Moonlight and moonshine

In Short

This briskly paced adventure follows Lieutenant George Arlington Hemingwood, an Air Service pilot who travels to rural Kentucky to conduct an aerial survey. His professional mission is quickly complicated by the suspicious, isolationist nature of the local mountaineers, who view his presence as a threat to their illicit moonshine trade. Amidst the danger, he meets a spirited young woman who challenges his cynical views on marriage. The narrative endures for its blend of early-twentieth-century aviation detail, rugged atmosphere, and the lighthearted, earnest spirit of its protagonist.

The Story

Lieutenant George Arlington Hemingwood is a content and uncomplicated man. A Bostonian by birth, he prefers the cockpit of his De Haviland airplane to the commercial expectations of his family’s banking business. When he is assigned to photograph a vast, unmapped section of the Kentucky mountains, he takes his reliable mechanic, Sergeant Apperson, and flies into a world that feels lightyears removed from his comfortable Army barracks. Upon landing in a remote clearing, he encounters Gail Morgan, an intelligent, charming local resident who offers him assistance and local knowledge, sparking an immediate and palpable connection between the two.

However, Hemingwood’s presence is not welcomed by everyone. The local law enforcement official, Ballardson, is deeply involved in the illegal moonshine industry and views the arrival of a federal officer as a threat to his livelihood. What begins as minor interference—including a staged fight intended to damage Hemingwood’s airplane—escalates into an open, violent feud. The mountaineers, suspicious of being hunted by the government, attempt to sabotage the mission, leading to a dangerous mid-air encounter where shots are fired at Hemingwood’s aircraft.

Despite the mounting danger, Hemingwood remains unfazed, relying on his skill and the unwavering support of Apperson. He manages to turn the tables on his attackers, displaying a mix of tactical bravado and unexpected mercy when he eventually corners the men who tried to kill him. As the tension reaches its boiling point, Gail risks her own standing within the community to warn him of a planned ambush. With her help and the intervention of other, more peaceable townspeople—including her uncle, the local storekeeper—the conflict is resolved without further bloodshed.

As the mission nears its end, Hemingwood realizes that his feelings for Gail have fundamentally altered his outlook on life. He moves from his earlier, boastful assertions that marriage is a "sucker game" to a genuine, vulnerable proposal. Though Gail initially hesitates, the realization of his impending departure forces a sudden, happy clarity. The story concludes with the two committing to a future together, much to the amusement of Hemingwood’s fellow pilots back at the barracks, who are more than happy to tease the formerly staunch bachelor about his change of heart.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Hemingwood leaves his comfortable life at an Air Service base to conduct a photographic survey over the rugged Kentucky wilderness. He lands his De Haviland on a small, isolated field, immediately marking the contrast between his modern world and the primitive, shadowed hills.

An unexpected encounter The pilot meets Gail Morgan, whose presence in the mountains defies his expectations and provides him with a vital local ally. Her charm and intelligence immediately begin to dismantle his well-guarded, cynical defenses against romance.

The brewing storm Ballardson, the local law official and bootlegger, begins a series of attempts to sabotage the mission and drive the flyers out. Tensions rise as the community, fearful of outside interference, turns increasingly hostile toward the two men and their "giant bird."

The skirmish Hemingwood is forced into a defensive battle when he is shot at from the ground while flying. He responds with a display of aerial dominance, terrifying his attackers into submission without resorting to lethal force.

The final standoff The feud culminates in a midnight confrontation at the field, where Hemingwood and Apperson face down an armed party of six. By outmaneuvering his opponents in the dark, Hemingwood wins their grudging respect and effectively ends the threat.

A new direction With the photographic mission successfully completed and the danger passed, Hemingwood admits that his life has been permanently changed. He secures a promise from Gail to marry him, marking the final departure from his life as a carefree bachelor.

The People

George Arlington Hemingwood is the story’s anchor. Initially, he is a man of few wants, defined by his love for flying and a cheerful, detached attitude toward the future. He is physically capable and entirely fearless, though he hides a growing emotional vulnerability beneath a constant, confident grin. By the end, he is no longer the detached observer but a man who has found a reason to anchor himself.

Gail Morgan provides the emotional and social bridge between the outside world and the insular mountain community. She is an educated, spirited woman who has returned to the mountains to care for her family. Her intelligence and warmth are what eventually humble Hemingwood; she represents the possibility of a life beyond his current, narrow contentment.

Sergeant Apperson is the steady, veteran mechanic who serves as Hemingwood’s right hand. With a dry, Scottish wit and an uncanny ability to fix anything, he is a figure of absolute loyalty and professional competence. He remains a constant presence, witnessing Hemingwood’s transformation with a knowing, silent amusement.

Ballardson serves as the primary antagonist. He is a man driven by greed and the desire to protect his illicit interests. His role as the local law officer creates a tense irony, as he represents the very corruption Hemingwood unintentionally challenges. He is the catalyst for the story's conflict, eventually being forced to concede to the pilot’s superior resolve.

In Its Own Voice

“Aside from the temporary state of insanity known as love, the state has no arguments in its favor from a man’s viewpoint.”

Hemingwood offers this blunt assessment of marriage to his fellow pilots early in the story, revealing his initial, dismissive attitude toward committed relationships.

“You’re fooling with the United States Army if you knock me off.”

When confronting the men who attempt to sabotage his airplane, Hemingwood drops his cheerful mask to issue this firm, authoritative warning.

“When I saw you leaving I found out that I was sure!”

Gail provides this decisive admission to Hemingwood as she beckons him to land one final time, confirming her own change of heart.

What It's Really About

At its core, the story explores the collision between the modern, expansive world of technology—represented by aviation—and the ancient, static world of the mountain frontier. It is a study of how people define themselves through their work and their commitments. Hemingwood’s growth from a man who values freedom above all else to one who chooses the responsibilities of marriage suggests that true freedom is not found in detachment, but in the vulnerability of choosing another person. The book also implicitly contrasts the "law of the land," as practiced by the corrupt Ballardson, with the personal honor and grit displayed by the protagonist, arguing that integrity is a matter of character rather than official title.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy early aviation history will find much to admire in the descriptions of the Liberty-powered De Haviland and the technical challenges of aerial photography. The narrative moves at a steady, rhythmic pace, capturing a sense of place that is both romantic and occasionally stark.

Be aware that the book reflects the attitudes of its time, particularly regarding the depiction of mountain residents, who are occasionally described through the lens of early-twentieth-century period prejudices and stereotypes. This can be jarring, as the characters are often painted with broad strokes of "wildness." However, if you are looking for a story that feels like a classic, high-adventure pulp, the earnestness of the prose is infectious. Hemingwood is a character who is impossible not to root for, and his transition from a cocky bachelor to a man in love provides a warm, satisfying arc that lingers long after the final page is turned. It is a light, breezy read that captures the spirit of a bygone era in American life and flight.