An Interrupted Race.
"My information comes from the officer, here," replied the General,
with a smile at the boy's pertinent query. "He states that an observer
near the boundary reports by telephone that a monoplane resembling that
used by The Rat was seen crossing to the eastward only a few minutes
previous to our arrival here. He was traveling high and rapidly."
"In that case, we'd better get going ourselves," urged Jack.
"But I want to stay here a while and watch these French airmen," Jimmie
objected. "Besides, it wouldn't be polite to go away so soon. The
General hasn't had a chance to ask us to lunch," he added, with a wink
at Ned who was standing near.
"Same old cold, I suppose," protested Jack. "You had a lunch only a few
hours ago, and now you're hungry again! What's the matter?"
"Hunger seems to be an affliction from which Jimmie always suffers,"
laughed Ned. "I'm sure I don't know what to do!"
"That's not an affliction," maintained Jimmie, joining in the spirit of
the chaffing, "that's what they call a disease!"
"It's chronic, whatever you call it!" asserted Harry.
"Well, it's a mighty good thing you fellows have me to be your alarm
clock, anyhow!" stoutly returned Jimmie. "If it wasn't for me to remind
you once in awhile, you'd forget to eat. I'm useful!"
Laughingly giving instructions that the boys should be well supplied
with breakfast, the General asked to be excused for a short time. He at
once retired, in company with the officer who seemed to be in command
of the camp, to a building set apart for office purposes.
The boys walked about, under the guidance of a non-commissioned officer
who had been detailed for the purpose, inspecting the new aeroplanes
arriving in cases from the factory, those already assembled, and a
number which had been tested. They saw several machines which had been
badly damaged, some by reason of defects and others by unskillful
handling by novices. A number of aspiring candidates were being given
practical instruction in aviation by experienced men. None of the
recruits were permitted to take charge of a machine until after several
flights had been made in company with their instructors. Then they were
given charge of a machine and permitted to make their first flight
unaccompanied. Jimmie declared that his fingers itched to have charge
of one of the larger machines intended for attack. The small scouting
machines did not interest him.
The large planes were built with space for mounting a machine gun, with
room for its operator and a supply of ammunition. Above the gunner's
seat the pilot was located, where he could get an excellent view of his
surroundings and direct the craft as desired by the gunner.
A bugle call attracted their attention. Their guide announced, through
Francois, who acted as interpreter, that lunch was ready.
"I declare, I nearly forgot I was hungry!" asserted Jimmie.
"It's mighty interesting!" agreed Ned. "But I don't think they have
anything the better of our little old Grey Eagle, when it comes to ease
of handling and speed. We can show any of them a clean pair of heels
when that engine gets nicely smoothed up!"
"Right you are, Scout!" Jimmie returned vigorously. "And they haven't
any of them got anything on me when it comes to eating! Advance,
Comrades!" he continued with a laugh. "Let us attack the cold cure!"
Before the boys had devoured the splendid luncheon provided for them
under the direction of the commander, they were again visited by their
recent passenger. He had been very busy during the short interval and,
as the boys later learned, had gotten in touch with the entire battle
front by means of telegraph and telephone. Orders had been issued with
whirlwind promptness, and information received, to be glanced at only
once ere it was safely stored in the master mind.
Long after their visit the boys learned to value the ability of the man
whom all France was depending upon to bring her out of the terrible
crisis in which she was then placed.
After inquiring if their wants had been properly supplied, the General
approached Ned on a subject that the lad had anticipated would be
mentioned. It was one that he dreaded.
Seating himself at Ned's invitation, the General began:
"What do you think of our little camp by this time?"
"It is great!" heartily responded Ned. "I like it!"
"And the principle, is it not a correct one?"
"I think so," replied the lad. "I believe it is a grand idea to teach
the men everything possible about the matter before sending them out on
the firing line. Do they seem to learn readily?"
"Yes," was the answer, "but we are in need of one thing. We must have
more instructors! There are not enough men who can teach!"
What Ned dreaded he saw all too plainly was coming.
"Do you not perceive our need of men?" continued his questioner.
"Yes, sir, I can," returned Ned. Then, as if determined to meet the
issue squarely, he went on, looking straight into the other's face:
"If it were not for the fact that we are citizens of the United States
and, therefore, neutral, I would be delighted to offer my services in
any way they might be used. We are on a mission that requires our time
and utmost energy, however, and it would be out of the question for us
even to think of such a possibility."
For just a moment no answer was made. The two sat gazing silently
across the table. At length the General spoke in a lower tone:
"You are right, my lad! Loyalty to your country and her needs should
always be your first consideration. Let principle be of far greater
moment than any pecuniary gain, and you cannot go far wrong!"
So saying he arose and extended his hand to Ned. In that firm clasp Ned
detected the emotion that swept over this master of men, who carried
the responsibility of a nation at that moment on his shoulders.
Long afterward he declared that one of the proudest moments of his life
was the one in which he and Joffre clasped hands across the table in
the aviation camp. From that time his efforts to instil into the minds
of his comrades ideas of patriotism and loyalty increased.
After giving instructions that the boys should be well cared for during
such time as they wished to remain, the General prepared to go about
his duties. As he was leaving, Ned asked:
"We feel that we must continue our chase of The Rat and try to prevent
his selling the plans to any other nation. He is, no doubt, on his way
to Berlin, and we ought to follow. Can you give us a pass to go through
or over your lines with the Grey Eagle?"
"That is impossible," returned the other. "No one but the regular
aviators are permitted to do that, and then only under orders. If,
however, you should make such a move without my knowledge or consent, I
could not prevent it. The men in the trenches will have orders not to
fire on any aeroplane like the Grey Eagle if a white cross is painted
on the lower side of the planes. There is plenty of white paint here."
Expressing their sincere thanks, the boys left the General and
proceeded to their sightseeing. Jimmie was very anxious to find the
paint pot and brush, declaring he could take a hint easily. This was
easily arranged, and in a short time two large white crosses were on
the lower side of the Grey Eagle's planes, where they could be easily
seen.
"You have quite a machine there," politely suggested a pilot.
"Thank you," replied Ned, with Francois interpreting.
"Perhaps it is quite swift?" continued the other.
Ned shrugged his shoulders. He did not wish to boast.
"I believe my monoplane is able to travel faster," stated the other. "I
am a firm believer in the merits of a monoplane!"
"Possibly," replied Ned, a little nettled at the fellow's insistence.
"We are satisfied. Our machine carries a heavy load."
"What do you say to a little race?" questioned the pilot.
"What shall we do, boys?" queried Ned, turning to his companions.
"Shall we keep still and let him have his own way or not?"
"I should say not!" vociferated Jimmie, bridling at once. "If you let
him get away with anything like that, he'll take the whole house next!
I say we'd better show him a trick or two. We can do it!"
"Maybe not," cautioned Jack. "These fellows are pretty smooth!"
"They haven't got anything on the little old Grey Eagle when it comes
to getting out of the road. Some day I'll show you!"
"Well, I vote we show this gentleman right now!" urged Harry.
It was accordingly agreed that a trial race was to be run between the
machine owned by the boys and that of the French pilot. Quickly the
news went round the camp, and by the time preparations had been made
everyone was keenly alert. The boys went carefully over every part of
their machine, examining every guy and fastening.
At last the Grey Eagle was pronounced ready, and final instructions
were given as to the course. It was agreed that as a test of all the
qualities necessary in a machine a message should be carried to an
outpost on the firing line not many miles to the eastward. An officer
there would give a receipt for the message, and the return of the
receipt to the camp would determine which machine was the winner.
"Be careful, boys," cautioned Francois. "I think the pilot is
telephoning to a friend of his to have a receipt ready written and put
up on a hoop on a long pole, after the manner of your American train
order deliveries. He can then drop his message, pick up the receipt,
and beat you without being required to land at all!"
"Did you hear him telephoning?" asked Jimmie indignantly.
"Just now!" replied Francois. "He has but just left the booth!"
"Then we'll fix him!" declared Jimmie. "I'll report him!"
"Please do not!" begged Francois. "It would only make trouble!"
"In that case, Ned, we've got to beat this fellow by some few minutes.
He's going to try to win the race by a trick!"
"Evidently we've got him scared!" laughed Ned.
"It looks that way, surely!" agreed Jimmie.
After receiving explicit instructions regarding the location of the
point where the messages were to be delivered, the boys mounted their
machine. Ned followed the example of the Frenchman, and warmed his
engine well before announcing that he was ready.
Several had advised Ned to remove some weight from his craft before
starting, and also strongly advised against carrying four passengers.
To these objections, however, Ned returned but one answer. He had
agreed to run the race in ordinary condition, and he would not now
retreat.
At a pistol shot, fired as the starting signal, both machines seemed to
leap into the air. Ned had opened the muffler for the start, and Jimmie
declared afterward that a stream of fire a mile long burst from the
exhaust pipe. The roar of the Grey Eagle's motor completely drowned out
the noise of the monoplane. In a short time the camp had been left far
in the rear. The Grey Eagle easily took the lead and steadily gained on
the rival air craft, in spite of the Frenchman's best efforts. He was
using every trick and device of which he was master.
Soon Harry, who had been using the binoculars constantly, announced
that he could see a group of men standing in a field, evidently
watching for the coming of the machines. They were grouped near some
trees.
Ned prepared to make a quick landing. He saw, however, upon nearing the
ground that the spot did not offer suitable advantages and rose again.
Continuing over a slight wooded rise, he found an open space which
seemed satisfactory. Here he made an excellent landing.
"Stay where you are," he cried, springing to the ground. "I'll run back
through these trees and get a receipt for the message."
"That will give the monoplane an advantage!" cried Jimmie. "They picked
that poor landing spot because he doesn't have to stop!"
"That's some trick, I must say!" chimed in Harry.
Ned ran rapidly back toward the group of men. He could see the
monoplane descending and noted the preparations for delivery of the
receipt.
"Halt!" a voice commanded, coming from the ground at Ned's feet.