women had turned out as though to witness a display of
fireworks. Girls were clinging to the arms of their escorts,
shivering in delighted terror. The proprietor of the Red Lion
sprang in front of the car and waved his arms.

"What's this tale about Germans?" he demanded jocularly.

"You can see their lights from the beach," said Ford.
"They've landed two regiments between here and Wells.
Stiffkey is taken, and they've cut all the wires south."

The proprietor refused to be "had."

"Let 'em all come!" he mocked.

"All right," returned Ford. "Let 'em come, but don't take it
lying down! Get those women off the streets, and go down to
the beach, and drive the Germans back! Gangway," he shouted,
and the car shot forward. "We warned you," he called, "And
it's up to you to--"

His words were lost in the distance. But behind him a man's
voice rose with a roar like a rocket and was met with a
savage, deep-throated cheer.

Outside the village Ford brought the car to a halt and swung
in his seat.

"This thing is going to fail!" he cried petulantly. "They
don't believe us. We've got to show ourselves--many times--