It was not until Gripper had been enmeshed in the folds of a leather flying-coat, and Peter deftly capsized by a sergeant who seized him by his legs, that things began to assume a normal aspect. Satan's claws were disengaged from the cap of the cadet who had formed his pillar of refuge, while Shampoo was curtly bidden to clear out; and once more No. 4 Flight formed up and "right dressed". "Parade--'shun!" Accompanied by the characteristic clicking of hundreds of heels, the parade stood rigid while the C.O. received and acknowledged the Adjutant's salute. Then-- "Parade--stand at ease; caps off!" Every head was bared as the Colonel began to read the short form of Divine Service. Simultaneously the "church pennant"--another concession to the naval side of the R.A.F.--was hoisted to the yard-arm of the flagstaff. "... we pray Thee to give thy Fatherly protection to us and to our Allies on land, on the sea, and in the air." The drone of a biplane two thousand feet overhead served as a fitting accompaniment to the invocation. It reminded the budding airmen that ere long they, too, would fall within this category of suppliants for Divine protection. Soon they would be tasting of the joys and perils of flying; of life, perhaps of death, in that domain that was every day becoming more and more under the sway of man. "Parade--caps on! March off!" The morning ceremonial was over. "No. 4 Flight: move to the right in fours. Form fours--right! Left wheel--quick march!" It was not until the cadets were marched to a remote corner of the vast parade-ground and ordered to stand easy that Daventry turned to his chum. "You got through that all right, old man," he observed. "The Captain didn't spot your missing button." "Didn't he, by Jove?" replied Kaye, a broad smile overspreading his features. "He did--but he couldn't say a word. He'd a button missing himself. What's the move now?" "Medical inspection, and then our first flight," replied Derek. CHAPTER II Derek's First Flight Derek Daventry had passed through several medical examinations since his entry as a cadet of the R.A.F. but this one in particular was a thoroughly strenuous test. Having been put through the usual ordeal as regards his keenness of vision and hearing, lung capacity, and heart action only a few weeks previously, it came as a surprise that he should again be "put through the mill". It was but one example of the solicitude of the R.A.F. for its budding airmen, and of the determination to receive the very best material for flying. The authorities realize that it is easy for a reckless youth to ruin his constitution in a very short time, and consequently no steps are spared to keep the quirks in the very pink of condition.