The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen Read online

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  _The Seraph Made a Quick Glide Below Its Adversary_]

  THE BOY VOLUNTEERS WITH THE FRENCH AIRMEN

  BY KENNETH WARD

  Logo]

  THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY NEW YORK

  Copyright, 1917, by AMERICAN AUTHORS PUBLISHING CO.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE

  I ANTWERP, AND THE FLIGHT THROUGH NORTHERN BELGIUM 13

  II IN THE AVIATION CAMP 25

  III THE WOUNDED AVIATORS 35

  IV TRENCH WORK WITH THE BRITISH FORCES 48

  V ON THE FIRING LINE 61

  VI VIGOROUS RED CROSS WORK 72

  VII BOUND FOR VERDUN 84

  VIII AN AEROPLANE AMIDST THE LIGHTNINGS 94

  IX A CHAPTER OF LESSONS ABOUT THE AEROPLANE 107

  X A THRILLING EXPERIENCE IN THE AIR 117

  XI A FIGHT AND A LANDING IN BELGIUM 125

  XII EXCITING EXPLOITS ON LAND 143

  XIII A DARING BOMB RAID TO THE RHINE 152

  XIV A TERRIBLE FIGHT IN THE CLOUDS 160

  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

  _The Seraph Made a Quick Glide Below Its Adversary_ _Frontispiece_

  PAGE

  _Types of Allied Airplanes_ 29

  _Airplanes of the Central Powers_ 31

  _Allies' Distinguishing Mark_ 64

  _Black Cross on German Flyers_ 65

  _French and German Flags_ 75

  _Instrument Board of Standard Airplane_ 111

  _A Dangerous Position_ 129

  _A Safety Manoeuver_ 133

  FRENCH AIRMEN

  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 upfrom the quay with the Belgian troops, and rumors of an immediate attackon 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 themonsters which appeared to be moving south, far beyond the reach of theencircling 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 tellhow the idea so impressed itself on their minds that they almost feltit a duty to join a flying corps. That, however, seemed to be animpossibility.

  They had passed through Belgium, participated in the first battles ofthe war, had been captured, and escaped from the Germans, and had nowreached Antwerp, with the retreating Belgian army, where Ralph had hopedto meet his father, whom they had left in Germany almost four weeksprior to that time.

  As the father had not arrived, owing to the embargo which had beenplaced on all travelers from Germany to the warring countries, the boysfound themselves stranded in a strange city. Fortunately, theirconnection with the army, and the fact that they had rendered Belgiumsome 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 thousandsof Americans, and that it would be impossible for him to reach Antwerp.Instead, he would be permitted to go through Switzerland, and from thatcountry 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 Pierreis still with us, and that we are supplied with money."

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

  "Something must be done, and that today," said Ralph. "I am going toleave 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. Wehave about ten francs left; that ought to take us through."

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

  After this decision they again visited the Post Office, and immediatelycrossed through the city with a view of striking the main highwayleading to Holland. Reaching the outskirts of the city, they weresurprised to see great masses of Belgian troops encamped close to theforts, which guarded the highway. They soon learned that a strong Germancolumn 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 ourway whichever direction we turn. We'll have to take another route."

  "Another route?" blurted out Ralph. "There isn't another way to go onthis 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 thebest 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 capturedyou 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 inParis," 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 someother way out. You know you are still in the army, in the messengerservice, 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 asmile.

  "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 fullmonth's pay due, and that would be about thirty-five francs apiece,"said Pierre.

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

  "I suggest that you come to headquarters and join us. We intend to crossthe 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 installedand 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 longwait before the crowded boats left the pier. On landing, the march wasresumed, and did not halt for two hours, so it was nearly three in themorning 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 awakenedby the heavy booming notes of cannon, and the occasional rattle andcrash of small guns. The boys now knew the kind of music which thedifferent 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 Mannlicherguns have an awfully snappy way of talking. Do you hear it? There it isagain. They must be rushing some of the outer works."

  The real fight, however, was between the forts and the heavy Germanguns, which continued during the entire day, principally on the southernand eastern sides of the city. The struggle was continuous for fourdays. 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 wasdismantled, 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 reachthe sea," replied Pierre.

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

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

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

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

  "Next to Belgium I am glad to be in France," said Pierre. "Now you canget to Paris without difficulty," he added.

  It thus happened that six weeks after the boys entered Belgium southwestof Liege, they reached Dunkirk on the French coast, and saw the immensefleet of warships and transports, which the British had in the harbor.It seemed that every spot around the city was taken up by tents, wagons,mules, horses, and heavy guns, to say nothing of the soldiers on everyhand.

  One regiment after the other entrained in cars, and were whirled to thesouth. Box cars, flat cars, some new, others dilapidated, were inservice. It seemed that there were thousands of automobiles in line, andevery one was anxious to get away. They even saw thousands of men, withfull kits on their backs, march out to the east, as though they scornedto wait for railway or auto accommodations.

  Pierre was at the door of the boys' tent early in the morning of thesecond day. "I am glad to tell you that the roll has been signed, andyou can get your pay," he said. "But I am awfully sorry to have you go."

  "Of course, we've had some pretty hard times," said Ralph, "but it was agreat experience. Maybe we'll come back again."

  "We're going to try to join the flying machines," said Alfred.

  Pierre laughed, and Ralph smiled, for, while that idea was uppermost inhis mind, he had never discussed the subject with Alfred sufficiently toenable them to call it a plan that they really intended to follow out.It was more an enthusiastic feeling of something that they would like todo, without knowing just how they would go about it.

  "So you are really going to start for Paris this afternoon?" saidPierre.

  "Yes; we ought to be there now, for father will wonder what is thematter with us. You see he hasn't heard from us for six weeks, and ithas been two weeks since we received his letter," said Ralph.

  "Then why don't you wire the Continental Hotel, Paris, and tell him youare on the way? It will relieve his anxiety. Tell him to answer you atonce, for it may take you several days to reach Paris," said Pierre.

  "Several days?" queried Alfred.

  "Yes, indeed. Troops occupy all the cars now," replied Pierre.

  So the telegram was sent, and it was decided to remain where they wereuntil morning so as to receive the reply before starting. But no answercame that night or the next day. In the meantime, the boys wandered fromplace to place, for, as they still wore the trim Belgian suits, theywere privileged to visit many places barred from civilians.

  In the afternoon they found themselves far down the road leading toYpres, when they were startled at the sound of an unusual buzzing, andsoon divined the cause as they saw a dozen or more airplanes flyingaround over the broad fields to the east. Nothing more was needed togive the boys an inspiration. They moved toward the great field, asthough a giant magnet pulled them. Long before they were near thehangars they could see the flyers far above them, circling about. Thescene fascinated them.

  Then something like a dull explosion startled them, and they looked ateach other and then glanced about.

  "There it is; look at it; directly above us," shouted Alfred, in greatexcitement.

  "Something has happened; it's on fire," said Ralph.

  In an incredibly short space of time, something struck and rattled alongthe ground not far from them, but the machine, although falling, wasstill some hundreds of feet from the earth. One of the operators couldbe seen frantically drawing back the levers, and trying to hold thebadly damaged ship from overturning, but his efforts were unavailing.

  The boys closed their eyes as the swiftly moving machine now actuallyrolled down through space, tumbling over and over, until it finallystruck the ground with a crashing noise, not a hundred feet from wherethey stood. Terrorized at the sight, they stood still for a few moments,but this was no worse than the scenes they had witnessed in battle, so,without a word, they made a rush for the mound of debris.

  "They are both under the machine," said Alfred.

  "Look at the smoke; it's afire," shouted Ralph.

  "Use sand! use sand!" almost shrieked Alfred.

  They had early learned that sand is more effectual as a fireextinguisher of burning oil than water, if properly applied. Handsful ofsand were scooped up and applied. A groan from one of the men arrestedtheir movements.

  Alfred jumped on the broken mass, and peered down. "There he is!" heshouted. Ralph crawled over the broken body of the airplane, and reacheddown.

  "No; this man is lying still," he said. "Here he is; come on this side;he is under the framework."

  The scene was one which well might inspire heroic work.

  The imprisoned man was quite young, with handsome features, and itseemed cruel that such a fate should overtake him. The boys strained atthe wreck until it moved.

  "Brace it up on that side," said Ralph.

  The truss from the fuselage was removed from the aviator, the manquickly drawn out from his perilous position, and carried clear of thewreck.

  "Now for the other one," said Alfred.

  Blood was still flowing across the face of the other flyer, as theycrawled over the wreck to draw him out.

  "This one is alive, I am sure," said Ralph.

  "Why, yes; his heart is beating," replied Alfred, as the injured menwere laid side by side.

  "I have heard that they have first aid packages in machines of thiskind," said Ralph, as he sprang toward the remains of the machine. "Ihave it," he cried, as he leaped over the wrecked pieces. "Hereis--a--_Restorative_, whatever that is,--half a wineglass at atime,--where's the wineglass?"

  "Give each a good swal
low of it," said Alfred, as he raised up the headof the one first rescued.

  The other man opened his eyes. "Lieutenant!" he said. Then, as he gazedat the boys, he seemed to smile, and as Alfred held up the bottle hefeebly nodded.

  It seemed to revive him in a few moments, and he struggled to raisehimself. "I feel better now, but something hurts my legs," he said.

  The lieutenant opened his eyes, and quietly looked at the boys withoutspeaking.

  "Can I do anything for you?" said Alfred.

  "Is Jack hurt?" he asked.

  "Yes; but he is all right," said Ralph.

  "Here I am; still on top," said Jack, as he slightly turned, and movedhis hand toward the lieutenant.

  "And what are you boys doing here?" asked the lieutenant.

  "On our way to Paris," said Alfred.

  "But where did you get the uniforms?" asked the officer.

  "Why, we've been in the Belgian army, and were in several fights," saidRalph proudly.

  The lieutenant's face brightened into a smile, which quickly changed toone of pain. An ambulance stopped alongside with startling suddenness,for the boys had been too busy to notice that the watchers at thehangars had signaled for assistance. The men were carefully carried tothe van, and as they were about to start the lieutenant motioned to thedoctor in charge, and said:

  "I want the boys to come along with us."