quarters of the escadrille concerning them, and Tom had been mentioned as a very promising pupil, whose astonishing ability in the pursuit he had taken up had pleased his French instructors at Pau.
So they were given a hearty greeting, truly American and democratic in every way.
As a rule the escadrille was supposed to number a round dozen members, though not always full, for significant reasons. Now it might be one of the aviators was taken sick after unusual exposure at a great height, where the cold was intense, and his place must remain empty for a while.
Then again, accidents were frequent, owing to the desperate chances taken when fighting the Boche fliers. Every man among them knew what it was to be wounded by a flying missile from a machine-gun; or possibly through being struck by shrapnel.
Last of all there came times when a vacancy occurred in the ranks, owing to one of the corps meeting the fate which they faced almost every day of their lives.
Neither of the two young fellows would ever forget that first dinner with the famous fliers of the escadrille, and the merry time they had afterwards. The conversation was of a diversified description. Indeed, almost every subject
