It was hard to take aim, firing from one flying target, at another, but he saw the man flinch, turn suddenly, and then go rocketing away at a sharp angle.
Blazing with wrath John watched him, now far out of range, and then reloaded his automatic.
"Did you get him, John ?" asked Lannes.
"I know one bullet found him, because I saw him shiver and shrink, but it couldn't have been mortal, as he was able to fly away." "I'm glad that you at least hit him, because he hit me." "What!" exclaimed John.

Then he looked at his comrade and saw to his intense horror that black blood was flowing slowly down a face deadly pale.
"His bullet went through my cap and then through my head," said Lannes.
"Oh, not through my skull, or I wouldn't be talking to you now.

I think it glanced off the bone, as I know it's gone out on the other side.

But I'm losing much blood, John, and I seem to be growing numb." His voice trailed off in weakness and the _Arrow_ began to move in an eccentric manner.

John saw that Lannes' hand on the rudder was uncertain and that he had been hard hit.