"What's the chances of landing and meeting them on a more equal footing?" inquired Jack. "Is that at all possible?"
"It's possible to land," replied Ned, "but I don't think we'd have as good a chance as we have up here. Look down there and see."
"Where are all the soldiers?" asked Harry, presently. "I can't see a single soldier anywhere. But," he added, "the guns are fired."
"They are all in bomb-proof trenches or else back of the hilltops," said Ned. "I believe that those aeroplanes are scouting around to give word to the gunners whether their aim has been correct or not."
"Well, if this is war," observed Dave, "I'm going to be glad to get back home once more. This doesn't look civilized to me."
"We are headed toward home," replied Jack in an effort to cheer his friend. "We'll be out of this in a little while, and then—good-by war and fights and Kaiser and all for one good, long time!"
"We're a long ways from Tipperary yet, boys. Don't crow too soon," advised Harry, as he trained the glasses on the approaching planes.
"What can you see, Harry?" asked Ned, giving his attention to the levers. "Are they still heading toward us?"
"That's just what they're doing!" declared Harry. "They're coming fast, too. Can't we coax a little more speed out of this old tub?"
"You speak as if this were a ship in the water," responded Ned. "I want you to understand that this is an aeroplane and that it is performing a most remarkable feat in carrying five boys and two grown men, besides a quantity of luggage and supplies."