The boys explained who they were. One of the officers who spoke English told them that the train had been taken by the Germans and would be sent back.
"But how are we to get to Antwerp?" asked Ralph.
The officer smiled and merely shrugged his shoulders as he passed on. There were thirty passengers, among them seven men, the latter of whom were ordered to remain on the train.
As they were about to obey the order one of the women shrieked and begged them not to take her husband; but the officer paid no attention to her pleadings. Two little children were hanging to her skirts. The husband turned, kissed her affectionately and was about to embrace the children, when one of the guards brutally struck the man in his eagerness to hurry the departure.
"That makes my blood boil," said Alfred, as he grit his teeth.
"And that reminds me you had better keep a close mouth, young man," said a voice behind him.
The boys turned and faced an officer who stared at them menacingly, one hand on the hilt of his sword. For a moment a flush overspread Alfred's face, but he was quick to respond:
"I am an American, sir; and you have no right to dictate to me or to stop my saying what I think."
With a sarcastic smile the officer said: "Then we will teach you to respect the German arms."
"I am glad Pierre and Jacques got away," said Ralph as he stepped forward toward the others.