The Flying Legion

ts before had been guarded all round its perimeter by a small army of determine

lex mechanical process. All were obeying the Master's will, because ob

to be injured in any manner. Human life was not to be taken. But nothing in the way of armament was to b

respective uniforms, though every man still wore a long coat that co

d a moment at the gate to peer down, along the l

d if one man or one single bit of equipment fails to appear on schedule ti

according to plans and specifications. They four were to be pioneers into the jealously guar

er in them all. Streets had been laid out, as in a town; and along these streets stood drafting-sheds, workshops, storehouses, commissary offices, dwellings for the worke

orches, in the shadow of the power-plant where dynamos were still merrily singing. Few were ar

lay a couple of pigeons, farther on a sparrow, and still farther a slee

s loopholed for defense. This formidable barrier was pierced by a small gate, flanked by two machine-guns. On the gate-post was

ng, that overshadowed all the central portion of the huge enclosure. It gave a sense of power, of swift potentialities, of speed unlimited. It stood th

xultation, pride, and joy came over his face. But only for a moment. Quite at once his dark eyes vei

ore thickly than ever-they stood under the very wings of the most stupendous hyd

were on the gangplank leading up to the entrance door in the fuselage. A number who had been knocking out the last h

nd the engines, purring softly, told that all had been in readiness for the throwing-i

nly just on the dot of

lanced at his watch. "T

thing ready. What more

the value of exa

dinary mechanism-gigantic, weird, unreal in the garish electric lights. Rrisa w

long coat with the rucksack strapped to his shoulders, peering up wi

my beauty!" h

he major set hands on hips, blinked, puckered his lips, and silent

behind the goggles. Expressionless though that terribly mutilated face had to remain, you could s

in its steady undertones of strength. Behind the little group, a few involuntary exclamations of

The Master smiled again, as he realized his

lancing at his watch again. "No mere untuning of wave-lengths. Good, o

repared him for the reality. Though he well knew all the largest, biggest machines in the world, this stupendous creation staggered him. By co

capable of being exhausted of air, constituted a potential lifting-force of enclosed vacuums that very largely offset the weight of the mechanism. It was still a heavier-than-air machine, but the balance could be made nearly perfect. And the

flammable celluloid surfaces shone white as fresh-cut ivory, clean, smooth, unbreakable. The plane reminded one of some

upendous propeller-blades, their varnished surfaces flicking out high-lights as the incandescents struck them. Motionless these propellers were; but somethi

ing metal; a V-pointed pilot-house-the same where the still figure had dropped over the sill of the open window-a high-raised rudder of artful

as many men as the Legion numbered. But everything, after all, was quite shrunk by the overpowering sweep of the wings. These dwarfed

run to the structure, great simplicity, and the acme of mechanical beauty. This giant bird of heaven lay in its nest, free of pattern, powerful beyond an

"That is quite obvious. Let us get aboar

ket, took a pencil, and faced the gath

our machine-guns and all gear, each in the assigned space. Bring out all the sleeping men and lay them down

ted, as he answered w

verything is

ch to his place, in engine-room, cabins, o

or in the fuselage, the Master checked them on his list. Not one was abs

e major. "So far, we are within three m

no hesitation, no confusion. Each had already learned the exact plan of the airship. Each knew precisely wh

ing limp bodies. These they laid in a row along the s

in the sliding doo

per is out, si

nd entered the airship. As they did so, Legionaries hoisted the plank aboard, with its tackle, and lashed it to t

ome. All the Legion was now aboard, and co

her side. This corridor was of some metal, painted a glossy white. Doors opened out of it, on either hand. Its length was just

figure swung along, triumphant, impressive in the long coat, dominant and f

oms. The men's footfalls sounded with softened tread on a strip of thick, brown carpet that made pleasant contrast with

e of times. He opened the third door on the left-it slid into the wall, instead of swinging,

fore-and-aft. It was furnished with a center-table, book-cases, easy-chairs, two commodiou

ance, one would have thought oneself in a rather luxurious private house; but second inspection showed all possib

o Gruynemer and Nosworthy; also pictures of famous machines-the Spad, Bristol Fighter, Sopwith Pup, 120-135, and othe

len from the mouth of some airman swiftly overtaken by sleep. The table bore an open cigar-box,

agne glasses stood on the table, and one lay on its side, where perhaps a falling hand had overset it.

alcohol aboard this craft!" He loosened the buckles of his rucksack,

ins?" asked Bohannan, gesturing at

enough to get settled, later. Every second counts, now. We're due to start in seven minutes, you

nan n

," said he, turning toward one of th

ed. "At a few thousand feet, the engine-exhaust thr