For an hour, with the brown natives bending their stout backs to send the canoes shooting forward, they glided along through the mist. It was not raining hard—only a fine spray coming down. They were soaked to the skin, but no one minded that for the air was warm.

Jack really enjoyed it. For a time at least they were free from danger. The war seemed unreal and far away. It was as if they had left it behind forever, and he almost wished he had!

He thought of the folks at home, of his father working harder than ever because there was a war, of his mother doing her own work, helping the Red Cross and selling bonds in a booth on Saturdays. It was all very strange how a war started by a few very stupid men could change the lives of more than half the people in the world—strange and terrible.

“Look!” Mary exclaimed suddenly. “A star!”
184

“Where?” Jack looked up.

“Not up. Over there!” she pointed.

“You wouldn’t see a star through the mist in the daytime. You must be dreaming,” Jack protested.

“But look! Look closely! It’s rather faint, but quite real. A white star!” She was leaning forward, straining her eyes as if looking for a vision.

“Yes,” he agreed at last. “I see it.”

“Star of hope,” she murmured. “If you’d lived on that island for two years as I have, you’d know what that means.”

“Two years! You haven’t been there that long! It’s impossible!” He stared at her in unbelief.

“Is it?” She laughed. “In this war anything is possible. Listen!” Her face tensed with memories. “I was on Corregidor when we surrendered to those terrible Japs.”

“Corregidor?” Jack gasped. “Corregidor in the Philippines? Say!” His voice dropped. “That’s where the Black Bee, our carrier, is headed for next.”

“Corregidor!” It was her turn to stare.

“Well, not Corregidor just yet, but the Philippines—Mindanao, to be exact.”

“Oh! Take me with you!” she exclaimed softly.
185

“We’re not on board ship yet,” he smiled. “We’re just hoping. But say!” he exclaimed. “How’d you ever get way over here? Tell me about it, will you?”

“Yes, sure I will.” She leaned forward. “I was a nurse, and just before the surrender I was told by a native that one of my best friends lay in a boathouse somewhere along the shore. He was a flier and had been badly wounded.

“I slipped away to find him.” She drew in a deep breath. “I found him and did what I could. He lived six hours.” She paused to gaze away at the sea.

“And in the meantime the fortress was surrendered?” Jack suggested.

“Yes.” She went on. “That same native came all the way to tell me. They were wonderful, those Filipinos!” She paused again, to stare away at the white star that every moment grew closer.

“And then?” Jack prompted.

“The native told me that my friend’s seaplane, all gassed and ready, lay hidden in a tiny bay among the mango trees. I went there. I could fly, not too well, but enough to keep going. I climbed in, started the motor, then flew away from all that terror.” She shuddered.

“I headed for America. Of course,” she laughed, a sort of choking laugh, “I knew I couldn’t make it, not all the way, but I did want to be nearer home if I had to die. You know—”
186

“Yes,” Jack whispered. He knew. Every homesick American boy in all this vast Pacific knew.

“I kept going,” she continued. “I don’t know how many hours I flew. Then my gas ran low. The sun was bright. I dropped down low to discover a dark speck on a broad sea. It was a large native canoe. I landed close to them. It was my only chance.”

“They took me in and brought me here. There had been missionaries on the island, but they were gone. They liked me, those natives, because I could roast a pig just right and make fine cakes,” she laughed.

“Because the Japs might come at any time, the natives painted me up, dyed my hair, and made me the daughter of the chief. And now,” she drew in a long breath, “here I am.”

“Yes, and look!” Jack pointed. “There’s your lucky star. It’s on the side of Ted’s plane. It’s going to bring luck to you after all.”

He had spoken the truth. The star that had shone through the fog was the white star on a blue circle that identifies American planes.

Their boatmen gave a few more lusty strokes, and they were alongside.

And there, sitting on the fuselage grinning at them, was Ted.
187

“I start out to rescue you.” He laughed. “And now look! You come to rescue me and my plane!”

“Is your plane badly damaged?” Jack asked anxiously.

“Not so far as I can see.” Ted slid down into the canoe. “She’s got a few slugs in her. Her tail needs a bit of trimming. Three or four hours’ work should put her in shape.”

“Then why didn’t you taxi in?” Jack asked.

“Taxi? Move? Make a noise? Say!” Ted laughed hoarsely. “If you&rsqu............