Produced by Jim Ludwig
UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING'S TROOPS
or
Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche
By H. Irving Hancock
CHAPTERS
I. Dick at Training Camp
II. Greg has to be Stern
III. Bad Blood Comes to the Surface
IV. As it is Done in the Army
V. The Camp Carpenter's Talk
VI. The Enemy in Camp Berry
VII. At Grips with German Spies
VIII. With the Conscientious Objectors
IX. Order for "Over There"
X. On Board the Troopship
XI. In the Waters of the Sea Wolves
XII. The Best of Details!
XIII. Off to See Fritz in His Wild State
XIV. The Thrill of the Fire Trench
XV. Out in No Man's Land
XVI. The Trip Through a German Trench
XVII. Dick Prescott's Prize Catch
XVIII. A Lot More of the Real Thing
XIX. A "Guest" in Prison Camp
XX. On a German Prisoner Train
XXI. Seeking Death More Than Escape
XXII. Can It Be the Old Chum?
XXIII. The Dash to Get Back to Pershing
XXIV. Conclusion
His jaw set firmly, his keen, fiery eyes roving over the groupbefore him, the gray-haired colonel of infantry closed his remarkswith these words:
"Gentlemen, the task set for the officers of the United StatesArmy is to produce, with the least possible delay, the finestfighting army in the world. Our own personal task is to makethis, the Ninety-ninth, the finest regiment of infantry in thatarmy.
"You have heard, at some length, what is expected of you. Anyofficer present, of any grade, who does not feel equal to therequirements I have laid down will do well to seek a transferto some other regiment or branch of the service, or to send inhis resignation as a military officer."
Rising to their feet behind the long, uncovered pine board messtables at which they had sat listening and taking notes, the eyesof the colonel's subordinate officers glistened with enthusiasm.Instead of showing any trace of dissent they greeted their commandingofficer's words with a low murmur of approval that grew into anoisy demonstration, then turned into three rousing cheers.
"And a tiger!" shouted a young lieutenant, in a bull-like voicethat was heard over the racket.
Colonel Cleaves, though he did not unbend much before the tumult,permitted a gleam of satisfaction to show itself in his fine,rugged features.
"Good!" he said quietly, in a firm voice. "I feel assured thatwe shall all pull together for the common weal and for the abidingglory of American arms."
Gathering up the papers that he had, during his speech, laid outon the table before him, the colonel stepped briskly down thecentral aisle of the mess-room. As it was a confidential meetingof regimental officers, and no enlisted man was present, one ofthe second lieutenants succeeded in being first to reach the door.Throwing it open, he came smartly to attention, saluting as thecommanding officer passed through the doorway. Then the doorclosed.
"Good!" cried Captain Dick Prescott. "That was straight talkall the way through."
"Hit the mark or leave the regiment!" voiced Captain Greg Holmesenthusiastically.
"Be a one hundred per cent. officer, or get out of the service!"agreed another comrade.
The tumult had already died down. The officers