Part 40 (2/2)

Hal, in response to a command from Chester, slowed down suddenly. Taking careful aim at one of the pursuers, Chester emptied the magazine of his first rifle. There came from behind the sounds of screams, followed by an explosion.

”What was that?” cried Alexis in alarm.

”I got one of them!” replied Chester calmly. ”The plane has gone to earth.”

The second pursuing plane reduced its speed, but still clung on the trail of its would-be prey.

”We'll have to dispose of it some way, Hal,” shouted Chester. ”Turn quickly and run toward it, and I'll see if I can't send it to the ground.”

He held his rifle ready as he spoke. Reducing the speed of the craft a trifle, Hal brought its head about in a wide circle; then darted suddenly toward the enemy.

But the latter was not caught unprepared, and a rifle bullet whistled close to Alexis' ear.

The giant Cossack clapped a hand to his head and for the first time looked toward the enemy. Then, reaching to the bottom of the machine, he raised up with a weapon, and, aiming at the hull of the enemy in the distance, poured the entire contents of the magazine into it. At the same moment a well-directed shot from Chester's rifle struck the pilot.

He sprang to his feet, spun around crazily, and plunged from the car. A moment later and the aeroplane blew up with a loud bang.

Alexis, who had seen the pilot go overboard, let out a cry of dismay. He could not help but think of the terrible fall to the ground.

”Good work, Alexis!” cried Chester. ”I told you you would get used to it before long.”

”I am not used to it,” replied the giant, ”but when a bullet whistles past my ear I get mad. I just naturally have to fight back.”

Nevertheless he made a brave effort to appear unconcerned, and he took a look over the side. At that moment Hal allowed the car to glide slowly nearer the earth. For a moment Alexis was unaware of this sinking sensation; but suddenly treetops came into view, and the Cossack let out a cry of alarm:

”We're sinking!” he exclaimed.

Hal laughed.

”Just coming down to get a look about,” he replied. ”Now, if you will look over at the earth a few moments, you will soon overcome your uneasiness.”

Alexis, taking a long breath, did so; and he continued to peer over the side, even after Hal, touching the elevating lever, sent the plane high in the air again.

Darkness fell and still the 'plane sped on. Then, so suddenly that they seemed to spring up from nowhere, the swiftly moving aeroplane was surrounded on all sides--as it seemed to the voyagers--by a score of hostile aircraft, while shots rang out from several sides.

Hal acted promptly, as had always been his wont. He allowed the 'plane to drop a good quarter of a mile with a sudden lurch, and then righting it, darted forward again. For a moment they had shaken off the foe, but the latter was not long in finding them. Searchlights flashed in the sky, seeking out the prey.

By a series of clever maneuvers, Hal succeeded in evading the hostile craft during the long hours of the night, turning first this way and then that, rising and falling. But with the first gray of dawn, it became plain to both boys that escape was practically impossible.

Looking down Hal saw water below him, and at the same moment the hostile air fleet ten 'planes strong, swooped down on them.

Chester's rifle cracked, as did that of Alexis. Bullets flew about all three occupants of the machine, and then the craft, struck in a vital spot, staggered. The 'plane began to sink slowly. In vain did Hal try to check the descent. The machine, still heading slightly toward the north, glided toward the water below.

Suddenly Hal made out something below besides water. It was land. The lad breathed easier, for it was plain, that at the rate at which the craft was sinking, it could clear the water by a good quarter of a mile, beyond which the lad could see a sandy coast.

”It must be the coast of Sweden or Denmark,” he said to himself, ”in which event we are safe, for it is neutral ground.”

The Germans, realizing that their foe was sinking, did not waste another shot on it, but swarmed after. Now the craft was close to the water.

Gently it skimmed over it, across a short stretch of sand, and then settled slowly to the ground.

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