A few more dreadful seconds passed with that throbbing sound growing more and more threatening.
“Must be the east bound air mail!” Jack hastily exclaimed, “make a nose dive partner, and in a hurry too, for she’s right on us!”
| [3] | September, 1929, this wonderful up-to-date giant air liner with eight persons aboard, became lost in a storm and fog and crashed headlong into a rocky cliff in the Black Rock Valley, some twenty-six miles from Gallup, New Mexico, exploded and burned with a total loss of ship, crew and five passengers. The tragedy of this once volcanic district sent a wave of horror throughout the entire country and proved a setback to the cause of aviation. Jack only voiced the feelings of nearly every pilot in saying what he did. |
X
FLYING BLIND
Instantly the head of the ship was pointed downward and they started to coast—even as this maneuver was in progress and the roar became deafening, both of them caught a fragmentary glimpse of bright lights passing just overhead.
It had indeed been a close shave, for only that Perk proved so clever at the stick they must have met the mail ship head on with the inevitable result that yet another tragedy of the air would be chronicled in the morning newspapers with scare headlines fully an inch high.
Perk had lost his voice due to the sudden nerve strain and even ordinarily cool Jack Ralston waited a brief spell, in order to insure proper breathing before trying to speak.
“Reckon you got all the thrill you could stand that time, Perk!” he finally remarked with a little quiver in his voice.
“Beat anything I ever stacked up against—that’s right partner,” Perk frankly admitted, doubtless taking in a deep breath of relief.