BIGGLES FLIES NORTH

 

by Captain W. E. Johns

 

 

II.                    FORT BEAVER  (Pages 20 – 36)

 

Sixteen days later, Biggles, Algy and Ginger – and Flight-Sergeant Smyth - arrive at Fort Beaver in a Bluewing ‘Jupiter’ air-liner.  The aircraft is a twin-engined cantilever high-wing monoplane fitted with two 850 h.p. ‘Cyclone’ engines built into the leading edge of each wing.  It would normally provide accommodation for eighteen passengers but Biggles has reduced this number to six to clear space for freight.  The maximum speed is 230 miles an hour, with a normal cruising speed of 205 miles an hour.  Algy thinks he can see, from the air, someone trying to tear down Wilks cabin.  They land and Wilks is nowhere to be found.  Four men walk to meet them and Biggles recognises them all from the descriptions in Wilks’s letter.  McBain asks for ten bucks as a landing fee.  Biggles introduces himself as Bigglesworth.  Biggles says he has dropped in to look at his property.  He says he has put a lot of money into Arctic Airways and he’s figured on coming there to work.  “Then your figgerin’ ain’t good, Swigglesworth” says McBain.  “Bigglesworth, if you don’t mind.  Awkward name, I know, but it’s the best my father could do for me”.  McBain says Wilks is not around but won’t assist as to where he is.  Biggles and McBain exchange sharp words and then Biggles, Algy and Ginger go into the Arctic Airways office.  A shot goes off and splinters fly, one striking Biggles’ cheek and drawing blood.  Biggles goes outside and sees Jean Chicot cleaning his gun.  Chicot says it went off by accident.  “Biggles did not answer.  His fist flew out in a vicious uppercut.  Every scrap of the pent-up anger that was in him went behind the blow.  There was a snap like a breaking twig as his fist caught Chicot on the point of the jaw”.  Algy pulls his automatic to cover the rest of the men.  Biggles says “I’ve killed a lot better men than you in my time, McBain, so I shouldn’t lose any sleep on your account”.  A North-West Mounted Police man called Delaney arrives and the situation is diffused.  Delaney tells McBain to stay on his own property and Biggles says he is going to take off and look for Wilks.