the direction of
the German lines. It was presumed they reached there safely.

One after another the German machines were sent down, though at a
price, for three Frenchmen were killed and another American went to
his death. But he had paved the way with two Hun craft to his credit.

"Now it's over--all but the shouting!" cried Roger, and he was
capering about in an improvised dance of joy when Bob cried:

"Look! Look! Here comes a German machine down, and it's going to land
right about here! Oh, boy! This is bringing 'em down for keeps!"

His chums looked to where he pointed. A German craft was coming down,
but in such fashion that showed it was in volplane control, at least.
Swiftly it came down, headed for a field not far from the woods, in
the edge of which were the five Brothers.

CHAPTER XVIII

CAPTURED

Swiftly as falls a bird with a broken wing, down came the German
aeroplane. It was now within plain sight of the Americans stationed
in the woods, and, as it happened, a squad, of which our five Brothers
formed the major part, were nearer than anyone else.

"I can see their faces!" cried Bob. "They look worried all right!"

And well the Germans might, for they were being forced to land within
the enemy's lines.

"Guess their gasolene tank was shot to pieces," commented Roger. "The
plane doesn't seem to be damaged much."

And this, later, they learned was the case. A bullet had pierced the
petrol tank of the Boche craft, and the pilot and gunner had been
forced to land.

Down shot the craft, and, a moment later, it made a good landing in
a field. The machine ran along over the rough ground for a little
distance and then two figures, clad in regulation flying costumes,
were seen to leap out. They paused for a moment, trying to set fire to
their machine, so that it might not fall, comparatively undamaged as
it was, into the hands of the Americans. But this was not to be.

"Don't let them get away with that!" cried an officer, quickly. "Pick
off those two men, boys!"

Instantly rifles began to crack, and as the bullets sang about the
ears of the Huns they stopped their incendiary operations and began
to run. How they thought they could escape is inexplainable. They were
surrounded by Americans, and were some distance away from their own
lines.

"Come on, fellows!" cried Jimmy to his chums. "Don't let 'em get away.
We can head 'em off!"

"You said something!" yelled Bob. "Oh, boy! That was s