ace for airplanes, because of the welcome of its soft sand.
Georges Guynemer never left the Anglet beach, and every time an airplane
descended he was there to receive it. He was the aviation sentry. But at
this period airplanes were rare. Guynemer had his own thoughts, and
tenacity was one of his dominant traits; he was already one of those who
never renounce. The bathers who passed this everlasting idler never
suspected that he was obstinately developing one single plan, and
hanging his whole future upon it.

Meanwhile the horizon of Europe darkened. Ever since the assassination
of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, at Sarajevo, electricity had
accumulated in the air, and the storm was ready to burst. To this young
man, the Archduke and the European horizon were things of nothing. The
sea-air was healthful, and he searched the heavens for invisible
airplanes. The conversations in progress all around him were full of
anxiety; he had no time to listen to them. The eyes of the women began
to be full of pain; he did not notice the eyes of women. On the second
of August the order for mobilization was posted. It was war!

Then Guynemer rid himself of his dream, as if it were something unreal,
and broke off brusquely all his plans for the future. He was entirely
possessed by another idea, which made his eyes snap fire, and wrinkled
his forehead. He rushed to his father and without taking breath
announced:

"I am going to enlist."

"You are lucky."

"Well, then, you authorize me...."

"I envy you."

He had feared to be met with some parental objection on account of the
uncertain health which had so often thwarted him, and had postponed his
preparation for the Ecole Polytechnique. Now he felt reassured. Next day
he was at Bayonne, getting through all the necessary formalities. He was
medically examined--and postponed. The doctors found him too tall, too
thin--no physiological defect, but a child's body in need of being
developed and strengthened. In vain he supplicated them; they were
pitiless. He returned home grieved, humiliated, and furious. The Villa
Delphine was to know some very uncomfortable days. His family understood
his determination and began to have fears for him. And he returned to
the charge, and attacked his father with insistence, as if his father
were all-powerful and could, if he would, compel them to accept his
son's services for _la Patrie_.

"If you would help me, I should not be put off."

"But