on the taps."

Blaine was nosing about one of the machines that was like the others,
only a trifle larger and had an observer's seat behind the pilot's.

"That's your, Sergeant?" queried Erwin, slightly emphasizing the last
word.

"Bet your bottee wootees, Corporal!" Another slight emphasis on the
last word. "As for yours, take your pick. They're all exactly alike.
We must go into preliminary practice today."

For an answer Erwin mechanically rolled out the machine he had first
examined, and prepared for a short flight.

"After all, all, these are much like the planes we used at Vimy last
year."

"Some improvements and stronger motors added thought," said Blaine.
"Going to give it a try-out?"

"Yep! Thought I'd like to get my hand in a bit before we go out in
squad formation." He nimbly vaulted into his seat over the rim of the
fuselage, or the body of the machine, as two mechanics pushed forward
behind the wings.

An upward flip and the alert planes rose gently into the air, and Erwin
was off. His head was cool, his brain active, and more than all his
hands were steady.