Part 13 (1/2)

”Huh! they'll call themselves lucky if it ends at that,” snorted Josh; ”some men would have their necks or backs broken; but these Gerh lot, I've heard, and can stand a heap of pounding”

Even as they looked the wrecked Taube struck the ground Some soldiers had hastened in that direction, and were on the spot almost as soon as the disabled Ger about ae of the aeroplane Then they appeared carrying so in their midst

”They've picked up the occupants of the fallen Taube,” said Rod, ”and from the way they carry them the poor chaps must be badly hurt Yes, there they've stopped that a the wounded birdmen aboard The French admire bravery, even in a allant felloill receive just as good care as if they were their own ain started to move forward The field hospital was now close at hand, and they could expect to be within its borders in a few minutes more

Hanky Panky nerved himself for the terrible ordeal he kneas before him Both the other lads also shut their lips firhts without feeling faint; for they were not accustos, and but boys after all

Some of those they met eyed thesters were, and what brought the theht be from lack of tiave the regulation salute, which may have induced the others to believe the boys actually belonged to soh their khaki uniforms would rather indicate a connection with the British ar with General Joffre

The boys had just succeeded in stacking their machines when an opportunity ca several poor fellows into one of the tent shelters A lorry had arrived, and there did not seem to be any attendant on hand to help the driver, who looked around in despair

”Co, Josh, and lend a hand here!” exclai forward

Hanky Panky started, but soon held back, unable to bear the sight of the wounded men ere in thethree of them inside the shelter, where they were placed as co surgeon, engaged with other cases, could attend to their hurts One of the been terribly injured by a bursting shell It pierced Rod's sympathetic heart just to look at his white, blood-specked face But the black eyes were still full of fire and animation; and when Rod held a dipper of cold water to the lips of the soldier of the republic the other drank greedily, and then thanked him in French

”It may be the last drink I shall ever want,” he told Rod complacently, ”but I rejoice to know I have lived to see the day when a French army has made the German beast turn tail and run My father died before Paris lorious day to come I am satisfied I have done my duty to France”

It made a powerful impression on both the boys Such bravery and devotion to country could hardly fail to do otherwise Secretly they hoped the valiant soldier ht survive his terrible injuries, and live to see the day when victory crowned the tri-color of France, which he adored

The busy surgeon now found a chance to pay attention to the later victi shells and bombs At the sa the only one of the boys who could speak French

Presently Rod turned again to Josh to say:

”Here's a streak of luck for us, Josh Just as soon as he's through with the case he's noorking on, the gentle to loan us his binoculars He also says there is a slight elevation twenty yards back of this shelter, froet a pretty fair view of the battle lines Froood ti to take place before long”

Of course this pleased Josh exceedingly, because it was a field-glass he had been yearning for ever since they found themselves within touch of the field of battle He even tried to assist the wearied arht, for Josh had an abundance of nerve, and could accusto his actions

Presently, armed with the Lemaire binoculars, Rod led the way out of the te could be shi+elded from the hot September sun while the principle of ”first aid to the injured” was being applied

Hanky Panky was lingering near by, watching so it a difficult thing to retain a firreeted the reappearance of his chuerness

Perhaps he even hoped that they meant to quit the confines of the field hospital, and depart to other regions At sight of the field-glasses which Rod waved at hi toward that elevation close by; and he trotted at their heels as an obedient little spaniel ht have done

Once they reached the sueon had not overstated the fact when saying that a very good view of the battle lines could be obtained frolasses over to Josh, knowing how eager the other was to see at close range as going on over where the big guns were thundering so fiercely--where also the French lay in hiding, ready to again charge desperately upon the Gerround between the hostile armies was covered with the fallen Josh shi+vered as he contemplated the terrible spectacle It would doubtless haunt hiht to colance upward so as to see what the flying bird; then he handed the binoculars over to Hanky Panky, who received theerly, despite his sensation of horror

When Hanky Panky leveled the glasses at the distant line of hastily thrown up Ger he sahat see feverishly to strengthen their defences

Already they had tasted of the new-born French enthusiasm, and could anticipate that muchyears had those fiery Gauls been hugging to their hearts the thought of revenge for the humiliation suffered away back in '71, when their beloved Paris echoed to the traan to believe the day had dawned at last when the shame of their fathers could be wiped out, and the tables turned on the hated foe