Page:Air Service Boys Flying for France.djvu/185

180 where peaceful and innocent people would likely be the ones to suffer most."

"That's just why the British keep on refusing to pay back each raid on London. They have their faults, we know, but somehow there's a spirit of national pride about their love of a square game. They fight fairly and stubbornly, those British. The Germans once made all manner of fun of them, but they have a deep respect for both the French and British these days. It's been pounded into them with hard knocks."

It was then afternoon. Jack considered, and then came to a decision.

"Guess I'll have to call my appointment with Sergeant Jean off for to-day," he said, as he commenced to change his clothes again. "With such a long and tiresome trip ahead I'd better save myself all I can."

The night promised to favor them, a fact Jack rejoiced to see, for he kept fearing lest something should crop up to cause the general to call the expedition off.

"The moon is nearly at its full, Tom," he remarked, as they waited to hear the ever welcome summons to supper; "and while it may be a bit hazy, as it was night before last at the time they started, that will only be in our favor. I guess we'll get away all right."