Page 121 - A Hero of Liége

There was no traffic at this spot, and they at once began to examine the
engine.

"The plugs are choked," said Pariset after a few moments. "Luckily it's only

a five minutes' job."

"Hadn't we better wheel the machine round the corner of the wood?"

suggested Kenneth. "We don't know but that some Germans may come up
at any moment."

"Come along then," said Pariset.

But they had hardly moved the machine three yards when they heard the
clatter of hoofs, and a patrol of Uhlans came dashing round a bend in the

road. Neither hedge nor dyke bordered the field, and the Uhlans rode
straight across it towards the aeroplane.

"We are in for it!" said Pariset, hastily adjusting his bandage. "For
goodness' sake try to bluff it out."

Kenneth went hot and cold; his brain seemed paralysed; and when the
Uhlans reined up a few yards away he had cudgelled his wits in vain for

something to say. A lead was given him by the lieutenant in command.

"Do you want any help, Herr Captain?" he said. "I saw you come down
suddenly, and guessed there was something wrong."

"Thanks; it is a mere trifle," replied Kenneth somewhat breathlessly. "Two
of the sparking plugs need cleaning. In five minutes we shall be up again."

He bent down to assist Pariset, who had turned his back and was
unscrewing the plugs.

"Have you been hit?" asked the lieutenant, noticing the bandage.