"I wonder what that is?" asked Chester.
"We'll see," was the brief reply.
The machine dropped still lower.
"An army camp!" exclaimed Hal, when he was at last able to make out the
objects below. He shut off his engine, and for a few moments both boys
gave their attention to the awe-inspiring sight.
Dimly they could discern the outlines of the great camp. With its
thousands upon thousands of huts, it spread out like a great fan,
extending almost as far as the eye could see.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "There must be a million men
down there!"
"Hardly that many," laughed Hal; "but there are a few. I guess we had
better go a little higher. We might be seen, and a chance bullet might
bring us down in the middle of them."
The machine rose gently again; but, as the airship headed once more upon
its course, there was a muffled explosion, and the machine rocked
dangerously.
"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded Chester.
Hal bent over his engine.
"I don't know what has blown out," he replied. "But the engine has
gone dead."
"Dead!" exclaimed Chester.
"Yes."
"Can you fix it?"
"Not up here. It is impossible. I am not familiar enough with it."
"What shall we do, then?" cried Chester, in alarm.
"We shall have to go down."
"What! And land right in the middle of the German camp?"
"I am afraid so. There is no help for it. However, I shall sail just as
far as possible before we hit the earth."
Slowly the machine dropped, its strong planes still holding it on its
forward course.
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