Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-19
CHAPTER VI
The Phantom Army Fights

Doggy rushed back TO the shell hole
L where Billy Belgium. with the ca. 'ured
machine gun, held the German soldiers pris-
oncrs. She had remembered seeing boxes Of
hand grenades among the German supplies.
Now she dug down into these grenades. talk
ing all she could carry.
What are you going TO do?" asked Billy
Belgium.
We're going TO clear the way for the
American army" replied Peggy.
The Germans were astonished when they
saw the grenades moving about, apparently
by themselves. Some of those who had got
tired of holding their hands in the air
now shot them higher than ever. and kept
uD murmur of "Kamerad Kamerad. ="
Peggy told her plan 10 Billy. II was TO
march the German prisoners to level place
below the shell hole where they could be
guarded by Ben and Bill. while she and Billy
brought up all the grenades and ammunition.
On the short march Peggy guarded the
prisoners with grcnades while Billy, aided
by prisoner, took along the machine gun
After that they brought up all the ammuni-
zion.
Now We can lick all these Germans"
Let's give them chance to surrender
first" suggested Peggy. I'VE VIII have the
sergeant tell them they are attacked by Il
phantom army and advise them to quit"
That's n good idea" Bill admitted re-
luctantly: but sure would like TO shake
em up a bit with these grenades."
Wen do that if they don't surrender
right away" said Peggy
I'VE are pretty good baseball players and
can throw these grenades into all the nests,
except those up on the other F'da OF the
r;tvine." said Ben. =:
I'm clean out those nests" volunteered
Billy Belgium. They can't see me-"
This arrangement was agreed upon. Billy
told the sergeant just what he was to shout
TO his fellow soldiers IN the other nests, and
Ben, who understood German. said he would
see that the instructions were carried out.
Then Billy made his way with bunch
of grenades TO a point where he could lool,
down into the machinc-gun nests on the
farther side Of the raVine Homer Pigeon
went with him to act as his runner" Soon
Homer came flying back with word that
Billy ready.
Tho German sergeant now walked out 10
a high rock where he could look down on
his comrades beneath He carried n piece Of
white cloth, which he waved vigorously
I'VE have been captured by . phantom
American army" lie shouted. This army
is all about US. 1t threatens 10 blow YOU all
up If you don't surrender Immediately"
The German soldiers in tho other shell
holes looked up in wonder Then they be-
gan to laugh loudly
Are you craZy?' they shouted back i'm
German. "If the Americans come we will
make them all phantoms."
Tell them again TO surrender" cried Ben.
The sergeant hesitatcd. Peggy who was be-
nina MN. gun IN nand, gave MN little Jab
with the bayonet"
"Kamerad. Kamerad - he shrieked. Sur
render quick :"
The soldiers below laughed again.
Jump back here, Princess Peggy" shouted
Bill and, Peggy obeyed, he threw a gren-
ade with all his strength. II landed among
n crowd of jeering soldiers In a shell hole
below. There was a burst of smoke, and the
Germans vanished. Then followed a regu-
lar bombardm,nt. Ben and Bill throwing
grenades as fast as they could Bursts from
across the ravine showed that Billy Belgium
also busy.
This bombardmela took the Germans ut
terly by surprise. Those left alive We're
rror-strcken. White flags shot up every
where. followed by soldiers holding up their
hands ana shouting "Kamerad" In re-
markably short time every German in the
ravlne rounded up. In response TO
orders from the sergeant, they marched up
the hill and Joined the gang of prisoners at
the top.
Nov If the Americans attacked they
would find the way clear" shouted Ben.
Then tell them to come on" cried Peggy.
Here are Homer and Carrie Pigeon eager
to carry the messages"
SO il was done. The Pigeons darted away
And soon after they were gone came n great
shout far below. Peggy looking down. saw
American soldiers coming up the raVine as
fast as they could climb. At the top of the
hill stood the Germans in deadly fear of the
Phantom Army, shouting "Kamerad Kane
rad -
81 guess our work is done" said Billy Bel
glum. And he said ii there was a quick
furry, and. 10 and behold, Peggy found her
self safely back in her own bed at home.
IN nert lCeek's story Pe0oU has queer
adventure 1rith the Imagination StOHCD