When I was sure he was down, sure
enough, I had come a bit too low, and for a while I was pretty busy
dodging the finest collection of Archies I have yet met with. I got
two fair-sized pieces of shell right through both planes, but they
didn't seem to matter a bit. I got up to a good height before I quit
climbing. So far as I could see, you had by that time managed to get
out of what must have been a bit of a trap, and were heading off
south at a rate of knots, as my sailor brother would say. I hovered,
watching the big hunter that dived on you. He didn't seem to know
quite what to do. He must have missed seeing me, for some reason.

"As I was waiting for him to make up his mind you did that ripping
loop. I saw that. So did the Boche hunter who was onlooking. I knew
you would get that center plane, and thought you would score two of
them, but you were right to take no chances of the number three chap
getting a drop on you. Where I played the goat was letting the
swooper fellow get a start on me. I guess I was too interested
watching your antics."

"Anyway, he got to your area before I did, though I wasn't far back.
Your skid off to the side put them all off, and gave me a fine chance
at Mr. Swooper. He fussed a minute, undecided what to do. That is
a bad fault at this game. I caught him just where I wanted him, and
he did his last swoop, I guess. I piled on home after you, but not
so fast. Anyone would think you were going to a fire, by the way you
came back. What was your desperate hurry?"

Jimmy laughed. He was so glad Parker was home safe and sound that
he did not mind being chaffed. So Parker had accounted for two enemy
machines? And he had been worrying about Parker! Well, he might as
well own up to himself, he thought, that he had been acting like a
very green hand at the game. But never mind! They had done a good
day's work, both of them. No mistake about that. He felt good. The
reaction had set in in earnest. Jimmy was simply happy.

At that moment the flight commander came in. Parker and Jimmy rose,
stepped forward and saluted.

"Back?" said the chief laconically.

"Yes, sir," answered Parker.

"Did you find any of their scouts?"

"Yes, sir. One."

"Get him?"

"Drove him down, sir. I could not tell much about his damage from his
landing, though I think he smashed a bit. I had a good chance at him."

"That all?"

"Yes, sir. Except that four of their hunters attacked