“Everything is all arranged, much easier than I thought possible,” replied Maxwell. “Here is a list of events.”
Much to Bill’s surprise, Buddy Maxwell handed the paper to Captain Smith with the parachute jump still included. He had made no attempt to erase that event. Perhaps they have obtained a parachute from somewhere.
Smith went over the list and commented upon each event as he came to it. He gave instructions as to how he wanted the details arranged.
“I want each Flight leader to lead his own Flight in the formations,” said Smith. “I will have Liggett take the radio demonstration.”
Then he saw Bill’s name entered for the parachute jump.
“Did you volunteer for the parachute jump?” asked Smith.
Bill was caught. There was no way out now. He had told Maxwell that he would jump, thinking that there were no parachutes. Obviously there must be some available now, or Captain Smith would have shown some surprise when he read the event. There was only one thing to do, and Bill did it.
“Have you ever jumped before?” asked Smith.
“That makes no difference, you have to start some time,” said Smith. “Fortunately, Sergeant Ruhs has just arrived from Dayton with instructions as to how the parachutes shall be worn and how you get out of the plane with them on. You had better see him right away and get your instructions. I approve of the schedule of events.”
So there were parachutes, and a parachute jump was going to be part of the field day after all. Bill had never even seen one at close range. He had never had the slightest desire to try one out, and, furthermore, he realized that the thing he desired the least of anything in the world was to make that jump the next day.
Bill left the headquarters building with a heavy load on his mind. As far as he could see, he had put himself in such a position that he had to make that parachute jump. He went to the supply building and found Sergeant Ruhs. Several parachutes were spread out on the floor and Ruhs was inspecting them.
“Sergeant, you never told me that we had received those parachutes,” said Bill.
“No, sir, I didn’t,” replied the parachute sergeant. “They came while you were down at Roseburg.”
“Enough to equip each plane with two and then have several for reserve,” replied Ruhs.