The long hop is nearing its end.” She wanted to shout for joy, to scream, but this she knew was not expected of the co-pilot of a big ship so all she said was:

“Sparky! Sparky! Wake up! We’re nearing land, and I don’t know the way to that secret airfield.”

“What—what?” Sparky groaned sleepily. “It can’t be land. I just stretched out here a minute ago.”

“Yes, I know.” Mary laughed for sheer joy. “It’s land all the same. I think I see a camel. Come and see.”

Sparky came forward rubbing his eyes. Adjusting his glasses he took a good look.

“Can’t make out your camel,” he drawled, “but that white spot off to the right is Dakar, all right. Good girl! You hit it right on the nose. Give me the controls and I’ll have you eating fried camel steak and dates before the hour is up.”

They did just that. Coming down on an airfield fringed with palms, they were given a cordial greeting by a dozen good American soldiers. To a man, they stared at Mary, then grinning, saluted.

Soldiers Greeted Them at the Secret Airfield

“Jeepers, boys!” one of them exclaimed. “An honest-to-goodness lady of the Ferry Command.”

“If they all come like this one, make ’em all ladies from now on,” his buddy chipped in.

“It’s nice to see you all.” Mary put on her best smile. “I only wish I could be with you for a week.”

“Make it two! Make it for the duration!” came in a chorus.

“Two hours,” was Sparky’s pronouncement. “Give our ship the once-over, will you, while we motor in for some chow?”

“Oh, sure, we’ll fix her up fine,” a big sergeant grinned. “But you’ll have to do your own searching for stowaways.”

“And be sure you look well!” the lieutenant in charge added. “I’m short-handed. Can’t spare a man.”

An army jeep appeared and they were whisked away to a small city of low, white buildings, gleaming streets, and many camels.

“My!” Mary exclaimed. “It’s hot!”

“Sure!” said Sparky. “This is Africa.”

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