Of course this was not their first experience among genuine soldiers,
though those whom they once before assisted in the yearly maneuvers as
signal corps operators had properly belonged to the State militia.
These men were seasoned regulars, serving the Government in the
capacity of aviators and members of the Flying Squadron.
Lieutenant Fosdick loaned them a pair of glasses through which they
could keep track of the distant aeroplane. They saw it perform
several queer "stunts," as Bud called it, that caused them considerable
astonishment.
"Why, say, it turned completely over that time, just as neat as you
please!" Bud exclaimed, so interested that the others could not get
the glasses away from him again. "There she goes a second time, as
slick as anything! I've done the like from a springboard when in
swimming, but I never would have believed anybody'd have the nerve to
loop the loop three thousand feet up in the air. Oh! what if it didn't
come right-side up again! What a drop that would be!"
"Taking chances every time, and that is what our lives are made up of
mostly in the Flying Corps," the officer said grimly, with a shrug.
"Any day may see our end; but like the men who drop from balloons with
a parachute, we get so accustomed to peril that it never bothers us.
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