e," replied the Belgian, starting the motor; "there are many
sores inside. But if they get a jolt, now and then, it will serve to
remind them that they are suffering for their country."

He began to back up, for the sand ahead was too deep for a turn, and the
way he managed the huge car along that narrow ridge aroused the
admiration of Ajo, who alone was able to witness the marvelous
performance. Slowly, with many turns, they backed to the road, where
Maurie swung the ambulance around and then stopped with a jerk that drew
several groans from the interior of the car.

"What's wrong?" asked Mr. Merrick, sticking his head from a window.

"We nearly ran over a man," answered Jones, climbing down from his seat.
"Our front wheels are right against him, but Maurie stopped in time."

Lying flat upon his face, diagonally across the roadway, was the form of
a man in the blue-and-red uniform of the Belgian army. Maurie backed the
ambulance a yard or so as Maud sprang out and knelt beside the prostrate
form.

The firing, which had lulled for a few minutes, suddenly redoubled in
fury. There rose a wild, exultant shout, gradually drawing nearer.

"Quick!" shouted Gys, trembling and wringing his hands. "The Germans are
charging. Drive on, man--drive on!"

But Maurie never moved.

"The Germans are charging, sure enough," he answered, as the line of
retreating Belgians became visible. "But they must stop here, for we've
blocked the road."

All eyes but those of Maud were now turned upon the fray, which was
practically a hand to hand conflict. Nearer and nearer came the confused
mass of warriors and then, scarce a hundred yards away, it halted and
the Belgians stood firm.

"He isn't dead," said Maud, coming to the car. "Help me to put him
inside."

"There is no room," protested Gys.

The girl looked at him scornfully.

"We will make room," she replied.

A bullet shattered a pane of glass just beside the crouching doctor, but
passed on through an open window without injuring anyone. In fact,
bullets were singing around them with a freedom that made others than
Dr. Gys nervous. It was chubby little Uncle John who helped Jones carry
the wounded man to the ambulance, where they managed to stretch him upon
the floor. This arrangement sent Patsy to the front seat outside, with
Maurie and Ajo, although her uncle strongly protested that she had no
right to expose her precious life so wantonly.

There was little time for argum