The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-17
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which she so Ioneed to see. the cloud
of dust which should mark the prog
ress of a large body of horsemen.
The little expeditionary force had
moved rapidly and with craft, effacing
itself completely from the face of the
country side, long before sunrise.
For upwards Of an hour Patria pur-
sued her fruitless reconnaissance.
At length, discouraged and dis
heartened, she turned back to her start
ing point and dropped down to the
private aviation field.
AS she descended, in spite of the
preoccupation OF every faculty I'M
posed by that most difficult task
known to ayiators, that of negotiat-
ing successful landing, she was con-
scfous that strangers watched her from
the body of huge. gray Inotorcar on
the edge of the field.
Alighting beside her stationary BIZ
plane, she saw Il group of some half a
dozen moving toward her from a car.
Donald was one Of these; the others
were all men in the field uniforms Of
the regular army OF the United States.
She identified one or two faces made
familiar to her by production in the
pages of newspapers and magazines
the faces of men who had risen to high
places in the service of their country.
One wore on the collar of his tunic
the insignia of brigadier general.
Her heart warmed to their soldier
~ bearing-then sank as she was re-
minded that all they stood for, of gall
lantry, loyalty, bravery, intelligence
and efficiency must count for nothing
in event of war, because the country
they served refused them men enough
to lead successfully against any but
the most pitifully irihotent enemy.
Introduced by Captain .Parr the brig
adler general greeted her with grave
courtesy presented formally each
member of his staff, and complimented
Patria on her own skill in aviation, as
well as the skill of her corps of air.
men.
Il have seen great deal Of wonder
full flying" he said, "but what l see
going on here surpasses anything that
has come under my observation, for
snap and precision-comes near to
what I have heard of the work of the
French and English flying corps. I
could WISH" he added, a trace visit
fully, yet with perceptible twinkle
in his eyes as they held Patria's, "my
own command We're as wei off"
"NIy men and my machines" Patria
told him. ''are always ct the service Of
my country"
SIN event of need, then, I shall not
hesitate to call upon you"
"You need not. / am doing"-Pa-
tria hesitated briefly; yet this official
visit proved that the secret of her
had leaked out-"what
am doing solely as patriot and
soldiers daughter"
ut is because you have proved your
self to be that-a worthy daughter of
my own comrade," the general said,
that l have ventured to make this
unlimited call. I would be glad If !
you could give me q few moments Of |
your time to discuss question of pub
ic policy"
There was-no way to escape. Pa /
ria bowed gracefully to the inevitable.
IF you will be good enough to &C
company me to my home," she said,
we can find there quiet place in
which to talk. And shall be honored
f you and your staff will be my
'uests for luncheon"
The invitation was eagerly accepted,
nd the party motored back to the
hacienda.
There, while luncheon was being
Patria abandoned all effort
t cOncealment and, conducting the
eneral to- the library, laid before him
complete exposition of all her plans
nd preparations to repel an invasion,
hitting no material detail.