It must not be surmised that the work the engineers had to do was without peril. Even though the spot was deep in the woods and somewhat isolated, not a few German shells of large caliber were sent in that direction.
“Confound it! those shells are coming too close for comfort,” remarked Phil, one afternoon, when a projectile had gone whining over their heads to fall less than a hundred yards behind them.
So far they had not seen any airplanes in that vicinity, but on the following morning early they espied two German scout-planes high in the air circling slowly about.
“I suppose they suspected something was going on around here and they have sent out those machines to make sure,” remarked Frank Andrews to our hero. “I wish our own airmen would get after them.”
His wish was soon gratified. Looking in the direction where they knew the American aviation camp was stationed, the engineers presently saw four of the planes taking the flight upward. They came on straight for the spot where the engineers were working, and those below made up their minds that a battle in the air was imminent.
“Gee, I hope our men get those fellows!” cried Roger. “It will serve ’em right for coming here to spy on us.”
As the four American aviators advanced they spread out, two keeping somewhat to the rear while the third headed northward and the fourth southward. Thus they soon formed a sort of semicircle around the German planes.
By this time the enemy airmen had probably made all the observations they wished or that they felt capable of making, and they turned back, evidently with the intention of passing over their own lines.
“If only we had an anti-aircraft gun here and could take a few shots at them!” sighed Dave.
The American fliers were still somewhat to the rear, but when they saw the two enemy scout-planes trying to escape they opened fire on them. Even at that distance the flashes from the guns could be seen, although if there were any sounds they were lost in the explosions of the motors and the distant firing of artillery.