# IX: I Take the Wings of a Dove explained — Mr. Standfast

> Chapter companion for Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.

## What happens

Hannay, pursued by police, meets his former subaltern Archie Roylance at an aerodrome. Archie agrees to fly him to Farnton, and they take off, evading capture. After landing, Hannay continues his escape on foot, loses his aquascutum, and is nearly caught by a boy scout. A rough mechanic returns his stolen watch and leads him through slums to a safe house.

## Themes in this chapter

### Comradeship and Loyalty

Archie's immediate, unquestioning help to Hannay despite the risk.

### Deception and Disguise

Hannay's need to evade police and adopt a new identity; use of camouflage.

### Sacrifice and Loss

Hannay's reflection on Peter Pienaar's imprisonment and the cost of war.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Hannay

Narrator and protagonist; fleeing police, uses Archie's flight to escape.

### Sir Archibald Roylance

Former subaltern, now a pilot; agrees to fly Hannay to Farnton.

### Peter Pienaar

Mentioned as a top pilot, now a prisoner; Hannay reflects on his fate.

### Gibbons

Archie's servant; cooks breakfast and alerts them to police arrival.

## Key lines

> Drive me somewhere to breakfast, Archie, for I'm perishing hungry.

Hannay asks Archie to take him to breakfast because he is very hungry.

_Hannay's immediate need after escaping._

> I'm being hunted by the police.

Hannay tells Archie that the police are chasing him.

_Hannay reveals his predicament to Archie._

> You can lie snug in my little log hut, for that old image Gibbons won't blab.

Archie offers Hannay a hiding place in his hut, trusting Gibbons to keep quiet.

_Archie's loyalty and offer of shelter._

> I've done a bit of steeple-chasin' and huntin' and I've good hands for a horse, so I can handle a bus fairly well.

Archie modestly says his riding skills help him fly a plane.

_Archie's self-deprecating view of his flying ability._

> It's all a matter of hands, you know. There ain't half the risk of the infantry down below you, and a million times the fun.

Archie claims flying is safer and more enjoyable than infantry duty.

_Archie's perspective on the relative dangers of air and ground combat._

> Better get off, my lad. These look like my friends.

Hannay urges Archie to take off quickly because the police are approaching.

_Hannay's urgent escape from the aerodrome._

> I forgot all about the vexations of my job and saw only its joyful comedy.

Hannay's worries lifted as he enjoyed the flight.

_The liberating effect of flying on Hannay's mood._

> I reflected that I had wasted my life hitherto.

Hannay thought he had not made the most of his life so far.

_Hannay's moment of introspection during the flight._

> He was the fellow, after all, that decided battles, and the thought comforted me.

Hannay reminded himself that the infantryman is the one who wins battles, which reassured him.

_Hannay's respect for the infantry's role._

> I've got summat o' yours here. It was took by mistake. We're friends o' yours.

A stranger returns Hannay's stolen watch and claims to be an ally.

_Unexpected help from a rough-looking man._

## Links

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