The San Francisco call., 1910-04-23

rowboat on hand for such an emer-
genCy. but one OF the farm hands had
taken 1t to go fishing on the Prairie
river and had not returned. SO Greggy
removed his shoes and stockings and
waded into the shadows to fish out his
airship with long stick. He accom-
pltshed two thirds of the distance and
the Gauzewing was almost within reach
of his pole tip when the crowd on shore
saw him suddenly throw up his hands,
drop the stick and sink waist deep.
Help I've stepped into a quick
sand! shouted Greggy as he tried to
turn back, but could not. The crowd
became panic stricken, no one dared
to wade out to him. There wasn't a
fence rail to be had. as the field was en-
closed in barbed wire. The farm house
was nearly quarter of a mile away
on the treeless prairie. and poor Greg
gy could be seen sinking deeper inch
by inch.
Frank realized that something must
be done instantly or Greggy would go
under. What could he do? His first
impulse was to jump in and swim out
to him, but that would be useless and
foolhardy. Greggy had completely lost
his head and was helplessly thrashng
about and crying pitifully. He would
have pulled any one down with him.
Then Frank tried to organize a human
chain, but could get no volunteers to
venture out from SnOre. Inc deadly
quicksand made them towards.
He was in despair what to do when
he nearly stumbled over the Blue
Streak An idea shot across his mind.
He noted the strong rattan frame, with
it's wide expanses of tough silk resist
ing surface. Here was a desperate
chance and he took it instantly, for
getting all about the race and his fine
show of winning. He snatched up the
Blue Streak and began to wind the
propellers taut, shouting out to Greggy
what he intended to do.
1t seemed a long time, but it was in
reality only few seconds before he
completed his preparations Frank did
not stop to take off his shoes and
stockings, but waded right into the
treacherous stream until he was within
10 feet of Greggy. He tied the end of
a long piece of light twine to the rear
of the machine out of the propeller's
way.
Now, Greggy, I'm going to fly her
right over your head. You grab the
twine as it pays out and then pull her
down and let the planes lay right on
the water. and hang on!"
And then the frightened crowd of
spectators saw something they will
never forget. The Blue Streak, as if
realizing what depended on her good
behavior, left Franks outstretched
arms under perfect control. The string
paid out and fell on the water close
enough to Greggy for Frank (who held
the other end) to pull it over to within
his reach. The weight of the sagging,
water soaked twine so retarded the air.
ships flight that Greggy quickly had it
resting on the water, while Frank
shouted directions how to hold it so it
would give most resistance.
Greggy regained his courage and did
exactly as Frank told him, tho ough he
had sunk to his chest.
stretch your arms out across the
planes and balance your weight on
them as evenly as you can Then keep
absolutely still"
In the meantime some one had run
to the farmhouse for help, and the
hysterical spectators alternated in
watching Mr.. Williams and several
farm hands as they approached on a
run, carrying several long planks, and
Greggy. who continued to sink in spite
of the new support, but not so fast
for it's resisting surface undoubtedly
retarded his submersion even though
he did dip the light fabric under in his
frantic efforts to keep his head above
water.
AS Mr.. Williams said afterward, it
was "a near thing" A delay of five
minutes longer would have been fatal
But the few precious minutes that the
Blue Streak's support had kept poor
Greggy up made it.. possible for him
to get there in time for Greggy to
transfer his light weight to the heavy
floating plAnks. With this aid and a
neighbor's rowboat they finally extri-
Gated poor Greggy from the quicksand,
badly frightened but unhurt.
AS for the race, of course the silver
Flash won. Greggy completely wrecked
the Blue Streak. which never finished.
But still, as Frank says, you can't turn
an airship into a lifeboat and expect
too much.
And later Frank received something
he never expected. II being q grand
stand ticket and round trip fare to the
great city aviation meet with the com
pliments OF Greggys father, So that
was why Jim Spencer didn't go alone.