CHAPTER XXVIII.
CONCLUSION.
When the main facts of the story had been told the impulsive and gallantFrench general insisted that the paper be signed, with him and membersof his staff as witnesses. He also declared that he would see to it thatthe family of Andre should be brought on to Paris with as little delayas possible; because it was expected that sooner or later the Germanswould decide to take Antwerp.
All this filled Rod and his chums with the greatest of pleasure. Thewounded man was looking exceedingly happy, for the news he had justreceived concerning his loved ones filled him with more delight thaneven the prospect of receiving great military honors, and possibly beingmade a captain on account of his recent feat.
Nor was this all, it seemed. While Rod was relating his story he hadnoticed that a man who was not in uniform had approached, and seemed tobe listening intently. Thinking that he might be some one who desired tomake a report to the general, Rod had paid little attention to thisunknown party. Judge of his astonishment and delight as well when theother pushed forward, making a respectful salute to thecommander-in-chief, and announced his identity.
"Behold in me the villain of the piece," he remarked grimly; "I am JulesBaggott, the cousin who plotted to keep Andre from receiving theinheritance our uncle had planned to give him. With shame I confess itnow, but, my general, never again would I be guilty of conspiringagainst a member of my family who has won for it and for France suchimperishable renown. I, too, saw what Andre did, and even though I hadthe power to destroy that paper at this minute I would scorn to do so.Here and now I beg his forgiveness. His wife and family have reason tobe proud of him, even as we are."
Rod never knew whether Jules meant all he said. He did not altogetherlike the man's looks; but his words were fair enough, and he acted asthough for once in his life he was thoroughly ashamed of himself.
It turned out that Jules could not serve as a soldier on account oflacking the sight in one of his eyes; so there was really nothing to hisdiscredit in his absence from the army. In reality he had become amember of the Secret Service, and doubtless would find a means in thatcapacity to do his part in the long war that faced France.
Of course the general could not give them any more of his valuable time.He did shake hands all around again at parting, and assured Rod that hewould take a personal interest in seeing that Andre and his family werespeedily reunited in Paris. With that the boys believed they had goodreason to feel satisfied; and that they could conscientiously give overtheir adventurous and perilous journey to the battle front where the tworival armies were fighting so desperately day after day.
Hanky Panky in particular displayed considerable delight at the prospectof once more turning their faces toward home. He had, to tell the truth,become weary of all these pictures of savage warfare, and yearned toagain gaze upon peaceful scenes such as the country beyond the sea heldin store for them. Faces of his boyhood friends were appearing beforehim in his dreams every single night, and too the loved ones left behindhad never seemed one half so precious as now.
"This fighting business may be all very well for those who like it,"Hanky Panky was saying as they prepared to cross the ford again, thistime on the ambulance that would take Andre, as well as several otherwounded men, to the hospitals of Paris, "but I'm not much of a hand atthat game. Baseball and football are the limit of my scrappingabilities. This thing of standing up before a quick-firing battery, andgetting punched all full of holes, doesn't appeal to me at all, thoughJosh here seems to never get enough of watching men shoot each otherdown."
"Oh! say, don't make me out to be a regular _savage_," remonstratedJosh, in turn; "I feel just as bad as the next one to see a man gethurt; but my folks came of a line of soldiers, I guess, because some of'em fought in the Revolutionary War; so it must be in my blood to wantto see stirring sights all the time. Now, I wouldn't be caught attendinga bull fight, or even watching two roosters scrap, because that makes mesick; but when men are standing up and sacrificing their lives for loveof their country it somehow just thrills me to the marrow, and I nevercan drag myself away. But all the same I confess I'll be glad to getback home again. There are plenty of ways to get excitement withoutbeing on the battle line."
They took a last look around them, wishing to carry away a fullremembrance of the scene at the captured ford. How often would everyitem of that never-to-be-forgotten engagement come back to haunt them inmemory, as time passed, and they found themselves amidst othersurroundings. In the bellowing of the thunder they might start up in bedto again fancy themselves listening to the roar of the guns on bothsides of the Marne; in imagination to see the valiant French as theysplashed through the breast-high waters, seeking to reach the bank wherethe grim Germans held the fort, and poured such a merciless fire uponthem.
So they crossed the river again, dryshod, and hastened to where they hadsecreted their precious motorcycles. According to Rod they wouldpossibly be able to make the French capital before night had fully setin; but even though delayed on the road this could easily beaccomplished on the morrow.
Then, after getting a little rest, they would strike out for Havre orBoulogne, and take passage across on the first boat that could give themany sort of accommodations; for in the rush of American tourists to gethome people were even willing to sleep in the steerage in order to quitthe inhospitable shores of Europe in flames.
"Take your last look back, fellows," said Rod, after they had saidgood-bye to Andre and recovered their machines.
They stood on a slight eminence from which they could see the river andthe French forces beyond. Apparently the council of war had been ofbrief duration, and must have settled on starting in pursuit of thefleeing German rearguard, for already the troops were in motion, withbatteries hastening along the road taken by the enemy.
"Good luck to you all!" said Josh, waving his hat toward the Frenchmen,whom they had come to regard highly; "and here's wishing that when theend of the war comes it will bring glory to France; for her noble sonsdeserve everything that is good. And now, Rod, say the word, and we'llmake our getaway from here."
"Then here goes!" called out the leader, as he straddled his machine andstarted his engine.
With a succession of popping reports he was off, Hanky Panky quicklyfollowing suit, and Josh bringing up the rear. Thus they started towardParis, with high hopes of getting to the French capital before long, andthen continuing their journey to the coast.
Whether they succeeded in escaping any more thrilling perils or notwhile in the country of the Great War does not concern us just now; allthat can be left to another story at some future date. They had played amanly part in taking up the cause of the poor little woman in Antwerp,and believed they would never be sorry on account of having decided tosearch for Andre on the battle line before Paris.
THE END.
* * * * * *
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS SERIES
By RALPH MARLOW
Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid
It is doubtful whether a more entertaining lot of boys ever beforeappeared in a story than the "Big Five," who figure in the pages ofthese volumes. From cover to cover the reader will be thrilled anddelighted with the accounts of their many adventures.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS ON THE BATTLE LINE; or, With the Allies inFrance.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS AT THE FRONT; or, Carrying DispatchesThrough Belgium.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS UNDER FIRE; or, With the Allies in the WarZone.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS' SWIFT ROAD CHASE; or, Surprising the BankRobbers.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS ON FLORIDA TRAILS; or, Adventures Amongthe Saw Palmetto Crackers.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS IN TENNESSEE WILDS; or, The Secret ofWalnut Ridge.
THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS THROUGH BY WIRELESS; or, A Strange Messagefrom the Air.