at on the
grass almost at the feet of Creville. But they sat up, when they heard
him, and John saw that they were uncommonly handsome and athletic, their
age about his own. They stepped forward at once, and extended to John
the hand of fellowship. Captain Creville made the introductions.

"He wishes to enlist with you," he said.

"He'll be welcome, I know," said the Englishman, Carstairs. "Our
commander, Captain Colton, is not here at this moment, but we expect him
in a half hour. How did you arrive, Mr. Scott?"

"He dropped down," replied Creville for John. "Dropped down. I don't
understand you, Captain?"

Creville pointed straight up into the heavens.

"He came like the bird," he said. "He sailed through the air, seeking
his nest. As soon as he saw us he said: 'Here is the perfect place; here
I can dwell with the kindest and best people in the world; and down he
swooped at once.'"

"I suppose you mean that he's an airman and that he came in a flying
machine," said the American, Wharton. "Carstairs will arrive at that
conclusion, too, if you give him time, but being an Englishman, time he
must have."

"But when I arrive at the conclusion it will be right," said Carstairs.

"It's true that Mr. Scott came by machine," said Captain Creville, who
was now speaking in excellent English. "He arrived with our great young
aviator, Philip Lannes, and he has had many and thrilling adventures, of
which he will tell you later. I suppose you will take your part in these
English and American controversies, Mr. Scott, but your new captain will
have nothing to do with them."

"Is he an Englishman or an American?"

"You can decide that for yourself. He was born in England. His mother
was American and his father English. He was taken to America when he was
three years old, and was educated there, but, after finishing at
Harvard, he spent a year at Oxford. It seemed to all of us that his
appointment as captain of this troop was most happy. The English are
sure that he's English, the American know that he's American, he himself
says nothing, and so all are happy. Ah, here he comes now, ahead of
time!"

Daniel Coulton, a tall fair young man with a fine, open face, entered
the dip, and Captain Creville at once turned John over to him.

"We're glad to have you, Mr. Scott," said Colton, "but the service will
be hard and full of danger."

"I expect it, sir."

"These young men are serving France for love, and nearly all of them