en higher up, the princes and the big military leaders
have made them think so, and nothing on earth can ever shake them in the
belief."

"You're probably right," said Wharton, "but our German birds seem to be
gathering for something. Look how close together they hover now."

"And they're almost directly over our heads!" said John, a thrill of
alarm shooting through him. "And see they're dropping down fast!"

"Which means?"

"Which means that they've seen us, that they've noted our French
uniforms through powerful glasses, and that they're getting ready to
swoop."

"Let 'em come!" said Wharton defiantly. "I never thought to take part in
this kind of dove hunting, but if the Taubes will attack they must take
the consequences."

He eased his rifle across his saddle bow. All three of them carried the
modern, high-powered rifle which could kill at a tremendous range.
Neither Wharton nor Carstairs yet felt any apprehension, but John knew
better.

"Those are armored machines," he said, "and unless our bullets are very
lucky indeed they'll glance off their steel sides."

"Armored flying machines!" exclaimed Carstairs. "I never heard of such
things!"

"No, but you're hearing now. These Germans will teach you a lot! Why
they even have Taubes that carry light machine guns."

"What ought we to do?"

John by reason of his brief experience in the air had suddenly become
the leader, and the others recognized it.

"We must leave the road and make for those trees. They'll give us some
protection!"

He pointed to a little grove two hundred yards away. The three sent
their horses crashing through the hedge and galloped for it. Overhead
the aeroplanes swooped lower and lower, like gigantic birds, darting at
their prey.

It was John who came nearest to a full realization of their danger. His
experience with Lannes had shown him the power of the flying machines
and the skill and daring of the flying men. In the brief gallop toward
the wood a succession of terrifying emotions flowed through his mind.

He remembered reading in some old book of primeval man and his constant
menace from vast reptilian monsters clad in huge scales, as thick and
hard as steel. It had never made much impression upon him. It was too
far away and vague, but now it all came back with amazing detail and
vividness.

He and his comrades were primeval men, and these swooping planes, shod
with steel, were the ancient monsters seeking their prey. The