The remains of the regiment now lay down in a dip, as they did not know anything to do, except to wait for the remainder of the French line to advance.

Something struck near them presently and exploded with a crash.  Steel splinters flew, but as they were prone only one man was injured.

“They’re reaching us again with their shell fire,” said John.

“Not at all,” said Bougainville.  “Look up.”

John saw high in the heavens several black specks, which he knew at once were aeroplanes.  Since the bomb had been dropped from one of them it was obvious that they were German flyers, and missiles of a like nature might be expected from the same source.  Involuntarily he crouched close to the ground, and tried to press himself into it.  He knew that such an effort would afford him no protection, but the body sought it nevertheless.  All around him the young French soldiers too were clinging to Mother Earth.  Only Bougainville stood erect.

John had felt less apprehension under the artillery fire and in the charge than he did now.  He was helpless here when death fell like hail from the skies, and he quivered in every muscle as he waited.  A crash came again, but the bomb had struck farther away, then a third, and a fourth, each farther and farther in its turn, and Bougainville suddenly uttered a shout that was full of vengeance and exultation.

John looked up.  The group of black specks was still in the sky, but another group was hovering near, and clapping his glasses to his eyes he saw flashes of light passing between them.

“You’re right, Bougainville! you’re right!” he cried, although Bougainville had not said a word.  “The French flyers have come and there’s a fight in the air!”

He forgot all about the battle on earth, while he watched the combat in the heavens.  Yet it was an affair of only a few moments.  The Germans evidently feeling that they were too far away from their base, soon retreated.  One of their machines turned over on its side and fell like a shot through space.

John shuddered, took the glasses down, and, by impulse, closed his eyes.  He heard a shock near him, and, opening his eyes again, saw a huddled mass of wreckage, from which a foot encased in a broad German shoe protruded.  The ribs of the plane were driven deep into the earth and he looked away.  But a hum and swish suddenly came once more, and a sleek and graceful aeroplane, which he knew to be the Arrow, sank to the earth close to him.  Lannes, smiling and triumphant, stepped forth and John hailed him eagerly.

“I met Caumartin in an aerial road,” said Lannes, in his best dramatic manner, “and he described this place, at which you were waiting.  As it was directly on my way I concluded to come by for you.  I was delayed by a skirmish overhead which you may have seen.”

“Yes, I saw it, or at least part of it.”

“I came in at the end only.  The Taubes were too presuming.  They came over into our air, but we repelled the attack, and one, as I can see here, will never come again.  I found General Vaugirard, although he is now two or three miles to your right, and when I deliver a message that he has given me I return.  But I take you with me now.”