ow and
their bullets whistled around us. But the _Arrow_ has taken no harm. I
see, too, the hills and the stream which are our landmarks. We're about
to arrive, Philip, with our message, but there's been treachery
somewhere. I wish I knew who was in that French plane."

"So do I, John. It certainly came out of Paris. In my opinion it meant
to destroy us and keep our message from reaching the one for whom it was
intended. Who could it have been and how could he have known!"

"Feeling better now, aren't you, Phil?"

"A lot better. My head aches tremendously, but the dimness has gone from
before my eyes, and I'm able to think, in a poor and feeble way,
perhaps, but I'm not exactly a dumb animal. Where are the hills?"

John pointed.

"I can see them," said Lannes exultantly. "Since they did no harm I'm
glad the Uhlans fired at the _Arrow_. Their shots aroused me from stupor
and as we're to reach the army I want to be in possession of my five
senses when I get there."

John understood perfectly.

"It's your message and you deliver it," he said.

Lannes' strength continued to increase, and his mind cleared rapidly.
His head ached frightfully, but he could think with all his usual
swiftness and precision. He sat erect in his seat.

"Pass me your glasses, John," he said.

"Now I see the troops," he said, after a long look. "Frenchmen,
Frenchmen, Frenchmen, infantry in thousands and scores of thousands, big
guns in scores and hundreds, cuirassiers, hussars, cannoneers! Ah! It's
a sight to kindle a dead heart back to life! John, this is one of the
great wheels in the mighty machine that is to move forward! Here come
two aeroplanes, scouts sent forward to see who and what we are."

"You are sure they contain genuine Frenchmen? Remember the fellow who
shot you."

"Frenchmen, good and true. I can see them for myself."

He moved his hand, and in a few moments John heard hissing and purring
near, as if great birds were flying to meet him. The outlines of the
hovering planes showed by his side, and Lannes called in a loud voice to
shrouded and visored men.

"Philip Lannes and his comrade, John Scott, with a message from Paris
to the commander!" he exclaimed.

He was his old self again, erect, intense, dramatic. He evidently
expected the name Philip Lannes to be known well to them, and it was, as
a cheer followed high in air.

"Now, John," said Lannes, "Be careful! Your hardest task is before you,
to land. But I've