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Page 20
John checked the speed of the _Arrow_. He was afraid, despite all his
high resolve, to fly fast, and then he must not go beyond the army for
which he was looking. He dropped a little lower as he was passing over a
wood, and then he heard the crack of rifles beneath him. Bullets whizzed
and sang past his ears and he took one fearful glance downward.
He saw men, spiked helmets on their heads, galloping among the trees,
and he knew that they were a daring band of Uhlans, actually scouting
inside the French lines. They were shooting at the _Arrow_ and firing
fast.
He attempted to rise so suddenly that the plane gave a violent jerk and
quivered in every fiber. He thought for a moment they were going to
fall, and the sickening sensation at his heart was overpowering. But the
trusty _Arrow_ ceased quivering, and then rose swiftly at an angle not
too great.
Bullets still whizzed around the plane, and one glanced off its polished
side, but John's first nervous jerkiness in handling the machine had
probably saved him. The target had been so high in air, and of such a
shifting nature that the Uhlans had little chance to hit it.
He was now beyond the range of any rifle, and he drew a long breath of
relief that was like a deep sigh. Then he took a single downward glance,
and caught a fleeting glimpse of the Uhlans galloping away. Doubtless
they were making all speed back to their own army.
He flew on for a minute or two, searching the horizon eagerly, and at
last, he saw a tall hill, a low hill and a flash of water between. He
felt so much joy that he uttered a cry, and an echo of it came from a
point almost by his side.
"Did I hear firing, John?"
It was Lannes' voice, feeble, but showing all the signs of returning
strength, and again John uttered a joyous shout.
"You did," he replied. "It was Uhlans in a grove. I was flying low and
their bullets whistled around us. But the _Arrow_ has taken no harm. I
see, too, the hills and the stream which are our landmarks. We're about
to arrive, Philip, with our message, but there's been treachery
somewhere. I wish I knew who was in that French plane."
"So do I, John. It certainly came out of Paris. In my opinion it meant
to destroy us and keep our message from reaching the one for whom it was
intended. Who could it have been and how could he have known!"
"Feeling better now, aren't you, Phil?"
"A lot better. My head aches tremendously, but the dimness has gone from
before my eyes, and I'm able to think, in a poor and feeble way,
perhaps, but I'm not exactly a dumb animal. Where are the hills?"
John pointed.
"I can see them," said Lannes exultantly. "Since they did no harm I'm
glad the Uhlans fired at the _Arrow_. Their shots aroused me from stupor
and as we're to reach the army I want to be in possession of my five
senses when I get there."
John understood perfectly.
"It's your message and you deliver it," he said.
Lannes' strength continued to increase, and his mind cleared rapidly.
His head ached frightfully, but he could think with all his usual
swiftness and precision. He sat erect in his seat.
"Pass me your glasses, John," he said.
"Now I see the troops," he said, after a long look. "Frenchmen,
Frenchmen, Frenchmen, infantry in thousands and scores of thousands, big
guns in scores and hundreds, cuirassiers, hussars, cannoneers! Ah! It's
a sight to kindle a dead heart back to life! John, this is one of the
great wheels in the mighty machine that is to move forward! Here come
two aeroplanes, scouts sent forward to see who and what we are."
"You are sure they contain genuine Frenchmen? Remember the fellow who
shot you."
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