Part 4 (2/2)
The fa place did not look just the same as on other summers, when tens of thousands visited it for the sport to be enjoyed in the sea True, it ar with people, but in the main soldiers walked the sands, and there was a decidedly aiety
The boys had, of course, been stopped quite frequently With war in the land this was only to be expected Still the papers they carried alon the day, and they were allowed to proceed This could hardly be wondered at when one of those little docu Albert himself, and contained an express desire that the bearer and his friends should be given every possible courtesy by loyal Belgians, as they had proved their friendshi+p for the little kingdom to the utmost
Then later on the motorcycle trio knew they were on French soil, for they had been stopped by a patrol in the famous blue tunics of the republican army Once more had their passports been scanned, and after a little consultation, in which Rod was able toFrench, they were saluted respectfully by the patrol, and allowed to proceed
After that they had arrived at Dunkirk, where later on hundreds of thousands of British soldiers were destined to be landed
Once through this city the boys headed on south, ai serious had hindered their forward progress, and all of theht-hearted indeed
Then had co; and it was after drinking their fill of the delightful water, thanks to a gourd some kind person had supplied, that Hanky Panky announced his discovery
Josh took a look, and then burst out into a loud laugh
”Why, if you're going to believe because a felloears khaki he must own a motorcycle,” he told the other, ”you'll have the whole country full of spinning machines Those are British soldiers, Hanky; To hand to keep the Gerrinned the other; ”as if we didn't spy a lot of the sa you, Josh
But we must be near Calais, don't you think, Rod?”
”Only a few et there,” the leader advised hiiment of Britishers camped near by, ready to start off in the direction of Paris when trains can be supplied”
”Huh! they'll need all the hands they can h Brussels, I wager,” said Josh[1]
”Hundreds of thousands of Germans, if there was one,” added Hanky Panky; ”why, they passed on the dog-trot for hours all that afternoon; and in the h the city, headed south”
”There, those twodown the road now, in the same direction we are,” Josh went on to say; ”I'd like to coue Letto only Ger the splutter of the motorcycles behind them, drew to one side of the road so as to allow the trio of boys to pass
Instead of doing this the chums disot caught in the whirl of the war on the border of the Rhine country,” Rod hastened to explain ”We've had a pretty wariued to do so Noant to get to the front where the fighting is going on We've a good reason for wishi+ng to do that, you see Where is your ca Britishers exchanged surprised looks Evidently they hardly knehether to believe Rod or not, his story seemed so remarkable Still they must have been favorably impressed with his looks, as nearly every person was, for presently they s hands with each of the motorcycle boys
”Our caside the road,” one of them hastened to explain; ”you will be held up there, unless you sheer off on a little side road that lies just beyond that batch of squatty trees”
Evidently this was intended as a gentle hint Rod, however, only laughed
”Thanks for the tip, ht in Calais, and will be only too glad toofficer We have papers he will be pleased to see; and there isn't a general on French soil but ould gladly let us pass on the recommendations we carry”
”When do you expect to start for the front?” asked Josh just then, as with his companions he prepared to move on
”We have received notice that a train will be ready for us an hour after sundown; and let hly pleased to know it,” caood-natured smile
”What is the news froerly