THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS WERE CROWDING ON BOARD.
Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line. Page 57
The journey of the boys to the “Atlantic Seaport,” as Hoboken and New York, as well as other well-known cities, were called in the newspapers during the war, was not eventful. Their train was one of many hundreds rushing troops to the transports, and in due time Ned, Bob and Jerry found themselves getting off at a big dock in Hoboken and going aboard a transport—a former German liner, her machinery rebuilt after the ship’s German crew had done their best to disable it.
“Well, we’re here!” announced Jerry, as he eased his pack from his shoulders to the deck, an example followed by Ned and Bob.
“Yes, we’re here, and we’ll soon be—there!” and Ned nodded in the direction of France—or where he thought it was.
Somewhere a band was playing. Thousands of soldiers were crowding on board, and there would be more thousands after them—a stream that would not end until Prussianism had been dealt its death-blow.
There was a period of seeming chaos while the troops were getting settled and disposing of their baggage. Then the three chums had a chance to look about them, and proceeding to the stern of the vessel they glanced across the Hudson to New York, where the towering buildings showed dimly through a harbor haze. 58
“Wonder when we’ll see them again,” remarked Jerry, in a low voice.
Neither of his chums answered. They were thinking, though.