I know a thing or two, but he's got me beat to the woodpile this time!"

Bangs, spiraling upward and back towards the Hun front, was sending
forth flare after flare that was meaningless to Lafe, yet which was for
some purpose. Then suddenly Buck shot off on the side towards Blaine
the following words in the code familiar to all Allied spad-pilots.

"Get back! Tell our folks to double their fire, keeping ahead of our
advance. Savvy?"

Blaine mutely obeyed. The Allied fire was redoubled as per
instructions. Buck, by this time far to the east, could now be seen
making back towards the Allied front where Blaine was zigzagging to and
fro waiting for what might come. Suddenly, behind Bangs, he saw the
speck-like dots of Teuton planes emerging into the upper air and
rapidly approaching. At the same time other planes in the west
appeared, biplanes, scouts, and one or more heavy battle planes.
Evidently the cards were being laid for a squadron air battle unless
something else intervened. Instinctively Lafe thought of his
ammunition roll. He was well supplied at starting on this trip, and
had transferred his own remaining stock to Finzer's plane when
abandoning his own. But the most of it had already been used. It was
not likely that Buck was any better prepared in that line. At least
they might wait and join their own planes, now coming out of the west.

In the east the hostile squadron came on rapidly. Deploying as they
advanced, both Blaine and Bangs could see that there were battle
planes, scouts, and heavy bombing machines. These last were sweeping
lower, trying to get in range of the advancing Allies.