kes and the streams, neat
villages and splendid country houses. It was his planet, and he was glad
to come once more where he could see it.

"It was fine up there above the clouds," he said to Lannes, "but after
all I've got a very kindly feeling for the earth. It's like meeting an
old friend again."

"Comes of use and habit, I suppose if we lived on Venus or Mars we'd
have the same kind of attachment. But like you, John, I'm glad to see
the earth again. The scenery is more varied than it is up in the
heavens. What do you see through the glasses, John? Don't miss anything
if it's there. It's too important."

"I see in the north just under the horizon four black specks. It's too
far away for me to tell anything about 'em, but they move just as those
two Taubes did before their shape became clear."

"More Taubes. That's certain. And it's time for us to get away. We're
almost on the border John and the German aeroplanes and dirigibles are
sure to have gathered."

"There's a forest a little to the right of us. Suppose we go down
there."

Lannes examined the forest.

"It seems fairly large," he said, "and I think it will make a good
covert. But whether good or bad we must drop into it. The German
airships are abroad and we can take no chances."

The _Arrow_ descended with increased speed. John still used the glasses,
and he searched every nook of the forest, which like most of those of
Europe had little undergrowth. It contained no houses at all, but he
picked out an open space near the center, large enough for the landing
of the Arrow, which he pointed out to Lannes.

"I suppose you'd call it a respectable forest," said John. "I see some
trees which are at least a foot through, near the ground. Luckily it's
summer yet and the foliage is thick. If I were one of you Europeans I'd
never boast about my trees."

"Some day I'm going to run over to that America of yours, and see
whether all you tell me about it is true. Steady now, John, I'm about to
make the landing, and it's my pride to land more gently every time than
I did the time before."

They slid down softly and alighted on the grass. Lannes' triumph was
complete, and his wonderful eyes sparkled.

"The best I've done yet," he said, "but not the best I will do. John,
what time is it?"

"Half-past five."

"With our long evenings that makes considerable daylight yet. Suppose
you take your automatic, and examine the woods a little. I'd go with
you, but I'm