THE RESCUE FLIGHT

by Captain W. E. Johns

XI. RESCUE FLIGHT TO THE RESCUE (Pages 130 – 143)

Fourteen days expire and Biggles and Algy, together with Thirty and Rip in the Bristol fly out to aerodrome A. Thirty sees the paper signal, but also notices a hunt or pursuit in progress. Thirty is minded not to land but Biggles signals to him to do so and Thirty then sees a man run from the bushes and wave to them. Biggles and Algy strafe the pursuers and then bomb them. Thirty and Rip land and the man runs towards them. “The filthy mud-stained clothes, the ashen face, staring dark-rimmed eyes, and parted lips told their own story of dreadful ordeal. For the rest, he was a middle-aged man, with dark hair and heavy Jewish features. It was clear from his gasping breaths and distorted features that he was near the end of his endurance”. When he gets to Rip’s cockpit, Rip drags him in head first. Thirty takes off as bullets are “ripping through woodwork and fabric with the terrifying force of deadly power such missiles have”. They take off safely and get home without further incident. When they land, the man just says thanks and walks off. Major Raymond arrives to meet the man and says he is one of his men. Biggles says “You mean he’s a sp – agent?” Raymond says he told him of the pick-up point by carrier pigeon and Biggles is angry. “Nothing was said about this in our plans. If we’re caught now it will be a firing party for us”. Raymond said this man has taken bigger risks and “you four have done more good for our side to-day than any four men in the British army”.