fence,” Jack agreed. “But leave it to our bombers!”

“They’re sure good! They took that other carrier we discovered a week ago.”

“They’re tops, those bombers!” Jack had a great love for his ship and her men. “There never was a carrier like the Black Bee!”

The roar of bombers coming on in formation filled the air.

“They’re climbing! I can tell by the sound!” Stew exclaimed. “Boy! Just you wait!”

Stew all but stood up in his place while Jack divided his attention between the bombers and his disabled motor.

“Now!” Stew exclaimed at last. “Now they’re diving! Listen!” He held his breath, counting “One—two—three—four—five—six—seven—”

He had reached twenty when there came a roar. “Oh! Too bad! That one missed!” Hardly were the words out of his mouth when there came a second roar. “Right on the beam! Boy! Oh boy!”

Six bombers dumped their loads. “Three connected,” was Stew’s decision. “That’s a very good record.”

Then all of a sudden they emerged from the screening rain squall to find themselves over a bright, blue sea. In the center of this sea, two large cargo ships and three destroyers steamed rapidly toward the east.

“Oh!” Stew groaned. “They’ll get away! And I have a hunch they’re the most important of all.”

For a space of seconds Jack considered turning back in an effort to direct some of the bombers toward this target. “No use,” he grumbled. “We’d never make it in time.”

“Besides,” Stew’s voice went husky, “here come three of our torpedo bombers. They got my message after all! Boy! We’re some use in the world, you and I! And we’re really going to see a show.”

“A grandstand seat! No high fence this time.” Jack’s voice expressed his joy.

At sight of the torpedo planes the two cargo ships began zigzagging, while the destroyers darted in close to them.

Like catbirds after hawks, four Zeros followed the torpedo planes, but as yet were too far away to count.

“Man! Oh man!” Jack exclaimed. “Suppose those Zeros come after us!”

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