“Tell him we’re not enemies, Jack!” exclaimed Amos, quickly, for the sight of that poor injured fellow gave him a cruel shock; he was reminded of a wretched dog at bay amidst a host of furious enemies, and the sensation was anything but pleasant to the boy.
Jack had just the same notion in his mind.
He held up both hands. This was an Indian custom which Jack had picked up during his life in the West. It meant that he did not have arms in his hands, and that his intentions were pacific. On the whole face of the earth there are few living human beings who would fail to understand the significance of the movement. The Uhlan was not devoid of ordinary intelligence, even though sadly rattled just then on account of his recent heavy fall.
Slowly the two boys advanced. The man was staring hard at them. He looked as if he feared it might be only a cunning trick on the part of these treacherous British, for he undoubtedly believed they were of that nationality.
“Point to your little American flag, Amos, while I try to get enough German words together to let him know where we belong,” said Jack.
“That’s the ticket,” affirmed the other. “Jack, be sure and tell him that we stand ready to render first aid to the injured, if so be he’ll let us take a look at his hurts.”
The Western boy grunted a little at this. He did not feel quite so kindly toward the invaders as Amos seemed to. Jack could not get out of his mind a whole lot of terrible things that he had seen with his own eyes, which marked the ruthless advance of the great German army through this part of Belgium; and which would of course be found in the wake of any invading host. The sack of the fine chateau so close at hand was only a minute example of what he had in mind.
Still, Jack knew very well that individually each German soldier had little responsibility for such acts. The system back of them must bear all the blame for the devastation of the land, and the stern methods of reprisals against such Belgians as hampered their progress through the country.
“All right, Amos,” he said, quickly, “I’ll tell him that; and I reckon we’d feel pretty cheap if we turned to one side when we might lend a helping hand. Get busy now, and show that you are carrying a small edition of Old Glory along with you over here in these shambles.”
Amos displayed his colors as prominently as he could by thrusting the lapel of his coat forward, and pointing energetically at the little flag. He saw the wondering eyes of the German take it in; and that he must have partly understood could be noticed in the expression of surprise that came upon his face.