ircling planes
hovering over them, since Jack could now count five. All were in violent
motion, circling this way, and darting the other, rising and falling in
a movement only adopted when a fierce engagement was on.

Even though their flight was so rapid Jack quickly made the two
newcomers out to be friends, for they handled machines similar to his
own.

That opened a way for him to escape possible destruction at the hands of
the gunners below, who were increasing their volume of fire. So up Jack
turned the nose of his plane, and quickly reached the elevation where
all this work was going on.

So the battle of the six enemy planes began, Jack immediately singling
out one of the Huns for his own particular attention. Alert, eager, and
fairly itching to get even with the Boche fliers for the fright they
had given him, Morgan crouched in his seat, ready to start firing when
the first favorable moment came along.

It must have been an inspiring sight to any who watched the fight from
below; at least, if he wore the khaki of the American army boys. The
Germans would hardly be so apt to suck consolation from the picture,
since it early became apparent that their representatives no longer
attacked with dash and enthusiasm, but seemed to be acting solely on the
defensive.

They may have been veteran aces, with a long list of disabled planes to
their individual credit, but there was something about the dash and vim
of these Yankee fliers that combined all the better qualities of both
British and French airmen, and discouraged the enemy greatly.

Jack swooped down upon his antagonist, and fired when he fancied he had
the enemy in range of his machine-gun fire. The Boche on his part was
reciprocating, so that the exchange of shots was mutual.

They passed at a little distance like swallows on the wing, the guns
chattering and smoking, and the air filled with a shower of missiles
that for the most part would be utterly wasted.

Then Morgan took up the challenge, and continued to pepper the speeding
Gotha as long as it remained within range. A turn on the part of Jack
put a temporary end to the bombardment. But now they were once more
spinning toward the enemy.

Around them a wild scene was being enacted, with the other quartette of
planes swooping down on each other.

Apparently all this work had so far been without result; but Jack could
plainly see that the Huns were quite satisfied with what little they may
have ac