4 Wherever can we be?
　　The aeroplane landed with a slight bump that shook the children and made them gasp¹. Then it ranalong a little way on its huge wheels, and stopped. They had arrived.
　　But where? Dawn had come, and light came in at the windows, but it was not full morning yet.
　　One of the men switched off the throbbing² engines. At once a great quiet and peace came into thecabin. How marvellous not to have that enormous noise flooding into their ears any more! Thechildren were glad.
　　They heard the men’s voices. ‘We’ve made good time – and a good landing too. You broughther in well, Juan.’
　　‘We’ve not got much time to spare,’ said Juan. ‘Come on – let’s get out and stretch our legs.
　　We’ll go to the hut and have a meal.’
　　To the children’s enormous delight the men clambered out of the plane and disappeared. Theyhadn’t even gone round to the back of the crate³ and seen the children! Maybe they could escapeand get help at once. Anyway they would be able to send word to Bill and Mrs Mannering tellingthem not to worry.
　　‘Come on,’ said Jack⁴, getting up cautiously. ‘Let’s squint⁵ out of the window and see where weare. On an aerodrome, I hope. We’ll probably see a mechanic or two, and ask them to direct us tosomeone in authority.’
　　They all crowded to the nearest window. But what a shock when they looked out!
　　They were not on an aerodrome at all. They were on a broad flat piece of grassland⁶ in a valley –and that valley seemed to be surrounded on all sides by towering mountains.
　　‘Gosh!’ said Jack. ‘Where are we? Back of beyond, I should think.’
　　‘We’re in a valley,’ said Philip. ‘With mountains all round – awfully⁷ beautiful – but awfullylonely! How can we get help here? There won’t be a plane to take us back, that’s certain.’

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