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A kindly Providence saw to it that an alert Tommy had heard, and in a trice those six make-believe English soldiers had been rounded up and were on their way to headquarters. Next morning there was a sunrise party, for those Germans must be taught it isn't ever healthy for them inside our lines." "Indeed they must!" agreed Zaidos heartily.
It was a look that a fellow could never bear unless he had lived a clean and honest life. Zaidos, seeing this wonderful look that was meant for Tony alone, glanced quickly away and somehow it was he, down in his innermost heart, who longed for a shoulder to cry on!
Zaidos, with two others, boarded her. They were led down and down into the depths of the ship, and with despair Zaidos discovered that he was to be one of the assistant stokers. The engine-rooms were stifling, notwithstanding the big electric fans that supplied a change of air as it entered through the great air intakes. The furnaces roared.
The excitement grew in intensity. Gradually the group of fighting ships drew nearer the swimmers. They were not more than half a mile away. Another great hulk went down. The Zeppelin, with broken wings wide spread, floated on the sea. They could scarcely see it except when a wave made by a falling shell lifted some of its delicate framework. "There goes another ship!" exclaimed Zaidos.
That's why I am writing you this long letter. It may be a good while before I write another; so good-bye, old pals. I'll come back some day if I live. Yours, ZAIDOS." Zaidos sent off his letter and continued his explorations. He managed to slip away from Velo finally and was greatly relieved. Somehow everything went along better without Velo tagging at his heels.
You don't want to bother with an honest living. You want to live soft and lie easy. Get rid of Zaidos! Now is your chance! It is your only chance. You know how he makes friends everywhere. He is straight as a string. He does not lie. He wouldn't do a mean action. Fellows like us are afraid of that sort. Get rid of him. Now now!"
Screams of agony came from the trench ahead. He scrambled to his feet and ran forward. A dozen men, tumbled together in horrible confusion, lay tossing and shrieking. Zaidos turned faint for a moment. They were the awful flat, senseless cries of hurt animals. "A-a-a-a-a-a-a!" they shrilled and some of them tore at their wounds. Zaidos ran for the nearest man and knelt beside him.
We did our best, but that shin bone didn't heal right. You have been given your 'honorable discharge." For a little Zaidos was silent. No more running; no more jumping. It was a little hard, but he thought of the wounds of others, and was ashamed. "Will I have to walk with a cane, doctor!" he asked. "Oh, no," said the doctor. "Your limp will scarcely be noticeable."
He supported the unresisting weight on his shoulder, and as he kept afloat, he despairingly scanned the horizon. Bearing down upon them at full speed he saw an English Red Cross ship! Hope rose in Zaidos' bosom. He gave a sigh of relief. The boat was only a couple of miles distant, and coming full steam ahead. Something bumped heavily against Zaidos' shoulder. It was a dead soldier.
The men had made crude provisions for comfort. Narrow benches were about the walls, a door from some wrecked building had been brought with much labor, and converted into a table, around which the men sat and played cards. But Zaidos was most interested in the First Aid Station. He felt that much of his time might be spent here in this strange dug-out.
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