
Two restless boys thrust themselves into the chaos of 1914 Europe, hitching a rattling automobile to the Belgian frontier. As the engine roars past gunfire and the landscape blurs, they race against a sleek German cavalry car, daring to outrun the enemy while the border guards loom nearby. Their reckless plunge across the line sets the stage for a whirlwind of danger, camaraderie, and unexpected heroism.
Once inside Belgium, the youngsters are swept into the frantic world of frontline communications, delivering messages between scattered units and witnessing the raw intensity of early trench warfare. Along the way they encounter daring Uhlan cavalry, a wrecked train full of refugees, and the whispered intrigue of covert spies. Their quick wits and youthful bravery become vital as they navigate a landscape riddled with artillery, smoke, and the ever‑present threat of capture.
Through vivid episodes of chase, narrow escapes, and the harsh realities of war, the story captures the spirit of ordinary youths thrust into extraordinary circumstances. It offers listeners a gripping, fast‑paced portrait of courage and adventure on the Belgian front.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (212K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Larry B. Harrison and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University (http://digital.library.villanova.edu/))
Release date
2017-12-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known for a fast-moving series of World War I adventure stories for young readers, this author wrote tales filled with artillery, aircraft, submarines, and battlefield daring. The surviving record online is slim, but his books still circulate through public-domain and library collections.
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