These had ascended without knowledge of the Germans, and had started on their homeward flight before being discovered. Then there had been pursuit, but they had landed without being so much as scratched.
"Well," said Hal, rising and picking up a pile of papers, "I've studied these maps until I know them by heart. Now if someone can tell me what it's all about, I'll be obliged."
"Same here," Chester agreed. "Funny, when you stop to think about it. Here they give us these maps and tell us to stuff our heads full of them. Well, my head is full, all right."
"And mine—Hello, here comes someone."
"It's Captain O'Neill. Maybe he'll, be ready to explain now," said
Chester.
A moment later the American captain entered the tent. The boys saluted. The captain came to the point at once.
"You are both familiar with airplanes?" he asked.
The lads nodded.
"So I understand," said the captain. "Also I hear that several times you have landed upon unfamiliar ground, and in the dark. I am informed, too, that you are always willing to take desperate risks. Am I right?"
"We are glad to do what we can," returned Chester quietly.