crobat of the first water to manage such a
thing!" declared Harry. "I thought he was as secure as anything."

"Too late now to help him, and we've still got the German aeroplane to
reckon with," warned Ned. "Keep a sharp lookout for the fellow!"

"What is the stranger doing now?" asked Jack, pointing to the plane
that had appeared from the westward.

"He seems to be heading directly for us," replied Ned. "I wonder if he
takes us to be Germans, trying some trick or other."

"Better take off these German uniforms," advised Jimmie, stripping off
his jacket as he spoke. "I'm going to drop mine overboard!"

As he spoke the lad flung the jacket as far as he could and watched its
descent with interest. The others were not long in following his
example.

"I'll tell you what we'll do!" offered Dave. "When we get near enough,
shut off the engine so it won't make any noise and we'll all shout
'Vive la France!' at him. He'll know then we're not enemies."

"Good idea, but I can't speak French," returned Jimmie.

"Well, then, try something!" urged the lad.

"I don't believe anything at all is necessary," stated Ned as the two
came nearer. "They seem to be after the Germans and not us!"

"What's that place down there?" asked Harry after some time. "It looks
to me as if it were a camp of some sort. I see several tents."

"That's an aviation camp just like the one we saw when we came through
France and gave General Joffre his fast ride!" declared Jimmie.

"Sure enough!" declared Ned. "They have painted the tops of the wings
that peculiar color so that they cannot be readily seen from an enemy
air craft. That's rather a good idea, too!"

With scarcely a bump the Eagle settled to the earth and was at once
surrounded by French soldiers, some garbed in the well-known suits and
helmets of aviators, others dressed as ordinary infantrymen, while
still others wore greasy overalls and jumpers.

The language used was French, and they were at a loss to know what
their questions meant.

"You'll have to talk United States!" declared Jimmie, rising and
holding up a hand for attention. "We can't understand that stuff."

"Ah, so you speak English?" questioned one of the men.

All five boys gathered about their prisoner as he stood beside the
Eagle.

As the lads looked at the newcomer they saw a short, broad shouldered
man wearing a white moustache. The figure looked strangely familiar.

"Do you recognize that man, Ji