The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen Part 7

"How far is it to Mons?" asked Alfred.

"About fifty miles south," said Tom.

"And what is the name of the town which we saw before we came down?"

asked Ralph.

"Lille," was the response. "But we must be going back," continued Tom.

"We are going to move south in the morning, and I have a few things to pack up."

After bidding good-bye to every one, they climbed into the airplane, and those present gave the boys a cheer, as the machine glided forward. Tom had promised to give them an hour's flight, and it was now four o'clock. They had heard about taking observations, while on the grounds at Lille, and they busied themselves in trying to do work of that character. How small the houses were! They could see little creeping things, that soon evolved themselves into horses and wagons, but they seemed unreal.

The flight to Lille covered a distance of forty-five miles, and it took them an hour. It didn't seem that they could have been aloft half of that time. Now, on returning, the novelty had worn off, and they were so much interested that they forgot to look at their watches until the deep blue haze, which betokened the approach to the sea, aroused them.

"Why, it's past five o'clock," said Ralph. "Tom was going for an hour's flight only," said Alfred.

"He just said that in fun, I suppose," replied Ralph.

After alighting the boys did not know how to fully express their appreciation of Tom's kindness for the great treat, and they inquired whether they could not be of some service to him, as they were only too anxious to help him out in any way that would be useful.

"Why, no; I don't know what I can put you at," replied Tom. "Of course, there's always lots to do about the hangar, and the first thing to learn is how the machines are built, and how to handle them; and then, an important thing is to learn all the tricks in a gasoline engine."

"That's just what we want to learn," said Alfred, enthusiastically.

"But I thought you had to go to Paris to meet your father?" said Tom.

"Yes," replied Alfred ruefully; "but we can come back. I'm sure there will be no objections."

"Of course, it's your first duty to go to Paris--that is, if you can get there," said Tom, rather slyly.

There was now nothing for them to do but to make an effort to reach Paris. Immediately after landing, they started for the tram way, and reached Dunkirk after six in the evening.

"I never was as hungry in my life," said Ralph.

"Do you know why?" answered Alfred.

"Come to think of it, we didn't get anything to eat at noon," was Ralph's answer.

After alighting from the cars, their first mission was to seek a restaurant, and from that point they soon reached the post office, only to be again disappointed. At the telegraph office they had the same bad luck.

"I wonder where father is?" said Alfred.

"I suppose we shall have to go, whether we want to or not," suggested Ralph. "Let us inquire at the transportation office."

At the main office they soon learned that the troops from England were occupying every coach, motor wagon and bus that was in sight, and that there was no encouragement in that direction. But an idea occurred to Alfred.

"We belong to the army, don't we?" he said.

"Suppose we apply as soldiers, and tell them we must get to Paris at once."

They reached the main office of the Army transportation service, and boldly made their way to the room indicated by an attendant. In a few moments they were ushered in, and saw at least a score or more soldiers and officers in the room, at one end of which sat a white-haired officer, and several other officers, issuing orders.

"Your business?" said an officer, approaching them.

"We have been with the Belgians, and have just come from Antwerp. We are Americans, and are trying to reach Paris, and we wanted to know if we couldn't go on one of the trains?" explained Alfred.

The officer shook his head. "I am sorry to say that we cannot provide for any one unless connected with the army," he said.

"But we are connected with the army," said Ralph. "We were messengers, and have had a lively time, too."

"Yes, and we expect to join the flying corps, but father expects me in Paris," said Alfred.

The officer smiled, and pondered a moment. Then, motioning to them, he pa.s.sed out of the room, the boys following. They crossed the hall, and entered a narrow room.

"Lieutenant," he said, "issue a permit for these boys to ride on any available train to Paris."

The boys expressed their thanks to the officer, and, after giving their names and home addresses, they received a card, which stated that the Army transport service permitted them to ride on any train where there was available room, at the discretion of the officer in charge of the train.

"I should advise you to see the officer at the station in the morning, and get him to a.s.sign you to a train number, as the quickest way," said the clerk, as he handed them the permit.

"Nothing like determination," said Ralph. "It is bound to pull you through."

It was too late for them to return to the aviation field that evening, so after considerable search, they finally found a room, and after discussing the events of the day fell asleep, and awoke long after the sun had risen.

"We've got to do some hustling," said Ralph. "We ought to see Tom this morning and tell him of our good luck."

They partook of a hasty breakfast, and were at the station in order to get an a.s.signment. But this was not an easy matter. They waited for nearly two hours before they were able to reach the proper official.

"I am sorry to say that we cannot take you today, but I will try to make a reservation for you tomorrow. Come here after four this afternoon,"

said the officer.

"Now for the aviation field," said Alfred.

They were detained for more than an hour watching several newly arrived regiments embark on a train, which slowly pulled out to the south, and it was nearly noon when the grounds were reached. There seemed to be a change in the place. The hangars were empty, and no machines visible. A score of men were taking down the temporary hangars and from them it was learned that the entire corps had started at eight o'clock for the southern station.

"That's too bad!" said Ralph regretfully. "I wish we had started back earlier."

"Then we might go to the hospital," suggested Alfred.

The head surgeon remembered the boys. "It's too bad," he said.

"Lieutenant Winston has been removed to the hospital at Dunkirk, and will leave for England tomorrow; but his sister is still here,--ah, here she comes."

"Oh, I am so glad to see you. Brother asked for you before he left. If you are going to England, you must go to see him. He is at Hempstead."

"We expect to go to Paris tomorrow, and we are sorry not to be able to see him," Alfred told her.

They at once returned to Dunkirk, and awaited anxiously until four o'clock. Before they had an opportunity to speak to the officer in charge, he shook his head, to indicate that there was no room. They lingered about, but it appeared to be a hopeless task. Four tracks ran by the station office, and these were constantly filled with empty cars, then loaded up, and drawn out. They watched the proceedings until the sun went down, when tired and hungry, they crossed the street, entered a coffee house, and ate a hurried supper.

As they were moving out the doorway, Ralph stopped. Turning to Alfred, he said: "We are chumps; that's about the size of it."