The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-02-15

ted over the river and plain and al
most before the trembling Jean Fran
co.'s had realized they had started, the
white tents of the first German out
post appeared in the distance, whilst
far beyond the white walls and towers
of Verdun cleaned in the morning
sun. Jean Francois chung firmly to
his seat as the puffs of smoke and sui
len roar that greeted the passage of
the machine over the first tents, told
that the enemy were on the watch.
The smoke and the noise were all the
cognizance vouchsafed the aeronauts
of the firing from the first OUTPOST,
for their speed was greater than their
foes had calculated.
Captain said Favre leaning slight
ly toward his companion and shouting
so as to make himself heard above the
rattle OF the machine. do you ever
pray?"
Jean Francois smiled for the first
time in the whole dizzy flight Il have
been praying ever since we left the
camp, he shouted in reply.
Very well, then, Captain cried
Favre, pray that no missile may stop
the engine. The Germans in the camp
beyond will prove better marksmen."
Our Captain only smiled in reply but
his lips continued to move. The lieu
tenant had hardly ceased speaking.
when the airship began it's perilous
passage of the hostile camp. The adj
vent of the craft was greeted by a
roar of artillery and a crash of small
arms and soon the shells and bullets
began to come in close proximity to
the airmen. The next quarter of an
hour would decide the biplane's fate,
for only few miles away lay Verdun
and safety. On went the machine
amid the roar of the guns. The en-
CINE continued its monotonous hum
which showed that all was we'll.
Suddenly Jean Francois started
slightly and a stream of blood trickled
slowly down his right arm.
Are you wounded, Captain"
shouted Favre? ...
In reply Captain Jean Francois
pointed silently to his arm.
Hold began the lieutenant. But
his speech was never finished. 1t was
interrupted by the strange conduct of
the aeroplane, which halted, sagged
slowly, went forward again and then
began to dive towards the earth.
! "Heavens!' screamed Favre, I'VE are
| lost A shell had torn a jagged hole
in one OF the wings, an iron rod had
been torn loose with the covering it
supported and waved wildly in the
wind. "Oh, God! lost in the sight of
victory moaned the lieutenant.
rs there no hope?" shouted Jean
Francois to make himself heard above
the whistling of the wind through the
torn wing and the hum of the machine.
mo hope, absolutely none" respond
ed his companion. Your side of the
machine is overbalanced, and we shall
crash to death, just outside the de-
lenses of Verdun."
Yet, brave to the last, the fearless
pilot strained every nerve, exerted
every ounce of strength and skill to
cause his machine to rise He was re-
Warded by a momentary success. The
machine scared a few hundred feet
towards the clouds Then down, down
it sank towards the earth where death
and failure awaited both it's occupants.
Would the machine rise if the in
jured wing were removed?" queried
Jean Francois.
"Assuredly," responded his COM
panion absently.
The lips of the Captain moved for
an instant in prayer. Then without a
word, he began, with his injured left
hand, to loosen the straps that bound
him to his seat.
What are you doing?" demanded
Favre amazedly.
Il am going to tear away that rod
and save Verdun,' was the answer.
1T means certain DEATH" shouted
Favre.
And certain death to both, if we
crash," calmly replied the other.
And | thought this man a great
baby unused the lieutenant. To Jean
Francois he cried, You are the BRAY
est man l ever met"
Captain Jean Francois smiled rue
fully. Il was never more frightened
in all my life he said; his pale face
and trembling lips bore out his asser-
ton.
Meanwhile to the roar of the hostile
guns had been added the cheers of the
foe, as they saw the machine sinking
steadily to earth. The plane was now
scarcely one thousand feet above the
earth and sinking constantly.
The straps were loosened now, Jean
Francois reached out his wounded
hand to his comrade Good bye,
lieutenant he shouted, pray for me.
If ever you should meet a certain
Father Lecoq. tell him Jean Francois
remembered to do ones duty is to
serve ones Cod Then slowly, yet,
withal painfully, the stricken Captain
clambered out on the steel rods
towards the torn wing. He reached it.
Supporting himself with his left arm.
with a wounded right arm he made
painful sign of the cross, and the
trembling lips whispered, MY Jesus,
mercy Jean Francois reached up
ward and grasped the shattered rod.
l.