"Here you are!" exclaimed Kaye, when the uproar had somewhat subsided. "From last night's _Gazette_: 'Awarded the D.S.O.: Lieutenant Derek Daventry, R.A.F., for valuable services rendered under heavy hostile fire whilst engaged upon machine-gunning and bombing enemy trenches; also for good work performed in the destruction of enemy air-craft both at home and on the Western Front'." "Are you fellows trying to pull my leg?" enquired Derek grimly, as he ostentatiously handled the water-jug. "If so----" "Kamerad! kamerad!" exclaimed the deputation in mock dismay. "Put up your lethal weapon, Daventry, old sport. It's a fact! No hoax! It's drinks all round the mess at your expense, my lad!" In the midst of the torrent of congratulations, mingled with good-natured banter, an orderly announced that the Colonel wished to see Mr. Daventry. Promptly Derek bundled the deputation out of the room, and dressed with the utmost haste. "Congratulations, Mr. Daventry!" began the Colonel. "It is gratifying to know that honours do come our way, although, in your case, you won them before you entered this branch of the service. And now, another point. Your application for a permanent commission has been granted --here is the approval. You are required to state whether you wish to remain in the Marine Branch or re-transfer to the Flying Section, as I understand that you are again passed medically fit for aerial work. Well, have you come to any decision? or, perhaps, you might like to have time to consider the question?" Derek did not require time. For weeks he had debated with himself upon the subject of his choice. "I prefer the life afloat, sir," he replied. "Good man!" rejoined the Colonel warmly, for, born and bred to the sea himself, he understood. PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN _By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow_ [Transcriber's Notes: This book contains a number of misprints. The following misprints have been corrected: [past the struts and tension-aires] -> [past the struts and tension-wires] [objected Davantry,] -> [objected Daventry,] [the Chinese compond] -> [the Chinese compound] [he swung it vigourously] -> [he swung it vigorously] [vigourously] could have been correct, as a now obsolete spelling. This is not the case here, because there are several instances of [vigorously] in this book. [the flash, and distintcly] -> [the flash, and distinctly] [the general concensus] -> [the general consensus] A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are not mentioned here. ] End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Winning his Wings, by Percy F. Westerman