"Which is precisely what happened. The last gift had been thankfully received in a ploughed field beneath and the Hun was turning for home when the scout struggled to his level.
"The watchers on the ground saw the small machine press determinedly towards the bigger and a faint crackle of gun-fire broke out.
"It was answered by all the guns on board the enemy craft and the single-seater wavered undecidedly.
"Then he got his adversary fairly in his ring sight again and' risking everything, fired burst after burst.
"All at once the big machine heeled over and dived—a flash and a sudden sheet of flame from the engine and down dropped the raider, to dash to pieces in the French fields three miles below.
"Ten minutes later the British machine slithered on to the ground and switched off in front of the sheds.
"'By Jove, Bill,' said his friend, rushing up excitedly, 'that was the best show—'
"'Not so much of it,' interposed the 'hero,' scrambling out of his seat. 'What about my tea? Did you look after my toast for me? No, might have known you wouldn't.'"