The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-12-22

4 .eh""'' ne returned. Ef the range
hadn't been so pesky long this morn.
In one o. his fippers 'u'd never "a
dopped ag'in."
\ Il believe you did hurt him, Ethan"
| SAID. Il can't otherwise account for
his lack OF speed. Last night he gained
on us; now we are gaining on him.
Our speed is trife better than IL was.
but not enough 70 explain the differ
ence."
Ethan's eyes lighted as he exclaimed:
Il knowed 1t, lootenant! | knowed
tibet shot wasn't altogether fur nuth
In"
Payton now gradually increased his
elevation until he almost reached the
level of the lower clouds, and at the
same time the Chameleon again under.
went changes of color, turning first
sky blue and afterward white. when
1t became difficult at times to find her
against the dazzling cloud surfaces and
pale sky.
wondered what the fellow would
do now that we were Enthusiastically
draw wing up on him. But when we had
| got just within range and Ethan was
drawing bead in earnest Payton lost
not second in deciding what to do.
He swung the Chameleon broadside to,
and an ugly blue fash showed at each
end of her simultaneously. We anx.
iously awaited the arrival of the pro-
jectles, and at the same time Ethan
fred.
| Unlike ship, an aero when she Is
broadside to presents more difficult
mark. because then her aeroplanes are
| seen more or less edgewise.
Both of the Chameleon's shots passed
under us. but Ethan's was better pitch
| ed. and our glasses showed that the
solid projectile had hit one Of her Zip
with another. which was effective near
the same spot. A moment later both
| of the Chameleon's guns spit blue
fire again; but. as before. they were
aimed too low. and the shot went whis
Ting good $50 feet below us.
"Why don't you swing round and
give him both your guns. too?" asked
the secretary.
Because" replied. II want to run
him down. Now, Ethan. keep 1t up"
Ethans third shot hit the same aero
plane that had already been touched.
If it had been shell 1t might have
demolished it. but the Chameleon's
conduct showed that the damage was
not yet serious enough TO stop her or
even hinder her action.
However. she fired no more. but in
stead turned tail Evidently Payton,
finding that he was receiving more
damage than he could inflict. meant to
trust agaihAto his heels.
'grhat won't save him. 1 exclaimed
exultantly. We've got him now
He's worse damaged than he was. and
If he couldn't outfoot us then he's got
no chance now"
While was speaking l noticed that
the Chameleon had turned almost di-
rectly skyward. Beyond and above
during the fight a huge white cloud
had come sailing up Payton made di'
rectly for this cloud. and hardly two
minutes had escaped when Ethan call
ed out
Gone into the cloud. by thunder.
and Disappeared
1t was exactly true. The Chameleon
was instantly swallowed from our
sight We could see where she had
entered the cloud by the commotion Of |
the vapors.
up and after him. shouted to the |
steersman.
With all speed we darted at the |
cloud and entered it. I calculated that |
he would run straight through 1t and |
then make a turn on the other side. |
but I thought that we could get there
in time to catch him at his antics. So |
we shot straight through the cloud
But Payton knew or OWNED what
didn't. Beyond this cloud lay two 9TH
ers, separated by considerable inter
val, but on the same level AS we
emerged on the other side of the first
we came in sight Of the others, one to
the right, the other to the left The
Chameleon was nowhere to be seen.
She had evidently crossed the narrow
open space and disappeared again into
one Of the clouds.
But which one7 A sudden inspira-
ton came to me.
''Send a FIVE second timed shell into
each of those clouds while we hold
our course" said to Ethan.
These shells were so contrived that
their fuses were started by the dis
charge Of the gun 1t was like shoot.
ing into thicket at a suspected deer,
and l regretted the order the moment
it had left my lips. but 1t was too late
for countermand Ethan's first mark
was the right hand cloud. had new
er seen projectile fired into cloud,
and the effect surprised us all.
As the projectile dived into the round.
marble looking mass OF vapor a minute
hole seemed to open, and round this
instantly played a rayed halo OF brief
lightning flashes. Then the vapor a
hundred yards on all sides was thrown
into commoton. turning inward In
lines to follow the shell.
This was well timed. for apparently 1t
exploded in the very center Of the
cloud, which afterward appeared to be
q eff tod hv |