Those moments were full of breathless tension and excitement. “The Hornet” was waiting to rise.
Suddenly there was a loud sound of uneven motor explosions in the direction of the farm. The engine was firing badly. In a few moments, however, it was rectified, and the loud and increasing hum told Ronnie that the enemy had risen.
“Stand clear,” he shouted to Collins, and then, as he pulled over the lever, “The Hornet” dashed forward and was soon rising rapidly, but in silence.
So dark was it that he could not distinguish the enemy. Yet, heading for the coast, as he knew that was the direction the German had taken, he rose higher and higher until five minutes later Beryl, at his orders, suddenly switched on the searchlight and swept around below them.
At first they could distinguish nothing, yet from the direction of the humming they knew it must be below them.
Two minutes later Ronnie’s quick eyes saw it in front of them, but a hundred feet or so nearer the ground.
The enemy pilot, alarmed by the unexpected searchlight in the air, suddenly rose, but Ronnie was too quick for him and rose also, at the same time rapidly overhauling him.
Beryl, holding her breath, kept the searchlight with difficulty upon him as gradually “The Hornet” drew over directly above him.
Quick as lightning Ronnie touched a button.
There was a loud swish of air, followed a second later by a dull, heavy explosion in the valley far below.