They were
traveling fast, under the impulse of their own powerful motors and
propellers, and also aided by a stiff breeze.
Of course conversation was out of the question among Tom, Jack and
the other aviators, but they knew the general plan of the fight.
They were to get above the Zeppelins--as many of them as could--and
drop bombs on the gas envelope. They were also to attack with
machine guns if possible, aiming at the rudder controls and
machinery. It was the great desire of the Allied commanders to have
a Zeppelin brought down as nearly intact as possible.
Up and up climbed the speedy scout machines, and it was seen that
some of them would never get in a position to do any damage. The
German craft were traveling too speedily. But Tom and Jack managed
to get to a height of about twenty thousand feet, which was above
the Zeppelins, though by this time the Germans were in advance of
them, for they had climbed at rather a steep angle. However, they
knew their speed was many times that of the German machine on a
straight course.
On and on they went. Then came a mist which hid the enemy from
sight. The aviators railed at their luck, and Tom and Jack dropped
down a bit, hoping to get through the mist. It lay below them like
a great, gray blanket.
Suddenly they fairly plumped through it, and saw, not far away, the
two big silver shapes, shining in the searchlights which were now
giving good illumination.
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