Rob and Andy exchanged horrified looks. Their worst fears were confirmed. Only for their having seen the evolutions of that spying aeroplane that crossed the line and hovered above the railroad embankment near where the trestle leading to the bridge lay, they might have been at a loss to comprehend what these startling words meant. But that much was very plain to them; in fact, as we have seen, Rob at least had been confident that the terrible plot had only been delayed, and not given up.
How had this Canadian boy learned of the truth? Plainly there was more for him to explain, though Rob could now understand the fearful mental suffering he must have endured, as well as the physical pain, on finding himself detained in that astounding fashion, when he was undoubtedly hastening as fast as he could go to carry his news to those guarding the threatened railroad.
“Come, tell us as quick as you can how you learned this, Donald,” said Rob. “Two days ago we saw an aeroplane cross over, and we guessed then that perhaps the pilot was spying out the land, for there has been some talk of plotters here in the States in sympathy with Germany, who were trying to blow up munition plants in Canada, or doing something just as dreadful.”
“Aweel, they’ve settled on destroying the long bridge across which so many loaded trains pass every twenty-four hours,” said the other hurriedly, and with bated breath, owing to his increasing excitement. “I happened to overhear them talking while on my way to the river, after saying good-bye to my cousin, who was sick abed. I knew they were up to something, for I saw that they had a small German flag, which each one of them kissed as they sat around the fire. So I crept close up and listened, oh! with my heart nearly in my mouth. I soon learned that they were sure enough enemies of my country, and that they meant to strike a blow against the Allies before another morning, that for weeks and weeks would paralyze all traffic flowin’ to the sea by this railway line.”
“It was a brave act in your crawling up and listening,” said the admiring Andy, as he laid a hand on the arm of the Canadian lad. “And make up your mind we’re going to stand by you through thick and thin, Donald. Scouts should help each other, and that, you know, means just what it says.”
“Go on and tell us the rest, please!” urged Rob.
“Why, after I had learned what they were scheming to do,” continued the other promptly, greatly pleased at hearing those generous words spoken by impetuous Andy, “I knew I must get alang, if I wanted to be ahead o’ the gillies. Ye ken I remembered hearing my cousin say he believed a Yankee sportsman and his guides would be over at the old logging camp; and sae I changed me course a bit, meanin’ to drap in and see if they would nae helpit me carry the news across the line. Then, bad luck to it all, I had to deliberately step into the auld bear trap my cousin Archie had tawld me that he put out here a wheen o’ time back.”
“It was doubly unfortunate,” said Rob, his voice full of sympathy.
“It made me verra mad, I assure ye,” confessed Donald frankly. “Try as I would I could nae get me leg free, nor could I yet reach the spring to bear down on the same. I stood the pain the best I was able whenever I reached out, but it was a’ no gude. And only for the luck o’ ye hearing my shouts there I must ha’ remained till the day came, and then it would ha’ been far too late. But now I hae telled ye a’ I must be on me way again, no matter how I hae to limp it.”
“Hold on, Donald, not so fast,” said Rob. “We are going with you!”