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      The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen

      CHAPTER I

      ANTWERP AND THE FLIGHT THROUGH NORTHERN BELGIUM

      Antwerp was in a fever of excitement, as Ralph and Alfred marched up from the quay with the Belgian troops, and rumors of an immediate attack on the city were flying about.

      "Look at the Zeppelin!" cried out a voice.

      The boys turned to follow the gaze of the people who lined the streets. There, almost directly west, they caught the first glimpse of one of the monsters which appeared to be moving south, far beyond the reach of the encircling forts, but plainly visible.

      "Nothing would suit me better than a trip in a flying machine!" exclaimed Alfred.

      "Wouldn't that be fine?" replied Ralph.

      The sight seemed to be an inspiration to the boys. Our story will tell how the idea so impressed itself on their minds that they almost felt it a duty to join a flying corps. That, however, seemed to be an impossibility.

      They had passed through Belgium, participated in the first battles of the war, had been captured, and escaped from the Germans, and had now reached Antwerp, with the retreating Belgian army, where Ralph had hoped to meet his father, whom they had left in Germany almost four weeks prior to that time.

      As the father had not arrived, owing to the embargo which had been placed on all travelers from Germany to the warring countries, the boys found themselves stranded in a strange city. Fortunately, their connection with the army, and the fact that they had rendered Belgium some service, made it possible for them to get food and lodging.

      "We have forgotten one thing," said Ralph.

      "What is that?" inquired Alfred.

      "Why, we never went to the Post Office," replied Ralph.

      At the General Post Office they received a letter from Alfred's father, only to learn that he had been detained, as was the case with thousands of Americans, and that it would be impossible for him to reach Antwerp. Instead, he would be permitted to go through Switzerland, and from that country reach Paris where he hoped to meet them.

      "But we have no money now, what shall we do?" asked Alfred.

      "That's what worries me," answered Ralph. "Father supposes that Pierre is still with us, and that we are supplied with money."

      Three days after receiving the letter the boys heard the first definite news of the great movement of German troops designed to attack the forts. If they surrounded the city, and besieged it, the chances of reaching Paris would be small, indeed.

      "Something must be done, and that today," said Ralph. "I am going to leave if I have to walk."

      "Where to?" asked Alfred.

      Ralph smiled, as he said: "We might walk to Holland."

      Alfred almost shouted for joy, as he exclaimed: "That's a good idea. We have about ten francs left; that ought to take us through."

      A map was consulted. "Why, yes," said Alfred, "we can go north to Eeckeren, and from that place to Capellen, close to the frontier. It's only twelve miles."

      After this decision they again visited the Post Office, and immediately crossed through the city with a view of striking the main highway leading to Holland. Reaching the outskirts of the city, they were surprised to see great masses of Belgian troops encamped close to the forts, which guarded the highway. They soon learned that a strong German column had reached Brasscheat, three miles from Eeckeren.

      They looked at each other in amazement. "Well, this beats everything," said Alfred, with a shade of bitterness. "The Germans seem to be in our way whichever direction we turn. We'll have to take another route."

      "Another route?" blurted out Ralph. "There isn't another way to go on this side of the river. It would be a long tramp to cross the river."

      They were now in a serious dilemma, and stood there undecided as to the best course to follow, when they were startled by a voice: "Hello, boys!"

      "It's Pierre!" shouted Alfred, who was the first to spy their friend.

      "And how did you get here?" asked Alfred. "We thought they had captured you at Rouen."

      "So they did, but we got away the same night. But where are you going?" returned Pierre.

      "Trying to get to Holland," he was informed.

      "I am afraid you will have to go south of the Scheldt to get there," Pierre then informed them.

      "But I received a letter from father, and he wants us to meet him in Paris," said Alfred. "You know we don't want to be shut up in the city, if the Germans are going to surround it."

      "Of course not," answered Pierre. "But in the meantime we must find some other way out. You know you are still in the army, in the messenger service, and come to think of it, you haven't received any pay so far, have you?"

      The boys laughed, for that part of it had been entirely forgotten.

      "Why, yes; the Germans paid us for work at the hospital," said Ralph.

      "And you repaid them by skipping out the next day," said Pierre with a smile.

      "How much do you think there is due us now?" asked Alfred.

      "I don't know what you are on the rolls for, but there must be a full month's pay due, and that would be about thirty-five francs apiece," said Pierre.

      "Thirty-five francs!" mused Ralph. "Twice thirty-five is seventy,—about fourteen dollars. Good, that will take us through."

      "I suggest that you come to headquarters and join us. We intend to cross the river. It will be the safest place for you," said Pierre.

      "That will suit me," said Ralph.

      Together they marched to headquarters where they were again installed and placed on the rolls. Late that night the regiment began its march, reaching the dock below Antwerp at ten o'clock, where they had a long wait before the crowded boats left the pier. On landing, the march was resumed, and did not halt for two hours, so it was nearly three in the morning before they were able to lie down for the much needed sleep.

      It did not seem that they had slept a half hour when they were awakened by the heavy booming notes of cannon, and the occasional rattle and crash of small guns. The boys now knew the kind of music which the different weapons ground out.

      "That's a machine gun, see how regularly the shots come," said Alfred.

      "Yes; and that's a salvo from infantry," replied Ralph. "The Mannlicher guns have an awfully snappy way of talking. Do you hear it? There it is again. They must be rushing some of the outer works."

      The real fight, however, was between the forts and the heavy German guns, which continued during the entire day, principally on the southern and eastern sides of the city. The struggle was continuous for four days. Suddenly Pierre burst in with the startling information:

      "The Germans have silenced two of the forts, and Antwerp is doomed."

      No time was lost by the defending troops, and before noon the camp was dismantled, and the march begun.

      "Do you know where we are going!" asked Alfred.

      "Nothing more than that we are going to leave Antwerp, and try to reach the sea," replied Pierre.

      The Belgian army had begun its famous march across the northern end of Belgium in order to reach the sea, and secure the protection of the English fleet in the Channel.

      "I heard some one say that we intended going through Bruges," said Ralph.

      "Yes; and from there the army may be able to reach France, after passing through Ostend," said Pierre.

      In an air line Bruges is fifty miles from Antwerp, and from Bruges to the French frontier it is fully forty miles more. How the brave little army finally reached its destination, avoiding the large German forces sent out to intercept them, remains one of the most glorious exploits in the history of the Belgian army.

      "Next to Belgium I am glad to be in France,"