Round the World in Seven Days

Smith was able to take repose in serene confidence that, barring accidents, the aeroplane would fly as safely under Rodier's charge as under his own. Karachi was soon a mere speck amid the sa

traced by Smith in the few minutes before leaving Karachi, avoided the high western Ghauts that fringe the Indian coast to far south of Bombay. Rodier therefore steered somewhat to the east, coming in the course of twenty mi

when he spied the characteristic glare from a locomotive furnace far ahead. In half-a-minute he had caught up the train, and slowed down to make sure of the direction in which the railway ran. He found that it was almost exactly south-south-east, and concluded from a glance at the map that he was above the connection of the Hyderabad railway running from Warangal to t

e the aeroplane over the sea with much more certainty than himself, he shouted to awaken him.

below him, and stretching far to the east, north, and south. He exchan

atures that could be recognized more or less easily from the map; and quite another to cross the pathless ocean. But with a compass and a clear sky th

ainly there was none to cause unsteadiness. If wind there was, it blew in his, favour, and all that he would have to do would be to allow in steering for a slight northerly drift. He would certainly sight the Nico

ne was to don the lifebuoys, cut the engine loose, and trust to the buoys to keep them and the planes afloat until their plight was observed from some passing vessel. In the darkness this would, of course, prove a vai

sheet of silver in the moonlight, so that the aeroplane seemed to fly over a continuous glistening track. Steadily it flew on; S

the Nicobars he did not feel sure. Knowing that they were all hilly in formation, he slackened speed, intending to run down their coastline rather than cross them. It would not be difficult to find one of th

e Andaman and Car Nicobar. From this, if he was right, there would be an uninterrupted course south-east to Penang. But within half-an-hour of entering the channel, stil

ter?" he shouted,

d come upon land and might endanger the aeroplane among hills or tree-tops, and also to avoid the risk of explosion from a stray spark. Still more surprised was he when, after only a few seconds, the aeropl

! A ship

low him from which smoke was pouring up. There was no flame, but as the aeroplane dropped gentl

ast inquiry, so he sank still lower, steering as close alongside the vessel on the windward side as the plan

ere! Who

re crowding on deck, gazing up at him, and one man, n

e of my engine," shouted Smith.

unt. He had not yet invented a noiseless engine, nor could he keep the aeroplane motionless in the air. If S

he captain, and his words came, thoug

he Andamans; been adrift ever since. Fire broke out in cargo in the fore hold; had as much as we co

aeroplane. It was evident that he could give no thoug

perhaps his best course would be to make all speed for the near

off in your boa

he won't hold half of us. Be

passen

my dau

ish we could do something

and lift her

umed. The suggestion was feasible, and if the captain's daughter had pluck enough to r

d through the megaphone: "We're coming down. Get your men to cl

s. When Smith's instructions had been carried out, he selected a landing place just abaft the mizzen and, warping his planes alternately, br

and were instantly surrounded by

e captain to the men. "D'

t with the

e drifted south and southeast after the storm, then lay becalmed for a

ings?" asked Smith.

us latitude nine degrees forty-seven minutes south and

thing I can do is to run fo

with a few men; but we've managed to keep the fire under so far, and if there's a chance of getting help

set a course

earer, sir, in

mer at Penang. And as to your daughter,

t-you-may-ca

mfortable seat for her behind ours if you give us a cus

Jigger me if ever I heard the like of it!

ng un," repl

one load off my mind. Go and fetch her, Mr. McWhirter. She's rather a superior gal, sir, though I say it myself. She's had a rattling good ed

. He wanted to get on. A girl of about twenty came forward with th

don't know your name,

mith." He do

e so kind as to take you in his what-you-may-call-it to Penang, a

ncing from Smith to the aerop

stay with you, Fathe

u don't know the risk as I do, my gal," he added

een in danger for several da

go with Mr. Smith, and please your old father. There ain't a morsel of danger; he's come safe all the way from London, and I never see a better bit of manoeuvring, I will say, than when he brought the what-you-may-call-it down on the deck

little risk. We've come six thousand odd miles safely, and it's not far

kept company in an aeroplane with a lady. Ah, bah! vous parlez fran?ais; eh bien! cette femm

miling, however, as he caught a twin

she said to the captain,

ase get a couple of cushions and put them

make a start from the deck, which obviously did not afford more than a few feet of running-off space. Rodie

clumsy efforts to be cheerful. "I'll see you in two days, or three at most; we've got a raft ready, you know, in case the fire beats us. But, bless you, I sho

rned away; there were tears in the old man's eyes. The ca

id in an undertone. "She's all I've go

e've a couple of life buoys, too. But I don't think we shall

urn, and that's John Bunce. Where shall I fi

I'm going straight on

rince's Road; I'm retiring after this voyage. Margy'll be proud to

on't forget. Al

d waiting

nt to hi

was pale and nervous. "I'm sorry I can't give you my seat, but my man a

e aeroplane lurched forward just clear of the bulwarks. Margaret Bunce clutched the rail nervously. One or two of the men had been somewhat slow in letting go, causing the aeroplane to cant over in a manner that was alarming to the onlookers. But long practice with the aeroplane in all kinds of g