The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign written by Clair W. Hayes
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Clair W. Hayes >> The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign
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12 THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN
OR
The Struggle to Save a Nation
By CLAIR W. HAYES
AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies in Great Peril," "The Boy Allies at Liege,"
"The Boy Allies on the Firing Line," "The Boy Allies with the Cossacks,"
"The Boy Allies in the Trenches."
1916
CHAPTER I.
IN THE AIR.
"And how do you feel now, Mr. Stubbs?"
Hal Paine took his eyes from the distance ahead long enough to gaze
toward that part of the military aeroplane in which three other figures
were seated. It might rather be said, however, that two of the others
were seated, for the third figure was huddled up in a little ball, now
and then emitting feeble sounds.
In response to Hal's question, this huddled figure straightened itself up
long enough to make reply.
"I feel sick," came the answer in a low voice. "How long before we can
get back to earth, so that I may die peacefully?"
"Oh, I guess you won't die, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, chuckling a bit
to himself.
He turned his eyes ahead again and gave his entire attention to guiding
the swiftly flying craft.
The first streak of dawn had appeared in the east but a few moments
before and gradually now it was growing light. High in the air, it was
very chilly and those in the aeroplane had drawn their coats closely
about them.
"Where do you suppose we are now, Hal?"
This speaker was another of the passengers in the car, Chester Crawford,
chum and bosom companion of Hal.
"Somewhere over Central Austria," replied Hal, not taking his eyes
from ahead.
"I would rather that it were over Serbia, Montenegro or Greece," said the
fourth occupant of the airship, Colonel Harry Anderson of His British
Majesty's service. "I'm beginning to get a little cramped up here. I'd
like to stretch my legs a bit."
"You won't ever stretch them again, you may be sure of that," said a
hollow voice, none other than that of Anthony Stubbs, American war
correspondent, who now aroused himself enough to predict dire results.
"What?" said Colonel Anderson. "And why won't I ever stretch my
legs again?"
"The undertaker'll do it for you," groaned Stubbs. "This contraption is
bound to come down pretty quick and when it does it'll be all off."
"Can't see why that should worry you any," remarked the colonel
cheerfully. "It won't be your funeral."
"No, but I'll have one at about the same time," Stubbs moaned. "I go down
when you do."
He raised his voice a trifle. "Let's go down, Hal," he continued. "I'm
awfully sick."
"Go down nothing," ejaculated Chester. "Think we want to give the
Austrians another chance at us, huh?"
"Better be shot by an Austrian than to die in this infernal machine,"
declared Stubbs in a feeble voice.
"This," said Chester calmly, "is an airship and not an infernal machine."
"Well, it's my idea of an infernal machine, all the same," Stubbs
groaned. "We'll all come down in pieces, as sure as you're a foot high."
"Oh, I guess not," said Chester. "We--whoa, there."
He broke off suddenly and seized the side of the machine, as did Colonel
Anderson, just as the craft tilted dangerously to one side.
"Help!" came a cry from Stubbs, as he went rolling toward the side of
the craft.
There appeared to be no danger that the little man would be thrown out,
for the sides of the basket-like craft protected him, but he was plainly
frightened and Chester gave him a hand, now that the machine had righted
itself again.
"It's all right, Stubbs," the lad said; "no danger at all. Sit up, now."
The little man shook off the hand.
"I don't want to sit up," he whimpered. "I want to jump overboard and end
all this suspense. I might as well die now as ten minutes from now. Oh
my, I wish--"
"Well, Mr. Stubbs," came Hal's voice, "unless I miss my guess, you are
likely to get your wish. Here comes one of the enemy to watch you die."
"What's that?" exclaimed Chester and Colonel Anderson in a single voice.
"Off to the right," replied Hal, quietly.
Glancing in that direction, Chester and Colonel Anderson saw a large air
craft headed in their direction.
"After us, do you think?" asked Chester.
"Can't tell," replied Hal, briefly.
"Hardly probable," said Colonel Anderson. "Chances are the fellow
believes we are one of his own kind and wants a word with us."
"Maybe you're right," said Hal. "I'll hold to my present course anyhow
and take a chance."
The aeroplane continued on as before.
Now Stubbs came to life once more.
"Well, why don't you get a little speed out of this thing?" he demanded.
"What are you going to do? Stand right here and let that fellow get us?
What's the matter with you, anyhow? Trying to get me killed?"
"Why, Mr. Stubbs," exclaimed Chester, in mock seriousness, "I thought
that you were simply dying to be killed. Here's an Austrian coming in
direct answer to your prayers. What's the difference whether he gets you
now or ten minutes from now? It'll be all the same in a hundred years."
"Think you're smart, don't you," snapped Stubbs. "Why should I want to be
killed? I ask you now, why should I want to be killed?"
"Well, really, I don't know," replied Chester, "unless it is because you
are so awfully sick."
"Sick!" shouted Stubbs. "Sick! Who said anything about being sick?"
"Why, I understood you to say--"
"Well, you understood wrong. Sick? No, I'm not sick, but we'll all be
worse than sick if Hal can't coax a little speed out of this machine.
Say!" this to Hal, "what are you waiting for, anyhow?"
"Now you just hold your horses, Stubbs," replied Hal. "I'm running this
party at this moment and I'm going to run it my own way. Colonel
Anderson, if you hear any more out of our war-corresponding friend,
kindly sit on him, will you?"
"With pleasure," replied the colonel briefly.
"Oh, you will, will you?" cried Stubbs. "Well, you won't. I--I'll--"
He subsided after muttering to himself for some moments.
The others now gave their undivided attention to the other craft, which
by this time had drawn close to them.
"Man wig-wagging forward, Hal," said Chester.
"I see him," replied Hal, "but I can't make out his signals. Can you,
Anderson?"
"No, I can't. He evidently has something to say, though."
"Well," said Hal, "we'll have to hold a sudden council of war. What are
we going to do about it? Shall we stop and talk, trying to fool him, or
shall we run for it?"
"Well, if we were going to run, it would have been better before he got
so close," said Chester. "Guess we may as well see what he has to say.
These Austrian uniforms won't come in bad. You do the talking, Hal."
Hal nodded.
"All right," he said.
He reduced the speed of the machine and the Austrian came closer.
"Ahoy, there!" he said in German. "Who are you?"
"Lieutenant Drizladaz, attached to the Austrian army at Trieste," Hal
shouted back.
"What are you doing here?"
"Mission," Hal yelled.
"Where to?"
Hal thought quickly.
"Greece," he said finally.
"What for?"
"That," said Hal, "is none of your business. I have my orders and I
haven't time to fool around here with you. I'm due back to-morrow night."
There was a moment's silence from the other machine and then a
voice called:
"Has your mission anything to do with Greece's intervention in the war?"
"Well, I can't say anything about that," replied the lad, thinking to
give the other the impression that it was.
"I see," was the answer shouted back. "Well, I wish you luck. Sorry you
can't tell me all about it."
"You probably will know soon enough," replied Hal.
"Good. Don't want any company, do you?"
"No, I guess not."
"You want to be careful crossing the Balkans. I understand there are some
British and French aircraft with the Serbians and Montenegrins. Look out
for them."
"I'll be on guard," replied Hal. "Thanks for the information."
"Tell you what," said the Austrian, "I've been doing some scout duty
there myself. I'll just trail along. May be able to help you out a bit"
Hal didn't think much of this plan.
"I can make it all right myself," he declared.
"Suppose you can," was the reply, "but it is just as well to be on the
safe side."
"Well, suit yourself," said Hal, "but don't expect me to wait for you."
"If you can distance me you will have to travel," returned the Austrian.
"I've the fastest craft in the service."
"I'm glad to hear that," replied Hal, and added to himself: "I
don't think."
"Set your pace," continued the Austrian. "I'll trail along behind."
"No use talking any more, I guess," Hal muttered to his friends. "May as
well go along."
Chester and Colonel Anderson nodded their assent and the machine moved
forward again.
Things might have gone well had it not been for Stubbs. Suddenly the
little man uttered a yell and sat up straight in his seat.
"Ouch!" he shouted. "I've got an awful pain!"
CHAPTER II.
MONTENEGRIN MOUNTAINEERS.
Hal drew a sharp breath and tightened his hold upon the steering wheel.
There was no question that Stubbs' voice had carried to the occupants of
the second craft, and as Stubbs had exclaimed aloud in English there was
little doubt in the minds of our three friends that the Austrians would
seek an explanation. Nor were they wrong.
Came a hail from the Austrian:
"Who've you got aboard, there?"
"Prisoner," replied Hal, thinking quickly.
"What are you doing with him?"
"We--" Hal began, but the Austrian interrupted.
"Spies, that's what you are! Down to the ground now, or I'll put a hole
through you."
"Guess it's no use fooling any longer," muttered Hal.
He threw over the elevating lever and the large craft soared rapidly. At
the same moment a shot rang out from aboard the Austrian, followed by a
cry of surprise, and then the Austrian gave chase.
"Get your guns and see if you can pick 'em off," Hal instructed Chester
and Colonel Anderson. "I'll run this thing, but you fellows will have to
do the fighting."
"Suits me," responded Chester, examining his revolver carefully.
Colonel Anderson also nodded his agreement to this plan.
Hal now changed his course and the airship headed toward the south,
bearing off a trifle to the east, in a direction that he believed,
eventually, would land them in Serbia.
It became apparent now that the Austrian had not boasted of the speed of
his craft without reason, for he gained perceptibly.
"We can't out-run him, Hal," shouted Chester.
"Then we shall have to try something else," was the reply.
Abruptly he reduced the speed of the craft and the Austrians dashed in
range of the revolvers of the fugitives almost before they could have
realized it.
"Crack! Crack!"
Chester and Colonel Anderson had fired. There came a scream of pain from
behind and the Austrian craft wobbled crazily. A moment later a man
sprang to his feet, sought to retain his footing, threw up his arms and
went hurtling into space.
"Got one, Hal!" said Chester, quietly.
"Good!"
Came a volley of small arm fire from behind and bullets whined about the
four friends. Again Chester and Colonel Anderson fired almost
simultaneously and again their efforts were rewarded. A second man was
put out of the fight, as they could see.
At this moment Stubbs came into action.
He arose from his seat and, grasping the side of the speeding craft with
his left hand for support, stood to his full height. His right arm drew
back, then flashed sharply forward again and a small object went spinning
through the air toward the Austrian airship.
It struck home and there was a terrible explosion, followed by several
sharp cries of pain, as the Austrian airship seemed to split into a
thousand pieces. A moment later these pieces disappeared.
The three friends turned upon Stubbs.
"What is this, magic?" asked Chester in surprise.
"No," replied Stubbs, quietly. "Melenite. I just happened to see a stick
of it here, so I threw it."
"Well, you did a pretty good job, Stubbs," said Colonel Anderson.
"I didn't pitch for my college team two years for nothing," returned
Stubbs modestly. "But now let's go down. I want to get my feet on the
ground again."
"It won't be much longer, Stubbs," said Hal. "Another two hours at this
speed should put us across the Serbian frontier. Just be patient."
"I'll wait," replied Stubbs, "but I won't promise to be patient."
He sank back to his place and refused to talk further.
While the big army craft is speeding across Austria it will be a
good time to explain the presence of the four friends in their
present predicament and introduce them briefly to those who have not
met them before.
Hal Paine and Chester Crawford were both American lads. With the former's
mother, they had been in Berlin at the outbreak of the great war, and,
after a series of interesting and exciting adventures, they made their
way to Liege just in time to take part in the defense of that stronghold
with the Belgian army.
There they won distinction and lieutenancies in the Belgian service, the
latter bestowed upon them by King Albert himself. They had been in France
with the British troops that had stopped the German drive on Paris and
had gone with the Allied army on its advance. They had seen service on
all fronts and now considered themselves veteran campaigners.
Colonel Anderson they had met in Berlin just after the Kaiser had
declared war upon France. The colonel, lieutenant then, and Major
Derevaux, a Frenchman, had taken the boys with them on their flight and
the four had later encountered each other in many strange and
unexpected places.
Stubbs they also had met while on one of their many missions and had
earned the little man's undying gratitude; but he had repaid whatever
they had done for him, with interest, more than once.
The boys, in their latest exploit, had been with the Italian army in
the Alps. Two of the four friends having fallen into the hands of the
enemy, the others had entered the enemy's lines in an effort to effect
their escape.
It was a daring adventure, but after a fight and chase, the four had
managed to seize the airship in which we now find them and had at last
fought their way clear. They had then held a council of war and decided
that it was best to head for the Balkans, rather than to run the gauntlet
of the Austrian flying craft which kept constant vigil in the direction
of the Italian lines.
Hal and Chester, typical American lads, were large and strong for their
ages, which were within a year of each other, seventeen and eighteen now.
In the rough lumber camps of the north, the two had had considerable
experience in the use of firearms and the art of self-defense--fists.
Also, during the school term each had practiced the use of the sword
until, though by no means experts, they could give a fair account of
themselves with this weapon--as each had done more than once.
Fortunately, both lads had made a study of languages and spoke French and
German fluently. They never had trouble on that score.
The great war up to this point had not gone as successfully as the
Entente Allies had hoped in the early days. The German lines on all
fronts were seemingly stronger than ever before. Even the entrance of
Italy into the war on the side of the Allies had failed to turn the
balance, as it had been confidently expected it would. East and west, the
German lines held, while in the Balkans the enemy was even now advancing
against the heroic little Serbian army, which, before many days, was to
be forced to relinquish its country to the iron heel of the invader.
Montenegro, the smallest factor in the war, still was fighting hard--the
rugged and gigantic mountaineers giving a good account of themselves upon
all sides.
This was the situation, then, as the airship containing Colonel Anderson,
British officer, Anthony Stubbs, American war correspondent, and Hal
Paine and Chester Crawford sped southward over Austria.
Several hours after the sinking of the Austrian aeroplane Chester spoke.
"Where do you suppose we are now, Hal?" he asked.
"I believe we must have crossed the frontier," replied Hal. "However,
we'll wait another half hour before descending to have a look."
The half hour up, Hal sent the airship lower and lower. Soon, a faint
gray speck below became visible, assuming larger and larger proportions,
until all aboard made out the ground beneath.
And then, half a mile ahead, a body of troops were seen. Hal checked the
speed of the craft immediately.
"Don't know who they are," he explained. "We'll be careful. They may be
all right and then again they may not be."
He sent the machine higher again and a few minutes later the craft hung
directly above the troops below.
"I can't make out those uniforms," declared Chester.
"Nor I," said Hal. "However, they are not Austrian, I can see that. We'll
take a chance and go down."
Again the machine moved closer toward the earth, and a few minutes later
came to rest upon the ground a short distance from the main body of
troops. A squad of men, let by an officer, came hurriedly forward,
covering the four friends with their rifles.
"By Jove!" exclaimed Colonel Anderson. "You must have miscalculated a
bit, Hal. I recognize them now."
"Well, who are they?" demanded the lad.
"Montenegrins."
"Good," cried Chester. "Then we are among friends."
The four friends raised their hands in token of surrender as the officer
and his men came toward them. A few paces away, the officer halted and
addressed them.
Hal shook his head.
"Can't understand that lingo," he exclaimed.
He addressed the officer in English and the officer also indicated that
he could not understand.
"Don't want to tackle him in German if I can help it," said Hal. "It
might not suit him."
"Well, what's the matter with French?" Chester wanted to know.
"Nothing, I guess," returned Hal. "I'll try him. We are British
officers," he said, addressing the Montenegrin officer, "and we have just
escaped from the Austrians."
The Montenegrin understood and replied in broken French:
"How am I to know you are not of the enemy?"
"Well, I don't know, to tell the truth," Hal replied with a pleasant
smile. "I am afraid it does look a little bad for us, as we have nothing
to prove our identities. But if you have a British or French officer
about here, perhaps we can convince him."
The Montenegrin nodded.
"Fortunately, we have," he said. He ordered one of his men to summon
Colonel Edwards.
"By Jove!" said Anderson. "I know an Edwards. I wonder can it be
the same?"
"No such luck, I am afraid," said Chester.
But it was; and a few moments later Colonel Edwards and Colonel Anderson
were shaking hands affectionately.
CHAPTER III.
THE KING OF THE MONTENEGRINS.
With his hand upon Edwards' arm, Colonel Anderson approached Hal
and Chester.
"I want you to meet my two young friends," he said.
Colonel Edwards shook hands with each lad in turn and then turned to
Stubbs, who, during all this time, had been standing quietly, while he
cast a critical eye upon the Montenegrin troopers who stood near.
"A likely looking bunch of men," he muttered to himself. "I'll bet they
could give a good account of themselves in a--"
He faced about just in time to acknowledge Colonel Anderson's
introduction to Colonel Edwards; then turned again to survey the
mountaineers.
"Good fighters, these," he said to himself, "or I miss my guess."
"Now," said Hal to Colonel Edwards, "there is really no use of our
standing here. I'd like to look up a place where I can turn in for a few
winks. I'm dead tired and I imagine the rest of you are, too."
Chester seconded Hal's motion and Colonel Anderson admitted his own
fatigue. Stubbs settled the matter.
"Where there are men there are beds," he said; "or at least cots, or
pallets, or something. I'm going to find one."
He moved toward a row of tents in the distance.
"Hold on there," said Chester. "We're all going, Stubbs."
In the meantime Colonel Edwards had been holding a consultation with the
Montenegrin officer who had first accosted the friends.
"I am sure that if you vouch for them they are all right," said the
Montenegrin.
"Thanks," said Edwards. "Then, with your permission, I shall conduct them
to my own quarters."
"And you may also make free with mine," said the other.
Again Colonel Edwards expressed his thanks, in which the others joined,
and then he led the way toward the distant tents.
Fifteen minutes later the four friends were sleeping soundly, with never
a care in the world, for it had been long since they had closed their
eyes and they were completely worn out.
Darkness shrouded the small tent when Hal opened his eyes. It was several
moments before the lad could gain his bearings, but when at last he
realized just where he was he bethought himself of the others.
"Still sleeping, I guess," he said.
He arose, moved to the door of the tent and passed out. A steady rumbling
sound fell upon his ears and Hal, momentarily, was unable to account for
it. But the solution soon came to him.
"Troops moving," he told himself.
He was right. Walking some distance from the tent, he made out, probably
half a mile away, the dark forms of many men as they marched swiftly on
in the darkness, their figures lighted up ever and anon by the gleam of a
flashlight. But the camp in which the lad stood was perfectly quiet.
"Now I wonder--" he muttered--gazed silently ahead a moment and then
turned back toward the tent, saying to himself: "Guess I'll wake the
others up."
Chester and Colonel Anderson were aroused without much trouble. Not
so Stubbs.
"What's the matter?" came the little man's query, when Hal prodded him
gently in the ribs with his foot.
"Time to get up," said Hal, briefly.
For a moment Stubbs opened his eyes and peered into the darkness--for Hal
had made no light.
"Get up?" he exclaimed. "What! Anthony Stubbs get up in the middle of the
night? Not much!"
"But we are going, Stubbs," said Hal. "We don't want to leave you here by
yourself."
"Kind of you," said Stubbs sarcastically. "I can remember when you were
not so solicitious of my welfare. Don't worry about me. I'll just sleep
right along."
He turned over and a loud snore a few moments later told that he was
again in the land of dreams.
Again Hal prodded him with his foot.
"Stubbs! I say, Stubbs!" he called.
Directly Stubbs opened his eyes.
"And what's the matter this time?" he demanded aggrievedly.
"Hurry!" Hal exclaimed, thinking to get the little man up by a ruse. "The
Austrians are coming."
"Run, then!" replied Stubbs. "I'll hide here. They won't bother me."
"Now listen here, Stubs," said Chester, "just when do you want to get
up?"
Again Stubbs allowed his eyes to open and he peered into the
darkness sleepily.
"What day is this?" he inquired mildly.
"Tuesday," replied Chester; "but what--"
"Then call me Saturday," said the little man gently, and closed his eyes
in sleep once more.
"Ha! Ha!" laughed Colonel Anderson. "He had you there, Chester."
Chester appeared somewhat flustered.
"Well, he'll have to get up out of there," he said wrathfully.
"Oh, come on and let him be, Chester," said Hal. "I guess nothing will
hurt him. We'll be back by daylight and I'll venture to say we will find
him here, still snoring."
"Well, all right," Chester agreed at length; "but to tell you the truth,
I don't just like that answer he gave me."
The three left the tent and Hal led the way toward where he had so
recently perceived the passing troops.
Infantry, cavalry and artillery were still passing in dense masses,
moving westward.
"I wonder where they are going?" said Chester.
"To the front, I suppose," replied Hal.
"Now do you really suppose they are?" asked Chester sarcastically. "I
thought perhaps they were on dress parade. Say, just where are we anyhow?
Do either of you know?"
"By Jove!" exclaimed Colonel Anderson. "I meant to ask Edwards, but I
forgot all about it. He told us, you remember, he would be in the tent
on our left. We'll go back and have him out. Perhaps we can learn a
few things."
"Suits me," Hal agreed. "We can't see anything here but troops, and we
have seen too many of them to be much interested. Come on."
Fifteen minutes later found them seated in the tent Colonel Edwards had
commandeered for his temporary headquarters and the colonel himself doing
the talking.
"You are perhaps fifteen miles northwest of Cettinje, the capital of
Montenegro," he explained.
"And where are these troops going?" asked Hal.
"Reinforcements to the Austrian front," said Colonel Edwards. "Also some
of them, can they be spared, will be rushed to the aid of the Serbians,
who, from all accounts, are being sorely pressed by the new German
offensive."
"New German offensive?" exclaimed Hal.
"Why, yes. Haven't you heard of it?"
"No. Will you explain?"
"I'll try," said Colonel Edwards. "I'll revert back to the start. On
Friday, August 13, news reached London, where I was then stationed, that
an Austro-German army of more than 300,000 men was massing at a point on
the Serbian frontier and it was asserted that the Kaiser was about to
strike a blow at Serbia in order to improve Teuton prospects in the
Balkans, where Roumania and Greece had been reported as waiting a
favorable opportunity to join the Allies.
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