chum had been, Jack was dressed warmly in fur garments, even to his
helmet, which was fur lined. He had on two pairs of gloves and his
eyes were protected with heavy goggles. For it is very cold in the
upper regions, and the swift speed of the machine sends the wind
cutting into one's face so that it is impossible to see from the
eyes unless they are protected.

Jack's machine was a two-seater, of a heavy and comparatively safe
type--that is it was safe as long as it was not shot down by a Hun.
Jack was to occupy the front seat and act as pilot, while Harris,
the photographer he was to take up, sat behind him, with camera,
map, pencil and paper ready at hand for the making of observations.

On either side of the photographer's seat were six loaded drums of
ammunition for the Lewis gun, for use against the ruthless Hun
machines. Jack had a fixed Vicker machine weapon for his use.

"Hope I get a chance to use 'em," said Harris with a grin, as he
climbed into his seat, patted the loaded drums, and nodded to Jack
that he was ready.

The same procedure was gone through as in the case of Tom. The man
spun the propeller, and they were ready to set off. Accompanying
them were two other reconnaissance planes, and four experienced
fighting pilots, two of them "aces," that is men who, alone, had
each brought down five or more Hun planes. The big planes, used for
obtaining news, pictures, and maps of the enemy's territory, are
always accompanied by fighting planes, which look out for the
attacking Germans, while the other, and less speedy, craft carry the
men who are to bring back vital information.