Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-11-27

and simultaneously a hundred hands
shot upward with index fingers point.
ing high across the plain. Far away.
family visible, miles from the direc,
ton u which they had disappeared.
were the returning specks circling
back like a flock of wildfowl, multi
plying in numbers. growing larger,
more distinct with each moment
passed. Three minutes and they we're
distinguishable as to form, the Flying
Man still sweeping along a good half
! mile in advance, the planes which had
fallen behind their fellows now in the
lead by reason of the advantage gained
in cutting short the broad turn of the
pursued as he circled back. Half way
back In the column they could distin-
guish the Blue Dragon glinting in the
sunlight and steadily forging its way
once more to the front. In the next
minute the frenzied clamor of the
crowd had lulled to an occasional ex-
cited yelp as breathlessly the mob
strained its eyes upward. In her ex-
element Doris clutched hand OF
each of her companions and chung to
it convulsively.
The Flying Man was leading the
4ky grayhounds directly over them as
though he wished all to see and mar
vel at his powers. Speeding true as
an arrow, his great wings moving with
the swiftness of a racing locomotives
pistons. he was heading almost d.
rectly for the place from which he
had arisen before this wild follow.
your-leader chase through the regions
of the air began. That he was giving
them test one and all in both speed
and endurance that he might here
after know their powers and limita
tions and be governed thereby, none
who watched the mad race questioned.
And a gruelling chase he was leading
them, a chase where none except the
| highest skilled, the most iron nerved,
the most enduring and the best
equipped could have kept even in
sight. He was nearly overhead now,
perhaps a thousand feet above them,
lying fiat in the air with hands clasped |
upon his breast and legs stretched |
straight behind that his body might |
offer the least resistance to the at
mosphere To their ears the whistle |
of his wings sounded like the whistle |
of flock of wild geese.
Then lfrom close at hand the bel |
low of mortar arose, Earring the |
earth, deafening their ears and rend- |
ing the air with hurting grape Like
fash the flying one lodged as the |
missiles sang about him, and altering |
his course sharply seemed but long |
streak as he cleaved the sky. A Sec
ond mortar Numbered, and at its beich,
ing the Flying Man, turning COM
plete summersault in the air, fell
hundred feet like a bird stricken in
mid fight. A mighty sound arose
from the crowd, a roar, shrek, a
wild scream of They've got him.
they've got him." but as a gymnast of
the flying rings makes complete rev.
olution in his leap, so did the flying
one recover himself and with a scream
as shrill as their own go speeding
once more mountainward. The next
instant the air above was filled with
the sound of the pursuing machines
and the other mortars dared not fire
for fear of moving down their own.
The Blue Dragon, now In the very
foremost rank, was overhauling it's
few remaining competitors hand over
hand.
Low over the top of the nearest
ridge they flew straight into the face
of the setting sun. One by one the
pursuing craft lowered for an instant
above the crest and then settled out of
sight behind it, leaving those upon the
plain gazing into the empty air where
they had vanished. Then from the un
seen region beyond the tops came the
rattle of revolver shots fired irregu
larry, and for a minute more the crowd
awaited breathlessly for some sign
that one of the bullets had reached its
mark, but another scattered volIey
family distinguishable because of dis
lance, told them that the race was still
being run. The sun sank behind the
horizon, a deep shadow fell
upon them and silently they turned
and dispersed towards their homes
The two men and the girl followed
slowly after, each silent, each deep in
thought. Anyway it was wonderful
sight and would not have missed it
for worlds" she unused at length.
why do you suppose he made that
turn in the air? Was he
hit? Clay answered her
Probably barely winged. shot I"
ieer once that did the same thing
.urned a complete summersault and
hen got up and went on faster than t
ever. He wasn't hurt much at any C
ate" c
"And your opinion of it?" she asked d
If Alan.
About the same" He was angry il
It Clay again and found 1t difficult not y
o show it. He had been fnvitNd to n
pend the afternoon with her Nan1 Il
LAY had not, yet he had intruded him D
elf with the utmost assurance andI O
lad chung closely to her throughout 81
he afternoon--in fact had monopolized n
er- and what had taken place in o
he interval when they were alone to- h
ether only themselves knew. March. h