*CHAPTER XXX*
*CONCLUSION*
Thus ended the greatest war in the history of the world. True, noformal treaty of peace had been signed, and none was signed until monthslater. But fighting ceased on the western front and in virtually allquarters of the globe on the moment the armistice became effective.
In the days that followed, Hal and Chester did their full parts with theAmerican troops. They were with the American army of occupation thatmarched to the west bank of the river Rhine soon after the armistice.As usual, they saw considerable excitement, but of their adventures withthe Yankee troops in the German interior we have not space to speakhere.
And yet there is one incident that is worthy of particular mention.
The American army had crossed the Rhine and the Thirty-second division,with which the lads now found themselves, was stationed in the littlecity of Frankfort, only a few miles within German territory.
What seemed strange in the minds of Hal and Chester, and other Americanofficers as well, was the fact that the Americans were most cordiallyreceived in the German towns through which they passed. It is true thatthey were able to relieve the privation of some German families bydistributing food to the needy, but it is probable they would have beenwelcomed anyhow.
It was because the allied staff believed the Americans would be morewelcome than British or French troops that the Yankees were selected toform the bulk of the army of occupation. The presence of anAnglo-French force on German soil, it was realized, would arouse theresentment of the Germans, and this the allies were anxious to avoid.
Already rioting had broken out in Berlin and other German cities. TheGerman emperor, following his abdication, had fled to Holland, where hesought refuge under the laws of neutrality. There was some talk inallied countries of demanding his surrender and bringing him to trial ona charge of murder, but this was still being debated when the Americanarmy of occupation was called home.
The bolsheviki movement, which had originated in Russia, had spread toseveral of the German states and was particularly rampant in thecapital. In fact, there was hardly a town in the German empire, or inthe Austro-Hungarian monarchy, either, for that matter, that was notstruggling in the throes of riot and revolution.
Several times American troops had been called upon to assist the Germanmilitary authorities in preventing bloodshed in some of the bordertowns. So far, there had been little loss of life, but things were tochange as the revolutionists gained power.
The German Crown Prince also had fled to Holland, where he remainedsecure. The Empress, soon after the kaiser's flight, also crossed thefrontier of The Netherlands and joined her husband.
In the meantime, at Versailles, a peace council of the allies had beensummoned. This council was to decide upon the amount of indemnity to bepaid by Germany, what was to be done with the enemy country and otherthings that would go toward making a permanent peace. These matters, itwas realized, however, would take time. In order to facilitate matters,President Wilson crossed the ocean to be present at the conferences.His presence helped a lot.
Hal and Chester, walking through the streets of Frankfort on the Mainone night, were attracted by the sounds of confusion in the riversection.
"Another riot, I guess," said Hal. "We'd better steer clear of it. Youknow orders are not to mix in unless we are molested."
"Right," Chester agreed. "Then we'll head the other way and let 'emfight it out."
Accordingly they turned to retrace their steps. But at that momentChester caught the sound of a cry in English.
"Help!" came the voice.
"Hear that, Hal?" he demanded.
"Yes; sounds like one of our own men in trouble."
"Then orders or no orders," said Chester, "we've got to help him out."
"Come on then," cried Hal.
The lads turned quickly and dashed toward the river.
Rounding a corner, they came upon a crowd of struggling figures.Apparently, three men in the center of the crowd were fighting for theirlives against a mob of German soldiers, who were armed with clubs andknives. (Under the terms of the armistice, certain soldiers had beendeprived of all but their side arms.)
Against the weapons of their assailants, the lads saw that the figuresin the center offered two revolvers each. With these they wereattempting to stand off their assailants without firing.
"Why don't they shoot?" demanded Chester, as he dashed forward, Hal athis side.
Hal did not reply, but the reason was clear. The three Americans, forsuch the figures proved to be, did not fire for fear of arousing greaterresentment among the Germans. They were perfectly cool, and it wasplain they would shoot if it became necessary.
As Chester came closer he realized what stayed the fingers of theAmerican officers. Nevertheless, he produced his own revolvers beforedashing into the crowd. Hal followed suit.
"Don't shoot unless you have to, Chester," the latter warned.
The crowd gave ground as Hal and Chester, bringing football tactics intoplay, bore down on them; and soon the lads were beside the officers inthe center of the circle.
"Well, there are five of us now," said one of the officers, "but youwould have shown better judgment, Major, had you gone for reinforcementsrather than coming to our aid."
"I didn't stop to think of that," Hal confessed. "But you are right,sir."
"Never mind," said another. "We can fight our way out of here if itbecomes necessary."
"But we don't want to use force," said the first speaker. "It would bemuch more wise to overawe them with a show of force."
"It's no time to talk about that now," said the other. "But come, I'min favor of getting out of here."
"And I," agreed the third man. "See, the crowd is increasing."
"I'll tell you," said Hal. "Five of us should be able to fight our waythrough that crowd without shooting. We'll club our revolvers, and makea break for it, keeping as close together as possible."
"As good a way as any," agreed the first officer, a colonel of infantry."As I am the senior of this party, I suppose it is up to me to takecommand. All ready, gentlemen?"
"All ready, sir," came the reply from each of the other four.
"Then let's go. Forward!"
With revolvers upraised, but without a sound, the five Americans steppedforward. They did not seem to hurry; they were perfectly cool. But itwas apparent to every German in the crowd that they were in deadlyearnest.
For a moment the crowd gave way; then closed in again.
Knives flashed in German hands; clubs were raised.
Hal, walking close to Chester's side, caught a slashing knife arm withhis left hand, still gripping his revolver, and twisted sharply. Therewas a screech from the German, followed by a snap that announced the manwould not use the arm for some time to come.
The Germans sprang forward, and despite the unbroken front presented bythe five Americans, they were borne back by the force of numbers. Itappeared that the Yankee officers had underestimated the temper of theirfoes.
They retreated fighting, until their backs were against a house.
"We can defend ourselves here, using our revolvers if necessary," saidthe colonel.
"I've a better plan, sir," said Chester.
"What is it?"
"We'll back up the steps just to our left, sir, and take possession ofthe house."
"And then what?"
"Then I'll run the gauntlet of the crowd and bring reinforcements, sir."
"Not a bad idea," said the colonel. "We'll try it."
The little party moved to the left and mounted the steps, stillpresenting an unbroken front to their foes. Chester tried the door. Itwas unlocked. The lad opened it and the Americans stepped inside.
"Bolt the door!" cried the colonel.
"One moment," said Chester. "Let me out first."
"I'm going along, Chester," said Hal quietly.
"
All right," said Chester. "Come on. The rest of you cover us withyour revolvers. Tell you what. Fire a couple of shots over their heads.That will give us time to make a break. Then bar the door behind us."
He waited for no reply, but darted directly toward the crowd of Germans,both revolvers levelled directly into their midst. Hal, keeping closebeside his chum, did likewise.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The three American officers left behind had followed out Chester'sinjunction and fired over the heads of the crowd. Instantly confusionswept the mob.
It was the moment for which Chester had hoped. Into the crowd he dashed,reversing his revolver and striking right and left. Hal was rightbeside him, his own arms flying about like flails.
And almost before they knew it, so sudden had been their actions, theyburst clear of the crowd.
"Now run!" shouted Hal.
Chester needed no urging. The lads sped over the ground, while frombehind came cries of anger. Balked of their prey, about half of theGermans nevertheless gave chase. The other half, as though byprearrangement, remained to guard the Americans who had sought shelterin the house.
But Hal and Chester were too fleet of foot for their pursuers. Theyoutdistanced them easily. The rest was simple.
Fifteen minutes later a company of American soldiers marched to thehouse where the officers were hiding and cleared the streets of Germans.
As Hal walked through the dispersing crowd, a hand caught him by thearm.
"Aha!" said a voice, "Major Paine, eh?"
Hal glanced into the countenance of General Knoff, whom he had seenfirst at Sedan.
"And," continued the general, "Major Crawford, too, eh?"
"The same, general," said Chester, smiling.
"It is good," said General Knoff. "You may remember recently, at Spa, Iinvited you to see me when you come to Berlin?"
"Yes, sir," said Chester, "and so we shall, when we get there."
"But," protested the general, "my daughter and Frau Knoff are inFrankfort. Even now, looking from the window, my daughter saw you,which is the reason I am here. I came to aid, but I was too late."
"But we do not like to impose--" began Chester.
"Impose?" exclaimed the general. "Did you not once render me a serviceI shall never forget? Come, now."
Laughingly, Hal and Chester accompanied the general to a house nearby.
"It is my wish," said General Knoff, "that my family shall be betteracquainted with the Americans. They are a brave race."
The lads bowed their thanks.
Both the general's wife and daughter expressed pleasure at meeting thelads again. Hal nudged Chester slyly.
"A real pretty girl, even if she is German," he said.
Chester flushed angrily, then smiled as he added:
"All we need now to complete the party is Stubbs."
At the same moment General Knoff, glancing from the window, uttered anexclamation, jumped to his feet and left the room hurriedly. Fiveminutes later he returned, accompanied by another figure. It was Stubbs.
"Well," said Chester, "if this isn't a miracle there never was one."
"I saw him passing," General Knoff explained.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Hal. "I thought you werefired. You might as well return home."
"No," said Stubbs. "It's true I was fired, but I've been hired again.You see, The New York Gazette scooped every paper in the United Stateson the signing of the armistice."
"Scooped 'em twice, in fact, you might say, Mr. Stubbs," Chester put inslyly.
Stubbs frowned.
"Never mind that," he said. "The war's over and we are all glad. AndI'm glad to be with you here at this minute. I am assigned to stay withthe American army of occupation, and I suppose I shall see considerableof you. And it is my hope that we may all return to America together."
The general's daughter now placed tea and cakes on the table, and thegeneral invited all to pitch in.
"Now," he said, "we all are friends once more, eh?"
Neither Hal nor Chester replied; they looked back over four years ofwar, and in memory they saw the ruin and destruction wrought in manylands; and Chester expressed the sentiment of the American nation whenhe said to himself in answer to General Knoff's query:
"No, we are not all friends once more--not yet."
As there was an end to the great world war, so there must be an end toall things--even to Hal Paine and Chester Crawford. So, seatedcomfortably about a table in the temporary home of General Knoff, once ageneral of the kaiser, we shall take our leave of them, knowing that, indue course of time, they will return to their homes in America, wherethey will live the lives of useful citizens.
There is no need telling of the voyage home, of the honors showered uponthem. Suffice to say that when they reached the shores of America, eachwore the United States distinguished service cross--for bravery andvalor in action; and when their friends address them now, it is not asmajor.
For out of four years of war emerged Colonel Hal Paine and ColonelChester Crawford.
THE END.
* * * * * * * *