CHAPTER XIX.
WITH THE ARMY.
"Milan!" echoed Hal. "Good night!"
"Oh, well," said Uncle John, with rare optimism for him, "I guess we can double back from there, can't we?"
"I suppose it can be done," agreed Hal. "But we haven't any business wandering all over this country. We want to get to Rome."
"We'll get there, all right," said Uncle John.
"Yes; but if they happen to nab us we are likely not to get there whole," declared Hal.
When the train arrived in Milan, Hal and Uncle John were among the first to alight.
"Well, here we are; now what?" demanded Uncle John.
"You've got me," declared Hal.
They made their way to the street and there they halted suddenly, for a wonderful sight had met their gaze.
Passing along the street were thousands and thousands of soldiers, mounted and afoot, fully equipped for the field. They passed by in a steady stream. For an hour Hal and Uncle John watched the imposing sight and still the long line wended its way along. Hal's heart beat faster as his eyes rested upon this imposing array of fighting strength.
"By Jove! I'd like to go along," he muttered to himself.
And it was to be so, even sooner that he could possibly have hoped. But the suggestion came from an altogether unexpected source.
"Tell you what, Hal," said Uncle John suddenly. "As long as we are here we might as well see a little something. What do you think?"
"Just what do you mean?" asked Hal.
"Well, let's go along to the front with these fellows; that is, if we can make it. We may see something that we will never have another chance to see."
"Suits me," declared Hal. "Let's see if we can get a couple of horses—it's pretty tough walking and we don't know how far we may have to go."
This was easier than could have been expected; and an hour later found them riding slowly along in the direction taken by the Italian troops.
"Don't suppose the authorities here have been apprised of our escape from
Milan," said Hal. "I guess we are safe enough."
Hour after hour they rode along, passing regiment after regiment of infantry as it moved toward the front. Uncle John was greatly impressed by the military carriage and bearing of the troops, but in spite of their impressiveness Hal could not help thinking that they did not have the businesslike appearance of the British troops.
Now, in the distance, they made out what they could see was a great camp, stretching out as far as the eye could see on both sides.
"This," said Hal, pointing, "will be the end of our tour of inspection.
Beyond those lines they will not let us go."
"We'll go as far as we can," declared Uncle John.
Suddenly from directly ahead came the heavy thunder of a single gun, followed almost immediately by another giant voice. Other big guns began to speak, and soon the roaring of thousands filled the air.
"A battle!" exclaimed Hal.
Other voices now, more faint but sharper of note, took up the fighting—rapid firers and the rifles of the infantry coming into play. From their present position Hal and Uncle John could not tell just where the fighting was in progress, the numbers engaged, or whether the Italians had taken the offensive, or the Austrians, or how the battle was progressing. All they could hear was the terrible din and roar. They could see nothing. They were at present far from the battle line.
Still they advanced.
Now they were suddenly in the center of the Italian troops, still stationary, awaiting the word to move forward in support of the second line or the first line as the case might be.
An officer rode up to them.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Nothing particularly," replied Hal. "I am a British officer and, being in this neighborhood, thought I would look around a bit."
"Your papers?" was the next command.
"Unfortunately, I have none with me," returned the lad.
The officer hesitated.
"I'll tell you," he said finally, "there is a British officer commanding a regiment here. Perhaps he will know you. I shall conduct you to him. He has arrived from France only recently."
"I don't know all the British officers in France," said Hal, "but there is always the possibility I may know this one."
"Follow me," commanded the Italian.
The two did so. To the far left wing their guide led the way, and finally stopped before a tent somewhat larger than the rest.
An orderly came forth.
"Tell the colonel I have a man here who claims to be a British officer," said the Italian.
A moment later there stepped from the tent a long, tall Englishman, attired in British uniform, youngish of face, and at sight of him Hal started forward with a glad cry.
"Major Anderson!" he exclaimed.
The officer gazed at him in surprise, then came forward with extended hand.
"Bless my soul," he exclaimed. "What in the name of all that's wonderful are you doing here? I thought you were dead. And where is Chester?"
"I don't know," answered Hal, answering the last question first.
Upon Colonel Anderson's—he was no longer major—request, Hal plunged into an account of what had transpired since they had last seen the gallant Englishman. Now the Italian officer stepped forward.
"Then they are all right?" he questioned, indicating Hal and Uncle John.
"This one is," replied Anderson, laying a hand on Hal's shoulder. "I don't know the other."
He hastened to introduce the two men.
Anderson turned to the Italian.
"It's all right," he said.
The latter saluted and moved away.
"While you are here," said Anderson, "you will make yourselves at home in my quarters. I am now called to the front."
"Can't we go with you?" asked Hal anxiously.
The colonel hesitated.
"Well, I guess it can be done," he said at length. "You have your horses; wait until I get mine."
A command to his orderly and the horse was soon waiting. The three rode forward and as they went the colonel explained something of the situation and his reason for being with the Italian army.
"I was sent here immediately Italy declared war," he said, "at the request of the Italian government. Of course, they didn't ask for me personally, but they did ask for a British officer who had seen active service. General French selected me, with the rank of colonel. That's why I'm here."
"And this fighting now?" questioned Hal. "Who is on the offensive?"
"The Austrians, at the moment," was the reply. "They have massed thousands of men to the north, and at the far side of the Alps. We have let it be known that we were in insufficient strength here and the Austrians evidently hope, by a quick drive, to gain a foothold on Italian soil. Fortunately, however, our lines were strengthened no later than yesterday and reinforcements still are arriving. The Austrians have delayed too long.
"Now our troops are falling back slowly and in good order. The Austrians, feeling sure of a quick victory, will follow them too far. Then for our coup. First the artillery, then the infantry and cavalry, and let me tell you something, this Italian artillery fire is going to be one of the wonders of the war. Its effect will be terrific. Watch and see."
In the distance now the three made out a squad of a dozen men advancing toward them, with what appeared to be two prisoners in their midst.
"We'll have a look and see what's up," declared Colonel Anderson.
They rode forward.
As at last they were able to make out the faces of the two apparent prisoners, Hal uttered a loud shout and spurred his horse forward. Uncle John took a second look and did likewise. Colonel Anderson rode rapidly after them.
At the side of the squad, Hal leaped quickly from his horse, and plunging directly into the squad, threw his arms about one of the prisoners.
"Chester!" he cried.
And Chester it was.
The latter returned his friend's embrace with gusto, and then freeing himself, fell into the bear hug of Uncle John.
The latter was sniffling with joy; but at last released, Chester caught sight of Colonel Anderson.
Again there was an affectionate greeting and then Hal heard a voice in his ear.
"And haven't you anything to say to me, young man?"
Hal whirled about and caught sight of the smiling face of Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the New York Gazette.
"Stubbs!" he cried, and his delight was so evident that the little man flushed with pleasure.
Introductions followed all around now and then Colonel Anderson addressed the officer in charge of the squad.
"Are these men prisoners?" he asked.
"No, sir," was the reply, "but General Ferrari instructed me to have them taken to a place of safety."
"Then you can turn them over to me without question?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good! Then I shall relieve you of further responsibility."
The Italian saluted, ordered his men to "'Bout face" and marched off toward the front.