Linda Carlton's Island Adventure

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ly and to stop often. What a marvelous way to see the country, at the most beautiful time of the year! In

up each night at a hotel. Fortunately her Aunt Emily had given up worrying about her staying a

e chance acquaintances, and permit familiarities are usually looking for it. Linda's mind is on her plan

agreed. "Though of course she'l

llon tank was filled with gasoline, so Linda decided to carry out her plan. While her Aunt Emily packed her lunch b

ter I start," begged Linda. "I always lik

d the reporter. "And then you'll be well on yo

ss region, of which she had so often read. It was an ideal day for a flight, and her heart beat with the same exultation she had always felt when she was

e landed to eat her lunch, she suddenly grew lonely. If only Louise were with her

sun went down, and the coolness was so delightful after the heat that she continued on her course longer than she had planned, and did not land

utogiro to a stop than a group

, good-natured looking man, with the typic

at the autogiro be housed for the nig

lied the man. "But I can direc

ith a marvelous supper of real old-fashioned Southern cooking, all ready for her. It appeared to be the c

fact that she was safe in traveling alone. For this reason the shock was all t

lf. For, she argued sensibly, if no one there had ever heard of an autogiro before, it stood

tely. It was not until the next day that the story was reprinted, and someone discovered that this stranger in the autogiro who was visiting them was

ire her aunt of her safe arrival in Tennessee; neverthel

plane's climbing ability, and into Georgia. Here again she was received with hospitality. It seemed almost

ds the coast. The weather was hot and dry; she grew tired and thirsty, and the thought of her friends, enjoying the cool breezes at Green Falls made her envious for a while. But she

may took hold of her as she realized that she must have gone off of her course-beyond her destination. The ground below appeared

togiro couldn't come down in a swamp. She circled around, and went back. If

utely alone, and she felt the same desolation, the same fierce terro

ken land, some parts of which had never been penetrated by a white man! Treacherous, dangerous ground, which would m

and darkness was coming on, but Linda could still see the ground beneath her. The water grew scarcer, and trees-p

morning. Glancing at the indicator, she saw that she had only three gallons left. Would that be eno

trees and the swamp beneath her. Her breath came in gasps; the idea of death in a swamp was more hor

island, she concluded, for she had read that there were half a dozen or so of these in the swamp, and tha

r glasses examined the ground. Yes, there was space enough for

thless by the sight of another plane, which had come out of nowhere, apparently, and was rushing madly at her. As if it wer

those abandoned by the Army-one that would not now pass inspection. No w

turn. She dropped gracefully to the ground, avoiding a tre

inevitable occurred; Linda closed her eyes as she saw it about to crash. A terrifying thud followed; then a scream of fright-and Linda opened her ey

utogiro immediately and rushed to the scene of the disaster.

the wreckage, whether dead or aliv

ear cock-pit opened his eyes and

?" he yelled, to the gir

uld possibly know her name. Or was he delirious,

o dark now to see the men distinctly, until she turned on her flash-light. As she came closer, she saw that the man who had spoke

lane," he muttered. "Now

ould not refuse to help a human being

nced, as he raised himsel

ef passed over her, for she had been terrified at the idea of

mmered, pressing

ife. Her na

of the plane, and distinguished a young w

her out-still unconscious. But she evidently was still alive, though the man remarked that

ask?" he demanded

" she r

snarled angr

nt to hit her, and Lin

sk in that wrec

udden spirit. "How do I know that that p

had always depended upon Louise to stick up for their right

when suddenly the girl on

da's astonishment. "We'll need this gi

to the wreckage. Linda bent over the injured

the pain in her wrist. Her helmet had been pushed off, and her blond hair hung about

ng the girl's face with her handkerchie

t. And this ank

ine, we'll take you to

ied the girl

" questio

d the other, mysteriously

nce until the man returned. Five minutes later he appeared with a tank

he announced. "You can help me

violently at the men

lly know me

ut the smartest thing there is in the air today. Bo

ng at the slur in his remark. "

the newspapers, tellin' all about this trip of your'n?

d Linda. "Do you mean th

d grand easier by kidnapping you than by swiping jewelry. It was my idea!" He swelled with pride, believing himself

on, and edged closer to Susie, as if her o

e won't hurt you, if you do what we tell you, and don't get fresh, or try to get away. Once you do that, we shoot.

ne, outside of kidna

old up nobody on the street, for a few dollars. Too pett

ie like a

she struts around with all the big dames, flashing diamond

ether they got Susie into the passenger's cock-pit of the autogiro. Her husband

tell you!"

uch gas," sh

ng it in till we need it, which I don't think we

a repeated to herself. "W

except follow directions, and in a few minutes she broug

ded, as he lifted Susie out of the pla

nd towards the cypress and pine trees that grew in greater profusion. Linda did not look back, but she

d several tents set up near together, and a welcom

order. "This is wher