Part 19 (1/2)

There were hoa.r.s.e commands to halt, and another volley followed the first. At the same time a number of dark figures threw themselves in the road, shouting and waving their hands.

Frank leaned forward, threw on all speed, and the machine responded with a leap that almost unseated the riders. The crowd in front scattered as the machine rushed at them, but one of them was not quick enough and was hurled twenty feet away.

More shots followed the daring riders, but they were now beyond range.

For another mile they kept up the killing pace and then Frank slowed up a little.

”Ran right into their arms that time,” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.

”We were mighty lucky to come through with a whole skin,” replied Bart.

”More than the machine has done, I'm afraid,” remarked Frank. ”I can tell by the way she runs that there's something wrong with the tires.”

He looked behind, and seeing no signs of pursuit, he stopped the motorcycle and dismounted.

Something had indeed happened to the tires. Both the front and rear ones had been punctured by bullets. The air had gone out of them.

”Hard luck,” exclaimed Bart.

”Never mind,” returned Frank. ”We'll ride her flat as long as we can and if worse comes to worse we'll ride her on the rims. We've got to get that message to the general no matter what happens.”

”We'll get it there if we have to travel on our hands and knees,”

affirmed Bart.

”It won't come to that, I hope,” laughed his companion, as he bound the flat tires fast with straps. Then he settled himself again in his seat and started the machine.

It went along more slowly now, and their troubles were increased by the fact that their route had carried them into a main road that was filled with motor lorries--huge trucks loaded with men and supplies that rushed on with the speed almost of an express train.

The lorries had the right of way, and individual riders had to look out for themselves. Sometimes they came down two abreast, filling the whole width of the road, and in such cases the boys had to dismount and draw to the side of the road until they had pa.s.sed. If their machine had been in condition, they might have kept ahead by sheer speed, but in its present crippled state they would have been run down. And to be run down by one of those Juggernauts would have meant instant death.

On one such occasion they were hugging the fence, with their machine standing between them and the road. A lorry came thundering by, but just as it was nearly opposite, it swerved and struck the machine. It was torn from Frank's hand and hurled in front of the lorry which ran over and completely wrecked it.

The lorry tore on, leaving the two chums looking at each other in consternation.

”That's worse by long odds than the German bullets,” exclaimed Frank.

”I guess we'll have to do the hands and knees stunt you were talking about a little while ago.”

”We must be pretty near to the English general's headquarters now anyway, aren't we?” asked Bart.

Frank consulted his route by the aid of a flashlight that he carried with him.

”About two miles,” he announced. ”Put on some speed now, Bart. We'll run most of the way and jog-trot the rest.”

They let no gra.s.s grow under their feet, and fifteen minutes later they had reached the general's headquarters and were ushered into his presence. He seemed to be greatly agitated and was talking with great emphasis to a group of officers who surrounded him.

He took the papers that the boys had brought and read them over hurriedly.

”Very good,” he announced briefly. ”There is no answer. Were your orders to go back to your regiment to-night?”

”No, sir,” replied Frank.