Churches and wars were so numerous in Europe! John checked the speed of the _Arrow_.

He was afraid, despite all his high resolve, to fly fast, and then he must not go beyond the army for which he was looking.

He dropped a little lower as he was passing over a wood, and then he heard the crack of rifles beneath him.

Bullets whizzed and sang past his ears and he took one fearful glance downward.
He saw men, spiked helmets on their heads, galloping among the trees, and he knew that they were a daring band of Uhlans, actually scouting inside the French lines.

They were shooting at the _Arrow_ and firing fast.
He attempted to rise so suddenly that the plane gave a violent jerk and quivered in every fiber.