Page:Air Service Boys Flying for France.djvu/28

Rh 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,