Part 15 (1/2)
”Good enough. But those gauges on the instrument board?”
”You can keep half an eye on the inclinometer and fore-and-aft level if you want to; but I always think it is better to learn by the feel of the plane.”
”I'll do my best,” a.s.serted Osceola, intent now on what was before him.
”Good fella! Some day I'll start giving you real flight instruction.
This is just a makes.h.i.+ft. Oh, I forgot-this plane is a bit noseheavy.
Don't let it worry you. Keep pulling back on your wheel as she dips. All ready to take over?”
”-Ready's brother!”
”Okay. She's yours. Fly her!”
With an eye on his a.s.sistant, Bill gave up the controls and busied himself with the parachute. That job completed he made sure the release cord was in working order and spoke to Osceola.
”You're doing fine. I'll take her back now. There's something else I want to say. We'll be over the Everglades in a few minutes. And those guys in the cabin will be getting nervous. When the trouble comes, it will come fast. If the s.h.i.+p gets out of control-don't stay with it-jump!
And don't forget to pull the release cord on your parachute. Pa.s.s the word to Sam and tell him to stand up. And, by the way, if I should wave a hand above my head, jump anyway-don't wait for me-get that?”
”You bet.”
Osceola pulled a pencil and small pad from the pocket of his jumper. He wrote a few lines and pa.s.sed the slip of paper to Sam.
”Just one thing more and then we're set,” added Bill into the transmitter on his chest. ”Have your gun handy-and don't be afraid to use it. Good luck, old skate.”
”Good luck, Bill.”
”Get rid of your phone set now. We won't need it for the present. The cord might get tangled in things if there's a rough-house.”
He stripped his own headgear and turned his full attention to guiding the amphibian.
They were past the Big Cypress now, and far below lay the Everglades.
This western edge of the great lake was dotted with uncounted islands, some large, some small, and all covered with a luxuriant forest growth.
High sawgra.s.s hid the water, save in numerous little channels wandering in a network, sometimes coming to a blank end, sometimes broadening into clear s.p.a.ces abloom with pond lilies. This flat, rather monotonous landscape spread on and out as far as the eye could see.
Bill had decided that it would be well to head farther into the north, when he felt the vibration of a sudden jar. His head snapped round as the cabin door crashed open and two men sprang into the c.o.c.kpit. Both held revolvers and behind them crowded the other pa.s.sengers.
Instinctively he pushed his wheel forward, then pulled it sharply toward him. The plane nosed over and with increased momentum from the dip it shot upward at a precipitous angle. The result so far as her pa.s.sengers were concerned was much as though they had been standing on the broad back of a steady circus horse who suddenly metamorphosed into an outlawed bronco-and bucked! Losing their balance as the amphibian nosed over, the gangsters were hurled backwards by the second maneuver and landed in a sprawling heap by the door, and along the cabin aisle.
A bullet crashed into the instrument board. It had missed Bill's head by the fraction of an inch. And although he knew that the duration of his life would probably be a matter of seconds, he stuck to his post.
Forward went his wheel again, the plane leveled off and with a glance at the calm-eyed Indian beside him, he held up his right hand.
CHAPTER XII-'TWIXT WIND AND WATER
Osceola stood up and gave Bill a questioning glance which said plainer than words-”Further directions, please?”
Bill motioned toward the lower wing section on Osceola's side of the plane, mouthed the word ”jump,” and patted the pull ring on his own parachute harness.