“Gee whiz! Frank, it’s just about plumb empty! We must have been hit, and the tank’s sprung a leak!”
“Ganders and gridirons!” cried Pudge in sheer dismay. “Whatever will happen to us now, if we’re forced to land in the midst of the whole German army! Whee! I see our finish!”
CHAPTER XXII.
THE NARROW ESCAPE.
“It has been a leak, for even now it is dripping down!” exclaimed the French aviator, pointing his finger at the bottom of the petrol tank.
Pudge and Billy held their breath. Everything would depend on Frank, who must know what was best to do. They might plane downward, and manage to make some sort of a landing, but that would mean capture by the enemy. The presence of the French aviator would bring the wrath of the Germans down on the heads of the boys, and as a result they would be made prisoners of war.
Not only that must follow, but the precious seaplane would fall into the hands of the Kaiser’s men. Such a possibility could never be endured. M. Le Grande would be ready to try something desperate before such a catastrophe could be countenanced.
Frank had to do some pretty swift thinking. Fortunately he was not the one to lose his head in the presence of unexpected danger.
“We must make a furious attempt to get across the fighting line, which is some miles away from here at La Basse!” he exclaimed. “When we descend, it will be in the rear of the British forces, where we can be safe!”
“Let her go, Frank!” said Billy excitedly.