Still they found
chances to pepper the little Nieuport in which Bangs was darting to and
fro like a hawk after a chicken. But before the Fokker was sent down,
Buck knew that his own wings were seriously perforated. As yet his
fuselage and tank, his engine and machinery were unhurt.
Without waiting to note the fate of his opponent, Bangs turned nimbly
and struck out westward, following the crippled scout wherein was the
man they had set out to find and rescue.
"I'll stick by Orry," was Buck's conclusion. "I guess Blaine and
Stanley can take care of that other chap. I wonder where the rest of
the Huns are. We are in the rear lines and there should be more
Fokkers or Taubes around."
This query was soon answered. Ranging alongside Erwin, but not too
near, Buck megaphoned as follows:
"How you getting on anyhow? Had a hell of a time findin' you. Didn't
find you any too soon, eh?"
Erwin's replies were unimportant except that he was so crippled that he
must get back to the base, or at least alight somewhere soon or he,
would not be able to fly at all.
"Bent piston rods," he also phoned. "And I'm afraid my main propeller
shaft has gone wrong somehow."
"All right," returned Bangs. "I'll stick with you. Hullo! What's the
matter with Blaine and his man?"
At this juncture the big biplane that had been pursuing the Fokker
suddenly ducked, dove far beneath his adversary and came up on the
opposing side, at the same time peppering the Hun with machine gun
explosive bullets.
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