Chapter XXV: Back Again

"Yell when you want us to drop the bombs, Jacques," said Leon.

"All right."

"That's the best plan I think," said Leon to his brother. "Jacques can see better than we can and is able to tell just when we ought to let them go."

"If we could only blow up that train," exclaimed Earl eagerly.

"Perhaps we can."

The train was only a short distance in front of them now and the monoplane was much nearer the ground than it had been previously.

"Get ready," warned Jacques.

"Whenever you say," returned Leon heartily.

There was a moment of tense silence, with every boy's nerves set in preparation for their deed. Every sense was alert.

"Let 'em go!" cried Jacques.

Instantly the two bombs were released. Silently they sped down through the darkness on their mission of death and destruction.

"Two more now," shouted Jacques sharply and the brothers hastened to obey.

Suddenly the sound of a violent explosion came to their ears from below and the daring young aviators peered down to see if they could discover the results of their efforts.

"Look at that!" cried Leon excitedly.

"I should say so!" shouted Earl. "A perfect hit!"

One at least of the four missiles dispatched had gone straight to its mark and had evidently struck directly in front of the locomotive. A great mass of sparks shot skyward and lighted up an appalling scene of destruction.

The engine had been derailed and had overturned. The remaining cars had piled up one on top of the other until the whole train lay in a tangled mass of wreckage alongside the track. The bombs had done their work to perfection.

"Now for home," cried Jacques, immediately directing the course of the monoplane higher and higher from the earth.

"Yes, I think we've done a night's work all right," said Leon.

"That bomb certainly landed in the right spot," exclaimed Earl warmly.

"What was on that train?" asked Leon.

"Munitions," said Jacques quickly. "Listen to that."

From below came the sound of heavy explosions and the flash of bursting shells could be distinctly seen.

"Is that the train?" demanded Earl in amazement.

"It certainly is," exclaimed Jacques. "I guess the most of the shells on that train will never do the Allies much harm."

Under the bright starlit sky the giant monoplane winged its way back to its hangar. Unerringly the skillful young pilot guided the great flier; never for a moment did he appear to be at a loss as to what course to pursue. He flew at a great height, and though an occasional shot was directed at the phantom machine so high above their heads, the Germans were unable to do it any damage.

Finally they crossed the battle-line. Apparently a night attack was in progress and the path of the trenches could be followed from the flame of bursting projectiles.

"Think what those fellows down below are going through now," exclaimed Earl feelingly.

"I don't envy them," said Leon.

"Nor I," agreed Jacques. "We've all been through that though and I suppose we will soon again."

"Perhaps to-morrow even," exclaimed Earl. "I wonder where the _douzième_ is now."

"Probably in the thick of that fight," said Leon.

"They are if they have anything to say about it," agreed Jacques warmly.

"What a crowd they are," exclaimed Earl.

"Think how many are gone," Jacques reminded him.

"And how many are going to go too," added Leon.

"Perhaps we three right here," said Earl soberly.

"Perhaps so," agreed Jacques. "For me there could be no finer death though than to die with my face to the enemy; to die for my country, fighting for France."

"Let's hope you may live for France," said Leon.

"She has lost so many of her young men," said Earl. "She needs all she has and she'll need them after the war too."

"That's true," agreed Jacques. "Have you noticed lately that the regiments are made up of older men than they were before? The soldiers now are mostly between thirty and forty, where they used to be between twenty and thirty."

"The young armies are gone," said Earl. "Armies of little wooden crosses everywhere along the battle-line show where they have gone, too."

"We're going down now," announced Jacques suddenly. "That is our hangar below there."

"How can you see?" demanded Leon. "I never can see anything at night."

"I have always been very good in the dark," said Jacques. "Here we go."

Down, down, down the big battle-plane sped. Describing great circles it soared nearer and nearer to its resting place until at length it alighted gently on the aviation field and running along the smooth ground for a few yards came to a full stop.

"Well done, Jacques," exclaimed Earl warmly. "You're a wonder."

"And I'm stiff and cold," added Jacques.

"And so am I," echoed Leon.

"You're wounded," said Earl.

"Scratched you mean," Leon corrected him.

"At any rate you must be attended to at once."

"We must make our report first," said Leon. "Isn't that right, Jacques?"

"It is, but I don't think it is necessary for you to be there."

"But I want to be."

"All right then, we'll all go together."

"Major Villier won't be awake at this time of night I'm afraid," said Earl doubtfully.

"Oh, yes, he will," said Jacques. "He'll be just as anxious for our report as we are to give it."

As soon as the aeroplane had alighted on the field several soldiers had come running out from their quarters and the young aviators now turned the machine over to them.

"We have a man here who is slightly wounded," remarked Jacques to one of the men. "Is there any one around here now who can look after him?"

"Right this way," spoke up a soldier quickly. "I will care for him."

With difficulty Leon stepped from the monoplane. The experiences of the past day had been hard and wearing; he had lost more blood than he had realized, slight as was his wound; then too the mauling he had received at the hands of the big German had jarred him greatly. He was dizzy as he stepped out upon the solid ground again and he reeled slightly. His soldier friend immediately sprang to his assistance.

"I'm all right," Leon maintained stoutly. "I don't know what made me stumble; I guess I must be stiff."

"You're weak, Leon," said his brother. "What you need is rest."

"I guess that's so; a little sleep and I'll be all right again."

"Come with me," urged the soldier. "I will fix your wound."

"You won't report without me, will you?" asked Leon eagerly of Jacques and Earl as he was led away.

"We'll stop for you surely," said Jacques. "Hurry along now."

A short time later Leon was seated beside a table in one of the nearby houses. He had removed his coat and blouse and was down to his undershirt. His wounded arm was stretched out upon the top of the table and by the light of a lamp the kind-hearted soldier worked over it.

First the wound, which proved to be a deep flesh cut, was carefully bathed and cleansed. Next a powerful antiseptic was applied and then fresh white bandages were bound around the injured spot. Although Leon protested vigorously the soldier also insisted upon making a sling in which the young soldier should carry his arm.

"That certainly feels better," sighed Leon. "I am very much obliged to you."

"It is nothing," exclaimed the soldier with a shrug of his shoulders.

"It is a great deal to me," said Leon. "I wonder where the others are."

"You had better sit down," said the soldier as Leon tried to rise from his seat. "You are tired and your two comrades said they would call for you."

"I know it," exclaimed Leon. "I'm all right though," and he rose to his feet. Immediately, however, everything turned black before his eyes and he lost consciousness.