Joseph Alexander Altsheler

“ Carstairs and Wharton looked grave.
"They're far over French territory," said Carstairs.
"So they are," said John, "but you're likely to see them much farther."
"I should think that if they went on they'd meet the French flyers," said Wharton, "and then there'd be some lively scenes up in the shining blue."
"They're ready to take the risks," said John. "I believe the Germans are willing to dare anything in this war. They think the world is against them and has resolved to crush them because the other nations are jealous. ”

“ In an hour they will have to come close to the ground to see us, and I fancy we can then leave the grove."
"Yes," said Wharton, "it's up to them now. We can stand here waiting for them until the darkness comes. Now, they've begun to act!"
A bomb burst, but the obscuring twilight was so deceptive that it fell entirely outside the wood and exploded harmless in a field.
"Poor work," said Carstairs.
"As I told you it's exceedingly hard to be accurate, dropping bombs from a height," said John, "and the twilight makes it much more so." ”

“ They now knelt in the gully waiting for the Taubes, which were softly sinking lower and lower. All three were sharpshooters, and they had anger and the love of life to wing their aim.
"Suppose we pick our men," said John. "The heavy plane near the center of the group is undoubtedly the one that carries the machine gun, and so it's our most dangerous antagonist. It's not likely to have more than two men—otherwise the weight would be too great—one to steer and one to handle the gun."
"Excellent," said Carstairs. "You're undoubtedly the best marksman, Scott. ”

“ He stood at his full height and shook his rifle at the aeroplanes. John and Carstairs shared his feelings so thoroughly that they saw nothing odd.
"While they're so high," said John, "suppose we go and look at the fallen machine."
They found it among some trees, a part of the frame imbedded in the earth. It looked in its destruction a sinister and misshapen monster. The machine gun, broken beyond repair, lay beside it. They knew that two other shattered objects were somewhere near in the bushes, but they would not look for them. ”

“ Patient as the Germans were, they must see sometime or other whether their bombs had destroyed the fugitives in the grove.
"They're coming down toward the tops of the trees," he whispered. "Since they haven't heard from us for so long they've probably concluded that their bombs have finished us."
"They'll soon find out better," said Carstairs savagely. "That last horse they killed was mine, and the poor brute was torn horribly by pieces of the bomb."
John looked at him curiously.
"War is war," he said. ”

“ A rifle cracked almost in his ear and Wharton uttered a little cry of disappointment.
"I heard the bullet thud on the metal side of that Taube," he said. "It isn't fair fighting us this way."
Then he and John, following the suggestion of Car- stairs, promptly moved to another point in the bushes. Three bullets from the Taubes struck near the place they had just left. But John still watching had caught sight of a head and body, the two hands grasping a rifle projecting over the side of a Taube. Quick as a flash he fired, and with an aim that was literally as sure as death. ”

“ The aeroplanes were outlined against it, as clearly as if they had been pictures in oil on canvas. The sun, great and golden, poured down fire, but it did not reach the three in the thicket.
"I wish I knew what those fellows were planning," said Carstairs. "At least they give us a rest, while they arrange for our destruction."
"But we're not destroyed yet, and you don't think it either, Carstairs," said Wharton. "Whatever I've said against you Britishers, I've never said you lacked courage." ”

“ A plane heavier than the others, evidently the one that has the machine gun is in the center. I judge therefore that it also carries the commander of the fleet."
"Acute reasoning. Wake me up when they seem to be starting anything. Meanwhile I can't be bothered, because a few aeroplanes choose to use our heavens."
He stretched himself, and breathed deeply and peacefully. But John knew well enough that he was not asleep. His rifle lay by his side, where it could be snatched up in a moment, and now and then his eyes opened to watch through the bushes the foe circling aloft. ”

“ He eased his rifle across his saddle bow. All three of them carried the modern, high-powered rifle which could kill at a tremendous range. Neither Wharton nor Carstairs yet felt any apprehension, but John knew better.
"Those are armored machines," he said, "and unless our bullets are very lucky indeed they'll glance off their steel sides.
"Armored flying machines!" exclaimed Carstairs. "I never heard of such things!"
"No, but you're hearing now. These Germans will teach you a lot! Why they even have Taubes that carry light machine guns." ”

“ I don't know how these machines are built, but I'd wager from the way it flew that not a wheel or spring or screw or rivet in it was damaged."
"The others are evidently waiting for it to come back."
"How do you make out that?"
"Because they merely float about beyond our reach and don't try anything against us. ”