BIGGLES HITS THE TRAIL

 

by Captain W. E. Johns

 

 

III.           THE ROOF OF THE WORLD  (Pages 54 – 69)

 

“Six weeks had passed since the S.O.S. message had sent the three airmen post-haste to Brendenhall Manor; they were now sitting on the veranda of the rest-house at Chittagong Aerodrome, which is situated near the frontiers of Bengal, Assam and Burma.  Nothing of importance had happened at Brendenhall after the departure of the police-sergeant.  The Professor, as duty bound, had attended the inquest on the dead native, and the others had escorted him to the court in a police car.  After an interview with the Coroner, a non-committal verdict of ‘Death from Misadventure’ had been returned, and there the matter ended”.  The five adventurers had moved to an obscure hotel in London where Biggles negotiated the purchase of an aircraft.  It was an all-metal twin-engined ‘Gannet’ amphibian, that was to all intents and purposes a flying-boat.  It also had a wheel-landing chassis which could be raised or lowered and an extra fuel tank fitted.  The new aircraft is named the ‘Explorer’.  They had flown from Brooklands, via Karachi to Chittagong.  From Chittagong, it is anticipated the distance to the suspected position of the mountain they sought was eight hundred miles and by taking more petrol with them in tanks, they could fly there and back.  “How long will it take us to reach this place? asked Malty, as Maltenham was now called by every one.  “Eight hours.  I could do it in less, but I want to nurse my engines” is Biggles answer.  The following day at dawn, they set off and they have to fly over the peaks of the high mountains.  Biggles climbs to sixteen thousand feet.  When they have been in the air a few minutes less than eight hours, Biggles decides to land before the next mountain range as it appears suitable to do so, otherwise they may not find anywhere suitable.  A strange thing then starts to occur.  The engine revs inexplicably start to fall; Both engines simultaneously, although they are completely separate units.  Biggles turns away from the mountains and the engines pick up again.  Turning back on their course, the engines drop again.  Biggles decides to land to see if they can find out the cause.  The ground is shingle and grass and Biggles flies over it, subjecting every inch to careful scrutiny before landing.  He switches off the engines.  “Well,” he observed, “we’re here, anyway”.