CHAPTER XVI.
A SUDDEN SURPRISE.
Although the three lads had already performed an amount of labor thatwould have considerably astonished their home folks, could they havewitnessed it, and filled them all with pride in the bargain, they werenot yet through, it seemed.
"Here's plenty more for us to do, fellows," suggested Rod, as theyreached the canvas shelter tent, where the procession of stretchers wasbeginning to arrive, each with its sad burden.
"I'm willing to help all I can," said Hanky Panky, trying to look asthough he could stand anything after what he had passed through.
Indeed there was need of assistance. Two other field hospitals hadalready been established not far away, since the subjects were manytimes more numerous now that Germans as well as French were beginning tobe brought in for treatment. And a steady string of ambulances and motorlorries would soon start to taking the wounded in the direction ofParis, where they could be better attended to.
So for at least two hours the three brave-hearted American boys stood upto the work to which none of them were accustomed. They certainly, inthat space of time, earned the everlasting gratitude of the nation whosesons they assisted in their time of need.
Rod was interested in several Germans who had been taken prisoners,slightly wounded. He entered into conversation with one of them, andmanaged to learn more of the other side of the contention than he hadknown before.
Finally even the willing Josh was heard to declare that he had aboutreached the limit of his endurance, while Hanky Panky looked ready todrop.
"We've got to get away from here, Rod," Josh was saying; "after allwe're only boys, and this is a terrible experience for us. Our chum isnearly done up; and as for myself I admit that I'm getting shaky."
Rod himself had to confess that they ought to be making a move. Theworst of the bringing in of the wounded was over by now, and besides,more attendants were on hand to look after things.
"That's all right, boys," he assured his chums, "we've done our levelbest to be of some help to our friends, the French; and now it's onlyfair we should start in looking after our own affairs again."
"I've noticed you talking with a number of men besides our surgeonfriend, Rod; have you picked up any sort of information that'd be of useto us?" demanded the other shrewdly, guessing what their leader musthave had in mind.
"Something that may turn out to be worth while," came the reply.
"Meaning you've struck a clue about the regiment to which Andrebelongs--is that what it is?" continued Josh.
"Yes, and of course it'll be our object to run across the same as soonas we can," he was told; "because it's beginning to strike me that weought to get away from this war-stricken country. We've seen things thatfew boys ever could run across--things that'll haunt us for a long time,I'm afraid."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Rod," remarked Hanky Panky, white offace after his recent experiences; indeed, it was mostly on account ofthis comrade that Rod had made up his mind not to linger in that regionan hour after their mission had been accomplished.
"There's another thing I want to tell you, fellows, which is a bit morecheerful, I'm glad to say," continued Rod. "Our supply of petrol isnearly exhausted, you must know, and getting another lot at a time likethis might prove a pretty tough proposition."
"I was just thinking about that!" declared Josh, "and had it on the tipof my tongue to ask you what we ought to do about it."
"Well, fortunately it's been made easy," Rod informed him; "our goodfriend, the army surgeon, has given me a paper that will allow us toreplenish our tanks at the general supply station which I've alreadylocated. He said it was little enough in recognition of the work we'vebeen doing."
Both the other boys declared that it was a splendid thing, andcongratulated Rod on his forethought in looking out for the necessarysupplies. Without liquid fuel with which to drive their speedymotorcycles they would find themselves in a "serious pickle," as Joshsaid; for every gallon in the whole country had undoubtedly been seizedby the military authorities--that is, what little the Germans had notdiscovered and confiscated while passing through.
Accordingly their first labor was to proceed to the tank, present theorder given by the surgeon, who actually ruled the field hospital, andthe man in charge readily allowed them to refill their reservoirs withthe precious liquid.
It was with a thankful heart that Hanky Panky finally turned his back onthe field hospital. He had passed through so many painful experiencessince striking that place he felt as though his nerves had been badlyrattled.
After the late battle a strange calm seemed to have settled down again.Doubtless both sides were replenishing their stock of ammunition andgetting in readiness for the next upheaval; for the French would nevercease to attack as long as they knew they had the enemy "on the run,"and that it was French soil those detestable German boots were stillpressing.
Rod had figured things out as best he could. The wearied army surgeonshad also been able to give him a few pointers that might prove of value.
As they progressed they could no longer say that they had the road tothemselves. A score of different sights were before their eyes much ofthe time, consisting for the most part of vehicles bearing the woundedheroes far to the rear; other empty ones hurrying forward to securetheir loads; detachments of sullen prisoners being taken under guard toa detention camp; squads of French soldiers bent upon some duty; here abelated regiment hastening forward, eager to be in at the next furiousengagement; peasants standing in the doorways of their cottages watchingall that went on, and laughing with the passersby, because victory wasin the air for France, and it mattered little that they had lost alltheir live stock when the German hosts trooped by, if only the "day"they had long prayed for had indeed arrived.
So the Motorcycle Boys had to pick their way along now; it could nolonger be said of them that they fairly "flew" over the road. Besidesthe numerous obstructions in the shape of vehicles coming and going,there were many ragged holes to be encountered, where mighty shells hadfallen and exploded, forming craters that had to be carefully negotiatedlest the riders meet with a serious catastrophe.
Besides this, all along the way they discovered such cast-off materialas the retreating German army had discarded in order to hasten theirmarch--broken caissons and guns that had been rendered temporarilyuseless by reason of some accident; stocks of provisions that could notbe carried; cooking outfits that were the most complete affairs the boyshad ever seen; and many other things which could not be safely carriedoff by an army that was being hourly harassed by a fierce andunrelenting foe.
The day had worn on while they were in the field hospital so that it wasnow getting well along in the afternoon. Rod knew they would soon haveto be thinking of seeking some sort of shelter for the night. He wasmore particular about this because clouds had come up, and there seemeda chance that rain would follow, as often happens immediately after agreat battle has been fought in which there is much cannon firing andconsequent concussion of the atmosphere.
At noon they had shared the meagre lunch of the noble French armysurgeon, who had conceived such an ardent admiration for the trio ofyoung Americans. Josh was already heard saying that he felt as hungry asa tramp who had been walking the railroad ties from early morning; andhoping that they would be lucky enough to soon strike a house where ameal might be secured.
This was what Rod had in mind when ahead of him he discovered signs of apretty little French village. His hopes mounted higher because from theevidence before them it seemed plain that the retreating Germans hadsomehow managed to pass around this small place, so that there was apretty good chance they would find a hospitable woman there, who, afterlearning that they had been assisting in the field, would be only tooproud to cook them a meal, and it might be allow them to sleep in herhouse.
"I'd be willing to occupy a shed, or even a dog-kennel so long as itdidn't have a French poodle occupant," Hanky Panky had solemnly said,when they talked this over
at the last crossroads, as they stopped ashort time to confer upon their plan of campaign.
Their coming created quite a little furore in the village, for being offthe main road to Paris the good people here had as yet not learned whatwonderful success General Joffre was meeting with in his attempt toforce the stubborn enemy back toward the Rhine country.
The boys were soon surrounded by a throng of women and children, with asmattering of very old men. Apparently there was not a singleable-bodied man left in the place, every one having gone to join thecolors and defend the capital.
Rod was kept busy telling some of the grand things that had happenedmiles away, where the roll of the great guns had been sounding so long,bringing terror to the faithful hearts of the good people. How theyshouted and even embraced each other as they learned what measure ofsuccess was coming to their army. One and all they were now positivethat their wonderful commander would never give up the pursuit until heactually dictated terms of peace before the walls of Berlin itself.
When Rod modestly mentioned the fact that he and his two chums werehungry they immediately received a dozen offers of accommodation andsupper. Every house in the village belonged to them, and they were atliberty to ask for anything they wanted.
Rod, however, used a little discretion. He did not in the first placewant to be separated from his chums, and this meant they must choosesome house capable of entertaining them all.
In the end he selected for their hostess a middle-aged woman who lookedprosperous and capable of attending to their wants without robbingherself. The three motorcycles were stacked in the yard close by, wherethey continued to attract the attention of every boy, big or small, inthe village.
Rod was not in the least afraid to leave them. He knew full well thatthere was not any chance of the machines being tampered with; for thoseFrench boys seemed well behaved. He wondered what would happen over athis home town of Garland, where such fellows as Oscar Griffin, GidCollins and their like loved to play all manner of tricks and practicaljokes, regardless of other people's feelings.
Comfortably seated inside the house Rod and his chums awaited the callto supper. They could get tantalizing whiffs of the food that was beingprepared for their consumption as the odors crept in from the kitchen;and Josh several times privately declared he did not see how he wasgoing to stand that sort of thing much longer, for it was making himfairly frantic, he was so ravenous.
Rod was figuring on where the three motorcycles should be placed for thenight, and had already made up his mind to ask if they could be broughtinto the house; because while the good people of the village might allbe as honest as the day, stragglers from the army were apt to come alongwho might feel like helping themselves to a "good thing" when they foundit so convenient.
It was just at this moment, when they were expecting to be called intothe dining-room to sit down at the bountiful feast provided, that,without the least warning, a bombshell seemed to drop among them. Shoutswere heard without, and as the three boys sprang to their feet theylooked at each other in sudden anxiety.
"What are they yelling about, Rod?" begged Hanky Panky.
"They say the Uhlans are coming down on us, and are already close to theplace!" was the startling declaration of the one who understood French.