d up with a weapon, and, aiming at the hull of the enemy in the
distance, poured the entire contents of the magazine into it. At the
same moment a well-directed shot from Chester's rifle struck the pilot.
He sprang to his feet, spun around crazily, and plunged from the car. A
moment later and the aeroplane blew up with a loud bang.

Alexis, who had seen the pilot go overboard, let out a cry of dismay. He
could not help but think of the terrible fall to the ground.

"Good work, Alexis!" cried Chester. "I told you you would get used to it
before long."

"I am not used to it," replied the giant, "but when a bullet whistles
past my ear I get mad. I just naturally have to fight back."

Nevertheless he made a brave effort to appear unconcerned, and he took a
look over the side. At that moment Hal allowed the car to glide slowly
nearer the earth. For a moment Alexis was unaware of this sinking
sensation; but suddenly treetops came into view, and the Cossack let out
a cry of alarm:

"We're sinking!" he exclaimed.

Hal laughed.

"Just coming down to get a look about," he replied. "Now, if you will
look over at the earth a few moments, you will soon overcome your
uneasiness."

Alexis, taking a long breath, did so; and he continued to peer over the
side, even after Hal, touching the elevating lever, sent the plane high
in the air again.

Darkness fell and still the 'plane sped on. Then, so suddenly that they
seemed to spring up from nowhere, the swiftly moving aeroplane was
surrounded on all sides--as it seemed to the voyagers--by a score of
hostile aircraft, while shots rang out from several sides.

Hal acted promptly, as had always been his wont. He allowed the 'plane
to drop a good quarter of a mile with a sudden lurch, and then righting
it, darted forward again. For a moment they had shaken off the foe, but
the latter was not long in finding them. Searchlights flashed in the
sky, seeking out the prey.

By a series of clever maneuvers, Hal succeeded in evading the hostile
craft during the long hours of the night, turning first this way and
then that, rising and falling. But with the first gray of dawn, it
became plain to both boys that escape was practically impossible.
Looking down Hal saw water below him, and at the same moment the hostile
air fleet ten 'planes strong, swooped down on them.

Chester's rifle cracked, as did that of Alexis. Bullets flew about all
three occupants of the machine, and then the craft