Part 1 (2/2)

Are you hurt?”

”No,” replied Chester

”I'll be careful next tiive me this once”

”Say no more about it,” answered Chester ”But as the cause of this sudden rise?”

”Cause!” repeated Hal in astonishment ”You don't mean to tell me you don't know the cause? Didn't you hear that shot?”

”Yes, I heard it But how do you knohether it was fired by friend or foe?”

”I can't see as that would make any difference if it happened to hit us

However, I'm morally certain they were Ger to do now?”

”We'll stay up here until we are absolutely certain we have passed over the Gerh in the air now, and, peering intently over the side, as he did, Chester was unable to ht

But in the rear, soaring high in the air, although neither lad realized it, a new danger threatened When the presence of the boys' plane had been discovered, a German craft had i over his shoulder, Chester was the first to discover that they were followed At the sa machine there came a shot from the enemy

There was no need for Chester to cry out to Hal The sound of the shot told the latter of their danger, and he io

The machine bounded forward

But the pursuer also came on faster than before; and, while it was apparent that he was not lessening the distance between the two craft, he nevertheless was still in range, and his rifle continued to crack

However, neither the machine nor its three occupants were struck

Chester took a snap shot at the other craft with his revolver, but the bullet fell short While the enemy could pepper them at ith his rifle, a bullet from the lad's revolver could not reach him

Hal heard the sound of Chester's revolver, and called out:

”Did you hit him?”

”No!” Chester shouted back, ”he's too far behind But he'll get us in a ” To himself he added: ”If I only had a rifle!”

”You be ready with your revolver,” Hal called to his friend, ”and I'll soon fix that It's our only chance”

Abruptly he slackened the speed of the machine, and swiftly the enemy came on So suddenly had Hal acted that thee of Chester's revolver before he could slon

As the first hted after its abrupt halt, Chester took deliberate aim and fired, even at the moment that a bullet passed close to his head

There was a yell frothe frail craft violently as he did so, waved his arot one of 'erimly