NEARING THE FRAY
On September twenty-eighth they entered the English Channel and were
promptly signalled by a British warship, so they were obliged to lay to
while a party of officers came aboard. The _Arabella_ was flying the
American flag and the Red Cross flag, but the English officer
courteously but firmly persisted in searching the ship. What he found
seemed to interest him, as did the papers and credentials presented for
his perusal.
"And which side have you come to assist?" he asked.
"No side at all, sir," replied Jones, as master of the _Arabella_. "The
wounded, the sick and helpless, whatever uniform they chance to wear,
will receive our best attention. But we are bound for Calais and intend
to follow the French army."
The officer nodded gravely.
"Of course," said he, "you are aware that the channel is full of mines
and that progress is dangerous unless you have our maps to guide you. I
will furnish your pilot with a diagram, provided you agree to keep our
secret and deliver the diagram to the English officer you will meet at
Calais."
They agreed to this and after the formalities were concluded the officer
prepared to depart.
"I must congratulate you," he remarked on leaving, "on having the best
equipped hospital ship it has been my fortune to see. There are many in
the service, as you know, but the boats are often mere tubs and the
fittings of the simplest description. The wounded who come under your
care will indeed be fortunate. It is wonderful to realize that you have
come all the way from America, and at so great an expense, to help the
victims of this sad war. For the Allies I thank you, and--good-bye!"
They remembered this kindly officer long afterward, for he proved more
generous than many of the English they met.
Captain Carg now steamed ahead, watching his chart carefully to avoid
the fields of mines, but within two hours he was again hailed, this
time by an armored cruiser. The first officer having vised the ship's
papers, they were spared the delay of another search and after a brief
examination were allowed to proceed. They found the channel well
patrolled by war craft and no sooner had they lost sight of one, than
another quickly appeared.
At Cherbourg a French dreadnaught halted them and an officer came aboard
to give them a new chart of the mine fields between there and Calais and
full instructions how to proceed safely. This officer, who spoke
excellent English, asked a thousand questions and seemed grateful for
their charitable assistance to his countrymen.
"You have chosen a dangerous post," said he, "but the Red Cross is
respected everywhere--even by the Germans. Have you heard the latest
news? We have driven them back to the Aisne and are holding the enemy
well in check. Antwerp is under siege, to be sure, but it can hold out
indefinitely. The fighting will be all in Belgium soon, and then in
Germany. Our watchword is 'On to Berlin!'"
"Perhaps we ought to proceed directly to Ostend," said Uncle John.
"The Germans still hold it, monsieur. In a few days, perhaps, when
Belgium is free of the invaders, you will find work enough to occupy you
at Ostend; but I advise you not to attempt to go there now."
In spite of the friendly attitude of this officer and of the authorities
at Cherbourg, they were detained at this port for several days before
finally receiving permission to proceed. The delay was galling but had
to be endured until the infinite maze of red tape was at an end. They
reached Calais in the early evening and just managed to secure an
anchorage among the fleet of warships in the harbor.
Again they were obliged to show their papers and passports, now vised by
representatives of both the English and French navies, but this
formality being over they were given a cordial welcome.
Uncle John and Ajo decided to go ashore for the latest news and arrived
in the city between nine and ten o'clock that same evening. They found
Calais in a state of intense excitement. The streets were filled with
British and French soldiery, with whom were mingled groups of citizens,
all eagerly discussing the war and casting uneasy glances at the black
sky overhead for signs of the dreaded German Zeppelins.
"How about Antwerp?" Jones asked an Englishman they found in the lobby
of one of the overcrowded hotels.
The man turned to stare at him; he looked his questioner up and down
with such insolence that the boy's fists involuntarily doubled; then he
turned his back and walked away. A bystander laughed with amusement. He
also was an Englishman, but wore the uniform of a subaltern.
"What can you expect, without a formal introduction?" he asked young
Jones. "But I'll answer your question, sir; Antwerp is doomed."
"Oh; do you really think so?" inquired Uncle John uneasily.
"It's a certainty, although I hate to admit it. We at the rear are not
very well posted on what is taking place over in Belgium, but it's said
the bombardment of Antwerp began yesterday and it's impossible for the
place to hold out for long. Perhaps even now the city has fallen under
the terrific bombardment."
There was something thrilling in the suggestion.
"And then?" asked Jones, almost breathlessly.
The man gave a typical British shrug.
"Then we fellows will find work to do," he replied. "But it is better to
fight than to eat our hearts out by watching and waiting. We're the
reserves, you know, and we've hardly smelled powder yet."
After conversing with several of the soldiers and civilians--the latter
being mostly too unnerved to talk coherently--the Americans made their
way back to the quay with heavy hearts. They threaded lanes filled with
sobbing women, many of whom had frightened children clinging to their
skirts, passed groups of old men and boys who were visibly trembling
with trepidation and stood aside for ranks of brisk soldiery who marched
with an alertness that was in strong contrast with the terrified
attitude of the citizens. There was war in the air--fierce, relentless
war in every word and action they encountered--and it had the effect of
depressing the newcomers.
That night an earnest conference was held aboard the _Arabella_.
"As I understand it, here is the gist of the situation," began Ajo. "The
line of battle along the Aisne is stationary--for the present, at least.
Both sides are firmly entrenched and it's going to be a long, hard
fight. Antwerp is being bombarded, and although it's a powerful
fortress, the general opinion is that it can't hold out for long. If it
falls, there will be a rush of Germans down this coast, first to capture
Dunkirk, a few miles above here, and then Calais itself."
"In other words," continued Uncle John, "this is likely to be the most
important battleground for the next few weeks. Now, the question to
decide is this: Shall we disembark our ambulances and run them across to
Arras, beginning our work behind the French trenches, or go on to
Dunkirk, where we are likely to plunge into the thickest of the war?
We're not fighters, you know, but noncombatants, bent on an errand of
mercy. There are wounded everywhere."
They considered this for a long time without reaching a decision, for
there were some in the party to argue on either side of the question.
Uncle John continued to favor the trenches, as the safest position for
his girls to work; but the girls themselves, realizing little of the
dangers to be encountered, preferred to follow the fortunes of the
Belgians.
"They've been so brave and noble, these people of Belgium," said Beth,
"that I would take more pleasure in helping them than any other branch
of the allied armies."
"But, my dear, there's a mere handful of them left," protested her
uncle. "I'm told that at Dunkirk there is still a remnant of the Belgian
army--very badly equipped--but most of the remaining force is with King
Albert in Antwerp. If the place falls they will either be made prisoners
by the Germans or they may escape into Holland, where their fighting
days will be ended for the rest of the war. However, there is no need to
decide this important question to-night. To-morrow I am to see the
French commandant and I will get his advice."
The interview with the French commandant of Calais, which was readily
accorded the Americans, proved very unsatisfactory. The general had just
received reports that Antwerp was in flames and the greater part of the
city already demolished by the huge forty-two-centimetre guns of the
Germans. The fate of King Albert's army was worrying him exceedingly and
he was therefore in little mood for conversation.
The American consul could do little to assist them. After the matter was
explained to him, he said:
"I advise you to wait a few days for your decision. Perhaps a day--an
hour--will change the whole angle of the war. Strange portents are in
the air; no one knows what will happen next. Come to me, from time to
time, and I will give you all the information I secure."
Dr. Gys had accompanied Jones and Mr. Merrick into Calais to-day, and
while he had little to say during the various interviews his
observations were shrewd and comprehensive. When they returned to the
deck of the _Arabella_, Gys said to the girls:
"There is nothing worth while for us to do here. The only wounded I saw
were a few Frenchmen parading their bandaged heads and hands for the
admiration of the women. The hospitals are well organized and quite
full, it is true, but I'm told that no more wounded are being sent here.
The Sisters of Mercy and the regular French Red Cross force seem very
competent to handle the situation, and there are two government hospital
ships already anchored in this port. We would only be butting in to
offer our services. But down the line, from Arras south, there is real
war in the trenches and many are falling every day. Arras is less than
fifty miles from here--a two or three hours' run for our ambulances--and
we could bring the wounded here and care for them as we originally
intended."
"Fifty miles is a long distance for a wounded man to travel," objected
Maud.
"True," said the doctor, "but the roads are excellent."
"Remember those swinging cots," said Ajo.
"We might try it," said Patsy, anxious to be doing something. "Couldn't
we start to-morrow for Arras, Uncle?"
"It occurs to me that we must first find a chauffeur," answered Mr.
Merrick, "and from my impressions of the inhabitants of Calais, that
will prove a difficult task."
"Why?"
"Every man jack of 'em is scared stiff," said Ajo, with a laugh. "But we
might ask the commandant to recommend someone. The old boy seems
friendly enough."
The next day, however, brought important news from Antwerp. The city had
surrendered, the Belgian army had made good its escape and was now
retreating toward Ostend, closely followed by the enemy.
This news was related by a young orderly who met them as they entered
the Hotel de Ville. They were also told that the commandant was very
busy but would try to see them presently. This young Frenchman spoke
English perfectly and was much excited by the morning's dispatches.
"This means that the war is headed our way at last!" he cried
enthusiastically. "The Germans will make a dash to capture both Dunkirk
and Calais, and already large bodies of reinforcements are on the way to
defend these cities."
"English, or French?" asked Uncle John.
"This is French territory," was the embarrassed reply, "but we are glad
to have our allies, the English, to support us. Their General French is
now at Dunkirk, and it is probable the English will join the French and
Belgians at that point."
"They didn't do much good at Antwerp, it seems," remarked Ajo.
"Ah, they were naval reserves, monsieur, and not much could be expected
of them. But do not misunderstand me; I admire the English private--the
fighting man--exceedingly. Were the officers as clever as their soldiers
are brave, the English would be irresistible."
As this seemed a difficult subject to discuss, Uncle John asked the
orderly if he knew of a good chauffeur to drive their ambulance--an
able, careful man who might be depended upon in emergencies.
The orderly reflected.
"We have already impressed the best drivers," he said, "but it may be
the general will consent to spare you one of them. Your work is so
important that we must take good care of you."
But when they were admitted to the general they found him in a more
impatient mood than before. He really could not undertake to direct Red
Cross workers or advise them. They were needed everywhere; everywhere
they would be welcome. And now, he regretted to state that he was very
busy; if they had other business with the department, Captain Meroux
would act as its representative.
Before accepting this dismissal Uncle John ventured to ask about a
chauffeur. Rather brusquely the general stated that they could ill
afford to spare one from the service. A desperate situation now faced
the Allies in Flanders. Captain Meroux must take care of the Americans;
doubtless he could find a driver for their ambulance--perhaps a Belgian.
But in the outer office the orderly smiled doubtfully.
A driver? To be sure; but such as he could furnish would not be of the
slightest use to them. All the good chauffeurs had been impressed and
the general was not disposed to let them have one.
"He mentioned a Belgian," suggested Uncle John.
"I know; but the Belgians in Calais are all fugitives, terror-stricken
and unmanned." He grew thoughtful a moment and then continued: "My
advice would be to take your ship to Dunkirk. It is only a little way,
through a good channel, and you will be as safe there as at Calais. For,
if Dunkirk falls, Calais will fall with it. From there, moreover, the
roads are better to Arras and Peronne, and it is there you stand the
best chance of getting a clever Belgian chauffeur. If you wish--" he
hesitated, looking at them keenly.
"Well, sir?"
"If you are really anxious to get to the firing line and do the most
good, Dunkirk is your logical station. If you are merely seeking the
notoriety of being charitably inclined, remain here."
They left the young man, reflecting upon his advice and gravely
considering its value. They next visited one of the hospitals, where an
overworked but friendly English surgeon volunteered a similar
suggestion. Dunkirk, he declared, would give them better opportunities
than Calais.
The remainder of the day they spent in getting whatever news had
filtered into the city and vainly seeking a competent man for chauffeur.
On the morning of October eleventh they left Calais and proceeded slowly
along the buoyed channel that is the only means of approaching the port
of Dunkirk by water. The coast line is too shallow to allow ships to
enter from the open sea.
On their arrival at the Flemish city--twelve miles nearer the front than
Calais--they found an entirely different atmosphere. No excitement, no
terror was visible anywhere. The people quietly pursued their accustomed
avocations and the city was as orderly as in normal times.
The town was full of Belgians, however, both soldiers and civilians,
while French and British troops were arriving hourly in regiments and
battalions. General French, the English commander in chief, had located
his headquarters at a prominent hotel, and a brisk and businesslike air
pervaded the place, with an entire lack of confusion. Most of the
Belgians were reservists who were waiting to secure uniforms and arms.
They crowded all the hotels, cafés and inns and seemed as merry and
light-hearted as if no news of their king's defeat and precipitate
retreat had arrived. Not until questioned would they discuss the war at
all, yet every man was on the _qui vive_, expecting hourly to hear the
roar of guns announcing the arrival of the fragment of the Belgian army
that had escaped from Antwerp.
To-day the girls came ashore with the men of their party, all three
wearing their Red Cross uniforms and caps, and it was almost pathetic to
note the deference with which all those warriors--both bronzed and
fair--removed their caps until the "angels of mercy" had passed them by.
They made the rounds of the hospitals, which were already crowded with
wounded, and Gys stopped at one long enough to assist the French doctor
in a delicate operation. Patsy stood by to watch this surgery, her face
white and drawn, for this was her first experience of the sort; but Maud
and Beth volunteered their services and were so calm and deft that
Doctor Gys was well pleased with them.