The Twins meet Sergeant Stubby

Chapter 7

Every day spelled danger. But there was no letup for the American dough boys.

The gang soon got word in April of 1918 that the Yankee Division was moving to a new battle sector at Seicheprey.

Everyone was gathering all their stuff together, preparing to leave while Olsen, Schroeder and the others were all watching Stubby. 

"Look at him!" Olsen said. "How that mutt survived, I'll never know. I was sure the Boche would get him. He is so lucky" 

"He's so brave" Schroeder corrected Olsen about Stubby. "I wish I had half his courage" 

"Courage? It's not courage" Olsen scoffed. "It's dumb luck"

"No it's not!" The twins defended, glaring at Olsen. 

"Dogs can have courage too!" Brock said, glaring at Olsen. 

"Sometimes, dogs have even more courage than humans ever would" Ann mentioned. 

"Listen," Olsen started with the twins. "I don't know where you guys get your lectures from. But believe me, it's dumb luck"

A familiar looking woman, who was actually one of the women from the village then came into the camp, over to Conroy who was loading boxes with Stubby. 

"Monsieur Conroy?" She asked. 

Conroy heard his name, which made him bump his head from under the truck while the twins hid giggles. Conroy then came out from under the car to greet the French woman. 

"Sorry" He chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed. "Hello, ma'am"

The French woman then showed Conroy this little vest, which was about Stubby's size. 

"It is for Stubby" She explained. "We made it for him to keep him warm and to say thank you for the day of the gas" 

"Oh, wow" The twins had a look at Stubby's new war vest. 

"Ah. Gee, thank you" Conroy said to the French woman, accepting the gift. "Merci beaucoup"  

The twins smiled and helped Conroy put the vest on Stubby. 

"A perfect fit!" Ann said. 

"You look like a real American soldier now, Stubby" Brock smiled to the little dog. 

"Stubby, what do you say to this nice lady?" Conroy knelt down next to his dog. 

"Thank you!" Stubby barked to the French lady. 

"No, no, not like that" Conroy told his dog. 

"You know, the other thing" Brock added. 

"Oh!" Stubby then realized what they meant and saluted to the French woman. 

The French woman giggled. "You are such a clever little dog, Stubby" 

Gaston then came over, meeting up with his friends. 

"I have something for Stubby. My sergeant made it for him" Gaston said, showing them a dog sized gas mask then placed it on over Stubby's face. 

Stubby began growling and barking, not understanding the mask was suppose to protect him and tried to get it off. 

"Don't be like that, my little friend" Gaston patted the little dog on the head. "This will save your life" 

"Thank you, Gaston" The twins smiled to their French soldier friend. 

"And thank you again, ma'am" Conroy said to the French lady. 

The French lady smiled to Conroy before looking away shyly. "Goodbye, Stubby, Brock, Ann and... Monsieur Conroy"