“I want you to know,” McGee said to him, “that I did not ask for this flight. It is yours, by rights.”
Yancey’s grin was genuinely friendly. “Shucks, that’s nothin’. I’m glad to be out. Bein’ a flight leader sorter cramped my style anyhow. This way I can do a little free-lancin’–if I see some cold turkey.”
“You leave cold turkey alone and stay in formation,” McGee replied. “Just remember, old man Shakespeare was talking about the air service when he said ‘things are not always what they seem’.”
“I’ll be good unless I spot some of those German observation balloons. I’ve a sneaky feelin’ I could eat up two or three of those sausages before I come back here for breakfast without havin’ my appetite spoiled.”
McGee shook his head in serious warning. “Leave them alone, Yancey. They look easy, but the Archie gunners can fill the air around ’em so full of lead that a bee couldn’t fly through. And as for flaming onions–boy! We are out on combat patrol, remember. This is no joy-ride.”
“Sure. But–”
That moment Major Cowan came running across 190the field and hurried up to McGee. His excitement was evident in every movement.
“Orders just came,” he began, hurriedly, “for every available ship to proceed to the bridges at Dormans and Chateau-Thierry. Bombers are going up, also. The Germans have started a big drive.”
His manner, and the electrifying words, had drawn every man around him in a close circle. “That’s what all the gun fire is about–barrages and counter-barrages. Disregard the patrol orders, Lieutenant, and proceed with these two flights to Dormans–at once! You are to do everything in your power to retard the enemy advance, harass their troops, and especially harass their advanced positions and lines of supply. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly, sir.”