nticipation.

The _Arrow_ shot to the right and then to the left. It dipped, and it
rose, and then it darted on a level line toward the south.

John wondered afterwards that the delicate fabric was not torn to
pieces, but Lannes was not a supreme flying man for nothing. Every
movement was part of a plan, executed with skill and precision. Once
more his hand played upon the rudder, as the fingers of a great pianist
play upon the keys.

"Is the fellow directly above us yet, John?" he asked.

"Not at this moment, but I think he must have been several times. He has
dropped at least three more bombs."

"Then his supply is probably getting small, and he'll be extremely
careful with what's left. It's no easy task, John, to drop a bomb from a
height, and hit a small target, moving as swiftly as the _Arrow_. Let
him alone for the present, and look out for the fellow below. See what
he is doing."

John looked down quickly. He had almost forgotten the existence of the
second Taube, and he was surprised to find it beneath them and close at
hand. The dark, hooded face of the man in the seat looked up at them. As
well as John could judge he was using the superior speed of his Taube to
keep up with the _Arrow_, and, at the same time, to rise slowly until
they approached the point of contact. His apprehensions were quickly
transferred from the upper to the lower Taube.

"The second machine is under us and rising," he said.

"And the second attack is likely to come from that point. Well, he can't
drop bombs on us. That's sure, and we can meet him on his own ground or
rather in his air. John, did you ever shoot at a man?"

"Never!"

"You're going to do it very soon. The automatic I gave you is a powerful
weapon, and when the fellow rises enough you must shoot over the side at
him. Take good aim and have no compunction, because he'll be shooting at
us. But you've the advantage. You're free, while he has to steer his
Taube and fire at the same time."

John drew the big automatic. He felt a shiver of reluctance, but only
one. He and Lannes were in desperate case, and he would be fighting for
the lives of both.

Clutching the powerful weapon in a firm hand he looked down again. The
Taube had come much nearer, and he heard suddenly a crack sharp and
clear in the thin air of the heights. A bullet sang by his ear. The man
in the lower machine had a pistol or perhaps a rifle--John had not seen
him raise any weapon.

Lannes glanc