第二天清晨，大家被远处传来的火炮声惊醒了。事态紧急，大家决定立刻驱车去进行救援，然而却找不到一个对地形熟悉的司机，于是莫里自告奋勇地当起了司机。战场上的情景令女孩们震撼不已，战士们的脸上满是灰土，帽子早已不见踪影，衣服也破烂不堪，有些人不禁在寒风中瑟瑟发抖
Next morning they were all wakened at an early hour by the roar of artillerya，dimlyb heard in the distance.The party aboard the Arabella quickly assembled on deck，where little Maurie was found leaning over the rail.
"They're at it，"he remarked，wagging his head."TheGermans are at Nieuport，now，and some of them are over against Pervyse.I hear sounds from Dixmude，too；the rattlec of machine guns.It will be a grand battle，this！I wonder if our Albert is there.""Who is he？"asked Patsy.
"The king.They told me yesterday he had escaped.""We must get the ambulances out at once，"said Beth.
"I'll attend to that，"replied Uncle John，partaking of the general excitement."Warp up to the dock，Captain Carg，and I'll get some of those men to help us swing the cars over the side.""How about a chauffeur？"asked Dr.Gys，who was alreadybringing out bandages and supplies for the ambulances.
"If we can't find a man，I'll drive you myself，"declaredAjo.
"But you don't know the country."Gys turned to the little Belgian.
"Can't you find us a driver？"he asked."We want a steady，competent man to run our ambulance.""Where are you going？"asked Maurie.
"To the firing line."
"Good.I will drive you myself.""You？Do you understand a car？""I am an expert，monsieur.""A waiter in a restaurant？""Pah！That was five years ago.I will show you.I can drive any car ever made—and I know every inch of the way.""Then you're our man，"exclaimed Mr.Merrick，much relieved.
As the yacht swung slowly alongside the dock the Belgian said：
"While you get ready，I will go ashore for news.When I come back—very quick—then I will know everything."Before he ran down the ladder Patsy clasped around his arm a band bearing the insignia of the Red Cross.He watched her approvingly，with little amused chuckles，and then quickly disappeared in the direction of the town.
"He doesn't seem injured in the least by his accident，"saidthe girl，looking after him as he darted alonga.
"No，"returned Gys；"he is one of those fellows who must be ripped to pieces before they can feel anything.But let us thank heaven he can drive a car."Mr.Merrick had no difficulty in getting all the assistance required to lower the two ambulances to the dock.They had already been set up and put in order，so the moment they werelanded they were ready for use.
A few surgical supplies were added by Dr.Gys and then they looked around for the Belgian.Although scarce an hour had elapsed since he departed，he came running back just as he was needed，puffing a little through haste，his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Albert is there！"he cried."The king and his army are atNieuport.They will open the dykesa and flood all the country but the main road，and then we can hold the enemy in check.They will fight，those Germans，but they cannot advance，for we will defend the road and the sand dunesb.""Aren't they fighting now？"asked Jones.
"Oh，yes，some of the big guns are spitting，but what is that？A few will fall，but we have yet thousands to face the German horde.""Let us start at once，"pleaded Maud.
Maurie began to examine the big ambulance.He was spry as a cat.In ten minutes he knew all that was under the hood，had tested the levers，looked at the oil and gasoline supply and started the motor.
"I'll sit beside you to help in case of emergency，"saidAjo，taking his place.Dr.Gys，Dr.Kelsey and the three girls sat inside.Patsy had implored Uncle John not to go on this preliminary expedition and he had hesitated until the last moment；but the temptation was too strong to resist and evenas the wheels started to revolve he sprang in and closed the door behind him.
"You are my girls，"he said，"and wherever you go，I'lltag along."Maurie drove straight into the city and to the north gate，Jones clanging the bell as they swept along.Every vehicle gave them the right of way and now and then a cheer greeted the glittering new Red Cross ambulance，which bore above its radiatora a tiny，flutteringb American flag.
They were not stopped at the gate，for although strictorders had been issued to allow no one to leave Dunkirk，the officer in charge realized the sacred mission of the Americans and merely doffed his cap in salutation as the car flashed by.
The road to Furnes was fairly clear，but as they enteredthat town they found the streets cluttered with troops，military automobiles，supply wagons，artillery，ammunitionc trucks and bicycles.The boy clanged his bell continuously and as if by magic the way opened before the Red Cross and cheers followed them on their way.
