Part 14 (2/2)

So for at least two hours the three brave-hearted American boys stood up to the work to which none of them were accustomed They certainly, in that space of tiratitude of the nation whose sons they assisted in their time of need

Rod was interested in several Gerhtly wounded He entered into conversation with one of theed to learn more of the other side of the contention than he had known before

Finally even the willing Josh was heard to declare that he had about reached the limit of his endurance, while Hanky Panky looked ready to drop

”We've got to get away fro; ”after all we're only boys, and this is a terrible experience for us Our chuetting shaky”

Rod hi ain of the wounded was over by now, and besides, s

”That's all right, boys,” he assured his chums, ”we've done our level best to be of some help to our friends, the French; and now it's only fair we should start in looking after our own affairs again”

”I've noticed you talking with a nueon friend, Rod; have you picked up any sort of inforuessing what their leaderthat may turn out to be worth while,” ca you've struck a clue about the regis--is that what it is?” continued Josh

”Yes, and of course it'll be our object to run across the sa to strike et away fros that few boys ever could run across--things that'll haunt us for a long tilad to hear you say that, Rod,” remarked Hanky Panky, white of face after his recent experiences; indeed, it was mostly on account of this coion an hour after theirI want to tell you, fellohich is a bit lad to say,” continued Rod ”Our supply of petrol is nearly exhausted, you ht prove a pretty tough proposition”

”I was just thinking about that!” declared Josh, ”and had it on the tip of ht to do about it”

”Well, fortunately it's been eon, has given eneral supply station which I've already located He said it was little enough in recognition of the e've been doing”

Both the other boys declared that it was a splendid thing, and congratulated Rod on his forethought in looking out for the necessary supplies Without liquid fuel hich to drive their speedy motorcycles they would find theallon in the whole country had undoubtedly been seized by the military authorities--that is, what little the Gerh

Accordingly their first labor was to proceed to the tank, present the order given by the surgeon, who actually ruled the field hospital, and the e readily allowed them to refill their reservoirs with the precious liquid

It ith a thankful heart that Hanky Panky finally turned his back on the field hospital He had passed through sothat place he felt as though his nerves had been badly rattled

After the late battle a strange calain

Doubtless both sides were replenishi+ng their stock of a in readiness for the next upheaval; for the French would never cease to attack as long as they knew they had the enemy ”on the run,”

and that it was French soil those detestable Gers out as best he could The wearied arive hiressed they could no longer say that they had the road to thehts were before their eyesfor thethe wounded heroes far to the rear; other e forward to secure their loads; detachuard to a detention camp; squads of French soldiers bent upon soer to be in at the next furious engagees watching all that went on, and laughing with the passersby, because victory was in the air for France, and it mattered little that they had lost all their live stock when the Ger prayed for had indeed arrived

So the Motorcycle Boys had to pick their way along now; it could no longer be said of them that they fairly ”flew” over the road Besides the nu, there were hty shells had fallen and exploded, forotiated lest the ridersthe way they discovered such cast-offGerman army had discarded in order to hasten their uns that had been rendered temporarily useless by reason of some accident; stocks of provisions that could not be carried; cooking outfits that were the most cos which could not be safely carried off by an ar hourly harassed by a fierce and unrelenting foe

The day had worn on while they were in the field hospital so that it was now getting well along in the afternoon Rod knew they would soon have to be thinking of seeking soht He was more particular about this because clouds had come up, and there seemed a chance that rain would follow, as often happens iht in which there isand consequent concussion of the atre lunch of the noble French areon, who had conceived such an ardent ad Ary as a tra; and hoping that they would be lucky enough to soon strike a house where a ht be secured