Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-03
CHAPTER XIX.

eighth day-he had avoided Rogers
during the last few days OF the voyage
across the Atlantic; at the plea Of Nat
allie he had decided that it would be
better to defer their meeting to square
up accounts.
He was not anxious. either for q
row on board, on later thought. Sup
pose he were hurt so that he could
not be in trim for the last lap? AL
though that thought was not upper
most, he recalled to himself it was
easily probable he might hurt Rogers.
And If he did anything Ike that now
something which might cost his rival
the race every hit of the victory would
be lost before the court of public opin-
ion.
The gray lines Of Americas shores
had been in sight for hours or more.
Montauk Point lay inst ahead--where
the captain had agreed to bring the
big ship in order TO give either of the
contestants the chance TO get off. He
would not even lower A. boat. The
Faustan mia would come 70 dead stop
for the space of one minute--that was
all.
A number of groups had been
formed by the passengers, who had
heard Of the race. Excitement ran
rife Gs the point was neared. Bets
were made loudly. Jimmy stood by
The rail. Natalie at his side, his eyes
straining ahead.
You're going right on up the bay"
he asked, at last.
Yes. with the regular schedule. |
don't think anything can happen
now" She pressed his hand. Jim
it mustn't
He looked toward where Rogers was
standing. But Rogers eyes were
along the seacoast. strained for Il
sight of something in another direC-
ton. The millionaire never turned
his way until. with a sudden gasp, one
tof the pa sengers cried:
Here comes a seaplane"
There 1t was winging its way to-
ward the ship from the distant no.
riZon. Jimmys eyes lighted. Thus
far, so good. He waited for a sight OF
some boat TO put out from shore, and
gla need inadvertently toward his rival.
The latter flickered a glance at
hfm-a glance of mingled amusement
and confidence. Jimmv's eyes mar
rowed BY tightening of Natalie s
fingers he knew that she had seen.
too
Hes got something, Jim" she
whispered. Listen
III He turned toward her Just as he
saw a little white speed boat com
/ mence to bound over the waves to-
l ward them.
I've lust got one more bet, Jim.
Natalie hurried on. Il radioed 10
Billy and told him to hy overhead and
/ watch for trouble.
You darling Jimmy exclaimed
Nothing can happen now though
l There's my plane and there my boat
l Beside Billy hasn't access TO "A sea
plane on such short notice has he
She shook her head. Tin he q
land plane. but he'll be there. I didn't
: know what he could debut there ;
e always chance. and | don't trust
. Austin Rogers.
Jimmy turned as Rogers, with .
quick move and laughing sally t'
some one nearby, dove down the com
panionway below decks. He wondered
Then, as some one cried out with sur
prise. he swung about. just in time =
see a graceful white yacht. its side:
and tunnels newly painted, bearing
down on the big Faustan mia with al
the speed Of it's lighter build anc
| powerful engines. On the prov was
painted in gold
Nulture.
IT'S Rogers Yacht" he cried. AND
I,nis ship hasn't stopped vet.
For a moment excitement swept me
crowded decks Of the big liner. Inc
Yacht came on as though bent for de
ing down. but IL had not vet come tc
q full stop. Under its stern Slid the
graceful little ship, Unanswered WITT
lbreath.taking skill alongside the very
Jacoh's ladder BY which Jimmy wa:
to descend.
From the bridge came roar
stand off,
1t was answered by )eerlns Ia"s
from the bride OF the Nluture. A
tn1Jph faces itDeC
the rails, and the laugh was echoeC
hy the crew-a contemptuous laugn
One of the sailors pointed at Jimmy
4 where he stood by the rail. and MADE
II Some ieering remark which was los1
II In the general confusion.
The F'austania slowed down. he
ii vond the Yacht. as II was sweeping ny
H Jimmy caught q glimpse OF tirahan
ii in his seaplana Just settling down ir
ii long graceful glide that brought
II him IN 400 yards ahead of the two
U ships And from the shore the power
boat tore on. High In the clouds. he
\ hind them all Natalie pointed t" bis
: land plane.
In the next instant there was a
e shout Of surprise. Jimmy leaned over
. the Faustania's side. He gasped alouc
as he saw cargo port swing oper
z and Rogers perched in the opening
The Yacht swept on. sliding past the
bip shin bv inches. It's deck just under
the cargo port. ~,
v A second later Rogers. bag IN ms
hand. had vaulted free. and the \ui
}. ture was swinging away from the
( liner like a long white bird STUNNING
the waters. Rogers drew erect. iaugh
ed and turned to wave. Jimmy sa"
Two of the ships Officers run to his
- side-saw some one point ahead, anc
! = hn aft
as In the next instant he realized tina
craham's plane was directly in th'
he path of the Vulture.
Is II was too late then to do anything
!. but stand still and stare In petrihet
sr horror. Those on the deck OF I'M
II Faustania saw what was coming LOO
g. and there was a. concerted cry I'M
H Yacht had swung alongside the SIM
- as Rogers leaped abroad: the move
= had brought 1t almost satop OF thu
n. plane. $780,.
D, Now it swerved. Jimmy knew tina
~ he could never swear as to Whethe
y the move had been accident or design
~ There was apparently a frantic enor
!. made to swing free of the motionles'
re nlane lie saw Graham stand UP
shake his fist. and knew he was ours
J. ing.
" Next there was crash. Jimmy
:. found every muscle in his body tense
% as he saw the end Of Grahams wins
): ripped away, struts and wires tori
Y from place. The flyer himself wa!
II still safe: the vulture had apparent!
We done everything in its power to aNol'
:: the accident.
Il But Graham couldn't fly now
y Jimmy soaned aloud. Lost!
e THE little flying boat seemed intac
y that was the agonizing part OF 1t all
f. But struts, wires and braces had beer
!. ripped free. l., 49,. e.,