The Boy Allies on the Firing Line; Or, Twelve Days Battle Along the MarneHayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)
History
The Boy Allies on the Firing Line; Or, Twelve Days Battle Along the Marne
Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)
World War, 1914-1918 -- Juvenile fiction
"What business is it of yours whether I shoot him or not?"
"You try it again and I'll show you what business it is of mine, if
the whole German army is standing round," shouted Chester furiously.
Hal grabbed his friend by the coat and attempted to pull him back, but
Chester was too angry now to pay any heed, and he stood facing the
German threateningly.
At this point the other officer evidently decided it was time to
interfere.
"Come, come," he said to Chester. "That's enough of this. I am sure
Lieutenant Dennig meant no harm. I'm sure he'll apologize if he has
said or done anything to displease you."
"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
circumstances 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 cocked 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."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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