The Boy Allies in Great Peril

The Boy Allies in Great Peril

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Boy Allies in Great Peril, by Clair
W. Hayes
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: The Boy Allies in Great Peril
Author: Clair W. Hayes
Release Date: June 22, 2004 [eBook #12682]
Language: English
Character set encoding: US-ASCII
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY
ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL***
E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Project Gutenberg Beginners
Projects, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed
Proofreading Team

THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL
Or, With the Italian Army in the Alps
By
CLAIR W. HAYES
Author of "The Boy Allies at Liege," "The Boy Allies on the Firing
Line." "The Boy Allies with the Cossacks," "The Boy Allies in the
Trenches."
1916

CHAPTER I.

THE BREWING STORM.
"Did you ever see such a mob, Hal?"
The speaker was an American lad of some seventeen years of age. He
stopped in his walk as he spoke and grasped his companion by the arm.
The latter allowed his gaze to rove over the thousands upon thousands
of people who thronged the approach to the king's palace at Rome,
before he replied:
"Some mob, Chester; some mob."
"Looks like a real army could be recruited from this bunch," continued
the first speaker.
"Rather," agreed the other. "And unless I am mightily mistaken that is
what will be done. Most of them are soldiers anyhow, you know."
"True. I had forgotten we were in Italy, where military service is
compulsory. Then you think that Italy has at last decided to enter the
war?"
"I certainly do. The Chamber of Deputies has done its best to keep Italy
from becoming involved, but the voice of the people must be heeded
sooner or later. I believe the time has come."
"I am sure I hope so," said Chester. "Italy's army, entirely ready for any
eventuality, should turn the balance in favor of the Allies."
"And I believe it will," said Hal.
"Do you believe the announcement of a state of war between Italy and
Austria will be formally made to-day?"
"I do--and so, apparently, do the others here," and Hal swept his arm
about him in a comprehensive gesture. "Hear them shout!"
For a mighty cheer had suddenly risen upon the air. Wildly excited
Italians--men and women from all walks of life--seemed to have gone

suddenly mad. A deafening roar filled the air. Caps and hats, canes, and
other articles ascended and descended in a dense cloud.
"Can you doubt, after that, that Italy is for war?" asked Hal, when at
last he could make himself heard.
"I guess not," replied Chester grimly. "But why should the crowd have
gathered in front of the palace rather than before the Chamber of
Deputies?"
"You forget that the premier is closeted with the king," returned Hal.
"In all probability, the first word of a definite step will emanate from
the palace, though unofficially, of course."
"I see," said Chester. "Well--look there, Hal!"
"What's the matter?" demanded the latter, eying his companion in some
surprise.
Chester seized his friend's arm with one hand and with the other
pointed directly ahead. Hal gazed in the direction indicated. He saw at
once what had caused Chester's sudden exclamation.
Not five yards away, right in the center of the dense crowd, but still in
view of the two boys, stood an Italian army officer in full uniform. He
was gazing straight ahead toward the palace steps, paying no heed to
those who pushed and jostled him. He stood erect, with arms folded
upon his breast.
Even as the two boys looked, an arm came from behind him, and
reaching across his shoulder, a hand crept cautiously into the pocket of
the officer's military cloak, which he had thrown open because of its
warmth.
Hal uttered a low exclamation and was about to step forward when
there came a sudden shout from the crowd, which surged in about him,
cutting off his view of the Italian officer. For a single instant Hal turned
his eyes toward the palace and there took one look at a second

uniformed figure, who stood upon the top step and waved his arms
about violently.
"I guess war has come," the boy muttered to himself, as he took a step
forward and elbowed his way toward the spot where the other Italian
officer stood.
Chester came close behind his friend.
By dint of hard pushing and shoving, which drew ugly remarks from
some of the bystanders upon whose feet they trod, the boys at last