Air Stories, April 1936 — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AIR STORIES more Huns. The flight’s as good as any in France, so v Savage interrupted him by putting an arm round his shoulders, ‘‘ Say you’re afraid I’ll make some silly ass mistake and get us both done in, and be done with it !’’ he remarked. ‘‘Don’t be a fool !’’ Warton replied angrily. ‘‘ You know I think nothing of the sort.’’ ‘*Then don’t worry about me. I’m going to fly until the hour before I leave France, if I have to sweat blood from fear to do it. And, remember, that if ever I do get you into a mess, I’ll see that you get out of it all right.”’ Warton grumbled further, but aban- doned the argument. OR six days the routine of squadron life ran on as usual. Then Savage, much against his inclinations, was per- suaded to take a day off and join Warton in a bathing expedition to Rue-sur- Plage. The outing made a pleasant change, but the urge for constant action was still upon Savage, and as they returned to the aerodrome in the late afternoon, lolling luxuriously in the Major’s car, which he had lent them for the occasion, he suddenly announced, ‘‘ I’m going to fly this evening,’’ and chanted airily : * Wilt fly with me, oh valiant Warts, And strive to shoot a Hun down? For, methinks, we really oughts Kill somebody ere sun down |” adding, ‘‘ Pretty good, that, for an improvisation, what ? ”’ ‘Don’t be a silly ass !’’ Warton answered. ‘‘ Hanged if I let you. fly to-day ! Hallo! There’s the Major doing semaphore from the office. We’d better stop and see what’s wrong.”’ The Major strolled across the road and leant against the door of his car. ‘“T didn’t expect to see you people back so soon,’’ he observed. ‘‘ However, now you are here, you’ll be able to carry out an idea of mine. Savage, your H.E. papers are through, and you'll be going home to-morrow, or at any rate the next day. I propose, therefore, to have a good dinner and binge to-night, to give you a send-off, and to inaugurate the reign of our new flight commander — Captain Warton. World without end. Amen !”’ With a nod and a smile, the Major left them in order to explore the cook- house, and to threaten the cook with field punishment for all eternity if he allowed any caterpillars to be served with the vegetables that night. Warton defended himself from the physical congratulations that were showered upon him by saying, ‘‘ Well, that settles your little scheme of going over the lines this evening, Savage.’’ ‘‘It does not!’ replied Savage promptly. ‘‘I shall leave the ground in a quarter of an hour’s time. Are you coming with me, Captain Warton ? ”’ ‘* Don’t be a blasted idiot, Savage !’’ Warton retorted. ‘‘ You’re going home to-morrow.”’ ‘* Besides,’’ added Lastor, who had joined them, ‘‘ it’s beastly unlucky to fly the day before going on H.E.”’ But Savage turned all arguments aside with jokes and laughter, while he sent an orderly to his flight-sergeant with instructions that the usual two machines should have their engines started. Very sulkily Warton changed his field-boots for a pair of big fleece- lined thigh-boots, and, wound a long woollen scarf round his neck, while Savage maintained an incessant flow of conversation. ‘‘Cheer up, you two funeral mutes. Where the devil did I put my gloves? One more show, then Blighty and a month’s leave ! Dinners at the Savoy, Blackie, where you and I will feast like kings on a couple of meat coupons, Theatres, and perhaps a dance or two. Great Czsar’s ghost, why does that fool of a batman always throw my goggles under the bed! Meanwhile, Blackie, we go up for our last show ! Buck up, all of you ; I’m going over to get the engines run up.’’ He departed, slamming the door and whistling villainously out of tune. Once he was in the air, Warton’s spirits rose, and he comforted himself 320 cConnicoool.