1 files changed, 5164 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/37927.txt b/37927.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..476a1df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/37927.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5164 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen, by 
+Kenneth Ward
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen
+
+Author: Kenneth Ward
+
+Release Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #37927]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY VOLUNTEERS WITH THE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Judith Wirawan and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: _The Seraph Made a Quick Glide Below Its Adversary_]
+
+
+
+
+  THE BOY VOLUNTEERS
+  WITH THE
+  FRENCH AIRMEN
+
+
+  BY
+  KENNETH WARD
+
+
+  [Illustration: Logo]
+
+
+  THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+  NEW YORK
+
+
+  Copyright, 1917, by
+  AMERICAN AUTHORS PUBLISHING CO.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER                                                           PAGE
+
+      I  ANTWERP, AND THE FLIGHT THROUGH NORTHERN BELGIUM             13
+
+     II  IN THE AVIATION CAMP                                         25
+
+    III  THE WOUNDED AVIATORS                                         35
+
+     IV  TRENCH WORK WITH THE BRITISH FORCES                          48
+
+      V  ON THE FIRING LINE                                           61
+
+     VI  VIGOROUS RED CROSS WORK                                      72
+
+    VII  BOUND FOR VERDUN                                             84
+
+   VIII  AN AEROPLANE AMIDST THE LIGHTNINGS                           94
+
+     IX  A CHAPTER OF LESSONS ABOUT THE AEROPLANE                    107
+
+      X  A THRILLING EXPERIENCE IN THE AIR                           117
+
+     XI  A FIGHT AND A LANDING IN BELGIUM                            125
+
+    XII  EXCITING EXPLOITS ON LAND                                   143
+
+   XIII  A DARING BOMB RAID TO THE RHINE                             152
+
+    XIV  A TERRIBLE FIGHT IN THE CLOUDS                              160
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+  _The Seraph Made a Quick Glide Below Its Adversary_     _Frontispiece_
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+  _Types of Allied Airplanes_                                         29
+
+  _Airplanes of the Central Powers_                                   31
+
+  _Allies' Distinguishing Mark_                                       64
+
+  _Black Cross on German Flyers_                                      65
+
+  _French and German Flags_                                           75
+
+  _Instrument Board of Standard Airplane_                            111
+
+  _A Dangerous Position_                                             129
+
+  _A Safety Manoeuver_                                               133
+
+
+
+
+  FRENCH AIRMEN
+
+
+
+
+  THE BOY VOLUNTEERS
+  WITH THE FRENCH
+  AIRMEN
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ANTWERP AND THE FLIGHT THROUGH NORTHERN BELGIUM
+
+
+Antwerp was in a fever of excitement, as Ralph and Alfred marched up
+from the quay with the Belgian troops, and rumors of an immediate attack
+on the city were flying about.
+
+"Look at the Zeppelin!" cried out a voice.
+
+The boys turned to follow the gaze of the people who lined the streets.
+There, almost directly west, they caught the first glimpse of one of the
+monsters which appeared to be moving south, far beyond the reach of the
+encircling forts, but plainly visible.
+
+"Nothing would suit me better than a trip in a flying machine!"
+exclaimed Alfred.
+
+"Wouldn't that be fine?" replied Ralph.
+
+The sight seemed to be an inspiration to the boys. Our story will tell
+how the idea so impressed itself on their minds that they almost felt
+it a duty to join a flying corps. That, however, seemed to be an
+impossibility.
+
+They had passed through Belgium, participated in the first battles of
+the war, had been captured, and escaped from the Germans, and had now
+reached Antwerp, with the retreating Belgian army, where Ralph had hoped
+to meet his father, whom they had left in Germany almost four weeks
+prior to that time.
+
+As the father had not arrived, owing to the embargo which had been
+placed on all travelers from Germany to the warring countries, the boys
+found themselves stranded in a strange city. Fortunately, their
+connection with the army, and the fact that they had rendered Belgium
+some service, made it possible for them to get food and lodging.
+
+"We have forgotten one thing," said Ralph.
+
+"What is that?" inquired Alfred.
+
+"Why, we never went to the Post Office," replied Ralph.
+
+At the General Post Office they received a letter from Alfred's father,
+only to learn that he had been detained, as was the case with thousands
+of Americans, and that it would be impossible for him to reach Antwerp.
+Instead, he would be permitted to go through Switzerland, and from that
+country reach Paris where he hoped to meet them.
+
+"But we have no money now, what shall we do?" asked Alfred.
+
+"That's what worries me," answered Ralph. "Father supposes that Pierre
+is still with us, and that we are supplied with money."
+
+Three days after receiving the letter the boys heard the first definite
+news of the great movement of German troops designed to attack the
+forts. If they surrounded the city, and besieged it, the chances of
+reaching Paris would be small, indeed.
+
+"Something must be done, and that today," said Ralph. "I am going to
+leave if I have to walk."
+
+"Where to?" asked Alfred.
+
+Ralph smiled, as he said: "We might walk to Holland."
+
+Alfred almost shouted for joy, as he exclaimed: "That's a good idea. We
+have about ten francs left; that ought to take us through."
+
+A map was consulted. "Why, yes," said Alfred, "we can go north to
+Eeckeren, and from that place to Capellen, close to the frontier. It's
+only twelve miles."
+
+After this decision they again visited the Post Office, and immediately
+crossed through the city with a view of striking the main highway
+leading to Holland. Reaching the outskirts of the city, they were
+surprised to see great masses of Belgian troops encamped close to the
+forts, which guarded the highway. They soon learned that a strong German
+column had reached Brasscheat, three miles from Eeckeren.
+
+They looked at each other in amazement. "Well, this beats everything,"
+said Alfred, with a shade of bitterness. "The Germans seem to be in our
+way whichever direction we turn. We'll have to take another route."
+
+"Another route?" blurted out Ralph. "There isn't another way to go on
+this side of the river. It would be a long tramp to cross the river."
+
+They were now in a serious dilemma, and stood there undecided as to the
+best course to follow, when they were startled by a voice: "Hello,
+boys!"
+
+"It's Pierre!" shouted Alfred, who was the first to spy their friend.
+
+"And how did you get here?" asked Alfred. "We thought they had captured
+you at Rouen."
+
+"So they did, but we got away the same night. But where are you going?"
+returned Pierre.
+
+"Trying to get to Holland," he was informed.
+
+"I am afraid you will have to go south of the Scheldt to get there,"
+Pierre then informed them.
+
+"But I received a letter from father, and he wants us to meet him in
+Paris," said Alfred. "You know we don't want to be shut up in the city,
+if the Germans are going to surround it."
+
+"Of course not," answered Pierre. "But in the meantime we must find some
+other way out. You know you are still in the army, in the messenger
+service, and come to think of it, you haven't received any pay so far,
+have you?"
+
+The boys laughed, for that part of it had been entirely forgotten.
+
+"Why, yes; the Germans paid us for work at the hospital," said Ralph.
+
+"And you repaid them by skipping out the next day," said Pierre with a
+smile.
+
+"How much do you think there is due us now?" asked Alfred.
+
+"I don't know what you are on the rolls for, but there must be a full
+month's pay due, and that would be about thirty-five francs apiece,"
+said Pierre.
+
+"Thirty-five francs!" mused Ralph. "Twice thirty-five is seventy,--about
+fourteen dollars. Good, that will take us through."
+
+"I suggest that you come to headquarters and join us. We intend to cross
+the river. It will be the safest place for you," said Pierre.
+
+"That will suit me," said Ralph.
+
+Together they marched to headquarters where they were again installed
+and placed on the rolls. Late that night the regiment began its march,
+reaching the dock below Antwerp at ten o'clock, where they had a long
+wait before the crowded boats left the pier. On landing, the march was
+resumed, and did not halt for two hours, so it was nearly three in the
+morning before they were able to lie down for the much needed sleep.
+
+It did not seem that they had slept a half hour when they were awakened
+by the heavy booming notes of cannon, and the occasional rattle and
+crash of small guns. The boys now knew the kind of music which the
+different weapons ground out.
+
+"That's a machine gun, see how regularly the shots come," said Alfred.
+
+"Yes; and that's a salvo from infantry," replied Ralph. "The Mannlicher
+guns have an awfully snappy way of talking. Do you hear it? There it is
+again. They must be rushing some of the outer works."
+
+The real fight, however, was between the forts and the heavy German
+guns, which continued during the entire day, principally on the southern
+and eastern sides of the city. The struggle was continuous for four
+days. Suddenly Pierre burst in with the startling information:
+
+"The Germans have silenced two of the forts, and Antwerp is doomed."
+
+No time was lost by the defending troops, and before noon the camp was
+dismantled, and the march begun.
+
+"Do you know where we are going!" asked Alfred.
+
+"Nothing more than that we are going to leave Antwerp, and try to reach
+the sea," replied Pierre.
+
+The Belgian army had begun its famous march across the northern end of
+Belgium in order to reach the sea, and secure the protection of the
+English fleet in the Channel.
+
+"I heard some one say that we intended going through Bruges," said
+Ralph.
+
+"Yes; and from there the army may be able to reach France, after passing
+through Ostend," said Pierre.
+
+In an air line Bruges is fifty miles from Antwerp, and from Bruges to
+the French frontier it is fully forty miles more. How the brave little
+army finally reached its destination, avoiding the large German forces
+sent out to intercept them, remains one of the most glorious exploits
+in the history of the Belgian army.
+
+"Next to Belgium I am glad to be in France," said Pierre. "Now you can
+get to Paris without difficulty," he added.
+
+It thus happened that six weeks after the boys entered Belgium southwest
+of Liege, they reached Dunkirk on the French coast, and saw the immense
+fleet of warships and transports, which the British had in the harbor.
+It seemed that every spot around the city was taken up by tents, wagons,
+mules, horses, and heavy guns, to say nothing of the soldiers on every
+hand.
+
+One regiment after the other entrained in cars, and were whirled to the
+south. Box cars, flat cars, some new, others dilapidated, were in
+service. It seemed that there were thousands of automobiles in line, and
+every one was anxious to get away. They even saw thousands of men, with
+full kits on their backs, march out to the east, as though they scorned
+to wait for railway or auto accommodations.
+
+Pierre was at the door of the boys' tent early in the morning of the
+second day. "I am glad to tell you that the roll has been signed, and
+you can get your pay," he said. "But I am awfully sorry to have you go."
+
+"Of course, we've had some pretty hard times," said Ralph, "but it was a
+great experience. Maybe we'll come back again."
+
+"We're going to try to join the flying machines," said Alfred.
+
+Pierre laughed, and Ralph smiled, for, while that idea was uppermost in
+his mind, he had never discussed the subject with Alfred sufficiently to
+enable them to call it a plan that they really intended to follow out.
+It was more an enthusiastic feeling of something that they would like to
+do, without knowing just how they would go about it.
+
+"So you are really going to start for Paris this afternoon?" said
+Pierre.
+
+"Yes; we ought to be there now, for father will wonder what is the
+matter with us. You see he hasn't heard from us for six weeks, and it
+has been two weeks since we received his letter," said Ralph.
+
+"Then why don't you wire the Continental Hotel, Paris, and tell him you
+are on the way? It will relieve his anxiety. Tell him to answer you at
+once, for it may take you several days to reach Paris," said Pierre.
+
+"Several days?" queried Alfred.
+
+"Yes, indeed. Troops occupy all the cars now," replied Pierre.
+
+So the telegram was sent, and it was decided to remain where they were
+until morning so as to receive the reply before starting. But no answer
+came that night or the next day. In the meantime, the boys wandered from
+place to place, for, as they still wore the trim Belgian suits, they
+were privileged to visit many places barred from civilians.
+
+In the afternoon they found themselves far down the road leading to
+Ypres, when they were startled at the sound of an unusual buzzing, and
+soon divined the cause as they saw a dozen or more airplanes flying
+around over the broad fields to the east. Nothing more was needed to
+give the boys an inspiration. They moved toward the great field, as
+though a giant magnet pulled them. Long before they were near the
+hangars they could see the flyers far above them, circling about. The
+scene fascinated them.
+
+Then something like a dull explosion startled them, and they looked at
+each other and then glanced about.
+
+"There it is; look at it; directly above us," shouted Alfred, in great
+excitement.
+
+"Something has happened; it's on fire," said Ralph.
+
+In an incredibly short space of time, something struck and rattled along
+the ground not far from them, but the machine, although falling, was
+still some hundreds of feet from the earth. One of the operators could
+be seen frantically drawing back the levers, and trying to hold the
+badly damaged ship from overturning, but his efforts were unavailing.
+
+The boys closed their eyes as the swiftly moving machine now actually
+rolled down through space, tumbling over and over, until it finally
+struck the ground with a crashing noise, not a hundred feet from where
+they stood. Terrorized at the sight, they stood still for a few moments,
+but this was no worse than the scenes they had witnessed in battle, so,
+without a word, they made a rush for the mound of debris.
+
+"They are both under the machine," said Alfred.
+
+"Look at the smoke; it's afire," shouted Ralph.
+
+"Use sand! use sand!" almost shrieked Alfred.
+
+They had early learned that sand is more effectual as a fire
+extinguisher of burning oil than water, if properly applied. Handsful of
+sand were scooped up and applied. A groan from one of the men arrested
+their movements.
+
+Alfred jumped on the broken mass, and peered down. "There he is!" he
+shouted. Ralph crawled over the broken body of the airplane, and reached
+down.
+
+"No; this man is lying still," he said. "Here he is; come on this side;
+he is under the framework."
+
+The scene was one which well might inspire heroic work.
+
+The imprisoned man was quite young, with handsome features, and it
+seemed cruel that such a fate should overtake him. The boys strained at
+the wreck until it moved.
+
+"Brace it up on that side," said Ralph.
+
+The truss from the fuselage was removed from the aviator, the man
+quickly drawn out from his perilous position, and carried clear of the
+wreck.
+
+"Now for the other one," said Alfred.
+
+Blood was still flowing across the face of the other flyer, as they
+crawled over the wreck to draw him out.
+
+"This one is alive, I am sure," said Ralph.
+
+"Why, yes; his heart is beating," replied Alfred, as the injured men
+were laid side by side.
+
+"I have heard that they have first aid packages in machines of this
+kind," said Ralph, as he sprang toward the remains of the machine. "I
+have it," he cried, as he leaped over the wrecked pieces. "Here
+is--a--_Restorative_, whatever that is,--half a wineglass at a
+time,--where's the wineglass?"
+
+"Give each a good swallow of it," said Alfred, as he raised up the head
+of the one first rescued.
+
+The other man opened his eyes. "Lieutenant!" he said. Then, as he gazed
+at the boys, he seemed to smile, and as Alfred held up the bottle he
+feebly nodded.
+
+It seemed to revive him in a few moments, and he struggled to raise
+himself. "I feel better now, but something hurts my legs," he said.
+
+The lieutenant opened his eyes, and quietly looked at the boys without
+speaking.
+
+"Can I do anything for you?" said Alfred.
+
+"Is Jack hurt?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; but he is all right," said Ralph.
+
+"Here I am; still on top," said Jack, as he slightly turned, and moved
+his hand toward the lieutenant.
+
+"And what are you boys doing here?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"On our way to Paris," said Alfred.
+
+"But where did you get the uniforms?" asked the officer.
+
+"Why, we've been in the Belgian army, and were in several fights," said
+Ralph proudly.
+
+The lieutenant's face brightened into a smile, which quickly changed to
+one of pain. An ambulance stopped alongside with startling suddenness,
+for the boys had been too busy to notice that the watchers at the
+hangars had signaled for assistance. The men were carefully carried to
+the van, and as they were about to start the lieutenant motioned to the
+doctor in charge, and said:
+
+"I want the boys to come along with us."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+IN THE AVIATION CAMP
+
+
+Once inside the ambulance the boys had an opportunity to watch the
+doctors, as they removed the clothing from the men, and began a search
+for the location and nature of the injuries. It was a gratification to
+be able to assist in this work. Jack's legs were both broken, and the
+lieutenant's chest, back and right arm were bruised and clotted with
+blood.
+
+"I think they are all right," said the doctor in charge.
+
+"But it's awfully hard breathing," said the lieutenant.
+
+"You must have had a pretty good weight on top of you," remarked the
+doctor.
+
+"I should think so," said Ralph. "It was all we could do to lift up the
+cross piece of the frame from him."
+
+"We'll straighten you out in a few days," answered the doctor, "but your
+companion didn't fare as well. Compound fracture of one leg; but he has
+a good constitution; he's good for several trips yet."
+
+The gratitude of the lieutenant was plainly observable, and the doctor
+was quick to notice it. "If these young men hadn't taken you out when
+they did it would have been all over with you, because the weight
+prevented you from breathing."
+
+The lieutenant tried to smile, as he gazed at the boys, and they
+understood.
+
+When the ambulance reached the hospital there were fifty or more
+aviators from the station, awaiting the news. The boys leaped out, the
+attendants were on hand with the stretchers, while the excited men
+crowded around the boys to learn the details. It was not long before the
+story of the rescue was known. The chief of the flying squadron came out
+of the hospital, and approached the boys. The latter straightened up and
+saluted.
+
+"You should be commended for the prompt work you performed in rescuing
+the lieutenant and his pilot. I understand you belong to the Belgian
+army; but you are not Belgians, are you?" he asked.
+
+"No, we are not," said Alfred, slightly embarrassed at the question.
+
+The Commandant smiled as he continued: "I take it that you are
+Americans?"
+
+"Yes, Captain; you are right," replied Ralph. "We joined the Belgian
+army at Liege, and fought the enemy all the way to Antwerp, and we had
+some pretty hot times, too."
+
+This speech was applauded heartily, while a young man sprang forward,
+held out his hand and said: "And here's United States, too."
+
+"We are not with the army now," said Alfred, recovering; "we hope to go
+to Paris, if it is possible to get there."
+
+"The chances for that are not very good at present," observed the
+Commandant, "but in the meantime, if you are not attached, you must put
+up with us."
+
+"Thank you for the offer," said Ralph eagerly. "We want to get into the
+flying service; that will just suit us."
+
+"I am afraid that the army provisions would not permit you to join,"
+said the officer, and all noted the expressions of disappointment that
+indicated the boys' feelings at this announcement.
+
+"Then I suppose we'll have to force our way in, just as we did in
+Belgium," said Alfred.
+
+This was greeted with a sally of laughter. The boys had made a hit with
+the corps, and they accepted the offer of quarters for their
+accommodation in the firm belief that something would turn up to assist
+them in their desires.
+
+Boys are really at a disadvantage sometimes. This story, as well as many
+others, shows that they are capable of doing things as well as men, and
+that they can do some things better than most men; but in military
+matters the service seems to have been made for grown-up people on the
+principle that war is too barbarous a thing for young men until they are
+twenty years of age.
+
+The boys, who were now in their glory, had a portion of a small room in
+a wooden building assigned to them. At this time there were fifty
+machines of various types on the ground, the particular makes being
+the Bristol, the B. E., several Farman machines, and a half dozen
+Sopworth tractors.
+
+Tom Walton, the young American who greeted them at the hospital, was
+accorded the privilege of escorting the boys and introducing them. That
+they had been in the first battles of the war was sufficient to give
+them a coveted place in that company of enthusiastic men, for there was
+some glory in having been on a battlefield,--a thing which could have
+been said of only a few of those who entertained them that day.
+
+"I suppose you want to see the machines," said Tom.
+
+"Indeed, we do," said Alfred. "What is that big machine over there?"
+
+"That is a Bristol," answered Tom.
+
+"And there is another one," remarked Ralph, pointing to a machine, which
+was being drawn out of the hangar.
+
+"No, that's a B. E. biplane," answered Tom. "You will see the difference
+by observing the shape of the planes. The Bristol has the ends of the
+wings rounded so that the forward corners are cut away to a greater
+extent than the rear corners. In the B. E. the wings are cut to conform
+with the well-known Wright type."
+
+"That's a Farman machine, I know," said Ralph, pointing to an aeroplane
+which had a huge revolving type of motor forward of the main planes.
+
+"Yes; but when that machine is high in the air it would be difficult to
+recognize it from that description," said Tom. "You will notice that the
+lower plane is much shorter than the upper plane, and that it has a
+great spreading tail,--larger than any other machine now made."
+
+[Illustration: _Types of Allied Airplanes_]
+
+"Here is another kind, a little fellow. That certainly looks different
+from all the others," said Alfred, as they stopped in front of a hangar.
+
+"That's the Sopworth tractor, a fine, speedy machine, with square ends
+to the planes, and a heart-shaped tail. It can be distinguished at any
+altitude," answered Tom.
+
+"I notice that that has different tails," said Ralph. "Does that make
+any difference in the flying?"
+
+"Not in the least. Shape has nothing to do with it. Surface is all that
+counts. They are made with distinctive forms so that they may be easily
+distinguished, one from the other."
+
+"We saw some German airplanes, several dozens of them, in Belgium, and
+the only one I could recognize was the Taube, as they called it. They
+have fan-shaped tails," said Alfred.
+
+"But here is the machine for business," said Tom, as they halted in
+front of a gaily decorated hangar, and pointed to a trim little machine,
+which was being overhauled.
+
+"I see you have the Stars and Stripes above the door," said Ralph.
+
+"Yes; and this is my machine; isn't it a beauty?" said Tom with a
+considerable show of pride.
+
+"What is it? I mean what make?" asked Alfred.
+
+"It is a French Morane; I have made many trips in it," said Tom, "and
+now I am going to use it against the Dutchies."
+
+Thus they were conducted from place to place, visited the machine shop,
+which had been set up for repairs, and then inspected the landing field,
+which was designed to be illuminated for night work.
+
+"Do you mean to say that you use the flying machines at night?" asked
+Ralph.
+
+"Why, certainly; that is going to be a great stunt," said Tom. "The only
+trouble is that where there are many lights about it is pretty hard for
+a pilot to hunt out the landing place, so the authorities have made
+special provision for returning aviators to enable them to land with as
+much safety as in the daytime."
+
+"How is it arranged so they can land without a mistake?" asked Alfred.
+
+[Illustration: _Airplanes of the Central Powers_]
+
+"Do you see that tall pylon, over there?" replied Tom. "That has on it
+the pilot light, much more brilliant than anything in sight. Now, look
+over to the left, nearly a quarter of a mile away; that pylon carries a
+brilliant red light. The other two pylons to the north and to the south
+have blue lights. The aviator knows that the bright light is to the east
+of the red light, and that he must make a landing somewhere between the
+brilliant light and the red light, between the limits marked by the blue
+lights."
+
+"I should think that would be easy," said Ralph.
+
+"It is when the night is clear; but the trouble is that the fog from the
+channel gives us considerable trouble, and then we have to glide back
+and forth very low to get our bearings, and that is dangerous business
+in the night."
+
+The inspection raised the enthusiasm of the boys to the highest pitch.
+For them there was now no other life than flying, and, indeed, things
+seemed to be coming their way. They had learned more about machines
+during the two hours thus spent than they had acquired in all their
+lives previous to that time.
+
+"I want to ask a favor of you," said Alfred, as they were returning to
+their quarters.
+
+"Go ahead," said Tom.
+
+"I would like to go up in a machine with you," was the reply.
+
+Tom stopped, and looked at Alfred. "Do you really mean it?" he asked.
+
+"Of course I do," replied Alfred.
+
+"That's what I want to do, too," chimed in Ralph.
+
+"It's against the rules to take up any one but the observers during
+practice hours; but let me see,--we may be able to fix it up some other
+time," said Tom.
+
+"Do you have to do much practicing?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Only from six to eight hours a day," answered Tom.
+
+"What! do you mean practice flying when you are not scouting?" asked
+Ralph.
+
+"Well, I should say so," was the answer.
+
+"How long have you been flying?" asked Ralph.
+
+"About two years," said Tom.
+
+"And still they make you fly every day, for practice?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Of course," said Tom.
+
+"And what is that for?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Flying airplanes for war purposes is something different to ordinary
+flying. The principal practice is to learn the methods of attack and
+defense. But that is not all. The airplane is the eye of the army; the
+observer must know how to observe. He must be able not only to see, but
+to put his knowledge into such form that it can be handed in in the form
+of a report. While he may get the information he must learn that the
+information is not for his own gratification, but for the use of the men
+in the field," said Tom.
+
+"Do all the machines carry a pilot and an observer?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Not by any means," answered Tom. "The first duty of a pilot is to learn
+how to control his machine when approaching an enemy, and how to attack
+or to avoid him. For that purpose he has a machine gun which he uses in
+flying."
+
+"I had no idea that there was so much to do in the business," said
+Alfred.
+
+"That is only part of the practice," continued Tom. "The most
+interesting part of the work is to practice flying in squadron
+formation, to observe the signals of the commanding officer and to
+execute movements. For this purpose two squadrons oppose each other, and
+sally forth, the object being to judge the objects of an attacking force
+and to devise means to repel the enemy."
+
+The boys sat on their improvised bunks until a late hour that night.
+They discussed the airplanes; the men they had met; their work in
+rescuing the fallen aviators, and the things they had learned in this,
+to them, the most eventful day.
+
+"I wonder what father would say if he knew we were going to join the
+aviation corps?" said Alfred.
+
+"Well, I wonder what he will say when he hears what we were doing in
+Belgium," replied Alfred.
+
+"He must have gotten our letters by this time," said Ralph.
+
+"Then why doesn't he answer our telegram?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Why, we forgot to go back to the city and inquire for it," said Ralph.
+
+"That's so; but we've been too busy for that; we must do that the first
+thing in the morning," said Alfred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE WOUNDED AVIATORS
+
+
+They were out early the next morning, and started for the tramway a mile
+distant. They passed Tom's hangar, and stopped for a moment to take a
+look at his machine. As they were leaving they heard his voice:
+
+"Going to leave us?" he inquired.
+
+"No; but we must go to the city to get our mail, and we are expecting a
+telegram," shouted Ralph.
+
+"Get back by eleven o'clock if you can," was the answer.
+
+"We'll be here, sure," said Alfred.
+
+"He must mean that we can have a try in the machine at that time, I
+suppose," remarked Ralph.
+
+"I imagine that's why he wants us back then," answered Alfred.
+
+They covered the mile in record time. The idea of going up in a machine
+was a stimulus, and they talked about it all the way, and wondered what
+it would feel like to sail above the earth in a war-machine.
+
+At the post office they had their first disappointment, and there was
+nothing at the telegraph office. They were perplexed at the absence of
+news, but consoled themselves with the thought that transportation from
+the Swiss frontier might be in the same condition as at the Western
+front, so they decided they would not remain long in the city.
+
+The city, containing a population of about 40,000, is located on the
+sand dunes. It takes its name from the old church of St. Eloi, and means
+_church on the dunes_. It has been in existence for over a thousand
+years, and was owned by the Dutch, the Spaniards, and the English,
+before it became permanent French territory.
+
+Passing through the principal square, on their way to the terminus of
+the tram cars, they saw crowds of people moving toward the main landing
+place of vessels. They followed, and witnessed the debarkation of the
+first vessel load of Red Cross supplies, accompanied by a large corps of
+physicians and Red Cross nurses.
+
+Fully fifty vans were taken from the ship and lined up, with their
+equipments, ready for a prompt start. A number of lorries (large motor
+trucks), carrying beds, bedding and like material, followed, and were
+placed behind the vans.
+
+"Do you know where they are going?" asked Ralph, addressing a young man
+in uniform.
+
+"To the general hospital, where they will be assigned to stations near
+the front," he replied.
+
+"Do you mean the general hospital near the aviation ground?" inquired
+Alfred.
+
+"Yes," was the answer.
+
+"Probably we can get a chance to ride there," said Ralph, addressing
+Alfred.
+
+The man overheard the remark, and quickly turned to the boys.
+
+"Are you attached to the flying squadron?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," replied Alfred.
+
+"Then they wouldn't object, I am sure," answered the officer, and he
+strode forward. After speaking a few words to one who seemed to be in
+charge, he motioned to them.
+
+"Get in, boys," he said.
+
+They were quick to respond, and, after thanking the officer, mounted one
+of the vans. Inside were three nurses and two physicians, who smiled at
+the boys.
+
+"So you are going to war, too?" said one of the nurses, as she made room
+for them.
+
+"Yes," said Alfred, rather shyly; "we are going back."
+
+"Going back?" remarked one of the doctors. "Did you say 'going back?'"
+he inquired.
+
+"Well, we were with the Belgian army from Liege to Antwerp, and came
+across the northern part of Belgium with them," said Alfred.
+
+"Then you must have seen some fighting?" asked one of the others, much
+interested.
+
+"Yes, indeed; we were in the first battles of the war," said Ralph.
+
+The information was certainly an interesting bit of news. From that time
+on the boys were the center of interest, and many questions were plied
+and answered.
+
+"But where are you bound now?" asked one of the doctors. "If I
+understand correctly, you are attached to the aviation corps, is that
+so?"
+
+"Yes, we are being put up by them, and we may do some flying in a few
+days," said Alfred.
+
+"We do hope you will be successful," said one of the nurses. "Won't you
+tell us where you are from?"
+
+"We are from New York," said Alfred.
+
+"Then you are not English?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, no," replied Alfred. "But that doesn't make any difference. It's
+just the same as though we were English. We want to help out."
+
+There was a merry roar of laughter at this, and Ralph immediately chimed
+in with a sort of explanation: "The Germans didn't treat us right, when
+they captured us, and, anyhow, they had no business to attack Belgium."
+
+"Good for you," said a sweet little miss. "We like Americans, and
+especially those like you who have that spirit."
+
+The vans covered the ground to the general hospital in quick time, and
+the boys were really sorry when the van drew up before the building, but
+they quickly recognized the place where they had accompanied the injured
+aviators the previous day.
+
+"Ralph, we ought to go in and see the lieutenant and Jack," said Alfred.
+
+"Who are they?" interposed the doctor.
+
+"Why, they fell with their machine yesterday, and we helped them out,"
+said Alfred.
+
+"What was the lieutenant's name?" asked the doctor.
+
+"Why, we don't know; we forgot to ask for it; but maybe they will let us
+in," said Ralph.
+
+"Come along," said the doctor. "We'll find a way to get in."
+
+They followed him up the steps, and marched to the office, where the
+doctor was greeted by many of those present.
+
+"Who was it that met with an accident yesterday?" he asked.
+
+"Lieutenant Winston," was the reply.
+
+"And was he badly hurt?" almost shrieked the sweet little nurse who had
+accompanied the party in the van.
+
+"No; he is getting along well," said the attending physician. "He owes
+his life to a couple of brave lads, who happened to be near. He has been
+anxious to see the boys, and has asked where they were."
+
+"We are the ones who helped him," said Ralph. "We want to see him; may
+we?"
+
+"Oh, thank you, thank you so much," said the nurse.
+
+"Do you know him?" inquired Alfred.
+
+"He is my brother; may we go to him at once?" she asked.
+
+"I will take you to him," said the physician.
+
+"So you are Miss Winston?" said Alfred. "Isn't it funny how we happened
+to meet you?"
+
+She almost hugged the boys in her joy at the news, and at her good
+fortune in thus meeting the boys who were instrumental in saving her
+brother.
+
+The lieutenant saw his sister approaching arm in arm with the two boys.
+The greeting was a most affectionate one.
+
+"I met the two boys in Dunkirk; they just happened to get into our van.
+We learned after we got here what they had done. Isn't it noble of
+them?" she said.
+
+"I have tried to find them all day," said the lieutenant, and he pressed
+the hands of the boys. "Yes, I was in an awfully tight place when the
+boys found me; but I am all right now."
+
+They remained with the lieutenant and his sister for more than an hour.
+They had entirely forgotten their appointment with Tom. It was nearly
+twelve o'clock.
+
+"I am afraid we shall have to leave you," said Ralph. "We promised Tom
+to be over at the hangar at eleven."
+
+"Tom Brandon; the American dare-devil?" said the lieutenant, smiling.
+
+"Why, yes," replied Alfred, somewhat hesitatingly. "Is he a dare-devil?"
+he continued, with wide-open eyes.
+
+"Well, he doesn't seem to be afraid of anything; I suppose he would go
+anywhere, if he was ordered to make the trip. Is your engagement an
+important one?" asked the lieutenant, with a curious light in his eye.
+
+"Why,--yes,--we--we wanted to take a flight this afternoon," said Ralph.
+
+"Do you think they would let us?" asked Alfred quickly.
+
+"Rather against the rules and somewhat risky," said the lieutenant,
+slowly shaking his head, but his face relaxed, as he saw the crestfallen
+appearance of the boys. "We can get around the rules sometimes," he
+added.
+
+"Tom said he would try to fix it for us," said Ralph.
+
+"Then go at once, and tell him that Winston gave him permission," said
+the lieutenant. "Do you think it is safe, Addie?" he asked, turning to
+his sister.
+
+"It seems to me it is safe to trust boys who have been in battles as
+they have, don't you?" she replied sweetly, as she arose and grasped the
+boys' hands. "Now, don't forget us, will you?"
+
+"No, indeed; we intend to come over to see you in the morning," said
+Ralph.
+
+The boys fairly flew across the broad grounds in order to reach the
+hangar. Their chagrin was great as they peered in to find that Tom and
+his machine were absent.
+
+"Looking for Tom?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Yes; do you know where he is?" asked Alfred.
+
+"He's coming now, I think," was the reply, as the man approached the
+door and glanced upward. "Yes; there he is, winging it in."
+
+Within two minutes the Morane gave a quick dive, then flattened out and
+skimmed the ground, and just before alighting the nose of the machine
+gave a short, quick, upward dart.
+
+"He does that the slickest of the whole lot. That was a quick stop, sure
+enough," remarked an attendant.
+
+The machine had landed not two hundred feet from the hangar. The boys
+were over without delay, and accosted Tom, as he reached the ground.
+
+"We are sorry that we couldn't get here in time, but we met Lieutenant
+Winston's sister coming over, and we were detained at the hospital,"
+said Ralph.
+
+"It's just as well, as I couldn't make it. The commandant wouldn't give
+me the time to take you out," said Tom.
+
+"But the lieutenant told us to tell you that he gave you permission to
+take us," said Alfred.
+
+"Did he say that? Well, that's another thing. I'll tell the commandant,"
+and, without another word, he crossed the field, and disappeared. He was
+back in five minutes, and waved his hat as he appeared.
+
+"All right, boys; we'll have an hour's flight; how will that suit you?"
+he said.
+
+The boys were too much excited to know what to say in reply. Tom walked
+around the machine, observing every part of the control plane and the
+wires, then mounted the chassis, and with a wrench unscrewed the base of
+the machine gun.
+
+"Here, boys; we'll take this off for the afternoon; it'll give you more
+room. There, take hold of it at both ends, and carry it into the
+hangar," he said, as he handed down the weapon.
+
+"Gee! but that weighs something!" said Ralph.
+
+"Close to eighty pounds, I should say," observed Tom.
+
+"Where shall we sit?" asked Alfred.
+
+"You can easily crowd into the hole in front," said Tom. "Now don't get
+frightened and jump out; I can bring you down easier than that. If it
+seems to turn over, don't mind. That's part of the game."
+
+The Morane was equipped with a self-starter, but three attendants were
+on hand to hold the machine. They took their places and Tom turned on
+the switch. Whir-r-r-r-r,--they felt the tremor of the machine. Soon
+Tom's hand was raised and came down with a swift motion. They felt the
+machine slowly gain headway, and then it seemed to spring forward with
+huge leaps. At first they could feel the oscillating motion of the
+wheels, and as the speed increased there was less jar until finally
+there was no further vertical movement, and they no longer felt the
+wheels traveling over the ground.
+
+"We're up!" shouted Ralph in excitement, as he turned to Tom. The latter
+evidently knew what Ralph meant, even though the noise of the motor
+prevented him from hearing, for he merely smiled, and shook his head.
+
+Alfred leaned over the side of the body, and gazed at the wheels, and as
+he did so something seemed to push the seat of the aeroplane upwardly.
+He quickly turned toward Tom and smiled. They were in the air. How
+glorious it seemed to Ralph and Alfred at that moment. The feeling was
+an indescribable one; they were now going up rapidly; ahead was a tall
+pylon, which seemed to be directly in their way.
+
+Ralph seized Alfred's arm, and pointed toward it, their eyes being
+intently fixed on the square flag which flew above the mast, but the
+machine seemed to whiz by it like a streak. After passing it the machine
+seemed to slow down. They were not aware that the closer you are to an
+object the faster seems to be the motion. Looking down at the earth they
+could note an object for some time, and as they went further up and up,
+things on the earth seemed to pass by with less and less speed.
+
+The most confusing thing to them was the constant change of position.
+Instead of making a straight-away flight Tom circled around the aviation
+field twice, going higher on each turn. The great hangar was plainly
+visible each time they came around, but it grew smaller and smaller.
+
+The boys leaned over the body of the machine, and scanned the earth
+below. It was too grand and inspiring for words. It was some time before
+they began to realize that the hangars were disappearing, and that the
+machine was now going forward in one direction. The country below was a
+confused maze of narrow yellow streaks, bordered by green and yellow
+spots, with innumerable rows of dark green and brown bands and patches,
+which they soon recognized as trees, while cottages and larger buildings
+dotted the whole landscape as far as the eye could reach.
+
+Alfred was the first to cast his eyes to the north. What he saw almost
+startled him. A dark vivid green spread to the horizon, blending with a
+pale mist, far, far away.
+
+"Look! look!" he cried.
+
+"That's the sea!" shouted Ralph.
+
+Tom smiled as he reveled in their joy. He pointed ahead, and the boys
+quickly turned. Far off, in the distance, they saw what seemed to be
+immense fields of snow.
+
+"What can that be?" asked Ralph.
+
+Alfred shook his head, and gazed silently, then turned toward Tom. "Can
+you make it out?" he asked Ralph. The latter shook his head.
+
+The machine went on for ten minutes more. Beyond the white fields
+something else arrested their attention; great clouds of smoke were
+observed. They were not clouds, and there was no fire visible on the
+earth. That was the second mystery.
+
+"I know what that is now," said Ralph.
+
+"What is it?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Tents, tents," said Ralph.
+
+"Yes, and that smoke must come from the big guns," said Alfred.
+
+Ralph turned his head toward Tom, and raised his cap. The latter knew
+that the boys recognized the nature of the scene before them.
+
+"That must be a battle," said Alfred, as he pointed to the great clouds
+of smoke.
+
+"Look way over to the left," shouted Ralph. "See that long, narrow road?
+There is something moving there."
+
+"Why, that is cavalry; sure enough. See, they are turning a corner in
+the road. That's plain enough," said Alfred.
+
+"I wonder if he is going to take us over the German lines?" queried
+Ralph.
+
+"And suppose something happens, and we are compelled to go down; we'll
+be in a nice fix," remarked Alfred.
+
+Ralph shook his head, and glanced back toward Tom. The latter, however,
+soon turned the machine. As he did so a dozen or more aeroplanes came
+into view. They noticed that the machine was going toward a field where
+a huge gas bag was moored near the ground. It was an observation
+balloon. Beyond were several dozens of flying machines drawn up in front
+of the hangars. Tom circled the machine around several times; the earth
+came nearer, and soon they observed a long stretch of green that seemed
+to invite them. In another minute they were several hundred feet from
+the earth, and they seemed to go faster and faster.
+
+"Whew! but doesn't it scoot now," said Alfred.
+
+They grasped the body of the car, while it seemed to fairly sizzle
+through the air. Closer and closer the earth crept up toward them. They
+felt that it would be necessary to hold fast when the shock came. The
+next sensation was most peculiar; the body of the car began to rock up
+and down; the din of the motor had ceased, and they were riding on the
+earth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+TRENCH WORK WITH THE BRITISH FORCES
+
+
+Everyone seemed to know Tom, as he was heartily greeted on all sides.
+The appearance of the boys, however, was a puzzle to the group of
+aviators.
+
+"Let me introduce my friends, Ralph and Alfred, genuine American boys,
+who were with the Belgians in their great fight from Liege to Antwerp,"
+said Tom.
+
+"How did that happen?" asked one of the men, as he grasped their hands.
+
+"We were on the spot when war was declared, and we just pitched in and
+helped them out," replied Ralph.
+
+"Were you in any battles?" asked another.
+
+"Oh, in a dozen, or so," answered Alfred.
+
+"Good boys!" shouted several.
+
+"How did you happen to get here?" asked the first interrogator.
+
+"We came over with the Belgians, from Antwerp," said Ralph.
+
+The foregoing information was enough to introduce the boys, and they
+were gratified to find several other Americans in the party.
+
+The reception was cut short by the peculiar antics of a huge Farman
+machine, which was approaching in an erratic manner. It seemed to dart
+back and forth, and swing around in short circles, as though wounded.
+
+"Something is the matter with Le Clere," shouted Tom.
+
+At that moment the machine darted toward the earth, and the boys held
+their breaths at the anticipated calamity. Fifty feet from the earth the
+machine righted itself, and swooped upward, then, with a vicious plunge,
+it went down and struck the earth, the crash being plainly heard,
+although it landed more than five hundred feet from where they stood.
+
+Every one on the ground rushed toward the fallen aviator. Before they
+reached the scene, two men extricated themselves, and stood on the
+debris.
+
+"What was the matter?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Look at the holes in the wings," said Tom. "That tells the story;
+pretty well riddled."
+
+"Are you all right?" shouted one of the men.
+
+"Yes, but that was a dandy fight, and we brought him down," replied Le
+Clere, a daring Frenchman, who handled the machine gun.
+
+The Gnome motor was lying on the ground twenty feet from the wreckage.
+One of the planes was tilted up at an angle, and was uninjured, but it
+carried the marks of twenty holes, through which the sunlight streamed.
+
+"That will give you an idea of the fascinating work we are engaged in,"
+said Tom, pointing to the bullet marks. The body of the machine was
+wrecked, and the fuselage a mass of splinters. It was, indeed, a mystery
+how the two flyers escaped without injury.
+
+"What will they do with the machine?" asked Alfred.
+
+"They'll build up another out of it in two days," said Tom.
+
+"The Germans are marching west and south of Roubaix," said Le Clere.
+"They have already reached Mons, and are going straight toward Paris."
+
+The boys looked at each other in amazement. It seemed as though their
+trip to Paris would be interrupted, after all. Tom seemed to read their
+thoughts.
+
+"How far is it to Mons?" asked Alfred.
+
+"About fifty miles south," said Tom.
+
+"And what is the name of the town which we saw before we came down?"
+asked Ralph.
+
+"Lille," was the response. "But we must be going back," continued Tom.
+"We are going to move south in the morning, and I have a few things to
+pack up."
+
+After bidding good-bye to every one, they climbed into the airplane, and
+those present gave the boys a cheer, as the machine glided forward. Tom
+had promised to give them an hour's flight, and it was now four
+o'clock. They had heard about taking observations, while on the grounds
+at Lille, and they busied themselves in trying to do work of that
+character. How small the houses were! They could see little creeping
+things, that soon evolved themselves into horses and wagons, but they
+seemed unreal.
+
+The flight to Lille covered a distance of forty-five miles, and it took
+them an hour. It didn't seem that they could have been aloft half of
+that time. Now, on returning, the novelty had worn off, and they were so
+much interested that they forgot to look at their watches until the deep
+blue haze, which betokened the approach to the sea, aroused them.
+
+"Why, it's past five o'clock," said Ralph. "Tom was going for an hour's
+flight only," said Alfred.
+
+"He just said that in fun, I suppose," replied Ralph.
+
+After alighting the boys did not know how to fully express their
+appreciation of Tom's kindness for the great treat, and they inquired
+whether they could not be of some service to him, as they were only too
+anxious to help him out in any way that would be useful.
+
+"Why, no; I don't know what I can put you at," replied Tom. "Of course,
+there's always lots to do about the hangar, and the first thing to learn
+is how the machines are built, and how to handle them; and then, an
+important thing is to learn all the tricks in a gasoline engine."
+
+"That's just what we want to learn," said Alfred, enthusiastically.
+
+"But I thought you had to go to Paris to meet your father?" said Tom.
+
+"Yes," replied Alfred ruefully; "but we can come back. I'm sure there
+will be no objections."
+
+"Of course, it's your first duty to go to Paris--that is, if you can get
+there," said Tom, rather slyly.
+
+There was now nothing for them to do but to make an effort to reach
+Paris. Immediately after landing, they started for the tram way, and
+reached Dunkirk after six in the evening.
+
+"I never was as hungry in my life," said Ralph.
+
+"Do you know why?" answered Alfred.
+
+"Come to think of it, we didn't get anything to eat at noon," was
+Ralph's answer.
+
+After alighting from the cars, their first mission was to seek a
+restaurant, and from that point they soon reached the post office, only
+to be again disappointed. At the telegraph office they had the same bad
+luck.
+
+"I wonder where father is?" said Alfred.
+
+"I suppose we shall have to go, whether we want to or not," suggested
+Ralph. "Let us inquire at the transportation office."
+
+At the main office they soon learned that the troops from England were
+occupying every coach, motor wagon and bus that was in sight, and that
+there was no encouragement in that direction. But an idea occurred to
+Alfred.
+
+"We belong to the army, don't we?" he said.
+
+"Suppose we apply as soldiers, and tell them we must get to Paris at
+once."
+
+They reached the main office of the Army transportation service, and
+boldly made their way to the room indicated by an attendant. In a few
+moments they were ushered in, and saw at least a score or more soldiers
+and officers in the room, at one end of which sat a white-haired
+officer, and several other officers, issuing orders.
+
+"Your business?" said an officer, approaching them.
+
+"We have been with the Belgians, and have just come from Antwerp. We are
+Americans, and are trying to reach Paris, and we wanted to know if we
+couldn't go on one of the trains?" explained Alfred.
+
+The officer shook his head. "I am sorry to say that we cannot provide
+for any one unless connected with the army," he said.
+
+"But we are connected with the army," said Ralph. "We were messengers,
+and have had a lively time, too."
+
+"Yes, and we expect to join the flying corps, but father expects me in
+Paris," said Alfred.
+
+The officer smiled, and pondered a moment. Then, motioning to them, he
+passed out of the room, the boys following. They crossed the hall, and
+entered a narrow room.
+
+"Lieutenant," he said, "issue a permit for these boys to ride on any
+available train to Paris."
+
+The boys expressed their thanks to the officer, and, after giving their
+names and home addresses, they received a card, which stated that the
+Army transport service permitted them to ride on any train where there
+was available room, at the discretion of the officer in charge of the
+train.
+
+"I should advise you to see the officer at the station in the morning,
+and get him to assign you to a train number, as the quickest way," said
+the clerk, as he handed them the permit.
+
+"Nothing like determination," said Ralph. "It is bound to pull you
+through."
+
+It was too late for them to return to the aviation field that evening,
+so after considerable search, they finally found a room, and after
+discussing the events of the day fell asleep, and awoke long after the
+sun had risen.
+
+"We've got to do some hustling," said Ralph. "We ought to see Tom this
+morning and tell him of our good luck."
+
+They partook of a hasty breakfast, and were at the station in order to
+get an assignment. But this was not an easy matter. They waited for
+nearly two hours before they were able to reach the proper official.
+
+"I am sorry to say that we cannot take you today, but I will try to make
+a reservation for you tomorrow. Come here after four this afternoon,"
+said the officer.
+
+"Now for the aviation field," said Alfred.
+
+They were detained for more than an hour watching several newly arrived
+regiments embark on a train, which slowly pulled out to the south, and
+it was nearly noon when the grounds were reached. There seemed to be a
+change in the place. The hangars were empty, and no machines visible. A
+score of men were taking down the temporary hangars and from them it was
+learned that the entire corps had started at eight o'clock for the
+southern station.
+
+"That's too bad!" said Ralph regretfully. "I wish we had started back
+earlier."
+
+"Then we might go to the hospital," suggested Alfred.
+
+The head surgeon remembered the boys. "It's too bad," he said.
+"Lieutenant Winston has been removed to the hospital at Dunkirk, and
+will leave for England tomorrow; but his sister is still here,--ah, here
+she comes."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad to see you. Brother asked for you before he left. If
+you are going to England, you must go to see him. He is at Hempstead."
+
+"We expect to go to Paris tomorrow, and we are sorry not to be able to
+see him," Alfred told her.
+
+They at once returned to Dunkirk, and awaited anxiously until four
+o'clock. Before they had an opportunity to speak to the officer in
+charge, he shook his head, to indicate that there was no room. They
+lingered about, but it appeared to be a hopeless task. Four tracks ran
+by the station office, and these were constantly filled with empty cars,
+then loaded up, and drawn out. They watched the proceedings until the
+sun went down, when tired and hungry, they crossed the street, entered
+a coffee house, and ate a hurried supper.
+
+As they were moving out the doorway, Ralph stopped. Turning to Alfred,
+he said: "We are chumps; that's about the size of it."
+
+"Why so?" asked Alfred.
+
+"We have the permits, haven't we? Why are we waiting for that fellow at
+the station to get us an assignment?" replied Ralph.
+
+"That's a fact; let's make our own assignment; come on," answered
+Alfred. "Is this train going south?" he asked, addressing a soldier who
+was about to enter a half-filled compartment.
+
+"Aw! I dare say it is," was the jolly response.
+
+"Get aboard," said Alfred.
+
+Unabashed, they swung themselves up on the running board, and entered
+the compartment. The occupants glanced at them for a moment, and seeing
+the trim uniforms, at once became inquisitive.
+
+"How did you happen to be directed to this train?" asked one of them.
+
+"Oh, we attended to that ourselves," said Alfred.
+
+"Our permit's all right, but we couldn't wait for them to make up their
+minds when we ought to go; so here we are," said Ralph, with a laugh.
+
+"Well, you fellows'll do; but it's a long way to Tipperary," said a
+voice, which trailed off into the tune of the well-known song. His
+companions chimed in, and it was not long before the occupants of the
+adjoining compartments joined in the song. It was a jolly crowd, but no
+one seemed to know where they were going. All had heard of the rapid
+advance of the Germans toward Paris, and that General French was trying
+to impede their advance somewhere to the south.
+
+It was fully nine o'clock that night before the train made a real start.
+Before that time they were pushed around on the various sidings for an
+hour, and it was a relief to see the fields and feel the continual
+motion of the train as it finally speeded away.
+
+There was no time for talk now. Each tried to find a comfortable place
+in order to get some sleep. They dozed and dozed, as most people are
+liable to do in uncomfortable surroundings, and some hours afterwards an
+orderly appeared at the door, shouting:
+
+"All out, men; form in ranks."
+
+"I suppose we shall have to get out, too," said Alfred.
+
+"Why, no; this can't be Paris," replied Ralph.
+
+"I know bally well it isn't," said a voice.
+
+That settled it; tired and sleepy they swung off the running board, and
+looked at the long lines forming at the side of the train.
+
+"Do you know where we are?" asked Ralph, addressing a soldier at his
+side.
+
+"Don't know, my boy; we've had a steady run, though, for about three
+hours," was the reply.
+
+"We are east of St. Quentin; we passed through the city half an hour
+ago; this isn't much of a hill we are on, but the Germans and French
+fought a battle on this very spot in the campaign of 1870-1," said an
+officer.
+
+Alfred saluted the officer, and asked: "How far are we from Paris, sir?"
+
+"I think it must be fully a hundred miles," was the reply.
+
+The men were ordered to line up, and soon the order came to march. As
+the boys had no other place to go, and the train was even then backing
+toward the city, they marched alongside of the column. The tramp was
+across open fields for a half-mile, where a road was sighted, but it was
+lined with troops, and heavy artillery, going eastwardly.
+
+The column continued on, parallel with the road. It was dry, dusty and
+warm. There was a hum of sounds, and occasionally a boom or two, which
+the boys recognized from their previous experiences. The most emphatic
+voices were those of the drivers, who were piloting the horses drawing
+the artillery and caissons. An hour's march brought them to a small
+stream, which was crossed without waiting for boats or hunting for
+bridges, as it was easily waded.
+
+Across the stream they ascended an elevation, at the crest of which was
+a line of soldiers busily at work with spades and pick-axes. Trenches
+were being formed. They were cheered by the workers, but there was no
+halting. On they went over level ground, only to meet another line of
+men similarly engaged. Several hundred feet beyond an order came like a
+shot: "Halt!"
+
+An orderly came riding up at full speed, and looked around. "We are
+waiting for orders, I suppose," remarked a lieutenant.
+
+The orderly put spurs to his horse, and rode to the right, as he espied
+a group of horsemen. "Form your men along this line, and dig in," he
+directed.
+
+The order was given: "File to the right; halt; stack arms."
+
+Several lorries, which had been following them, came up, and at a word
+of command the men began to unload shovels and picks. This began to look
+like business. It was now growing light, but it still lacked a half hour
+before sunrise.
+
+"Why can't we lend a hand?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Of course we can," answered Alfred.
+
+They were alongside in an instant. Ralph jumped into the vehicle, and
+helped to hand out the implements, while Alfred tried to edge his way
+in. Their earnestness attracted the officer in charge, and he smiled,
+and nodded his head in approval. Thus two van loads were dumped out, and
+carried forward of the rows of stacked arms.
+
+An engineer officer marked out the line of the trench, and the men were
+set to work. They were now doing the job for a _real_ purpose, as during
+their month of training in England these men had been instructed how to
+go about the business of making trenches, and it was wonderful to see
+how quickly the furrows were dug out. They were about four feet deep,
+the earth being thrown up on the side toward the enemy, thus making a
+shelter trench five feet deep.
+
+As soon as the main line was thus completed, traverses were cut, leading
+out at right angle to the rear of the main trench. These were formed in
+zig-zag fashion, the object being to form shelter sections along the
+entire trench, so that those within would not be subjected to what is
+called an enfilading fire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+ON THE FIRING LINE
+
+
+"Look at the guns back there," shouted Ralph, as the company marched
+back to get their first breakfast after three hours of hard work.
+
+"Come on, boys!" said the corporal in charge, smiling at the boys.
+"You've worked pretty hard for lads of your age; come and have something
+to eat."
+
+"So we will," said Alfred; "but what are the guns doing back there?" he
+asked, as he pointed out a battery which had limbered up and was
+wheeling into position.
+
+"You will see in a few moments," replied the corporal, and before they
+reached the mess wagon the guns began to roar.
+
+"How far away are the Germans?" asked Ralph.
+
+"About two and a half miles, I should judge," replied the corporal,
+looking at the battery.
+
+"How can you tell by looking at the guns?" asked Ralph.
+
+"By their angle," was the answer.
+
+Before they ceased speaking, the first shot was fired, then another and
+another, all of them trial shots, as one of the soldiers explained. Then
+another battery to the left, heretofore unnoticed, began to fire, while
+one posted higher up on the right, and two more beyond, chimed in. This
+was a new experience to the boys, as the Belgians, with whom they had
+formerly associated, were lacking in field pieces compared with those
+they now saw and heard.
+
+The challenge was promptly accepted by the Germans, and within fifteen
+minutes the whole crest to the east of them, probably two miles distant,
+seemed to be ablaze. It was singular, however, that none of the missiles
+fell near the troops where the boys were located. On a little elevation
+to the right of the kitchen vans the boys noticed a group of officers
+with field glasses, intently scanning the rear of their position.
+
+"The blooming blokes are shooting too far," remarked a soldier.
+
+"Why are they doing that?" asked Alfred, who overheard him.
+
+"Oh, they'll get the range in time," he replied.
+
+"There's the first airship, to give them a pointer," said the corporal,
+as an airplane appeared in sight.
+
+"Two of our machines are coming up," shouted Ralph. "Now there'll be a
+fight."
+
+Ralph was right. The two English machines steered straight for the
+oncoming Fokker, the latter veering to the left in time to prevent too
+close a meeting. Within a minute three more German machines came into
+sight, their appearance being answered by four of their own machines,
+which came up from the rear, and sailed straight across above them to
+the German positions on the crest of the hill. They were much higher
+than the German machines, the reason being that the enemy had a number
+of anti-airship guns to meet any flyers who dared to cross the line at a
+low altitude.
+
+It was, indeed, an interesting sight to observe the numerous airplanes,
+which were employed by the two forces. They seemed to be flying back and
+forth in the utmost confusion, and, frequently, puffs of smoke would
+indicate that they were firing at each other.
+
+The corporal with whom the boys talked seemed to be unusually well
+informed, and quite a number of the soldiers addressed him for
+information.
+
+"How do they recognize an enemy?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Oh, that's an easy matter," he replied. "I suppose the flyers in the
+air do it on the same principle that we are in the habit of recognizing
+automobiles. Why, I have a lad not ten years old who can tell the make
+of almost any auto the moment he sees it. Generally, if the make of the
+plane is similar to those attached to the aviator's side he is able to
+recognize it by the special mark it carries."
+
+"What mark do you mean?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Why, the English and the French mark is in the form of a circle,
+generally three, each circle being of a different color," was the
+answer.
+
+"There is one,--why, it's red, white and blue," said Ralph.
+
+"That's correct,--those are the colors of the Allies."
+
+"What are the German colors?" asked Ralph.
+
+[Illustration: _Allies' Distinguishing Mark_]
+
+"Black and white," said the corporal.
+
+"Oh, yes, they have a cross," said Alfred.
+
+"Yes; a cross in imitation of the iron cross, so far as its shape is
+concerned," he answered; "that is, a black cross on a white field."
+
+The company marched back to the line. During the next half hour there
+was nothing but expectancy, waiting, waiting,--that most trying thing
+for soldiers, who know that a battle is impending. Then a hundred feet
+to their rear there was a terrific explosion, which startled every one.
+This was followed by others, but none reached the trench line.
+
+Thus, during the whole day, there was an exchange of artillery, the
+greatest damage being done to those in the rear who were trying to get
+to the front.
+
+"With the long range guns the great danger isn't always with the fellows
+in front," said the corporal.
+
+[Illustration: _Black Cross on German Flyers_]
+
+At four that afternoon the company was startled by an order to leave the
+trenches and fall to the rear. Every one cast questioning glances, but
+the knapsacks and rolls were quickly seized, and within ten minutes they
+were in line with the regiments to the right and the left. There was no
+hurrying or disorder.
+
+"I wonder why we are going back?" asked Ralph.
+
+"I suppose it's our business to retreat," returned the corporal.
+
+They marched fully a mile to the rear, passing on the way at least half
+a dozen lines of trenches, which had been thrown up since the boys
+covered the ground the night before. Every trench line was filled with
+soldiers, those in the front being the first to retire. On the way they
+saw how the great shells had played havoc with many of the works.
+
+They again crossed the river, and at six o'clock that night a new line
+was formed, and the spades and picks were again brought into use. The
+booming of cannon was incessant, and, although they tried to get some
+sleep after midnight, they were frequently aroused by the marching of
+troops. At daylight they were again marched out of the trenches, and a
+quarter of a mile from the last trench halted to partake of breakfast.
+
+The march was directly south, and at noon they reached a town of some
+importance, called Chauny. They went through without halting, crossed
+the river Oise, and at four o'clock halted on the eastern banks of a
+stream, which flowed northwardly. Here they waited for orders. A
+picturesque bridge spanned the stream, and the boys wandered across.
+West of the river was a broad expanse of country, perfectly level, and
+thousands of people from the nearby villages lined the road, all
+crossing to the west.
+
+All were excited, and seemed to be going toward the narrow road, which
+led to the left, and, naturally, the boys followed the movement of the
+crowd. Their curiosity was soon satisfied, for beyond was a sight which
+caused their hearts to beat with joy. Fully a dozen airplanes were drawn
+up in line, and the boys started forward on a run that seemed to instill
+the same activity in many others present.
+
+"There's a Morane," said Ralph.
+
+"Yes; and that's Tom getting out of the machine," shouted Alfred, as
+they rushed up and greeted Tom, who looked at them in astonishment.
+
+"And how did you get here?" he inquired.
+
+"Came over with the troops," explained Alfred.
+
+"With what troops?" he was asked.
+
+"Don't know," answered Ralph, "but they are from Essex."
+
+"Well, we've been on duty for a day directly over the lines east of St.
+Quentin," said Tom.
+
+"Did you have a fight?" asked Alfred.
+
+"I should say we did," answered Tom. "Brought down two, at any rate, and
+it was pretty hot for about an hour. So you are on your way to Paris;
+sorry you didn't get back before we started," he added.
+
+"We got to the grounds several hours after you left," said Alfred.
+
+"Glad you came; we can put you up, if you are willing," remarked Tom.
+
+"Thank you for the invitation; we helped them on the trenches and have
+done considerable marching, so it's better than going back to camp,"
+said Ralph.
+
+The boys were up early in the morning, but didn't have the least idea
+what steps to take to continue their journey. Everything in the way of
+transportation was reserved for the troops. Thousands of people were
+leaving their homes, and people with household effects, mounted on all
+sorts of conveyances, were noted on all sides, although at this time the
+Germans were not within ten miles of the river. The nearest railway to
+the south, which ran east and west along the southern bank of the river
+Aisne, was fully ten miles distant from this point.
+
+Tom was on hand early, and greeted the boys most affectionately.
+
+"I have been thinking I might be able to help you out a bit," he said,
+after a little talk. "We are ordered to the station near
+Villers-Cotterets, and that's only forty miles from Paris."
+
+"How can you help us?" inquired Ralph excitedly.
+
+"Probably I can give you a lift in the machine," he said.
+
+"How far is that from here?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Twenty miles," replied Tom, and the two boys looked at each other
+hopefully, as he left them.
+
+Tom re-appeared at three o'clock, and informed them that they would
+start in fifteen minutes.
+
+"If you are ready for the trip, jump in and make yourselves
+comfortable," he said, and they required no second invitation.
+
+The dainty Morane just suited them, and they were in their seats in an
+instant. Tom then tossed them a light package, which they tucked away,
+and the engine began to buzz. As they glanced around, two more machines
+seemed to vie with them in taking the air, then, as they again looked
+around, four more machines began to move, and soon all were on the wing,
+flying side by side, excepting two large Farman machines, which were
+well in the lead.
+
+Up, up, up, they went, the machines on line with each other maintaining
+a height of about four thousand feet, while the Farmans were about five
+hundred feet higher. Within a half hour they saw in the distance what
+appeared to be a silver ribbon running east and west, which proved to be
+the river Aisne, and to the east they saw the city of Soissons. The
+beautiful aviation ground was reached within an hour, and they alighted
+in front of a magnificent group of hangars in the center of well-tilled
+fields, so located as to afford a view in all directions from the
+grounds. The machine was then put up for the night, and Tom and the boys
+were glad to turn in for a much-needed rest.
+
+It was now the first day of September, and there had been nearly one
+month of war. The immense German forces had hewn their way through
+Belgium and entered France, reaching the cities of Laon, Epernay, and
+Chalons-sur-Marnek, thus forming a huge circle. They were within
+forty-five miles of Paris.
+
+When the boys awoke the next morning the first words that greeted them
+were: "The Germans are within five miles of Soissons."
+
+They rushed over to the hangar, but the machine and Tom were not to be
+found. This was another source of grief to them, and they stared about,
+and wondered at this new turn of affairs until, meeting an attendant,
+Ralph inquired:
+
+"Do you know where the Morane has gone?"
+
+"They all started on a reconnoitering trip at five this morning," was
+the reply.
+
+"Do you think they will come back here?" asked Alfred.
+
+"That is doubtful," answered the man.
+
+"Then we shall have to make our way to Paris as best we can," said
+Ralph. "Do you think we would have any chances on the railroad?"
+
+"It's doubtful. I should take my chances over the highway directly
+south, if I wanted to make Paris," answered the man. Then, after a
+little reflection, he added: "A large English force is expected to be
+here from Laon, and it may arrive before noon. Possibly the flyers will
+return, but if the German forces are too close, they will go on to the
+next station at Crepy, directly south of this place."
+
+"Then that's the place for us," proposed Alfred, as he thanked their
+informant.
+
+They had no trouble in getting breakfast and after waiting for an hour,
+during which all sorts of rumors were floating about, they concluded
+that their only course would be to commence the trip. It was not
+necessary for them to inquire the way, as the highway, in the distance
+was filled with fugitives, all trying to get to Paris, or, at least, to
+avoid the invaders while there was yet time.
+
+Reaching the highway, they moved along with the procession, and, shortly
+before twelve o'clock, reached Crepy, ten miles from Soissons. They were
+now twenty-five miles from the center of Paris, and after getting a good
+meal they again took up the march over a beautiful road, which ran
+southeast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+VIGOROUS RED CROSS WORK
+
+
+A mile from the town they came within sight of a cross road, filled with
+an immense concourse, which seemed to be wending its way east.
+Approaching nearer, they recognized troops, artillery and horsemen, the
+latter moving along in the fields parallel with the roadway.
+
+"It seems to me the firing is much nearer than when we started out this
+morning," said Ralph.
+
+As they passed through the marchers, and proceeded along the highway,
+they saw that troops were noticed posted everywhere, and that batteries
+were lying in wait in every advantageous spot.
+
+"I think we made a mistake in taking this road. We should have traveled
+the one which went to the west," said Ralph.
+
+"Then let's go out the first road that crosses this," replied Alfred.
+
+Meanwhile the sounds of battle came nearer and nearer. The artillery
+posted on the elevation began to speak, and before there was time to
+realize it the boys were within the battle zone, and bearing down on the
+road along which they were traveling. They had no trouble, however, in
+leaving the road, as all the fences were down, and many of the fields
+were cut up with the hoofs of horses, and creased by the huge artillery
+wheels.
+
+To add to the confusion, shells began to fall all about them, and
+occasionally a terrific explosion would follow, leaving them dazed and
+startled. They ascended a hill, and, looking back, saw nothing but dense
+clouds of smoke, and a scene of indescribable confusion.
+
+"What's that down there?" shouted Alfred, pointing to a group of vans
+close by the side of a stream.
+
+"That must be a Red Cross station; so it is," said Ralph.
+
+Their footsteps were hurried, but before the place was reached they saw
+stretcher bearers, and also noticed the wounded being unloaded from a
+field van. Glancing to the left they saw fully a dozen vans of like
+character, as indicated by the great red crosses on their sides, rushing
+up the narrow street from the southeast.
+
+"Let's give them a hand," said Alfred.
+
+A business-looking surgeon stood at the rear end of one of the vans, as
+the boys approached. They saluted. "Can we do anything to help out?"
+asked Ralph.
+
+The doctor looked at them for a moment, apparently non-plussed at their
+appearance.
+
+"Yes, indeed; we need you and many more willing ones like you."
+
+"What shall we do?" asked Alfred.
+
+The surgeon drew a pad from his pocket, wrote a few words on it, handed
+it to the boys, and said: "Present this to the officer yonder."
+
+The officer indicated received the slip, while directing the disposition
+of a wounded soldier, glanced at it hurriedly, then looked at the boys.
+"Ah, want to get on duty? We can accommodate you; there, put those
+stretchers in the van. One of you can take this to the supply van," he
+said. Ralph seized the paper, and looked about.
+
+"The van with the flag on it," explained the officer.
+
+Ralph rushed across the intervening space, and presented the paper to a
+Red Cross nurse, who smiled sweetly as she glanced at the paper, and
+looked inquiringly at Ralph. She then turned, seized three packages, and
+handed them to Ralph, while he thanked her and quickly rushed away. The
+packages were stored in the van, water was supplied to the containers in
+the vehicle, and the moment the last article was on board, the van
+started.
+
+The boys were both within, as well as three men and a surgeon. They had
+heard no orders, but knew they were bound for the battlefield. There was
+no talking indulged in. The men were too intently engaged in listening
+to the din of the conflict, and watching the soldiers moving to and fro.
+
+"Has there been much of a fight?" asked Ralph.
+
+"They have been at it all morning," said one of the men. Then, glancing
+at the boys, he continued: "But this is a bad place for you
+youngsters."
+
+"I am afraid you will regret it before you return. The scenes are
+awful," continued the man.
+
+"We know what it is," said Alfred. "We saw the worst kind of fighting in
+Belgium."
+
+[Illustration: _French and German Flags_]
+
+"We were with the English in the battle east of Soissons, and had some
+experience there," said Ralph.
+
+"Aren't you English?" asked the surgeon.
+
+"Oh, no; we're Americans," replied Alfred.
+
+At this point a lieutenant rode up alongside, and shouted: "There has
+been a tough scrap at the mill; we have driven the Germans back; take
+this road down to the river; you will find plenty of poor fellows there
+who will need you."
+
+The French had made a terrific charge at this point, and many were lying
+dead, where the van slowed down, so as to give the surgeon and helpers
+an opportunity to pick out the wounded cases.
+
+Wherever there was a movement in a prone figure the men stopped and made
+an examination. In some cases the wounds were hurriedly dressed, and the
+victim's position rendered comfortable. In other cases the surgeon
+motioned to the helpers, who quickly brought the stretchers, and carried
+the wounded into the van.
+
+On this single trip they attended, or gave first aid to thirty, but only
+the most severely injured were taken into the van, which now turned and
+quickly speeded along the narrow road to the field hospital. Reaching
+this station the men were carefully taken out, their wounds re-examined,
+and carried into a temporary shelter for a second operation or
+treatment.
+
+A huge van then arrived from the southwest. Carefully and tenderly eight
+men were placed on the cots within, the boys being delegated to assist.
+When the order was given to leave, the boys remained in the van, as it
+started out on its journey, but they didn't have the least idea where it
+was bound, although you may be sure they were curious to know.
+
+After every one had settled down,--that is, if such a thing as quiet and
+comfort were possible in a van load of wounded men, Ralph turned to the
+surgeon, and said. "Where are we going?"
+
+"To Paris, if we can get through," was the reply.
+
+The van had a wonderful set of springs, so that, although it was
+necessary hour after hour to go through fields, instead of traveling
+along the road, there was little discomfort to the wounded men.
+
+"Why are the men being taken to Paris?" asked Alfred.
+
+"So as to relieve the emergency station behind the battle front,"
+explained the surgeon. "That is one thing; the other is, that the great
+German forces are driving in our comparatively small army, until the
+Paris forts are reached. There they will be stopped, and we must take
+our wounded with us, and out of the reach of the enemy."
+
+At Dammartin they saw the first Red Cross railway van,--an entire train
+load, filled with wounded from the emergency stations, and here also
+they were joined by fifteen vans taking the wounded on to the city. It
+was thus a fortunate stroke for the boys that they undertook to help the
+field hospital workers, for it directly assisted them in their effort to
+reach the end of their journey.
+
+Traveling was slow, and many detours were necessary, so it was not until
+the fourth day of September that they caught sight of the walls of
+Paris, and they soon had the pleasure of driving over the beautiful
+smooth streets again. They went directly to the center of the city,
+passed down the rue de l'Opera, through the Place de la Concorde, and
+over the bridge to a hospital near the Place des Invalides.
+
+Their charges in the van were soon provided for, and carried into
+comfortable berths. As they were leaving the ward, they heard a weak
+voice calling: "Ralph; Alfred."
+
+They were startled, and turned around with wondering glances. A nurse
+motioned to them, and pointed toward a figure with bandaged head and
+arms. They approached.
+
+"You don't know me, I suppose?" said the voice.
+
+"No,--no," said Ralph.
+
+"I believe it's Tom," said Alfred.
+
+"Right," said the voice.
+
+The boys knelt down at his side at once. "How did it happen?" asked
+Alfred.
+
+"Well, they got me first; but I brought down two of them before I was
+hit," Tom told them.
+
+"What became of the machine?" was Alfred's next question.
+
+"I don't remember anything about it," was the reply, "but they told me
+it made fine kindling wood."
+
+"Too bad!" consoled Alfred. "I liked that little Morane; and to think
+it's all broken up."
+
+"How did you get here?" asked Tom.
+
+"Why, we came down with the Red Cross people," explained Ralph.
+
+"You seem to get into all sorts of trouble, all along the line," said
+Tom with an attempt to laugh.
+
+"But are you badly hurt?" inquired Alfred anxiously.
+
+"The doctors say that there are only a few bones broken, several joints
+wrenched out of shape, and some of the bark peeled off, but I ought to
+be out in a few weeks," said Tom.
+
+"Tell us what we ought to do now?" Alfred asked him.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, I want to know whether they will expect us to keep on in the Red
+Cross service?"
+
+"You volunteered, didn't you?" replied Tom. "You helped them out of your
+free will, and you can leave whenever you want to, if that's what you
+are getting at."
+
+"I wouldn't mind volunteering in the aviation corps," said Ralph. "I
+would just like----"
+
+"So they got you this time, eh?" said a voice.
+
+The boys turned, and saw a handsome man with the uniform of a lieutenant
+in the aviation service, who approached, and leaned over Tom. Tom
+replied with a smile, and raising his injured hand, pointed to the boys.
+
+"Lieutenant," he said, "I want you to get acquainted with two of my
+American friends, who have been in the thick of it right from the start.
+Now you'll be conferring a special favor if you can take them in to help
+you out. Oh, they're bricks," continued Tom, as he saw a shade of
+discouragement in the lieutenant's features, "they are made of the right
+stuff."
+
+"We leave for Verdun in the morning," said the lieutenant, "but I will
+see what can be done in the meantime."
+
+As they left the hospital the first thought was to go to the Continental
+Hotel to try to get a trace of Alfred's father. Arriving there a letter
+was handed them, together with two telegrams from Berne, Switzerland,
+one of the messages having been received that very day. The missives
+informed him that his father had not been able to leave German territory
+until the twenty-eighth of August, and as he had received word that the
+Germans were approaching Paris he thought it unwise to make the trip to
+that point, but would await word from them before deciding what to do.
+
+"How far is it from Berne to Verdun?" Alfred asked the clerk.
+
+"About three hundred kilometers," was the reply.
+
+"Let's see; that's about two hundred miles," said Alfred. "And it's a
+hundred and fifty miles to Verdun.
+
+"Then we'll go to Verdun," said Ralph. "But how?"
+
+The subject was debated for an hour, when it was decided to return to
+the hospital. They had forgotten to learn the lieutenant's name,
+although probably Tom knew how to reach him, they reasoned.
+
+Arriving at the hospital they learned that Tom was asleep, and that no
+one would be permitted to see him, so they wandered around without the
+slightest idea what course to pursue. They even discussed the
+feasibility of walking to Verdun, but that idea was soon abandoned.
+
+"I wonder where the aviation grounds are?" remarked Ralph.
+
+They soon learned that several corps were located at the great race
+course in the Bois de Boulogne, and they were soon on the underground
+railway speeding to the nearest station in that vicinity. Arriving at
+the grounds they approached the entrance, and their hearts sank as they
+saw a great crowd gathered, and one after the other turned away.
+
+"Chances of getting in seem to be pretty slim," said Alfred.
+
+"Well, we might try it, anyhow," said Ralph, as he pushed forward.
+
+They marched up to the gate, and passed through without the least
+objection on the part of the guards. This was the greatest surprise to
+both. They had forgotten that the uniforms they wore gave them
+admittance without question. Evidently they were taken for army
+messengers.
+
+"See that American flag?" shouted Ralph.
+
+"That's the place for us," replied Alfred.
+
+Accordingly, they lost no time in making for the hangar on which the
+emblem appeared. They saw a Farman machine partly outside of the hangar,
+and in the body of it was seated a ruddy-faced chap.
+
+"What's up?" he asked.
+
+"Came over to help you out," said Alfred.
+
+He looked down, and slowly said: "You did, eh?"
+
+"Well, we've seen a little active service at the front, so far,"
+explained Ralph, "been in battle several times, have been captured by
+the Germans, helped to build trenches, worked with the Red Cross people,
+and had a few flights in an airplane, and as we like aviation business
+best of all, we thought we'd come over and go to work."
+
+The airman raised himself, sat down on the side of the car body, and
+commenced to laugh, although Ralph's remark was said without the least
+tinge of pride or boasting. Several from the adjoining hangars came in
+to learn the cause of the boisterous mirth.
+
+"Well, that's fresh enough to come from real American boys," he said,
+after he had sobered down a little.
+
+"That's right; we're from the United States; we came here because we saw
+the flag on the outside; what shall we do the first thing?" said Alfred.
+
+"From America?" said the man, climbing down from the machine. "And you
+are regular Yankees? Well, well; that's too good! I'm something of an
+American myself. By jingo, you're the kind of fellows to have around.
+Want a job? Where did you get your uniforms? They look all right."
+
+"Oh, these are Belgian uniforms. We were with them, you know, and had a
+pretty hot time, too," said Ralph.
+
+This information, as they now knew, was the best credential possible,
+and they were soon the center of an admiring crowd. Somehow the
+determined matter of fact and positive way which the boys adopted had
+the effect of winning their way, and it was thus that they had the
+satisfaction of entering a service which it is a most difficult thing
+to do even with the best credentials.
+
+The happiness of the boys was complete when their new friend told them
+to get up on the machine, and help him to take out the engine. Coats
+came off in a hurry, and they looked around for some substitute to
+protect their clothing.
+
+Their friend supplied the necessary articles at once remarking as he did
+so that he ought to know their names.
+
+After this information was supplied, he remarked: "My name is Martin;
+Bill Martin, Fifth Aviation Corps; don't forget the Corps or you may
+have trouble in getting into the grounds; and, by the way, how did you
+happen to get through?"
+
+"If you mean the gates, why, we just walked right through," said Alfred.
+
+"Just as though you had a right to do so!" said Martin, as he again
+commenced to laugh. "You said you were up in an airplane; where was
+that?"
+
+"Up at Dunkirk, and back of the firing line, south of the St. Quentin,"
+said Ralph.
+
+"Do you know Tom Watkins?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Do I know Tom? Why, we came over together; poor fellow, he got a bad
+fall," said Martin.
+
+"We heard about it and saw him at the hospital today," said Alfred.
+
+"You don't say? So you've been flying with Tom? I'm glad to know that,"
+said Martin, as he nodded his head approvingly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BOUND FOR VERDUN
+
+
+For three days more the boys wandered about Paris,--three days of the
+most fearful suspense; and then began the battle of the Marne. Every
+airplane in and about Paris was at the front, on the line somewhere, and
+the boys were deprived of the opportunity to see the new friend they had
+made at the Bois de Boulogne station.
+
+They were so sure of being able to go to Verdun that Albert wrote to his
+father of their plans, in the hope that he would consider it wise to
+leave Switzerland for that point, where they might meet.
+
+The Germans had been defeated; Paris was safe, the French line having
+held firmly all the way to Verdun. The determination to go there was
+firmly fixed in their minds, but they could see no way to accomplish the
+purpose. A visit to Tom at the hospital only resulted in their being
+told that the lieutenant was in the field, no one knew where.
+
+"I have an idea," said Ralph, as they emerged from their room one
+morning.
+
+"What is it?" asked Alfred.
+
+"We might get attached to the Red Cross some way, and that would be
+sure to take us to the front," replied Ralph.
+
+"That would be just as hard as to get in with the flying people,"
+answered Alfred.
+
+"That may be so, too, but I can't see any other way."
+
+They again called at the Continental Hotel in the hope that there might
+be some further news. To their surprise they found a letter from
+Alfred's father with a check for their personal expenses. While reading
+the letter they overheard a conversation which gave them the solution,
+as they thought, of their difficulties.
+
+"No," said a voice, "they will not ticket us to any point near the
+firing line, but we might go to St. Dizier, and from there work our way
+north."
+
+"Good idea; let's book at once," said the second voice.
+
+"Come on," said Alfred. "That's the right tip. Let's find out where St.
+Dizier is."
+
+The clerk informed them: "It is about a hundred and sixty miles east of
+Paris."
+
+"Then it can't be far from Verdun," remarked Alfred.
+
+"Sixty miles southwest, I should judge," was the answer.
+
+"Do you think we would have any trouble in reaching that point?" asked
+Ralph.
+
+"I think the trains are still running, but they may not adhere to the
+regular schedule. The line runs south of the war zone, you know," said
+the clerk.
+
+That settled it. They hurried to the Banque Francaise, and having
+secured currency for the check, started for the booking office as fast
+as they could walk. It was impossible at this time to get a conveyance
+as only the underground railways and a few tram cars were in service,
+the government having requisitioned all the horses, and automobiles a
+week previous to this time.
+
+They booked second class, the official stating that the tickets were
+sold at the risk of the holders, and that they would have to take their
+chances on the trains, so they were at the eastern railway station
+before one o'clock, in the hope that the regular through train at two
+that day would be able to accommodate them. In this they were
+disappointed, so they waited about until five o'clock, and had the good
+fortune to have the tickets accepted by the gateman.
+
+They passed through an immense crowd of newly arrived soldiers, and were
+jostled about by hosts of men, women and children who were departing for
+the southeast, most of them bound for Chaumont. Within an hour they
+finally found a train bound for their destination, but it was another
+hour before the train began to move.
+
+The trip was a weary one all through the night, as they seemed to stop
+at every station, although it was the fast express. The intense
+excitement of the people all along the line; the passing of trains; the
+crying out of the latest news; and the bustle of the new arrivals in the
+already crowded compartments, made sleep impossible. The sun had been
+up two hours before the station of St. Dizier was announced.
+
+The boys were out and scampering along the platform ahead of most of the
+crowd. As they passed out the end of the station they noticed a sign on
+a train: "For Bar-le-Duc, 10 o'clock."
+
+"Let's see where that place is," said Alfred.
+
+The information was obtained. It was twenty kilometers northeast.
+
+"That's the place we must go; it's twenty miles toward Verdun, and now
+is our time," said Ralph.
+
+"Let's have something to eat first," said Alfred.
+
+After the meal they booked for Bar-le-Duc, and this train started
+promptly. Only two coaches were reserved for civilians, the others being
+filled with soldiers. The town, which was reached shortly before noon,
+had the appearance of an armed camp. Here they received the startling
+news that the Germans were at St. Mihiel, thirty-five miles northeast of
+that place.
+
+There was no sign of panic there, however. Verdun, Toul and Nancy were
+still intact, and there was no fear that either place would yield.
+
+Before they had been in the city an hour they saw a dozen or more
+airplanes overhead, and it was not long thereafter until they learned
+that one of the most famous stations belonging to the flyers was located
+north of the place. A conveyance was readily obtained, as a line of
+busses paralleled the railway track, and in another hour they were on
+the plateau where the great hangars were located.
+
+As they were crossing the field, and approaching the first tier of
+hangars the boys noticed the two men whose conversation had been
+overheard in the Continental hotel. "They are the very men," said
+Alfred; "I wonder what they are here for?"
+
+The men stopped and looked at the boys for an instant. Ralph approached
+them and said, with a smile: "You beat us here after all."
+
+The men appeared to be puzzled at being thus addressed. Alfred saw that
+they did not understand Ralph's greeting, and said: "We are under
+obligations to you for telling us how to get here, and I want to thank
+you."
+
+"I don't exactly understand," said one of the men.
+
+"We heard you talking about making this trip, and as we wanted to get to
+the front without knowing just how to do it, your conversation helped us
+out," said Ralph.
+
+"I'll bet you're American boys," said one of them, laughing.
+
+"Indeed, we are," said Alfred.
+
+"Belong to the service?" asked the other.
+
+"Oh, yes," answered Ralph,--"that is, we did belong to it."
+
+"Which branch?" asked the man.
+
+"Messenger service in Belgium, aviation and trench service with the
+English, and Red Cross in the French army," answered Alfred.
+
+This response was answered by hearty laughter on the part of both men,
+and one of them responded: "That is a pretty comprehensive service, I
+should say."
+
+"Where are you from?" asked the other.
+
+"New York," answered Ralph. "Why, you look like Americans, too."
+
+"We're from the same place," was the answer.
+
+"And you look like newspaper men," remarked Alfred.
+
+"That's a good guess," was the reply. "But how did you know?" he asked.
+
+"I saw you taking notes as we walked across the field," answered Alfred.
+
+"Good inference," he replied. "Are you looking for a job?"
+
+"Yes, we're going into the aviation service," answered Ralph, with all
+the assurance of a winner.
+
+"See you again," was the final reply, as the two men left them.
+
+"Now, I wonder if they have any American flags at this place?" remarked
+Ralph.
+
+They marched back and forth without a sign of that much desired emblem.
+At one of the hangars two men were tugging at a machine, and slowly
+bringing it out of the hangar. Without a word the boys sprang forward
+and assisted in the operation, an act which brought thanks from the men.
+Then, more in curiosity than anything else, they slowly walked around
+the machine and examined its construction.
+
+The aviator watched them for a few moments. Evidently, to his mind, the
+boys knew all about flying machines, or, at least, must have had some
+acquaintance with them. This seemed to interest him, and he began a
+conversation with them. He soon learned their history, and bestowed
+words of praise on them for what they had done.
+
+"So you want to be aviators, eh?" he inquired.
+
+"Yes, and we'll do anything to get in," said Alfred.
+
+"To be aviators in the service of the Government it will be necessary to
+take the Regulation course," said the man.
+
+"There isn't time for that," said Ralph. "We can help out now, even if
+we don't do any flying, can't we?"
+
+The man chuckled. "I suppose you can tighten up bolts, examine, and
+stretch the stay wires, and things like that?" he remarked.
+
+"As well as take out the engine and overhaul it," added Ralph.
+
+"Well, yes; that's a pretty good job; do you think you could do that?"
+he asked.
+
+"Why, yes; we know something about it," replied Ralph.
+
+"Well, stay around here; we want some handy fellows; but I'm afraid
+you'll have a hard job to get on the pay roll," he added.
+
+"Never mind about that end of it; we want to be doing something; that's
+the main thing," said Alfred.
+
+It would not be interesting to go through the long details of work that
+the boys entered into under those circumstances. Each day for more than
+two months the boys found plenty of work to do. They became general
+favorites at the camp, and while their services were not recognized in
+an official way, as the regulations did not permit of the employment of
+minors, still, in view of the fact that they had such an interesting
+history, and had entered into the work with such zest the commandant at
+the station permitted them to remain, and eventually provided them with
+rations and quarters, to which was added a small pay, such as attached
+to those in the messenger service.
+
+During this period the boys had many opportunities to go aloft on
+practice drills, and on more than one occasion they had the privilege of
+operating the machines while in flight, accompanied, of course, by the
+regular pilots. Attached to the station were a half-dozen machines used
+for the purpose of teaching control, and to enable pupils to become
+familiar with the handling of the machines. They were designed merely to
+skim the ground, the power being so limited that they could not be
+raised from the ground except for very short glides. These the boys
+frequently used, and the experienced aviators were greatly pleased at
+their wonderful progress. It was a strict rule, however, that none but
+regularly licensed aviators should pilot the government machines, and
+that prohibited them from handling the machines on regular service.
+
+It was during the second week of the third month that the boys had the
+first opportunity of showing their capabilities. During a trial flight
+with sub-lieutenant Guyon, while at an altitude of five thousand feet,
+Ralph noticed the machine dart downwardly, and, glancing back, saw
+Guyon's head fall forward, and his hand drop from the lever.
+
+Without waiting to inform Alfred he crawled out of the pit, and seizing
+the control lever, pushed it back in time to bring the ship to an even
+keel. Alfred saw the motion, and followed Ralph. Together they succeeded
+in drawing the pilot to one side, thus enabling Ralph to let himself
+down into the position which enabled him to handle the lateral controls,
+that were operated by the feet.
+
+With Ralph thus fully in control of the machine, Alfred turned his
+attention to poor Guyon, who tried to raise his head, and occasionally
+gasped, as though trying to recover his breath. It was not until the
+machine was nearing the earth that he opened his eyes, and seemed to
+realize his position, but he was too weak to give any instructions or
+render assistance.
+
+Ralph made a good landing, and the moment the machine ceased to move
+Alfred jumped from it, and ran to the office of the surgeon.
+
+"Something is the matter with the lieutenant!" he cried, as he entered
+the door.
+
+"What is the trouble? Where is he?" asked the surgeon, as he moved out
+of the door in response to Alfred's appeal.
+
+"He was taken sick while we were in the air," said Alfred.
+
+"And how did you happen to get down safely?" asked the surgeon.
+
+"We took charge of the machine," replied Alfred.
+
+"Who are _we_?" he asked.
+
+"Ralph and myself; we were up with him."
+
+The lieutenant was being taken from the machine when the surgeon
+arrived. Restoratives were at once applied, and within a half hour the
+attack seemed to wear itself away, and he began to show a normal color.
+
+His eyes rested on Alfred when he awoke from the first quiet nap, and
+raising his hand approvingly said: "That was a good job, Alfred;
+couldn't have been better."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Alfred.
+
+"You brought us down all right, I mean," he replied.
+
+"Oh, Ralph did that," was the reply of Alfred.
+
+"Well, no matter; you fellows didn't get rattled; that's the main
+thing," said the lieutenant.
+
+An incident of this kind could not remain a secret long in a camp of
+this character. The Commandant took particular occasion to commend them
+for their performance, and it was a long step in their favor when the
+corps moved to the north to take its place in the great aviation camp
+directly south of Verdun.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+AN AEROPLANE AMIDST THE LIGHTNINGS
+
+
+Two days after the occurrence related in the preceding chapter, the
+first section of the Corps was ordered to proceed to the Verdun station.
+Lieutenant Guyon belonged to this part of the force, and, as he had now
+recovered, was instrumental in securing the assignment of the boys to
+his care.
+
+"Then we can go along?" asked Ralph, with some doubts and misgivings, as
+they were packing the belongings of the lieutenant.
+
+"I have arranged that," said the lieutenant.
+
+"What is that?" asked Alfred, who appeared at the door of the hangar.
+
+"We are going," shouted Ralph.
+
+"Yes; you might as well get your things packed and put them in the
+machine," said the lieutenant.
+
+The boys laughed, for outside of a few trinkets, and underclothing, they
+had nothing of importance to take along. They remarked that it was
+singular how few things seemed to be really needed, traveling, as they
+did, from place to place at a moment's notice.
+
+"When do you intend to start?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Whenever we are ready," was the reply. "We intend to leave in squadron
+formation and manoeuver for an hour, and afterwards each is to make for
+the station on his own hook."
+
+Shortly thereafter the first signal was given. The machine was pushed
+out and lined up. At the second signal the machines were mounted. At the
+third tap the motors began to hum, and soon there was a movement in the
+whole line. It was a splendid spectacle, as the machines left the
+ground, and rose majestically toward the west, the direction from which
+the wind was blowing.
+
+The manoeuvers were particularly interesting to the boys, and the
+lieutenant led his section in the formation during the entire practice
+until the captain's flag on the great Duperdessun indicated that the
+machines were free. After making a great sweep to the west the
+lieutenant turned to the left, encircling the town, and pointed due
+east.
+
+Before they had proceeded fifteen kilometers, something happened to the
+engine, for it ceased to hum. They were then at an altitude of a mile,
+and inability to start the motor made it necessary for them to volplane
+to the earth. Sighting a considerable town to the left, which was
+located south of a canal, the machine was directed toward a smooth, open
+field, not far from the environs, and after landing they learned that
+the place was Ligny-en-Barrois.
+
+It was found that through some accident the petrol tank had started a
+leak, and that the liquid was slowly oozing out during the flight,
+without giving the first indication until the engines failed. It was
+just the kind of an accident which necessitated the removal of the
+reservoir in order to make the proper repair.
+
+"Which is the fastest machine?" asked Alfred, while they were waiting
+for the return of the reservoir.
+
+"The Morane, by all means," replied the lieutenant.
+
+"I thought the Caudrons were the best?" remarked Ralph.
+
+"It depends on what you mean by _best_," answered the lieutenant. "The
+different machines are used for various purposes, and while speed is
+important, there are other things just as necessary."
+
+"What other things?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Well, bomb-dropping for one thing; then, some machines are better
+adapted than others for directing artillery fire, or for using machine
+guns," said the lieutenant.
+
+"The captain has a Caudron," said Alfred, "and he doesn't use a gun on
+it either."
+
+"No; the Caudron is admirably adapted for observations, and is used
+almost wholly in France for directing artillery fire," answered the
+lieutenant.
+
+"It seems to me that this machine is good for observing," said Ralph.
+
+"Yes; and it is used for that purpose, but it is now being put to use
+for photographing purposes,--that is, most of the Maurice Farman types
+are so used," answered the lieutenant.
+
+"Why is that?" asked Alfred.
+
+"For two reasons; first, because you will see we can get a good view
+downward; and, second, because it is the most stable machine in flight,
+the latter making it especially well adapted to take good views,"
+replied the lieutenant.
+
+"Which are the largest ships?" asked Ralph.
+
+"The Voisin and the Breguet, by all means. They are able to carry heavy
+loads, and are used as bomb-dropping machines, as their fuselages are
+especially well adapted to carry and release the missiles," said the
+lieutenant.
+
+"But I saw a Voisin at one of the hangars which had a big gun on it,"
+said Ralph.
+
+"Ah, that was the Voisin Cannon, which carries a 37-millimetre gun,"
+said the lieutenant. "That is used for bombarding captive balloons and
+Zeppelins, if the latter should ever make their appearance."
+
+"A 37-millimetre gun?" repeated Alfred.
+
+"Yes; that's about one and a half inch in your measure," answered the
+lieutenant.
+
+Within an hour the reservoir was again in position, and there was no
+delay in again mounting into the air. "We might take a little trip due
+east, as far as Toul, and north of that point we may have the privilege
+of seeing some of the enemy," remarked the lieutenant, as they mounted
+the machine.
+
+A beautiful silver thread now appeared on the landscape to the east, as
+they reached their greatest altitude. Looking back there was a smaller
+thread to the west, and, apparently, the same distance from their
+viewpoint. They thus had the opportunity of seeing, at one glance, two
+of the most noted rivers which figure in the great war,--the Meuse to
+the east, and the Marne in the west, these streams at this point being
+within thirty miles of each other.
+
+It was, probably, imprudent for them to take an out-of-the-way course to
+reach their destination, but the temptation was very great. The sun was
+still shining brightly when they started from Ligny-en-Barrois, but it
+was now growing dark from the overspreading clouds, and as soon as Toul
+was sighted the lieutenant turned the machine northward.
+
+To the west it could now be seen that the threatening clouds were coming
+up, and they appeared to be sweeping toward the east with great speed,
+at right angles to the aviators' course.
+
+"I wonder what the lieutenant will do?" queried Ralph half to himself,
+as he looked at the clouds, and then glanced back to the officer.
+
+The lieutenant shook his head, and pointed the machine further to the
+left.
+
+"Why, I believe he is going right into it!" remarked Alfred in amazement
+to Ralph.
+
+But the officer now made a wide swinging turn. A view of the heavens
+indicated that the storm was an extensive one, and that the speed of the
+wind had increased most alarmingly, for, in looking down they seemed to
+stand still over the little hamlet beneath them. The wind, into which
+they were flying, was traveling at the same speed as the machine.
+
+There was but one course to follow. They must return to the earth,
+otherwise they would be driven far over into the German lines. By
+setting the control lever so as to depress the nose of the machine they
+rapidly descended, the lever being intermittently drawn back to a normal
+position, so as to keep the ship on an even keel and prevent it from
+performing a loop in the air.
+
+The landing was easily made, notwithstanding the wind, and they found
+they were near Commercy, west of the Meuse, about thirty-five miles
+south of Verdun. A terrific rainstorm then followed, which lasted more
+than an hour.
+
+"Were you ever in a rainstorm while flying?"
+
+"Never but once," replied the lieutenant, "and that was in thunder and
+lightning, too, which was the most terrific thing I ever went through."
+
+"Tell us about it!" said Alfred.
+
+"I almost shudder at it when I stop to think of the hour when I faced
+the lightning right where it is made," said the lieutenant. "It was in
+the second week of the war, just east of Rheims, when the Germans were
+sweeping across the frontier and had passed Charleville. I had a
+double-seated Nieuporte, with an assistant handling the machine, while I
+was making observations.
+
+"Shortly after getting the first glimpse of the moving German columns I
+noticed that it was growing dark, but when you are aloft that is not
+noticed as quickly as when on terra firma. The great hosts of Germans
+interested me intensely, and we kept on until I estimated that we were
+fully ten miles behind the advance columns, when my assistant shouted
+through the tube: 'Look back; what are your orders?'
+
+"I saw that to continue would be disastrous, so I gave the order to
+turn. This gave us the first opportunity to determine our speed, or, to
+state it more accurately, the speed of the wind, for you will recall
+that when we turned this afternoon, we seemed to stand still above the
+town.
+
+"Within ten minutes of the time I turned the machine to the west the
+first heavy rolling clouds seemed to meet us. The earth was quickly
+blotted from sight, and heavy rumblings were heard, but no indications
+of lightning. I knew that heavy black clouds were dangerous, and they
+were so black that it was impossible to see my assistant, three feet
+distant.
+
+"I could not decide what to do, so I finally shouted through the tube:
+'keep on a straight course to the west,' for I knew that to land at that
+point would bring us right into the great German column. There was no
+rain falling at the time, but the cloud was like the densest mist. The
+machine was still moving,--that is, the engine was merrily humming, and
+my assistant's voice startled me as he shouted: 'There is something
+wrong; compass out of order.'
+
+"During the flashes I could see him pointing to the compass, and I
+leaned over, and caught a glimpse of the dial. The pointer was swinging
+around violently. The lightning now seemed to be incessant, and the
+rumbling of the thunders was weird beyond description. Sometimes,
+immediately after a vivid flash, a thick spray would deluge our faces."
+
+"What were you thinking about while all this was happening?" asked
+Alfred.
+
+"What impressed me most was the wonderful difference between the
+appearance of those electrical discharges when viewed in the usual way
+from the surface of the earth. I did not notice any forked lightning,
+nor did it show itself in streaks, darting hither and thither. It seemed
+to be more like balls of fire, suddenly appearing here and there, and
+when each ball burst into flame, there would be a crackling sound, at
+any rate, so it seemed, for I dared not stop the engine.
+
+"But the most remarkable thing was the odor which was present. It had a
+pungent smell, not at all unpleasant, but decidedly exhilarating in its
+effects. I suppose we were taking in ample doses of laughing gas, for I
+assure you that after the first experience, we had no particular sense
+of danger. It was most fascinating, and I felt as though I was being
+raised up on my seat. Occasionally I would try to figure out how this
+would end, but on the whole it was devoid of terror."
+
+"How long were you in the storm?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Well, I was so fascinated that I had forgotten to look at the watch. I
+held it before me, and soon noticed that it was nearly five o'clock, so
+that we were over an hour and a half in the thick of it. During this
+experience what gave me the queerest feeling was the compass, the needle
+of which could not be seen, it swung around with such velocity. Were we
+going with the storm, or not? That was the thing uppermost in my mind.
+If we were being carried along we might be even in Belgium by the time I
+noted the watch.
+
+"Then I tried an experiment. I ordered my assistant to make a turning
+movement. This convinced me that we were really going with the storm,
+and were now far over into German territory. Strange as it may seem, we
+were not thrown hither and thither; the ship sailed along smoothly. I
+feared to make the next experiment,--that is, to direct the machine
+toward the earth, for, while everything worked perfectly, I had a
+feeling that it would be safer to reach the earth with an engine running
+than with a dead one. Slowly the machine went down; it seemed to get
+lighter, but now the thunder came in sharp claps, and the form of the
+lightning changed. I could distinctly see what the observer sees when on
+the earth, long, zig-zag streaks multiplied a hundred times more than
+anything I ever witnessed while on earth."
+
+"How high were you up when you got out of the clouds?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Seven hundred and seventy meters (about 2,900 feet), as indicated on
+the barometer."
+
+"Could you see the earth?" asked Alfred.
+
+"No, indeed; the rain was pouring down; it was splashing over us and all
+about us, and I signalled to go up again, and we soon entered the
+clouds; but during all this time the needle of the compass kept
+spinning, so that we knew nothing of the direction we were traveling."
+
+"But couldn't you tell which way the wind was blowing?" asked Ralph.
+
+"No; we were moving with the great air current, sometimes sailing with
+it, and at other times against it, but with nothing below to indicate
+the direction. We could not possibly say whether we were going north or
+south."
+
+"I think if I should be in the air and couldn't see the earth I would
+know a way to tell which way the storm was moving," said Ralph.
+
+"How?" asked the lieutenant, as he leaned forward.
+
+"Why, the rain would come down at an angle, if the wind should be
+blowing, wouldn't it?" replied Alfred.
+
+"Quite true, that would be the case on the earth; but it would not be so
+up where the raindrops are being formed; there the little particles of
+water move along with the wind stream; but that is not all; when you are
+in a machine in a great wind movement, the ship must move through the
+wind in one direction or the other at all times so as to keep aloft,
+hence, whether you are going with or against the wind, the rain drops
+appear to be coming down at an angle, and this, in itself would be
+sufficient to deceive you, or, at any rate prevent you from determining
+the direction in which you happened to be sailing."
+
+"How did you get down?" asked Alfred.
+
+"That was the interesting part of it. After a half hour more of flying I
+again ordered the assistant to go down two hundred meters. It was now
+evident that the storm was abating. Soon we again passed out of the rain
+clouds, and the assistant shouted that he had reached the level
+indicated. 'Go lower,' I shouted. As we did so it grew lighter, and we
+began to feel a relief. 'Lower yet,' I ordered. At 600 meters the rain
+poured steadily, but still nothing was visible."
+
+"You were up then about a half a mile," said Ralph.
+
+"Just about that," was the reply. "Soon we noticed a peculiar white
+patch, and then another. This was puzzle to me. 'Go still lower,' I
+shouted, and down went the machine. Then we saw some white houses, and I
+almost shouted for joy. But where could we be? We were passing over a
+city, a city located within the bend of a large river. I racked my brain
+to find out where and what it could be. If it was the river Meuse it
+might be Verdun, or Sedan, or Charleville. We were forced to go down
+still lower, and then I could see forts, and I felt sure we were over
+Sedan.
+
+"We were even then going east. I was so agitated that I could hardly
+speak, and motioned to my assistant to turn around. He understood, and
+the ship was swung around; we were now going right into the blinding
+rain, but we were fifty miles behind the German advance columns, and in
+order to enable us to make more rapid progress I told the assistant to
+change the course nearly due south. We were flying very low, certainly
+not over a thousand feet.
+
+"Thus far we had not seen a soldier, or any evidences of warfare. In a
+half hour we sighted another stream. My heart leaped with joy, for I was
+sure it must be the Aisne. To assure myself of this we followed the
+stream for twenty kilometers, and then the forests of Argonne came into
+sight, thus assuring me of the position. I knew that the army of the
+Crown Prince was in that region, and it would not be safe to descend; I,
+therefore, directed the machine to the west, crossed the river, and was
+about to go still lower, when I heard a boom,--several of them.
+
+"This startled me, you may be sure. 'Up, up!' I shouted. The machine
+obeyed. We rose to an altitude of eight hundred meters, then suddenly
+the engine stopped. My assistant turned and shouted: 'We have no
+petrol.' I crawled back and tested the tank. It was empty. 'Volplane to
+the south,' I said. It was the only thing I could do. Now that the
+engine was silent the sounds from the earth were startling. There was
+terrific firing to the right and left, and all about us; but we must go
+down; there was no help for that.
+
+"Soon the earth again came in sight, and then the location of the
+batteries was made out by the volumes of smoke, which could be seen at
+each volley. My assistant tried to hold up the machine as long as
+possible, but we were now down to 300 meters, then the barometer
+registered 250. We both noticed a large, apparently smooth field, and
+the final volplane began. We landed a hundred feet from a first-line
+trench, and although the Germans made it hot for us for about fifteen
+minutes we were soon able to reach the laterals and thus escape their
+fire. But the machine was in a bad condition when we rescued it that
+night. It was literally shot full of holes. What is left of it is now in
+the end warehouse where the scraps are kept."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A CHAPTER OF LESSONS ABOUT THE AEROPLANE
+
+
+Early the following morning there was intense activity in the camp, and
+Ralph was among the first to learn the cause of the excitement. Several
+army divisions had come up in the night, and were bound for the Verdun
+sector, and from the information obtained it was the intention of the
+commander to make a terrific assault in order to break the German lines
+north of the city.
+
+The lieutenant, when approached, admitted that they were now in for
+double duty. "Every man in the corps must report and be ready in the
+morning. There will be two days of observation, and then look out for
+some business."
+
+"When will we go to Verdun?" asked Ralph.
+
+"We are expecting orders at any moment," was the reply.
+
+During the previous afternoon more than fifty machines had assembled,
+and some of those were now leaving, a few going directly east, on
+observation tours, while others were circling about and testing the
+engines.
+
+"I am expecting a big Farman machine," said Lieutenant Guyon, as he
+returned from headquarters an hour afterwards, "that is equipped for
+carrying bombs, but I am told it is one of the speediest machines in the
+service. It will easily carry six hundred kilos in bombs (1,200 pounds),
+and we are ordered to wait here until it arrives."
+
+When the boys were alone, Alfred, with a glint of joy in his eyes,
+remarked: "I think that will give us an opportunity to do some flying
+with the lieutenant."
+
+"Do you think so?" replied Ralph, elated at the thought.
+
+"I am sure of that," said a voice behind them.
+
+They quickly turned and saw the lieutenant, who had entered unobserved.
+They saw by the smile on his face that the remark was an agreeable one,
+for he continued:
+
+"Yes, and the machine is now here; the men are at work setting it up; so
+we might as well go over and help out."
+
+A second invitation was not necessary. Ralph, who was outside in one
+bound, rushed across the field, but Alfred accompanied the lieutenant to
+the commandant's office, where they were provided with the receipt for
+the machine. The lieutenant remained here while Alfred carried the
+document to the warehouse. Within two hours the machine was in condition
+to receive the fuel and the supplies usually carried in the machines for
+emergencies.
+
+When the lieutenant returned he made a careful inspection, and on this
+occasion the boys followed every movement of his to learn what were the
+essential requirements in inspecting. Naturally, the most important
+thing was to know that every part of the frame is not only properly set
+up and the wires made taut, but that the fastenings, the turnbuckles,
+are in good condition. That necessitated a minute examination of every
+one of them.
+
+Then the planes were sighted to ascertain whether they were properly
+aligned. Sometimes when the planes are not exactly parallel with each
+other, the end of one, for instance, being set a little higher or lower
+than the other, it is usually corrected by letting out one or more sets
+of brace wires and taking up on others. This observation was followed by
+a careful look at the control planes. These are the sensitive parts of
+the plane, and may be likened to feelers, for the slightest warping of
+the horizontal tail planes will frequently cause the machine to fly with
+a skidding motion, not dangerous, but exceedingly uncomfortable when
+flying at a high rate of speed.
+
+"The wires leading to the control levers are always a source of worry to
+me," remarked the lieutenant, and he drew himself up into the rear part
+of the chassis. "You will notice that this one rubs along the side of
+that brace. I could not permit that," he said, as he glanced toward one
+of the workers.
+
+"Do you think it would weaken the brace?" asked Ralph.
+
+"No, it's not that," replied the lieutenant. "The difficulty is that
+all these wires are stranded, and as soon as one of the wires wears out
+by the frictional contact, another will give way, and the control wire
+is liable to part at the most critical time."
+
+The boys had occasion to remember the lieutenant's warning shortly
+thereafter. After an examination of the airplane structure an
+investigation was made of the engine. The mechanic turned it over to be
+sure that the compression was all right. Self-starters are provided on
+all these machines, as the French learned at an early day that it would
+be unwise to depend on cranking.
+
+Then a thorough inspection of the pipes and tubing for the fuel and
+lubrication was made. The dashboard of an aeroplane is a much more
+wonderful contrivance than the dashboard of an automobile. The aviator
+must look out for several things not necessary when traveling on land.
+
+The machine which they were examining had on it the most improved
+contrivances, which had been found desirable, some of which were
+entirely new to the boys, one of them being the inclinometer.
+
+"That must be a dandy thing," said Alfred, pointing to it.
+
+"I think there are only a few of the military machines which are
+supplied with them, but the order has been given to put them on all the
+new machines," said the lieutenant.
+
+"What are the two rods for?" asked Ralph, as he looked at the
+inclinometer.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 6. INSTRUMENT BOARD OF STANDARD AIRPLANE.
+
+1. Control Lever, with thumb switch. 2. Watch. 3. Altimeter, for
+registering height. 4. Compass. 5. Pressure Gages for two gasoline tanks
+6. Dial to register engine revolutions. 7. Switches for two magnetos. 8.
+Air Speed indicator. 9. Clinometer. 10. Oil Pulsator. 11. Gasoline
+supply system. 12. Engine crank and fly-wheel.]
+
+"The two rods which swing past the vertical bar, on which you see the
+numbers, indicate the angle at which the machine is going. All that is
+necessary is to observe the crossing point of the rod over the marked
+bar, and it will instantly tell what the angle of ascent or descent is.
+You see an aviator now has so many things to think of that he must have
+devices of various kinds which will constantly tell him anything or any
+condition without asking for it."
+
+"Why, this also tells how fast the engine turns," remarked Alfred.
+
+"Of what use is that?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Well; if you knew that the engine was capable, under full throttle, to
+make eighteen hundred revolutions a minute, and the dial showed that the
+shaft was turning only one thousand, you would quickly get the idea that
+something was wrong," answered the lieutenant.
+
+"Oh, yes; and then you would start to make an investigation at once
+without waiting for the engine to stop," said Alfred.
+
+"Exactly; it is there as a warning, just as a headache is a warning that
+something is wrong, or a pain, which is nature's way to indicate that an
+investigation should be made without delay," answered the lieutenant
+with a nod.
+
+Besides the foregoing, the dash had on it a watch. Now, a watch may be a
+convenient thing to have on an automobile, but it is not a necessity. On
+a scouting and observation plane it is one of the necessary implements.
+Alfred laughed, as he looked at the neat little clock face.
+
+"I suppose," he said, "we could get along without that."
+
+"Of course we could," answered the lieutenant. "But why get along
+without it when we now find it such a necessary element?"
+
+"Necessary how?" asked Ralph, in surprise.
+
+"In determining distances, for one thing," answered the lieutenant.
+
+"A watch to tell the distance?" asked Alfred incredulously.
+
+"Yes, indeed," responded the lieutenant. "If you saw a puff of smoke in
+the distance, and shortly thereafter heard a boom, the distance could be
+determined almost instantaneously by roughly calculating 1,200 feet for
+every second. You see, the clock there has a second hand, which is very
+plain, for that very purpose."
+
+"But suppose there is a regular battle on, it would be hard to tell
+about the boom from any particular gun, wouldn't it?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Quite true; in such a case it would be useless for that purpose.
+Another use is in signaling," continued the lieutenant. "For instance,
+in sending information to a battery, arrangement is sometimes made to
+flash the distance by means of second intervals."
+
+"How is that done?" asked Alfred, now growing intensely interested in
+the details of the dashboard mechanism.
+
+"It is an easy matter to signal numbers," answered the lieutenant and a
+favorite plan is to fly over the area where the enemy's battery is
+located, then flash at that altitude. The gunner will take the angle,
+set his piece and fire, the aviator, meanwhile, noting the course and
+effect of the shot. By means of the watch he can determine the distance,
+counting either by the time of flight of the missile, or by the elapsed
+time between the flash of the gun and the landing of the shot.
+
+The altimeter is another very important part of the equipment. It is a
+device which tells at a glance how high the machine is flying, and Ralph
+looked at it with a somewhat doubtful expression. The lieutenant saw the
+questioning lines on his face, and instantly divined the reason.
+
+"You are in doubt whether the altimeter can be relied on? Am I correct?"
+he asked.
+
+"Well, I suppose it is all right, but almost every time we have been up
+and took the readings, we found we were actually hundreds of feet less
+than the altimeter actually showed, so I am wondering if it is possible
+really to tell the exact height by that apparatus," remarked Alfred.
+
+"Yes, I understand what you mean," replied the lieutenant. "The other
+day, when we made the long flight from Bar-le-Duc, the device we had
+showed 900 meters, for it was an automatically registering barometer, as
+all of them practically are. When we returned I noted on the report book
+872 meters. Did you notice that?"
+
+"Yes, and I wondered at it at the time," said Alfred.
+
+"I knew that the general altitude of the country at that place, as
+indicated by the topographical charts, was 28 meters above sea level so
+I merely subtracted 28 from 900, and that showed how far up above the
+land we really were," said the lieutenant.
+
+"Of course, it's a satisfaction to know how high one is flying," said
+Ralph.
+
+"It is not only a satisfaction, but it is an absolute necessity for an
+aviator to know how high he is flying, if his mission is to convey any
+information to the batteries in the rear," said the lieutenant.
+
+"And how is that done?" asked Alfred.
+
+"By a system of triangulation," he replied. "In a few days we may have
+an opportunity to use the system, and I will explain it then so you can
+quickly grasp the subject."
+
+The air speed indicator was another interesting device, but at that the
+lieutenant shook his head as though doubting its general value.
+
+"Don't you think it's accurate?" inquired Alfred of the officer.
+
+"Oh, yes; it is as accurate as it can be made. In fact all devices,
+which are used to indicate the speed of the wind, are nearly perfect.
+That is not the difficulty. When it is used on a flying machine several
+new things enter into the problem, which makes it difficult for the
+instrument to be truthful."
+
+"What is the main trouble?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Well, suppose we are starting a flight against a wind, which is moving
+at the rate of, say, ten miles an hour," answered the lieutenant.
+"While in flight we note that, going against the wind, the air speed is
+sixty miles. Now, if we happened to stop suddenly so we were poised in
+the air, the indicator would show the air speed to be ten miles, so that
+we were really going only fifty miles. If, now, the machine is turned so
+that we are going at right angles to the movement of the wind, although
+we may be going actually through the air at a speed of seventy miles an
+hour, the indicator does not register the air speed at all, because it
+is in such a position that the air does not affect it and the only
+indication we have is the speed of the air relative to the movement of
+the machine,--or, to put it in a better way, I might say that the
+instrument only registers, in reality, the speed at which the aeroplane
+goes through the air, and no more."
+
+"But is that the only way to tell how fast we are going?" asked Ralph.
+
+"The best test is to take the engine revolutions. A certain machine
+after it has been properly tested in a calm, and also in wind currents
+of different velocities, will show a record of speed with the engine
+running at certain revolutions. An experienced aviator can judge pretty
+well, by experience, what the speed of the wind is, and, knowing the
+propeller speed, and the direction he is going relative to the wind, he
+can make a fair estimate of the speed of the machine."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A THRILLING EXPERIENCE IN THE AIR
+
+
+It was with feelings of joy that the boys stepped out of their tent the
+following morning to learn that the lieutenant had decided on a trial
+spin in the forenoon, preparatory to the real start, which was to take
+place at two in the afternoon. The engine was turned over, and the
+machine held down while the usual hour's running test was going on.
+Everything seemed to be in order, the engine was stopped and another
+inspection made when the lieutenant gave the order to mount the machine.
+
+In this type of military machine the swivel gun is at the extreme
+forward end, and the pilot directly behind the gunner, and at a slight
+elevation above the gun. Both gunner and pilot are housed in, and in
+most cases strapped to the body of the machine to prevent any accidental
+falling out, as there have been numerous accidents due to men being
+thrown from their perches.
+
+The boys found ample room in the forward pit, and at a word the machine
+was released and glided forward. The new machine gave them a sensation
+different from the former one, as it appeared to ride more easily and
+steadily. In fact, there is just the same difference in the motion of
+flying machines as there is in autos, some, the small machines, seeming
+to glide over the ground and impart every bump to the occupants, as
+might be expected of a light machine.
+
+A heavy flying machine, however, seems to move along with the utmost
+ease, and does not sway from side to side when sailing through cross
+currents. Naturally, such a machine is a more stable base for machine
+guns as well as for observation.
+
+Alfred's particular hobby was kodaking. On this occasion, the first time
+he had an opportunity, he prepared himself with a camera. The
+lieutenant, learning of Alfred's penchant in this direction, had a
+regulation government instrument sent over, and attached to the machine,
+to Alfred's surprise.
+
+Before starting out, the lieutenant said: "I want to give you some
+points now, in using the camera. Photographs, in order to have any
+military value, must be identified,--that is, they must be made at such
+altitudes, and with reference to certain marked characteristics on the
+earth, that we may be able to place them on the topographical maps of
+the particular section, and thus verify them day after day."
+
+"What do you mean by verifying them day after day?" asked Alfred.
+
+"I mean by that to see what changes have taken place in the same view
+between the taking of the two pictures," replied the officer.
+
+"Well, what possible changes could take place in a day or two?" asked
+Ralph in astonishment.
+
+"A great many, and very important ones, too," answered the lieutenant.
+"The camera sees what the eye does not notice. If a picture is taken of
+a certain section today, and the following day another picture is
+snapped, a comparison of the two will show whether or not there has been
+a movement of troops, or, whether or not a certain undistinguishable
+object was something movable, or not."
+
+"Is that the way the map of the enemy's country is made up?" asked
+Alfred.
+
+"Yes, and every detail is noted, so that when you commence the work be
+careful to notice something which will distinguish the exact place where
+you are located; also put down the direction of the flight over that
+same area, and the altitude at which we are flying."
+
+As the machine glided over the treetops and the village on the northern
+border of the Meuse, the sun shone out with intense brilliancy. They
+were going directly east, and both boys turned toward the lieutenant,
+their eyes seeming to say: "So you are going to take a peep at the
+front, by way of experiment?" which was exactly what the lieutenant
+purposed doing.
+
+The altimeter now registered 1800 meters, considerably over a mile high.
+From that point they could see to Verdun, and thirty miles east of
+Verdun, could be noted the blurred outlines and surroundings of Metz,
+that greatest of all fortified German defences. On they went for nearly
+three-quarters of an hour until a stream of some magnitude appeared to
+the east, which they soon crossed.
+
+They afterwards learned that this was the Mosel, which flows through
+Metz. The latter city now loomed up so it could be plainly seen, and to
+their right was another town, Nancy, a fortified French place. They were
+about midway between the two places.
+
+Suddenly an aeroplane appeared to the right, and the lieutenant turned
+the machine in that direction. The boys were relieved to see the great
+circle on the control planes of the machine in the distance, which
+showed them it was a French reconnoitering airplane. In the east several
+other machines were noticed hovering about, and the lieutenant at first
+headed directly for them, but he soon turned to the north.
+
+Below were seen numerous flashes of guns, and they knew from this that
+the fighting lines must be along the river. The most startling thing
+which occurred was a tremendous explosion that seemed to be right in the
+machine itself, and they looked around startled at the suddenness of it,
+for everything seemed peaceful enough to them at that altitude.
+
+The lieutenant turned the machine, however, as he apprehended more
+trouble, now that the gunners below had so luckily secured a fair range.
+The first shot was followed in another moment by another, and the
+lieutenant now began to dart the machine back and forth, and turn it in
+short, sharp circles.
+
+Another explosion took place, this time remarkably close, and pieces of
+the flying machine came down, and brushed past the boys. The lieutenant
+shook his head, as the boys glanced back. The machine was now circling
+around, a peculiar manoeuver, the boys thought, as they looked at each
+other for a possible explanation.
+
+Ralph looked back, and noticed that the lieutenant, with an alarmed look
+on his face, was constantly glancing back to the tail planes. The
+steering lever seemed to be jammed. Ralph had an idea that something was
+wrong, and crawled over the body until he was alongside of the
+lieutenant. The latter pointed to the control lever, and Ralph
+understood.
+
+Without waiting for instructions from the lieutenant, he cautiously made
+his way along the chassis, following up the wires which were indicated
+by the lieutenant. Within four feet of the tail plane Ralph halted.
+Then, reaching down, he succeeded in grasping a dangling wire, and held
+up the end for the lieutenant's inspection. After several attempts he
+found the other end of the wire, which had been severed by a shot from a
+shrapnel shell.
+
+The ship was still circling around, so without waiting to repair the
+break Ralph turned the rudder, and, glancing at the lieutenant, saw the
+latter smile, and then by motions direct him to give the control plane a
+still further push in the right direction. It was impossible for Ralph
+to hear anything the lieutenant said, but as soon as the airplane was
+fairly headed for the west, the power was shut off, and the machine
+began to descend.
+
+"Good boy!" shouted the lieutenant. "Can you fasten them together?" he
+asked.
+
+"I am afraid not," replied Ralph. "A piece seems to have been shot away.
+But I can take care of it if you will only direct me to pull it to the
+right or to the left."
+
+"All right, then. Do you see that great patch of green, directly beyond
+the castle?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"I can see it plainly," replied Ralph. "Shall I steer for it?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, no. We must come up from the south. Note the direction of the wind
+from the smoke. Make a long sweep. We are now at an altitude of 1200
+meters. We can volplane twelve kilometers from this height," remarked
+the lieutenant.
+
+The turn was made to the south in a long sweep, Ralph continually
+glancing forward to note the direction indicated by the lieutenant.
+
+"Now straight ahead, and hold steady."
+
+They were now rapidly approaching the earth; the machine gliding over
+the tops of the trees at the border of the forest that ran along the
+river bank. To their right, across the river, was a large town,
+Pont-a-Mousson, and the castle ahead of them was a large school, from
+which even then hundreds of children were emerging, and excitedly
+rushing toward the approaching machine.
+
+Down went the machine at a sharper angle; then, when close to the earth,
+the rear control was sharply turned, and the nose of the ship raised up,
+but for an instant only, when the machine settled down, and, after
+running along a hundred feet, stopped.
+
+The agitated children pressed about, and the lieutenant tried in vain to
+keep them off. Some more venturesome than others, after seeing Ralph and
+Alfred, began to question them. To the relief of the boys they learned
+that the French out-posts were less than a mile distant.
+
+"Let us make the repairs as rapidly as possible," said the lieutenant.
+
+An examination showed that not only was the control wire cut in two
+places, but the vertical plane had its pivot shot away, thus accounting
+for the peculiar action of the lever, which seemed to jam whenever an
+attempt was made to turn it to the right. Ralph did not know this, while
+seated astride the body and manipulating the plane, and it was obvious
+that even though he had succeeded in splicing the wire, it would have
+been impossible, with the rudder in that condition, to turn by means of
+the wire controls.
+
+Assisted by the machinist from the garage belonging to the owner of the
+school, they completed the repairs in an hour, and, hungry though they
+were, they again went aloft and sailed for their camp, which was reached
+after an absence of three hours.
+
+They thus had less than a hour to get a hurried meal and prepare to
+line up with the squadron, to carry out the orders for the movement to
+the north. They were now going to that section of the fighting line in
+France where the most intense struggles up to that time had taken place,
+and where, ever since the opening of the conflict the most stupendous
+operations were being carried out to gain the mastery.
+
+Imagine, if you can, the sight that met their gaze, as they took their
+place on the extreme right of the three squadrons, which were about to
+launch on this memorable occasion. They were about twenty miles south of
+the city of Verdun. The extreme northern aviation base was not more than
+eight miles southwest of the city, located on a level plain east of the
+forest of Argonne, and close to the Aire river, a tributary of the
+Aisne.
+
+The trip was a short one, as the actual flying distance was less than
+fifteen miles. Long before they reached the scene of the great camp,
+they could see the thousands of vehicles, and the hundreds of thousands
+of soldiers, on the highways, in the fields, and around the villages
+along the two main railways which threaded their way along the wide
+valleys between the Meuse and the Aire.
+
+During every mile of the trip they were under the constant vigilance of
+the officers, who moved them into echelon, formed them into squares, or
+caused them to trail in columns of two or three, the object being to
+accustom the pilots to obey and execute signals while in flight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A FIGHT AND A LANDING IN BELGIUM
+
+
+The day following their arrival at the field base, as it was called,
+they found a wonderful change in the order and arrangement of the place.
+Everything was done in the most systematic way. So many machines, from
+each squadron, were told off each morning for certain duties. Those
+duties were as follows: First, scouting. This meant ascertaining where
+the enemy was most active; where the batteries were located; noting the
+movement of troops, and their general character.
+
+Scouts generally operate in pairs, for if it is impossible to signal
+back from the ships, one continues the work while the other makes a
+signaling report from such point or points in the rear as will make the
+information useful.
+
+The next duty is to protect the scouts from interference. This work is
+carried on by the large ships, which are usually provided with rapid
+fire guns. They need not, necessarily, be speedy, for they are to keep
+in touch with the speedy scout ships, the latter of which sail around
+over a small area so the observations can be carried on as leisurely as
+possible.
+
+Third come the bomb-throwers, usually heavy-powered machines, generally
+not armed, as all the carrying power is devoted to the transportation of
+bombs. These are also guarded by the heavily armed machines. Sometimes,
+as in the case of the Farman machine, which the lieutenant used, they
+were used for scouting, and were also serviceable for fighting purposes.
+
+In the early period of the war there were not many pilots capable of
+doing the duty required in all branches of the service. It was
+frequently the case that the aviator would command a ship with a gun on
+it and do double duty, acting as scout, or he would chase and fight an
+enemy, manipulating the gun while manoeuvering the machine. It was the
+sort of duty in which Lieutenant Guyon was engaged at the time he was
+promoted to the command, and supplied with the new type of machine.
+
+Naturally, as commander of the squadron, he was at liberty to take any
+one he desired in his flights, and as he had a real affection for the
+boys, he took delight in having them accompany him on many of his
+exploits. It was the custom for the lieutenant to entrust the piloting
+of the machine to one of the boys, while he acted as a scout. Frequently
+Ralph would perform this duty, while Alfred, with his camera engaged,
+under the direction of the lieutenant, taking such photos as were deemed
+necessary to supplement the Department maps.
+
+Thus over a month was spent in scouting duty, and, as the weather
+became somewhat chilly, especially in the evenings, they never went
+aloft without being well muffled up. One morning the lieutenant called
+out to the boys that they were likely to have a busy day before them, as
+the weather was unusually mild for the season.
+
+When they arrived at the hangar the machine was already out of the shed,
+and the lieutenant was busy with the charts in consultation with the
+officer of the day. Evidently something unusual was afoot, for they
+waited more than an hour before the lieutenant re-appeared.
+
+"You might wrap up well," he said. "I have ordered a good luncheon, as
+we shall have a good long scouting area to cover."
+
+"Which way are we going?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Directly across the city, and then to the east. There is some unusually
+active business going on between this and Metz."
+
+"Think I had better load up the camera pretty well, even though it is a
+little misty," said Alfred.
+
+"By all means," responded the lieutenant.
+
+It was eleven o'clock before all was ready, when the lieutenant,
+addressing Ralph, said: "After we pass over Verdun, going east, we cross
+what is called the La Pietrie forests. The principal towns we shall
+visit are Conflans and Briey, both within the German lines. Through
+those towns are the principal railway lines which supply the enemy
+forces to the west with provisions and ammunition. We have eight bombs
+aboard to be used at convenient points. After lightening up the machine
+by disposing of them we may make a visit to Longwy, a town twenty-two
+miles north of Verdun. We ought to have good maps of the railroad
+sections over there."
+
+As they arose the weather was somewhat hazy, so it was difficult to make
+observations at high altitudes. They, therefore, ascended at available
+points, and took a number of snapshots. To the left the Meuse river, and
+the edge of the forest beyond were distinctly visible, although they
+were then registering an altitude of more than 5,000 feet, and were five
+miles east of the river. To the east was an impenetrable haze, so the
+lieutenant directed the machine toward the river, and soon the German
+encampment and lines were visible through Barencourt.
+
+All were on the alert to notice signs of the enemy's machines, for they
+were now in such a position that the Germans would be most likely to
+observe them, but there was not an indication that they would be
+molested. They then turned the machine to the northeast where a bridge
+was visible in the distance, and the lieutenant shouted through the
+tube:
+
+"Make for the first bridge; follow the track on this side for a quarter
+of a mile, so as to give me a chance to aim. Then take the second bridge
+to the north further on, and in doing so pass the factory beyond."
+
+"I understand," said Ralph.
+
+The track was reached, and directions followed. Long before they were
+over the bridge the lieutenant pushed down the lever which released a
+bomb, which could plainly be seen at first, but they soon lost sight of
+the flying missile. A moment later the second bomb was released. How
+long it seemed for even the first bomb to reach the earth! As they were
+directly over the bridge an explosion was plainly visible. The first
+bomb had missed the bridge, but before they had time to comment on it
+the second one burst at the end of the bridge, and one of the spans went
+down.
+
+[Illustration: _A Dangerous Position_]
+
+The factory was now in view. "Go down lower," shouted the lieutenant.
+
+Alfred nudged the lieutenant, and pointed to the north. "That looks like
+an airship," he said.
+
+"So it is," replied the lieutenant, after a hasty glance. "But we must
+attend to this little business first," he continued, as his foot was
+extended down to the bomb dropper.
+
+"You have hit it!" shouted Alfred in glee. "Now for the other bridge."
+
+They were not as successful with the last structure, although three
+bombs were expended on it.
+
+"Now, where is the flyer you saw?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"It went easy just before we reached the second bridge," said Alfred. "I
+don't see it now."
+
+"Then I suppose we shall have to go to Longwy to find where it is," said
+the lieutenant. "Can you see the city beyond?" he continued, pointing to
+the north. "Go to the left of the city," he said through the tube.
+
+"Why did you tell him to go to the left?" asked Alfred.
+
+"In that way we can avoid the long range aircraft guns, which we know
+are mounted in the forts to the east of the town," was the reply.
+
+They were soon on the northern side of the town, and in looking south
+they were surprised to see two machines, one making for the east and the
+other seeming to fly directly toward them.
+
+"That fellow will be a little surprised when he finds what he has to
+deal with," said the lieutenant with a chuckle.
+
+"It's a Fokker, isn't it?" shouted Ralph through the tube.
+
+"Quite right; when I give the signal turn to the left, and describe a
+sharp circle. I'll fool him," said the lieutenant.
+
+The signal came; the machine veered around just as the Fokker came
+plainly into sight. As the turn was made the lieutenant turned the
+machine gun to the other side, and when the sight was cleared past the
+wings he gave the first turn of the crank to the gun.
+
+There was a hum and a succession of cracks, which seemed to surprise the
+man in the Fokker. He evidently thought that the French machine was
+trying to get away, or it never would have ventured so close.
+
+"The other machine is coming!" cried Alfred.
+
+"Here is where we can get in the fun," said the lieutenant. "Make a
+straight line for the one coming up in the east. Go on until I signal."
+
+This was a most audacious move, and while Ralph was guiding the machine
+toward the stranger the lieutenant poured a constant stream of shot into
+the first comer. It must not be assumed, however, that the German
+machines were idle during this period. Both were firing, but the shots
+went wild, especially after the daring move just made.
+
+"Up! up! as high as you can go!" was the next order.
+
+The machine tilted, and the lieutenant looked back at Ralph approvingly.
+"She is a dandy climber," said the lieutenant musingly. "Now I'd like to
+see them follow a bit."
+
+One of the machines actually tried to imitate them, but the other ship
+was noticed wavering and swaying from side to side.
+
+"Something is the matter with that fellow," said Alfred.
+
+"Yes; he's done for, and we can easily polish off the other one,"
+remarked the lieutenant, as he watched the falling machine. "Now turn
+around quickly and dive for the one who is trailing us," said the
+lieutenant through the tube.
+
+Ralph banked the machine, and brought it around as quickly as possible.
+The machine was not a quick-turning one, but the oncoming machine was
+not prepared for the manoeuver, for it seemed to hesitate which way to
+go. If it went to the left it would be impossible to use its gun, and if
+it turned to the right it would be at the mercy of the Frenchman's gun.
+The only remedy was to dive; down went the machine at a sharp angle. The
+lieutenant's shots went wild, but they were soon rid of their
+troublesome companion.
+
+"I suppose we'll have the whole German flying corps after us now," said
+the lieutenant. "Turn for home."
+
+No sooner had they turned than another machine came up, this time a most
+determined fellow.
+
+"Up! up!" again came the command, "and keep pointing that way. You might
+also veer to the left."
+
+This time it was one of the well-known Taubes, with the disadvantage,
+however, that she was a tractor,--that is, had the propeller in front,
+like the Bleriot monoplane, so that it prevented the driver from
+shooting head on, whereas the Farman biplane was a pusher,--that is, had
+the gun mounted in front, and the propeller behind the planes. During
+the evolution of circling, however, the biplane had to present a
+broadside, which gave the Taube a chance to pour in a stream of shot,
+many of which took effect.
+
+"That was a close shot!" shouted Ralph through the tube. The lieutenant
+looked back, and pointed to the tube. A shot had gone through it,
+causing Alfred and Ralph to look at each other in undisguised dismay.
+
+[Illustration: _A Safety Manoeuver_]
+
+At every turn the lieutenant ground out the shot, and soon the barometer
+registered a height of 6,400 feet. Two miles more and the Taube made a
+peculiar turn, and glided to the right.
+
+"You have hit him," said Alfred in excitement, and the lieutenant
+stopped churning.
+
+"It seems like it," was the reply. "When we come back on the circle, go
+lower," he said to Ralph, "and I can finish him."
+
+As they crept up closer and closer, the lieutenant, with his hand on the
+crank, waited for the final chance. Like a dying gladiator the Taube
+turned, and a most terrific storm of shot came from the quick firer.
+This was the only time that the boys actually heard the thuds of the
+striking missiles on the body of the machine. It proved to be the last
+effort of the Taube; it dropped away, but still held its upright
+position.
+
+Instantly the engine of the biplane stopped. The lieutenant, with his
+hand still on the crank, turned and shouted:
+
+"What is the matter?"
+
+There was dead silence, and sudden darkness, for they could not see in
+either direction. They had entered a dense cloud.
+
+"Have we started on the down glide?" continued the lieutenant.
+
+"I am trying to hold it up," said Ralph. As he spoke they emerged from
+the cloud, but the Taube was nowhere in sight.
+
+"Try the starter," said the lieutenant feverishly.
+
+"Can't do it," was the reply.
+
+"Then hold it steady while I examine the tank," said the lieutenant. He
+leaned over, and almost immediately exclaimed: "The connection is shot
+away."
+
+"I will make a long glide if you can fix it in the meantime," said
+Ralph.
+
+"No; I will connect the other tank," was the reply.
+
+It required less than a minute to perform this operation, but despite
+the repair the engine would not turn.
+
+After another examination the lieutenant looked up from the pit, and
+said: "It's all up now. The other tank is also empty."
+
+The barometer now showed that they were only a little over three
+thousand feet above the earth. A landing must be made, that was evident;
+but where? Alfred pointed to a forest, directly east.
+
+"That might be a good place to come down, because there doesn't seem to
+be any houses there."
+
+"Just the place if we can find a spot big enough," said the lieutenant.
+
+With his field glasses he scanned the forest.
+
+"Do you see that strip of dark green a little to the left? That is a
+clear space, I am sure. Steer for that after circling around. We are
+still high enough to enable us to make a careful observation of the
+spot."
+
+The machine descended in its regular glide, and they passed over the
+indicated spot.
+
+"That is a dandy place if you can hit it right," said Alfred.
+
+It was narrow, not more than a hundred feet wide, but it extended
+diagonally up the hill, not the most desirable place to land, by any
+means, but it was the only thing to be done.
+
+"Where shall I land?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Try to strike the second clump of brush; do you see what I mean?" asked
+the lieutenant, his words tumbling over each other in his haste.
+
+"I can do it," was the reply.
+
+"May you have good luck," said the lieutenant.
+
+They approached the end of the open space between the trees. Fortunately
+the wind was not blowing, and the fuselage struck the first clump of
+brush, but they passed over it without difficulty. Ralph then threw up
+the elevator sharply, and the front end tilted, while the body of the
+machine sank down gently, and the landing was made without a jar.
+
+"That was the most beautiful thing I ever saw. You deserve great credit
+for that piece of work," said the lieutenant, as he leaned back and
+patted Ralph.
+
+They leaped from the machine, and for a moment stood there helpless with
+the reaction which set in, the boys, particularly, being influenced by
+the great strain. The lieutenant was the first to speak: "Well, here we
+are in a pretty fix; but it might be worse," he said.
+
+"No; we haven't a drop of petrol left," said Ralph ruefully. "Both tanks
+were perforated."
+
+They sat down to consider the situation. It was now past five o'clock,
+and although it was generally the custom to take luncheon with them on
+these trips, the extra amount which had been stored was barely
+sufficient for a half meal. The sun was going down, and they had no idea
+of their location except that, by calculating, the lieutenant judged
+they might be fifteen miles northeast of Longwy. Everything was still,
+except the evening chirrup of the birds.
+
+"It is too late to do any investigating tonight; but our first duty in
+the morning must be to arrange for food," said the lieutenant.
+
+Fortunately, they had taken the precaution to carry plenty of wraps, so
+they were not at all uncomfortable. They gathered leaves, made up
+comfortable berths, and, after a most exciting day, slept soundly all
+night.
+
+As soon as the first grey of the morning sun lightened up they arose,
+and began an investigation of the surrounding vicinity. A reconnoitering
+journey was proposed, as, during the night, faint whistles of
+locomotives could be heard coming from the east.
+
+"That is the direction we must go," said the lieutenant, as they
+prepared themselves for the trip.
+
+They entered a dense forest, setting their course by the compass, and
+marched due east for an hour without seeing the first sign of
+habitation, when they were suddenly startled by a locomotive whistle,
+which could not be more than a mile away. They drew back and listened
+for a time, then cautiously crept forward, looking for an opening. A
+quarter of a mile to the left they discovered a wagon trail leading to
+the north.
+
+This began to look as though some one might be living in the vicinity.
+The trail was followed, as cautiously and as closely as possible, and a
+mile beyond a cabin was sighted. This was the time for them to exercise
+care, but they felt sure the people living there would sympathize with
+them.
+
+"You see, we are in Belgium now, and they hate the Germans," said the
+lieutenant. "I suppose we are close to the border of Luxemburg, and the
+people there feel the same as the Belgians."
+
+"Do you know a place in Belgium called Bovigny?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Yes," responded the lieutenant. "That is on the other side of
+Luxemburg, close to the frontier. Why do you ask?"
+
+"That is where we entered Belgium, and near where we assisted in
+capturing the auto load of Germans," said Alfred.
+
+"Yes, Bovigny is less than forty miles from this place," said the
+lieutenant.
+
+"Isn't that strange," said Ralph. "Here we are, close to the place where
+we started on this excursion. Why, we made a regular circle to get
+here," and they laughed at the situation.
+
+It was now past six o'clock in the morning. No one was in sight, and
+they assumed it might be too early for the people, so they waited for an
+hour; still there was no sign that the cabin was occupied.
+
+"I suppose we might as well go closer and investigate." They went
+forward without seeing a sign of life, except a dozen or more chickens,
+which were scattered over the lawn to the rear of the cabin. "If there
+is any one there a whistle might bring them out," continued the
+lieutenant.
+
+There was no response, and after waiting a short time they circled about
+the house, and they saw that the front door was open, but there was no
+furniture within. They then boldly approached, and began to examine the
+contents of the rooms. Not a scrap of food was found, although ants and
+other vermin were numerous, and there was a mouldy smell in the second
+room, there being only two compartments or rooms. While they were
+searching about, two chickens appeared at the door, and with a common
+instinct the boys encouraged a closer acquaintance, to the amusement of
+the lieutenant. One of the chickens was finally trapped, and a meal was
+soon prepared and cooked in the oven. They had barely time to finish the
+repast, when a shot was heard in the woods to the south, at which they
+hurriedly left the cottage, and rushed to the nearest clump of brush
+across the clearing. A second shot followed, evidently quite near, but
+apparently from the same direction as the first.
+
+"They are probably hunters," remarked the lieutenant.
+
+"Isn't our machine over in that direction?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Undoubtedly," said the lieutenant.
+
+"I wonder what they would do if they found it?" queried Alfred.
+
+"I think it would be perfectly safe if the hunters are natives. I am
+sure they would suspect the truth, for they would at once recognize it
+as a French machine," replied the lieutenant.
+
+"Would it be safe to go in that direction?" asked Alfred.
+
+"That was in my mind," replied the lieutenant. "As we must find some
+one in this region, and they seem to me to be the most likely fellows to
+approach, come on," he added.
+
+They hurriedly went forward, expecting every minute to catch sight of
+the hunters. Their progress was slow, as the ground was full of leaves,
+and the wood thick; besides, there was considerable underbrush. They
+thus wearily tramped on and on for more than an hour, covering a
+distance which should have brought them close to the location of their
+machine. Despite all their efforts it could not be found nor the place
+located.
+
+The only remedy was to retrace their steps and go back to the cabin, and
+from that place they could readily follow the wagon road back to the
+place where they emerged from the woods. The cottage was reached shortly
+after noon, and an hour was spent in catching several of the chickens
+and roasting them, so that it was in the middle of the afternoon before
+they again retraced their steps back to the starting point.
+
+Here another difficulty presented itself. They could not find the place
+where they first reached the trail, so they sat down to wait for the
+welcome sound of a train to guide them. Even that aid was denied them,
+and as darkness was now coming on a suitable place was found to rest for
+the night at the base of an uprooted tree. There the night was spent in
+comparative comfort, as, fortunately, the weather still continued mild
+and agreeable.
+
+The matter of food now became a vital one, but so, also, was the
+necessity of locating the airplane. The matter was debated, and the
+lieutenant finally said: "We must find our machine; from that point I
+think we should strike to the west. It would be unwise for us to
+approach the railroad to the east, as that is in the hands of the
+Germans, and every mile of it is patrolled."
+
+By means of the compass they trudged to the west, and soon reached
+familiar ground. As they were about to enter the open space, which was
+recognized as their landing place, voices were heard. The three glanced
+at each other in dismay, until Alfred's keen ears detected a French word
+or two, of which he quickly advised his companions.
+
+"I will call to them in French," said the lieutenant.
+
+He did so, and the two men, for the lieutenant could now distinctly see
+them, were startled, but in another moment returned an answer.
+
+"We are French," said the lieutenant. "That is our machine, and we have
+been reconnoitering."
+
+"We are friends," said one of the men.
+
+In another moment the lieutenant and the boys were at the machine, and
+grasped the hands of the hunters. "We are Belgians," continued the man.
+
+"Where are we?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"In the forest, north of Messanoy," was the reply.
+
+"Are there any Germans near?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"Yes, at St. Leger, to the north, and at the junction of Arlon, to the
+northeast. But troops are constantly going along both roads to Longwy
+and Metz," replied one of the spokesmen.
+
+"Where can we get something to eat?" was asked.
+
+"Ah, we can arrange that," said one of the men with a smile. "Follow
+us."
+
+On the way the lieutenant learned a great deal of the system in force by
+the Germans. They were conducted north, through the woods for fully a
+mile where they reached a wagon trail. Here the lieutenant stopped.
+
+"Where does this trail lead?" he asked.
+
+"From the railway station on the east line to a little village on the
+west side of the forest," was the answer.
+
+"Then we were on this trail yesterday," said Ralph.
+
+If they had gone a quarter of a mile farther, after reaching the
+cottage, they could have seen the first cottage in the village. It was
+also learned that the two men were the hunters whose shots were heard
+the previous day while at the cabin. The men lived a quarter of a mile
+from the village, in the elevated part, near the border of the forest,
+and like true Belgians were glad to help their French brothers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+EXCITING EXPLOITS ON LAND
+
+
+"That is the place where I live," said the elder of the two men, as he
+pointed to a low cottage on the side of a hill, "and Raoul here lives
+below the turn. We must approach the house cautiously, for we know spies
+to be in this part of the country."
+
+"I will go ahead," said Raoul. "Follow and go up to your house through
+the orchard."
+
+They tarried by the roadside until the signal appeared. Upon reaching
+the house they were greeted by Felix's wife, for that was the name Raoul
+bestowed on his friend. A good meal was soon spread before them, and in
+the meantime the lieutenant was plied with questions, as the people in
+that section had no opportunities for learning what was really taking
+place in the outside world.
+
+Finally the lieutenant asked: "Do you know of any place where we could
+get some petrol?"
+
+The men mused for a while, and shook their heads. "You know," Felix
+said, "everything around here is controlled by the Germans, and petrol
+is one of the things that is kept strictly under guard."
+
+"Do you know the place where they store it?" inquired the lieutenant.
+
+"Yes, but it would be dangerous to attempt to get any of it," said
+Raoul.
+
+"I have a plan," said Felix, "but we cannot do anything before night. I
+know every step of the way to the station, and will take you there this
+evening."
+
+"Good!" said the lieutenant. "In the meantime, give me a diagram of the
+station, and the roads leading to it. That will help me to become
+familiar with the surroundings."
+
+For the next hour the lieutenant was busily engaged in learning all
+about the country, and where the stores and ammunition were kept.
+
+"I think we might as well have some of that petrol," said the lieutenant
+with a smile, as he looked at the boys, who nodded their approval, as
+they were keen to participate in the plans which the lieutenant had
+formed.
+
+That night, after ten o'clock, they appeared at their place of
+concealment, for it was thought wise to keep away from the house in the
+event any of the prying neighbors should happen in. Together they
+cautiously found their way to the railway and walked along the track
+until the first switch was reached. While waiting there so that Felix
+could point out the different objects, Ralph drew the lever, and set it
+so the first train would take the switch.
+
+The lieutenant saw it and nodded approvingly. Ahead a few hundred feet
+was a low building, which was reached by the track which led from the
+switch.
+
+"The guards are stationed at that shed across the track, and sometimes
+they come over," said Felix.
+
+"But is the building open?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"There are no doors; only open arches. The tanks can be loaded and
+unloaded from the tracks," was the answer.
+
+They were carrying three vessels, such as are usually employed for
+transporting petrol in small quantities, and nearing the shed the
+lieutenant said: "Remain here and await my orders. I will go ahead and
+investigate."
+
+With two of the receptacles in his hands he crouched as low as possible,
+and made his way along the track, but before reaching the structure he
+left the track, and approached the shed from the south side. He was gone
+for more than fifteen minutes, and when he returned with the receptacles
+filled he immediately seized the other, returning with it also filled in
+a few minutes.
+
+"Now, take these to the cross road, and out of sight. I will be there in
+fifteen minutes," and saying this he quietly left them.
+
+The boys and Felix carried the cans to the designated place with the
+greatest care, for the fluid was precious to them. No sooner had they
+hidden the receptacles when something like a flash of lightning
+illuminated everything about them, and this was followed by an
+explosion.
+
+Felix gasped as he gazed in the direction of the sheds, for he divined
+the cause. The boys, too, were startled.
+
+"I wonder if the lieutenant did that?" asked Ralph.
+
+"I have no doubt of it," replied Felix.
+
+"Do you really think he did it? I wonder if he is hurt?" said Alfred,
+his voice in a tremor.
+
+They waited for more than a half hour. What if the lieutenant had been
+caught in the catastrophe? They could see the soldiers at the station
+rushing hither and thither, and the people were going toward the station
+from all directions.
+
+"Mighty good thing we hid in this place," said Felix.
+
+Felix and the boys were now in consternation, and as they had about
+decided to go up to their former place of concealment, the headlight of
+a train approached from the south. It slowed down a little as it neared
+the station.
+
+"The switch!" was Ralph's exclamation. As he said that the train reached
+the switch, and turned to the track leading to the fiercely burning
+shed. Half of the train ran through a sea of fire before it could be
+checked. It was a terrifying sight, and Ralph shook with fear at the
+sight. Fortunately, it was a freight train, or the toll of death would
+have been awful.
+
+"This begins to look bad for us. I am afraid the lieutenant has been
+captured. This place is getting to be too dangerous, and we must leave
+at once," said Felix, as he seized one of the cans.
+
+"I will go down and see what the trouble is," said Alfred, but Felix
+shook his head. Nevertheless, although Ralph also remonstrated, and
+insisted on accompanying him, Alfred had his way. One would be safer
+than two, he thought, and without further words he crawled along the
+fence, avoiding contact with those who were in the near vicinity.
+
+A few minutes after Alfred left, the lieutenant returned, and was
+shocked to learn of Alfred's journey.
+
+"Take these cans up to the house, and I will go back and try to find
+him," he told them.
+
+Alfred, meanwhile, had reached the track near the switch, and not far
+from the rear end of the burning train. As he was about to cross the
+track his foot struck an object, and he fell across the track. He was
+surprised to see several men appear and gaze at him, and it must be
+admitted that he was decidedly nervous over the situation. However, he
+did not venture to say anything, but quickly started at the fire, for he
+now stood with others, in the full glare of the flames. As no one paid
+any attention to him, it occurred to him that he had as much right there
+as the villagers.
+
+All about him he heard criticisms of the calamity, and some one
+suggested that the fire and explosion was caused by a French airship,
+and, in fact, this seemed to be the general opinion.
+
+Alfred wandered about listlessly, now feeling assured that the people
+knew nothing of the lieutenant, for he was certain that the news of the
+capture of a Frenchman would cause great excitement. Waiting the first
+opportunity, he slipped over the fence, and crawled along in the shadow
+of some brush for several hundred feet, when, to his consternation, a
+tall man arose in his path.
+
+He turned, and was about to leap the fence, when he heard a familiar
+voice: "Alfred."
+
+He immediately recognized the lieutenant, and it is questionable which
+of the two felt happier at the meeting. They quickly ascended the hill,
+where they met a gloomy pair in Ralph and Felix, and the lieutenant told
+his story. He had allowed the petrol to run from one of the tanks after
+he took away the last receptacle, and when he returned he tapped three
+of the other tanks, expecting to wait five or ten minutes before firing
+it.
+
+While thus waiting two of the guards approached, and he hid behind a box
+car on the opposite siding. He feared that his plans had miscarried, for
+he felt sure the guards would discover the petrol. They did not,
+however, go into the sheds, but remained outside, engaged in
+conversation for more than ten minutes. When they left he lost no time
+in again crossing the track.
+
+He reasoned that the whole of the interior of the first set of sheds
+must have been flooded by that time, and the problem now was to ignite
+it, and get away safely, so he struck a match and lighted a small
+saturated cloth, which was thrown into the nearest opening. It caught
+instantly, and as the entire shed was now filled with the vapor, the
+explosion followed before he could get across the track. It was so
+great in violence that he was hoisted from his feet, so it seemed to
+him, and completely stunned. How long he remained in that condition of
+half stupor he did not know, but he soon heard a babel of voices, and
+saw everything about him as bright as day. Then, to his surprise, a
+train came up the switch, and rushed through the fire. It was this which
+probably saved him from being detected.
+
+"You may be sure," he said, "that as soon as my senses returned I knew
+what had happened, and that train started my sluggish brain into
+activity. I ran away from the train, and so did several others. No one
+cared to follow me, thinking, of course, that I belonged to the crew.
+That explains my long absence."
+
+"Now, how are we to get the petrol over to the machine?" asked Ralph.
+
+"We must ask Felix about it," said the lieutenant. "Probably you can
+help us out in that direction?"
+
+"I have a light wagon," said Felix, "but we must not venture out with it
+until after midnight; in the meantime I will go down to the village and
+get all the news."
+
+He returned in an hour. "It is reported that an airship did the damage,"
+said Felix.
+
+Shortly after two o'clock in the morning the light wagon was on hand,
+and Raoul accompanied them. After loading the wagon with the cans they
+started on the trip through the forest. Felix and Raoul both remained
+with the lieutenant and the boys until the tanks were repaired, and the
+sun had appeared. The machine was then turned around, and headed for the
+opening in the forest through which they had entered. Felix and Raoul,
+in the meantime, diligently cut away the underbrush and bushes in the
+path of the machine so it would be able to make a fair start.
+
+The boys now mounted the machine after shaking hands with the two men,
+and the lieutenant, reaching into his pocket, drew out a hundred franc
+note, which he tendered to them. They refused to take it. The lieutenant
+then threw it on the ground, saying: "This belongs to Belgium, and you
+had better take it."
+
+"Good bye, and God bless you," shouted Felix, as the motor began to hum.
+The machine gliding down the incline quickly gathered speed, and it was
+soon in the air.
+
+After reaching an altitude of a thousand meters, the lieutenant said:
+"It would be interesting to pay the village a visit after our pleasant
+experience there."
+
+Ralph, accordingly, turned the rudder, and the machine swung to the
+right. It required only a few minutes to reach the scene, and there,
+notwithstanding the distance, they could see the blackened and still
+smoking ruins in the two immense spaces adjoining the station.
+
+Now, for the first time, they appreciated the fact that a worthy task
+had been accomplished, for this station was one of the most important
+oil supply points along that whole line.
+
+The soldiers were rushing wildly about the station grounds, and the
+officials there were no doubt now assured, after seeing the machine,
+that the depot had actually been destroyed by a bomb from that airplane.
+
+The machine was now directed toward Longwy, and after giving that city a
+wide berth, flew directly south, with Verdun as the objective. The
+grounds below and to the west of that city were reached before ten
+o'clock, to the astonishment of the men quartered there, for it had been
+reported the night before that the lieutenant and the boys had been
+captured or killed in the fight at Longwy.
+
+The lieutenant won the cross for the exploit, and the boys received
+honorable mention from the government.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A DARING BOMB RAID TO THE RHINE
+
+
+The exploits of the lieutenant and the boys soon became the talk of the
+camp. From enemy sources more was learned later about the results of the
+destruction of the oil station, which fully confirmed the earlier
+reports of the great damage which had been done. Although up to this
+time there had been some objection raised against the flights of the
+boys it must be said that after that event there was no one to criticise
+them.
+
+During the winter months not much was done excepting scout work, as the
+weather was too severe for the men in the trenches to attempt any
+advances, but as the spring months came on everything became more
+active, thus imposing greater duty on the air fleet.
+
+Not much of personal interest to the boys took place until May, when the
+great raid was planned to attack the munition factories and chemical
+works at and near Ludwigshafen, on the Rhine.
+
+"Ralph, did you hear that there is going to be a big expedition this
+week right into Germany?" said Alfred, who had been with the lieutenant
+at headquarters early one morning.
+
+"No, although the boys are always talking about something of that kind,"
+replied Ralph.
+
+"But this is a sure go; the lieutenant told me so a few minutes ago,"
+responded Alfred.
+
+"Is the lieutenant going, do you know?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Yes, I suppose that is why he told me about it," answered Alfred.
+
+"I wonder whether they will let us go with him?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Well, I didn't ask him, but I looked at him pretty hard, and I guess he
+knows how we feel about it," answered Alfred.
+
+The rumor turned out to be true, for the following day orders were
+formally received to prepare eighteen machines for a raid to the Rhine.
+The lieutenant announced the news to the boys, and added: "I suppose, of
+course, you wouldn't like to go on such a venturesome mission?"
+
+"Go!" exclaimed both boys in unison.
+
+The lieutenant laughed. "Well, if you insist on it I shall have to take
+you with me. The Seraph (which was the name of their airplane, although
+it was officially known as No. 47) will be fixed to carry a dozen bombs
+for the occasion."
+
+"But how about the quick firer?" asked Ralph.
+
+"We must dispense with that on this trip. Bombs are more valuable,"
+answered the lieutenant.
+
+"Well, aren't we going to take any guard ships along?" inquired Alfred.
+
+"Oh yes; six of the machines will be armed, but we must use every ounce
+we can carry on the Seraph. Before starting we must go over the route,
+as similar instructions will have to be issued to all of the flyers,"
+remarked the lieutenant.
+
+"Do you know where we are to go?" asked Ralph.
+
+"The objective point is Mannheim on the Rhine. The river is eighty miles
+due east, and Mannheim is about fifty miles farther down the river. That
+city is on the eastern bank of the river, and Ludwigshafen is a small
+town, on the opposite shore where the great laboratory of Badische
+Analin and Soda Fabrik is located," remarked the lieutenant.
+
+"So we are going to destroy a soda factory?" said Ralph with a grin.
+
+"Not exactly," replied the lieutenant, amused at the intimation. "The
+principal thing turned out at the plant before the war was nitrate, a
+chemical most essential in the manufacture of explosives, and the
+importance of the place may be understood when I tell you that fully
+two-thirds of this product used by the Germans comes from that place."
+
+"When will the start be made?" asked Ralph excitedly.
+
+"Tomorrow," was the reply.
+
+"Then I want to see the map," said Ralph.
+
+"By all means," answered the lieutenant. "Now, you will notice that here
+is a canal shown on the map which runs due east. That is the
+Rhine-Marne, which parallels this river, the Zorn. The Zorn flows into
+the Rhine at Strassburg. You know, of course, that rivers, or canals,
+are the best guides for our purposes, so we must get these firmly fixed
+in our minds."
+
+"Yes, that and the towns are sure to carry us along without mistake,"
+remarked Alfred. "What is that place, Saarburg? It is on the river."
+
+"That is an ancient town, and you can hardly fail to recognize the
+place, for it is surrounded by a great stone wall. It also contains a
+strong garrison. Now note the next important place, twenty miles farther
+on; that is Zabern. From that place we can see the Rhine at various
+places, as we intend to fly at an altitude of two thousand meters, or,
+as you would say, 6500 feet."
+
+"Why is it necessary to go to such a high altitude?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Because at Saarburg, Zabern and Brumath they have long range
+anti-airship guns, and we cannot take any chances," replied the
+lieutenant.
+
+The camp was a seething place of excitement the following morning.
+Twelve of the machines carried bombs exclusively; some of the airplanes
+had six bombs, each weighing 180 pounds; one had three bombs of 300
+pounds each, and the Seraph carried ten 120-lb. high-explosive
+cylinders.
+
+These were placed in a suitable case having compartments, the lower ends
+of the compartments being provided with outwardly opening doors, capable
+of being released by the pressure of the foot operating against a
+lever.
+
+"I am going to rig up the cameras so we can take pictures of the
+explosions," said Alfred, as they made their way to the hangar.
+
+"That is a splendid idea," remarked the lieutenant. "Such an enterprise
+would be commended by the Intelligence Department of the War Office. By
+all means make the arrangements, for we expect to start in an hour."
+
+Alfred rushed over to the supply depot, and soon had the cameras in his
+possession, together with extra rolls of films. Ralph accompanied the
+lieutenant to the hangar to note the placing of the bombs.
+
+"Why are the bombs placed with the pointed ends up?" asked Ralph, as the
+men were placing them in position.
+
+"So the fulminate cap can be placed on, preparatory to launching,"
+remarked the foreman.
+
+"Why, won't they go off without the cap on? Wouldn't a concussion
+explode them?" he asked.
+
+"Well, it would require a pretty tough jar to make them go off," replied
+the man.
+
+At the appointed time the eighteen machines arose, and started for the
+east. The sun was full in their faces, but the misty weather made it
+look like a great red ball, symbolic of the day's work. It was hard to
+get away from the glare of the sun as they arose to the height which the
+orders compelled them to take, and at Saarburg some of the machines were
+actually hit by missiles from the anti-airship guns.
+
+The first city of importance to greet their eyes, after leaving
+Brumath, was Lauterbach, and then Karlsruhe, a city of over 100,000 was
+sighted.
+
+"We are now thirty-five miles from Ludwigshafen," shouted the
+lieutenant, through the tube. "Keep well to the west of the river, and
+maintain the same height, until the city is reached."
+
+Two miles before Mannheim was reached eight of the machines swerved to
+the right, and crossed the river, their destination being the town of
+Oppau, several miles beyond the town, where large manufacturing
+establishments were turning out ammunition.
+
+"We are bound for the chemical factories," said the lieutenant. "See the
+workmen running about. They have, no doubt, heard of our mission by this
+time."
+
+"Which way shall I point the camera?" asked Alfred.
+
+"Straight down," replied the lieutenant. "I am going to signal No. 62 to
+take the lead, so we will be the fifth in line. That will give you a
+splendid opportunity to notice the effect of the explosions and to snap
+them."
+
+The lieutenant set the signal, "echelon formation," which means step
+formation, one machine being ahead and a little to the right or to the
+left of the succeeding one. In that manner the ten machines flew along,
+the distance between them being about eight hundred feet, and by this
+arrangement each succeeding machine was able to observe the effect of
+the bomb dropped by the machine ahead.
+
+Mannheim was avoided, and the machines steered straight for the chemical
+headquarters on the left side of the stream where No. 62 released the
+first bomb. Alfred strained his eyes, and saw a flash below. It missed a
+building, and he shouted the information to Ralph through the tube.
+
+"If that had gone a hundred feet to the right it would have taken a
+dandy building,--there, the second shot did it; that came from old
+Spic's machine; whew-w-w, but look at it! That smoke is as black as
+coal,--must be lots of chemicals there. Another,--and the second
+building smashed to flinders. The lieutenant is going to drop the first
+one,--down she goes! I took two fine ones just now. I'll bet the last
+picture will show it up just as it happened. Two more snaps. We are
+going to turn and go back. 62 is making the circle." Thus Alfred
+graphically described the first trip over the doomed town.
+
+A dense cloud was now coming up, or, rather, bunches of them in various
+places where the missiles struck, and just as the Seraph was making the
+turn a tremendous explosion was heard, which actually seemed to jar the
+machine. Alfred arose from his seat, and the lieutenant's tense face
+showed that something unusual had happened, as he gazed below. All the
+buildings were emptied and scores of operatives were lining up along the
+river bank, and moving toward the great bridge south of the works.
+
+"Did you notice that big explosion?" asked Alfred through the tube.
+
+Ralph nodded his head affirmatively.
+
+"That hit the largest building in the place, and there isn't much left
+of it. Did you see that tall chimney at the left side of the town? Well,
+that looks just like a big cannon with the smoke and fire coming out of
+it," commented Alfred.
+
+The ten ships crossed the town twice, discharging all their bombs, but
+they waited in the air for twenty-five minutes until the first of the
+detached airplanes from the north appeared. During this time there was
+plenty of opportunity to see the extent of the damage which had been
+done to the great factories.
+
+At a signal the airplanes, constituting the squadron, were lined up in
+two columns, and before they had proceeded far the signals told the
+success of that part of the squadron which had gone to Oppau. The signal
+was now set for "Home," and the machines, by this time lightened of
+their missiles, made a tremendous speed, until after they left the
+Rhine, and were making the last lap of the journey, when the machine
+carrying Captain De Goye and his Adjutant Buanau-Varilla, was forced to
+descend, owing to an accident.
+
+The different machines circled around, hoping to be able to render
+assistance, but shortly after the airplane landed it was discovered to
+be in flames, and it was conjectured that seeing relief was out of the
+question the aviators had destroyed the machine to prevent its being of
+any use to the enemy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A TERRIBLE FIGHT IN THE CLOUDS
+
+
+The return to the base with only the single mishap alluded to was cause
+for congratulations, and the lieutenant came in for a large share of the
+commendation.
+
+In turn he prepared a special report setting forth the work done by the
+boys on the eventful journey. He pointed out that Ralph piloted the
+machine the entire distance, giving him, as the commanding officer of
+one division, time to direct the operation of the machines and attend to
+the bombs, while he had the pleasure of presenting to the authorities a
+set of unique photographs taken by Alfred at the very time the bombs
+were thrown and exploded.
+
+When the roll was called, two days thereafter, the men of the squadrons
+were lined up, an officer from headquarters passed down the line, and,
+among other places, halted before the boys, who stepped forward. On the
+breast of each was pinned a medal, and as the officer did so he kissed
+them on the cheeks, a custom which is faithfully observed, in accordance
+with the regulations, whenever a merit order is bestowed.
+
+There was a cheer as the two blushing boys stepped back to the line, and
+there were no prouder hearts than theirs as they heard the encomiums
+expressed on all sides for their bravery and devotion to duty. It was a
+pleasure to many other young Americans, who, like them, were volunteers
+serving in the aviation corps, and many of whom were afterwards also
+honored in like manner.
+
+There was hardly a day that there was not some experience added to their
+store of knowledge pertaining to airships, and the work connected with
+flying, all of which was performed with efficiency and credit.
+
+But the work which they performed was not all a series of jolly
+excursions without the corresponding sorrows. The devotion of Lieutenant
+Guyon to them dated from the time when that brave officer was stricken
+while on a trial flight from the camp at Bar-le-Duc. He never forgot how
+they took charge of the machine, and brought it safely to earth and
+cared for him so tenderly. Thereafter, it was rarely the case that he
+went aloft without one or both of the boys in his company.
+
+Shortly after the foregoing events, while the three were performing
+scout duty north of St. Mihiel, they were attacked by two German
+machines, an Albatross and a Taube, a combination which, especially when
+operating against a single machine, is capable of doing deadly work.
+
+When the two enemy ships were sighted, Alfred was in the pilot's seat,
+and under the direction of the lieutenant, the airplane shot forward
+directly in the path of the first machine, while the lieutenant poured
+out a constant storm of shot. The Albatross dived, and Alfred at once
+moved the control to ascend, thus bringing their machine above the
+Taube.
+
+The object now was to so manoeuver their ship as to keep between the two
+enemies, and in doing so make it difficult for either of them to use the
+quick firers without danger of hitting the other. The Seraph was a rapid
+climber, due to the high power of her engines.
+
+"Send her up as rapidly as possible," shouted the lieutenant. "Keep on
+going, and turn slowly to the left, so as to make a big circle; that
+will give me a chance to put in some shots."
+
+Alfred knew the manoeuver, the purpose being to bring the two machines
+into line with each other, and thus enable the lieutenant to get his gun
+in the range of both machines.
+
+"A little down now, and more to the right; there, steady," was the next
+command.
+
+"Br-r-r-r-r" sounded the gun, as the officer turned the crank.
+
+"The Taube is going down," cried Ralph excitedly, "and here comes
+another of the same kind," continued Ralph.
+
+"Go straight for the second one," shouted the lieutenant, and Alfred
+knew that the same trick had to be repeated.
+
+But the new arrival did not accept the invitation to fight on the lines
+that the first machine adopted. Instead, it began to circle about at a
+safe distance, endeavoring to secure the overhead position.
+
+"Follow that bird," said the lieutenant, "and keep going. They will
+learn something about high flying before they get through with us."
+
+The Albatross was not making much headway in the climbing game. On the
+other hand, the new Taube was an extraordinary flyer.
+
+"There is only one man aboard of her," said the lieutenant. "Take the
+glasses, and see if you can make out her number."
+
+Ralph studied the machine for some time. "I am not sure," he said, "but
+I think it is D 28. No one but the pilot is aboard."
+
+"That's good. He can't hit us head on. Trail him or get ahead of him and
+keep on ascending," said the lieutenant, now preparing his rapid firer
+with a new charge.
+
+The Taube suddenly swerved to the right, and let loose a full charge
+from his gun. It seemed as though one side of the Seraph had the
+covering of the planes ripped off, for the hail of bullets tore right
+through the frame. Alfred shook his head as he cleared away several bits
+of wreckage.
+
+"How high are we?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Two thousand six hundred meters," was the reply.
+
+The lieutenant had his revenge, however, for their own machine was now
+creeping up and gradually getting a rear position. This was what he had
+been aiming for. The stream of shots from the Seraph's gun now began to
+tell. In one despairing attempt the Taube turned fully half way around
+and answered, but it was evident that something was wrong with the ship.
+
+Suddenly the Seraph darted down. Ralph and the lieutenant looked back in
+surprise. Alfred's head had dropped to one side, and one arm hung over
+the side of the chassis.
+
+The lieutenant leaned over and caught the elevating rudder, not a moment
+too soon, and corrected the machine. Ralph leaned over the side of the
+body, and drew Alfred toward him, as the lieutenant climbed into the
+aviator's seat. All this took but a moment's time, but meanwhile it was
+necessary for them to observe the enemy and avoid him.
+
+"The Taube is falling," cried out Ralph, "but the Albatross is swinging
+around."
+
+Before it was possible to correct the machine, and avoid the danger, the
+gunner of the oncoming aeroplane began to pump, and the shot began to
+tell on the Seraph's framework. The lieutenant now saw that it would be
+a terrific task to get above the Albatross, so turning the control
+rudder sharply, the Seraph made a quick slide below its adversary.
+
+Alfred did not move, and Ralph tried to control himself, for in the
+great excitement attending the above circumstances, he was almost
+distracted. He was leaning partly over the body of the machine when the
+lieutenant saw him crouch forward. He put his hand on the boy and tried
+to shake him, but there was no response.
+
+Down, down went the machine, still under absolute control of the
+lieutenant, who turned the machine in a circle in order to be sure to
+bring it down within the French lines. When within five hundred feet of
+the earth something seemed to go wrong with the steering mechanism. The
+lieutenant tugged and pulled the lever back and forth. The machine
+refused to move forward in a straight line, and landing while the
+machine is describing a circular movement is a most dangerous manoeuver.
+
+Both boys were quiet, and the lieutenant feared for the worst. A hundred
+feet more and all would be over. In desperation he banked the machine to
+stop its terrific speed. This helped the situation, but did not prevent
+the spinning motion, and finally the crash came.
+
+They landed in a newly ploughed field, the worst possible sort of place
+for a disabled machine. The lieutenant and Ralph were thrown out of
+their seats, but Alfred was held fast in the machine.
+
+Many willing helpers were on hand, and they found all three of the
+flyers were unconscious when put into the van, but, fortunately, they
+were within a half mile of the emergency hospital south of St. Mihiel.
+On the way to the hospital a hurried survey was made to ascertain the
+extent of the injuries, but the physicians were silent.
+
+Alfred regained consciousness before the hospital was reached. The
+doctors said that there was a severe bruise on the back of his head, as
+though he had been struck by some heavy object. The lieutenant opened
+his eyes, as he was placed on the operating cot. He glanced around
+wildly for a moment, and then asked: "Where are my boys!"
+
+"We have them here; they are all right," said a nurse.
+
+He forced a weak smile, turned his head to one side, and was quiet.
+
+Ralph had been shot through the body, too high up, it was believed, to
+touch the lungs. A second bullet had passed through the fleshy part of
+the left arm, and he was very weak from loss of blood. The three were
+placed on adjoining cots after the first examination was over, and after
+all had regained their normal senses a pair of stretcher bearers entered
+the door, and bore a wounded man to one of the adjoining cots.
+
+The lieutenant was the first to observe the chevrons on the sleeve of
+the patient, and that he was a German. Ralph tried to raise up as he
+noticed them carefully lift the wounded man, and deposit him on the cot.
+
+"That's the fellow who piloted the last Taube; I'm sure of that. He's
+the fellow I saw through the glasses," said Ralph.
+
+Inquiry quickly established the truth of Ralph's observation. His
+machine had fallen within French lines, and not far from the place where
+the Seraph struck. It was an odd coincidence.
+
+The lieutenant was the most severely injured, how badly no one knew at
+the time, for a certain time must elapse before the full extent of the
+injury in such cases develops. The next morning the boys were informed
+that the lieutenant was much worse, and then for two days they had no
+news.
+
+Meanwhile, Ralph's wounds were healing, and no excessive fever
+developed. Alfred's spine seemed to be affected by the terrific blow,
+but that would be all right again in course of time.
+
+The sad intelligence came to them a few days thereafter that the
+lieutenant had died. It was, indeed, a grief to them. They had grown to
+love him as a friend, and they understood each other so well. It was
+learned that his heart was too weak to bear up against the internal
+injuries, which he received when the machine struck the earth.
+
+It was two weeks before the boys were able to leave the hospital, and
+they were then not able to return to duty. The shock of their friend's
+death was so acute that, as Ralph expressed it, they never again wanted
+to see an airplane.
+
+They were soon sent to Paris to recuperate, and while there they formed
+plans which took them into another part of the great war game, and we
+may be able hereafter to follow them in their new exploits.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES SERIES
+
+By ELMER TRACEY BARNES
+
+
+The object of these books is to place before the reader the unusual
+experiences of a party of boys who succeed in filming a number of
+interesting scenes.
+
+The stories are replete with striking incidents on land and sea, and
+above all they describe with remarkable accuracy the methods employed to
+obtain many of the wonderful pictures which may be seen on the screen.
+
+
+  =The Motion Picture Comrades' Great Venture;
+    or, On the Road with the Big Round Top=
+
+  =The Motion Picture Comrades Through African Jungles;
+    or, The Camera Boys in Wild Animal Land=
+
+  =The Motion Picture Comrades Along the Orinoco;
+    or, Facing Perils in the Tropics=
+
+  =The Motion Picture Comrades Aboard a Submarine;
+    or, Searching for Treasure Under the Sea=
+
+  =The Motion Picture Comrades Producing a Success;
+    or, Featuring a Sensation=
+
+
+  _12mo. Cloth_          _50c per Volume_
+
+  THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+  NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE MOUNTAIN BOYS SERIES
+
+
+=1. Phil Bradley's Mountain Boys=
+
+=2. Phil Bradley at the Wheel=
+
+=3. Phil Bradley's Shooting Box=
+
+=4. Phil Bradley's Snow-Shoe Trail=
+
+=5. Phil Bradley's Winning Way=
+
+
+=By SILAS K. BOONE=
+
+These books describe, with interesting detail, the experiences of a
+party of boys among the mountain pines.
+
+They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the elements,
+what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become self-reliant and
+manly.
+
+
+  _12mo. Cloth_          _50c per volume, postpaid_
+
+  THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+  201 EAST 12th STREET          NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE HILLTOP BOYS SERIES
+
+By CYRIL BURLEIGH
+
+
+=The Hilltop Boys; A Story of School Life=
+
+Jack Sheldon, a clean-minded and popular student in the academy, gains
+the enmity of several of the boys, but their efforts to injure him fail.
+A mystery, connected with Jack's earlier life, is used against him, but
+he comes off with flying colors.
+
+
+=The Hilltop Boys in Camp; or, The Rebellion at the Academy=
+
+A strange situation arises in which an airship figures as the bearer of
+an important letter. The head-master acts without investigating all the
+facts, but matters are all finally adjusted to the satisfaction of all
+concerned.
+
+
+=The Hilltop Boys on Lost Island; or, An Unusual Adventure=
+
+The scene now shifts to the West Indies and Jack figures as the hero of
+a daring rescue. Their experiences in tropical waters form a most
+stirring narrative, and the young reader is assured of a tale of
+gripping interest from first to last.
+
+
+=The Hilltop Boys on the River; or, The Cruise Up the Hudson=
+
+The Doctor takes a number of the boys on a cruise up the Hudson. An
+unlooked-for incident finds Jack Sheldon equal to the occasion, and what
+at one time promised to be a disastrous trip for all concerned was
+turned into a complete victory for our young friends.
+
+
+=The Hilltop Boys Doing Their Bit; or, The Young Farmers of the
+Highlands=
+
+Our young friends, fired with patriotism, prove their real worth to the
+community, and their efforts meet with unexpected success.
+
+
+  _12mo. Cloth_          _50c per Volume_
+
+  THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+  NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY VOLUNTEERS SERIES
+
+By KENNETH WARD
+
+  _12mo. Cloth. Fully Illustrated_          _50c per Volume_
+
+THE NEWEST BOYS' BOOKS ON THE EUROPEAN WAR, RELATING THE ADVENTURES OF
+TWO AMERICAN BOYS AND THEIR EXPERIENCES IN BATTLE AT SEA AND ON AIR
+SCOUT DUTY. ALL PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED WITH AUTHENTIC DRAWINGS.
+
+
+=The Boy Volunteers on the Belgian Front=
+
+Describes the adventures of two American boys who were in Europe when
+the great war commenced. Their enlistment with Belgian troops and their
+remarkable experiences are based upon actual occurrences and the book is
+replete with line drawings of fighting machines, air planes and maps of
+places where the most important battles took place and of other matters
+of interest.
+
+
+=The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen=
+
+This book relates the further adventures of the young Americans in
+France, where they viewed the fighting from above the firing lines. From
+this book the reader gains considerable knowledge of the different types
+of air planes and battle planes used by the warring nations, as all
+descriptions are illustrated with unusually clear line drawings.
+
+
+=The Boy Volunteers with the British Artillery=
+
+How many boys today know anything about the great guns now being used on
+so many European battle fronts? Our young friends had the rare
+opportunity of witnessing, at first hand, a number of these terrific
+duels, and the story which is most fascinatingly told is illustrated
+with numerous drawings of the British, French and German field pieces.
+
+
+=The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet=
+
+Our young heroes little expected to be favored with so rare an
+experience as a trip under the sea in one of the great submarines. In
+this book the author accurately describes the submarine in action, and
+the many interesting features of this efficient fighting craft are made
+clear to the reader by a series of splendid line drawings.
+
+
+=The Boy Volunteers with the American Infantry=
+
+The entry of the United States into the great conflict offers the two
+boys their long-looked-for opportunity. The arrival of our troops abroad
+and the boys' experiences with them make a thrilling tale.
+
+
+  THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+  PUBLISHERS          NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+  +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+  | Transcriber's Notes:                                            |
+  |                                                                 |
+  | Words surrounded by _ are italicized and words surrounded by =  |
+  | are bold.                                                       |
+  |                                                                 |
+  | Obvious punctuation errors repaired.                            |
+  |                                                                 |
+  | Due to the restriction of the ascii font, the word "Francaise"  |
+  | has been rendered without its cedilla mark.                     |
+  |                                                                 |
+  | Printer errors and inconsistent spelling repaired, including:   |
+  | - p. 15 "Eecheren" changed to "Eeckeren" (north to Eeckeren)    |
+  | - p. 18 "Belguim" changed to "Belgium" (end of Belgium)         |
+  | - p. 21 "increditably" changed to "incredibly" (incredibly      |
+  |   short space)                                                  |
+  | - p. 77 "d'l'Opera" changed to "de l'Opera" (the rue de l'Opera)|
+  | - p. 80 "Bologne" changed to "Boulogne" (Bois de Boulogne)      |
+  | - p. 109 "aline" changed to "aligned" (were properly aligned)   |
+  | - p. 127 "reappeared" changed to "re-appeared" (the lieutenant  |
+  |   re-appeared)                                                  |
+  | - p. 152 "Ludwigschafen" changed to "Ludwigshafen" (and near    |
+  |   Ludwigshafen)                                                 |
+  | - p. 156 "is" removed from phrase "without the cap is on"       |
+  |   (without the cap on)                                          |
+  | - p. 158 "th" changed to "the" (the first bomb)                 |
+  | - p. 161 "enconiums" changed to "encomiums" (heard the          |
+  |   encomiums)                                                    |
+  | - p. 163 "disance" changed to "distance" (a safe distance)      |
+  | - Advertisement page "to-day" changed to "today" (many boys     |
+  |   today)                                                        |
+  |                                                                 |
+  +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Volunteers with the French
+Airmen, by Kenneth Ward
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY VOLUNTEERS WITH THE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 37927.txt or 37927.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/2/37927/
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Judith Wirawan and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.