Part 40 (1/2)

And so it was agreed

Ten a, surrounded by Russian airmen, they climbed into the craft which the Russian commander in the little city had provided for the capacity of five

Hal took his place at the steering wheel and Chester cli craft suspiciously, Alexis followed Chester, and, sitting down suddenly, took hold of the seat with both hands and hung on for dear life, although the craft was still upon the ground

Then he lowered his head and shut his eyes

Hal gave the word, and willing hands started the ained ait Then Hal threw over the elevating lever, and the machine shot into the air amid the cheers of the Russians below

Alexis was conscious of a sinking sensation in the region of his stoher in the air

”Look up, Alexis!” shouted Chester, reaching over and laying a hand on the Cossack's arht, Hal held it steady, and it darted ahead on a straightaway course The plane shook with the vibrations of the engine, but otherwise there was scarcely a noticeable motion

Now that the machine was more steady, Alexis, in response to Chester's co, he closed theain ducked his head Once more Chester yelled at hilanced into the distance

”This is a terrible place for a man to be,” he muttered with a shudder

”If s It is te the wrath of the elements to be here”

As he looked about him, however, and became conscious of the steadiness of the craft, his co the construction of the craft, its speed and the height to which it could ascend He glanced over the side of the lance below had made him ill

He smiled faintly ”I can't look down yet,” he said ruefully ”I suppose I'll get used to it in time; but now I had better keep , Hal?” asked Chester

”Sixty-five miles an hour,” was Hal's reply

Alexis was astonished

”Sixty-five miles!” he ejaculated ”Why, it see still”

”If ere close enough to the earth you would soon notice the difference,” said Chester

For another hour they continued on their ithout incident, and then Chester discovered the di the, but even when Hal put on more speed, at a word from Chester, he was unable to shake it off

”Evidently a Geroing”

For another hour the plane pursued them Then Chester perceived that there were two instead of one, and that both were creeping up on them

With a cry to Hal, Chester picked two rifles froht them off!” he cried

Alexis stirred uneasily in his seat