What would be a good objective summary of the first half of “Ransom of Red Chief?”

As the boys sleep, military airplanes battle fiercely above the island. none of the boys sees the explosions and flashes in the clouds because the twins sam and eric, who were supposed to watch the signal fire, have fallen asleep. during the battle, a parachutist drifts down from the sky onto the island, dead.

Evoke strong feelings, to create an impression, or for comic  effect. it is not meant to be taken literally.  hyperbole  is quite common in poetry and everyday speech to convey emphasis.