"
Rod himself had to confess that they ought to be making a move. The
worst of the bringing in of the wounded was over by now, and besides,
more attendants were on hand to look after things.
"That's all right, boys," he assured his chums, "we've done our level
best to be of some help to our friends, the French; and now it's only
fair we should start in looking after our own affairs again."
"I've noticed you talking with a number of men besides our surgeon
friend, Rod; have you picked up any sort of information that'd be of use
to us?" demanded the other shrewdly, guessing what their leader must
have had in mind.
"Something that may turn out to be worth while," came the reply.
"Meaning you've struck a clue about the regiment to which Andre
belongs--is that what it is?" continued Josh.
"Yes, and of course it'll be our object to run across the same as soon
as we can," he was told; "because it's beginning to strike me that we
ought to get away from this war-stricken country. We've seen things that
few boys ever could run across--things that'll haunt us for a long time,
I'm afraid."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Rod," remarked Hanky Panky, white of
face after his recent experiences; indeed, it was mostly on account of
this comrade that Rod had made up his mind not to linger in that region
an hour after their mission had been accomplished.
"There's another thing I want to tell you, fellows, which is a bit more
cheerful, I'm glad to say," continued Rod. "Our supply of petrol is
nearly exhausted, you must know, and getting another lot at a time like
this might prove a pretty tough proposition."
"I was just thinking about that!" declared Josh, "and had it on the tip
of my tongue to ask you what we ought to do about it."
"Well, fortunately it's been made easy," Rod informed him; "our good
friend, the army surgeon, has given me a paper that will allow us to
replenish our tanks at the general supply station which I've already
located. He said it was little enough in recognition of the work we've
been doing."
Both the other boys declared that it was a splendid thing, and
congratulated Rod on his forethought in looking out for the necessary
supplies. Without liquid fuel with which to drive their speedy
motorcycles they would find themselves in a "serious pickle," as Josh
said; for every gallon in the whole country had undoubtedly been seized
by the military authorities--that is, what little the Germans had n
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