The Boy Allies under Two Flags Part 18

At first he could not make out Jack's unconscious figure lying, on the floor. But, as the German stooped to pick up the wrench, the lad divined his purpose. He had fired just a moment before the wrench would have crushed out his friend's life.

Quickly Frank bent over his chum and gently raised his head to his knee. There was no sign of life in the still body and Frank quickly placed his hand over the lad's heart. A faint fluttering was his reward.

"Thank G.o.d! he's alive!" he said.

Exerting himself to the utmost, he lifted Jack to his own shoulders, and started toward the door. At that moment the third officer came rus.h.i.+ng down the steps. Together they carried Jack to his cabin, where they laid him on his bunk. Then Frank hastily summoned the surgeon.

The lad bent over his friend anxiously as the physician examined him.

"Will he live, doctor?" he asked anxiously.

The surgeon shook his head doubtfully.

"Bullet just grazed his temple," he said. "Also he is badly bruised about the body. So far as I can see there are no broken bones; but he may be injured internally."

"Is there anything I can do, doctor?"

The surgeon looked at the lad's white face.

"Yes," he replied. "Go and see that the prisoners are safely secured. I can work better without your presence here."

Frank started to protest, but the surgeon raised a warning hand.

Without another word Frank left the cabin.

Making sure that all the unwounded prisoners had been safely secured, Frank gave orders that Colonel Von Roth's body be prepared for burial. An hour later he returned to the cabin.

"How is he, doctor?" was his first question.

"Still unconscious, as you may see," was the reply. "However, I have made a thorough examination, and I believe that you need have no fear; but he must have perfect quiet for several days.

Some one must be with him constantly. It would be well to have someone come now and wait here until he regains consciousness. I have other work to do."

"I'll sit here myself," said Frank quietly. "As you go out will you tell the second officer to keep the bridge until further notice?"

The surgeon bowed and left the cabin. Drawing up a chair, Frank sat down beside his unconscious friend and took up his silent vigil.

CHAPTER XIII

PURSUED

It was hours later that Frank first noticed signs of returning consciousness in his wounded comrade. Jack's pale face took on a little color, his eyelids fluttered, and a minute later he opened his eyes.

Frank bent over him.

"How do you feel, old fellow?" he asked gently.

It was some seconds before Jack replied. His gaze roved about the cabin, and Frank could see that for the moment his friend was unable to recognize his surroundings. At last, however, a look of understanding pa.s.sed over his face, and he spoke:

"It was a great old sc.r.a.p, wasn't it?" and he smiled up at his friend.

"It was all of that," replied Frank. "But tell me, how do you feel?"

"Well, I don't feel tip top, and that's a fact," replied Jack feebly, moving about on his bed.

He made as if to sit up, but Frank held him down.

"You stay where you are," he ordered.

"What's the matter?" demanded Jack. "Can't I get up if I feel like it?"

"No," replied Frank, "you can't. You'll stay where you are until the doctor says you are out of danger."

"Danger!" echoed Jack. "You ought to know by this time that I was not made to be killed so easily."

"Nevertheless," said Frank, "you are badly wounded. It will be several days before you will be able to get about."

"Several days!" cried Jack in dismay. "You take my word for it, I'll be up tomorrow."

"You'll stay right where you are until the doctor gives his permission for you to get up," said Frank firmly, "if I have to hold you in."

"Don't you believe it," cried Jack. "I'll be up and out of here tomorrow, or I'll know the reason why."

But he wasn't; for, as Frank had said, he was too badly wounded to be able to get about. The next day and the following one, while the Lena continued steadily on her course toward England, Jack was forced to lie in his bed.

It was not until the dawn of the third day that the surgeon gave him permission to go on deck. Supported by Frank's arm, the injured lad made his way to the bridge, where he took a deep breath of the invigorating air.

"By Jove! this feels good," he exclaimed, as a stiff breeze swept across the s.h.i.+p. "Think I'll camp out up here a while."

"Oh, no, you won't," replied Frank. "Just one hour, and then back to bed for you."

"By George! you'd think I was a baby the way you tell me what to do," said Jack, with some show of temper.

"You'll go back when your hour is up, if I have to drag you,"

said Frank. "And I don't believe you are in condition to put up much resistance."

"I guess you are right," replied Jack ruefully.

His hour up he returned to his cabin and Frank once more tucked him comfortably in bed.

It was several days before Jack was able to get about the s.h.i.+p with his accustomed alacrity; and then the Lena was well out of African waters, steaming up the coast of Portugal--the English channel and London now not far away.

Jack had now resumed command of the s.h.i.+p, and the boys, standing together on the bridge one fine morning, were congratulating themselves upon the success of the voyage, when from the lookout came a cry:

"Cruiser off the starboard bow, sir?"

"How is she headed?" demanded Jack.