Coffee With the Kaiser.
"Lost?" was Harry's startled ejaculation. "Don't say that!"
"Why not?" inquired Jimmie, peering into the thick fog that enveloped
them. "Why not say it, when it is so? We sure are lost!"
Gradually the din below them increased, as gun after gun was added
to the number in action. It seemed that a general bombardment was in
progress along the whole line. Ned drew the Grey Eagle to a greater
height, for the sake of safety, hoping to be out of range of shells.
"Suppose we just whoop it up for a few minutes the way you're headed,
and see if we can't get away from this racket!" urged Jimmie.
"With a nod of consent Ned touched the throttle, sending the Grey Eagle
ahead on fleet wings. The machine dashed into banks of fog so thick the
boys were soon dripping wet.
"Up, up, Ned!" cried Jack. "We're into a tree!"
A quick pull at the levers sent the Grey Eagle almost straight up. The
tree was cleared by a narrow margin. Ned glanced about and shook his
head. He had barely saved the craft and its freight.
Slowing pace and flying low, Ned located a clearing where he determined
to land. He circled easily to rest in a plowed field of perhaps two or
three acres in extent, and the boys at once proceeded to find shelter
under a growth of trees beside the field.
"I see a highway!" announced Jimmie in a moment. "Also, I hear hens
talking. Guess I'll forage and get some eggs and things!"
The boys were surprised at Jimmie's short absence. Bearing two fowls
and a hatful of eggs, he was back with little delay.
"We're lucky!" he announced. "The house is all shot up, folks gone, but
hens still on the job. There's three or four cases of eggs back there,
just lying around. How'll you have 'em, fried, scrambled, boiled,
broiled, baked, stewed, poached, omelette, or just plain eggs?"
"Make some coffee, too, Jimmie," directed Ned, "but don't let the fire
show. No telling who may be scouting around here."
"Right-o, Scout!" agreed Jimmie, in a low tone. "Jack, will you get out
that can of sliced bacon and the coffee, and I'll look after the fire.
Harry, there's still water in the 'Eagle's' tanks for coffee!"
Jimmie took a stick about an inch in diameter, and with his knife
sharpened one end. This he thrust into the earth, after clearing away
the leaves and rubbish. Stepping to the Grey Eagle he took from its
place a funnel used for filling the gasoline tanks. Plugging the lower
end by using his finger, Jimmie drained from one end of the fuel tanks
about a quart of gasoline. This he carried to the holes and poured a
pint or more into each hole. A match applied completed the stove.
Jimmie set the coffee pot over one hole and used another for frying
bacon. Plenty of eggs were available, so the boys did not place a limit
on anyone's appetite. Jack afterwards declared that he never tasted
better coffee or eggs. The coffee was drained to the last drop.
During the progress of their meal the sound of cannonading had been
continuous. No shells had struck near their position, but Ned ventured
to mount a rising piece of ground not far from their camp, in an
effort to make a survey of the situation.
He reported that the fog was thinning, but was still too thick to
permit of navigating the Grey Eagle. He advised getting a little rest.
Gladly the tired boys availed themselves of this suggestion. Toward
morning Jimmie, dreaming that he was pursued by a monster shell, woke
screaming. This roused the others, but they remained sheltered by the
tree.
"I hear more firing!" announced Ned. "I wonder if this is a
continuation of the same battle, or is it a new one starting!"
"I'll bet it's a new one starting," replied Jack. "See that bunch of
autos and men and guns out there on the highway! They're headed this
way, too! Maybe we'd better move a little."
"They're going past," put in Jimmie. "They're headed west! I believe
they're Germans!" added the boy in astonishment.
"I guess you're right, Jimmie!" Ned agreed. "How does it happen?"
"I know!" spoke up Harry. "We got lost and flew accidentally into
German territory. We are probably now in Flanders."
"I'm hungry!" announced Jimmie presently, after the guns had passed.
"I'm going back to get some more eggs!"
Directly he returned with a liberal supply of fresh eggs.
"After breakfast," remarked Jack, "I'm going to wring out my clothes
and hang 'em up to dry! That fog makes things awful wet!"
"Nice clothes line handy," announced Jimmie, "see it?"
He pointed to a wire suspended not very far from the ground.
"What's that?" queried Harry. "It looks brand new. I wonder what it can
be! Oh, I know!" he cried. "It's a military phone line!"
"That's nice!" Jimmie laughed. "Hello, Central! Oh, look!" he
continued, "see the nice big buzz-buggy coming, and no officer near!"
All the boys turned to look down the road at an automobile tearing
along at a rapid pace. It struck a hole, wrenched an axle, lurched
heavily to one side and then stopped just before toppling over. Several
men in the uniforms of officers jumped quickly from the machine.
One of the men at once produced from the auto a case from which he
took a set of field telephones. Stepping to the side of the road and
attaching a clamp to the wire Jimmie had discovered, he pushed a pin
into the ground and began a conversation. Harry touched Ned's arm.
"Get ours out, Harry," exclaimed Ned. "Maybe we can get some
information. I don't know, though, whether our phone would work here!"
Although the instruments seemed to be wound to the same resistance, Ned
could make out but little of the conversation.
"It is in German," he said, "and all I could get was the last part. The
fellow said something about 'Uhlans,' and I know they are the light
cavalry of Germany. Possibly he is sending for a troop!"
"Must be some dignitary if he can get a troop of Uhlans whenever his
auto breaks down!" mused Jimmie. "Say," he continued, "that bunch out
there look hungry! Suppose we ask 'em to have breakfast!"
"Go as far as you like," Ned agreed. "There are lots of eggs!"
In a moment Jimmie was racing down the road. The boys saw him give the
Boy Scout salute, and then point toward their resting place. After
a short conference the entire party made their way to the spot where
Jack and Harry were preparing new "stoves" and had already set a pot
of coffee boiling. Another can of bacon was opened to supplement the
chicken stew which Jimmie had been preparing.
"Help yourselves, gentleman!" Jimmie cried hospitably.
They accordingly fell to with vigor. It was noticed that the officer
who seemed to be in command of the party, a tall man of commanding
presence, whose well-knit frame showed years of training, did not seat
himself, but remained on his feet. His stern yet kindly face bore
evidence of days and nights of anxiety. The keen eyes seemed to take in
every detail. The boys at once felt a liking for this man.
After all had been supplied with a plateful of bacon and eggs and
stewed chicken, with an aluminum cup full of coffee, Ned addressed the
leader, in an effort to be of assistance in their trouble.
"You have had a bad accident to your machine," he said.
"Yes," was the reply, "we shall be delayed a short time."
"We have a very good aeroplane there," volunteered the lad, pointing
toward the Grey Eagle, "and if you care to accept, I can carry two of
you to your destination, provided it be not too far."
"Thank you for your courtesy," replied the officer, "but we are
traveling in a party, and do not wish to separate. By the way," he
continued, "how does it happen that you are here?"
Feeling that he could trust the kindly face before him, Ned briefly
recounted the main incidents leading up to their present position.
"What is your present plan?" asked the officer.
"I wish to get to Berlin as quickly as possible," Ned replied eagerly.
"I shall swear out a warrant for The Rat, have him arrested and get
extradition papers out and have him taken back to the United States."
"And what is his offense?" asked the officer.
"He has stolen some plans of United States fortifications."
"Ah, and he is trying to dispose of them to Germany?"
"I fear that is his intention. I am almost at a loss to know how to
prevent his doing so. Perhaps I can get to see the Kaiser. I understand
he is very powerful, and is also friendly to the United States. He
might be able to help me have this fellow arrested."
"No doubt the Kaiser will be delighted to assist you in your most
worthy endeavor. I may be in Berlin shortly, and if I see the Kaiser I
will speak to him about your matter. We appreciate your courtesy, and
shall hope to reciprocate. The morning is very chill!" he concluded, as
if the subject were closed. Turning away he buttoned his great coat.
"Here comes a monoplane!" announced Jimmie, who had been scanning the
morning sky, as well as keeping a sharp lookout all around.
"And what's more important, here comes a troop of cavalry," Harry
rejoined, looking down the road. "They've got a lot of empty saddles! I
wonder if they have been in an engagement!"
"Those are for us, I believe," an officer said, preparing to depart.
At this moment a roar from the woods behind the party told of the
planting of one of the guns which had so recently passed. Another
and yet another caused the earth to tremble. At regular intervals the
cannon were fired almost as rapidly as they could be loaded.
Amidst the frightful din the boys saw the monoplane descend not far
from their camp, but separated by a strip of woods. Their attention was
diverted for the moment by the arrival of the group of horsemen.
Shaking hands with all five boys, the officer in command turned. A
quick salute was exchanged, and the boys saw another officer assist his
superior to mount. The horse was a magnificent animal and restless.
"Look there!" whispered Jimmie into Ned's ear. "See the boob getting up
on the wrong side! He isn't much of an army officer!"
Ned's smile as he turned back toward the fire was not observed by
Jimmie, who at once began to explain to his comrades how the man had
gotten onto his horse from the right, or "off," side, when he should
have mounted from the left, or "near," side, raising his left foot
first.
The joke was hugely enjoyed until Ned explained that he understood
that to be the only way a certain man could mount a horse.
"And who is that man, if you please?" Jimmie asked.
"The man we have just entertained," answered Ned, "the Kaiser!"
"Well, Great Frozen Hot Boxes!" shouted Jimmie. "Now that you mention
it, I can see how much he resembles his pictures. Well, what do you
know about our frying bacon and eggs and making coffee for him?"
Instantly all was confusion about the little camp. All the boys began
talking at once, unmindful of the fact that cannon were booming but a
short distance away, and that the enemy might reply at any moment.
Jimmie had already gathered and cared for the dishes, and as he came up
to the party after a trip to the Grey Eagle, he seemed to be aware of
their danger. Breaking into the conversation he said:
"Ned, we'd better be getting out of here! These Germans are probably
shelling a French battery, and if the Frenchmen reply, or should make a
charge to get these fellows, we'd be in a mighty bad place!"
"Jimmie, you're right!" decided Ned. "This locality is getting rather
warm for fellows about our size! I'm ready to go!"
As the boys turned to take a last look at their camping spot under
the trees which had afforded them protection, a shell came screaming
through the air. Evidently the Frenchmen were getting the range of the
German guns. The shell landed in the top of the big tree and exploded,
covering the boys beneath with a shower of limbs and splinters.
"Oh, look!" cried Jimmie, pointing across the field toward the Grey
Eagle. "See that fellow by the plane! Hold on, there, you!"
A man beside the machine seemed to be lighting a fuse. He laid a
package on the engine, glanced at Jimmie running with drawn automatic,
then bounded away through the trees with Jimmie in pursuit.