done Tom could operate the weapon with one hand, steering with the
other, and, at times, with his feet and knees.

There came several sharp pops near Tom's head, and he knew these
were machine bullets from the Hun aviator's gun, breaking through
the tightly stretched linen fabric of the wings of his own plane.

"Let him have it before he plugs us!" cried Tom to his companion,
though of course the latter could not hear a word. An instant later
Tom heard the Lewis gun behind him firing, and he saw several tracer
bullets strike the Hun machine. But they were not near the aviator
himself, and did no material damage.

"Guess he's too nervous to shoot straight," reasoned Tom. "I'll have
to try my own gun," he decided.

Tom noticed that the Hun was climbing up, trying to get into a
position above the American plane, which is always an advantage.
And the air service boy knew he must not let this happen. Quickly
he shifted the rudder and began to climb himself. But he was at a
disadvantage as his machine carried double, while the red plane had
only one man in it, an ace beyond a doubt.

"I've got to get him now or never!" thought Tom. Once more he
shifted his direction, and then, as he had his gun aimed just where
he wanted it, he pressed the lever and a burst of bullets shot out
and fairly riddled the red plane. It seemed to stop for an instant
in the air, and then, quivering, turned and went down in a nose
dive, spinning around.