Page 123 - A Hero of Liége

While speaking he kept his eye on the Uhlans without rising from his
stooping posture. They were only a hundred yards away when the

Wachtmeister rode alongside the lieutenant and spoke to him. The officer
gave the order to halt, reined up, and wheeled his horse.

"Get your revolver ready," whispered Pariset.

He reached for one of the smallest bombs, and fitting a short fuse prepared
to light it from the petrol lamp.

The lieutenant was not yet riding back. He had taken out a pocket-book,
and was consulting one of its pages. Pretending to be still busy with the

engine, the airmen watched him anxiously. The Wachtmeister called up the
trooper, who, sitting his horse stiffly, saluted, and spoke in answer to a

question from the lieutenant.

"He's got a description of the aeroplane," whispered Kenneth.

"Yes--probably circulated to every patrol," said Pariset. "Run for dear life if

he comes this way."

As he spoke the lieutenant shut up his pocket-book, and began to canter

back.

"Now!" said Pariset, lighting the fuse, and laying the bomb swiftly but
gently behind the engine. Then, taking care to keep the aeroplane between
them and the Uhlans, the two dashed towards the wood, about a hundred

and twenty yards away.

The majority of the patrol, having received no order, had not turned their
horses, nor even ventured to glance round. Only the lieutenant, the
Wachtmeister, and the suspicious trooper had seen the flight of the airmen

during the first few seconds. But now the lieutenant shouted an order, the
men wheeled round, and galloped after their officer, who dug his spurs into

his horse and dashed after the fugitives, followed closely by his two
troopers.