CHAPTER XXX.
A NEW FRIEND.
It was indeed a sad word to the ears of the two young American lads.As Hal said, they had had trouble enough getting out of Berlin at theoutbreak of the war, and had almost been forced back to the Germancapital once before. To be prisoners of war in Berlin certainly wouldbe an inglorious finish to their military careers.
"I would rather go to any one other spot on the map," Chester told hischum. "Berlin! Can you imagine being cooped up there and never evenknowing what is going on?"
"It would be tough," Hal agreed. "And, once there, I am afraid wewould have to stay until after the war. I don't imagine there is muchdanger of anyone escaping from that place now."
"Nor I," said Chester. "If we hope to get away, we shall have to do itbefore we get to Berlin."
But it seemed that the lads, if they had any hopes of escape, weredoomed to disappointment. They were carefully guarded, and, while theywere made comfortable, there was never a moment that they were notbeneath some watchful eye.
Several times they were allowed to leave their canvas prison andstroll about outside, but on each of these excursions the Germanofficer in whose custody they had been placed accompanied them; andfinally from General Von Kluck came the order for them to be sent toBerlin.
"I sort of hate to see you go," the German officer told them, uponinforming them of their fate. "We have gotten along famously together.However, I am sure you will be well treated in Berlin, and that whenyou are released at the end of the war you will be able to deny someof the tales of German cruelty to their prisoners."
"From the treatment we already have received we can deny them now,"said Hal.
"Indeed we can," Chester agreed.
"Come," continued the officer, "what do you say to a little walkaround? You will not start on your journey until to-night."
Accompanied by their guard the boys once more started on an excursionthrough the huge German camp. For an hour or more they walked about,discussing the war in its various phases, but finally the officer toldthem that it was time for him to report for duty, and they startedback toward their temporary prison.
As they were walking slowly along a large gray shape came boundingtoward them. Almost in front of them it came to a stop. It was a dog.
Hal reached forth a hand and patted the animal on the head, and thedog's tail wagged in friendship. But when the German officer alsostretched forth a hand, he uttered a menacing growl.
"He must be one of your French war dogs," said the German with alaugh, quickly withdrawing his hand. "We have captured a large numberof them, and, in spite of the fact that we treat them as well as weknow how, they will have nothing to do with us."
At that moment another German officer approached the trio, and, as hecame closer, the dog snarled and showed his teeth. The German drewback his foot, and, before anyone could interfere, kicked the animalsharply in the ribs.
But the German paid dearly for this act, for, with one quick bound,the dog leaped upon his assailant, and, snarling fiercely, bore him tothe ground. Hal, Chester and their officer friend jumped quicklyforward, and, after a sharp tussle, succeeded in dragging the dog off,though not until he had considerably shaken up his victim, evendrawing blood from a wound in his throat.
With a fierce imprecation, the German reached for his revolver, drewit quickly, and aimed it at the dog. But, before he could pull thetrigger, Chester leaped forward, and, with a quick movement of hisarm, knocked the weapon from the German's hand.
The German turned angrily on the lad.
"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, in a rage.
"You won't shoot him while I am here," cried Chester, also aroused.
"What business is it of yours whether I shoot him or not?"
"You try it again and I'll show you what business it is of mine, ifthe whole German army is standing round," shouted Chester furiously.
Hal grabbed his friend by the coat and attempted to pull him back, butChester was too angry now to pay any heed, and he stood facing theGerman threateningly.
At this point the other officer evidently decided it was time tointerfere.
"Come, come," he said to Chester. "That's enough of this. I am sureLieutenant Dennig meant no harm. I'm sure he'll apologize if he hassaid or done anything to displease you."
"What! Me apologize?" demanded the German. "And what for, pray?"
"I don't want any apology," declared Chester. "All I want is for himto understand he can't shoot a dumb animal while I'm around."
"Is that so?" sneered the German, but the boys' guard cut him short.
"Lieutenant Dennig," he said sharply, "you forget yourself. Theseprisoners are under my protection and shall not be insulted."
The lieutenant drew himself up sharply, saluted his superior officer,and walked rapidly away.
"One more enemy," said Chester to Hal, as the man made off.
"Oh, he'll get over it," laughed the boys' guard. "He knows he is inthe wrong--that's what makes him so angry."
The object of this little unpleasantness still stood near, wagging histail and looking at the two lads. When they continued their walktoward their tent, he calmly followed them.
The lads did not notice this, however, until they had entered thetent, and then Hal espied the nose of their newly-found friend pokingits way in after them. A moment later and the dog was curled up at oneside of the tent, sleeping.
"Looks like there are three of you to guard now, instead of two,"said the officer. "However, I guess it is all right."
"I wonder if it would be possible," said Chester, struck with a suddenthought, "for us to take him to Berlin with us?"
"I'll see what can be done about it," replied the officer. "I believethat I can arrange it all right."
"We certainly would appreciate it," continued Chester, "and, if thetime ever comes when we may be of service to you, you may commandus." The officer smiled.
"I doubt if you will ever have the opportunity," he said. "Presentcircumstances would indicate that there is little likelihood of it."
"Well, you never can tell," said Hal, "the fortunes of war, you know."
"True," said the German, "and, if ever occasion arises, I shall takeyou at your word."
He bowed and left the tent. Hal and Chester now turned their attentionto the dog, which still lay sleeping. Chester whistled sharply. Thedog was on his feet in a second, ears cocked and sniffing the aireagerly.
"A real war dog, all right," said Chester. "What shall we call him,Hal?"
"Perhaps he has a name already," said Hal. "Try him."
Chester called off the many dog names familiar to him, and Hal added afew. But, although the animal wagged his tail with evident pleasure atthus being talked to, he gave no evidence of owning any of the namesin the boys' vocabulary.
Hal approached and laid his hand on the dog's head. Then, for thefirst time, he noticed the collar he wore.
"Hello!" he said, in some surprise.
"What is it?" said Chester, also approaching.
"Collar," said Hal briefly. "Perhaps his name is on it."
Both boys bent over the dog.
"Here it is, sure enough," cried Chester.
"Can you make it out?" asked Hal.
"It's a little dark," replied the lad. "Bring him over here nearer thelight."
This was done, and once more Chester bent over the collar.
"Well?" demanded Hal.
"Yes, I can read it," replied Chester.
"What is it?" demanded Hal.
Chester read aloud:
"Marquis--Twenty-third French Infantry."
"A dispatch dog, eh?" said Hal.
"Yes," said Chester; "and, if I mistake not, a very valuable additionto our party."