on the way across that as
Americans they must obey the President's appeal and be strictly neutral,
if it were possible. They had many good friends who were of German
descent, while others had English ancestors and near relatives.

The one country with which they sympathized deeply was Belgium. The
stubborn and heroic way in which that seven millions of people had
defied seventy millions, and the gallant manner in which their little
army had tried to resist the invasion of their beloved country, had
aroused the admiration of every one of the scouts.

As they stood there on that afternoon, and watched, they finally saw
the German Taube vanish in the clouds, with the leading Belgian
aeroplane following suit. Whether the pursuer ever overtook the foreign
air-scout or not, the boys never learned.

"Well, that was a lively little tilt while it lasted," remarked Merritt
as, the entertainment being over, the crowds again commenced sauntering
back and forth, with everybody talking volubly about the spectacle in
the heavens.

Soldiers gave them a curious look in passing. Every stranger in Antwerp
was under more or less suspicion in those days, for it was becoming
known that the German secret service had for years maintained the most
wonderful system of spying in France, England and Belgium ever dreamed
of. Antwerp had thousands of Teuton residents before the war, some of
them leading merchants who owned splendid country places six or seven
miles outside the city, where solid cement tennis courts afterward came
in very handy as foundations for the immense German siege guns.

"We'll see plenty more things that will give us a thrill to beat that,"
Rob observed, pushing through the bustling, chattering crowds.

"Yes, and I'm afraid times may come when danger will hang over our
heads," Merritt pursued, with a touch of regret in his voice. "Then
you'll both be sorry you didn't let me go off on this wild goose chase,
as it may turn out to be, by myself."

"What do you take us for, I want to know?" demanded Rob. "Haven't we
been through all sorts of tough times together in the past; and why
shouldn't we stand by our chum when he needs our help? What's a scout
good for if he is ready to desert a comrade when the sky grows dark?
That's just the time to show his true colors."

"You're taking the very words out of my mouth when you say that, Rob!"
asserted Tubby valiantly. "No matter what happens, we're bound by the
ties of old fri