BIGGLES SWEEPS THE DESERT

by Captain W. E. Johns

XV. ABANDONED (Pages 168 - 183)

Ginger has found the Rapide and got it ready for take off. As the prisoners load aboard, Gillson takes over as pilot and Ginger tells him the location of their Oasis. Ginger goes to the door to see Biggles fighting a rearguard action and see him go down. Jumping out of the plane, he runs to Biggles aid. The plane has to take off and Biggles and Ginger are left in the enemy camp. Ginger drags an unconcious Biggles to one side under cover of the sand storm created by the departing aircraft. The Germans think they have left on the plane so Ginger has a chance to revive Biggles with water and then get Biggles into the trees at a quiet part of the Oasis. Here they see Arabs rounding up their camels, the animals having scattered following the attack. Biggles and Ginger grab two unattended camels intending to ride back to Salima Oasis but are spotted and chased by the Arabs on their camels. (“Hang on, I’m going to gallop.” said Biggles. “We may as well break our necks as be caught by those sheikhs behind us” – is the double page illustration on pages 184 and 185, although the line is on page 178). In the chase Ginger falls off and shots it out with the Arabs. Biggles comes back for him and things look bleak for our heroes as they are outnumbered and outgunned. They are saved by the arrival of the armoured car with it's machine gun which soon drives the Arabs off. Algy has radioed them to say the Rapide had arrived back at Salima without them and Taffy, Henry and Ferocity has been sent to help. Biggles radios Algy and orders him to sent the Rapide to Karga with the prisoners and to take Algy, Angus, Bertie and Tug as well so they can return with the four Spitfires as reinforcements. Biggles expects von Zoyton to strike at dawn or soon after with his remaining Messerschmitts and Junkers and paratroops. Tomorrow will be the showdown.