"I heard some one say that we intended going through Bruges," said Ralph.

"Yes; and from there the army may be able to reach France, after passing through Ostend," said Pierre.

In an air line Bruges is fifty miles from Antwerp, and from Bruges to the French frontier it is fully forty miles more. How the brave little army finally reached its destination, avoiding the large German forces sent out to intercept them,[Pg 19] remains one of the most glorious exploits in the history of the Belgian army.

[Pg 19]

"Next to Belgium I am glad to be in France," said Pierre. "Now you can get to Paris without difficulty," he added.

It thus happened that six weeks after the boys entered Belgium southwest of Liege, they reached Dunkirk on the French coast, and saw the immense fleet of warships and transports, which the British had in the harbor. It seemed that every spot around the city was taken up by tents, wagons, mules, horses, and heavy guns, to say nothing of the soldiers on every hand.

One regiment after the other entrained in cars, and were whirled to the south. Box cars, flat cars, some new, others dilapidated, were in service. It seemed that there were thousands of automobiles in line, and every one was anxious to get away. They even saw thousands of men, with full kits on their backs, march out to the east, as though they scorned to wait for railway or auto accommodations.

Pierre was at the door of the boys' tent early in the morning of the second day. "I am glad to tell you that the roll has been signed, and you can get your pay," he said. "But I am awfully sorry to have you go."

"Of course, we've had some pretty hard times," said Ralph, "but it was a great experience. Maybe we'll come back again."

"We're going to try to join the flying machines," said Alfred.[Pg 20]

[Pg 20]

Pierre laughed, and Ralph smiled, for, while that idea was uppermost in his mind, he had never discussed the subject with Alfred sufficiently to enable them to call it a plan that they really intended to follow out. It was more an enthusiastic feeling of something that they would like to do, without knowing just how they would go about it.

"So you are really going to start for Paris this afternoon?" said Pierre.

 Prev. P 7/102 next