"Imagine a nation represented by one man," suggested Harry. "Take your own case. Didn't you go out and declare war on Pete and his gang on Long Island? And see what chance The Rat has if you ever get him!"
"Well, that wasn't so very different, come to think of it," admitted Jimmie. "But I had a perfectly good reason!"
"That's what these nations think!" declared Harry. "They don't stop to think of the individual soldiers any more than you stopped to think of your lips and fists. The ones to suffer are the fellows like that trainload of wounded boys bound for Paris!"
"You win the argument!" admitted Jimmie. "But that makes me think——. If they're bound for Paris, why not follow their trail, and we'll get there, too. That's Boy Scout trailing for you!"
"All right, we'll follow," replied Ned, turning on power. "Only we're not going to poke along like that train!"
At Ned's touch the Grey Eagle responded with an increase of speed that soon left the train far behind. Jimmie sighed as it disappeared from view. Jack noticed the sigh and comfortingly said:
"You should worry about that stuff, Jimmie. Forget it!"
"I'm worrying about what would happen to the boys of the U. S. A. if we get into a war with some other country! Maybe they couldn't lick us, but before it stopped a good many would be hurt!"
"What's that thing over there to the northward?" asked Harry, pointing in the direction indicated.
"Where?" asked Ned. "I can't see anything!"