The plane lurched upward and a resounding shock rocked the big craft. Jane caught a glimpse of something black and rugged underneath the left wing. Miss Comstock cried out in alarm.
“The landing gear’s smashed,” she shouted.
“We must have struck a rock ridge,” replied Jane.
They zoomed upward and the light flashed four times. That was the signal to jump. Jane looked at Miss Comstock. The chief stewardess shook her head.
“I’m not jumping,” she cried.
“Neither am I,” replied Jane, hurrying ahead to the pilot’s cockpit.
Slim Bollei was clinging to his controls.
“Jump,” he yelled. “We’ve washed out the landing gear.”
“We’re not jumping,” Jane told him firmly. “If the storm will only clear you may be able to skid in for a landing on the snow.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for, but I can’t stay up here forever.”