Biggles' Big Adventures by Captain W. E. Johns

Author:Captain W. E. Johns [Johns, Captain W. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Europe, Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure, Historical, War & Military, People & Places, Adventure and adventurers, Military & Wars
ISBN: 9781853756160
Publisher: PRION
Published: 2007-09-15T06:00:00+00:00

Biggles was still surveying the holes in the machine with a professional eye.

`Quite,' he said slowly. 'But how did you get in this mess?'

Butterworth laughed.

`Serves me right, I suppose,' he said. 'I haven't got a Hun yet, so I thought I'd try to get one. I found one, as you can see — and that's what he did to me!'

Not too good,' commented Biggles. 'You'll have to fly with Squadron 266 for a bit and learn how to do it. But come along; I expect you can do with some lunch.'

`Sure! I can do with a bite!'

`You're a Canadian, aren't you?' went on Biggles, as they walked in the direction of the officers' mess. `Yes. What made you think that?'

Biggles laughed.

`People who say "sure" and "I guess" are usually Canadians or Americans, and as you aren't in American uniform — well — Hallo, here comes young Algy Lacey! He's a good scout. You'll like him. What cheer, laddie!' he went on as they met. 'This is Butterworth, of Squadron 298.'

Algy nodded.

`Glad to know you!' he said. 'How did you get on, Biggles?'

`Nothing doing. I didn't see a Hun, and had to pack up after an hour, with a missing engine. Butterworth here kept all the Huns to himself; his kite's got as many holes in it as a petrol-filter. What happened, Butterworth?'

On the mess veranda Butterworth told his story:

Àfter I left the aerodrome this morning I headed due east for a time, following the Line between Bixshoote and Langemarck. I didn't see a soul, which got a bit boring, so when I got to Wieltje I turned off a bit to the left to see if those German Fokkers and Albatrosses are as common as you fellows pretend.

`For some time I didn't see anyone, except one or two British R.E.8's doing artillery observation duty, and then I suddenly saw five or six Albatrosses on the right of me. I was only about a mile over the Lines –which didn't seem far from home – but I guess the Huns spotted me just as I spotted them, and as I turned they turned.

Ì shan't forget the next five minutes in a hurry. At first I put my nose down and streaked straight down the Lines, trying to out-distance them rather than face them. In other words, I ran away, and I don't mind admitting it. You fellows might think it's good fun taking on half a dozen Huns at once. But not yours truly. I know my limitations.

`The Huns kept pace with me, heading me off from the Line all the time, and then I saw some more

Huns coming up from the south. That did it. I got the wind up properly, and just made a wild rush for home; I went right through the middle of the Hun formation, and I reckon I should have bumped into someone if they hadn't got out of my way!

Ì clamped on to my gun lever and sprayed the sky. How I got through I don't know, because I could hear their lead boring through my kite several times.

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