wide open. Chester also hurried to Sergeant Bowers' side. The sergeant
recognized them immediately and greeted them with a faint smile. The
lads smiled back at him.
"Is the war over?" he asked.
"It's all over, sergeant," Chester said, "and the Germans are licked,"
Hal explained. "Look at them out there--" and Chester waved his arm in
the direction of his erstwhile enemies.
"That's good," said Sergeant Bowers. "Great sight, isn't it? It's
tough though, to be killed on the last day of the war, and almost at the
last minute."
But Sergeant Bowers did not die.
Tenderly Hal and Chester helped him back of the lines where he could
receive proper medical attention. His wounds were dressed and within
two hours the sergeant of marines announced that he was feeling as fit
as ever.
"Nevertheless, you'd better lie quiet for several days," said Hal.
"I guess not," declared Sergeant Bowers. "Why should a big healthy man
like me be idle when there is so much work to do. Of course, I'll admit
I'm naturally lazy and all that, but I don't like to stand around and
see the other fellows do all the work."
"All the same," said Chester, "I'll venture to say that when you get to
bed you won't want to get up again in a hurry."
"As for that," said Sergeant Bowers, "I never do want to get up."
When night fell on the battlefield the clamor of the celebration waxed
rather than waned. It seemed that there was no darkness. Rockets and a
ceaseless fountain of star shells made the lines a streak of brilliancy
across the face of France, while by the light of flares, the front with
all its dancing, boasting, singing soldiers was as clearly visible as
though the sun were still high in the heavens.
When morning dawned again, peace and quietness--the quietness that was
strange and unbelievable--had transformed the front from a roaring,
seething strip of madness into a rest camp. Rather, it had that
appearance until a bugler broke the spell.
Hal was sleeping in the corner of what had once been a church. Chester
was resting comfortably upon a pile of green camouflage a few feet away.
Sergeant Bowers, despite his wounds, also slept near by.
"I can't get 'em up, I can't get 'em up--" said the bugler.
"You sure can't," said Chester. "Not me, anyway."
Then he turned over and went to sleep.
Hal did likewise, after one sleepy look at the sun.
Sergeant Bowers merely rolled over.
It was almost noon when the sergeant finally crawled out from under his
blanket. Hal and Chester were standing nearby.
"What's the use of getting up?" Sergeant Bowers complained. "The war's
over, ain't it?"
When the sergeant and the two lads finally emerged from the shattered
church, the former soon discovered that life on the front line had
become suddenly complicated by the presence of a young lieutenant.
"Where have you been all day?" the lieutenant demanded of Sergeant
Bowers the moment he saw him.
"Sleeping," replied Sergeant Bowers briefly.
"Well," said the lieutenant, "you're on guard. You go on duty right
now."
Sergeant Bowers bit of a chew of tobacco and strode off. But before he
went he delivered this parting shot, addressed to Hal and Chester:
"This old armistice," said he sadly, "isn't what it's cracked up to be,
is it?"
*CHAPTER XXX*
*CONCLUSION*
Thus ended the greatest war in the history of the world. True, no
formal treaty of peace had been signed, and none was signed until months
later. But fighting ceased on the western front and in virtually all
quarters of the globe on the moment the armistice became effective.
In the days that followed, Hal and Chester did their full parts with the
American troops. They were with the American army of occupation that
marched to the west bank of the river Rhine soon after the armistice.
As usual, they saw considerable excitement, but of their adventures with
the Yankee troops in the German interior we have not space to speak
here.
And yet there is one incident that is worthy of particular mention.
The American army had crossed the Rhine and the Thirty-second division,
with which the lads now found themselves, was stationed in the little
city of Frankfort, only a few miles within German territory.
What seemed strange in the minds of Hal and Chester, and other American
officers as well, was the fact that the Americans were most cordially
received in the German towns through which they passed. It is true that
they were able to relieve the privation of some German families by
distributing food to the needy, but it is probable they would have been
welcomed anyhow.
It was because the allied staff believed the Americans would be more
welcome than British or French troops that the Yankees were selected to
form the bulk of the army of occupation. The presence of an
Anglo-French force on German soil, it was realized, would arouse the
resentment of the Germans, and this the allies were anxious to avoid.
Already rioting had broken out in Berlin and other German cities. The
German emperor, following his abdication, had fled to Holland, where he
sought refuge under the laws of neutrality. There was some talk in
allied countries of demanding his surrender and bringing him to trial on
a charge of murder, but this was still being debated when the American
army of occupation was called home.
The bolsheviki movement, which had originated in Russia, had spread to
several of the German states and was particularly rampant in the
capital. In fact, there was hardly a town in the German empire, or in
the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, either, for that matter, that was not
struggling in the throes of riot and revolution.
Several times American troops had been called upon to assist the German
military authorities in preventing bloodshed in some of the border
towns. So far, there had been little loss of life, but things were to
change as the revolutionists gained power.
The German Crown Prince also had fled to Holland, where he remained
secure. The Empress, soon after the kaiser's flight, also crossed the
frontier of The Netherlands and joined her husband.
In the meantime, at Versailles, a peace council of the allies had been
summoned. This council was to decide upon the amount of indemnity to be
paid by Germany, what was to be done with the enemy country and other
things that would go toward making a permanent peace. These matters, it
was realized, however, would take time. In order to facilitate matters,
President Wilson crossed the ocean to be present at the conferences.
His presence helped a lot.
Hal and Chester, walking through the streets of Frankfort on the Main
one night, were attracted by the sounds of confusion in the river
section.
"Another riot, I guess," said Hal. "We'd better steer clear of it. You
know orders are not to mix in unless we are molested."
"Right," Chester agreed. "Then we'll head the other way and let 'em
fight it out."
Accordingly they turned to retrace their steps. But at that moment
Chester caught the sound of a cry in English.
"Help!" came the voice.
"Hear that, Hal?" he demanded.
"Yes; sounds like one of our own men in trouble."
"Then orders or no orders," said Chester, "we've got to help him out."
"Come on then," cried Hal.
The lads turned quickly and dashed toward the river.
Rounding a corner, they came upon a crowd of struggling figures.
Apparently, three men in the center of the crowd were fighting for their
lives against a mob of German soldiers, who were armed with clubs and
knives. (Under the terms of the armistice, certain soldiers had been
deprived of all but their side arms.)
Against the weapons of their assailants, the lads saw that the figures
in the center offered two revolvers each. With these they were
attempting to stand off their assailants without firing.
"Why don't they shoot?" demanded Chester, as he dashed forward, Hal at
his side.
Hal did not reply, but the reason was clear. The three Americans, for
such the figures proved to be, did not fire for fear of arousing greater
resentment among the Germans. They were perfectly cool, and it was
plain they would shoot if it became necessary.
As Chester came closer he realized what stayed the fingers of the
American officers. Nevertheless, he produced his own revolvers before
dashing into the crowd. Hal followed suit.
"Don't shoot unless you have to, Chester," the latter warned.
The crowd gave ground as Hal and Chester, bringing football tactics into
play, bore down on them; and soon the lads were beside the officers in
the center of the circle.
"Well, there are five of us now," said one of the officers, "but you
would have shown better judgment, Major, had you gone for reinforcements
rather than coming to our aid."
"I didn't stop to think of that," Hal confessed. "But you are right,
sir."
"Never mind," said another. "We can fight our way out of here if it
becomes necessary."
"But we don't want to use force," said the first speaker. "It would be
much more wise to overawe them with a show of force."
"It's no time to talk about that now," said the other. "But come, I'm
in favor of getting out of here."
"And I," agreed the third man. "See, the crowd is increasing."
"I'll tell you," said Hal. "Five of us should be able to fight our way
through that crowd without shooting. We'll club our revolvers, and make
a break for it, keeping as close together as possible."
"As good a way as any," agreed the first officer, a colonel of infantry.
"As I am the senior of this party, I suppose it is up to me to take
command. All ready, gentlemen?"
"All ready, sir," came the reply from each of the other four.
"Then let's go. Forward!"
With revolvers upraised, but without a sound, the five Americans stepped
forward. They did not seem to hurry; they were perfectly cool. But it
was apparent to every German in the crowd that they were in deadly
earnest.
For a moment the crowd gave way; then closed in again.
Knives flashed in German hands; clubs were raised.
Hal, walking close to Chester's side, caught a slashing knife arm with
his left hand, still gripping his revolver, and twisted sharply. There
was a screech from the German, followed by a snap that announced the man
would not use the arm for some time to come.
The Germans sprang forward, and despite the unbroken front presented by
the five Americans, they were borne back by the force of numbers. It
appeared that the Yankee officers had underestimated the temper of their
foes.
They retreated fighting, until their backs were against a house.
"We can defend ourselves here, using our revolvers if necessary," said
the colonel.
"I've a better plan, sir," said Chester.
"What is it?"
"We'll back up the steps just to our left, sir, and take possession of
the house."
"And then what?"
"Then I'll run the gauntlet of the crowd and bring reinforcements, sir."
"Not a bad idea," said the colonel. "We'll try it."
The little party moved to the left and mounted the steps, still
presenting an unbroken front to their foes. Chester tried the door. It
was unlocked. The lad opened it and the Americans stepped inside.
"Bolt the door!" cried the colonel.
"One moment," said Chester. "Let me out first."
"I'm going along, Chester," said Hal quietly.
"All right," said Chester. "Come on. The rest of you cover us with
your revolvers. Tell you what. Fire a couple of shots over their heads.
That will give us time to make a break. Then bar the door behind us."
He waited for no reply, but darted directly toward the crowd of Germans,
both revolvers levelled directly into their midst. Hal, keeping close
beside his chum, did likewise.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The three American officers left behind had followed out Chester's
injunction and fired over the heads of the crowd. Instantly confusion
swept the mob.
It was the moment for which Chester had hoped. Into the crowd he dashed,
reversing his revolver and striking right and left. Hal was right
beside him, his own arms flying about like flails.
And almost before they knew it, so sudden had been their actions, they
burst clear of the crowd.
"Now run!" shouted Hal.
Chester needed no urging. The lads sped over the ground, while from
behind came cries of anger. Balked of their prey, about half of the
Germans nevertheless gave chase. The other half, as though by
prearrangement, remained to guard the Americans who had sought shelter
in the house.
But Hal and Chester were too fleet of foot for their pursuers. They
outdistanced them easily. The rest was simple.
Fifteen minutes later a company of American soldiers marched to the
house where the officers were hiding and cleared the streets of Germans.
As Hal walked through the dispersing crowd, a hand caught him by the
arm.
"Aha!" said a voice, "Major Paine, eh?"
Hal glanced into the countenance of General Knoff, whom he had seen
first at Sedan.
"And," continued the general, "Major Crawford, too, eh?"
"The same, general," said Chester, smiling.
"It is good," said General Knoff. "You may remember recently, at Spa, I
invited you to see me when you come to Berlin?"
"Yes, sir," said Chester, "and so we shall, when we get there."
"But," protested the general, "my daughter and Frau Knoff are in
Frankfort. Even now, looking from the window, my daughter saw you,
which is the reason I am here. I came to aid, but I was too late."
"But we do not like to impose--" began Chester.
"Impose?" exclaimed the general. "Did you not once render me a service
I shall never forget? Come, now."
Laughingly, Hal and Chester accompanied the general to a house nearby.
"It is my wish," said General Knoff, "that my family shall be better
acquainted with the Americans. They are a brave race."
The lads bowed their thanks.
Both the general's wife and daughter expressed pleasure at meeting the
lads again. Hal nudged Chester slyly.
"A real pretty girl, even if she is German," he said.
Chester flushed angrily, then smiled as he added:
"All we need now to complete the party is Stubbs."
At the same moment General Knoff, glancing from the window, uttered an
exclamation, jumped to his feet and left the room hurriedly. Five
minutes later he returned, accompanied by another figure. It was Stubbs.
"Well," said Chester, "if this isn't a miracle there never was one."
"I saw him passing," General Knoff explained.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Hal. "I thought you were
fired. You might as well return home."
"No," said Stubbs. "It's true I was fired, but I've been hired again.
You see, The New York Gazette scooped every paper in the United States
on the signing of the armistice."
"Scooped 'em twice, in fact, you might say, Mr. Stubbs," Chester put in
slyly.
Stubbs frowned.
"Never mind that," he said. "The war's over and we are all glad. And
I'm glad to be with you here at this minute. I am assigned to stay with
the American army of occupation, and I suppose I shall see considerable
of you. And it is my hope that we may all return to America together."
The general's daughter now placed tea and cakes on the table, and the
general invited all to pitch in.
"Now," he said, "we all are friends once more, eh?"
Neither Hal nor Chester replied; they looked back over four years of
war, and in memory they saw the ruin and destruction wrought in many
lands; and Chester expressed the sentiment of the American nation when
he said to himself in answer to General Knoff's query:
"No, we are not all friends once more--not yet."
As there was an end to the great world war, so there must be an end to
all things--even to Hal Paine and Chester Crawford. So, seated
comfortably about a table in the temporary home of General Knoff, once a
general of the kaiser, we shall take our leave of them, knowing that, in
due course of time, they will return to their homes in America, where
they will live the lives of useful citizens.
There is no need telling of the voyage home, of the honors showered upon
them. Suffice to say that when they reached the shores of America, each
wore the United States distinguished service cross--for bravery and
valor in action; and when their friends address them now, it is not as
major.
For out of four years of war emerged Colonel Hal Paine and Colonel
Chester Crawford.
THE END.
* * * * * * * *
*The Boy Allies*
*(Registered in the United States Patent Office)*
*With the Navy*
*By ENSIGN ROBERT L. DRAKE*
*Handsome Cloth Binding, Price 60 Cents per Volume*
Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton, young American lads, meet each other
in an unusual way soon after the declaration of war. Circumstances
place them on board the British cruiser "The Sylph" and from there on,
they share adventures with the sailors of the Allies. Ensign Robert L.
Drake, the author, is an experienced naval officer, and he describes
admirably the many exciting adventures of the two boys.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL; or, Striking the First Blow at
the German Fleet.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS; or, Sweeping the Enemy from the Seas.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON; or, The Naval Raiders of the
Great War.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE TERROR OF THE SEA; or, The Last Shot of
Submarine D-16.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE SEA; or, The Vanishing Submarine.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALTIC; or, Through Fields of Ice to Aid the Czar.
THE BOY ALLIES AT JUTLAND; or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH UNCLE SAM'S CRUISERS; or, Convoying the American
Army Across the Atlantic.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE SUBMARINE D-32; or, The Fall of the Russian
Empire.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE VICTORIOUS FLEETS; or, The Fall of the German
Navy.
* * * * * * * *
*The Boy Allies with*
*(Registered in the United States Patent Office)*
*the Army*
*By CLAIR W. HAYES*
*Handsome Cloth Binding, Price 60 Cents per Volume*
In this series we follow the fortunes of two American lads unable to
leave Europe after war is declared. They meet the soldiers of the
Allies, and decide to cast their lot with them. Their experiences and
escapes are many, and furnish plenty of the good, healthy action that
every boy loves.
THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE; or, Through Lines of Steel.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE FIRING LINE; or, Twelve Days Battle Along the
Marne.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS; or, A Wild Dash Over the Carpathians.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES; or, Midst Shot and Shell Along the
Aisne.
THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL; or, With the Italian Army in the Alps.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN; or, The Struggle to Save a
Nation.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE SOMME; or, Courage and Bravery Rewarded.
THE BOY ALLIES AT VERDUN; or, Saving France from the Enemy.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES; or, Leading the American
Troops to the Firing Line.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS; or, The Fighting Canadians of Vimy
Ridge.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH PERSHING IN FRANCE; or, Over the Top at Chateau
Thierry.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE GREAT ADVANCE; or, Driving the Enemy Through
France and Belgium.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH MARSHAL FOCH; or, The Closing Days of the Great
World War.
* * * * * * * *
*The Boy Scouts Series*
*By HERBERT CARTER*
*Handsome Cloth Binding, Price 60 Cents per Volume*
THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMP FIRE; or, Scouting with the Silver Fox
Patrol.
THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE; or, Marooned Among the Moonshiners.
THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL; or, Scouting through the Big Game Country.
THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, The New Test for the Silver Fox
Patrol.
THE BOY SCOUTS THROUGH THE BIG TIMBER; or, The Search for the Lost
Tenderfoot.
THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES; or, The Secret of the Hidden Silver Mine.
THE BOY SCOUTS ON STURGEON ISLAND; or, Marooned Among the Game Fish
Poachers.
THE BOY SCOUTS DOWN IN DIXIE; or, The Strange Secret of Alligator Swamp.
THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA. A story of Burgoyne's defeat
in 1777.
THE BOY SCOUTS ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA; or, The Silver Fox Patrol Caught
in a Flood.
THE BOY SCOUTS ON WAR TRAILS IN BELGIUM; or, Caught Between the Hostile
Armies.
THE BOY SCOUTS AFOOT IN FRANCE; or, With the Red Cross Corps at the
Marne.
* * * * * * * *
*Our Young Aeroplane Scout Series*
*(Registered in the United States Patent Office)*
*By HORACE PORTER*
*Handsome Cloth Binding, Price 60 Cents per Volume*
A series of stories of two American boy aviators in the great European
war zone. The fascinating life in mid-air is thrillingly described.
The boys have many exciting adventures, and the narratives of their
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OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM; or, Saving the
Fortunes of the Trouvilles.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN GERMANY.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN RUSSIA; or, Lost on the Frozen Steppes.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN TURKEY; or, Bringing the Light to Yusef.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN ENGLAND; or, Twin Stars in the London Sky
Patrol.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN ITALY; or, Flying with the War Eagles of
the Alps.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS AT VERDUN; or, Driving Armored Meteors Over
Flaming Battle Fronts.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN THE BALKANS; or, Wearing the Red Badge of
Courage.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN THE WAR ZONE; or, Serving Uncle Sam in the
Cause of the Allies.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS FIGHTING TO THE FINISH; or, Striking Hard
Over the Sea for the Stars and Stripes.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS AT THE MARNE; or, Harrying the Huns From
Allied Battleplanes.
OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN AT THE VICTORY; or, Speedy High Flyers
Smashing the Hindenburg Line.
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