CHAPTER VII

ON THE FIRING LINE


Next morning they were all wakened at an early hour by the roar of
artillery, dimly heard in the distance. The party aboard the _Arabella_
quickly assembled on deck, where little Maurie was found leaning over
the rail.

"They're at it," he remarked, wagging his head. "The Germans are at
Nieuport, now, and some of them are over against Pervyse. I hear sounds
from Dixmude, too; the rattle of machine guns. It will be a grand
battle, this! I wonder if our Albert is there."

"Who is he?" asked Patsy.

"The king. They told me yesterday he had escaped."

"We must get the ambulances out at once," said Beth.

"I'll attend to that," replied Uncle John, partaking of the general
excitement. "Warp up to the dock, Captain Carg, and I'll get some of
those men to help us swing the cars over the side."

"How about a chauffeur?" asked Dr. Gys, who was already bringing out