In turn he prepared a special report setting forth the work done by the boys on the eventful journey. He pointed out that Ralph piloted the machine the entire distance, giving him, as the commanding officer of one division, time to direct the operation of the machines and attend to the bombs, while he had the pleasure of presenting to the authorities a set of unique photographs taken by Alfred at the very time the bombs were thrown and exploded. When the roll was called, two days thereafter, the men of the squadrons were lined up, an officer from headquarters passed down the line, and, among other places, halted before the boys, who stepped forward. On the breast of each was pinned a medal, and as the officer did so he kissed them on the cheeks, a custom which is faithfully observed, in accordance with the regulations, whenever a merit order is bestowed. There was a cheer as the two blushing boys stepped back to the line, and there were no prouder hearts than theirs as they heard the encomiums expressed on all sides for their bravery and devotion to duty. It was a pleasure to many other young Americans, who, like them, were volunteers serving in the aviation corps, and many of whom were afterwards also honored in like manner. There was hardly a day that there was not some experience added to their store of knowledge pertaining to airships, and the work connected with flying, all of which was performed with efficiency and credit. But the work which they performed was not all a series of jolly excursions without the corresponding sorrows. The devotion of Lieutenant Guyon to them dated from the time when that brave officer was stricken while on a trial flight from the camp at Bar-le-Duc. He never forgot how they took charge of the machine, and brought it safely to earth and cared for him so tenderly. Thereafter, it was rarely the case that he went aloft without one or both of the boys in his company. Shortly after the foregoing events, while the three were performing scout duty north of St. Mihiel, they were attacked by two German machines, an Albatross and a Taube, a combination which, especially when operating against a single machine, is capable of doing deadly work. When the two enemy ships were sighted, Alfred was in the pilot's seat, and under the direction of the lieutenant, the airplane shot forward directly in the path of the first machine, while the lieutenant poured out a constant storm of shot. The Albatross dived, and Alfred at once moved the control to ascend, thus bringing their machine above the Taube. The object now was to so manoeuver their ship as to keep between the two enemies, and in doing so make it difficult for either of them to use the quick firers without danger of hitting the other. The Seraph was a rapid climber, due to the high power of her engines.