"They'll be there in ten minutes," said Alfred. "They are going up, up; that was Lieutenant's favorite trick; they are doing that to frighten the German aeroplanes away from Captain Winston."
"And it's succeeding, too," replied Ralph. "One of the machines is coming this way; no, it's not the lieutenant, so it must be Captain Winston."
"Order the men to stand at attention," shouted the commandant. "Are they all ready?" he asked after a moment.
"They are ready for the order."
"The captain has just signaled with two puffs."
"Trial range!" ordered the commandant. "Boom! boom!" replied two of the monsters in reply.
The machine turned, and speeded away toward the hill beyond.
"Where are the German ships now?" asked the commandant.
"Nowhere in sight," replied Ralph.