The Motor Boys Bound for Home

hrust her prow into the rippling water, leaving behind, on the wharf, cheering hundreds of Uncle Sam's boys who envied the lot of their fellows in thus sailing for home af

nzed youth, speaking to some of his chums who leaned o

2

d now that the captain can dispense with my valuable services in warping the s

p clustered about the lad called Jerry, who wore on his coat the

kitchen?" asked the

remarked the soldier who had interr

on board a ship where food is prepared a 'kitchen.' Why don't you say galley, you land-lubber?" an

by the rail, looked down at the water of the harbor which they were leaving behind. This was one of the first transports to depart for the

ins, Ned Slade, and Bob Baker, three chums known to many of m

t for the moment, their friends at the rail having moved to one side. "We're o

l of us since this war started, and there's such a crowd on board that it isn't likely to be an easy m

about him: He isn't mean, and if he finds a way to

mouthful!" a

t-the docks and the buildings at the Brest camp, in France, where they had spent some days[4] in w

rmured Ned. "I hope Bob

of the cooks into slipping him something on the side," added Jerry. "In that case

a raw one on Chunky. But I guess we ought t

ng back on one of these early boats. Now that the war is practically over, there's going to be a big slump in

waving of hands and the tossing of hats and caps fr

deep in their hearts Ned, Bob, and Jerry were thankful for the Providence that h

on Jerry Hopkins, Ned and Bob had received honorable mention, and their company w

resville," mused Ned, after a period of

myself," the taller lad exclaimed. "It will seem mi

to do is to sit under a tree back of the house, with plenty of books and magazines to re

and, turning, Ned and Jerry beheld their stout chu

pted one, and also a bit of chocolate candy his

6

e service for burial at sea. And the cook allowed he didn't want that to happen so soon after we'd got started. Thi

mumbled Bob,

rmured Jerry. "This t

essities you require on reaching home, Ned?"

say 'aye!'" exclaimed Ned, adding,

Jerry of his chums, as they disposed of the last of the san

adys Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs were safely on their way home and he was pack

said Bob. "And he may be here, for[7] all we know. Lo

ir and brown eyes you were so fond of in the r

growled Bob. "You

you never could get the hang of the French words, and she used t

hen have you insult me, you've got another guess and a half coming

on Ned's shoulder. "We two were just as fond of Marie as you were,

rightened Bob visibly, and

al subject," said Ned, "did ei

not, they

hear from him until we get

8

e long before his w

d, in a misty haze, the camp at Brest, when without warning she suddenly slowed up, not gradually, as

s he and his chums felt the

ong!" said Ned

alf whisper, as though he feared to start a pan

started on again; but, to the surprise of all, she began turning s