Part 14 (1/2)

John's interest in what followed was, in a measure, scientific. He realized afterward that he should have been terribly frightened. In fact, he felt more fear later on, but at that moment the emotions that produce fear were atrophied. The extraordinary nature of his situation caused instead wonder and keen antic.i.p.ation.

The _Arrow_ shot to the right and then to the left. It dipped, and it rose, and then it darted on a level line toward the south.

John wondered afterwards that the delicate fabric was not torn to pieces, but Lannes was not a supreme flying man for nothing. Every movement was part of a plan, executed with skill and precision. Once more his hand played upon the rudder, as the fingers of a great pianist play upon the keys.

”Is the fellow directly above us yet, John?” he asked.

”Not at this moment, but I think he must have been several times. He has dropped at least three more bombs.”

”Then his supply is probably getting small, and he'll be extremely careful with what's left. It's no easy task, John, to drop a bomb from a height, and hit a small target, moving as swiftly as the _Arrow_. Let him alone for the present, and look out for the fellow below. See what he is doing.”

John looked down quickly. He had almost forgotten the existence of the second Taube, and he was surprised to find it beneath them and close at hand. The dark, hooded face of the man in the seat looked up at them. As well as John could judge he was using the superior speed of his Taube to keep up with the _Arrow_, and, at the same time, to rise slowly until they approached the point of contact. His apprehensions were quickly transferred from the upper to the lower Taube.

”The second machine is under us and rising,” he said.

”And the second attack is likely to come from that point. Well, he can't drop bombs on us. That's sure, and we can meet him on his own ground or rather in his air. John, did you ever shoot at a man?”

”Never!”

”You're going to do it very soon. The automatic I gave you is a powerful weapon, and when the fellow rises enough you must shoot over the side at him. Take good aim and have no compunction, because he'll be shooting at us. But you've the advantage. You're free, while he has to steer his Taube and fire at the same time.”

John drew the big automatic. He felt a s.h.i.+ver of reluctance, but only one. He and Lannes were in desperate case, and he would be fighting for the lives of both.

Clutching the powerful weapon in a firm hand he looked down again. The Taube had come much nearer, and he heard suddenly a crack sharp and clear in the thin air of the heights. A bullet sang by his ear. The man in the lower machine had a pistol or perhaps a rifle--John had not seen him raise any weapon.

Lannes glanced at John, whose face had hardened, but he said nothing.

John pulled the trigger of the big automatic, and he saw the Taube waver for a moment, and then come on as steadily as ever.

”I don't think I hit him,” he said, ”but I believe the bullet flattened on his machine.”

”You're getting close. Give him another. There went his second. I felt its wind past my face.”

John pulled the trigger again, but marksmans.h.i.+p at such an immense height, between two small machines, flying at great speed was almost impossible. Bullet after bullet flew, but n.o.body was. .h.i.t, although several bullets struck upon the _Arrow_ and the Taube, doing no serious harm, however.

”I'm doing my best,” said John.

”I know it,” said Lannes. ”I notice that your hand is steady. You'll get him.”

John looked down, seeking aim for his fifth bullet, when he suddenly heard an appalling crash, and the Taube, a flying ma.s.s of splinters, disappeared in a flash from view. It had happened so quickly that he was stunned. The machine had been and then it was not. He looked at Lannes.

”The fellow above us dropped another bomb,” said Lannes in a voice that shook a little. ”It missed us and hit his comrade, who was almost beneath.”

”What a death!” said John, aghast for a little while. Then he pulled himself together and looked up at the other Taube. It was hovering almost over them like a sinister shadow. As John looked something flashed from it, and a heavy bullet sang past.

”He has a rifle! Give him what's left in the automatic!” shouted Lannes.

John fired and he knew that his bullet had struck one of the exposed arms, because a moment later a drop of blood fell almost on his face.

”You've winged him,” said Lannes. ”Look how the Taube wobbles! You must have given him a bad wound in the arm. He'll have all he can do now to save himself. Good-bye to the pursuit. Luck and your skill, John, have saved us.”