“Good work, Alexis!” cried Chester. “I told you you would get used to it before long.”
“I am not used to it,” replied the giant, “but when a bullet whistles past my ear I get mad. I just naturally have to fight back.”
Nevertheless he made a brave effort to appear unconcerned, and he took a look over the side. At that moment Hal allowed the car to glide slowly nearer the earth. For a moment Alexis was unaware of this sinking sensation; but suddenly treetops came into view, and the Cossack let out a cry of alarm:
“We’re sinking!” he exclaimed.
Hal laughed.
“Just coming down to get a look about,” he replied. “Now, if you will look over at the earth a few moments, you will soon overcome your uneasiness.”
Alexis, taking a long breath, did so; and he continued to peer over the side, even after Hal, touching the elevating lever, sent the plane high in the air again.
Darkness fell and still the ’plane sped on. Then, so suddenly that they seemed to spring up from nowhere, the swiftly moving aëroplane was surrounded on all sides–as it seemed to the voyagers–by a score of hostile aircraft, while shots rang out from several sides.
Hal acted promptly, as had always been his wont. He allowed the ’plane to drop a good quarter of a mile with a sudden lurch, and then righting it, darted forward again. For a moment they had shaken off the foe, but the latter was not long in finding them. Searchlights flashed in the sky, seeking out the prey.
By a series of clever maneuvers, Hal succeeded in evading the hostile craft during the long hours of the night, turning first this way and then that, rising and falling. But with the first gray of dawn, it became plain to both boys that escape was practically impossible. Looking down Hal saw water below him, and at the same moment the hostile air fleet ten ’planes strong, swooped down on them.