As they drew near to their destination an atmosphere of subdued excitement pervaded the _Arabella_, for even the sailors had caught the infection of the girls' eagerness and were anxious to get into action at the earliest moment.
It was now that Uncle John began to busy himself with his especial prize, a huge motor ambulance he had purchased in New York and which had been fully equipped for the requirements of war.

Indeed, an enterprising manufacturer had prepared it with the expectation that some of the belligerent governments would purchase it, and Mr.Merrick considered himself fortunate in securing it.

It would accommodate six seriously wounded, on swinging beds, and twelve others, slightly wounded, who might be able to sit upon cushioned seats.

The motor was very powerful and the driver was protected from stray bullets by an armored hood.
In addition to this splendid machine, Mr.Merrick had secured a smaller ambulance that had not the advantage of the swinging beds but could be rushed more swiftly to any desired location.

Both ambulances were decorated on all sides with the emblem of the Red Cross and would be invaluable in bringing the wounded to the _Arabella_.