BIGGLES DELIVERS THE GOODS

by Captain W. E. Johns

XIV. ENTER THE LIBERATORS (Pages 114 - 128)

Meanwhile, on Elephant Island Biggles has been busy. Biggles sends Taffy to India in one of the Lightnings to get a replacement amphibian now they have lost Algy and the Gosling. Biggles says the Liberators had better start coming over as well, in half hour intervals, bringing fuel and bombs and returning with rubber. Li Chi is supervising the loading of the "Sumatran" with rubber. They are putting 1000 tons in the hold and 100 tons on the deck. Biggles thinks the approaching destroyers will anchor in the estuary by Victoria Point. If the embankment that keeps the water out of Major Marling's rice fields can be destroyed, that will flood those fields and reduce the water in the river and strand the destroyers in the mud. Li Chi is to set off in the "Sumatran" at dawn. Ferocity flies a Lightning and shoots down a Kawanishi 94 single-engined three-seater reconnaissance seaplane. Taffy returns in his Lightning with the news that Henry Harcourt was bringing out another Gosling. Shortly after, Angus arrives in the first Liberator. Tex and Tug follow in other Liberators. A Japanese zero fighter comes over but gets away before it can be shot down. Ginger is sent to Major Marling to ask him to break down the embankment after sundown so the destroyers can be stranded and Biggles can then launch an attack on Victoria Point and try to rescue Algy. Biggles sends Tug out in a Lightning to make sure the "Sumatran" is all right and Tug sets off.