The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign | Page 8

Albanian
mountains, I can tell you that."
"You don't have to go if you don't want to, I'm sure," said Colonel
Anderson stiffly. "I had no idea you were afraid."
"Afraid!" echoed Stubbs. "And why shouldn't I be afraid, I ask you?
Why shouldn't I be afraid, eh? I don't know anything about mountains.
I don't know anything about mountaineers. I don't want to know
anything about any of them. All I want to do is--"
"Get a little news for the New York Gazette," Chester interrupted.

"Eh?" exclaimed Stubbs. "What's that? News? Sure, I've got to get
some news. By George! Might be a good feature story up in those
mountains." He turned to Colonel Edwards. "Count me in on this little
trip, will you?" he said.
Colonel Edwards hesitated. He didn't know Stubbs as well as the
others.
"Well--" he began.
"Oh, he's all right, Colonel," said Hal. "It's just his way. He's no coward.
He is no more afraid than you are."
"Don't you believe it, Colonel," said Stubbs. "I assure you I am scared
to death. But I am more afraid of losing my job with the New York
Gazette than I am of these Albanian mountaineers, so if I go I am just
choosing the lesser of two evils. I want to go with you fellows. But
please remember one thing: I'm no fighter. If it comes to a fight, you
can count me out; but if it's a question of run--well, you'll find me with
you, or far ahead."
"Then if the others have no objections, I am sure that I shall be pleased
to have you accompany us," said Colonel Edwards.
"And when shall we start?" asked Hal.
"Just as soon as we can."
"Walk, ride, or what?"
"Horses, until we reach the top of the mountains. Then we'll walk. Also,
we will discard our uniforms--anyhow, I don't imagine you like the cut
of those Austrian garments."
"I don't, and that's the truth," Hal agreed.
"Good. We'll change immediately. You go to my quarters and wait. I'll
rustle up some civilian clothes and have them sent you. Also I'll
arrange for our mounts and other details. I'll meet you here two hours

from now."
With this Colonel Edwards betook himself away and the others
returned to his quarters.
Half an hour later the clothes arrived and the four friends hastened to
climb into them, Stubbs the while muttering to himself.
"Great Scott, Stubbs!" said Hal at last. "Quit your grumbling. Any one
would think you were going to a funeral."
"And so I am--maybe," returned the little man. "And what worries me
is that it is likely to be my own."
"You are a cheerful sort of a companion, I must say," declared Chester.
"What's the use of yelling before you are hurt?"
"Because I probably won't be able to afterwards," was the reply.
Colonel Edwards was waiting when the four made their way to the
appointed spot. The horses were picketed nearby.
"All ready?" asked the colonel. "Guns? Ammunition?"
All nodded.
"Then there is no use waiting longer. We may as well be moving."
He led the way to the horses and leaped lightly to the saddle. The
others followed suit. Edwards waited until all were mounted and then
headed his horse toward the north.
"Let us ride," he said.
All through the morning hours and well into the afternoon they rode
along without adventure. They were challenged several times by
Montenegrin outposts, but were allowed to proceed after an explanation
by Colonel Edwards.

It was four o'clock by Hal's watch when Colonel Edwards at last drew
rein in the far outskirts of a tiny mountain village.
"We'll leave our horses here," said the colonel, dismounting.
He led the way to a small barn near a smaller hut. Approaching the hut
he gave a loud whistle. A man emerged and Colonel Edwards engaged
him in conversation. At length the man nodded. Colonel Edwards
turned to the others.
"We'll turn our horses over to him," he said. "I told him we would be
back within seven days and wanted him to keep the animals here for us.
He has agreed."
"But will he?" asked Hal.
Colonel Edwards shrugged his shoulders.
"You know as much about it as I do," he replied. "However, we have
no choice."
"Well, they might come in handy if we get back," declared Stubbs.
"When we return this far we are liable to be in considerable of a hurry,
and if the horses were not here it would be a terrible disappointment for
us, at least. If we come back, we'll probably come on the run."
"And why will we come on the run?" Chester wanted to know.
"Bayonets behind," returned Stubbs briefly. "Rifles, revolvers and
whatnots. Oh, yes, we'll--"
"Stubbs," said