The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-05-21

who is always interesting and usually
instructive. H has good descriptive
powers and a vivid imagination. The
following article written for the Ex-
press will prove both interesting and
instructive.-The Editor.
UNCLE SANS FLYERS IN CAMP
What is the sensation of flying in
an aeroplane? Perhaps it does not
affect every one the same. but, hav-
ing made a fight, | can tell how it
feels to middle-aged man who is in
no hurry to die. People ask What is
the sensation? and, what does the
country look like up there? Here is
the whole story:
1t happened at North Island, which,
by the way, is not an island at all. 1t
is the end of a fiat, sandy peninsula
which sweeps around like a protecting
arm between San Diego harbor and
the open sea. Here. where the even
California climate permits flying all
the year around and a level, grassy
plain affords an ideal landing place,
Uncle Sam has established his school
for army aviators. We saw evidences
of it even before reaching the island.
While the little San Diego ferry was
still in midstream the air suddenly re-
sounded with the roar of tornado,
and flying boat, like a mammoth
dragon fly, whizzed overhead. Swoop-
ing downward it alighted easily on the
water, scattering the screaming sea-
gulls and skimming along in a smother
of foam. The way it huttered along
the surface reminded one of a lame
duck-not the political kind Then,
rising easily from the bay, it scared
upward, and, fitting one wing sky
ward, wheeled like a hawk over the
trees on the island and disappeared
The wild, free dash of it was inspir-
ing. | felt all the enthusiasm of a
small boy at circus parade. | want
ed to fly!
An inexpensive Barracks.
We found no expensive barracks on
landing at North Island. Simply a
long row of pine sheds whose gaping
doors revealed a row of yellow, bird
like flying machines. Young officers
in leather coats or overalls, moved in
and out in a quiet. business-like way.
Young, because the war department
limits the age to thirty years. 1t is
young mems work. They are even re-
quired to be unmarried when they
boys they are-some with dishguring
scars on their faces and other bearing
scars which are not visible. Twenty
seven of them are here at present, all
brimful of enthusiasm and making the
best of the meager equipment grant
ed them by a parsimonious govern
ment in their desire to master this
the most hazardous of professions.
Did | want to fly? They threw the
question at me before | had been or
the ground ten minutes Such {
thought had never entered my head
The captain in charge went on to ex
plain that no one but army officers
was permitted to go up, and that while
they never urged visiting brother tC
take the risk they always gave hin
the opportunity. Two or three ma
chimes were in the air at the time
One went roaring overhead, its whir
ring propeller making a noise like
threshing machine. Miles away an
other was soaring like seagull owe
Point Iona peninsula, heading for tn
open sea. 1t was fascinatingl Yes
| said | wanted to fly
Machine Was Waiting.
But on the grass, few steps away
a machine stood waiting, its yelloN
linen wings bearing the number 50 i
big black figures. AS we approache
l could not help noticing how like
bird it was. From its sparrow-lik
body and tail to the tips of its spread
ing, yellow wings it was nothing bu
an enormous bird of linen and alum
mum! The aviator, Mr.. Brindley,
sturdy young civilian employed by tn
government to instruct beginners, wa
already seated in the body of the birt
Beside him was an empty seat. and
started to climb in; but the officer
smiled and remarked that | was M
ready yet. A friendly lieutenant pull
ed off his leather coat and helme
and proffered them with the remar
that | would need them up there
This seemed strange, for the day W;
warm and sunny, calling Tor hgl
clothing. However, | was feeling nor
too confident and was willing to tai
advice from anybody, They placed
pair of goggles over my eyes, iaSten'
the leather helmet down over N
ears, and put the leather coat over n
other one, buttoning il close under Il
chin. A pair OF enormous Rauntle
completed the equipment 1t SCENE
more like preparing for a deep 5,
dive than for a fight up toward Il
sun. Climbing into the vacant seat.
buckled according to orders) heaN
leather strap across my abdomen.
noticed that the pilot used no stra
but il was not for me TO ask que
tions. We were ready. Did ! te
uueer2 Decidedly sol We were abo
TO quit the earth. For a short time,
is true; but the manner OF our retu