IN THE NICK OF TIME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20508, 8 March 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

IN THE NICK OF TIME

By ELLERSLEY HALL.

Dick Bradley's voice betrayed a shade of disappointment. " I thought it was going to be semething wonderful," he said, looking at Fiank King. "It looks like an ordinary aeroplane to me." ' " Perhaps it might be more wonderful than it appears," suggested Frank* " Certainly it looks like an ordinary model plane, except for those antennae things. What are they Bert?" He pointed to where, extending out from the fuselago of the plane in a. " V % " % shape, a pair of gLstening wires shone in the sunlight. " They are the feelers, which guide the plane, or rather, the aerials that pick up the waves,, which drive the motor,' said Bert proudly. " Yon fellows don't believe me, of course, but I'll soon show' you what the thing is capable of. She will rise, hover in the air, fly any distance you like and then return to me. In fact she will do any. thing I wish." " How do you control the thing ?" asked Dick. From a cupboard Bert produced a small box about the size of a four ralvo set and placed it on the table. Then he raised the lid. Inside was a mazo of wires and valves. On the outside of the box was a switch and a ismall wheel, something like the steering wheel oa a car. " That's all there is to it," said Berb "You simply, place the plane in a suitable position and press the switch. When she atta'ns sufficient speed she automatically rises. This wheel steers her." "What about'giving it a, trial on Saturday morning," said Dick. "We could get leave to go mushrooming and smuggle the thing out with us. Then you could give it a thorough test without any of those inquisitive fourth-fom k.ds looking-on." Saturday morning arrived. Just the sort of morning for mushrooming. There had been four days' heavy rain and now the sun was shining again. With baskets on their arms, the three chums walked quietly out of the back entrance, Bert's plane being dismantled and hidden in a suitcase. After about half an hour's walk they came to a suitable field at the foot of the hills. Dick Frank ' filled their baskets with mushrooms while Bert assembled the piano " I'm afraid v>-e'll have to get ia the shelter of the hills," he said, when everything was ready. " I don't want the ' wind to catch her before she picks up speed. She might capsize and break something." "I know," said Frank. " Let's go up to the old mill and launch her from up in the tower.- She won't need the run along the ground then." " That's right," agreed Bert. "We could send her straight out from one of the windows." They walked a little farther od until they came level with the mill. It was an old wooden building* that hail not been used for many years and- served a3 a home for various birds and mice. It stood by the side of a river. .Behind it roie a cliff about thirty feet in height and a little way up the , stream was a dam, which supplied the surrounding farms with water. They entered the building and climbed the stairs. Its timbers-were in a fairly good state of preservation, so they were able to ascend without any risk.Everything went- well until they were almost at the top, and then Bert,: who was currying the precious model, stumbled and fell, breaking the wings of the plane. " That's the end of the trial for today," he said, ruefully. " What rotten luck," said Dick. " I suppose there is nothing , else to do but go home." " Oh, don't go back yet," urged Frank. " Let's yiake the most of our outing while we're here. "Wo might as well— Listen. What's that?". A dull rumble sounded through the '■ place. A low murmur as of distant thunder. Yet it was unlike thunder. It was unlike any sound they had heard before and it was growing louder. It was a rushing, roaring nimble. " It's coming from the hills," cried Dick. " A landslide perhaps ?" "They rushed to "the- window and looked out. A wall of water was tumbling down the valley. In less than ten seconds the mill was surrounded by a swirling torrent of turbulent, discoloured water. " The dam," cried Frank, pointing up tbo valley. " It's burst.* 4 " The mill trembled under the strain of the rushing Water. Tussocks * and clumps of manuka were rolling over and over in the flood. " What can wo do ?" asked Dick, his face looking strangely whiie. " The place won't stand up against this for long. We're caught like rats in a tiap." Bert was kneeling oti the floj>r. in front of his plane. Ho was getting to work with pocket knife and pliers. " Never mind about repairing that; thing now," shouted Dick, " Can't yoa think of sorno means of escapa ?" "It is here," replied Bert without raising his head. His fingers ware working with feverish speed. With the crude tools at his disposal, he worked against time to repair the damaged plane. - . ..1 And all the time the water was rising outside the mill. " Write a note," said Bert crisply.- " Say we are caught in the mill. In great danger." Frank wrote the mesage on a page from his pocket book and handed it to Bert. It was quickly tied to the plane. " Anvone got a red handkerchief?' asked Bert. "If we tie it to plane it will be sure to attract attention." Dick produced his red scout handker* chief, and it was attached to the _ littl® craft. Bert- cLmbed on to the window sill and looked across the water. "I can just see the school tower, he said. I'll head her for that.-Right-oh, Frank. I've the damage. Press - down the switch." His chum did as life was asked. Instantly the little model had began to purr as the propellor started to revolve. When it hadi developed sufficient speed Bert launched it into the air, then he picked u;i tho control box and with his fingers on tho wheel, guided th 6 model toward tho school. The plane itself was almost invisible, but- the handkerchief could plainly be seen. Presently Bert turned off the switch. _ " She's there," he sa?d. " I thmk it struck tho tower. I'm not certain. We can only wait now and hope for the best." _ , Silently they watched and waited. Half an hour passed. It seemed like a day . The mill quivered and creaked under the strain of the flood. „ " She won't stand much longer, ■ cried Dick. "She'll go down beiore help comes. Wliat- about swimming for it ?" .. . "Not a chance in the world," replied Frank. " We'd be sucked under." At last came a shout from the top of the cliff. The boys rushed to tiie other side of the tower. The head an four of the teachers were waving to teem and lowering a rope. ■ Frank was the first to be hauled up to safety. Bert was last. When was swinging in mid-a r there wa crash and the mill collapsed. " Just in time," said Dr Lavender. " Thanks to vour model aerop.ane. " You pot the message ? asked Bar, "We did. One of the bovs fhe plane up in the grounds, afraid it's hopelessly slashed. " Never mind, said Bert, as t moved away toward a waiting car. did its work well." . f® And everyone agreed with