"Here's another bit of luck, fellows, perhaps," he cried, and without further farewell, was off like a shot toward his machine, which had been waiting, with his mechanic to guard it, a hundred yards away. High up in the sky appeared a squadron of airships that by their markings and designs the boys recognized as enemy planes. They were evidently bent on adventure and had come much further beyond the lines than usual. The French were quick to accept the challenge and the anti-aircraft guns got into action at once. Puffs of shrapnel burst like white clouds in and about the marauding planes. Even as the boys watched, one missile found its mark, and the plane, out of control, whirled round and round and then fell swiftly to the ground within the French lines. But not with guns alone did the Allies respond. Like a flock of falcons, a squadron of French aeroplanes shot swiftly up into the air, climbing, climbing in the effort for altitude, so that they might swoop down upon their prey from above. "There goes Dick's plane in the van!" cried Frank, his voice tense with excitement. "That's the place for America!" exclaimed Tom. "Always in the van!" CHAPTER XVII THE BAPTISM OF FIRE All faces were turned toward the sky. It was the army boys' first glimpse of a battle in the air and the grim game held them spellbound. Like great birds the battle planes wheeled and swooped, now diving, now climbing, each jockeying so as to get the weather gauge of its opponent and bring its machine guns into action. The forces were nearly equal and for some time victory hovered in the balance. But either the staying quality or the alertness of the Allies finally turned the scale. Two of the enemy planes were shot down, and a third, evidently crippled, but not wholly out of control, sought the ground within its own lines. The German force, now depleted, turned east and made off at full speed, with the Allies in hot pursuit. Then the sky clouded over and the finish of the fight was lost to the eager watchers below. But they had seen enough to know that the raiders had been beaten back and that victory rested with the Allies and they were jubilant at the result. "The Huns went back quicker than they came," gloated Tom. "Right-o!" cried Bart, gleefully. "They came to shear and they went back shorn." "The Kaiser, he has lost his sheep And doesn't know where to find them, Leave them alone and they'll come home With our planes close behind them." So parodied Billy. "I hope Dick comes out of it all right," said Frank, a little soberly. "Trust that boy," said Tom, confidently. "I don't imagine anyone needs to worry about him. If he can't take care of himself, nobody can." But the Germans, though beaten in that skirmish, were far from being discouraged, and the boys were to learn that very night with what a persistent foe they had to deal.