They were fully2 a mile from the small hamlet which the train had passed through just before they were halted by the Uhlans. By common consent the company decided3 to walk back.
"Too bad!" said Ralph. "Let's help the woman with the babies."
"Of course," replied Alfred, and he picked up the little fellow, while Ralph held out his arms for the baby. This simple act met with approving remarks. The fact that they had been arrested by the Germans for protesting against a brutal4 act, was, in itself, a bold thing, and commended them to the passengers.
Before going a quarter of a mile they came in sight of their train. Some of the coaches at the rear end seemed to be out of line. Evidently something was wrong, as the officer and some of the soldiers were at the rear end of the train examining the wreck5, for such it was.
35
The switch had been thrown over and locked, indicating that someone had a hand in the affair, and the officer was furious at the detention6, for he knew he must depend on his own exertions7 to get the train to the junction8. The command of which he had been a part, was now miles away; so it was essential that he should clear the track and take back his prisoners.
Alfred drew Ralph aside and whispered: "Who do you think did that?"
Ralph hesitated a moment, then, his eyes opened wide and sparkled: "I'll bet Pierre had a hand in it; and I'll tell you something else, too——" Ralph's sentence remained unfinished, for two shots were fired from a nearby hill. The officer jumped fully five feet and stared about.
One of the soldiers pointed9 to the hill, but before he could reply two more shots were fired.
Instantly there was confusion. The two guards in the coaches appeared at the doors, and the officer ordered them forward. Evidently they were being attacked, so with a seemingly concerted motion the boys and their fellow passengers moved back toward the road, some of them pointing to the hills.
"There they come!" shouted Alfred in German.
Ralph looked at Alfred in astonishment10 but the look on Alfred's face was sufficient for him.
The German officer knew he was not in a position to withstand the attack of a foe11 with the few men under him, and the order was quickly given36 to withdraw. They passed down to the rear end of the train on a double quick, and instead of following the track as it curved to the right, left the roadbed and ascended12 a slight elevation13 beyond the trees that fringed the main wagon14 road.
On their way a half dozen rifle shots greeted them but did no damage. The prisoners were still in the coaches, but none of them made his appearance, as they had all been bound to the seats. Singularly, no one appeared from the hills to the right to rescue them, although the soldiers had disappeared.
No one seemed to have the least idea what to do. The engineer suggested that he could uncouple the car next to the last wrecked15 coach and proceed under double speed to Rivage.
"Come on, Alfred, let's go up the hill," shouted Ralph.
That was an inspiration, and without waiting to reply Alfred leaped the hedge and rushed across the field, followed by Ralph, and one of the men. They were half-way across the field before their fellow passengers realized the importance of the boys' actions.
The crest16 of the hill was reached but no one was in sight. They passed within fifty feet of the spot where they saw the smoke of the guns, and beyond, hidden in the trees was a farmhouse17.
"Let's go up there?" said Ralph.
"Hello, boys!" said a suppressed voice. They turned around in astonishment.
"Where are you?" asked Ralph.
37
"That's Pierre, I'm sure," said Alfred.
"So it is," said Pierre, as he arose from a cozy18 position behind a rock. "Are any of the soldiers aboard?"
"No, no! they've gone," said Ralph. "Alfred gave them an awful fright."
"How's that?" asked Pierre.
"Why, I yelled out: 'there they come!' and they thought there was a regiment19 after them."
"Did you block the track?" asked Ralph.
"Jacques did; he has the keys for the switches, you know," said Pierre.
"How did you know that they intended to run the train back?" asked Alfred.
"Well, we suspected they would either do that or destroy the whole train, but here comes Jacques," said Pierre.
When the latter appeared he was accompanied by three men, all armed.
"There are no soldiers aboard; we must run the train to the north as quickly as possible," said Pierre. Then turning to the farmers he said: "I thank you for the service you have rendered us. Follow up the other men and capture the Germans if you can. We must be off at once."
It was the work of a few moments only to uncouple the rear coach and after the passengers were again in their seats the engineer put on full speed, soon passed the spot where they had been held up and within fifteen minutes the train halted in a small town, Guareaux, where the people exhibited the greatest excitement.
38
"What is the matter?" asked Pierre.
"Germans to the north of us have cut the railway, and taken possession of the junction Trois Ponts below us," replied a voice.
There they were, trapped between two forces and the train was now no longer of any service to them. There was steady firing to the east, indicating that the investment of Liège was under way and the sound of guns was heard in the north. Telegraph and telephone wires had been cut so that no news reached them. Night was close at hand, and every hour meant a closer investment of the place.
"We cannot remain here all night," said Pierre. "The Germans may be on us at any moment. I suggest that we start across the country so as to reach the road which runs from Clavier to Huy. It is not likely that they have surrounded Liège entirely20, and by striking the road from Huy we can go east until we reach Jemeppe, and then go north from that point without entering the city."
"Then we can go with you," said Ralph, eagerly.
"Of course," replied Pierre, "but it may be a rough and tiresome21 journey."
At eight o'clock, just as they were about to leave, a horseman came into town at top speed, with the information that the Uhlans were at Martin River, and rapidly advancing. Jacques and Pierre had been busy acquiring information about the route to Clavier and the villagers were quick to learn the plans of the two men.
39
Several young men enrolled22 themselves at once to accompany Pierre and Jacques. Four sturdy fellows had indicated their willingness to go with them but as they were about to leave there was a commotion24 in the village, and shortly thereafter a horseman dismounted. One of the volunteers who had joined Pierre's band cried out:
"That is Capt. Moreau. I wonder what he is doing here?"
"He lives at Martin River," replied a young man.
"Let us see him at once," said Jacques.
The captain was dressed in civilian's clothes; but he carried a bundle strapped25 to his back. He was known to all the villagers, and they crowded around him.
"The Germans will be here in less than a half-hour," he said hurriedly. "Every road is blocked, and I want as many volunteers as possible. With them we must cut across the country and reach Liège."
"I am on my way to join the colors," said Pierre, saluting26.
"That is the right spirit, my man. But you are, undoubtedly27, a stranger here," said the Captain.
"Yes, but I am a Belgian, from Brabant," answered Pierre.
Pierre's prompt action was the signal for an immediate28 respond from a dozen or more.
"I shall be back in a few minutes, and I designate you to enroll23 the volunteers," said the Captain, addressing Pierre.
40
Pierre shouted: "Come on, boys, the King needs you."
The recruits came forward and signed their names. In an incredibly short time the Captain reappeared clothed in his uniform, and he proceeded to business at once.
"Now, men," he said, "without wasting time, get firearms—anything that will shoot, and report to me within ten minutes."
The whole village was now a scene of the greatest activity. A varied29 assortment30 of guns and pistols were produced which were hurriedly inspected by the Captain and accepted by him.
"Line up, my men," he ordered. "Belgium is at war with Germany, and our soil has been invaded. It is the duty of every one to assist in this crisis. I shall administer the oath to each of you. This makes our company a fighting force in the King's service and in case of capture entitles you to the treatment accorded to prisoners of war."
Pierre exhibited a troubled look in his face, and Ralph observed it. "I am afraid," he said, "that the Captain will not allow you to accompany us."
This information was the first shock to the boys. Pierre was right. The Captain, while sympathizing greatly, could not be moved. He pointed out that their mission was a dangerous one, and that it would be impossible for them to accompany the squad31. The boys were almost heart-broken, but there was no hope for them. The final good-byes were given, and Captain Moreau's little band disappeared in the darkness toward the north.
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1
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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14
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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cozy
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| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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enroll
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| v.招收；登记；入学；参军；成为会员（英)enrol | |
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commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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27
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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