CHAPTER XIX
Homeward Bound
The crew of the Olivette had a splendid time in Paris, but, since they met with no adventures and had no scouting, their visit can be lightly passed over.
They were two days in the French capital, and enjoyed every minute of the time. Their programme was an ambitious one, carried out at high pressure. So much so that the Sea Scouts were so excited and tired upon their return to Tourville-la-Rivière that they were compelled to "slack" for the whole of the following day.
Then came the long-looked-for tour of the battle-fields.
The day was warm and sultry, but the ride in the powerful car as it rushed at high speed along the tree-bordered roads was simply exhilarating.
Old Tom Boldrigg, rigged out in his shore-going kit, was tightly grasping the bundle done up in the blue handkerchief that he had brought on board at Keyhaven. Except on the occasion when the kit was transferred from the Olivette to Tourville-la-Rivière, no one had set eyes on the bundle until now. It rather puzzled his companions, and certainly aroused their curiosity; but Tom offered no solution to the mystery, and the lads refrained from questioning him about it.
At Senlis traces of the Hunnish invaders were apparent, although much had been done by the industrious inhabitants to rebuild their shattered dwellings and efface the devastating traces of war. From that town right on to Château-Thierry the countryside was fast recovering from the effects of four and a half years' desolation. Those of the shell-torn trees which had not been uprooted were hiding their scars under new foliage. The gaunt expanse of crater-pitted land was covered with ripening corn. Only in places was it possible to follow the sinuous course of the trenches, while here and there a system of dug-outs had been left practically intact as a reminder of the period when that part of France was under the heel of the Prussian invader.
It was a soul-stirring episode for the Sea Scouts. They were shown the spot where the British engineers built bridges, under a terrific fire, to enable the remnants of the Old Contemptibles to cross the Marne and deal von Kluck's army corps a staggering blow. The line of advance of General Gallieni's army, rushed up from Paris in a motley collection of taxi-cabs in the nick of time to stem the Prussian advance upon the capital, was pointed out to them.
Then to the huge cemetery, where thousands of British lads are laid to rest, in French soil that is British by sentiment. Here the Olivette's party was met by a courteous official, who, in answer to old Boldrigg's inquiry, led the way to a remote portion of the vast burial-ground.