Phantom helpers

American pilot Charles Lindbergh (right) was the first to fly solo from New York to Paris across the Atlantic in 1927. He encountered trouble on this journey, but was helped by misty, unknown, yet friendly creatures.

The fuselage of Lindbergh's plane, nicknamed (attention, attention!) "The Spirit of St. Louis," was covered with a layer of ice, and the pilot had trouble navigating. The weather, although May, was terrible, and fog obscured the moon. Misty figures, easily passing through walls, spoke with human voices, discussed navigational problems, and gave Lindbergh advice and directions.

Joshua SlocumThe pilot later wrote that he felt as if he had been reunited with old friends after many years of separation... The 33-hour flight was a success!

Even more interesting was the adventure of Joshua Slocum (left), the first sailor to sail solo around the globe in 1895. During the voyage, Slocum contracted some poisonous illness. Unable to steer the yacht, he lay on the floor writhing in pain. Suddenly, he saw a tall man at the helm.

The latter addressed him respectfully, using the term "señor" (Spanish for "sir"). He announced that he had come to help him and that he was one of Columbus's sailors. When Slocum awoke the next morning, he found that the yacht was on the right course and that it had covered a long distance during the stormy night..