You understand all that, sir ?" "I do!" "Raise your right hand, sir." The aviator obeyed.
"All the others, too!" Every hand went up.
"Swear allegiance to me, fidelity, secrecy, courage, obedience.

On the thing you hold most dear, your honor as fighting-men, swear it!" The shout that answered him, from every throat, made the eagle's nest ring with wild echoes.

The Master smiled, as the hands sank.
"With men like you," said he, "failure is impossible.

The expedition is to start at once, tomorrow night.

No man in it has now any ties or home or kin that overbalance his ties to me and to the _esprit de corps_ of our body.
"The past is dead, for you.