“They’ve discovered what’s going on!”
Amos made this muttered remark in the ear of his chum when a missile of
some sort splashed the water, so that the spray blew across their faces.
Whether the shell had been fired directly at the small boat that was
being propelled toward the shore, or simply fell short when sent after
the destroyer, they could not say, but nevertheless it was a close
shave.
Jack did not answer immediately. His heart was fluttering with
suspense, since there could be no telling what might happen next. If
the Turks had really discovered the boat through the mists of the
early morning there was nothing to hinder them from sending a hail of
missiles that way through the medium of a rapid-fire gun.
The two boys were not the only ones who waited with more or less
anxiety to discover what their fate was to be. When nothing happened,
and seconds passed, with the shore line drawing constantly closer, they
began to breathe more freely.
“I guess it’s going to be all right after all,” ventured Amos, in a
relieved tone that found an echo in Jack’s heart.
“You see we get the benefit of that bluff now,” the latter explained.
“It hides us from the eyes of the Turkish sentries. Perhaps they think
they’ve driven the destroyer off before she could drop a boat, and
they’re giving all their attention to her right now.”
Whatever the reason might be, both of them felt pleased not to attract
the notice of the vigilant enemy. They could by this time see a number
of figures dressed in khaki waiting for them on the beach. They were,
doubtless, members of the Territorial forces who had effected this
landing some little time before, and who yearned to welcome the boat
that might be bringing them letters from their far-away homeland.
Presently the keel ran up on the beach, and as several stout fellows
laid hold of the bow the boat was quickly dragged well along, so that
those aboard could jump ashore without even getting their feet wet.
The officer from the destroyer did not mean to stay any longer than he
could help. That friendly mist might clear away at any minute, when the
task of getting back to his boat would present new difficulties.
He said a few words to one of the men, and the newcomers were told to
accompany the latter up the bank. The two seamen from the destroyer
were ordered to stand by the boat, as their services would be needed
presently.
When they made their way up the little bluff, the boys noticed that the
path led along what seemed to be a gully. They could easily understand
why the Territorials had selected this particular route, since it
afforded them a certain measure of protection from the vigilant eyes of
the ever-wakeful enemy.
Bending low, they soon found themselves on a little plateau. It was
sheltered from above by rocks and trees. At the same time the boys
noticed that everyone who crossed this level always did so in more or
less haste, bending part way over through excessive caution.
“It’s become a regular habit hereabouts, seems like,” whispered Amos,
always noticing things that appeared strange to him, “to duck as you
walk. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a lot of fellows have paid
dearly for standing up too straight and making targets of themselves.
Then again it may be these Kangaroos from the other side of the world
have some queer ways of their own. All the same, I’m doing it myself,
thank you.”
In a short time they had reached a tent that stood under an overhanging
rock. Undoubtedly this might be called “Headquarters,” for as the
Territorials were just “hanging on,” as they called it, at this stage
in the invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula, they could not think of
comfort, safety being the first consideration.
An officer was standing at the flap of the khaki tent waiting for
them. Information must have been carried to him with regard to the
presence of the destroyer, and he could readily guess that the boat
carried mail as well as instructions for his guidance.
The officer who had come ashore was anxious to start back. He quickly
handed over the mail sack he carried, and received in turn what letters
were waiting to go, at the same time remarking:
“These two lads are American boys who are turned over to your care,
Colonel. They will be glad to explain how they happened to be aboard
the _Thunderer_. The Vice-Admiral confides them to your guardianship,
and begs that you will render them all the assistance in your power.
You will pardon me, I am sure, for my brevity, but if I am to get back
safely to my boat, I shall have to be in haste.”
“I trust that you will not linger a minute longer,” remarked the
stalwart Territorial officer whom the boys had heard addressed as
Colonel. “Give my regards to the Vice-Admiral, and assure him I shall
take great pleasure in doing as he requests.”
Without waiting any longer, the young officer turned and began to
retrace his way down to the beach, though he did think to shake hands
with both of the boys before leaving them, wishing them the best of
good luck.
No sooner had he left than the Colonel spoke to his guests.
“If you will be seated I may be able to give you attention in a short
time. My brave fellows are fairly wild to hear from home, and this
is the fattest lot of mail we have had for many days. I shall take
great pleasure in listening to your story while we eat our breakfast
together; and rest assured that if there is anything I can do to assist
you, my services are at your command.”
His manner was so extremely hearty that it was not strange for the two
boys to notice it. After he had left them Amos was the first to make a
remark.
“Somehow I reckon there’s a considerable difference between these
Territorials and the Britishers. It strikes me they resemble us
Americans a whole lot, being frank, hearty and breezy. Anyway, I want
to say right in the start I like that Colonel first rate, and I hope he
lives to go back home again to his wife and family when this cruel war
is over; for chances are ten to one that he has a family.”
Jack felt pretty much the same way, though not accustomed to giving
vent to his feelings as readily as his cousin. The Colonel struck him
as being a fine chap, and he felt sure everything possible would be
done to advance their cause while they were the guests of these gallant
Australians.
“I’m glad we managed to run the gauntlet safely,” Jack remarked, after
a little time had passed, “for when that single shot struck the water
so close to our boat I was afraid the Turks had discovered us, and
would proceed to riddle us with a hail of bullets. It was about as
thrilling a minute as we’ve ever passed through.”
“By now the boat must be heading out from the shore again,” said Amos,
jumping to his feet to look, immediately adding excitedly: “Yes, there
she is as sure as anything, with the men pulling like horses. I’m
afraid the mist is rising some, and if that is so they’ll surely be
seen.”
Jack at that got upon his feet to look, and after a pause went on to
remark:
“No, I think you’re mistaken there, Amos, for it has swept down again.
It seems to come and go in flukes. You can hear the stroke of the oars
in spite of the care they use to hide the sound.”
“There goes a gun up on the hill!” exclaimed Amos. “Perhaps the Turks
have such fine hearing that they too have caught the sound of oars,
and are firing at random in hopes of striking the boat, for that shot
struck some distance away. They could hardly hit a barn, anyway, I’m
told, except by accident.”
“There,” said Jack in turn, “some of the troops are shouting, but
between you and me I believe all that row is started to hide the
sound of the oars. Besides, it may divert the attention of the
watching gunners, who are always expecting a rush from these wide-awake
Territorials.”
The boys had heard more or less about the Australian and New Zealand
troops when on board the _Thunderer_. The brilliant work that had
already been done by the men from the antipodes seemed to give the
British the most intense satisfaction. Backed by such stalwart hosts
from the various territories claimed by the Mother country, from
Canada, South Africa, India and the other parts of the world, they
believed the future was certain.
There were no further shots fired up on the hillside, which went
to prove that the attention of the vigilant gunners must have been
diverted by those loud yells that would have done credit, Jack said, to
a band of Western cow-punchers galloping madly into a plains settlement
after pay day for their monthly picnic.
The small boat had vanished from view, and the boys began to feel that
the three occupants were pretty sure to get aboard the destroyer
presently. Relieved by this cheering fact, they felt that they could
once more begin to pay attention to other affairs.
“If these fellows have only managed to get a foothold here,” remarked
Amos, “I’m mighty sure they don’t mean to be dislodged. You can see
they’ve got quick-firers a-plenty, and in time some big guns will be
put ashore. What does it all mean, do you think?”
“Nobody seems to care to discuss it with us,” replied Jack, “but I
can read between the lines that already the losses in warships the
British have suffered has begun to make them fear the job of forcing
the straits is going to be a lot harder than was first figured on. So
they’re beginning to get ready to undertake the thing in a different
fashion.”
“By cutting a way across the peninsula, and commanding the strait
beyond, when they can clean out the nest of Turks, and control
things--of course that’s what you mean; and, Jack, I think myself
that’s the only way to do it.”
Amos spoke lightly at the time, as though he believed that when there
were sufficient forces ashore the obstacles that confronted the Allies
could be easily brushed aside. It took months of desperate hand-to-hand
fighting, with frightful losses on both sides, to convince the Allies
that they had one of the most difficult tasks on their hands that ever
confronted an army.
The Gallipoli peninsula has been admirably fitted by nature
for defense, since it consists of elevations and gullies, with
comparatively little shelter. In these days of murderous rapid-fire
guns and explosive shells an advance under such difficulties presents
a grim choice of death, with very little certainty of any gain save in
yards dearly purchased.
All this was to be learned as the summer progressed, and fall coming on
found the problem far from solved.
“Listen!” cried Amos, suddenly, “that must have been some sort of
signal from the destroyer. I wonder if they have taken the boat aboard,
and started back to where the big fleet lies, with anchors up, waiting
for the day’s work to begin?”
“I think that was what it meant,” remarked Jack. “For one, I’m glad,
for that young officer was a pretty genial fellow--for an Englishman.
As a rule they’re a queer lot, and so reserved that until you get to
understand them well you’re apt to think them cold-blooded and uppish.
But we know different, don’t we?”
“From K. of K. down we’ve met with only kindness from them,” declared
Amos, with sincerity in his voice. “I only hope and pray that we’re
fated to come on my brother Frank ashore here.”
“If not, we’ll get back to the _Thunderer_ tomorrow night, if possible,
and then try to reach that Greek island where some of the seaplanes
start from when doing their little daily stunt. But here comes the
Colonel. Perhaps he’s found time to listen to what we have to tell
him.”