GOOD-BYE TO THE AVIATION SCHOOL
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 birdmen 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 never be delivered,” he said simply. “The life of an army
aviator is a precarious one. To-day he is in perfect health; to-morrow
he meets the enemy high in the air, and his end has come. But if Phil
is yet alive when you get to the front, tell him his family are proud
of what he has already done to stay the hand of the common foe of
democracy.”
He turned hastily away on saying this. Jack realized that the younger
brother must have been a great favorite in the Carson home, and that
news of his meeting a sudden death would come as a terrible blow to
those who loved him so dearly. Tom often wondered whether he would ever
have the pleasure of meeting Phil Carson in the dim future.
It was now time for the two chums to return to town to pack their
belongings and catch the afternoon train for Washington, where they
meant to spend a few days before going to their more distant homes.
Business was suspended for the time being in the camp. A score of young
fellows, garbed in their flying togs, and ranging from the nearly
graduated Dawes to the latest rookie, flocked around them to give a
parting handshake and wish them a successful voyage across the water.
Besides, there were many mechanicians and other attaches of the camp
who seemed to feel an interest in the fortunes of the pair; though
possibly not many of them really aspired to take the same desperate
chances that Tom and Jack were about to face.
“Hope the subs don’t get you, boys!” called out one man. “They’re
growing pretty hungry, all accounts say, and any day now we expect
to hear of another sinking that’ll be nearly as terrible as the
_Lusitania_.”