Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-08-03

AN automobile in which Waters had
mounted an aeroplane gun for scout
ing about the country after aero spies.
He leaped into the car and Craig foF
lowed
take the Tottenville Ferry. We're
going to Lakewood" cried Kennedy.
"And let her out.'
Down at Lakewood, Mr.. Brown,
whose placid life was not accustomed
to the high pressure under which we
had been living, repeated the message
to Mary.
I'm not quite sure what he is talk
ing about" he said doubtfully, still
looking at the telephone and rubbing
his head. Where do you think Elaine
and Mr.. Jameson are?'
Il don't know, but they started that
way" pointed out Mary anxiousiy.
Father, we must find them. Mr.. Ken
nedy would never have telephoned II
it hadn't been important"
Wellington Brown, at last spurred
into action by his daughter. hastily
ran out of the house.
Elaine had been sketching only
few minutes when we heard shout
behind us. There was Mr.. Brown, hat
less, his hair flying. running toward
US. waving his arms wildly.
Mr.. Kennedy has just called up
he painted breathIessly. and asked me
to tell you, Mr.. jameson, to get Elaine
under cover and keep her there till
he comes"
The nearest shelter | could see was
a bridge over a small creek. and /
made for 1t as rapidly as l could.
We were not a moment too soon.
There was the aeroplane with two
men in it.
"Hurry-hurry WI was urging
Sprague as he saw us moving across
the hillside. Fly lower-so can drop
these arrows better.
On toward US swept the machine.
as WI urged its driver.
But We had been warned in time.
Make the turn and get away be-
hind those trees" WI shouted angrily
above the deafening noise of the pro-
peller. Perhaps If they don't see US
they'll come out again"
Gradually the drone of the aero en-
CINE grew more and more indistincti
and we cautiously came out from our
shelter.
Through the trees WI Fang was
now straining his eyes at the field
glasses, staring back to see us.
Apparently to him we had gone
back, and Elaine was under the UNI.
brella while / was speaking to her
and leaving her there, although the
umbrella hid her from him.
Turn back now" cried WI.
In huge, wide circle, like hawk,
Sprague turned while WI eagerly got
the heavy round package Of arrows
ready to release. Meanwhile l man.
aged to get behing big tree. where
l could see, but could not be seen.
Now" ground out WI. releasing
the bunch of deadly arrows.
Down they came, hurting from the
sky, piercing the gaudy umbrella in
dozen places.
Wu's exclamation of satisfaction at
hitting the mark quickly turned to
rage, as he peered back through his
glasses.
The umbrella was smashed, but I'M
der 1t, transfixed by the arrows, was
a scarecrow which had arranged.
Kennedy and Waters were literally
eating up the miles of good Jersey
roads on their way to US.
AS they neared Lakewood. Kennedy
heard, above the noise of the car,
familiar sound.
Stop" he cried, there's an aero
plane about Hear it?"
AS this terror in the air made OF
from US, Craig caught a glimpse of it,
heaving in sight
Fire." Craig directed as they APP
preached close.
The aero gun barked hoarsely.
Again and again 1t sent out shots.
THE devils!" growled Sprague,
looking over uneasily at the gyroscope
stabilizer. They have an aero gun
they've hit u.s."
One shot had indeed penetrated the
vacuum case of the gyroscope and
stopped the little fywheel inside. In
stead of being an aid to safety, now
the stabiiizer was a positive menace.
The machine swayed and acted
crafty as Sprague tried to catch it.
Suddenly, to the surprise of Elaine,
Mr.. Brown and myself, who had no
idea Kennedy was so close, we saw
the aeroplane swoop down.
Something wrong with it," I cried
excitedly. Gomez"
Perhaps half mile up the creek,
1t had fallen with a splash, a tan
gled mass of wires and scrap, in the
water.
Sprague, enmeshed in the debris.
did not move. But WI, though ter
ribly shaken, had fallen on him. and
with a superhuman enort, he pulled
himself together and managed pain
fully to crawl up the bank into the
hiding rocks and underbrush, before
any of US arrived in either direction
Here it is" cried Craig, bursting
through the brush
Dead, muttered Waters, examin.
ing Sprague. THE others gone"
With a fash of unspeakable hate.
WI crawled off farther in the shelter.
Just then l arrived, with Elaine
close beside me.
"oh, I'm so glad you're safe!"
gasped Craig.
Elaine looked at Sprague's broken
and bruised body and shuddered.
Sure-yes." she tried to smile at
Craig. AN inch is as good as a
mile"
Yes. but a lot more uncomfort-
able" he returned, drawing her arm
into his in sight OF us all.