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.