“Probably Tex MacDowell and Sleepy Spears.”
“Who’s Spears?” asked Trowbridge.
“New man from the Air Service Mechanics’ School at Donovan Field,” explained Perkins. “He’s the sleepiest-looking guy in the world. Yesterday Tex and Sleepy announced they were going to fly to Laredo, if I’d let ’em, and go over to the ‘Bee’ hangout in Nuevo Laredo, and either win a fortune or else get entirely broke.”
Captain Perkins’s face was serious.
Sheriff Trowbridge glanced at him sharply. Apparently there was somewhat of puzzlement, disapproval, in the new commanding officer’s words.
Trowbridge was grinning widely. “Did yuh ever have any previous experience handlin’ wildcats?”
Captain Perkins shook his head. “Live and learn, I guess,” said he.
The ship circled northward, banked around toward the field, and the roaring motor ceased. Then the De Haviland dropped over the low fence that formed the northern boundary of the field. Waiting mechanics in front of a hangar seized the wings and helped bring the ship into the line.
The two flyers climbed out of the cock-pits.
“See that short fellow walking as if every step would be his last?” said Jennings. “That’s Sleepy.”