by an airman's helmet.
For the first time, the officers on the bridge of the _Capella_ noticed
that the light steel plating was holed in many places, while the planes
bore testimony to the accuracy of the enemy's shrapnel.

"A casualty!" sang out the Flying officer. "My pilot's been hit. Can
you take him on board?"

Two of the _Capella's_ crew swarmed over the side and gained the
nearmost float, whence they clambered upon the body of the sea-plane.
At the same time, one of the davits from which the _Capella's_
shattered boat had hung was slung outboard. By dint of careful
manoeuvring, the sea-plane was brought alongside with her main planes
practically parallel to the side of the ship.

The injured man was lying on the floor of the fuselage. A canvas band
was strapped round his waist, and, supported by the two seamen, he was
gently hoisted on board the ship by means of the davit tackle.

The Flight-Sub swung himself over the side of the _Capella_ and
ascended the bridge.

"Got it hot at fifteen hundred feet," he explained. "My pilot was
winged. Hit twice, I believe. Luckily the old bird kept fairly steady
until I could clamber into the pilot's seat and take control. Rough
luck, too. We were just doing a useful bit of spotting. I suppose,
sir, there's no one on board who can handle a 'plane?"

"I'm afraid not," replied Captain Syllenger.

"Rough luck!" exclaimed the Sub despondently. Then, brightening up, he
asked:

"Can you lend me a 'wireless' man? I could take on the pilot's job."

"Our man's knocked out," said the skipper.

"That's done it!" exclaimed the Sub. "There's a particularly tough
battery that I wanted to see knocked out. No. 5 was almost on it when
we got it hot."

Ross was thinking rapidly and deeply. He knew the Morse code well. He
had dabbled in wireless telegraphy at school. Perhaps----

He felt that it was almost too impertinent to offer his services, yet
the matter was urgent. It was dangerous, too, most dangerous; but the
midshipman had learnt to place duty before personal consideration.

"Well?" asked Captain Syllenger as Trefusis stepped up and saluted
smartly.

"I'll go if I can be of any assistance, sir," said Ross. "I can Morse
and use a buzzer, and I have a knowledge of wireless."

"Carry on, then," replied Captain Syllenger.

"Good man!" exclaimed the Flight-Sub-lieutenant. "Can you stick
heights?"

"I've done a lot of cliff climbing--I am a Cornishma