Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04
CHAPTER Xxx.

Jimmy's heart was heavy as the
power boat swung broadside to the
beach and he leapt free. knee deep in
water, splashing for the shore. A
hundred and fifty yards beyond. past
a rise in the ground. Billy Cranes
plane purred, the propellers barely
turning. Billy had not left the cock
pit.
Jimmy stumbled forward and
grasped his friends hand.
"All you've got," he shouted.
But all Billy had. he knew, was not
enough He tumbled into the rear
cock pit and sat tensely forward while
the plane TAXED down a short field.
took it's wheels from the ground a
little before it should. and then. by
expert maneuvering. winged free.
Jimmy's eyes lighted approximately,
and then for a moment. he thought of
Billy. Good old Billy! Always there.
even if it was too late now. How had
he got the Army plane? Jimmy
glanced at the parachute harness over
his friends shoulders and remembered
Billy was a Reserve officer and he
must have secured an Army ship
from Mitchell Field.
He nodded. The plane was tearing
on at terrific speed, high over the
earth. Far off there was tiny
winging speck too far. Jimmy
thought. And Natalie-he groaned
aloud. For her sake. If for none
other he wanted desperately to win
Natalie, who had done so much to
help him!
But there was no chance-none. AS
Billy came lower, his passenger
strained forward Lower even thar
they were, big ship was gliding for
ward in a long dive in the direction
of Roosevelt Field. II would be a
matter of two minutes now before
Rogers was off. tearing toward New
York in hieh-poWered motor, with
minutes TO spare
Jimmy's jaw muscles frightened. He
stared intently ahead and suddenly
jerked up with a start, his eyes on his
friends parachute harness. in the
cockpit ahead His gaze narrowed
speculatively. In the next second, he
was bending down beneath the protec
ton of the coWling and scribbling a
note, which he pushed over to Billy
LET Me Have the Chute"
Crane nodded. Jimmy grasped the
duplicate control in the rear cockpit
and took charge of the plane while his
friend stood erect and drew the cum
bersome harness from his shoulders
In another moment the big thing
dropped into the after cockpit, and
Billy took control of the ship.
Jimmy slipped into the harness. his
face set. There was one Chance-jusi
one--and that one was desperate.
Billys ship was almost over Roose
Tf<.1i vkyf -tfVE Tvf
Rogers plane. standing still below
a waiting motor.
Jimmy bit his lip. ducked under the
cowling again, and scrubbed another
note:
Somewhere near southeast corner
Of Central Park. =
Billy Crane turned with cry
drowned by his motor. his face
Wreathed in smiles. He understood
The ship veered sharply, righted. and
tore on.
over Long Island and across the
river Il roared. until Jimmy picked
out the broad eXpanse of Contra
Park. Reaching over. he tapped Billy
on the shoulder and pointed down
ward to where there appeared a space
of almost the area of city block
silCnLIN TOIH0E ana cleared. eACtDt IOi
few trees. Billy nodded.
The plane Glided downward
Jimmy's lips frightened as he ma
neuvered forward along the foot
holds He crasped his friends hand
as he passed the forward cockpit anC
reached the shining eXpanse of the
wings.
Billy circled above the open space
Jimmy took one quick look, his face
pale and set. and then. with the roar
of the motor in his ears, he dropped
off into space.
"Brodie Number Two he gasped
when the rush Of wind caught his
breath and tore the words away
He plunged down and down. like
a meteor. Would the parachute
never open? Suddenly IT caught in
the wind. fluttered-the drop was
checked. The open space was below
him and Billy was roaring away.
The rush of wind was not so great
now: he was descending more slowly
below him was a huge spreading tree
He attempted to guide the chute by
means of the ropes hanging down. but
each time he drew away from the tree
a slight breeze drew him back.
He swore. But he was cool now.
He had put the last trick on his
rival-the last trick in the long game.
ITe had to win now, unless every fate
was against him.
He became aware. as he loosened
the knife with which to cut his para
chute, that crowds had gathered.
Nearing the earth he could see the
crowded steps of his club, on the
avenue, and Frances home, on the
park. Were they all watching him?
he wondered
Now the tree was just below. Jimmy
jerked frantically at the cords, to no
avail. The breeze had died and he
was too near the earth. A second
later he crossed his arms before his
face and felt himself tumbling
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