airplane started to shoot downward at frightful speed, leaving the
Hun far behind. Tom kept his head, and bent every energy to trying to
get the motor started again, meanwhile working also to keep on a fairly
level keel. He had passed through a similar experience on other
occasions, but never when hovering over the German lines with a battle
in progress under him.

A sickening sensation gripped his heart, for it flashed before his mind
that this might be the end. Like every other aviator, he had defied Fate
every time he went up, and at last the dreadful moment had come for him
to pay the price!

Not for a single second, even while feeling that queer sensation grip
him, did Tom cease working frantically to start his engine. He knew he
had one last forlorn chance left. A few seconds would tell the story,
and either he must be lucky enough to have his balky engine suddenly
start again in response to his frantic efforts, or else--well, he dared
not allow himself to dwell on what would happen to him when he struck
the ground with all the frightful momentum of his falling machine.

The air service boy lived ages in that brief period of time. Never could
he forget the agony that gripped his soul. There flashed before his
memory the faces of those he loved at home, those whom he might never
see again.

Then it was over. The engine had suddenly yielded to his frantic
efforts, and once more commenced to throb with renewed life. Tom, with
tremendous exertion, managed to right his tottering plane and steady it
on an even keel.

His observer lay in a huddled heap in his seat. But for the safety belt
he must have slid into space. Tom could not tell whether he was dead or
had simply swooned.

That was a matter for the future. Just now he must concern himself with
the task of extricating himself from his fresh perilous position. So
rapidly had he fallen that amidst the swirling smoke clouds he could
plainly see the Germans just below; and that he must be visible to his
enemies he quickly had reason to understand.

Even as he started to spin away, shrapnel burst close beside his plane.
Machine-guns also began to chatter underneath, and he saw that the wings
of his plane were being cut by the hail of missiles that came up in
swarms, like buzzing bees, each armed with a sting.

Dodging this way and that in eccentric lines, Tom brought into play all
his acquired knowledge of a pilot's tricks in order to avoid being made
a victi