Jim glanced up and saw that the plane which was chasing them was not one of those that had turned back. Probably a more powerful one had been sent out with orders to bring them down and be sure of it. He took an instant to read his dials, glanced at the chart and calculated they must be nearing a valley, but no settlements were marked on it. The huge machine thundered gaining quickly until finally it was swooping almost onto them. Austin tried to dive out of its way, but this man did not let him get away with that trick, so he had to pull up. He tried a loop but came around near the other fellow, and then above the din of their motors came the steady spit of bullets, the streaks of flame, and it seemed as if the plane was hit in a dozen places at once. More shots racked her from propeller to tail. A bullet cut across the control board splintering the glass plates. Others ripped holes in the fuselage, and more poured through the wings. The plane lunged and rocked in spite of all the boy could do, and as he kicked the rudder-bar he realized that it was out of commission. Then the shots spit back and forth again, and a moment later the tank had been struck. Almost instantly it lighted and the blaze whirled about the machine.
“Get out of your safety strap,” he shouted to Mrs. Gonzalas.
“I am,” she told him in a moment. His own was loose, but he kept his seat while the machine, absolutely out of control, started down, nose first.
“Stand up,” he called to her and helped her to her feet. “We want to stay with this as long as we can.” He glanced at the altimeter, and after a moment, shouted: “I’ll hold you by the strap. Don’t pull the rip-ring until I tell you.” By that time the plane was like a blazing rocket returning to earth.
“I am ready,” she shouted in his ear.
“We want to jump as far as we can.” He glanced about and saw the brothers poised above the rear cock-pit, standing close together. They were on the side opposite the enemy machine, which had to keep its distance for the moment “Now, come!” The plane was tipping and they dropped off into space.
Jim could feel Mrs. Gonzalas clutch his belt strap and twist convulsively, then she gave a little scream. “Mio.” The brothers had waited an instant longer, then they too slipped into space, sprawling like frogs, but Arto seemed to be close to Pedro and shouting encouragement to his brother. Down they dropped straight, while the air carried the machine away from them toward its destroyer.
“Don’t wish you any extra hard luck, old timer, but I hope she makes you join this coming-down party.”
“Mother of God—”
“Now pull the ring,” Jim called, and she did. In a moment the great umbrella mushroomed out wide and Mrs. Gonzalas was dangling in safety. She glanced about in surprise at the ease of her descent, and then began to look for her husband.