The Jasper news., 1909-04-29


ing made. and through the ports the
radioplanes which suffered could be
seen to rock convulsively when struck,
The air seemed whining with death
which was clamoring for admission to I
its prey. Shot and shell swept through
space; but higher and higher scared
the radioplanes. while the old war dog
studied the formation OF the feet be-
low
My God! Seventeen is hit! Sew:
enteen Is hitp' screamed the lookout,
and the admiral and Norma stared
through side port.
In long weird, dizzy circles, like a
wounded man striving to recover his.
balance, a radioplane was dropping
slowly down toward the waters, in.
effectually fighting to regain its bal
ance. The four-inch shelisNhad done
no damage; but the far outlying
cruiser had made an accidental hit
with a heavy gun. ZigzaggIng here
and there In erratie swoops the radio.
plane continued to plunge. From the
waters below came the sounds OF ex-.
ultant cheering. The enemy were gain
ing heart. They had found what they
believed to be chance for hope and
an inyulnerable spot In the Ameri.
cans armor. Norma started back to,
her levers; but the admiral called
excitedly.
Look, look! Good boy, Ninetesn! !!
Good boyi"
Again she looked through the port,
and was transfixed with the daring at
tempt OF another radioplane. Nine
teen, with its big white letters blazing
in the light, had taken a swift down
ward shoot.
IT'S Jenkins! It's Jeniins!i, Norma
called in excitement, knowing that the
little scientist was manning the hood
of that craft.
Then before she could say more,
Nineteen's object was made plain. The
great rsdioplane shot to lower alti.
tude than that OF its crippled fellow,
dove here and there like bat, caught
a simultaneous speed, and rounding
upward in a deft swoop poised Itself
firmly beneath the lower plate OF Sew.
enteen. For an instant the two. locked
together and oyerweighted, slid slowly
downward through the air. and then
Nineteen seemed TO gather itself, came
to stop, hesitated for moment. and
bega steady upward movement.
AS If divining Its purpose, two other
radioplanes swooped down toward the
stricken monster till their sides
touched, and then, like group Of war
| riors carrying a wounded comrade
from the field. assisted the ascent into
the upper void. Focusing their fire on
the group, the Japanese made IL a
target, and the scream OF shot and
shell broke into a pandemonium until
the air around was churned as by a de-
mons wrath.
| Up-up they went till they were
mere specks against the dome OF
the heavens. where they were beyond
range and In the profound silence OF
| solitude. This others Of the feet, led
by the Norma. hastened to soar to-
ward them; but before they could get
! within speaking distance the wireless
brought to all radioplanes this mes.
| sage:
Seventeen was struck by q tenlnch
/ shell directly below her dynamos. The
jar caused a temporary break which
cut of the current for a short time.
This is nearly repaired. No damage
of consequence has been done, and
she will report for duty within two
minutes"
Beylns and Norma looked at each
other with great relief. Thank God
for that!" the admiral said, and It was
echoed by his subordinate.
I. They, turned again to the port, and
as they did SO they saw the specks
above disintegrate, and In few mo
ments Seventeen, repaired, and again
capable, was in line of battle. The
cheering below ceased; but from the
doomed battle ships and cruisers q
continuous hall of Intellectual shots
was fired. while the admiral OF the
| aerial feet, his plans formed. was
calmly sending orders.
tTo BE coNTINUED.J