Part 6 (1/2)

”That's right!” Freddy Farmer cried ”That's the old International Morse code done with a flag To the right is a dot, and to the left is a dash

And straight down in front means the end of a word Nohere's my blasted pencil, and I'll put it down There he put it down in front three tie If he'll only repeat it, I think I can get it”

Theon the tiny raft see to rally his waning strength for another effort

Then he started waving his shi+rt again It was a shortto jot down each letter The naled was:

FLY OVER LOW PLEASE, IMPORTANT

”What do you make of that, Freddy?” Dawson asked, and dipped the Vultee's nose even more ”Does he think we're a rescue plane that's come to drop food and water, poor devil?”

”I don't know,” the English youth replied ”Possibly Oron the raft he wants us to see The only thing to do is to go down and find out I say! I've just remembered! I have some chocolate, Dave I'll tie it up in ht onto the raft, if you get us do enough But, for heaven's sake, don't hit the raft, or the water!”

”Aw gee!” Dawson grated at hi to do, too! You spoil all e, will you?”

”Just don't take us down too low,” Freddy Farmer reminded hi retort Instead he shrugged, let Freddy's re the Vultee down as low as he possibly could When he had reached an altitude of soht Cyclone until it was just a shade on the good side of stalling He guided it toward the tiny life raft The shi+rt-waver had ceased his signaling and was crouching down on the raft as though he were afraid Daas going to bounce the Vultee's belly off the top of his hatless head

”So you're also silly enough to think I'll corowled, as he experienced a moment of annoyance ”Well, relax, fellow!

Just relax, and let's have a look at the e Okay, Freddy! Get set to drop that chocolate!”

As he spoke, he i cut short his effort, and it was that inner warning that unquestionably saved his life, and Freddy Farmer's life, too In other words, just as he was about to turn his head for a look at Young Far positions Each gripped a sub- Vultee!

True, Dawson's sudden inner warning had helped, but it was his instinctive reaction to sudden danger that actually saved his life and Freddy's In less time than it takes to bat an eyelash, he had s the Vultee around in a wing tip water-kissing turn with the other Had he started to cliht have claiures on the raft had autouns skyward

As it happened, though, Dawson held the Vultee in a tight turn until its tail was toward the raft Then he quickly flattened out, shot forward for a split second, and banked the Vultee over on its left wing tip He banked it to the right wing tip and hauled the craft up in a twisting power zoom toward the sun-filled heavens Only when he ell out of range and had leveled off did he let the clas and shake the cold beads of sweat fro rattlesnakes, Freddy!” he choked out ”Was that a nightmare, or did it happen? Those bums let fly at us, Freddy! All four of the Farth of time it took Dawson to twist around in the seat, he seemed to die a thousand deaths

His fears were unfounded, however Freddy Farmer was very h the left side of his glass hatch was covered with a million tiny cracks A with the British-born air ace He sat rigid in his seat, staring at Dawson as though he had never seen him before in his life His face hite under his sun-and-wind bronze, and his h he had intended to yell, but had been shocked into forgetting all about it

”Hey, Freddy, snap out of it!” Dawson shouted, and rocked the Vultee violently

The English youth stared blankly for a second longer Suddenly he blinked, and his whole body shook like a leaf The breath came from between his lips in a whistle that Dawson could almost hear above the roar of the Vultee's Cyclone

”The blighters! The lon dirty beggars! They shot at us; They--they--” Young Farmer choked on his words, and his eyes opened still wider in amazement

It took a half second or so for Dawson to realize that Freddy was looking at so forward and doard Automatically, he twisted around front and looked down He let out a bellow of surprise Down on the Caribbean was a nazi U-boat breaking surface not over fifty yards fro life raft Unable to -tower hatch opened and a couple of men spilled out onto the wet deck and hurried toward the bow The undersea killer veered over toward the floating raft

What he saw er, and a red film seemed to slide over his eyes

”So?” he bellowed at the top of his lungs ”So it's like that, huh?”

It was just like that No sooner had the words left Dawson's lips than the U-boat's bow gun belched flaht wing tip seereat puff of oily black smoke An instant later, another bit of sky seeh above the Vultee This was because Dawson had turned the nose of the plane doard and was thundering straight at the U-boat at almost rocket speed