He did have his goggles adjusted, however, which was a good thing, since his eyes must have watered very much from the cold air; and this is considered an ever present source of danger to one who manipulates the levers of a mile-a-minute aeroplane.

“We seem to have dropped a good deal lower, Frank,” remarked Andy, after another space of time had elapsed.

“Yes,” remarked the pilot, tersely.

“And I’m looking now for a good chance to make use of one of my bombs; don’t you think it’s about time to try the scheme out?” Andy continued.

“Just as you feel like,” replied Frank.

“Then at the very next town, or place that looks like it had telephone connection with the outside world, I’m going to have a try.  Might have done it when we passed over that last place where the people were all waving things up at us, and we could just hear a confused shouting.  I bet you, Frank, they just thought this was a regular air contest, with a prize offered to the winner.”

“Well, it is,” observed the other.  “If we win, we take back our prisoners; and on the other hand, if they come out first best they get away to Canada with their liberty and their plunder.  Yes, it’s a race, all right, Andy, a test of skill and endurance; and perhaps the best man will win.”

“Then I know who that will be,” declared Andy, enthusiastically.

“Don’t be too sure,” warned Frank, though it must have pleased him to know that he possessed the fullest confidence of his cousin and chum, who had been his constant companion on so many expeditions, and must understand him like a book.

“What if they keep everlastingly at it, and night comes on?” asked Andy, presently.

“Well, there’s the moon, though I don’t like chasing along this way after sundown; and if we’re put to it, we’ve got our fine search-light, you must remember,” Frank replied.

“There, I believe we’re going to pass right over another town, Frank!”

“It does look that way, for a fact,” admitted the other.  “Casper doesn’t see any reason why he should bother changing his set course due north because he happens to pass a few towns away up here in the northern end of the State.  Let the people stare all they want to.  He’s been used to having crowds gape at him, you know, and rather likes it.  Besides, if he gets away, what does it matter?”

Andy prepared himself for the little job he had on hand.

As he had practiced throwing stones from the aeroplane while at a great height, just to see how near he could come to hitting a certain place far below, so as to ascertain what chance aviators would have of making bombs tell in war times, the boy believed he would be able to drop his message pretty accurately in some open place, close to where the townspeople were clustered.  And seeing it fall, some one would be sure to hurry over to secure the mysterious object.

“Here goes our old broken wrench, which has been hanging around so long!” declared Andy, as, leaning carefully over, he measured distances with his eye, and suddenly let the object slip, taking care to make all allowances for their speed.