human
What good wind blew you this way?
gpt
A mighty cold wind, as you fellows would admit if you were up there,
human
You look pretty well fixed for it, commented Billy, as he took in Dick's voluminous trappings.
gpt
A polar bear has nothing on you.
human
I need every bit of it, answered Dick.
gpt
But where are you fellows bound for, and what are you doing with these birds?
human
We're taking them into Coblenz to let our people give them the once over and the third degree, explained Frank.
gpt
They've been trying to stir up trouble in the American zone. Cunning little bunch, isn't it?
human
I'm glad you've got your claws on them, Dick remarked, looking at the group with cold disfavor.
gpt
There's a whole lot more like them that ought to be rounded up. I tell you our people have been too easy with this breed of cattle and they're going to be sorry for it. We're so afraid of being harsh that we go to the other extreme. We stand up so straight that we fall over backward. The Germans don't understand anything but force, and unless we exert it they think we're afraid to.
human
Think we're too easy? asked Bart.
gpt
You bet we are! replied Dick.
human
We ought to treat them as the French do at Mayence and the British at Cologne. They know the people they're dealing with, and while they're just, they're stern. Anyone who tries to put anything over on them finds that he's monkeying with a buzz saw. Unless we wake up from our easy good-nature, we'll find ourselves with a lot of trouble on our hands.
gpt
You seem to be rather worked up about it,
human
Not a bit more than I ought to be, returned Dick earnestly.
gpt
I have chances of seeing things that you fellows don't. I'm flying all over the occupied zone, and I tell you that the Spartacides are trying to stir up trouble everywhere. In almost every other town you can see the red flag flying. There's stormy weather coming, and we've got to be prepared for gales.
human
That just fits in with what Colonel Pavet of the French Army was telling me to-day, said Frank.
gpt
He's just back from Berlin, and he's sure there's trouble afoot.
human
Well, said Dick,
gpt
I hope that we're both false prophets, but I'm afraid we're not. I'll have to get on now, fellows.
human
What did you come down for? asked Tom.
gpt
Engine trouble?
human
No, it wasn't that, replied Dick.
gpt
The old girl is working fine. I just saw an American bunch marching along here and dropped down to say 'howdy.' I'm off now. See you soon in Coblenz.