While the excitement of the bidding was going on, Stubby and Button thought it a good time to steal away and join Billy. The last Stubby heard were these words, “I’ll give three kegs of fresh fish for the little dog!”
When they got back to Billy, they hurriedly told him what was up and explained that the men Billy saw waving their arms and shouting were only bidding in the auction and not preparing to fight each other.
“But we better scoot out of here before they miss us or we will be captured and tied up.” And for the next half hour the Chums ran straight inland, only stopping long enough to get their breath, then running on some more. They were not followed, however, and at last they slowed down beside the roadside to listen to the passersby, to try to find out what part of Ireland they were in and how far it was to the nearest seaport from which large vessels sailed. Imagine their joy when they found they were only four miles from Queenstown and on the direct road that led there!
It was no trick at all to reach that city and when they arrived they went straight to the wharf to look for a boat to carry them still nearer America.
“Look! Billy, look!” exclaimed Stubby. “There is a big camouflaged troop ship lying at the dock. They can’t fool me with their camouflaged ships; I have seen too many of them.”
For the next few minutes you could not see the Chums for dust as they ran toward the ship. Sure enough, it was just as Stubby said. It was an empty troop ship returning to the United States of America for more soldiers, and had only stopped here for coal and provisions. There not being any troops aboard, it was easy for the Chums to steal on board and hide themselves until the ship was away out to sea before showing themselves.
“I bet you,” said Stubby, “that that old submarine that blew us up was waiting for this troop ship in the hopes of blowing it up and while waiting for it to put to sea, they just blew up the packet we were on to keep their hands in.”
“I shouldn’t wonder in the least,” replied Stubby, “if that was just what they were up to. And perhaps we will be torpedoed again.”
“Well, I will take my chance, won’t you, fellows?” said Billy, “for I am anxious to set foot on American soil once more, and I want it to be the U. S. part of it, not South America or Mexico.”
“Listen!” commanded Button. “I hear the propeller beginning to move.” This so excited Button that he jumped up and ran up and down the big coal pile beside which he had been hiding. This started the coal to rolling so that it nearly buried Stubby and Billy under it, and filled their eyes with coal dust.