The Ordway new era., 1917-09-21

distant. If doubt existed in her mind
as to the identity of Its pilot. were he
friend or enemy, 1t was soon erased
by his hail.
"Patria! Quick-swim Off to mel"
The pilots pistol ratified again.
Donald's voice! Pntria was no more
afraid; and water was us her native
element. Without hesitation she dlved
and struck OFF toward the plane.
Little more than minute later Parr
was helping her to climb up on one
of the pontoons, then to seat beside
his own. while bullets continued to
sing richochctted over the waters and
tear through the covering Of the planes.
She was no more than settled in her
place when Parr began to manipulate
the controls and the seaplane skinned
the surface of the harbor in long.
graceful curve, then began to rise. !.
Back on the island, standing beside
the biplane, Captain Hakusekl wit
messed the successful evasion in rage
that rufiled even his racial placidity.
In his understanding the affair was
intolerable; though he perished en-
deavoring to prevent 1t, this escape
must not be permitted.
Summoning assistants, he turned to-
ward the biplane-und paused as his
foot struck what one swift down glance
identified as the tin of nitroglycerln.
Inspired by this accident, he picked
up the tin, crammed 1t into side
pocket Of his khaki coat, and clambered
to the pilots seat. Provided he might
maneuver his aircraft above the other,
he would need only to drop this dead
ly bomb; and there would be nothing
left Of the fugitives.
His aids started the motor. With
roar the propellers began to revolve.
Hakuseki grasped the controls. The
machine shot off down the beach and
took the air at the waters edge.
The seaplane, seeking high level,
was rising in wide spiral AS yet
1t was not high. md the japanese
plane was the better ut climbing.
Within space Of time incredibly brief
the two were lowering on an approx
mate level, high above the island.
One shot might serve his end. The
temptation was too strong to be resist.
ed. Hakuseki drew his pistol, and
opened fire.
In PARIS machine, Patria Claiming
took the weapon profrered by her res
cuer and, leaving him free to attend
to his duties us pilot, drew herself
back at length upon the plane and re-
turned the fire Of the Japanese.
Hakuseki was conscious of some
thing ike the impact Of a fist between
his eyes. Blindness followed, with
agonizing pain. He crumpled In his
seat, lurching forward against the con-
trolls. His last conscious thought was
one OF terror; the biplane was falling
the tin Of explosive remained In his
pocket; when he came to earth he
would be utterly annihilated. Uncon-
seriousness mercifully ensued.
| Nose down, the biplnne dIved like
plummet; but the body Of Haiku.
seki, thrown from Its place, distanced
the machine. The summit of the preat
Dune that housed the store of explo-
sives received the full impact of its
rali. An instantaneous explosion sip.
nailed the determination Of Hakuseki.
Barely breath later the dune opened
up like the crater OF volcano. belch.
ing smoke and flame to the skies De-
tonauon followed detonation more
swlftiy than reeling senses could reck.
on Ine little island. rocked, diam
teeraune. The sea. rose shouting ana
oveswne!med \. Clouds Of steam ob.
sc1fsd ths debacls. s.. ~
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