CHAPTER XV
THE EVE OF BATTLE
"Good news, Chester."
"That so? What is it?"
Hal glanced about him. There was no one near. "Little work for us todo," he said quietly.
"What kind of work?"
Hal did not reply directly to this question.
"How's your side?" he demanded.
"All right. Why?"
"Wound hurt you much?"
"No. Hardly know it's there. But what's all this about, anyhow?"
"Well," said Hal, "there is about to be a battle."
"That so? Good. How do you know?"
"General Pershing just told me. That's why I want to know how yourside is. We've orders to report to General Haig in person."
"Oh," said Chester, somewhat disappointed, "I thought you meant theAmerican troops were going to get into action."
"Well, they may get into action, too. I don't know. But this, to mymind, is the biggest undertaking since the Somme."
"Sounds good," said Chester, greatly interested. "Let's hear moreabout it."
"I don't know much more about it. I was summoned to General Pershing'stent, and he gave me a message to carry to General Haig. Told me tohave you report to General Haig also if your wound had healedsufficiently."
"It's healed sufficiently for that," Chester interrupted.
"That's what I thought you'd say, no matter how badly it might painyou. Anyhow, General Pershing said we might be in time to see someaction."
"Did he indicate the nature of it?"
"No, but I drew my own conclusions. I'll tell you why. Remember thosetanks we had here experimenting with?"
"You mean the armored tractors--those things that climb fences,trenches, and things like that?"
"Yes."
"Sure I remember them. Why?"
"Well, they're all gone--been ordered back to the British lines.Therefore, something is going on."
"Oh, pshaw!" said Chester. "That may mean only a local attack someplace. I thought you knew something."
"Wait a minute now. I know more than you think."
"Well, let's hear it then."
"Infantry and cavalry are being massed in the sector that would lead toCambrai, if a drive were successful."
"You're sure of that?"
"Perfectly. I have it from Captain O'Neill, who knows what he'stalking about."
"That may mean something," Chester agreed, nodding his head.
"May mean something? Of course it means something. Besides, ouraeroplanes are more active than usual, probably to keep the enemy backso they can't anticipate the attack."
"The Germans will suspect something then," declared Chester.
"Maybe. But there is something in the air. You can bank on that."
"Well, I hope so," declared Chester. "We haven't had any real fightingfor a long while now."
"Don't forget you've a bullet hole in you still," smiled Hal. "You'renot as good as new, you know."
"I can still answer for a couple of Germans," replied Chester with asmile.
"I guess you're right. But come, we must be moving."
The two lads left their quarters and sought their horses. As theymounted Stubbs approached.
"Where to?" he demanded.
"We've a mission to General Haig," said Hal. "Why?"
"Wait till I get a horse and I'll go along," said Stubbs.
He hurried away.
"I don't know whether he should go with us or not," muttered Hal.
"If you think that, let's don't wait for him," returned Chester.
"Good idea," Hal agreed, and put spurs to his horse.
Chester followed suit.
For ten minutes they rode rapidly, and then Hal slowed down.
"Guess we've lost him, all right," he said.
But they hadn't. A short time later Hal, glancing over his shoulder,made out the form of a solitary horseman hurrying after them. Therider made gestures as Hal looked, and the lad perceived that the man,whoever he might be, desired them to wait. Therefore, having forgottenall about Stubbs, the lad reined in. Chester did likewise.
"Hello," said Chester, as the rider drew closer. "It's Stubbs."
"Tough," Hal commented. "I had forgotten about him. However, we don'twant to hurt his feelings. He's seen us now, so there is no userunning."
They sat quietly until Stubbs drew up alongside.
"What's the idea of running away from me?" the little man wanted toknow.
"Running away, Mr. Stubbs?" questioned Chester. "Surely you must bemistaken. Why should we run away from you?"
"That's what I would like to know," declared Stubbs. "Didn't I tellyou to wait for me?"
"Did you, Stubbs?" This from Hal.
"Did I? You know deuced well I did. You're not deaf, are you?"
"Well, no," said Hal, "but your memory, Mr. Stubbs, how is that?"
Stubbs glared at the lad angrily.
"There is nothing the matter with my memory," he said, "as you'll find,if you ever have occasion to need me."
"Come now, Stubbs," said Chester. "You do us both an injustice. Youmust explain yourself."
"Great Scott!" Stubbs burst out. "Explain, must I? What do you mean,I must explain?"
"Hold up a minute, now, Stubbs," said Hal. "You're all tangled uphere. You've forgotten what you are talking about."
"Tangled? Forgot?" sputtered Stubbs. "What do you think I am, afool?"
"Well, I didn't say so, did I Mr. Stubbs?" Hal wanted to know.
"That means you do, eh?" grumbled Stubbs.
"Well, all right, think what you please. What I asked you was this:Why did you run away from me?"
"What makes you think we ran away, Stubbs?" asked Chester.
"What makes me think it? Why shouldn't I think it, I ask you? Whyshouldn't I think it? I ask you to wait till I get a horse, and when Icome back, you're gone."
"Maybe we didn't hear you, Mr. Stubbs," put in Hal.
"And maybe you did," exploded Stubbs. "Now, if you don't want mycompany, all you've got to do is to say so."
"Stubbs," said Chester, "you know we'd rather have your company thanthat of--of--of, well, say three wildcats."
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed Hal.
"Think you're funny, don't you?" said Stubbs, gazing at Chester with ascowl.
"Not so funny as you and the wildcats, Stubbs." laughed Chester.
Stubbs wheeled his horse about.
"I can see I'm not wanted here," he said with dignity. "Therefore, Ishall not bother you."
He rode back the way he had come.
"It's too bad," said Hal. "We've offended him and he's awfully angry."He raised his voice and shouted: "Hey, Stubbs! Come back here."
Stubbs did not deign to turn his head.
"He's mad all right," Chester agreed. "But hell get over it. Besides,it's just as well. We should not take him with us."
"You're right, Chester. Come, we have no time to waste."
The lads again put spurs to their horses and galloped rapidly along.
It was late afternoon when they rode up to General Haig's tent, andannounced their errand. They were admitted to the general's quartersimmediately, and Hal presented his message.
"General Pershing informs me," said General Haig at length, "that if Ihave need of you, I may use you."
The lads bowed.
"As it happens," said General Haig, "I do have need of you at thismoment. You have, perhaps, surmised that we are about to strike?"
Again the lads bowed.
"Good. This attack will be made with the third army, under command ofSir Julian Byng. I have dispatches for you to carry to him. Also, youwill attach yourselves to his staff during the engagement. I willwrite him to that effect."
General Haig scribbled hastily, and then passed several documents toHal.
"Deliver these immediately," said the British commander.
Hal and Chester saluted, left the te
nt, mounted their horses, anddashed rapidly away.
They reported to General Sir Julian Byng at 6 o'clock.
Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders; Or, the Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge Page 15