The first officer having vised the ship's papers, they were spared the delay of another search and after a brief examination were allowed to proceed.

They found the channel well patrolled by war craft and no sooner had they lost sight of one, than another quickly appeared.
At Cherbourg a French dreadnaught halted them and an officer came aboard to give them a new chart of the mine fields between there and Calais and full instructions how to proceed safely.

This officer, who spoke excellent English, asked a thousand questions and seemed grateful for their charitable assistance to his countrymen.
"You have chosen a dangerous post," said he, "but the Red Cross is respected everywhere--even by the Germans.

Have you heard the latest news?
We have driven them back to the Aisne and are holding the enemy well in check.

Antwerp is under siege, to be sure, but it can hold out indefinitely.