Joseph Alexander Altsheler

“ A little farther and they saw dim lights in the fog.
"An army," whispered Carstairs, "and the torch- bearers are showing the way through the fog. Now what kind of an army is it?"
"German of course," said Wharton. "We know well enough that no French force is near here. It's a part of the flood that's bearing down on France and Belgium."
"There are more trees here to the right," said John. "Let's enter them and get a better view. Even if we were seen we could escape anybody in this fog." ”

“ You'll like the country, John, when it stops raining and the sunlight comes. Oh, it's a fair land, this land of France."
"I've seen enough of it to know that," said John. "Lead on, and I'll be glad to reach the next village. A wind has set up, and this rain cuts cruelly." ”

“ It's such fine country around here that they'd never let the Germans have it."
"I like them too," said John. "They're brave men and they speak a sort of English."
Carstairs laughed.
"Don't criticize their English unless you want a fight," he said. "A man is often proudest of what he lacks."
"Just so, Carstairs, and I've often wondered too why so few of the English can speak their own language."
"Shut up, Scott! You've joined Wharton and two against one is not fair. Confound this rain! I wish it would stop! I'm getting wet and cold again. ”

“ They are the old men, the very young and the women. All the others are gone to the war. Yesterday we heard the sound of guns for a long time. Have you no success to report for France?"
The three shook their heads sadly and Wharton replied for them.
"Not yet," he said. "We belong to the French army engaged in the battle that you heard yesterday. But it was driven back again. The Germans come in overwhelming force, and we cannot withstand their numbers, but we were able to draw off with all our guns and leave them no prisoners." ”

“ He was only a private soldier, and, armed with a spade, he worked at a trench with all the strength and energy he could command. But his immediate friends of the Strangers were of no higher rank than himself and they were beside him engaged in the same task. "I'm only a new soldier," he said, "but it seems to me we did pretty well to get off with our army and our guns."
"So we did," said Carstairs. "I fancy the chief part of our occupation will be retreating until the British come up."
"There it goes," said Wharton. "Every Englishman has a fatal disease. ”

“ If you're on the ship looking for an enemy of your size the little submarine down under the water may blow you to pieces, and if you're on the land holding your own against another army a little aeroplane away up in the sky may drop a bomb that will shatter you into seven million pieces."
"It's a hard world, Carstairs," said Wharton, "but 1 think discomfort rather than danger will come out of the sky tonight. The clouds are piling up and there'll be heavy rain. John, you little old flying man, won't that stop the Taubes ?" ”

“ They crossed two small rivers, foaming like torrents, and at the bridges reined into a walk, lest the hoof-beats be heard too far. But they did not meet any human being. Save for the road and the bridges the aspect of a wilderness was complete. ”

“ Their own army would be falling back meanwhile.
"Both Carstairs and Wharton know this region and the roads," he said to John, "and you keep with them. Are you ready ?"
"Yes sir," answered the three together.
They stepped out into the rain, but forgetful of it. An orderly was holding three horses. In an instant, they were in the saddle and away. They passed through the lines and came out upon one of the splendid French roads, the three abreast. The rain was beating in their faces, but the orderly had tied cloaks to their saddles, and now they wrapped them about their bodies. ”

“ Weber said.
"Will you not join us at the table?" asked Carstairs politely.
"Gladly, as soon as I have removed this wet coat," replied Weber.
As soon as he took off the outer garment they saw a stain of red across his left sleeve, and the good Monsieur Gaussin again murmured sympathetically.
"It's nothing," laughed Weber. "The Uhlans are abroad, as you may have discovered for yourself. They ride over the whole country, and in the night I was chased by them. The bullet creased my arm, but I carry the emergency bandage. One, two, three, I made it fast, and here we are." ”

“ And you're the peasant in homespun, Car- stairs."
"England is slow, I admit, but when she once takes hold she never lets go."
"Unless she takes hold, when there's something to take hold of it's no use."
"Stop quarreling with him, Scott," said Wharton. "That's my job, and you can't take it from me. I've set two tasks for myself, one to defeat the German army and one to change Carstairs, and I tell you confidentially, John, that I think the defeat of the German army will prove the easier of the two."
"Look how those banks of fog are rolling up," said Carstairs. ”

“ They have to have roads on which to drag it, and then, so they say, it has to be placed in a concrete bed before they can fire it."
"At any rate their fire is dying," said Carstairs, "and I'm jolly glad of it. I didn't get any sleep last night, and I want some tonight. I need it, after this back-breaking work."
Fortunately the trench was soon finished, and the long range firing ceased entirely. The night came on, hiding the two armies from each other, and fires sprang up in the French camp. Their light was ruddy and cheerful. ”

“ If it gets upon our flank we're lost, but there is a French army, and perhaps an English force with it or near it to the west. If they can be brought up in time they will protect our flank and save us—and also themselves. But we must have trusty messengers. The flying machines can do little in the storm. ”

“ I know a soldier's duty too well. I ride on an errand myself, but I shall not refuse to tell you anything because you are not going to ask me."
All four laughed. John liked Weber better and better. He saw that he was a cheerful man, with a touch of humor, and he heartened the other three mightily.
Weber told that the French were now well ahead with their preparations, the English were beginning to stir and presently the Germans would find the armies before them much more powerful. ”

“ The French show us a lot of consideration as we've volunteered to fight for them, and there are tents for the Strangers. You're to have a place in ours."
John was grateful and said so. The strain of the last few days would have overpowered him, but luckily he was exceedingly strong and tenacious. Yet he was so tired that he could scarcely walk, and he was very very glad to go into the tent with Carstairs and Wharton. ”

“ They reached the crest of the hill and went swiftly down the other slope.
"I think we'll leave them behind here," said Car- $tairs. "We gain, as we've the open road, while they're obstructed in fields."
"I hope you're a true prophet, Carstairs," said Wharton. "I'm growing reconciled to an army shooting at me, but I would hate to be picked off by an ambushed sharpshooter. ”

“ Then we come to another neat little village, and another good inn. We'll have to stop there for our horses to feed, as we gave them nothing this morning. So you can do more than look at the window and see the blazing fire. ”