The General arrived at eight, with two soldiers—an old sergeant, who had fought hand-to-hand with Indians and Filipinos, in a dozen battles; and a husky young private, who had a record as a prize-fighter.
From the Hotel de Suisse, they received a message that Captain Welch and Jolls had started out in a motor car, at about six.
“Let her go,” said the General, at that.
“WILL YOU TAKE A COUPLE OF SOLDIERS AND COME?”
Page [148]
Lieutenant Jack Adeler got ready to take the pilot’s seat in the Hustle, but General Thorne said, “I think my young friend Darby, here, would like to run your aeroplane. Wouldn’t you, Torrington? Ah, I thought so. Go ahead, then.”
To the Lieutenant he explained, “Mr. Adeler, it’s like this. If you smashed us up—of course we will get smashed up, flying in this harum-scarum way, at night, it would be rank insubordination. Lieutenants really ought not to kill Generals. Or, if you want me to be serious with you, I think that young Darby here, by his work to-day, has put himself right on a level with young Griffin, and you, and I am quite serious in saying that I couldn’t give him higher praise.”
Poodle blushed, as he took the levers. The Hustle bumped down the roadway, lighted by the search-light, and joltingly launched out into the darkness.
He was rather trembly, but he was glad, too. What could be a greater lark than to rescue Hike, good old Hike!