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CHAPTER 4

  TROUBLE STARTS.

  WINGS OVER THE MOUNTAIN.

  Summer had really arrived. The days were long and hot, with just a few clouds here and there. Everything was dry, and the breeze, when it blew pushed little twist of dust into the air.

  Over to the right hand side of the bay, Bradda Head pushed its length out, and the coastline followed round and away to Peel, with lots of little bays and inlets dotted here and there. At the high end of Port Erin, the road rose up, and wound its way towards the hills. The fields started there, and climbed up the slopes. Spaces opened here and there, with trees, and carpeted with bracken, and wild blackberries. In amongst this, a stream meandered about, winding down to the cliffs, where the ground leveled out, and then fell to the rocks where waves now gurgled smoothly. There, during winter, these same waves crashed and battered, sending plumes of spray high into the air, where the wind grabbed it, and sent it whirling into town, where it fell almost like rain.

  It was only after these storms were over, and the wet windows dried out, that you could see the salt left in layers, white and glistening in the bleak watery sunshine.

  But now, the trees drooped in the heat. Even the flowers wilted, and birds perched in the shade, spreading their wings to try and cool themselves. There had been no wind at all, so sailing had been no more than a fond hope. The SANNOX had lain at her mooring, bobbing up and down as the tides went in and out.

  Rhes, still trying to see and learn more and more about earth, had gone for a hike in the mountains. He did not expect to return for a few days. He felt that this Island was so peaceful that no possible trouble could come and put the twins in danger. Anyway, there was the medallion.

  Robin and Robina, fair hair now bleached, and skin browned by the sun, had ridden their mountain bikes to the edge of the forest, and then gone for a long slow walk, where the shadows were deep, and the sun's burning rays could not reach. How nice it was to sit by a stream that chuckled and gurgled over stones, as it passed on its way to join the river further down.

  Tired now, they sat and dipped their feet in the water, and saw small fish swim away in panic, through the ripples.

  "Listen to the insects buzzing" yawned Robin. "I'm almost asleep just sitting here".

  "I don't think that noise is insects", replied Robina, with a frown, "and I've never heard insects that sound like a lawn mower".

  She kicked out with her feet, and a shower of water flew through the air, and landed on Robin's face as he sat on the bank, with his eyes shut.

  "Come on” she cried, as she jumped to her feet, and ran away through the trees. "Let’s see what is making that noise".

  Robin wiped the water from his face, and ran after his sister, his feet pounding almost silently on the thick carpet of pine needles. Soon they reached the edge of the tree, and stood panting, as t hey saw to their amazement , that the open grass space on top of the hill had had flags, on poles set out to mark a square. Circling above were six brightly coloured Hang Gliders with small engines buzzing away just like a swarm of bees.

  Round and round they went, like red Indians galloping round a wagon train. Every now and then, one would leave the rest and float down to make a landing in the patch marked out by the flags. Then with a loud buzz, off it would go to make way for the next one. After a while, the gliders began to land in pairs, then threes, and lastly all together, from all directions.

  The twins were amazed. They had never seen anything like it, and could have stood there all day just watching. However, the gliders stopped their engines, and lay looking like a gigantic group of brightly coloured butterflies on a green flower.

  The men sat down on the grass, and opened their lunch boxes. The twins wished they too had brought something to eat as well. As soon as the meal was over, the leader pulled a pipe out of his pocket, and after filling and lighting it, in a cloud of blue smoke, dragged a book from another pocket, and settled down to read. Four of the others lay down, pulled their flying helmets over their faces, and went to sleep. The last one, however, stood up, and walked from the group.

  The twins watched him getting nearer, and saw him jump a bit when he saw then standing in the shade.

  "You gave me quite a turn!" he exclaimed. "I didn't see you there. How long have you been watching?"

  "What are you doing?" asked Robin, not answering the question.

  "No". Laughed the stranger. "You tell me how long you have been there, and then I'll tell you what we are doing."

  "I suppose we have been here about an hour" replied Robin. "Now tell us what this is all about"

  "Can you keep a secret?",asked the stranger.

  "Of course we can" said the twins, heads nodding, eyes as wide as saucers.

  "Well, I suppose I can trust you. We are practicing for a competition which will take place soon, and we don't want any other fliers to steal our ideas".

  Just then the older man knocked his pipe out, and as he put it away, looked round and saw the twins talking to the young flier. His face changed to a scowl, and with a shout of anger he ran across the grass and said.

  "Charlie. How many times must I tell you not to talk to strangers. You know it’s not in the plan". More words were spoken, but the men had now walked too far away for the twins to hear what was said.

  After a few moments the fliers started their engines, and one after another took to the air. Charlie, who was last off collected the flags, climbed into his glider, and took off right over the twins. As they looked up, they could see him smiling down. He waved to them, and then set off after the others as fast as he could. Soon they were just specks in the distance, then they were