, 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.

CHAPTER XXII

IN THE CLEARING

High in the air above the spot where the three boys were standing
appeared an aeroplane.

"A German machine," exclaimed Leon.

"And looking for us," added Jacques grimly.

"Do you suppose he sees us?" asked Earl.

"No doubt of it," said Jacques confidently. "There'll be German
soldiers here before you know it."

"Can't you repair the machine?"

"I think I could if I had some wire."

"I'll run over to the house and see if I can't find some."

"There may be Germans living there," objected Jacques. "You'd better
be careful."

"He dropped a bomb," suddenly cried Leon who had not once removed his
gaze from the flier high above their heads.

A tiny speck appeared under the aeroplane and rapidly approached the
earth.

"Lie down," shouted Jacques, immediately suiting his action to the
word. The two brothers instantly did likewise.

A moment later there was a sharp explosion. From the sound it was
certain that the bomb had struck only a short distance away. A moment
after hearing the report, however, the three young soldiers were on
their feet.

"Where did it land?" demanded Earl.

"On that barn," exclaimed Leon. "Just look at it."

The roof had been partly blown off the little barn and already the
structure was in flames.

"I hope he doesn't try