Bess Moyer
Gypsies of the Air
"Gypsies of the Air" by Bess Moyer is a fiction work probably written in the early 1930s. This adventurous tale follows the daring exploits of Terry Mapes, a young girl pilot, as she embarks on a mission to locate her missing friends, Allan and Syd, who have gone missing during a transatlantic flight. As she ventures into the skies with her sister Prim, the story unfolds with themes of courage, adventure, and the challenges of young women in a male-dominated field. The opening of the narrative introduces Terry Mapes, who is both anxious and determined, as she takes to the skies in her airplane, the "Skybird". The tension rises as she grapples with the fear that her friends have faced an accident. With her motivations tied closely to her family and the flying legacy of her father, her decision to search for Allan and Syd reflects her courage and resolve. Not only does Terry display her flying skills, but the introduction also hints at the presence of adversarial forces like Bud Hyslop and Joe Arnold, suggesting complications ahead in their quest. As they set off into the unknown, the stage is set for a thrilling adventure filled with unexpected twists and dangers.