bove with a full volley, with the possibility of dodging back in
case the enemy is not brought down at once. But Guynemer, regardless of
rules and stratagems, merely fell on his enemy like a cannon ball. He
might have said, like Alexander refusing to take advantage of the dark
against Darius, that he did not want to steal victory. He only counted
on his lightning-like manner of charging, which had won him so many
victories, and on his marksmanship. But he missed the German, who
proceeded to tail spin, and was missed again by Bozon-Verduraz, who
awaited him below.

What ought Guynemer to do? Desist, no doubt. But, having been imprudent
in his direct attack, he was imprudent again on his new tack, and his
usual obstinacy, made worse by irritation, counseled him to a dangerous
course. As he dived lower and lower in hopes of being able to wheel
around and have another shot, Bozon-Verduraz spied a chain of eight
German one-seaters above the British lines. It was agreed between him
and his chief that on such occasions he should offer himself to the
newcomers, allure, entice, and throw them off the track, giving Guynemer
time to achieve his fifty-fourth success, after which he should fly
round again to where the fight was going on. He had no anxiety about
Guynemer, with whom he had frequently attacked enemy squadrons of five,
six, or even ten or twelve one-seaters. The two-seater might, no doubt,
be more dangerous, and Guynemer had recently seemed nervous and below
par; but in a fight his presence of mind, infallibility of movement, and
quickness of eye were sure to come back, and the two-seater could hardly
escape its doom.

The last image imprinted on the eyes of Bozon-Verduraz was of Guynemer
and the German both spinning down, Guynemer in search of a chance to
shoot, the other hoping to be helped from down below. Then
Bozon-Verduraz had flown in the direction of the eight one-seaters, and
the group had fallen apart, chasing him. In time the eight machines
became mere specks in the illimitable sky, and Bozon-Verduraz, seeing he
had achieved his object, flew back to where his chief was no doubt
waiting for him. But there was nobody in the empty space. Could it be
that the German had escaped? With deadly anguish oppressing him, the
airman descended nearer the ground to get a closer view. Down below
there was nothing, no sign, none of the bustle which always follows the
falling of an airplane. Feeling reassured, he climbed aga