whom he had become so strongly attached, and then for the _Arrow_, their
mission and himself. Lannes would soon become unconscious and he, no
flying man at all, would be left high in air with a terrible weight of
responsibility.

"We must change seats," said Lannes, struggling against the dimness that
was coming over his eyes and the weakness permeating his whole body. "Be
careful, Oh, be careful as you can, and then, in your American language,
a lot more. Slowly! Slowly! Yes, I can move alone. Drag yourself over
me, and I can slide under you. Careful! Careful!"

The _Arrow_ fluttered like a wounded bird, dropping, darting upward, and
careering to one side. John was sick to his soul, both physically and
mentally. His head became giddy and the wind roared in his ears, but the
exchange of seats was at last, successfully accomplished.

"Now," said Lannes, "you're a close observer. Remember all that you've
seen me do with the plane. Resolve to yourself that you do know how to
fly the _Arrow_. Fear nothing and fly straight for our destination.
Don't bother about the bleeding of my wound. My thick hair and thick cap
acting together as a heavy bandage will stop it. Now, John, our fate
rests with you."

The last words were almost inaudible, and John from the corner of his
eye saw his comrade's head droop. He knew that Lannes had become
unconscious and now, appalling though the situation was, he rose to the
crisis.

He knew the immensity of their danger. A sudden movement of the rudder
and the aeroplane might be wrecked. And in such a position the nerves of