They trudged along for a time in silence, though both of them kept eyes and ears open so that they might not lose any portion of the remarkable war panorama by which they were surrounded. As they overtook and passed other fugitives from the threatened village, Amos found himself still pitying the poor souls once again cast out upon the cold world.
“I wish we could help them,” he said to his chum, “but of course that’s out of the question. We’re like the ‘babes in the woods’ ourselves. But by now we must be about the end of the string. The road looks clear ahead.”
“And I was just thinking,” added Jack, “we hadn’t left the village any too soon for our health.”
[117]
He made a suggestive movement with his hand when saying this, and Amos guessed the meaning.
“Do you really think the battle has reached there so soon?” he asked as he stood and listened to the clamor that welled up from their rear.
“Yes,” said Jack; “from the sound of spattering rifle firing I think the retreating British have taken advantage of the houses. Every stone cottage will shelter a dozen or so. And as the pursuing Germans come along with a rush they’ll be met by a murderous fire.”
“Then just as our good old friend the burgomaster said, it will spell the finish of the village,” sighed Amos; and apparently his chum caught his meaning in spite of the dreadful din, for he went on to follow up the thought.
“Yes, the Germans will turn their guns on the place if they meet with a set-back there, and make it a howling wilderness.”
“Those poor women and youngsters,” groaned Amos.
“It is tough luck,” added Jack, drawing a long[118] breath, “but only the fortune of war. We’ll see lots more of it before we’re through, I’m afraid. But by now it strikes me we ought to be meeting the first of the British reinforcements coming forward to fill the gap and stem the retreat.”
“Jack, just as you were saying that I caught a new sound—anyhow it came from a new direction. When there was a little lull in all that roar of guns I thought I heard the trample of horses’ hoofs and the rumble of hurrying artillery.”
“You hit the bull’s-eye that time, Amos, for there they come.”
Both boys felt their hearts beat with a quickened vigor as around a bend in the Belgian road came galloping horses drawing a field piece. After it appeared a caisson with ammunition, and then other portions of the battery in quick succession.
“Let’s get out of the way, because they’ll need the whole road,” said Jack.
“But what can one battery do against all those[119] heavy German guns?” Amos asked, as the leading horses drew near.
“Oh! this is only a beginning,” he was immediately told by his companion. “I’ve no doubt for a mile and more back the road is solid with them, all hurrying to the front. And tens of thousands of troops must be headed in the same direction, though perhaps they’ll take to the fields, and leave the roads to the artillery. Now watch, and give the boys a salute as they go past.”
They stood with their hats in their hands, and as the first field piece went rumbling by both boys gave a yell, at the same time waving their headgear.
The grim-looking gunners returned the cheer. Their bronzed faces had an eager look, as though they scented the battle smoke from afar, and were wild to get busy.
So they kept streaming past, battery after battery, the officers shouting their commands, for every one undoubtedly knew exactly where he was expected to take up a position so as to[120] effectually check the fierce drive that the German hosts had started.
“There, across the field, you can see them coming,” called out Jack, after they had waved their hats until their arms were weary.
“The troops, as sure as anything, and on the double-quick at that!” exclaimed Amos, again thrilled by the sight of the khaki-clad legion that had suddenly burst into view on the full run, with bayonets gleaming wickedly, and every man apparently a part of a well-drilled machine.
“Look, look, Jack, there’s a regiment of Highlanders in their bare legs, tartans and kilts!” exclaimed Amos. “How fierce they look, Jack! I don’t wonder that they nearly always carry everything before them. I’d want to turn tail and run if I saw those boys heading for me. But what is the matter with them all that we don’t hear the bagpipes; and, Jack, where are those English cheers we’ve heard so much about?”
“Just give them time,” he was told; “they need all their wind right now for running. When they[121] strike the line of the Kaiser’s men they’ll do their shouting.”
“Still they come along, thousands and thousands of them, as if there was no end to the reserves. What a splendid lot of men they are. It’s terrible to think of the homes that will never see many of them again.”
“Look closer, Amos, for I really believe those strapping fellows are Canadians!”
“Yes, I can see the maple leaf on that flag, Jack. And they look as if they could hardly be kept from whooping it up right now.”
Both boys displayed additional excitement. It almost seemed as though they might be looking upon fellow Americans, such............