Page 109 - A Hero of Liége

and metal between the two vessels, momentarily hiding the lower from
view. But that no harm had been done was proved by the Zeppelin shooting

ahead on another tack.

"A little too far away," cried Pariset. "No time to descend. Throw the next,
don't drop it."

In its efforts to escape the fate which threatened it the Zeppelin was now
keeping a straight course. Its skipper evidently realised that in moving from

side to side it enlarged the area of possible disaster. A third time the
aeroplane soared over it, and though its engines were instantly stopped, its
length was fatal. Kenneth threw the bomb with all his force. The result

evoked from Pariset a shout of exultation. The bomb burst a few yards to
the right of the airship. For a second or two the effect of the explosion was,

as it were, in suspense. Then there was a burst of flame; the body of the
enormous vessel beneath them slowly crumpled up; with incredible rapidity
it lost all shape; the formless mass became smaller to their sight; and in a

few seconds a cloud of dust at an incalculable distance below showed the
now horrified airmen where the wreck had struck the earth.

[Illustration: THE END OF THE ZEPPELIN]