They naturally expected that the machine would continue on its course, but suddenly Frank exclaimed, “Look at that, fellows! It’s circling around as though the pilot intended to land. What in the world would he want to come down here for?” “Possibly he’s been having engine trouble,” speculated Tom. And he was not far wrong, for this was indeed the reason for the aviator’s sudden descent. Spying the opening in the trees, he had decided to make a landing there, rather than proceed further and take the chance of being forced to descend in even a more unfavorable location. The boys watched with interest as the machine descended lower and lower in graceful spirals, and finally took the ground as the aviator landed skillfully on a smooth patch of turf. “By Jove!” exclaimed Frank, as the friends started to run toward it, “there’s something about that aviator that looks mighty familiar to me. I knew it!” a moment later, “it’s good old Dick Lever, and he’s sure a sight for sore eyes. How in the name of all that’s good did he ever happen to get in this part of the world, I wonder.” This question was soon answered, for by now the boys had reached the machine, and amid joyful shouts Dick Lever was dragged from the pilot’s seat and laughingly told to “give an account of himself.” “Well, that’s not very hard to do,” he said, “provided, of course, that you Indians don’t pull me limb from limb before I get the chance to. It’s fine to be so welcome, but I’m beginning to be afraid I’ll never be able to live through it. Have a heart, can’t you?” “All right, then, come across with the information,” laughed Frank. “We’re so used to questioning Hun prisoners, that we’ve got the habit, and find it hard to be easy with you, I suppose.” “Well, there’s not much to tell,” said the aviator. “I was just recently detailed to this sector, and since arriving here I have been having a busy time of it, I can tell you. The Boches on this sector are right on the job, and don’t seem to scare nearly so easily as they generally do. I had a brush with one several hours ago, and chased him well back of the German lines. He landed safely, though, so I turned around to get back, when my engine started missing. It wasn’t so very bad, but I thought it would be better to land and tinker it up before it got worse, so when I saw this opening through the tops of the trees, I decided to come down and see if I couldn’t make temporary repairs. But if I had known you fellows were down here waiting for me, I think I’d have come down even faster than I did.” “Well,” said Frank, “let’s take a look at your engine, and see if we can’t locate the trouble. But I won’t really be sorry if we don’t, because then you’ll have to stay here all night.”