“Oh! If we do that it’s all up with us, and we’ll be bound for a German prison camp on our first outing trip.”
“I hope not,” the pilot replied instantly. “My object is to try to run across a supply of gasolene and commandeer it. It’s a toss-up whether we can find any, with the country drained so well by the military authorities. It’s also hit and miss whether we run smack into a bunch of Boches as soon as we land. But there seems to be no other way.”
“Well, I haven’t any better suggestion to offer, so go ahead. Give your orders, and I’ll obey.”
CHAPTER XXIV
IN GREAT LUCK
With wildly throbbing hearts both Tom and Jack peered downward as they once more resumed their voyage on a level. Dawn had come to the earth below. They could make out the character of the ground, and see a road which ran in a zigzag fashion. Tom noticed this in particular because it was probable that a house would be discovered close to a thoroughfare; and they must come upon such a place if they hoped to secure the necessary supply of gasolene.
It was a slender hope that was held out to them. Tom knew how precious the explosive liquid had become in all Germany and Austria, so that few if any private cars were running, the Government having commandeered every available gallon. Still, there might be a chance of their coming on some car, whether connected with the military forces or not, and transferring the contents of its tank to their own.
The country seemed none too thickly populated. There were patches of forest, too, something hard to find in Northern France, where for almost three years the ravages of modern warfare had told heavily on woods and orchards.
Tom changed his plans. Instead of looking for a house he meant to find a car either on that road or else laid up somewhere, from which they might get the gasolene so necessary for their deliverance.
Looking ahead he saw something moving. A second glance told him it was what he was most desirous of discovering. It was a car, and heading in the same general direction as themselves.
Tom instantly made up his mind that his course was clear. He would drop down with a rush, and chase after that fleeing car. It would be easy enough to overtake it, and perhaps if they used the rapid-fire gun a few rounds the driver would draw up and surrender.