NEARING THE FRAY On September twenty-eighth they entered the English Channel and were promptly signalled by a British warship, so they were obliged to lay to while a party of officers came aboard.

The _Arabella_ was flying the American flag and the Red Cross flag, but the English officer courteously but firmly persisted in searching the ship.

What he found seemed to interest him, as did the papers and credentials presented for his perusal.
"And which side have you come to assist ?" he asked.
"No side at all, sir," replied Jones, as master of the _Arabella_.

"The wounded, the sick and helpless, whatever uniform they chance to wear, will receive our best attention.

But we are bound for Calais and intend to follow the French army." The officer nodded gravely.
"Of course," said he, "you are aware that the channel is full of mines and that progress is dangerous unless you have our maps to guide you.