Ernest K. Gann is the author of numerous books, among them The High and the Mighty, Twilight for the Gods, The Aviator, and The Magistrate. He lives in Anacortes, Washington, and continues to write and publish prolifically.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

PROLOGUE

THE TIP OF THE ARROW

AN UNDESIRED RENDEZVOUS IN THE NIGHT

I THE INNOCENTS

AND OF THE FACTS OF AERIAL LIFE

II A NOVITIATE

TANGLED AND STUMBLING IN THE ROBES OF HIS ORDER

III HUMILITY LEARNED

IN WHICH A MASTER IS TOLERANT

IV A CAPTAIN

AT WORK

V THE SEASONING

WHERE THE MIND IS HONED AND SWEAT IS FOUND TO MIX WITH ICE

VI OF NUMBERS

AND THEIR POWER TO REDUCE THE PRESUMPTUOUS QUICKLY

VII GYPSIES

DOUBTFUL OF STATION AND INTENTIONS

VIII RULE BOOKS ARE PAPER

THEY WILL NOT CUSHION A SUDDEN MEETING OF STONE AND METAL

IX VALHALLA

THE TORTUOUS ROUTE THERETO

X A LONELY, UNLOVED SHIP

FINDING HAZARD THE MORE BITTER WHEN MATCHED WITH TRIFLES

XI THE NUMBERS

IN A WICKED, VENGEFUL MOOD

XII COLD

EXHAUSTING, UNRELENTING, MURDEROUS COLD

XIII HEAT

IN MOST MEN THERE LURKS A LESSER MAN, AND HIS PRESENCE SMELLS IN THE SUN

XIV FORTUNE

WHERE IS THE MAN WHO SURVIVES WITHOUT

XV A HOLE

SO SMALL, BUT OF EXQUISITE DESIGN

XVI A PRETENDER

HOW ONE FINE MAN IS ILL-USED BY FATE AND ANOTHER DARES DECEIVE IT

XVII A CERTAIN EMBARRASSMENT

THE URGE TO SHIFT BLAME BECOMES EVEN UGLIER WHEN THE ACCUSED HAS LEFT THE FEAST

XVIII TRAGEDY AND ESCAPE

THERE IS A DEGREE OF MERCY BEYOND WHICH ANY MAN IS RUDE TO INQUIRE

EPILOGUE

NOTES