He shuddered.
Hal, in response to a command from Chester, slowed down suddenly. Taking careful aim at one of the pursuers, Chester emptied the magazine of his first rifle. There came from behind the sounds of screams, followed by an explosion.
“What was that?” cried Alexis in alarm.
“I got one of them!” replied Chester calmly. “The plane has gone to earth.”
The second pursuing plane reduced its speed, but still clung on the trail of its would-be prey.
“We’ll have to dispose of it some way, Hal,” shouted Chester. “Turn quickly and run toward it, and I’ll see if I can’t send it to the ground.”
He held his rifle ready as he spoke. Reducing the speed of the craft a trifle, Hal brought its head about in a wide circle; then darted suddenly toward the enemy.
But the latter was not caught unprepared, and a rifle bullet whistled close to Alexis’ ear.
The giant Cossack clapped a hand to his head and for the first time looked toward the enemy. Then, reaching to the bottom of the machine, he raised up with a weapon, and, aiming at the hull of the enemy in the distance, poured the entire contents of the magazine into it. At the same moment a well-directed shot from Chester’s rifle struck the pilot. He sprang to his feet, spun around crazily, and plunged from the car. A moment later and the aëroplane blew up with a loud bang.
Alexis, who had seen the pilot go overboard, let out a cry of dismay. He could not help but think of the terrible fall to the ground.