DISABLED
"Now you fellows will have to do all the work with the machine-gun,"
exclaimed Jacques as he shifted the course of the big monoplane and
started in pursuit of their enemy.
"Leave that to us," cried Leon.
"I'll have to; maneuvering this machine will keep me busy."
Higher and higher Jacques steered the monoplane. His desire was to
rise above their opponent if possible and thus take him at a
disadvantage.
"Do you suppose he sees us?" demanded Earl.
"Certainly he does," said Leon.
"And he's ready to fight?"
"If he wasn't he'd turn and run."
"How soon shall we open fire?"
"I don't know yet; he's two miles away now, anyway."
Speeding through the sky the two great mechanical birds rushed at each
other. With jaw set and a cool calculating eye Jacques sat in the
pilot's seat and directed the course of his flier. Earl and Leon held
the machine-gun ready for instant action.
"We're almost over the battle-line," announced Earl suddenly. "I can
see the trenches below."
"Never mind them," exclaimed Leon. "Watch that machine."
"He's smaller than we are," said Earl.
"There are only two men in it too," added Leon.
"Get ready," ordered Jacques suddenly.
As the two machines approached each other Jacques all at once elevated
his front plane and the big French flier rose swiftly higher and
higher. The opponents were scarcely a half-mile apart now and as the
monoplane in which the three young soldiers of France were seated rose
above its adversary Leon and Earl opened fire with the machine-gun.
The Germans replied but the aim of each was poor and the two fliers
swept past each other unharmed.
"Turn around, Jacques, and go back after him," cried Leon excitedly.
"We'll get him next time."
With a wide graceful sweep Jacques turned the big monoplane and
advanced again to the attack. The German also had wheeled and once
again the two machines approached each other, maneuvering for position.
"Be careful now," warned Jacques. "We can't afford to miss many times
for you may be sure he won't."
"Get above him, Jacques," cried Earl. "That's our best chance."
They were high above the summits of the Vosges now: the air was
bitterly cold, but the three young aviators did not notice that fact.
Neither did they notice that in their maneuvers they had crossed the
battle line and were now flying over territory occupied by their foes.
Their one object was the German aeroplane and everything else had been
forgotten in their desire to accomplish its downfall.
Around and around the two machines flew, each one trying to force its
opponent into a position of disadvantage.
"We're faster than he is, Jacques," cried Leon. "Follow him up from
behind and go higher than he does."
"I don't believe we can do that," exclaimed Jacques doubtfully.
"Try it," urged Leon eagerly.
"I'll try it."
Jacques skillfully wheeled the machine and describing a great loop,
doubled on his course. Meanwhile he rose to greater and greater
heights. The earth was now many thousand feet below; even the clouds
were beneath them in many instances.
"He's running away," cried Earl suddenly.
"After him, Jacques! After him!" shouted Leon.
The German, perceiving Jacques' purpose had turned and was now fleeing
at full speed. No more did he circle and maneuver for position; his
course was straightened out and he raced for safety.
"We'll get him," shouted Leon. "We're gaining fast."
Closer and closer they came to their enemy. Little by little the
distance between the two racing machines decreased. The three boys
leaned forward tensely as if to urge their flier on; Leon and Earl sat
ready to open fire with the machine-gun the moment Jacques should give
the word.
Suddenly the German machine shot downward; it was a ruse to throw off
the pursuer who followed so relentlessly, but it was of no avail.
Jacques did the same thing and earthward the big monoplane rushed at
breakneck speed.
The German flier turned and started back; Jacques followed. All the
time the three boys were gaining on their foe. They were almost within
range now and the twin brothers prepared to carry out their part of the
task in hand.
"Get ready," warned Jacques when they were only a few hundred yards
behind their opponent and some distance above him.
"We're ready," answered Leon quickly.
"Let 'em have it then," cried Jacques.
The sharp rattling fire of the machine-gun answered his words and even
the roar of the motor was unheard in the tumult. Below, the Germans
could be seen aiming their quick-firers skyward at their French pursuer.
Jacques had been successful in gaining the better position, however,
and they had their foe at a distinct disadvantage. Leon and Earl
poured a deadly stream of bullets at their adversary. "He's hit,"
cried Earl suddenly.
"So are we," exclaimed Jacques.
"Where?" demanded Leon in alarm.
"A bullet has cut one of the supports for our wings."
"Is it dangerous?" asked Earl anxiously.
"I'm afraid so; I can't tell yet."
The fire from the German machine had ceased. It floated through the
air as though the pilot had lost control and its speed had decreased
greatly.
"Give him another volley, Leon," urged Jacques.
They were directly above their opponent now. Pointing the machine-gun
straight downward the two brothers sent another hail of bullets
whistling towards their foe.
The German machine fluttered for a moment like a wounded bird.
Suddenly a blaze appeared from a spot near the gasoline tank; a moment
later there was a burst of flame enveloping nearly the whole machine.
It reeled drunkenly for a moment and then fell.
Fascinated, the two brothers watched its descent. Like some great
flaming meteor it hurtled earthward. Down, down, down it plunged into
the distant valley below. A sheet of fire trailed behind until finally
it struck the earth with a crash; there was a burst of smoke and with a
start the young Americans came to themselves again.
The horror and the awfulness of their opponent's death had had a
profound effect upon them and for the moment they had forgotten
everything else. Still, this was war and death is part of the game.
Jacques, however, had paid no attention to the fate of the German
flier. All he knew was that his own machine was disabled and that he
and his companions were in deadly peril.
"What do you think, Jacques?" demanded Leon. "Will that wing hold up?"
"I do not think so," replied Jacques soberly. "I think we must land."
"Where are we?"
"Inside the German lines."
"But if we land here we will all be taken prisoners."
"Our lines must be ten miles away," said Jacques. "What can we do?"
"It won't hold us that far you think?" asked Earl anxiously.
"I am sure it won't."
"Can't we try it?"
"It would be foolish," said Jacques firmly. "Unless we land at once
that wing may collapse and then we shall go spinning towards the earth
just as fast as did those Germans."
"You know best," exclaimed Leon. "I hate to think of being taken to
some German prison camp though."
"Perhaps we can make repairs," said Jacques. Carefully he descended,
now and then casting an anxious look towards the weakened support.
Below was a heavily wooded valley with only an occasional small
clearing where a tiny farm appeared.
"Can we land all right?" inquired Earl.
"We can with luck," replied Jacques grimly.
The big monoplane wobbled badly at times and the young aviator had to
call upon all of his skill to prevent the machine from capsizing. As
they neared the ground the three boys maintained a strict silence and
with anxious hearts awaited the outcome.
A wide forest stretched beneath them. The waving tree-tops appeared
soft and feathery from above, but the three boys knew that unless they
could avoid the trees their doom was sealed. The open space in which
Jacques was trying to effect a landing seemed pitifully small.
The young Frenchman was a past master of aviation, however. With the
greatest skill he directed the disabled machine until they were
directly above the clearing. He shut off the engine, which had been
running at only half speed lately; one final short turn and he brought
the aeroplane safely to earth.
The landing was in a plowed field and as a result not as smooth as it
would have been on the aviation grounds, but they were safe; that was
the principal thing.
"Good work, Jacques!" cried Leon enthusiastically.
"We're safe from the air but how about the Germans?" demanded Jacques
anxiously.
"Well they won't take us without an argument anyway," exclaimed Leon.
He drew his automatic revolver from its case and gazed apprehensively
at the little white house which stood in one corner of the clearing.
"See if you can't repair that wing, Jacques," urged Earl. "We may be
able to fix it and get back without any trouble at all."
"No Germans are apt to be around here anyway," exclaimed Leon. "Why we
are miles and miles behind the front and in the middle of a big forest.
We could hide in these woods for weeks and never be discovered."
"German observers have undoubtedly seen our machine descend," said
Jacques. "They are probably searching for us already."
"Look there!" cried Earl suddenly.