For a second or two the drum of the motor ceased, and Johnny’s heart stopped beating with it. Could Pant make it?
But again came the thunder of the motor. Again the plane appeared above the trees. He had not found a safe landing place.
Once more the plane circled over the island, then dipped out of sight. Again the motor stopped. This time Johnny was sure Pant had been successful, but again his hopes fell, for the plane rose to circle once more.
Four times he attempted it; four times failed.
“Can’t do it. It’s no use!” Johnny sank limply down into his seat.
But Pant was swinging around. He was preparing to pass low over the seaplane. What could he want?
As he came scudding along with engine shut off, Johnny heard him shout:
“Watch this!”
The next moment he saw his hand shoot out. Something dropped from that hand. Straight down it dropped for a hundred feet, then something resembling a parachute filled with air appeared, and checked its fall.
Quickly Johnny leaped into his skiff and was away to the spot where this miniature parachute would fall. The thing was heavy. Could he reach it before it dragged the parachute to the bottom of the lake? Straining every muscle, he sent the skiff flying over the surface of the water.