But in the end they reached Antwerp, and had about decided to make a run down the coast to Boulogne, where they might take a steamer home, when that fatal cable message upset their plans.
Elmer and Rooster would not hear of the others accompanying them home. Josh, too, was really wild to see more of the great war. So finally Rod, finding that Hanky Panky seemed of the same mind, consented to stay over for a week or two longer.
Now that their two chums had left them the boys wandered about the city on the Scheldt and tried to amuse themselves as best they could. But they soon found that ordinary sights no longer availed to satisfy them.
“You see, the war fills the air wherever you go,” explained Josh, to account for this seeming lack of interest. “What does anybody want to go snooping into things that had to do with battles of centuries ago, when the biggest war the world ever knew is raging right now through Northern France and Belgium?”
“Yes, with Great Britain dragged in, and perhaps Italy and other countries to follow, not even excepting our own land,” added Rod, seriously.
“Why,” spoke up Hanky Panky, excitedly, “everywhere you look you see signs of the war game right here in Antwerp. Soldiers are marching through the streets to the cheers of the people. Artillery is dashing this way and that. Armored cars can be seen starting out to harry the enemy with their Maxims. And hardly an hour of the day but half a dozen British or Belgian aeroplanes soar above us, doing all kinds of stunts calculated to make your hair stand on end.”
“It’s the greatest thing that ever happened, barring none,” declared the delighted Josh, looking as though he could almost hug himself, such was his joy; “and let me tell you we’re the lucky boys to be on the spot when history is being made so fast.”
“The party I’m to see for Mr. Amos Tucker,” remarked Rod, “will be in the city to-night. I’ll get that out of my system; and once I send the documents by registered post I’m free for anything that crops up.”
“Hurrah! then we’ll have a chance to climb aboard our wheels again, and strike out for France!” said Josh. “Here’s hoping we may run across a corner of the big fight that’s taking place north of Paris. I’d be a happy fellow if I could actually see those brave Frenchmen, backed up by the British troops, meet the boastful Germans who believe they can clean up the whole world.”
Rod shrugged his shoulders, and made a wry face.