"Another route?" blurted out Ralph. "There isn't another way to go on this side of the river. It would be a long tramp to cross the river." They were now in a serious dilemma, and stood there undecided as to the best course to follow, when they were startled by a voice: "Hello, boys!" "It's Pierre!" shouted Alfred, who was the first to spy their friend. "And how did you get here?" asked Alfred. "We thought they had captured you at Rouen." "So they did, but we got away the same night. But where are you going?" returned Pierre. "Trying to get to Holland," he was informed. "I am afraid you will have to go south of the Scheldt to get there," Pierre then informed them. "But I received a letter from father, and he wants us to meet him in Paris," said Alfred. "You know we don't want to be shut up in the city, if the Germans are going to surround it." "Of course not," answered Pierre. "But in the meantime we must find some other way out. You know you are still in the army, in the messenger service, and come to think of it, you haven't received any pay so far, have you?" The boys laughed, for that part of it had been entirely forgotten. "Why, yes; the Germans paid us for work at the hospital," said Ralph. "And you repaid them by skipping out the next day," said Pierre with a smile. "How much do you think there is due us now?" asked Alfred. "I don't know what you are on the rolls for, but there must be a full month's pay due, and that would be about thirty-five francs apiece," said Pierre. "Thirty-five francs!" mused Ralph. "Twice thirty-five is seventy,--about fourteen dollars. Good, that will take us through." "I suggest that you come to headquarters and join us. We intend to cross the river. It will be the safest place for you," said Pierre. "That will suit me," said Ralph. Together they marched to headquarters where they were again installed and placed on the rolls. Late that night the regiment began its march, reaching the dock below Antwerp at ten o'clock, where they had a long wait before the crowded boats left the pier. On landing, the march was resumed, and did not halt for two hours, so it was nearly three in the morning before they were able to lie down for the much needed sleep. It did not seem that they had slept a half hour when they were awakened by the heavy booming notes of cannon, and the occasional rattle and crash of small guns. The boys now knew the kind of music which the different weapons ground out. "That's a machine gun, see how regularly the shots come," said Alfred. "Yes; and that's a salvo from infantry," replied Ralph. "The Mannlicher guns have an awfully snappy way of talking. Do you hear it? There it is again. They must be rushing some of the outer works."