“Slow up a bit, Thad,” suddenly cried Giraffe, poking the driver in the back.
“What did you see?” demanded Bumpus, at once alarmed.
“There are men waiting for us at that point ahead where the trees overhang the road; because I glimpsed the glint of gun-barrels in the sun. And we don’t want to be asked to explain who we are after they’ve made sieves out of us.”
So the car’s pace was cut down to a point where they could stop instantly if the order came. Nor were they kept in suspense long, for as they drew near the spot indicated by “Old Eagle Eye” three soldiers suddenly appeared in view and made peremptory motions with the guns they carried.
Thad came to a stand beside them. He instantly recognized that one of the men in blue was a sergeant, from the marks on his sleeves, and to him the young driver spoke.
“We have come with important dispatches for General Joffre; they must be delivered into his hands immediately!”
The man, a grizzled veteran, apparently could not speak English. He was observing the quartette of scouts in evident bewilderment. Their faded khaki uniforms no doubt puzzled him greatly; though doubtless in his mind they were immediately associated with General French’s British army, some members of which he may have seen.
But there was one thing he did understand, and that was the mention of the name of “Joffre.” Accompanied by those commanding gestures, and that serious expression on the face of the determined-looking young fellow it stood for something highly important.
He spoke a few words to one of the privates who immediately hurried away. Thad realized that this probably meant some one would be summoned who could speak the language, and learn what they wanted.
A minute, two of them passed. The boys moved restlessly. It seemed as though too much precious time might be slipping by. After the grand rush that had carried them safely through so many perils, to be held up like this at the very last was annoying, to say the least of it.