The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen

mile distant. They passed Tom's hangar, and stopped for a moment to

eave us?" h

to get our mail, and we are expe

n o'clock if you c

ere, sure,"

a try in the machine at that ti

y he wants us back t

ine was a stimulus, and they talked about it all the way, and wonder

erplexed at the absence of news, but consoled themselves with the thought that transportation from the Swiss front

e old church of St. Eloi, and means church on the dunes. It has been in existence for over a thousand year

eople moving toward the main landing place of vessels. They followed, and witnessed the debarkation of th

, ready for a prompt start. A number of lorries (large motor trucks), carryin

going?" asked Ralph, addre

they will be assigned to stati

hospital near the aviatio

was the

ance to ride there," said

e remark, and quickl

to the flying sq

replied

ficer, and he strode forward. After speaking a few word

boys,"

officer, mounted one of the vans. Inside were thre

oo?" said one of the nurses

, rather shyly; "w

of the doctors. "Did you sa

iege to Antwerp, and came across the northe

me fighting?" asked one of

in the first battles o

news. From that time on the boys were the center of

he doctors. "If I understand correctly, you a

them, and we may do some flyi

l," said one of the nurses. "Won'

New York,"

e not Englis

make any difference. It's just the same as t

in with a sort of explanation: "The Germans didn't treat us right, when

ss. "We like Americans, and especially

ere really sorry when the van drew up before the building, but they quickly recog

n and see the lieutenant

y?" interpos

machine yesterday, and we h

utenant's name?"

t to ask for it; but maybe th

he doctor. "We'll fi

arched to the office, where the docto

t with an accident

Winston," wa

ieked the sweet little nurse who ha

owes his life to a couple of brave lads, who happened to be near.

ed him," said Ralph. "We

hank you so much,

w him?" inq

may we go to him

u to him," said

aid Alfred. "Isn't it funny

s, and at her good fortune in thus meeting the b

hing arm in arm with the two boys. Th

to get into our van. We learned after we got here w

d he pressed the hands of the boys. "Yes, I was in an awfull

more than an hour. They had entirely forgotten thei

you," said Ralph. "We promised Tom

can dare-devil?" said t

t hesitatingly. "Is he a dare-devil

o anywhere, if he was ordered to make the trip. Is your engagement an

to take a flight this

would let us?" as

wly shaking his head, but his face relaxed, as he saw the crestfallen a

d try to fix it f

m permission," said the lieutenant. "Do you think i

les as they have, don't you?" she replied sweetly, as she aros

come over to see you in

to reach the hangar. Their chagrin was great as they

Tom?" asked o

ow where he is?

as the man approached the door and glance

tened out and skimmed the ground, and just before alightin

whole lot. That was a quick stop,

om the hangar. The boys were over without dela

ut we met Lieutenant Winston's sister coming over,

e it. The commandant wouldn't give me

tell you that he gave you permi

ant," and, without another word, he crossed the field, and disappea

ve an hour's flight; how w

d the machine, observing every part of the control plane and the wires, then

e you more room. There, take hold of it at both ends, and car

weighs somethin

pounds, I should

l we sit?"

t get frightened and jump out; I can bring you down easier than th

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 th

er evidently knew what Ralph meant, even though the noise of the motor

upwardly. He quickly turned toward Tom and smiled. They were in the air. How glorious it seemed to Ralph and Alfred at that moment.

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. Lo

aight-away flight Tom circled around the aviation field twice, going higher on each turn. The

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 innum

he saw almost startled him. A dark vivid green spread t

look!"

e sea!" sh

d, and the boys quickly turned. Far off, in the distan

that be?"

hen turned toward Tom. "Can you make it out?

e arrested their attention; great clouds of smoke were observed. They were not

that is now

it?" aske

ents," sa

must come from the bi

d his cap. The latter knew that the boys re

id Alfred, as he pointed to

d Ralph. "See that long, narrow roa

e, they are turning a corner in the ro

to take us over the Ger

we are compelled to go down; we'll

ld 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 tim

n't it scoot no

p toward them. They felt that it would be necessary to hold fast when the shock came. The next sensation was most pecul