“Yes,” added Bumpus, drily, “you forget one important thing that has saved at least one member of the crowd a tanning, and that’s the possession of a good pair of running legs, and the ability to use the same.”
“I guess you’re right there, Bumpus,” acknowledged the other. “Now, if it had been you that same mob was chasing after, I can see your finish, because they’d have grabbed you in less’n no time.”
“Then it was lucky you got hungry instead of me,” chuckled the stout boy, as he once more settled himself back comfortably in his seat.
The soldiers had been stationed at a commanding point, for it was at the junction of the two roads. No doubt they had been able to commandeer numerous cars and other vehicles; for certain wealthy old men in Paris having learned about the victory won by the French army were beginning to come out, with the desire to gaze upon the scene; and this gave the watchers a chance to stop them and send a soldier back in charge of the car.
“On the home-stretch at last, Bumpus!” exclaimed Giraffe. “I recognize this section, and we can’t be more’n ten miles out of the city. Before long we’ll begin to catch glimpses of the distant Eiffel Tower and some of the higher buildings. But there are still a number of pretty little villages to pass through.”
“Thad, I’m going to ask a favor of you!” called out Bumpus just then.
“Go ahead, then,” floated back over the shoulder of the pilot at the wheel.
“Now we could easily get another back here in the tonneau of this wide car by squeezing a little. I’ve noticed several wounded soldiers walking toward the city, and there’s one right now ahead of us. Why couldn’t we offer to take him in, and give him a lift? I’d be willing to hang on outside, if need be, so’s to assist one or two of those noble chaps.”
“Bully for you, Bumpus; you’re always thinking of some one else!” applauded Giraffe, who could appreciate these things even if they did not seem to come to him in the same way they did to the other comrade.
“And we’ll do it, too!” exclaimed Thad, only too willing to be of service to one of those who trudged along through the dust, heading for a hospital.