So the long vigil was taken up.  Hour after hour the giant bomber must wing its swift flight, ever speeding onward into the realm of space through which it was now making a voyage unequalled since Columbus sailed his three high-decked boats into that unknown ocean at the end of which he expected to come to the East Indies.

By turns they managed to get some sleep, each serving his trick as pilot.

The hours grew into early morning.  How eagerly did the pilot often turn his tired head to gaze backward toward the east, to see if but the first faint gleam of coming dawn had appeared there.  And how joyfully did he welcome it when that desire became reality.

So the unfolding day found them, still heading onward, and with everything promising well.  Jack, of course, had his binoculars out as soon as it was possible to see any distance.  Shortly afterwards he made an important announcement.

“Smoke head of us, fellows.  Much too much to come from any one steamer.  You can see it with the naked eye, dead on there!”

After taking a good look, Tom, who was at the wheel, gave his opinion.

“It might be a vessel afire,” he said slowly.  “One of those tank-oil steamers would make a fierce smoke, you know.  But on the whole I rather believe it’s a convoy of troop ships going across to France.”

“I never thought of that, Tom!” cried Jack, again clapping the glasses to his eyes; “but I reckon you’re right, for I can see funnels of black smoke rising from different quarters.  Yes, there must be dozens of boats in that flotilla.  What had we better do?”

“Go aloft, and try to keep out of sight among the little clouds,” was the immediate reply Tom made.  “We could continue to watch, and see all that passed below, at the same time keeping ourselves fairly invisible.  They’ll hardly be looking up so as to discover a speck floating past.  And then again all that smoke is bound to make it difficult for them to see.”

He lost no time in commencing a spiral climb for altitude, boring upward with the powerful bomber in a way that was wonderful.

By degrees they attained the height desired, and once again did Tom head into the southwest.  Jack reported what he saw from time to time, calling above the noise made by engines and propellers.

“It’s a big convoy, all right,” he told them.  “I can see ever so many steamships following one another in double column.  Each is loaded with our boys in khaki, I presume.  Then off on either side and ahead are little specks that I can just make out by reason of their smoke streamers.  Those must be the score or more of destroyers, guarding the flotilla against U-boat attack.  It’s a great sight, let me tell you!  Here, Colin’s getting out his glasses to take a look.  Tom, you must have a chance too.”

Each in turn managed to survey the stirring spectacle as spread out upon the sea far beneath them.  And the pulses of those gallant lads throbbed with pardonable pride when they realized what magnificent efforts America was making to win the war in favor of the Allies, after entering it so late herself.