Flying down a rainbow

In Short

This story follows Jimmy Devlin, an impoverished pilot struggling to keep his decrepit, self-repaired biplane in the air, and Ed Weber, an elderly prospector convinced he has found the location of a legendary gold strike. When the two join forces to beat a mining rush to the Nevada mountains, their flight ends in a catastrophic crash. What remains is a character-driven study of sacrifice and camaraderie, as the pair finds that the pursuit of wealth—whether in the air or on the ground—is often dictated by pure, unpredictable chance.

The Story

Jimmy Devlin is a likable, down-on-his-luck pilot at Pacific Field whose only asset is a "Calico Peacock," a salvaged biplane he has laboriously rebuilt with his own limited funds. Because he cannot afford professional marketing or modern equipment, he struggles to attract customers among the more successful commercial pilots. His luck turns when an elderly, unassuming man named Ed Weber approaches him. Weber has heard rumors of a massive gold strike in a remote location called Keno, Nevada, and he needs a pilot to get him there before the rest of the world catches on.

Though Jimmy is skeptical of his own plane’s ability to survive the trip, he agrees to fly Weber for fifty dollars—a pittance that barely covers the cost of fuel. The two set off, but the flight is plagued by mechanical failure. The engine, never properly broken in, begins to overheat almost immediately. They are forced to land for repairs in Sacramento, where they learn that other, more professional pilots are already racing toward Keno. Despite the risk to his precious, fragile plane, Jimmy agrees to take the dangerous short route across the high Sierra Nevada mountains to make up for lost time.

As they cross the high summits, the engine suffers a terminal failure, forcing Jimmy to crash-land into a dense, forested valley. The impact is violent; the plane is completely demolished against a hidden rock ledge, leaving Jimmy badly injured and unconscious. When he wakes, he finds that Weber, though bruised, has managed to survive by shielding himself with their blanket rolls.

The turning point occurs when the two are stranded, awaiting rescue. Jimmy, believing their adventure has ended in failure, urges the old man to hike the remaining miles to Keno to stake his claim. Weber refuses, choosing instead to stay by the injured pilot’s side throughout a cold, harrowing night. However, in the morning, Weber reveals a startling discovery: the very rock ledge that destroyed their plane has exposed a rich, massive vein of gold. The crash, which seemed to be the end of their dreams, has actually delivered them directly to a fortune far greater than the one they were hunting in Keno. The story concludes with the two men realizing that their accidental wreck has made them wealthy beyond their wildest expectations.

How It Unfolds

The bargain is struck Jimmy needs money and Weber needs a ride, leading to an unlikely partnership between a young, struggling pilot and an old-timer with a map to a hidden strike. They agree to fly the Calico Peacock to Keno, despite the plane's questionable airworthiness.

The engine falters The strain of the journey quickly proves too much for the amateurishly repaired engine. Forced to choose between safety and speed, they gamble on a high-altitude path over the mountains to outpace their competitors.

The crash landing Engine failure leaves them with no choice but to drop into the tree line. The resulting collision with a hidden rocky outcrop obliterates the plane and leaves Jimmy incapacitated.

The choice of character Trapped in the wilderness, Weber faces a moral dilemma: leave the injured Jimmy to reach the Keno strike or remain by his side. His decision to prioritize his companion over the potential gold speaks to the bond forged during their flight.

The accidental fortune The morning light reveals that the wreckage has exposed a gold-bearing ledge. The story closes with the realization that their disaster was actually a stroke of immense, serendipitous luck.

The People

Jimmy Devlin is the earnest, modest protagonist who views his "Calico Peacock" as both his livelihood and his pride. He is defined by his generosity and his willingness to risk his only asset to help an elderly stranger. By the end, his selflessness is rewarded, though he is humbled by the physical toll of the crash.

Ed Weber is a weathered prospector who represents the old-world spirit of the West. He is shy, unassuming, and deeply respectful of the "gold fever" that has governed his life. His character arc is defined by his transition from a desperate, aging man chasing a rumor to a person who finds true value in human kindness, ultimately discovering that his integrity pays off more handsomely than his greed ever did.

In Its Own Voice

“Gold’s a funny old gal. She’ll flirt with you for years and then go throw herself on some total stranger’s neck.”

The narrator uses this observation to frame the unpredictable nature of the gold strike that drives the characters’ desperate journey.

“I’ve come up and down this crick a dozen times, but I never found anything but a few pieces of float. But, this Calico Peacock of yours dug its nose smack-dab into the richest gold ledge that’s been uncovered in this country for years.”

Weber explains to a dazed, injured Jimmy that their catastrophic landing has accidentally uncovered the fortune they had been chasing elsewhere.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the thin line between failure and triumph. The narrative argues that human agency is often insufficient in the face of fortune; one can work hard to rebuild a plane or research a claim, but the final outcome remains in the hands of chance. It poses the question of whether the "fever" of ambition is worth the risk of life and livelihood, suggesting that the most meaningful moments—such as Weber’s decision to stay with an injured companion—arise when characters stop chasing their goals and start prioritizing the people around them. It is a meditation on the irony that the most desperate situations can yield the greatest rewards.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the gritty, pioneering spirit of early 20th-century aviation and the classic tropes of American gold-rush fiction will find this a quick, satisfying read. It captures a specific, vibrant moment in history when the technology of flight began to overlap with the rugged, fading world of the prospector. The writing is straightforward and brisk, mimicking the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of the characters' lives.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific language and the somewhat simplistic, fairy-tale resolution of the plot. The story moves rapidly, which means the emotional beats sometimes feel compressed, and the dialogue reflects a vintage, colloquial style that may strike some as a bit dated. If you can appreciate the charming, unvarnished nature of a 1929 magazine story, you will likely find the bond between the young, idealistic pilot and the wise, weary prospector quite touching. It leaves the reader with a sense of wonder about the "rainbows" we chase—and the sudden, jarring ways they sometimes land in our laps.