The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-11

ness, sir. Honest! And there's no
time to get some one else up now!
It's almost dawn and you said you
wanted to get over there at dawn!
Can't I go? 1 can hold down my
end all right You don't have to
worry about Butch lettin you
down."
TOR a second the Major hesi-
Il tated. There was a lot to what
Butch said. 1t was getting light
and arousing another officer would
take time.
I'm going to drop down to the
ground, fly low and come back on
that balloon from their own side!"
came his shout. We'll probably pick
up lot of ground fire but save
your ammunition. Don't fire back.
Use it on the balloon!
I'll fire with my front gun, pass
over it and then turn so you can
empty your guns into it. Then We'll
make one swing back at the balloon
and drop the two incendiary bombs.
After that, watch our tail for enemy
aircraft! They may be up early
and come down on us I'll stay low
and cut back wide-open for our
own lines! Sit tight! Here we go!"
TINE motor roared and they
L started skimming the ground,
heading back toward that enemy
balloon. But they were coming at
it from the enemy's own side and
upon that the Major depended for
the surprise that would let them
get in, attack and get away before
the defense could organize and
spring into action!
Then Butch heard the Majors gun
and an instant later the bulk of
the balloon swept past feet below him
as the Major swung in a climbing
turn to let Butch empty his guns
into the gas-filled fabric!
Twin streams of smoke, the trail
of the incendiary bullets, sprang
from his guns and poured into the
balloon. A tiny flame started on
its top, spread and in an instant
the whole fabric started to blaze
as the gas added to the fury of the
fire. No need for the bombs!
The Major swung around and
started for their own lines. Machine
guns cracked behind them as the
ground crew got into action-toc
latel Butch was exhultantl
They reached the shell-torn area
behind the German lines. Fire met
them there. Then a one-poundel
started to shell the fleeting plane
Bursts sprang out all around them
Suddenly there was a rocking ex-
plosion, the whine of fragments
and the ship careened wildly. Hit
Butch gasped as he looked
around. The entire end of the right
wing was bare, the fabric ripped tc
shreds! The shell had exploded al
most against It'll
NNE strut was shattered, the
~ plane was slowly listing to that
side as the lift of the other wing
forced it over despite the Major S
frantic efforts to keep it on an even
keel with the ailerons. They were
slowly and surely going into posi-
ton from which they would crash!
There seemed no way of stopping
the lift of the right wings from
tipping them over! The lack of
fabric on the left side was their
undoing! The Major couldn't bal
ance the ship with his controls
But-Butch couldl
In a flash he saw the difficulty
and started to Chamber out of his
cockpit. Desperately he clawed his
way up forward out of the Majors
cockpit and then past it to where
he grasped the centersection struts
in his hand.
A moment more and he was edg-
ing his way out onto that wing,
clinging to struts and wires. Then
he reached it's end and felt the ship
Fighting ITSELF
The grim face of the Major broke
into grin! They'd make it yet!
Their own lines flashed past below
them. They were back! But far
from down in safety as yet!
Then, as though Fate were laugh
ing at their sudden elation, the en-
CINE coughed, sputtered and
stopped Down they went! There
was a shattering. crashing, ripping
of fabric and then Butch knew no
more!
THREE weeks later, swathed in
i bandages, Butch was rolled out
onto the courtyard of the hospital,
propped erect in wheelchair
Troops lined the court. Glittering
staff officers stood in a group in
the center
Too dazed to realize lust what
was going on, Butcii heard his name,
French general read 6. long paper
and then stepped forward. pinned
cross upon Butch's chest, took
his head in his hands and soundly
kissed him on either cheek:
Decorated for bravery! A medal!
His boast made good! Cameras
were clickingl Butch relaxed, too
happy to say a world
Suddenly his happy smile faded
and an expression of horror flashed
over his face.
What's the matter, Butch?
Sick?' came the anxious voice of
the major from a wheelchair be-
side him.
Mentally Butch saw that bar in
Brooklyn. the pictures where he had
boasted his would be. He saw his
there, saw he groaned!
My Gawd, Major!" he walled,
can you beat it? Here I make
good and get medal and they even
take my picture. But, gees, can you
imagine what the gang will say
when they get a load Of that Frog
kissin' me? I'll never live it down.
] Amt got no luck at ALL"
THE END.