“Can’t see why that should worry you any,” remarked the colonel cheerfully.  “It won’t be your funeral.”

“No, but I’ll have one at about the same time,” Stubbs moaned.  “I go down when you do.”

He raised his voice a trifle.  “Let’s go down, Hal,” he continued.  “I’m awfully sick.”

“Go down nothing,” ejaculated Chester.  “Think we want to give the Austrians another chance at us, huh?”

“Better be shot by an Austrian than to die in this infernal machine,” declared Stubbs in a feeble voice.

“This,” said Chester calmly, “is an airship and not an infernal machine.”

“Well, it’s my idea of an infernal machine, all the same,” Stubbs groaned.  “We’ll all come down in pieces, as sure as you’re a foot high.”

“Oh, I guess not,” said Chester.  “We—­whoa, there.”

He broke off suddenly and seized the side of the machine, as did Colonel Anderson, just as the craft tilted dangerously to one side.

“Help!” came a cry from Stubbs, as he went rolling toward the side of the craft.

There appeared to be no danger that the little man would be thrown out, for the sides of the basket-like craft protected him, but he was plainly frightened and Chester gave him a hand, now that the machine had righted itself again.

“It’s all right, Stubbs,” the lad said; “no danger at all.  Sit up, now.”

The little man shook off the hand.

“I don’t want to sit up,” he whimpered.  “I want to jump overboard and end all this suspense.  I might as well die now as ten minutes from now.  Oh my, I wish—­”

“Well, Mr. Stubbs,” came Hal’s voice, “unless I miss my guess, you are likely to get your wish.  Here comes one of the enemy to watch you die.”

“What’s that?” exclaimed Chester and Colonel Anderson in a single voice.

“Off to the right,” replied Hal, quietly.

Glancing in that direction, Chester and Colonel Anderson saw a large air craft headed in their direction.

“After us, do you think?” asked Chester.

“Can’t tell,” replied Hal, briefly.

“Hardly probable,” said Colonel Anderson.  “Chances are the fellow believes we are one of his own kind and wants a word with us.”

“Maybe you’re right,” said Hal.  “I’ll hold to my present course anyhow and take a chance.”

The aeroplane continued on as before.

Now Stubbs came to life once more.

“Well, why don’t you get a little speed out of this thing?” he demanded.  “What are you going to do?  Stand right here and let that fellow get us?  What’s the matter with you, anyhow?  Trying to get me killed?”

“Why, Mr. Stubbs,” exclaimed Chester, in mock seriousness, “I thought that you were simply dying to be killed.  Here’s an Austrian coming in direct answer to your prayers.  What’s the difference whether he gets you now or ten minutes from now?  It’ll be all the same in a hundred years.”