One fine morning a great airship was discovered by Londoners floating over the Admiralty Arch. Now it was well known that guns had been mounted on the Admiralty Arch and on the roof of the War Office and several of the other larger buildings. The purpose of these guns was, of course, to repel hostile airships, about which London had become decidedly nervous. These guns, however, had no occasion to bang at this a?rial visitor, for it was known by those on the inside that this craft was not going to drop any bombs on the big town, but simply, on order, drop itself into the Thames, which in navigable[197] importance has been pronounced the greatest river in the world.
There was no doubt many a hysterical outburst regarding the big aircraft, but as nothing was blown up during its hovering period, there was consequently nothing to tell a policeman about.
This particular airship was conducted by our Aviator Boys—Billy Barry and Henri Trouville, or Henri Trouville and Billy Barry, as you please, according to who was at the wheel. It happened that Billy was working his regular trick as pilot on this London visit, and it was the first journey of importance that Henri and himself had been in sole command of a sea-plane—the largest of its kind.
It being a peaceful or commercial mission, there was no gunner in the bow, and no wireless operator sat in the center of the hull. Just Billy, fore, and Henri, aft. A small crew, but a crew trained to the minute.
The sea-plane, by signal, took to the river a short distance below London Bridge, in the dock region, where there was a total water area of some 600 acres.
On the occasion of the official visit to the sea-plane, as it floated near the docks, the inspecting officers, one and all, looked their astonishment upon the size of the crew, physically as well as in point of number.
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They looked at the craft and they looked at the boys and they looked at each other.
But when the crew took up the matter of detail and explanation, so thorough was the review they gave, that the officers ceased to wonder that these agents had been selected and entrusted with so much responsibility.
“This is about the only thing we do not have occasion to handle in this craft,” said Billy, as he swiveled in all directions the machine gun in the bow.
“It’s a handy little barker,” observed one of the officers, who evidently knew all about guns.
Having completed their inspection and notes, a senior officer asked Billy if the crew went with the craft.
“Until it is sold, only,” was Billy’s prompt reply.
“Sorry,” added the officer, “that we can’t have you in the balance.”
“We have traveled with three fighting flags since we have been flying around on this side of the ocean. It keeps us guessing what will be the next.”
Henri was repeating what he had said to the captain just before leaving Dover.
“Have an eye out, or the Germans will get you yet,” smilingly warned the senior officer.
“Who knows?” thought Billy.
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The inspecting of............