before the threatening storm? The clouds had
gathered in such force that it was now utterly impossible to see the
earth far below. And how pitiful to think of those two little
aeroplanes isolated so far away from any shelter.

At such a time it behooved one to do his thinking quickly. Andy was
really of no use just then, for he had become really frightened by the
darkness gathering around them; realizing at last what folly it had
been in accepting that dare on the part of reckless Percy. So Frank
knew that he must depend entirely upon himself, if he yet hoped to
escape the consequence of their rashness.

Another thought flashed across the active mind of Frank Bird just then.
Would it be possible for them to alight on the summit of Old Thunder
Top? And even granted that such a difficult feat might be safely
engineered, could they find any way of staying there while the storm
raged?

He made up his mind on the spur of the moment. It was simply madness
to think of shooting downward now. The storm hung low, and most of its
violence would be apt to pass by beneath the height marking that lofty
crown. Yes, the safest thing for them in the long run would be to land
on the rock, as they had done several times before, and then seek to
save their lives, no matter what became of the biplane.

Money would purchase another aeroplane; but money could never restore a
lost life. So Frank reduced the speed at which he was rushing around
the top of the rocky mountain.

If the wind would only hold back another minute he believed he would be
able to make it. But Andy must know, for he would have to hold himself
ready to jump at the proper second, so as to stop the fluttering air
craft before it went beyond the further edge.

At least one thing was in his favor as he turned back to make the
second circuit, as Andy believed; the air currents were from the west,
and they faced them now; hence the biplane was in the proper shape to
effect a landing; birds almost invariably drop to earth facing the
breeze, and not with it.

"I'm going to land on top, Andy!" he shouted, knowing that the other
would be panic-stricken by the fact that he had shut off nearly all the
power.

"Oh! why?" cried his cousin.

"It's our only chance; we could never get to the ground! Be ready to
jump like you did before! Watch out, now, Andy!"

"I'm ready, Frank!"

Andy tried to control his voice when he shouted this; but it was
quavering sadly,