“He is thinking of Frank, and the chance of learning something about him here,” was what flitted through the brain of Jack as they bore their groaning burden toward the place where several army surgeons were working steadily.
To tell the truth the closer Amos came to realizing his ambition, which as we know was to find his brother, the greater his fears arose. He dreaded lest after all his long search he might discover Frank just a little too late. The daring aviator was accustomed to taking such fearful chances in his chosen vocation that there must always be heavy odds against his coming through alive.
And when Amos saw the steady stream of men in khaki being carried to the operating tables he stared hard at each and every one as though really afraid deep down in his brotherly heart he was fated to find Frank there, a mangled wreck, and utterly beyond the task of going back home to say good-bye to the father who yearned to receive his forgiveness.
Jack had an idea just then, which he hastened to communicate to his chum.
“Take your chance and ask the head surgeon about Frank,” was his suggestion.
“I believe I will,” replied the other, not without a perceptible shudder. “He might know of him, for of course most of the news of the camp is heard at the headquarters of the surgical staff. Thank you for speaking about it, Jack.”
They soon found means to dispose of their burden, and both boys were relieved when they heard that by now the field had been well scoured by men with stretchers, and that apparently the last of the wounded had been brought in.
The Turks really behaved better than the boys had dreamed would be the case. Indeed, many times they heard some of the Allies speak in terms of respect and admiration for the generosity of the Turkish soldiers, and often bitterly comparing it with the ferocity and apparent cruelty they had met with on the part of others among the Central Powers fighters.
So Amos, watching for an opportunity, presently approached the head surgeon. This party was a grizzled veteran who doubtless had seen much service in his vocation, and at the outbreak of the Great War had only too gladly placed his knowledge at the disposition of the King.
He must have noticed the recent work of the two lads at the time they bore in the wounded Australian, for, as Amos approached, the fatigued surgeon actually smiled and held out his hand.