's ox carts--in an interview with Churchin--dwindled
down to a possible two; but Jan got a letter in the evening saying that
there were ten country carts for the next morning. Six were for us and
four for the "Stobarts," and that we were to take the Indian tents with
us.

We went back to the tents early to get a good start next day. Rogerson
and Willett were sorting their clothes. Hamilton had decided, as he
could not walk, to go back to Vrntze with the Red Cross stores which
Paget was sending to the hospital. As we were turning in, Dr. Holmes
arrived. He had not got the seat in the motor, but was going next day.
Later two mud-bespattered figures came in. They were West and Mawson.

We questioned them eagerly, and although they were worn out they
answered all they could.

The road was passable. They had scarcely slept for four days, Mitrovitza
was already crammed with fugitives, and rooms were not to be found. On
the way back the motor was working badly; the mud was awful. Then the
petrol ran out. They stopped a big car which was loaded with petrol and
ammunition, and asked for some. They got a little, and as they were
going to start the big car suddenly burst into flames: some fool having
struck a match to see if the petrol was properly turned off. Great
flames roared up into the air, and it was a long time before the car
was sufficiently burnt down to pass it.

West said that it was a most marvellous picture.

A little farther on a tyre had burst, and they had been forced to come
back on the rims. They eagerly welcomed Jan's idea of the Novi Bazar
route, feeling sure that if they once got to Mitrovitza it would be long
before they got away, and very doubtful if they could get lodging there.

Again we could hear the guns in the night, and news had come in that
Krag had been occupied and that the German cavalry were making towards
Kralievo.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XVIII

THE FLIGHT OF SERBIA

The men were up before three-thirty to strike the tents, having slept
but little. Breakfast was prepared and waiting at five-thirty in the big
hospital bedroom; but the women ate of it alone.

Jo sallied forth to the camp, anxious to know what had happened. She
found a testy little company. For two hours they had been struggling in
the dark with tents and waiting for the carts and for a policeman, as
all the riff-raff of the town was gathering to loot our leavings.

At last the carts were run to earth standi