McGee shook his head in serious warning. "Leave them alone, Yancey. They look easy, but the Archie gunners can fill the air around 'em so full of lead that a bee couldn't fly through. And as for flaming onions--boy! We are out on combat patrol, remember. This is no joy-ride." "Sure. But--" That moment Major Cowan came running across the field and hurried up to McGee. His excitement was evident in every movement. "Orders just came," he began, hurriedly, "for every available ship to proceed to the bridges at Dormans and Chateau-Thierry. Bombers are going up, also. The Germans have started a big drive." His manner, and the electrifying words, had drawn every man around him in a close circle. "That's what all the gun fire is about--barrages and counter-barrages. Disregard the patrol orders, Lieutenant, and proceed with these two flights to Dormans--at once! You are to do everything in your power to retard the enemy advance, harass their troops, and especially harass their advanced positions and lines of supply. Do you understand?" "Perfectly, sir." "Good! Take off at once! I will at once get out all other available ships and lead them against the lines at Chateau-Thierry. You've the head start, and must, therefore, take Dormans. Snappy, now!" A cheer went up from those pilots who a moment before had been cursing the luck that had left them behind. They started running for the hangars. As McGee climbed into his plane, Yancey "blipped" his motor and shouted, "Who said this wasn't a joy-ride?" The revving motors drowned out all other sounds. Helmets were given a last minute tug. McGee looked along the line and lifted his hand. The nine others chosen for dawn patrol signaled their readiness. Out came wheel chocks, motors roared into the smooth sound of ripping silk as one by one they lurched down across the field and took the air. The heart of every man in the flight, save McGee's, was racing in tune with his motor. Here was a mission so much more exciting than any dawn patrol. Harass the advancing enemy! And their line of supplies! Storm down and spew out lead on the bridges where the troops would be crossing! Here was action of the highest order, in which, in all probability, formation flying would be broken up and it would be every fellow for himself.