ft would have cut them down.

With a sudden twist of the wheel, however, Hal sent the machine out of
the path of the German, and, as the enemy sped by, Chester took a snap
shot with his revolver.

Evidently he missed, for the German checked his plane and returned to
the attack.

"So," said Hal to himself, "two can play at that game."

Once more he avoided the German rush; and then, wheeling his own craft
at the moment the German sped by, he dashed in pursuit. The enemy, doing
the work of two men, did not perceive this change in tactics by his
foes, and, even as he slowed down to turn and make another attack, the
point of the lad's machine plowed into him.

There was a ripping, tearing sound; the German plane wavered and started
to fall as the craft in which the boys were flying dashed by. But, by a
superhuman effort, the German succeeded in righting his craft.

Then, holding the wheel steady with one hand, he calmly produced a
revolver and took deliberate aim at Hal.

There was a sharp crack, followed immediately by another, but Hal was
unharmed.

Realizing the German's purpose, Chester's weapon had spoken a second
before that of the enemy. The lad had not had time to take careful aim,
but the bullet sped true, striking the German squarely in the forehead,
even at the moment his finger pressed the trigger of his own revolver.

Chester saw the man throw up his hands and fall backward. The German
plane, now without a hand to keep it steady, rocked crazily for several
moments, then turned turtle and went tumbling over and over toward the
ground.

"Did you get him, Chester?" asked Hal, who had not turned his head, and
therefore had not perceived his own danger.

"Yes, I got him," replied Chester simply.

"Good!" returned Hal. "And the machine?"

"Gone!"

The lads now paused to take stock of their own damage, if any. There was
none. Not a German bullet had so much as struck the machine.

"They are not very good marksmen, are they?" said Hal, with a slight
grin.

"Doesn't look that way," returned Chester. "However, maybe those fellows
are not the best specimens."

"Maybe not," replied Hal.

"What next?" asked Chester, after a slight pause.

"Guess we might as well go on," replied Hal. "There may be some more of
those German machines flying after us, so I guess it behooves us to get
away from here as soon as possible."

"I guess you are right," Chester acquiesced.

Once more the aeroplane straighten