Our Young Aeroplane Scouts in Germany; or, Winning the Iron CrossPorter, Horace
Science
Our Young Aeroplane Scouts in Germany; or, Winning the Iron Cross
Porter, Horace
World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations -- Juvenile fiction
Roque indicated on the display rack a regulation English uniform of
olive drab, with puttees, and a cap of the traditional French arms
shape, but of khaki color.
Even if the boys had been in the mood to say that Zorn would look like
the Eiffel tower in any sort of uniform, Roque gave them no time to
break in upon his humor.
"Nothing like keeping up-to-date, young sirs, in my business. It was
only a few weeks ago that this new style French soldier first appeared
in Havre. And here we can make his mate in a minute or two."
This cat and mouse play was wearing on Billy and Henri. Free of
anxiety, they might have enjoyed digging into the maze of disguises as
they would the pages of a popular detective story, but they had a play
of their own to make, and no chance yet to make it.
"Now, Paul, how will we fix up these young flyers for a bit of ground
work? Something plain, yet neat, I think, will do for the sons of
Doctor Blitz--I am Blitz to-morrow, I believe, Paul?"
Zorn simply showed his teeth. He was not expected to answer.
"Now, my bird boys, get out of those uniforms and I'll make a pair of
likely students out of you. Do you prefer Heidelberg, the School of
Arts, or the Conservatory? No matter, though, it is just a shift for a
short journey, and I guess I can make you up to pass muster."
All the time Roque was chatting principally for the amusement of
himself and Paul, his hands were busy sorting a pile of clothing and he
was ready to start a couple of young Blitzes into society in the most
finished style--from glazed cap to shiny shoes.
It was just at this moment that Billy was seized suddenly with a fit of
laughter, and his high glee was directed at Henri.
"Won't you set 'em going in that layout!" he howled.
With that he made a jump for his chum, as if to hurry the process
of transformation. The playful effort commenced at the throat and
scattered a few buttons. Henri resisted the attack, and for a second or
two held Billy in close arm lock--time enough for the assailant to get
a pin-jab in the thumb, and a wad of tissue paper in the clench of four
fingers!
Roque viewed the antics with a frown of impatience, but the assistant
of grenadier size roared his approval of the fun.
Henri was brisk enough then in taking off the old for the new, and by
the time Billy commanded attention there was no occasion for worry.
Billy had swallowed the tissue!
CHAPTER II.
A STIRRING HOLIDAY.
TO be rudely routed out of a snug nest in a feather bed at 3 o'clock
in the morning--a morning with a real chill in it--is not a desirable
experience for the average house-bred boy, and even such seasoned
campaigners as Billy Barry and Henri Trouville were inclined to grumble
when the giant Zorn yanked the covers from their downy couch and
gruffly ordered them to get up and dress, and to make haste about it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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