eir home town.

The balance of their stay in the experimental camp was passed in
trying to learn all they possibly could about things connected with
aviation.

"Those who observe the trend of events closely," Lieutenant Green told
them, as he only too gladly showed them many clever devices calculated
to increase the efficiency of aeroplanes when in action, "are firmly
convinced that should we ever get embroiled in a war with any
first-class power, which we all hope will never happen, aeroplanes
are bound to occupy a very important place in the field."

"But I'm sure I read lately that there has been talk of limiting the
activities of air craft in war times?" Hugh questioned.

"Yes, and already it has been settled that bombs shall not be dropped
into besieged cities where civilians may be killed, but only into
forts and on war vessels," the army officer told them. "But, after
all, that is only a small fraction of the uses to which a war
aeroplane may be put. For scouting and learning the movements of
troops, it is a wonder. No matter how skilful a general may be,
his plans are all apt to go amiss if the quick movements of his
forces are discovered by the airman from a mile above. The aviator
may be well out of reach of any missiles modern guns can throw upward,
but with his glasses he can watch every movement and signal the news
to headquarters."

The scouts were astonished to hear all this.

"Where would the genius of a Napoleon have been," remarked Lieutenant
Fosdick in turn, "if aeroplanes had been in common use as far back as
Waterloo? You may remember that the secret of his great success in
battle was the mobility of his troops. He would divide his army and
hurl a part of it so as to strike the enemy unexpectedly on the flank,
timing his own frontal attack so as to complete the confusion. Well,
if the enemy had known what was coming they could easily have whipped
the divided force of the great French leader in detail. The coming
of man's mastery over the air will cause new and strange happenings
in case of war. By degrees, fighting will become so terrible that
all nations must unite in a bond to keep the peace forever."

Much more along these same lines did the three Boy Scouts hear from
the two venturesome air pilots during the balance of their stay in
the experimental camp. It was an experience they could never forget.
Ralph fairly hugged himself with satisfaction because he had obeyed
the spiri