Unerringly the skillful young pilot guided the great
flier; never for a moment did he appear to be at a loss as to what
course to pursue. He flew at a great height, and though an occasional
shot was directed at the phantom machine so high above their heads, the
Germans were unable to do it any damage.

Finally they crossed the battle-line. Apparently a night attack was in
progress and the path of the trenches could be followed from the flame
of bursting projectiles.

"Think what those fellows down below are going through now," exclaimed
Earl feelingly.

"I don't envy them," said Leon.

"Nor I," agreed Jacques. "We've all been through that though and I
suppose we will soon again."

"Perhaps to-morrow even," exclaimed Earl. "I wonder where the
_douzieme_ is now."

"Probably in the thick of that fight," said Leon.

"They are if they have anything to say about it," agreed Jacques warmly.

"What a crowd they are," exclaimed Earl.

"Think how many are gone," Jacques reminded him.

"And how many are going to go too," added Leon.

"Perhaps we three right here," said Earl soberly.

"Perhaps so," agreed Jacques. "For me there could be no finer death
though than to die with my face to the enemy; to die for my country,
fighting for France."

"Let's hope you may live for France," said Leon.

"She has lost so many of her young men," said Earl. "She needs all she
has and she'll need them after the war too."

"That's true," agreed Jacques. "Have you noticed lately that the
regiments are made up of older men than they were before? The soldiers
now are mostly between thirty and forty, where they used to be between
twenty and thirty."

"The young armies are gone," said Earl. "Armies of little wooden
crosses everywhere along the battle-line show where they have gone,
too."

"We're going down now," announced Jacques suddenly. "That is our
hangar below there."

"How can you see?" demanded Leon. "I never can see anything at night."

"I have always been very good in the dark," said Jacques. "Here we go."

Down, down, down the big battle-plane sped. Describing great circles
it soared nearer and nearer to its resting place until at length it
alighted gently on the aviation field and running along the smooth
ground for a few yards came to a full stop.

"Well done, Jacques," exclaimed Earl warmly. "You're a wonder."

"And I'm stiff and cold," added Jacques.

"And so am I," echoed Leon.

"You're wounde