Kiwi noticed then in large white chalked letters the words, YOUR RIGHT WHEEL GONE.
The pilot of this machine seemed unable to catch up with them and so attract Dad’s and Jack’s attention.
As they roared along, Kiwi crossed over to the right side, looked out of his little window, and there hanging down useless was the stream-lining and no sign of the wheel.
His first thought was, “Now Dad will shew them what it means to be a good pilot.” Then it crossed his mind, “Perhaps Dad doesn’t know it’s gone.”
He scrambled up onto the huge tank and wormed his way toward the front. Jack saw him coming and motioned him back. The roar of the motor drowned out Kiwi’s voice as he tried to tell them what had happened. But Jack did finally understand as Kiwi pointed frantically back toward the other plane still trying to overtake them.
Dad gave a startled glance toward the plane and read the message,
YOUR RIGHT WHEEL GONE.
He motioned to Jack to open his cockpit window and verify their predicament. There was a nodding of heads, showing that both understood.
When they got back to the field they flew low, while Dad waved his arm to let those on the ground know that they were aware of their plight. The news of their mishap had evidently traveled, for a crowd was gathering and more and more cars were arriving.