Boy Scouts with Joffre; Or, In the Trenches in Belgium

by G. Harvey Ralphson

"Yes," slowly answered the lad. "I belong to that Patrol."

"We're Black Bears and Wolves," volunteered Jimmie. "We're all from New York. We just came over here on a little pleasure trip!"

"Oh!" returned the newcomer, in a tone of interest. "You are a long way from home. I hope you are enjoying yourselves."

"We don't like the hotels here very well," returned Jimmie. "The sergeant here is going to give us a nice room in the 'Hotel de Flop!'"

"I don't understand," puzzled the boy, "where is the 'Hotel de Flop?'"

"Right here in the cooler!" explained Jimmie. Then noticing that he had not simplified matters, he continued: "The gentleman at the desk is going to put us in the 'pen' for the night. In the 'dungeon'!"

"Now I understand!" laughed the other. "That would be disagreeable," he went on. "Perhaps we can arrange it some other way!"

"Well, if you've got a 'pull' with His Honor," Jimmie stated, "we'd appreciate it highly, I can tell you! We don't like the outlook!"

"Perhaps the better way to begin would be by introductions," suggested the lad. "My name is Francois Poincaire. I reside in Paris."