out face, march!" commanded Ned.

All three boys wheeled and started back in the direction they had come.
They traveled at a good pace for the first few moments.

Jack even essayed to whistle "Tipperary" between his teeth to help them
along. With visions of a speedy departure from that neighborhood in
their minds, the boys swung along at a good pace.

Suddenly they were startled to hear the report of a rifle and to be
greeted by the peculiar tearing sound made by a bullet in its flight
through the air. Almost as if actuated by a common impulse the three
lads crouched low and broke into a run.

Again came the report of the rifle and the noise of a bullet speeding
on its errand of death. As Jack had stooped to run he had taken a
quick glance over his shoulder. Now he closed in nearer to Ned.

"That fellow is in the house on our right," he panted. "I saw the
flash of the gun as he fired that time."

Ned's only reply was a quick nod. He did not waste breath in making a
reply where none was needed. For answer he merely extended his hand to
administer a touch of encouragement on Jack's shoulder.

By this time darkness had settled almost completely over the place, and
the boys found running in the not over-excellent highway a task that
required every ounce of their strength and agility.

Presently Ned slackened speed. His companions did likewise.

"Whew!" the boy panted. "That was rather exciting, wasn't it?"

"Sure was," came Harry's labored answer. "But we ought to be somewhere
near the Eagle by this time," he added.

"I think I recognize those trees there now," Ned put in as the three
advanced at a walk. "Let's get into the field and be on our way just
as quickly as we can. I don't like to be shot at."

"Do you think we have gasoline enough for an extended flight?" asked
Harry anxiously. "We'd feel nice to get caught with a flat tire or
something a mile up in the air."

"We have plenty, I think," was Ned's answer. "We can gauge the tank
easily enough if we can't see the indicator."

"Ha, there she is now!" exclaimed Jack as the three boys broke through
the growth of underbrush and entered the field where the Eagle had been
left. "She's closer in than I thought," he went on.

"Well, distances are mighty deceptive in the darkness," explained Ned.
"It is very easy to be mistaken on a little matter like that."

"All right, Boss," was Jack's answer in a relieved tone, now that he
was again near t