Then again he heard that welcome sound, a human voice, and it called him by name.
"Dastral! Lieutenant Dastral, where are you?"
And he feebly answered with all his strength.
"Here! Here! For heaven's sake help us!"
The next instant two burly forms came stumbling and rolling down the crater, for Cowdie and Brat had just arrived at the spot, and as yet scarcely an hour had elapsed since the crash. Strong arms were put around the pilot, which raised him up, for he had fallen down again, after his effort to rise. He had just time to murmur something, and point to the unconscious form of his observer, when he relapsed into unconsciousness again.
"Thank God we have found you both, sir!" exclaimed a strong voice, which seemed to resound again and again through his being.
As the thick fog came on, the firing had been suspended for a moment. It was a strange, weird silence that seemed to presage a coming storm. Cowdie was the first to read its meaning.
"Quick, Brat!" he cried. "They're going to attack. We must make a dash for it."
It was only too true. Scarcely had they reached the top of the crater, and proceeded a dozen yards with their heavy burdens, when they heard the sound of voices.
"Hist! What was that?"