he asked, trying to
shift the subject. "They're having some hot fighting up there."

"Yes, I know. Things look pretty dark for the English. But answer my
question: What is the real reason why you haven't thought of getting
transferred into the United States forces?"

"I didn't say I hadn't thought of it," Larkin avoided. "Maybe I didn't
want to trade horses in the middle of the stream."

"Any other reason?"

"Well, hang it all! a fellow builds up some pride in the uniform he
wears. A good many of our buddies have gone out for their last ride in
this uniform and--and it stands for a lot. Of course I am proud of my
own country, and sometimes I feel a little strange in this uniform now
that my own country is in the war, but it isn't a thing you can put on
or take off just as the spirit moves you. It becomes a part of you. Say!
What's eatin' you, anyway? Are you anxious to change uniforms?"

"Um-m. I'm not so sure. I like that bunch I met over there to-night."

"Yes, and they are all afoot. The truth is, our own country hasn't
enough combat planes to send out a patrol. They are developing some
mystery motor, I hear, but I'm not very keen about trying out any
mystery motors. Our Camels are mystery enough to suit me. When I'm up
against the ceiling with a fast flying Albatross or tri-plane Fokker on
my tail, I don't want any mysteries to handle. No, Red, for the time
being I guess I'm satisfied. Besides, they might chuck me in the
infantry, and I have a horror of having things drop on me from overhead.
Let's to bed, old topper, so we can hop off early in the morning. The
sooner we start the sooner we get to 'Gay Paree'. Besides, early to bed
and early to rise makes a man ready to challenge the skies. How's that
for impromptu poetry?"

"Rotten! Omar and Ben Franklin both in one evening!" McGee yawned as he
began pulling at a boot. "But it makes me sleepy. Go on, say me some
more pretty pieces. Or maybe you'd like to sing me to sleep."

[Footnote A: For definitions of military and aeronautical terms, as well
as certain slang peculiar to army life, see glossary at the back of the
book.]

CHAPTER II

A Pass to Paris

1

The following morning dawned with the quiet splendor and benediction
which April mornings bring to the rural province of Cote d'Or. By the
time the sun had climbed above the low hills to the east and was turning
the dew covered fields into limitless acres of flashing diamonds and
sapphires,