Many were the odd sights they beheld from time to time. First it was this thing that attracted them, and hardly had their exclamations of delight ceased than something else would be discovered further down that chained their attention until they were close enough to make out its character.

One thing Jack called their attention to, and this was the fact that they were meeting with more evidences of mobilization than ever, as they proceeded further from the Hungarian capital.

The news may have been belated in reaching many of these interior hamlets and pretty little towns along the Danube; but it must have arrived at last, and no end of excitement had followed.

They saw scores and even hundreds of men in uniform, some marching in squads as if hurrying to join the colors; others guarding bridges, or other vulnerable structures, the latter doubtless being old men who could not go to the front, though still possessing the military spirit, and desirous of doing something for the country of his birth.

Jack was delighted with this chance to see things he had often read about but never really expected to set eyes on.

"I used to believe that it was a terrible crime to have every young fellow serve a couple of years in the army before he could go into business, and then be reckoned as belonging to the reserves, but I'm changing my mind some, let me tell you," was what he said later in the afternoon.

"How's that, Jack?" asked Buster.

"Well," continued the other, obligingly, "in the first place it makes for a love for their country when they know they represent a unit in her defense. Then again it goes to make the young fellows amenable to discipline, something millions of boys in our country are lacking in. It teaches them to be frugal, and the life outdoors makes them a lot more healthy."

"Sounds good to me, Jack," a.s.sented Josh.

"I know we've done a heap of talking over in America about the mad folly of Germany in making every young man serve a term in the army, and boasted that our boys needn't ever fear of being forced to join the colors; but perhaps, fellows, after this world war is over, we'll be doing the same thing. Preparedness is what is going to count for a whole lot, let me tell you; and both Great Britain and the States will learn a lesson before they're through."

At the time of course Jack was only taking a vague peep into the future; but events that have happened since then show he had a wise head on his young shoulders. When these words are being penned camps are springing up all over the States where business men can have a month's training in military ways; and those who come back home admit that they have taken on a new lease of life, such are the great benefits to be obtained in that fashion.

It must have been past the middle of the hot afternoon, when the boys were lolling about, almost panting for breath, and taking things as easy as possible, that a sudden sound startled them.

"Thunder!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Buster, as he popped up his head to look around.

Black clouds were sweeping swiftly down back of them, and even as they looked a flash of vivid lighting resembling a forked dagger shot toward the earth, almost immediately succeeded by another deep-toned burst of thunder.

"What do you say to that, George?" demanded Josh, turning a triumphant face on the other.

"Oh! seems like you hit the mark with that guess," admitted the other, "but then anybody might one out of three. Besides, we haven't got the storm yet, have we? It may go around us."

"No danger of that," declared Josh; "these summer storms nearly always follow the channel of a river. I've known 'em to pour down pitchforks for half an hour on the water and the other bank, and never a drop fall on me. But we'll get all the rain you want to see right soon now."

"I do hope it'll cool the air some then," complained Buster, who being stouter than any of his chums, must have suffered more in proportion from the heat.

"What had we better do, Jack?" asked George, surveying the black clouds uneasily.

"It's too bad that we don't happen to see any cove where we could run in and stay," replied the pilot; "so on the whole I think we'd better make a turn and head into the storm that's coming down the river."

"That sounds good to me!" declared Josh, instantly understanding the benefit such a course would likely bring to them; "our cabin is partly open in the rear, but well protected forward. We can use that tarpaulin to cover the well back here, and after all the storm won't last long.

Swing her around, Jack, and edge in a bit closer to the sh.o.r.e while you're about it. The river is pretty wide right here."

It seemed three times as wide to Buster just then, as at any time before; but of course this came from his suddenly awakened fears.

"How deep do you think it can be out here, Josh?" he asked after another fearful rolling crash of thunder had pa.s.sed into rumblings in the distance.

"Oh! a mile or so," replied Josh, carelessly.

"Whee! then all I hope is we don't get blown over on our beam-ends, and have to swim for it," Buster was heard to say.

They had just managed to get the boat headed up-stream when the squall struck them with almost hurricane force. The water was lifted and flung against the little boat with terrific violence. Indeed, the boys working energetically could hardly manage to fasten the stout tarpaulin to the hooks by which it was meant to be secured in an emergency like this, so as to cover the open well at the stern.

The rain began to come down in wild gusts, the wind howled around them, the boat rose and fell frantically, and Jack had all he could do to keep the plunging craft headed into the furious storm.

It grew almost dark around them. Water found entrance despite the cover, and the boys prepared to take a soaking. As they were not made of salt, and had undergone many privations and discomforts during other days, they uttered no complaint. Indeed, Buster was telling himself that it would be all right if they only got through in safety; clothes could be easily dried, but it was another thing to be wrecked out on a raging river in a storm like this.

The waves were mounting pretty high, so that with every plunge they could tell that the propeller was fighting the air, as it was hoisted above the resisting water. This was what alarmed Jack, for he knew the danger attending such a sudden and constant change of speed.

He tried the best he could to ease the strain each time they rose and fell; but it was always with an anxious heart that he listened to hear if the propeller still continued to do its duty after every mad plunge.

Minutes had pa.s.sed, just how long a time since the beginning of the storm none of the boys could tell. Then all at once every one noticed that they had ceased to progress steadily. The noise of the churning propeller had also ceased.

"We're turning broadside to the blow, Jack!" shouted Buster, although that was hardly the case as yet, his fears magnifying the danger.

"What happened, Jack?" roared Josh.

"Engine's broken down, and we're at the mercy of the storm!" came the staggering reply.

CHAPTER VIII

THE SPORT OF THE ELEMENTS

"Just what I expected!" exclaimed George, when he heard what Jack had to say.

"Will the boat upset, do you think?" bellowed Buster, as he fancied he could feel the craft already tilting dangerously, so that he "sidled"

across to the other side of the crowded little cabin.

"Oh! I hardly think it'll be as bad as that," the commodore told him; "but while we're about it we'd better fasten on these life preservers!"

They had discovered half a dozen cork belts under one of the lockers, and these Jack proceeded to hastily throw out. Every fellow was immediately engaged in trying to buckle one about his person, well up under the arms.

The thunder bellowed at quick intervals, so that talking could only be indulged in between these outbursts. It was almost dark inside the cabin of the rocking boat, and of course the boys were all very much excited, not knowing what was going to happen at the next minute.

"Be sure to get it up under your arms, Buster," warned Jack, while he worked.

"Yes," added Josh, who could be sarcastic even when confronted by such danger, "for if the old thing slips down any it'll keep your feet out, and your head under water. Better put two more on you, Buster, because you're a heavyweight, you know."

Perhaps Josh was joking when he said this, but Buster took it all solemnly enough.

"Guess I will, if the rest of you don't need 'em!" he declared. "If you're done fixin' yours Josh, _please_ lend me a hand. I don't seem able to get the fastening the right way. Oh! we nearly went over that time, didn't we?"

"Keep still, Buster, and quit trying to balance the boat!" urged George; "your weight won't matter a bean if she's bound to turn turtle; and you nearly smashed my foot that time, you came down on it so hard. Talk to me about a sportive elephant, it isn't in the same cla.s.s with you when you get excited."

"Here, I'll try and fix you up, Buster, if only you keep quiet a spell,"