Giving his whole attention to the machine, Blaine zigzagged and dodged,
mounting ever and ever higher. Yet his trend was unavoidably towards
the east, further within the enemy lines.

"For the present I've got to go this way," he thought. "I hope Lex and
Milt got away west before those 'cussed Archies broke loose. We'll
have to stay quiet until this ruction below settles down." Lex and
Milt were the pilots of the two remaining machines of this, the third
and last section of the bombing squadron of that night.

"Orry! Oh, Orry! Wakeup! Aren't you all right yet?"

These and other adjurations Blaine would make from time to time. A
chill came over him more than once as he wondered if Erwin would not
recover. Once only as Lafe moved his own leg, pressing it unduly hard
against the other, Erwin gave another groan.

A whir as of wings sounded in his rear, and Blaine became aware of
shadowy movements through the faintly growing light in the east.
Undoubtedly it must be a hostile machine. He had been spotted as he
flew eastward. In addition to the now waning fire from the Archies,
planes were now out after him. Divining this, Blaine wheeled, put on
more power and flow towards the northwest, the German keeping after him
at increasing speed. As the light increased the clinging shadow in the
east grew more plain. Whoever it was, the pursuer was determined not
to be shaken off. Soon he would begin firing.

At this junction Erwin gave Blaine's leg an undeniable kick. He was
at last reviving. The pilot leaned towards his bunkie.