Part 9 (1/2)

Philippe told his friend travelers that the most interesting place to see was the water front.

”It was there that the supplies, sent from your country during the World War, arrived,” said the boy, looking at his American companion. ”That is the port through which thousands and thousands of vessels pa.s.s each year.”

They drove to the docks. Flags were flying from s.h.i.+ps of almost every nation. There were miles and miles of masts and funnels. The air was full of busy noises.

”Did you know,” asked the English gentleman, ”that Antwerp is the second most important s.h.i.+pping port in Europe? Hamburg alone is more important.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: ANTWERP IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT s.h.i.+PPING PORT IN EUROPE]

After they had left the docks, they wandered about the city on foot.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THERE WERE MILES AND MILES OF MASTS AND FUNNELS IN ANTWERP HARBOR]

They saw the house where the great painter, Rubens, lived.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HOME OF RUBENS, ANTWERP]

It was growing late, and they talked of resting at a hotel before dinner. They were crossing a noisy street, on their way to a hotel, when Philippe suddenly saw Zelie and Tom.

The boy stopped. The two gentlemen were already on the opposite side.

But Philippe stood stock still in the middle of the street and clutched his fat little puppy until the dog squealed. He had seen Zelie and Tom!

But only for a moment.

Zelie was pus.h.i.+ng the big organ. They had disappeared from sight, down an alleyway.

Only for a moment did Philippe stand still. Then he gathered his wits together. Off he dashed, after Zelie and Tom. But even though Philippe had followed almost immediately, they had now completely disappeared.

Thinking that he had been mistaken in the direction, Philippe turned around quickly and started down another street. Oh, he must find Zelie and Tom. He had missed them so. He wanted to talk with them again.

Frantically he turned, and once more he ran down the alleyway. There was a group of children playing on the curb.

”Have you seen a man and a girl with an organ?” asked Philippe in French.

The children did not understand. They giggled. Philippe realized that in Antwerp most of the people speak Flemish. He repeated his question in that language.

”Yes,” replied one of the children. ”They went very fast down that way.

They went past the church toward the station.”

Calling back his thanks, Philippe darted off in the direction given.

Asking questions as he went, he finally arrived at the railway station.

Puffing and panting, he dashed up to the station master.

”Have you seen--a tall man--and a girl--with an organ?” puffed Philippe.

The station master smiled at the wild face of the boy before him.

Then he pointed to a train just chugging away and replied, ”They are on that train which is leaving the station.”