Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23
RsTAI.LMENT III.

HARRY was aware that those clouds, prob
ably did not mean rain, but rather a high
wind that would make flying somewhat hazard
Gus. He knew there was no cause for alarm
home airport long before the wind rose. How
ever, any sort Of trouble was exceedingly
dangerous in this country, for the rough noun
tain terrain made q safe landing almost an
impossibility.
But the plane sped onward. and Harry
watched the sun dropping toward the horizon
ahead, calm IN the realization that they would
soon be home. Suddenly he was startled out
Of his feeling Of security by q sound that
chilled his blood. The motor was missingi
Uncle George jerked his head glanced anx-
iousiy ut the instruments. looked backward
toward the clouds Then Harry breathed more
easily-the motor was again roaring smoothly.
up for . moment and then began to sputter
alarmingly. He glanced around ut Uncle
Georges face and saw that 1t was grim and
thin-hpped. At that moment the engine died
completely.
Harry felt his uncles hand on his shoulder
The silence after the motors roar seemed SIN
lister, portentous. Above the. whistle of the
wind, Uncle George spoke.
Look 10 your chute, Harry" he said. 'The
motors dead and we can never land here
Nothing bat cliffs and rocks!"
Harry had an inspiration. I'VE ought to be
just about over Skeleton Valley" he cried.
Maybe We could land there without cracking
up"
Uncle George flashed him look of admiration
There had not been the slightest tremor In the
boys voice. He nodded grimly, nosed the ship
gently Gown, and gaZed over the side. Harry
was already scanning the rough ground In the
fadang light Luck was with themI Ahead and
70 the north he could see the sandy wastes over
which they had passed that morning Skeleton
valley that ominous region which now offered
them their greatest hope Of safety.
AS Uncle George Strengthened the plane out
again, striving to get all the distance he could
in gradual descent, Harry steeled himself for
what he knew would be risky landing. The
light was growing DINNER; deep In the valley
1t would be doubly hard to see. With no knowl-
edge Of the ground to help them it would be
mere luck If they did not strike soft sand and
60 over, or crack up on an outcropping of rock
Wen, there's one good thing" Harry thought
to himself grtmly. with a dead motor we at
least won't catch flre!"
They dropped nearer and nearer to the sandy
moor OF the valley, gprinkled here and there
with sagebrush and sharp-spiked cactus plants
A sudden picture of himself catapulting out of
the plane and landing on a cactus plant made
Harry smile 1t would be great If that was the
worst he gOtl
Uncle George was studying the ground anx-
aously Suddenly he saw a stretch of sand that
looked good. He eased the plane gently down
ward, and as the ground came nearer and
nearer, Harry set himself for the shock.
Their wheels touched, bounced gently. ran
smoothly for a dozen yards. Then suddenly
the plane lurched careened to the left. and
dragged one wing In the sand. With the skill
OF long experience and desperation, Uncle
George somehow kept 1t from going over They
stopped. They had landed safely!
With Squeal Of joy and relief Harry jumped
from the cockpit and did little dance on the
sand. But Uncle George climbed. out more