Part 7 (1/2)
He had left Paris far behind, but when he looked down he saw a beautiful country, a fertile land upon which man had worked for two thousand years, too beautiful to be trodden to pieces by armies. He saw the cultivated fields, varying in color like a checker board, and the neat villages with trees about them. Here and there the spire of a church rose high above everything. Churches and wars were so numerous in Europe!
John checked the speed of the _Arrow_. He was afraid, despite all his high resolve, to fly fast, and then he must not go beyond the army for which he was looking. He dropped a little lower as he was pa.s.sing over a wood, and then he heard the crack of rifles beneath him. Bullets whizzed and sang past his ears and he took one fearful glance downward.
He saw men, spiked helmets on their heads, galloping among the trees, and he knew that they were a daring band of Uhlans, actually scouting inside the French lines. They were shooting at the _Arrow_ and firing fast.
He attempted to rise so suddenly that the plane gave a violent jerk and quivered in every fiber. He thought for a moment they were going to fall, and the sickening sensation at his heart was overpowering. But the trusty _Arrow_ ceased quivering, and then rose swiftly at an angle not too great.
Bullets still whizzed around the plane, and one glanced off its polished side, but John's first nervous jerkiness in handling the machine had probably saved him. The target had been so high in air, and of such a s.h.i.+fting nature that the Uhlans had little chance to hit it.
He was now beyond the range of any rifle, and he drew a long breath of relief that was like a deep sigh. Then he took a single downward glance, and caught a fleeting glimpse of the Uhlans galloping away. Doubtless they were making all speed back to their own army.
He flew on for a minute or two, searching the horizon eagerly, and at last, he saw a tall hill, a low hill and a flash of water between. He felt so much joy that he uttered a cry, and an echo of it came from a point almost by his side.
”Did I hear firing, John?”
It was Lannes' voice, feeble, but showing all the signs of returning strength, and again John uttered a joyous shout.
”You did,” he replied. ”It was Uhlans in a grove. I was flying low and their bullets whistled around us. But the _Arrow_ has taken no harm. I see, too, the hills and the stream which are our landmarks. We're about to arrive, Philip, with our message, but there's been treachery somewhere. I wish I knew who was in that French plane.”
”So do I, John. It certainly came out of Paris. In my opinion it meant to destroy us and keep our message from reaching the one for whom it was intended. Who could it have been and how could he have known!”
”Feeling better now, aren't you, Phil?”
”A lot better. My head aches tremendously, but the dimness has gone from before my eyes, and I'm able to think, in a poor and feeble way, perhaps, but I'm not exactly a dumb animal. Where are the hills?”
John pointed.
”I can see them,” said Lannes exultantly. ”Since they did no harm I'm glad the Uhlans fired at the _Arrow_. Their shots aroused me from stupor and as we're to reach the army I want to be in possession of my five senses when I get there.”
John understood perfectly.
”It's your message and you deliver it,” he said.
Lannes' strength continued to increase, and his mind cleared rapidly.
His head ached frightfully, but he could think with all his usual swiftness and precision. He sat erect in his seat.
”Pa.s.s me your gla.s.ses, John,” he said.
”Now I see the troops,” he said, after a long look. ”Frenchmen, Frenchmen, Frenchmen, infantry in thousands and scores of thousands, big guns in scores and hundreds, cuira.s.siers, hussars, cannoneers! Ah! It's a sight to kindle a dead heart back to life! John, this is one of the great wheels in the mighty machine that is to move forward! Here come two aeroplanes, scouts sent forward to see who and what we are.”
”You are sure they contain genuine Frenchmen? Remember the fellow who shot you.”
”Frenchmen, good and true. I can see them for myself.”
He moved his hand, and in a few moments John heard hissing and purring near, as if great birds were flying to meet him. The outlines of the hovering planes showed by his side, and Lannes called in a loud voice to shrouded and visored men.
”Philip Lannes and his comrade, John Scott, with a message from Paris to the commander!” he exclaimed.
He was his old self again, erect, intense, dramatic. He evidently expected the name Philip Lannes to be known well to them, and it was, as a cheer followed high in air.