CHAPTER XII.
The Nerve of the Soldier Again Mrs.Macey sought to interpose.

Her husband, too, was at first against it.
But, now that the die was fairly cast, Herr Schimmelpodt firmly championed the boys.
"Eider von of dem gan do it---easy!" declared the big German.
"You don't know dem boys----vot?
Ach, I do.

Dey got der brain, der nerves und der muscle." "It's a crime to let such youths attempt the thing," shivered an anaemic-looking man in the crowd.

"Whichever one goes up that flagstaff will come down again faster.

He'll be killed!" "Cheer up some more," advised Herr Schimmelpodt stolidly.