The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-10-29
.CH|VA[RY NOT DEAD. 4
Old Spirit of Knighthood Main.
 tained Among Aviators.
British and German Air Raiders No. tify Enemy of Fate of Rival Avl- ators-Flyers Are Type With
 Marked Characteristics.
By FREDERICK PALMER.

International News Service.)
 British Headquarters France Though it has been repeatedly stat ed that chivalry does not exist in this war;" said British aviator, this does not apply to the British and German aviation branches. Whether 1t is the individualism of our work and it's nov city, or whatever it is that is respon- sible, something of the old spirit Of knighthood maintains among the flyers of the air. When British avi- ator has to descend in the German lines, whether from engine trouble or because his engine or his plane has been damaged by antiaircraft gunfire, the next day the Germans report to us his name and whether he survived, and if so, whether he is wounded. We always do the same. It has come to be custom"
 The reports are made in a manner worthy of airmen and they are the only communications that ever pass between the two foes, which watch for heads to snipe at from their trenches. What is called message bag" is dropped over the British lines by German or over the German lines by British aviator-sometimes when he is in the midst of bursting shells from the antiaircraft guns. Long streamers are attached to the little cloth bag These, as they pirouette down to the earth from a height of seven or eight thousand feet attract the attention of soldiers in the neigh borhood and they run out to get the prize when it lands.
 It is taken to battalion headquar- ters, which wires the fact on to the aviation headquarters, where the fate of "a comrade may be known few hours after he has left his home aero drome; and, in another few hours someone in England may know the fate of a relative
 That is one of the advantages of belonging to the flying corps" say the British aviators. "It may be weeks before his relatives and comrades know whether a man who is missing after trench attack or counter-attack is prisoner or dead. Such little kind nesses as this don't interfere with you fighting your best for your cause; at the same time they take a little of the savagery out of war. Of course, the rule could not apply to prisoners taken in trench fighting only to airmen. There are relatively few airmen on either side and only an occasional one ever comes down to the enemy's lines"
 With the first flush of dawn the British planes rise from the aviation grounds. All day they are coming and going, and in the dusk of evening they appear out of the vague dis tances of the heavens returning home to roost.
 The flyers become type with cer- tain marked characteristics. No nerv- ous man is wanted; and it is time for any man who shows any sign of nerves to take rest. They seem shy, diffident, men of the kind given to observation rather than talking; men who are used to using their eyes rather than their hands. It is little difficult to realize that some quiet
 
 had so many hairbreadth escapes. What tales worthy of Arabian Nights" heroes who were borne away on magic carpets they bring home, re- lating them as matter-of-factly as if they had broken a shoe lace. Up in their seats, whirr of the motor, and they are away on another adventure. They shy at the mention, of their names. in print; for that is not con- sidered good for the spirit of this, the newest branch of the service of war. Anonymity is absolute. Everything is done by the corps for the corps. Some members have luck, as they put it, and some do not. L-'s name may not be given, but his is the most dra- matic of recent experiences.
 He was a pilot flying in Belgium, far away from the British lines, when an antiaircraft shell mashed his leg, which was hit by fifty bullets and fragments, the doctor estimated, as the story was told to the correspond ent. He collapsed in his seat uncon- scious His machine dropped at right angles to the line of flight, with the concussion. The observer who was with him managed to hold on by clutching at the machine gun.
 They were careening down to the earth, with the observer helpless from his position to do anything, whom L. recovered consciousness and mustered strength and presence of mind enough to right the machine and to turn it round in the midst of cloud of shrapnel smoke. He was not going to be taken prisoner, despite his shattered leg, when he found that the shell which had so nearly done for him had not injured the engine or the plane. So he made for the near est aerodrome.
 There he managed to land safely. But, as he said, he did not dare to get out of his seat until the doctor came, for fear that his leg would fall off. He will get well.