"Yes, we noticed that yesterday," said Ralph.
Suddenly, one of the airplanes came out of the gray cloud and Alfred was quick to announce the fact.
"But why do we not get any signals from them?" asked the commandant.
"The one coming this way is signaling," said Ralph. "Two puffs, so far, but it is very misty; yes, two puffs, and two more, one above the ship follows it. Why, we must be firing beyond the mark."
The gunners were directed to alter the range.
After a half dozen rounds the commandant asked: "Do the signals confirm the range?"
"Not yet,—wait a moment,—I can see a single puff only; it is above the machine; the gunners are all right; there, another puff to the left; if the gunners will aim a little more to the left they will be all right," said Alfred, as rapidly as he could utter the words.
"That machine acts queerly," said Ralph. "What do you make out? Is it the Farman machine?"
"It looks like it," said Alfred. After a few moments' observation he added: "Yes, that is Captain Winston's machine. It seems as though he were making a dive. I can't understand it."
"He seems to be coming this way," said Ralph.