d. Not only did he attack with the sun squarely in his face, but
he went down in a long, gradual dive, in full view of the gunner, who
could not have asked for a better target. But the man was asleep, and
this gave J. B. a dangerous contempt for all gunners of enemy
nationality.

Lieutenant Talbott cautioned him. "You have been lucky, but don't get
it into your head that this sort of thing happens often. Now, I'm
going to give you a standing order. You are not to attack again,
neither of you are to think of attacking, during your first month
here. As likely as not it would be your luck the next time to meet an
old pilot. If you did, I wouldn't give much for your chances. He would
outmaneuver you in a minute. You will go out on patrol with the
others, of course; it's the only way to learn to fight. But if you get
lost, go back to our balloons and stay there until it is time to go
home."

Neither of us obeyed this order, and, as it happened, Drew was the one
to suffer. A group of American officers visited the squadron one
afternoon. In courtesy to our guests, it was decided to send out all
the pilots for an additional patrol, to show them how the thing was
done. Twelve machines were in readiness for the sortie, which was set
for seven o'clock, the last one of the day. We were to meet at three
thousand metres, and then to divide forces, one patrol to cover the
east half of the sector and one the west.

We got away beautifully, with the exception of Drew, who had
motor-trouble and was five minutes late in starting. With his
permission I insert here his own account of the adventure--a letter
written while he was in hospital.

No doubt you are wondering what happened, listening,
meanwhile, to many I-told-you-so explanations from the
others. This will be hard on you, but bear up, son. It might
not be a bad plan to listen, with the understanding as well
as with the ear, to some expert advice on how to bag the
Hun. To quote the prophetic Miller, "I'm telling you this
for your own good."

I gave my name and the number of the escadrille to the
medical officer at the _poste de secours_. He said he would
'phone the captain at once, so that you must know before
this, that I have been amazingly lucky. I fell the greater
part of two miles--count 'em, two!--before I actually
regained control, only to lose it again. I fainted while
still several hundred feet fr