Back they rushed to their own lines, and no sooner had they landed than an orderly rushed up to them and instructed them to report immediately to their commanding officer.
“Boys, you're just in time!” he cried, all dignity or formality having been set aside in the excitement of the great battle.
“What is it?” asked Tom.
“We want you to silence some big German guns—a nasty battery of them that's playing havoc with our boys. The artillery hasn't been able to locate 'em—probably they're too well camouflaged. And we can't advance against 'em. Will you go up and try to put them out of business?”
Of course there could be but one answer to this. Tom and Jack hurried off to see to the loading of their machine with bombs—an extra large number of very powerful ones being taken.
Once more they were off on their dangerous mission, for it was dangerous, since many American planes were brought down by German fire that day, and by attacks from other Hun machines.
But Tom and Jack never faltered. Up and up they went, the probable location of the guns having been made known to them on the map they carried. Up and onward they went. For a time they must forego the chance of rescuing their friend.
Straight for the indicated place they went, and just as they reached it there came a burst of fire and smoke. It appeared to roll out from a little ravine well wooded on both sides, and that accounted for the failure of the Americans to locate it. Chance had played into the hands of the air service boys.
There was no need of word between Tom and Jack. The former headed the plane for the place whence the German guns had fired upon the Americans, killing and wounding many.
Over it, for an instant, hovered the aeroplane. Then Jack touched the bomb releasing device. Down dropped the powerful explosive.