Everybody looked a little ashamed when the speaker stopped, but no one said a word.
"And before we go," continued Brightly, "I think it's due to these kind people who have fed and sheltered us, that we should express our thanks to them in some formal way. They've certainly treated us very kindly indeed."
"That's so," said Drake, earnestly; "and I move that Bright and Glück go over to the house an' tell 'em so, as the opinion of the crowd."
"You can't make it any too strong, fellows," said one of the party; "tell 'em we'll never forget it of 'em, never."
When the two boys came back there were traces of tears in their eyes. Something that the good people had said or done had made them cry.
After a little Glück's uncle came out with the basket of sandwiches that they were to carry with them for their lunch. The rain had ceased falling for a time, and they thought it best to start.
Brightly formed them in ranks, assigning to places of command such officers as were in the party.
"We can do better in marching order, boys," he said; "we can make better time, and keep together better. Now, then, are you all ready? Forward, march!"
They moved out into the road in good form and with soldierly precision; but when they came in front of the large white farm-house, the command was given to them to halt.
"Three cheers for Glück's uncle and aunt!"
They were given with a will, and a rousing tiger added.
The farmer gazed after the retreating column in open-mouthed wonder and admiration.
"Vell! vell!" he exclaimed to his wife, as the company vanished from his sight around a curve in the road, "ven somepody told me dees I don't haf pelieved it."
But it was a sorry band of soldiers. The first mile of muddy road wearied them, the second was discouraging, the third brought suffering. They stopped by the roadside many times to rest. Once they took refuge in an open barn from the pelting rain. They were drenched, ragged, splashed with mud, footsore, weak from hunger and fatigue. It took all of Brightly's powers of command, of logic, of entreaty, of encouragement, to hold them to their places and keep them moving.
But he did it. The hours passed, the wind grew chill, the weariness increased; but every step brought them nearer and yet nearer to the longed for destination,--the home they had so lightly and recklessly left in the sunshine of the day before.