Tired from his long ordeal, dirty, greasy and covered with grime, Williams crawled out of his cockpit, weary of limb but mentally alive, proud of his daring accomplishment. He meandered toward the barracks only to be met by the major who smiled generously upon the successful pilot. After the two men had exchanged formal salutes, Harding placed his hand upon the shoulder of the noncom, in no way attempting to conceal his fondness for the man. “You’ve earned a good rest, sergeant. I want to thank you for what you have done, but don’t let me keep you from your sleep.” Panama smiled gratefully and pointed to the two ground men carrying Baker off on a make-shift stretcher in the direction of the field hospital. “That’s the last of them going in now!” “I don’t think you’re any too sorry, are you, Williams?” “No, sir!” Panama replied truthfully and then turning, pointed out the bullet holes in the side of the fuselage and the struts that were lashed with sapling. “Do you see what I had to do?” “That was fine work,” the major announced with pride. “I am going to recommend you for a medal for bringing in those wounded men!” Panama grinned sheepishly, making a sincere effort to pass off Harding’s promise and compliment lightly. They shook hands and saluted, the major continuing his stroll, leaving the sergeant standing alone. As he unbuttoned his windjammer and pulled off the Gasborne helmet, Panama’s eyes caught sight of Steve Graham (recently made a corporal), carrying a bucket of water. “Bring that over here,” he shouted jovially, and the once ostentatious would-be flyer complied without making any comment. He merely stood by and lighted a cigarette as Panama reached for the dipper and drank several refreshing cups full of water, pouring the remainder left in the bucket over his head. “Any letters for me?” he inquired of Graham as he stood, dripping wet, wiping the water out of his eyes. Steve shook his head impatiently. “I told you every day for the past week—‘no!’ Look’s like you got the air.” Still in a good humor, though inwardly disappointed over Elinor’s failure to answer his recent letters, he reached down and picking up the empty bucket, slammed it over the astonished corporal’s head, emitting a loud roar of laughter and walking off toward the line of tents, leaving Steve struggling to release the bucket.