human
Three husky doughboys of the American Army put to flight by a horde of rats!
gpt
All the same, they'd be picking the bones of those same husky doughboys if we hadn't vamoosed, defended Billy.
human
Gee! it seemed to me that there must have been millions of them.
gpt
I know now how that Bishop Hatto, or whoever it was, felt when the rats were after him, put in Bart.
human
If we'd only had some clubs with us we might have had a chance.
gpt
Well, they made us show our backs, and that's something the Huns were never able to do, said Frank.
human
But I guess we'd better get back to the barracks and cauterize these bites. I don't know how you fellows made out, but I'll bet they bit me in twenty places. I'm bleeding fiercely.
gpt
Same here,
human
I feel as though I were one big wound, said Bart lugubriously.
gpt
But say, fellows, don't let on what we've been up against or the boys will guy us to death.
human
And to think we've been to all this trouble only to find that we'd stumbled into a sewer, said Frank disgustedly.
gpt
That's what it must have been, guessing by the smell.
human
Oh by the way! exclaimed Billy, as a thought struck him.
gpt
I meant to tell you fellows, but the fight with the rats put it out of my mind. There was an electric light in one of those passages.
human
What's that?
gpt
Fact, replied Billy.
human
I could see it plainly, and behind it I saw the outline of a door. I started to tell you fellows about it, and then I heard one of you shout and I didn't think of the thing again till this blessed minute.
gpt
Well, that certainly was hard luck! exclaimed Frank bitterly.
human
Ten to one that's the clue to the mystery. My hunch wasn't a false alarm after all. I've a good mind to go back right now and finish the job.
gpt
Not on your life you won't! said Bart decidedly.
human
Not if Billy and I have to hold you back by main force. Why, boy, you're crazy. Those rats have tasted blood, and they're full of fight. And then, too, we haven't any clubs to beat them off. It would be sheer suicide to go in there again to-night.
gpt
Bart is right, acquiesced Billy.
human
Some other night perhaps when we're in shape for it, but not now. Come along, old man, and use your common sense.
gpt
Well, he agreed reluctantly,
human
Sure thing, agreed Bart.
gpt
We're just as keen to clear it up as you are. But this isn't our lucky night. Let's light out for the barracks and fix up these bites.