Below were seen numerous flashes of guns, and they knew from this that the fighting lines must be along the river. The most startling thing which occurred was a tremendous explosion that seemed to be right in the machine itself, and they looked around startled at the suddenness of it, for everything seemed peaceful enough to them at that altitude.
The lieutenant turned the machine, however, as he apprehended more trouble, now that the gunners below had so luckily secured a fair range. The first shot was followed in another moment by another, and the lieutenant now began to dart the machine back and forth, and turn it in short, sharp circles.
Another explosion took place, this time remarkably close, and pieces of the flying machine came down, and brushed past the boys. The lieutenant shook his head, as the boys glanced back. The machine was now circling around, a peculiar manoeuver, the boys thought, as they looked at each other for a possible explanation.
Ralph looked back, and noticed that the lieutenant, with an alarmed look on his face, was constantly glancing back to the tail planes. The steering lever seemed to be jammed. Ralph had an idea that something was wrong, and crawled over the body until he was alongside of the lieutenant. The latter pointed to the control lever, and Ralph understood.
Without waiting for instructions from the lieutenant, he cautiously made his way along the chassis, following up the wires which were indicated by the lieutenant. Within four feet of the tail plane Ralph halted. Then, reaching down, he succeeded in grasping a dangling wire, and held up the end for the lieutenant's inspection. After several attempts he found the other end of the wire, which had been severed by a shot from a shrapnel shell.
The ship was still circling around, so without waiting to repair the break Ralph turned the rudder, and, glancing at the lieutenant, saw the latter smile, and then by motions direct him to give the control plane a still further push in the right direction. It was impossible for Ralph to hear anything the lieutenant said, but as soon as the airplane was fairly headed for the west, the power was shut off, and the machine began to descend.
"Good boy!" shouted the lieutenant. "Can you fasten them together?" he asked.
"I am afraid not," replied Ralph. "A piece seems to have been shot away. But I can take care of it if you will only direct me to pull it to the right or to the left."
"All right, then. Do you see that great patch of green, directly beyond the castle?" asked the lieutenant.
"I can see it plainly," replied Ralph. "Shall I steer for it?" he asked.