out was not only kept for their
rivals in the sky ahead, but anxious looks were cast over the expanse
of white-capped waters. Calculations told them that by this time the
other airplane could not be far ahead.

Less than ten minutes later, Tom espied a small object far away on
their port quarter. It was bobbing about on the waves, rising and
falling. Bob seized a pair of glasses, and took a long look. He
turned around with his face full of excitement.

"Heavens, fellows!" he cried; "that object looks like an airplane!"

All took a look. Then they, too, were excited, There could be no doubt
about it--the object was a wrecked airplane. And as it was extremely
unlikely that there were other machines in the vicinity than their own
and that of their adversaries', they were quite sure that it must be
the remains of the _Clarion_.

John turned the Sky-Bird in the direction of the floating thing, and
soon they saw what seemed to be the form of a human being clinging to
one of the wings. John threw in both engines in an effort to get all
possible speed out of the craft.

In a little while they were close enough to see that the wreck was
really the _Clarion_. But what a sad-looking sight was the former
handsome craft! Her tail had been wrenched off, and only half of one
of her long wings could be seen. Out upon the other, on hands and
knees, clinging desperately to the aileron brace, was the hatless,
water-soaked figure of a man. As they came closer still they could see
him waving his hand frantically at them.

With a glass, Paul saw that this person was Oliver Torrey. Anxiously
his eyes roved over the wreck in quest of other survivors, but none
could he discern. Irony of fate! had all of the others been drowned?

John brought the Sky-Bird down to within seventy-five feet of the sea
as they approached. Tom seized the speaking trumpet, and as they swept
over the _Clarion_ he bawled out: "Hang on, Torrey! We'll stand by,
and save you if we can!"

But they were facing a herculean task, and realized it. They could not
light upon the water. Nor could they stop in midair. How in the world
could they effect the hapless flyer's rescue?

John circled at reduced speed while all of their minds were busy trying
to work out the problem. In the meantime Torrey's frantic pleadings
for them not to go away and leave him to his fate filled their ears.
It was a trying, nerve-racking situation.

Bob Giddings struck upo