Belinda shrieked: "You are hit! Frank, they have shot you!" and she flung herself along the seat to his side.
His lips moved:
"They've got me again, girl. But don't be alarmed. I could put that fellow out of business with a few more shots."
She sensed his meaning, if she did not hear all he said. The large enemy airplane was hovering overhead. Sanderson had aimed the gun at the tail of the German craft.
Belinda seized the crank. Somehow she managed to throw in the clutch and immediately began turning the crank steadily. She was cool despite the roar and rattle of the spiteful gun.
"There! There!" shouted Sanderson. "Brave girl! We've got him!"
The enemy airplane "went off on the wing." As it passed the Voisin the German pilot turned his pistol upon the three in the French machine.
Fearfully Frank turned to the girl as her head sank upon his shoulder. Through the sleeve of the smock she wore he saw the spreading crimson stain.
"Belinda! You are wounded!"
She sighed. Her eyes opened drowsily. He saw her lips move and read the words they formed: