The Rover Boys Under Canvas | Page 9

a few seconds later several small bits of metal
came down around them, two striking the hood of the automobile and
one falling into the tonneau on Ruth's lap.

It did not take those in the automobile long to cover the half mile which
lay between them and Haven Point, where the railroad station was
located. Here they found the town people in great excitement, and
learned that steps were already being taken to care for any of the
workmen who might be injured by the explosions.
"Of course we have no idea yet how many people have been killed or
wounded," declared a policeman who gave the cadets this information.
"We are all upset because we don't know how bad the explosions may
get. If they don't get any worse than they have been, we'll be thankful."
The cadets and their girl friends did not remain long in Haven Point.
All were anxious to get to Clearwater Hall, to learn if that place was
much damaged. The girls' school was directly opposite the
shell-loading plant, and consequently more liable to suffer than the
town or Colby Hall.
"Look at them getting away from that place, will you?" cried Fred, who
had come as far as Haven Point on another automobile and then had
rejoined his cousins. He pointed to the lake, where a number of
rowboats and other craft were leaving the vicinity of the explosions.
"You can't blame them for wanting to get away," returned Jack. "It may
mean life or death to them."
"Oh, I hope nobody has been killed!" murmured Ruth.
"I'm afraid, Ruth, that's too much to expect," answered Jack soberly.
"Oh, I just think war is too horrible for anything!" cried out Alice
Strobell, who was along.
"I just wish they could sink all those Germans in their old submarines!"
declared Annie Larkins who was also in the crowd.
"I guess we'd all be willing to subscribe to that!" cried Randy.
"You just wait until Uncle Sam gets into this scrap," declared Jack.

"We'll show 'em what's what!"
"How I wish I could go to the front," said Andy wistfully. "It would
beat going to school all hollow."
"Now that we've gone into the war, we'll have an army over there
before long," said Spouter. "I suppose they'll send some of the regulars
over first, and then some of the national guard--of course taken into the
regular army--and after that we'll have the volunteers. I suppose if
Uncle Sam really wanted to do it, he could get together several million
men without half trying. And with an army like that, properly trained
and equipped, and transported to the battlefields of Europe, we shall be
sure to make a showing which will throw terror into the hearts of----"
"Hurrah! Spouter is off again," broke in Randy.
"Say, Spout! they ought to send you to the front to help talk the Huns to
death," put in Andy. "Talk about gas and gas masks----"
"Aw say! you're always butting in when I've got something to say,"
growled the lad who loved to talk.
There might have been a little friction right then and there, but another
explosion came from across Clearwater Lake, and all stopped to gaze at
the thick volume of yellowish-black smoke which rolled directly
toward them.
"The wind must be shifting," declared Jack, for all of the smoke
heretofore had rolled up the lake shore.
"It's too bad it is coming this way," said Ruth. "Miss Garwood declares
that a good deal of smoke from such shells is poisonous." Miss
Garwood was the head of the school for girls, and likewise an authority
in chemistry.
The road was filled with automobiles going and coming, and Randy
had all he could do to send the machine along without getting into
some sort of collision. The heavy smoke continued to roll across the

lake, and soon they were in the midst of this. It had a curious pungent
odor to it, which set them to sneezing and coughing.
"No fun in this, I must say," declared Jack. The girls all had their
handkerchiefs to their faces, and May Powell looked as if she was
getting sick.
In a minute more they came within sight of Clearwater Hall, a large
structure setting back in well-kept grounds. There were numerous
bushes and flowers and quite a number of fair-sized trees.
Several automobiles had reached the school ahead of them so the scene
was one of animation. Town people, as well as scholars from the
Hixley High School, mingled with the cadets and the girls from
Clearwater Hall.
"Go on in and find Mary," said Jack to his sister. "Tell her we are here
to help her in case anything happens."
Martha rushed off, followed by Ruth, and the two soon located