The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-05-10

layman If the assignment was not of
sort that would make any chap
stiffen up a bit and do considerable
bordering but I fancy I did not
change my face before the "old man."
And like any airman would do I re-
pied with military directness:
Thank you, sir. When shall
start?"
The c. o. thought for a moment,
then he said, Wind sou'west-one
hundred and ten miles-h'm-one
and a half hours run. Better start an
hour before daybreak tomorrow
morning.
Irrespective Of weather, sir?" said
I.
"Oh, yes, think so. You will be
all right; the barometer is quite
steady. 1t isn't going to blow hard.
There might be low clouds, but I
should think you had better get above
them if they are, and steer by COM
pass. If not, scud along underneath.
IT they start Smelling you go into
them"
IT asked if was to report to him
before starting"
yes" he replied. 'T shall be
there to see you off. Good night nv
lad. Go and turn in now and get
some sleep and don't talk about
it"
AT the hangar gave orders as to
my machine, then went straight to my
cabin, wrote two letters, turned into
my bunk and slept soundly until the
sentry awakened me at $3.50 the fol-
lowing morning. I was fearfully
sleepy but I dressed quickly, donned
my flying kit and arrived at the C..
O.'s cabin ten minutes before I was
due to start.
Come in," answered a voice inside
to my knock Thank you, Williams
Good. I've got some hot cocoa and a
biscuit or two for you here. 1t will
warm you up. Don't go doing any
thing rash or try to destroy the place
yourself. I only want you to find
out what guns those 5lighters have
got Finished? That's good. Now
then, off you go. Good luck, my boy.
See you at breakfast"
The Start
|, Five minutes later was beginning
the execution of the wishes of the
wishes of the tired, bespectacled Of
ficer back in the London Office, near
; Whitehall, now fast asleep at home.
, There was no glamour of romance
to my start. The cold, chill first ligh;
of dawn was just breaking. Around
my machine were grouped stolid
| hi to 1,O
/, sleep, from which certainly no inspira-
ton could be obtained.
The motor roared. Ny machine
rose rather stiffly as let her rip Fol
a moment my thoughts bordered or
, the profane as made out below me
the tin sheds where my mates were
peacefully sleeping.
! At 1000 feet I found myself JUS
below the clouds with the air a b
! more "bumpy' than it should be fol
perfect flying conditions. Then be
hind me heard a dull revebration ii
the clouds ahead Of me made GU
, puffs of white smoke.
Fritz had spotted me but since
was making a full 80 miles the hou
could look on with the most cheer
full equanimity. The observer VIII
saw me streaking through that dral
atmosphere, however, received m,
q choicest anathemaS a half a minut
later.
4 For shell, bursting close spat
q piece of metal through the body O
the machine, missing my legs by
e scanty two inches, judged and throw
ing my machine violently on it's side
a For full thirty seconds had a tens
bit of struggle with my control sticl
- to right the machine. Succeeding,
: made my way right into the overhang
h ing clouds-and safety.
~ There had to rely on my compass
i entirely 1t was impossible to see be
: yond the nose of the machine.
IS Once or twice I ran into rather mys
J. terious currents of air. Rippin
~ through so blindIy in the clouds be
le gan to get on my nerves. I fancie
1t saw the shadowy fieeting outlines c
10 other machines but my better judg
ment told me that it was not only to
ID early for Fritz to be up and about i
&c the air but also he could not possibl
n get up and off the ground and clos
~ to me in such a short space of time.
re Finding the Station.
E. I looked at my petrol gauge and m
nerves reflected their condition in N
lie erratic jerking at the hand pump.
a remember cursing the clouds ar
ne questioning their purpose in the pla
n of the universe. Then I contempla
ed the hole made by the shell frat
MT ments so close to my legs and tn
20 brought me to my normal self.
ed Lucky I didn't stop that Bit"
lis said aloud to myself and soliloqui
at ing 1 went on, rotten stunt this f,
s. one man to take on, unless he is tr,
en- ing to do the place in, and am n
'ly allowed to do that. Much better
have sent several of us I should ha'
he thought. But suppose the old ma
I'd, knows best"
go Then, when had fired three roun
er OF my machine gun to make sure tn
'rt it was working well found that n
ad nerves had disappeared and that W
a properly working bit of machine
70 of the British air service, again.
Another OF my many glances at n
sat watch A rand COLONIZATION. Of FIR