As the machines descended and followed a lower course, ghastly reminders of the struggle that had recently taken place in and along the pass were easily discernible from the lookout seat of the biplanes--the melting snow on the slopes revealing many bodies of Austrians and Russians. In a clearing at the edge of a considerable forest the aëroplanes again settled, the observers being first convinced that there was no military occupation, especially hostile, of the wooded tract. "This beats the mountain roost a mile and a half," declared Billy, the leader in hopping out of the aircraft. In a big hole in the ground, dug by the impact of a cannon ball, Schneider started a brush fire, and in a few minutes was passing hot coffee around. "I must say," observed Roque, between bites at a sandwich of corned beef and hardtack, "that I don't seem to be getting anywhere on this trip except into pitfalls. All this is sheer waste of time. I had hoped to see a relief march to Przemysl begun within a day, but here we are tied in a knot, and not a step forward." "Well," consoled Schneider, "you gave them the route that could be won with the least difficulty." "But what's the good of that when the opening wedge couldn't be driven?" impatiently queried Roque. Schneider scratched his head. He had no answer. "There is one thing sure," exclaimed the secret agent, "and that is, I must be on the move, for this isn't the only fish scorching in the pan." Billy just then edged into the conversation. He had made an alarming discovery. The petrol supply in the biplane tanks was at low mark. The aviators had expected to replenish long before this, and the disaster at Lupkow had spoiled their last chance. "Oil nearly out, sir," were the words that brought Roque to his feet like a jumping-jack. "The devil you say!" Here was a quandary that completely upset the chief. "We ought to have filled day before yesterday," explained Billy, "but you know why we didn't." "The only thing to do that I see," advanced Henri, "is to add the supply of one machine to that of the other, and two of us hunt for the new camp of the Austrians." "They could fix us all right," assured Schneider, "for there is quite a number of aëroplanes with the force which was driven back." "It was my intent to get in touch once more with this corps, but it was not my intent to divide this party in the going. It cannot be helped, though, and it may take but a few hours at most. You are sure" (turning to Billy) "that you cannot raise enough power for both motors to go the distance?" "I fear, sir, that both machines would be stranded in less than an hour; and, with all this uncertainty as to how far we would have to go, there is no telling into what kind of place and under what circumstances we would be compelled to drop. There would be much less odds against the one-machine plan." "It's up to you to prove it," challenged Roque, "for you and I are going to make the trial."