We haven't said much about Pete, for he was really timid, and lay low
wherever he was placed, without a word. But when he came over where
Brenda was and that sturdy Belgian watched his timid attempts to fire
the machine gun, she was disgusted.
"Pete, you no good! Have you forgot how the Baron hated a coward? Let
me in there!" She shoved Pete aside, took charge of the gun herself
and presently Byers was gratified to hear its active rattle as Brenda
rather clumsily yet effectually opened upon the Germans. Pete
assisted, handing fresh sheaves of ammunition and otherwise making
himself useful.
"Where you been, Pete?" she asked. "Why you leave us all?"
"I wanted to learn to fly. Americaines, they give me a chance."
The other plane, now spiraling upward, came within range of the
Fokkers, and altogether the united firing from the two big biplanes was
too much for the Boches, so they gradually retired with a loss of one
plane, whose pilot Erwin had disposed of, as we have seen.
Half an hour later they quietly dropped down at the aerodrome. The
first gray hues of morning were just diffusing a lighter pallor and the
stars were already dimming when on the deserted levels in front of the
hangars the biplanes finally came to rest. Then out from a sentry box
came the captain's orderly, who seemed much astonished.
"Well, sir, I didn't look for you all back so soon.
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