The _Arrow_ continued its rise, sharp and swift,
and John heard a crackling sound below. Little missiles, steel and
deadly, shot by them. One passed so close to his face that his breath
went again. When he recovered it once more the _Arrow_, its inmates,
unharmed, was far above the range of rifles, flying in a circle.
"Look down, John," said Lannes.
CHAPTER X
OLD FRIENDS
John, obeying Lannes' command, glanced down, as one looks over the side
of a ship toward the sea, and he saw many horsemen galloping across the
field. He recognized at once the Uhlans, and, for all he knew; they
might be von Boehlen's own command.
"Hand me your glasses, will you?" he said.
When Lannes passed them to him he looked long and well, but he did not
see any sign of a prisoner among the Prussians. He also searched the
woods and other fields near by, but they were empty. The whole Prussian
force was gathered beneath them. John breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"It's evident that Weber has escaped," he said. "Doubtless this was the
very troop of Uhlans of which the Alsatian had caught a glimpse. He is
clever and swift and I've no doubt he found a covert."
"I'm sorry we had to leave him," said Lannes, "but there was no other
choice. I came to the tree to examine the flag, and being above I saw
the Uhlans nearby before you did. Then I heard your shout and dropped
down. But as I knew the Uhlans were coming for us I made you jump almost
before you knew it, and we got away by a hair.
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