Tom re-appeared at three o'clock, and informed them that they would start in fifteen minutes.

"If you are ready for the trip, jump in and make yourselves comfortable," he said, and they required no second invitation.

The dainty Morane just suited them, and they were in their seats in an instant. Tom then tossed them a light package, which they tucked away, and the engine began to buzz. As they glanced around, two more machines seemed to vie with them in taking the air, then, as they again looked around, four more machines began to move, and soon all were on the wing, flying side by side, excepting two large Farman machines, which were well in the lead.

Up, up, up, they went, the machines on line with each other maintaining a height of about four thousand feet, while the Farmans were about five hundred feet higher. Within a half hour they saw in the distance what appeared to be a silver ribbon running east and west, which proved to be the river Aisne, and to the east they saw the city of Soissons. The beautiful aviation ground was reached within an hour, and they alighted in front of a magnificent group of hangars in the center of well-tilled fields, so located as to afford a view in all directions from the grounds. The machine was then put up for the night, and Tom and the boys were glad to turn in for a much-needed rest.

It was now the first day of September, and there had been nearly one month of war. The immense German forces had hewn their way through Belgium and entered France, reaching the cities of Laon, Epernay, and Chalons-sur-Marnek, thus forming a huge circle. They were within forty-five miles of Paris.

When the boys awoke the next morning the first words that greeted them were: "The Germans are within five miles of Soissons."

They rushed over to the hangar, but the machine and Tom were not to be found. This was another source of grief to them, and they stared about, and wondered at this new turn of affairs until, meeting an attendant, Ralph inquired:

"Do you know where the Morane has gone?"

"They all started on a reconnoitering trip at five this morning," was the reply.

"Do you think they will come back here?" asked Alfred.

"That is doubtful," answered the man.

"Then we shall have to make our way to Paris as best we can," said Ralph. "Do you think we would have any chances on the railroad?"

"It's doubtful. I should take my chances over the highway directly south, if I wanted to make Paris," answered the man. Then, after a little reflection, he added: "A large English force is expected to be here from Laon, and it may arrive before noon. Possibly the flyers will return, but if the German forces are too close, they will go on to the next station at Crepy, directly south of this place."

"Then that's the place for us," proposed Alfred, as he thanked their informant.

They had no trouble in getting breakfast and after waiting for an hour, during which all sorts of rumors were floating about, they concluded that their only course would be to commence the trip. It was not necessary for them to inquire the way, as the highway, in the distance was filled with fugitives, all trying to get to Paris, or, at least, to avoid the invaders while there was yet time.

Reaching the highway, they moved along with the procession, and, shortly before twelve o'clock, reached Crepy, ten miles from Soissons. They were now twenty-five miles from the center of Paris, and after getting a good meal they again took up the march over a beautiful road, which ran southeast.

CHAPTER VI

VIGOROUS RED CROSS WORK

A mile from the town they came within sight of a cross road, filled with an immense concourse, which seemed to be wending its way east.

Approaching nearer, they recognized troops, artillery and hors.e.m.e.n, the latter moving along in the fields parallel with the roadway.

"It seems to me the firing is much nearer than when we started out this morning," said Ralph.

As they pa.s.sed through the marchers, and proceeded along the highway, they saw that troops were noticed posted everywhere, and that batteries were lying in wait in every advantageous spot.

"I think we made a mistake in taking this road. We should have traveled the one which went to the west," said Ralph.

"Then let's go out the first road that crosses this," replied Alfred.

Meanwhile the sounds of battle came nearer and nearer. The artillery posted on the elevation began to speak, and before there was time to realize it the boys were within the battle zone, and bearing down on the road along which they were traveling. They had no trouble, however, in leaving the road, as all the fences were down, and many of the fields were cut up with the hoofs of horses, and creased by the huge artillery wheels.

To add to the confusion, sh.e.l.ls began to fall all about them, and occasionally a terrific explosion would follow, leaving them dazed and startled. They ascended a hill, and, looking back, saw nothing but dense clouds of smoke, and a scene of indescribable confusion.

"What's that down there?" shouted Alfred, pointing to a group of vans close by the side of a stream.

"That must be a Red Cross station; so it is," said Ralph.

Their footsteps were hurried, but before the place was reached they saw stretcher bearers, and also noticed the wounded being unloaded from a field van. Glancing to the left they saw fully a dozen vans of like character, as indicated by the great red crosses on their sides, rushing up the narrow street from the southeast.

"Let's give them a hand," said Alfred.

A business-looking surgeon stood at the rear end of one of the vans, as the boys approached. They saluted. "Can we do anything to help out?"

asked Ralph.

The doctor looked at them for a moment, apparently non-plussed at their appearance.

"Yes, indeed; we need you and many more willing ones like you."

"What shall we do?" asked Alfred.

The surgeon drew a pad from his pocket, wrote a few words on it, handed it to the boys, and said: "Present this to the officer yonder."

The officer indicated received the slip, while directing the disposition of a wounded soldier, glanced at it hurriedly, then looked at the boys.

"Ah, want to get on duty? We can accommodate you; there, put those stretchers in the van. One of you can take this to the supply van," he said. Ralph seized the paper, and looked about.

"The van with the flag on it," explained the officer.

Ralph rushed across the intervening s.p.a.ce, and presented the paper to a Red Cross nurse, who smiled sweetly as she glanced at the paper, and looked inquiringly at Ralph. She then turned, seized three packages, and handed them to Ralph, while he thanked her and quickly rushed away. The packages were stored in the van, water was supplied to the containers in the vehicle, and the moment the last article was on board, the van started.

The boys were both within, as well as three men and a surgeon. They had heard no orders, but knew they were bound for the battlefield. There was no talking indulged in. The men were too intently engaged in listening to the din of the conflict, and watching the soldiers moving to and fro.

"Has there been much of a fight?" asked Ralph.

"They have been at it all morning," said one of the men. Then, glancing at the boys, he continued: "But this is a bad place for you youngsters."

"I am afraid you will regret it before you return. The scenes are awful," continued the man.

"We know what it is," said Alfred. "We saw the worst kind of fighting in Belgium."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _French and German Flags_]

"We were with the English in the battle east of Soissons, and had some experience there," said Ralph.

"Aren't you English?" asked the surgeon.

"Oh, no; we're Americans," replied Alfred.

At this point a lieutenant rode up alongside, and shouted: "There has been a tough sc.r.a.p at the mill; we have driven the Germans back; take this road down to the river; you will find plenty of poor fellows there who will need you."