Evening star., 1928-04-24

with Joy. ilgging and shouting like
child In an exotic language excitedly
composed of French, German and Eng
lish.
Seem Like Children.
The realization that release from
this prison of ice was at hand. that
probably before many hours we're out
they would skim the sullcn, treeless
hills which have enVironed them, was
too great shock for minds that had
sadly resigned themselves TO fatalism.
1t Was hard to believe that those
two men with Maj Fit2maurice. had
flown across the Atlantic and had so
barely escaped death. To the con-
trary. they seemed like children,
wildly overcome at being released from
dark room into which they had been
thrust for no reason at all Capt.
Koehl pumped my hand.
"You tell your editor and the City
Of New York they are so kind that
never can repay them for taking me
out of this" he cried His right hand
bounded Greenly Island in a swift arc;
truly an unlovely panorama Of gray
skies pressing upon horizon exuding
damp fog.
We cannot wait. hurry; we must
hurry" the captain shouted. He hop
ped into the Alliance plane, and he
and Balchen took out the Bremen's
load. Koehls arms worked like pistons.
He seemed indefatigable. AS he
worked. he talked.
"She Is Al Right"
1.-THE Bremen. she is all right" he
chartered. "In two hours. maybe three,
we should fix her. and tomorrow Tues
day. maybe we shall fly to Murray
Bay. oh, 1t is so happy"
The Bremen was not half so badly
damaged as thought. Although the
shock Of landing speared off its wheels.
the struts were not hurt.
So far as l could see In my first
quick inspection. the task consisted Of
installing the new propeller, straight
ening out the metal cowling which
was somewhat dented by the crash at
landing, oiling the plane and then CIV
ing 1t the gun.
"Of course. we have been unable to
test the motors" Maj. Fitzmaurice put
in, land the ship may not start. But
doubt it." Koehl shook his head. THE
motor is all right perfect" he protested.
From Long Point, Point Amour, Blanc
Sablon. where scarcely 100 families
dwell, had come all available man
power Seventy-five men moved around
the machine. lifting and pushing. under
the cultural orders Of Koehl and the
Junkers mechanic.
Germans Are Busy.
While waiting for help the captain
and the baron have not been drones.
With the aid of Eugene Thibault.
mechanic, and DR.. Louis Cuisinier, who
aoup hare with uT1Ika" Schiller IN the
first relief plane to reach Greenly
Island. also sent by the North Ameri-
can Newspaper Alliance. they lacked up
the Bremen on fuel tanks and got
everything in readiness for us.
I'VE heard from Miss Hertha junk
ers that you were on your way" said
the captain We wanted TO be ready
to start as soon as possible. so We have
done good work" The serious-minded
Junkers mechanic. Koeppen. smiled
We shall be starting by tomorrow
CTuesdayl, Herr Captain" he said.
Perhaps the crew OF the Bremen will
never know what Balchen did for them
Perhaps Fitzmaurice will tell them. for
amazcment With a single gesture. the
little Norseman justified the confidence
Comdr Richard Byrd places in him.
Snow Balks Hop-oh.
The Alliance plane landed at Seven
Islands, Quebec. Sunday. completing a
250-mile fight from Murray Bay. 1t
was then 10 o'clock. and after refuel-
ing. We had planned to take of for
Greenly Island The snow had melted
too much, however. and after two fu-
tile attempts 10 get of Balchen post
poned the attempt until yesterday
morning. At $50 o'clock dawn had
not arrived. The crew made ready for
the start. and trouble clipped them
once more. for there was too much ice
for the skis. The two wide sleds were
frozen fast 10 the ground.
Sick with the grip though he was
and has been since he and Floyd Ben
nett few from New York to Detroit last
Wednesday. Balchen did not give up.
The motor chewed in great gulps of
air under full throttle, but the ship did
not bulge. A dozen men drew around
and willingly hoped to 1t. BY o'clock
the plane was free. Still our trouble
was Just beginning.
Crammed into the plane. not specially
built for long distance flights. but Just
standard ship reconditioned for this
emergency, was tremendous load.