Lost — a Pilot

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 160, 1 April 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

Lost — a Pilot

(Original, by Toe Dancer (12), Johnsonville.) ‘yT’ALEBIE MATHESON was staying at the seaside with her cousin Beryl, for the summer holidays. As it was a hot day, the two girls had been in for three swims, and they were both reading, when suddenly over the radio came the following message:— "Would anyone knowing the whereabouts of Pilot Gibbs, who has just received his flying certificate, please communicate with the nearest police station. He is believed to be living over 'Sandy Bay.’ His ’plane number is ZKIL.” “Goodness!” exclaimed Beryl. "He must be flying over here somewhere. I wonder has he crashed !” “He probably is just a little overdue and will be back at the aerodrome soon,” said Valerie. Quitting iter book. “I suppose so,” agreed Beryl. "But come along, bow would you like a ride in our boat?” Valerie’s eyes sparkled! “I’d love to,” she announced, “but will you be allowed to use the boat without asking?” Beryl tossed her dark curls. "No one will know,” she said. “Dad keeps it in Mr. Martin’s shed, and he only locks the doors at night, for sometimes Mr. Martin uses it.” “You've been forbidden to use it without asking, though. And suppose Mr. Martin wants to use it, and it’s not there?" cried Valerie. “He won’t know what to do. He’ll think dad’s taken it and he won’t be any wiser,” said Beryl. “But come along. I’ll give you a race to the boatsheds.” The two were off like rabbits. Valerie, who was a fast runner, reached the sheds first. Puffing and panting, her cousin drew up beside her. After they had recovered their breath, Beryl pointed out Mr. Martin’s shed. A lanky fisherboy was working outside the shed. "’Allo,” he said, “you two missies be goin’ for a ride in the boat?” “Oh!— a—a—y—yes!” stuttered Beryl, for she had not noticed him.

'I ll give yu a ’and to get the boat out,” be replied. In less than ten minutes the “Golden Eagle” (as the boat was called) was in the water. Beryl skilfully handled the oars, and the boat glided over the waves. "Isn’t it ripping,” laughed Valerie, who had never been in a rowing boat before. They had barely proceeded a mile from the beach when Valerie spied a small silvery object dancing over the waves some distance from them. “What is that over there?” she asked. "It’s only a log of wood,” laughed Beryl. “It doesn’t look much like wood to me,” cried Valerie. “You don’t. .. .” suddenly she stopped. She thought she beard faint cries. There it was again, faintly, but clearly. Both girls heard the distant cry of "Help!” "Hurry!” cried Valerie. “Perhaps someone has been marooned!” Beryl quickly rowed the "Golden Eagle” toward the object in the water. They found a pilot on the wing of a ’plane, looking cold and anxious. Beryl managed to pull him into the boat, and he.tried to explain his adventures. "I was flying my ’plane,” he began. “I am really only a learner yet, for it was my fifth solo flight. My name is Gibbs.” "Are you Pilot Gibbs?” asked the astonished Valerie. “Yes! Why!” the man asked. “We heard your name over the wireless. The people thought you had crashed.” “Well, I was flying my ’plane over the island, which is about nine miles away. I ran out of petrol, and crashed on the island, luckily. The wing came completely off, and I knew that there was no other way of reaching home than to float back on it, by the tide. When I saw your boat, I was very relieved.” “How lucky we did come rowing,” said Valerie, as Pilot Gibbs helped them row inshore. And when, a few days later, two gold bracelets arrived from the rescued pilot, Beryl's mother said:— “That was a lucky ride, indeed. But you must promise never to take the boat out again without asking, even to rescue pilots.” “We promise,” laughed the girls, as they jingled their bracelets.