Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-13
CHAPTER V
Like KNIGHTS of Old

FTHHE Germans. scared stiff, stood for a
L moment looking at the white spectres
sweeping down from the graveyard. They
were too much frightened to run.
Again came the roaring wall. At the same
time ha!f-burned sticks in the fire abruptly
jumped out Of the blazing heap and danced
around among the Germans legs burning
and scorch'ng here and there.
That was too much. With wild shrieks the
soldiers turned and fled for their lives. They
thought the imps Of darkness were after
them.
The sergeant. one of the last to run.
slipped and fell In the snow Balky Sam
whirled around at him. and wham he sent
the sergeant headforemost into a snowbank
|. Johnny Bull rushed up and pulled the
sergeant out by the seat of his trousers
Billy Goat. eager to get into the fray butted
at the sergeant but caught Johnny Bull In
stead and sent both Johnny and the SER
geant back into the snowbank Johnny
thought German had kicked him and he
was mad all over he climbed out of
the snow.
One very pompous German officer was
guarding the gate to the corral. He was
angry at the soldiers for being scared
Suddenly the key to the corral was whisked
out of his hand. his hat was showed over
his eyes, he was whrled around, a living
battering ram landed on him and growing
beast fastened Itself to his coat tails The
wasn't a bit healthy for him, and he set
of for Berlin at a pace which made Johnny
Bull. clinglng to HE coat. almost dizzy with
the speed.
1t was Peggy and Billy Belgium, invisible
to the Germans. who had played the pranks
which had helped 30 much to frighten the
soldiers Now Billy Belgium fitted the key
into the lock of the corral and swung open
the gate. In swept Balky Sam ana his
ghostly army.
"Hee-haw! Hee-haw! Come out here. you
German horses and fight" CHALLENGED Balky
Sam. But the horses only crowded into the
furthest corner of the corral
"We'll show you that an American army
mule Is better than dozen German war
horses" boasted Balky Sam.
Are you American mules?" cried a voice
from among the horses.
'Sure Come and fight" brayed
Balky Sam
welcome. Americans We love Ameri-
cans!' cried the horses.
"Here none Of that kamerad stuff" snort
ed yalky Sam, much vexed I'VE don't want
any Germans loving u.s.
"But We are not Germans. We are Bel
gian horses forced into slavery by the Huns"
Belgian horses! Hurrah!" shouted Billy
Belgium .E-Es
"Ah. shucks"' snorted Balky Sam 1T
thought we were going TO have a real fight"
Here are German war horses hiding
behind u.s." neighed the Belgian horses.
Flight them"
The Belgian horses opened up and there
in the rear were dozens of strong, fierce
looking steeds.
I'VE surrender" neighed all the German
war horses. We've had more fighting than
we want" ..-
1--WE don't want you to surrender. We
want to whip you.' brayed Balky Sam, but
he brayed in vain. The German horses
wouldn't give battle
Finally Balky Sam had an idea.
Lets settle this like the knights OF old"
he pleaded "You pick the best among you
as your champion. TIL be the American
champion. We will fight duel. II your
champion wins you to go free and I
become a German captive. If win you are
to go into Belgium, there to take the place
of the farm horses that will never come
back"
The German horses locked Balky Sam
over He didn't seem large or strong. ThsE
| consulted among themselves. then opened
ranks. and huge powerful horse stepped
I proudly forward.
'I am Fear Naught. the generals war
| horse" he neighed. at am SO strong and
| beautiful all other horses bow before me.
| accept your challenge"
| Peggy gave gasp OF d'smay Balky Sam
looked midget beside this monster steed.
| fTomorroso soiu be- toJd the unexpected
ostoonse of fhe dueI)