"That is only part of the practice," continued Tom. "The most interesting part of the work is to practice flying in squadron formation, to observe the signals of the commanding officer and to[Pg 34] execute movements. For this purpose two squadrons oppose each other, and sally forth, the object being to judge the objects of an attacking force and to devise means to repel the enemy." [Pg 34] The boys sat on their improvised bunks until a late hour that night. They discussed the airplanes; the men they had met; their work in rescuing the fallen aviators, and the things they had learned in this, to them, the most eventful day. "I wonder what father would say if he knew we were going to join the aviation corps?" said Alfred. "Well, I wonder what he will say when he hears what we were doing in Belgium," replied Alfred. "He must have gotten our letters by this time," said Ralph. "Then why doesn't he answer our telegram?" asked Alfred. "Why, we forgot to go back to the city and inquire for it," said Ralph. "That's so; but we've been too busy for that; we must do that the first thing in the morning," said Alfred. [Pg 35] [Pg 35] CHAPTER III THE WOUNDED AVIATORS They were out early the next morning, and started for the tramway a mile distant. They passed Tom's hangar, and stopped for a moment to take a look at his machine. As they were leaving they heard his voice: "Going to leave us?" he inquired. "No; but we must go to the city to get our mail, and we are expecting a telegram," shouted Ralph. "Get back by eleven o'clock if you can," was the answer.
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