Charles Amory Beach

“ Then Jack and his companion came down again, making a safe landing. Tom was on hand to greet his chum as the latter rather unsteadily alighted; for being up in a rocking plane for hours is apt to make any one feel a bit “groggy.”
“Well, how did you like it?” was Tom’s first question.
There was hardly any need of it, for with the removal of the muffler and the goggles that adorned the close-fitting aviator’s hood, worn when making an ascent near the clouds, it could be seen that Jack’s face was radiant, while his eyes fairly sparkled with enthusiasm. ”

“ Jack ventured, "and nobody can say what may happen before the convoy reaches us. Notice that everybody has his or her glass in constant use. They scour the surface of the water ahead, and on both sides as far as they can, and are always looking for a stick that pokes up out of the sea like a warning finger; which would be a sub periscope, to a surety."
"And up on the bridge the captain keeps a constant vigil in addition," added Tom excitedly, for it would be impossible for any one not to be deeply impressed with all these thrilling events happening around him every minute of the time. ”

“ All the members of the famous escadrille were very fond of the boys, and each seemed to deem it a privilege to coach them in the thousand and one problems that daily confront a war aviator.
Jack sometimes was seen to muse, as though his thoughts had taken a backward flight. Tom imagined he might be thinking of those at home, and once even exhibited more or less sympathy for his chum, when, to his surprise, and also amusement, Jack unblushingly admitted that the one he was thinking of chanced to be pretty little Bessie Gleason. ”

“ Dozens of men had fallen solely through their desire to save the gallant air pilot. Twice did Teutons venture forth with the evident intention of making him a prisoner, only to recoil before the blast of deadly machine-gun fire that blazed forth in their faces.
Finally the Germans, as if furious at their losses, turned their machine-guns on the wreckage of the French plane, and fairly riddled both machine and pilot with balls.
Of course Tom easily picked out the big observation Caudron in which, as he knew, Jack was doing duty just then. ”

“ All this and much more Tom saw on that first visit of his to the upper currents above the long fiercely contested field of Verdun where the German Crown Prince had seemed ready to sacrifice a million men if necessary, in order to attain the object he had in view.
Then from the actions of his pilot, Tom knew they had reached their station, so that from that time forth they must occupy themselves strictly with the business, for the carrying out of which they had been sent forward.
"I've got to do my part now," thought Tom, grimly. "If I don't my flying for France will be a failure." ”

“ The crowd could see a glare spring up, and Jack, who at that moment had the glasses, announced to Tom that the huge aircraft was falling like a rocket-stick after its ascent.
Whether some of the shrapnel had found its mark, or a daring airplane pilot had managed to get above the Zeppelin to drop a fire bomb they could not tell just then. Nor did any one care particularly. The one exulting thought was that an enemy had been put out of action and that the entire crew of more than thirty men must meet the death they had just been dealing out to innocent people in London. ”

“ Just as they were about to turn away and seek the warm saloon Jack pointed to a large and handsome motor car that had managed to force its way through the tangle of vehicles and rolling trucks, and from which some people, evidently intending passengers, were alighting.
“As pretty a young girl as ever you set eyes on, Tom,” he hastened to say, for Jack was much fonder of girls’ society than his chum had ever shown himself to be. “I hope we shall get to know her before the voyage is over. Just take a peep and tell me if she hasn’t got other girls beaten a mile for good looks.” ”

“ Jack was wont to exclaim, "it must be heaps worse than the Sahara; for there the sand always was and always will be, while here there once nestled lovely little French villages, and every bit of the ground, they tell us, was taken up with gardens, fields and orchards."
"Yes, everything is gone," Tom would continue, looking around at the desolate picture, with some crows the only living thing in sight. Now, let's talk of something more cheerful." ”

“ Somewhere in that region, as they well knew, lurked those terrible undersea boats manned by German crews on the constant watch to sink any laden steamer that crossed their path. And this knowledge never left them, night or day. While awake it haunted their minds and took up much of their conversation; when asleep there came dreams that caused them to open their eyes in sudden fear, and then be very thankful that it was not yet a reality.
Jack had easily succeeded in making the acquaintance of the young girl who had attracted his attention at the time of the embarkation. ”

“ Still, they saw the mass of wreckage, and even watched a corps of workmen digging away part of the piled-up airships in search of other bodies supposed to be still unfound.
All that day Tom and Jack went around London seeing what they could of the city. They eame upon several other places where damage had been done by the air raiders, and never would they forget the horror and detestation that filled their souls when they saw other hospital vans removing still more of the victims of that atrocious method of conducting war upon defenseless men, women and children. ”

“ He glanced a bit anxiously toward Jack as he said this, but if he expected to see the other wince in the least he was mistaken.
“Oh! we’ve grown accustomed to that sort of talk, Neal,” explained Jack quietly. “We know what chances we’re taking, and have made up our minds to accept the worst. If either or both of us are brought down by the Boches it’s no worse a fate than being shot to pieces with one of those big shells. And if Uncle Sam gets in this muddle that’s the fate thousands of us will likely meet.” ”

“ Just at present there seems to be nothing in the way of danger around us, and we can spare a few minutes in the cause of humanity."
"You're treating him a hundred times better than he deserves," mumbled Jack. "If the tables were turned, and it was Tuessig who had you down, he'd never lift a finger to give you first-aid. But that's you, Tom, every time! I'll manage somehow to get this stuff aboard our plane, never fear."
So Tom hastened to look Adolph Tuessig over, being as gentle as the need of time would permit. ”

“ Jack was greatly excited at the prospect of at last flying for France, and also of looking down on the trenches of the Germans for the first time. Tom warned him to curb his enthusiasm lest it unfit him for the important work which he had undertaken to perform.
“You’ll need your head every minute of the time, remember, Jack, if it’s up to you to relay signals. Don’t forget their importance. A mistake would cost the French dear, as an attack might be ordered on false information that would break down, and mean the loss of many brave men.” ”

“ Every little sound, every little wave slapping against the side of the boat, seemed to the excited passengers to mean sudden peril. There was no thought of sleep on the part of any one; even the numerous Red Cross nurses and attendants and the ambulance drivers, going to the front for service, remained on deck every minute of the time.
Each passenger had a life belt fastened on, to be ready if the hidden danger presented itself. But again fortune was kind; and if there were any cruising German submarines in the Channel that night they failed to run upon the regular boat from Dover to Calais. ”

“ But just as he anticipated, Tom had to start at the bottom of the ladder again, and undo much that he had already learned. As for Jack, he began to despair of ever being able to master the intricate education that every French air pilot must pass through before he is allowed to go to the front.
Each one entering the school is placed where it is believed he will do the most effective work. One applicant may be better qualified to man a bombing plane than for the more dangerous calling of a fighting unit, where great dexterity and lightning-like quickness in making a decision mean everything. ”

“ One shell from the pursuing boat had burst so close to the steamer that several of the passengers received slight wounds. Nothing serious resulted, however. A woman, who found her arm bleeding—in her excitement she had not felt the tingle of the scratch—wrapped her pocket handkerchief about the wound and continued to watch and cheer. Jack was glad to know she was an American woman, the wife of a consul over somewhere in France, going to offer her services to one of the hospitals.
The steamer, a fast one, was constantly increasing the distance between pursuer and pursued. ”

“ And Tom was now about to undertake a feat that would stamp him as being a genuine aviator capable of attempting extended flights.
Tom had now commenced to fly upward. The little airplane had its nose pointed toward the fleecy clouds floating high in the air above him. Up, and still up the airplane mounted in dizzying spirals. The machine was a good one of modern build, suited for the general work of a novice, still learning how to control his craft alone. ”

“ He thinks all Yankees must be mercenary, and that I'm carrying the completed design of father's wonderful invention with me, to sell it for a vast sum to the Allies."
"Tom, after this you've got to be more careful than ever how you hang over the side of the boat when dark sets in," cautioned Jack. "It would be easy enough for a strong and desperate man to throttle you, search your person, and then chuck you overboard. Such men who could remorselessly sink women and babies aboard the Lusitania wouldn't hesitate about sacrificing one single life in the interest of the Fatherland." ”

“ He had a glimpse of a man's face thrust out from the side of the car, which had started on at wild speed, as if the driver realized that the monster plane was swooping particularly at him, with some object in view.
"Be ready to use the gun, Jack!" yelled the pilot. "When I give the sign fire at his rear tires if you can. That man has what we want, and we've just got to take it from him. Understand?" ”

“ This parting from the family is the hardest part of the whole business to me."
"Yes, my mother is trying to smile through it all," said Jack soberly, winking very fast as he spoke for some reason or other, though Tom did not seem to notice the fact. "She has the soul of a true patriot. Years ago when we were at war with Spain, she let father go to the front without a complaint. My aunt told me that many times she found mother crying in secret; yet to the world she always seemed to be as calm and contented as if father had been at her side. No fellow ever had a finer mother, Tom." ”

“ Tom told him.
"We ought to be in London before noon today," continued Jack.
"And if all goes well we'll be on our way by to-morrow night," Tom added quickly. "We ought to spend just one night and a whole day in London, you know."
"I've always wanted to roam around the big city," Jack sighed, "but this is no time for sight-seeing, they say. London looks like a besieged city, and strangers have a pretty hard time getting around, being watched, and challenged wherever they go, especially if they look anything like Germans." ”

“ Now Tom's sergeant signaled to him to get seated, while he himself looked to the few last things that were necessary. In another three minutes he had given his mechanician the word, and Tom had followed Jack into the air.
The ascent was easily accomplished, and Tom Raymond quickly saw that there was a master hand at the wheel. The veteran pilot had been almost constantly at the work of handling a heavy machine since the first year of the great war. He had had many narrow escapes from death, but for all that he never took unnecessary chances under the conviction that he bore a charmed life. ”

“ For the face was that of the one man in all Germany whom he wanted to run across—no other than Adolph Tuessig, the spy who had robbed his father of his priceless invention, the secret of an airplane stabilizer! ”

“ With wildly throbbing hearts both Tom and Jack peered downward as they once more resumed their voyage on a level. Dawn had come to the earth below. They could make out the character of the ground, and see a road which ran in a zigzag fashion. Tom noticed this in particular because it was probable that a house would be discovered close to a thoroughfare; and they must come upon such a place if they hoped to secure the necessary supply of gasolene. ”

“ To please his chum Tom did glance that way. He saw a diminutive girl who could hardly have been more than twelve years of age, and scarcely looked even that; but she was remarkably attractive, so far as rosy cheeks, dancing eyes, and a wealth of golden hair went. In spite of her apparent lack of years, there was a grown-up air about her that some girl babies seem born with and that makes friends for them among older people from the start.
"Yes, she is as pretty as a peach, for a fact," Jack's chum admitted. ”