“But you won’t get away from me,” rejoined John.  “Lannes and I in the Arrow will watch over you all the way, and, if we can, rescue you, should your plane break down.”

Caumartin supplied Wharton and Carstairs with suitable coats and caps, and they took their places unflinchingly in the big plane.  Their hearts may have been beating hard, but they would not let their hands tremble.

“I suppose the Omnibus starts first, Philip, doesn’t it?” asked John.

“Yes,” replied Lannes, smiling, “and we can overtake it. Omnibus is a good name for it.  We’ll call it that.  It looks awkward, John, but it’s one of the safest machines built.”

Plenty of willing hands gave the Omnibus a lift and then did a like service for the Arrow.  As they rose, aviators and passengers alike waved a farewell to Lord James Ivor, and he and the Englishmen about him waved back.  But the thousands lying on the grass slept heavily on, while the cannon on their utmost fringe thundered and crashed and the German cannon crashed and thundered, replying.

The Arrow kept close to the Omnibus, so close that John could see the white faces of Wharton and Carstairs and their hands clenching the sides.  But he remembered his own original experience, and he was not disposed to jest at them now.

“They’re air-sick—­as I was,” he said to Lannes.  “Call to them to look westward at the troops,” said Lannes.  “Great portions of the French and English armies are now visible, and such a sight will make them forget their natural apprehensions.”

Lannes was right.  When they beheld the magnificent panorama spread out for them the color came back into the faces of Carstairs and Wharton, and their clenched fingers relaxed.  The spectacle was indeed grand and gorgeous as they looked up at the sky, down at the earth, and at the line where they met.  The sun was now low, but mighty terraces of red and gold rose in the west, making it a blaze of varied colors.  In the east the terraces were silver and silver gray, and the light there was softer.  The green earth beneath was mottled with the red and silver and gold from the skies.

The German army was yet invisible beyond the hills, although the cannon were flashing there, but to the west they saw vast masses of infantry, some stationary, while others moved slowly forward.  Looking upon this wonderful sight, Wharton and Carstairs forgot that they were high in the air.  Their hearts beat fast, and their eyes became brilliant with enthusiasm.  They waved hands at the Arrow which flew near like a guiding friend.

“Wonderful, isn’t it?” shouted John.

“I never expect to see its like again,” Carstairs shouted back, and then, lest he should not be true to his faith, he added: 

“But I won’t desert the automobile.  It’s my best friend.”

“British obstinacy!” shouted John.