“I must congratulate you,” he remarked on leaving, “on having the best equipped hospital ship it has been my fortune to see.  There are many in the service, as you know, but the boats are often mere tubs and the fittings of the simplest description.  The wounded who come under your care will indeed be fortunate.  It is wonderful to realize that you have come all the way from America, and at so great an expense, to help the victims of this sad war.  For the Allies I thank you, and—­good-bye!”

They remembered this kindly officer long afterward, for he proved more generous than many of the English they met.

Captain Carg now steamed ahead, watching his chart carefully to avoid the fields of mines, but within two hours he was again hailed, this time by an armored cruiser.  The first officer having vised the ship’s papers, they were spared the delay of another search and after a brief examination were allowed to proceed.  They found the channel well patrolled by war craft and no sooner had they lost sight of one, than another quickly appeared.

At Cherbourg a French dreadnaught halted them and an officer came aboard to give them a new chart of the mine fields between there and Calais and full instructions how to proceed safely.  This officer, who spoke excellent English, asked a thousand questions and seemed grateful for their charitable assistance to his countrymen.

“You have chosen a dangerous post,” said he, “but the Red Cross is respected everywhere—­even by the Germans.  Have you heard the latest news?  We have driven them back to the Aisne and are holding the enemy well in check.  Antwerp is under siege, to be sure, but it can hold out indefinitely.  The fighting will be all in Belgium soon, and then in Germany.  Our watchword is ‘On to Berlin!’”

“Perhaps we ought to proceed directly to Ostend,” said Uncle John.

“The Germans still hold it, monsieur.  In a few days, perhaps, when Belgium is free of the invaders, you will find work enough to occupy you at Ostend; but I advise you not to attempt to go there now.”

In spite of the friendly attitude of this officer and of the authorities at Cherbourg, they were detained at this port for several days before finally receiving permission to proceed.  The delay was galling but had to be endured until the infinite maze of red tape was at an end.  They reached Calais in the early evening and just managed to secure an anchorage among the fleet of warships in the harbor.

Again they were obliged to show their papers and passports, now vised by representatives of both the English and French navies, but this formality being over they were given a cordial welcome.

Uncle John and Ajo decided to go ashore for the latest news and arrived in the city between nine and ten o’clock that same evening.  They found Calais in a state of intense excitement.  The streets were filled with British and French soldiery, with whom were mingled groups of citizens, all eagerly discussing the war and casting uneasy glances at the black sky overhead for signs of the dreaded German Zeppelins.