ed 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 marksmanship at such an immense
height, between two small machines, flying at great speed was almost
impossible. Bullet after bullet flew, but nobody was hit, 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 mass 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."

John, feeling faint, leaned against the seat.

"I think I'm air-sick," he said.

"It'll pass soon, but you're tremendously lucky. It's not often a fellow
gets into a battle in the air the first time he goes up. See what's
become of the Taube."

"It's descending fast. I can see the man struggling with it. I hope
he'll reach the ground all right."

"He did his best to kill us both."

"I know, but I hope he'll get down, anyway."

"He will. He's regained control of his machine, but he can use only one
arm. The other hangs limp. And now for