a A C E WON BY DEFAULT

ensued for cover in the dunes. By the time the first
bombs dropped the beach was deserted. Eddie and
Dave were the last to vanish from view. In the first
moment of excitement they darted off, leaving their
machines behind. But after running twenty yards,
as if on a common impulse, both returned, retrieved
their treasures and shoved them as swiftly as they
could towards safety. They crouched together in a
deep dip in the dunes while the air shook with the
thunder of exploding shells and bursting bombs.

When things quietened down they pushed their
machines back to the beach again. The scattered
spectators dribbled along from their holes to the
starting post in twos and threes. The bombardier's
shirt still hung from the Heinkel's rudder. More
important was the fact that although some bombs
had dropped very near, not one had fallen on the
actual course. After giving the dispersed crowd time
to collect again, the bombardier stepped forward with
the intention of indulging himself for a second time
in the preamble.

" Cut it out! " exclaimed Dave impatiently. " We've
heard it all Let's get on with the race before the
Jerries drop another packet. Up with your arm,
bombardier. We want to be off. If you're not quick,
Eddie'll get cold feet."

The bombardier sent them away to a good start.
Eddie's machine behaved, to begin with, better than
he had expected. At the first turn he was well on
Dave's tail, but down the second part of the straight
Dave was able to draw dear and come over to the
inner position. He rode in showy style, lying flat,
with- his body as near the petrol tank as possible.
Eddie sat more upright. On approaching the second
bend Dave glanced over his shoulder and grinned at
Eddie. He was in the lead enough to negotiate the

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