As for the aeroplane, it had proved its wonderful strategic value a thousand times over. Its uses were manifold, from scouting to dropping bombs in daylight raids over enemy country and barracks. Jack had already seen enough of these things to convince him that the country which had an abundant supply of both submarines and giant aeroplanes could carry things their own way in the future.
“Listen!” said Arturus all of a sudden.
“We are being pursued!” whispered Amos, as he plainly heard voices from the rear, accompanied by other sounds that might spring from men stumbling while hurrying madly along the rough trail.
The Greek drew his charges aside, and crouching amidst the bushes, they waited to ascertain what it could all mean. Closer came the sounds. They could now make out that the men rushing headlong toward them were Turks. Jack wondered if they could really be hunting the three who had passed around the hidden battery just before it was bombarded so successfully from out at sea.
Moving figures now caught their attention, three of them, and all stumbling along in the most reckless fashion. From their excited manner Jack immediately made up his mind they must be remnants of the force of gunners who had had charge of the battery. Wounded by some of the flying missiles when the shells burst around them, they had fled in a panic, that kept them pushing on even after the danger seemed past.
They shuffled by the spot where the boys were concealed, and went on up the shore. Jack’s first thought was that this was a peculiar thing for them to do, since they must certainly know that the camp of the New Zealand troops lay not so very far away in that direction.
“What do you make out of it, Arturus?” he asked, softly.
“They belonged to the battery, and have been badly frightened,” the guide replied. “I have not before seen Turks show such alarm. It must be what you call the panic has gripped hold of them.”
“Yes, I can understand all that,” continued Jack, “but why should they keep on up the shore? A safe retreat for them would be to take to the hills.”
“That is something we do not know,” answered the guide, seriously, “but it may be we will soon find out. It was no accident, that is sure; and I believe there may be other Turkish forces between us and the camp.”