The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen

, as the company marched back to get their f

ling at the boys. "You've worked pretty hard for

ng back there?" he asked, as he pointed out a battery

d the corporal, and before they reached

are the German

should judge," replied the co

by looking at the

ngle," was

er 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 e

t, 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 ele

are shooting too far,

that?" asked Alfre

the range in ti

them a pointer," said the corporal

oming up," shouted Ralph.

chines 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

loyed by the two forces. They seemed to be flying back and forth in the utmost confusi

o be unusually well informed, and quite a numbe

cognize an enem

ognizing 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,

o you mean?"

e form of a circle, generally three, each circ

it's red, white an

those are the col

German colors?

istinguis

hite," said

have a cross,

so far as its shape is concerned," he answer

,-that most trying thing for soldiers, who know that a battle is impending. Then a hundred feet to their rear ther

of artillery, the greatest damage being done to th

t danger isn't always with the fel

ss on Ger

Every one cast questioning glances, but the knapsacks and rolls were quickly seized, and within ten mi

e are going bac

usiness to retreat,"

hrown up since the boys covered the ground the night before. Every trench line was filled with soldiers, those in t

booming of cannon was incessant, and, although they tried to get some sleep after midnight, they were frequently aroused by the marching of

r 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 wander

t of the crowd. Their curiosity was soon satisfied, for beyond was a sight which caused their hearts to beat with joy. Fully a dozen

Morane,"

ne," shouted Alfred, as they rushed up and gr

you get here?

the troops," e

troops?" he

ered Ralph, "but t

a day directly over the lines

e a fight?"

e, and it was pretty hot for about an hour. So you are on your way

several hours after y

put you up, if you are

he trenches and have done considerable marching, s

s. 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 we

, and greeted the boy

he said, after a little talk. "We are ordered to the station n

p us?" inquired

e you a lift in the

at from here?"

d the two boys looked at each o

k, and informed them that they

and make yourselves comfortable," he sai

he 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, fo

e 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 g

an forces had hewn their way through Belgium and entered France, reaching the cities of Laon, Epern

first words that greeted them were: "The

. This was another source of grief to them, and they stared about, and wonde

where the Mor

onnoitering trip at five t

will come back he

btful," answ

s as best we can," said Ralph. "Do you thin

little reflection, he added: "A large English force is expected to be here from Laon, and it may arrive before noon. Possibly the fl

us," proposed Alfred, as

concluded that their only course would be to commence the trip. It was not necessary for them to inquire the way, as the highway, i

ached Crepy, ten miles from Soissons. They were now twenty-five miles from the center of Paris, an