Evening star., 1925-01-08
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

When we flung open the gates OF
the boat-shed, and fioated the Merlin
out into the basin, we found that the
news of the raid had got down to the
air station. 1t was now a scene of
wild activity. From all directions
came the hum of engines, and me-
chanics were running about on all
the platforms. When the Merlin ap-
peared in the open, we were imme-
diately surrounded by pilots and
squadron commanders asking for the
latest news. Their news was more
up-to-date than ours, and we did not
waste time In telling them how we
ourselves had been doped. Nor was
it necessary to inform them of Milli-
ken's idea. They were all under the
central command, and the informa-
tion would only have made them rest
less. We left 1t alone and got ready
to take off.
Where are you heading, anyway
some one shouted, as we swung into
the beam of light which gave US our
path into the wind.
"Us?" 1 yelled in reply. with a
strange feeling of exhilaration. why
we're heading south! Contact,
Mlliken!"
To the hum Of the engine the Merlin
throbbed, and as my mechanic
climbed up through the hatch. we
lifted from the surface of the water
and climbed, swinging south for the
old Spanish Mainland.
It was after in the morning when
we took off from the basin, and day
was breaking as we reached flying
height. Less than an hours flight
left Cape Lookout behind us, and
shortly after we were over the
Bahamas. The mass of Cuba doomed
up on clear horizon some time past
s, and by 10 o'clock Dan and
were breakfasting in one of the best
hotels in Kingston, Jamaica So 1t
may be guessed in what trim the
Merlin was that morning.
Milliken had relapsed back into his
usual tactiturn self, and would not
be persuaded to join us at the hotel
He preferred to remain behind with
the Merlin and cook his own break
fast on the gasoline stove. 1 fancied
he was little astonished at his own
eloquence in the early morning, for
he was certainly ptling up a new
record for silence. He woke UP
enough, however, when we rejoine ed
the Merlin, to plead that we make
straight for Maracaibo, so redolent
of association with the buccaneers.
/ had had another notion than to risk
the probable discomfort of the Ven
ezuelan town, but 1 decided that
Maracaibo would do for a start, espe-
cially as it satisfied some hidden vein
of romance in my robust srtifcer.
"Maracaibo be it," I said to him
And let's hope your hunch leads to
another slap at this modern Morgan
We crossed the Caribbean without
mishap in good flying weather, and
made Maracaibo an hour after noon.
The town has a good harbour, part
of the land-locked Lake of Maracaibo,
excellent as a shelter for seaplanes
but for reasons which have much
to do with a personal bias to that
virtue nearest godiiness, we decided
to sleep on the Merlin.
We had filled up with gasoline al
Kingston, and had sufficient aboard
for a fairly long flight, but it is al
ways wise plan to keep full tanks
If good stuff is to be had. Here we
found some difficulty. The stuff the
dagoes were willing enough to supply
would have been too much for the
digestion even of a three-thoussnd-
kilo truck. / was for letting the
thing slide until we made another
port, but Danny came out with a
suggestion
What's the matter with trying old
Aunt Mandy againT' he asked
IT'S an idea" said 1. Lets try it.
We hunted round until we found a
general store and here, sure enough,
we were able to buy a packet. On
the packet, the name of the local
agent was given, and an address, so
we looked the fellow up.
Senior Fernando Lopez was a stout
and very tired Spaniard, it seemed at
first sight, a typical dago who had
difficulty with English. He was too
polite to yawn in our faces, but he
looked as il he would have liked to.
And he did not change a hair when
I casually flashed the star that was
pinned to the inside of my coat All
he did was to waddle over to a door
and push it open, with q lazy wave of
his yellow hand bidding US step in
side. But once the door was closed
on the three of US in that inner room,
Senior Fernando Lopez spoke idio-
matic American.
Say, boys" he said with a quick
smile, mighty glad to see you!
What's the trouble?'
I explained who we were and our
present needs.
Aviation spirit?" said Senior Fern
ando. Sure. So you're Mr.. Boon