The Detroit times., 1908-11-30
CHAPTER xLIv.-(con,Inuod.l

%1HE airship quivered like bica
I'll hit I'M fight, and then dipped
with nasty list to star
board.
Three other upright propel'
cis were still working, as were the
propellers ahead and astern. but D.
only took Strong one glance AT the IN
dicator 10 show that the pi had SLOW
~ begun TO drop.
He gave her all the power he could,
but still the indicator showed that,
though only slightly the ID was DRIFT
ing down.
The Victor was now beyond the
range of Strongs voice. even through
the megaphone. and he wondered whai
courst Langley would pursue IL was
the first tine he had left him 10 In
dependent command in tight place,
aud his reflections rs he sat anu
watched the indicator were FAR from
pleasant All his hopes and all ms
plans seemed drifting down to the
sea. III only" be thought TO himself.
Il had not listened 10 Diana.
But that reflection struck him as be-
ing disloyal though his loyalty was
Softly lIlSu. ne huN 90 -
rat in a trap. There was nothing. AT
any rate. that he could do 10 save MIN
self.
However. he did his best by putting
the hi full speed ahead for the coast.
But she made poor progress
With every second as he dritted
down he knew he was becoming a
better and better target for the war
ships. which were already closing IN
upon MIN.
Then he saw that his plight had
been recognized from the Victor. FOR
she had put about and was now al
most directly overhead.
Had IL been possible for him 10 do
SO he would have warned her against
descending and told them 10 leave
him 10 his fate.
He would have been far more con-
tent 10 perish In the sea or from the
German guns than 10 live and suffer
the utter shame OF defeat.
The gun-fre was now becoming fast
again. and. though II was evident that
the gunners in the warships had iost
their range. still the shells whistled
and shrieked intentionally near him.
A stray shot does IT," Strong said
TO himself
AS he could not warn the Victor, he
prayed that Langley might be quick
for two more shells came nearer than
the rest and warned him that al least
one OF the warships was finding the
lost range.
Then the Victor swooped, and few
seconds later had fetched up beside
him
Langley. though his face was pale
as ashes. did not falter al his task
He brought the Victor alongside the
I Di to such a nicely that Strong
stretching out. caught the victor
sunwale and drew his own smalle.
craft beside the larger one.
Then came another long screen
from shell, and another streak OF
silver passed through the upright pro
pellers OF the Victor.
What is TO be done?" asked Arbuth
rot. Shall We leave her or saiv,
here"
But here Langley cried out in pro
test: Leave her." he said. Never
| have brought her down on the side
/ where the list is Make her fast. keei
her going, and with the Victors assist
ance we will get her up.
| The shells were still whistling abou'
them. but they set TO work with great
/ will and I'm the space OF about min
ute had made the Di fast TO the VIC
tors side.
Then Langley put the Victor gently
up. and together the two airships rose
slowly but surely for another thousand
/ feet.
They were now well out OF range
and Strong had time TO breathe ant
wipe the sweat from his forehead. he