r," observed Jack.
He and Tom were slightly wounded--mere scratches they dubbed the
hurts--but they were sent to the rear to be looked over and bandaged, as
were some of the others who were more severely hurt. There were some who
could not be sent back--who were left in No Man's Land silent figures
who would never take part in a battle again. They had paid their price
toward making the world a better place to live in, and their names were
on the Honor Roll.
"Well, what do you think about it?" asked Tom of Jack.
"I don't know what to think. It seems hardly possible that Harry can be
so near to us, and yet we can't do a thing to help him."
"I'm not so sure about that," returned Tom. "That's what I want to talk
about."
It was a week after the patrol raid, and clear weather had succeeded the
rain and mist, so that it was possible for the aeroplanes to operate.
And their services were much needed.
There were preparations going on back of the German lines of which
General Pershing and the Allied commanders needed to be informed. And
only the "eyes" of the armies could see them and report--the eyes being
the aeroplanes.
So it came about that, having been relieved of their temporary transfer
to the infantry, Tom and Jack were once more with their comrades of the
air.
"Well, let's think it over, and talk about it when we come down,"
suggested Jack. "We've got to go upstairs for our usual tour of duty
now."
This would last three hours. They were to do scout work--report any
unusual activity back of the German lines, or give warning of the
approach of any hostile aeroplanes. After their tour of duty was ended
they would have the rest of the day to themselves, provided there was
no general attack. Of course if, while they were up, they were attacked,
they must fight.
Each lad had a plane to himself, since the young "huns" had all pretty
well passed their novitiate, and were now in the regular flying squad.
Later some other new aviators would report for instruction on the battle
front.
Up and up climbed Tom and Jack, and eagerly they scanned the German
lines for any signs of activity. But though there were some Hun planes
in the air, they did not approach to give battle. Possibly some other
plans were afoot. Afterward Tom and Jack admitted to one another that
there was a great temptation to fly over the German trenches to try to
get a sight of the prison that had been spoken of--the camp where Harry
Leroy
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