WAR

A grotesque combat ensued. The pilot abruptly dived the Spad and Leps was
ejected bodily out of his balcony, restrained at the extreme reach of his safety
harness, which drew taut and flung him back into the bottom of his basket where
he lay flat, unable to rise. The pilot cleared out and headed for home.
Leps tells the rest of the story in his own words: "My pilot returned to the
field and approached the ground in front of the entire squadron which had assembled
to watch our return and hear our report on the new aeroplane.
"The pilot overshot and the machine turned over—one can guess what remained
of my pulpit, pulverized by the propeller and the engine.
"Everyone rushed forward, Capitaine de Saint-Sauveur at the head, to pick
up the pieces. I was hanging head-down, but unhurt.
"I asked only that I be allowed to do my own flying from then on."
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