Shelled by an Unseen Foe

Shelled by an Unseen Foe, by
James Fiske,

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Title: Shelled by an Unseen Foe
Author: James Fiske

Release Date: June 9, 2007 [eBook #21787]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
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BY AN UNSEEN FOE***
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World's War Series, Volume 8
SHELLED BY AN UNSEEN FOE
by
COLONEL JAMES FISKE
Illustrated by F. Schwankovsky, Jr.

[Frontispiece: One, two, three steps past him went the sentry again.]

The Saalfield Publishing Company Chicago ---- Akron, Ohio ---- New
York Copyright, 1916, by The Saalfield Publishing Company

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I.
The Call of Home II. An Impressed Soldier III. Only a Stoker IV. A
Struggle in the Sea V. Into Service VI. A Letter Home VII. A Bit of
Romance VIII. Happiness for Helen IX. Visions X. Victory XI. Days of
Waiting XII. Greater Things

ILLUSTRATIONS

One, two, three steps past him went the sentry again. . . . . . . . . . . .
Frontispiece
Trench layout diagram

SHELLED BY AN UNSEEN FOE
CHAPTER I
THE CALL OF HOME
Reveille was over at the military school, and the three boys on the end
of the line nearest the mess hall walked slowly toward the broad steps
of the big brick building ahead. They differed greatly in type, but of
this they were unconscious, for all were deep in thought.
"I am going home," said the tallest boy abruptly. "Had a letter from my
sister last night. My word, they are having some ripping times over
there!"
"Your father won't let you," said the second lad. "How can you go to
England when I can't get back to Mexico?"
"I can jolly well go," said the tall boy. "I've been planning for this.
Mid-term is over, and I haven't told you chaps, but I've been hoarding
every cent of my allowance all winter. I have enough and to spare for
second cabin."
"But your father wants you here out of harm's way," urged the
Mexican.
"He thinks he does," said Nickell-Wheelerson smiling, his blue eyes
flashing. "He thinks he does, but I know he is just trying me out. Here's
the way it is. Dad's in the field and my second brother; you know my
oldest brother was shot in the trenches in France two months ago. I'm
nineteen. There are two little chaps to carry on the name and take care
of the title, if the rest of us go. I've just got to get over there! Don't you

see how it is?"
"Of course!" said the Mexican, his dark eyes glowing gloomily. "Of
course you feel you've got to go! And here I must stay. I want to go
home too."
"It's different with you," said Nickell-Wheelerson, patting his
companion on the back. "You keep out of that mess! Mexico is going to
need you worse later on."
"How about you?" demanded Morales, the Mexican. "I should think
England would need you when that mess, as you call it, is finished."
"She needs me now, and I know it, and dad knows it," Nick assured
him. "I'm going home! You'd better be glad you are not mixed up in
this thing," he said, turning to the third boy. "You are safe awhile yet,
you old Greece-spot, you!"
"There are some Greeks fighting; a few on the European border of the
Dardanelles," said the boy addressed.
"Oh, of course you will get into it sooner or later," said Nick, "but I'm
banking on that queen of yours to stall things along as far as she can.
She can't put it off forever, though. You will be in it."
"As sure as my name is Zaidos," said the young Greek, "you are quite
right! We will have to fight sooner or later."
"Well, don't cross bridges," said Nick. "Sit tight, and I'll go over there
and help clean up things."
Light-heartedly they raced up the steep hill leading from the parade
ground to the mess hall.
A slim young orderly came out of the Adjutant's office onto the terrace
and looked about. Seeing the three boys, he called in a high, clear voice,
"Oh, you Nosey!" and as the Greek approached added formally,
"Corporal Zaidos is wanted by the