Williams news., 1914-08-20


 the machine Santos Duprel had used He went straight forward to meet the four strange aerodromones that were approaching slowly, being handicapped by the tremendous weight they were carrying. He signaled for his three men to come to his assistance. They answered from the north and south and he knew that they would hasten to him. He sped onward, meeting the four strange aerodromones. They had slackened their pace and the foremost answered Sullivan's Hello"
 What do you want?" he asked in German, through the speaking tube.
 T want you to drop that balloon that you are carrying into the ocean right here!" replied Sullivan, decid- edly, in the same language.
 Well drop it in good time, my friend.''
 When the four aerodromones re- fused to stop their flight toward Ci- ryne, Sullivan made a dart forward and upward and those in the bur dened crafts, knowing the significance of that upward dart, rose also.
 will you drop that?" shouted Sul- Ivan.
 The answer was a hail of bullets Sullivan was surprised to see that they bored into the protecting shell of his machine. They did not entirely penetrate the cirynith. That is some thing new" thought he. After the return to Ciryne he examined those bullets and found each tipped with diamond chips.
 He saw. in the distance, two other aerodromones coming in answer to his call for assistance.
 The four hostile aerodromones con- tfnued their fire, and finally Sullivan pulled the lever that discharged the collected lightning. It struck the metal shell of the bomb and the next second an explosion came that sent the flock of machines high up into the air. Sul- Hvan's 'dromone, being to one side, did not suffer the shock that the oth- CTS had, and he succeeded in spread ing the wings and checking the up ward flight.
 The nature of cirynith was such that the aerodromones escaped without much damage, but had the explosive found a greater resistance than air there would have been great havoc among the machines.
 The awful shock in the air was felt by Napoleon, who was circling above Madeira. He knew what had hap pened, as his aerial instruments told him that the disturbance had been in the air and not on the earth's surface. Ciryne was safe. He had been wait ing for Rositta, but now, fearing that her feet had been diverted to another course, he hastened to meet her.
 Just as he sighted the Spanish coast he saw, spread out in great crescent; seventeen birds. He recognized the Princess" as the glittering bird in the center, leading. His powerful tele- scope showed that the Princess Ro- sitta and two men were in the fore most machine.
 He began to elevate the Eagle, with out advancing, and the hotilla of the Princess Rositta also glided upward Thus he knew that he was seen.
 He still faced them and the dis tance between them was rapidly di- He watched the oncoming Princess closely and saw that one of the two men was Santos, strangely changed. The ruddy cheeks were pale and he seemed taller. The other man was stranger, dressed in the uniform of Rositta's fleet.
 Hardly two miles separated the Eagle and the Princess when Napo- leon turned and flew at full speed toward America. The Princess fol- lowed. The larger bird slowly gained on the retreating Eagle. Rositta's eyes glowed with excitement; the man whom she feared, loved and hated was from her.
 It seemed as though they gained on him with more rapidity; half a mile, then quarter, then only yards were between them. Rositta was now sure of her prey and clutched the railing behind Santos, whispering sweet and words in his ear. She shook from the excitement of the