The Boy Allies on the Firing Line Part 36

"What! Me apologize?" demanded the German. "And what for, pray?"

"I don't want any apology," declared Chester. "All I want is for him to understand he can't shoot a dumb animal while I'm around."

"Is that so?" sneered the German, but the boys' guard cut him short.

"Lieutenant Dennig," he said sharply, "you forget yourself. These prisoners are under my protection and shall not be insulted."

The lieutenant drew himself up sharply, saluted his superior officer, and walked rapidly away.

"One more enemy," said Chester to Hal, as the man made off.

"Oh, he'll get over it," laughed the boys' guard. "He knows he is in the wrong--that's what makes him so angry."

The object of this little unpleasantness still stood near, wagging his tail and looking at the two lads. When they continued their walk toward their tent, he calmly followed them.

The lads did not notice this, however, until they had entered the tent, and then Hal espied the nose of their newly-found friend poking its way in after them. A moment later and the dog was curled up at one side of the tent, sleeping.

"Looks like there are three of you to guard now, instead of two,"

said the officer. "However, I guess it is all right."

"I wonder if it would be possible," said Chester, struck with a sudden thought, "for us to take him to Berlin with us?"

"I'll see what can be done about it," replied the officer. "I believe that I can arrange it all right."

"We certainly would appreciate it," continued Chester, "and, if the time ever comes when we may be of service to you, you may command us." The officer smiled.

"I doubt if you will ever have the opportunity," he said. "Present circ.u.mstances would indicate that there is little likelihood of it."

"Well, you never can tell," said Hal, "the fortunes of war, you know."

"True," said the German, "and, if ever occasion arises, I shall take you at your word."

He bowed and left the tent. Hal and Chester now turned their attention to the dog, which still lay sleeping. Chester whistled sharply. The dog was on his feet in a second, ears c.o.c.ked and sniffing the air eagerly.

"A real war dog, all right," said Chester. "What shall we call him, Hal?"

"Perhaps he has a name already," said Hal. "Try him."

Chester called off the many dog names familiar to him, and Hal added a few. But, although the animal wagged his tail with evident pleasure at thus being talked to, he gave no evidence of owning any of the names in the boys' vocabulary.

Hal approached and laid his hand on the dog's head. Then, for the first time, he noticed the collar he wore.

"h.e.l.lo!" he said, in some surprise.

"What is it?" said Chester, also approaching.

"Collar," said Hal briefly. "Perhaps his name is on it."

Both boys bent over the dog.

"Here it is, sure enough," cried Chester.

"Can you make it out?" asked Hal.

"It's a little dark," replied the lad. "Bring him over here nearer the light."

This was done, and once more Chester bent over the collar.

"Well?" demanded Hal.

"Yes, I can read it," replied Chester.

"What is it?" demanded Hal.

Chester read aloud:

"Marquis--Twenty-third French Infantry."

"A dispatch dog, eh?" said Hal.

"Yes," said Chester; "and, if I mistake not, a very valuable addition to our party."

CHAPTER x.x.xI.

BERLIN ONCE MORE.

By dint of persuasion the German officer succeeded in gaining the consent of General Von Kluck to allow the boys to take the dog with them. That Marquis was just as pleased to go as the boys were to have him, was plainly evident. When they left their tent for the last time, and whistled to him to follow, he bounded after them with enthusiasm.

The train on which the boys were to be taken back to Berlin did not leave until well along toward midnight, but, with some 5,000 other prisoners, British, French and Belgians alike, they were bundled aboard early. Heavily guarded, and without a weapon of any kind or description, there was no fear of a break for liberty, in spite of the large number of prisoners.

The lads were shoved into a car already loaded down with prisoners and took their positions at the far end, the dog between them. In spite of misfortune, the prisoners all were far from unhappy. They joked and chatted as though they were on a pleasure trip.

Finally, after much delay, the train started with a jolt, tumbling men all over each other as it gradually gathered momentum. They were hurled hither and yon, but they only laughed.

The trip was necessarily slow, for the train, time after time, was switched on to a siding to permit of the movement of German troop trains carrying soldiers from the western theater of war to the east, or from the east to the west.

Consequently, it was late the following night when the train finally pulled in, and the prisoners were ordered to get out. Under the leveled rifles of a strong German guard, they stepped to the ground, and, after being divided into squads at the direction of the German officer in command, were marched away.

Hal, Chester and Marquis were among the last to leave the train. As the dog tumbled out after them, there was an exclamation from a German officer.

"What have we here?" he demanded, approaching the boys. "A dog, eh?

Well, we haven't time to fool with dogs," and he leveled his pistol at Marquis.

Marquis drew back his lips in a snarl, even as Hal stepped forward to stay the German's hand.