They had purposely brought no chauffeurs with them, as Uncle John believed foreign drivers, who were thoroughly acquainted with the country, would prove more useful than the American variety, and from experience he knew that a French chauffeur is the king of his profession.

During the last days of the voyage Mr. Merrick busied himself in carefully inspecting every detail of his precious vehicles and explaining their operation to everyone on board.  Even the girls would be able to run an ambulance on occasion, and the boy developed quite a mechanical talent in mastering the machines.

“I feel,” said young Jones, “that I have had a rather insignificant part in preparing this expedition, for all I have furnished—­aside from the boat itself—­consists of two lots of luxuries that may or may not be needed.”

“And what may they be?” asked Dr. Gys, who was standing in the group beside him.

“Thermos flasks and cigarettes.”

“Cigarettes!” exclaimed Beth, in horror.

The doctor nodded approvingly.

“Capital!” said he.  “Next to our anodynes and anaesthetics, nothing will prove so comforting to the wounded as cigarettes.  They are supplied by nurses in all the hospitals in Europe.  How many did you bring?”

“Ten cases of about twenty-five thousand each.”

“A quarter of a million cigarettes!” gasped Beth.

“Too few,” asserted the doctor in a tone of raillery, “but we’ll make them go as far as possible.  And the thermos cases are also valuable.  Cool water to parched lips means a glimpse of heaven.  Hot coffee will save many from exhaustion.  You’ve done well, my boy.”

CHAPTER V

NEARING THE FRAY

On September twenty-eighth they entered the English Channel and were promptly signalled by a British warship, so they were obliged to lay to while a party of officers came aboard.  The Arabella was flying the American flag and the Red Cross flag, but the English officer courteously but firmly persisted in searching the ship.  What he found seemed to interest him, as did the papers and credentials presented for his perusal.

“And which side have you come to assist?” he asked.

“No side at all, sir,” replied Jones, as master of the Arabella.  “The wounded, the sick and helpless, whatever uniform they chance to wear, will receive our best attention.  But we are bound for Calais and intend to follow the French army.”

The officer nodded gravely.

“Of course,” said he, “you are aware that the channel is full of mines and that progress is dangerous unless you have our maps to guide you.  I will furnish your pilot with a diagram, provided you agree to keep our secret and deliver the diagram to the English officer you will meet at Calais.”

They agreed to this and after the formalities were concluded the officer prepared to depart.