t I had in mind," the patrol leader told them. "So the sooner
we make a start that way the sooner we can rest up."

It was weary work tramping all the way back to the little village where
they had first met the ambulances of the Red Cross corps, and joined
hands with the workers. Rob would have liked to say good-by to the
American nurse who had taken so much interest in their welfare. He knew,
though, that it would be too much for Tubby to approach that terrible
field hospital, where undoubtedly the nurses were still busily engaged
helping the surgeons in their labors.

Whenever Tubby groaned and gave signs of dropping, they called a
temporary halt and, in this way, made it as easy for the fat scout as
possible.

Somehow the very thought of that sweet-scented hay appealed to Tubby
very nearly as much as a good feed might; and that was saying a great
deal.

"I don't wonder at hoboes liking haystacks when they're wandering around
the country, if only they're as nice as that mow we struck," he told the
others more than once. "Why, things couldn't be better. Now I understand
what they mean when they say 'hitting the hay.' It means a sweet sleep.
But we're really getting there, ain't we, Rob?"

"We're right on top of the village now, Tubby," Merritt told him.

"Yes," added Rob, "there you can see the elevation we stood on when we
watched the terrible battle. The village is here on our left. One more
tug, and we'll arrive, so brace up, Tubby."

"Oh! I'm getting along quite decent, thank you, Rob. But I'll be glad
when we're sitting on that bench under the shade of the tree."

As they entered the village they found that it was quite a different
place from the time of their previous visit. Streams of wounded men had
been brought in, and every other cottage was turned into a temporary
hospital.

Of course the injured Belgians were given the first choice, as was
perfectly natural; but Rob was pleased to see that after all these
humble villagers had human traits in their make-up. Misery makes the
whole world akin, and although they had no reason to love any German
invader, the sight of stalwart young Teutons suffering agonies touched
many a mother's heart; their own sons might any day be in need of the
same attention from strangers, and they could not refuse to aid these
wounded foes.

So into many a Belgian home a sorely stricken German was carried, to be
cared for until the time came when he could be removed, either