other airmen, many of whom were student fliers from the various
aviation camps of the United States. Few of these youths had had
much practice, though some had been to the Canadian schools. And
none of them had, as yet, fought an enemy in the air.

To aid and instruct them, however, were such fighters as Tom and
Jack, and some even more experienced from the French, Italian and
British camps, who had been detailed to help out the United States
in the emergency.

The next few weeks was an instruction and reconstruction period,
with Tom and Jack often filling the roles of teachers. They found
their pupils apt, eager and willing, however, and among them they
discovered some excellent material. As the commanding officer of
the new American air forces had said, the planes used were all of
English or French make. It was too early in the war for America to
have sent any over equipped with the Liberty motor, though
production was under way.

After this period had passed, Tom and Jack, with a squadron of other
birdmen were sent to a certain section of the front held largely by
American troops, supported by veteran French and British regiments.

It was the first wholly American aircraft camp established since the
beginning of the World War, and it was not even yet as wholly
American as it was destined to be later, for the aviators were, as
regards veterans, largely French and English. Torn and Jack were,
in point of service, the ranking American fliers for a time.

There had been several sharp engagements across No Man's Land