“This collar was presented to Billy Whiskers by the —th New York Regiment for his bravery in battle.”
“Well, Billy, I certainly am glad to see you! But I bet you have left many sad hearts behind you. I am homesick to be back with my old regiment, but I can’t go. Perhaps you haven’t noticed that I have a wooden leg and that part of my right arm is gone. If it was only my leg that was gone, I would be back, leg or no leg. But without my arm, I can’t shoot or carry a bayonet. It breaks my heart to be near enough to hear the roar of battle as I am here, and know I can’t be in it, killing off those pigs of Germans!”
Just then from down the road came the sound of a high powered motor car, and the cook, stepping on a big stone to see the better, exclaimed, “It is the General, by hookey! And I bet he is coming in here for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, as he knows I can get it for him quicker than if he went on to the village restaurant, and better, too. He always said no one could make coffee like I can.”
Billy waited to hear no more, but started to find a place to hide, well knowing the General would carry him back to camp if he saw him, even if he had to take him in the auto with him.
The cook had forgotten all about Billy in his excitement at seeing the General. Billy took advantage of this to whisper to the dogs, telling them what was up and they all followed him as he ran toward the stable to try to find a place to hide. Just as Billy was about to turn the corner of the stable, he saw the General’s big touring car turn in the lane.
“Gee, fellows, I’m lost if that cook even mentions my being here! For the General is equal to sending a whole squad of soldiers to find me and bring me back to camp. It would not be the first time he has done it, either!”
By this time Billy and the dogs had run into the little grove of trees spoken of before, but they stayed near enough the edge to be able to see if any one started to hunt for Billy.
“I tell you what I think would be a good plan,” said the Red Cross dog. “Have one of the dogs go back and hang around where he could hear everything the cook says to the General. In that way we will know whether or not he tells the General that you are here.”
“Excellent idea, that!” agreed Billy.