CHAPTER X
THE PARTING
None of the motor boys had a very clear idea, during the mêlée orafterward, of what went on. Jerry said some one hit him several times,and he hit back. This much was certain because one of his hands was sobruised that he had to have it bandaged.
Ned declared he knocked one man down, a man who spoke with a verypronounced German accent, until Ned rather spoiled the accent bycontriving to have his fist collide with the mouth of the person whowas muttering something about “_Der Tag_.”
“His _day_ came right then and there,” explained Ned afterward. “Onlyit was good night for his.”
As for Bob, he declared that, in the dark, he was struck on all sidesat once.
In the dark no one could tell whom he was hitting. The fight kept up,the din growing greater until it was deafening, until a cry for order,led by several men in concert, came. These men were the soldiers.
Some one managed to light a solitary gas jet in a corner of the hall,and by the gleam the swaying, struggling mass could be observed.Fortunately the women and girls had gotten out, or they might have beenhurt. As it was, they stood outside and screamed, probably because offear for their men relatives inside. Then some one switched on all thelights, and with that the fight stopped.
There were a few bloody noses, and some eyes that, in the process oftime, would turn black, blue and other hues, there were torn collarsand garments, while a number of chairs were overturned.
But when Ned, Bob and Jerry looked toward the stage it was deserted.The chairs that had been filled with honorary vice-chairmen, wereempty. Mr. Pfeiffer was absent. So was Mr. Schaeffer. In fact, of allthe German-Americans who had undertaken to conduct the meeting not onewas in sight. They had sneaked off in the confusion and the darkness.The meeting was most effectively broken up.
“Well, things came off as we expected,” remarked Jerry, tying hishandkerchief around his injured hand.
“But not in just the way we had counted on,” said Ned.
This was true, for the boys had planned that one of them should callfor three cheers for the flag, and demand that the band play thenational anthem.
It was expected that this would be objected to by those in charge ofthe meeting, and then there would be a good chance to denounce thoseresponsible, and an opportunity for breaking up the gathering. Thishad been Colonel Wentworth’s plan, but events had shaped themselvesdifferently. The putting out of the lights had not been planned by themotor boys.
With the withdrawal of the leading pro-Germans, their sympathizers inthe audience soon went out, leaving the place well filled with loyalcitizens. Colonel Wentworth, seeing a chance to make a speech, at oncetook charge of matters, and organized a patriotic meeting then andthere. This was turning the tables on the pro-Germans with a vengeance.
Ned, Bob and Jerry remained for a while, and then, as Jerry’s hand wasgetting painful, the motor boys left and went to a near-by drug store.
As might be expected, the breaking up of the pro-German meeting createda stir in the town. On all sides, save among those who might, becauseof their nationality, be expected to differ, there were heard words ofcommendation. And when Ned, Bob and Jerry called on Lieutenant Riker,to get some final instructions about their enlistment, the soldiergrinned broadly as he asked:
“Any more meetings of the ‘Friends of Liberty’ scheduled for your town?”
“Not just at present,” laughed Jerry.
There was some talk, on the part of those who had called the meeting,of proceeding against those who had broken it up. Mr. Pfeiffer, thelawyer, was loudest in this talk.
But he did nothing, and his talk finally ceased with conspicuousabruptness, probably, as Jerry remarked, on the advice of more prudentfriends. At the same time there was a noticeable cessation in theactivities of the pro-Germans.
“But I don’t suppose you’ll dare go to call on Helena now,” said Ned toBob one day.
“No,” was the somewhat disconsolate answer. “I don’t believe it wouldbe just the thing.”
“Especially if Mr. Schaeffer were at home,” observed Jerry.
The breaking up of the meeting had one good effect. Though a sticklerfor strict justice might condemn the method used, there followed,nevertheless, a stimulation to recruiting. When it became known thatNed, Bob and Jerry had enlisted and expected soon to be sent to thenearest training station, there was a wave of patriotism in Cresville,and many mothers and fathers were in despair on account of very youngboys who wanted to join the colors.
It required no little tact to get such off the notion, but to thecredit of the home-folk be it said that in no case, where a boy wasphysically fit, and of the proper age, did he have to hold back becauseof the objection of parents.
Those were stirring days, and events moved swiftly. Once the motor boyshad made up their minds that it was the right thing to enlist, theywere eager to be off to the training camp.
Lieutenant Riker told them they would probably be sent to a cantonmentin one of the Southern states, which shall be called Camp Dixton, for aperiod of training.
“How long will that last?” asked Ned. “When can we go to France and dosome real fighting?”
“You’ll go as soon as you are fit,” answered the experienced soldier.“It would be a mistake to send you abroad now. You would do more harmthan good--I mean raw troops in the aggregate. You must be trained, andtaught how to take care of yourselves. Why, even the period of trainingin how to meet gas attacks alone will take some time. Don’t be in toomuch of a hurry. Learn the business of war and fighting first, and thenyou’ll be able to deal the Boche so much harder blows.”
This was good advice, and the boys, in their calmer moments,appreciated it; but it was hard to be inactive. At last the day camewhen they were to part from their parents and friends in Cresville.They did not need to take much with them, for they would be fitted outin camp.
Up to this time nothing more had been heard concerning the gold watchand the diamond brooch lost in the fire, nor had anything more beenlearned of the French engraver’s money or of the mysterious CrookedNose.
“It’s good-bye to our motor boat and auto and aeroplane for a while,”said Ned, with a sigh, as the boys made their way to the station,having parted with their parents at home.
“Yes, but what we know about running them may come in handy later,”remarked Jerry.
On their way to the station they met other boy friends who had alsoenlisted, and as they reached the depot they saw a crowd there to givethem a send-off.
“And look who’s here to kiss little Bob good-bye!” exclaimed Ned.
“Who is it?” asked Chunky.
“Miss Helena Schaeffer,” was the answer. “Oh, Bob! Oh, boy! Go to it!”
The Motor Boys in the Army; or, Ned, Bob and Jerry as Volunteers Page 10
