The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen. Kenneth Ward

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СКАЧАТЬ on the dunes. It has been in existence for over a thousand years, and was owned by the Dutch, the Spaniards, and the English, before it became permanent French territory.

      Passing through the principal square, on their way to the terminus of the tram cars, they saw crowds of people moving toward the main landing place of vessels. They followed, and witnessed the debarkation of the first vessel load of Red Cross supplies, accompanied by a large corps of physicians and Red Cross nurses.

      Fully fifty vans were taken from the ship and lined up, with their equipments, ready for a prompt start. A number of lorries (large motor trucks), carrying beds, bedding and like material, followed, and were placed behind the vans.

      "Do you know where they are going?" asked Ralph, addressing a young man in uniform.

      "To the general hospital, where they will be assigned to stations near the front," he replied.

      "Do you mean the general hospital near the aviation ground?" inquired Alfred.

      "Yes," was the answer.

      "Probably we can get a chance to ride there," said Ralph, addressing Alfred.

      The man overheard the remark, and quickly turned to the boys.

      "Are you attached to the flying squadron?" he asked.

      "Yes," replied Alfred.

      "Then they wouldn't object, I am sure," answered the officer, and he strode forward. After speaking a few words to one who seemed to be in charge, he motioned to them.

      "Get in, boys," he said.

      They were quick to respond, and, after thanking the officer, mounted one of the vans. Inside were three nurses and two physicians, who smiled at the boys.

      "So you are going to war, too?" said one of the nurses, as she made room for them.

      "Yes," said Alfred, rather shyly; "we are going back."

      "Going back?" remarked one of the doctors. "Did you say 'going back?'" he inquired.

      "Well, we were with the Belgian army from Liege to Antwerp, and came across the northern part of Belgium with them," said Alfred.

      "Then you must have seen some fighting?" asked one of the others, much interested.

      "Yes, indeed; we were in the first battles of the war," said Ralph.

      The information was certainly an interesting bit of news. From that time on the boys were the center of interest, and many questions were plied and answered.

      "But where are you bound now?" asked one of the doctors. "If I understand correctly, you are attached to the aviation corps, is that so?"

      "Yes, we are being put up by them, and we may do some flying in a few days," said Alfred.

      "We do hope you will be successful," said one of the nurses. "Won't you tell us where you are from?"

      "We are from New York," said Alfred.

      "Then you are not English?" she asked.

      "Oh, no," replied Alfred. "But that doesn't make any difference. It's just the same as though we were English. We want to help out."

      There was a merry roar of laughter at this, and Ralph immediately chimed in with a sort of explanation: "The Germans didn't treat us right, when they captured us, and, anyhow, they had no business to attack Belgium."

      "Good for you," said a sweet little miss. "We like Americans, and especially those like you who have that spirit."

      The vans covered the ground to the general hospital in quick time, and the boys were really sorry when the van drew up before the building, but they quickly recognized the place where they had accompanied the injured aviators the previous day.

      "Ralph, we ought to go in and see the lieutenant and Jack," said Alfred.

      "Who are they?" interposed the doctor.

      "Why, they fell with their machine yesterday, and we helped them out," said Alfred.

      "What was the lieutenant's name?" asked the doctor.

      "Why, we don't know; we forgot to ask for it; but maybe they will let us in," said Ralph.

      "Come along," said the doctor. "We'll find a way to get in."

      They followed him up the steps, and marched to the office, where the doctor was greeted by many of those present.

      "Who was it that met with an accident yesterday?" he asked.

      "Lieutenant Winston," was the reply.

      "And was he badly hurt?" almost shrieked the sweet little nurse who had accompanied the party in the van.

      "No; he is getting along well," said the attending physician. "He owes his life to a couple of brave lads, who happened to be near. He has been anxious to see the boys, and has asked where they were."

      "We are the ones who helped him," said Ralph. "We want to see him; may we?"

      "Oh, thank you, thank you so much," said the nurse.

      "Do you know him?" inquired Alfred.

      "He is my brother; may we go to him at once?" she asked.

      "I will take you to him," said the physician.

      "So you are Miss Winston?" said Alfred. "Isn't it funny how we happened to meet you?"

      She almost hugged the boys in her joy at the news, and at her good fortune in thus meeting the boys who were instrumental in saving her brother.

      The lieutenant saw his sister approaching arm in arm with the two boys. The greeting was a most affectionate one.

      "I met the two boys in Dunkirk; they just happened to get into our van. We learned after we got here what they had done. Isn't it noble of them?" she said.

      "I have tried to find them all day," said the lieutenant, and he pressed the hands of the boys. "Yes, I was in an awfully tight place when the boys found me; but I am all right now."

      They remained with the lieutenant and his sister for more than an hour. They had entirely forgotten their appointment with Tom. It was nearly twelve o'clock.

      "I am afraid we shall have to leave you," said Ralph. "We promised Tom to be over at the hangar at eleven."

      "Tom Brandon; the American dare-devil?" said the lieutenant, smiling.

      "Why, yes," replied Alfred, somewhat hesitatingly. "Is he a dare-devil?" he continued, with wide-open eyes.

      "Well, he doesn't seem to be afraid of anything; I suppose he would go anywhere, if he was ordered to make the trip. Is your engagement an important one?" asked the lieutenant, with a curious light in his eye.

      "Why,—yes,—we—we wanted to take a flight this afternoon," said Ralph.

      "Do you think they would let us?" asked Alfred quickly.

      "Rather against the rules and somewhat risky," said the lieutenant, slowly shaking his head, but his face СКАЧАТЬ