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By Root 2588 0

probably not return to the squadron. Lufbery had listened as intently as the others, as Chapman conveyed word of the horror of Balsley’s condition. The young man was housed in a bloody awful facility, close to the front lines and under the constant threat of German bombardment. But the horror was worse for Balsley himself, the young man already having endured several operations to remove shrapnel from a gaping, infectious wound in his hip. Lufbery had known Balsley only as well as any of them could, but now, Lufbery felt he didn’t know Chapman at all. Chapman was cocky, even arrogant at times, but his arrogance came from his roots, the New York–bred child of an aristocratic family, a direct descendant of John Jay, America’s first chief justice. Lufbery had known this kind of arrogance before, had seen it as well in some of the others in the squadron. But now, Chapman had become obsessed with Balsley, as though the health of the entire squadron depended on the health of this one unfortunate young pilot.

JUNE 23, 1916

Lufbery was suited up, waited while the mechanics rolled the Nieuport out onto the grassy plain. Thenault and Prince were close by, each man adjusting his suit, pulling on the heavy fur boots.

Chapman’s head wound was still wrapped tightly with the fat bandage, but Thenault had allowed him to fly on short practice runs, keeping close to the airfield. Chapman had complained every time, but Thenault had been firm. Chapman was still injured, would take to the air in small strides. But when Thenault was not around, Chapman allowed his anger to show, and Lufbery knew that Chapman planned to confront Thenault this morning, insisting that his convalescence was complete. He heard the man’s voice now, a jovial greeting to the mechanics, Chapman suddenly appearing around the side of the hangar, already in his suit. Thenault watched him approach, and Chapman held out a cloth bag, said, “I found some oranges! The doctors say it’s the only thing they’ll allow Balsley to eat. They won’t even let him drink water, but I convinced the doctor to give him these. This should brighten him up a bit!”

Thenault watched as Chapman tossed the bag into the cockpit of one of the newly assembled planes.

Chapman forced the smile, said, “I’m fit and ready to fly, sir!”

Lufbery saw the hard frown fixed on Thenault’s face, and Thenault said, “You would join us then?”

“Certainly, sir! And, on the way home, I can deliver the oranges to the hospital.”

Thenault seemed to ponder his decision, said, “No. You will not accompany the patrol just yet. You may, however, deliver the oranges. It is a very kind gesture, Mr. Chapman.”

Lufbery waited for the explosion, watched the smile disappear from Chapman’s face. “Sir, I insist. I am fit to fly. . . .”

“Mr. Chapman, it is not a discussion. You will deliver the oranges to Mr. Balsley. Perhaps, in a day or two, you can again join the patrols.”

Chapman walked slowly over to the new aeroplane, leaned against the side of the plane, said nothing. Thenault climbed into his Nieuport, said, “Gentlemen. Let us proceed.”

Lufbery still watched Chapman, saw hard disappointment on the man’s face, said, “Maybe tomorrow, Victor. Rest today. It can’t hurt. It’s a nice thing you’re doing . . . the oranges.”

Chapman glanced at him, nodded, said nothing. Lufbery felt a twinge of nervousness in his stomach, said, “Take it easy today, Victor.”

Lufbery moved to his plane, climbed up, the propman standing at the front, ready for his signal to crank the motor. Lufbery saw Thenault’s Nieuport already rolling out across the grass. He wanted to talk to Chapman again, but there was no time, and there was, after all, nothing more he could say. He flipped the fuel switch, motioned to the propman, who gave a hard pull, the motor of the Nieuport coughing, roaring to life.

CHAPMAN BOARDED THE NIEUPORT A FEW MINUTES LATER, SPOKE to no one but the propman, held his anger at the captain tightly inside. He flew the Nieuport along the same route as the patrol he had wanted to join, but was far behind them, alone, climbing