Part 18 (2/2)
Here he was ushered into the presence of a group of officers who were poring over a large map spread out upon a table.
”Is this the young man you were telling me about, Colonel?” asked the general, a tall, powerfully built man, looking sharply at Frank from beneath a pair of bushy eyebrows.
”Yes, General,” replied the colonel. ”Captain Baker vouches for his coolness and courage and his quick thinking in an emergency. And I'm told he understands all about motorcycles.”
”Just the man,” commented the general. ”I want you,” he continued, addressing Frank, ”to carry a message for me to the British commander on our right. Our division has lost touch with him and the field telephone is not working. Probably it has been cut by the enemy. The message is most important and I want you to make all the speed you can.
Go and get ready now and report to your captain, who will hand you the papers. He will have a machine ready for you. That is all.”
Frank hurried back and made his preparations, which were brief. While he worked he told his eager companions of the errand with which he had been entrusted.
”Wish I were going with you,” remarked Bart.
”Same here,” said Billy.
”That would be dandy,” agreed Frank.
He shook hands with them and hurried away to the captain's quarters, where he found that officer waiting for him with the papers.
”There's no answer,” he said, as he handed them over. ”When you've delivered the papers your work is done. Good luck.”
Frank thrust the papers in his pocket after receiving full directions as to his route. The motorcycle was standing at the door. It was a powerful machine of the latest make and everything about it suggested strength and speed. He noticed that there was a saddle in the rear and a thought came to him.
”I see that this machine will carry double,” he said. ”Would you mind if I took a companion with me? The machine will carry two as swiftly as it will one. Then, too, if one of us were hurt or shot the other one could still go on with the message.”
”An excellent idea,” said the captain after pondering a moment. ”Get him, but make haste.”
Frank rushed back to his chums.
”Which one of you wants to go with me?” he asked breathlessly.
”I do,” they yelled in chorus.
”Sorry,” laughed Frank, ”but there's only room for one. Toss a coin.”
The luck favored Bart, much to Billy's disappointment. In a jiffy Frank and Bart had bidden Billy good-by, jumped to their places, and with a leap the powerful machine darted off.
The night was clear, and as soon as they were away from the camp Frank had no trouble in finding the road that he had been ordered to take.
It was a good one in ordinary times, but now it had been torn by sh.e.l.ls from the German guns in many places and care had to be taken to avoid a spill. The shaded light threw its rays a considerable distance ahead, but they were going at a speed that did not leave them much time to avoid obstacles even after they were detected.
The road swung around in a wide semi-circle and led through a number of French villages. These the Army Boys found in great confusion. The approach of the Huns was a terrible threat to the towns that might fall into German hands. What the enemy had done in the occupied parts of France and Belgium had given warning of what any other places they might capture would have to expect.
Wagons were being hastily piled with household belongings, men were shouting, children were crying, and the whole scene was desolate and pitiful beyond description.
The roads were so congested at these places that rapid progress was impossible. They had to thread their way among the crowd of vehicles, and in some cases were compelled to resort to the fields. But they made up for this on other stretches, and were congratulating themselves that on the whole they were making pretty good time when suddenly they were startled by a number of rifle shots and bullets whizzed by uncomfortably close.
”It's the Huns!” cried Frank.
”I didn't know they'd got as close as this!” exclaimed Bart. ”More gas, Frank! Quick!”
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