e able to hold the foe at bay and keep them from advancing
a step farther.

Uncle John had not been at all satisfied with that first day's
experience at the front. He firmly believed it was unwise, to the verge
of rashness, to allow the girls to place themselves in so dangerous a
position. During a serious consultation with Jones, Kelsey, Captain
Carg and Dr. Gys, the men agreed upon a better plan of procedure.

"The three nurses have plenty to do in attending to the patients in our
hospital," said Gys, "and when the ship has its full quota of wounded
they will need assistance or they will break down under the strain. Our
young ladies are different from the professional nurses; they are so
keenly sensitive that they suffer from sympathy with every patient that
comes under their care."

"I do not favor their leaving the ship," remarked Dr. Kelsey, the mate.
"There seems to be plenty of field workers at the front, supplied by the
governments whose troops are fighting."

"Therefore," added Jones, "we men must assume the duty of driving the
ambulances and bringing back the wounded we are able to pick up. As
Maurie is too stiff from his wound to drive to-day, I shall undertake
the job myself. I know the way, now, and am confident I shall get along
nicely. Who will go with me?"

"I will, of course," replied Kelsey quietly.

"Doctor Gys will be needed on the ship," asserted Uncle John.

"Yes, it will be best to leave me here," said Gys. "I'm too great a
coward to go near the firing line again. It destroys my usefulness, and
Kelsey can administer first aid as well as I."

"In that case, I think I shall take the small ambulance to-day," decided
Ajo. "With Dr. Kelsey and one of the sailors we shall manage very well."

A launch took them ashore, where the ambulances stood upon the dock.
Maurie had admitted his inability to drive, but asked to be allowed to
go into the town. So he left the ship with the others and disappeared
for the day.

Ajo took the same route he had covered before, in the direction of
Nieuport, but could not get within five miles of the town, which was now
held by the Germans. From Furnes to the front the roads were packed with
reinforcements and wagon trains bearing ammunition and supplies, and
further progress with the ambulance was impossible.

However, a constant stream of wounded flowed to the rear, some with
first aid bandages covering their injuries, others as yet uncared for.
Kelsey chose t