Page:Air Service Boys Flying for France.djvu/29

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24
GOOD-BYE TO THE

and wear the French War Cross in addition. I often dream of such things, you know, Lieutenant, for my every thought is given to flying, and serving the cause of democracy. It must run in the blood, I think."

When the news went around that the two chums were actually booked to sail for the other side they became the center of a boisterous and envious crowd. Every youth present eyed them with a greedy look, for were they not all longing to have just such a piece of good fortune strike them?

"It's better to be born lucky than rich!" declared one keen-eyed young man, who was the most advanced of all those in training at the big camp. "I've been indulging in dreams that perhaps I'd be the first to sail for France, because my instructor tells me I'm ready to graduate any day now. But the lightning had to strike in another quarter."

"We'll be watching for you to follow, Dawes," said Tom warmly, for he had always liked the young fellow and believed he had a bright future before him. Unless— Well, every one knows what terrible risks aviators take in war times, and that even the best and most wonderful fliers are apt to meet their fate some day while on duty.

Wherever Tom and Jack went they were the