Little white things appeared from those hangars—planes being thrust out into the open air while motes of men raced agitatedly about them. One of them was suddenly in motion. It moved slowly and clumsily across the ground, and then abruptly moved more swiftly. It seemed to float upward and to swing about in mid-air. It came floating toward the amphibian, though apparently nearly stationary against the sky. Another moved jerkily, and another....
ust before the big plane dived into the wide white wall of falling water, the air behind it seemed to swarm with aircraft.
In the cabin of the amphibian, of course, the bellowing of the motors outside was muffled to a certain degree. Paula clung to the seats and moved awkwardly up to the place beside Bell. She had just managed to seat herself when the falling sheet of water obliterated all the world.
"Strap yourself in your seat," he said in her ear above the persistent tumult without. "Then you might adjust my safety-belt. Well be flying blind in this rain. I hope the propellers hold."
She fumbled, first at the belt beside his upholstered chair, and only afterward adjusted her own. He sent a quick glance at her.
"Shouldn't have done that," he said quietly. "I can manage somehow."
The plane lurched and tumbled wildly. He kicked rudder and jerked on the stick, watching the instrument board closely. In moments the wild gyrations ceased.
"The beginning of this," he said evenly, "is going to be hectic. There'll be lightning soon."