CHAPTER TEN
The good will planes were swarming in from the west. In another minutethere would be a dozen of them circling over the airport and with hisown ship able to manoeuvre with only the greatest difficulty, Tim knewthat the arrival of the other planes would add more complications totheir plight.
The Good News was wavering unsteadily. At any moment it might slide intoa spin in spite of all that Ralph could do to keep it on an even keel.Then it would be curtains! But not if Tim could help it. He wasdetermined to reach the dangling wire if it was humanly possible.
The flying reporter started his body swinging. Ralph screamed at him forthe Good News was careening from side to side. But Tim kept on, his bodyswinging out from the side of the plane like a great pendulum, itsswings ever lengthening.
Tim clutched at the broken wire; missed by inches. The next time he'dmake it. He had to, he told himself, for every second was precious. Theycouldn't smash up in the crowd below. He swung again, his fingersoutstretched in an effort that wrenched every muscle in his body. Hetouched the dangling wire, but it slipped through his hand. Then amovement of the plane placed it within his reach again and he grippedthe wire between his finger-tips. He heard Ralph's triumphant shout ashe tightened his grasp on the wire and felt the plane nose downward, butthe world was dancing before his eyes. The strain was intense as he hungon like grim death, his left hand holding and controlling the aileronwire, his other hand and foot anchored to the fuselage.
Down they circled, Tim mechanically manipulating the aileron. Truly hewas "riding down" from the clouds. He'd read about it being in the warbut had hardly believed it possible. Now he was actually accomplishingthe feat and getting away with it--maybe. They weren't down yet. CouldRalph turn the trick and make a safe landing? It would require realskill and a keen judgment of distance and speed.
Tim glanced back at his chum and Ralph nodded reassuringly. He knew aswell as Tim that if he landed too hard Tim would be bounced off theplane and even an Irishman, and a reporter at that, doesn't like to bethrown from a plane landing at a speed of seventy miles an hour.
Ralph straightened out and headed for the field. Tim steadied himselfand uttered a prayer as they dropped closer to the ground. They wereover the edge of the field and nosing down fast. Tim glanced at thecrowd--a sea of upturned faces. He gave the aileron a final jerk andshut his eyes.
Bang! Crash! Bump! And they were down. The shock of the rough landingthrew Tim against the fuselage and he clung there like a plaster. Ralphmanaged to taxi the Good News across the field and brought it up infront of the announcer's stand and they tumbled down. Above them the skywas alive with planes. They had turned the trick just in time.
Before the crowds surrounded them and swept them toward the announcer'sstand, Tim had a second to examine the aileron wire. The break wasclean-cut; no frayed ends to indicate an accident due to normal wear andtear. The only thing that could have caused a break like that was asharp file wielded by spiteful hands.
Tim was so mad he couldn't talk but by the time they found theirmanaging editor, he had cooled down somewhat. They explained what hadhappened and then Tim swept Ralph off his feet when he told Carson abouthis discovery of the filed wire.
"I'm not going to accuse anyone right now," said the flying reporter,his eyes pin points of anger, "But when 'Daredevil' Dugan lands he'sgoing to tell me what I want to know or he'll get the worst beating heever had." And Tim, moved by emotion, looked fully capable of carryingout his threat.
Tim and Ralph were called to the announcer's stand where they wereintroduced to the crowd and the master of ceremonies briefly related howthey had ridden down from the clouds. A great roar of applause sweptover the crowd and Tim was genuinely embarrassed at the ovation.
As soon as they could get away, Tim and Ralph slid out of the stand, andlost themselves in the crowd.
"Have you seen Dugan land?" asked Tim.
"He came in about five minutes ago and is well down toward the other endof the field," replied Ralph. "He's slated to do his daredevil stuffright away so we'll have to hurry if we want to catch him."
They made slow progress through the packed mass of humanity and were notmore than halfway down the field when the loud speakers blared out anannouncement.
"Ladies and gentlemen," boomed the metallic voice, "you will now see'Daredevil' Dugan, the prince of thrills, in an aerial exhibition whichis without peer."
"It'll be an exhibition without peer when I get my hands on Dugan,"muttered Tim as he heard the motor of the Daredevil's plane come tolife. There was no chance of reaching Dugan before he started so Tim andRalph crowded their way to front line places.
Dugan's little biplane shot down the field. The tail flipped into theair and the under carriage sailed clear. Then Dugan bounced his ship upand down as he sped alone, never more than five feet above the ground.It was old stuff but mighty dangerous, especially if the motor failed.
The crowd was yelling and milling excitedly as Dugan's plane neared thefence on the far boundary. Tim wondered how long Dugan would wait beforehe nosed his ship up. Then he caught his breath for the daredevil wasliving up to his name.
The biplane shot skyward but Dugan had waited a fraction of a second toolong. There was the sharp crashing of wood and to the crowd's amazementand horror, Dugan left his landing gear hanging on the fence. Butprobably no one was more surprised and startled than the daredevilhimself.
Alive to the emergency, Tim forgot his personal feelings toward Duganand with Ralph at his heels pushed his way to the announcer's stand.There he found a group of perplexed and worried officials who werelooking on helplessly while Dugan cruised over the field. The crowdrecovered its breath, and, mob-like, got all ready for a real thrillwhen Dugan landed.
Tim cornered Clyde Bennett, the owner of the great tri-motored monoplanewhich had been on the good will tour. Tim's plan won Bennett's heartyapproval and together they explained it to the officials. Severalhesitated but "Spin" Beeker acclaimed it the only way to avert tragedy.When he presented that angle of the situation, the other officialsimmediately gave their consent. They didn't mind giving the crowd itsshare of thrills, but at the same time they didn't want tragedy to playa major role in the events of the day if it was humanly possible toprevent it.
While Tim and Bennett warmed up the motors of the great transport plane,Ralph went in search of rope. He was back in less than five minutesstaggering under his load. They boosted the coils of manilla into thecabin of the big ship and Tim, who had been delegated to handle thecontrols, was just taking his place when the fiery little managingeditor of the News arrived. Carson had gotten wind of what was in theair and was thoroughly aroused. He collared Tim and Ralph.
"You're crazy," he yelled. "I won't let you go on such a foolhardy trip.You'll all get killed and I can't afford to lose two of my bestreporters."
"You're crazy yourself if you think we're not going," shouted Tim inreply. "Some one's got to help Dugan down. They say he isn't carrying aparachute. And besides," he suggested, appealing to Carson's nose fornews, "it will make a great story for the paper." The managing editorweakened and waved them on. Ralph banged the door of the cabin and Timfed the fuel into the eager cylinders of the tri-motor. He was mightyglad now that he had taken a course in handling big ships at the flyingschool.
While they were gaining altitude, Tim scrawled a note, weighed it downwith a wrench, and tied it to a stout, light cord. In less than fiveminutes they were over the daredevil's plane. Ralph pushed open a windowin the cabin of the transport and paid out the cord to which the notewas attached. A moment of jockeying and the note was in Dugan's hands.The daredevil tore it from the wrench, read it hastily, and then wavedhis understanding to his rescuers.
The two planes forged westward, gradually gaining more altitude. Theywanted plenty of room and the sun at their backs when they started togive the 25,000 spectators on the ground the greatest thrill of theday--a thrill that would surpass anything on the schedu
led program. Fivemiles west of the airport they swung around, their tails to the settingsun.
Dugan's crippled plane was a little ahead and above the tri-motor. Theair speed indicator in the big monoplane pointed to 80 miles an hour.Tim took a fresh grip on the controls while Ralph and Bennett made surethat their ropes were ready.
The gap between the two ships gradually closed. Tim was handling thegreat tri-motor like a veteran.
The daredevil's plane was now just ahead and a few feet above him. Duganwas looking back at the monoplane and handling his own little plane withthe skill of a magician. They were almost together; then Dugan's planewas hidden by the great wing of the tri-motor. Tim moved the controlsslightly and held his breath. The monoplane rose gently, there was arasping bump as the daredevil's ship, minus its landing gear, settled ontop of the great gray monoplane.
With a shout, Ralph and Bennett swarmed out of the cabin and onto thewings. While Dugan nursed his motor carefully and kept his shipplastered tight against the wing of the tri-motor, the other two lashedthe little biplane down. In the cockpit of the big ship Tim was fightingwith his controls.
Carefully Tim pushed the big gray bird along while the men on the winghurried to complete their task. A careless maneuver, and the biplanemight be dislodged and brush them into space. After an eternity for Tim,they scrambled into the cabin with news that they had done everythingpossible to lash the damaged plane.
Again it was up to Tim. Slowly the tri-motor drifted earthward. PerhapsTim was the only one of the four who fully realized their new danger andhe kept his own counsel and nerved himself for the task ahead. But hecouldn't help wondering whether the damaged plane was lashed securely.If there was very much slack in the ropes the ship above would bouncewhen they landed, smash through the great wing and crush them in a trapthat would carry them to their deaths at sixty miles an hour, theirlanding speed.
While the others were laughing over the thrill of the trip, Tim heldtheir lives in his hands. He was tired, dead tired. The good will triphad been fatiguing and the strain of his sensational landing earlier inthe afternoon had taken more of his strength than he had realized. Butit was too late now to turn the controls over to Bennett. They were atthe edge of the field. Tim killed speed with every trick on the list.The roar of the crowd came to his ears as the tri-motor, with"Daredevil" Dugan's plane resting on top, passed overhead.
The ground loomed before Tim's tired eyes as he swung around into thewind for the landing. The shadows of late afternoon were deceptive andhis eyes burned from the strain. He felt himself slipping, losingcontrol; then with a mighty effort he came back. The lives of the otherthree in the plane, as well as his own, depended on his skill. And hecouldn't crack up in front of that great crowd! Tim gave the controls afinal twist and placed his trust in the guardian angel who looks afterflyers. The heavy under-carriage smacked the ground. Tim heard the wingcreak and groan in protest at the weight of Dugan's plane. Involuntarilyhe ducked.
But the wing held and Tim brought the tri-motor to a stop a little pastthe middle of the field.
When Tim reached the door of the tri-motor he found Dugan waiting forhim.
"Quick, Murphy," said the daredevil. "Come around to the other side.I've got something I must tell you."
When they reached the far side of the tri-motor, Dugan burst forth involuble explanation.
"Blandin ordered me to crack you up on the tour," he explained. "That'swhy we almost crashed at Newton. When I didn't get you then, I filed theaileron wires on your ship. I've got to get out now, skip the country. Ifailed to get you and Blandin will break me in two if he ever finds me.Thanks for saving me just now. I'll repay you some day."
Before Tim could answer, Dugan had slipped away and was lost in thecrowd which had surged through the police lines and gathered around thetri-motor. Tim and Dugan were to meet again but under circumstances thateven Tim hardly would have believed possible.