"Quite right; when I give the signal turn to the left, and describe a sharp circle. I'll fool him," said the lieutenant.
The signal came; the machine veered around just as the Fokker came plainly into sight. As the turn was made the lieutenant turned the machine gun to the other side, and when the sight was cleared past the wings he gave the first turn of the crank to the gun.
There was a hum and a succession of cracks, which seemed to surprise the man in the Fokker. He evidently thought that the French machine was trying to get away, or it never would have ventured so close.
"The other machine is coming!" cried Alfred.
"Here is where we can get in the fun," said the lieutenant. "Make a straight line for the one coming up in the east. Go on until I signal."
This was a most audacious move, and while Ralph was guiding the machine toward the stranger the lieutenant poured a constant stream of shot into the first comer. It must not be assumed, however, that the German machines were idle during this period. Both were firing, but the shots went wild, especially after the daring move just made.
"Up! up! as high as you can go!" was the next order.
The machine tilted, and the lieutenant looked back at Ralph approvingly. "She is a dandy climber," said the lieutenant musingly. "Now I'd like to see them follow a bit."
One of the machines actually tried to imitate them, but the other ship was noticed wavering and swaying from side to side.