n the way of Archies. There's a new
battery and unless I'm mistaken a new kind of gun--that's why we
climbed. They angled the lights and got our range in two calendar
seconds and they never left us alone. There was one gun in particular
that was almost undodgable. I stalled and side-slipped, climbed and
nose-dived, but the devil was always on the spot."

"Hum," said Blackie thoughtfully, "did you mark the new battery?"

"X B 84 as far as I could judge," said the other and indicated a tiny
square on the big map which covered the side of the office; "it wasn't
worth while locating, for I fancy that my particular friend was
mobile--Tam, look out for the Demon Gunner of Bocheville."

"It is computed by state--by state--by fellers that coont," said Tam,
"that it takes seven thoosand shells to hit a flyin'-man--by my own
elaborate system of calculation, A' reckon that A've five thoosand
shells to see before A' get the one that's marked wi' ma name an'
address."

And he summarily dismissed the matter from his mind for the night.
Forty-eight hours later he found the question of A-A gunnery a problem
which was not susceptible to such cavalier treatment.

He came back to the aerodrome this afternoon, shooting down from a
great height in one steep run, and found the whole of the squadron
waiting for him. Tam descended from the fuselage very solemnly,
affecting not to notice the waiting audience, and with a little salute,
which was half a friendly nod, he would have made his way to squadron
headquarters had not Blackie hailed him.

"Come on, Tam," he smiled. "Why this modesty?"

"Sir-r?" said Tam with well-simulated surprise.

"Let us hear about the gun."

"Ah, the gun," said Tam as though it were some small matter which he had
overlooked in the greater business of the day. "Well, now, sir-r, that
is _some_ gun, and after A've had a sup o' tea A'll tell you the story
of ma reckless exploits."

He walked slowly over to his mess, followed by the badinage of his
superiors.

"You saw it, Austin, didn't you?" Blackie turned to the young airman.

"Oh, yes, sir. I was spotting for a howitzer battery and they were
firing like a gas-pipe, by the way, right outside the clock--I can't
make up my mind what is the matter with that battery."

"Never mind about the battery," interrupted Blackie; "tell us about
Tam."

"I didn't see it all," said Austin, "and I didn't know it was Tam until
later. The first thing I saw was one of o