CHAPTER XVI
LANDING CLOSE TO METZ
Tom had his hands full in trying to get back to his course again.Naturally, in the excitement attending the duel in midair he could notpay attention to where he was going. It was easy enough to shape hisline of flight by the aid of the stars and his compass, but he had alsoto catch certain landmarks below, that would serve to guide him.
Fortune favored him in that he quickly sighted the lights of a town; andthis gave him the bearings he sought. His mind freed from furtheranxiety concerning this matter, he pushed on once more.
When presently he became aware of the presence of more lights Jack gaveTom the signal agreed on between them to mark such a circumstance. Thenthe pilot again commenced to drop to lower levels by a series of easyvolplanes.
Like a huge bird the airplane swept along, now close to earth. Had oneof the peasants who lived in that region chanced to be aroused by therattle of the propeller and thrust his head out of his cottage door, hemust have gazed in awe to see the vast shadowy form come between him andthe starry heavens, with the light of the moon silvering its extendedwings.
One trip failed to show them just what they wanted, and so Tom, knowingthat the field must be somewhere in that immediate neighborhood,immediately swung around and started in again.
The second search failed to bring success. Jack began to experience asensation akin to dismay. Was their work doomed to meet with no resultand would they find themselves compelled to start back to Verdun withouthaving accomplished the important errand on which they had beendispatched?
It was not Tom Raymond's way to feel discouraged because things did notalways go as he wished from the start. He believed in the old motto, "Ifat first you don't succeed, try, try again." And he would circle aroundthat vicinity for a full hour if only in the end he might find that forwhich he searched.
Three times however, was the limit. Then Tom felt certain he had "struckpay dirt"; and that the opening lying below was the identical field towhich he had been directed.
After that it resolved itself into a simple landing by moonlight. Therewere no ready mechanicians waiting to lend a hand; and everything mustbe done by the pilot and his assistant. But then, all war aviators mustbe able to make ordinary repairs if necessary, and do other duties thatusually they allow the mechanics to perform.
Tom brought the heavy machine to the earth softly. It was fine work hedid, considering the fact that it was unfamiliar ground he was strikingand the moonlight was far from strong.
They jolted along a short distance, and then came to a full stop. Jackwas the first to spring out. His first thought was of the strangeness ofbeing on German soil, far back of the fighting lines, and within a fewmiles of Metz, a city of prime importance.
Hardly had they landed when the air service boys found themselveslistening to sounds that seemed significant. Plainly came reports offirearms and of loud shouting, as of excited men.
"What do you think that row means, Tom?" asked Jack, as they stoodlistening with quickened hearts.
"It's hard to say," the other replied. "They may be having a riot ofsome kind over in the city. But I'm afraid it is more apt to havesomething to do with our presence here."
"Do you mean they've seen our dropping down and that there may besoldiers on the way here to see what we're up to?" asked Jack.
"That may turn out to be the truth of it. But we mustn't lose any moretime. What we want now is that paper. Jack, remember that we arranged itso you'd stay with the plane, while I hurried off to get it."
"All right, Tom; only I wish you'd let me go along. Then if anythinghappened we'd be together, anyhow."
"It's better for you to stay here. I'll be gone only a few minutes ifeverything turns out O.K."
Tom turned and ran across the field. Jack stared after him until he losttrack of the runner in the misty moonlight. Then he occupied himself inlistening to that clamor and wondering whether it was really gettingcloser, or if his fears only made him think so.
There was certainly a big noise. Men continued to shout, and guns werebeing discharged, but not so frequently as before. Perhaps this latterwas done by nervous guardians of the Lorraine city, who on first hearingthe racket took it for granted that it meant an airplane attack, andwere therefore starting in to bombard the skies, discovering hostilefliers in every lurking fleecy cloud.
Yes, Jack was positive now that those who shouted to one another must becoming out of the city, and heading for the big field where Tom haddropped down.
"Like as not," Jack told himself, "some wisebody has discovered thatairplanes have been using this ground for alighting. When they had wordthat an enemy machine was heading this way they just naturally concludedit might drop down here. I guess our little fight up aloft was heard andunderstood by some one on guard. I hope Tom will soon get back here,that's what!"
Tom had been gone several minutes, and Jack tried to pierce the mistylight beyond in the endeavor to discover some sign of his returning. Hisuneasiness increased, and with reason, for the noise was drawingperilously near.
Jack tried to figure out what his plan of campaign should be in case amotley mob of citizens and soldiers suddenly appeared in view, carryinglanterns, and perhaps blazing torches.
True, he had his automatic pistol with him, but what would that punyweapon avail when pitted against a score or two of enemies; many of themarmed soldiers of the Kaiser, who would ruthlessly fill him with lead atthe first show of resistance on his part?
Would it be better policy for him to slip away and conceal himself incase they did arrive before Tom returned?
But had not Tom explicitly told him to stay on guard over the airplaneuntil he came back? Jack drew in a fresh breath. He threw back hisshoulders aggressively and his mind was made up. He would stick it out,no matter at what cost. If the Boches wanted that plane they would haveto fight for it, that was all.
He had his pistol out now, and was fondling it as a child would a pettoy. So far Jack had fired the weapon only at targets, but he had thereputation of being a good shot. He believed he could make every bulletit contained tell.
Then what about the mitrailleuse aboard the plane? Was it not possibleto train it on the advancing host, and give them such a hot receptionthat they would break and race madly for shelter?
He knew the gun was fixed to shoot straight ahead. This was the customwith all those who went up in airplanes. To attempt to fire any otherway would imperil the stability of the plane, and in many cases bringabout sudden disaster.
Jack fumbled for the fastenings of the airplane mitrailleuse, it beinghis intention to swing the gun free, so that he could turn its muzzle inany quarter desired. But it had been too well secured in place for sucha quick delivery, and presently he gave the idea up as a bad one.
No Tom yet! Things certainly were taking on a dark hue, and it looked asthough desperate trouble might be in store for the two chums. Jackalmost believed he could see dancing lights coming along what might be aroad. He looked again, and no longer had any doubt on that score.
"Well, a fellow can die only once, and after all what does it matterwhether he meets his end by falling ten thousand feet from the clouds orin trying to hold off an angry mob of Teuton soldiers and citizens ofMetz who are in sympathy with the methods of the Kaiser?" Jack'sreflections served to give him courage.
There was the leading one of the mob, starting across the dimly lightedfield! Jack set his jaws hard, and determined that he would wait untilthe other had come close up. Ammunition was much too precious to bewasted without results following.
He was soon glad he had made such a sensible resolution, for as therunner drew closer something familiar about his figure and methods ofleaping told Jack it was none other than Tom.
"Get aboard in a hurry, after you've given the propellers a swing!"cried Tom, almost breathless himself after such a sharp run. "I've gotwhat I wanted."
He was already in his place with his hand on the control.
"Tell me w
hen, Tom!" sang out Jack.
"Cut loose!" ordered the pilot.
The propellers spun, and the motors commenced their furious throbbing.Jack swung aboard, and at once the plane started to roll along thefield, even as men appeared, bursting into view on one side, andshouting harshly as they realized how close they had come to catchingthose they sought.