No time was lost by the defending troops, and before noon the camp was dismantled, and the march begun.
"Do you know where we are going!" asked Alfred.
"Nothing more than that we are going to leave Antwerp, and try to reach the sea," replied Pierre.
The Belgian army had begun its famous march across the northern end of Belgium in order to reach the sea, and secure the protection of the English fleet in the Channel.
"I heard some one say that we intended going through Bruges," said Ralph.
"Yes; and from there the army may be able to reach France, after passing through Ostend," said Pierre.
In an air line Bruges is fifty miles from Antwerp, and from Bruges to the French frontier it is fully forty miles more. How the brave little army finally reached its destination, avoiding the large German forces sent out to intercept them, remains one of the most glorious exploits in the history of the Belgian army.
"Next to Belgium I am glad to be in France," said Pierre. "Now you can get to Paris without difficulty," he added.
It thus happened that six weeks after the boys entered Belgium southwest of Liege, they reached Dunkirk on the French coast, and saw the immense fleet of warships and transports, which the British had in the harbor. It seemed that every spot around the city was taken up by tents, wagons, mules, horses, and heavy guns, to say nothing of the soldiers on every hand.
One regiment after the other entrained in cars, and were whirled to the south. Box cars, flat cars, some new, others dilapidated, were in service. It seemed that there were thousands of automobiles in line, and every one was anxious to get away. They even saw thousands of men, with full kits on their backs, march out to the east, as though they scorned to wait for railway or auto accommodations.