Air Service Boys Flying for France - Charles Amory Beach

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she can get on the battlelines."

      ​Jack had apparently been a little anxious concerning this part of the programme. Considerably relieved, he thrust out his hand and squeezed the fingers of his comrade heartily as he went on to say:

      "Ever since we concluded to offer our services to France, when we felt satisfied we had learned the rudiments of flying, the idea has taken a firm root in my mind; and, Tom, I'd be terribly disappointed if anything happened to break up our pet plan."

      "No more than I would, Jack. You know my passion for being in the air. And now that this cause for hating the Germans has come along, it's added fire to my zeal. I tell you it would have to be something pretty serious that could cause me to back down at this late stage."

      "Then," said Jack triumphantly, "we're booked for France, if only the steamship people will let us take passage. And from all accounts, they're not likely to put any obstacle in our way, knowing what our motive is and that we are able to pay their price."

      "But surely by now I ought to have heard something to that effect from the New York agent I wrote to," argued Tom.

      "Better try again," suggested his companion. "Letters sometimes go astray, you know, and he may never have received it."

      ​"Oh, I was wise enough to register the letter," Tom told him; "so I know it was safely delivered. Like as not he's taking his own time to answer, because sailings are not frequent in these days of submarine horrors. They never advertise what day the boat is expected to leave, always informing would-be passengers to be aboard at a certain time, although the vessel may remain in the harbor for another day or two. All that is done to prevent spies from sending by wireless information connected with the sailing to the other side, and which in turn would be communicated to the waiting U-boats."

      There was a ring of the bell.

      "That was the postman, Tom. I wonder now if he had anything for you," remarked Jack, who chanced to be sitting near the window where he could look out and observe all that was taking place in the street.

      "I'll go down and see," his chum remarked, jumping up hurriedly; and Jack noticed that Tom, usually so composed and cool, was showing the effect of his late nervous strain in flying, now supplemented by this fresh cause for anxiety.

      Tom returned in a few minutes. He held an open letter in his hand. One look Jack took at his beaming face, and then he too jumped hastily to his feet.

      ​"It must be good news, Tom, this time!" he ejaculated.

      "Well, it is, for a fact!" shouted the other in excitement. "We're booked to sail on the twelfth! Here are our instructions to be on hand the preceding evening, ready to start!"

      Impulsive Jack threw his arms around his chum, and actually gave him a bearish hug. It was plain to be seen that the greatest ambition of his life was on the point of being gratified, and he was correspondingly happy.

      "Then perhaps within two weeks or so we may be standing on French soil, and dropping in at that wonderful aviation school at Pau, about which, since coming here, we've heard so much from Lieutenant Carson. Won't the other fellows be envious though, when they learn about our great good luck? Hurrah!"

      ​

      CHAPTER III

      GOOD-BYE TO THE AVIATION SCHOOL

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      After the receipt of the letter from the steamship company, things began to happen with increasing swiftness in the lives of Tom Raymond and Jack Parmly.

      On the following day they meant to say good-bye to Lieutenant Carson and the assemblage of young fellows who were, like themselves, learning the lessons of aviation under the direction of the capable Signal Corps officer.

      First of all they sought out the officer, who had just sent up into the air an assistant with a promising student who showed signs of making his mark in flying, and who was just as eager as the two chums to go across the sea to where they would find stirring action.

      "What great news are you bringing with you to-day, boys?" demanded the lieutenant, as soon as he turned and saw them approaching, their faces beaming, and their eyes sparkling with happiness. "But why ask that when I can see you've got your wish at last, and ​that we're going to lose two of our most advanced pupils from the school here?"

      "We sail in six days, Lieutenant," said Tom, joyously. "I had a favorable letter from the steamship company yesterday afternoon."

      "Yes," added Jack, unable to keep silent and with heart pounding loudly with happiness against his ribs, "and it's hard to believe that within twenty days we may be watching those adept French fliers at the great Pau School do all kinds of acrobatic feats up in the air."

      "Don't be too sure of that, Jack," warned the more conservative Tom. "Remember we have three thousand and more miles of ocean to cross before we can hope to land on French soil. And in the barred zone dozens of German submarines are waiting to smash our vessel with their villainous torpedoes."

      "One thing I want to do before you leave here to-day for good," continued the friendly officer. "And that is to give you a letter of introduction to my younger brother. I believe I told you that he was flying for France, and when I last heard from him he was a member of the famous Lafayette Escadrille. You will like Phil, I am sure. He has already won the right to be called an ace, having brought down his fifth enemy plane some months ago."

      "Some day," said Tom, speaking from his heart, "perhaps both of us may win that honor, ​and wear the French War Cross in addition. I often dream of such things, you know, Lieutenant, for my every thought is given to flying, and serving the cause of democracy. It must run in the blood, I think."

      When the news went around that the two chums were actually booked to sail for the other side they became the center of a boisterous and envious crowd. Every youth present eyed them with a greedy look, for were they not all longing to have just such a piece of good fortune strike them?

      "It's better to be born lucky than rich!" declared one keen-eyed young man, who was the most advanced of all those in training at the big camp. "I've been indulging in dreams that perhaps I'd be the first to sail for France, because my instructor tells me I'm ready to graduate any day now. But the lightning had to strike in another quarter."

      "We'll be watching for you to follow, Dawes," said Tom warmly, for he had always liked the young fellow and believed he had a bright future before him. Unless—Well, every one knows what terrible risks aviators take in war times, and that even the best and most wonderful fliers are apt to meet their fate some day while on duty.

      Wherever Tom and Jack went they were the ​center of an admiring and envious crowd. Indeed, for the morning it seemed as though the business of the school was to be sadly interfered with, for this was really the first break in their ranks. Still, the wind was blowing a little too stiffly for any novice to think of ascending, even in company with a skilled pilot.

      To go to France! Ah! that was the yearning that burned in the hearts of every one present. Daily they read of wonderful achievements that were being accomplished by those daring bird-men of all the armies in the field, and envy gripped their souls as they dreamed of the glorious day coming when they, too, might be allowed to go to the front, accomplishing deeds that would place their names on the scroll of fame.

      Lieutenant Carson did not forget his promise. He managed to dash off the letter of introduction to his younger brother, who was daily risking his life in the service of France, trying to pay back a small portion of the great debt America has owed ever since, in the days of the Revolution, France sent Lafayette and Rochambeau across to help win her independence from Great Britain.

      There was a look of deep concern on the stern officer's face as he handed the letter to Tom.

      ​"It may

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