uietly. "Nothing serious, though."

Jack levelled his revolver and fired rapidly at the enemy. His pains
were rewarded by howls of derision.

"They tricked us, all right," said Jack, as he reloaded.

"That's what they did. I should have known better, too. They almost
settled us."

"We've got to get them, some way," declared Jack.

"Show me how, and I'll go along with you," declared Frank.

"Well, I've got a scheme, but I don't know whether it will work or
not."

"Let's hear it."

"All right. But first, can you manage this plane all right with that
bad shoulder?"

"Sure; it's not very bad."

"All right then. Well, you keep under cover about here, moving about
just enough to spoil the aim of the foe. I'll drop over the side and
swim to the enemy. I can get there unobserved, all right, because they
won't be expecting me. I'll pull one of them over and settle with him
first. Then I'll get the other."

"I don't know," Frank considered the plan. "I suppose it might work,
but there is nothing sure about it."

"There's nothing sure about anything," declared Jack. "But it's better
than staying here all the rest of the night. Besides, we must hurry,
you know."

"That's right," agreed Frank. "All right, then. So be it. Will you take
your gun?"

"No use," said Jack. "It would be wet by the time I got there. Here I
go."

"Good luck," Frank called after him.

Gently, Jack lowered himself over the side of the hydroplane, first
divesting himself of his coat and shoes; then struck out for the
disabled aeroplane.

Slowly the lad swam, for he did not wish to betray his coming by the
sound of a splash. The distance was not great and a powerful swimmer,
such as Jack, could cover it easily in a few moments.

Jack did not approach the enemy craft from the front. Giving it a wide
berth, he swam around it and then, turning quickly, bore down upon the
aeroplane more swiftly. He swam with his head barely above the water,
and he was ready to dive immediately should he be sighted.

There was not a sound aboard the aeroplane as Jack drew close to it.
Raising his head slightly, he could see no human form.

"Funny," the lad muttered to himself. "Wonder where they keep
themselves. No wonder we couldn't hit them."

He was within a few feet of the disabled craft and he now rose higher
in the water to get a good look about. Still he saw no one.

Twice around the machine the lad swam and not a human being did he see.

"There