“I see him now,” continued Jack eagerly.  “And it strikes me there’s something familiar about his looks.  Yes, we’ve met that pilot before, Tom.  It’s Lieutenant Colin Beverly, one of the cleverest Yankee aces of the newer squad.”

The aviator had already discovered the Air Service Boys’ presence.  Doubtless all that had occurred had been noted by him as he sat, waiting for anything that might happen; and the swoop of the American plane, as well as Jack’s firing, had of course told him help was near.

“He’s waving his hand to us,” continued Jack, answering in kind.

“Keep your gun ready for business,” warned the other, inclined to be more cautious.  “There may be other Huns prowling around, because we’re not far from their lines, you understand.”

A minute afterwards they reached the pilot of the wrecked bomber.

“Hello, fellows!” was his familiar greeting, as he thrust a hand out toward them.  “Glad to see you, all right.  They were after me, just as I suspected.  My observer was wounded in the arm, but went for help.  As for me, save for a few scratches, I made the fall in great luck.  But I’m still crippled from that other accident.  Just got out of hospital a week ago.  They tried to keep me from going up, but I’d have died only for the permission.”

Colin Beverly they knew to be one of the liveliest fliers then serving in the American ranks.  He had gained a name for daring second to none.  Early in his service he had won a reputation, and was already a double ace; which meant that he was officially credited with at least twelve victories over enemy fliers.

Tom and Jack had met him a number of times previously, and there had always been a strong attraction between the three.  Lieutenant Beverly was one of fortune’s favorites in so far as worldly riches went, since he had a million at least to his credit, it was said.

He had enlisted as soon as the United States entered the war, and had chosen aviation as his branch of the service, since it offered his venture-venturesome, almost reckless, spirit a chance for action.  He had had numerous escapes so narrow that his friends began to believe some magical charm must protect him.

As he had mentioned when speaking to them on their arrival, his closest call had sent him to the hospital with a fractured bone in his left leg; and even when discharged as cured he really should not have returned to the harness; only, those in authority found it difficult to keep such an energetic soul in check.

“Those chaps will come back with more of their kind, I reckon,” Tom remarked.  “They’ve made up their minds to get you, Lieutenant, and when a Hun is bent on a thing he keeps on trying.  We can take you along with us.”

“I hate to desert the bus,” complained the other, giving his wrecked plane a wry look.  “But then what’s the use of sticking it out?  Chances are we’ll be through the mess before they ever get it in fighting trim again.  Yes, I’ll go along, boys, if you’ll lend me a shoulder.  Gave that game leg another little knock in falling; but then, I might have broken my neck, so I’m thankful.”