OFF TO THE MEET
Jerry Hopkins made up his mind that there was but one thing to do. It
was utterly out of the question to stop in time now, or to swerve from
the direct path, in which was the small boat.
“We’ve got to jump over them!” murmured the tall lad to himself. “We’ve
hardly speed enough to rise, yet I’ve got to chance it. If I don’t----”
He dared not think of the alternative. With a quick motion he threw
the lever of the motor over as far as it would go. It meant full speed
ahead, and with a rush and a roar, a rumbling and trembling, the
powerful machine took up the extra fuel that was thrown into it.
“It’s now or never!” murmured the steersman, while the occupants of
the motor-ship gazed ahead with fear-filled eyes. In the small boat
crouched the woman and girl, while on board the sailing yacht a man
was vainly reaching out with a landing hook, endeavoring to pull the
little craft out of danger.
“Now!” suddenly shouted Jerry as if he was calling to some one, and he
yanked the elevation rudder lever toward him.
Like a thing alive the _Comet_ seemed to lift herself from the surface
of the water. The front end was elevated, the forward hydroplanes
emerging dripping from the liquid element. Now they were almost over
the rowboat, in the bottom of which, clinging to each other in terror,
were the two trembling occupants.
Would the rear end of the airship--the big after-hydroplanes clear
them; or would they dash them to death?
This was the question that every one on board the _Comet_ was asking
himself, Jerry most anxiously of all, for it was his desperate plan
that was being tried. Yet there was no other way.
With a whizzing and a rushing sound the motor-ship lifted herself from
the lake. Upward and upward she mounted, the rear hydroplanes being now
clear of the water. In another moment the airship passed over the heads
of those in the rowboat, clearing them by about five feet, as Jerry and
his chums learned afterward. They could not see what took place below
them and directly in the rear, but when they were well up in the air,
by looking back, they could see the woman and the girl in the boat,
unharmed. There was a prayer of thankfulness in every heart.
“Whew!” exclaimed Jerry, as he wiped the perspiration from his
forehead, and slowed down the speed of the motor. “I wouldn’t go
through such an experience again for a million dollars.”
“Me either,” chimed in Ned. “I thought they were goners, as well as
ourselves.”
“It was a narrow squeak,” added Bob. “They came out directly in our
path.”
“Well, they didn’t mean to,” suggested the tall lad. “I guess they were
as badly frightened as we were. But the _Comet_ did herself proud on
this occasion.”
“And you handled your craft most excellently,” complimented Professor
Snodgrass, who, during the recent excitement, had remained a mute
spectator. “I never saw better nerve displayed, Jerry, my boy.”
“Oh, well, it was the only thing to do,” was the modest answer. “I
guess we’ll head for home now, and get a nerve-bracer in the shape of
some ice-cream soda, or something like that; eh, fellows?”
“Sure,” agreed Bob and Ned.
“Wow! Nothing like it--scoot along--over the water--up in the air--jump
over their heads--down again--sail along--turn a somersault--rush at
’em--scare ’em to death--whoop-de-doodle do! Wow!” Andy Rush was fairly
quivering with poorly-repressed excitement.
They reached Cresville without further incident, made a good landing,
and received the congratulation of many friends who gathered around the
barn on Jerry’s premises, as soon as it was learned that the _Comet_
had returned.
“Did it work all right?” Mr. Slade was anxious to know.
“Couldn’t be better, dad,” replied his son.
“Then are you soon going--” The merchant did not finish, but they knew
what he meant.
Mr. Slade was exceedingly anxious to get into communication with Mr.
Jackson, and his son, seeing a worried look on his parent’s face, asked:
“Are things any worse, dad?”
“Well, they’re no better,” was the reply, “and I fear there is some new
move afoot on the part of those who are trying to ruin me. If I don’t
get help soon it will be too late.”
“We’ll leave for Danforth day after to-morrow,” decided Jerry on
hearing this.
“Can we be ready in time?” asked Ned.
“We’ll have to,” was the grim retort. “I’ll let you and Bob attend to
the storing of the provisions and supplies, and I’ll tinker with the
machinery. We can do it if we hustle, and hustle we will. Meanwhile you
might send a telegram to the authorities of the meet, asking if Mr.
Jackson has arrived yet, and if he has, request them to tell him to
wait until we get there, as we have an important message for him.”
Ned did this, and received a reply to the effect that Mr. Jackson had
not yet arrived. It was stated, however, that his dirigible balloon
was on the ground, and that his employées were getting it in shape for
a flight on the opening day of the aeroplane carnival, which was four
days off.
“Oh, then we’ll be in plenty of time,” declared Jerry. “There is always
some delay in these affairs, and, once we get started in the _Comet_ we
can make all kinds of fast time. You needn’t worry about it, Mr. Slade.”
But the merchant could not help worrying, for his business affairs were
in dire straits.
The adjusting of the machinery, and the fitting out of the motor-ship
for the coming voyage, proceeded rapidly. Bob, to whom was left the
purchasing of the provisions, was in his element.
The last work had been done, the last box put aboard, and the final
adjustment made to the machinery. The _Comet_ was ready to leave.
Early in the morning, before a crowd of curiosity-seekers had had time
to gather, our heroes and Professor Snodgrass entered the cabin. The
parents of the boys were there to say good-bye.
“All ready?” called Jerry to his chums.
“All ready,” came the answer.
There was a hissing sound as the gas rushed into the big bag, a
straining of the holding ropes, and then, as they were cast off, the
motor-ship rose into the air. Jerry started the propellers.
“Off at last!” exclaimed Ned, waving his hand to his father.
“And may we be successful!” murmured Jerry.
A small figure dashed up the street. Off came a hat which was waved in
the air. Then came a shrill cheer.
“There they go! Off in the air--rush along--never say die--blow up--no
matter--on again--that’s the stuff! Good luck! Good-bye!”
“No need to look to see who that is,” remarked Jerry, as he put on a
little more speed, and the _Comet_ pointed her sharp nose toward the
place of the balloon meet, where our friends hoped to get the aid of
the man who could save Mr. Slade from ruin.