“Touch wood, Prim! We’re not there yet,” answered Terry.
But Prim had not touched wood quick enough. A few hours later when they stepped from their plane on the field in Panama, they noticed at once that there was trouble. Men were running about excitedly, looking into the sky and the ambulance was being started ready for an emergency. In the sky a plane was out of control and diving wildly.
“Oh Prim!” cried Terry. “It’s Allan! He’s falling!”
The plane above had gone into a tailspin and the girls knew that Allan was not the kind to show off his skill or attempt a stunt over a strange flying field.
Prim clung to her sister with cries of fright but Terry’s face was grim. Her lips moved with a prayer, but no words came.
Allan’s plane was falling! Nothing could save it now. It was too near the ground to be righted and landed safely.
But the next minute the plane straightened out. By some miracle of luck Allan had it under control again, but it was too late. The plane landed on one wheel and with a bound it turned clear over. Even before it touched the ground, the ambulance was speeding across the field.
Prim ran screaming toward the plane but Terry stood as if turned to stone.
Allan and Syd had crashed! Their bodies must be crushed and bleeding under that crumpled wreck. Allan and Syd were dead! Terry saw no hope.
But strong hands had dragged Syd from the rear cockpit. He was dazed from the shock of landing but Terry saw that he was alive.