Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-11-25

zing still is heard-the heavy stroke
OF the wings Of the gigantic bird.
But behind the mountain the Ger
mans are on the lookout. The guards
at the aviation post don't know sleep
The eyes of the officer at the tele-
graph are as bright now as at noon
Now spark and the writing lever
splutters dashes-dots.
He has sighted the Republique! A
shrill whistled signal gives the alarm
in the station.
The Republique must not pass over
the mountain. They will try to
catch her or drive her back at least.
Brief commands are given-precise
instructions. A few minutes later a
heavy biplane stands ready to start.
A short examination of the wires
and supports, then the pilot and OBJ
server take their places The motor
Is started, the apparatus staggers in
wide jumps over the ground, and sud-
denly 1t shoots up with a last power
full pull. 1t disappears into the dark.
The compass needle shows the way.
They fly higher and higher; the
| ridges of the mountain become visi-
BILE as long, dark strip. Now the
biplane passes over them in smooth
flight. 1t keeps in the dark. The
wind blows against it. The apparatus
goes still higher. Now the moon
breaks through the clouds for a mo-
ment, giving quickly disappearing
track of light, enough to show the
Republique at a distance.
The enemy is discovered.
Now caution and courage are need
ed. Perhaps the French airmen have
likewise seen the German. Then there
will be a life and death struggle.
But as a matter of fact the Repub-
lique has no warning of the approach
of the German biplane, which is flying
as wifi as an arrow, going higher and
ever faster.
Like two birds of prey swooping
upon one another they come. The BIZ
server looks into the darkness with
sharp eyes; the apparatus moves for
ward in roaring and rushing flight.
Where is the Republique?
HurIs Bombs on Town.
Another hour passes. Then the
German biplane is directed earthward
! Below lies the little town like dot
The apparatus descends lower and
lower. The searchlight sends fash
over the ground like lightning.
The mayor, who has not yet gone to
bed, hastens to the window. Another
flash of light. He looks up, sees only
a shadow. But they in the aeroplane
| have seen enough-men and guns.
And now something falls down from
the height, like stone, not aimed,
but yet hit. The missile bursts, a
fire sheaf throws up sparks, splinters,
cracking. The mayor starts back,
| thunderstruck cries, rushes out.
Flames break out on the market; more
cries; walls fall into ruins; the people
are bewildered
Soldiers receive commands. Now
| shots go whizzing up toward the Ger
man biplane.
Another bomb is thrown to the
ground, causing death and destruc-
ton, and leaving paralyzing horror.
The German biplane, however, has
disappeared in the aerial ocean. 1t is
in full flight. 1t tries to come up with
the Republique. 1t ascends in wide
curve. Suddenly there is buzzing
noise before it. 1t must be the
Frenchman. 1t seems that he got lost
in the dark A yell of triumph es-
canes the observer. The apparatus
mounts quickly in a spiral curve. In
deed, 1t is the Republique!
The German airship Victoria now is
like q hawk, measuring the distance.
| Now the searchlight plays, and it
sends flashes of light over the Repub-
lique.
Bombs are thrown. The observer
watches them in the quick light. One
sinks into the night; another one
also: but the third one make hit
it strikes the stern!
The Republique, unable to fly over
the enemy, moves along with dimin-
fishing speed.
Now the Victoria is preparing for
the finishing stroke 1t swoops down
like an eagle, sure Of its prey, The
airship seems to stand on end.
And now bomb after bomb drops
down with almost mathematical ex-
actness. The Republique g-oans and
| writhes from her gaping wounds She
is MORALLY hurt. The linen covering
! the wings hang about the rods like
flesh cut to shred. Now 1t blazes up
a gigantic firework. Then the French
airship goes out in darkness and
night!