"Geewhillikins!" exclaimed Jimmie breathlessly. "Those fellows better look out a little or they'll get run over!"
It truly appeared as if this contingency were about to occur, for the soldiers made no attempt to clear the tiny parade ground. Instead they waited for the approach of the speeding plane.
In another moment the machine was upon the ground and running along upon its wheels. Many willing hands grasped portions of the framework and assisted in bringing the machine to a halt.
Before the task of stopping the aeroplane was fairly accomplished the pilot had leaped from his seat. He approached the group of officers about the Kaiser with rather unsteady steps and gravely saluted.
The salute was returned by the entire party, who then stood at attention. From the center of the party the Kaiser stepped forward.
A few short, brisk sentences were exchanged between the Kaiser and the stranger who had descended so precipitately from the sky.
"Gee!" exclaimed Jimmie in disgust. "They're talking German, and I can't understand it at all! What rotten luck!"
"Hush!" responded Dave. "I'm getting a word now and again. Perhaps I can make out what it is the chap is reporting."
"If you can understand that awful bunch of noises they call a language you're going some!" declared Jimmie, half to himself.
"Just a moment now," said Dave. "He's unburdening himself of a long talk about the movement of some troops, I take it. Now he is saying," the boy went on, "that he has seen or some one has seen a strange aeroplane near here. It is supposed to be one of the French machines that has somehow got past the lines and is scouting."