The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen

urse, which seemed to be wending its way east. Approaching nearer, they recognized troops

uch nearer than when we started

ighway, they saw that troops were noticed posted everywhere, a

his road. We should have traveled the

first road that crosses

ze 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 leav

c explosion would follow, leaving them dazed and startled. They ascended a hill, and, lo

Alfred, pointing to a group of v

Cross station; so

the wounded being unloaded from a field van. Glancing to the left they saw fully a dozen vans of like char

them a hand,

one of the vans, as the boys approached. They salu

or a moment, apparently non

you and many more wi

we do?" as

a few words on it, handed it to the boys, an

urriedly, then looked at the boys. "Ah, want to get on duty? We can accommodate you; there, put those stretche

flag on it," exp

ked inquiringly at Ralph. She then turned, seized three packages, and handed them to Ralph, while he thanked her and quickly rushed away. The pa

w they were bound for the battlefield. There was no talking indulged in. The men were too intent

much of a figh

the men. Then, glancing at the boys, he continue

t before you return. The scene

Alfred. "We saw the worst k

battle east of Soissons, and had

nglish?" aske

Americans," r

tough scrap at the mill; we have driven the Germans back; take this road down

ere lying dead, where the van slowed down, so as to give the su

the wounds were hurriedly dressed, and the victim's position rendered comfortable. In other cases the s

an, which now turned and quickly speeded along the narrow road to the field hospital. Reaching this station the men were

being delegated to assist. When the order was given to leave, the boys remained in the van, as it started out on its

quiet and comfort were possible in a van load of wounded men

can get through

necessary hour after hour to go through fields, instead of travel

being taken to Pa

e other is, that the great German forces are driving in our comparatively small army, until the Paris forts are

here also they were joined by fifteen vans taking the wounded on to the city. It was thus a fortunate stroke for the boys that t

s of Paris, and they soon had the pleasure of driving over the beautiful smooth streets again. They went directly to the center of the

rried into comfortable berths. As they were leaving the

glances. A nurse motioned to them, and pointed toward

me, I suppose?

," said

it's Tom,"

said th

s side at once. "How did

I brought down two of them bef

machine?" was Alfr

it," was the reply, "but they tol

liked that little Morane; and

u get here?

th the Red Cross peop

f trouble, all along the line," s

y hurt?" inquired

everal joints wrenched out of shape, and some of the bark

ought to do now?"

do you

they will expect us to keep

ed them out of your free will, and you can leave when

in the aviation corps," said

u this time, eh

nt in the aviation service, who approached, and leaned over Tom. Tom r

ight from the start. Now you'll be conferring a special favor if you can take them in to help you out. Oh, they're brick

" said the lieutenant, "but I will s

from Berne, Switzerland, one of the messages having been received that very day. The missives informed him that his father had not been able to leave German territory until the twenty-eighth

Berne to Verdun?" Al

dred kilometers,

ed miles," said Alfred. "And it's

o Verdun," said

rn to the hospital. They had forgotten to learn the lieutenant's

ted to see him, so they wandered around without the slightest idea what course to pursue.

aviation grounds a

soon on the underground railway speeding to the nearest station in that vicinity. Arriving at the grounds they app

in seem to be pretty

, anyhow," said Ralph,

the guards. This was the greatest surprise to both. They had forgotten that the uniforms th

rican flag?"

ace for us," r

the emblem appeared. They saw a Farman machine partly outside o

up?" h

help you out

and slowly sai

, have been captured by the Germans, helped to build trenches, worked with the Red Cross people, and had a few

ugh, although Ralph's remark was said without the least tinge of pride or boasting.

from real American boys," he said,

came here because we saw the flag on the outside

Well, well; that's too good! I'm something of an American myself. By jingo, you're the kind

were with them, you know, and had

how the determined matter of fact and positive way which the boys adopted had the effect of winning their way, and it was thus

t up on the machine, and help him to take out the engine. Coats came off in

articles at once remarking as he did

rtin, Fifth Aviation Corps; don't forget the Corps or you may have trouble in

why, we just walked righ

Martin, as he again commenced to laugh. "You s

the firing line, south of

Tom Watkins?"

over together; poor fellow, h

saw him at the hospit

ith Tom? I'm glad to know that," said M