. "Here is the night black and welcome."

The aeroplanes were now almost invisible. The darkness was thickening so
fast that in the grove the three were compelled to remain close
together, lest they lose one another. Under the western horizon low
thunder muttered, and there was promise of more rain, but they did not
care.

They resolved to leave the grove in a half hour, and now they felt
deeply the death of their horses. But all three carried gold, and they
would buy fresh mounts at the next village. Their regret at the loss was
overcome by the feeling that they had been victorious in the encounter
with the aeroplanes when at first the odds seemed all against them.

They waited patiently, while the night advanced, noting with pleasure
that the mutter of thunder on the western horizon continued. Overhead
two aeroplanes were circling, but they were barely visible in the dusk,
and rescuing their blankets and some other articles that the horses had
carried, the three, with their rifles ready, walked cautiously across
the fields.

A hundred yards from the grove, and they looked up. The aeroplanes were
still circling there. Wharton laughed.

"They probably think we haven't the nerve to leave the shelter of the
trees," he said. "Let 'em watch till morning."

"And then they'll find that the birds have metaphorically but not
literally flown away," said Carstairs, a tone of exultation showing in
his voice also. "In this battle between the forces of the air and the
forces of the earth the good old solid earth has won."

"But it may not always win," said John. "When I was up with Lannes, I
saw what the aeroplane could do, and we are bound to admit that if it
hadn't been for the grove they'd have got us."

"Right-o!" said Carstairs.

"True as Gospel," said Wharton.

"Do you know where the road is?" asked John. "Now that our horses are
gone we've got to do some good walking."

"Here it is," said Carstairs. "Seven miles farther on is the little
hamlet of Courville, where we can buy horses."

"Then walk, you terriers, walk!" said Wharton.

The three bending their heads walked side by side toward the hamlet of
Courville, which they were destined never to reach.

CHAPTER XI

THE ARMORED CAR

The three talked, because they were in the dark, and because they felt
great joy over their escape. The clouds, after a while, floated away,
and the thunder ceased to mutter. It seemed that the elements played
with them,