Part 15 (1/2)

”Is--is there any chance for us?” asked Mr Fenwick, quietly

”I think so,” answered Tom, with a hopeful smile ”We have about two thousand feet to descend, for we have fallen nearly that distance since the accident”

”Two thousand feet to fall!” gasped Mr Damon ”We can never do it and live!”

”I think so,” spoke Toizzard! How?” fairly exploded Mr Da down!”

”But, even if we do, ill fall into the ocean!” cried Mr

Fenwick ”We will be drowned!”

”No,” and Toe island” he went on, ”and I propose to let the disabled airshi+p vol-plane down to it That is our only chance”

”Over an island!” cried Mr Dah the floor observationToe island, which had suddenly loomed up in the wild and desolate waste of the ocean They had reached its vicinity just in ti and rudder levers, and took charge He was going to atte a disabled airshi+p back to earth in theher on an unknown island Could he do it?

There was but one answer Hetheir lives, and a sliiant bird with broken wings, but Toe, and it seelide

CHAPTER XIII

ON EARTHQUAKE ISLAND

Mingled feelings possessed the three adventurers within the airshi+p

Mr Damon and Mr Fenwick had crowded to the , as Toli They could see it more plainly now, from the forward casement, as well as froed piece of land it was, in the ed and lashed the waves to foam

”Can you make it?” asked Mr Damon, in a low voice

”I think so,” answered Tom, more cheerfully

”Shall I shut down the ht as well We don't need the propellers now, and I lide without the electrical apparatus was shut down Silence reigned in the airshi+p, but the wind still howled outside As Tom had hoped, the shi+p beca curved blades, though had the craft been undaed they would have served to keep her on an even keel

With skillful hand he so tilted the elevating planes that, after a swift doard glide, the head of the WHIZZER would be thrown up, so to speak, and she would sail along in a plane parallel to the island This had the effect of checking her momentum, just as the aviator checks the doard rush of his

Tolance at his barograph showed that they had but a scant sixty feet to go There was ti of the WHIZZER's nose, and To as possible They could now raphy of the island plainly, for it was hter

Tom saw a stretch of sandy beach, and steered for that

Doard shot the airshi+p, inert and lifeless It was not like gliding his little buttERFLY to earth after a flight, but Tom hoped he couldforward Tom tried another upward tilt, but the forward planes would not respond They could get no grip on the air