Air Service Boys Flying for France, Or, The Young Heroes of the Lafayette ...

Front matter

Google to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I — ^The Airplane Chums i

II — Looking Forward to Action 14

Chapter I

*^ow then, good luck to you, Tom! Tell me how it feels to look down on the world from the clouds."

"Oh, I expect to have a high old time, Jacknthree thousand feet of it, in fact. And my nerves seem to be as steady as ever."

''You're a lucky boy, all right, to get this chance to try for altitude after being in the harness at the aviation field for only two months."

"But my instructor tells me I was bom for the life of a birdman, Jack."

"I know you've talked, read, and dreamed of little else these two years back. And now, Tom, at last the germ has caught me almost as fiercely in its grip."

"Yes, old boy, it means the pair of us woricing tooth and nail now, learning to fly, so when the time comes, we can take our places for Uncle Sam in the great game. And it isn't going to be so very far oflf now, with that fearful war raging across the sea."

**Well, look out for yourself, Tom. I'm going

I to keep 3rou in focus with my binoculars every minute of the time. Whenever you take a dip my heart will jump right up into my throat, I know. Lieutenant Carson gave you a limit, of course ?"

'Tm to keep one eye on my recording barometer, and when it registers a full three thousand feet in height Fm to commence to volplane down. And my instructor is a man whose orders youVe got to obey to the letter."

"No trouble for you to do the trick, Tom, because you come of a family of inventors

and dabblers in mechanics. It's different with me, for I have to pound things into this dull head of mine. Til wait around till you drop down again." /;

"Wish you would, Jack, for I've got something to tell you; news that has been giving me something to worry about."

"I knew that letter you had must have contained bad news, Tom; and I've been waiting to hear you say something about it. ,^er?l Lieutenant Carson is waving his hand for you to get a move on. I envy you, that's a fact. So-long, Tom."

Another minute, and the airplane in, which Tom Raymond sat was trundling along over the even surface of the aviation field, gaining speed as its engine warmed to the work.

Jack Pannly stood and watched with ke«i interest. Not that he entertained the slightest doubt concerning the ability of Tom Raymond to accomplish this new test which the flyingjmaster had imposed on the aspiring students. Jack believed Tom equal to anything that any Other aviator could carry out, given a little time for practice.

They were great friends, and had been ever since childhood. They lived in the town of Bridgeton, Virginia. As Jack had hinted, Tom's father was an inventor, and several successful labor-saving devices were associated with his name. He had also perfected more than one apparatus useful in the saving of life at sea and in time of accident.

Since the great World War had broken out in Europe Mr. Raymond was devoting his talents to an altogether different task — ^that of discovering means for bringing the conflict to a speedy close by giving the advantage to the side whose cause he favored.

Tom, usually a quiet, reserved lad, had always been deeply interested in aeronautics. From childhood he had read every book or article he could get hold of that contained accounts of balloon voyages, and later on records of the progress made in airplane building and manipulation.

When the Wrights were starting on their wonderful experiments with a heavier-than-air flying-machine Tom began to lose interest in his school studies, for his brain was filled with the amazing possibilities that awaited a successful termination of their work and that of the French experimenters who were working along similar lines.

Time passed on, and with the breaking out of the European conflict the race to utilize this discovery led to r^id rivalry in the field of aviation. Things were becoming of everyday occurrence that but three years back would have been considered utterly impossible.

The fever continued to bum with ever-increasing strength in Tom Raymond's veins until he could be restrained no longer. His father, realizing that it was of no use to try to deny him his one consuming wish, made arrangements for him to go to the nearest Government aviation field where a school for novices who aspired to learn how to fly was being organized. This was located in Virginia*

Jack Parmly had anticipated this action, and somehow had managed to influence his widowed mother to allow him to accompany his chiun. Mrs. Parmly was of long American lineage and intensely patriotic. Though it grieved her sorely to give up her only son, she

THE AIRPLANE CHUMS g

believed that his country had the first claim upon his services.

Her husband had been a volunteer officer during the Spanish war; though retiring again to private life at its close; and from away back to the Revolution the Parmly family, as well as her own, had always taken their parts in the wars of their country.

It will be seen, therefore, that these two comrades although quiet and studious came honestly by their adventurous spirit, and also the desire to be of service to their country.

Of course, like all beginners both of the boys had passed through a number of rather thrilling experiences while learning how to manipulate the motors of their airplanes alone. At first an instructor had always accompanied them. They also flew at a low altitude, and by slow degrees advanced along the path of knowl^ge until finally each was allowed to go up alone.

Once Jack landed with such force that his plane was badly damaged, and he himself had to lay off from work several days because of sundry bruises and contusions received in the timible.

Then, on another occasion, something happened to Tom's engine when he was trjring his first ascent to a height of a thousand feet or more. When he found that it suddenly refused to obey his bidding Tom felt a spasm of alarm, but he did not lose his head, fortunately.

He started to volplane down, though afraid that his landing would be of a nature to bring^ about a terrible smash. However, nothing so serious as that occurred, for when two-thirds of the way to the ground his engine began to work again, in response to his eager appeal; and after all he was able to continue his flight.

At present they had both reached a stage in their education that allowed considerable lati* tude in further ventures. And Tom was now about to undertake a feat that would stamp him as being a genuine aviator capable of attempting extended flights.

Tom had now commenced to fly upward. The little airplane had its nose pointed toward the fleecy clouds floating high in the air above him. Up, and stilL up the airplane mounted in dizzying spirals. The machine was a good one of modem build, suited for the general work of a novice, still learning how to control his craft alone.

Later on, Tom would discover that the necessities of modem warfare have compelled the "Cunning artificers of France and Germany and Great Britain to invent a variety of airplanes, each intended for a special purpose. But that was a page in the young fellow's career not yet turned.

Presently the airplane was almost like a dot in the heavens. Indeed, with the naked eye it was hard to distinguish it from a flying bird. Now and again it temporarily disappeared entirely amidst the white clouds that lay scattered across the sky, to Jack's eyes resembling marching battalions hurr3dng to get in battle formation.

Jack, equipped with his powerful glasses, could easily follow the course of his chum. Just as he had said, he did not leave the spot for a minute, but kept faithful watch and ward. He was as deeply interested in the carrying out of Tom's latest venture as though he himself were the one to profit through its successful issue.

They had been at the aviation school — ^the first the United States Oovemment really established before breaking into the great war — jtist two months. Every day that the weather conditions allowed both of the ambitious young fliers kept hard at work under the able army officer connected with the Signal Corps, who had become the instructor in the school.

Tom had advanced so rapidly and shown such evident signs of proving a marvel in the work of flying, that his progress had been e THE AIRPLANE CHUMS

much swifter than Jack's. Already he had been allowed to go up unaccompanied and practice various evolutions that were in line with his steady advancement.

This altitude test was one of the last, just as it is possibly the most nerve-trying. Objects look so very strange when seen from a great distance up in the air; and the conditions surrounding the novice are so greatly in contrast with those closer to the earth, that the first trial trip is always watched with considerable solicitude by the instructor.

Jack heaved a sigh of relief when he discovered that his chum was finally coming down from the dizzy height Both of them had become proficient in the highly important operation of shutting off the engine, pointing the nose of the airplane toward the earth, and volplaning swiftly downward.

It was one of the very first things they had learned, since it is hardly possible to make a safe landing without a perfect knowledge of this necessary art. Tom came rushing down with increased speed. The wind was whistling in his ears, and without his goggles he would have found it impossible to see on account of the tears the cold atmosphere would have forced into his eyes.

Adroitly, when the proper time came, h^ changed the line of flight of his airplane to that of the horizontal and the broad wings soon caught the air. Eventually the machine touched the ground with tail and wings at the same time, bumped along for a certain distance, its speed becoming slower and slower imtil h stopped directly in front of Jack.

"Splendidly done!" exclaimed Jack Parmly, his face beaming with pleasure and pride in his chum. "Tom, you're surely a wizard when it comes to air work! But all the same Fm glad to see you safe back on the earth again. Here comes Lieutenant Carson to congratulate his most promising pupil."

The army officer hurried up, hand extended.

"You have fulfilled my expectations fully, Tom," he said, in his quiet fashion. "Another time you must strive to reach the six-thousandfeet altitude, but there are some other things I'd like to have you become proficient in first You still have a few faults, common to all beginners. Perhaps they are not very serious in themselves; but even trifles may imperil an a.viator's life, and these should be corrected in the beginning."

That was all he said, then turned away to ppive his attention to others among his pupils, ifor there were a number practicing daily at the new school of aviation. Indeed, the desire to lo THE AIRPLANE CHUMS

learn to fly was rapidly becoming a fever in the veins of a multitude of daring young Americans; and when the time came for Uncle Sam to need a host of skilled aviators thousands would eagerly avail themselves of the opportunity to serve their country in that fascinating if dangerous way.

Tom had finished his work for the day, and, as Jack was also through, the two walked away in company, to change their clothes at the hangar where they kept their street garments. A mechanician took charge of the airplane, and would see that it was properly cleaned, as well as restored to its shed until needed again. These men took the place of hostlers at the training camp, doing all the ordinary repairing, and fetching the planes out for the fliers when needed. ^

Later on the two yotmg fellows left the field and proceeded toward the station where they could take a car for town, where they had a room.

*Tlease don't forget," remarked Jack, as they were riding toward the town they called home in those days, '*that you promised to let me know what your bad news was. I saw you get the letter, and at first hoped you'd heard something from that steamship company you wrote to. Was it really from home, and did

THE AIRPLANE CHUMS ii

it contain something that hit you hard? I hope it won't interfere with the plans we've been making for going across to France."

"On the contrary," said Tom, soberly, "it may hasten my departure. You see, it gives me fresh reason to hate the cause of the Kaiser. But wait until we get to our room and Til tell you all about the disaster that has given my father the worst blow of his whole life."

Jack felt more eager than ever to hear what his comrade had to say. His interest in everything that concerned Tom was almost as keen as though it had to do with his own fortunes. So as soon as they were comfortably seated in their room at a private house in the Virginia town, he turned an pcpectant face toward the other. His eager expression influenced Tom to keep-^liis promise without delay.

"It concerns a certain invention on which father has been working night and day for nearly a year now," Tom began.

"Oh! That airplane stabilizer you once told me about?" quickly demanded the other.

"Yes, Jack. It baffled his utmost skill for a long time, but lately he believed he had foimd the great secret that would make airplanes almost as safe to use as motor cars on the public, highways."

''You always said he was bound to get it if he lived," Jack went on. "But how was it your father turned to airplane experimentation, when he was never up in one in his life?"

"I suppose my wildness to fly had something to do with it; but there was a stronger motive. Father always looks, far into the future; and, like many other people since this terrible war has started and airplanes are taking such a big share in the fighting, he believes that the nation able to muster the most efficient fleet of monster fliers capable of carrying tons and tons of destructive explosives, will win."

"I see uow where you got that idea, Tom; for Fve heard you speak of it more than once. Yes, and I believe the same thing. That is one reason Fm here at the aviation school learning to serve my country and the cause of democracy in the world. But go on. Tell me more about it."

"Just when father felt absolutely certain that he had solved the problem," continued Tom dejectedly, "a terrible disaster came upon him as suddenly as a bolt from the blue."

"Was it a fire that destroyed his papers and set him back in his calculations?" demanded Jack.

"Oh, much worse than that!" came the answer. "A part of the design was stolen. He says he will in time probably be able to make it good, so that isn't the worst of it He fears the stolen paper may get into the hands of the German high authorities on aeronautics and prove of priceless value to them in their further conduct of the warl"

CHAPTER II Jack looked aghast at hearing Tom say this

"Has he some good reason for fearing such a thing, Tom?" he hastened to ask.

"He has," came the other's reply. "There was a German who tried hard to get on friendly terms with my father. He finally hinted very broadly that his Government, in order to secure the secret of the new stabilizer, stood ready to double any amoimt of money our Government at Washington had offered."

"Whew! then he must have been a secret agent of Wilhelmstrasse !" suggested Jack, with bated breath.

"There's not the slightest doubt about it.** And Tom frowned and looked very determined. "No one could have made such a promise unless he was in close touch with the German Legation at Washington and the pay agents of the Kaiser in New York City."

"Of course your father refused to consider any offer from German sources," continued Jade, eagerly.

*TIe was very angry at being approached by an agent of a Government with which the United States was likely to go to war at any time since the Lusitania was sunk. He told tins Adolph Tiessig what he thought of his nerve, and I gaess must have shown him the door in a hurry, for I know father's temper.'* 'And what happened next, Tom?" Well, father was so busy just then on another experiment that he neglected to take proper precautions, a fact he is bitterly sorry for now. The time to shut and lock the stable door is when the horse is still safe inside. But then you know inventors are not like ordinary people, Jack; they live up in the clouds much of the time; and my father was always a great hand for putting off things.'*

'Too bad, Tom, for I can begin to see this was one time that failing got him into trouble. So the paper was stolen, was it?"

''No question about it. Jack, for father fotmd his room had been entered, and the safe in which he kept many of his private papers, forced open and rummaged. But as luck would have it, he carried one of the papers in his pocket at the time, so that although the thief took the other away with him, it may be pos- «ble that even the clever airplane builders OTcr on the Rhine or on Lake Constance, will i6 LOOKING FORWARD TO ACTION

have a hard time puzzling out the real meaning of his figures and incomplete design."

"They are a keen bunch, though," said Jack, looking worried, "and if they set their minds to it the chances are th y'U succeed in the end. But perhaps the thief may realize he has not secured the precious paper he was after, and on that account fail to deliver it to the German Embassy at Washington?"

"Father, hopes that may turn out to be so,"" replied Tom. "But remember. Jack, this is to be kept a dead secret. Father has good reasons for not wishing it to become known to the Government yet; though you must understand there's nothing dishonorable about his motives."

"rU never breathe a word of it, Tom, you can depend on that. But doesn't he mean to put the case in the hands of the Secret Service men? They might manage to recover the paper before it falls into the hands of the enemy."

"But to do that, don't you see, he would have to take the Government into his confidence, which he is loth to do just yet. No, he has hired a detective of national reputation, John MuUins, who is even now on the trail, and he hopes to intercept the thief. But since Washington is not many hours away from our home town by rail, it may be that the -precious

■Mlhi paper was in the legation safe before my father even learned of his loss."

''But why should your father hesitate about letting the authorities at Washington know of his loss, Tom? Perhaps they might help him find that paper before the thief had found a chance to get it out of the country/*

Tom sighed heavily.

'1 think father has a fear that some jealous rival of his might circulate the report that the paper had not been stolen at all; and that the supposed robbery was only a clever ruse on his part to deceive the Government. In plain words, Jack, that my father, who would die before betraying his country, had conspired to sell his invention at an enormous price to the Grcrmans,"

"That would be a terrible thing for any American to say of another!" Jack asserted, indignantly.

"Still, there are men who would be guilty of throwing out such base hints; and you know how these are magnified by the public. Father is doubly troubled, you can see. I would give a great deal if only I could in some way be able to recover that stolen paper, and put it safely back in father's hands."

"You've made me feel bad, Tom. I sympathize with your father, because I know from i8 LOOKING FORWARD TO ACTIOS!

all you've told me that he expected this to be the crowning feat of all his inventions. And then, besides, his loss may make Germany tfic commanding nation of the whole world. Yes, it's a great misfortune. I wish we could do something to recover that stolen paper."

"Oh, rd give years of my life if I only could. Jack! But it's no use to dream of such a thing. Still, I suppose I will do that very thing — dream of it — ^and often wake up in the belief that I've cornered this Adolph Tuessig and forced hiqi to hand over father's latest and biggest achievement."

''I can easily understand just how you fecL It may be the thing will work on my mind too, so that I'll also dream I'm handing that paper back to your dad, proudly telling him how we hunted the German spy down and forced him to disgorge. But you said this misfortune at home wouldn't cause you to change your plans any, didn't you ?"

"I shall be more eager than ever to get a whack at the Kaiser, because it was one of his miserable spies who robbed my father of his secret. Our folks have already given their consent, and if only we can get passage aboard a steamer there's nothing to keep us from going across to France, who is eager to accept all the aviators she can get on the battlelines."

Jack had apparentiy been a little anxious cottceming this part of the programme. Considerably relieved, he thrust out his hand and squeezed the fingers of his comrade heartily as he went on to say:

"Ever since we concluded to offer our services to France, when we felt satisfied we had learned the rudiments of flying, the idea has taken a firm root in my mind; and, Tom, I'd be terribly disappointed if anything happened to break up our pet plan/'

"No more than I would. Jack. You know my passion for being in the air. And now that this cause for hating the Germans has come along, it's added fire to my zeal. I tell you it would have to be something pretty serious that could cause me to back down at this late stage."

"Then," said Jack triumphantly, "we're booked for France, if only the steamship people will let us take passage. And from all accounts, they're not likely to put any obstacle in our way, knowing what our motive is and that we are able to pay their price."

"But surely by now I ought to have heard something to that effect from the New York agent I wrote to," argued Tom.

"Better try again," suggested his companion. "Letters sometimes go astray, you know, and he may never have received it*"

"Oh, I was wise enough to register the letter," Tom told him; "so I know it was safely delivered. Like as not he's taking his own time to answer, because sailings are not frequent in these days of submarine horrors. They never advertise what day the boat is expected to leave, always informing would-be passengers to be aboard at a certain time, although the vessel may remain in the harbor for another day or two. All that is done to prevent spies from sending by wireless information connected with the sailing to the other side, and which in turn would be communicated to the waiting U-boats."

There was a ring of the bell.

"That was the postman, Tom. I wonder now if he had anything for you," remarked Jack, who chanced to be sitting near the window where he could look out and observe all that was taking place in the street.

"I'll go down and see," his chum remarked, jumping up hurriedly; and Jack noticed that Tom, usually so composed and cool, was showing the effect of his late nervous strain in flying, now supplemented by this fresh cause for anxiety.

Tom returned in a few minutes. He held an open letter in his hand. One look Jack took at his beaming face, and then he too jumped hastily to his feet.

LOOKING FORWARD TO ACTION 2t

"It must be good news, Tom, this time!" he ejaculated.

"Well, it is, for a fact!" shouted the other in excitement. "We're booked to sail on the twelfth! Here are our instructions to be on hand the preceding evening, ready to start!"

Impulsive Jack threw his arms around his chum, and actually gave him a bearish hug. It was plain to be seen that the greatest ambition of his life was on the point of being gratified, and he was correspondingly happy.

"Then perhaps within two weeks or so we may be standing on French soil, and dropping in at that wonderful aviation school at Pau, about which, since coming here, we've heard so much from Lieutenant Carson. Won't the other fellows be envious though, when they learn about our great good luck? Hurrah!"

Chapter III Good-bye To The Aviation School

After the receipt of the letter from the steamship company, things began to happen with increasing swiftness in the lives of Tom Raymond and Jack Parmly.

On the following day they meant to say good-bye to Lieutenant Carson and the assemblage of young fellows who were, Uke them* selves, learning the lessons of aviation under the direction of the capable Signal Corps officer.

First of all they sought out the officer, who had just sent up into the air an assistant with a promising student who showed signs of making his mark in flying, and who was just as eager as the two chums to go across the sea to where they would find stirring action.

"What great news are you bringing with you to-day, boys?" demanded the lieutenant, as soon as he turned and saw them approaching, their faces beaming, and their eyes sparkling with happiness. "But why ask that when I can see you've got your wish at last, and

AVIATION SCHOOL 23

that we're going to lose two of our most advanced pupils from the school here?"

'*We sail in six days, Lieutenant," said Tom, joyously. **I had a favorable Ifctter from the steamship company yesterday afternoon."

"Yes," added Jack, unable to keep silent and with heart pounding loudly with happiness against his ribs, "and it's hard to believe that within twenty days we may be watching those adept French fliers at the great Pau School do all kinds of acrobatic feats up in the air."

"Don't be too sure of that. Jack," warned the more conservative Tom. "Remember we have three thousand and more miles of ocean to cross before we can hope to land on French soil. And in the barred zone dozens of German submarines are waiting to smash our vessel with their villainous torpedoes."

"One thing I want to do before you leave here to-day for good," continued the friendly ofiicer. "And that is to give you a letter of introduction to my younger brother. I believe I told you that he was flying for France, and when I last heard from him he was a member of the famous Lafayette Escadrille. You will like Phil, I am sure. He has already won the right to be called an ace, having brought down his fifth enemy plane some months ago.'*

"Some day," said Tom, speaking from his heart, "perhaps bolli of us may win that honor,

24 GOOD-BYE TO THE

and wear the French War Cross in addition. I often dream of such things, you know, Lieutenant, for my every thought is given to flying^ and serving the cause of democracy. It must run in the blood, I think.*'

When the news went around that the two chums were actually booked to sail for the other side they became the center of a boisterous and envious crowd. Every youth present eyed them wifli a greedy look, for were they not all longing to have just such a piece of good fortune strike them?

"It's better to be bom lucky than rich!" declared one keen-eyed yoimg man, who was the most advanced of all those in training at the big camp. "I've been indulging in dreams that perhaps I'd be the first to sail for France, because my instructor tells me I'm ready to graduate any day now. But the lightning had to strike in another quarter."

"We'll be watching for you to follow, Dawes," said Tom warmly, for he had always liked the young fellow and believed he had a bright future before him. Unless — Well, every one knows what terrible risks aviators take in war times, and that even the best and most wonderful fliers are apt to meet their fate some day while on duty.

Wherever Tom and lack went they were the