Air Service Boys Over the Atlantic | Page 4

that might happen; and the swoop of the American
plane, as well as Jack's firing, had of course told him help was near.
"He's waving his hand to us," continued Jack, answering in kind.
"Keep your gun ready for business," warned the other, inclined to be
more cautious. "There may be other Huns prowling around, because
we're not far from their lines, you understand."
A minute afterwards they reached the pilot of the wrecked bomber.
"Hello, fellows!" was his familiar greeting, as he thrust a hand out
toward them. "Glad to see you, all right. They were after me, just as I
suspected. My observer was wounded in the arm, but went for help. As
for me, save for a few scratches, I made the fall in great luck. But I'm
still crippled from that other accident. Just got out of hospital a week
ago. They tried to keep me from going up, but I'd have died only for the
permission."

Colin Beverly they knew to be one of the liveliest fliers then serving in
the American ranks. He had gained a name for daring second to none.
Early in his service he had won a reputation, and was already a double
ace; which meant that he was officially credited with at least twelve
victories over enemy fliers.
Tom and Jack had met him a number of times previously, and there had
always been a strong attraction between the three. Lieutenant Beverly
was one of fortune's favorites in so far as worldly riches went, since he
had a million at least to his credit, it was said.
He had enlisted as soon as the United States entered the war, and had
chosen aviation as his branch of the service, since it offered his
venture-venturesome, almost reckless, spirit a chance for action. He
had had numerous escapes so narrow that his friends began to believe
some magical charm must protect him.
As he had mentioned when speaking to them on their arrival, his
closest call had sent him to the hospital with a fractured bone in his left
leg; and even when discharged as cured he really should not have
returned to the harness; only, those in authority found it difficult to
keep such an energetic soul in check.
"Those chaps will come back with more of their kind, I reckon," Tom
remarked. "They've made up their minds to get you, Lieutenant, and
when a Hun is bent on a thing he keeps on trying. We can take you
along with us."
"I hate to desert the bus," complained the other, giving his wrecked
plane a wry look. "But then what's the use of sticking it out? Chances
are we'll be through the mess before they ever get it in fighting trim
again. Yes, I'll go along, boys, if you'll lend me a shoulder. Gave that
game leg another little knock in falling; but then, I might have broken
my neck, so I'm thankful."
"The Beverly luck again!" chuckled Jack, at which the intrepid flier
nodded with kindling eyes.

"Getting to believe I can carry anything through I care to tackle, for a
fact, fellows," he remarked, with the same amazing confidence that had
taken him along so many times in a whirlwind of success.
They ranged alongside, and he leaned on Tom's arm as he limped off,
giving no further heed to the mass of damaged engine, crumpled wood,
bent steel guys, and torn canvas that had once been a powerful bombing
plane.
Jack kept in readiness to meet any attack that might spring up, though
they had reason to believe the Huns had temporarily withdrawn from
the field of action.
"Your friend Harry Leroy dropped in to see me while I was laid up,
Raymond," remarked the lieutenant, with a broad grin, as he saw how
his words caused the color to flash into the bronzed cheeks of the other.
"Haven't seen Harry for some time," Tom replied, his eyes twinkling
with pleasure; "but I heard of you through his sister. Nellie said you
were the hardest patient she'd ever tackled, because you kept fretting to
get out and be at work again."
"Yes, Miss Leroy was my nurse for a week, and I think I improved
more under her care than at any other time. She's a fine girl, Raymond."
"Sure thing, Lieutenant. I ought to know," came the unabashed answer.
"I've known Nellie for some time, and that was always my opinion.
We're good friends all right."
"H'm! I guess you must be," chuckled the other. "I wish you could have
seen her look when I mentioned that I knew you well, and liked you in
the bargain. I kept talking Tom Raymond a full streak just to watch the
blushes play over her face and the light shine