted behind that bullet shield. "

"Now I know what it is, " Rob hastened to say. 

"Then tell us, please, " urged Tubby helplessly. 

"They call them armored cars, " said the patrol leader. "I've read abouthow some of these reckless Belgians have fitted up cars in this way. Nearly every day they start out to raid through the country, where theyexpect to run across detachments of Uhlans, or bicycle squads of theGerman advance. Then they dart down on them and do some terrible work;before the enemy can recover to smash them, they are off like a flash, and return to town with all sorts of trophies. "

"They must have just been coming in, " ventured Merritt. "I saw one ofthe soldiers had a bandage around his head. Another was holding up twohelmets which must have been worn by Uhlans. And listen how the crowdsroar and cheer. They certainly do hate the Kaiser and his army inAntwerp. "

"Well, do you wonder?" Rob asked. "After some of their lovely towns havebeen burnt down, and thousands of houses destroyed, simply because theseBelgians dared to stand up for their rights as a neutral nation!"

"Well, how about that drink of milk, fellows?" Tubby wanted to know. 

"Suit yourself, Tubby, " Rob told him. "If it tastes good to you, wemight join you in a glass. "

"Huh! sort of 'trying it on the dog first, ' eh?" Tubby retorted, andthen turning toward the owner of the dog team and the milk cart, he madea gesture with his head, and held up three fingers. 

Evidently the old woman must have understood what he meant, though shelooked a bit "peeved, " as Tubby afterward expressed it, at being askedto do a retail business. There were a number of measures dangling fromhooks around the top of the shining brass milk can, also several glass"schooners. " Taking one of the latter the old Belgian milk vender was inthe act of filling it from the contents of the can when somethingastonishing happened. 

Four soldiers who had been passing became excited, and pointed at thegroup; then they laid violent hands on the owner of the milk cart!

CHAPTER III. 

LEAVING FOR THE FRONT. 

"What's this? What's this?" stammered Tubby, as the schooner of richmilk fell with a crash to the pavement when the soldiers beganstruggling with the woman vender, who was also the owner of the dogteam. 

Of course a crowd collected immediately, as it always will in a citywhen there is the first sign of something doing. Antwerp was fairlyseething with half suppressed excitement at that time, and anything ofthis kind was like putting a match to the powder magazine. 

"Well, I declare but she's a husky old woman, that's right!" Tubby washeard to say after his astonishment had in a measure abated, and hecould catch his breath. "Why, it takes the whole four soldiers to subdueher. Shame! to hit a poor old woman like that; but my stars, don't shekick and try to land a blow on some of their noses. "

"Whew! what do you think!" exclaimed Rob just then, for he had beenlistening to some of the chattering on the part of the excited crowdnear by. "It isn't an old woman, after all, but a man. That explains howhe comes to fight as he does, and why the Belgians keep on treating himso roughly. "

"A man, and dressed up like a woman!" cried Tubby. "Well, if that isn'ta queer stunt, I want to know. Is he trying to escape military duty, doyou think, Rob? I remember they have conscription here in Belgium justlike in Germany, Russia and France. Every young fellow has to serve thecolors just so long. "

But Rob shook his head. By now the soldiers had apparently conquered thespirit of the man in woman's garments. His white Belgian cap had beentorn off in the struggle, showing that his hair was short underneath. Hewas also bleeding from having come in contact with some hard object, buthe now stood there as straight as any grenadier, and looked his captorscontemptuously in the face. 

"They say he's a German spy!" Rob told his two chums. Tubby again heldhis breath, and stared as hard as he could at the prisoner. 

The crowd became fairly wild to get at the captive, and made all mannerof violent threats as they surged around the little group. The milk canwas upset, and the dogs liberated by some friendly hand ran wildly away, as though knowing that their temporary master had gotten himself in aserious scrape. 

The four determined Belgian soldiers guarding their prisoner against thefury of the mob began to work a way along the pavement, meaning, nodoubt, to land their prize in the lock-up, where he would be safe untilthe firing squad was called on to complete the tragedy. 

Presently their signals brought another detachment of the guard to thespot, a way was speedily cleared through the dense masses of people, andthat was the last the three scouts saw of the spy. They could guess hisfate, but at the same time felt positive that he must have met it as aman. 

Somehow, the experience gave them a queer feeling. Here they had beenrubbing up against some of the tragic happenings of the war, and afterbeing in Antwerp only a few hours. No wonder they all felt convincedthat the signs pointed to their having some lively times ahead. 

"And say, I didn't get my drink of milk, either, did I?" lamented Tubby, after things settled back into the old rut again, with that never-endingprocession of citizens, refugees, soldiers, and even a sprinkling ofventuresome foreign tourists passing by in both directions. 

"Oh! that doesn't cut much figure in the matter, " Merritt told him, "because if you step off this main street into one of the side _gassens_you'll run across plenty of other milk-venders, who will not turn out tobe something else. "

"I see one right now, " announced the persistent Tubby, who did not liketo give up anything on which he had set his heart. "And look at the nameof the same, will you: _The Street of the Steen_. Now what does thatstand for, Rob? Is it the same as the German word _stein_?"

"Oh! no, you're away off there, Tubby, " he was immediately told by thepatrol leader, who had studied his guide book to some advantage. "ThisSteen used ages ago to be a terrible prison, where in the days of theSpanish Inquisition they tortured people in all sorts of ways. Just nowit's a great museum; and if only we had time, which we don't expect, I'dlike nothing better than to explore it. "

"You see, " Merritt told them, "if only you would let me go on by myself, and try to find Steven Meredith, you might stay around here and have afairly decent time, unless the Germans do really start to try andcapture Antwerp, after all. "

"That'll do for you, Merritt, " Rob informed him severely, "you forgetthat incident is closed. "

"Yes, " added Tubby, trying to frown, but as usual making a sorry mess ofit, for the lines of his chubby face refused to take on such an air, seeing that they were only adapted for smiling, "don't let us hearanother wheeze from you, Merritt. But please come with me, and let'ssee if all the old milk-venders of Antwerp are German spies. I hope themilk isn't poisoned. "

"That isn't fair talk, Tubby, because you know the Germans would be awayand above doing anything like that. They have their faults, but nobodycalls them cowards. In fact, they seem to be too brave for their owngood, because we hear how they are shot down like ripe grain, pushingalong in masses straight into the jaws of death, and singing as theygo. "

This time they were allowed to quaff their mugs of cool, fresh milkwithout any unpleasant incident to interrupt the ceremony. Tubby did eyethe woman who owned the outfit rather suspiciously, and must havearoused her curiosity by the way he turned his head several times afterthey had walked off. 

For another hour the three American scouts tramped back and forth, seeing all they possibly could in so short a time. The quaint Flemishhouses, with their many gables, and their red-tiled roofs, interestedthem greatly. In some of the streets the buildings even seemed to leantoward one another, and Tubby declared two men could almost shake handsby stretching from the upper windows. 

"Now we ought to see the burgomaster, " said Rob, as the afternoon waned. "You know you are carrying a letter to him, Merritt, from yourgrandfather, who happens to be acquainted with him. And we count ongetting a guide through his influence who will take us along the roadsbetween here and Brussels. "

"Even if a guide is not to be found, because nearly all the men areenlisted in the army, " Merritt replied, "we've made up our minds not tohold back. Fellows who have had as much experience in running thegauntlet as the scouts of the Eagle Patrol can point to, needn't worryabout how they're going to get along. "

"Leave that to us, " said Tubby, rather pompously; "and we'll land on ourfeet all right, just as a cat does if you drop it out of thesecond-story window. "

After considerable difficulty, the boys were admitted to an audiencewith the mayor or burgomaster of Antwerp in his official chambers. Fortunately, he spoke English, so they expected to meet with littledifficulty in acquainting him with the nature of their mission toBelgium at a time when nearly all other Americans were only too wellpleased to get away from the land of strife and warfare. 

The burgomaster looked surprised and even anxious when he heard thatthey desired an official paper from him, requesting all Belgians toassist them in their search for one Steven Meredith, who was believed tobe located in a town not many miles to the west of the capital. 

"I would do much for my old friend, Monsieur Charles Crawford, for whomI have long entertained a sincere affection, " he told Merritt, after hehad read the letter presented to him, and questioned the boys at length, "but it is a most serious undertaking you have in view. I question thewisdom of my encouraging such a dangerous trip. "

Rob, seeing that the good burgomaster appeared to be hesitating, and asTubby expressed it, "on the fence, " started in to talk. Rob had a verypersuasive way about him, as his chums knew from past experiences. Theyguessed how it would all turn out as soon as they saw how impressed theBelgian city official seemed to be with the arguments the boy broughtforward. 

Of course, in the end, the burgomaster yielded, and wrote them out thepassport they wanted so badly. This document would possibly permit themto go even beyond the lines where the Belgian army was intrenched, waiting to deal a blow at the enemy in case the Germans turnedthreateningly toward Antwerp. 

"I do this much against my will, " he told them, as he was shaking eachone by the hand upon their leaving. "But my old friend has written me somuch that is clever about the faculty you boys have shown in taking careof yourselves, that I am in hopes you may get through safely. But Ishall be sad indeed if anything overtakes you through my giving way tosentiment. I wish I could influence you to remain here in safety, andsend out some messenger in your stead to bring this man to Antwerp. "

"We have made up our minds to accompany our friend, the grandson of theCharles Crawford you knew, sir, " Rob told him, "and all we can promiseis that we mean to be very careful. If the man you will send around tous as a guide does his duty faithfully, we hope to get along fairlywell. And believe us, sir, we feel that you have advised and assisted useven more generously than Mr. Crawford expected of you. We thank you athousand times. Good-bye. "

That night passed without anything unusual happening to disturb thethree boys. Their hotel chanced to be situated in a quiet part of theseething city, so that they were not at all annoyed by patrioticoutbursts. And boys as a rule have a happy faculty of losing theirtroubles in sleep. 

With the coming of that next morning all of them were early astir. Afterbreakfast they went in search of mounts, having secured some hints fromthe proprietor of the hotel. 

Horses were certainly at a high premium just then in Flanders. Nearlyevery animal of any worth at all had been taken by the Belgian fieldforces for army use. If a few were by accident hidden, and escaped thissearch, they were apt to be discovered by the advancing Germans. 

"It would be of no use, anyway, getting hold of respectable nags, " Robexplained, when he saw even Tubby gape at sight of the poor lookinganimals they had offered to them at exorbitant prices, "because we'dnever have the least chance to get anywhere on their backs. No matterhow many passes we had from burgomasters, or even King Albert himself, somebody would be sure to take them away from us. "

"I suppose half a loaf _is_ better than no bread at all, " complainedMerritt with vivid recollections of the fine mounts he and his chums hadsported on several occasions, notably when on the cattle ranch, andfollowing Mexican war trails. 

"But _such_ a loaf!" sighed Tubby, as he ran his hand over the bony backof the nearest quadruped, and wondered whether so weak looking a horsecould long survive under his rather heavy weight. 

"They may turn out a heap better than they look, " Rob told them. "Sometimes it's the bony horses that can hold the pace in a gruelingjourney. But, after all, it's a case of Hobson's choice with us; eitherthese nags, or walk. "

"Whew! better close the bargain then, Merritt; that is, if you think youcan afford the price, " Tubby hastened to say, for as may be easilyunderstood, he was not very much in love with protracted walks, nothaving been built for a sprinter. 

So Merritt bought four horses, and paid cash down for them, receiving aregular bill of sale from the dealer, to show they were his property. With them went old saddles and bridles, good enough for the purpose ofthe three scouts, but not of a type calculated to incite anyone to stealthe same. 

All that remained to be looked after now was that promised guide. If thegood burgomaster of Antwerp kept his promise, they expected to find anative waiting at the hotel when they got back after their foray intothe limited horse market. 

And sure enough they found a swarthy Belgian there who said he had beenengaged by the mayor to serve them. Merritt quickly made terms, for theguide, besides being able to converse in French and Flemish, couldspeak some English, and readily comprehended all that was said in thattongue; especially when the subject of a money contract came underconsideration. 

"There's nothing to detain us any longer, boys, " remarked Merritt. "Wehave made up a little pack apiece which we'd like to take along. Wetravel light on this trip, you know; all but Tubby, and that's somethinghe always gets left on. The balance of our duffle the proprietor of thehotel has promised to keep safely until we show up to claim it again. "

"Small loss if we never see any of it again, " Rob admitted. "At the sametime we hope to come back this way after we've run that person down, andeither recover the paper your grandfather wants, or learn that it's lostfor good. "

"That is, " corrected Tubby, "we expect to see Antwerp again if theGermans don't gobble us up. "

"I'd like to see them try it, " remarked Merritt, with a significant lookat the ample proportions of the fat chum. "They'd have their work cutout, as sure as you live, Tubby. "

"Now, don't get personal again, Merritt, " cautioned the other, holdingup a warning forefinger, "but as there are heaps and heaps of queerthings I'd like to poke into around this town, I certainly hope to visitit again. "

Half an hour afterward, mounted on scrubby looking horses, which wouldhave excited the derision of any respectable cowboy in the West, Rob andhis two chums, accompanied by Anthony Wallenhout, the Belgian guide, passed out of the city, heading toward the east. 

Before they had gone a sixth of a mile they found themselves stopped bya patrol of soldiers, led by a young lieutenant, who, it happened, couldspeak English. 

"It is no use, messieurs, " he told them, with a pleasant smile, but adetermined shake of the head, "you must face the other way and go back. The enemy is in force in many places between Brussels and Antwerp, andsevere fighting is going on wherever our brave army has thrown upentrenchments. Antwerp is the only safe place for any who speak English, these days. "

CHAPTER IV. 

THE DAY OF THE BOY SCOUT. 

"Now, wouldn't that jar you!" muttered Tubby, sprawled on the back ofhis horse very much after the manner of a great toad. "Here we hardlyget started on our wonderful trip over the battlefields of Belgiumbefore we're held up, and told to fade away. Huh! talk to me about luck, we seem to have lost our grip. "

"Show him what you've got, Merritt, " suggested Rob, who did not give upquite so easily, because of a sudden snag in the stream. 

"Oh! why, yes, how about that passport the burgomaster wrote out for ushimself? It ought to do the trick!" exclaimed Tubby, his sad lookdisappearing like a flash, and an expectant one appearing in its stead. 

The officer scanned the paper which Merritt handed him. 

"At a time like this the burgomaster himself is under military orders, "he told the waiting boys, "and if it happened to be a matter of muchimportance I could not honor his request. It chances, however, that inthis case there is nothing involved except your safety. And you seem tobe willing to take the risk?"

"Yes, because we have a very important piece of business to carry out, "Rob hastened to tell him, seeing which way the wind was blowing, andwishing to take advantage of the flood-tide. "It means a great deal toone of my friends if we can find a certain man. You will allow us to goon, then, I hope?"

The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders in real French style as he handedthe burgomaster's passport back. 

"Yes, if you are that rash, young messieurs, " he said. "We, of theBelgian army, can admire pluck. You certainly have my best wishes. "

"Oh! thank you, lieutenant!" gushed Tubby, who was relieved to knowthat the enterprise was not fated to be condemned at the start. 

Perhaps the time might come ere long when the same Tubby would besecretly lamenting over the fact that it had been given a free swing. But coming events do not always cast their shadows before; and just atthat moment none of the venturesome scouts could so much as guess whatawaited them in the disturbed country beyond. 

They gave the obliging lieutenant a regular scout salute, which hereturned in kind. The paper had informed him that Rob and his chums weremembers of the Boy Scout organization in America, so that the fact oftheir wearing khaki uniforms was easily understood. 

"I hope we have as good luck in skipping past every obstacle we run upagainst, " Merritt was saying, as they moved along the road leading fromAntwerp in the direction of the Belgian capital. 

"Oh! we mustn't expect to be always as fortunate as that, " said Rob. "Ibelieve in hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst. It's goodpolicy all around. "

"Something like we read the Pilgrim Fathers used to do in the good olddays when they used to ride to church with the wife back of them, " Tubbyexplained, "and every man carrying his gun along. Their motto was 'trustin the Lord; but keep your powder dry!'"

"That's the idea, " agreed Rob. "And so far, in all our tramps andwanderings, we've managed to do our part fairly well. "

"Let's hope this venture turns out as good, " Tubby added, with a sideglance toward Merritt, for, of course, it concerned him more than eitherof the others whether success or failure resulted from their tripabroad. 

That was only a beginning, for they were soon held up again. This timeit came about that the soldier in charge of the detachment could notspeak a word of English, so the guide had to exercise his ability in theline of a translator. 

So well did he plead, and explain that they were all good friends of theburgomaster of Antwerp, that once again they were allowed to proceed. 

Rob could easily see, however, that considerable doubt had arisen inthe mind of the officer as to whether he should permit three boys tohead into such a disturbed country as that lying beyond. 

Like the lieutenant, he shrugged his shoulders, and dismissed the matterof responsibility from his mind. Indeed, there were too many otherserious affairs to be considered just then to bother about a party oftourists fairly wild to say they had gazed upon actual battlefields;for, doubtless, he concluded this was the real reason why theseventuresome boys elected to take chances in the war zone. 

So long as they were not spies in the service of the enemy it was allright; only he wanted to warn them that they were apt to meet with someroving detachment of Germans at almost any time, since they wereoverrunning most of the country, appearing suddenly at villages, anddemanding food and wine, or surprising isolated stations poorly guarded, so as to hold some important bridge for the coming of a column. 

"Look what's coming whizzing along ahead there!" Tubby called out ashort time after this encounter. 

There was a little cloud of dust, and they could see that it was causedby someone mounted on a bicycle, who was bending down over thehandlebars and working his feet very rapidly. 

"Give him the road, fellows; he seems to be in a big hurry!" orderedRob. 

A minute later and the bicyclist shot by them. As he did so hestraightened up in the saddle, and to their surprise gave them aregulation scout salute. Then he went tearing down the road in thatcloud of dust. 

"Did you see that?" cried Tubby. "Why, he was a Boy Scout as sure asanything! Now, what in the wide world was he in such a terrible hurryfor? He acted like he might be late for his breakfast. "

"Just now the Boy Scouts in Belgium have a good many other things tobother them besides missing an occasional meal, " explained Rob. "Theyhave been taken over by the military authorities and are doing splendidwork in heaps of ways. "

"Yes, " added Merritt, as they rode on again, "I noticed a number of themwhile we were in Antwerp, and they seemed to be on the jump constantly. Every fellow had a badge on his left arm with the letters 'S. M. ' on it. You remember, Rob, when you asked what they stood for, you were told theletters meant 'Service Militaire, ' and showed that the boys were workingfor the Government. "

"What d'ye reckon they find to do?" asked Tubby, deeply interested. 

"They act as dispatch bearers, " replied Rob, "ambulance orderlies, andaids to the police. They told me that in Brussels, now held by theGermans, some scouts daily herded the women who came for their regularration issued by the Government, and kept order, too. Everybody takesthem seriously. This is no time for play among the Boy Scouts ofBelgium, when war has gripped their native land. "

"When we were over in England, " Merritt related, "I made it a point tofind out how all the scouts there were being made use of. It gave me amighty proud feeling to know that I was authorized to wear the uniformof the Eagle Patrol; for there never was a time in the history of theworld when boys were of as much use as now. "

"But there have been no battles on English soil, up to now, Merritt;tell me how the Boy Scouts of Great Britain could do things, then?"asked Tubby, who it seems could not have been bothering himself verymuch when his chums were making all these observations. 

Merritt took a slip of paper from his pocket. They were riding slowly atthe time, indeed at all times, for the horses did not seem desirous ofmaking any particular speed. 

"Here's an account I clipped from an English paper while we were inLondon, " he told Tubby. "It tells a lot of things the scouts have takento doing in order to assist; for, during the war, school duties havebeen mostly dropped. "

"Oh! what joy!" cried Tubby; "but go and read it out to us, Merritt. "

"Here's what the account says, then, " Merritt told them, as he managedto read from the slip: "'Acting as guides to troops. Forwardingdispatches dropped from air craft. Coastguard work, such as watchingestuaries, guiding vessels in unbuoyed channels, and showing lights tofriendly vessels!'"

"Whew!" remarked Tubby; "that sounds fine to me, Merritt. For once Ialmost wish I happened to be a Johnny Bull boy instead of an Uncle Sam. Is that all?"

"It's only the beginning, " he was told. "Listen to some more work ascout can do for his country over there. 'Collecting information as toavailable supplies and transports. Helping the families of men at thefront. First aid; fitting up nursing stations, refuges, dispensaries, and kitchens in their own club rooms. Carrying on organized relief ofthe destitute. Guarding and patrolling bridges, culverts, telegraphlines, and water supplies. Serving as dispatch bearers, telegraph andmail delivery riders; and distributing millions of notices as tobilleting, commandeering, safety precautions, and the like, ' How's thatstrike you, Tubby?"

"It certainly gives me a thrill, " the fat boy replied, "and I envy thelucky Boy Scouts of Great Britain. I reckon they're doing things likethat down in France. Yes, and in Germany too. Now people will see whatit means to wear the khaki uniform. I'm prouder than ever because I havethat right. "

"They say, " remarked Rob, chiming in with what knowledge he had pickedup, "that for once the boys are appreciated in these times. They have atlast come into their own. A scout's uniform is regarded in England as asign of competence and responsibility. It is treated with the samerespect given to any other official garb. "

"This account goes on to say that the boys have developed a wonderfultopographical knowledge, " Merritt continued, full of the subject as anyBoy Scout might well be. "They pack ambulances systematically withinstruments and medical supplies, checking off their lists likeexperienced quartermasters. Others take charge of the delivery of campoutfits from the stores to the troops about to embark for the seat ofwar. The bicycle corps and mounted squads can care for their machinesand horses, make high speed, and meet emergencies with decision andintelligence. The signal corps can use the telegraph key, semaphore, and flags almost as well as veterans, thanks to their training. They canrepair telegraph lines and instruments, and have considerable knowledgeof wireless. "

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Tubby. "This is sure the day of the Boy Scout. Inever thought I'd ever live to see him climb to such a dazzling height. Of course, over in America, scouts have never been trained with any ideathat they might be soldiers; for we don't have a chip on our shoulderall the time, and feel that we're spoiling for a fight. "

"All the same, " said Rob, "the time may come when what we've learnedwill be of great use to our country. Besides, every boy is ten timesbetter off for joining the organization. "

They had been riding in this fashion for an hour and more, often meetingparties of fugitives on the road, some of them bearing householdtreasures, leading a mooing cow, or driving a spavined old horse thatwas attached to a shaky wagon piled up with goods of value to the ownersonly. 

These sights at first struck the boys as pitiful. They would in timebecome so accustomed to them that such spectacles must be taken as apart of the war game; still, all of them were sure that in this case"familiarity would not breed contempt. "

Then at times it happened that houses were scarce, and a stretch of theroad, from some reason or other, ahead appeared deserted. Often, in thedistance, they heard strange sounds like far-away thunder. It thrilledthem to imagine that possibly this was the roar of big guns; perhapsthey were even drawing near to an actual battlefield!

About this time the boys noticed that their guide was acting as thoughexcited. 

"What's the matter, Anthony?" asked Rob, bent on knowing the worst. 

In his broken English the Belgian guide tried to tell them his fears. 

"Look you--over thisaways--you see men, horses--they run thisaway, theyrun thataway--some shake hands at us--I do not know, but it may be theywill turn out to be Uhlan cavalrymen--bad men who ride far in advance ofthe army, to screen movements of troops. If they are Uhlans, we may notgo ahead further!"

CHAPTER V. 

UNDER THE BRIDGE. 

Of course what Anthony told them caused the boys more or less concern. They had no desire to fall into the hands of the Germans. While it couldnot be said that they were against the invaders, the terrible storiesthey had heard in Antwerp, even if only a small part were true, gavethem an unpleasant feeling toward the Kaiser's men. 

That word Uhlan was dreaded by every Belgian or native of NorthernFrance. While it really stands for the cavalry arm of the German forces, still, ever since the Franco-Prussian war of more than forty years ago, it has possessed a terrible significance all its own. Humble peasantsshivered when they pronounced it, and no doubt many an unruly child wasthreatened with the coming of the terrible Uhlans unless it mended itsways. 

"If that's the case, then, " Merritt voiced the opinion of himself andchums by saying hurriedly, "we want to get out of this. It's a case ofeither run or hide with us. "

"But where could we hide?" asked Tubby, looking all around himhelplessly. "Just now there isn't a single cottage in sight; and thebare fields around don't offer much shelter, seems to me. "

"There's a bridge just ahead of us, " said Rob. 

"And we might manage to get our mounts down underneath, " added Merrittinstantly, grasping the idea that was in the patrol leader's mind. "Thebank slopes easy enough to allow of it. "

"Eet could be done, Messieurs!" allowed the guide, who was even morealarmed, it seemed, than Tubby himself, since the prospect of fallinginto the hands of the dreaded Uhlan raiders began to assume greaterproportions, now that the peril no longer lay in the dim distance, butwas close at hand. 

"Then let's hurry and see what it looks like under the bridge, " advisedRob. 

Just as they figured, it proved easy enough to lead their horses downthe bank, which was covered with grass and growing weeds, for since thewar began all really unnecessary work on roads and railways had beenstopped. And those horses would have willingly gone anywhere if thereonly seemed a prospect that they might rest a spell, for they seemedtired all of the time. 

"Listen to them shouting, will you?" Tubby complained as they were goingdown amidst the bushes that promised to screen them from the party onthe other side of the little stream across which the massive bridge hadbeen built. 

"I'm afraid they must have seen us, " Merritt said, "and that will meanthey'll soon be across the bridge again to find out what we're doing, and who we are. What's the program, Rob?"

"We must act as though our only object in coming down here was to waterour horses, " replied the patrol leader; this idea having possibly comeinto his mind as he noticed the way his mount put its ears forward, andcommenced to whinny--as horses invariably do when they scent water, andare thirsty. 

"Come on, here, what's ailing you, Dobbin?" demanded Tubby, jerking atthe reins when his animal displayed an inclination to hold back. 

"He acts kind of queer, doesn't he?" Merritt said when, afterconsiderable fussing, Tubby managed to coax his horse to once moreadvance, though the animal seemed to be snorting, and trembling. "If wewere on the cattle range right now I'd be half inclined to think hesmelled a rattler near by. "

"My stars! I hope they don't have such pests over here in Belgium!"exclaimed Tubby, beginning to himself show immediate signs ofnervousness. 

"Not the least danger, " declared Rob. "But, all the same, my horse seemstrying to hold back, just as yours did, Tubby. "

"They're sure a cantankerous lot all through!" grumbled the fat scout, looking carefully where he expected to plant his foot next; for, inspite of Rob's assurance, he was not quite so certain that theundergrowth beneath the bridge might not harbor some poisonous reptilewhich might strike unexpectedly. 

"They're still keeping up that shouting!" announced Merritt, listening. "Which I take it is a queer thing for them to do. If they're Germanraiders why don't they come across and interview us, I wonder? I thoughtI saw uniforms among the bunch. How about that, Rob?"

"The sun was in my eyes, and I couldn't say for certain, " acknowledgedthe one spoken to, jerking at the bridle of his horse. 

"One thing is sure, " said Tubby, "the horses are not at all thirsty;else there's some thing they don't like about this place down here. "

All of them were really puzzled by the strange actions of their horses. It was no longer simply Tubby's mount that acted so contrary, but theother three also. 

"Guess my nag got cold feet about something; and it's catching as themeasles, " Tubby announced, as he shook his head in the manner of one whofinds himself with too hard a nut to crack. 

"Well, that water looks cool and clear, " said Merritt, "and I think Icould enjoy a few swallows myself, if the horses won't. "

"Sure it ain't poisoned, are you, Merritt?" queried Tubby dubiously. 

"Oh! get that crazy notion out of your poor head, Tubby. Germans don'tmake war that way. They face the music, and stand up before the guns. What makes you look at me like that, Rob?" and Merritt as he asked thisquestion stopped short, for he had been in the act of putting his threatinto deeds, and getting down beside the stream to take a drink. 

"I smell it too, Rob!" exclaimed Tubby just then. "And, oh! let me tellyou it's a rank odor. Isn't it in this country they make all thatLimburger cheese; or over the border in Holland? Well, if you asked meI'd say it was something like that. "

"Smells more like burnt powder to me!" snapped Rob, showing visiblesigns of increasing excitement. 

With that he commenced looking hurriedly around. Perhaps a suddentremendous suspicion may have flashed into his mind, and he was seekingto justify it by making some sort of discovery. 

The gully was of considerable width, as has been said before, thoughjust at that time in the late summer the stream that flowed through itdid not appear to be of any great depth, and could be easily forded. 

There were bushes and grass and weeds growing all about, besides straystones that may have fallen there when the solid masonry of the reallyfine bridge had been constructed years before. 

Although he turned his eyes in this quarter and that, Rob failed to seeanything that looked at all suspicious. Still that peculiar odorcontinued to strike his sense of smell, stronger than before, ifanything. 

"Must be something burning, fellows!" announced Tubby, as he held a handup so that he could close his nose with thumb and finger against theoffensive odor. 

The guide had meanwhile thrown himself down at the brink of the streamand proceeded to drink his fill. Evidently he had no fear concerning thequality of the water. Typhoid germs were unknown to his lexicon; and solong as water looked fairly clear it suited him. 

He was getting on his feet again as Tubby made that last remark. Hishorse had been pulling more violently than ever at the rein, and theBelgian started to say something uncomplimentary to the animal inFlemish. 

Rob had stopped examining the shore upon which they were standing. Heturned his gaze across the stream to the opposite bank, for his scouttraining told him that since the breeze came from that quarter he wouldbe apt to learn the cause of the odor, so like burnt powder, if hefollowed it up. 

The others heard Rob give a half suppressed shout, as though he had madea sudden and startling discovery. 

"Oh! what is it?" cried Tubby, straining to keep his horse from tryingto start up the ascent again. 

"Across the river, over there under the arch of the bridge, don't yousee that little curl of blue-white rising?" exclaimed Rob. "Watch it andyou'll find that it is creeping along over the ground. Come, we've gotto get up out of this in a hurry! Turn your horses, and let them helpto drag you up! Quick, everybody; not a second to lose, I tell you!"

Tubby no longer tried to hold his horse back; on the contrary, he evenurged the animal to climb the grade in frantic haste. He did not knowwhat it all meant, but Rob acted as though there must be some terribledanger threatening them; and Tubby was no fool. 

With cries and shouts they urged the animals to ascend. Several times ahorse would slip, and come near falling headlong backward; then it wasthe one who held the reins found it necessary to encourage thestruggling beast with word and act, so that the horse might regain hisfooting. 

Tubby, chancing to glimpse Rob's face about the time they drew near thetop was horrified to see how very white it seemed. Then more than everdid he realize that it must be something dreadful that had threatenedthem. 

"Rob, tell us what it was all about?" Tubby managed to gasp, when, having reached the road again, they were hurrying back as rapidly asthey could go, the horses helping to drag them along. 

"Just this, " Rob told him briefly. "They've fixed a mine there under thebridge, so as to blow it up; and we've had the narrowest escape of ourlives!"

CHAPTER VI. 

GETTING NEAR THE WAR ZONE. 

"Hold on to your horses, everybody!" called out Merritt, as he lookedback toward the bridge from which they had now managed to press quite alittle distance. 

Merritt somehow did not seem to be very much astonished at what Rob hadsaid. It might be he himself had entertained suspicions along those samelines. 

They had heard that the determined Belgians were engaged in throwing allthe obstacles possible in the way of an advance in force on the part ofthe invaders. If only cavalry were to be dealt with, the defenders ofthe soil had faith in their ability to take care of all that could besent against them; but it was known to be a fact that the artillery armwas what the Germans meant to depend on more than anything else in thiswar for conquest. 

If bridges and culverts were destroyed in every direction before theenemy could take possession of the roads, it would be next to impossibleto move the great siege guns until some sort of strong temporarystructure had been built in place of the stone and steel fabrics thatwere blown up. 

And so, for days, there had been reports drifting in to Antwerp thatcertain bridges had been marked for destruction. Those who sallied forthin armored cars to speed over the country, and play havoc with theirMaxim guns, found it necessary to revise their map of the district everynight so as to conform to the new changes that had been wrought. 

It was hardly ten seconds after Merritt told them to keep a firm grip onthe bridles of their horses that the boys on looking back saw the bridgesuddenly rear itself in the air. Then came a terrifying boom that madethe very ground under their feet quiver; and, in a moment later, inplace of the fine bridge lay a horrible gap, from which smoke and dustwas arising in sickening clouds. 

Tubby was as white as a sheet. The others could hear the big sigh withwhich he drew in a gulp of air. 

"I want to say right here, " he started to remark solemnly, "that I'mthankful I've got such a cracking good nose for queer odors. Think whatmight have happened to us if I hadn't begun to sniff around, and madeRob take notice. All that pile of stuff would have buried us out ofsight. And the horses knew, sure they did. That explains why they actedso funny all the while. But isn't it a shame to see how they had tosmash that splendid bridge!"

"Don't forget that this is war, Tubby, " Merritt told him, "and to hinderthe enemy from coming up, anything is allowable. "

"But that's going to block our going on, I take it, " ventured Tubby, watching Anthony, who showed evidences of having been considerablyexcited by the explosion, though Tubby could not tell whether it wasfear that influenced the man, or an overmastering desire to join thearmy, and engage in some of this obstructive work himself. 

"Oh! that doesn't follow, " Rob assured him. "I noticed that the riverwas shallow just now; and I imagined I could see the old ford that usedto answer before this bridge was ever thought of. We can get acrosswithout swimming. You forded the Rio Grande once upon a time, Tubby, andsuch a little bug stream as this shouldn't phase you a bit. "

"Oh! count on me going wherever the rest of you lead, " retorted Tubby, with a blustering air, as though he did not want anyone to think him atall timid. 

"We might as well go back now, " remarked Rob, "and see about gettingover. If the mine has been exploded, there shouldn't be any danger; Iwant to try that ford. "

It was found that though the bridge was wrecked pretty badly, thegreatest damage was to the span, and not so much to the anchorages orpiers. In time another arch could be built--should peace ever come tothis distracted land--when men would be able to once more "beat theirswords into ploughshares, " and start to rebuilding what had beendestroyed. 

"Follow after me, " Rob told them, as he started to urge his horse acrosswhere he could see the old ford had been. 

Little of the material from the wrecked bridge had been thrown to anydistance, so the ford was not blocked. The horses still displayed moreor less restlessness, as though they could not understand that, withsuch a smell of choking gases in the air, the danger was all over. Thethree boys, however, had had considerable experience in handling balkyanimals, and knew just how to urge them on. 

Once on the other side, they started up the bank. As they arrived at theroad, having crossed the abyss, they saw a crowd of men hurrying towardthe spot. They were partly Belgian soldiers, it turned out, along withsome civilians, possibly men versed in explosives or strategy to beemployed to delay the advance of the German artillery. 

Of course, they were very much excited at meeting the boys. The khakiuniforms seemed to soften their anger to some extent, but one whoappeared to be in authority started to scold them for walking soblindly into a trap. 

Through the guide Rob hastened to explain how it came they had notsuspected the truth. Then as questions began to follow, he also told whoand what they were, even mentioning something concerning theirself-imposed mission into the danger zone of the fighting. 

When the precious passport, written out by the good burgomaster, wasshown, it had an additional soothing effect. The man in charge of thesquad of destruction smiled and nodded as he perused the document, written in French. 

"He say burgomaster his uncle!" explained Antonio, after the other hadhanded the paper back, and made some remark. 

"Well, now, that's what I call fine. Tell him we're glad we got out fromunder that bridge in time, " said Rob, "and also that we think he made aclean sweep of the job. "

This seemed to please the Belgian officer, for he insisted on shakinghands all around. Feeling that they were now free to proceed, the scoutsresumed their journey along the road that led to Brussels; probably, wholly in the hands of the invaders further on toward the capital, sincerumor had it that immense numbers of German troops were daily beingmoved toward Ghent. 

"All of which only goes to show how necessary it is to be constantly onthe watch while you're in a country that's fighting for its life, "Merritt remarked to his companions as they lost sight of the ruinedbridge. 

"If only we had eyes in the back of our heads, we might get along a heapbetter, I think, " grumbled Tubby, as his horse awkwardly stumbled oversome small object, and gave him a shock. 

"It was a close call, all right, " acknowledged Merritt, "and has soberedour guide a whole lot, I notice. He listens to every far-off boom now, as though something might be drawing him. But the morning is wearingaway, so I suggest that we stop at the very first village we come to, and see if we can beg, buy, or steal something to eat. I'm hungry as abear. "

"Oh! bless you, Merritt, for those kind words!" called out Tubby. "I'vefelt a vacuum down around my belt line for two hours back. Whoa!there!" he added, as his horse stumbled again. "Want to break my neck, you animated skeleton? He knocks his hoofs together every third step hetakes. No wonder they didn't grab him for the cavalry; he'd have fallenall over himself in the first charge. "

Coming to a little hamlet, the boys found a house where they couldsecure something in the way of a lunch. Even at this early stage in thewar, however, prudent hotel keepers realized that times were going to behard, and that it would be the part of wisdom to conceal all the storespossible against a rainy day, or the raids of such invaders who might bebilleted upon the villagers. 

Here the boys remained between one and two hours, since the day wasunusually hot, and their mounts were not in the best of condition forstanding hard service. 

Some of the good people had left for safer quarters, which would meanAntwerp, of course, --deemed impossible of capture at that day on accountof its wonderful defenses. A group gathered in front of the littlehotel, and questioned Anthony as to who the three boys in the uniform ofscouts might be, and of the nature of their mission that tempted them toinvade a region being made desolate by war. 

Anthony himself knew very little on that score; but since it would notlook well for him to admit this fact, it is possible he "drew the longbow" to some extent. He may even have told all sorts of fairy storiesabout the boys being English agents sent over to learn facts inconnection with the movements of the German army, so that a strong forceof the allies from across the Channel could be hastily dispatched to thescene, and chase the haughty Germans back across the Rhine. 

Some idea like this the boys found very prevalent all through theirjourney. The Belgians seemed to believe the English were getting awonderful surprise ready with which to stagger the enemy. If they couldhave only known how an army had to be built up step by step in the greatisland country, they might have felt less confidence, and perhaps shownmore discretion in attacking the invaders. 

Rob suspected something of this sort when he saw the way the villagersobserved him and two chums, staring at them as though they werecuriosities. 

"Makes you feel like some punkins, to have all these people watch everylittle thing you do, and get out of your way so quick when you go tomake a move, don't it?" remarked Tubby, evidently tickled over theattention shown them. 

"I don't just like it, to tell you the truth, " admitted Merritt. 

"Oh! you're too modest by half, Merritt!" jeered the fat scout. 

"It isn't that, Tubby, " explained the other. "Rob here says he believesour guide is spreading the report that we're English messengers, sentahead to pick up news about the Germans, so they can be smashed when theBritish army gets here. "

"Well, what of that?" demanded his friend. "It isn't so _very_ dreadfulthat I can see, to be mistaken for a Johnny Bull. "

"You'll change your tune, my boy, " Rob told him, "if the Germans shouldcome along and nab us. We'll soon see how you begin to roar out thatyou're a Yankee, as true-blue as they make them. "

"Oh! but they wouldn't know anything about that!" declared Tubby, thoughshowing signs of increasing dismay at the same time. 

"You never can tell, " he was told by Rob. "The ways of these smartGermans are past finding out. They've got spies everywhere. Right nowthere may be some secret sympathizer with the Fatherland in that bunchclose by, taking in all that silly Anthony has been saying. "

"Gingersnaps and popguns!" gasped Tubby, "if that's really so I guesswe'd better muzzle our guide in a hurry. Where's he gone to, do youthink, Rob? It was all of half an hour ago that I saw him last, talkingto the crowd. "

"I was wondering about that myself, " said Merritt. "If we expect to begetting along about this time, we ought to look Anthony up. "

"You take a turn that way, and I'll step into the taproom of the inn, tosee if he is there, " remarked Rob, who had a slight frown on his faceas he spoke, as if he might not be wholly satisfied with the way inwhich their guide was acting. 

Five minutes later Rob and Merritt joined Tubby at the same time. 

"Nothing doing in my section, " remarked Merritt, "except that I'm afraidsomebody has swiped one of our nags, for I could only count three horseshitched there. "

"Then, that settles it!" said Rob positively. 

"Settles what?" piped up Tubby. 

"Anthony has basely deserted us, and taken to the back road!" Rob toldthem. "I feared as much from what the little inn proprietor let out; butwhat you say clinches the thing. Our guide is a mile or more on the wayback to Antwerp by now!"

CHAPTER VII. 

THE DESERTION OF ANTHONY. 

"The miserable hound! Hanging would be too good for him!" exclaimedMerritt, who it appeared had not up to that instant suspected anythinglike the truth, and was therefore taken completely by surprise. 

"That all depends on what his motive may have been, " said Robreflectively. 

"Why, it's plain he got cold feet after that little experience at thebridge this morning!" Merritt hastened to declare. "I thought he was aman of more nerve than that. I hope all Belgians are not made of thesame kind of stuff. "

"Hold on a minute, Merritt, " Rob cautioned him, "you are jumping toconclusions now without being sure of your ground. I've been watchingAnthony from time to time and I've noticed that whenever he happened tospeak of the gallant doings of his people on the battlefields his facewould beam with pride, and what I took to be a touch of envy. "

"Oh!" said Tubby, grasping the idea, "then, Rob, you think our guideshook us just because he couldn't hold back any longer. He thought heought to be on the firing line along with the rest, and get in a crackat the invaders of his country. Is that the stuff, Rob?"

"I'm thinking that way, " Rob informed him gravely, "but we've got notime to look Anthony up. Whether he's gone to join the Belgian army orturned back to the city of Antwerp isn't going to cut any figure in ourcalculations. "

"That's about the size of it, Rob, " agreed Merritt, beginning to showsigns of returning confidence, when the patrol leader spoke with suchvim. 

"What we've got to do is to figure out whether we want to call the wholething off just because we haven't a guide to do the talking business forus and turn back to the city, or set our teeth together and push on. "

Tubby and Merritt exchanged looks. 

The latter even half opened his mouth as if to indignantly protestagainst giving up the most cherished plan of his life for a little snag, such as the desertion of Anthony proved. Then he suddenly closed hislips firmly. He had remembered an important fact, which was that afterall he should not be the one to make such a suggestion. Let one of thesegood chums, who were his side partners, express an opinion first of all. That was why Merritt remained silent. 

"Oh! we just can't quit at the first puff!" remonstrated Tubby. "Fellowswho have been through all we have shouldn't be built that way. Think ofthe battles we've been up against on the diamond and the gridiron; anddid anybody ever hear us complain, or show a yellow streak? Well, Iguess not! Tell him how you feel about it, Rob!"

"Just as you do, Tubby, " responded the scout leader heartily. "I wasn'tcounting any too much on Anthony's services, come to speak of it. Nine-tenths of what we expected to accomplish would have to come fromour own hard work. If you put it up to me to decide, I say every time, go ahead!"

Merritt looked almost joyous. Though he was not a demonstrative fellowas a rule, he could not help reaching out and squeezing a hand of eachof his faithful chums. Indeed, no one ever knew more reliable alliesthan Merritt possessed in Rob and Tubby, who were ready to go throughfire and water with him, if necessary. 

"It may all turn out for the best, " Tubby continued, with fine optimism, such as these chubby fellows nearly always show since life looks rosy tothem. "And it's going to save you a little money in the bargain, too, Merritt. I must brush up my French and Flemish from now on. Already Ican say as many as six words of the first, and I think I know how toalmost pronounce one in Flemish. "

"No trouble to tell what that one is, " remarked Rob, laughing. 

"It stands for grub!" added Merritt. 

"Now, I consider it strange how you should guess so easily, " Tubby shotback at them reproachfully. "I suppose I'll have to acknowledge thecorn. We've got to eat to live, and so I thought I ought to know theright word that would produce results quickest. Don't blame me, boys; Iwas thinking of you as well as myself. "

"Well, shall we get out of here?" asked Rob. "I don't altogether likethe way we are being stared at by some of the people of the village. They say in Antwerp that there's a hidden sympathizer of the Germans inevery city, town and hamlet through the whole of Belgium always tryingto send information of value to the enemy. "

"Huh! don't know just what to believe, and what to brand as big yarns, "protested Tubby. "Since we've landed here I've heard stories that wouldmake poor old Baron Munchausen hide his head in shame as a has-been. Ifone-tenth of the same turned out to be true, these Germans are the mostremarkable people that ever lived for getting ready for a war againstthe whole world forty years ahead of the date. I'm beginning to use myown horse-sense, and figure things out. "

Ten minutes later they turned their backs on the little hamlet where afair meal had been procured, and which had also witnessed their firstreal misfortune in the base desertion of Anthony. 

In many cases they found the roads occupied with throngs of fugitives. These poor peasants were flocking, in a general way, toward Antwerp, though possibly a few of them meant to cross the line into theNetherlands, where they hoped to be safe from the German armies ofinvasion that were gradually progressing further and further toward thecoast. 

A thousand-and-one sights greeted the eyes of the three scouts. Morethan a few times they stopped for some purpose or other that did theirhearts credit. Once it was a limping boy whose condition excited thepity of Rob. He did not hesitate to put to some use the practicalknowledge of surgery that he had picked up in company with all the othermembers of the Eagle Patrol. 

Another time they saw a wretched woman trying to mend the wheel of amiserable old handcart, upon which she had some humble belongings, andthree small children. That was more than the boys could stand. Theystopped their horses, and giving the lines of their mounts into thekeeping of Tubby, Rob and Merritt busied themselves with fixing up thedisabled wheel. 

Although they had next to no tools with which to work, their skillproved sufficient to surmount the difficulty. Inside of twenty minutesthe woman was able to trudge along again. She thanked them volubly inFlemish, which they did not understand. Tubby listened eagerly, butowned up that it was beyond the range of his extremely limitedvocabulary, consisting, as that did, of but one word. 

"Well, that look on her face paid us for all our trouble, " Rob remarkedcontentedly, as he once more remounted, and led the way along thehighway. 

"It's something fierce where all these forlorn people come from, " saidTubby. 

"To me the greatest puzzle is where they're all going, " Merritt added. 

"If you should ask them, " Rob advanced as his opinion, "nine out of tencouldn't begin to tell you. Some have had their houses burned over theirheads; others I expect have seen their homes destroyed by burstingshells, where they happened to lie near the place where an artilleryduel was going on. So they've just started on the road, hoping to reach_somewhere_ the fighting won't follow. "

"It's a terrible sight, " sighed Tubby. "I'll never forget it as long asI live. Every minute I'm telling myself we ought to be the happiestpeople going over in America, to know that we needn't get mixed up inall this butcher business. "

Slowly the afternoon wore away. The three chums did not make very rapidprogress, and for many reasons. In the first place their horses objectedto putting forth any unusual exertion, and seemed to consider that theywere doing their full duty by merely working their four weary legs in amachine-like fashion. 

Then, again, the roads were cluttered in places with squads of thepeasant population fleeing from the battle lines. Three times did thescouts come upon detachments of Belgian soldiers stationed behindtemporary intrenchments, where they expected to harass the advanceforces of the Germans whenever they appeared. 

From these men they received many curious stares. Of course the soldierscould not understand why three boys in khaki, who were undoubtedly notBelgian scouts, should be heading so boldly toward the scene of carnage, when everybody else was fleeing madly the other way. 

They were halted and questioned. At first Rob felt a qualm of anxiety, lest the fact that they no longer had an interpreter in their company toexplain things might get them into trouble. That fear soon vanished, however. In every instance it was found that some man could either talkfair English, or else what little French the patrol leader was able tomuster explained matters in a satisfactory manner. 

The probability was that the message given them by the burgomaster ofAntwerp was much more potent than anything else. The worthy official wasa well known and highly respected man; and among these commands therewere always those who knew him personally, so that his "passport, " whilehardly worth the paper upon which it was written, officially, actedmagically with the Belgian officers. 

As the afternoon sun began to draw near the western horizon theycontinued to be on the lookout for some haven of refuge. Another nightwas coming; they must not only have food but lodging, if this lattercould possibly be obtained. 

"Of course, " explained Rob, as they walked their sorry looking horseson, "while we'd like to find some sort of respectable beds to-night, ifthe worst comes, we can always make shift with a haystack. It wouldn'tbe the first time we've curled up in the hay and snatched a few winks ofsleep. "

"I should say not, " Tubby assured him. "Only I do hope we manage tostrike a dinner-call somehow or other. I can do without a bed, but Imust have eats or I'll collapse utterly, like a balloon with the gas letout. "

"Please don't think of it, Tubby, " Merritt implored him. "We promise todo everything in our power to find the grub. Brace up! We're coming to avillage; and I think I can see an inn the first thing. "

It proved to be as Merritt had said, and better still, the man who keptthe modest little tavern assured Rob in fair English that he would beproud to serve the honored guests; also that he had once spent a year inthe Birmingham machine shops himself. 

"Just like all the rest, he takes us for Johnny Bulls, " complainedTubby. 

"Well, that's partly your fault, " Rob told him. 

"Just because I'm so well filled out, I suppose you mean, Rob? Well, ifthey keep on thinking that, I guess I'll have to get busy and cultivatea real cockney accent. 'Beg pawdon; thank _you_; my word!' You see I'vegot a few of their favorite jabs spotted. "

As before, they found themselves the object of more attention than anyof them enjoyed. People kept peeping in through the open door of theroom where the three strange young chaps in khaki were enjoying theirreally excellent supper. 

"Don't mind them, " advised Rob, when he saw that Tubby was posing, as ifconscious of being in the lime-light. "Let's finish our supper, and thenwe can sit outside on the porch as the sun goes down, and talk over ourplans for to-morrow. "

"Yes, " added Merritt quickly, "because to-morrow may take us so far onour journey that we'll either find our man, or meet with some bitterdisappointment, something I hate to think about. "

"Don't do it, then, " advised Rob. "We must believe everything is boundto come out right, and that you'll not only run across Steven Meredith, but that the paper will be found under the lining of the cover to hisfield-glass case, where he's been carrying it all this while, withoutknowing it. "

"One thing sure, " said Merritt grimly, "if he's left that post and goneanywhere else, I'll follow him, hit or miss, if it takes me to thebattle front. "

"Listen!" exclaimed Tubby. "What's that man shouting, Rob?"

"As near as I can make out, " replied Rob quickly, "he says the Uhlansare entering at one end of the town. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

WHEN THE UHLANS CAME. 

When Rob Blake made this startling explanation of the loud cries fromwithout, his two companions started up from the table in dismay. Theycould easily understand that the coming of the German cavalrymen justthen threatened them with unpleasant consequences. 

If they were mistaken for English boys they might expect not only roughtreatment, but possibly find themselves railroaded into Germany, withone of those terrible dungeons in a Rhine fortress as their destination. 

Perhaps even Tubby began to deplore the fact that he chanced to bewearing a Boy Scout khaki suit, and a campaign hat besides; with theleggings that scouts in the States have adopted instead of the woolenstockings used by other branches of the organization abroad. 

If pride must have a fall, Tubby began to experience the first twingesof regret at that moment as he scrambled to his feet, and waited to hearwhat Rob or Merritt would say. 

"It may be only a false alarm, " Merritt suggested. "These poor peoplehave been seeing imaginary regiments of Uhlans ever since war wasdeclared. "

"But they're making oodles of noise, anyhow!" Tubby protested. 

"We can soon find out if it's so, " said Rob, hurrying over to one of thewindows, which were partly screened with flimsy curtains, through whichany person from the inside could look out, but which would preventscrutiny from the village street, except when the lamps were lightedlater. 

They quickly saw that their worst fears were realized. Down the streetat least fifty horsemen were riding. The fact that they carried lancesand wore the customary spiked helmets of the German troopers told Rob aswell as words could have done that at last they were gazing on thefar-famed Uhlans. 

They were not at all the fierce-appearing warriors the boys may havepictured them, having the Russian Cossacks in mind at the time. Indeed, a number seemed to be laughing heartily, doubtless on account of theevident terror their presence had apparently inspired in the breasts ofthe villagers. And some of them were rosy-cheeked young fellows, who, shorn of their military accouterments, would have struck the scouts asgood-natured German youths. 

Others, however, were more grim and haughty, as though they thought ittheir duty to impress these stubborn Belgians with a due sense of theirimportance as factors to be dealt with. 

It was a thrilling sight to see those hard-riding soldiers of the Kaisercoming along the village street, with people staring at them from opendoors and windows, yet none daring to utter a word of protest. Fear waswritten largely on nearly every face, though doubtless there were alsothose who viewed the coming of the hated Uhlans with illy suppressedrage. Perhaps they had lost some dear one during the battles that hadalready been fought around Ličge and other places; or in the destructionof Louvain. 

"Rob, don't you see they're heading right this way?" whispered Tubbysuddenly, after they had watched the stirring picture for a minute orso. 

"Yes, that's a fact, " replied Rob. "Let's hope they mean to only ridethrough the village, and leave by the other side. "

"Gee! I hope now they won't fall in love with our horses, and run themoff!" ventured Tubby, excited by his fears in that respect; for Tubbydid not like to walk any more than he could possibly help. 

"Not much danger in that line, " scoffed Merritt. "But look at thatofficer in front of the column--he's pointing right this way, younotice, Rob, and is saying something to another rider close behind him. "

"Oh! can he have seen us?" wailed Tubby, no doubt having very positivevisions of prison life before him just then, with solitary confinementon a diet of bread and water, which was the worst punishment he couldimagine. 

"That's impossible, " Rob instantly assured him. "The chances are he'sdiscovered this inn, and is telling the other officer they may be ableto secure something to eat, and a bottle of wine here. Their men canpick up supper through the place, making the poor people furnish themeal, or have their houses knocked about their ears. "

"But if they come in here do we want to stay and be arrested for Englishspies?" asked Merritt; whereat Tubby's lips could be seen to move, although no words came forth, while he anxiously waited for Rob todecide. 

The other had already made up his mind. 

"That would be foolish on our part, " he told Merritt, "and unnecessaryin the bargain. They may only stop for five minutes to drink wine, andthen go on again, because they know they're in the enemy's country here. We must find a place to hide till they leave. Come along with me, fellows. "

Now it happened that Rob had never forgotten one of the things allscouts are enjoined to impress upon their minds; which is to observe themost minute detail wherever they happen to be. In the woods this facultyfor observation had often served the patrol leader a good turn, and thesame thing happened now. 

While sitting there and enjoying the warm supper which the keeper of thevillage inn had spread before them, Rob had taken note of hissurroundings. Thus he knew just where the stairs leading to the upper_etage_ or floor of the inn was located; and also that it could not beeasily seen from the door leading to the street. 

He led Tubby and Merritt over to the stairs. 

"We'll slip up here, " he told them, for a quick glance around hadassured Rob that no one was watching them. 

Most of those who had been around the tavern hurried outside at thefirst sign of alarm, and were now gaping at the coming troop. Theproprietor, guessing that his establishment would be the first object ofattention on the part of the invading enemy, was wildly striving toconceal certain valuables he possessed under a board in the floor, where, perhaps, he also kept his choicest wines. 

Once the scouts had climbed aloft they managed to gain a sort of garretwhere broken furniture and hair-covered trunks seemed to be stored. 

"This will answer us as well as any other place, " Rob told them, as heclosed the door, and managed to push a heavy trunk against it. 

"And there are two little peephole windows, too, for all the world likeeye-glasses, but big enough for us to see through, " Tubby remarked, groping his way among the collection of riffraff with which the garretwas encumbered, until he found himself able to kneel and look throughthe dusty glass of a window. 

"They're spreading all over the place, " he immediately announced, "andmaking the village people get supper ready for them. Chances are, too, they won't whack up a red cent for all they eat and drink. Whee! so thisis war, is it? Well, all I can say is it's a mighty mean game. "

"Some of them have come into the inn, " ventured Merritt. "I can hearheavy voices below us, German voices, too. You know sound travels upwalls like everything. And there's a heap of bustle going on below, asif the landlord, his wife and everybody else might be on the jump towait on the Uhlan guests. "

"Can you blame them?" said Tubby, "when like as not if they said nothey'd find a torch put to their house? Rob, you don't think they'llcome up here, do you?"

"Oh! hardly, unless they take to ransacking the house for valuables, ormore wine. They must know time is too valuable for that, because thereare Belgian forces all around this place who might drop in on them. No, they'll get a hurried bite and then be off again. "

For some little time they continued to listen to the confused soundsthat came to their ears. Considerable shouting from the street testifiedto the fact that some of the soldiers might be acting, as Tubbyexpressed it, "rough-house"; and although the light outside wascommencing to grow rather dim, looking through the window they sawseveral instances where a soldier struck some half grown boy who mayhave acted in a sullen fashion, or declined to do what he was told. 

All at once there was a shot!

This was followed by a great outcry, in which loud German voices couldbe heard giving orders. A scrambling downstairs announced that theofficers who had been eating at the inn were hurriedly rejoining theircommand. 

"Are the Belgian troops coming, Rob?" asked Tubby, finding it impossibleto see what was going on, because he had been unable to open his window, as the others had done. 

"No, it must have been some desperate villager sniping from a house, "replied Rob; and a minute later he continued hastily: "Yes, they'recarrying a Uhlan to his horse, and threatening the people with guns andlances. "

"Oh! I hope now they don't start in to shooting the poor things down!"cried the sympathetic Tubby, wringing his hands, though hardly consciousof what he was doing. 

"They've rushed into the house next to this, " Merritt now exclaimed, "and seem to be searching it, which tells me the party who fired, man orboy, must have been concealed there!"

"Gee! that's getting pretty near home!" muttered Tubby. 

"Rob, did you see that puff of smoke coming out of the house then?"Merritt presently demanded, almost bursting with the excitement. 

"Yes, I'm sorry to say I do see it, " replied the leader of the EaglePatrol, as he continued to look downward. "They've set fire to thebuilding; and what bothers me most of all is the wind coming straightthis way. I'm afraid it means the inn will take fire too, and like asnot be burned to the ground!"

CHAPTER IX. 

WITH FIRE AND SMOKE. 

"Gingersnaps and popguns! then we're in for a warm time of it!" Tubbyburst out. 

"Let's hope they manage to get the fire out; or that it doesn't spreadto the inn, " Merritt soothed him, after the manner of one who wished tothrow oil on troubled waters. 

"If only the Germans would pull out right away we could get down fromhere in good time, " continued Tubby hopefully. "Look again, fellows, andsee if they show any signs of skipping. "

"They seem to be galloping all over the village, as far as I can see, and threatening to shoot if anybody dares take a crack at them, " Robannounced, after making a hurried survey. 

"Oh! my stars!" groaned Tubby, "little did I ever dream that I'd stand achance of being cooked before I'd been in Belgium two days. I alwayssaid I liked cold weather best, and now I know it. Baked or stewed oreven broiled doesn't suit my taste. "

"The fire next door is beginning to rage fiercely, " remarked Rob. "Thepeople are just standing on, and sullenly watching it burn. They don'tseem to dare to offer to help save a single thing, because they might beshot down. "

"That house is doomed!" asserted Merritt, gloomily. 

"Better keep back more, " cautioned Rob. "The light grows stronger allthe while, you notice, and we might be seen up here by some Uhlan, who'dthink it fine sport to send a shot if only to frighten us. I thought Isaw one man glance up. If he happened to see that we wore khaki and hadon these military looking hats he'd pass the word along that there wereBelgian soldiers hiding in the inn. "

"Please don't start a riot, " begged Tubby. "It's sure bad enough as itstands without that happening. If we had wings now we might sail away. What wouldn't I give for an aėroplane to come along at this minute, andpick me up? Rob, has our house taken fire yet?"

At first Rob did not see fit to answer, upon which the suspicious Tubbypressed him to declare the truth. 

"No matter how bad it is, " he said soberly, "we should know the worst, instead of pulling the wool over our own eyes, and believingeverything's lovely. How about it, Rob?"

"I'm afraid it's a bad job, Tubby. "

"You mean we're on fire, do you?" questioned the other, with a hurriedintake of his breath, as his heart possibly beat tumultuously with newapprehension. 

"Yes, it's caught the end of the inn, and with that breeze blowing thereisn't a chance for this house to be saved, " Rob continued. "I'm sorryfor the poor man who owns it; but then he'll be no worse off than tensof thousands of other Belgian sufferers. "

"But think of us, will you?" the fat scout urged. "We're neutrals only, and it's a shame to make us stand for that foolish shot some sniping boymay have fired. Hadn't we better make our way downstairs, Rob, andthrow ourselves on the mercy of the Uhlans?"

"I'm in favor of sticking it out just as long as we can, " said Merrittdesperately; for only too well did he know that once they fell into thehands of the Germans, all chances of carrying out his well laid planswould be lost. 

"Oh! so am I, when it comes to that, " affirmed Tubby; "and I hope thatneither of you think I'd be the one to scream before I'm hurt. But I dosmell smoke, and that looks bad, as the plight of Bluebeard's wife. "

There could be no questioning that what Tubby said was so, for littlespirals of penetrating smoke had commenced to come under the door, sothat they could already feel their eyes begin to smart. 

Rob went back to the open window to watch. He knew that the thingcalculated to help them most of all would be the flitting of the Uhlantroop. If the raiders would only gallop away from town there would be anopportunity for the three Boy Scouts to make their way from the garretof the doomed inn. 

"Are they showing any signs of going yet?" asked Tubby, rubbing onehand continually over the other; and then he burst out into a halfhysterical fit of laughter as he went on to add: "D'ye know, when I saidthat it made me think of Bluebeard, don't you remember where the wifewas waiting to be called down to lose her head, and expected herbrothers to come to the rescue, she had her sister watching out of thewindow for a cloud of dust on the road? And all the while she keeps onasking: 'Sister Ann, Sister Ann, do you see anyone coming?'"

"I guess you're not as badly rattled as you make out, Tubby, " suggestedMerritt, "when you can joke like that with the house on fire. In thiscase you're wanting to know whether there's anybody going. Well, they'rehere yet, I'm sorry to tell you. "

"But I think they are getting together to ride away, " Rob added. 

"Did they shoot down many of the poor villagers on account of thatsniper?" asked the fat scout anxiously. 

"No, I couldn't see anything like that, " Rob hastened to assure him. "There was some firing, but it looked to me as if it might be done foreffect, just like cowpunchers ride into town, yelling, and shootingtheir guns in the air. But at the same time I think they must have gotthe person who did the sniping. "

"Yes, I heard several shots that seemed to come from inside that nexthouse, " Merritt admitted. "It'll certainly be his funeral pyre. Thehouse is all aflame, and burning fiercely. "

"Poor chap! he must have been crazy to fire on Uhlans when they were insuch force, " Tubby declared. "They never refuse a dare, I've heard said. And believe me, I don't ever want to test them. I hope they hear thecall soon now. That fire must be getting pretty close to us by thistime, boys!"

Rob opened the door of the garret a trifle, after having pushed back theheavy trunk. Immediately a cloud of smoke entered, at which poor Tubbyfell back in dismay. 

"Oh! we're goners, I'm afraid!" he moaned, making his way through thepall in the direction of the one small window that was open, so that hemight secure a breath of fresh air. 

"If we can keep the smoke out a little while longer it's going to be allright, " Rob informed them. "The Uhlans are all in the saddle, and seemto be only waiting for the order to leave. I can hear the captain incharge of the troop telling the villagers something or other, and he isspeaking in French, too; so I reckon it must be a warning that if asingle shot is fired as they ride away, they will turn back and notleave one stone unturned in the place. "

"That seems to be the usual Uhlan way, I've heard, " muttered Tubby, gladhe could say anything; for at the time he was desperately clutching hisnose with thumb and fingers, as though in hopes of keeping the pungentsmoke from entering his lungs. 

He had apparently gotten beyond the seeing stage, for both his eyes werekept tightly closed. At the same time Tubby was listening eagerly forgood tidings. He knew that his chums were constantly on the lookout. 

"There they go off!" he heard Rob say presently, when the situation hadalmost become unbearable. 

The sound of many hoofs coming to their ears, even above the roaring ofthe fire, affirmed this statement. Tubby acted as though he wanted tocheer, and then reconsidered his intention, through fear that the soundmight be heard by the Uhlans, and work them harm. 

"Now, let's get out of here, " said Rob briskly. "Take hold of my coat, Tubby. Merritt, bring up the rear. We'll find a room just below thiswhere we can drop out of a window easily, if the stairs are ablaze, asI'm afraid may be the case. "

Passing down from the garret in this fashion, through dense billows ofsmoke that struck terror to the soul of Tubby, they presently foundthemselves in one of the ordinary rooms, used perhaps for stray guests. 

Looking from the window Rob saw that it would be easy for him andMerritt to drop down on the turf below. Tubby must be taken care offirst, and so Rob snatched a sheet off a bed, and twisted it into theshape of a rope. 

This he forced Tubby to take hold of, and then climb over the windowsill. 

"Keep a fast grip, and we'll lower you!" Rob told the fat scout, who hadfull confidence in his comrades since they had never failed him. 

After all, it was an easy thing to let him down, because the distancewas short. As for themselves, the other two boys scorned to make use ofsuch means. Clambering out of the window, when Tubby reported himselfsafe below, they hung down as far as they were able, and then just letgo. There was a little jar as they struck solid ground, and it was allover. 

"Beautifully done, fellows, " Tubby was saying, as he dug his fatknuckles into his still smarting eyes. "We'd pass muster for fireladdies, I tell you. After all, it takes scouts to know what ought to bedone. But I think some of these people must have gone out of their mindsto whoop it up so. What's that poor woman shouting now, Rob? Can youmake it out? And look how they're holding her back, would you? It mustbe the wife of the inn keeper; the loss of her home has unsettled herreason, I'm afraid, poor thing!"

But Rob, who had been listening, knew better, as he immediately proved. 

"It's a whole lot worse than that, I'm afraid, " he told the others. "Shekeeps calling out for her baby; and I think the child's been left in theburning building!"

CHAPTER X. 

THE DUTY OF A SCOUT. 

Tubby was dreadfully shocked when he heard the news. 

"The poor thing!" he cried, "to be forgotten in all the row, and left tobe smothered by the smoke, perhaps burned up in the bargain. Oh! Rob, Ihope you're mistaken!"

"I wish I could believe so myself, Tubby, but if you look you can seethem all staring up there at that window next to the one we jumped from. Some even point at it, and you notice more than a few of the women arecrying like everything. "

"But my stars! why doesn't somebody run up and get the child out, ifthat's so?" Tubby demanded, --forgetting that his eyes stillsmarted, --because this discovery, and the distress of the parentsoverwhelmed him. 

"Because the lower floor is all afire, and the stairs can't be used, "Merritt told him. 

"If only we'd known about the child before we came out, we might havesaved it, " Tubby wailed. "If I could climb like some fellows I know, whocan even go up a greased pole in the contests, I'd be for making my wayup there right now. Hey! what are you going to do, Rob, Merritt? Let mehelp any way I can. Stand on my back if you want to; it's broad enoughto do for a foundation! The poor little thing! We mustn't let it beburned if we can help it!"

Neither Rob nor Merritt had waited to give Tubby any answer when he madethat really generous offer. They knew there would be no need of his backas a means for elevating one of them to the sill of the upper window. Infact, Rob had made a sudden discovery that must have been the mainreason for his speedy actions. 

"The tree is close to the house, Merritt!" he was saying as he sprangforward. 

"Better still, Rob, one limb grows right alongside the window!" theother scout added, keeping in touch with the patrol leader. 

They were quickly on the spot, Rob starting up the trunk of the tree atonce. 

"Don't follow me, " he told his chum, as he climbed upward. "If I findthe child I may want to drop it down to you. Get busy underneath, Merritt!"

"All right, Rob; I understand!" came the answer. 

Tubby had also heard what was said. He came puffing forward, as thoughhe did not mean to be left out entirely of the rescue. 

"Let me help you, Merritt, " he was saying, between his pants from hisrecent exertions. 

"Sure I will, if there's any chance, Tubby. "

"Can Rob reach that window from the limb?" the fat scout askedanxiously, as he tried to look straight upward, a task that was always atrying one with Tubby because of the odd shape of his chubby neck. 

"He's about there now, you notice. There's something of a little ledgeunderneath and he's going to make it all right. "

"There! He's clinging outside and starting to throw a leg over, " Tubbyexclaimed in evident rapture. "And if there is a child inside that room, our chum will find it. If it was me now, I'd be so blind with the smokeI'd have to just grope my way around, and p'raps get lost in theshuffle. "

"But what's that you've got in your hand, Tubby?" pursued Merritt, becoming aware for the first time that the other was holding on to somewhite object. 

"This? Why, what but that fine sheet you used to lower me with, " he wastold. 

"I remember that Rob dropped it down after you landed, " said Merritt, "but I never thought you'd want to take it along with you, Tubby. "

"Oh! shucks! don't you see, I picked it up when I started over afteryou, " the stout boy tried to explain. 

"But why should you do that?" persisted Merritt, who was looking eagerlyaloft just then, and possibly not fully paying heed to what he wassaying. 

"Why, you know how firemen stand and hold a blanket for people to jumpinto?" explained Tubby; "I thought that if it came to the worst, Robmight drop the baby into this sheet, which both of us could holdstretched out!"

"Well, you _are_ a daisy, after all, Tubby!" cried Merritt, in sincereadmiration. "That's as clever a scheme as anyone could think up. Here, give us a grip of an end, and we'll get ready for business!"

Quickly they clutched the four corners of the sheet. Fortunately, itappeared to be a fairly new bed-covering, and might be trusted to bear acertain weight without tearing. 

Having reached the point where nothing more could be done in order toassist Rob, the other two scouts had to stand there and wait, as theprecious seconds crept by, each seeming like an age to their anxioushearts. 

Meanwhile, what of Rob, who had, without the least hesitation, riskedhis life in order to save the child forgotten in the excitement of theUhlans' coming, and the strange events that had so soon followed?

When he reached that window, he found it closed, but, on his pressingagainst the sash, it had swung inward, allowing him free access to theroom. 

It was rather an appalling prospect that confronted Rob. The smokeseemed to be thick, and he could not see three feet away. For all heknew the fire that was raging in the lower part of the inn might by thistime have eaten partly through the floor boards, so that, if he put hisweight on them, he stood a chance of being precipitated into the midstof the flames. 

Rob never hesitated a second. He had taken all these matters intoconsideration when making up his mind as to what he meant to attempt. More than this, he did not believe anything partaking of such a disasterthreatened him in case he entered that apartment. 

The most he feared was that he might be unable to discover where thechild lay, for it was manifestly impossible to use one's eyes to anyadvantage, with all that veil of smoke interfering. 

Over the window-sill he climbed, just as the two boys below witnessed. And, no sooner did Rob find himself in the room, than he started tocross it. He expected to find a bed somewhere, and toward this purposehe at once set himself. 

He could hear the crackling of the flames below. Besides this, therecame to him with painful distinctness the wails of the poor woman whowas being restrained from trying to rush into the burning inn. 

Rob was listening for something more. He had strong hopes that he mightcatch another sound, perhaps feeble, but enough to guide him to wherethe imperiled one lay in the bed or on the floor. 

Groping as he advanced, and at the same time feeling with his feet, incase the object he sought should prove to be on the floor, Rob passedaway from the vicinity of the open window. The smoke was pouring fromthe aperture now, as though it were in the nature of a funnel. Thisturned out to be of considerable help to the boy, for the draught servedto thin the smoke that had filled the room to suffocation. 

Now he had reached the farther wall, and, turning sharply to one side, started to comb this, every second expecting to come upon a bed of somesort. 

It was about this time that Rob thought he heard a low, gasping cry justahead of him. Though unable to use his eyes with any measure of successin locating the source of the sound, he was encouraged, and persisted inpushing forward. In this way he found himself bending over a cot. 

His groping hand came in contact with something warm--something thatmoved ever so slightly at his touch. It was the forgotten child. Robfound that it was a mere baby, possibly not much more than a year old. 

The smoke had not yet choked the little thing, though a short timelonger would have certainly finished it. 

Rob had no sooner clutched it in his arms than he tried to set himselfright for the window by means of which he had reached the room. In thishe was assisted by the light that came through the opening, and whichserved as his guide. By the time he reached it, he could no longer see asingle thing, and, when he leaned out of the window, his first thoughtwas to shout:

"Merritt, are you down below? I can't see a thing! The smoke has blindedme!"

To his great satisfaction there came an immediate response, and neverhad words from the lips of his chum sounded sweeter than they did then. 

"Yes, we're both here, Rob. Let the child drop straight down! We'll takegood care of it!"

"But you might miss it, " objected Rob, still unable to see a thing. 

"We can't! We've got a sheet spread out to catch it in!" Merritt sentback. "You're all right just there! Let go! Leave the rest to us!"

So Rob did as he was told. Accustomed to giving orders himself, he atthe same time could obey when the necessity arose. Perhaps it was withconsiderable fear that he allowed the child to leave his grip; but thejoyful shout arising from his chums below assured him that all was well. 

Then he heard a feminine shriek, and judged that the frantic mother haddarted to where the boys were standing, to clasp her rescued offspringto her breast. 

Rob crawled over the ledge. He could not see how to make that friendlylimb again, but then there was no need of going to all that trouble. Hehad dropped in safety before, and felt able to do the same again; sodown he came like a plummet. 

CHAPTER XI. 

MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS IN THE NIGHT. 

Of course once Rob found himself away from that pungent smoke his sightwas gradually restored to him, though for quite a while his eyeballssmarted more or less from the experience. 

"What will we do now?" asked Tubby, who was very happy in the knowledgethat he had been allowed to have at least a hand, two of them, heaffirmed, in the saving of the little one. 

"I did have an idea of staying here all night, " returned Rob. "But, since the inn has been destroyed, or will be utterly before the firedies down, of course that's out of the question. "

"You remember we asked questions of the tavern-keeper, " Merrittremarked. "He told us there was another village about three milesfarther on along the road. We might make out to go there, and see ifthey will put us up. If not, it's a haystack for ours, provided thereare any haystacks around. "

"H'm! three miles or more, on that animated saw-buck, eh? I like that. It just invigorates me, of course, " they heard Tubby telling himself, but his voice was anything but cheerful. 

"Here comes the mother and the baby; she wants to thank you, Rob, "Merritt told the patrol leader. 

"Let's hurry and get out of this, then!" urged Rob, who, above allthings, seemed to dislike being made a hero of when he felt that he hadnot done anything worth mentioning after all. 

"No, you don't!" exclaimed Tubby, laying violent hands on his chum. "It's only fair that you give the poor woman a chance to tell you howgrateful she is. As it stands to reason she speaks only Flemish, none ofus can make head or tail out of what she says, unless she mentions thatone word I know, which isn't likely. "

But the woman could talk French, and she made it very evident to Robthat her mother heart was full of gratitude to him for what he had done. To the intense amusement of Tubby, she even kissed Rob again and again, on either cheek, after the manner of the Belgians. 

"Bully! That's the ticket! Give him another for his mother! I like tosee anyone appreciate a _real_ hero. And here's the innkeeper; mebbehe'll want to add a few little caresses, too, Rob. Now, don't grieve hisheart by refusing. They all do it over here, I reckon. "

The man who had owned the inn contented himself, however, by telling Robjust how much he appreciated the gallant work of the American Boy Scout. Rob would not soon forget that experience; and it must always bring awarm feeling to his heart when thinking of how, with such a littleeffort, he had made these two humble people supremely happy. 

When he tried to make the man accept pay for their food, the otherutterly refused to listen to such a thing. 

"It is the good wife and myself, young m'sieu, who are heavily in yourdebt, " he told Rob, with the simplicity of sincerity. "How, then, couldwe ever forgive ourselves for taking money from one who has saved ourbaby's life? It would cause the blush of shame to dye our cheeks. Wecould never look our neighbors again in the face. It would not beright. "

Of course that ended it, although Rob would rather have settled for thatsupper. Merritt tugged at his coat, understanding what it was all about. 

"Don't insist, Rob, " he told the other. "You mustn't try to take awaythe satisfaction he feels in having done one little thing for you. Letit go at that. He is not a poor man, I imagine, and has something laidby. Now, hadn't we better be getting out of here?"

"Oh! by the way, where are our horses?" asked Tubby, suddenly. 

That reminded them they had forgotten all about the animals. The horseshad been left tied to a rail at some little distance alongside the innwhen they went in to get supper. Rob had intended, in case they meant tospend the night there, to have the three animals taken care of, and fed. 

The hitching bar was entirely destitute of horses of any type when theyturned their eyes in that quarter. 

"What if those awful Uhlans took our steeds away with them?" Tubbysuggested, with his usual blank look, and that woebegone shake of hishead. 

"It seems unbelievable to me, " Rob replied; "but I'll make someinquiries. The inn-keeper may have had them taken to the stables backyonder, though I remember noticing the animals at the time we werepeeping out of the window when the troopers were coming down the villagestreet. Wait for me, and I'll ask him. "

"I surely hope you learn good news, Rob!" Tubby sighed, as he thought ofthree long Belgian miles separating him from some sort of bed, where hecould secure the rest he needed so badly. 

Presently Rob came back, and, when Tubby saw him shake his head in thenegative, he gave a dull sort of a groan. 

"Bottom knocked out of everything, is it, Rob?" he asked, in a dazedsort of way. 

"Well, nobody could give me any hope, " was the reply. "Of course, thelandlord was too excited over the burning of his house to notice justwhat the Uhlans did as they rode away, but one man told us he saw thetroopers take our horses trailing behind them. "

"Then that settles it, " said Merritt; "though I'll never understand whatthey could want with those bony and tired nags, unless it was to makebologna sausages out of. We're in for a little hike that will stretchour legs. "

"Yes, I guess it will, " echoed Tubby, in a way that was hardly cheerful. 

"And yours can stand a good deal of stretching, Tubby, you know, " addedMerritt. 

"There's no use crying over spilt milk, " said Rob, in his usual cheeryfashion. "I more than half expected that we'd lose our mounts, sooner orlater. "

"So did I, " agreed Merritt. "Only I thought perhaps they'd die on ourhands from over-exertion. I never dreamed that rough riders like theGerman cavalrymen would want to be caught leading such ragtag animalsalong. "

"Well, shall we make a move?" asked Rob. 

There being no word against it, even from Tubby, who knew when dutycalled, the three scouts took their last look at the still burninghouses, and then strode forth on the road leading toward the east. 

The night promised to be unusually clear, for one thing. This pleasedRob, for, as they would have no moon to light them on their way, eventhe stars were welcome. 

Three miles, under ordinary conditions, would have been reckoned almostnothing to scouts accustomed to taking lengthy hikes over hills andalong valleys. It was a different matter, however, when passing througha war-distracted country, where hostile armies were encamped, so that atany minute they were apt to be greeted with a stern command, either inGerman or in French or Flemish, to stand and give the countersign, withthe warning that to attempt flight would be at the peril of their lives. 

Naturally the nerves of the boys were continually on edge. Tubby, inparticular, kept his eyes roving from side to side, then into theuncertain distance ahead; and even at times turning to ascertainwhether they were being pursued by some soft-footed enemies who thoughtto take them by surprise. 

In this way more than a mile was passed over. When Rob announced that hebelieved they must be all of halfway to the other village, Tubbyexpressed fervent thanks. 

"I'm still able to put one foot in front of the other, " he remarked in ahushed voice, for Rob had cautioned them against speaking aloud, as itmight draw unwelcome attention to the little party. 

"Wait up a minute, please, " whispered Merritt, and there was that abouthis mysterious manner that gave Tubby another bad shock. 

"What's the matter, now, Merritt?" he asked softly but solicitously. "Hope you haven't got a stone bruise on your heel. Did you hear anythingsuspicious? Are we going to be held up by a patrol? Oh! dear, why don'tyou hurry and tell us the worst?"

"What do you make of that flickering light over there, Rob?" askedMerritt. "It seems to be in an open field, as near as I can understand. Just watch how it keeps on jumping up and down, then sideways. "

"Why, it caught my eye just about the time you spoke, Merritt, " came thereply from the patrol leader. "It must either be the work of some crazyperson, or else a way of signaling by lantern. "

"Say, I honestly believe you've struck the truth that shot, Rob, " brokein Tubby, who had, of course, immediately turned toward the spotindicated. "See the way he swings the light around and makes all mannerof figures in the air with the same. Why, that was the letter N, as sureas you live. And there goes E, followed by W and S. What does that spellbut NEWS? Hey! we're on the track of a discovery!"

"Will you keep still, Tubby, and let's see if he begins again?" saidMerritt eagerly. 

"That must have been the last word of his message, " remarked Robquickly, "but chances are he'll repeat it. Stand ready to spell it outas well as we can. Three scouts accustomed to reading the Myers code offire signaling ought to---- There, that was C; and after that O, A, S, T--which means COAST. "

Slowly, and somewhat laboriously, the boys spelled the message, letterfor letter, their previous training proving of the greatest help; andthis was the result:

"_Coast clear--safe landing here--important news!_"

CHAPTER XII. 

THE MEETING BETWEEN THE LINES. 

"Good for us! We're the ones to read a message! But say, was that inGerman, or French, or English, I want to know?" and Tubby seized hischums each by an arm, as he asked this question in a husky whisper. 

"When you come to making dots and dashes in the Morse code, or whatanswers for the same with the heliograph, or a torch, or signal flags, Iguess all languages are the same!" Merritt told him, more to keep Tubbyquiet than for any other reason. 

"The question is, who could that message have been for?" Rob wasmuttering. 

"There, he starts in again, " said Tubby. "He's a most persistent sort ofchap, I take it, and means that the other fellow will get that message, sooner or later. What 'coast is clear'? Why, we're miles and miles awayfrom the sea-shore now, ain't we? And what under the sun does he meanby 'safe landing'? Where's the boat going to come from, somebody tell mequick?"

"I think I know, " Rob had just managed to say in reply, when all of themwere suddenly startled to hear a queer, rattling sound from behind thatkept swiftly drawing nearer and nearer, until presently Tubby, in sheeralarm, dropped flat to the ground. 

As he lay sprawled out on his back, judge of his astonishment when hesaw some object, that was like an immense bird, pass over not fifty feetabove him. It was heading directly for the spot where the light of thelantern glowed in that open field. 

The shuttle sound abruptly ceased. 

"He's shut off his engine, " remarked Rob, apparently intenselyinterested. 

"Yes, because he means to alight in the field, " added Merritt. 

Tubby suddenly comprehended what it must apparently mean. He hastened toscramble to his feet again, and no sooner had he accomplished this thanhe was, of course, busily engaged with his questions. 

"Was that an aėroplane, Rob?"

"It certainly was, " he was informed. 

"Then that signal was for the pilot; that was what it meant by 'safelanding here' and 'coast clear!' Oh! I begin to see it all now. The'important news' he mentioned in his message must be something a spy hasgathered, and which he wants this air-pilot to carry back to the Germanlines for him? Am I on the right track, Rob?"

"Yes; that's about what it all means, Tubby. "

"Then that machine must have been one of the Taube aėroplanes they toldus about?"

"We expect it is, " replied the obliging Rob. 

"It must have landed by now, then, hasn't it?"

"As we can hear nothing moving, that's about the way things stand, "replied the patrol leader. 

"Please shut up, Tubby, so we can listen, " Merritt suggested, notunkindly, but with the authority that his position as second in commandof the Eagle Patrol allowed him to display. 

Tubby thereupon collapsed; that is, he simply mumbled to himself, whilestaring as hard as he could toward the spot where they could see thatfeeble little glow, made by the signaling lantern. 

Rob was considerably interested in the adventure. It appealed to him ina way that was almost irresistible. He could understand that this mightbe only one of many methods taken by the astute Germans to get valuableinformation to the Staff Headquarters, which were at that time supposedto be located in the captured Belgian capital of Brussels. 

Some spy, who had the run of the Belgian lines, would gather up certaininformation which he believed might be appreciated. Then, at a giventime, when darkness covered the land, he was to be waiting for a daringaviator, who would take such risks as always accompany night travelingand landing with an aėroplane. 

If the man aloft failed to receive the signal agreed on, he would hoveraround up to a certain hour, and then go back to Brussels. But, if thecoast was clear, and the secret agent gave him assurance to that effect, he could dart down, and take charge of the precious documents or mapsshowing the positions of various hostile forces, or else some newarrangement on the part of the defenses of Antwerp. 

"I'd like to be able to just crawl up closer, and see what goes on, "Merritt remarked, after they had stood there for a little while, listening and watching, yet seeing only that small light in the openspace under the stars. 

"Would it be safe?" asked Tubby cautiously; though, no doubt, if hischums decided on the venture, he would be found remaining at their side. 

As often happened, here again Rob had to show his leadership, and curbhis chum's impetuosity. Merritt was apt to do things sometimes on theimpulse of the moment which were really unwise. 

The prospect of stealing along, like Indians on the warpath, andgradually drawing closer to the spot where the pilot of the air-craftand the spy were in consultation, was very inviting. Rob, however, tooka grip on himself, and decided that it would be most unwise of them toaccept such an unnecessary risk. 

"It's really none of our business, Merritt, " he said. "First of all----"

"Of course not, but----"

"And, if they discovered us, you know what it would mean?" Rob continuedgravely. 

"I suppose they would fire on us, " admitted Merritt. 

"They certainly would, because they could only believe that we wereenemies, " continued the other, who, once he had started in to convincean impulsive comrade, believed in delivering sledge-hammer blows insuccession, "and we're not aching to be filled with lead just yet. "

"But, " urged Merritt, "we might move along the road just a little bitfarther; that would take us closer to the place. I'd like to be able tosee that Taube machine fly over our heads again. "

"Well, there's no objection to doing that, only we must keep mightyquiet. And, Tubby, mind your feet!" said Rob. 

Tubby did not bother making any reply, for none seemed necessary. Heknew well enough that, as a rule, he was inclined to be clumsy, andcould stumble, if given even half a chance. But, on the open road, andwith the starlight to help out, he could not believe there was anydanger. 

So he sniffed disdainfully, and braced himself to move as softly as acat; for it is wonderful how light on their feet most fat people can be, when they try their best. 

Of course they could not see a thing, but then, imagination often helpsout, and by this means they could picture the daring air-pilot, havingsuccessfully landed, in consultation with the secret agent. 

When he had delivered what news he had picked up, perhaps verbally aswell as through some written process, the spy would most likely assistthe flier to get his Taube under way again, after which he could returnto take up his risky profession amidst the Belgian forces. 

Once Tubby did come near falling, as his toe caught in a projectingstone, which, of course, had been invisible. He managed to clutch holdof Merritt, who was on his left, and in this way avoided a tumble thatmight have caused more or less noise, even if it did not result in anydamage to his nose. 

Then Rob came to a stop. The others understood that he must have decidedthey were as near the place where the lantern glowed in the field asthey could get without clambering over the stone barrier. This wallfence came up to Tubby's chin, so that he had to stand on his tiptoes tosee over it. 

"Has he sailed away yet, Rob?" asked Tubby, in his hushed voice, whichsounded as though he might be using the soft pedal on his vocal organ. 

"We would have heard the clatter of his motor if he had, " returned Rob. "So far it hasn't been found possible to deaden the rattle of thepropeller. And, on a still night like this, you could get that some waysoff. No, they're talking business yet, I reckon. "

"Gee whiz! but they must have a lot to say, " muttered Tubby. 

"After they separate we'd better lie low a while, " suggested Rob. 

"What for?" demanded Tubby, bound to understand everything, even if hehad to swamp his mates with questions. 

"The spy, or spies, for there may be more than one of them, might justhappen to cross this way, so as to get to the road; and, if they sawthree shadowy figures moving along, the first thing they'd be apt tothink was that we were enemies who had been listening. "

"Oh! now I see!" Tubby admitted. "And, since we don't want to be madetargets for them to practice at, we'll be wise to do what you say, Rob. "

"Please, please, let up on all that talk, Tubby!" implored Merritt. 

"Oh! I will, if it bothers you any, " the fat boy answered; "but I thinkit queer a fellow can't ask a few little innocent questions once in awhile, without being sat down on so hard. Now, I know a boy who madehimself a real nuisance with his everlasting wanting-to-know, but I onlyspeak up when there's absolute nec----"

Tubby stopped short there. It was not that the annoyed Merritt clasped ahand over his mouth, thus shutting off his supply of breath, for no suchthought entered the mind of the corporal of the Eagle Patrol; but justthen a horrible din, in which shots, mingled with wild shouts, broke outin the field nearby. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

CAUGHT IN THE ACT. 

What had happened was no mystery to Rob and Merritt, though possiblyTubby, not quite so apt to jump to conclusions, remained a littlebewildered at what was going on. 

It seemed that the Belgians must have suspected something wrong, andpossibly followed the bearer of the lantern when he went into the openfield to flash his signals toward the sky. 

The three scouts from across the ocean were not the only watchers whohad read that message. Yes, and the coast had not been as clear as thesignal man believed, since even then enemies must have been creepingtoward him, though utterly unseen in the darkness. 

The rapid discharge of guns, and the loud outcries of men engaged indesperate warfare, thrilled the boys. They could not see a singlefigure, but the spiteful flashing of firearms, as they were discharged, told them that the fight was not all one-sided, and that the Germansmust be resisting capture with their usual valor. 

All at once they heard another sound. 

"It's the motor--the aėroplane man has managed to get going!" exclaimedRob, instantly comprehending what that meant. 

In order to rise, after starting his machine, it was necessary for theaviator to first skim along the field for a little distance, andgradually gain an impetus which, at the proper instant, results in aslow ascent. 

Of course he was taking all sorts of desperate chances in making thisblind venture; but his life was at stake, if caught. Besides, heundoubtedly must have examined the nature of that level stretch ofground before, and selected it as a landing place on account of its goodqualities. 

"He's heading this way, Rob!" exclaimed Tubby, almost in a panic. 

"If he butts into this wall it'll spell his finish!" added Merritt. 

"No danger of that, " said Rob. "He knows every foot of ground aroundhere. But duck down, everybody. They will fire a volley after him, andwe might get in line of the bullets. "

Tubby dropped flat, forgetting that the high stone wall was as good abreastwork as any one could want. 

Just as Rob had anticipated, there was a series of explosions, and theycould even hear the patter of bullets striking the piled-up stonescomposing the wall. 

This was enough to tell them that the fleeing aviator had headedstraight toward the spot where they were crouching. And, as the rattleof his machine grew louder, they realized that he was approaching themwith considerable speed. 

Then, with an additional clatter, the Taube passed over the wall, clearing its top by not more than ten feet. 

"Keep down!" exclaimed Rob, feeling Merritt beginning to make a move, and afraid lest he should stand upright in order to better follow theprogress of the aėroplane. 

It was well he spoke when he did, for another burst of firing came. Thesoldiers were sending random volleys after the fleeing airman, in hopesof injuring his machinery or wounding the aviator himself. 

"That was sure a great getaway!" bubbled Tubby, still seated there onthe ground. 

"But I rather think they winged him, " added Merritt, possibly with anote of regret in his voice. 

It was not that he felt any particular sympathy for the German cause;but, boy-like, he could admire grit and daring, no matter under whatflag it might be found. That bold flight of the Taube operator in theface of the flying missiles was quite enough to arouse the spirit of anyone with red blood in his veins. 

"What makes you say that?" asked Tubby, not meaning to remain inignorance when he possessed a ready tongue. 

"I was pretty sure the machine wabbled as it passed over, " said Merritt. 

"My opinion, too, " Rob chimed in. "It seemed to me he was trying hisbest to get it to mount, but it balked. That could only mean somethinghad gone wrong with the machinery, or else a wing had been fractured. "

"Huh! you talk just like the machine might be a baseball pitcher, "commented Tubby. "But, if that's the case, the chances are he'll drop tothe ground right away, or else smash up against some tree. "

"Just what may happen to him, " agreed Merritt. 

"You'll notice that the sound of motor and propeller has suddenly diedout, " suggested Rob, "which I take it looks pretty rough for theman-bird. "

"Oh! that would be too bad, now!" Tubby whimpered, as he imagined hecould see the bold pilot of the crippled flier dashed to the groundamidst the wreckage of his machine. 

"Well, the shooting seems to be over!" remarked Merritt. 

"I wonder what happened to the spy?" Rob observed, as he stared over thetop of the stone wall toward the spot where the late confusion had takenplace. 

They could still see that little glow, proving that the lantern had notbeen kicked over in all the riot when the creeping Belgians had pouncedon the enemy. 

"Would it be wise for us to head over there now, Rob?"

Plainly Merritt was curious to know what had happened, and his manner ofputting this question to the patrol leader showed that he would never besatisfied unless they made some sort of attempt to solve the mystery. 

This time he found Rob more agreeable. Conditions had changedconsiderably since the leader had put his foot down upon any suggestionthat they thrust themselves into the game. The Belgians were theirfriends, and they could not believe any danger was to be feared fromthat source. 

"We might walk over that way, " Rob admitted slowly; "that is, if Tubbycan get over this wall. "

"If not, he could wait for us here, " suggested Merritt, with a chuckle. 

"I see myself waiting all alone on the other side of the wall, while youtwo step forward and find out all there is going on. I can climb walls, all right, if somebody only gives me a little boost. Try me, and see, Rob. That's a good fellow!"

Of course Rob was ready to lend the desired assistance; and as Tubbysecured a hold on a large stone that crowned the wall, he was able tohunch himself up, puffing and grunting at a great rate. 

It was easy enough to get down, if one did not care how he fell; butTubby proved fortunate in finding toe places where he could secure ahold, and in some fashion managed to "dismount. "

He pattered after his two chums, who were already moving toward themiddle of the big field. 

Rob, always noticing things as he went along, found that the field wasvery level, and he could understand how the place must have beenselected for a rendezvous since it offered such exceptional facilitiesfor an aėroplane to land and start up again. 

Perhaps this had been a regular nightly affair, and all sorts ofvaluable information may have been carried to the German Headquartersby means of this novel air route. 

As the three boys gradually drew nearer the place where the lanterncould still be seen, they discovered that it was now being held in thehand of some person who wore a uniform. 

"Belgians, all right!" muttered Rob, after noting that the garb was notlike the khaki-colored clothes of the British troops, nor yet the blueand red of the French soldiers. 

There seemed to be more than a dozen of the men, showing that they hadcome in force. Whether they had discovered the spy by accident orfollowed him to the place of meeting, Rob, of course, could only guess;nor did it matter to him. 

"I can see the prisoner!" whispered Merritt. 

"Yes, and there seem to be two of them, " added Rob, noting that the menwere being held by several soldiers, and it was as though the officer incommand might be questioning them closely, for a voice could be heardspeaking in French. 

"They've been up against hard knocks, it looks like, " Tubby mentioned, eager to let his chums know he was close at their heels, and able tosee a few things for himself. 

Indeed, the men did have the appearance of having been through the mill. Their hats were missing, so that their hair hung about their faces, which looked as if they had been brought in contact with a pile-driver, for there was blood, also contusions and bruises visible. 

"And one of them stands as if he hadn't any use for his left leg, whichmeans most likely he's got a bullet through it, " Rob continued. 

He spoke aloud, and for a reason. It were better that the soldiers inthe field learned of their advance by some such method as this. If, onthe other hand, the trio of scouts were detected advancing in any sortof suspicious manner they might be unfortunate enough to evoke a volley. Excited men sometimes shoot first and ask questions afterward. 

A harsh voice suddenly demanded in French to know who they were, andwhat they had to say for themselves; adding that unless they repliedinstantly the order to cut them down would be given. 

[Illustration: "Advance, and hold up your hands above your heads!" heordered. --_Page 149. _]

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE FIELD HOSPITAL. 

"We are friends, three American boys only!"

Very often Rob had practiced his French so as to get this explanationcorrect. If his accent happened to be altogether wrong, what he saidcould be understood, and that was the main thing. 

Apparently, what he had called out must have surprised the Belgianofficer in charge of the detachment, for he could be heard exchangingcomments with someone else. Then he spoke aloud again. 

"Advance, and hold up your hands above your heads!" he ordered. 

Rob understood the words, but of course his chums could not; so thefirst thing he did was to elevate both hands as high as he could, andsay to them:

"Do the same as I am, both of you. The officer has ordered it. And thencome on over to where they are waiting for us!"

In this manner they drew near the spot where the others stood. Everyonewas staring very hard, for to see three boys dressed in khaki, andtalking unmistakable English among themselves, was indeed a considerablesurprise. 

The one who held the lantern proved to be a lieutenant. He was a man ofmiddle age, and as the newcomers drew near he held up his light in orderthe better to examine their make-up. What he saw must have created agood impression, for the frown began to leave his face. 

"It is fortunate that I speak English, " he started in to say, greatly tothe delight as well as the surprise of Rob, "so you shall tell me how itcomes we find you here on this particular night, and so close to a spotwhere a suspicious transaction was going on which we had the pleasure ofnipping in the bud. "

Apparently the lieutenant was not wholly satisfied. He could not tellbut that these smart looking boys might have some connection with thegame he and his detachment had blocked in the capture of the two spies. 

So Rob hastened to explain as briefly as he could. 

"We have come to Belgium on some very important business that hasnothing whatever to do with the war. There is a man we must see, and ithappens that he was last reported in a town near Brussels. We know whatgreat risks we run in trying to pass between the lines of the hostilearmies; but we hope to keep out of the hands of the Germans; and as forthe Belgians, we are carrying with us a letter that has up to now alwayspassed us. "

This was the signal for Merritt to produce the passport written for themby the obliging burgomaster of Antwerp. The lieutenant received thepaper gravely. He was evidently puzzled to know how much of Rob'sstrange story to believe; for it seemed remarkable that three boysshould take such a dangerous mission upon their shoulders. 

When he had read the short recommendation through, and saw the signatureat the bottom, the officer uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. 

"You could not have chosen a better sponsor than the worthy burgomasterof Antwerp, " he said warmly. "I have met him more than once, and he isheld in high respect throughout the land, as is Burgomaster Max ofBrussels. Let me return your paper safely. It is worth keeping. "

"And you will allow us to go on when we choose, then?" asked Merritteagerly. 

"There is no occasion for your detention, " he was informed, "but if Isought your best welfare I should order that you turn back, and give upthis foolish mission, for there is hardly one chance in ten that you canescape capture at the hands of the enemy, since they are everywhere. Butyou know best, and I shall not interfere. It must be a serious motivethat brings you into this wretched country?"

"It means a great lot to my family that I find this man, StevenMeredith, " Merritt told him, possibly with a faint hope that thelieutenant might recognize the name, and admit that he knew the person. 

Rob had noticed several things. For one, that the taller prisoner wascertainly badly wounded, since he stood on one leg, and had his teethtightly clinched as if to keep from betraying any weakness that might bedeemed unmanly. 

One of the Belgians also carried a bandage, roughly fastened, possiblyby a clumsy comrade, around his arm. It showed traces of blood, and Robcould guess that a speeding bullet fired by the spies at bay probablyhad caused the wound. 

"I notice that a couple of men here have been wounded, " he ventured tosay to the lieutenant, "and, as you must know, Boy Scouts are taughtsomething of field surgery. Would you mind if I and my friend herelooked at them? We might stop the flow of blood, anyway, and perhapsmake the men a bit easier. "

The Belgian officer hesitated for a brief time. He looked at Rob, andseemed to be considering. Then he nodded his head. 

"As we have to stay here until my superior officer and a largerdetachment come along in answer to the signals we are about to make, itcould do no harm. Yes, I have heard that Boy Scouts are supposed to knowsomething of surgery, although I myself have never seen them practiceit. You may proceed. Albert!"

He beckoned to the private who had his arm bound up. The man upon beingtold to show his injury hardly knew what was about to happen. He couldnot believe that mere boys would know what a surgeon was supposed to do. 

That man evidently had the surprise of his life when Rob, assisted byMerritt, washed the wound by the aid of some water obtained from acanteen, and then neatly bound the arm up, using some strips from alittle roll of linen which Rob took from his pocket. 

The officer watched the whole operation with considerable interest. 

"That was neatly done, " he commented, after the man had stepped back towhere a comrade was holding his gun for him. "As you expressed a wish toattend to the prisoner, I give you full permission to do so. Though, after all, it will make but little difference with him, since his doomis sealed. "

The tall German said never a word, but allowed the boys to do as theywilled with him. He realized the desperate condition in which hisboldness had placed him and was evidently determined, if convicted ofbeing a spy, to die game. 

His injury turned out to be much more serious than that of the Belgiansoldier, for the bullet had made a bad puncture, and he had already lostmuch blood. 

Tubby turned his head away at first, as though he could not bear to seethe wound, but evidently realizing that a display of such timidity washardly in keeping with what they wished these men to believe of BoyScouts, he finally forced himself to offer to assist his chums in theirgruesome work. 

It took all of ten minutes to wash and dress that wound with the fewthings at their command the best they were able to. During all that timethe spy did not say a word, nor did he groan even when Rob knew he mustbe hurting him more or less, although that could not be avoided. 

And the officer had commenced to ask questions. It seemed to surprisehim that even in far-away America there, too, the boys had organizedthemselves into patrols and learned all these valuable lessonscalculated to make them better citizens when they came to take theirplaces in business, on the firing line, or among the professions. 

"Then the scouts over in your country are also taught to be ready forany emergency, the same as the boys are in Belgium?" he asked Rob, as hewatched the latter's nimble fingers, with considerable dexterity intothe bargain, draw the bandage tightly into place. 

"Oh! yes, " replied the boy, only too pleased to say a good word for thethousands upon thousands of comrades in khaki whom he represented. "Yousee, most of us camp out a good deal, and all sorts of accidents happen. I've known a boy to cut himself so badly with an ax when he was choppingwood that he would have bled to death long before they could get him toa doctor, but it was easy for his mates to stop the flow of blood, anddo the right thing. "

"It is grand, this teaching boys to be able to save human life, "declared the middle-aged officer, who perhaps had sons of his own in thearmy, "and yet it never came to me before that even in America they werepracticing these noble avocations. I have seen them in England, yes, inFrance also, but in America--it is superb to think of it. And there areother ways in which boys in camp could be injured, you are telling me?"

He had become so deeply interested that Rob only too willingly proceededto explain at greater length. 

"Why, sometimes a boy is taken with a cramp when in swimming, and ofcourse he is saved by those who know just how to get him without beingpulled down themselves. "

"And, " continued the Belgian lieutenant, "if the poor fellow should benearly gone, what then? I myself once had a narrow escape that way, andto this day it gives me a cold feeling every time I remember it. "

"Oh! every scout, even when he's a tenderfoot, is supposed to learn howto resuscitate a comrade who has swallowed lots of water, and come neardrowning. Unless he was pulled out too late, he will be brought backevery time. Then there are the bites from poisonous snakes and insectsthat may happen; we are taught how best to counteract the effect ofpoison, so as to save the victim. "

"I am delighted to know all this, " the officer told them. "It has beenquite a pleasure to have met you, although under peculiar conditions, Iadmit. And the more I see of you, young messieurs, the more I amconvinced that you can look out for yourselves. At first I considered itwas a shame that three tender boys were allowed to travel over thisdangerous country. I no longer feel that way. If anybody should know howto take care of themselves, I surely believe you know, and are equal todo it. I am proud to shake hands with you, and wish you all a successfuljourney. "

Which operation he proceeded to immediately put into execution; thoughTubby, having had one previous experience with a hearty Belgianhand-grip, was mighty careful just how he allowed the other to take holdof his plump digits. 

Rob was quite satisfied now that they had done the right thing in comingforward and joining the party. At least it had been the means of easingthe pain of those who were wounded, and stopping the flow of bloodsensibly. 

The German had actually broken his silence to thank the boys when theyfinished their work. It was evident, however, that he was not caringvery much what happened to him, since he knew the probable penalty forallowing himself to be captured in the act of delivering important plansof fortifications--death. 

None of the boys so much as mentioned the fact that they believed theTaube machine might have been injured, and even fallen a short distanceaway. If the Belgians did not see fit to investigate conditions, it wasno part of the scouts' business to put them on the track. The dashingaviator deserved to get away, Rob thought, and it would hardly be fairfor outsiders, who had really no interest in the matter, to betray himto his enemies. 

So they left the soldiers still waiting for their comrades to come alongwith a superior officer in charge. The lieutenant had taken quite asudden fancy for Rob and his two chums; but then that was not strange, Tubby told himself, since the patrol leader always had a knack of makingfriends wherever he went. 

They soon arrived at the stone wall, and to Tubby's satisfaction found abreak where they could actually pass to the road without once moreclimbing the barrier. 

The last they saw of the field was when the lighted lantern was beingwaved in a way that looked as though the lieutenant might be signalingto others. In the opposite quarter only darkness was to be seen. Robwondered what had become of the operator of the Taube aėroplane; whetherhe had indeed come crashing to the earth, or managed to sail away tosafety. But they were never fated to know. 

CHAPTER XV. 

CHASING A JACK-O'-LANTERN. 

"I wish you could tell me we were nearly at that old village, Rob. Seemsto me we've been trudging along for hours, and I own up to feeling justa little bit tired. "

Tubby had a beseeching way about him that was hard to resist; and so Robreally felt sorry that he could give him no joyful news. 

"I would like to be able to tell in the worst way, Tubby, " he told him, "but you see we're making this turn only on hearsay. None of us knows asingle thing about it. There must be some sort of a place ahead of us, because several times I've heard dogs barking, and I even thought Icould hear people calling. "

"It's all right, Tubby, " chimed in Merritt, "because there's a light, yes, --two, three of the same kind. We'll soon be there, and I hope we'llfind some sort of a bunk, even if we have to drop in the hay. "

"That's what I say, " the fat scout declared energetically, bracing up, now that it seemed the haven might be in sight. "I could sleep standingup, I believe, if only you braced me on the sides. "

"I believe you, " remarked Merritt; and Tubby hardly knew whether heought to demand an explanation of that insinuation or not; he finallyconcluded to change the subject. 

They soon found they had arrived at another of those frequent littleBelgian hamlets where, in the past, thrift had held sway, but which wererapidly becoming demoralized under the pressure of the war fever. Mostof the men were serving the colors, of course, those remaining being thevery aged or crippled, the women, and always the flocks of children. 

"Seems to me they're carrying on kind of queer here, as if somethingmight be going on, " Merritt hazarded while they were approaching theborder of the place. 

"Gingersnaps and popguns!" exclaimed Tubby, "I hope there isn't a bunchof those terrible Uhlans in town, smashing things, and threatening toburn every house unless the wine and the ransom money are brought out!"

"Let's go slow till we can make sure about that, " suggested Rob. 

Their recent unpleasant experience was so fresh in their minds that theydid not care to have it duplicated. The next time they might not be sofortunate about escaping from a burning inn, or avoiding capture at thehands of raiding Uhlans. 

"I don't seem to glimpse any cavalrymen around, do you, Rob?" Merrittquestioned, as they hovered on the outskirts of the place, ready to meltaway in the darkness should any peril arise. 

"No, and it's safe for us to push on, " the patrol leader announced. 

"But there are a raft of people around, " ventured the cautious Tubby, who had been closely observing each and every soul, as though hesuspected that crafty Uhlans might be hidden under peasants' garb, orin the clothes of the stout Belgian dames. 

"Well, a lot of them are fugitives, the same as those we've been seeingon the roads all day long, " Rob explained. "Some of them have beenburned out of house and home; but in the main they're people who havebelieved all these awful fairy stories about the terrible Germans, andthink that if they stay they'll be eaten up. "

"This place must have escaped a visit from the Germans so far, " Merrittsuggested, "and they are coming to believe it's a lucky town, whichwould account for so many stopping here in their rush to get away. "

"That's bad!" muttered Tubby. 

"Why is it?" demanded Merritt. 

"All the spare beds will be taken, you see, " explained the otherdejectedly, "and those who come late, like we are doing, must sit up allnight, or else sleep in the dog kennel or the pigsty or the barn. Well, I said before and I mean it, if I can have some hay under me to keep mybones from the floor, I won't complain, or make a single kick. I'measily satisfied, you all know. "

"That must be the village inn, over yonder, Rob, " Merritt remarked, pointing as he spoke. "Judging from the crowd in front we've got a poorshow to get beds for to-night. "

"Everybody stares at us as if they thought we might be some kind of wildanimal, " Tubby complained. 

"Well, I can see that they've had some sort of circus here latelybecause the showbills are still posted on the fences, " Merritt observedwith a chuckle, "and can you blame them for thinking that the side showshave bust up, with the freaks hiking all through the country, unable toride on the railroads, which are all taken over by the Government tohaul cannon, horses and soldiers? I'll pass for the Living Skeleton, while you could stand for the Fat Boy, Tubby!"

Tubby was so used to having his friends joke at him on account of hischubby build that as a rule he let such reminders pass by withoutshowing any ill feeling. In this instance he hardly noticed what Merrittwas saying, because so many other events were happening around them. 

Being satisfied at last that they were in no apparent danger fromconcealed Uhlans, Tubby felt his spirits rise once more. 

At the inn Rob entered into a brief conversation with the proprietor. Asthis worthy knew very little French, and Rob next to nothing of Flemish, the "confab, " as Tubby called it, had to be conducted mostly through aseries of shrugs and gestures. 

"What luck, Rob?" asked Tubby, when the other chum turned to them again. 

"He's cram full of sleepers to-night, and couldn't give us even a cot, "explained Rob. "When I said we'd put up with the hay, he gave me tounderstand we could pick out any place found unoccupied. "

"Gee whiz! 'unoccupied, ' you said, didn't you, Rob?" cried Tubbyhastily. "Now, does that mean the place is apt to be _swarming_ withthese peasant women and children, and shall we have to listen to babiesbawling all night long, not to speak of roosters crowing, dogs barking, horses neighing, pigs grunting and cows mooing?"

"'Beggars should never be choosers, ' they say, " Merritt warned him. 

"And, after all, let's hope it won't be quite so bad as all that, " saidRob. 

They sought the stable. It was in the rear of the inn, and a ratherdecent looking structure in the bargain. 

"Why, this isn't half bad, " admitted Tubby, as they entered and foundthat the kind proprietor of the house had hung up a lighted lantern, bymeans of which it was possible for the boys to see the stack of hay. 

"It smells like a sweet new crop, " Rob remarked, glad to find somethingto commend when surrounded by such dismal prospects. 

"And so far as I can see we're the only barn guests, " Tubby announcedjubilantly as he started to burrow in the hay. 

He had hardly made much progress before he came backing out in a hurry. 

"There's a great big dog sleeping in there!" he declared excitedly. 

"What makes you think so?" asked Rob, who could hardly believe itpossible. 

"I tell you he tried to bite me, " urged Tubby, holding up one finger ofhis right hand, and on which a tiny speck of blood was visible. 

"Shucks! you only stuck it on a thorn, that's all!" protested theunbelieving Merritt, "and I'll prove it by crawling in the same hole. "

"Look out, now!" warned Tubby, anxious, and yet with some eagerness, forhe hoped to have his words proved in a fashion even Merritt could notdoubt. 

Immediately there was more or less excitement in the hay; and then camethe unmistakable scolding of a setting hen. Merritt backed out, laughing. 

"There's your ferocious bulldog!" he told Tubby; "but we'll leave oldBiddy to her eggs, and try another place. Plenty of room in this hotelwithout chucking the other guests out of their nests. "

After a while they made themselves comfortable. Tubby, before turningin, had prowled around a little. He told the others that as a true scouthe was only taking an inventory of his surroundings, so that if thereshould happen to come a sudden midnight alarm he at least would knowwhat to do in order to lead the way out of the barn by a rear exit. 

"Smart boy, Tubby, " Merritt told him, when he heard him say this; and italways pleased the fat scout to receive a word of praise, possiblybecause the occasions when he deserved any were few and far between. 

They lay in the sweet hay, and talked in low tones. No one else seemedto be pushed so hard for a place to sleep as to come to the barn, forwhich all of the chums professed to be very grateful. 

In the course of the conversation, which had more or less bearing ontheir strange mission abroad, the subject of the precious paper came tothe front. Perhaps it was Merritt himself who mentioned it, because thematter was frequently in his thoughts, and he seemed to be growing moreand more anxious, the nearer they drew to the place where he anticipatedfinding Steven Meredith. 

"You've never really told us who this man is, Merritt, and how he comesto be wandering around the world with a paper belonging to yourgrandfather hidden away under the lining of the case containing hisfield-glasses, " Rob remarked while Tubby, who had just been yawning, satup and seemed to be wide awake again. 

"That's a fact, Merritt, " he chimed in. "If you don't object, why, we'dlike to be told. "

"The fact of the matter is, " replied Merritt, "I don't know a great dealmore than you do, come to think of it. Grandfather Crawford comes fromold Scotch stock, so he's a canny sort of an old gentleman. No use of mytelling you about the way he treated my father when he was a young manand married against the wishes of his parents, because that you alreadyknow. It's about the paper, also of Steven Meredith you're curious tohear?"

"Yes, go along, please, " begged Tubby. 

"The paper is a little scrap, he told me, on which are marked certaindirections as how to find a certain rich gold mine out in our Southwestcountry. Grandfather has one-half his paper, and the other half islodged in the cover of that field-glass case--if the man is stillcarrying it with him. "

"That gets more and more queer, I must say, " grumbled Tubby, looking asthough he could not untangle the knot that was presented to him. 

"Yes, if anybody had told it to me, " admitted Merritt, "I'd have made upmy mind right away he was trying to pull the wool over my eyes with asilly yarn. And yet there was Grandfather Crawford just as sober as youever saw anyone, and vouching for every word of it as true. "

"Well, how on earth did the half of the map or the directions happen toget in that field-glass case, without Steven Meredith, who carries thesame, knowing a thing about it?" asked Rob. 

"This deposit was discovered by an old miner who never worked it, buthad samples of wonderfully rich ore, which he showed my grandfather atthe time he was rescued by my relative from being tortured by a coupleof halfbreeds who wanted to get the miner's secret. He gave grandfatherthe half of the map, and directions he had on his person, and told himwhere he would find the other half. "

"Now it's beginning to look understandable, " Tubby admitted. "The oldminer did that so if anybody got hold of him they wouldn't be able tolocate the secret mine--wasn't that it, Merritt?"

"Just what he had in mind, " the other told him, "and of course theinjuries received in the fight carried the miner off eventually, leavingmy grandfather as his sole heir, if he could only lay hands on the otherhalf of that valuable little paper, for neither portion alone made anysense. 

"Gee! this is getting real interesting--if true!" ventured Tubby. 

"Oh! it's a straight yarn, never fear, " retorted Merritt without anytrace of ill feeling, however, for no one ever could quarrel with Tubby. "And just about here is where this man Steven Meredith, as he callshimself, breaks into the story. The old miner had told my grandfatherthat for security he kept the other half of the chart, and thedirections how to find the treasure, hidden in the lining of the caseholding a pair of field-glasses that he had carried for years, as theywere of a special make and considered extra fine. "

"And when your esteemed relative came to make a hunt for the saidglasses, " remarked Tubby, anxious to show that he was following thenarrative closely, "why of course he found that Steve had got away withthem--is that the stuff, Merritt?"

"Great head, Tubby, " chuckled the other, as if amused at this unexpectedsmartness on the part of the stout boy. "You've said it, after afashion; for that was what really happened. The glasses were supposed, along with other things owned by the old miner, to be in the charge ofan old and invalid sister in a small town. To that place my grandfatherwent, armed with a paper which would give him possession of the traps ofthe dead man, including the case with the glasses. And that was where hecame up against a staggering disappointment. 

"It seemed that this sister of the miner was a little queer in her head. When a visitor chanced to examine the glasses, and offered her a prettyfine sum for them, she, not knowing how her brother valued them becauseof their association with his prospecting life, thought it a goodchance to dispose of some useless property. 

"And so the wonderful half of the chart was gone. My grandfather tookenough interest in the matter to learn that a man by the name of StevenMeredith possessed the glasses. He even started a search for him, thinking that he might be able to buy the glasses back, so as to satisfyhis mind about the worth of the chart. 

"Later on he learned that some valuable ore had been struck in theregion where the secret mine of the dead prospector was said to belocated. This kept making him take more and more interest in the findingof Steven and the lost paper. He became absorbed in the hunt, and in theend had three men on the track. 

"They traced Meredith across the ocean. All sorts of strange rumors cameback as to what he really was. Once it was even said that he wassecretly in the pay of the German Government. Anyway, he went to Berlin, and was known to meet with certain men high up in the Secret Servicethere. 

"Just a little while ago my grandfather received positive word from oneof his agents that Steven Meredith was stationed in a Belgian town, though what his business there could be was a mystery. This little townwas an obscure one near Brussels, where he could keep in the background. Its name is Sempst; and that's where we are headed now. "

"But just explain one queer thing, won't you, please, Merritt?" askedTubby. 

"I know what you're going to say, " replied the other. "Of course you'rewondering why my relative didn't wire his agent about the glasses, andoffer him a good sum to get them, with the case. Well, the fact is hedidn't have as much faith in his agents as all that. "

"You mean that if the man knew he valued the article so much he wouldbegin to smell a rat, and perhaps examine the lining of the casehimself, after he had managed to steal or buy the glasses?" suggestedRob. 

"That's what he had in mind, " Merritt continued. "So he hardly knew whatto do, or whom to trust, until I asked him to send me, and let me haveyou along. They didn't like the idea of us boys starting over here whenthings were so upset; but grandfather believes Boy Scouts can do almostanything. So it came about. And in a nutshell that's the strange story. "

"Gee! you'd think it a page from the _Arabian Nights_, " Tubby declared. "But queer things can happen to-day just as much as ever. I only hopethat if we do manage to rake in that old field-glass case, and the paperis still nestling underneath the lining, it doesn't turn out to be apipe dream--something that old miner just hatched up to make himselffeel he was as rich as a Vanderbilt. "

"We'll have to chance that, " said Rob. "Our part of the business will bedone when we carry the case back to Merritt's grandfather. It's up tohim for the rest. But don't you think we'd better try and get to sleep, for it's growing late?"

They determined that this was a wise suggestion, and shortly afterwardnot only Tubby and Merritt, but Rob as well had lost all realization oftrouble and stress in sound slumber. 

The night passed, and with the coming of dawn the boys were astir. Nothing had apparently happened during the night to disturb them. 

In the morning hens were beginning to cackle, and cows to low, as theboys awoke and crawled from the hay. A few minutes later, at a nearbypump, they washed the last bit of drowsiness from their eyes; afterwhich they began to think, from the pleasant odors in the air, that itwas nearly time for breakfast. 

"I dreamed about that grand paper hunt you told us about, Merritt, "Tubby announced, as with his chums he sauntered over to the inn to seewhat chance there was for getting something to eat. "And talk to meabout your will-o'-the-wisps, or what they call jack-o'-lanterns, suchas flit around graveyards or damp places nights, that certainly did beatthe record. Lots of times I was just stretching out my hand to grab itwhen I'd hear a laugh, and Steve, he'd snatch the old field-glass caseaway. I woke up still on the trail, and as set as ever to win out. "

"Let's hope that will prove to be the case with us, " ventured Robcheerily. 

They found that they were to be given breakfast; and as all of the boyshad a ferocious appetite they soon did justice to the meal set beforethem. 

It was while they were finishing that they suddenly became aware of thefact that something along the line of a battle had broken out not agreat ways off. The first intimation they had of this was thedeep-throated sound of a heavy gun. It made them jump; and the entirevillage seemed to become aroused at once, as people began to run thisway and that, chattering like magpies, some of their faces turning whitewith apprehension of what was to come. 

They had heard of the fate of Louvain, and dreaded the hour when theGerman army should come sweeping with irresistible force across thatsection of the country. 

Quick on the heels of that opening gun came other sounds--the long rollof rifle firing in volleys, and the faint cheers of charging men. Theboys even fancied they could hear amidst all the confusion the loudsinging that was said to mark the advance of the German legions as theywent into battle chanting the "Watch on the Rhine. " Rob could wellbelieve it, for he knew singing was to the Teuton mind what the bagpipesmeant to Scotch Highlanders, or cheers to American boys in khaki. 

It was evident that the gallant little Belgian army, determined toresist to the uttermost the passage of the Germans across theirterritory in the direction of Antwerp and Ghent, had again given battleto overwhelming numbers. 

Of course the boys had rushed out of the inn and immediately sought thebest position from which they could see something of what was going on. Many of the villagers were clustered there, gazing with deepest concernat the section where the smoke of battle was beginning to spread like apall over the country. 

"Oh! what is that up there, and heading this way?" Tubby suddenlyexclaimed. 

No sooner had Rob turned his gaze aloft than he was able to give thedesired information. 

"That is one of the famous German Zeppelins, hovering over thebattlefield, " he told Tubby. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE BATTLE FOR THE TRENCHES. 

By this time everyone was gazing in mixed wonder and awe at the strangedirigible balloon, speeding in great circles far up toward the clouds. 

Rob and his comrades had read more or less about these monster airshipswhich the German Count had invented, and which were expected to play aprominent part in this world war. They had even hoped that before theyleft Belgium they might be given an opportunity to see one of the fleetmonsters, which were said to be able to carry dozens of men, as well astons of explosives, incredible distances. 

In Antwerp there had been considerable talk concerning the possibilityof these Zeppelins making a concerted attack on the city, and forcingits surrender. All manner of fearful stories were going the rounds, andmany timid people had even left the city on the Scheldt for the morehospitable shores of England, just on account of the threatening perilfrom the clouds. 

"So, that's a real Zeppelin, is it?" Tubby remarked, as they stood therewith their eyes riveted on the flittering monster of the air. 

"No question about it, " Merritt told him, "because the poor Belgiansdon't own such an expensive airship, though they have some aėroplanes, Iwas told. "

"But what do you reckon they're doing up there?" asked Tubby, stillseeking to increase his limited stock of knowledge. 

"Why, " Rob replied, "don't you see there's a battle going on below, andfrom that height men with glasses can see every little thing that'shappening. They are able to tell how the Belgian forces are intrenched;and by means of signals let their gunners know where to drop shells soas to do the most harm. "

"Whee! what won't they do next in modern, up-to-date fighting?"exclaimed Tubby. 

"There have been lots of remarkable surprises sprung in this waralready, " Merritt observed thoughtfully, "but I'm thinking the worst isyet to come. There never was such a war before in the history of theworld, and it's to be hoped this one ends in a peace that will lastforever. "

"Yes, " added Rob, greatly impressed by what he was seeing, "war's goingto cost so much after this that the nations will have to fix up someother way to settle their differences. About that Zeppelin, Tubby; don'tyou see how they might be able to drop a few bombs on the enemy'strenches; or where the Belgians have fixed barbed-wire entanglements tostop the rush of the charging German troops? Just to think that here weare really watching a battle that isn't like one of the sham rights theyhave every summer at home. It's hard to believe, boys!"

They were all agreed as to this, and every little while one of themmight be detected actually rubbing his eyes, as though suspecting hewere asleep and all this were but a feverish dream. 

The cannonading grew more and more furious as the morning advanced. Hugebillows of smoke covered sections of the country, some of it not morethan a mile away from the village where Rob and his chums had stopped. 

"And just to think, " said Tubby, with a touch of sorrow in his voice. "While all this sounds like a Fourth of July celebration to us, safe aswe are, it spells lots of terrible wounds for the poor fellows who arein the fight. Why, with all those big shells bursting, and the shrapneltoo, that you spoke about, Rob, right now I reckon there are justhundreds of them wanting to be attended to. "

"That's true enough, Tubby, the more the pity, " replied Rob. 

"What's this coming up behind us?" called out Merritt, as loud cheers, together with the rattle of wheels and the pounding of many horses'hoofs, were heard on the road they had used on the previous night. 

"Oh! they're going to bombard the village; and now we'll get it!" gaspedTubby. 

"It looks like a battery coming from the direction of Antwerp, andhurrying to get in action!" Rob ventured to say, as he discovered thatthose who were seated on the horses and on the gun caissons wore theBelgian uniforms. 

"Just what it is, Rob, " added Merritt excitedly. "They hear the sound ofthe guns ahead, and are crazy to get there. Look at them whip thehorses, would you! And how the animals run! They smell the smoke ofburnt powder, and it's fairly set them all wild!"

It was indeed a stirring sight to see that battery come tearing alongstraight through the little village, and heading directly toward theplace where the flashing and roaring of battle seemed fiercest. 

The men were all keyed up to a pitch of excitement that made them forgetthey were about to face danger and death. They shouted as they sweptpast, and the poor villagers, filled with a momentary enthusiasm, sentback answering cries. 

Such enthusiasm is always contagious. Why, even peace-loving Tubbyseemed to be infected with some of it. His eyes glowed, and his breathcame in short puffs, as he watched the guns and caissons go whirlingalong until men, horses and all had vanished down the road in a cloudof dust. 

"Some of those brave fellows will never come back again, I'm afraid, "said Tubby sadly. 

"It begins to look as if the artillery arm was going to be everything inthis war, " Rob remarked, as though the sight of those bursting shellsimpressed him. 

"But what do you suppose all that bombardment means?" Merritt asked. 

"I can only give a guess, " the patrol leader replied. "From all I'veread I get the idea that before the Germans order a charge of theirinfantry they pour in a heavy bombardment from every big gun they canget in line. That makes it so hot in the trenches that the enemy has tokeep under cover. Then the infantry manages to get a good start beforethey are fired on. "

"Nothing new about that, I guess, " replied Merritt. "It was done in thebattle of Gettysburg, where Lee used more than a hundred cannon tobombard, before starting to carry Little Round-top and Cemetery Hill byassault. I was just reading about it a few weeks ago in a magazinearticle at home. But if those are their tactics, Rob, we ought to beseeing some movement of troops pretty soon. "

"Yes, " the patrol leader admitted, "the gun fire is slackening rightnow; and if we had glasses I expect we could see the infantry startingforward. Those up in the Zeppelin can watch every move that takesplace. "

"All the same I'd rather take my chances down here, " Tubby announced. 

"What's that moving away over there, Rob?" demanded Merritt. "Seems likea gray looking snake creeping out from the shelter of the woods. Ideclare if I don't believe it is a mass of men charging straight at theBelgian trenches!"

"The Germans all wear a sort of grayish green uniform, you know, " Tubbydeclared, "which is so like the dirt that lots of times you can't tellthe soldiers from the earth half a mile away. "

"Look sharp, fellows, " said Rob, "because that is where they're going toshoot their bolt. What we see is a battalion of infantry charging. Nowwatch how they begin to gather momentum. Yes, and when the gun firelets up we'll hear the voices of thousands of men singing as they rushforward, ready to die for the Fatherland. "

They stood there with trembling limbs, and continued to watch what wasdeveloping right before their eyes. It seemed as though that gray masswould never cease coming into view. The whole open space was coveredwith lines upon lines of soldiers all pushing in one direction, and thatwhere the intrenchments of the Belgians must lie. 

"Oh! look! look! they're opening on them with quick-fire guns, and allsorts of things!" Tubby exclaimed, in absolute horror. "Why, I can seelanes cut in the lines of the Germans; but they always close up, andkeep right on! Isn't it terrible?"

"It is sublime!" said Rob; and that tribute to the unflinching braveryof the German advance was about the limit of a boy's vocabulary. 

"But the plucky little Belgians won't yield an inch of ground, you see!"cried Merritt. "They keep pouring in that terrible fire, and mowing theGermans down, just like they were cutting wheat on a Minnesota farm. "

"How will it all end, I wonder?" said Rob, fascinated, more than hewould have believed possible, by the panorama that was being unfoldedbefore his eyes. 

"If the ammunition of the Belgian batteries and Maxims holds out, "ventured Merritt, "there won't be any German army left in this part ofthe country. Their best troops are said to be down in France now, fighting the Allies; but if these are only second or third classreserves, I wonder what the really top-notch ones can do in a battle. "

"They're weakening, let me tell you!" Rob startled the others by saying. "Watch and you'll see that they don't advance as fast as before. Perhapsthe general in charge has found that the trenches can't be taken by adirect charge. They're going to fall back, and let the artillery startin again! The first part of the terrible battle is over, for there theGermans begin to scatter, and run, to get out of range of the Maxims!"

"And the plucky Belgians have won again!" Merritt declared as thoughalmost tempted to join in the cries of satisfaction that were beginningto rise from those of the villagers who were clustered close by, intensely interested spectators of the thrilling spectacle just enacted. 

"And there's that old Zeppelin still swinging around up in the sky, "remarked Tubby. "For all the information they were able to signal down, the Germans couldn't take the Belgian trenches. When they got the wireentanglements they were blocked. "

"But unless I miss my guess, " exclaimed Merritt, "the Zeppelin will haveto get on the run pretty quick or it'll find there's a little warbrewing in the sky, because I can see a couple of aėroplanes rising fromback of the Belgian lines!"

CHAPTER XVII. 

THE BADGE OF COURAGE AND MERCY. 

"It seems like we were to be treated to about everything there is goingin the way of up-to-date fighting!" said Tubby, who was having somedifficulty in craning his fat neck, to look toward where the wonderfulairship was still making enormous circles above the battle lines. 

"Are you sure they are Belgian aėroplanes?" asked Merritt, who had beenattentively observing the ascending fliers. 

"They came up from behind the line of trenches, " replied Rob, "and thatmakes it look as if they couldn't be German machines. Besides, theinvaders all use a model that is called a Taube, which is different fromthese. "

"But why d'ye suppose they didn't climb up before now, and tackle thatmonster Zeppelin, so as to put it out of business, or chase it off?"inquired Tubby. 

"They had their reasons, I suppose, " he was told by the patrol leader. "No matter what they may have been, we're not interested. It's enoughfor us to watch what's going to happen from now on. "

"I'll be jiggered if the Zeppelin isn't going to have it out with them!"exclaimed Merritt. "Did you see that little puff of what looked likesmoke? They've got some sort of gun aboard, and mean to try and riddlethe aėroplanes with it!"

"Whew! talk to me about excitement, this has got everything I ever knewbeaten by a mile!" admitted Tubby. 

"You notice that both the monoplanes manage to keep pretty far away fromthe dirigible, " Rob told them. "And see how they bore up in circles allthe while, too, getting higher right along. "

"What's the idea of that?" asked Merritt. 

"For one thing it'll put them on equal terms with the Zeppelin so thatthey can send back shot for shot, " explained the other. "But unless Imiss my guess they mean to try a bigger scheme than that, if once theycan get above the airship. "

"You mean drop a bomb down on it, don't you, Rob?" Merritt asked. 

"Yes. You know these Zeppelins are made in many sections. They say onecould keep afloat even if a dozen of these were smashed. They're alongsimilar lines as the watertight compartments of steamships. Some autotires are made the same way too. But if a bomb was dropped on top of thegas bag, I reckon the explosion would play hob with the whole business. "

They stood there and watched the strange duel in the heavens. The thrillof that occasion would never be forgotten by any one of the threescouts. And all the while the guns over beyond the low-lying hills werebeating a terrible tattoo that was like the music of the orchestra whena play is being performed. That tragedy was there above them, the stagebeing the limitless expanse of the heavens. 

The Zeppelin maneuvered again and again in order to get in touch withthe wasp-like enemies that constantly darted out of reach. There wasmore or less firing going on, the boys could see, even though thedistance and the growl of the German artillery prevented them fromhearing any reports. 

"There, I believe they've done it!" shouted Merritt suddenly. 

"The Zeppelin is running away, that's sure!" echoed Tubby, "and one ofthe aėroplanes seems to be further up, too!"

"Something has happened, because the rear of the dirigible looks as ifit had collapsed, " Rob announced. "I wonder how they manage to steer, with the rudder useless. But they're coming down fast now, you notice!"

"And aiming so as to bring the monoplanes over the German lines, " addedMerritt. "If the little fellows know what's good for them, they'll keepa good distance off, because there are guns made that can shoot straightup for a mile, and send a shell or shrapnel to burst, and fetch anaviator every time. "

While they watched, the disabled Zeppelin dropped out of sight back ofthe woods, and it was easily possible for the boys to hear the wildshouts of derision that ascended from the trenches where the Belgianslay concealed. 

The two aėroplanes then started to have a little scout of their own, anddoubtless those daring air pilots picked up more or less informationthat would prove of value to the defenders of the trenches. 

"Is the battle over, do you think?" asked Tubby, when this excitingpanorama in the upper air currents had come to an end. 

"Some of the guns are still muttering, " Rob told him, "but they seem tobe further away. Perhaps the Germans are bombarding some fortified placeoff in the distance, or it may be an English army has shown up, and isgiving battle to the Kaiser. You know the poor Belgians are hoping forthat to happen right along. "

"But just think what is over there!" continued Tubby, with a shudder ashe pointed a chubby finger toward the scene of the late charge andrepulse. "Why, I can see hundreds of men lying around, just like thecorn when they go to cutting so it can be stacked. Ugh! it's awful tothink of all those poor Germans!"

"They're not all Germans, either, " corrected Merritt; "because I saw oneplace where the Belgians rushed out of their trenches, and fought handto hand. Lots of them must have been knocked over, too. They justcouldn't hold back, I guess, with the fighting spirit in them. "

"And this is what's going on all through Belgium, Northern France, andover along the border of Russia, " said Rob, powerfully impressed withthe tragic scene he had looked upon. 

"Here's another battery coming along the road, too late to get in thefight!" they heard Tubby saying. 

"That's where you're barking up the wrong tree, Tubby, " Merritt assuredhim, "because what's coming now is just the opposite of a battery. Onecuts down the ranks of the enemy, this one helps to bind up theirwounds, and carry them off the battlefield! In action the fighting menbecome like fiends; but I guess you could call these angels of mercy!"

"Why, sure enough, I can see the Red Cross on the wagon!" cried Tubby, evidently pleased by the discovery. "Then that must be an ambulance, and they're going on the battlefield to help the poor wounded fellows!Oh! how much I admire them right now. I wish I was worth a continentalas a surgeon, and I'd like to volunteer to help take care of some of thewounded. "

"There are three more ambulances, and they seem to have several nursesaboard each one, " Rob observed, as the procession advanced closer towhere they were located. 

"There's a man driving, and I reckon now that may be the surgeon, "Merritt was saying, as though deeply interested. "How about this, Rob? Ithought nurses only worked in the hospitals back of the lines; but theseseem heading right for the battlefield. "

"As a rule they let men bring in the wounded, " said Rob. "But sometimesa nurse is allowed to go about trying to help the poor fellows as bestshe can until such time as a stretcher can reach them. Most of them areparched with thirst, and what they ask for first of all is a drink ofwater. "

"I might do that much, anyway, " Tubby was heard to mutter to himself, "if only I thought I could stand the terrible sights. You know, seeingblood always used to make me feel faint-like. But then a scout ought toovercome that weakness. "

Possibly it may have been something in what Tubby said that gave Merritthis brilliant idea, for he immediately whirled upon the patrol leader, and exclaimed:

"Rob, why couldn't we ask them to take us along, and let us do what wecan to help? As scouts we know something about taking care of wounds, you remember. Why, didn't that officer compliment us on the way welooked after his men, and the German spy they'd captured? Rob, see if wecould do it, won't you? It might be a terrible experience for us; but Ifeel like I'd be better satisfied if I could lend a helping hand here. "

The first of the three army ambulances had by this time come close tothe boys. Attracted by their khaki uniforms, and possibly their brighteager faces, the man who was driving held up his team. A woman ofmiddle-age, garbed as a nurse, jumped to the ground, and approached theboys. They saw that undoubtedly she must be the one in charge of the RedCross detachment. 

At sight of the little American flag which Tubby wore on the lapel ofhis coat her eyes glistened. 

"That is a glorious sight to my eyes in this foreign land, " she toldthem, "for I, too, am American-born. My profession is that of a trainednurse. A wealthy patient I brought abroad died in Antwerp; and as thewar had broken out I determined to offer my services to the Government, so that I was immediately given a position of trust and responsibility. We are short-handed with men, you can see. I happen to know what BoyScouts over in America have to learn about taking care of woundedpersons. It is a terrible thing to ask, but this is a case of necessity. Would you be willing to help us out; and do you think you could standthe awful sights and sounds of the battlefield?"

Rob and Merritt exchanged glances; while their flushed faces told thenurse what their answer would be, even before they spoke a single word. 

"We were just wondering whether you would let us join you, " Rob saidquickly, "for we want to do something to help those poor fellows overthere. Yes, if you can make room for us aboard your ambulance we'llgladly go along. "

Poor Tubby had lost all his color. He was as white as a ghost; but withtightly shut teeth he pushed up, to allow the nurse to fasten a bit ofmuslin, stamped with a vivid red cross, upon his left arm, and then heclimbed into the ambulance. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

AFTER THE FIGHTING WAS OVER. 

The horses had been urged on at considerable speed, in order to arriveupon the scene of action, for the animals began to show evidences ofexhaustion long before they reached a position back of the Belgiantrenches. That may have been one of the reasons why they were haltedtemporarily, at the time the head nurse talked with the three BoyScouts. 

As they approached the battle line Rob and his friends became intenselyinterested. They saw the heads of the defenders of the trenches thrustup to observe their coming, and heard the hearty ringing cheers withwhich the Red Cross nurses were greeted. 

Men sprang out to assist them, so that apparently it would be no hardtask to find plenty of recruits to handle the stretchers upon which thewounded could be carried to the hastily constructed field hospital inthe rear, where the surgeons would soon be busily employed. 

Tubby was still looking very white, but he had made up his mind that hewould go through with this wonderful experience even if he fainted deadaway. All that was stubborn in his nature had come to the surface; andRob, after noticing this, made up his mind Tubby was going to take along step forward before another sun had set. 

Now they were on the other side of the trenches. There was considerablebustle. Nurses commenced to spread out over the field, on which some menlay groaning and others very still. 

The assistants with the stretchers, upon whose arms had been fastenedbadges bearing the sacred red cross, began to carry off such of thewounded as they found needed urgent attention. 

"Come on, boys, let's see where we can help out!" said Rob, trying toappear perfectly cool and collected, but at the same time knowing thathis knees were inclined to knock together, so that he could not blamepoor Tubby for feeling as he did. 

They started out. At first all of them stuck together, for the sightsthey soon saw filled them with a sense of horror, as well as compassion. 

Never were Boy Scouts placed in a position where they had more reason tobe thankful for what little knowledge of surgery they had attained. 

The American nurse may have felt considerable doubt as to whether shehad done a wise thing in affording these boys a chance to assist the RedCross upon the battlefield. Rob saw that she hovered near them, asthough keeping an eye on what they did. 

It was a dreadful experience for those boys, to be thus brought in closecontact with the dead and the dying; they could never forget what theysaw there that day. 

Even Tubby braced up when he found that he could be useful in helpingthe others. He had secured a bucket of water, and when he heard somepoor fellow cry out, or saw him make frantic gestures, it was hisbusiness to hurry over and supply his wants. No matter what uniform thewounded man wore, it did not make a bit of difference; since the RedCross recognizes neither friend nor foe, but treats all alike. 

It is possible to get accustomed to almost anything in this world. Notone of those boys would have imagined a short time before this that theycould find courage and nerve enough to walk in the midst of suchcarnage; and yet they were actually doing it now. 

As Rob and Merritt finished binding up the leg of a poor fellow whowould soon have bled to death but for their coming, the nurse who hadmeanwhile come up behind them commended their work. 

"It was excellently done, I want you to know, " she told them, "and I canplainly see that I need have no further fears concerning your ability tobe of much assistance here. Do all you can, my brave boys, but remembernot to go too far. You are not accustomed to such sights, and it mayaffect you in the end. "

She hurried away to take up her own labors, leaving the boys with aproud sense of having done their duty as genuine scouts should, tryingto be of use to others in sore need. 

For an hour, yes two of them, they continued to work there, while thestretcher bearers and the ambulances bore the victims of the lateconflict back in apparently an unending procession. Those poor fellowswho had no further need of attention were of course allowed to remainjust as they had fallen; and by degrees the wounded were weeded out, tobe taken care of back of the desperately defended lines, where the RedCross floated from the canvas field hospital. 

Tubby had about reached the end of his endurance. They could see that hewas certainly getting very wabbly on his feet, for often he stumbled ashe moved around with his bucket and dipper, seeking a stray woundedsoldier who might have been overlooked, so as to supply water to quenchhis raging thirst. 

The sun looked down from a cloudless September sky, and it was very hotfor the advanced season of the year. Far off in the distance thosenever-ceasing German guns still kept up their muttering as they sentshells into some fortified place. The battle in this particular fieldwas apparently not going to be renewed; for already some of the Belgianbatteries were being taken away, to face a new quarter where, accordingto their air scouts, the enemy meant to next try a forward movement. 

Terrible though the experience may have been to all the boys, none ofthem had any regrets. The grateful looks and words they had receivedrepaid them tenfold for all the nerve-racking ordeals through which theyhad gone. 

"I think it's queer, though, " Merritt was saying to Rob, as they walkedaround in search of any wretched victim whom they might assist, "thatnot a single German has been out on the battlefield to render first aid. I don't understand it at all. They've got as fine surgeons as any in theworld, and the Red Cross works with their armies the same as with allthe rest. "

"I was bothering my head about that, too, since you mention it, " Robannounced. 

"What did you make up your mind was the cause of it?" continued Merritt, who had considerable respect for the opinions and decisions of the EaglePatrol leader. 

"It means either one of two things, " he was told. "It may be thesettled policy of the Germans in their rush to push through Belgium andNorthern France to leave their wounded to be taken care of by the enemy, whenever the battle has gone against them; or else a quick change offront compels them to abandon the field. "

"Still, " argued Merritt, who secretly was much in favor of the Allies, "you'd think there would be some parties out with stretchers, looking uptheir wounded. I never will understand it. "

"Well, they must have a good reason for acting that way, " Rob told him. "You know the Germans are great sticklers for sacrificing everything tothe good of the cause of the Fatherland. If necessary even the woundedmust be temporarily neglected until the end aimed at is attained. Youremember what we heard in Antwerp about those three British cruisersthat were just torpedoed in the North Sea by German submarines?"

"I can see what you mean, Rob. One was struck, and began to sink. Theother two hurried up to render assistance, and while their engines werestill they were hit by torpedoes and went down. If, instead of tryingto help their distressed comrades in the English way, they had let themlook out for themselves, and first of all smashed the conning towers ofthe submarines, they would have saved themselves. I guess in war timesthe German style counts best, though it seems cruel to me. "

"I think we had better pull out of this before long, " remarked Rob. 

"Well, if you asked me I'd say I've had enough to last the rest of mylife, " Merritt told his chum. "If ever I had any idea I'd like to be asoldier I give you my word that's gone glimmering now. What I've lookedon this day has cured me. "

"I was thinking more of poor Tubby than either of us, " the patrol leaderremarked. "You can see he's pretty near the end of his rope. Twice nowI've seen him trip and fall flat, over some of the war material that'sscattered around so thick. And he could hardly get on his feet again, he's that played out. "

"But, Rob, Tubby has certainly shown up splendidly in this terribletrial!"

"He's done a heap more than we have, " Rob asserted, "because he alwayshas been a timid sort of chap with regard to seeing blood when any of usgot hurt. I remember how ghastly white Tubby grew that time one of thescouts in the Owl Patrol cut his foot with the ax. I thought for a whilewe'd have two patients on our hands. He had to sit down so as to getover it. "

"Yes, and see what he's stood to-day, " said Merritt. "Many a boy whoboasts of having lots of nerve would have shrunk from doing what he has. Tubby's all right, and that's a fact. But it's high noon, and I warrantyou he's feeling mighty hungry. "

"He would, under ordinary conditions, " said Rob, "but just now I don'tbelieve any of us could eat a mouthful. I know the very thought of itmakes me feel queer. "

"That's because we're not used to such sights and sounds, " Merrittexplained. "I expect to wake up many a night with a groan and a shiver, dreaming I'm on a battlefield again, after those awful Maxims have beendoing their murderous work. "

"Well, we might take one last turn around, " suggested Rob, "and if wefail to find any more wounded men, we'll call it a day's work, andquit. "

"For one thing, I'm glad I don't mean to follow this up as aprofession, " his comrade continued. "I think I've had enough experienceof fighting to last me a lifetime, and yet, on second thought, if itshould happen again that they needed what little help I could give, whyI'd have to pitch in. "

CHAPTER XIX. 

AN IMPORTANT CLUE. 

"There was one thing I meant to mention to you, Merritt, " said Rob, asthey once more started to zigzag across the field where so many windrowsof fallen Germans lay, just as they had dropped when making that daringcharge. 

It was perhaps a little strange how the boys could come to converse asthey did while surrounded by such gruesome sights; but after severalhours' familiarity with such scenes these begin to lose some of theirharrowing features. And while Rob and his chum were still shocked byfrequent sights, they did not feel the same weakness that had, in thebeginning, almost overpowered them. 

"Then, tell it now, " urged Merritt. 

"It was about Anthony, " continued the other. 

"Well, as we know only one Anthony just now, " pursued Merritt, "I reckonyou must be referring to our late guide, the same who gave us the sliplike a coward. What about Anthony, Rob?"

"I guessed right about him, " replied the patrol leader. "It was not fearthat tempted him to leave us in the lurch, but a craze to get in action. I think Anthony, while too old a man to be on the active list of theBelgian army, must have been a reservist. "

"Yes, he told me so, " said Tubby, coming up and catching what was beingsaid by his chums. 

"Well, " Rob continued, "apparently he knew where to go to get a suit, for there he was as big as life, and he even had the audacity to wavehis hand at me, and grin. "

"Where was this, Rob?" demanded Merritt, surprised, as well he might be. 

"Where but sitting on one of those ammunition caissons that wentwhirling past us into action. Anthony must have been with the artillerycorps. He felt the longing come over him when he thought of the enemiesof his country--those raiding Uhlans. So what did he do but take Frenchleave on his horse, and get to where this battery was waiting fororders to proceed to the front. "

"Oh! well, if you're dead sure it was Anthony, " Merritt observed, as ifmollified by the information, "of course we'll have to forgive him. Iwas only mad because I thought the fellow'd gone and gotten cold feet, after taking our advance pay, too. If he's that kind of a patriot, I'vegot no quarrel with Anthony. "

"And perhaps he even had a share in mowing down some of these Germanswho had invaded his country, " suggested Tubby. "Anthony seemed to bepretty bitter against the Kaiser and his people for trying to crossBelgium in order to strike France in the back, as he called it. Whee!I'm tired; but I didn't give up, did I, fellows? You never thought Tubbywould be able to come through with what he has, and I know it. "

"You deserve a medal, Tubby; and we were just saying what a changethere's been in you, " Rob told him, causing a wan smile to flit acrossthe wearied face of the fat scout. 

"Yes, " added Merritt readily, "to see the tender way you handled thatGerman, hardly more than a boy himself, and who may never live to seehis people again, anyone would have thought you had it in you to be asurgeon. Tubby, if I were you I'd pay more attention to such things. Ihonestly believe there's a streak of it in your blood. "

"Well, " Tubby remarked complacently, "we've had eminent doctors in ourfamily; and my folks always said they hoped I'd take a fancy that way;but when I found how weak I was every time I saw a little blood, I gaveup the idea. Now I've had my baptism on the battlefield, so mebbe I_will_ change my mind. Even a soft-hearted fellow might make a gooddoctor, if he couldn't be a surgeon. "

"Listen, there's someone calling to us!" exclaimed Merritt. 

"And in German, too, " added Rob. "Look all around, and see if you canfind him. He must have recovered his senses after we passed by before. "

"There's something moving under that pile of bodies, " remarked Tubbywith a shudder; "yes, and now you can see a hand waving to us. Oh!let's hurry and get the poor fellow out!"

The others were just as willing, and soon they had dragged a man outfrom the weight that had almost smothered him. 

"He's pretty badly hurt, I reckon, " remarked Rob, as he immediatelystooped down over the Bavarian soldier, "but not fatally, I think. We'lldo what we can for him here, and the next time men come along with astretcher, we'll send him over to the field hospital. "

The wounded German soldier had listened to them speaking. 

"Are you American boys, then?" he asked, in excellent English. 

"Well, now, he must have guessed that when you said you 'reckoned, 'Rob, " declared Merritt, "but how comes it you talk English, my friend?"

"Oh! I'm from Hoboken, " said the man, smiling in spite of the terriblepain he must have been enduring. 

Rob was already busily engaged stanching the bleeding from his wounds, which seemed to be numerous, though not apt to prove fatal, if they hadproper attention. 

"Do you mean Hoboken, New Jersey?" he asked, in surprise. 

"Sure. I have lived there for many years now, and have a large brewinginterest. Krauss is my name, Philip Krauss. I went across from Munich, in Bavaria, and was on a visit to my old home when the war came about. Although I have long been an American citizen I still love my nativeland, and they soon found a place for me in the ranks. But now if I everget over this I think I will have had enough of fighting, and expect toreturn to my wife and children in Hoboken. But what are you doing hereon this terrible field? It is not the place for boys. "

"We are Boy Scouts, " Tubby informed him proudly. "By accident we werewhere we could watch the battle being fought. Then along came the RedCross ambulances, and the nurses. They asked us to assist, and as scoutsall learn something about first aid, why we thought we'd help out. Iguess you're about our last case, Herr Krauss. "

Meanwhile Rob and Merritt busied themselves. The way they went abouttemporarily relieving his suffering, as well as stopping the loss ofblood, quite won the admiration of the Hoboken patriot, even as it haddone in the case of numerous other wounded men whom the boys attendedpreviously. 

It chanced that once again the boys became immersed in their ownaffairs, which were beginning to weigh heavily on their minds. 

"I was making inquiries of one of the men with the stretchers, " Rob toldhis comrades, "and he assured me that this little place by the name ofSempst is only a matter of six miles or so from where we are right now. "

"Then, " said Merritt, brightening up, "if only we stand a chance to getaround without being gobbled by the Germans, we might strike in thereto-morrow, and see if Steven Meredith is still at his post. The agentsent word to my grandfather that he had accepted a position there incharge of some manufacturing plant owned by a German firm in Brussels. Ithink myself there may have been some truth in that story about hisbeing in the pay of the German Government, both over in America andhere!"

The wounded man was listening eagerly to what they said. 

"Excuse me, " he now broke in. "But that is not a common name; and I oncemet a Steven Meredith, who pretended to be an American citizen, but whoI knew was an agent of the German Government. It may be the same man. Ientertained him, together with the German consul in New York City, at myhome in Hoboken. Do you happen to know any peculiarity about his looksor manner that would identify him?"

"The man we are trying to find was tall, " said Merritt quickly, "and hasa slight cast in his left eye. He talks with something of a twang, asthough he might be a Down-East Yankee. "

"It must be the same!" declared Philip Krauss, as though convinced. "That accent, I believe, was cleverly assumed for a purpose. Promise methat you will not think it your duty to betray him to the enemy, and Iwill tell you still more of him. "

Merritt and Rob exchanged significant looks. 

"We have no fight against either Germany or the Allies, " Merrittobserved, "for Americans are neutral, and there would be no need of ourbetraying him, even if we had the chance. So we can easily give you thatpromise. He has something in his possession that belongs to my family;and we have come a long way to get it; that is all we want of StevenMeredith. Now, what can you tell us about him?"

"Only this, " replied the wounded Hoboken brewer. "You have perhaps savedmy life, and I feel I am under heavy obligations for the favor. It isworth something to my wife and family that I should live to see Hobokenagain. The man you are looking for is in the suburbs of Brussels. Youspoke of Sempst. He was there two days ago when my troop passed through. That may ease your minds, my brave boys. "

"Would you mind telling us how you know this?" asked Rob. 

"I saw him, and talked with him, " came the convincing response. "Heremembered me, though he put his finger on his lips, and looked aroundhim as though he were suspicious. He is, as you said, in charge of amanufacturing plant, or appears to be, though he may have been sentthere to spy upon the people, and learn valuable facts for the service. But I am glad to be able to do even a little in return for yourkindness. "

As two soldiers wearing the Red Cross on their sleeves came along justthen with a stretcher, the boys beckoned to them, and had Philip Krausscarried off to the field hospital. They did not see him again afterthat. If, however, they should ever reach home again, they determinedsome day to look the Hoboken man up, and learn of his furtheradventures. 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE CAMP FIRES OF AN ARMY. 

"Here, it's getting well along into the afternoon, " remarked Tubby witha forlorn look on his face, "and I'm so knocked out that if you told meyou meant to make a start for the little Belgian town right away I'dfaint, sure I would. "

"Don't think of doing it, then, Tubby, " Rob told him, "because the restof your chums are feeling in pretty much the same box themselves. "

"We've had a terribly hard day of it, for a fact, " agreed Merritt, as helooked around upon the scene, and shuddered in spite of his well knownnerve. 

"Then please tell me what's the program?" pleaded the fat scout. "Thatmunch of black bread was good enough to keep a fellow from starving todeath; but I certainly do hope there's a better prospect ahead of us forsupper. "

"Rob, you've got a scheme!" asserted Merritt. 

"What makes you think so?" asked the other, smiling languidly; for hewas very nearly exhausted from the hard work he had done acting as anassistant field surgeon in the service of the Red Cross corps, doingtemporary work in binding up wounds, and giving stimulants to those whowere weak through loss of blood. 

"Oh! I can tell it from the way you act, " replied Merritt. "I haven'tbeen your closest chum all this time without getting to know whatdifferent things mean. Now give us a pointer; what about getting somesupper, and finding a place to sleep to-night?"

"Well, do you think you could stand for another night in the hay?"demanded Rob. 

"Just try me, that's all!" whimpered Tubby. "And, say, if you'rethinking of going back to that village again, I only hope they'll begood to us, and feed us like they did this morning. "

"That's what I had in mind, " the patrol leader told them. "So the soonerwe make a start that way the sooner we can rest up. "

It was weary work tramping all the way back to the little village wherethey had first met the ambulances of the Red Cross corps, and joinedhands with the workers. Rob would have liked to say good-by to theAmerican nurse who had taken so much interest in their welfare. He knew, though, that it would be too much for Tubby to approach that terriblefield hospital, where undoubtedly the nurses were still busily engagedhelping the surgeons in their labors. 

Whenever Tubby groaned and gave signs of dropping, they called atemporary halt and, in this way, made it as easy for the fat scout aspossible. 

Somehow the very thought of that sweet-scented hay appealed to Tubbyvery nearly as much as a good feed might; and that was saying a greatdeal. 

"I don't wonder at hoboes liking haystacks when they're wandering aroundthe country, if only they're as nice as that mow we struck, " he told theothers more than once. "Why, things couldn't be better. Now I understandwhat they mean when they say 'hitting the hay. ' It means a sweet sleep. But we're really getting there, ain't we, Rob?"

"We're right on top of the village now, Tubby, " Merritt told him. 

"Yes, " added Rob, "there you can see the elevation we stood on when wewatched the terrible battle. The village is here on our left. One moretug, and we'll arrive, so brace up, Tubby. "

"Oh! I'm getting along quite decent, thank you, Rob. But I'll be gladwhen we're sitting on that bench under the shade of the tree. "

As they entered the village they found that it was quite a differentplace from the time of their previous visit. Streams of wounded men hadbeen brought in, and every other cottage was turned into a temporaryhospital. 

Of course the injured Belgians were given the first choice, as wasperfectly natural; but Rob was pleased to see that after all thesehumble villagers had human traits in their make-up. Misery makes thewhole world akin, and although they had no reason to love any Germaninvader, the sight of stalwart young Teutons suffering agonies touchedmany a mother's heart; their own sons might any day be in need of thesame attention from strangers, and they could not refuse to aid thesewounded foes. 

So into many a Belgian home a sorely stricken German was carried, to becared for until the time came when he could be removed, either to hisown lines, or to Antwerp. 

The boys first of all sought that shady spot where the bench mentionedby Tubby offered an inviting seat. Here they sat down, and observed themany stirring sights that were taking place all around them. 

"I've seen two men taken to the barn, " remarked Merritt, half an hourlater, "and so I reckon we'll have neighbors in our hay-mow to-night. "

Tubby made a grimace, and then seemed to be ashamed of his selfishness. 

"Well, if we do have to play nurse, " he observed with the air of aphilosopher, "I suppose we can stand it. What are all our troubles, I'dlike to know, compared to those these poor people are suffering?"

"That's right, Tubby, " said Merritt, "and we'll manage to pick upplenty of sleep, I should think. "

"It'll have to be in the early part of the night, then, " Rob told them, "because we want to get out of this a couple of hours before daylight. "

"You mean to start then for Sempst, do you?" asked Tubby, with a sigh. 

"Yes, because it might turn out to be dangerous work walking in broaddaylight, until we've managed to get around the Germans, " Rob explained. "I've already picked up considerable information about the country, andthe lay of the land. Between now and the time we turn in I hope to learnstill more, so that I can take you on a road by starlight that will makea circuit around the German camps. "

Apparently both his mates had the utmost confidence in Rob's ability todo this, for there was no word of protest raised. Merritt asked a fewquestions, and then they fell back upon their old occupation of watchingthe movements of the villagers, mostly women, as they bustled to andfro. 

Pretty soon Rob sauntered over to the inn, and had a long talk with theold man who ran the public house. They could see him doing considerablepointing, and from this fact judged that Rob was keeping his word aboutpicking up all the information possible. 

When he came back it was getting near sundown; and of course the firstthing Tubby asked was:

"Did he say we could have it, Rob?"

As both of the other scouts were so well acquainted with Tubby's weakpoints they did not need a dictionary in order to understand what was onhis mind. 

"I'm glad to tell you, Tubby, " replied the other, "that the innkeepersays we deserve the best supper he can get ready. It seems that they'vebeen talking about us here. Some of the nurses must have told how weworked on the battlefield; or it may be the wounded soldiers mentionedthe fact that we did something to help them bear up till the stretchersarrived. No matter what happened, the innkeeper thinks a heap of us all, and we'll not go to our hay shake-downs hungry this night!"

"Hurray!" cried Tubby joyfully, "he's certainly a good fellow, Rob, Itell you; and I'm never going to forget him. The man who keeps my bodyand soul together has my eternal gratitude. "

Later on they were called in, and found that a substantial meal had beenprepared for them. Tubby was fairly ravenous, and his chums found itnecessary to warn him not to founder. 

"Remember, we've got to be up and doing by three in the morning at thelatest, " Rob observed, "and if you make yourself sick the whole planwill be knocked galley-west. We might have to leave you behind, afterall. "

That last threat brought Tubby to his senses. 

"Why, you see, " he explained, as he pushed himself away from the tableand its temptations, "I was trying to fix it so that in case we had togo without our breakfast to-morrow I'd be in shape to stand it. "

"Sometimes, " mused Merritt, "I think you're trying to fix it so that youcould do without eating for a week. "

When they made their way outside again it was to find that night hadfallen. In the western sky a young moon looked down pityingly on thefield which had so lately been marked by the desperate charge of theGerman hosts, only to fail in their effort to break through the Belgianintrenchments with their barbed wire defenses. 

"Look, over there are hundreds of little fires flickering!" exclaimedTubby. 

"Those are the camp fires of the Germans, " Rob told him. "I want to fixthem in my mind, because we will have to make a wide detour, so as toavoid running across any patrol on the outskirts of their camp. I hopeby the time daylight comes we can be far enough around to get offwithout being seen. The worst thing is this khaki uniform business. Ifonly we had on ordinary clothes we might be taken for Belgian boys. But, as it is, they'll think we're soldiers, or at the least Belgian scouts, and they treat them as if they were regular enlisted men. "

Shortly afterward they again sought the barn. The lantern once more hungon its accustomed hook, and by its friendly gleam Rob and his two chumswere enabled to find the place where on the preceding night they hadslept so well. The wounded men happened to be removed from them by somelittle distance. They could be heard occasionally groaning, or talkingin low tones; but, as the boys were too tired to remain awake long, theysoon lost all consciousness of what was passing around them. 

Perhaps the crowing of a rooster nearby may have told Rob that it was inthe neighborhood of three o'clock, for he aroused his chums close tothat time. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

THE HANGING BRIDGE. 

"Do we have to get out at this terribly early hour?" asked Tubby, as hedug his knuckles into his eyes, still heavy with sleep. 

"Yes, " said Rob. "I've taken a look at the stars, and it must behalf-past two, or near it. You know I've made it a practice to be ableto tell the hour of night in that way, and can hit it every time. Come, get a move on you, Tubby, unless you'd prefer staying here in the hayand waiting till we come back. "

"Well, you don't shake me that way if I know it, " muttered Tubby, hastening to crawl out of his snug nest. 

The night air was rather chilly, when once they found themselvesoutside. All of them were glad to button up their coats. 

Looking in the direction where the myriad of fires had been burningearlier in the night and seeming like innumerable giant fireflies whichthey were accustomed to seeing summer evenings at home, they found thatmost of them had died out. 

"I expected that would happen, " said Rob, when Merritt called hisattention to the altered conditions in the camp of the Germans, "andit's lucky I made my plans without depending on seeing those firesagain. I've got other landmarks to go by. "

"I expected you'd have, " said Merritt, filled with the utmost confidencein the leader of the Eagle Patrol, which faith was founded on a longlist of past performances worth remembering. 

As there was nothing to hinder them, they made an immediate start. Tubbywas observed to cast a last longing look back toward the humble villageinn. No doubt he was deploring the necessity that compelled them toleave such hospitable quarters without waiting for breakfast-time tocome along. 

It was not exactly dark, once their eyes became accustomed toconditions. The stars shone brilliantly in the clear heavens overhead, and in open country it is possible to steer one's way fairly well bystarlight. 

For some time the boys went on. Tubby, of course, often stumbled, for itwould not have been Tubby otherwise; but, as he had not so far actuallyspread himself face downward on the road, he thought he was doing verywell. 

Merritt could see how Rob had laid out their course, by the assistanceof the friendly innkeeper, who had been told of their desire to reachthe little place called Sempst. He had really drawn Rob a rude butcorrect chart of the roads covering the territory between, and informedhim as to what his best plan of campaign would be. 

A number of times they had slight scares. Once a dog ran out from a yardand commenced barking wildly at them, even threatening to nip Tubby inthe leg. It was only natural for the threatened one to shout angrily andkick desperately at the offending canine. By great good luck he managedto land the toe of his shoe against the vicious animal's nose, as aloud howl announced. 

"There, that serves you right, for bothering me, you silly thing!"grumbled Tubby. 

The others knew he must be very proud of that shot, and would oftenrefer to it when complaints were made afterward to the effect that hewas "slow. " Any one who could manage to get his foot in contact with asnapping dog must not be reckoned out of the running. 

Just what they would do should they finally reach the small town whereSteven Meredith was supposed to be in charge of a large Germanmanufacturing plant, they had not as yet determined. It was Rob's planto secure possession of that field-glass case by hook or crook, for, ifit proved impossible to obtain by fair means, then he meant to trystrategy. 

For this purpose he had even bought an empty case while in Antwerp whichhad been carried through all their adventures. It was a new one, for, inmaking up his plans, Rob may have had in mind the old Arabian story ofthe magical lamp, and how the cunning schemer managed to get possessionof it by going around and offering housewives to exchange new lamps forold ones. 

He meant to exchange with Steven, and give him a brand new case for hisworn one, should the opportunity arise for such a transfer. 

"And once we get our hands on that bit of paper, " he had told theothers, "we'll shake the dust of this country off our shoes in thebiggest hurry ever. "

It must have been fully an hour after they left the stable of thevillage inn when Rob imparted some information to his chums that causedTubby, at least, more or less apprehension. 

"It's about time we were coming to it now, " Rob started to say. 

"What, already?" remarked Tubby, evidently delighted, for, of course, hefoolishly thought it must be the little town they were heading for thatRob meant. 

The other quickly undeceived him. 

"Oh! we're a long, long way off from Sempst yet, Tubby, " he said. "I wasreferring to a bridge the inn-keeper told me about, that's all. "

"What's there about a bridge to worry us, I'd like to know?" mutteredthe fat scout suspiciously, feeling terribly depressed, because he hadbeen so like a drowning man grasping at a straw. 

"Unless it happens to be guarded by the Germans, " suggested Merrittsoftly, "and then we'd have a dickens of a time getting across. "

"The trouble about this particular bridge isn't so much that it's apt tobe guarded, " Rob went on to inform them, "but the inn-keeper was afraidwe'd find it gone!"

"Blown up, do you mean, Rob?" Tubby demanded. 

"It's been reported that way, " he was informed. "Fact is, there doesn'tseem to be much doubt about it. From all accounts, the Belgiansdestroyed it, as they have done many other costly bridges, so as toimpede the advance of the German heavy guns. It takes lots of time andtrouble to rebuild a bridge and make it strong enough to let a monstersiege gun rumble over. "

"But, Rob, shall we have to swim across, or is there a sort of fordhandy that we might use?" Merritt inquired. 

"I certainly hope we don't have to swim, anyway, " Tubby declared, "for, if there's one thing I hate to do, it's to get soaking wet. It's souncomfortable afterward, and especially when you can't change yourclothes. But, of course, if it's got to be done, we'll all have to justgrin and bear it. "

"It may not be necessary in this case, " added Rob, no doubt purposelydelaying his information, because he liked to hear Tubby drumming up hiscourage in this way. 

"Then mebbe you've gone and got some wings hidden away, which we can useto fly across?" suggested Tubby quickly, "or it might be an aėroplane iskept handy so's to ferry folks over dry-shod. "

"Neither of your guesses hits the mark, Tubby, " he was informed. "Theinn-keeper said one man told him that, while the bridge was wrecked, afew of the steel beams still hung in place, so that any one who wasfairly spry might manage to make his way over from one side to theother. A number had done it, including the man who told him. "

"If others can, we ought to be able to make it, " Merritt said stoutly. 

"Yes, I suppose that's so, " admitted Tubby ruefully, "but then youmustn't forget that they had daylight to help out. That makes a heap ofdifference. I never did have the eyes of a cat so's to see in the dark. "

"It's getting on toward the first peep of dawn, " Rob told him; "and Iexpect there'll be some light for us when we reach the bridge. "

"We can wait till she comes along, then, " Tubby continued, as thougheven that assurance gave him more or less satisfaction. 

From the formation of the country Rob judged they must soon arrive atthe place of the bridge. He had already made the discovery that therewas a stream on one side of them, which the road would have to crossbefore long. 

"I think I see where it lies, " Merritt announced a few minutes afterthey had stopped talking. 

"Yes, " admitted the leader, when he had followed the course of Merritt'soutstretched finger as well as was possible in the semi-darkness, "thatmust be the anchorage of the bridge. We'll soon know what we're goingto be up against. "

"Well, all I hope is we don't have to swim, that's what!" Tubbymuttered. 

Rob, as they continued to advance, kept a careful lookout. He wonderedwhether any sort of patrol could have been stationed at the ruinedbridge by one or the other of the hostile armies. It might makeconsiderable difference with them in their intended crossing; and wouldturn out very awkward if, when they were in the middle of the span, theydiscovered they were being made targets by some reckless marksmen on thefurther shore. 

Presently they drew up alongside the spot. As Rob had hinted the nightwas really at an end, and in the east the first peep of coming dawncould be seen in the brightening sky. 

"It's a wreck, all right!" said Merritt, as they stood there, strainingtheir eyes to try and follow the outlines of the torn steel girders thatseemed to have been twisted into all manner of queer shapes by the forceof the explosion. 

"Gingersnaps and popguns!" ejaculated Tubby helplessly, "and do youreally expect to crawl over that swinging thing? I've read about someawful hanging bridges in the mountains of South America and Africa, butI bet you they couldn't hold a candle alongside this mussed-up affair. Whee! you'd have to blindfold me, I'm afraid, boys, if you expected meto creep out there on that dizzy girder. "

"We'll wait a bit till the light gets stronger, " Rob counseled, knowingfull well that when it came to it Tubby would summon the necessaryresolution to cross over, especially if his comrades showed the way. 

A quarter of an hour elapsed. By that time they could see across fairlywell. 

"First of all, " Rob summed up, "there doesn't seem to be anybody overthere to bother us, that I can notice. "

"And the way across isn't so bad, that I can see, " announced Merritt, principally to help buoy up the sinking heart of poor Tubby. "Why, allof us have done stunts worse than that. You know we have, Tubby, many atime. "

"Well, " Tubby answered him weakly, "just as you say, boys. I'm in yourhands. I promise to do the best I can to get over; but, if I _should_slip, please get me out of the river as soon as you can. You know I'mnot a cracking good hand at swimming. "

Of course they promised, and cheered him up by every means possible; butit was with many doubts that in the end Tubby consented to start forthon the trip. 

Rob led the way, and after him came the fat chum, with Merritt bringingup the rear. There was a method in this arrangement, for, while thepilot could test each girder, so as to pronounce it secure, the rearguard was able to keep an eye on luckless Tubby, and even give him anoccasional word of advice. 

Now that the morning had arrived they could see better with each passingminute; and Rob soon declared there was no necessity for any furtherdelay. 

It was always a principle with him to grapple with a difficulty, andcarry out his plans, without letting anything like dismay seize hold ofhis heart. 

Accordingly Rob now made a start. 

"Why, this is dead easy, " was the way he sung out, after he had passedalong the swaying girder for a little distance. "All you have to makesure of is that your grip is sound. Then keep hunching along, foot byfoot. And don't look down any more than you can help, because it mightmake you dizzy. "

Tubby shut his teeth hard, and began to follow after the pilot. He madegood progress until he had about reached the middle of the rocking span. Then Rob was really alarmed to hear a sudden loud cry, and feel hisslender hold shaken violently. 

Something had certainly happened to unfortunate Tubby!

CHAPTER XXII. 

SCOUT TACTICS. 

Just as he feared, when Rob managed to turn around and look back, hefound that Tubby had gone and done it again. Whether he had missed hisfooting, or something had given way under his additional weight, was aquestion that could not be decided. 

Before Merritt, close in his rear, could thrust out a helping hand, poorTubby had fallen. The river was all of thirty feet below, and just therethe water looked unusually unpleasant, because it had considerable foamon the surface, there being a shallow rift above the wider stretch. 

By the merest accident in the world, Tubby's clutching hands hadsucceeded in fastening upon a loose steel stay that hung downward forten feet. It must have given the fat boy a considerable wrench when hegripped this, but he had clung with the tenacity of despair. 

When Rob turned around, the first thing he saw was Merritt kneelingthere on the violently agitated girder over which they were making theircrossing. He was staring downward, and, of course, Rob instantly focusedhis gaze in the same quarter. 

He had expected to see Tubby splashing about like a porpoise in thestream far down below; but, instead, was astonished to discover himclinging desperately to that loose piece of steel wreckage. 

Tubby had his face turned up toward his chums. There was not a particleof the rosy color to be seen that as a rule dyed his ample face; infact, he was as white as a ghost. A beseeching look was in his eyes. Tubby knew that swinging there he was in a serious predicament, fromwhich there would be only one escape if he were left to his own devices. That would mean he must release his frantic clutch on the swaying steelrope, and drop down into the river, a possibility he shuddered tocontemplate. 

"Hey! get me up out of this, fellows, can't you?" he whined, for, afterhis recent gymnastic efforts, he no longer had sufficient breath toshout. 

"Clasp your legs around the thing, can't you, Tubby?" said Rob, who sawthat the strain on the other's arms must be tremendous, judging from theway he was hanging there. 

The advice struck Tubby as well worth following; so he immediately beganto work his short legs violently until he found that he could, as Robsuggested, twist them around his slender support. 

When that had been accomplished it was much easier for him. He began tosuck in some encouragement once more. 

"But won't you try and get me up again, Rob?" he asked piteously. "Ican't hang on here for very long, like a regular old pendulum to aclock. I'm not wound up for a seven-day-goer. And say, I'd hate to haveto drop kerplunk into all that water down there. Think up some way tograb me out of this, won't you, Rob?"

"I'm trying to, Tubby. Keep still a bit, and let me think, " he was told. 

In one way, of course, it was a ridiculous sight, and that was why Robwinked his eye at Merritt when he thought he could detect a whimsicallook on the other's face. Still, it was anything but a laughing matterto poor Tubby, who felt that he had a tremendous amount at stake. Everytime he found himself compelled to let his horrified eyes turn downwardthat noisy stream seemed to be more and more formidable to him. Hefairly hated it. 

"Can't you climb up again, Tubby?" asked Merritt, who knew exactly whathe would have quickly done had he found himself placed in the samepredicament. 

"I'd like to, the worst kind, " the fat scout assured him, "but you knowI'm feeling very queer and weak, so I don't believe I could do much thatway, unless, " he added quickly, "I had some assistance from above. "

"And that's just what I'm going to try and give you, Tubby. "

While Rob was saying this he had unbuttoned his coat. This he proceededto take off, first making sure to transfer anything he had in thepockets, so that he might not suffer a loss. 

"Now, by leaning down here, I think I can reach you with this coat, " heproceeded to explain. "If I had a rope, it would be much easier, forwith a loop I could make a sure thing of it. But half a loaf is betterthan no bread, they say. "

"Of course it is, Rob, " agreed Tubby, who was in no position to quarrelwith any measures that were taken for his relief. "But what can I dowith the coat when it comes down to me? I don't feel that cold, youknow. "

"I'm going to keep hold of one end, Tubby, " Rob explained quietly, in away to convince the imperiled scout that everything was working asarranged, and that he need not worry. "With just one hand you get a goodgrip of the end that's near you; then start in to try and climb, usingyour clasped legs the best you know how. And don't get discouraged ifyou only come up an inch or so at a time. When you're within reachMerritt will hang down and lend a hand, too. "

All of which was undoubtedly very cheering to Tubby. This thing ofhaving stanch comrades in times of distress was, he had alwaysbelieved, one of the best parts of the scout brotherhood. 

[Illustration: He immediately took a firm grip--and commenced to wrigglethe best he knew how. --_Page 247. _]

He immediately took a firm grip of the dangling coat-sleeve, andcommenced to wriggle the best he knew how. 

"I'm making it, Rob; sure I am!" he presently announced. "That time Islid up as much as six inches. It was a bully hunch, that coat racket ofyours. Keep her going, Rob, and I'll get there yet. Never giveup--that's my motto, you know. I may get in lots of scrapes, but somehowI always do manage to crawl out, don't I?"

"Save your breath, Tubby, for your work; don't chatter so much, " Robtold him. 

Merritt was ready to do his part. He had clasped a leg about the girderto help hold him, and was leaning as far down as possible. Presently thegrunting fat chum reached a place where he could be taken hold of, andso Merritt fastened a hand in his coat back of his neck. 

"Here you come, Tubby, " he said encouragingly. 

"Don't let go with your hands or knees yet!" warned Rob; for, shouldTubby be so foolish as to do this, the chances were that such a suddenweight might drag Merritt down, and both would take the plunge. 

It required considerable effort to finally land Tubby on the horizontalgirder, but in the end this was accomplished. Then all of them sat thereto rest after their recent violent exertions. 

"I don't see how I came to do it, " Tubby finally remarked, as though hedeemed it necessary that some sort of explanation were forthcoming. "Iwas moving along as nice as you please, when all of a sudden I feltmyself going. I must have grabbed at the air, and happened to get a gripon that hanging steel rope. Well, it might have been a whole lot worsefor me! I'm glad I didn't get soused in the river. And I'll never forgethow nobly my chums came to the rescue. "

"Oh! stow that sort of talk, Tubby, " Merritt told him. "That's whatwe're here for. What's a scout wearing his khaki uniform for if it isn'tto remind him what he owes to his chums? You'd do the same for us anyold time. "

"Just try me, that's all, " declared the grateful Tubby; and then, changing his tune, he went on to say: "Here we are, out in the middleof the span, and it's just as hard to go back as it is to move forward. So when you're ready, Rob, start off again. I'll try not to slip anymore. The next time you might see my finish. "

"I'm sure it would see mine, " remarked Merritt, rubbing the arm he hadused in order to tug at Tubby's great weight. 

Luckily nothing more happened, and they were able to reach the oppositeshore in safety. Tubby sank down and panted, as soon as he crawled offthe end of that fragment of the steel bridge. 

"Thank goodness that job is over with!" he exclaimed fervently, "and allI hope is that we don't have to come back this way. "

"Oh! you're getting to be an expert tight-rope walker by now, Tubby, "Merritt said encouragingly. "A little more practice, and you could applyfor a job with Barnum & Bailey's circus. "

"Thank you, Merritt, but I have loftier aims than that calling, " saidTubby disdainfully. 

"Well, let's be getting on, " suggested Rob. "We've spent enough timehere already. "

"Thank goodness I don't have to tramp along soaked to the skin, " Tubbywas heard to tell himself, with gratitude. 

The road skirted the river bank on the side they were now on for somelittle distance at least. Rob continued to keep a watchful eye around asthey progressed. He knew there was always a chance that they might meetsome detachment of troops hurrying along; though the fact of the bridgebeing down must be known to the Germans, and would deter them fromtrying to make use of this road until a temporary structure could bethrown across the river by their engineers. 

Most of the inhabitants had fled from that part of the country. Some mayhave drifted into Brussels before the capital fell into the hands of theinvaders, when August was two-thirds gone; and they had remained thereever since. Others had fled in the direction of Ghent and Antwerp, inthe hope that these cities might hold out against the German army. 

Several times they saw old men at work in the fields, trying to save apart of their farm crops, though without horses they could do little. Every beast of burden had been drafted for one or the other army; whatthe Belgians missed the Germans had certainly commandeered to take theplace of horses lost in the numerous fierce engagements thus far fought. 

On consulting his little chart Rob soon found that it would be necessaryfor them to abandon this good road, and take to a smaller one thatbranched off from it, winding in through the trees, and past farms thathad been thrifty before this blight fell on the land. 

"Here's a wood ahead of us that looks as if it covered considerableterritory, and you don't often see such a bunch of timber in Belgium, "Merritt announced presently. 

"Because, with seven million inhabitants to such a small area, " addedRob, "it's always been necessary that they employ what is calledintensive farming. That is, they get as much out of the soil aspossible, even to several crops off of the same patch of ground duringthe year. "

"Belgium is a busy manufacturing country, too, or has been up to now, "Merritt continued, which information he may have remembered from histraining at school, or else found in some guide-book purchased in NewYork City before their steamer sailed for England. 

"I wonder what we'll strike on the other side of this wood?" Tubbyquestioned, always speculating on things to come; and possibly hopingthen and there they might run across a hospitable farmer who wouldkindly offer to provide them with some sort of breakfast. 

"That's yet to be seen, " Merritt told him. "Here's where there seems tobe a sort of swampy patch, with water and bogs. Listen to the frogscroaking, will you? And I can see more than a few whoppers, too. Chancesare this is a frog farm that supplies the big hotels in Brussels andAntwerp. You know the French are keen on frogs' legs, and pay fancyprices for them by the pound. "

"I've eaten them more than once, " Rob informed them, "and I never hadspring chicken that was more toothsome and tender. "

Whereupon Tubby cast a wistful eye toward the border of the frogpond, where the big greenbacks could be seen, sitting partly in the water, andcalling to one another socially. 

The boys kept walking on, and finally came to where the trees began toget more scanty. About this time Rob made a discovery that was not atall pleasing. 

"Hold up, fellows, " he said in a hoarse whisper that thrilled Tubby inparticular, "our road is blocked. There's a whole German army corpscamped ahead of us; and it's either go back, or else hide here in thewoods till they take a notion to break camp and clear out. Let's dropdown in the brush and talk it over. "

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE FROG HUNTERS. 

"That settles me, I guess!" said Tubby sadly, as he followed Rob intothe shelter of the brush nearby, from which haven of refuge they mightwatch to see what chances there were of the big camp, a mile and moreaway, being broken up. 

"I know what you're thinking about, Tubby, " Merritt told him; "that noneof us has had any breakfast, and the outlook for dinner is about astough as it could be. "

"Yes, " admitted the fat scout, "I feel just like kicking myself, becauseI didn't think of doing it when I had the chance. "

"Doing what?" asked Merritt. 

"Getting that good-natured old fellow at the inn to put us up somelunch, " was the explanation Tubby offered. "I guess he'd have done it, too, because he thought we deserved being taken care of, after hearingwhat the wounded Belgian soldiers had to tell about us. Oh! it's ashame how all my great thoughts come afterward. What's the use oflocking the stable door when the horse has been stolen?"

"Well, cheer up, " said Rob, who, of course, had overheard what was beingsaid; "it may not be a case of starving. "

"See here, you don't happen to have a lot of stuff hidden away on yourperson, do you, Rob?" gasped Tubby hopefully; and, as the other shookhis head, he continued in a mournful tone, "I thought that would be toogood to be true. But please tell us what you mean by saying it mightn'tbe so very serious. Mebbe you know of a henroost nearby, where we mightfind a tough old Dominick fowl that had been overlooked by the raidersquads from the camp?"

"If I did I'd tell you, Tubby; but wait a bit, while we watch the camp. If nothing happens inside of two hours, I've got a sort of scheme topropose to you both, and I hope it'll meet with your approbation. "

"Two hours! Two long, weary hours! Gee!" And, as Tubby said this, heproceeded to take in some of the slack of his waistband, possiblymeaning to show Rob how terribly he had fallen away of late. 

They could see that myriads of men were moving about on the levelstretch of country where the invaders were encamped. Fires were going, and doubtless those excellent camp ovens, of which so much had beenwritten, were being used to bake fresh bread for the day. Those Germansomitted nothing that would provide for the comfort of the enlisted men. 

"It looks as though they meant to stay there all day, " remarked Rob, when they had been observing these things for at least a full hour. 

"Oh! Rob!" protested Tubby helplessly, as though the information gavehim a severe pain. 

"Well, they believe in drilling right up to the minute they go intobattle, " was what Merritt remarked; "for there you can see a wholeregiment of them marching in review past the commander, with othersfollowing behind. "

"It's a wonderful sight, " admitted Rob. "I never saw soldiers keep step, and seem to be such parts of a machine like that. You'd think they weremoved by some network of wires, like a big automatic engine. "

"Oh! look what funny steps that first line is practicing!" cried Tubby. "Why, they must be only boys, and just playing soldiers. See how theylift their feet, and go along like a high-stepper of a horse. Ain't thatthe limit, now?"

"I tell you what that must be, " said Rob, quickly. "I've read about whatthey call the 'goose-step. ' It's a flinging up of each leg, as the stepis taken, bending the knee, instead of keeping it stiff, like mostsoldiers on parade do. "

"The silly nonsense!" laughed Tubby. "What would I look like trying thatfancy step? I thought the Kaiser had more sense than that. "

"Hold on. Don't condemn a thing before you know what it's meant for, "said Rob. "There's an object, and a mighty good one, about that step, even if it does make most people smile when they see it for the firsttime. "

"Then let's hear what it is, please, Rob. "

"As far as I know about it, the object is to strengthen the muscles ofthe leg, and give those that are tired from a set position a rest. Don'tyou see how that sort of a movement relieves the leg? Try it a fewtimes, and you'll believe me. "

"Have you ever seen the goose-step before, Rob?" asked Merritt. 

"Only once, in a moving-picture play of the German maneuvers, " he wastold. "It struck me then as ridiculous; but I knew those German militarymen had long heads, and would not start a thing like that in a paradewithout something big back of it. So, when I got home I tried it a fewtimes, and then I saw what a splendid relief that throwing forward ofthe foot was. There goes another line doing it. "

They continued to crouch--there was small possibility of any onediscovering them--and watched all that was going on in the busy campbeyond. 

Not once did any of the soldiers wander away. It was plainly evidentthat they were being given no liberties. Rob only hoped that the orderwould come for this corps to get on the move, and head to the southwest;for he did not doubt but they were meaning to go to Ghent, or to someother place toward the coast. 

Several times Tubby was observed to crane his neck and look up towardthe heavens anxiously. The others did not need to be told what thosesigns indicated. They knew very well that the fat chum had not becomesuddenly interested in astronomy, or expected an eclipse of the sun tohappen. He was merely noting how far along his morning journey the skyking had traveled, because he could not forget how Rob had set a timelimit on their remaining there. 

Two hours he had mentioned as the sum total of their stay; when thatboundary had been reached Rob was going to make some sort of pleasingproposition. Tubby hoped it would have to do with the procuring of acertain nourishment, of which all of them certainly stood in great need. 

At last Rob gave signs of making a move. 

"Now, if you fellows will come back along the road a little ways withme, " he announced with a smile, "I've got something to propose. I onlyhope you fall in with my views, for then there's a chance that we'llhave something to eat. "

"Oh! you can count on me agreeing with you, Rob!" said Tubbycheerfully. "No matter whether it's fur, fin, or feather, I think Icould do justice to nearly anything that grows. "

"As it happens, it's something that doesn't fly or walk that I have inmy mind, " Rob declared rather mysteriously. "The fact is, it hops!"

"Now you have got me worse balled up than ever, " protested Tubby, hisbrow wrinkled with his endeavor to guess the answer. 

"I think I know, " volunteered Merritt, grinning amicably. 

"What does he mean, then? Please hurry and tell me, " pleaded Tubby. 

"Frogs, isn't it, Rob?" demanded the other. 

"Oh! gingersnaps and popguns! Do I have to come down to choosing betweeneating jumpers and starving to death?" complained the fat boy, lookingdistressed. 

"Well, wait till you get your first taste, that's all, " Rob told him. "If you don't say it beats anything you ever took between your teeth, I'm mistaken, and that's all there is about it. Why, they're reckonedone of the fanciest dishes in all the high-class clubs in America, alongwith diamond-back terrapin, canvas-back duck, and such things. The onlything I'm afraid about is that after you get your first taste you'llwant to hog the whole supply. "

"But how shall we catch the frogs, and then cook them?" asked Merritt. 

"The first ought to be easy, " replied Rob, "seeing how plentiful theyare, and how big and tame. I see a dandy piece of wood that would make agood bow with a piece of stout cord I've got in my pocket. Merritt, getsome of those straight little canes, growing on the edge of the water. We can make them do for arrows, and, even without feathers, I think Ican hit a big frog with one at ten paces away. It'll be fun as well as aprofitable business. Frog-hunters, get busy now. "

"Here's a long pole, Rob. Shall I take it and steal up close enough towhack a few of the jumpers on the head?" asked Tubby, now entering intothe spirit of the game. 

Being given permission, and warned not to make too big a noise, lest hefrighten all the frogs into jumping, he set about his task. Afterseveral failures he finally brought one monstrous greenback frog towhere the others were still working. 

"I'll show you how to cut off the saddle, and skin the hind legs, " saidRob. 

Tubby did not altogether like this job. The slimy feeling of the frograther went against his stomach. Still, after the large hind legs hadbeen duly skinned, they presented so much the appearance of the whitemeat of a spring chicken that Tubby felt encouraged enough to set forthagain. 

He had four victims by the time Rob and Merritt pronounced the bow andarrow part of the business in readiness for work. 

They kept at it steadily for an hour and more. Rob found considerableexcitement and profit in his archery. His arrows could not be whollydepended on, for they were not properly balanced; but the distance wasso short that he made numerous fatal shots. 

Merritt, too, had secured another long pole, and joined Tubby in hisshare of the frog hunt. It was exciting enough, and with more or lessdelicious little thrills connected with it. No doubt the frogs musthave enjoyed it immensely; but then, no one bothered asking what theythought of such tactics. A boy's hunger _must_ be allayed, and, if therewere only frogs handy, why so much the worse for the "hoppers. "

"Whew! Don't you think we've got enough, Rob?" asked Tubby, unable tostand it any longer. 

"What's the score?" asked the archer, as he tossed still another greatbig victim toward the spot where the fat scout had been counting thepile. 

"Twenty-one, all told, " replied Tubby. "That would mean seven for each. But how in the world can we cook them? I hope now you don't mean totackle them raw? I love raw oysters, but I'd draw the line at frogs. I'mno cannibal. "

"Well, let's find a place deeper in the woods, where we can make a fireout of selected dry wood that will make so little smoke it can't benoticed. That's an old Indian trick, you know. Hunters used to practiceit away back in the time of Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. When theywere in a hostile country they had to be mighty careful about making asmoke. I've tried it before, and believe I can pick out the right kindof fuel to use. "

While the others were finishing the not very pleasant work of skinningthe numerous frog saddles, Rob busied himself with making the fire in asecluded neck of the woods. In the midst of jutting stones he soon had ablaze going. It could not be seen twenty feet away, on account of theobstructions; and, as the proper kind of wood had been selected, therewas no smoke to mention. 

The boys would have given something for their well-remembered fryingpan, just at that time, and some pieces of salt pork with which tosweeten the dainty morsels which were to constitute their luncheon. Theywere true scouts, however, and could make the best of a bad bargain. 

"All hunters do not have skillets when they're in the woods, " said Rob, as he took a long splinter he had prepared, thrust it into one of thesaddles, and then, poking the other end into the ground close to thefire, allowed the meat to get the benefit of the heat. "We must do whatwe can in this old-fashioned way. The best sauce, after all, is hunger;and, from the look on Tubby's face, I reckon he's fairly wild to set histeeth in the first of the feast. "

Pretty soon it was a lively scene, with all those forks having to beattended to. A tempting odor also began to rise up that made Tubby'smouth fairly water. He heaved many a sigh, as he waited for Rob to tellhim that the first of his allotment was sufficiently browned to bedevoured. 

"Now, let's begin, " said Rob finally. "Only look out not to burn yourlips. And, Tubby, take my word for it, you're going to get the treat ofyour life!"

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE ARMORED CAR. 

"Honest, Rob, I never knew what I was missing when I said toasted frogs'legs would do for Frenchmen, but none for Merritt Crawford, " and, whilemaking this abject confession, the speaker allowed a look of sublimecontent to possess his features, such as would remove any lingeringdoubt concerning his sincerity. 

"How about you, Tubby?" asked the master of ceremonies. 

Tubby had been savagely tearing at his first helping. His eyes wereglued on the various sticks under his charge, at the ends of which therear portions of as many frogs were dangling, and turning a deliciousbrown under the influence of the heat. 

Then Tubby was seen to heave a sigh. 

"To think that there are only _six_ more apiece!" he said in a mostsolemn tone. But the others laughed softly, because they knew any loudmerriment, under such peculiar conditions, was hardly safe. 

"That settles one thing, " remarked Rob. "There's going to be a markedreduction in the profits of this particular frog-raiser this season, ifTubby has to stay here long. "

Tubby was already commencing on his second batch. He could not wastetime in talking when his appetite had been excited to a feverish pitchby the first bite of tender and succulent meat. 

"Only thing I kick about, " he presently mumbled, throwing away theslender bones which he had picked clean, "is that they go so quick. Why, you hardly get started before you're at the end. "

"That's the way with nearly all good things, " Merritt informed him. "Just as soon as they become so numerous that you can have all you want, somehow it seems as if the craving leaves you. "

"Yes, I guess that's about it, " admitted Tubby, talking only because thenext batch of provender was not quite ready for disposal. "Anyhow, I'veseen my mother just dote on a horrible little cucumber that dad broughthome in January, paying about twenty cents for the same, and, when wehave bushels of splendid ones in our own garden, why, nobody cares toeat them. "

The little feast continued until everybody had cleaned up their mess. Tubby was disconsolate because the supply was so limited and the demandso great. 

"How foolish we were not to double our catch, " he said several times, "for there wouldn't have been any trouble about doing the same. Onething I've settled in my mind, I want to tell you. "

"Well, go on, then, and explain, " urged Merritt. 

"I'll have one next summer, see if I don't, " asserted Tubby. 

"What--a feast of frogs' legs?" chuckled the other scout. 

"Me? Only one show at the same? Well, when I like a thing, I rave overit. I want it every day. I mean to have a frog hatchery, and a pondwhere I can raise 'em by the million!"

"Listen to him, will you, Rob?" exclaimed Merritt, pretending to behorrified. "If ever there was a case where eyes were bigger than astomach, it's right here. Millions of them, Tubby wants now; seven isonly a flea-bite to him. "

"Oh! shucks! don't make me out a hog!" remonstrated Tubby. "I didn'tmean I expected to devour the whole lot. Why, can't you see there's goodmoney in raising frogs? I'm going to get the figures, and find out justwhat the ratio of increase might reach. And my folks have got a dandymarsh on the old farm back near Huntington that we own. Rob, I thank youfor opening my eyes to this grand opportunity. I expect it will be theturning point of my life yet. "

They were used to hearing Tubby talk like this. He often became inspiredwith ambition, but, as time went on, the spirit died out, and somethingnew took its place. 

"You're letting the little fire die out, I notice, Rob, " Merrittobserved. 

"Why, yes; we have no further use for it, " he was told, "and there'salways a small chance that some soldier would be sent this way on anerrand, when he might get a whiff of the smoke, and take a notion toinvestigate. For one I'm not hankering to be sent a prisoner of war tosome detention camp on the Rhine. "

"And I'd feel pretty bad if my mission over here turned out a fizzle, "said Merritt, "because my heart is set on getting that paper forGrandfather Crawford. "

"I'm going to propose, " Tubby projected, as though he could not tear histhoughts away from the one fascinating subject as long as the taste ofhis remarkable feast was still on his lips, "that we put in a couple ofhours' more work getting a supply of these bouncing big frogs. If theGermans stay right there the rest of the day we want to lay in someprovisions; and our choice is limited, you know, to this one thing. "

"Of course we could do that, " Rob informed him, "in case it wasabsolutely necessary; but I've got a hunch that there's going to be amovement of that army before sundown. If that happens, we can get awayfrom here, and find some one to cook us a meal. "

"Then you must have noticed signs that told they were beginning to getready to go?" suggested Merritt. 

"Which was just what I did, " replied Rob. "I can hear certain soundsthat tell me they have received the order they were expecting, and arebreaking camp. "

As all of them were anxious to learn whether this glorious possibilitycould be really true or not, they once more made their way back to thespot where their former vigil had taken place. 

"Why, the whole army is in motion, seems like!" ejaculated Tubby. 

"And a wonderful sight it is, at that, " added Merritt. "They can saywhat they please about these German soldiers--and the Belgians feelthey've got a right to call them all sorts of hard names, as barbariansand the like; but there never was such remarkable discipline in thehistory of the world. The huge army is like one vast machine. Men countonly as necessary cogs. When one goes another takes its place, and theengine grinds on. "

They crouched there and watched every operation from a safe distance. Itseemed as though there was a never-ending procession of gray-coatedfigures, most of them with the spiked helmets on their heads, marchingaway in columns toward the southwest. Then came batteries ofquick-firing guns, and heavier field pieces. The clattering ofaccouterments, the neighing of horses, and the hoarse singing of variousregiments--all these things came floating on the breeze to the ears ofthe three lads, as they lay there in the afternoon sunshine and watched. 

"They seem particularly fond of certain tunes, " remarked Tubby, "and Iknow one is the German national air, 'The Watch on the Rhine, ' becausewe've sung it many a time in the school at Hampton. What's that otherthey roar out, Rob?"

"I think it's a popular patriotic German air, called _Deutschland ueberAlles_, which means, of course, 'Germany Over All', " Rob obliginglyreplied. 

"Oh! well, every country's sons believe they ought to have the firstplace in the sun; and I reckon we Americans have done a heap ofboasting that way, " Merritt remarked, which seemed to be about whatTubby thought, too. 

So they lay there until the camp was entirely deserted. Never wouldthose three scouts forget the spectacle to which they had been treatedthat day. 

It was now along toward the middle of the afternoon. Far off in thedistance somewhere, an action was certainly going on, for the grumble ofheavy cannonading came almost constantly to their ears. 

"Chances are, " said Rob, as they prepared to vacate their refuge andonce more push onward, "there's a fierce battle in progress, and thiscorps has received orders to get on the firing line. That would accountfor the way the troops were singing. Their business is to fight, andmost of them are only happy when they can smell burnt powder, hear thecrash of bursting shrapnel, and the heavy boom of big shells. "

"We've seen one battle, " observed Tubby with a shudder, "and for myselfI'm not hankering after a second experience. "

"I suppose in time we'd get used to such terrible things, " Rob pursuedin a reflective way, "for even the fellow who nearly swoons away in hisfirst fight, they say, becomes a regular fire-eater after a while; but, so far as I'm concerned, I'll be a happy boy when I see good oldpeaceful Long Island again, with its sandy beaches, and the familiarthings we love. "

"We all will, Rob, " remarked Tubby fervently, a yearning expressioncoming over his rosy face, as in imagination he again saw the homefolks, and sat down to a table that fairly groaned with the good thingshe doted on. 

"Yes, after I've carried out my mission I'll be just as glad to startback as either of you fellows, " Merritt assured them. 

The last of the Germans had disappeared from view when the boys startedout. Rob was looking a bit serious, and the other noticed that he keptturning his eyes off toward the right, for it was in that direction thegreat host had gone. 

"You don't expect they will turn back and give us trouble, do you, Rob?"asked Merritt, noticing this frequent look. 

"No; it isn't that, " he was told, "but I'm wondering what a certainmovement that I happened to notice could mean. "

"Tell us about it, won't you, Rob?" Tubby implored. "It can't be that wehave to take the same road that army marched away along, because we'reheading in just the other quarter. "

Before Rob could commence with his explanation they heard the sound ofwhat appeared to be an automobile behind them. At the time they chancedto be at the foot of a slight elevation, which rose for perhaps twentyfeet in a gradual ascent. 

"Gingersnaps and popguns! Look what's bearing down on us, will you?"gasped Tubby. 

"It's an armored automobile, as sure as anything!" added Merritt, "justlike that car we saw in Antwerp, you know. Yes, I can see the muzzle ofthe deadly Maxim gun that's back of that metal shield. Rob, it's headingstraight at us. What if they take us for Germans, and open fire?"

"Oh! for goodness' sake, let's wave a white flag to keep them frommowing us down like wheat!" exclaimed Tubby, commencing to fumble inhis pocket. 

"Hold up your hands to show that we have no arms!" ordered Rob, abruptly. "They are Belgians, and perhaps the same daring fellows we sawcome into Antwerp with all sorts of spoils to show they had made a raid, and shot down their regular allotment of the enemy. Yes, wave the whitebag, if you want, Tubby; we don't mean to take any chances. "

"It's a hard thing to be shot down, and then have some one say they'resorry, and that they didn't know the gun was loaded, " remarked Merritt. 

The armored car slowed down as it approached. Those vigilant Belgiansaboard were doubtless observing the three figures in khaki closely. Already they must have discovered that they were Boy Scouts. Possiblythey more than half expected to find they were Belgian scouts, for suchboys were being used as dispatch bearers all over the war zone. 

"We are friends!" called out Rob, "American boys, who belong to thescouts over in our country, you understand? We have nothing to dowith the war. Do any of you speak English? I can talk in French alittle, if it's necessary. "

[Illustration: "If you keep on the road . .. You will fall into anambush. "--_Page 277. _]

The three Belgian soldiers laughed at that. Plainly they had been at aloss to place these three lads. 

"I happen to be able to talk English very good, " one of them called out, as the car stopped, "and we are glad to meet you. Americans are goodfriends of ours. "

"Listen, " said Rob impressively, "if you keep on the road you expect totake, so as to follow the German army corps, you will fall into anambush inside of three minutes. "

CHAPTER XXV. 

TURNING THE TABLES. 

When Rob made this astonishing statement his two chums suddenly realizedthat this must be the matter he had been on the point of explaining tothem when the armored car from Antwerp came tearing along the road intheir rear like a modern war chariot. 

The leader of the three Belgian soldiers, and who seemed to be acaptain, looked incredulous. He repeated what Rob had said to hisbackers, in Flemish; and they, too, observed the scout with wonderingeyes. 

"This is a strange thing you are telling me, boy, " remarked the captain. "How is it you know there is an ambuscade laid to catch us napping?"

"I will gladly explain, " the Eagle Patrol leader hastened to say. "Yousee, we want to get to Sempst, and, as we helped the Red Cross on thebattlefield yesterday, we were detained. Then we found that there was aGerman army camped right in our way. It moved off toward the front onlyan hour ago, and we have been hiding most of the day. But, while we werewatching the troops depart, I was surprised to see a single gun takeninto a patch of scrub on a little elevation that commands the road. Itis pointed this way, and you can never notice it there unless you havebeen posted. Now I can guess what they are hiding for; they expect thatyou may be along, and mean to rid the German army of your stinging themso often!"

Tubby's mouth was wide open. He stared at Rob as though he hardly knewwhether he were awake or asleep. Even Merritt seemed thrilled by what hehad heard. 

As for the Belgian captain, it was an incredulous look that gripped hisfeatures. 

"I do not know what to believe, boy, " he said, looking earnestly at Rob. 

"The best way is to prove it, " that worthy told him immediately. 

"It would at least be convincing, " the pilot of the armored cardeclared. 

"Suppose, then, " continued the scout, "you leave your car here at thefoot of this little rise. They couldn't see us with that hump between. Go up the hill, and look along the road. You needn't let them see you, of course; but I notice that you've got a pair of field-glasses along. Follow the road with those until you come to a little break in the stonewall that lies around a patch of field on the right. It is this knoll Ispoke of, crowned with brush. Watch that brush closely for a minute;perhaps you will see the sun glint from the gun; or else one of thehidden German gunners may move ever so slightly. That will tell thestory, captain. "

The pilot of the armored car jumped out. 

"I will do as you say, at least it can be no harm, " he remarked hastily. 

After speaking in Flemish to his companions, he started up the rise, carrying the field-glasses and a revolver along with him. Watching, theysaw him get down and crawl the last yard or so; and then evidently hefound a way to level his glasses in the quarter under suspicion. 

Five minutes later and he backed off, coming quickly down the littledeclivity. The first thing he did was to grip Rob's hand and squeeze itfiercely. 

"I have to thank you for my life, and the lives of my brave comrades aswell!" he said with fervor. 

"Then you found that what I told you was exactly so?" Rob asked. 

"Yes, there is an ambuscade, " replied the soldier. "They must havesuspected that we would chase after the army so as to pick upstragglers, because that is our favorite game these terrible days;anything to sting the snake that is crawling across our beloved countryand leaving death and destruction behind. "

"You will not go ahead after learning what is waiting there, I suppose, Captain?" Rob continued. 

"Certainly not, my boy, because they have the range plotted out, and, when we reached a certain spot, one shot would blow the car and thethree of us to pieces. Our play is to go around another way. But whyhave you done this for us, when you say, as Americans, you must beneutral?"

"I hardly know, " replied Rob. "Up to lately we have not felt likefavoring either side, because we have many good German friends at home. But what we have seen and heard here in Belgium is beginning to turn usto the side of the Allies. You see, I could not watch you rush right toyour death, knowing what I did. Perhaps, if the tables had been turned Imight have warned a German pilot to turn around before it was too late. "

"Well, you have done us a great favor, and we thank you, " said theBelgian soldier, with considerable feeling; after which he conversedwith his two comrades for a minute or so, no doubt explaining what hadawaited them close by; and that only for the timely warning of theAmericans they would have been launched into eternity. 

Then the car was turned around, and away the three dashing Belgianssped. The last the boys saw of them was when they waved their handsback ere vanishing around a curve in the road. 

"Well, " said Tubby, "that was a splendid thing you did, Rob. And tothink you noticed the Germans laying that cute little ambush there! Itshows what training will do for a fellow, doesn't it?"

"It is only what every scout is supposed to do, " replied Rob, thinkingto impress a lesson on Tubby's mind. "Observe every little thing thathappens, and draw your own conclusions from it. When I saw that gungoing up into the field, I wondered what they meant by that. Then I sawthey were laying a trap. I couldn't believe it was intended for us, andso I was puzzled, because we didn't expect to use that road at all. "

"And when the armored car came whizzing along you knew the Germans meantto get the Belgians who had been doing so much damage day after day, aswe'd heard; that was it, eh, Rob?" and Merritt nodded his head sagely, as though things were all as plain as anything to him now. 

"Huh!" snorted Tubby, "after Columbus had cracked the end of the eggand stood it up, didn't those Spanish courtiers all say that was as easyas pie? Course we can see things after they've happened. But you and me, Merritt, had better be digging the scales off our eyes, so we candiscover things for ourselves next time. "

Merritt did not answer back. Truth to tell he realized that he merited arebuke for his lack of observation. It might pass with an ordinary boy, but was inexcusable in a scout who had been trained to constantly usehis faculties for observation wherever he went. 

"Our road will take us past that place where they are hiding, won't it, Rob?" he presently said. "Suppose, now, they guessed that we must haveturned the armored car back, and lost them their victims, wouldn't theybe likely to take it out on us, thinking we might be Belgian BoyScouts?"

"I had that in my mind, Merritt, " admitted Rob, "and for that reason Ireckon we ought to leave the road right here. We can make a wide detour, and strike it further along, where the danger will be past. "

All of them were of the same mind. They did not fancy taking any chanceof having that concealed six-pounder discharged point-blank at them. Mistakes are hard to rectify after a fatal volley has been fired. Thebest way is to avoid running any chances. 

They found a way to leave the road and take to the fields, skirtingfences, and in every way possible managing to keep out of sight of theGerman gunners who were lying concealed in that scrub on the littleelevation. 

It was while they were pushing on some distance away that without theleast warning they caught a strange pulsating rattling sound from therear. All of them came to a stop, and wondering looks were quicklychanged to those of concern. 

"Rob, " exclaimed Merritt, "it comes from near where that gun lies hiddenback of the bushes; and that's the rattle of a Maxim, as sure as youlive. Those Belgians have turned the tables on the Germans; they'vemanaged to sneak around back of them, and must be pouring in a terriblefire that will mow down every gunner in that bunch of brush!"

Rob was a little white in the face, as he continued to listen to thesignificant discharge. He had seen what mischief one of those Maxim gunscould do at fairly close quarters, for they had witnessed them at workduring the battle of the preceding day. 

"I feel bad about it in one way, " he said, "because in saving the livesof those three Belgians we have been the means of turning the trap onthose who set it. But I never dreamed they would try to surprise the menin ambush. "

The sounds died out, and silence followed; though the far-away grumbleof the conflict could be heard from time to time. 

"They've launched their bolt, " said Merritt, "and either skipped outagain, or else the German battery has been placed out of commission. Wedidn't hear the six-pounder go off, so they had no chance to fire back. "

They continued their walk in silence. All of them had been much soberedby these thrilling and momentous events that were continually happeningaround them. Much of the customary jolly humor that, as a rule, characterized their intercourse with one another had been, by degrees, crushed by the tragedies that they had seen happening everywhere amongthe poor Belgians and amid the stricken soldiers whom they had so noblyassisted on the field of battle. 

Striking the little road again at some distance beyond, they continuedto follow it, under the belief that they could not now be very far awayfrom the town they were aiming to reach. 

Before they entirely lost sight of the late encampment of the Germanarmy, the boys discovered that a number of peasants from the surroundingcountry had come on the scene, and appeared to be hunting for anythingof value which might have been purposely or by accident left behind. 

"The poor things know they're going to have the hardest winter ever, "said Tubby, with considerable feeling in his voice, "and they're tryingto find something to help out. Like as not some of them even came fromLouvain, where they lost everything they had in the wide world when theplace was burned to the ground. It's just awful, that's what it is. America looks like the only place left where there's a chance ofkeeping the peace. "

As they went along Rob was keeping track of their course. He gaveMerritt his reasons for believing they would reach Sempst before sunsetafter all, unless something entirely unexpected happened to delay themagain. 

"Just now we're in great luck, " he finished. "So far as we can see theGermans have cleared out of this particular section completely. They maybe back again to-morrow; you never can tell what they'll do. But themain line of railroad is where they are mostly moving, because in thatway they can get their supplies of men, guns, ammunition and food, andalso take back the wounded. Some of their dead are buried, but in themain they prefer to cremate them, which is the modern way to preventdisease following battles. "

Merritt did not make any remark, for he was becoming more and moreanxious the closer they drew to the town where he expected to have thatquestion of the success or failure of his mission settled. 

Rob knew how strained his nerves must be. He could feel for his chum, and it was only natural for him to want to buoy up Merritt's sinkinghopes. 

"Don't get downcast, old fellow, " he told him. "You've stuck it outthrough thick and thin so far. Whether you find this Steven Meredith inSempst or not, you're bound to meet up with him somewhere, sooner orlater, you know. "

Merritt gritted his teeth, and the old look of resolution came acrosshis face, which the others knew full well. 

"Thank you for saying that, Rob, " he observed steadily. "You know thatonce my mind is made up I'm a poor one to cry quits. I'll follow thatman to China, or the headwaters of the Amazon, if necessary, but I'llnever give up as long as I can put one foot in front of the other. "

"And, " said Tubby vehemently, "here are two loyal comrades who mean tostick to you, Merritt, to the very end. "

CHAPTER XXVI. 

FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE. 

"I think we're coming to Sempst, " said Rob. 

It was nearly half an hour after Merritt had so firmly announced hisintention of staying in the game, no matter if he should meet with abitter disappointment in the town, which had been the loadstone fortheir advance through the heart of war-stricken Belgium. 

"Then Brussels can't be very far away, over there, " said Tubby. "Gee! Ionly wish we could find some scarecrows about now, and get a change ofclothes. "

"What makes you say that?" asked Rob. "I thought you were so proud ofyour suit of khaki that nothing could tempt you to give it up. "

"Oh! I didn't mean I'd really want to discard this bully suit, " Tubbyhastened to explain. "Only if we could manage to conceal the scoutuniform under something more common, why, you see the Germans mighttake us for Belgian boys, and in that case wouldn't molest us. "

"I understand what he's getting at, Rob, " Merritt chuckled, "Tubby hassaid a number of times that the one thing he was sorry about was that wecouldn't have a run through Brussels. Seems like he got a great notionhe wanted to visit there, as he'd read a lot about the wonderful city. But you'll have to let that longing sleep until the next time you comeabroad, Tubby. "

"Unless we happen to find we've got business in Brussels, " observed theother cunningly. "Then mebbe we might decide we'd find a way to go in. 'Course I mean if they told us here in Sempst that Mr. Steven Meredith, who seems to be a pretty smart secret agent of the German Government, had changed his residence to Brussels, so as to be in touch with armyheadquarters and the General Staff. How about that, Merritt?"

"We won't cross rivers before we come to them, " Rob hastened to remark, not wishing the other to fully commit himself to any course. "Aftercoming so far with the intention to find our man here in this littletown, it seems silly to get cold feet when we're right on the spot, andbefore we know anything that's against our having the best of success. "

"Oh! you're right, Rob, " agreed Tubby. "You remember the old motto weused to write in our copybooks at school long ago--'sufficient unto theday is the evil thereof. ' Guess that's from the Good Book, too; but itapplies to our case, all the same. We'll wait till we see what is goingto happen here in Sempst. Anyway, they haven't burned this little placedown, because I don't see anything that looks like ruins. "

Indeed, it seemed as though the peasants living close to Brussels hadbeen induced by the Germans to continue their regular field work, underpromise of purchasing for fair prices all the green stuff they couldfetch into the capital. They, mostly women, old decrepit men, andchildren, for even the smallest could be given some task that would helpout, were working in the fields. 

"I wonder if any of them could understand my French, " Rob was saying. "Of course it wouldn't be likely they could talk English. I've got agood notion to try it on the first one we meet on the road ahead. "

"Do it, Rob, " urged Tubby. "Merritt and I will stand by to catch him ifhe starts to faint. "

"Oh! I hope my French isn't quite that bad, " exclaimed Rob. "I've beenpolishing it up considerable, you know, while on the steamer, and afterwe landed in Belgium; and, with what I know, and by pointing andshrugging my shoulders, I generally manage to make people understand. Ofcourse, I don't know how it would be with a clodhopper who didn't happento be as intelligent as I'd want. But here's a chance, and I'm going tomake the attempt. "

"It won't kill, even if it doesn't cure, " said Merritt; "and, Rob, ifyou can get him to understand what you're saying, be sure and ask ifthat chemical factory, where we understood Steven had been given hisresponsible berth, has shut down, or if it is still in operation. "

"I'll do that, Merritt, " the other promised. 

Accordingly, when the peasant, smoking his big pipe, came along in hiswooden shoes, Rob stopped him. He wanted to impress the fellowfavorably, so as to increase the prospect for a favorable answer; and soRob made sure to have one of his famous smiles on his bright face whenhe began to air his French. 

The other boys stood there watching the "circus, " as Tubby called it. They saw, however, that Rob, many times at a loss for words in order toexpress his meaning, must have managed to make the peasant understandhim. 

Again and again each of them pointed toward the town so near at hand. Possibly Rob may have been explaining just who he and his chums were, and also how they had come all the way from Antwerp with the one hope offinding a certain person in this little suburb. 

"He's picking up some kind of news, seems like, " Merritt told Tubby, asthe dialogue progressed under so many difficulties, expressive movementsof the shoulders, and waving hands taking the place of words thatfailed. 

"What makes you think so?" demanded the fat scout. 

"Look at Rob's face, and you can tell that he's feeling more or lesssatisfied with the way things are going on, " replied Merritt. 

"Gosh! that's so, " muttered Tubby. "Seems you're getting a move on, too, with observing things. I'll have to hurry and do something myself, if Idon't want to find that I'm no first-class scout, after all, but only adub. "

Finally Rob was seen to press a coin in the calloused palm of thepeasant, who took off his cap and bowed several times, as thoughgrateful, and then he continued on his way along the road. 

"What luck?" asked Tubby immediately; while Merritt, more deeplyinterested than any of them, silently waited to listen. 

"Oh! he gave me quite some information, " replied Rob; "and, so far as Ican see, it looks good for us. I didn't learn anything about StevenMeredith, because the farm laborer probably never heard of such aperson; but he did tell me that the chemical works have been kept goingfull blast ever since the Germans occupied Brussels. "

"That must be because certain things are made there that they can use intheir war game, eh, Rob?" Merritt conjectured, and the other nodded. 

"No question about it, " he said, "though the peasant couldn't say whycertain things were done, only that they did happen. But, if the factoryis running wide open, there seems to be a chance that we may find Stevenstill on deck, and keeping his finger on the pulse. "

"I'm only afraid that if he really is what we think, a secret agent ofthe government, " Merritt suggested uneasily, "that he may have beentransferred to some other point where his smartness would be apt tocount, perhaps away down in France, so that he could send up valuableinformation about the making of artillery, or how the conscription ofthe Nineteen-Fifteen boy recruits is coming on. "

"Still, to find the works open, and doing business right along, lookslike a piece of good luck to me, " said Tubby. 

"It is, " added Rob positively. "We agreed long ago that we'd consider itsuch, if we learned there had been no shutdown. We hoped it would bethat way, for we already knew that German capital had been back of thechemical works. I wouldn't be much surprised if it was learned thatsomewhere about the place, unknown to most people, these clever Germanshad long ago built a heavy concrete floor, to be used in their business;but which would make the best kind of foundation for one of those bigsiege guns they used to knock down the Ličge and Namur forts. "

When Rob said this he did not dream how closely he was hitting thetruth. It had not been discovered at that time how secret preparationsalong such lines had been made by the Germans, year after year, in closeproximity to many of the leading cities in Belgium, France, and evenover in England. 

"Well, now for moving on, and entering the town, " Merritt remarked, witha look on his face that told how he was summoning all his resolution soas not to appear too heartbroken should they meet with bitterdisappointment. 

"I hope we don't run across any German soldiers here, " said Tubby. 

"We want to keep on the constant watch for them, " Rob gave warning. "Ifthey saw us, they might think it their duty to have us arrested atonce, and detained until our story could be investigated. "

"And that would spell ruin for all our plans, wouldn't it?" Merrittasked, not as cheerfully as he might, because he had been fearful allalong that something like this might come to pass just when he haddiscovered the object of his long search, and before he could proceed torelieve Steven Meredith of the old case in which he carried thosesplendid field-glasses. 

They were now among the outer houses of the town. So far as they couldsee, Sempst did not differ to any degree from various other Belgiantowns they had seen. It consisted of numerous small houses, a few morepretentious dwellings, possibly of Brussels business men, and somefactories. 

From only one of these stacks was smoke seen coming, and, having pickedup a pointer, it was easy for the scouts to decide that this must be theGerman-owned chemical works with which Steven Meredith had beenconnected, between his foreign trips. 

When thus entering the town that was so close to Brussels, where theGermans were in full charge, it was the policy of the three scouts todraw as little attention to themselves as possible. While thus far theyhad not chanced to notice any German soldiers, still there was always apossibility that some of them were around. 

Besides, Rob figured that if a German-owned chemical factory had been inoperation here for years, very naturally there would be many natives ofthe Rhine country employed there, and living in the town. If the Germangovernment were really back of this Belgian works, as seemed possible, they would want to have mostly reliable men on guard, who, in case ofsudden emergency, could throw off their workmen's garb and showthemselves in their true colors, as regularly enlisted soldiers, servingtheir superiors while plying their regular trade. 

When, therefore, the boys heard loud outcries, after entering the town, and made the distressing discovery that there was a runaway approachingthem, the first thought Rob had was that they must keep out of the way, and not interfere, lest by so doing they attract attention towardthemselves. 

With this discreet plan of action rapidly forming in his mind, Rob waseven in the act of hastily drawing both his chums back behind a walluntil all the excitement had subsided, when he made a discovery thatbrought his scheme to a halt. 

It was, after all, only a pony that had been seized with an attack ofblind staggers, and was now dashing frantically away, with a littlebasket-cart dragging back and forth at his heels; but in that cart Robsaw was a frightened child. 

In that moment, Rob struggled with a grave question. To show themselvesbefore a crowd such as would likely gather, was full of danger, not onlyto themselves, but for their mission as well. At the same time there wasa something within his soul that refused to avoid the responsibility byshutting his eyes. 

He could not do it. He knew that child was in deadly peril, for, smallas the pony might be, just then he was acting like a little demon. Ifhe allowed the runaway to go by, and something dreadful happened, howcould he ever reconcile his action with his vows as a true-blue scout?

So Rob's mind was made up. 

"Merritt, we must save that poor little child, come what will!" heexclaimed; and that loyal comrade, forgetting all else for humanity'ssake, instantly cried:

"We will, Rob! Hurry and get on one side, while I look out for theother!"

CHAPTER XXVII. 

CONCLUSION. 

"Where do I come in? Won't you let me help?" bawled Tubby, hurryingafter his two chums as fast as his fat legs would carry him. 

Neither of the others paid the slightest attention to him. Just thenTubby was about as useless as a fifth wheel to a wagon. He was so clumsythat if he attempted to take a hand in the rescue work the chances wereRob and Merritt would have to spend a portion of their time in savinghim. 

They ran out into the middle of the road. The crazy little pony wasalready close up, and there was no time to be lost. 

"Now!" shouted Rob. "Nab him, and throw him if you can!"

Both scouts fastened upon the bridle close to the bit. Every ounce ofmuscle the boys possessed was brought to bear, supplemented by all theshrewdness they had acquired upon the football field, in tackling andthrowing the runner who held the coveted pigskin oval. 

There was something of a struggle, and then down went the frantic pony. 

"Hey! let me sit on him; I'll keep him quiet!" called Tubby, as he camepanting up to the spot; and once he had deposited his extra weight uponthe little beast, it had no other course open but to succumb tocircumstances and lie quiet. 

Rob turned to see what had become of the child. There was a stout, red-faced man, coming on the run as fast as he could hurry. Undoubtedlyit was his child. While he was in a store, the pony probably had beentaken with a sudden seizure of what Rob called "blind staggers, " whichsometimes causes horses to dash madly away as though possessed of anevil spirit, and even to destroy themselves against any barrier thatarises in their path. 

The child, though crying with fright, was apparently unhurt. Some onehad taken her from the basket-cart, and should the pony have brokenloose again, it could not have imperiled the little one. 

In another minute, the red-faced man was hugging his child, and coveringher face with kisses. The people must have told him who had saved hisdarling, for he came up to Rob and Merritt. (The pony had now becomequite calm, though Tubby continued to occupy his seat, for, as heafterwards said, "he knew a good thing when he found it; and he was_awful_ tired. ")

The big stout man, evidently a German, from his appearance and language, began to pour out his thanks; but Rob shook his head as he remarked:

"None of us can speak German, sir. We are American boys, you see; I canunderstand a little French, but that is all. "

The man's face lighted up. He immediately seized Rob by the hand andcommenced to kiss him on the cheeks; but the boys had learned that thiswas the common method of warm salutation abroad, even among men, thoughthey had never seen it done across the water. 

"I am glad you are American and not English!" the other went on to cry. "I would be sorry, indeed, if I owed the life of my little Frieda to anEnglish boy. But an American, it is quite different. Ach! what would Inot do to show you how grateful I am for your brave act? Tell me, can Inot do something to prove that in Germany we look upon your country asour friends? My name it is Herr Frederick Haskins, I am the principalowner of the chemical works over yonder. Let me be your host while inSempst you stay. It would give me much pleasure, I assure you. "

Rob stared at Merritt, and the latter almost held his breath. Was thereever such great luck as this? They had saved a child from danger, andmade a warm friend of her father, who had turned out to be theproprietor of the very factory where Steven Meredith had an interestoutside of his occupation as a secret agent of the Kaiser. 

"Rob, ask him!" whispered Merritt, too overcome himself to find words inwhich to give utterance to what was weighing so heavily on his mind. 

So the patrol leader, mastering his inclination to feel just as "shaky"as Corporal Crawford, turned again toward the red-faced German chemist. 

"We might accept your kind offer of entertainment for to-night, HerrHaskins, " he said, as though they took the man's sincerity for its facevalue, "because we will have to put up somewhere, though to-morrow itmay be we shall want to start back toward Antwerp again. You said thatyou were the proprietor of the chemical company in town. Are those theworks where the smoke is coming out of the stacks?"

The man nodded. He held his little girl in his arm, as though he couldnot bear to let her be away from him again. A look of what seemed to bepride crept over his face; it meant something that his was the onlyfactory that had been kept running, simply because his foreign hands didnot have to go when the call to the Belgian colors came. 

"It is because I have the confidence of the German government that I amallowed to continue my works, " he said in a low tone, as though notwishing others to hear what he was saying. 

"It is very strange, " continued Rob, bound to learn the worstimmediately, now that such a golden opportunity had come along, "but itwas to see a man connected with your business that we came all the wayfrom Antwerp. His name is Mr. Steven Meredith, who was over in Americanot so many months ago. "

It was apparent that they were going to meet with a keen disappointment;Rob knew this the second he saw the shade of regret pass over therubicund face of Herr Haskins. 

"Ah! that is really too bad, " the stout man exclaimed; "for you are justone week too late!"

"Has he left Sempst, then?" asked Merritt sturdily. 

"Just seven days ago he shook hands with me, and said I could look forhim when I saw him again. That might be in a month, and it might be six, even Steven could not say. He simply had to obey his orders from hissuperiors. His interest in the works is not the only thing he follows, you understand. "

"No, " said Rob, mysteriously, looking carefully around, as though hewanted to make sure he was not overheard, "of course we know his otherbusiness. The General Staff has ordered him again on duty somewhere. Itis too bad, because my friend here wishes to see Herr Meredith verymuch, indeed. "

"I am sorry, " remarked the stout man, in a hesitating way, and Rob knewthat if he hoped to get any information from this source at all now wasthe time to strike--while the iron was hot. 

"You say you are grateful, sir, " he hurriedly whispered, "because wehappened to save your little girl's life, or at least kept her frombeing badly injured. We would call the debt canceled if you could tellus where we can find Herr Meredith. If he is in France, tell us where. "

The man did not immediately reply. His face was a study. He wasundoubtedly being torn between gratitude and devotion to the interestsof his emperor, whom he would have died to serve, no doubt. 

"If I could only be sure it was right for me to give you thatinformation, " Rob heard him mutter, and he hastened to follow up hisattack. 

"I give you my word of honor, Herr Haskins, " he said earnestly andconvincingly, "that none of us has the slightest intention to betraySteven Meredith to his enemies. If you write down the information weneed, we solemnly promise you not to use it to his injury. My friendonly wants to get a small thing Herr Meredith has with him, although hehimself does not know it is in his possession, for it was all a mistakeabout his taking it. He will be only too glad to give it to us, and weshall trouble him no more. Won't you take our word of honor, sir?"

The big man looked down at his child, and that must have decided him. 

"Come home with me, and spend the night, " he said in a hospitable way. "We will entertain you the best we can under the peculiar conditionsexisting here. If you care to, you can tell me all about yourselves; andI promise you that before you go to sleep this night I will place inyour possession an address in Northern France where you will likely findmy partner, _under another name_. But you must swear to me that underno conditions will you imperil his position there. Is it a bargain, myboys?"

Rob looked at Merritt. The latter, although terribly disappointed, wasstill game. He gave not the slightest sign of submitting to the decreesof a cruel Fate. 

"We will accept your hospitality, Herr Haskins, " he said quietly, "andalso take from you that address under the promise you ask. StevenMeredith has no reason to fear that we will betray him. We areAmericans, and our President has asked that every one, old and young, remain strictly neutral while this war is going on. "

"We bound up the wounds of three times as many Germans after the battleas we did Belgians, " Rob added, while Tubby was heard to mutter underhis breath:

"Which was because there were ten times as many Germans hurt as therewere of the brave little Belgian army. "

They accompanied Herr Haskins to his fine home, where they weresplendidly entertained that night. Tubby ate so much dinner that he wasincapable of joining in the conversation that immediately followed, though that fact was of minor importance, because, as a rule, he onlymade himself a nuisance when there was any serious discussion on hand. 

At least, if they had to be disappointed in not finding the man they hadcome so far to deal with, they could deem themselves lucky in meetingHerr Haskins under conditions that placed him heavily in their debt;otherwise they might never have discovered in what direction StevenMeredith had gone when his superiors in the German Secret Serviceordered him on duty again. 

As it was, when the boys on the following morning once more headed inthe direction of Antwerp, armed with a letter from Herr Haskins thatwould be of considerable service should they be held up by any Germanpatrol, Merritt also had a small bit of paper secreted inside the liningof his coat, on which simply an address was written. 

As they journeyed they had plenty of opportunities to lay out their newprogram and build fresh castles in the air concerning the success whichthey meant to attain if it lay in mortal power. 

Whether they were as fortunate in the new fields that now stretchedbefore them as they had been in avoiding pitfalls between the battlelines in Belgium, you will find recorded in the next volume of thisseries, under the title of "The Boy Scouts with the Allies in France. "

THE END. 

BOY SCOUT SERIES

BY

LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON

 MODERN BOY SCOUT STORIES FOR BOYS Cloth Bound, Price 50¢ per volume. 

THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE. 

Connected with the dwellings of the vanished race of cliff-dwellers wasa mystery. Who so fit to solve it as a band of adventurous Boy Scouts?The solving of the secret and the routing of a bold band of cattlethieves involved Rob Blake and his chums, including "Tubby" Hopkins, ingrave difficulties. 

There are few boys who have not read of the weird snake dance and othertribal rites of Moquis. In this volume, the habits of these fastvanishing Indians are explained in interesting detail. Few boys' bookshold more thrilling chapters than those concerning Rob's captivity amongthe Moquis. 

Through the fascinating pages of the narrative also stalks, like a grimfigure of impending tragedy, the shaggy form of Silver Tip, the giantgrizzly. In modern juvenile writing, there is little to be found asgripping as the scene in which Rob and Silver Tip meet face to face. Theboy is weaponless and, --but it would not be fair to divulge thetermination of the battle. A book which all Boy Scouts should secure andplace upon their shelves to be read and re-read. 

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere. 

HURST & CO. , PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

BOY SCOUT SERIES

BY

LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON

 MODERN BOY SCOUT STORIES FOR BOYS Cloth Bound Price, 50¢ per volume. 

THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL. 

A fascinating narrative of the doings of some bright boys who becomepart of the great Boy Scout movement. The first of a series dealing withthis organization, which has caught on like wild fire among healthy boysof all ages and in all parts of the country. 

While in no sense a text-book, the volume deals, amid its excitingadventures, with the practical side of Scouting. To Rob Blake and hiscompanions in the Eagle Patrol, surprising, and sometimes perilousthings happen constantly. But the lads, who are, after all, typical ofmost young Americans of their type, are resourceful enough to overcomeevery one of their dangers and difficulties. 

How they discover the whereabouts of little Joe, the "kid" of thepatrol, by means of smoke telegraphy and track his abductors to theirdisgrace; how they assist the passengers of a stranded steamer and foila plot to harm and perhaps kill an aged sea-captain, one must read thebook to learn. A swift-moving narrative of convincing interest andbreathless incident. 

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere. 

HURST & CO. , PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

Transcriber's note:

Obvious mistakes have been corrected, but other discrepancieshave not been changed. Inconsistent hyphenation has been retained.